lake carolina living -...
TRANSCRIPT
Lake Carolina A quarterly newsletter for Lake Carolina
Winter 2014 Living
Spring and Early Summer Lawn Tips
Believe it or not, spring will be here soon and we all need to get our lawns ready for the summer. The first step is to get a good pre-emerge herbicide so that summer weeds, such as crab and goose grass, don’t germinate. Usually, I recommend that you do a split application of pre-emerge between March 1st – 15th and the next May 1st - 15th. The reasoning behind this theory is most weed control products are mixed with fertilizer; March fertilizer requirements are different than May requirements. In March we want to use a fertilizer that is higher in Potassium (the third number 0-0-14) when your turf grass is awakening from its winter nap. In May, we want to use a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen (the first number 22-0-10) to give the turf grass more ability to grow and spread; during this time, the soil temperatures will be more supportive of turf growth and devel-opment. It’s also a good idea to annually apply lime to your lawn. It’s inexpensive and takes a couple months to work in the soil. Another good practice is to lay an insecticide for fire ants, grubs and other bugs that live in your lawns. Aloft, dylox, or talstar will keep insect levels low to avoid moles and tolerance levels to grow good roots for a healthy turf. Soil tests are good to do in April or May and can be done locally at the Clemson extension facility at Sandhills.
To take advantage of the last 60-90 days of active growing, and to develop a strong, dense turf, the next fertilizer application will be in July with a balanced analysis (22-0-20). If your lawn is dense and healthy you may choose to only use a half applica-tion of the nitrogen and use more potassium (12-0-22).
Advice for the purchase of products for your yard: Find a quality vendor that will have the products you need. There is nothing against the big box stores. However, they typi-cally sell products high in nitrogen in shiny bags, which are not the best for your turfgrass. The theory behind this is simple: if you apply a product and you don’t see the lawn turn green quickly, you think it isn’t good. So they load the product with nitrogen to keep you happy. Over fertilization is the root cause for disease, insects and the need for excessive water. There are many vendors in our area that not only offer professional prod-ucts, but advice if needed. Carolina Fresh Farms, John Deere Landscapes, Modern Turf, and local feed stores will have prod-
Written by Jeff Connell and Rob Strobel, Turf Works
ucts that meet the requirements needed. Many times 50 pounds of fertilizer from a professional vendor will cost less than the box stores. Irrigation tips: Try this program during the coming season and see if your lawn and your water bills get better: Turn your irrigation system to manual and only turn it on when needed. Ok, I hear you. When does it need it? It’s not as much as you may think. We have grown accus-tomed to just letting it run and paying the bills. Your lawn will tell you when it needs water if it starts to wilt. Or, if we have gone 5-6 days without water, it’s time to give your lawn a drink. Just hit the start button and run it when needed. You can save lots of money and have stronger turf. Be sure to put it back on auto when leaving town for a while, but try this method and see your savings!
We will discuss this in greater detail in the summer newsletter. Here are a couple references for advice and good reading. These pro-grams and ideas guidelines; they are certainly not the only way, but will help educate yourself about your lawns.
http://www.carolinafreshfarms.com/centipede.html http://www.carolinafreshfarms.com/bermuda.html http://www.carolinafreshfarms.com/zoysia.html
Lake Carolina A quarterly newsletter for Lake Carolina
Spring 2015 Living
Trash Reminders Recycling changes: The new bright green recycle bins have been delivered to all homeowners. The schedule for pick-up has changed and will only be picked up every other Friday instead of every Friday.
Regular trash will continue to be picked up weekly on Fridays.
Please be reminded that trash cans, recycle bins, and yard/other debris should not be placed on the street more than 24 hours be-fore scheduled pick up, and receptacles must be removed by the following day. Trash and receptacles should not be left on the curb between pick-up days.
Reducing Your Waste Courtesy of Community Associations Institute
local charitable groups, rather than dis-pose of them.
Purchase durable furniture and equip-ment or products made of recycled material to reduce waste from inferior products.
Purchase recycled paper products, such as office paper, bathroom tissue, etc.
Set up an area to collect recyclable of paper, glass, cardboard, aluminum, tin, and plastic.
Compost outdoor wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, and kitchen waste (no meat or onions).
tify and reduce your greatest sources of waste.
Reject wasteful consumption by care-fully considering what you need and buying products that last.
Purchase products with minimal pack-aging or packaging that can be recy-cled, or buy in bulk.
Use cloth napkins, cloth lunch bags, sponges/dish rags, reusable plates, and reusable coffee filters instead of paper alternatives.
Repair or donate older or unwanted equipment and household goods to
Being careful about what you buy, consume, and throw away may not seem all that excit-ing even for the most committed environ-mental steward. But efficient daily practices and a little old fashioned common sense are good for the environment and your bottom line.
Use this checklist to see how many waste management and recycling practices you’ve implemented. Then make a plan of action to expand your efforts.
Make waste reduction a priority in your home.
Evaluate the waste you generate to iden-
Welcome — One and All
If you rent a home in the community, you’re part of the community, too, and we welcome you. We’d like to meet you at the commu-nity events and social gatherings.
Sometimes we can’t reach you to announce a party or meeting, especially if you’re leasing from an out-of-state owner or a corpora-tion. If this is you, please let our manager or a board member know your name, address, and phone—and we’ll include you on our mailing lists.
In case your landlord hasn’t passed along this information, here are a few tips to make living in our community enjoyable and stress free:
All residents—owners and renters—must comply with association rules and regulations. The rules protect property values, preserve the nature of our community, and make life more enjoyable for everyone. If you need a copy of the rules, please contact the manager or a board member. The association has the legal authority to enforce all rules, which we do—equitably and consistently. The Association doesn’t like to take action against those who may not have received this important information, but it’s an obligation to do so.
Renters are entitled to all the privileges of association membership except voting. Contact the management company and let us know how to reach you. That gives you the advantage of knowing what’s going on in the community.
You don’t have to own your home to be interested in your community. If you’d like to volunteer, or come have a chat in our office, we can’t wait to meet you. Responsible, service-minded residents are the backbone of the association regardless of their ownership sta-tus.
So, welcome to the Lake Carolina community. We want you to enjoy your experience here—perhaps enough to become an owner some day.
Spring Cleaning
Spring is the time for new beginnings and fresh starts. This is the perfect time for sprucing up the yard and the home. Addressing these items now not only help you avoid compliance letters, but ultimately, and most importantly, add curb appeal to your home and boost neighborhood morale and appeal. Many websites and vendors also offer tips on getting the most bang for your buck in spring curb appeal. Try HGTV’s article “11 Budget Friendly Ways to Boost Curb Appeal”. Regular maintenance does not require approval prior to work, however any new projects will require approval from the ARB (changing shutter/siding color, installing fence, installing a shed, building a pergola, etc). It is a very simple process and should not delay your project. Contact the ARB Coordinator for more details!
Pressure Washing
Mailbox (Paint, hardware, logos)
Weeds
Mulch or pinestraw in all landscaped areas
Bushes trimmed
Regular lawn maintenance
What is an Assessment? Jay Hildebrand, Association Manager
An assessment is the owner’s financial obligation to the commu-nity association during a given period of time, usually one year (annually). An annual assessment is typically paid once a year and is due January 1st. An assessment for an owner’s share of the common expenses is based on the community association’s governing documents and is a binding legal obligation that the owner cannot avoid.
A special assessment is: A one-time assessment Often voted on by owners To cover a major expense (i.e. major repair, replacement or
improvement ) Was not included in the annual budget
Many homeowners ask where the authority to collect assess-ments comes from. The Association is granted authority to col-lect assessments from:
Federal laws and regulations – Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
State Statues Governing Documents
Annual assessments are based on the community’s budget for the fiscal year. The amount of the total annual assessment is the amount of income that the board decides to obtain from owner assessments – given the community association’s other income sources. Each owner is assigned a share of the community’s an-nual obligation. Frequently, an owner’s share is based on the number of owners in the community.
For more information regarding assessments, share structures, and the calculation of your share, please review your CC&Rs or call our office for more information.
Find these new Town Center businesses on the web, facebook, or, better yet, visit them today!
Post Call Family Sports Bar
Allean’s Southern Cuisine
Lake Carolina Convenience
Limelight
WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES!
Lake Carolina Projects
The Association has been hard at work to improve the com-munity common grounds and to get them ready for warmer weather and activity! Below is a list of projects that have been recently completed or are currently under schedule: Completed: Main entrance fountain repairs Berm planting (including sod) Walking path repairs New picnic tables at Sunset Park Centennial Shelter New furniture at Market Park Current: Gazebo repair at Dog Park & Village Green Main entrance guard house repairs and improvements Paint stucco at front entrance Masonry work at front entrance Cleaning neighborhood entrances Clean all vinyl signs Repair all pedestrian signs Front entrance tree removal Paint Sunset Park fence black, remove cables Toppers on posts need to be replaced Waterproofing vault at fountain Landscape lighting Irrigation repairs throughout all common areas Electrical / Irrigation inventory Paint informational signs, dog park, and nature trail signs Repair erosion at boat ramp and install riprap to prevent
further erosion
Lake Carolina Amenity
The Lake Carolina Amenity Association
will open the community pools on May 1.
Please sign up by March 31 to take
advantage of our early bird discount.
There will also be a drawing for a $100
refund on membership! The pool season is exceptionally
long and will closing the end of October.
For more information, contact our office at 803-865-5470
Cooks Corner Featuring Recipes from Lake Carolina Residents
If you would like your recipe featured in our newsletter, please email it to [email protected]. We hope to eventually cre-ate a “Taste of Lake Carolina” cookbook! Asparagus Casserole Submitted by Robin Clark, Harborside Resident 1 (2 lb. 3 oz.) can asparagus (drained and saved) 1 can cream mushroom soup Cheese crackers 3 Hard-boiled eggs Salt, pepper, paprika 2 Cups sharp cheddar cheese (Kraft Extra Sharp preferred) 4 oz. jar pimento
Drain asparagus juice from can and place (juice) in small pot. Place asparagus in shallow casserole dish. Add mushroom soup to aspar-agus liquid and heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally (add salt and pepper to this step). Crush cheese crackers into fine particles and lightly cover asparagus in casserole dish. Lay sliced (boiled Egg) on top. Lay sliced pimento strips on top. Next, pour soup / asparagus mixture into casserole dish. Cover with generous layer of Sharp Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.
NightCap Tapioca Pudding Submitted by Linda DeBenedetto; Berkeley Resident
2-3/4 C Lowfat Milk ¼ C Sugar 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice 3 TBS MINUTE Tapioca 1 Egg, beaten 1 tsp Vanilla Ground Cinnamon
In a medium size heavy bottom pot combine milk, Sugar, spice, Tapioca and egg. Wisk constantly while heating over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool 20-30 min.; Sprinkle the top with a dusting of cinna-mon. Serve warm or chilled. Pudding thickens as it cools. I stir it just before serving. Tip: (to keep it from creating a skin: place plastic wrap on surface of pudding while it’s cooling.)
Halo Salon Business Focus
Halo Salon has offered professional services & stylists with the con-venience of Harborside Town Center in Lake Carolina since 2009.
Halo is a trend setting salon located at 324 Long Pointe Lane. Unlike any other salon in Columbia, Halo offers a unique experience for everyone. Brightly colored walls, “rockin” décor and a friendly team of art-ists, lead to a fun time while getting a fabu-lous look. We want our guest to leave Halo with energy, excitement and a new love for their hair. Our hair-artists are highly trained and talented in cuts, color and styles for men, women and children. Hours are based upon appointments but walk-ins are always welcome. Please call or text one of our talented stylists:
Shannon: (205) 657-0528
Meredith: (803) 608-3735
Janis: (803) 606-4671
William: (803) 665-6629
Angie: (910) 263-4804
Prom, Wedding and Special Events scheduling available.
Ask about a gift certificate for birthdays, graduation or holidays.
Important Numbers:
Security Patrol (803) 233-7411 Richland County Ombudsman (803) 929-6000 Fairfield Electric (803) 754-0153 SCE&G (800) 251-7234 City of Columbia Water (803) 545-3300 Sewer (803) 699-2422 Sheriffs Dept-Region 6 (803) 865-8011
Southern Community Services 5 Lake Carolina Way, Suite 120
PO Box 290189 Columbia, SC 29229
Lake Carolina is professionally managed by:
Lake Carolina Management Team: Jay, Mike, Kristina, Ashley
(803) 865-5470 [email protected]