GRIT Newsletter: November 2024

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November’s GRIT bore welcome news from President Jim Stewart and the Board, in the form of a dues holiday announced for November and December. The President’s letter also updated residents on the Sheriff Dept.’s recent efforts to monitor traffic on Big Horn Ridge Road, due to neighborhood concerns about excessive speeding, especially in and around school bus stops. The dangers associated with children walking to school in the dark, in neighborhoods having no sidewalks, was re-emphasized in an article by Claudia Mitchell, “Look Out for Our Children!” Claudia Mitchell additionally wrote a review of the “Neighborhood Afternoon Out” ice cream social, an enjoyable event ably implemented by the Community Service and Membership Committee, along with the Environment and Safety Committee. About 150 people showed up at the social to peek into parked fire trucks, talk to county emergency management personnel, converse with neighbors, and enjoy ice cream with many sugary toppings. Further along in the November issue, Stan Davis and Kathleen McCaughey, on behalf of the CSC and E&S committees, wrote an article discussing the invasive species, “Tree of Heaven,” or Chinese Sumac. They included pictures of the species so residents could recognize and eliminate it from their property. Claudia Mitchell then continued with her longstanding series entitled, “The Artist Next Door,” this time featuring pottery and mixed media artist Rebecca Whitecotton. The article included photos of Ms. Whitecotton and one of her art pieces.

Speaking of photos, the November edition of The GRIT contained a full-page spread of photos featuring stunning fall colors. Stan Davis provided these photos, captured while hiking in the area. Also, Stan Davis and new IT Committee Chair Heidi Komkov contributed an article describing the new website search ability for past GRIT issues. This new feature allows SHHA residents to quickly locate published information on Sandia Heights topics of interest—everything ranging from bobcats, to septic systems, to archaeological sites, to geologic formations, to local artists, to community events, and more. The back page of the November GRIT carried an important reminder to vote in the 2024 elections. Sprinkled throughout The GRIT were some recurring short articles: a reminder of the November 8 deadline for the Directory Cover Photo Contest, the ACC log of recently approved construction and landscaping projects, the CSC reports of recent covenant actions, and other reminders of ongoing community events.