Rainbows and St. Patrick’s Day Announcement:
The sunrises, sunsets, as well as rainy and sunny days combined have produced beautiful rainbows. Neighbors continue to submit their photographs to capture the beauty surrounding the neighborhood too. In the past month, there have been several days that have lit up the skies in the neighborhood.
James Dunlap captured this magnificent huge rainbow and submitted this photo for the March Newsletter. March 17th is also St. Patrick’s Day and perhaps someone will find their Pot of Gold with Hidden/Gems in the Neighborhood to look for a few treasures that will be hidden. Good luck everyone that is out walking this day, as there will be four hidden treasures to find.
Two will be for adults and two will be for children. Please if you happen to find the children items, leave them for kids to find which most likely will be after school sometime when they can look for them. The adult hidden gems will have an “A” on them and the kid’s hidden gems will have a “K” on them so neighbors will know to not pick up the kids items.
Vendor and Referral List Update:
Many neighbors sent comments and thank you notifications for the vendor referral list from last month. Many mention even that they have already contacted and used some of the services that were submitted by neighbors in the February newsletter. Given the positive feedback, this will be a continued regular news listing in future newsletters. With this said, continued vendor and referrals have been submitted as follows:
James Dunlap has used these vendors for services for the past ten months. He reported that he was satisfied with the work provided and would contract with them for future needs. With this list and the fact he would recommend them all and contact them again is impressive.
- Baron for Heating Services
- Lynden Sheet Metal for repairing a gas fireplace
- Brite Electric for various wiring including hot tub service
(360) 224-6479
- Whatcom Electric and Plumbing for plumbing services
http://www.whatcomelectricandplumbing.com
(360) 354-2835
- MJD Construction for painting both exterior and interior services
(360) 770-8117
- Northwest Window Cleaning – windows
(360) 389-2802
- Green Roof and Gutter Cleaning provided roof cleaning
www.roofgutterbellingham.com or (360) 815-8965
- Overhead Door Company provided garage door repair
(360) 227-5314
- Gentry Appliance Repair
(360) 354-0577
- Koala T. Backflow Testing
(360) 410-7304
- Paul Balzotti – Realtor
Ryan and Kathy Barnes Vendor Recommendation:
- Margaret’s Window Cleaning is a company we have used even prior to moving 16 years ago to the neighborhood. We used them for years when we lived in Ferndale. Their service is top notch. They provide both exterior and interior window washing; plus, screen removal. They are trustworthy staff and do an outstanding job. If interested, book now as we booked over a month ago and our scheduled time is early June and the staff will send email reminders as well.
Contact information: (360) 366-0591 for scheduling an appointment
Address: 2227 Queen Street, Suite #2, Bellingham, WA. 98228
Winter Quarterly Drive Thru Will Happen March 15 and 16:
For new neighbors wondering that this might refer to, it is an HOA quarterly drive through looking at all properties in the neighborhood in efforts to keep the neighborhood looking as pristine as possible and to ensure everyone is following rules. Routine items looked at include keeping landscaping maintained, regular trimming of shrubs/trees, weeding, raking of fall and winter leaves/pine needles, lawn mowing (which spring is soon to be here beginning on March 20th) and realizing that each homeowner is responsible to maintain their yards whether they live in the neighborhood year round or a portion of the year. If a homeowner is not able to do their own maintenance for whatever reason, they need to hire this service out on a regular basis.
Along with landscaping, each homeowner needs to take a look at their overgrowth from their property and trim any overhang of shrubs that grow into foot traffic on the sidewalk. The best rule of thumb is to look at your property line and look to see if this applies to you. With the increased walkers in the neighborhood this concern has been brought up off and on over the past year and recently this past week again.
Also, be personally respectful of your neighbors too if your overgrowth is growing into your neighbors property and recognize the need to do the trimming seasonally as well.
In addition, other notable items will be carefully looked at and some have already been reported by neighbors of fence repairs that need to be done since the recent wind storms this past fall/winter. Ladders left out, and other miscellaneous equipment /items needed to be moved out of sight from viewing from the sidewalk and roadway views too.
Every homeowner is responsible after the garbage day pick-up day to place their garbage can in their garage, on the side of the house if there is a protective covering, or in their back yard out of sight. Garbage cans cannot be left after garbage pickup day on the roadway or in front of a homeowner’s garage.
Homeowners also need to remember that pull out parking spaces are not personal parking spots on a daily basis. Please park personal vehicles in your own driveways and use your garage space for vehicles.
As spring comes, so do many different landscaping companies that will need space to park in the paved areas and these spots are for guests and not regular permanent parking spaces for family members/friends visiting for long periods of time.
Other items that are looked at include items that maybe are unique that are noted or a neighbor has mentioned concerns about that will be looked at too.
Once a quarterly drive thru review is complete, neighbors will be contacted by phone, email, and mail depending on the reported concern.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, they continue to work in the best interest of the entire HOA. Please remember that while the quarterly drive through viewing happens quarterly, rules need to be followed year around on a regular basis. For the most part, many homeowners take pride in following the rules and this reflects in the visual appeal of new buyers wanting to live in the neighborhood and to continue to purchase homes; thus, resulting in continued pending sales in a few days and at excellent prices which increases the home values for everyone.
Also, in looking at the weekend weather forecast the sun will be shining for the most part with occasional clouds. It will be a good time to get outdoors to do some yard work as the rain will be coming again shortly.
Spring garden announcements include expanded service hours are back in place now at VW Home & Garden Center. They are back open again Monday – Saturday 9-5 for your gardening needs. They are located at 8210 Portal Way in Blaine. Check out their new arrivals of spring flowers and bulbs, as well as their new featured section of additional gifts and clothes too.
Several other local businesses in the area or Bellingham to check out for gardening and landscaping needs too are Portal Way Farm and Garden, Pacific Building Center & True Value Hardware, Joes Gardens, Garden Spot Nursery, My Garden Nursey, Kent’s Garden Nursery, Vander Giessen Nursey, Green Frog Nursery, Home Depot, Lowes, Cloud Mt. Farms, and in April/May many of the local roadside stands will open up as well such as the Italian Roadside stand in Custer too. Each business offers a wide variety of gardening supplies, plants, seeds, soil, fertilizers, and much more.
Please feel free to send information on favorite garden businesses. This has been asked about often so no better time to share this with neighbors.
Loomis Trail Golf – News:
The Bar and Grill at Loomis Trail is now open for food. They are still working on what their hours will be. If interested, look on their website in the next few days for service hours and their updated menu. Plus, the view is beautiful to eat outdoors too.
Things to Do in Blaine and Birch Bay for March:
Neighbors have appreciated knowing things to do in the area, especially new neighbors. Listed are a few different fun things to do for families and/or couples looking for something going on in the area. Most of these events are listed in the Blaine Northern Light that is delivered to each person’s mail box on Thursday each week and worth the time to read.
Do you Like Trivia Nights? Have You Been to One Before?
Upcoming trivia options to check out in March locally in Blaine:
1) On Monday nights, the Gateway 1890 Taphouse & Grill at 429 Peace Portal Drive has Trivia beginning at 7:00pm – 9:00pm. This is a casual trivia night that will have you using your brain power! Round up your friends and enter the weekly completion.
2) The next Triviahmoo at the Great Blue Heron Grill at 8720 Semiahmoo Pkwy has trivia night on March 16th. This is open to the community to attend. Bring your friends.
For additional information contact these businesses.
Did you know about the Northwest 20th Annual Wings Over Water Festival?
This is being held March 18th – 20th. There are many different activities for families and kids to attend. Field trips, birding expo, vendors, and more. Contact the Blaine Chamber of Commerce for extended details.
THANK YOU NEIGHBORS FOR ALL THE RECENT REQUESTS!
The Loomis Trail HOA Board of Directors wishes to thank the many neighbors who have followed CC&R’s and submitted plans in the last month for landscaping changes/additions, request for exterior paint color changes, building a screen cover/unit, landscaping of additional trees, and tree removal between two neighbors, and others.
Just as important, neighbors have submitted their requests by preparing ahead of time in submitting their plans with necessary paperwork as required. Also, when multiple requests come in every week it does take time for the board to review them as the board members are volunteers and do this collectively. At times after a request has been made, additional paperwork or architectural drawings may also be needed.
All requests are submitted to Judy Hamner our HOA Property Manager through her email or regular mail for recording the incoming requests and collection of records. Her contact information is:
Judy Hamner – Elite Property Management
1313 E. Maple Street, Suite 208
Bellingham, WA. 98225
Email: [email protected]
Phone (360) 685-4209
Once she collects the information, the requests are then forwarded to the Board President and Board members for review. Plan on requests to take some time, as board members are volunteers. Typical review is dependent on the availability of board members, the scope of project, and the time of season when multiple requests are being submitted.
Plan ahead now if you know you have upcoming requests as some requests may take up to 30 days; while many may be much less time involved. Also, when in doubt always ask too. As spring and summer come, so do projects and creative minds.
Next Newsletter Submission Deadline for the April Newsletter:
Please send photographs, news stories, vendor referrals no later than March 29th [email protected].
Also, as winter ends on March 20th this will end our season of snowy photos and encourage spring/summer photos and/or activity neighbor fun events too.
Stay Healthy and Safe,
Kathy Barnes
HOA Board Secretary and Newsletter Volunteer
[email protected]
(360) 305-5508