Eagle Pointer 04.19.2014

Posted 04/19/14

Eagle Pointer 4/13 - 4/19/2014

Letter from the President:

Hello Neighbors,

I for one am glad that spring is finally here and I hope that you are too. It was so nice to drive through the neighborhood this weekend and see so many of you out and about, riding bikes, walking dogs, working in your yards and participating in the Neighborhood Garage Sale. Eagle Point is truly a great place to live and work. Thank you for working to keep it that way.

With arrival of spring come those outside home and garden projects that we have been eagerly looking forward to all winter long. If you are ambitious and climb ladders be sure to check and recheck that the “feet” of your extension ladder are firmly planted on the ground and that both of your extension ladders hooks are securely over the ladder rungs. Remember, think safety first or you could wind up spending the rest of spring recuperating!

If you are planning a spring or summer home improvement, please remember to obtain the proper paperwork from the HOA office. We are a covenanted community and we have certain guidelines for exterior paint colors, roof materials and colors as well as fences and other exterior changes.

I’m sure that most of us have seen foreclosed and abandoned properties as we travel about. These eyesores are depressing to see and can bring down the entire community. Let us resolve as a community to not let that happen here in Eagle Point. If you know of a property that is in need of attention please send a message to the HOA office. Your board is committed to doing all we can to keep Eagle Point a beautiful community to live in. We cannot do this without your assistance so I take this moment to thank you in advance.

There are several undeveloped lots for sale in Eagle Point. Please help us watch for activity on these lots and notify the HOA office is you see surveying or clearing.

Speeding continues to be an issue in the neighborhood. I know we all have busy lives, but it scares me to see cars speeding through Eagle Point with so many children out playing and riding their bikes. Please everyone be aware of your speed as you drive through the neighborhood.

I am proud to live in Eagle Point and I am pleased to be your HOA president. Eagle Point is such a well known and respected neighborhood in the Birmingham area, and it is through your hard work and dedication that we enjoy this reputation as being a premier community. Keep it up, and if your HOA can help, please let us know.

Raymond Newton
President, EPHOA

How to be a Good Neighbor

Introduce yourself. Whether you're new in the neighborhood or new residents have just moved in on your block, introduce yourself. Say hello, offer a welcoming gift (the classic homemade pie never fails) and share or ask about the local area: "Where's the nearest pizzeria?" or "The garbage truck comes by on Tuesdays and Fridays, usually around 10 in the morning, but sometimes he sneaks in at 8."

Consider your neighbors' lifestyle. Get to know your neighbors--what they do for a living, what their schedules might be like, and so on. Sometimes, you can remedy problems before they even start; for example, if they work nights, quiet mornings will be important for them. If they have young children, quiet evenings will be very important to them. Similarly, give them information that'll help them be more considerate of your lifestyle. If you do a lot of yard work, or if your teenage son plays the drums, let them know in advance and mention that if it's getting too loud, they shouldn't hesitate to let you know.

Control your dog. Keep your dog on a leash if it has a habit of running rampant on your neighbors' lawns, especially if they have a cat or a dog of their own, and make sure to clean up after it. If you have a particularly noisy dog, this may also become a source of contention for your neighbor. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine how upset you'd be if you or perhaps your newborn was woken from a much-needed nap by the sudden yapping of a nearby dog. If you have problems controlling your dog's barking or whining, consider seeking advice from your local vet or a local animal organization.

Practice parking etiquette. When you park your vehicle, be sure not to block anyone's access, or make them have to pull out of a very tight spot. Don't over-rev the engine of your car or motorcycle early in the morning or late at night. Avoid slamming your doors or shining your headlights into your neighbor's windows late at night.

Alert your neighbor to parties. If you're planning a party, be sure to give your neighbors plenty of warning, letting them know when it's going to start and how long you expect it to go on. Leave them a telephone number to contact if they need to ask you to turn it down. If you get on well with your neighbors, why not invite them too? When it comes to the party itself, stick to your agreed arrangements and ask your guests to be considerate when leaving.

Keep your yard tidy. Weed your yard regularly, because the presence of weeds in your yard is not only unsightly but can also spread to your neighbor's yard. Mow your lawn regularly and keep your flowers, trees and bushes trimmed appropriately. Put equipment away as soon as you're finished with it. Ask if your neighbor has chemical sensitivities, small children or pets before applying pesticides.

Put garbage out on the right day. Only put your garbage out on the day it's due for collection. If you accidentally miss the collection, bring it back onto your property immediately and try to contain it well. Garbage can attract vermin, insects, and other pests, and is also unsightly.

Communicate with your neighbor. Above all, touch base with your neighbors regularly and keep them in the loop. Remember the golden rule and if anything you are planning to do may affect them, minimize it and let them know in advance. Keep the channels of communication open by reminding them that if you're doing anything which disturbs them, they should feel comfortable approaching you about it.

Be aware of your surroundings, as well as theirs. Even if you're not in a "neighborhood watch" community, keep your eye on anyone you don't know acting suspiciously around your neighbor's property. When in doubt, call the police so they can quickly curtail any criminal activity.

EPHOA

Garage Sale

The Eagle Point garage sale was held last Saturday, and was a huge success. It was a perfect day for a garage sale. Hopefully those that participated as sellers were able to clear out some space and make some extra money, and hopefully those that participated as buyers were able to land some great deals!

Neighbor to Neighbor

For Sale:

Transferable pool membership for sale at $450 contact Kelly ...........

2011 Mercedes 350e; Like new with only 8,251 miles; Asking $37,500; Call 205-...-.... or email ........ for details.

Take advantage of the Eagle Pointer and submit your ideas and items to [email protected] for an opportunity to reach your neighbors and the residents of the Eagle Point Community.

The next Board Meeting will be held Monday, May 12th at 6:00 p.m.

Deadline to appear in the next week’s Eagle Pointer: Monday by midnight.

We would appreciate any feedback on this newsletter. Please send a note to [email protected]. You can still see them in the archives on the website on www.ephoa.org.

The mission of the Eagle Point Homeowners Association is to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhood by facilitating the safety, security, and social interaction of all our residents. The further mission is to increase the property values of individual homes through community improvements and maintenance while supporting our board of directors through volunteering our time and talents to accomplish these goals.

Eagle Pointer 04.19.2014

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