Layne Varney, General Manager
It’s getting hot! Temperatures have increased earlier and greater than previous years (as of the time of the writing this article, it was 8 degrees hotter than average). With the quick rise in temperatures, it’s a good reminder to stay cool and hydrated. The SunBird clubhouse is maintained at comfortable temperatures with many relaxing, recreational, and social opportunities. Take a dip in the swimming pool or enjoy shooting some billiards, relax and read a book in the library or help with a puzzle, get a workout in the fitness room, or watch some television. Look in this month’s SunBird News or on the SunBird website for many other social events hosted at the clubhouse. Don’t forget, for a great meal or cool beverage, let us do the serving in the Horizon Room restaurant.
Monsoon season has arrived, and we need to be prepared for some of the storms that can affect SunBird. The Arizona monsoon season starts approximately in June and continues through September. Since 2008, the established dates from the National Weather Service are from June 15 through Sept. 30. Just because it is monsoon season does not mean it will storm each day. Monsoon storms can include strong winds, heavy dust/dirt, downpour of rain, and lightning and thunder. Watching the weather forecast before driving outside of SunBird is important in avoiding being caught in sometimes dangerous storms. In the past, some of these storms have been so thick with dust followed by pouring rain that it was nearly impossible to have visibility, making it unsafe to drive. If lightning strikes within 10 miles of SunBird, the swimming pools will be closed. If strong winds are present, the vehicle gates may default to an open position to prevent damage to the motors and/or flowing closed into incoming or outgoing vehicles. If the power shuts off, the gates have battery back-up systems that will open the gates until the power is restored. If the power goes out, the clubhouse will be closed. The elevator has a battery back-up to lower the cab to the lower level of the clubhouse. Emergency battery-powered and solar-powered lights have been installed in and around the clubhouse. In the case of a power outage, the clubhouse will be evacuated and may not open until the following day when all equipment has been checked and restored.
Exterior lighting at night is essential for safety and security purposes at high-traffic areas and buildings. The increasing clubhouse exterior lighting has been under study and review by the Planning Committee beginning this year. Some areas around the clubhouse and post office parking areas and some of the corners of the building could use some additional lighting. After review, some new additional LED light fixtures have been installed. Additionally, some commercial-type solar parking lights were found and tested. Some have been installed around the clubhouse and are filling in some of these voids. The sports court light fixtures will also be updated this summer with new energy-efficient LED lights. Using solar and LED lights will both add lighting to the area and save money.
SunBird’s efforts to deter crime continue throughout the community. SunBird Patrol has taken extra efforts in patrolling and checking points of entrances and perimeter walls and making a greater presence within. Patrol regularly monitors vehicle gate code and remote control use for entrance into SunBird. As year-round residents, let’s continue to stay vigilant by being aware and observing and reporting suspicious activity immediately. If vehicles are parked at or activity is being observed at a home you know has been vacated for the summer, please contact the police and/or SunBird Patrol immediately. Let’s continue these efforts.
We appreciate all those who are being extra aware of suspicious activity and reporting the information quickly. It takes a united community to be a successful community. Have a safe and healthy summer!