University Area Neighborhood Association Newsletter

Publisher: Kent Strupe & Lisa Palmer

Volume: 11	Issue: 1

Date: Winter 2009

Dates And Events To Remember

UANA General Meeting:

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 7 pm

Maple Springs United Methodist Church (Reynolda Rd)

In the Old Fellowship Hall
(also known as Koinonia Hall)

Fire Safety Tip!

With the recent trend in outdoor living areas, some residents like to enjoy those areas year round.

Winter weather creates a need for the use of outdoor heat sources.  These heat sources must be in compliance with local fire laws.  For example, “built-in” barbecues, chimneas, outdoor space heaters, and other appropriate fire burning devices with protective screens to cover the flames.

Bonfires, drums or large cans, dug out areas, brick or rock surrounding an open fire are NOT in compliance with local fire laws and are illegal.  

If fires are not properly contained, sparks can ignite dry grass and leaves.  Please keep your safety and the safety of your neighbors in mind.

Anyone observing the improper use of outdoor fires are urged to call 911 and report the incident immediately.

Recent Crime Wave

In the past few months there have been a series of auto breakings, residence breakings, and armed robberies throughout our neighborhoods and at WFU. 

Please be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times and be on the watch for any suspicious persons or behavior in your neighborhood. Be sure to keep the doors and windows of your home secured at all times as well as your vehicles. Also, keep any tempting items in your vehicle (i.e. wallets, loose change, laptops, GPS devices, MP3 players) out of site. 

There have been several arrests made in connection with these incidents, however, please continue to be alert and to keep your home and vehicles secure. 

Please report any suspicious behavior immediately to the police at 911 (emergency) or 773-7700 (non-emergency).

Historic Oak Crest News

Historic Designation Petition:  Forming a committee to prepare for petition.  Hope to be in full swing by June 2009.

Spring Walking Tour of OC:  To be announced (probably April or May)

Second Annual OC Founders Day Picnic:  Sometime in June- to be announced

Visit the HOC website: www.historicoakcrest.com 

Officers

Robert Barnes - President
Kent Strupe - 1st Vice President & Historian
Tom Phillips - 2nd Vice President
Frances Wells - Secretary
Nancy Crooks - Treasurer
D D Adams - Sergeant at Arms 
Robert Vorsteg -Community Liaison

Board Members

Lisa Palmer
Annette Nago
Roy Fleming

UANA Contact Info

UANA
PO Box 11246
Winston-Salem, NC 27116

Email:  uana.ws@gmail.com 

Infoline:  336.703.2916

Website:  www.uana.synthasite.com 

General Information

Garbage Collection:  Every Friday

Recycle Collection:  Every Friday

Yard Waste Collection: Every Thursday

Bulky Item Pick Up:  March 16, 2009

Except on pickup days, we keep all trash, debris, and items for recycling contained and out of sight. 

Other News

Free Government Funds Available To Remove and Clean Up Unused Buried Home Heating Oil Tanks 

Most homes built before 1975 used an underground tank for storing home heating oil. Even if your home does not use home heating oil now, you may still have a tank buried underground. These tanks have been slowly corroding underground for years past their intended 15-20 year life expectancy. In addition to tank corrosion, decades of drips, spills and overfill during tank filing may have caused soil contamination. 

There are basically three reasons for tank removal:

1) Most tanks leak, or have had some oil spilled around the filling point which results in soil contamination, obviously not good for the environment. Even if the tank is empty, has been filled with foam or sand, or has been removed, soil contamination may exist at the property.
2) Many mortgage companies now require the tank to be removed on sale or re-finance of a home as they consider them a liability. 
3) The fund has finite dollars, so the time to act is now, while the fund is available.

If you would like to know more about this program and how you are eligible to have your heating oil tank removed at no cost to you, please call, Katy O’Kennedy at 336 409 6877 or email kok@triad.rr.com .

Neighborly Behavior

* We respect the right of our neighbors to the peaceable enjoyment of their homes. We are aware that neighbors have various sleep, work, and worship schedules, and we do not inflict gratuitous and unreasonable noises upon them. 

* Some noises are inevitable and reasonable, such as lawn mowing and landscape work, or house repairs etc. We confine these to daylight hours. 

* Loud noises late at night that disturb our neighbors' rest and sleep are not reasonable. Such noises infringe on their rights, and are prohibited by the City/County Noise Ordinance. We strive to maintain a climate of mutual respect between neighbors, and refrain from uncivil and disturbing behavior. 

* Most of our residential streets have no sidewalks. Whoever takes a walk must use our streets, and many of us do take walks, some with children, and some who are old and frail. This makes safe driving very important, and we strive to remind ourselves of this. 

Maintaining Our Properties

* We take pride in our homes and yards. Because these are visible to all, we maintain them in a way that contributes to the general good appearance of the neighborhood. 

* We take pleasure and pride in our neighborhood's grassy lawns, trimmed shrubbery, and patches of color from flower beds or gardens. We each accept the responsibility of doing our part by maintaining our own. 

* Because nothing destroys a lawn more quickly than parking on it, we park our cars and other vehicles only on driveways or other appropriate surfaces. 

* Except on trash pickup days, we keep all trash, debris, and items for recycling in appropriate containers, out of sight. 

Membership Information

If you are a permanent resident living in one of the University Area neighborhoods, then we invite and encourage you to become a member of our association. 

Getting involved is very important in keeping our association alive and being able to effectively maintain our neighborhoods as set forth by our standards. Not to mention, it's a great way to meet your fellow neighbors and get to know them. 

Annual dues are $10 per person or $15 per household. Cash or check is accepted. Please make checks payable to UANA. 

You can either bring it with you to our next general meeting or mail it to the UANA PO Box.