HRCA November Newsletter 2016

News November 2016

Celebrating 35 years!

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Software Upgrade update The HRCA is currently implementing a new software upgrade that will be more customer friendly when searching for a class or program, while giving our members the ability to rent facilities, schedule meeting rooms and purchase event tickets.

We need your help to complete this process. Each household needs to update their membership information in our system in order to ensure each account is setup correctly. This can be accomplished easily online or in person.

To update your information, please fill out a membership form online at www.HRCAonline.org/Upgrade (it will only take a few minutes) and data will automatically upload into our new system. OR, print the form, fill it out and return to any recreation center.

A form will be required for each permanent member of the household.

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The 2017 Budget The HRCA Finance Committee, a volunteer group, voted to recommend the 2017 HRCA budget to the Board of Directors on Monday October 10.

The draft budget was posted in midOctober for homeowners to review at www.HRCAonline.org/Budget.

The 2017 budget was presented to Delegates at the October 18 meeting, and a final budget will be adopted at the November 15 Board of Directors meeting.

December 1 until February 28 bring in your photo ID for proof of residency and pick up your new free membership card. After December 1, your old membership card will no longer be valid.

The new system is set to launch December 1, so look for great things to come!

Start Your Holiday Planning Now! HRCA has many fun events, classes, and activities to get you ready and in the mood for the upcoming festive holiday season.

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Take an art class to make unique holiday gifts, attend the Jewelry & Holiday Gift Fair, buy HRCA Gift Cards or the New 2017 HRCA Calendar, or pick up something at the Pottery Sale at Southridge

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Get in the spirit with these upcoming events: Nutcracker Highlights, Classical Music Series, Hometown Holiday, or the Holiday Princess Tea Party, just to name a few

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Get out the holiday lights and enter this year’s Holiday House Decorating Contest or just go see some of the amazing contestants' houses

Check the web site for all the upcoming holiday events and classes to get you into the holiday spirit! www.HRCAonline.org/Happenings

Senior Health and Information Fair In partnership with the Highlands Ranch Metro District, the HRCA will host the 5th annual Senior Health and Information Fair on Saturday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. - noon at the Recreation Center at Eastridge.

Join us for this great event with local service providers. A variety of free, simple health screenings will be offered. Service professionals on aging will be on hand to answer your questions. You may also attend one of the many educational classes.

For more information, call 720-240-4922 or email jmccann@highlandsranch.org.

Jerry Flannery CEO and General Manager HRCA|news is published monthly by the Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc.

HRCA|Event/Weather Line 303-471-8888

Board of Directors 303-471-8958 Scott Lemmon Brock Norris Melissa Park Jeff Suntken Dennis Seymour

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES at Eastridge 303-791-8958 9568 University Blvd.

M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

RECREATION CENTERS 303-791-2500 Recreation Center at Northridge 8801 Broadway M-Th: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

F: 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sa. & Su: 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Eastridge 9568 University Blvd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Westridge 9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

What are you thankful for this year? I am thankful to have gotten to know many of you over the last five years and that I can call you friends. I am also thankful for all of our residents that make this community a leader among planned communities across the nation! I am hopeful that you all have too many blessings to count this year and wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings ever!

Budget: This year’s budget is anticipated to have an increase in it. At the time of writing this, the amount has not been determined. It will come as no surprise that all of this assessment increase will go to the Recreation Facility Fund Common Assessment for maintenance of facilities and toward much needed improvement projects like the Northridge remodels. These types of initiatives are critical to keeping our home values at levels higher than anywhere in the Denver Metro area. Keep an eye out for emails, mailings, and check our web site for up-to-date budget information.

Information Technology and Upgrade: The HRCA is implementing a new technology upgrade. It will have state-of-the art recreation and finance software to give HRCA the ability to streamline processes, payments, and give our members a better user experience. This effort has been a huge undertaking and will bring us into the 21st century! It will lay the foundation for many improvements into the future! As a homeowner, you can update your information and start reaping the benefits as soon as they become available on our system. The following link will help guide you through that update: www.HRCAonline.org/Upgrade

Volunteer of the Month: Oktoberfest Volunteers Thank you to all of the families who volunteered at the Oktoberfest booth to get the word out about the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Program! It was great to educate our community on the importance of therapeutic recreation and the families we serve. Thank you also to all the staff and residents that helped make Oktoberfest the most successful one in years! We couldn’t do any of these great events without you!

What’s Happening This Month: As always there is lots to do this month at HRCA. I wanted to highlight the Backcountry Half Marathon, Jewelry & Holiday Gift Fair, Senior Health and Information Fair, Sip and Savor with Experts, and last but not least, the Nutcracker Highlights. Please check our calendar for more details on these events and more on our web site: www.HRCAonline.org.

Thank you and again I hope you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Southridge 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd.

quarterly assessments

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Have you filled out your new membership form yet? If not, please visit www.HRCAonline.org/Upgrade to get started.

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Copyright ©2016 Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Permission is required to redistribute, reproduce, modify or republish information from Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc, in print or electronically.

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The 4th quarter 2016 invoices were due 10/1/2016. Please help HRCA save costs and the environment by signing up for E-Statements.

To receive your invoice via email please visit the following link: https://highlandsranch.opt-e-mail.com/signup.

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Community News

Winter Property Prep Fall is here, so now is the perfect time to prepare your lawn and landscaping for the winter.

Here are some tips to help you prepare: •

Aerate and/or dethatch your lawn.

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Restore bare spots or re-sod the entire lawn.

Put a lid on it!

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Apply a winter fertilizer.

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Prune and remove dead tree branches.

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Plant trees and shrubs now so that they can become well-established before the winter freeze begins.

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Before shutting down the sprinklers, give your lawn a good watering to prevent root damage that can occur over the winter.

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Disconnect your hoses and have your sprinkler system blown out to prevent pipe freezing.

Please remember to keep your trash contained. It's important that trash be kept in sealed containers and upright while at the curb. Please compact your trash as much as possible (making it heavier and less likely to blow over), place it in bags, and put the bags into tightly covered cans before putting out at the curb.

For more information or specific questions about your landscaping, you can call the Master Gardeners at Colorado State University Cooperative Extension of Douglas County at 720-733-6935 or email mgardenr@douglas.co.us.

Fall is also a good time to assess your property, so you can plan and budget for future maintenance needs. We recommend you appraise your home for the following: •

Inspect to see if your home will require paint in the near future.

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See if there is any exposed wood that needs repair.

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Check all roofing and gutters for needed repairs/maintenance.

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Check fencing for broken pickets, slats, water damage and general maintenance.

Pick up a 2017 HRCA Community Calendar in Recreation Centers now!

Just $5.00!

NOrthridge renovation We are presently beginning the design process to renovate the Recreation Center at Northridge.

Our plan is to begin construction in April of next year aiming at completion in November. Northridge will remain open during the construction, while experiencing partial closures from time-to-time.

Our goal is to transform Northridge, our oldest recreation center, into the HRCA’s most up-to-date facility.

Included in the planning is to significantly improve the entrance and move it to a safer location to provide better access to the building.

Other improvements include opening up the ceilings, enhanced lighting, new flooring, efficient space utilization, and reinvigorating Northridge with the latest décor.

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Holiday House Decorating Contest Do you spend hours creating the most festive house on the block during the holidays? Do your Christmas decorations put Clark Griswold to shame? Well, by entering the HRCA’s Holiday House Decorating Contest, it can pay off! The first, second, and third place winners will each receive a cash award, and have an award sign placed in their front yard, be recognized in the HRCA News, on HRCA's Facebook page, and have their home’s photo featured on the HRCA web site.

To enter, take a photo of your Highlands Ranch home at night while lit and decorated. Fill out and submit the online form (where you will upload the photo) by 5:00 p.m. on December 12. The home address and photos will be posted on www.HRCAonline. org with a map showing the location of each entry. Everyone is invited to view the festive sights and lights and vote for their favorite home December 14 18. The winners will be announced on December 21.

To enter the contest or to vote, visit www.HRCAonline.org/Contest.

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Ranch updates & events

Westridge Parties and Celebrations Our inspired party staff goes to great lengths to create the event you envision and attend to every detail. From the action-packed, customized indoor turf activities, and team celebration rooms, to decorated boys' or girls' themed party rooms, our service remains unparalleled ensuring your birthday party or team event is unforgettable.

Book today! Call 720-348-8267 or visit www.HRCAonline.org/Party for more information on Westridge parties or to see more party options at the other facilities.

Sip & Savor with the Experts HRCA and Davidsons Liquors present our exclusive wine event, Sip & Savor with the Experts on Saturday, November 12. Tickets are $40 in advance, and $50 day of the event, if not sold out. This event is geared for the true connoisseur featuring all 50 wines from Davidsons Liquor’s Top 50 Wine List of 2016! Appetizers are provided

by Whole Foods Market Highlands Ranch. All participants receive a commemorative stemless wine glass. You must be 21+ to attend. IDs will be checked. No exceptions.

In addition, you may wish to join us for a special VIP hour, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. This allows you a private hour with Davidsons Liquors sommeliers to sample special reserved wines and hors d’oeuvres. VIP tickets are $55 with limited availability. Get yours today before they sell out!

Nutcracker Highlights

Pottery Sale Southridge Monday, November 28 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Pick up great gifts for the Holidays!

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The Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA) presents a holiday must-see, The Nutcracker "Highlights.” This is one Christmas tradition that many families enjoy year after year. The International Youth Ballet returns to Highlands Ranch to perform one-hour performances of The Nutcracker Suite; perfect for families with small children!

Each child will receive a nutcracker to take home! This performance will leave little ones with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads!

Join us for one of three performances at Southridge: Friday evening, November 18, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. or Saturday, November 19, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. or 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. This event always sells out, so purchase your tickets now. Seating is first-come, first-served. Tickets are $8 in advance, and $11 the day of the event, if not sold out. Children under two are free if they sit on a parent's lap.

Tickets are available online at www.HRCAonline.org/Tickets, by calling 303-791-2500, or visiting any of the four HRCA recreation centers.

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Upcoming events

Jewelry & Holiday Gift Fair There’s something for everyone at the annual Jewelry & Holiday Gift Fair, Saturday, November 5 at Eastridge, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Just in time for the holidays! Looking for special gifts or something truly different to give this holiday? Sometimes the best place to look is your local craft fair. You’ll find everything from home dècor items to jewelry, from to food to ornaments and more with over 125 exhibitors all under one roof. Come get a head start this holiday season with the wide selection of fun and festive gifts for yourself or that very special someone. You’ll be delighted with the quality and selection.

Calling all exhibitors!

Saturday, November 5 • 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. • Free and Open to the Public • Eastridge

Curtain Call at the Mansion- Shelvis & the roustabouts "Shelvis" and The Roustabouts is a tribute band like no other. Led by the fabulous and very charismatic Lori Marie Muha (aka Shelvis), this act is a tight, interactive, smokin' hot and rockin' musical tour de force paying homage to the greatest singers in the world, Elvis Presley with a sprinkling of Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly, and more. Very light appetizers included. Cash bar available. 21+ only please.

Friday, November 11 • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. • $30 in advance, $35 day of event, if not sold out • Highlands Ranch Mansion

Classical Music Series The Classical Music Series continues with the “Fantasies” for Oboe and Strings. The event is brought to you by the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association and the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Enjoy an evening of classical music featuring guided tours of the mansion. Appetizers will be provided. No children under 12 please.

Thursday, November 17 • 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)

• $20 in advance, $25 day of event, if not sold out • Highlands Ranch Mansion

Coming up December 15: Classical Music Series - Chamber Music for the Holidays

hometown holiday There’s no place like home for the holidays! The HRCA proudly presents Hometown Holiday, the tradition which boasts treats for everyone and lots of hometown cheer! Leave your wallets at home, ‘tis the season of giving and everything at this event is complimentary.

This old-fashioned celebration is a winter wonderland of fun-filled festivities including local choirs, strolling carolers, food, reindeer, hayrides, and Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Don't forget to get your free photo with Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to light the Christmas tree at 5:00 p.m., and they must leave at 7:30 p.m., so don't be late.

• Friday, December 2 • 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• Free • Town Center South

Upcoming events December 2

Hometown Holiday

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Holiday Princess Tea Party

15

Classical Music Series Christmas Concert

17 Breakfast with Santa Please check the web site for the most current event information.

Purchase tickets online at www.HRCAonline.org/Tickets.

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Classes, camps & activities

Winter Break Basketball Camp

HIghlands Ranch is Healthy!

Do you want to jump in on the routine of the healthiest individuals in the country? We are so thrilled that Highlands Ranch has been named the healthiest community. We offer a wide variety of fitness programming to best suit the needs of our neighbors throughout every age and stage of life. We have a multitude of Strength Training, Cardio Conditioning, Pilates, Barre, Indoor Cycling, Yoga, Zumba, and Aqua Fitness classes for the early risers, after school drop-off, evening, and weekend exercisers.

The expertise of our group fitness and personal training staff is second to none…and all right here!

Perhaps you want to kick start your fitness routine with a body composition assessment. Body composition testing will analyze your personal muscle to fat ratio, establish baselines fitness levels, and provide information to set challenging yet attainable health and fitness goals.

Our fitness instructors and personal trainers work to transform excess fat into muscle; and help you to achieve your healthiest body. The results of this body composition assessment will give you the education and information to make healthy lifestyle and exercise changes to transform your body. Come in and find out what you’re made of! To schedule your body composition assessment, please call 720-348-8202. For more information about our fitness program, please visit: www.HRCAonline.org/ Fitness .

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Help your child gear up for the upcoming basketball season or just keep them active during winter break by signing up for our winter break basketball camps. The FUNdamentals basketball camp for ages 8-14 will be held in the morning while the shooting specific camp for ages 10-15 will be in the afternoon. Both camps will be held December 26 - 30. For more information please email cmaes@hrcaonline.org or call 303-471-8869.

HRCA Therapeutic Recreation Programs for Special Needs November will bring Indoor Soccer and Unified Basketball practice time for athletes with special needs. Both programs meet at Southridge Recreation Center on Wednesday evenings. Classes encourage team work and sportsmanship while focusing on the skills needed for each sport. Come out and join the fun! For information please visit www.HRCAonline.org/TR. For information about the Therapeutic Recreation Program offerings, class pricing and availability please call 303-471-7043 or email saden@hrcaonline.org. If you’d like to join our volunteer team we’re currently looking for those interested in helping with our Unified Basketball Team!

Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon 2016 marks the 8th Annual Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon in Highlands Ranch!

This scenic 13.1 mile trail run will take place on Saturday, November 5 and will utilize both the Douglas County East/West trail and the pristine Backcountry Wilderness Area trails. The race course is a single loop on 90% dirt trails. Runners will have the potential to view wildlife along the way as well as a soak in the mountain views right here in your backyard. The race sold out in 2015 and will be capped at 1,000 runners this year. For more information or to register visit www.HRraceseries.com.

HRCA Hosts High School Swim Teams HRCA is excited to once again welcome the Rock Canyon, Thunder Ridge, Mountain Vista, and Highlands Ranch High School Girls Swim Teams. The Westridge, Eastridge and Northridge Recreation Centers are the hosts for the schools for training during November, December and January. All home meets are hosted on Tuesday and Thursday or Saturdays at the Recreation Center at Northridge. During February, March, April and May, HRCA hosts the local High School Boys Swim Team. Please check with the pool schedules available at each Recreation Center, as well as on the web site at www.HRCAonline.org for a detailed schedule of when the swim teams will be at each facility.

Give Thanks!

The Power of ART As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.” As the cool temperatures settle in, it’s time to give your children and yourselves, an opportunity to nurture the imagination. HRCA offers a variety of art and pottery programs to suit all ages and family schedules. This chilly, fall month try enrolling in Thanksgiving Traditions (Ages 3-5), Gobble till you Wobble (Ages 5-8) or Nature’s Cornucopia for children ages 5-11.

Season of Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Harvest will be our theme for Play with Clay and Mud Pies Pottery classes. For adults, we’re offering a Beginning Drawing and Painting and a Bits and Pieces Mosaics Workshop as well. Be sure to consider our Holiday Time Ornament class on November 7 or any of our Hand Building or wheel classes for adults.

For more information, please call 303-471-8853.

Leaves are on the ground, snow is beginning to fall and you want to find a fun, engaging activity for your little one! Consider our Creative Kids classes held in their new room at Westridge! In November we’ll be offering, classes every day of the week focused on the following themes: Harvest Time, Pumpkin Pie, Apple of my Eye, Talkin Turkey, Happy Harvest and Pilgrim Snack Hats. 2 Times the Fun and Stepping Stones will be doing projects related to Fall Harvest as well. It’s a great time to get involved and your teachers, Ms. Cory, Ms. Sharon and Ms. Mindie are excited to have you join them! For more information, please call 303-471-8818.

Adult Seminars HRCA offers a variety of adult seminars in an effort to inform you on important topics for you and your family. This month, we’re offering our very popular Will Seminar on November 1.

This one-step class provides a notarized will, general power of attorney, medical power of attorney, and living will. This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and feel prepared.

This class is $110 per person. On November 5, we’re offering Protect your Assets from Nursing Home costs Without Insurance. This is a free seminar with lunch provided, on how your income and savings will be impacted by unexpected health care costs and what to do to protect yourself. On November 2, we’ll be hosting our Estate Planning Seminar where we’ll explain the nuts and bolts of estate planning. This is also a free seminar.

For more information on these seminars, please call 303-471-8818.

Backcountry Chatter What’s all this talk about “building” in the Backcountry Wilderness Area? Well, right now, it’s just a conversation. We are seeking feedback for the Conceptual Plan with Highlands Ranch residents during the course of four public discussions. The Conceptual Plan includes options like improved horse facilities and youth camp areas to an event structure and Olympic style archery range, all with the goal of increasing amenities and producing revenue to further protect the Backcountry's land and wildlife. Currently, homeowners pay just $11 annually­—out of household assessments—to fund the management of Backcountry’s 13 square miles. By adding funding options, without putting more burden on the HRCA members, we can increase education, conservation, and recreation opportunities with minimal impact to the wildlife and landscape.

Let us know what you think by joining us for our third community open house on December 6 at Southridge Recreation Center.

Check out the new registration software December 1! www.HRCAonline.org Outdoor Discovery Camp Summer Registration Opens December 5 The holidays are upon us, but the Backcountry Wilderness Area team is already queuing up the fun for next summer’s Outdoor Discovery Camps. Instead of buying presents that eventually get tossed aside, give the kids in your life the gift of adventure: a week at Outdoor Discovery Camp discovering, learning, and challenging themselves in nature. And don’t worry, you’ll have something to wrap up for your young explorer since all of our December registrations include a free, custom Backcountry Nalgene water bottle!

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PRESORTED Standard US postage paid Highlands Ranch Co Permit #170

9568 University Boulevard, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Facility Closures November 4-5 Eastridge Basketball Courts & Track:

Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.,

Saturday all day November 11 Administrative Offices November 24 Recreation Centers and Administrative Offices November 25 Administrative Offices Check the web site for the most up-to-date closure information.

Postmaster: Time Sensitive Material. Please deliver by 10/31/16

Community Partners The HRCA’s ability to bring events to Highlands Ranch is made possible in part by our Community Partners, the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA), and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

November Events For event details, see page 5 or visit www.HRCAonline.org.

November 5 . . . . . . . Jewelry & Holiday Gift Fair November 7 . . . . . . . Board Working Session* 6:00 p.m.

November 11. . . . . . . Curtain Call at the Mansion Shelvis & the Roustabouts November 12 . . . . . . Senior Health and Information Fair November 12 . . . . . . Sip & Savor with the Experts November 15 . . . . . . Delegate & Board Meeting* 6:30 p.m.

November 17. . . . . . . Classical Music Series "Fantasies" for Oboe and Strings November 18-19. . . . Nutcracker Highlights November 28 . . . . . . Pottery Sale at Southridge * These meetings are open to our members.