Wexford Newsletter 2012-03

WEXFORD
WIRE
Wexford Conservancy Homeowners Association
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Q UA RT E R LY N E W S L E T T E R
HOME OWNERSHIP
d to know
what you nee
P r e p ar in g Y o u r H o m e Fo r W i nter
N
Furnace and alarms – Whenever the
clocks are adjusted you should always
test and replace the batteries in your fire
and carbon monoxide alarms. My home
has the fire alarm hard wired with a battery back-up. We also have 2 additional
alarms installed and had the fire department come to check them out when one
of them was sounding for no apparent
reason. Neither we, nor the firefighters,
could determine what the other alarms
were for and they were not functioning
properly either. They recommended we
install a battery operated (rather than
ven
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Upcom
ts
Clogging
Lessons
January 7th, 2013;
6:00 pm, Gainesville;
[email protected]
Need exercise and love to dance? Join
the Bull Run Cloggers in some Appalachian clog dancing!
Home and Remodeling Show
Homeowner 101
ow that cold weather has set in,
here are some quick tips to make
sure your house is prepared for
the next few months of winter.
Preventative measures can always help
keep down future repair expenditures
and save you money in the meantime.
Items of Interest in the
local area
plug-in) carbon monoxide detector in our
basement, as that is where the gas heat
and fireplace are located. The CO detectors should be placed on any level that
has gas pilot lights. They are very easy
to install and I picked one up for less than
$20 at the local hardware store. The one
I selected must be replaced every 7
years, so it's best to read over the instruction manual to look out for any system quirks. Additionally, don't forget that
you should also replace air filters every 3
months to reduce air allergens and reduce the strain of your furnace/AC
equipment.
Door and window inspection – If you
have storm windows and doors, you
should definitely use them. Inspect
around your windows for any cracked
caulking or damaged weather stripping.
January 18th (10:00
am-9:00 pm), 19th (9:00
am-9:00 pm) and 20th
(10:00 am-6:00 pm);
Adults $10, kids 6-12 $3, kids 5 and
younger free;
homeandremodelingshow.com
Experience what’s new in home related
products and services, remodeling,
renovation, decor, cool products and
more. Meet hundreds of experts and
experience thousand of products and
services.
Capital Hom & Garden Show
February 22nd (10:00 am9 pm), 23rd (9:00
am-9:00 pm) and 24th
(10:00 am-6:00 pm);
Adults $10, kids 6-12
$3, kids 5 and younger
free; Dulles Expo Center
It’s the first sign of spring! A valuable
one-stop shopping experience for the
latest remodeling, decorating and landscaping products and services. Find the
inspiration to get started on a project!
(contd. page 3)
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Think Before You Throw
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The decision to recycle is a simple choice to
properly handle the waste streams which we
create. “Think Before You Throw” is a reminder that we make choices every day that
have a significant impact on our future.
American Disposal Services is committed
to the promotion, education and implementation for its customer. of recycling programs
for all customers we serve.
Plastics: All plastics labeled #1-7, milk jugs,
rigid plastics, plastic coat hangers, widemouth plastics
Metals: Aluminum cans, steel cans like soup
cans, aluminum foil and aluminum foil trays
(rinsed), empty aerosol cans, metal coat
hangers
Holiday
Home
Decorating
Contest
Glass: All glass bottles and jars are acceptable
Papers: Mixed paper, office paper, junk mail,
magazines, catalogs, phone books, paperback and hardback books, paperboard used
to make food packaging like cereal boxes,
juice cartons and boxes, newspapers and
ALL inserts, cardboard boxes, pizza boxes
(without grease)
What you CAN’T recycle:
The following items DO NOT belong in your
recycling bin:
What you CAN recycle:
Place ALL items in your recycling bin together. Some items may need a quick rinse
to avoid contamination in the recycling process. For items not listed, please contact your
landfill for recycling and disposal options.
This includes large items like furniture or
appliances, and hazardous substances.
- no heavy metal pots and pans (bring to a
scrap yard)
- no food-covered paper plates and napkins
- no glassware/heat-resistant glass
- no Styrofoam products
- no light bulbs
- no ceramics
- no batteries
- no clothing
- no tires
For more information visit:
www.americandisposal.com
Deck the walls and you
could be a winner! Decorate your home for the
holidays. Members of the
board will judge your efforts the week of Christmas. One house per street
will be awarded a prize.
KIDZ KORNER: THE ELVES SAVE THE DAY
It was the biggest moment of the year at the North Pole. All eight reindeer were hitched up, and Santa’s sleigh was flying across the
Christmas Eve sky. The elves waved good-bye, cheering for Santa and the reindeer as they began their trip to deliver toys.
“Well, let’s go back in the workshop,” Burt said to the elves. “It’s time for us to clean up for the day.”
As the elves put away their tools and swept the floor, Bud realized that a teddy bear little Jessica wanted for Christmas had been left
behind.
“Oh, no!” Bud said. “We accidentally put a stuffed puppy dog in Santa’s bag for Jessica instead of a teddy bear!”
Bud quickly called Santa on the reindeer radio to tell him the bad news.
“Jessica will be heartbroken if she gets a stuffed puppy dog instead of a teddy bear,” said Santa.
“Why don’t you and the elf emergency crew meet me at my next stop and bring Jessica’s teddy bear.”
So Bud and the elf emergency crew took off on their flying reindeer with the teddy bear to
meet Santa’s sleigh.
They flew all around the world until Bud spotted Santa’s sleigh on a house rooftop delivering
toys.
“There’s Santa’s sleigh!“ exclaimed Bud. “Let’s go!” The elf emergency crew quickly landed
their reindeer on the rooftop and Bud delivered the teddy bear to Santa Claus.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa laughed. “Jessica will be so happy to receive this teddy bear. You elves
have saved the day!”
- Source: www.northpole.com/stories
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Homeowner 101 (contd.)
These small seals help keep the cold
air out and cold cash in your wallet.
Not sure if you have drafty windows
or doors? Hold a lit candle around
your door or window and see if the
flame flickers by any subtle breeze
coming from the outside.
Freeze warning –Temps have been
frost-worthy and deep freeze will be
setting in soon. Be sure all hoses
have been disconnected from your
external faucets. Lift the small plastic ring just above the external bib
opening to allow full drainage and
proper air flow to evaporate any excess moisture within the pipe. Shut
off the water to the exterior faucets.
In most of our homes, the shut off
valves are located in the utility closet
in the basement.
Gutters and trim – Before we face
the majority of winter weather, you
should make one final visual inspection of your gutters, downspouts and
wood trim. Any backups in the gutter
can lead to ice damming (which
most of us experienced a couple
years ago in Snowmageddon) which
will damage roofs, wood trim and
lead to leaks within your home. Hurricane Sandy not only ripped my roof
downspout from the wood trim, but
also detached the gutter downspout
connection along the front side of my
home. Repaint any chipped wood
trim and replace anything that is
damaged or rotted. Water will find
its way into your home through the
path of least resistance and cause
much more damage than a simple
repair/replace or re-paint project.
- Brendan McCann, Board Member
This article is part of a series. Check back
with the Wexford Wire for future editions.
‘Tis the Season-­‐ to think of others!
As we focus on giving thanks this holiday season, consider giving of your time or talent to ACTS, a local organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger, homelessness, domestic violence and help individuals achieve self-­‐suf>iciency. •
•
Donate to ACTS online
•
Lead a children’s group for Nurturing Parenting Program
•
•
•
•
•
•
Turning Points Advocate / Group Leader
•
Translate for non-­‐English speaking cli-­‐
ents
•
Pick up donated food and other items from local businesses (Requires a pick-­‐
up, van or large vehicle)
•
•
Assist with Thrift Store pick-­‐ups
Serve on a committee to organize fund-­‐
raising
Helpline Phone Listener
Babysit during Life Skills classes
Work in the emergency food pantry
Help organize food drives
“Adopt” a room in one of the shelters to redecorate
Maintain play areas and shelter grounds
Please note: Some volunteer positions require special-­‐
ized training, which ACTS will provide. For more information call 703-­‐441-­‐8606, ext. 213.
Fall, Family, Fireside: Unique ways to spend quality family time together
this season (from Monarch Mortgage) ...
Let's face it...we live in a fast-paced world. The hustle and bustle of everyday life, combined with modern day technology, can detour us from spending a good amount of quality time with our families. Can you think of the last time that your family gathered together–holidays and meal time excluded–away from the television, without cell phones
and free of outside distractions?
This fall and winter, consider cozying up as a family by the fire. Here a few fun and
meaningful things to do together:
Watch old family videos. There's nothing more fun than taking a walk down memory
lane–and to do that, you don't even have to "take a walk." Pop in some of your favorite old family
videos, sit back and have a few good laughs together. And don't fret if all your old videos are actually on
videotapes. Some online companies enable you to set up an account and ship your old videotapes to them. They will
digitize and preserve the tapes and then send the videos to you to view online. This is an easy, efficient and affordable way to guarantee some family fun!
Roast some hot dogs and smores. You don't need a formal camp out or campfire to do some good old fashioned roasting with your
kids. You don't even need to brave the chill outside! You can roast hot dogs and marshmallows safely in your indoor fireplace by using
a Smore and Hot Dog Fork.
Ladle up some homemade hot chocolate. Kick those packaged hot chocolate packs to the curb and whip up your own homemade
hot chocolate. Add 1.5 cups of heavy cream, 1 can (14 oz.) of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups of milk chocolate chips, 6 cups of
skim milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into your crockpot. Mix well, cover and cook on low for two hours, stirring every thirty minutes. This recipe serves 12.
Make scrapbooks. Have your children pick out some of their favorite family photos, organize them and then glue them to construction or scrapbook paper. They can make their own albums and take turns sharing their scrapbooks with each other, explaining why
each photo was chosen and what memory it brings to mind. This is a fun, intimate opportunity to reflect on the fun things you have
done together as a family throughout the years.
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Best Burn Practices: Safely Using Your Fireplace
A properly installed, correctly used woodburning appliance should be smoke free.
If you see or smell smoke that means
you may have a problem. Burn Wise in
your appliance and reduce smoke inside
and outside your home.
Practical Tips for Building a Fire
Building an effective fire requires good
firewood (using the right wood in the right
amount) and good fire building practices.
Season wood outdoors through the
summer for at least 6 months before
burning it. Properly seasoned wood is
darker, has cracks in the end grain, and
sounds hollow when smacked against
another piece of wood.
Wood burns best when the moisture
content is less than 20 percent. You can
purchase a wood moisture meter to test
the moisture content of your wood before
you burn it.
Store wood outdoors, stacked neatly
off the ground with the top covered.
Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood
that has been split properly.
Start fires with newspaper and dry
kindling or consider having a professional
install a natural gas or propane log lighter
in your open fireplace.
Burn hot fires.
To maintain proper airflow, regularly
remove ashes from your wood-burning
appliance into a metal container with a
cover and store outdoors.
Items You Should Never Burn in Your
Appliance
Never burn household garbage or
cardboard. Plastics, foam and the colored ink on magazines, boxes, and
wrappers produce harmful chemicals
when burned. They may also damage
your wood-burning appliance.
Never burn coated, painted, or
pressure-treated wood because it releases toxic chemicals when burned.
Never burn ocean driftwood, plywood,
particle board, or any wood with glue on
or in it. They all release toxic chemicals
when burned.
Never burn wet, rotted, diseased, or
moldy wood.
Safe Wood-burning Practices
Keep all flammable household
items—drapes, furniture, newspapers,
and books—far away from the appliance.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jon Williams - President
Jason Salley - Vice President
Kameshia Pate - Treasurer
Ronna Parish - Secretary
Charles Canupp - Member at Large
Joe Buckley - Member at Large
Brendan McCann - Member at
Large
Contact your board members at:
[email protected]
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
Pursuant to Chapter 29 of Title 55
of the Code of Virginia, the Board
of Trustees (Board) of the Wexford
Conservancy Home Owners Association (Association) has established a complaint procedure for
use by persons who wish to file
written complaints with the Association regarding the action, inaction or decision by the governing
board, managing agent or association inconsistent with applicable
laws and regulations. The procedure and form can be found under
HOA and Community Information
on the Wexford Conservancy Governing Documents web page.
Start fires only with newspaper and
dry kindling. Never start a fire with gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter, or a propane torch.
Do not burn wet or green (unseasoned) logs.
Do not use logs made from wax and
sawdust in your wood stove or fireplace
insert – they are made for open hearth
fireplaces. If you use manufactured logs,
choose those made from 100 percent
compressed sawdust.
Build hot fires. For most appliances, a
smoldering fire is not a safe or efficient
fire.
Keep the doors of your wood-burning
appliance closed unless loading or stoking the live fire. Harmful chemicals, like
carbon monoxide, can be released into
your home.
Regularly remove ashes from your
wood-burning appliance into a metal container with a cover. Store the container of
ashes outdoors on a cement or brick slab
(not on a wood deck or near wood).
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Remember to check your local air
quality forecast before you burn.
- Source: www.epa.gov
C on tac t us
M a il in g A d d r e s s
NEWSLETTE
R
EDITORS
Jini Ryan & Trac
i Cosio
WEXFORD CONS
ERVANCY
c/o RH1 Manageme
nt, LLC
18139 Triangle Sh
opping Plaza
Suite 216
Dumfries, VA 2202
6
FOR PAYMENTS:
Wexford Conservan
cy
C/O RH1 Manage
ment
P.O. Box 60098
Phoenix, AZ 8508
2-0098
CONTACT NUMBER
S:
Office: (703) 221-5
405
Fax: (703) 221-168
9
WEBSITE:
http://wexfordpwc
.org
COMMUNITY MA
NAGERS:
Val Reynolds
val@rh1manageme
nt.com
Ollie Harmon
harmono@rh1mana
gement.com
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