www.swmlife.com l 1
In this
e u s Is 3
The Great Garrison Flag
6
Beat the Heat
7
SunWest Services Specials
8
How to Get the Most from Your Amenities
10 10 12 14
Fire Danger Firework Safety
Party Planning 101
Lawn Turning Brown?
#swm l ife This publication is provided for informational purposes only. SunWest Management does not endorse any of the businesses, products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility or liability for the statements made in this publication.
An Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC®) FINANCIAL l GOVERNANCE l ACTIVITIES
1404 W SunRiver Pkwy, Suite # 250 St. George, UT 84790 admin@swmlife.com (435) 773-6456 www.swmlife.com
We Welcome Collaborators! Would you like your message to reach our customers? Contribute to The SunWest Life magazine with educational articles, stories, or other content, or by advertising with us! Please contact sandy@swmlife.com or 435-773-6456. Sandy Naylor has infused her creative passion as editor, writer, & designer into SunWest’s publications for over 12 years. She loves creating educational & entertaining products for our customers. sandy@swmlife.com
Creating Community Since 2000 ng mi
Co
2 l www.swmlife.com
on
So
Celebrate History...
The Great Garrison Flag
www.swmlife.com l 3
in 18-inch widths, so she had to splice together an extra six inches on each of the 15 stripes. The work was so smoothly done it was impossible to tell the flag was actually a giant patchwork project. The deep blue rectangle in the top left corner measured about 16 x 21 feet. Sitting on the brewery floor, she stitched on 15 stars from white cotton, a luxury item at the time; each one measuring almost two feet across. Then she turned the flag over and snipped out the blue material from the backs of the stars while tightly binding the edges; making the stars visible from either side. By Sandy Naylor, SunWest’s Communication Guru During the War of 1812, the people of Baltimore were certain that the British would attack the city and spent months preparing for it. Major George Armistead, the commanding officer of Fort McHenry worried they had no suitable flag to fly over the earthen/brick ramparts of the Star Fort. He desired “to have a flag so large that the British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance.” Major Armistead got his wish when General John S. Stricker and Commodore Joshua Barney ordered “The Great Garrison Flag,” designed to be the largest garrison flag ever flown, from the well-known flagmaker, Mary Pickersgill, for a cost of $405.90. She, along with her daughter and two nieces, worked relentlessly on the rush order, wrestling more than 300 yards of English worsted wool bunting to the floor of Claggett’s Brewery, the only space in her neighborhood large enough to accommodate the giant 30 foot high, 42 foot long flag. The flag’s stripes were each two feet high, but the bunting was only manufactured 4 l www.swmlife.com
The flag was delivered to the fort before the British attacked, and it was this flag that Francis Scott Key saw on the morning of September 14, 1814; inspiring him to write the poem that would one day be set to music and adopted as the National Anthem of the United States, The Star Spangled Banner. The flag remained in use at the fort and eventually found its way into the possession of Major Armistead and his family. In addition to the wear and tear of use and time, the practice of snipping pieces off for mementos took their toll on the flag. The first time it was photographed in 1873, it was in battered and tattered shape, nearly 8 feet shorter and missing a star. The family donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1902, and in 1914, restorer Amelia Fowler tackled restoring the flag. Commandeering space in the Smithsonian Castle, she set ten needle-women to work removing the heavy canvas backing that had been attached to the flag in 1873 and, with some 1.7 million stitches, painstakingly attaching a new backing of Irish linen. Her work kept the
flag from falling apart for nearly a century. During this time, in addition to being on near constant display at the museum, the flag provided a backdrop for inaugural balls, presidential speeches and countless public events. But constant exposure to light and ambient pollution continued to deteriorate the flag, which in 1998 prompted a $7 million, decade long, thorough conservation treatment, aimed at extending the flag’s life for another century. “We really want this to be the last time it’s handled,” the Institute said, “It’s getting too fragile for moving and handling.” Conservators cleaned it with a solution of water and acetone, removing contaminants and reducing acidity in the fabric. During a delicate operation that took 18 months, they removed Amelia Fowler’s linen backing. Then they attached—to the other side of the flag—a new backing made of a sheer polyester fabric. As a result, visitors will now see a side of the flag that had been hidden from view since 1873.
These high-tech attentions have stabilized the flag and prepared it for display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. There, the flag that began life on a brewery floor is now sealed in a pressurized chamber. Monitored by sensors, shielded by glass, guarded by a waterless fire-suppression system and soothed by temperature and humidity controls, it lies on a custom-built table that allows conservators to care for it without having to move it. So the old flag lives on, providing a symbol of patriotism that has survived the centuries.
www.swmlife.com l 5
can he lp! s@swm life.co 435-77 3-6456 m
ser vice
Try these tips to keep your house cooler this summer! Keep the Sun Out
Lower blinds or close curtains on the sunny side of the house during the day to reduce solar heat gain in your home. While any blind or curtain helps, there are products that are made specifically for blocking sun and heat. If you still want to be able to see out of the window in the afternoons, try applying a tint or sun-blocking film to the windows. It works just like the tint on the windows of your car. Planting deciduous shade trees on the south and west sides of your house is a great long-term solution to block the sun’s rays. To save any potentially expensive frustration, make sure your choices meet the requirements in the design standards for your community before you purchase any window treatments or change the landscaping of your home.
AC Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on your air conditioner is essential to keep it working efficiently. Replacing the air filters regularly during the summer will allow your system to operate at peak efficiency and keep the air in your home clean. Don’t forget, SunWest Services can change those filters for you so you don’t need to wrestle with them. For even more savings, sign up for our monthly maintenance program.
Create a Breeze
Fans are a great way to circulate the air throughout your house and create a breeze to cool you down. To heighten the cooling effect of ceiling fans, set the motor so the blades rotate counterclockwise when looking up at the fan. Installing a ceiling fan can be a time-consuming, frustrating job; so if you’d rather skip that part, just give SunWest Services a call and we’ll be happy to install them for you. Just contact us at services@swmlife.com or 435-773-6456. 6 l www.swmlife.com
Your home and landscape professionals Free Estimates l Licensed & Insured
435.773.6456
services@swmlife.com
Custom Landscaping One Size Does NOT Fit All
Standardized services can be a good value, but does your yard need a little extra TLC? We offer custom landscaping services tailored to your yard’s specific needs, and our trained and supervised crews pay attention to the details that will make your yard look its best. If you’re interested in customized weed control, fertilization, turf or plant care, give us a call today for a free consultation!
t the a e B mer m u S t! Hea
Living in the desert southwest, quickly addressing irrigation leaks and stressed turf or plants can make all the difference to your landscape’s survival. Don’t wait! Help is just a phone call away..... and we’ll respond within one business day!
Summer Heat Solutions
Fixture Installation - Bring a cool breeze into the house! If you’re getting a new ceiling fan so you don’t swelter this summer, we’ll take the hassle out of the installation for you. No need to stress about figuring out the ceiling mount requirements or complicated wiring, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to do that for you! Don’t forget the Patio! - Turn your patio into a cool zone by switching your outdoor patio light to a ceiling fan! Or install a storm door and bring light and fresh air into the house while keeping the bugs at bay!
Call us for all your home and landscape needs!
www.swmlife.com l 7
By Brian Webster, SunWest’s Finance Wizard Today let’s talk about your community’s reserve end of your visit. When you are done lounging fund. I’m pretty sure no one ever sits around at the pool, do you put the chair back and the table and says, “I tidy up? When you are know, let’s talk about finished playing at the reserves!” So, maybe courts, do you clean up you have already When I moved into my association, your trash and leave it tuned out! Can I start than you found the manager and neighbors warmly better over? it? Do you pick up greeted me and told me all about after your dog along Hi everyone! Today how the reserve fund worked for your walks through the let’s talk about how community? When we the community. you can get the all do our part, this type most out of all the of paying-it-forward -Said No one ever thinking helps keep amenities in your community! From our neighborhoods the swimming pool to courts, dog park to ready for the next visitor. And at some point, the private grounds, when you show up, it all that visitor is you! needs to be clean and in working order so you can do ‘you-time’ the best. Even the simplest Another way you can help is to pay attention if of glitches with gates or technology can put a maintenance is needed. Did the gate stick for stop to the fun. So, how can the facilities be you? If so, chances are it will stick for the next expectably “guest ready” for you? guest. Is there fencing that is damaged? Is the court net torn? Your community is managed Maybe this is backwards, but let’s start at the by off-site staff who make routine visits and
“
”
8 l www.swmlife.com
inspections. They also coordinate work with It is exactly this balance that is needed so that vendors and get input from them. But as you you pay your fair share, not more, not less. As use the facilities, you bring Board members come a unique perspective. This and go, the successful means the best, and most association maintains Let SunWest Management know! regular eyes are yours! that balance over Submit a maintenance request time by setting clear, through your membership portal Now, as the facilities get long-term goals and or shoot us an email at used, at some point, things sticking to them! And admin@swmlife.com wear out. Did you know a again, the benefit that portion of your association makes all the effort assessment goes toward worth it: you and your saving for those type of repairs and neighbors pay your fair share now, and future replacements? This is your community’s reserve residents will pay their fair share then. fund. The primary goal of the reserve fund is to set aside enough money so the facilities can be Maybe you will be cursing me at your next visit kept in good working order and guest-ready. to your community center or courts. My guess So, how much money is needed? The balance is is you are going to start noticing if the carpet between your tolerance for special assessments seems to be wearing. Or maybe a crack in the and your tolerance for higher dues. Does that concrete will catch your attention. Whatever make sense? If your association decides to the item, let me be the first to thank you for avoid special assessments at all costs, then letting your management team know. Together, dues will be higher so there is have more in and with the help of a balanced reserve fund the bank. Or, if the association thinks special approach, we’ll all work to keep your facilities assessments are okay, then dues will be lower, clean and ready to welcome the next guest! less will be in the bank and special assessments will happen routinely as items need replacing. Which strategy to do you prefer? Truly, the trick of a well-run association is a balanced approach: enough reserve funds on hand to replace items as needed, but not too much that dues are unnecessarily high.
Brian Webster is the Controller for SunWest Management. He maintains designations with the IMA and CAMICB, as a Certified Management Accountant and Certified Manager of Community Associations, respectively. In school he focused on financial models and he worked as an actuary, pricing health insurance in Pennsylvania before moving to St George. You can reach Brian at brian@swmlife.com. www.swmlife.com l 9
Fire Danger By Joseph Brimer, SunWest’s Human Search Engine I remember the cool crisp air, the still silence and honestly, the naps. Yankee Meadows was always one of my favorite places to go camping growing up. I have such fond memories of riding 4 wheelers, fishing at the nearby lake, roasting s’mores and staying up watching movies with my brothers. Before we were married, one of our trips was actually the first time my wife traveled with our family. Located by Brian Head, Yankee meadows was the perfect place for an afternoon get away or an extended camping trip while remaining close enough for runs into town. In 2017, I was devastated to hear that parts of Brian Head and Yankee Meadows (and literally my memories) went up in flames caused by something as simple as someone using a torch to clear weeds from their property. Weeks of fighting the flames, millions of dollars in resources and 71,000 acres of forest later, you see the photo I took in September 2019, a couple years after the fires. The only thing left from my paradise growing up was the four trees at the entrance of campground. You better believe I pulled the hammock out of my trunk and laid in it, reminiscing the days spent lounging around and laughing with my family. It’s sad to see the gut-punch like results from someone’s actions. While I certainly don’t want to accuse or chastise anyone, I would like to simply raise awareness of the consequences there could be this time of year. Here in Southern Utah, something as simple as dragging trailer chains or a tire blowing out can, and has, sparked fires.
Fireworks Safety Fireworks safety and responsible use are important as we celebrate the upcoming holidays. The City of St George has issued these tips to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable time. • Use only fireworks purchased in the State of Utah. • Use fireworks only with responsible adult supervision. • Light the fireworks in an open area and on a non-combustible surface, such as a driveway or paved area. • Keep a bucket of water available. • Soak fireworks thoroughly in a bucket of water, or douse them with a hose prior to disposal. • Keep clear while lighting fireworks, and do not lean over them at any time. • Handle used and “dud” fireworks with a shovel. • Do not relight “dud” fireworks. • Check for any restrictions that may apply to your area. If you have any questions, please contact the St. George Fire Department at 435-627-4150 or visit https://www.sgcity.org/firedepartment/fireworksinformation
10 l www.swmlife.com
In a dry climate, it’s important to stay informed on fire restrictions and take precautions to limit and prevent damage to the area around us. We have two holidays coming up that are typically celebrated with fireworks. Be sure to check your city’s website for firework restrictions. Another good tip is to have a few buckets with water ready in case a fire sprouts, (speaking from experience, whoops!). Luckily, we were prepared and quickly put out the fire, but it was a good reminder of fireworks safety.
Taken October 19, 2014
Taken September 2, 2019 Joseph Brimer is a Resident Specialist here at SunWest Management. If you have a question about your Member Portal, compliance, architectural review or governance, Joseph has the answer! He relishes being a problem solver and doing for others, so he’s a perfect fit for the SunWest team! Contact Joseph at joseph@swmlife.com www.swmlife.com l 11
By Casey Ritter, SunWest’s Events Superstar When I was 11 years old, my friends and I would put together pretend weddings, marrying whichever neighbor kids we could convince. We would go all out! We picked flowers from our yards for decorations (sorry, mom), and the bouquets were made of napkins folded into flowers. We baked layered cakes and had sign-in sheets for the guests (forcing parents to play along). We made sure the bride, groom, and guests dressed elegantly and were ready for “The Big Day.” Planning a party can be overwhelming, whether it’s a birthday, graduation, wedding, or just for fun. There are a lot of resources out there to help, so many that it can get intimidating. It’s easy to get lost in a rabbit hole of google searches. Not to mention the intimidating parties we see social media “influencers” throwing. A notepad will be your best friend for creating and organizing an unforgettable party! To get started, figure out a location, date, theme, and how many guests you want. A theme will help determine your style of invitations, decor, and food. There are several websites to find inspiration for your party. Visit Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, or Google. Pinterest is a trendy website for party planning and most DIY projects; they have over 450 million monthly active users. If you know how to use a hashtag, Instagram is an excellent source. Definition of a Hashtag - a word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media websites and applications to identify digital content on a specific topic. Don’t forget the entertainment. A live band is definitely a crowd-pleaser. However, if that is not in your budget, or your party is more of a social setting, then a good ol’ fashioned speaker and tunes can work wonders. As the Event Coordinator for SunWest Management, Casey Ritter infuses her creativuty into all the fun activities and events she plans for our communities. Some of you might also know her from the St George Senior Center, where she taught Cardio Drum and Stretch fitness classes. She is a former dancer with the Rocky Mountain Repertory Ballet, and loves meeting people and creating friendships. casey@swmlife.com 12 l www.swmlife.com
Invite guests, whether it’s a card you mail out or a digital invite. There are several websites to help create an invitation. Punchbowl, Evite, and Greenvelope are excellent and free websites. Decorations!!! Balloon arches and yard signs are very popular. You can find easy balloon arch kits online – some as low as $15. These kits can come with an electric or hand pump and easy clips for sealing the balloons. No more losing your breath and feeling like you’re going to faint while manually blowing up 100 balloons. Gone are the days of blistered hands from tying! Last but not least, party favors for your guests. A party favor doesn’t need to be grand. Something simple like a note or treat is a pleasant way of ending the event and saying thank you for coming.
PARTY Check List
r Date, Time, Location r Guest List r Decorations r Food r Invitations r Guest List r Party Favors
www.swmlife.com l 13
Is Your Lawn Turning
BROWN? By Nick Boulton, SunWest’s Landscaping Whisperer During these hot summer months, it is not uncommon for grass in our area to turn a little brown as it naturally goes into a dormant state (similar to what it does in winter) and turns brown as a way of protecting itself. Although a brown lawn is unattractive, it isn’t a reason to panic. Unless conditions become too extreme, your grass will quickly spring back to life as soon as the cooler temperatures return. However, there are a few things you can do to help keep your lawn looking its best through these hot spells.
Water
Watering your grass is important, but it isn’t as simple as more water when the weather heats up. Preparation for the summer should take place all year since you need to “train” your grass to become hardier. If you water grass too often, it won’t send roots in search of water deep below the surface. It develops a shallow root system, and when the temperature rises, it struggles to survive. To encourage deep and healthy root growth, water several short bursts a day, allowing the water to soak in, and occasionally do a deep soak. Then, when summer arrives, your grass is already better equipped to survive. An excellent solution is to install a sprinkler controller to take care of watering for you. Some smart controllers are even able to
adapt the watering schedule to local weather conditions, ensuring your grass receives exactly the optimum amount of water. Some can even be controlled from your phone. You should water your lawn early in the morning, but make sure it doesn’t stay wet all day. Moist conditions are ideal breeding grounds for fungal infections, and making sure your lawn is watered, but dry, will help prevent these kinds of infection from settling in.
Mow
Improper mowing habits are a sure way to turn your grass brown, or even kill it completely. A lawn is made up of thousands of tiny plants, if you cut them too short, you will seriously damage them. Never cut it to less than about 3” to 3½”. This will provide shade for the root system. Never cut more than a third of the lawn’s total height at any one time. It’s much better to cut just a little, more often, rather than scalp your lawn each time you cut it. An important part of yearly maintenance is ensuring mower blades are kept sharp. Dull blades tear grass rather than cut it. This damages the grass, making it more susceptible to browning and infection.
Fertilize
Some fertilizers recommend feeding your lawn every six to eight weeks. If this causes the grass to grow too high, too fast, try using a lawn fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content. The secret to having a green lawn in the summer is keeping it as healthy and strong as possible throughout the year. If you need help with your lawn, call SunWest Services. We’ll be happy to give you a free consultation.
When Nick Boulton joined SunWest Management as our Landscape Coordinator he brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. He is a great resource to have in your back pocket. If you would like help with your yard or have questions about plants, Nick would love to connect with you. You can reach Nick at services@swmlife.com or 435-773-6456. 14 l www.swmlife.com