It has still been an extremely hot year, reaching 100-degree temperatures midway into October. Visiting some of the local hiking trails around the area at the San Tan Mountains, Superstition Mountains, and South Mountain, the desert is really suffering from the effects of the long, drawn-out, high temperatures. Many mature, large saguaro cacti 40 to 60 feet in length are withering and just falling over due to the heat and lack of rain. A concerned research scientist from Desert Botanical Gardens has been closely monitoring Phoenix-based saguaros over the past several years and has noticed this unsettling trend. They have recently completed their most recent Urban Saguaro Census that started in 2022, concluding that many of the middle-aged saguaros are being affected the most. This gap is concerning due to this finding now negatively impacting new saguaro cactus growth. SunBird has also seen this effect firsthand, with several mature, large saguaro cacti just falling over. This heat not only has affected the landscaping but has also had an effect on outdoor equipment that continually operates, like air conditioners, gate motors, and pool and other equipment. Time to cool off.
SunBird road maintenance work is complete. The project went well, with no delays of rain or other complications. As anticipated, the areas of road that were slurry sealed will continue to have loose, sand-like particles come loose for several months. A street sweeper will run through these areas more frequently over the next few months to help clean up these loose particles. Road maintenance is necessary to prolong the life of the asphalt and needs to be conducted periodically. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this project.
The SunBird Post Office remodel is now complete with new flooring, paint, and the newly installed double-paned glass windows. These new windows will help with energy efficiency and update the look of the building. We appreciate all those who helped in developing and carrying out this remodel plan. Make sure to stop by the SunBird Post Office to check this out and say hi to our friendly postal staff.
This season is lined up with various entertainment and events scheduled. SunBird’s huge, semi-annual outdoor music concert, titled Fall Fiesta, is Saturday, Nov. 23. This includes food trucks, beer gardens, photo booth, costume contest, and live music by Uncorked the Band. The event will start at 5 p.m. with a special performance by the Yolloincuauhtil Aztec Dancers. Make sure this one is added to your calendar. Don’t forget to check your email for SunBird’s bi-monthly eblast or SunBird’s website at sunbirdhoa.com for more activities, news, and events in SunBird.
Welcome back to those who left for the summer months for cooler weather and are now returning. Please stop by the office for a personal “Welcome Back” greeting and to briefly review mailing records. It’s a good idea for everyone to touch base with the SunBird office staff routinely to update any contact or other informational changes. This has been extremely helpful when an unexpected emergency arises in order to contact homeowners or family members. Those who have endured the long, hot summer, as always, stop by the office anytime with a friendly “Hi.” You are greatly appreciated for your resilience and patience during the various maintenance projects that have been completed around SunBird. Let’s enjoy the good weather and work together to keep SunBird a great community.