• Trick-or-Treating will run from 5-8 PM, Friday, October 31st. 
• Typically, between 200-300 children come trick-or-treating.
• If participating, please light your front porch.  If not, leave lights off. 
• At 8:00 PM, all residents should turn off their front porch lights.  At this time, Hi-Tech will patrol the street indicating that trick-or-treating is over. 
• Remember to turn your porch lights back on before retiring for the evening.         

About 18 residents from Westminster Place attended last week’s meeting with Tom Klein of Windows on Washington.  Overall it was a very positive meeting with the majority of those present supporting his efforts.  For those who were not able to attend here are a few highlights of what was discussed:

• Windows on Washington is owned by Michelle and Tom Klein 100% via an LLC.  They currently own and run two facilities. See <www.wowbanquets.com>
• The facility would be used for private banquets with over 85% being wedding ceremonies and receptions. 
• There is no retail “sale to the public” business associated with this facility.
• Most events will be held on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays, and will end between 11:00 pm and midnight. 
• This facility would be named Windows off Washington @ St. John’s.
• The facility would be renovated with two dining rooms used for dinners and banquets. The sanctuary and the smaller chapel will be restored and used for ceremonies and recitals. 
• All meeting rooms would be enhanced to support the dining facilities.
• Renovations will also add a new elevator and all bathroom facilities and kitchen will be updated to code.
• At a maximum capacity, each dining room could hold 225 guests.
• The parking lot will be resurfaced and fenced so that it could accommodate 118-122 spaces with an estimated 3.5 guests per parking facility.
• Mr. Klein will be talking with the new owners of the church across the street to potentially rent space.
• If you live within 350 feet from the city’s measurement of St John’s, you will be asked to sign off on the plan.
• WOW@St John’s will apply for a conditional liquor license to 1 AM.  There would be no alcohol sale to public, just a license to serve if an event should run that late.

Next steps:  

* Residents are encouraged to put together a list of concerns and provide them to the board via Kathy at kathykoch9@yahoo.com.  They will be forwarded en masse to Tom so that he may address them.  Please do this ASAP, perhaps by Friday, October 31^st.

*If residents seem supportive of his efforts, Mr Klein will proceed with the purchase of St John’s.  After the sale is finalized, zoning hearings would take place. 

October 25
Children’s Halloween Parade
11:00 a.m. @ McPherson and Euclid

Dog Costume Parade
1:00 p.m. @ McPherson and Euclid

Adult Halloween Party
8:00 p.m. @ Maryland and Euclid

             The terms of two of the current trustees, Kathy Koch and Marie Morrison, will expire at the end of this year.  The association needs two new trustees to work with Al Babusis, Christina Bennett, Charlie Kindleberger, Jim Tobin, and Gregg Williamson for the preservation and enhancement of the block.

If you are interested in being on the board, whether you have served before or not, please contact Kathy Koch or one of the other trustees.  Board positions are a three year term.

If you are interested in serving on one of the association sub-committees, please contact Kathy or the board as well.

Please plan on attending the meeting.  This is an opportunity to meet with neighbors and discuss areas of mutual concern which impact us as an association.

Mark your calendar.

The WPA Annual Fall Family Picnic will take place on Sunday, September 28th. There will be a meeting of the social committee on Wednesday evening, June 17th at 5026 Westminster. If you would like to participate in the planning or on the day of the event, contact Marie Morrison.

Traveling down Westminster Place, one cannot ignore the impressive canopy of mature trees which grace our street. The cost of pruning, fertilizing, removing, and replacing trees on the street is our largest budget item. Tree maintenance is an ongoing process. This spring we replaced three trees, pruned several others which were in dire need, and have a list of several more which need our attention. In order to preserve this beautiful and unique element of our streetscape, the WPA needs the help and cooperation of all residents.

Because these trees grow in a limited space with limited resources, they should be treated as “potted” plants, albeit very large ones! Therefore, our arborist strongly recommends that residents care for their trees by thoroughly soaking them with water, especially during dry spells. Trees should be watered to a few inches deep with a sprinkler or soaker hose, about 20-30 minutes 3-4 days a week.

Additionally, there are a number of trees that have ivy growing up their trunks. This growth is eventually lethal for a tree. To remove ivy without further damaging the tree, first cut ivy vines at base of tree. Allow a few months for the ivy to die back. Only after attached ivy has completely died and detached from bark can vines be safely peeled from tree trunk. Regular upkeep or complete removal of ivy roots is necessary to prevent ivy re-growth.

Please let your trustee know if you are unable to care for the street trees in your yard so that we can arrange assistance.

The WPA will continue its efforts to ensure the health and longevity of the street trees through its fertilization and trimming program with emphasis on the most distressed trees.

Summertime is upon us, and our neighborhood children will be home enjoying the freedom and joys of outdoor play. Let’s work together to make it a safe time for them and for all of us.

• Maintain the speed limit!!
• Park parallel to the curb. Angle parking obscures street visibility.
• 
  

  Check your property for “attractive nuisances,” such as construction tools, jagged concrete, holes, open drains, etc.

• Control your pets and clean-up after them
• Be alert.

With the arrival of West Nile Virus, mosquitoes have become more than the itchy pest of yesterday. To protect yourself and your families from mosquito borne diseases, remember the four D’s:

• Drain – It takes only 3-7 days for thousands of mosquitoes to develop in stagnant water. Eliminate standing water around your home including in clogged gutters, toys, or puddles.
• Dusk and Dawn – These are the times of day mosquitoes are most active. Be particularly cautious during these hours.
• Dress – Cover your arms and legs when you plan to be outside around mosquito infested areas.
• DEET – Wear insect repellent when outside containing up to 20% of this ingredient.

Drainage issues in both alleys create mosquito breeding areas. Homeowners should check the alleys behind their homes, disperse the water in the puddle, if possible, or treat with a larvaecide. There is a commercial product called mosquito dunks available at nurseries and garden specialty shops which, when placed in standing water such as bird baths, ponds, or puddles, will prevent the emergence of mosquito larvae.   Bowood Farms carries “Mosquito Bits” in a shaker bottle for $15.

Mow lawns regularly as mosquitoes rest in shady high grass and weeds during the heat of the day. Once dusk arrives, they emerge, hungry and ready to eat.

• Several replacement trees were planted on the block this spring. There is more tree work to be done in the near future. Notify Jim Tobin (tree chair) or your trustee if you have a street tree which is in need of pruning so that we can get it on the list.

• The damaged west monument, which was hit by a vehicle, displacing the concrete top pad and breaking away several bricks, has been repaired.

• New plantings are scheduled for both monuments. Gregg Williamson will contact those of you who volunteered to help the street committee with a date to plant. The rain followed by the extreme heat has delayed the completion of the monument project. We hope to finish it as soon as possible.

• The first of the Mutt Mitt stations has been installed in front of number 5053 on the north east end of the block. The second will be placed on the south west end.

The Westminster Place Association 2008 assessments were due no later than May 1st.

If you have not yet paid your association dues, please get them to Vander (5082) as soon as possible.