Newsletter & Calendar - August 2008

If Everyone in the Community Was Just Like Me...
What kind of community would this one be? That's a question that all of us need to ask ourselves from time to time. Every year when we do home inspections there is a certain amount of complaining that takes place about the community maintenance requirements. If you have a task on your ìto doî list that you think is nitpicky or inconsequential, consider it in light of how our community would look if that condition was present at every home-site in Johanna Woods. How many tattered window blinds would it take before our community would start to look shabby? How much trash on the ground at a home-site is ìokayî? How many vehicles with outdated license tags and flat tires does it take before we start looking like a junk yard? Then ask another question... how long would it take if these conditions were present at the home next to you before you would call the office to complain? All of the rules with regard to home maintenance are important to the OVERALL appearance of Johanna Woods. And everyone who lives in Johanna Woods, from the manager down, gets an annual home inspection and a ìto doî list if there is work that needs to be done. With that in mind, when you get your re-inspection in the mail, if all your work isn't done, think about how the community as a whole would look if there were no standards and no one to follow up and enforce them. It wouldn't take long before some of us wouldn't want to live here anymore.

Are You Registered to Vote?
One of the hallmarks of freedom that we have enjoyed as Americans is the orderly transfer of power. This year as we vote for president and other important government offices, the choices we face as a nation may be more critical than in past years. If you are not registered to vote, you can call 405-521-2391 and request that a voter registration application be mailed to you. We also have a few forms in the community office for your convenience. In order to vote, you must be registered at least 24 days prior to an election to vote in that election, so don't delay. Remember, it is your right and privilege as an American to vote! And, since Johanna Woods is your polling place again, it's much more convenient to do your civic duty!

Staying Safe at Home
If you are 65 years of age or older, the city of Broken Arrow would like to offer you some recommendations that might help you stay safer in your home. The Police and Fire Depart-ments are working together and will come out and conduct a Senior Safety Check in your home-for FREE! The Fire Department will check all of your smoke detectors and replace any that don't work, at no charge. The Police Department will look at your door and window locks, outside lighting and landscaping and make suggestions that might be helpful in securing your home. In addition, they will also provide you with some crime prevention tips with regard to personal safety. All of this is free, but you have to call 451-8213 to get on the schedule.

Broken Arrow Schools Start August 13th!
Wow! Summer is winding down and school is starting! Sure has gone by in a hurry. As the school buses make their return to the daily routes please drive carefully. There may be changes to routes and stops this year due to higher gas prices, so be aware that this may mean more children walking a little further. If you have a ìnewî driver at your house, caution them to drive slowly and carefully.

Hot Weather Tip
You can save some money on your electric bill during these sweltering summer months by using the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Simply turning these fans on when you cook or shower will remove the extra heat and moisture from your home. This will keep your air conditioner from having to work so hard to compensate for the extra heat and humidity, saving some of your $.

Unbelievable Chicken

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cider vinegar 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons prepared coarse ground mustard 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced ground black pepper to taste
1 lime, juiced 6 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced 6 skinless, boneless chicken
breast halves

Directions:
In a large glass bowl, mix the cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil and place the chicken in this mixture. Cover and marinate 8 hours or overnight. Preheat the outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grill plate. Place the chicken pieces on the prepared grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until the juices run clear. Discard the marinade.

News to Use
Well, we have two specials to bring you this month from your neighbors in the community! The first is brought to you by Tammy Boyle who sells Avon and would like to be your neighborhood representative. She would also like to offer you 10% off if you order from her! That's a pretty good deal! Just because you live here!

And, for you hunters or cooks who need fine cutlery or hunting knives, check out the offer that's included with the newsletter. The Stanford's now own and operate a Knife Shop! Already have all the knives and cutlery you need? Come in and have them sharpened! Just bring the enclosed flyer with you for 10% off!
If you are looking for a photo scanner for your computer, Clint Hunter has one for sale. He's asking $50-$75 for it. 387-4052 if interested.

Homes for Sale, Lots for Lease Can Mean Money in Your Pocket!
How about it? With school about to start, could you use an extra $200.00? We still have a few lots to fill and there are some very nice homes for sale in Johanna Woods. If you know someone who is looking to buy a home, tell them about us! If your referral results in a home sale or a new home moving in, you will get a free months rent! And, with our current move-in incentive of $1,000.00, your friend can get a new place to live and money in their pocket, too! If there is an empty lot near you, now is the chance to pick your neighbors. That's something you don't get to do very often. Call the office if you need any details on this great offer. And remember, we are open on Saturdays, too.

Neighborhood Watch
Does anything good happen on the streets of most communities after dark? Ask any police officer and they will tell you it's not likely. That's why there are curfew laws. In Broken Arrow, curfew is 11:00 pm. After that time, no one under the age of 18 is supposed to be out wandering up and down our streets. If you are a parent, make sure that your kids are safely inside by this time each night. As a resident, if you come home late and notice young people out and about, call the police. Ask them to enforce the curfew laws in your area. Whether a person is up to no good or not, trouble has a way of finding people in the middle of the night. We will all be safer if curfew is strictly enforced on our streets.