Tonight is our 1st meeting for The Lake Shore Gardening Club.  Tonight we are selecting the garden location and getting our timeline in place prior to planting.  

Just in case you are interested we are meeting tonight at the clubhouse from 7-8pm.  Please drop in and share your knowledge on gardening, composting,  plot selection, items to plant and more with us tonight!   We look forward to seeing you there.

If you are unable to make it and still want to be apart of our Gardening Team please e-mail Kat in order to be added to the list kdickenson@thelakeshoreapts.com or call the management office (734) 482-2850.
Come on and Grow with US!!!!!

I got my letter last night and after all the commericals and articles I said “finally” but still no 10 questions yet…. In 10 days you’ll have your 10 questions. Unless you want someone to knock on your door complete the 10 questions and send it back! It’s worth it.
The rest of County thanks you in advance.

I read an article on Yahoo regarding 12 foods that are worth the organic splurge and thought why buy when I can Grow!  The article detailed the “dirty dozen” which contain the highest level of pesticides when grown conventionally due to there thin skin which makes it easier for pesticides to penetrate to the food and making it impossible for us to wash away the chemicals.    It also advised looking for USDA certified organics of  foods and ensuring your salad wasn’t raised using man-made chemicals, pesticides, fossil fuel or sewage-based fertilizers or genetically-modified seeds.  The list included:

apples, sweet bell peppers, carrots, celery, cherries, imported grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears and strawberries

Although organic does cost a bit more in this case it is worth the splurge.  But don’t rule out our local farmers markets.  Their prices are often times less than markets and most farmers raise their crops using organic methods but don’t opt to go throught the costly and lengthy organic certification process( and just think we are supporting and consuming Michigan made products!).  Before you buy ask:  How do you raise your crops?  No spray?  Then ask for their best recipe!     

What can be grown in Michigan and how much money could we save?  I’m ready to try are you?  We are working hard to start our own Garden at home.  If you are interested send me a love note so I can add you to the list!

I know you missed it but we all needed to be there.  Since you missed it I’ll sum it all up for you:  Admit to nothing!!

Resources for More Information:  What Every Driver Must Know- http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1627_8665_9066_23757–,00.html

Speeding Tickets:

• http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ADJUDICATIONOFRADARSPEEDINGCASES_11138_7.pdf
• http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-1231593_47093_25802-16134–)).html
• http://www.michigan.gov/documents/contracts_62251_7.pdf
• http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sm_std_11134_7.pdf
• http://www.michigan.gov/documents/p_spec_11135_7.pdf

If you have questions we’d love to hear them!  If you need assistance or want more information feel free to leave your comments here and I’ll have our sponsored attorney get back to you! 

Our next workshop will be on Money Matters:  Prevention, Preparation and Planning.  Are you interested?

I just can’t contain myself and the March calendar!  We are both busting at the seams because we are so full.  So much is going on and so much to do–If you miss it you will miss a lot.  Did you get your newsletter/calendar?  If not you can also view them both right here (can’t wait for the days to be done with paper and move up to modern technology!)

I really wanted to take a moment and highlight a couple of things for this month that I feel we should all take part in:

Of course $100 B.I.N.G.O. on 3/5 @ 7pm…..  Who can’t use FREE $$$!

Don’t miss Neighborhood Watch on 3/11 @ 7pm.  It’s a great opportunity to see what actually goes on in the township and our community (and they come to us!).  We have officials from the Police and Fire Departments as well as Township officers that come and share ”new” news that we otherwise may miss if they didn’t.     

3/12 For Kids ONLY!  Movie Date with ME!  I miss my young people and wanted a way to give you a break (if only for a few minutes) and thought this would be a nice Friday night break for our parents.  From 7-9pm we’ll have popcorn and lemonade (let me know if you don’t want the children to have this snack or feel free to bring a snack to share).  If it goes well we may do it again!  Any movie ideas??

Don’t forget to Spring Forward on 3/14!!

3-/15-17 Birthday Shout Outs to Patty, Jen and Mike.  We wish them all  a Very Happy Birthday!! 

3/17 The best day off ever!  What to do and where to go?  If you have the best (local) St. Patrick’s Day Hot Spot let me know so I can meet you there!  I’m like the Easter Bunny that day…….

3/20 1st Day of Spring!  I’m counting down Summer now (because we all know we’ll still have snow!)

3/24 Spring Planning Party!  Yes it’s a Party!!!  Get excited to get involved in what goes on at home.  Remember you are able to invite friends to all of our functions/events.  What better way to have them over and enjoy the things you like to do (and hopefully get a referral too!)  If you are unable to attend e-mail your ideas to me or Dawn (dcharles@thelakeshoreapts.com) so that we don’t miss a good suggestion.

3/26 Charity Poker Night @ Coop’s 5pm-2am 124 Pearl Street Suite 100 Downtown Ypsilanti- What a great venue doing wonderful things for the community.  If you enjoy playing Poker and want to do it in a smoke free enviroment give Coop’s a try!  I’ll be there supporting which ever Charity they are!

3/27 Annual Jaycee Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Drop 9-11am @ Frog Island.  This event is a 1st for me and I’d love to see everyone there!  I’m going to steal ideas for our Easter Egg Hunt (tent. scheduled in April).  Although this event is not free it is well worth the $1-2.00 fee they charge for all that the children get.  

3/31 Join us for our Gardening Club interest meeting @7pm all ages are welcome and invited!  We are so excited to have our very own garden right here at home.  If you are interested in being a part this is the meeting for you.  We have so much to share with you and can’t wait to get to play in the dirt. 

Unless otherwise noted all of our events take place here at our clubhouse.  You are all invited!  I hope to see you soon. 

P.S. Be a part of our blog.  Let me know your thoughts.

I’m so excited that our blog page is up and running and want to thank my managers, Jen and Dawn, for giving me my own “brag” page for Resident Services.  Check us out for the latest events, new additions that didn’t make it to the newsletter and additions by you. 

Feel free to send me or add stuff because this for you!  Just remember to play nice. 

A very special Thank You to all of you who support all of our current programs.  We are excited for this year and don’t want to miss any of your great ideas.  Meet me at the clubhouse on March 24 at 7pm for our Spring Planning Party. 

We do what you want to!