Layne Varney
SunBird Welcomes Residents Back for a Season of Community and Improvement
Welcome back to all our returning residents after the summer break! It’s wonderful to see our neighbors and friends return to SunBird and enjoy the many activities, events, and opportunities that make our community such a special place to live.
October was filled with exciting events and opportunities to reconnect. The Rock Revisited live concert, featuring music from the 1970s and 1980s, brought a packed house to the ballroom for an evening of terrific entertainment. The Welcome Back Oktoberfest celebration was another outstanding event, featuring delicious German food, games, polka dancing, live music, and plenty of good times. It was wonderful to see so many residents come together to celebrate the return of another fun-filled season at SunBird.
The annual Halloween Party was another October favorite, with residents showcasing their creative and hilarious costumes. Before the festivities began, a group of enthusiastic zombies performed Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” dance in the ballroom. A big round of applause goes to all the dedicated performers who brought this spooky favorite to life and helped make the evening so entertaining.
SunBird recently hosted a community GAINS event. What is GAINS? It stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods, a program that encourages residents to become more involved in their neighborhoods and work together to promote safety and community spirit.
Representatives from the City of Chandler Police SWAT team attended the event, giving residents an opportunity to meet with them and learn more about the services they provide. The SWAT team also brought its tactical robot truck and other robots for residents to see up close, making the event both informative and exciting.
Why did SunBird host this event? Our community is working toward qualifying for a $15,000 neighborhood homeowners association (HOA) matching grant offered by the City of Chandler. The grant would help fund a project to enhance SunBird’s public-facing perimeter and improve the appearance of our community.
To qualify, SunBird must meet several requirements, including hosting a GAINS event, participating in the Neighborhood Block Watch program, developing a plan for a visible community improvement project, obtaining multiple bids for the proposed work, providing matching funds, and demonstrating resident involvement. Leadership training is also part of the qualification process.
Once all requirements have been met, SunBird plans to submit its grant application to the City of Chandler in March or April for consideration. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance our community while encouraging greater resident participation and neighborhood pride.
Looking ahead, SunBird plans to implement a Neighborhood Block Watch program during the coming year. We will need community assistance and volunteers. Residents interested in learning more can visit Community Day on Nov. 19 in the ballroom, where a City of Chandler Police representative will be available to explain how the program works, how residents can participate, and how to become a Block Watch captain. This initiative will help strengthen neighborhood connections and encourage residents to take an active role in keeping SunBird safe.
As we move into November, we also take time to remember and honor the many veterans who have served and continue to serve our country, protecting the freedoms and way of life we enjoy. We must never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. SunBird will host a special Veterans Day tribute at the clubhouse on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Let us come together to honor those who have served and remember all who helped pave the way for our freedom.
Mark your calendars for SunBird’s annual Community Day on Nov. 19! This popular event offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the many clubs, classes, interest groups, and organizations available to residents. Local vendors and service providers will also be on hand to share information about their businesses and services.
If you’re considering joining a club, exploring a new hobby, or trying a new sport, be sure to visit the ballroom and see what SunBird has to offer. You may discover a new interest or meet others who share your passions. Even if you’re not looking to join anything new, stop by to enjoy the festivities, pick up some free giveaways, meet your neighbors, and experience the community spirit that makes SunBird special.
SunBird has made significant progress on maintenance and improvement projects over the summer, helping keep our community attractive, comfortable, and well-maintained.
At the main entrance on Riggs Road, the operators for the residents’ swing gate and the entrance barrier arm have been replaced. The gatehouse has also received new flooring and a countertop, along with an updated awning featuring a more modern shade covering. These improvements build on the entrance enhancements completed over the past several months, including the installation of artificial turf and fresh new colors and rock landscaping at the gatehouse and monument sign. Together, these updates have given SunBird’s main entrance a refreshed and welcoming appearance.
The fitness center remodel has had extensive work over the past few months. The area has been refreshed with new paint colors, new rubber flooring installed, and some mirrors have been replaced while additional mirrors have been installed. The equipment layout has been updated to create more open space and improve the flow of the room. Some new exercise equipment has also been added, providing residents with a wider variety of workout options.
These projects reflect SunBird’s continued commitment to maintaining and improving our shared facilities and creating an enjoyable environment for residents throughout the year.
For those returning to SunBird, please stop by the office for a personal welcome-back greeting and to review and update your contact information. All residents are encouraged to check in with the office staff periodically to ensure their contact information and other important records remain current. Accurate information on file is especially important in an unexpected emergency when homeowners or family members may need to be contacted.
As we welcome back our seasonal residents and enjoy the cooler weather, let’s continue working together to make SunBird a wonderful place to live. Whether through participating in community events, volunteering, supporting neighborhood safety efforts, or simply connecting with our neighbors, each of us plays a part in making SunBird special.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and memorable Thanksgiving!