Neighborhood Updates with the March Drive Thru:
The drive thru of the neighborhood was completed on March 15th and March 16th, as well as a follow up drive thru last week to see what issues still need to be resolved. The findings consisted primarily of 15 property owners that needed to address concerns. For the most part, neighbors responded favorably and acted on the findings right away. Then there some neighbors that have more concerning issues and these property owners are ones that continue to be written up on a regular basis and are slow to respond and act on their concerns that were addressed to them. Those in this category are property owners that still need to address their issues on their property at this time and follow up letters will be sent by Judy this week.
For the most part, many were minor items need addressing. The main write ups for this past drive thru were in regards to landscaping, weeding, and tree trimming, property mowing, and overall realizing sometimes homeowners need to also be sensitive to respect their next door neighbors to get these items addressed as well. Overall, the neighborhood is looking great and while there are a few neighbors that are slower to respond to findings, these will continue to be monitored.
As a reminder to all property owners this is the spring season that lawns need to be mowed regularly and this includes lots too. Also, please sweep up grass clippings that end up on the sidewalk.
In addition, property owners that rent their homes are responsible to keep their homes up too. Please share information with your renters as well so they too understand the importance of the rules of living in Loomis Trails.
The Blaine Northern Light Community Newspaper highlighted our Loomis Trail Neighbor Shere Lou, Flute Player in their April 7th edition of the newspaper:
Shere Lou lives at 8635 Cambridge Loop and some of you may be fortunate to live close by and hear her beautiful music in the spring and summer time when being outside or walking by her home. She is not just a flute player, but is very involved in donating her time and contributes to worthy community events. To learn more about how she is currently involved with other musicians worldwide raising funds for Ukraine check out the wonderful story and photo that highlighted our neighbor who goes by the artist name of Shere Fraser with her beautiful photo by reading the newspaper.
Also, this edition of the newspaper included many events going on for the upcoming Easter weekend and other special events. Such as church services planned for Easter, restaurant specials, the seasonal Saturday Market by the Sea, the 25th Arts & Jazz Blaine Fine Arts Association event on Saturday April 16th, as well as a great story that includes Pickle Ball locally; which is now known as an official Washington State sport. In addition, updates on border visitors traveling again to their properties; as well as bringing more customers to our Blaine businesses again. This local newspaper is free and hopefully neighbors find it worthy of knowing what is going on in our community by reading local news and restaurant specials every week.
Whatcom County Easter Egg Hunts and Monthly Calendar of Events:
For families and their guests looking for activities throughout Blaine, Birch Bay, Lynden, Ferndale, Bellingham and other places make sure to sign up to receive information through the Whatcom Insider homepage calendar of events at https://whatcom.kidinsider.com.
Also, the Birch Bay Activity Center posts monthly events too that have been mentioned in past newsletters as another great resources for classes and activities for kids, families, and adults too at https://bbbparkandrec.org.
NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER EGG AND TREASURE HUNT:
Easter eggs and special treasures/gifts will be hidden throughout the neighborhood beginning Thursday April 13th – Sunday April 17th giving everyone a time to look for items daily should some neighbors be out of town on Easter Sunday. In case it rains, some items will be covered in plastic bags too to prevent items from getting wet. Also, note some items will be easier to find than others throughout the neighborhood.
Adults watch the notes marked with an “A” for the adult items and for the kids eggs and gifts a “K” for Kids 10 and under to make it easier to know who the eggs or treasures are for too. Also, they will be hidden sporadically throughout each day or night too. Watch out for the special “GOLD EGG” that will be for any family member to find during these days too. Happy Easter and enjoy a little more walking around the neighborhood this week.
East Gate Entrance Update HOA Volunteers:
Thanks to Paty Williams and the neighbors around the Sienna Court area for volunteering as a group to share their ideas to spruce up the East Gate entrance. The first week of May neighbors will see new shrubs, plants, and geraniums added to the pots. The HOA Board of Directors wants to thank the neighbors for their planning, involvement, and being good neighbor volunteers to help out with this project that has been in the works for several months to beautify that entrance since the tree trimming occurred last fall.
WRS our landscaping company will provide the planting and ongoing maintenance; plus, will be cleaning the rock bed and tending to more details to support beautifying this entrance.
Also, the main entrance will be transformed too with geraniums as well the first week of May. It is amazing what color can do with adding flowers to the gate entrances. Plus, many homeowners do a great job beautifying their yards too and this is a time to start thinking about this and visiting the many local garden stores.
A few homeowners have also asked when it is a good time to plant flowers and vegetable gardens. New homeowners are from out of state or have never had the time to garden before and are just learning a new hobby too and wondering about our seasonal planting timelines. My personal answer that I have shared is that it all depends on the seasonal varied weather forecast as it is affected by how much rain and cold temperatures happening every year. This year is no exception either. It has continued to be cold, rainy, windy, and waiting until May 1st which is May Day is a day that tends to be safe for planting your vegetable garden and planting annuals/perennials in the ground or in containers so they stay healthy. This is just a recommendation from my perspective and different neighbors may have other advice to share too.
In the next newsletter I would like to feature a new topic called Tips to Share on Gardening and Lawn Maintenance. Anyone is welcomed to share information to neighbors on any tips about gardening, planting of flowers, yard maintenance, getting rid of horse tails, moss control, and the ways that neighbors remedy mole holes as topic ideas are encouraged to send information. Please share your tips and send an email and any photo attachments too.
Vendor Referral Listings Will Continue Again in the May Newsletter:
Please continue to send your referrals for businesses and vendors that you like. Many neighbors continue to have positive stories they are sharing and like this topic in the newsletter. Please send no later than April 27th to [email protected]. Please list company name, contact information, and services provided.
Also, in May I will be sharing the talents of Rock Morris that is newer to the neighborhood and his artistic talents and wonderful photograph exhibits. He just recently had his work shown at Allied Arts Gallery in Bellingham last month.
Loomis Trail Home Sales Continue and More Will Be Listed for Sale Very Soon:
Spring brings more home sales typically nationally and this is true of our neighborhood too. Many neighbors follow Zillow and other real estate listings to keep up with the market trends. Home sales continue to happen, even while some neighbors are surprised to find out a house sales without even posting a real estate sign.
Not all neighbors follow home sales and market trends in our neighborhood so posting this information is worth sharing to everyone. The past two homes that sold recently did not even post real estate signs either.
Our neighborhood is also in high demand due to the location of the beauty surrounding all of us such as the herons that visit the ponds and open areas that provide surrounding beauty, as well as the beautiful golf course too.
Congrats on the recent two home sales in the past 2-3 months. Our neighborhood continues to be in high demand and sales happen fast. Real estate prices continue to increase in our neighborhood and it is up to every homeowner to keep their properties looking pristine throughout the year. Also, soon there will be another home for sale very soon too.
Deadline for the May Newsletter:
Please send neighborhood or surrounding area photos showcasing spring images or neighborhood happenings by April 27th. Also, business and vendor referrals as well.
Happy Easter and Spring to All!
Submitted by,
Kathy Barnes
HOA Board Secretary and Newsletter Volunteer
[email protected]
(360) 305-5508
[Cover photo: Kathy Barnes]