GRIT Newsletter: October 2003

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Guidelines for the approval of detached structures within Sandia Heights emphasize compliance with covenants regarding size, location, elevation, architectural style, external finish, and internal facilities to ensure harmony with the primary residence. The newsletter also discusses the financial report, mentioning cash flow, received funds, and expenses. A detailed breakdown of assets, liabilities, and disbursements is provided, including specific expenses incurred by different committees and legal matters.

The document delves into the upcoming Albuquerque-Bernalillo County unification issue, highlighting concerns about potential loss of influence for residents outside the city limits. It addresses the mechanisms of governance under unification and urges residents to review the proposed charter before voting. Additionally, it covers community issues such as speeding, tree maintenance, and the SHHA's role as a pseudo-government entity providing essential services in the absence of local government. Covenants, safety, environmental concerns, and the importance of SHHA membership are reiterated throughout the text.

The newsletter covers various topics such as the importance of attending board meetings, soliciting support for the Sandia Heights Homeowners Association (SHHA), and discussions about neighborhood issues like speeding and safety concerns on Tramway Lane. There is a focus on encouraging increased membership and engagement within the community. Additionally, articles touch upon the replacement of swamp coolers with air conditioners, water conservation tips for swamp coolers, and a calendar for gardeners outlining tasks for early and mid-October, late October, early November, and mid-November. The newsletter also highlights the initiative 'Lights in the Heights' for the holiday season, offering electric luminaria at a wholesale price and providing guidelines for installation.

Prepare indoor bulbs like paper whites, narcissus, and amaryllis for Christmas blooms. Start getting vegetable beds ready for the 2004 planting season by incorporating organic mulches and fertilizers into the soil early. Adjust irrigation timers to water less frequently as we move into the coldest part of the year, ensuring watering is done around 11:00 AM. Place a log in your pond to help fish access oxygen during the colder months and stop feeding them until warmer weather returns. Keep the birdbath filled with water to provide a constant source of hydration for birds. Consider starting Christmas shopping early to avoid crowds. Early November blooms include regal mist deer grass, pampas grass, lavender spice, cherry sage, dianthus, snapdragons, pansies, ornamental kale, and English primrose. The recent activities mentioned in the newsletter include the Peal Burs picnic at Semuner Field Trip and the Valley Patio Supper at a member's home, which had to be moved indoors due to the weather.

Keywords: Semuner Field Trip, speeding, Board meetings, electric luminaria, Christmas shopping, Sandia Heights, Valley Patio Supper, swamp cooler replacement, neighborhood safety, vegetable beds, landscape installations, SHHA membership, gardener's calendar, Halloween event, governance, financial report, Toddlers to Teens, detached structures, bird care, Albuquerque-Bernalillo County unification, tree maintenance, irrigation, covenants, community issues, Lights in the Heights initiative, assets, pond maintenance, November blooms, Peal Burs picnic, and community engagement., indoor bulbs, water conservation, holiday season preparations, liabilities