Balmoral

Evening Noise Considerations

Sat, 12 May 2012 15:49:43 -0400

Now that beautiful spring weather has arrived, Balmoral residents will enjoy more and more outdoor activities that include neighbors, out-of-town guests, and even children returning to the nest. This will quickly evolve into parties celebrating graduations, family reunions, and let�s never forget our patriotic federal holidays - Memorial Day is just around the corner!

In addition, pets are outside longer and later into the night, and their barks carry much further than many owners realize. For those residents who enjoy sleeping with windows open on a nice cool night, this can dampen that rare pleasure, as well.

Each spring, several residents ask the Communications Committee to circulate a broadcast for everyone�s benefit as to community courtesy with outdoor activities. While we stay outside longer with family and pets and celebrate with good intentions, let�s remember that � although secluded as Balmoral is � this is not the Texas prairie where one�s nearest neighbor actually has a different zip code.

It is great to have fun, but not at the expense of others. With regard to noise and commotion, we should be considerate of the overall Balmoral community and especially our closest neighbors - particularly when revelry and sound may go late into the night or even into the �wee hours of the morning�

Many thanks from the Balmoral Communications Committee

May 17 is the 40th annual Clifton Homes Tour

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:24:47 -0400

It�s not too late to enjoy another tremendous Clifton tradition. Thursday, May 17 is the date for the 40th annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. Beautifully decorated homes, antiques, and original artwork, along with local camaraderie, are just a few of the treats in store for those who attend.

Advance tickets are $25; tour-day tickets cost $30; and single-home admission is $10. The marketplace activities at Paradise Vineyard Winery are free. All net proceeds go to charity, and since 2005, the group has contributed $161,477 through their charitable trust distributions...

On May 17 - from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - you may tour four homes in the Clifton/Fairfax Station area and the Masonic Lodge in the town of Clifton. We show homes of all types, from historic cottages to larger, modern estates. This year�s tour features three homes built in the 19th century; two original farm houses and the other right in town. All have been beautifully brought into our present day lifestyle, while maintaining their original charm. The fourth home represents the growth of the Clifton area in the late 20th century as Clifton became a haven of beautiful homes in five acre neighborhoods...

It is a driving tour so you can enjoy each stop at your leisure and in any order. The tour should take just part of the day, leaving you with time to browse and buy at our Marketplace Boutique and Silent Auction, located in the Paradise Spring winery. This year, the group will hold its our �Wine Down� at the Paradise Springs Winery. Visit the winery early in the day, see what the Marketplace has to offer from the Vendors and the Silent Auction, reserve your box lunch ahead of time, and come back at the end of your day to see what you have won. Silent Auction closes at 5 pm. Relax on the porch with a glass of wine, enjoy the music from 3 to 6 pm, and shop a little more at our marketplace. Admission is free at the Marketplace.

Advance tickets may be purchased for $25 from a CCWC member or at the following locations.

Colonnade Shopping Center - Adlers, 703-266-0030
Fairfax: Twinbrooke Shopping Center - Judy Ryan of Fairfax, 703-425-1855
Clifton Town Proper - A Flower Blooms in Clifton, 703-266-7673 or T and K Treasures, 703-266-1664
Burke - Five Star Hair 703-250-4000, The Picket Fence 703-250-2671, or Yarn Barn in Old Burke Shopping Center 703-978-2220
Centreville - Banner Hallmark, Centrewood Plaza 703-631-2362
Manassas - Flower Gallery 703-631-9726

You may also purchase advance tickets by mail by sending a check or money order (made out to CCWC) to Clifton Community Woman�s Club, PO Box 229, Clifton, VA 20124. Please include a phone number or email address where we may send you verification of receipt. Your ticket(s) will be held for your pick-up in front of the General Store in town. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at any of the tour homes or at the General Store.

The Clifton Community Woman�s Club organizes the tour, and several Balmoral residents are very active members of the club. Bring a friend and don't miss this great event�

Balmoral Communications Committee

Balmoral Progressive Dinner - Sat. May 12

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:33:39 -0500

Come Join Your Neighbors for "Fun-tastic" Evening of Dining

BALMORAL PROGRESSIVE DINNER
Register by May 4 for this event on Saturday, May 12th, 2012

6:00 pm - Cocktails & Appetizers
7:15 pm - Salads
8:30 pm - Dinner
10:00 pm - Dessert

Each couple will host 6 to 8 people at their home for either cocktails, salad or dinner. Everyone will gather at one house for dessert. We�ll assign the �courses� at random* and we will notify you about a week prior to event of your assigned course.
If you can host the dessert party, please let us know.

Please RSVP by May 4th to:

Susan Snyder at baluhen@gmail.com
or
Cindy Dullea at cadullea@verizon.net

** If you have a preferred course, please let us know which one.
We will strive to accommodate you, but please understand that we might not be able
to accommodate in all cases.

Review of 2012 Annual Meeting

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:00:06 -0500

The Balmoral Greens HOA held its 2012 Annual Meeting tonight at Liberty Middle School. A good turnout of residents was rewarded with an informative and efficient meeting, which included a featured speaker from the Sully Station Fairfax County police precinct. Officer Ken Cowan addressed the status of crime activity in the Sully region and in Balmoral specifically. He noted that while the frequency of incidents was rising somewhat in Sully overall, Balmoral was experiencing no abnormal trends despite some of the recent concerns that have been reported. He commended the community for being active in making reports and providing vigilance, and stated that our issues largely seemed to be one-off kid-related matters, and not the work of gangs or criminals targeting our community. Reports were heard from the Board, Kristine Caraway of NRP and several committee chairmen. Jamie Axelrod, our Treasurer, choose not to stand for re-election after serving a three-year term; gratitude and applause from the group was given to Jamie for his hard work and committed service. Communications Chair JoAnn Brainard thanked her committee and welcomed any volunteers to consider joining the Communications team. Finance Chair Lisa Robinson reminded the audience that the community was also still lacking a Social/Events Committee Chair, and she encouraged residents to consider stepping forward to help sustain our historically strong social programming. Two candidates offered their volunteer time and talent to fill the one vacancy due to Jamie Axelrod�s stepping off the Board, as Ziad �Z� Kurdi and Mike Nelson both stood for election. In a demonstration that politics with civility was still possible, Z explained with humor and humility to the group why he had decided to offer his service to the community, and then closed by saying that he was so impressed that Mike Nelson was running that he intended to vote for Mike. Then, Mike also provided a gracious explanation of his interest in serving. After the voting stewards reviewed the ballots, Mike Nelson was elected to a term for 2012-2015. HOA Vice President Todd Timm presided (as President Jerry Hogge was absent at the last minute due to a delayed plane flight) and NRP Community Manager Kristine Caraway helped lead discussion in key segments of the meeting. Our thanks go to Todd, Kristine, and the Board for a meeting well-planned. For questions, please contact Kristine at KCaraway@NRPartners.com Balmoral Communications Committee

Upcoming HOA and Local Events

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:35:05 -0500

The following upcoming events may be of interest to Balmoral Residents:

- Progressive Dinner: Sat. May 12 (RSVP by May 4)
- Clifton Spring Homes Tour and Silent Auction: Thursday, May 17, 2012
- Clifton Wine Festival: Saturday, June 23, 2012
- Clifton Antique Car Show Festival: Labor Day Monday, September 3, 2012
- Clifton Day: Sunday, October 7, 2012
- Centreville Day: Saturday, October 20, 2012 (tentative)
- Halloween Parade: Sunday, October 28, 2012 (tentative date)
- Thanksgiving Turkey Trot: Thursday, November 22, 2012
- Mount Vernon by Candlelight Tour: Saturday, December 1, 2012
- Inauguration Day 2013: Sunday, January 20, 2013 (MLK Holiday Mon. 1/21)
- HOA Annual Meeting: Monday, January 28, 2013 (tentative date)

For Balmoral events, additional details may be obtained from the event chairs...

Balmoral Communications Committee

HOA 2012 Annual Meeting - Monday, January 23

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:06:34 -0500

Please save the date and plan to attend our HOA's 2012 Annual Meeting at Liberty Middle School on Monday, January 23. The meeting starts at 7 pm in the school's cafeteria.

Details have been provided through a formal advisory notice mailed to all residents of record by NRP. For questions, contact Kristine Caraway at NRP via KCaraway@NRPartners.com

HOA Golf on December 4 at Westfield's

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:01:00 -0500

Wayne Diviney invites you to a final Balmoral golf outing at Westfield�s Golf Club on Sunday, December 4th. He currently has arranged for three foursomes teeing off at approximately 11:30 am, followed by drinks and dinner at the club. More tee times can be arranged if needed. Green fees are $49 and dinner is $20 (drinks are separate.) The option of dinner-only is available for those who choose not to golf.

Please RSVP to Wayne by Wednesday, November 23rd at wdiviney@sailtime.com.

Note: Since the weather is always questionable this time of year, dressing in several layers makes for a comfortable round, even around 40 degrees. If the weather just isn�t cooperating, we�ll send out an email early Sunday morning and let everyone know of a cancellation.

2012 HOA Dues - No Fee Increase

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:51:35 -0500

The Balmoral HOA Board of Directors approved the budget for the 2012 fiscal year, and a copy of this was mailed to homeowners of record. The new budget calls for no increase in the 2012 HOA dues, with the assessment rate remaining at $160.00 per quarter beginning January 1, 2012.

Coupon books will be mailed by NRP to all owners during December. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Kristine Caraway at 703.435.3800 or email to: KCaraway@NRPartners.com

Balmoral Communications Committee

National Emergency System Test on Wednesday Nov. 9

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:39:19 -0500

Just so you are aware...on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, the federal government - via FEMA, DHS and the FCC - will conduct the first national test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. This nationwide test will kick off at 2:00 p.m. (EST) and run concurrently across all time zones.

This system test is the first of its kind, designed to broadcast a nationwide message to the American public. As you may be aware, there have been similar tests in the past, but not of this magnitude encompassing all regions of the nation simultaneously. When we were young children, many of us remember the regional TV and radio tests of the old Emergency Broadcast System. However, in the history of the country, nothing like this has been conducted on such a scale. The three (3) minute test will run concurrently on all radio and TV band stations, exceeding the duration of previous messages broadcast, which were anywhere from a 30 second to 1 minute message.

There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation regarding the message might create panic. Please share this information with your family and friends so they are aware of the test.

Below are two websites that will provide more information regarding this test:

http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/

Balmoral Communications Committee

2011 Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:31:50 -0400

THE 2011 BALMORAL TURKEY TROT

5K RUN AND 1 MILE WALK

REGISTRATION FORM

Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24, 2011

9:00 am

Print this form, fill it out and attach it to your entry fee.

Entry Fee:

$15 per person

Make checks payable to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Drop form and check in the cooler at the side door of

7517 Weymouth Hill Road.

Name:_____________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________

City:______________________ State:________ Zip:_______________

Phone:__________________

T-shirt size: YS YM S M L XL XXL (register by November 5 for a t-shirt)

PACKET PICKUP is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21st from 5:00pm � 9:00pm at 7517 Weymouth Hill Road.

LIABILITY WAIVER MUST BE SIGNED BEFORE MAILING OR FAXING.

I know that running a road race is a potentially hazardous activity and that I should not enter and run unless I am medically able and properly trained. I assume all risks associated with running in this event including, but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, including high heat and/or humidity, traffic and the conditions of the road, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and in consideration of your accepting my entry, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the organizers of the Balmoral Turkey Trot 5k, the Balmoral Homeowners Association, Melanoma Research Foundation, R.L. Travers and Associates, and all other sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver. Further, I grant permission to all of the foregoing to use any photographs, motion pictures, recording, or any other record of this event for legitimate purposes.

Signature_______________________________ Date____________________________

Signature of parent or guardian if under 18 ____________________________________