Deb Jones

The National Weather Service has an experimental program that sends severe weather warnings via text alerts to your cell phone. To sign up, you decide on the ZIP Code that you're interested in, text that ZIP Code to the number 56149. Then whenever there is a severe weather alert for that ZIP Code, you'll get a text message. You can have up to three different ZIP Codes, each one would require a separate text message to 56149. For more info go here: http://www.weather.gov/infoservicechanges/CellSD_December2008.pdf

And speaking of the weather, all of this wonderful rain we've had recently has lowered the fire danger level down to Moderate. Doesn't everything look nice and green?!

Pueblo County now requires that all dogs and cats be licensed. A one-year license for dog or cat is $20 ($10 if pet is neutered). A three year license is $56 ($26 if pet is neutered). Licenses can be obtained from Pueblo Animal Services, 4600 Eagleridge Place, Pueblo, CO 81008 (719) 544-3005. They are open Monday through Friday 11-6 and Saturday and Sunday 12-4:30.

I previously reported that Curves was moving from Joe Martinez Blvd to a new location. The new location is now just beside the Pueblo West Safeway.

Deb

We now have our own yarn shop for all you knitters and crocheters out there. The Yarn Shop, owned by Marilyn Van Maarth, has opened at 356 S. McCulloch Blvd, #101. Stop by and say hello and see what she has to offer or give her a call at 647-8893.

And speaking of yarn, if you have some left over from previous projects, consider helping The Handmade Afghans Project by knitting or crocheting 6" x 9" rectangles to help make afghans for wounded service members. For more info, go here: http://www.rectangle6x9.org .

This weekend is the Xeriscape Garden Tour. Saturday, June 6 from 9am to 3pm in Pueblo and Sunday, June 7, 9am to 3pm in Pueblo West. These FREE, self-guided tours are ALWAYS interesting and you can get lots of ideas for water-wise plantings in your own yard. For brochure and map, click here: http://www.secwcdxeriscape.org/pdf/GardenMap09.pdf

My favorite landscaping service, Steimz Landscaping, is now owned by Brian Bregar. Damian Pritts, former owner, is still around giving help and advice to Brian. If you go on the Xeriscape Garden Tour mentioned above and get energized to beautify your yard, call Brian at 248-9263 for landscaping assistance,

Deb

Nan Black, landscape consultant extraordinaire (719-545-2098) who is helping me plan out my next round of landscaping, told me that a GREAT source for trees and shrubs, is Continental Tree Farms, Inc. at 48300 Forest Park Rd in Avondale (719-947-3090). To get there, take highway 50 east, past the airport, past the depot exit and turn right on Avondale Blvd and then left on Forest Park Rd. John Guadagnoli helped me pick out some GREAT trees and shrubs. There is a huge selection (as in acres and acres) and the prices are VERY reasonable.

Remember, if you are going to dig in your yard, give the utility companies at least 3 days to mark the location of underground utility lines. You can call 1-800-922-1987 and they will coordinate with all of the utilities for you - just one call does it all!

Don't forget Pueblo West clean-up this weekend. Hopefully you've already gotten your ticket. When I picked up my ticket from Deb Fortune, she told me that it costs about $6000 to hold the event so the nominal price of the tickets (which cost less than paying at the dump/landfill) doesn't nearly cover the cost of the event. Because of budget constraints, Pueblo West Metro District has not been able to make up the difference as in past years. Luckily there is some grant money to help cover the cost.

Deb

I am so EXCITED because there is an oriole living in my yard! I looked him up in "The Guide to Colorado Birds" by Mary Taylor Gray and he is a Bullock's Oriole. He is about 8 ½ inches long with a bright orange/yellow face and throat. He has been hanging out by my bird bath where I can get a close up view of his beauty. Go here for more info about the Bullock's Oriole: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bullocks_Oriole/id

I am sad to say I'm losing my beautiful Purple Robe Locust tree to some type of borer bug. The tree has been stressed in the past, losing limbs during severe winds. It was such a beautiful tree. I should have been looking for evidence of tree borer holes and spraying with Sevin spray. You might want to check the tree trunks in your yard for evidence of holes and sticky residue and spray accordingly.

Lots of things happening on Saturday, May 30:

The Pueblo West summer fest will occur at 76 N. McCulloch Blvd, right next to Wal-Mart. There will be helicopter rides, games, activities for the kids like face painting and bounce house, and live music. Mark your calendars!

Pueblo West Clean-Up, sponsored by the Pueblo West Women's League with Pueblo City-County Health Department, is to help Pueblo West residents clean up their properties and dispose of large items. Residents must have a pre-purchased coupon to dispose of items. The Spring Clean-Up occurs from 8:00am to 1:00pm at the open lot north of the Pueblo West Library on Civic Center Drive. Tickets must be pre-purchased at the Pueblo West Metro District or at the Liberty Point Recreation Center by May 27. See the Pueblo West View for more info: http://pueblowestview.com/news/1242885600/9

The Pueblo West outdoor pool will be open starting this weekend. Go here: http://www.pueblowestmetro.com/pwparkrecswim.php for swim sessions and admission info.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Sometime between the softball games, family gatherings and barbecues, please take time to remember the military members who gave their lives in service to our country. Without their sacrifice, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we take for granted today.

Deb

Everyone should have their 2009 Real Property Notice of Valuation from the
Assessor's office. This form lets you know that the Pueblo County Assessor
has been out to reevaluate the market value of your property. It is NOT the
current market value but the value from Jan 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
You have the right to protest the valuation by either; completing the back
of the evaluation form and submitting the information to the Assessor's
office or appearing in person to an Assessor's office hearing PRIOR to June
1. Feel free to contact me and I can provide comparable property sales info
from the evaluation time period. It is not unusual for Assessor's records
to be WRONG. You can go to: http://www.co.pueblo.co.us/assessor/ and click
on the Property Search button to look up your property to see what the
Assessor knows about your property.

I went to order a pizza from Francino's Pizza earlier this week. Sadly,
they are no longer in business. Try to support our local businesses - they
need us and we need them. If you want your business profiled in my blog,
give me a call or shoot me an email.

This week I received a Variance Notification from the Pueblo West Committee
of Architecture (COA) for a proposed structure on the property of my nearest
neighbor. If you receive one of these notifications, you have the right to
respond to the variance with statements relevant to the COA's deliberations.
This can either be done in writing or by attending the scheduled public
hearing.

Pueblo's first-annual Wild Wild West Fest will run from May 13-17 and
feature the Professional Bull Riders tour stop, a Lonestar concert, a
four-day Downtown festival and a host of other events to benefit area
nonprofits. A parade will take place starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 16
through Downtown. For more info go to: http://www.wildwildwestfest.com

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!

Deb