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| Oct-Dec 2010- Past News and Updates |
NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE YOUR ASSOCIATION
Have you ever said to yourself that you really want to get involved and help the River City Commons
Association in a positive manner? Now is the time to get started by volunteering on a committee
that interests you. (These are not paid positions)
1. The Architectural Committee needs someone to assist with oversight of the softscapes in the
commons areas. This would include working as a liaison between the committee and the
landscape company that works on site. The A.C. would train you and provide support in all phases
of the work. Please contact Denise Jerome at arch@rivercitycommons.com.
2. RCCA Board has created a committee to discuss the future impact of Regional Transit’s
proposed light rail service that would connect downtown Sacramento to the River District, South &
North Natomas, and the Sacramento International Airport with a new line dubbed “Green Line”.
This light rail line will cross the American River and run the rail system down Truxel Road. The
committee will investigate & discuss what impact this will potentially have on our neighborhood and
how we can communicate our concerns to Regional Transit and the City of Sacramento. If you are
interested in volunteering on the committee or
would like to provide your input for the committee to address Regional Transit, please contact David
Heitz – david@davidheitz.com. Visit Regional Transit’s website for more detailed information www.
sacrt.com.
Have you ever said to yourself that you really want to get involved and help the River City Commons
Association in a positive manner? Now is the time to get started by volunteering on a committee
that interests you. (These are not paid positions)
1. The Architectural Committee needs someone to assist with oversight of the softscapes in the
commons areas. This would include working as a liaison between the committee and the
landscape company that works on site. The A.C. would train you and provide support in all phases
of the work. Please contact Denise Jerome at arch@rivercitycommons.com.
2. RCCA Board has created a committee to discuss the future impact of Regional Transit’s
proposed light rail service that would connect downtown Sacramento to the River District, South &
North Natomas, and the Sacramento International Airport with a new line dubbed “Green Line”.
This light rail line will cross the American River and run the rail system down Truxel Road. The
committee will investigate & discuss what impact this will potentially have on our neighborhood and
how we can communicate our concerns to Regional Transit and the City of Sacramento. If you are
interested in volunteering on the committee or
would like to provide your input for the committee to address Regional Transit, please contact David
Heitz – david@davidheitz.com. Visit Regional Transit’s website for more detailed information www.
sacrt.com.
It's in the Plumbing -Read more about the water crisis we face in the article written by our very own
RCCA Vice-President Michael J. O'Connor CLICK HERE
RCCA Vice-President Michael J. O'Connor CLICK HERE
LAWN WEEDS
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management website describes the various turf grass species
and identifies common lawn weeds (broad-leaf, sedge and grass weeds) with information on
getting rid of the weeds.
There could be any one or multiple species of weeds in your lawn. Many weed grasses look similar
such as smooth crabgrass, dallisgrass, goosegrass, large crabgrass, or witchgrass.
Clover and wild strawberry are common broad-leaf weeds found in lawns. The detailed diagrams
on this website can help you identify which are which.
For weed identification, start with this link: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html
Getting rid of lawn weeds can take from fall through the end of spring so start now.
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management website describes the various turf grass species
and identifies common lawn weeds (broad-leaf, sedge and grass weeds) with information on
getting rid of the weeds.
There could be any one or multiple species of weeds in your lawn. Many weed grasses look similar
such as smooth crabgrass, dallisgrass, goosegrass, large crabgrass, or witchgrass.
Clover and wild strawberry are common broad-leaf weeds found in lawns. The detailed diagrams
on this website can help you identify which are which.
For weed identification, start with this link: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html
Getting rid of lawn weeds can take from fall through the end of spring so start now.
REASONS FOR TREES
(Reprinted from an AARP "Your Money" article by Sid Kirchheimer)
"September is a good time to buy trees, shrubs and other plants because many nurseries offer
discounts to clear out stock before winter. Plus, with strategic planting, you can cut your energy
bills. In cold weather, a row of evergreens or low-crown shrubs planted as a windbreak can cut
heating costs as much as 30 percent. Distance from the house should be two to five times the
plants' mature height. Bushes and shrubs placed one to three feet from your house will act as
insulation.
A six-foot sapling begins shading windows right away, lowering cooling costs in summer. Trees
tall enough to shade the roof are big cost savers...."
For more tips, visit www.arborday.org or you can get local planting advice from the Sacramento Tree
Foundation at www.sactree.com. The foundation is a nonprofit organization working with
community partners and volunteers to plant, protect, and teach about trees. You can set up an
appointment to meet with a Community Forester to receive a free SMUD shade tree. You can also
join in their effort to plant 5 million trees in our region by 2025.
Please keep in mind that major changes to your landscaping, such as removing or planting a tree,
requires that you follow the Architectural Change Application process.
(Reprinted from an AARP "Your Money" article by Sid Kirchheimer)
"September is a good time to buy trees, shrubs and other plants because many nurseries offer
discounts to clear out stock before winter. Plus, with strategic planting, you can cut your energy
bills. In cold weather, a row of evergreens or low-crown shrubs planted as a windbreak can cut
heating costs as much as 30 percent. Distance from the house should be two to five times the
plants' mature height. Bushes and shrubs placed one to three feet from your house will act as
insulation.
A six-foot sapling begins shading windows right away, lowering cooling costs in summer. Trees
tall enough to shade the roof are big cost savers...."
For more tips, visit www.arborday.org or you can get local planting advice from the Sacramento Tree
Foundation at www.sactree.com. The foundation is a nonprofit organization working with
community partners and volunteers to plant, protect, and teach about trees. You can set up an
appointment to meet with a Community Forester to receive a free SMUD shade tree. You can also
join in their effort to plant 5 million trees in our region by 2025.
Please keep in mind that major changes to your landscaping, such as removing or planting a tree,
requires that you follow the Architectural Change Application process.
(Article by Kenn Boffin, NARFE Newsletter)
GETTING BUGGED BY SALES PHONE CALLS?
There’s an answer. It’s the National DO NOT CALL List. It’s free and it works. It’s simple to use
and only takes a minute or so of your time. Just call 888-382-1222 and follow the prompts. You
must call from the phone number you want to have blocked. It blocks the number for 5 years. Then
you’ll have to do it again. It is particularly important to do this for your cell phone, because in many
cases you get charged for calls coming through your cell phone.
Cell phone numbers go public this month, so it’s a must to do this now! There’s even a listing to
contact to complain if you get these calls after the block has been installed.
GETTING BUGGED BY SALES PHONE CALLS?
There’s an answer. It’s the National DO NOT CALL List. It’s free and it works. It’s simple to use
and only takes a minute or so of your time. Just call 888-382-1222 and follow the prompts. You
must call from the phone number you want to have blocked. It blocks the number for 5 years. Then
you’ll have to do it again. It is particularly important to do this for your cell phone, because in many
cases you get charged for calls coming through your cell phone.
Cell phone numbers go public this month, so it’s a must to do this now! There’s even a listing to
contact to complain if you get these calls after the block has been installed.
- FALL LANDSCAPING/GARDENING TIPS
Take advantage of the fall weather and renew your landscaping/garden:
*Compost annuals and vegetables
*Cultivate and add compost for fall flowers
*Fertilize deciduous fruit trees
*Sow a new lawn or reseed bare spots - consider replacing lawn with perennials.
PERENNIALS - Let’s get Native! With our plants, that is.
Planting California perennials and shrubs saves water, cuts down work (no more mowing and
edging!) and helps wildlife, too. Birds, bees and beneficial insects flock to perennial gardens, which
boast a variety of flowers and seeds.
Because they are native to our climate, these plants adapt easily to homes here in the Sacramento
Valley. They like hot, dry summers and can deal with wet winters, too.
For a list of perennials, go to http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/arboretum_all_stars.aspx.
NEED HELP? Help is available from our Architectural Committee members, who are experienced in
native landscaping and they are ready to assist you with advice about how you can use native plants
as an alternative to traditional lawns or shrubs. Remember that homeowners must follow the
architectural guidelines and the application process for alterations and changes to landscaping.
Look Around and Lock Up - With life to today some have become desperate and taking drastic
measures to get what they want. So make sure you lock you doors, keep valuables out of site in
your cars especially and mainly take notice to your surroundings. If something seems odd, don't
disregard it.
measures to get what they want. So make sure you lock you doors, keep valuables out of site in
your cars especially and mainly take notice to your surroundings. If something seems odd, don't
disregard it.
Moving On In - RCC home are being purchased and homeowners are moving in. Please
welcome your neighbors when you see them on the street and introduce yourself. The more you
know who is on the street the better.
welcome your neighbors when you see them on the street and introduce yourself. The more you
know who is on the street the better.
on your RCC street please your email and contact info to webdesigner@rivercitycommons.com
and RCCA will put you in contact with the Neighborhood Watch Program in development for RCC.
Or get out on your street and introduce yourself to your neighbors and start your own
email/phone communication contact list. Being aware and staying in touch with one another is
an excellent start to a positive neighborhood watch.
and RCCA will put you in contact with the Neighborhood Watch Program in development for RCC.
Or get out on your street and introduce yourself to your neighbors and start your own
email/phone communication contact list. Being aware and staying in touch with one another is
an excellent start to a positive neighborhood watch.