GRIT Newsletter: September 2025

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Summary of September 2025 GRIT

Jim Stewart’s President’s Letter for September reminded Sandia Heights residents of the upcoming 22^nd Annual Sandia Heights Artists Studio Tour, as well as the ongoing need for committee and Board volunteers. Jim also commented on the July 26 Barbecue at Highpoint Sports and Wellness. The article on the Sandia Height Artists Tour, featured photos of many of the member artists involved in the tour at homes throughout Sandia Heights on the weekend of September 6&7. The Barbecue had an article noting the swimming, and other activities that accompanied the hot dogs and hamburgers. The membership committee, which organized the Barbecue and wrote the article, also reminded readers of their next big social event, the ice cream social on September 21.

Chisom Wilson related to the Editor, about the  4^th of July parade organized by residents in units 18, 19, and 20. The article showcased Wilson’s heartwarming pictures of the event, including vintage cars, residents waving American flags, jugglers, and children depositing food from the event’s associated food drive. Residents now have a new option to look forward to for socializing: the Homestead Café, a newly opened casual restaurant at the base of the Tram. The GRIT Editor’s investigative report described the café’s menu (pastries and coffee for now), its upcoming special events (game nights, hiker specials, flown-from-New York bagel days), its sweeping 180- degree view, and a bit of background on the café’s hometown owner, Jory Rosen.

 The regular “Board Notes” feature discussed the creation of a Board Member Job Description to standardize and set expectations for new SHHA Board members. The GRIT Editor summarized a meeting between SHHA leadership and the Bernalillo County Manager, Cindy Chavez. During this meeting SHHA President Jim Stewart conveyed specific issues the City Manager could assist with: drag racing on Tramway, property maintenance for disabled residents, roadway repair, and better mowing of potentially flammable roadway vegetation. The two sides agreed to continue their meetings semiannually.  Kathleen McCaughey, Chair of the Environment and Safety Committee, reported out on the August 5 public meeting of the New Mexico Department of Transportation. That meeting covered the current and upcoming Tramway Blvd. improvements. Most of the improvements are safety and accessibility-oriented. The speeding concerns of residents were not addressed, as DOT does not install speeding cameras.

Small notices were sprinkled throughout the issue.  One notice advised residents that they can now pick up refrigerator magnets with useful emergency numbers from the SHHA office. Another noted that now was the time for residents to update their Sandia Heights directory listings, before the directory goes to press. A small blurb explained the rules and deadline for the upcoming (Nov 7, 2025) Resident Directory’s Cover Photo Contest. The Covenant Support committee reported out its monthly tally of opened, closed, and ongoing covenant violation investigations; and the Architectural Control committee once again filled up an entire page with decisions on homeowners’ requests for changes to their property’s exterior. Due to the level of ongoing reporting, this month’s Community Events notice shrank to just two sentences, giving the contact information for anyone interested in joining either the Duke City Bridge Club or the “Cork and Fork” bimonthly dining club.