Riverbend Board of Directors Message
Henny Hanna, President
Dear fellow residents:
A Happy New Year to you and yours. On behalf of the board, I want to once again thank you for your generous contributions to the association’s holiday drive. We raised a total of $11,375.
As per board policy, this was distributed as follows: 20% or $2,275 to each of our four staff members - distributed thru payroll. Another 10% or $1,137.5 was shared equally by our two cleaning ladies, and the final 10% ($1,137.5) was shared by the security guards. Contractors’ staffs were issued checks and 1099s.
Work on the roof repair project will commence in early January. As was stated earlier, the project will run for approximately 60 days, and for the most part our residents will not be inconvenienced while the work is proceeding. One exception is the parking area behind Riverbend. We were advised that the roof contractor will need some of these spots, for the whole duration of the project. For those of you, who park in that area, please accept my apologies in advance. The repair work is not optional, and Riverbend has plenty of parking spaces in front of the building. Leisure World has been advised of the parking space arrangement.
Our treasurer, Harry Carter, represented Riverbend at the LWVA members’ meeting for December (I was unable to attend). The main item on their agenda was renewing insurance policies for the five condo associations, plus the LWVA association itself. Thanks to diligent work by Harry - an effort that lasted the better part of the month of December, we now have solid insurance policies for Riverbend (and the other community members as well).
I wish you all a wonderful January.
Henny Hanna, President
Thanks to the Package Room Staff
Thank you to each of our wonderful package room volunteers. We especially appreciate all your hard work during the busy holiday season.
A very special thank-you to Emil Peront who worked faithfully every day for several weeks organizing the mail room, calling package recipients and even hand delivering some parcels as needed. Thank you so much, Emil!
Important New Information
MANAGEMENT REPORTS
By Jene Lyons, Association Manager
Riverbend's Management and Staff would like to wish all the residents a very happy new year.
Scam Alert
The following was extracted from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s online report:
Attempted Fraud/Scam: Resident received a phone call where the caller reported the resident had won cash and prizes in a sweepstakes. The caller stated they needed a payment of $499.00 in order for the resident to claim the prizes. LCSO has received several reports of sweepstakes/lottery scams, mostly targeting the senior population.
Mary’s Bourbon Balls
Mary Owen, a Riverbend resident and native Kentuckian (Cynthiana, KY near Lexington) shares her personal recipe for bourbon balls which are especially popular for the holidays but are served year-round in Kentucky.
Ingredients
1 stick butter
1 lb powdered sugar
*Bourbon
¾ C chopped pecans
Parowax
Day 1 - Cream 1 stick butter thoroughly using an electric mixer; add 1 lb. powdered sugar very slowly adding 1 or 2 Tbsp. at a time. Continue beating, add bourbon as needed up to ½ cup. Beat about ½ hour. Then add about ¾ cup of chopped pecans and place entire mixture in bowl to refrigerate overnight.
Day 2 - Roll mixture into small balls, let the balls harden overnight.
Day 3 - Dip balls in melted Baker’s unsweetened baking chocolate squares mixed with 2T shortening or Parowax. Place on wax paper before wrapping in handy wrap to chill. (Will freeze for months).
*“Just make sure the Bourbon is from Kentucky!” concludes Mary, who uses Old Grand-Dad for her cooking and says that Virginia bourbon is not the same.
Garage Cabinet Guidelines Revisited
Management received several complaints about unsightly garage cabinets throughout the garages of Riverbend. The complaints related primarily to issues of dents and rust. For this reason, the Board considered the current resolution related to the garage cabinets here at Riverbend and adopted the following language as recommended by the Association’s Rules Committee:
All cabinets must be placed on either sleepers or 2” X 4”s. Rusted or damaged cabinets must be repaired or replaced. New or replacement cabinets must be made either in vinyl or plastic and not metal. Only beige or light gray cabinets are permitted. (provision added 11/30/11).
Residents have until April 1, 2012 to bring garage cabinets into compliance with regard to these new requirements. In order to facilitate the elevation of the cabinets which will help keep them dry during pressure washing of the garages, Bryan and Charles (your building Engineers) have agreed to provide pressure-treated wood and elevate cabinets onto them through the “In-Unit Service” program. The Association will have 2”x 4” X 8’ boards on hand for $3 each and the engineers will elevate residents cabinets at the customary $20.00 per half-hour. Please plan to clean out the cabinets before the work is done so that nothing is spilled and the cabinets can be easily maneuvered.
FROM THE ENGINEER
Bryan Crosley
Kitchen Drain Care
It’s a good basic maintenance idea to clean your kitchen drain every so often. You can make up an eco-friendly solution from ingredients at home that will keep the flow going or unclog if needed. For basic cleaning, mix ½ cup salt in about a gallon of heated water to be poured down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, then add ½ cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.
Note: Do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener as the vinegar can react with the commercial product to create dangerous fumes.
Results of the December Riverbend Board of Directors Meeting
The BOD met November 30.2011 – too late to get reported in our December “Around the Bend” but a few things do need to be passed along to our residents.
Appointment of new committee members:
Activities: Sue Wiggins, Chairman
Virginia Laughlin
Rules: Mary Ann Blatt
Gwendolyn Harkness
Susan Roland
Sue Wiggins
Communications:
Bernie Nakamura
Virginia Laughlin
*Affirmation of 2112 Budget
*Affirmation of Roof Repair Award to KGS Construction
*Updated Emergency Plan for Riverbend
*Approval of administrative calendar for 2012
*Resolution clarifying holiday closures
*Repainting patio tables (Southern Co.) was recommended
*Carpeting and paint for hallways: motion carried to wait until after 12/8/11 meeting of Building & Facilities Committee to make decisions.
*Garage Cabinet Guidelines were presented by Rules Committee
Cabinets must be on 2x4’s or sleepers
Engineers will stock 2x4’s and assist in placing them (at the regular service rate)
Cabinets must be beige or light gray in color
Damaged or rusted cabinets must be repaired or replaced by 4/1/12
The Board dealt with delinquency and personnel matters at Executive Session
The next meeting is January 25, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
What's happening at Riverbend!
Activities Committee
Meet and Mingle
December 12 found a number of residents swapping stories of holiday plans at the Meet and Mingle. It was a great way to unwind after a day at the mall . . . a jolly time was had by all. There will be no Meet and Mingle in January but it will resume in February.
New Chair
Sue Wiggins will take over the chairmanship of this committee on January 1. Look forward to some new and interesting events in the coming year.
Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year!
Jackie Levdahl, Retiring Chair
Rules and Regulations Committee
The Rules and Regulations committee met on December 7, 2011. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of establishing guidelines pertaining to Riverbend charity drives.
Following discussion by the committee and input by an open forum, the committee strongly advocated continued support of the Ashburn Fire and Rescue Department, the Interfaith Food Pantry as well as the collection of items for the Inova Hospital Ladies Board’s annual rummage sale. Residents wishing to do additional charity drives should present a request to the Board of Directors for consideration. This recommendation will be presented to the Board at its January meeting.
The committee welcomed four new members: Mary Ann Blatt, Gwen Harkness Sue Roland, and Sue Wiggins.
Jackie Levdahl, Chair
Communications Committee
As we begin the 14th year of the Communications Committee, I would like to report that we have had a successful 13th year. Hopefully, we can keep the information flowing to each residents via the Around the Bend, the Riverbend web site, the various pieces of information slid under your door during the year.
I am sure you have heard the old saying, "There's no I in TEAM!" It is true for this committee because it takes a lot of volunteers to keep the information flowing your way. I want to thank the standing committee members and volunteers whose names you see each month on the last page of the newsletter. They do a great job and seem to be eager to pitch in and do whatever is necessary when called upon.
Three major changes occurred in the newsletter area this past year. 1) we started printing the newsletter in house on the copier, 2) we began using color to dress up the newsletter, and 3) we started inserting advertisements which have been very successful in offsetting costs associated with publishing the Around the Bend.
This year, we have added two new members to the committee: Virginia Laughlin and Bernie Nakamura. They will support the production and editing efforts and provide their talents as needed to the committee. We welcome them to the staff.
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As we get into the new year, we will continue to provide you our best efforts.
Shelby Tanner, Chair
Riverbend Ramblings
The little elves of Riverbend came out of the woodwork and with lots of person power they decorated the lobby, party room, common areas and the halls on each floor. Unit owners couldn't be outdone so they hung up their own holiday door decorations.
Did you have a chance to see it all? I am sure most of our residents had a chance to see the lobby and party room decorations. But did you walk the hallways and look at the many decorations in the halls and on unit doors? If not, you missed some interesting and impressive decorations.