Forest Chase

Newsletter, Issue 10
SPRING 2015
April-June

A wonderful place to call home

Friendly Reminders

Forest Chase is a great place to call home! Households try their best to maintain their properties and some items
still slip through the cracks of life. Other homeowners dont realize that they are responsible for certain maintenance
issues. Houses that are vacant, rented, or in foreclosure arent cared for properly and are in violation of the law.
These situations can cause irritation and frustration for neighboring homes that do comply and work hard to do so.
Forest Chase is an optional
homeowners association and has
little power to enforce the covenants
of Forest Chase without a lawyer on
retainer. In the future if we could be
a permanent homeowners association
we could do a more effective job with
these issues.
In the meantime, we do have a
resource through the Cobb County
Code Ordinances and have a plan
in place. Please e-mail FCHOAinfo@
gmail.com with an address you have a
concern for and state what the issue is.
When an address is reported to be in
violation of any of these ordinances,
we will do a drive by and then can
send a letter via USPS and offer
assistance. If the homeowner doesnt
comply within 15 days, a report can
be submitted to Cobb County for
resolution. This method has been
very effective in the past for us.

Forest Chase

A great place to call home.

Forest Chase HOA, P.O. Box 670403 Marietta GA 30066
The property located at: ___________________________________________________ is in violation of a Cobb
County Code Ordinance:
o Dog Barking or a nuisance animal. The Cobb County Ordinance addressing barking dogs is in the Nuisance section of Cobb
County Ordinance Section 10-9: animal which habitually barks, whines, howls or cause objectionable noise:
o Dead Trees- Dead trees shall not be allowed to exist or to be maintained on any premises which are hazardous to persons on
adjacent property.
o Exterior Attachments- Exterior stairways, decks, porches and balconies, and all appurtenances attached thereto, of building
shall be maintained so that they are structurally sound, in good repair with proper anchorage and capable of supporting the
imposed loads.
o Fences / Walls- Any fence or wall adjacent to a public road right-of-way and within a residential front yard cannot be more than
six feet in height. Fences or walls shall be maintained in structurally sound condition.
o Grass and Weeds- It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property less than 40,000 square feet or property within any platted
and recorded subdivision, to allow grass/weeds over 12 inches in height on at least ten percent of the size of the property tract ,
excluding the portion of the property where permanent structures exist.
o Garbage Collection- Garbage collectors may not operate between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Garbage cans filled with
garbage can only be placed at the curb the evening before collection and should be removed by 11 p.m. on the day of collection.
o Gutters and Shutters- Gutters and shutters and all appurtenances attached thereto, of buildings shall be maintained so that they
are structurally sound, in good repair with proper anchorage and attachment.
o Home Business- No signs, products or equipment are permitted around the exterior of the home.
o Junk Cars- Any junk, abandoned or inoperative vehicle that remains on a property for longer than 30 days after due notice of
violation has been provided.
o Leash Law- Animals are required to be on a leash when outside unless contained by a fence. Pet owners are responsible for
collecting animal waste and disposing of it properly.
o Livestock and Poultry- These animals are only permitted on a lot of two acres or larger. All animals will be maintained at least
10 feet from any residential property line.
o Parking- Vehicles must be parked along the curb, facing in the direction of traffic flow, have a valid tag and be operational.
Vehicles may not be parked in the grass or unimproved surface between the roadway and the homes front setback.

We appreciate your cooperation on this matter and are here to help you resolve this quickly and fairly. If you need
assistance, please ask, we may be able to offer a solution. If this situation worsens or does not get resolved within
fifteen (15) days from todays date: __________________________________, we will be forced to contact and file a
formal complaint with the authorities.
Sincerely,
FCHOA Board of Directors and Concerned Residents of Forest Chase
Any person who violates any provisions of articles I V of Chapter 134, after conviction upon a citation issued to Magistrate
Court of Cobb County, in accordance with O.C.G.A. 36-1-20, may be incarcerated for a period not to exceed 60 days and/or shall
be fined up to $1000 for violations within any 12 month period.

www.ForestChase.org

Nature Notes by Roseanne Guerra, Secretary of FCHOA & Atlanta Audubon Master Birder

Bats in Forest Chase

Hurray! A Forest Chase neighbor reported spotting her first bat of the spring on April 19th. Bats
are fun to spot on warm evenings as they zigzag through the air hunting insects. Forest Chase bats
either hibernate or migrate away in the winter.
There are 16 species of bats found in Georgia, although not all 16 can be found in Cobb County.
For example, some Georgia bats are only found where there
is Spanish moss for nesting. The most common bats around
here are Big Brown (wingspan up to 13) and Little Brown
Bats (11). The only bat you might be able to identify on the
wing would be a Mexican Free-Tailed Bat, since they are the
only bat with a short, mouse-like tail trailing behind them. It
will take a sharp eye!
All Georgia bats are insectivores: they only eat insects; but bats around the world eat fruit, meat,
or even blood (vampire bats). Bats are not blind; they have good vision, but they also possess
a superpower: echolocation. Like whales and dolphins, bats use sound to find prey and avoid
obstacles in the dark.
Two species of Georgia bats are already endangered, and
unfortunately our bats are facing the terrible threat of White
Nose Syndrome, a lethal fungus that began in New York
in 2006 and spread to Georgia in February of 2013. The
Georgia Bat Working Group reported after this winters cave
survey 90% + declines at some sites and lots of dead bats on
March 11, 2015.
What can you do to help? Support the Georgia Bat Working
Group, support the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources with a wildlife license plate, or support
Bat Conservation International (based in Austin, TX). If you are a boots on the ground
conservationist like me, the GA DNR is asking citizen scientists to count bats as they leave their
roosts. Kick back in a lawn chair and count for 30-60 minutes on two summer evenings per year.
Thats all! For details, check out http://www.georgiawildlife.com/Bat-Roost-Monitoring.

Spring is natures way of saying,

Lets party!
~Robin Williams

GO Green! (ribbon that is...)

FCHOA
Membership 2015
Please plan to support Forest Chase in the 2015
year! Choose a $100 civic level or a $325 full level
of support. Information and payable online at
www.ForestChase.org

Why Join the Forest Chase Homeowners

Association?
Membership dues keep our neighborhood
running! Funds collected pay for the
landscaping of entrances, electricity and
maintenance of our common areas (two
entrances, signage, pool & common property).

The monies allow us to

plan for improvements
that benefit all our
property values and
enhance our quality
of living. A strong
membership helps us to
plan and budget for minor,
major capital improvements,
social events, newsletters,
website and communication.
We need your support to make Forest Chase a
great place to call home!

Improvements to the Common Area & Entrances

Lights at the Jims Rd entrance were fixed and the timer for the Jamerson entrance
was adjusted for DST. We also had an electrician replace the damaged flood light at
the common area.
Mike and Lesley Flahie completed all the pool house renovations and painted it to
match the shed! Wow, what a generous donation of time and talent!
John and Ginger Pearson once again donated flowers for the Jamerson entrance and
planted them with new peat moss! THANKS!
A tool organizer, new screwdrivers and four basketballs were purchased by the
Williams family and donated to FCHOA as a gift! THANKS!
Cindi Williams and her father Chris Mendola (whom visits from Florida twice
a year) donated their time and did some major improvements to the common
area in May:
They installed 5 signs at the common area, bathroom door signs and two no
smoking signs.
Cindi cleaned out the center closet and set up cleaning
supplies for Jeffrie, she has a good months worth in there.
She also donated a plastic tower with drawers for extra
supplies to stay clean and some shelving for the storage shed.
They installed a locked drop slot in the womens rest room
that leads from outside the gate for comments, paperwork
and payments.
They retrofitted the cigarette dispenser and installed it at the
smokers area outside the gate.
They fixed the flood light that is on the back of the pool
house and installed a new bulb in it. WORKS! They are
pointed in the correct direction and hope they stay that way.
Planters were filled with plants for the deck by Cindi and new
solar lights to light the path were added to the landscaping.
Fans were installed in both bathrooms to help with moisture and comfort. They
may get timers eventually to help conserve electricity during the night hours.
Cindi installed new faucet covers and a paper towel holder in the womens rest room.
New commercial trash cans are arriving soon from Home Depot for the pool deck! WOW what a list!
THANKS TO ALL THE
RESIDENTS THAT ATTENDED
THE CLEANUP DAY!

WISH LIST: E-mail

[email protected] if you
can help us with this list!
__ Hanging wall cabinet for mens
rest room to store paper goods.
__ Beach, lake house, pool house
decor for both bath rooms walls.
__ New caulking around the pool
deck.

LITTLE OLD LADY by Ward Weatherford

No matter how hard she tried, the dust always floated in her house. It
glittered about in the early morning sun that pierced the kitchen window.
It hung in the air like a fairy born on wings powered, not by gold dust, but
a dirty, coal-burning engine leaving ash in its wake. This morning was no
different in that accord, but was wholly different in another. She no longer
peered through the eyes of a lonely widow in a house with more creaks than
conversation. She had guests. The loud talker was quite insistent that she lie
down on the floor.
The floor, I just swept it yesterday. But look at that, a whole warren of dust
bunnies are hiding under the buffet. I can certainly thank him for showing
me that. What was his name, again?
What is your name, hon?
Shaddup, and keep your head down.
There were two men in her house. One was very loud and the other, a bit
younger, nodded and paced about the kitchen.
I should brew some coffee. It just isnt proper to make a guest drink instant
coffee even when they are rude. I could scramble some eggs and fry up a bit
of bacon. Harold loved bacon. Before his eyesight fell away and his hearing
too, Harold could be loud. He was never rude. He would have surely shooed
these fellows off by now. Oh, how I do miss him.
I say, would you boys like for me to brew up some coffee?
If itll shut ya up.
The loud talker, I think his name must be Brodie. The young one keeps
calling him Bro. I guess they could be brothers. Although, they dont look
at all alike. Bro looks a little like the Farleys oldest boy, Matthew. I wonder
what happened to him. He was such a bright child.
I have to get up slowly. The doctor calls it ortho- hypo- something. But
whatever it is, it makes me dizzy if I get up too fast.
She straightened her robe, put her left slipper back on her foot, and looked
uncomfortably at herself.

Several amber prescription bottles nestled among the spices in the

cabinet. Harold was right. Keeping these here is a might easier.
***
The radio squawked, 815 this is Central. Its Monday, Mrs. Ramsey
pressed her panic button, again.
10-4, On my way. Over.
***
The door bell buzzed, but Mrs. Ramsey didnt need it. She knew
Officer Carlos was at the door. She had just put the dust mop back
into the broom closet and noticed him pull into the drive. She
straightened her floral patterned dress confident that the house was
now presentable for her guest.
He is such a nice young man. Good morning, Officer Carlos. It took
you a long while to get here. She opened the door fully and waved
him into the house. I have guests today. She beamed. She couldnt
wait to show him into the kitchen.
There was a bank robbery on the other side of town. Really, Mrs.
Ramsey. You shouldnt call us every Monday morning. You never
know when something might happen to you and you would really
need us.
Oh, I can handle myself most days. You should really meet these
boys in the kitchen.
Carlos walked into the kitchen. A Community Bank and Trust money
bag laid on the counter with a sawed-off shotgun draped over the top
of it. Two bank robbers rested their heads on the kitchen table. Carlos
drew his gun with a snap and told Mrs. Ramsey to stand back.
Officer Carlos, there is no need for all that. These boys are sleeping it
off. She smiled at him.
Mrs. Ramsey, really, step back these guys robbed a bank this
morning.

I know. Tsk. How indecent of them. Brodie is also cranky and rude.
I normally would not wear such attire for guests. What was I doing? Oh, the She patted the man on the shoulder. I am hoping that this little nap
will do him some good.
coffee.
She measured the grounds for the percolator, filled it with water, and
plugged it in. Looking down at the glass bulb she anticipated the sound of
the boiling water and contemplated her options.
What are we gonna do, Bro?
I still dont think theyre brothers. Brodie, Broderick, maybe Bronson. He
doesnt look like a Broderick, it must be Brodie. I really dont think anyone
would name their child Bronson.
Stick to the plan. We hide here. Nobodyll expect us in this neighborhood.
Granny num-num will provide decent cover if we need her.

Carlos told the men to show their hands. They did not respond.
You can put that gun away, Carlos. They arent going anywhere.
She giggled. I slipped a couple of my Restoril into their eggs. Would
you like some coffee?
Carlos keyed his radio, Central this is 815, Mrs. Ramsey is fine and
well, she has apprehended our CBT perps.
He slipped zip-tie cuffs onto the wrists of the sleeping bank robbers.
Mrs. Ramsey, you are one surprising little lady. Ill take my coffee
black. No Restoril, please.

He probably wants some eggs. I will go ahead and scramble some eggs.
I, I, I dont know. What if she remembers who we are?
This lady is so old she probably already forgot we were here.
No, Brodie, I am getting the eggs right now for you. Is scrambled okay?
The loud talker looked over at the younger one and smiled. Yes maam.
Scrambled is just fine.
Finally, some manners. He is one cranky fellow. He might just need a nap.
Lets see what do I have here?

Ward Weatherford started out life as a zygote. He growd hiself into

a kid. Then he became a burger flipper, stock boy, auto mechanic,
computer programmer, business owner. Now, he is a Husband,
Dad, and Writer. You can check out more of his writing on his
blog, where he mumbles about life, the writing process, and throws
in a story or two.

Home Space

11 uses for Dawn soap

Heres 11 amazing and ingenious ways to use original blue
Dawn dishwashing liquid.
1. LAUNDRY PRE-TREATER FOR OILY STAINS:
For oil based stains such as lipstick,
grease, butter, motor oil, cooking
oil, and some pen inks, apply some
Dawn liquid directly to the stain
and scrub with a small brush or
toothbrush until the oil is removed.
Launder as usual.

Looking To Buy
Or Sell A Home?
Call Your Local Expert
For All Of Your
Real Estate Needs!!!
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta North
Associate Broker / Real Estate Sales

~ Julie Robinson ~
(404) 931-3579

[email protected]
www.JulieRobinsonSellsHomes.com

2. TUB AND SHOWER

CLEANER: Fill a spray bottle half
way full of vinegar fill the rest of the
way with blue Dawn. Put the lid
on and shake well. Spray on your
tub and shower walls, allowing it
to sit for a few minutes before rinsing away. This will even
take care of the bathtub ring. Let it sit on your shower
floor overnight and scrub the gunk away in the morning. Be
careful its slippery!
3. UNCLOGGING TOILETS: Pour a cup of Dawn
liquid dish detergent into the toilet bowl and let it sit for
15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour a bucket of hot water
from waist height into the toilet bowl to clear it out.
4. CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS: This tip comes from
Merry Maids: Mix 3 drops of Dawn in 1 gallon of water
and fill a spray bottle with the solution. Spritz your
windows and wipe just as you would with any window
cleaner.
5. POOL CLEANER: Squirt Dawn down the middle of
the pool and all of the dirt, suntan lotion, etc. will move to
the edges of the pool for easy clean up and a sparkling pool.
6. HAIR CLEANER: Use Dawn as you would shampoo
to remove excess oil from your hair, product build up, and
even greasy product your kids may get into like Vaseline
and baby oil. You can even use it to bath your dog.
7. CLEAN AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS AND SPILL ON
YOUR DRIVEWAY: After you finish your automotive
repair project, clean up gasoline and oil on your driveway
with Dawn, warm water and a scrub brush. Then, soak
your dirty tools in Dawn before you put them away. Dawn
will clean and prevent rust from forming on the tools.
Then mix Dawn and a little corn oil to clean your hands.
(continued)

11 uses for Dawn soap

Community Happenings

8. MAKE AN ICE PACK: Partially fill a strong zip lock

sandwich bag with Dawn dishwashing liquid, close and
freeze. The liquid soap stays cold much longer and it can
be re-frozen many times. It will conform to the place
you need an ice pack.
9. EYEGLASS DEFOGGER: To prevent your glasses
from fogging up, rub a small drop of Dawn on the lenses
and wipe clean.
10. REPEL INSECTS: Put a drop of Dawn
Dishwashing Liquid in a spray bottle with water. Mist
household plants to repel aphids, spider mites and mealy
bugs. Spray counter-tops, cupboards and other areas to
repel ants. Do the same for to repel aphids on fruit trees
just be sure to rinse the trees thoroughly after about 15
minutes.
11. KEEP POISON IVY FROM SPREADING: Poison
ivy spreads through the spread of the oil within the
blisters when kids scratch the blisters. Wash the affected
area with Dawn and it helps dry up the fluid and keeps it
from spreading.

Hey local parents, have a kid who

loves drawing?
I am offering group still life
drawing sessions at my house and I
have an opening for a new student.
Ages 9+, $10/lesson.
Students learn by doing - pointers
only/no lectures.
We all draw, chat, relax, and have a
snack (provided). Walking distance
from Mabry Middle. Materials
provided.
Contact: Roseanne Guerra
678-358-4916
[email protected]

Calendar & Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pool Luau, Saturday, June 13 go to www.ForestChase.org EVENT CALENDAR for details!

Pay your FCHOA dues online. Visit our website www.ForestChase.org for payment options and important
information.
Do you want to have an event listed?

Forest Chase HOA reserves the right to accept or reject any advertisement submitted for publication.

E-mail [email protected]

soccer

Coach Oscar DelRisco

USSF National Licensed Coach

1-1 coaching
agility
ball control
dribbling
defense
offense
$65 hour

passing
heading
shooting
footwork
receiving
drills
678.525.3507

social media mgmt - design production - marketing

Cindi with an eyedea

creative consultation & photography

www.cindi-withaneye.com

352.598.0271