HOUSE AND GARDEN
Countdown to Trash Pickup
Our uncontained trash in the alley is due to be picked up four times a year.
Alley lights
By Bob Croft
If you’d like the added safety and security of nighttime lighting in your alley, APS has just the program.
APS’s Dawn to Dusk Lighting Service will provide a 100-watt high pressure sodium lamp (that’s pretty bright) on an existing power pole in the alley, for a monthly charge of $10.28 plus tax, added to your monthly electric bill. Installation is free if you agree to a several year contract. You’d need to secure permission from your alley neighbors affected. (As most power poles sit close to the property line, that means the 3 neighbors whose lots touch the corner of your lot that the power pole sits on). You could also hit those neighbors to help with the cost – but APS needs to put the entire $10.28 on one person’s bill.
If one of those neighbors wants to have his backyard screened from the light (I got a story about folks wanting to skinny dip in private, at night), APS can install a shield on the light for about $45.00, if done at the time of the light installation.
In passing, I’d urge our neighbors with corner lots to look at the program; it would provide us all some sidewalk and street lighting in the mid-block of our north-south streets.
For more info, or to order, call Rick Benevidez at APS, 602-371-7263, or give me a holler at 602-695-3337.
APS Emergency Number
In the event of a power outage, APS has an emergency number that avoids many of the voice prompts of their main number. Call (602) 258-5483.
Street Lighting - Report of
Damage-Malfunction
As found in the famous BLUE pages of the Business Edition of the Phone
Book (602) 495-5125
Please report any street lights that are out ASAP as we need all we have to be functioning. You'll need to have the pole number (approx 6-8 ft up on the street side) and the address of the house closest to the street light that's out. Leave a report on voice mail along with your phone number. It generally takes approx. 2 weeks to repair. If you have any problems with repairs taking longer, emaill Steve D.
Link to SHPO
Here's a link to the State Historic Preservation Office. If you want info on getting the reduced property tax rate for historic homes, this is the place to check.
Products and Services for Historic Homes
ARTS & CRAFTS, MISSION, CRAFTSMAN, and BUNGALOW STYLE
homes can find historic products and services at this website.
Visual Award
Look on the news page for the Visual Award. We also have a page devoted to Visual Award Winners-Past and Present
Plant and Seed Exchange
Do you have an excess of vegetable or flower seeds or too many volunteer landscape plants that you don't want? How about seeds or plants that you would like but don't have? Now you can list the items you have to give away and those you would like to get here on the website. Add a post to the Message Board.
Building Permit Info
The City's Development Services Department has up-to-date info on building permits, plan reviews and inspections now available on the Web. you can track permit no., plan review no. and professional license no, name and address.
Contractor Guide
We've got a slew of new reviews and folks are finding competent, reliable contractors...and some have found some real dogs. Find out the straight scoop. If you've had work done, please take a minute to fill out the contractor survey and help out others who may need the same kind of work done.
Here are some links to local gardening websites:
The County Agricultural Extension Service has a plethora of gardening information. You'll find timely monthly tips, a garden calendar, gardening pubs available for download, answers to your gardening questions and links to other local websites.
For info on native plants, check out the Arizona Native Plant Society. You'll find bulletins on native plants, wildflower alerts and plant salvage information.
The Phoenix Rose Society meets the third Tuesday of the month at the the Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave. at 7:30 pm. Call for info-937.5713.
Perhaps the Valley of the Sun Gardeners is more to your liking. They meet the third Monday at the Washington Adult Center Auditorium at 2240 W. Citrus Way. Again, contact 937.5713.
