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Likewise, each homeowner is responsible for keeping their garage door and exterior painted. Many garage doors look faded and old. Some have grease marks running down the middle. Any part of the exterior can be painted without Architectural approval if painted with the existing colors. Architecture & Landscape Committee approval is needed if the exterior color is to be altered. Shapell provided the paint colors in the closing package. Customer service (818) 366-1132 will be able to assist with paint colors. Ross Morgan will send friendly reminders to homeowners whose exterior needs at¬tention. Please help make a community effort to “Protect Your Investment.”
Survey for Sorrento/Meadows On July 21, 2010, I announced at the SPRCA meeting that a community survey will be conducted as the last survey was done in 2007. Since 2007, homes have changed hands and new homes have been added to our community. Board members and their com¬mittees will be submitting questions for the survey. The survey will help the board (1) allocate some of the SPRCA’s money; (2) prepare the 2011 budget; and (3) determine new rules, regulations, and necessary improvements. Finally, each homeowner will have an opportunity to share their opinion with the board if unable to attend a general SPRCA meeting. Ross Morgan will send the survey in the mail. The survey can be returned to Ross Morgan by mail or deposit it at the Sorrento guard house. We appreciate everyone participating and helping make our community one of the best in Porter Ranch. Are You Prepared? Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? Emergencies happen when you least expect them. Every homeowner should take the time to create both an emergency kit and emergency plan. Emergency Plan. Decide ahead of time with your family where to meet after a disaster. Know which rooms in your house are the safest and plan an escape route. During a major emergency, it may be easier to make long-distance phone calls. Assigning out-of-town contacts to communicate between separated family members is a smart choice. Inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends the most time: work, schools, daycares, etc. Speak to your neighbors to see how you can all work together during an emergency. Don’t forget to review this plan with all family members at least once a year, and be sure everyone has all the necessary information. Emergency Kit. These can be purchased from various sites online, like the Red Cross Store, or one can easily be assembled. Some of the items that should be in your kit are: non-perishable foods such as energy bars, canned soup, and peanut butter, one gallon of water per person per day, a first-aid kit including necessary medications, flashlights, extra batteries, a manual can opener, radio, tools, dust masks, maps, extra clothing and shoes, blankets, personal items, copies of important documents, hygiene supplies, and comfort items such as books and toys for children. Include cash in small denominations and emergency contact information. Arm yourself with disaster preparedness knowledge and get everything together before it is too late. The following websites contain useful information to help with your emergency plan and emergency kits: California Emergency Management Association The American Red Cross’ Disaster Preparedness Site
A community-wide tree trimming is planned this winter. Requests have been received to top trees to improve residents’ view. Views were not guaranteed when purchasing a house in this community. Topping a tree is not recommended because the tree becomes stressed due to the canopy foliage reduction. Leaves feed the tree. Without ample leaves, the tree starves causing it to go into survival mode. Stored energy is used to grow shoots instead of absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis. Without the proper food source, the tree grows long and thin and eventually dies from starvation. A topped tree is fine for the first year. However, within a year, it grows more than it would had it been lightly thinned. The long shoots keep growing, competing with each other, escalating the cost of tree maintenance. Also, the long shoots become top heavy causing a hazard. A strong wind could make the shoots bend and break. The shoots grow under the bark and are poorly attached to the branch. Wind, rain, and even their own weight could make them split. Topping exposes the inside of the canopy and burns the bark of large limbs. The tree is unattractive and could even devalue the property. Crown Reduction is an alternative to reduce the size of the tree and can be done on nearly all trees. The appearance of the tree is intact and no hazard or sunburn occurs. Coniferous trees (pines) are sensitive, and pruning should be done during the winter to protect against insects. Other trees can be done at almost any time of the year under the supervision of a certified arborist. For more information, go to http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/topping.aspx |
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It is time to replace your mailbox if it is rusted, missing the flag, or looks old. Please see if your mailbox looks worn. Each homeowner is respon¬sible to replace the mailbox. The mailbox was installed by Hillcrest Construction (714) 777- 1072, who can be contacted for a replacement at a cost of $125 per house or $250 for a double. Perhaps you can join your neighbor and replace both at the same time. 
Tree Trimming in Sorrento
