HRCA Newsletter Aug. 2009

HRCA|news Enhancing property values and creating quality of life through recreation, community events and leadership

august 2009

a rt s f e s t i va l a n d w i n e ta s t i n g Come to Town Center on August 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and experience some of Colorado’s best art. The Art Festival will feature local artists who have been specially chosen by a committee to participate in the show. Town Center will be filled with oneof-a-kind art works. Cash awards will be given to the Best of Show for Fine Art and the Best of Show for Fine Craft. Browse the finest art while listening to music provided by a variety of local entertainers. Chat with the artists and learn about different media and techniques used to create their work. Children will be entertained with caricatures, face painting, and more.

activity guide NEW FALL ACTIVITY GUIDE

HRCA|activity guide September

Bu ilding

–

December

2009

a l i f e s t y l e t h a t y o u wa n t t o l i v e

Each year a print illustrating a Highlands Ranch image is created by Highlands Ranch artist Mary Elliott. This year a watercolor of the Backcountry Wilderness Area horseback ride is the inspiration. Signed limited edition prints will be on sale. There is no charge to attend the festival.

Come to the wine tasting tent between 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Arts Festival to cool off!

Spend your afternoon tasting refreshing wine varietals from Highlands WineSeller, sampling delicious appetizers from Whole Foods Market, and listening to live music. Venture out of the tent as you like to browse beautiful art from local artists. Tickets for the tasting are

Watch for the September–December

$17 for HRCA members; $20 for program guests, with proceeds benefiting the Highlands

2009 Activity Guide in your mailbox!

Ranch Community Scholarship Fund. Tickets will be $20 the day of the tasting for everyone,

The Guide is mailed to all homes in

if not sold out! Over 21 years of age only, please. I.D.’s will be checked. Those wishing to purchase individual glasses of wine may do so from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:00

Highlands Ranch and is available online

p.m. at a cost of $5.

and at all four recreation centers. We

Visit HRCAonline.org for Arts Festival information or call 303-471-8859 to purchase tickets

have great new programs, classes, and

for the Wine Tasting.

events happening this fall! Find all the details in the Guide and register now!

2009 Arts Festival Print

Building a lifestyle that you want to live

1

HRCA|news is published monthly by the

FRO M T H E D ES K OF

Highlands Ranch Community

GARY DEBUS

Association, Inc.

HRCA|event weather line 303-471-8888 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rick Dinsmore 303-791-2411 Laura Hopkins 303-346-0603 Todd Landgrave 303-470-8765 David J. Martz 303-683-9524 Paul Meyers 303-791-7868 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 9568 University Blvd.

303-791-8958 RECREATION FACILITIES 303-791-2500 Recreation Center at Northridge 8801 Broadway Facility Hours: M-F 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

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

Recreation Center at Eastridge 9568 University Blvd.

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

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Westridge 9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd.

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

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Southridge 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd.

community manager New Backcountry Wilderness Area Trails – On the evening of August 12th, the HRCA will be opening several miles of new trails for your enjoyment. The new trails are located south and west of Highlands Point (south of Mountain Vista High School) and can be accessed from the Douglas County East-West Regional Trail. If you enjoy great natural surface trails, you will not be disappointed with this new addition to the HRCA’s trail system. The HRCA designs and constructs some of the best trails in the region. Remember that there are other trails in this area being constructed by Douglas County that will not be opened until later in the year. Please read all signs and stay on designated and open trails only.

Douglas County East-West Trail – In addition to the trails the HRCA is opening this summer, Douglas County will be completing trail sections that will allow a person to travel through the Backcountry Wilderness Area from Santa Fe to Quebec and beyond. The HRCA has granted Douglas County an easement to construct this regional trail. The Douglas County sections of the trails are open to the public while the HRCA trails are open to HRCA Members and their accompanied guests.

The HRCA, Value, and the Economy – As with any year, the HRCA strives to provide great value and save money where we find opportunities. We have been successful to save utility costs and several vacant positions have not been filled. At the same time, the usage in HRCA recreation centers has increased by 5% over the same period of time last year.

We have seen record breaking attendance at the FREE Summer Concert Series. In short, in this economy, the HRCA is working hard to be responsible with assessment dollars and still provide the local high quality facilities, services, and programs that our community enjoys and that our citizens use.

Delinquent Accounts – One of the often asked questions we receive is what has happened to delinquent accounts in the current economy. Interestingly, delinquent accounts have remained fairly constant at about 1% for the past five years. For the second quarter of this year, that statistic actually dropped so our delinquencies are better than they have been for some time. Foreclosures in Highlands Ranch slowed this past quarter and let’s all hope that trend continues.

Dead and Dying Trees – Dead and dying trees are one of the most frequent complaints we receive from neighbors. If you have a tree that is dead, please remove it. If you have one that is dying, diseased, on its last leg, etc., you might also want to remove it. Usually they don’t come back; if it’s dying it probably won’t look better next year.

Backcountry Wilderness Area of Highlands Ranch – The “Backcountry” is a great new amenity and asset to our community. There are many opportunities for your enjoyment including; outdoor education, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback trail riding. The sunsets are phenomenal from Highlands Point. Watch for a new half marathon in November.

To find out more, visit hrcaonline.org, click on the Recreation and Backcountry tabs.

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

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2009 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.

2

FOR YOUR INFOR M ATION

FYI

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Third Quarter Assessments of $125.00 were due July 2009. Homeowners, thank you for your payments! Please visit our web site at hrcaonline.org for direct debit information. Should you have any questions regarding your account or need to make an address change, please call 303-791-8958.

Thank you!

august 2009

I

HOA news CO V E N A NT COMPL I A NC E Are you wondering why you received a letter telling you that your home’s paint is not in compliance with the HRCA’s covenants, rules, and/or guidelines? Are you asking yourself what’s a covenant, what’s a rule, what’s a guideline? Are you wondering what you need to do to comply with the covenants, rules, and guidelines?

The easiest and most efficient way to find the answers to these and other compliance questions is to go to the Homeowners tab at hrcaonline.org. When you open the Homeowner’s tab you see that the Highlands Ranch Community Declaration obligates the HRCA to preserve the inherent architectural and aesthetic quality of Highlands Ranch. The Residential Improvement Guidelines, also available at the HRCA web site, are written to help homeowners make decisions about property maintenance and improvements that preserve these inherent architectural and aesthetic qualities. The Guidelines address property improvements ranging from installing an accessory building to xeriscaping.

When you read your letter you will find out that the HRCA inspected your property and noted that your house paint is faded and flaking. The letter gives you a specific amount of time to re-paint your house. You also find out that if you do not get your house painted in a timely manner, you may not be able to use the HRCA recreational facilities, or vote in HRCA elections. In addition to the loss of HRCA privileges, the HRCA may assess a $25 a day fine for every day your property is not in compliance.

At the Homeowners tab, you will find out that it is up to you to select your paint colors and that you have to submit your paint selections to the Covenant Compliance and Assistance Department. If you would like help selecting paint colors, you can meet with a Covenant Compliance and Assistance Department staff member. The department is located in the Recreation Center at Eastridge and staff members are available to answer your questions and to help you select paint colors Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Covenant Compliance staff forwards your paint submittal to the Architectural Committee.

The Committee reviews the submittals on the first and third Tuesday of every month and you will receive a letter approving or denying your paint selections as quickly as possible.

A r c h i t e c t ura l C o m m i t t ee Mee t i n g L o c a t i o n C h a n ge Due to the annual maintenance facility closure at Eastridge, the August 18 Architectural Committee Meeting will be held at the Recreation Center at Westridge in the Golden Eagle Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.

H RCA o n l i n e . o r g

board motions At the July 21, 2009 Board of Directors meeting, the Board took the following actions: Approved the purchase of 25 KW of solar energy panels to HRCA recreation center properties for an amount not-toexceed $51,069 as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee Accepted the comments from the July 8 Development Review Committee meeting Made appointments to the Development Review Committee, the Architectural Committee, and the Finance Committee Adopted the following motions as recommended by the Architectural Committee 2 properties for failure to remove a commercial vehicle 3 properties for failure to comply with trash pickup and trash can storage 2 properties for failure to comply with the fencing guideline 1 property for failure to maintain the property 6 properties for failure to paint the exterior of the home 32 properties for failure to maintain landscaping 3 properties for failure to remove an inoperable vehicle 1 property for failure to refrain from parking on the landscaping Accepted the May 30, 2009 Financial Statements as recommended by the Finance Committee Approved the Independent Audit Engagement for the 2009 Fiscal Year Please note: Due to the annual maintenance facility closure at the Recreation Center at Eastridge, the August 18 Recreation Advisory Committee/Board Meeting will be held at the Recreation Center at Southridge, Wildcat Mountain Auditorium, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road.

3

I

volunteer showcase d e l e g at e o f t h e m o n t h

h r c a vo l u n t e e r o f t h e m o n t h

Wendy Boettcher –

Laurie Atkinson - Laurie has

Wendy became a delegate

been a hard-working volun-

for district 102 in June of

teer for the Community Re-

2008. When she received

lations Department for over

a letter last year stating that

five years. Whether she is

no one in her district was

stuffing eggs for the Easter

interested in volunteering,

Egg Hunt or taking tickets

she decided to step in! Wendy is an avid volunteer.

at cultural events, Laurie is an invaluable “Ranch Hand”.

She also enjoys volunteering at her church. Wendy has

When asked why she volunteers, Laurie replied, “I think it’s

many favorite places in Highlands Ranch, but when asked

very important to give back and get involved wherever and

to choose says, “I guess I’d say Civic Green Park — my

whenever possible. The people are wonderful and it’s really

six year old loves it too!” Thank you, Wendy for your

quite fun.” Congratulations Laurie and thank you for being

willingness to serve your community!

an outstanding Ranch Hand!

HRCA r o o m r e n t a l s Planning an event? The HRCA

hours). We offer room capacity of up to 450. Reservations

has rooms available for meetings,

must be made in person at any recreation facility and may be

weddings, receptions, birthday

made up to 60 days in advance. For more information, call

parties, workshops, and special

303-471-7020 or visit HRCAonline.org/roomrentals. Plan your

events. Rates are hourly, half-day

holiday events now!

(four hours), or full-day (eight

membership card reminder Membership cards are required

three times without a membership card within a six-month

for all members seven years of

period. After that, on the fourth time, the member will be

age and up to access all recreation

required to purchase a replacement card or present the

facilities. New and replacement

original membership card. Please always remember to bring

cards may be purchased at each

your membership card.

facility. A member may “sign in”

4

august

2009

I

upcoming events Culture on the Green – Soulfully Driven Dance This Hip Hop dance company and school is inspired by a combination of unique, talented, and passionate hip hop dancers from high schools in a number of communities and dancers from studio-based schools.

Bring the whole family for a great night of different dance styles. Kids will love to dance along! Pack a picnic dinner and a blanket, and enjoy the show.

Friday, August 28 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. • Civic Green Park • FREE! • Sorry, no dogs allowed at the park.

FIL M IN T H E P AR K Plan to join this HRCAA family summer tradition!

Bring a blanket and enjoy great FREE family movies!

Mark the dates now!

August 7

Hotel for Dogs

August 14

Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

August 21 Kung Fu Panda Fridays, August 7, 14, & 21, • 8:30 – 10:00 p.m. • Civic Green Park, • Free • Sorry, no dogs allowed at the park.

• Farmers’ Market – Every Sunday through October 25, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Town Center • HRCA Splash Mash Dash Triathlon - Saturday, August 8, 6:00 a.m., Recreation Center at Northridge. This is our first Olympic distance triathlon in Highlands Ranch. This will be a memorable event! Kids Triathlon held at noon after the adult race. Stick around for post-race activities. Visit highlandsranchrunseries.com for race details.

• Highlands Ranch Days – Thursday­– Friday, September 10 - 11, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 12, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m, $4 adults, $2 children 3 – 12, Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9900 Ranch Road. Experience Highlands Ranch of yesteryear. Enjoy performances and demonstrations by Hawk Quest, Mile High Pow Wow Association, Gold Panners, Blacksmiths, and more.

Please check the web site for the most current event information and prices.

H RCA o n l i n e . o r g

cars for charity Don’t wait until the end of the year to be thinking about tax deductions.

Donate a car, truck, or motorcycle through Cars for Charity and benefit the Highlands Ranch Community Scholarship Fund (CSF) or the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA). Last year the CSF awarded 25 $1000 scholarships to deserving Highlands Ranch students.

The CAA brings over 100 cultural events to our community each year.

It’s an easy and hassle-free way to dispose of those old vehicles and gain a deduction on your income taxes and contribute to your community at the same time.

• Any condition accepted • Free towing • Free title services • Tax deductible • Hassle free • 100% of the net proceeds goes to the CSF or CAA For more information call 303853-GIVE(4483). Tell them which organization you want to donate your vehicle to. You may also visit HRCAonline.org/cars for an easy-to-fillout form and a link to their web site.

5

I

recreation sports & fitness Back by popular demand !

Infant S wimming Resource Did you know that drowning ranks as the second most prominent cause of accidental death for children under the age of 4 in the United States? Infant Swimming Resource is the result of over 40 years of research and development and provides aquatic survival instruction for children ages six months to four years at the Recreation Center at Southridge. Children ages 6–12 months can learn rollback to float. Children 1-4 years can learn to swim, float, and reach the pool steps, pool edge, or shore. For more information, call 303-548-5206, email crachaelflynn@comcast.net, or visit infantswim.com.

New Indoor Turf Sport s

S e n i o r Sm a l l Group Personal

Soccer, Flag Football, and Lacrosse

Training!

The HRCA is happy to introduce our new indoor sports turf at Westridge. Starting in September, the HRCA will begin to offer youth and adult leagues in soccer, flag football, and lacrosse. Why go anywhere else to play when you can stay in the Ranch? Please visit our web site or call the Sports

Small

group

personal

training

is available for Seniors both at lunchtime and after work!

Take

advantage of lunchtime training at the Recreation Center at Southridge

Information Desk at 303-471-8875 for details about these

leagues.

on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. After work training is available each Wednesday at the Recreation Center at Westridge from 4:00 -

Col o rad o Bas k etball Acade my Summer Camp

For more information, please call

The Colorado Basketball Academy (CBA) is designed to provide high-level training for dedicated players ages 5 – 14. The CBA will monitor skills with experienced high school coaches and former college players. This camp is designed to improve skills while working on court awareness. CBA coaches will fine tune your game. Camp is August 3 – 7, 9:00 a.m. –

the Fitness Desk at 303-471-7042.

noon at the Recreation Center at Southridge.

A l l Ab o u t Sp o r t s

Midd le School/ High School Pre-Tryout Volleyball Camp

5:15 p.m. Advance registration and a signed fitness waiver is required.

Conditioning!

This popular class returns to Sundays

weight training, and more. For more

This camp, for ages 12 – 17, is designed to improve skills while working on court awareness. Our experienced club and former high school coaches will fine tune your game before your middle school or high school volleyball tryouts.

Go into school tryouts with the confidence you need to succeed! Camp is August 3 – 7, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the

information, please call the Fitness

Recreation Center at Southridge.

at the Northridge facility from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Young athletes can take advantage of this great speed and agility class to work on balance, body

Desk at 303-471-7042.

6

august 2009

I

education youth & adult Books to Life - Art

Give your children an opportunity to develop a love for books!

and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, I Ain’t Gonna Paint No

The Douglas County Library and the Highlands Ranch Community

More! By Karen Beaumont, Pink Paper Swans, by Virginia Kroll and

Association are partnering to offer this wonderful series for children

Follow the Line by Laura Ljungkvist. Helping children cultivate an

ages 3-6. Covering a variety of authors and subjects, your children

interest in reading is a big step for setting them up for success in

will read the book with a volunteer from the library, then create

kindergarten and beyond! Join us! For more information, please

a masterpiece out of a variety of art mediums, including paint

call 303-471-8853.

and string, using themes from the book. August books are Harold

Filling the Education Gap HRCA is proud to offer a variety of

get some extra attention in a non-threatening and fun environment.

classes to assist your child in success

Whether your child finds a particular subject challenging, needs a

in school. If a child is struggling

little extra tutoring, or needs a little help with their social skills,

in a particular subject, addressing

this group of “Filling the Gap” classes will set them up for success!

those issues can be challenging in

Programs begin in September. For more information, please call

an academic setting. We want to

303-471-8818 or find more information in the new September–

provide your child an opportunity to

December Activity Guide.

Preschool is Around the Corner Give your child an opportunity to exercise cognitive skills at

colors, seasons, and times of day.

an early age, develop a comfort with memorization, letter and

Children develop their emotional,

concept recognition, listening skills, confidence, and following

social,

directions. These are the building blocks for future academic

skills and have fun doing it! We

pursuits that include phonics, writing, math, and reading. Our

also offer a Jr. Kindergarten class

program is based on a play environment with developmentally

for

appropriate activities, giving children the foundation for future

the Kindergarten cut off date of

academic learning. Through the variety of activities, children learn

October 1. For more information

how to hold their pen and be familiar with letters, numbers,

please call 303-471-8881.

creative,

those

and

children

cognitive

who

miss

The Wizard of Oz in the Wild West Get your kids in on this fun and silly production where the

school drama program with instruction that covers not only acting,

immortal characters from the Wizard of Oz, including Dorothy, the

but concentration techniques, teamwork, movement, voice control,

Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and the Tin Man travel back through

and much more! For more information, please call 303-471-8853

time into the Western frontier of the 1880s. This program and

or see the new September–December Activity Guide.

other theater programs are offered by KidStage, a national after-

H RCA o n l i n e . o r g

7

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID

9568 University Boulevard Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 303-791-2500

HIGHLANDS RANCH CO PERMIT#170

facility closures August 3-8 – Recreation Center at Northridge Closed for annual maintenance. Outdoor Pools and Tennis Pavilion will remain open during the closure.

August 8 – Northridge Indoor & Outdoor Pools Closed 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for the Splash Mash Dash Triathlon Event August 17-22 – Recreation Center at Eastridge Closed for annual maintenance. green tip of the month It may be better to give your lawn two or three shorter waterings a day rather than one long one. If water begins to run off after a watering, reduce the time of your watering cycle.

AUGUST|events

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

August 7 Film in the Park - Hotel for Dogs August 8 HRCA Splash Mash Dash Triathlon & Kids Mini Splash Mash Dash August 10 Committee Chair Workshop (CCW) August 13 Summer Concert Series - Buckstein August 14 Film in the Park - Madagascar Escape 2 Africa August 15 Arts Festival and Wine Tasting August 18 Recreation Advisory Committee (monthly meeting of Delegates) & Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Temporary Location Change: Southridge, Wildcat Mountain Auditorium August 21 Film in the Park - Kung Fu Panda August 28 Culture on the Green - Soulfully Driven Dance

community partners Preferred provider

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