LA ULTIMA NEWSLETTER Vol. 2-16

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1 LA ULTIMA NEWSLETTER Vol Editor: Noriko Edrich, Unit 12; President: Robb Baillargeon, Unit ; Treasurer: DeAnne Williamson, Unit ; d.williamson1@cox.net Secretary: Kristie Grande, Unit ; kristie.grande@gmail.com WHAT S HAPPENED Summer is unquestionably here for a while. The grass and vegetation around the complex are looking better than it has in a while and we are working hard to make sure it remains that way with the blazing sunshine and high temperatures. Unit 16 was recently sold and the new owner is in the process of remodeling the interior. The owner is Troy Witherwax with Wanderson Properties, LLC. The remodel should be done soon and the unit will go on the market soon as a rental. We will have a new resident in July. The 2015 Annual La Ultima Compilation Report has been completed and we look very good monetarily. We are experimenting with LED light bulbs in the pool area and parking lot mailbox area. LED bulbs will provide a much whiter light and will reduce electric usage and expenses. This time of year is kind of quiet as many of the projects were completed in the spring. Late summer will be the next La Ultima Association homeowner s meeting along with the quarterly pest control treatment. We are working on a self-conducted Reserve Study to inventory La Ultima assets, develop a plan and budget for the future. A Reserve Study analyzes repair and replacement needs like roofing and painting that happen every year and provides a funding plan for accumulating money to perform this work when it s needed. It is more a budgeting function than a construction or building analysis, although there is an element of that. The study is usually based on visual observations as opposed to forensic or destructive testing (tearing walls and roofs apart to see what's underneath). The Reserve Study assumes that regular and adequate maintenance is being done to prevent premature repairs or replacements. The complex directly to the east of La Ultima (over the fence adjacent to the visitor parking area) continues to undergoing some major renovations. The complex is starting to slowly look better.

2 NEXT BULK TRASH PICKUP Monday, July 4 For additional information go to: arbage/bulktrash OR Go to and type in the search bar 2016 Bulk Trash Schedule. Click the first result. Scroll down and click on the link called 2016 Bulk Trash Schedule (printable). We are in Area 6. Next Placement Begins On Next Collection Begins On Nearest Transfer Station* Saturday, June 25, 2016 Monday, July 4, th Ave. Solid Waste Management Facility Placement is on the other side of 36 th Street opposite the complex entrance. *Transfer Station hours are: Monday Friday 5:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Saturdays 6:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays. GRAND CANALSCAPE PROJECT If you enjoy walking, jogging or bike riding along the canal you will be in for a pleasant surprise. The City of Phoenix is inviting community members to participate in the design kick-off event for the first phase of the Grand Canalscape project. The purpose of the project is to provide a safe route for bicycle and pedestrian traffic away from city streets and integrate the canals into the surrounding communities through improved access, public art and landscaping with the goal of increasing usage and appreciation of the canal system in the Phoenix area. The event will be held Sat., Aug. 29, 9-10:30 a.m. at Steele Indian School Park Memorial Hall, 300 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. The event will offer community members an opportunity to learn about the project and provide input on desired amenities. In the first phase of the Grand Canalscape project, two sections of the canal will be improved. They include the stretch from 15th Avenue to 16th Street on the west end, and Garfield

3 Street to Van Buren Street on the east. A multi-use path along the north bank of the canal, pedestrian lighting, landscaping, new connections to provide neighborhood access and signalized trail crossings at key intersections will be among the upgrades. The Grand Canalscape Project represents the first phase of creating a safe, larger regional trail and crossing project, which will ultimately result in a continuous trail along the Grand Canal through central Phoenix between Glendale and Tempe. feel free to immediately contact the police. A few people have mentioned seeing a women hanging out around the mailbox and behind the dumpsters late at night. She has been told to stay off the property numerous times: If you see her please call the police immediately. Construction is anticipated to begin next summer. Additional information is available at: POOL REMINDERS With warmer weather, residents are using the pool in the evenings. Be respectful of your neighbors and keep any noise levels to a minimum and stay within the pool enclosure area. Please remember to clean up the pool area when you leave. HOA SECURITY We had the imitation security camera broken and stolen from the east end of the property. To ensure a safe La Ultima community if you see anything or anyone unusual on the property please Per Maricopa County law there are no dogs allowed in pool area.

4 Amazing Lash, Meditation Studio and European Wax Center. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS The Hazelwood s Bar and Grill on Indian School, east of 36 th street has closed after 18 years will soon be a Gino s Chicago style pizza Arcadia Fiesta - Southwest corner of 32nd Street & Indian School Road The remodel continues with completion date in late summer. Committed merchants are: Ross Dress for Less, Tuesday Mornings, Ace Hardware, O Reilly Auto Parts and Anytime Fitness Future tenants will be McDonalds, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Dutch Bros. Coffee and possibly Party City and Natural Grocers. PARKING REMINDER We have recently had issues with parking along the driveway which has caused sprinkler damage. There is no parking in the driveway in front of your unit. This includes homeowners and guests. Visitor parking is located at the east end of the complex. Arcadia Gateway Shopping Center South east corner of 44th Street & Indian School Tenants are Texas-based Zoe's Kitchen which will have 2,500 square feet on the north side of the center. Additionally, a number of smaller retailers are expected to open at Arcadia Gateway as well, including SportsCuts, Elements Massage, FRIDGE ORGANIZATION TIPS One of the more common areas of the kitchen to neglect is the refrigerator, because it is quite literally behind closed doors. However, keeping your refrigerator organized can save time

5 while cooking and can help your food last longer before going bad. Before you begin to rearrange where you store specific food items, take all of your food out and wipe the fridge down. Install easy-to-clean mats on the shelves, and create labels for each food group you ll store. These labels will make finding specific foods and unloading groceries an efficient process once the reorganization is complete. To begin, simply divide your food up into storage groups and load your refrigerator according to the guidelines below. Upper shelves. According to Greatist.com, upper shelves maintain a temperature that is slightly warmer than the bottom of the fridge. Here you will want to store ready-to-eat foods, such as hummus, as well as beverages and leftovers in labeled containers. Middle shelves. Eggs are often placed in the door or too low in a refrigerator, but they actually need to be stored in the space with the most consistent temperature. RealSimple.com points to the middle shelf as the most ideal location. If your refrigerator does not have a middle shelf, store your eggs on the upper shelf with your drinks, leftovers and ready-to-eat foods. Lower shelves. Fridge temperatures stay slightly lower near the bottom of the fridge. This makes the lower shelves the prime candidate for milk and other dairy products, such as yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream, according to Greatist.com. Many mistakenly store their milk in the door of the refrigerator when, in fact, the door is actually warmest part of the fridge. Lower shelves are also commonly reserved for meats, due to the colder temperature. Deli meats should be stored in the shallow meat drawer if one is available. Raw meats, however, should either be reserved for a bottom drawer/crisper if there is space, or else stored in a plastic container on the lower shelves. Doing so will prevent meat drippings from contaminating the other foods that will be stored in the drawers, says TheKitchn.com. Bottom drawers. The bottom drawers, often called crispers, are reserved for your produce. If your family consumes a lot of fruits and vegetables, separate them into two drawers by type. However, if your fruits and veggies can all fit together in one crisper, reserve the second crisper for raw meats. Door. Because the door is the warmest part of the fridge, store your condiments here. RealSimple.com

6 explains that condiments, such as ketchup and salad dressing, are high in vinegar and salt; these are natural preservatives that allow the condiments to be stored at slightly higher temperatures. You can also store butter and soft cheeses in the door. and its longevity by storing each food item where it will best be preserved. Freezer. The freezer isn t just for frozen pizza and ice. You can buy in bulk and preserve foods such as bread, fruits and meats by storing them in the freezer. If you are filling your freezer, Greatist.com recommends using tightly packed containers for easy organization. Always use plastic bags or containers, rather than glass, to prevent breakage. On top. Many people use the tops of their refrigerators to store food and drink items, such as bread or bottles of wine. Greatist.com advises against this, as heat rises from the top of the refrigerator. Heat affects the flavor of wine negatively and can cause bread to mold at a faster rate. Instead, store non-food items on top of your fridge, such as a slow cooker, a food processor or pots and pans. Having specific locations for your food items will ensure you always know how to load your refrigerator on grocery day and will be able to find that food when it comes time to cook. More importantly, you ll ensure food safety BATHROOM UPGRADING Article by Toyota dealership Photo: Kevin Miller istockphoto Does your bathroom need updating? Here are some renovation ideas to transform your bathroom into a modern, comfortable space. Like any other home improvement project, it's important to plan ahead, set a realistic budget, choose quality materials, and hire a qualified contractor, if needed. Elegant Fixtures. Instead of having a chunky cabinet vanity, choose a pedestal sink with sleek lines. Add modern fixtures and fittings to contrast earthy elements in your bathroom. If your bathroom is small, focus on simple structures and clean lines to make the area look more spacious.

7 Neutral Tones and Earthy Materials. If you're looking for a nice change from chrome and stainless steel, consider wood and other natural fibers complemented by warm, earthy tones and light colors. Simulate the luxurious feel of a spa by using sustainable wood, stone, granite, or marble. Large fauxwood tiles are also becoming trendy, as these tiles display a natural, wood-like print that is safer and more environmentally friendly than the real thing. A Splash of Color. Bathrooms are usually filled with warm and neutral colors that give off a quiet and calming ambiance. Some of the most popular colors are white, gray, brown, beige, and cream. To contrast these hues, add colors such as earthy orange, forest green, and ocean-like turquoise. Small spots of color can make your bathroom pop and look stylish for a long time. Incorporate bright hues with printed shower screens, backsplashes, and mosaic tiles. LED Lights. More and more homeowners are becoming fascinated with the shimmering effects of LED lights; these gleaming lights last long, require low maintenance, and feature superior energy efficiency. Colored LED lights can make a stunning statement in your bathroom when installed in the shower or around your bathroom vanity. Water-Efficient Devices. Conserve water by using water-wise basins, dualflush toilets, low-flow shower heads, faucets with aerators, and other watersaving devices. Additionally, find fixtures and fittings that are easy to clean so you don't have to use a lot of cleaning products. TIPS FOR A COOL SUMMER Here are four easy ways to help you save energy and money and stay cool during the summer months: Shade all sun-struck windows to stop the sun s rays from entering your home. Use shading devices such as outside shade screens, trees, indoor blinds and drapes. Set the thermostat between 78 and 80 when you are home and up to 85 when you are away. For every degree you set your thermostat above 80, you can save about 2 3% on cooling costs. Inspect, adjust or replace weather stripping around exterior doors and movable windows.

8 Wash clothes and dishes early in the morning or at night so your cooling system won t have to work as hard. Doing laundry during off-peak hours will also help you save money if you are on a Time-of-Day Price Plan. For more energy-saving tips, visit savewithsrp.com. White Vinegar: Despite the strong smell, vinegar is quite versatile when it comes to cleaning. In fact, due to its natural disinfecting and deodorizing properties, it makes an effective allpurpose cleaner for virtually every surface in the house. Mixed 50/50 with water, white vinegar can be used to cut grease, get rid of wax buildup on wooden floors, kill mildew, and even get rid of stains. Baking Soda: Baking soda is one of the best deodorizers available. It can be sprinkled over virtually any surface and simply swept, vacuumed, or sponged away when the job is done. Baking soda is also wonderful for scrubbing surfaces that could easily be scratched, such as glass or stainless steel. SAFE ALTERNATIVES TO TOXIC CLEANERS Photo: icarmen13 - istockphoto Open almost any kitchen cabinet and you're bound to find cleaning supplies made with toxic chemicals or other pollutants. While harsh chemical cleaners have become increasingly popular, there are plenty of all-natural alternatives that work just as well usually at a fraction of the cost! Below are some common household ingredients that pull double duty as effective, ecofriendly cleaning agents. Lemons: Lemon juice is a powerful natural acid capable of tackling mildew with ease. It can also cut through soap scum and help get rid of calcium deposits. Spritzing kitchen surfaces with a mixture of water and lemon juice helps keep them sanitized. The fresh, clean scent is a bonus! Cornstarch: Due to its impressive absorption abilities, cornstarch is the go-to cleaner for dealing with grease and oil. It works especially well on stove tops, vent hoods, counters, and anything else in the kitchen that is exposed to grease. Also, mixing cornstarch with water forms a paste that can be applied to carpets and upholstery before

9 vacuuming to clean without the use of skin-irritating chemicals. Borax: Also known as sodium borate, borax is a multipurpose cleaner. While it does a fine job of disinfecting and deodorizing, borax really shines when cleaning painted or wallpapered walls without causing damage. Borax is also an ideal choice for grout cleaning.