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Spring Ridge Review Newsletter
December 2003

Happy Holidays!
The Visitor Center will be closed Thursday, December 25th for the Christmas holiday, and Thursday, January 1st for the New Year’s Holiday. PMP Inc. and your Board of Director’s wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Meeting
December 16, 2003 at 7:00 pm at the Visitor Center
The board thanks all those who volunteered on the many committees that make Spring Ridge the excellent community it is. Without your efforts, it would not get done. Best Wishes for a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Seasonal Decorating
Residents are reminded that seasonal decorations such as Christmas lights, window decals, lawn ornaments, porch/patio/balcony decorations and the like are permitted. However, the decorations must be removed within 30 days of such holiday.

Holiday Food Drive
Once again PMP and Spring Ridge are working with the Salvation Army during the holiday season to provide non-perishable food for the hungry and needy in our area. The Salvation Army barrel will be located in the Visitor Center lobby. Drop off your non-perishable food between 11am and 5pm Monday through Friday. Please help out those less fortunate this holiday season. Let’s make this our best year!

Please drop your items off by December 11th, The barrel will be removed December 12th .

Holiday Trash Pick-Up Notice
Because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on Thursdays this year, the normal trash pick up schedule has been changed. Ecology Services will pick up trash Monday the week of both holidays, but will not pick up on Thursday. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Christmas Tree Removal
(Single Family and Townhomes Only)
The Christmas tree removal program for this year will remain the same as last year. Here is how it will work this season. During the month of January 2004 all you have to do is take your Christmas tree out to the curb side on Tuesday evenings. On each Wednesday during January, the Christmas trees will be picked up at curbside and taken to the recycling center. The trees must be stripped of all ornaments, stands should not be attached, just the natural tree. No tree bags or plastic bags.

Classifieds

For Sale:
Entertainment center, 5'4" wide, 5'1" tall, 1'8" deep. Light oak finish w/ black hardware. Will fit up to 35" TV. Asking $250 OBO. Call 301-293-0063

Computer desk, 4'5" wide, 3'10" tall, 2' deep. Light oak finish. A little worn, but still good. $25 OBO. Call
301-293-0063.

Stereo, w/ 5 disc changer, dual tape deck and 2 speakers.$50 OBO. Call 301-293-0063

Nordic Tract Ultra Lift, works all parts of body, excellent condition, new, original price $1050, will sell $500. Call Linda from 7am - 4pm at 301-815-6342 or after 4pm at 240-379-7879.

Sofa & Matching Love Seat, dark green/med. brown excellent condition, almost new, will sell set $500. Call Linda from 7am - 4pm at 301-815-6342 or after 4pm at 240-379-7879.

Recliner, dark green, motorized, like new, $200. Call Linda from 7am - 4pm at 301-815-6342 or after 4pm at 240-379-7879.

BOOKMOBILE INFORMATION
The Frederick County Library Book Mobile will be at the Visitor Center parking lot on Monday, December 8, 2003 from 3pm - 7pm. Come with the kids and get some books you can enjoy together.

If you need additional information about the bookmobile or other library services call your local branch or the Extension Services at 301-694-1615.

Snow Will Soon Be Here
Single Family Homes: All streets are maintained and plowed by Frederick County, including Spring Ridge Parkway, and Ridgefield Drive. All sidewalks in the single family neighborhoods are to be shoveled by the homeowner.

Town Homes and Condos: Here are some of the snow removal guidelines for the 2003-2004 season. In a snow/sleet storm, if accumulation is under 2", the contractor is to apply chemicals to the common sidewalks and roads. If total snow/sleet accumulation is 2-4", the contractor is to begin plowing only after 2" has actually accumulated on the roadways. Chemical application will begin with the parking areas and private roads, followed by common sidewalks. In a big snowstorm, the contractor will plow to open up the private roads. However, most of the detailed snow removal work will not take place until after the snow has finished falling.

The asphalt walking path will be shoveled from Knollwood Drive to the school. However at the corner of Ridgefield Drive, only one side of the street will be shoveled to the school. The side that seems better to shovel is the Visitor Center side since the school itself doesn’t shovel their own path on Ridgefield Drive. There are safe cross-overs in front of the school. (Management will remain flexible on these issues as the needs change in the community.)

Town Homes: One or two parking spots in the overflow lots should be used for snow piles. CONTRACTORS ARE NOT TO CLEAR OUT INDIVIDUAL PARKING SPOTS FOR RESIDENTS WHO MOVE THEIR VEHICLES FOR SUCH SERVICE. If multiple spots are empty at the time the plows are there, the Contractor may clear them. Please don’t shovel snow from around your vehicle and throw it back into the street. The snow should be placed in your yard, out of the way, not in the street and not on the sidewalks.

If snow accumulation is over 4", the same treatment will be applied as described above, and careful attention will be kept to the location of snow piles. Areas to be specifically avoided are mailboxes, fire hydrants, and bus stops. Once accumulation reaches 4" or more, walking paths are to be cleared (one snow blower path) near the end of the storm. As always, residents should use caution at all times. The contractor can’t be everywhere for every weather event. Please
remember to NEVER use rock salt on any sidewalk or concrete surface. Rock salt severely damages concrete. Please do not use it.

School Corner
Upcoming Events at the Spring Ridge Community Schools presented by the PTAs and PTSAs of Spring Ridge Elem., Oakdale Elem., T.J. Middle and T.J. High Schools.

Dec. 2 7pm - PTA Business Meeting, Cafeteria-Chorus Concert SRES
Dec. 3 7pm - PTSA General Meeting - TJHS
Dec. 9 7pm? - Reflections Gala- General Membership Meeting - TJMS
Dec. 11 6:30pm - Winter Band and Chorus Concert - TJMS
Dec. 18 Winter Band Chorus Concert - OES
Dec. 19 Spirit Day - Holiday Color/Theme Day - SRES
Dec. 24-Jan. 1 Schools Closed - Winter Break

For more information please contact the respective schools. Times and dates are subject to change.

Fire Safety Tips
With winter months upon us along with an increased use of candles, fireplaces and heaters, remember these tips. Check smoke detectors regularly and have fire extinguishers that work for a variety of fires available.

1. Have your homes wiring checked to make sure it meets current building codes.
2. Check all appliances and extension cords for frayed or exposed wires. Do not overload sockets!
3. Clean and service heating systems and furnaces annually. Neglect can lead to poor ventilation or deteriorating wires.
4. Space heaters should never be used as a primary source of heat. Do not leave them in doorways or stairways. Keep away from combustible items. Do not add fuel to a heater that is still on or hot.
5. UNPLUG heat-producing appliances that are not in use, such as toasters, kettles, space heaters, etc.
6. Consider installing an approved spark arrester on your chimney, this will prevent sparks from escaping and starting a fire on your roof or on a neighbor's property.

Holiday Safety
When decorating your home or office for the holiday season:

1. Keep decorations away from lights, candles, and other sources that may ignite the decorations.
2. Inspect electrical cords and lights for possible damage and replace if needed.
3. Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
4. Use caution when lighting candles and cooking.
5. Be sure to keep Christmas trees watered and check on a regular basis.
6. 6. Do not block any exits or other safety devices with decorations.
7. Check to make sure you have a working smoke detector - in your home, and if you have a fire extinguisher assure that it is accessible and in good order.

Violation Alert!
Beginning January 15, 2003 Management will be paying particular attention to the following violations as they are a source of great concern for many homeowners. Please take the time to read these articles and correct any of these violations to cut down on the violation letters.

“Trash Talking”

Over the past few months we have seen an increase in the amount of trash violations around the community. In order to help us keep Spring Ridge as clean looking as possible please keep the following rules in mind:

1. Trash containers should only be in public view on trash days, Mondays and Thursdays, or after 6:00 p.m. on the previous days.
2. Recycling should only be in public view on Fridays, or after 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
3. Trash containers should never be stored at the front or side of the property.
4. Trash should always be kept in proper containers. Please do not just toss bags of trash to the curb.

Remember, unsightly trash buildup, even on trash days, can lead to the lowering of property values, which no one wants. Please do your part and help us keep Spring Ridge looking the best it can.

“Getting Your ‘Hoops’ Up”

Another growing area of concern is the growing number of children playing in the streets. One of the main causes of this is the improper set-up of basketball hoops. According to the ACC documents, basketball hoops should be kept in driveways in such a way that play from the blacktop driveway is possible. Many homeowners are keeping their basketball hoops at the very edge of their driveways, or at curbside which causes the children to play in the streets. Not only is this unsafe for the children, but it is starting to cause traffic problems, especially on some of the more narrow streets around Spring Ridge.

In addition to this, many homeowners are storing play equipment (bikes, nets, etc...) in their front yards or in common area overnight. This is also a violation of the Spring Ridge Rules and regulations. Please make every effort to store play equipment in the backyard, or bring them inside at the end of the day.

One final note. We have received many homeowner complaints about right of way access being blocked. Sidewalks, and the area of the sidewalk that crosses your driveways, are considered right of ways. By parking over these areas, you are blocking access to the sidewalks, and forcing people into the street. Please keep this in mind when you are parking your cars, or if you have visitors. Make sure you are parking either on the street, or within the blacktop of your driveways.

December Recreation Committee News
The Recreation Committee will meet Thursday, January 8th at 7 p.m. at the Visitor center for a 2004 planning session. This year we had many well attended events such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Screen on the Green, Dive-in Movie, Spring and Fall Yard Sales, Golf League, T-Ball and Soccer programs, Senior’s programs, Adult Halloween Party and Santa’s Workshop. The recreation committee relies solely on the support of Spring Ridge residents. Without volunteers, we will be unable to have these and other fun activities in our community. If you are interested in joining the committee, please attend the January 8th meeting or call Karen Ritter @ (301) 831-4228.

There is still time to turn in registration forms for the Holiday Open House. The Open House is planned for Sunday, December 7th from 3 – 5 at the Visitor Center. Please bring completed form and $1.00 to the Visitor Center by December 5th.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE RECREATION COMMITTEE!!!

Season’s Greetings

The Spring Ridge Friends and Neighbors Club wishes you a joyous Holiday Season
Join us for our monthly socials, held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Visitor’s Center. Social time begins at 7pm., followed by a special guest speaker or themed event! Our Committees and Interest Groups keep growing. Join as many groups as your schedule allows:

$ Community Outreach Committee: Helps Frederick families in need and other non-profit organizations with food and necessary supplies.

$ Special Events: Includes both themed events and day/overnight trips. Costumed Murder Mystery Dinners, 70's Party, Mexican Deck Party, The FAN Club Goes to Hollywood, My Big Fat FAN Club Wedding are just some of the great times we have had together. Travel to a spa, the beach, museums, Longwood Gardens, New York and many other local areas of interest.

$ Book Group: Meets once a month to discuss classics and best sellers.

$ Ladies’ Night Out: Meets once a month to enjoy the best restaurants in and around Frederick.

$ “FANfare” Dinner Group: Dinner guests meet every other month at different members’ homes featuring a variety of cuisine.

$ Lunch Bunch: Meets once a month to dine at local eating establishments.

$ Wine Tasting: Samples wines from around the world in a fun and social atmosphere at members’ homes. Occasional trips to local wineries are planned.

$ Bunco: Meets once a month to play the popular game.

$ Chick Flick Friday: Our newest interest group meets once a month to view movies classified as “chick flicks” such as “Chocolat” and “Gone with the Wind”.

$ Scrapbooking: Work on your family and travel scrapbooks once a month.

$ Other Annual Events: Our Holiday Party and our FANtastic Spring Gala and Installation Banquet.

Yearly dues are only $20 per family (or $10 beginning March 1), which entitles you to participate in all our activities and receive our FAN Club monthly newsletter, The Friendship Line, to keep you informed of all of our FANtastic events and news.

For more information, contact:

Welcoming Committee Chair
Marianne Warley, 301-682-8444
Membership Committee Chair
Diane Knaub, 301-846-9463

Plan to join us on February 28th for our 10th Anniversary Celebration!

Committees/Clubs | Direct Debit | PMP, Inc. | Builders | Developer | Hampton Court Condominium
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