(continued on p. 5)

Landscape Committee ReportThere is not much news regarding landscaping at this time of year. Colorado Green Grass has done some winter watering to help our trees and plants survive this dry season. Homeowners might do the same for their parched trees and shrubs.

Soon there will be some drawings from our landscape architect on the website. The Board of Directors would like everyone to look at them and give opinions on what you would like to see accomplished next summer. We cannot do everything, but we would like to know where the homeowners’ priorities lie. The projects range from additional landscaping at the roundabouts to the front entry signs to various other areas in Sapphire Pointe. We would appreciate your input.

The straw “blankets” you see in the native grass areas of our community are the work of ARK Ecological. They have been spraying weeds all summer and into the fall, and the “blankets” are covering areas that have been reseeded. We are hoping to have their services again next year to help keep our community as weed-free as possible.

If you have any questions or problems regarding the landscaping of our community, please call Lyn Jacobs at 720-524-4775.

2011 Pool Decisions The New Year means it is time to once again make decis ions for the pool and summer coming up quickly. The board would really like to hear your opinion. The options for doing this is to go vote on the website at our opinion polls, to email the board directly through the website, or to call TMMC Property Management.

Last year, we started off well. We had a new snack bar, new entry system, and the water warmed up quickly. This year, we know we have to replace our pool heaters. The choices were to replace both heaters with two equal size and capacity, or to replace both heaters with a larger model. These heaters are for the large pool. If we were to replace both heaters with a larger model/capacity then we would also be paying for a change in the equipment set up and ventilation. This change was estimated to cost in labor almost as much as the heaters themselves. The board chose to replace both heaters with two new heaters as to minimize expense.

Who’s In Charge?Over the last year or so I have had some fellow homeowners ask who is in charge. I believe the source of their confusion comes from occasions where they have had some interaction with the HOA, but persons either on the board or other committees are not intimately aware of the details or possibly the issue.

Basically, it boils down to the board makes policy and TMMC enacts or enforces the board’s policies. The day to day operation of the HOA is conducted by TMMC. This largely includes violation letters, collections, homeowner communications and dealing with contractors such as trash pickup, snow removal and landscape maintenance. However, in the end, the board does have final say. TMMC is the first line that homeowners deal with if there is any issue, and TMMC does its best to fairly handle issues that arise.

If TMMC cannot resolve an issue, or if a homeowner requests, then the issue can be brought to the board. Other ways to have an issue brought to the board is the board e-mail on the web site or coming to an HOA meeting and speaking during homeowner forum.

As mentioned above, the board enacts policy. However, the board is made up of 7 different individuals. No one board member can change, enact, or enforce anything without at least 3 other board members in agreement. This often requires compromise within the various perspectives and some evidence that this is an issue for a number of other homeowners. This is where as board members we always encourage our fellow homeowners to give us feedback—positive and negative—so we can better understand if we are or are not moving in a direction that is consistent with the needs of the community as a whole. Again, there are various methods to provide feedback on the web site and attending HOA monthly meetings.

Another source of confusion is the DRC (Design Review Committee). This committee can actually be very autonomous from the board however, currently both entities are actively working together for a consensus on items such as the design guidelines. This committee reviews Design Review Requests, which covers changes to the exterior of the home and landscaping. These meetings are open to anyone and it is highly beneficial to attend if you have submitted a request. By attending, you the homeowner can understand the perspective of the committee members if there is a covenant issue and you can possibly come to a compromise that satisfies the concerns of both parties. This certainly helps avoid or alleviate any angst in the process. If this does not work, then a homeowner can request the board review their request.

In the end, the board votes mostly on policy issues and how to spend money on projects or contractors. This does not mean we are not concerned about each individuals experience with the HOA, we simply have to depend and trust in our management company to handle the day to day operations.

A Publication of the Sapphire Pointe Homeowners Association January & February 2011

Sapphire Pointe

Sapphire PointePage �

Board of Directors:President:

Scott DiGiacinto

Vice President:

Noel McGarvey

Secretary:

Scott Bunker

Treasurer:

Nate Lund

Directors-at-Large

Bob Boek

Jay McDonald

Jen Schau

Committee Chairs:Design Review Committee: Dana Tirado

Pool Committee: Jen Schau

Landscape Committee: Lyn Jacobs

Finance Committee: Bob Berry

Communications Committee: Bob Boek

Founding Documents: Andy Trietley

Social Committee: Brittney Redding

Management Company:TMMC Property Management

P.O. Box 1540

Castle Rock, CO 80104

303.985.9623

Community ManagerDenise Haas

denise.haas@tmmc-management.com

Assistant Community ManagerEmily Spahr

emily.spahr@tmmc-management.com

Website: www.sapphirepointe.com

Please direct all inquiries to the management company.

Board Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at 6:30 PM at the Clubhouse, 7550 Soapstone Way. A homeowner

forum is held from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

Sapphire Pointe Community Directory Trash Pickup and RecyclingThe Sapphire Pointe Master Association provides monthly trash service for homeowners in Sapphire Pointe, Puma Ridge and Cliffside as a part of your monthly association dues. This service also includes recycling pickup every other week. We encourage residents to recycle as much as possible.

In 2001, Waste Management became the first major solid waste company to focus on residential single-stream recycling, which allows customers to mix recyclable paper, plastic and glass in one bin. Residential single-stream programs have greatly increased the recycling rates, recovering as much as three times the amount of recyclable materials.

However, the recycling service does not include the cost of the recycling containers.

You can obtain recycling containers from Waste Management for the following cost:

(1) Two Green recycling baskets for $20 [1 time purchase cost]

(2) One Yellow 96 gallon container for $110 [1 time purchase cost, but very handy for recycling]

In addition, a second 96 gallon (Green) container can be purchased for $110 ... or for $80 if picked up in person from Waste Management at 2400 W. Union in Englewood, CO. [ not sure if the same discount applies for recycling container purchases ].

Call Waste Management at (303) 797-1600 .

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HOA Finance ReportThrough October, both operating income and operating expenses are slightly favorable to budget. For the year ending December 31, 2010 we are forecasting income to be 4% more than budget and operating expenses to be 2% under budget. The 2011 budget was ratified at the December 1st homeowners meeting. 2011 operating expenses are budgeted 7.5% less than the 2010 budget as income is expected to be slightly less in 2011. We are going to start meeting regularly as a finance committee in February. Anyone is welcome to participate. If you would like more information, please contact Nathaniel Lund at nathaniellund@hotmail.com.

Trivia Quiz: Chinese New Year February 14th marks the start of the Chinese New Year. How much do you know about this annual event? Test your trivia knowledge with this quick quiz!

1. Every year in the Chinese calendar is designated by an animal. What is this the year of?

2. The Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year. Besides February, what other month does it fall in?

3. What color symbolizes good luck in Chinese tradition?

4. True or False: The Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.

5. The year 2002 corresponds to what year on the Chinese calendar?

6. True or False: Tea is the most consumed drink in the world, second only to water.

7. Most large Chinese New Year’s celebrations feature a dance in which people move underneath a large, multi-person costume in the shape of an animal. What is that animal?

8. What festival marks the end of the new year celebration?

9. What emperor do historians believe invented the Chinese calendar?

10. How long does the Chinese New Year celebration last?

Answers on P.4

Money Bad Habits You Can Break If you are in debt or have little savings, you may be able to blame your money bad habits. These behaviors can keep you from getting ahead. Fortunately, by understanding your shortcomings, you can work to break the cycle and get on the track to financial security. See if you have any of these common financial bad habits.

1. Ignoring your credit reports.

You have no excuse on this one. Getting a credit report from each of the credit reporting agencies is easy and free. AnnualCreditReport.com provides this to all consumers once a year. You should order your credit report and check it for errors. Fixing any errors can help you get better interest rates on loans, protect you from identity theft, and even land you a better job. Banks, insurance companies, and even employers, use information from your credit reports to determine your financial worthiness.

2. Refusing to use a budget.

You may say you don’t want to use a budget, or it seems too hard to keep track of everything, but this attitude will end up costing you money. A simple budget can be easy to maintain with a little practice. You will then be able to plan for big expenses and can keep track of the little ones that can add up. A budget will also help you see where your money is going and help you decide where to cut back.

3. Using credit cards to get the perks.

It may seem like a good idea to charge that purchase to get the airline miles or to save another 15 percent. But if you are racking up huge interest charges on a card that has a high rate, you are doing yourself no good. If you are paying off the balance each month, this may make sense. When you carry a balance, however, you will end up paying more in interest than you are saving with the perks.

4. Not having an emergency fund.

You should always have some money put away for those unexpected and sudden expenses. Thinking that you will just charge it is not the way to go. Ideally, you should have an emergency fund of at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses, but even a small amount of money put away for a rainy day can make a big difference.

5. Making only the minimum payment.

This habit can set you back years when trying to pay off your debt. Always add at least a little extra when paying your credit card bill. If you can send a large amount in, that is even better. If you are finding it difficult to find extra money to add to your minimum payments, consider working an extra part-time job or decrease your expenses. Not only will you pay off your debt faster, but you will save a considerable amount in interest charges.

Quick Tips: Safety Tip Portable space heaters can be helpful on those extra cold nights, but you should take care to use them properly to avoid fire and other dangers in your home. Your space heater should be rated for indoor use. Do not use fuel burning heaters in your home without proper ventilation to prevent death from a build-up of carbon monoxide. Electric space heaters are safest. Keep your space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Never place clothing over a space heater to dry. Keep pets and children away from your space heaters and never leave them unattended when in use.

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7 Tips for Keeping Your Resolutions Virtually everyone has made a New Year’s resolution--and then quickly broken it. While your intentions may be good, reality makes it hard to keep those promises. This year, use these seven tips to help you achieve your goals.

1. Be realistic.

Don’t make too many resolutions or make your goals unattainable. It might be better to just have one resolution that is within reach. For example, if you want to pay off your debt in the new year, you might resolve to eat out one less time per week and put the difference towards your debt. Saying you want to eliminate a large debt amount in a month or two might not be attainable.

2. Plan ahead.

Spend some time ahead of New Year’s Day thinking about your goals. With some forethought, you can come up with a good plan. Include in your planning a way to make yourself accountable and think about how you are going to get support.

3. Get a buddy.

Keeping your resolution a secret is a sure-fire way to slip up. Tell a friend or family member what you are hoping to accomplish. Even better, find someone who has the same goal as you. For example, if you are trying to lose weight, it is more productive to have someone who will exercise with you on a regular basis. This accountability can be the extra motivation you need to succeed.

4. Give yourself a reward.

Set some goalposts that you can reach along your resolution journey. Once you’ve accomplished a smaller goal, give yourself a reward. That doesn’t mean that you should get an ice cream sundae once you’ve lost your first five pounds. Instead, get a new outfit or see a movie.

5. Keep track of your progress.

A journal or chart can be a good way to watch your progress. Even something as simple as a notation on a calendar each day can be a good motivator. If you are trying to pay off debt, keep track of the amount as it goes down. A person trying to quit smoking can count the days on a calendar.

6. Hang in there.

Behavioral scientists say that it takes about 21 days to form a new habit. It can take up to six months for it to become a part of your personality and feel second-nature. Give yourself some time to get used to your new way of thinking.

7. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

If you do fumble and slip on occasion, you can still continue with your resolution. One reason many people give up is that they have slipped up. They then feel there is no use in continuing to tackle that goal. Instead, take each day one at a time. If you do have a lapse, simply restart your resolution again. You don’t have to give up completely or wait until next year.

Trivia Answers

1. The Tiger. 6. True

2. January. 7. A lion.

3. Red. 8.The Lantern Festival.

4. True. 9.Huangdi.

5. 4707th year. 10. 15 days.

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Philip S. Miller Library Storytimes100 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock CO 80104 Ph. (303) 791 7323

Storytimes are based on the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read approach to early literacy.

Baby: Birth - 2 years. Puppets may be used occasionally for this early literacy program.

Toddler: Talkers 2-3 years

Preschool: Pre-Readers 3-5 years. Puppets may be used occasionally for this early literacy program.

Family Storytime: Talkers 2-3 years. Early talkers Birth - 2 yrs. Pre-Readers 3-5 years. All age children are welcome to sit and listen! Stories, songs, fingerplays, flannel board stories, and cut-and-tells.

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:30 Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby

10:30 Preschool Preschool Toddler Preschool Preschool All Ages

11:30 All Ages All Ages All Ages All Ages All Ages

**Note: Storytime Magic with Mr. Cliff -- 3rd Tuesday of the month 7:00 p.m.

Come Check Out The New Community Website!

I f you haven ’ t been to www.sapphirepointe.com lately, then you may be surprised to find all the improvements we have been working on. There are live news feeds from both the Town of Castle Rock and the Douglas County News Press. There are also community forums (message boards), a contact/feedback form for the board, each committee and also for clubhouse reservations. The site has HOA and community events and

news, upcoming events and meetings, a community calendar, opinion polls, FAQs and the association documents, minutes and newsletters. There an enhanced DRR (Design Review Request) Form that can be downloaded, filled out on the computer, printed, signed and returned to TMMC for your convenience. [ This download is found under Documents -> Design Guidelines ]

There are also mailing lists that you can subscribe/unsubscribe to at any time. These email notification lists can keep you informed about upcoming meetings (with pre-meeting agendas) and community events. We may establish additional lists in the future if it makes sense to do so.

All homeowners with a registered account on the old site were converted over to the new website (and emailed new passwords and instructions on how to log in). When you log in, you can change your password then to something you can more easily remember. We have had nearly 100 new registrations since June, so we now have 400 registered users on the new website. We would like to see and hear from the rest of our homeowners in Sapphire Pointe, Puma Ridge, Cutter’s Ridge and Cliffside. Registering is a quick and simple process and allows you full access to the entire site (including all the association documents) and the ability to post messages in the forums, sign up email notifications and vote in opinion polls. Please visit the website and take a look around. We hope it is useful to you and perhaps you may bookmark the site and visit us regularly!

2011 Pool DecisionsFrom Page 1

The key cards worked very well last year after an initial learning curve. This is usually the case with something new. If you have lost your key card, please contact TMMC to order a replacement and there will be a fee of $20 for a lost or stolen card. Also, if you do lose or have a card stolen, please call TMMC so we can disable it from our entry system for the upcoming season. We only want homeowners and their guests using our pool to minimize cost. As a reminder, only a resident is allowed in the pool by using the key card. You cannot give your key card to a friend and have them use our pool without you being present.

We’d like to see our Douglas County student volunteers or one of our Scouting groups run the snack bar this summer. If you are interested in this, please email the board. All Douglas County High School Students are required to perform 20 hours of community service to graduate. The 20 hours would be earned quickly through working at the snack bar. If we have the volunteers it will save the community from paying labor hours to man the snack bar.

The Pool Committee is always looking for volunteers to help out. If you are interested in or have past experience with pools, your expertise would be appreciated. Please contact Jennifer Schau at jenschau@yahoo.com if you are interested. We look forward to a fun-filled 2011 Summer at the Sapphire Pointe Pool!

Quick Tips: Car Tip When you buy a new car, you should plan on taking some time to allow for a break-in period. During this time, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), you should keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kph) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer. You should not haul anything heavy during this time, either by towing or loading cargo into your vehicle. Avoid letting your new car idle for long periods, as this can affect the oil pressure in your car. Finally, only use light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.

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Driving in the Dark With winter here, there are fewer hours of light each day. This can lead to more night driving. The National Safety Council reports that traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. Yet many people are unaware of ways to minimize their risks when driving after dark.

Since 90 percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision, a driver can be compromised when driving after sundown. Age can also be a factor, as older drivers have more difficulties seeing at night. A 50-year-old driver can need up to twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year-old.

Drowsiness can also be a factor, as can alcohol use. Because of this, weekend nights are more dangerous. More fatal crashes occur on weekend nights than at any other time in the week.

So how can you drive more safely at night? These guidelines can minimize these after-dark dangers:

• Make sure your headlights are in proper working order. Clean your windows and lights once a week to remove any grime. Your headlights should also be aimed properly.

• Never drink and drive. Even one drink can impair your ability to operate your vehicle safely.

• If you are smoker, refrain from smoking while driving at night. Nicotine and carbon monoxide both can affect night vision.

• Follow other vehicles at a safe distance. You should also reduce your speed at night, as it becomes harder to judge other vehicle’s distances and speeds after dark.

• If you are feeling fatigued, make frequent stops for some exercise and to eat some snacks. If you continue to feel tired, you should stop driving and sleep before continuing.

• Vehicle break-downs after sundown can be dangerous for you and other drivers. If you must get off the road, pull over as far as possible. Turn on your flashers and use reflecting triangles behind your vehicle. Stay off the roadway if possible.

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Quick Tips: Home Tip If you have wallpaper in your home, you know that eventually the edges can start to peel. To easily fix this problem, use a piece of writing paper. Spread a small amount of wallpaper paste onto the paper and press it against the uplifted, peeling section of wallpaper, with the glue facing the underside of the wall paper. Press the wallpaper against the wall. Then slowly slide the writing paper out. Smooth any bubbles with a clean cloth.

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Sapphire Pointe – Snow RemovalThe Association is responsible for limited snow removal throughout the community. Snow removal services will be provided within 24 hours after the end of a snow storm that has an accumulation of 3” or more.

We have given snow removal priority to School Bus Stops and Mailbox locations. In rare instances, snow removal may occur at night, in order to provide safe passage of children in the morning.

If you are curious to know which areas will have snow removed, check out the Snow Removal Maps on http://www.sapphirepointe.com to see the locations highlighted in red. In general, the association is responsible for clearing of sidewalks along the common areas, while homeowners are responsible for clearing the snow on sidewalks adjacent to their own properties. The Town of Castle Rock is responsible for plowing of the public streets.

The mailbox and school bus areas are to be kept clear so if one has been missed, please contact TMMC at 303.985.9623 so they can follow-up with our snow removal company.

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Sapphire Pointe Master AssociationP.O. Box 1540

Castle Rock, CO, 80104Porchlink Media is proud to publish your newsletter!

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To place a display or classified ad:Please contact

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Tracy Hulsey Broker Associate RE/MAX Southeast, Inc. 720-224-8043 www.SapphirePointeHomes.com TracyHulsey@remax.net

*The next time you are looking to buy or sell in Sapphire Pointe, call Tracy. Not only a Realtor, but a neighbor!*

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