Items of Community Importance

This information was emailed to a select few ~if you would like to be on that email list, please call any of our Board Members and request to be added to Tom's informational email list.

He began this sorely needed communication as a way to help share information about our community.
It is not an official email for any group or organization. Its only purpose is to keep the community informed about significant events, activities and other important items. Tom's intent is to keep our Virginia Oaks community advised.

Items of importance:

Everyone knows about the highway construction that will occur in Gainesville. It will be very complex and will take a few years. However, when it is completed we'll have a better transportations system. The old Sun Trust Building will be the VDOT headquarters and will be open to the public. There you can review the plans when VDOT activates the interactive demonstration project. It should become functional in late April.

According to the project engineer, demolition of the property in the right of way should begin this month. Thankfully, we'll get rid of the eye sores.

If your are interested go to the Virginia Oaks web site and hit the VDOT project web site. There you'll find additional information on the construction

The VOA Board is considering a community meeting about the project. At the annual meeting many of you stated that you would attend such a meeting. More on that later.

Just an FYI, Redmond Community Management is still our community management group. However, the Redmonds do not own the business and it was sold in January . I don't think we'll see any changes in the way the community is managed.

At the last VOA Board meeting approval was given to sell of easement rights at the front entrance to VDOT. These rights are needed for utility undergrounding. Most important, the front area will be put back into top shape once the work is completed.

If you are an original owner, and you have rotten casement windows, you may be able to have those defective windows replaced. I understand that the windows carries a 15 year warranty, but it only applies to the original owner. I think Tom H. has information on this issue, if anyone needs it.

Also, please report any suspicious activity.
We are a "No Solicitors" community and all should be reported to the PWC Police at the non emergency number 703-792- 6500.
EMERGENCIES 911!

I hope you find this information helpful.

County Map of Sedona Drive

People who have recently purchased homes in our community have questions about ownership of "open space" property. Who can purchase it? Can someone build on a little plot? What are the rules?

Andy, President of our VOB answers and sent the above map of that area.

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A screen shot from the county mapper shows that the property behind 14514 is owned by the golf course, indeed that is the case for all the houses on Sedona around this area. There is the cut through between 14514 and 14515 that leads to the property on the point which is numbered as 14520 and is still owned by the developer. Further any construction would in this area (apart from on the point - although that may well have lapsed) require that the plan that VA Oaks was built to would require to be amended with the opportunity of expressing opinions at the County meetings.

V/R
AndyB

Chicken Marengo ~ Good Cold Weather Recipe

This is a dump recipe. After browning the meat, dump everything in and cook. Can add and subtract things easily. Good for cold weather to leave on stove top and dip into when hungry. Enjoy!

CHICKEN MARENGO (A very forgiving recipe to change ingredients to taste.)
1 lb sweet Italian sausage
1 lb hot Italian sausage
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp salad oil
2 chickens cut into pieces (Use boneless chicken breasts or chicken pieces as desired)
2 cans (1lb 12oz) tomato puree or crushed tomatoes (which consistency you like best)
1 small can tomato paste
1 6oz can of sliced mushroom with the liquid
1 8oz can of pitted ripe sliced olives with the liquid
1/3 cup sweet pepper flakes
1 Tbsp parsley flakes
1 Tbsp celery flakes
1 Tbsp Italian seasonings
2 Tbsp minced onion
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf
Prick sausages and place in large Dutch oven or stock pot to brown. (If you do not want to use large pieces of meat, then cut the sausages into bite size pieces before browning. Instead of using whole pieces of chicken, cut it into bite size pieces when browned.) Remove sausage when brown. Add butter and oil and sauté chicken until golden brown. Remove chicken and add ALL remaining ingredients. Return sausage and chicken to Dutch oven or stock pot. Cover and simmer for at least 60 minutes over low heat. Serve with rice or spaghetti..

"Open Space" or "Golf Course"

Neighbors gathered yesterday to discuss areas of grey.
Who owns large areas of land located between the golf course and their property. The areas are not maintained by our "Open Space" group and left to nature by the golf course.

This will be offered for discussion at the next Board Meeting, February 16th at the Club Meeting room.

Questions will be, who owns this property. Who is responsible for maintaining said property and can homeowners buy the open space?

This was brought up years before and the answer was yes, however, the upkeep would then be transferred to the owner. The person who had inquired decided he didn't care to cut all that grass as the Open Space Committee were doing that for him. He had the view without the maintenance.
Let's go to the meeting to see what, if anything is said.

Something Going Bump in the Walls at Night

We assumed we had a squirrel family living with us, as we could hear noises in the night~
but no, it is field mice.
Seems they come in any hole in the ground and work their way into the walls and eventually the house. UGH.
We are having the "Critter Control" get rid of them. I hate mice.

Bath Brushes and Shower Oils

How many bath brushes are hanging in your shower?

So far, I have three. Why?

Even if we are not yet less agile a nice brush on handle is a wonderful tool to clean and then oil our skin when in the shower.
That takes two brushes.

It was one summer when I discovered one brush is needed for FEET.
It is so simple to scrub the entire foot with a nice brush.

It is wintertime when we usually feel the dryness of skin...especially the shoulder blades and back areas we can't reach to moisturize. AH! A nice soft back brush to apply shower oil is perfect.
Watching "The Doctors" they advise not to use deodorant soaps except for problem areas. Otherwise, a plain soap for the rest of the body, it any, they advise is best.

A Dermatologist says to keep a nice watered down oil in the shower and oil up before getting out. Then just blot away any excess water.

To water down your oil, pour half into another container and add water to the half left in the bottle. Shake before using. Keri oil mixes best but hard to find these days.

Put oil on your brush reserved for oil and brush it onto the back, arms and all the body. It feels great. Enjoy~

For The Birds

Feeding the bird is a kind act in this harsh winter weather.
They reward you with quite a show as they feed. Once you start feeding the little creatures, they do become dependant on your feeders to stay alive.

Plan your site. Place your feeders so they are is easy to get to when there is snow on the ground. That is a critical time in their little lives. You might find the feeders need to be refilled each day.Ideally, we need two seed dispensers. One for wild bird seed mix and the other for sunflower seeds. I have a third for thistle, as there are many wild finch in our area.Here's a recipe to make suet patty for the finches.

Finch Fries

Raw beef suet (ask the butcher...that's beef tallow) and put through grinder or have butcher grind it for you.
1/2 Cup American cheese
1 cup millet
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Sand for grit

Save tuna or cat food size cans.
Cube the cheese, add millet, bread crumbs and sand ~ devide this into four of the little cans.

Melt the suet in double boiler and set aside to cool.

When hardened slightly and then re-heat again to make it smoother.

When it is in liquid form the second time pour over the mixture you have in the 4 tins. Fill to the top and then refrigerate to harden.

Nail to trees with 6 inch nails. Cover the end of the nails with tape to make a
safe perch for the birds.

The finches turn all brown in the winter time and spring, you will see them change to their bright colors.