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Spring into the Home & Landscape Expo
By Kathren Coleman | Ranch Association
The Ranch Association is holding the fourth annual Home & Landscape Expo at The Homestead Community Center on March 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. Residents will have an opportunity to learn about important topics impacting DC Ranch homeowners and their properties, from Firewise clearing to the approval process for installation of artificial turf. Valley home and landscape design specialists with experience in custom homes and master planned communities will be available to answer questions and provide service offerings. Kids are invited too, as the Scottsdale Fire Department will bring trucks for education and fun. Those in attendance will be eligible for door prizes; snacks and beverages provided.
An outdoor exhibition will highlight a variety of vendors that have performed work in DC Ranch and are qualified to provide services in the areas of landscaping, tree maintenance, exterior lighting, interior design, water management and irrigation, artificial turf, mosquito control, home painting and color trends.
Staying Firewise in DC Ranch
Fire season is on the horizon in Arizona, and the Ranch Association is working closely with the City of Scottsdale Fire Department to keep DC Ranch Firewise in 2023. Leading the community towards a Firewise certification is Meghann Hill, Director of Community Services and Mike Wells, Director of Operations joined by Captain Steven Hunter, a 35-year veteran of the Scottsdale Fire Department and a founding member of the team that established Firewise for the City of Scottsdale almost eight years ago.
Scottsdale Fire has recently expanded its community focus on fire mitigation, with the creation of a Community Risk Reduction office under the
Presentation topics
DC Ranch Community Standards and Guidelines
Artificial turf installation modification process
DC Ranch modification policy changes for 2023
Firewise presented by Scottsdale Fire Department
Fire truck schedule
4 p.m. Ladder truck
5 p.m. Engine
6 p.m. Brush truck direction of Captain Hunter. Their objective is to have roughly 200 communities achieve Firewise certification in the next several years.
Vehicle presence for all three hours is not guaranteed. Scottsdale Fire Department vehicles and staff will be on-call and must depart quickly in the event of an emergency.
The Firewise USA® program from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is designed to help communities protect residents, homes and communities. Currently, 125 Arizona communities are Firewise certified, with DC Ranch being one of the largest communities to become certified.
To be considered for Firewise Certification, the Association’s Board and the Firewise Committee completed a three-year action plan, broken down by year, that identified and prioritized actions to reduce risk. In 2022, the first phase of the Firewise action plan addressed clearings in the neighborhoods of Arcadia, Horseshoe and Camelot. The second phase of
Firewise will address areas in Country Club, Windgate, Terrace Homes East, Terrace Homes West, Park and Manor, The Estates and Montelana.
Becoming a Firewise Certified community demonstrates to residents that the Association’s Board of Directors are taking prudent steps to help reduce the potential for wildfire. The Firewise Committee, Board of Directors and staff have worked with Scottsdale Fire to finalize a certification package and anticipate receiving National Firewise Certification later this month. Once certification is received, new Firewise signage will go up throughout the community and along paths and trails.
For more information, please visit DCRanch.com/Firewise.
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By Dr. Wendy Wells | Wellsource
The term feng shui translates to “wind” and “water.” The Chinese have used this practice for thousands of years to align and enhance chi, the life force or vital energy that inhabits everything. Chi is composed of yin (feminine energy) and yang (masculine energy), and by balancing these energies, it improves energy flow in any space.
There are many different ways to optimize energy flow in your space. Generally, ways to do this incorporate using aspects of the natural elements. Chinese culture holds there are five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. By adding, subtracting or mixing elements, it is possible to add positive chi to different areas in your home. Below are some suggestions that can be applied to your space.
Get rid of the clutter. One way to change the energy flow in your space is to get rid of clutter. You should be able to easily move about your space and only own items which are useful to you. Sell or donate old items such as clothes, shoes or décor.
Grow more plants. Plants help improve air quality in indoor spaces by reducing carbon dioxide and toxic substances in the air. According to feng shui, they may also increase creativity and growth by adding the wood element. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, incorporate the color green.
