MANOR HOMES OF OLD SAINT ANTHONY

                   June 2009

Summer Gardens at MHOOSA

Once again, we start to see our neighbors outside and it is like meeting old friends.  A walk about the complex and its gardens can be an opportunity to meet more neighbors and strengthen the safety and security of our community.

The majority of MHOOSA gardens and private entrances are in beautiful shape but some areas need improvement.  Watering and weeding are not included in MHOOSA’s budget and continue to be a volunteer effort.  It would be a great help if each resident watered and weeded the areas in front and behind their units, including the courtyard areas.  If your entrance or deck area is in need of weeding or shrub replacement, now is the time to explore a lower maintenance landscape plan.  The managers or board members can offer suggestions, or you may have a neighbor who has demonstrated a green thumb and can advise you.  A positive first impression of a home adds into its value.

Long time resident Jean Roberts has generously donated $3,000 to improve and upgrade landscaping in the area of her unit.  The north end of the mall (towards 8^th Street) has two older spruce trees and a leaning pine which is now infested with saw flies.  These three trees will be professionally removed by Davey Tree at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24^th.   The trees removed will be replaced with a Canadian Hemlock, a Black Hills Spruce and a stunning Korean Fir.  The new trees will be delivered and professionally planted on July 9^th.  We realize that the change will open up the mall area and we are exploring options, such as a split rail fence to visually close the area from pedestrian public traffic.  All of this is paid for with Jean’s generosity.  Thank You, Jean.

A note about plants: “One person’s flower is another person’s weed.”  Every plant has a place in the ecosystem or it wouldn’t exist but some plants have a way of taking over and can be very difficult to control.  The columnar buckthorn is one example.  Buckthorn is a non-native upright tree, which was used regularly through the 1970’s in landscaping.  The buckthorn berries dropped by birds have invaded the banks of lakes and rivers changing the ecosystem to the extent that native plants have died.  There have been buckthorn eradication projects for years and MHOOSA has slowly been taking out these trees.  We have three left in the common area between 222 7^th Street and 627 3^rd Avenue SE, one on the side of 629 3^rd Avenue SE, three in the interior court of 219 7^th Street SE, and three in the interior court of 627 3^rd Avenue SE that we would like to remove.  Please contact Marte if you have any concerns about this.

Also, violets, snow on the mountain, lily of the valley and ferns all have beauty but are monsters to control requiring annual, if not more frequent, aggressive weeding. In some contained areas they are an inexpensive solution but for the most part they are invasive making them extremely high maintenance plants.  If you are looking for new plants, there are so many other options that are not as aggressive and have similar looks.  Ask the managers or a green-thumb neighbor.  There are lots of options and we have many excellent plants that can be divided throughout the complex offering economical solutions.

We are launching a massive campaign beginning at 9:00 a.m., June 22^nd to overhaul the garden facing 8^th Street SE.   If you are up for helping in the spirit of community, talk to the managers or e-mail Catherine (c58czt at yahoo dot com) about joining in.  You need not know a thing about plants but if you welcome digging and using a wheelbarrow--the more workers the merrier!

Be in Touch with Your Neighbors--Save Money

Three homeowners shared the cost of the trip charge for a garage repair visit and saved $300.  The same can likely be said for other professional repairs.  One of the easiest ways to communicate and coordinate these tasks is via e-mail. If you would like to get in the loop and save money when you need a service let Marte or Karen know your email address or go to MHOOSA’s web-site and sign up on the contact form: mhoosa.org

Security 

It is better than one year ago that Daniel Heacock was filmed stealing tools from one of MHOOSA’s garages.  His court date is June 25.  Attached is a copy of the Request for Community Impact Statements.  Maybe if enough of us respond, we can finally get Daniel out of our community. 

We are also attaching the Crime Alert for occupied residential burglaries at the request of our Community Crime Prevention Specialists.

Noise

We live in close proximity here at Manor Homes and the buildings act as an echo chamber.  Your neighbors can easily hear conversations taking place on decks and in the driveways.  Please respect your neighbors who like to sleep with their windows open and keep it down after 10:00 p.m.

Rental License Required

The City of Minneapolis is requiring that homes including townhouses not occupied by the owner obtain a rental license.

Units for Sale 

224 7^th Street SE.  Owners are Melanie Meyer and Joseph Neeser.  Realtor is David

Pedersen, Edina Realty, (651) 587-1687

740 3^rd Avenue SE.  Owner is Athittharn Atchawong.  Realtor is Cindy Hanson Welu &

Joe Welu, RE/MAX.