Despite cold, snowy weather, the Skyway Association annual meeting was attended by about 35 hearty souls. Fire Marshal Brett Lacey and FireWise Mitigation Administrator Christina Randall were among CSFD staff who gave an informative presentation about fire prevention, loss reduction, evacuation, and mitigation. It is imperative to list priorities if evacuation is required: choosing a meeting place away from Skyway; preparing things to take (meds, insurance papers, important records, pictures, cash) avoids last-minute panic.
The Skyway Association received national recognition for our FireWise mitigation participation, which in 2013 will occur June 3–7 and August 5–9. This service has always been included in your $15 annual dues. To sign up, contact Margaret Brettschneider, 719-633-4661 or ebrettmbour@aol.com.
I alert you to check the provisions of your homeowner policy that includes replacement value. With this clause included, actual coverage increases 25 percent over policy stated coverage. Backup water is also an important endorsement. The cost is reasonable, considering a loss.
Lastly, our fiscal year (February) has started. Thank you if you have paid your $15 annual dues in February. If you haven't, please use the form below and mail it soon. Funds go to Skyway improvements, weed-eating goats, Yucca publication, our association liability policy, and the annual picnic.
Skyway Association, Wed. meetings, 5:30–6:30 p.m.,
County Parks bldg., April 24, May 29, June 26
FireWise: What’s Acceptable
• Woody limbs and branches only, up to 9” diameter
• No construction or building materials; no nails or wire
• Piles only; no bags
• No trash, weeds, grass clippings, leaves, or yuccas
• No root wads, dirt or rocks
Pile Guidelines
• Piles must be within 5’ of the roadway, stacked neatly with large ends facing the road by 8:00 a.m. chipping day.
• Please limit each pile size to 5’ x 5’ x 5’, but there’s no limit on number of piles.
• Piles must be out by the first day; crew will not double back to get additional piles during the week.
• Please do not combine piles with neighbors or haul in from other neighborhoods.
Weeds
Eliminate future weeds now with a product such as Preen to prevent the weeds’ seeding next year (but not this summer). When this summer's weeds arrive, pluck or poison with a weed killer.
Neighborhood Watch
Receive timely updates by emailing leighwestin@gmail.com and attend free classes.
Neighborhood Watch, 6:00 p.m., CSPD Gold Hill, no RSVP
May 22, Victim Advocacy
June 19, Code Enforcement
Thoughts about vacations:
1. If you're leaving, stop your mail and milk delivery or have a friend retrieve them for you immediately after delivery.
2. Set timers to turn lights and radios on and off at staggered intervals (good use of talk radio).
3. Have a friend open and close draperies.
4. Park a vehicle in the driveway.
5. Display No Soliciting signs on front and back doors, like the ones I designed and will email to you.
6. Be discreet about your plans.
7. Perhaps turn off water, unplug the "vampires," if you can.
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 4:00–8:00 p.m
Picnic in West Bear Creek Park
Membership drive, Joe Uveges, fire engine, burgers, bouncy house!
Grab your lawn chair, blanket, and umbrella and join your neighbors at the Skyway Association’s annual picnic (*we might have a nominal food charge) at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 15, in west Bear Creek Park’s large pavilion.
There’ll be an ice cream truck, bouncy house, face painting, and water tattoos for the kids, as well as a fire engine to climb into.
From 4:30–6:30, we’ll have burgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks for new and current Skyway members. From 5:00 till at least 7:00, Joe Uveges, KJ Braithwaite, and Jim Sokol will be breath to our ears.
If you have any prizes you’d like to donate, please contact Gayle Nichols, 448-0771. It’s a great time to meet people in a relaxed atmosphere and learn about the Skyway Association.
Our entertainment. Joe Uveges, KJ Braithwaite, and Jim Sokol (the BUS) have the kind of vocal blend that stops a crowd in mid-murmur. They've been performing for years, making laughter and music as easily as breathing Rocky Mountain air. Their covers of CSN are the stuff of local legend.
KJ Braithwaite is a rock and rockabilly guitar wizard who feels guitar in the same way as Eric Clapton, less is more and space makes the music speak.
Jim Sokol has been a part of four albums with Joe Uveges, including the critically acclaimed Up Please. His voice can scream and it can whisper.
Joe Uveges is a fixture in Colorado Springs’ music scene with four Gazette awards including 2011 and 2012 "Best Solo Musician" awards. He's released eight albums, engaging audiences with his on-the-spot songwriting that make every event a once-in-a-lifetime one.
Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society’s Jazz in the Parks, Wednesdays, 6:00–8:00 p.m., in Bear Creek Park
June 12 Thin Air Jazz
July 24 The Swing Connection with vocalist Laura Davis
Aug. 14 TBD
Aug. 28 USAFA Falconaires Jazz Ensemble
Elevate Food Pantry
We’d like to welcome Elevate Food Pantry, 923 Arcturus Drive, to Skyway. A community supported effort, Elevate provides an array of services for residents of southwest Colorado Springs, including food and a school backpack program (food for the weekend).
Food donations are welcomed and accepted Wednesdays 4:00–6:00 p.m. and Thursdays 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Primary partners are Broadmoor Community Church, Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, Care and Share Food Bank, City of Colorado Springs, and St. Paul Catholic Church.
Get Involved with Your Community and Have Fun!
