Meridian Ranch Newsletter December 2020

THE VIEW FROM

MERIDIAN RANCH A publication of The Meridian Service Metropolitan District

Meridian Ranch Community Directory MSMD Board of Directors: President: Butch Gabrielski Secretary/ Treasurer: Wayne Reorda Asst Secretary/ Treasurer: Bill Gessner Mike Fenton Tom Sauer Newsletter Advertising Porchlink Media E-mail kerri@porchlink.com for rates and information Target Your Market With Neighborhood Newsletters!

Websites www.meridianranchmetro.org www.meridianranch.com

www.stonebridgecoloradosprings.com

2020 Rec Center Holiday Hours Christmas Eve 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Closed Christmas New Year’s Eve 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Closed New Year’s Day ISSUE

89

December 2020

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Meridian Ranch Eleventh Annual Christmas Light Competition It is that time of year for residents to show their holiday spirit! Light up your home, light up the tree, and gather all the trimmings. Prizes will be awarded to the most festive displays. Please have your Christmas lights on display on the following days.

Tuesday, December 8th through Thursday, December 10th Between 5:30 P.M.— 9:30 P.M. Judging done by the Meridian Ranch Design Review Council and Stonebridge H.O.A.

Mountain View Electric will credit $75.00 on the electric bill for the grand prize and first place winners from each section.

Prizes will be awarded in the form of gift cards for the best decorated homes in each judging area as follows:

1st Place $50 2nd Place $30 3rd Place $20

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE $100 All participants will receive an ornament.

Meridian Ranch will be divided into eight judging areas, please see page 6 or visit www.meridianranch.com for map area. All prizes for this competition have been generously donated by DRC No 1, DRC No 2, & the Stonebridge HOA. Mountain View Electric is proud to be a contributor for the prizes this year!

Rec Center News December 2020 Cookies with Santa December 12th at 3:00 pm (with the last seating at 5:30 pm) Cookies with Santa will have 30-minute time slots available. You must register EVERY participant that would like to attend. Each time slot is limited to 20 people. This is a free event and spots will go fast, so please make sure to sign up at the Rec Center. If you are not registered for a time slot by the end of business day (8:30 pm) on Friday, December 11th, you will be turned away at the door. Mask are required.

Book Club meeting December 18th at 6:00 pm November’s book is Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty. Contact the Rec Center to confirm meeting times. Childcare will be available.

Flick-n-Float December 21st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm “Elf” Just a reminder: This Rec Center follows School District 49 snow closure policy. Management will make every reasonable effort to remain open during inclement weather. If D49 closes, but the weather cooperates, and roads become safe, we will notify residents, and open the center on a limited operational basis. The Rec Center will post any delay or closure information on our Facebook page. We will also send out an email to everyone in our system. Due to the updated mask mandate, as of print date, there is no Parent’s Night Out in December.

We wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday and a prosperous new year.

The View From Meridian Ranch

AVG SALES PRICE FOR LAST 3 MONTHS

HT OUG

BR

TO

Y:

B YOU

NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD IN LAST 3 MONTHS

Number of Homes Sold in the Last 3 Months:

AVERAGE APPRECIATION (YEAR OVER YEAR)

Average Appreciation (Year over Year)

114

YOUR GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE SUCCESS SellMeridianRanch.com Text/Call 719.203.1813 Not intended to solicit currently-listed properties. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Source of data: Pikes Peak MLS.

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The View From Meridian Ranch

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The View From Meridian Ranch

Manager's Message ◊ December 2020

Stonebridge HOA Corner

Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience: October 28th was the Nation’s First Responders Day honoring those career and volunteer professionals who mobilize and head into disaster areas when others are evacuating. This includes Public Works professionals who operate our public water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.

Also, November was Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month dedicated to recognizing the importance of protecting our Nation’s infrastructure for our national security and resilience in responding to natural and man-made disasters.

WISHING THE STONEBRIDGE COMMUNITY A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY SEASON!

These are special times for us to shine a light on the vital role that critical cyber and physical infrastructure plays in keeping the Nation and our communities safe, secure, and prosperous. The federal government is promoting in 2020, two sub-themes under Critical Infrastructure in a Time of Transformation. These sub-themes are Security and Response During a Global Pandemic and The Future of Securing Critical Infrastructure.

2020 has been a historic year for the Nation and its critical infrastructure as we grapple with a global pandemic, a U.S. Presidential election, and unprecedented natural disasters. These factors have driven a rapid and dramatic change in how the Nation works, learns, votes, and socializes. 2020 has been a year of transition in how we use and rely on critical infrastructure. Information technology and healthcare systems bear the brunt of the impacts from mass telework and distance learning, as well as the detection, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19. This year’s crises have highlighted the crucial role of our historically under-appreciated essential critical infrastructure workers.

America’s national security and economic prosperity are increasingly dependent upon critical infrastructure that is at risk from a variety of hazards and threats, both natural and man-made, including aging or failing infrastructure, extreme weather, cyberattacks, or evolving terrorism threats that impact our economy and communities.

Critical infrastructure security and resilience requires a clear understanding of the risks we face and a whole-community effort that involves partnership between public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In 2018, Congress approved the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act creating the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Also in 2018, Congress passed the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 which requires that public water and wastewater systems conduct a risk and resilience assessment (RRA) and then prepare an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to manage the risks. During 2020, the Meridian Metropolitan District has been working on our own local RRA/ERP. Our water and wastewater systems are underground and out of sight, and therefore are easily taken for granted. Our drainage systems likewise, are often forgotten until a major storm overwhelms their capacity and stormwater damage becomes visible.

Here at the Meridian Metropolitan District our daily interaction with our residents is often related to parks, open space, and recreation activities. These are also important public services that impact our quality of life. However, during the holiday season when we often pause to give thanks, let us remember to honor and appreciate our first responders, and our operators of critical public infrastructure. This includes our crews here at Meridian Service Metropolitan District.

Meridian Ranch Critical Infrastructure – Current Projects: During the winter months, maintenance and construction does not stop on our local critical infrastructure. This winter, Meridian Ranch residents may notice several projects under way. We are installing a sewer main bypass line along Highway 24 from Judge Orr Rd to Woodmen Drive. Three new groundwater wells will be drilled in Meridian Ranch – the large drill rigs will be visible from long distances. And, a 2-mile long raw water pipeline will be constructed along the northern boundary of Meridian Ranch and near the Falcon Regional Park on Eastonville Rd. 2020 Meridian Service Metro District Holiday Schedule: Our Meridian Ranch Recreation Center and Administrative Office are still operating under COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Please refer to our website or call us to verify schedules. The planned holiday closures this month include the following: Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Office closed ½ day at noon | Rec Center open 8:00 am -2:00 pm Friday, December 25 Christmas Day Office closed | Rec Center closed Thursday, December 31 New Year's Eve Office closed ½ day at noon | Rec Center open 8:00 am -2:00 pm

The annual holiday lights contest will take place on Tuesday, December 8th thru Thursday, December 10th, be sure to have your lights on between 5:30-9:30 pm. We look forward to seeing the decorated homes and good luck to all of the participants!

Pets If you have a common area behind your lot, it is most likely District property. MSMD has been cleaning up a lot of dog waste that has been disposed of along the fence line; please refrain from using it as a disposal site. Thank you!

Just a reminder, not more than three domesticated animals (e.g., two cats, one dog, or three dogs) will be permitted within a Lot, provided they are not kept, bred, or maintained for any commercial purpose. No animal of any kind shall be permitted which, in the opinion of the Board, makes unreasonable amount of noise, odor or is a nuisance to the community in accordance with section 3.12 Animals in the Covenants.

Volunteers We need volunteers to have The Lodge open on days when Estelle is not on site.

Volunteers must be available for at least two to four hours to be stewards of The Lodge. If you are interested, please contact Jamie Adams to set up times and get the code and a key. Jamie can be reached at jamie@warrenmgmt.com or call 719-685-7824.

The Board of Directors will be reviewing a new policy with a check list of responsibilities so we can move forward with volunteers in 2021. The progress will be on the Association newsfeed. Please check the calendar for volunteer times at The Lodge.

All improvements must be submitted and approved prior to installation.

Questions? We are here to help you!

Jamie or Josh at Warren Management Group Email: stonebridge@warrenmgmt.com I p: 719-685-8743 Lodge Hostess: Estelle I estelle@warrenmgmt.com I p: 719-694-9563

Design Review Council Corner We wish the Meridian Ranch Community a very merry holiday season! The judging for the annual holiday lights contest is taking place Tuesday, December 8th thru Thursday, December 10th, so be sure to have your lights on between 5:30-9:30 pm. We are looking forward to seeing the beautiful displays. Owners who decorated will receive an ornament for their tree which will be delivered prior to the week of December 21st.

Winners will be announced on the Association newsfeed and the first place and grand prize winners will be featured in the January edition of The View From Meridian Ranch.

Friendly reminders from the Design Review Council.

Play Equipment: check-circle Please be mindful, the temporary basketball units are only allowed to be out during the months of May through October. If playing basketball is a year- round sport for your household, please plan to submit for a permanent basketball unit installation for your property. Basketball units in the street and on the sidewalk are not allowed; please put them away after play. check-circle Play equipment may not be installed in the setbacks. Set back requirements are listed in the Design Guidelines.

Remember ALL Improvements must be submitted and approved prior to installation!

Governing Documents can be found on the website:

Friday, January 1 New Year's Day Office closed | Rec Center closed

www.meridianranchdrc.nabrnetwork.com and www.meridianranchdrc2.nabrnetwork. com; Resource Tab; Governing Documents.

You can learn much about our community and the District that serves you by checking our website at www.meridianranchmetro.org, or call our office at 719-495-6567.

Questions? Please contact your Meridian Ranch DRC Management Team:

Happy Holidays!

Jamie Adams, CMCA, AMS, PCAM | Managing Agent | Jamie@warrenmgmt.com

- David A. Pelser, General Manager Meridian Service Metropolitan District -Water, Sewer, Drainage, Parks, Recreation

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| www.meridianranchmetro.org

Julie Sampson, Governance Director | Julie@warrenmgmt.com Chaylyn Petrik, DRC Administrator | Chaylyn@warrenmgmt.com

The View From Meridian Ranch

Aunt Florence’s Chocolate Surprise Snowball Cookies

MERIDIAN RANCH RECREATION CENTER & MY MOBILE PAINT PARTY PRESENTS:

This recipe has been made by my family for 50 years or more and my most requested Christmas Cookie. The original recipe called for finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate and once the semi-sweet mini morsels chips came out, I switched to them. It didn’t change the taste or texture and the time saved is worth it. I usually double this recipe.

INGREDIENTS 1 cup flour, minus 2 tbsp. flour

3 tbsp. brown sugar

½ cup miniature chocolate chips

1 tsp. vanilla

Powdered sugar (for rolling) about 1½ cups

Preheat oven to 350°. Mix ingredients in the order listed above except for the powdered sugar. Roll into balls (about 1 tbsp each). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 15 – 20 minutes (bottoms should be golden brown).

Cool COMPLETELY. Roll in powder sugar. Store in a cool dry place.

Monday

December 2020

Tuesday

Two Nights Available!

FRIDAY, DEC. 4TH | 6 PM

SATURDAY, DEC. 5TH | 5 PM

$25

½ cup butter, softened

Sunday

Christmas Paint Night $25

Come join us at Meridian Ranch Recreation Center to paint a Christmas-themed painting! A perfect event for date night, girls night, or any kind of night!

Must sign up at the MRRC front desk or call 719-495-7119.

Open to Residents & Non-Residents!

Friday

Saturday

1

2

Wednesday 3

Thursday

4 Christmas Paint Night at the Rec Center 6:00 pm I $25.00 Registration Required

5 Christmas Paint Night at the Rec Center 5:00 pm I $25.00 Registration Required 12 Cookies with Santa 5:00 – 8:00 pm

6

7

8

9

10

11

13

14

15

16

17

18 Elementary & Middle School Early Release

Elementary Assessment Day

19

Book Club @ 6:00 pm 20

27

21 D49 School Holiday Break thru 1/5/20

22

28

29

23

24

Christmas Eve

25

Rec Center Hours 8:00 am – 2:00 pm 30

31

New Year’s Eve

Rec Center Hours 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Christmas Day

Flick-N-Float “Elf” 6:00 – 8:00 pm

16

1/6/21 Professional Development, No Students 1/7/21 Students Return from Holiday Break

School News

D49 December 2020 – Dates to Remember

Falcon Middle School

December 11th

Elementary Assessment Day

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR COMING SOON! November 30th - December 13th

December 17 & 18

High School Finals Schedule

December 18th

Elementary & Middle School Early Release

The Scholastic Book Fair is back! While the fair will be exclusively held online this year, we still plan on making it a fun and joyous experience for our students.

December 21st – January 5th

Schools Closed for Holiday Break

January 6th

Professional Development, No Students

January 7th

Students Return from Holiday Break

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FMS will have its own online store, with a large selection of titles. The virtual book fair will go live November 30th.

Every dollar you spend will benefit FMS directly! (25% back in rewards)

The View From Meridian Ranch

Advertise in the January issue of

Meridian Ranch 2020

AREA 2C

The View From Meridian Ranch

Meridian Ranch 2020 Christmas Light Competition Judging Areas:

Christmas Light Competition Judging Areas:

AREA 1A

AREA 1B

AREA 2A

Deadline: December 15, 2020

AREA 2B

Email kerri@porchlink.com for more information

AREA 2C

Meridian Ranch 2020 Christmas Light Competition Judging Areas:

Meridian Ranch Advertising Rates

Mails monthly to 2,904 homes & building AREA 1A

AREA 1B

AREA 2A

AREA 2B

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AREA 1C

BUSINESS CARD B&W: $70 • COLOR: $80

AREA 1C

1/4 PAGE B&W: $150 • COLOR: $200 1/3 PAGE B&W: $210 • COLOR: $245

AREA 2D

AREA 2D

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The View From Meridian Ranch

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The View From Meridian Ranch

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The View From Meridian Ranch