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Community Building
Enriching Brew
Use Salem, Massachusetts, in a word-association assessment, and you’d undoubtedly get a word referencing the infamous Witch Trials of 1692. Less
famous but even more formative is the rich maritime history that contributed to
the buildings and waterfront on which Salem is perched. Residents are sometimes
divided over what the true character of Salem really is, or should be. What is
the source of its identity? How does it thrive financially? What should be its
public face? How seriously should the city take itself? But maybe it is the
questions and the contrasts which give this city its distinct individuality.
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What's Old is New
Condominium managers, boards and residents have long known the benefits of clustered housing. They know first-hand what it is like to live in a community with others. They've been able to enjoy the smaller ecological footprint of higher density living. And where amenities like parks, grocery stores, and post offices are nearby, condominium residents have embraced being able to walk much of the time. Read More
Ready, Set, Renovate
Worn-out or damaged common areas in community associations can hurt overall
property values and send the wrong message. Of course, a newly-refurbished grand entrance and beautiful common areas that
give owners bragging rights are universally popular.
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Summer's Almost Here?!?!
Oh, those lazy dog days of summer, lounging beside the pool with a cool drink and a good book, the scent of suntan lotion drifting through the air. Most who are fortunate enough to have a condominium pool know the enjoyment that it can afford. And in this current economic climate, the condo pool will be getting even more use as owners opt to stay poolside, cutting back on more expensive vacations and weekend trips. Read More
It Takes a Village
There’s both a batch of homemade beer and a vat of homemade sauerkraut aging in the boiler room of Nubanusit Neighborhood & Farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire – and it’s not even close to Oktoberfest. The maple trees were tapped months ago, and sap
boiled down to thick syrup for the villagers, according to Richard Pendleton, a
resident and co-founder of the cohousing community, part of a growing movement
in most of New England.
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Shoestring Socials
Americans today are working harder and spending more time on the job these days. And when they finally arrive home at night, they tend to turn on their computers, iPods or televisions as their primary source of entertainment. In fact, a study by the Entertainment Software Association found that 67 percent of American heads of households now play computer and video games.That type of “recreation,” however, doesn’t exactly build a sense of community among neighbors. Faced with that reality, homeowner associations must be more innovative and persuasive than ever if they hope to get residents off the couch, out the front door and participating in association events. Read More
Secrets of Successful Committees
Being on a committee is no easy task. In fact, it can be downright frustrating.
A three-month commitment can stretch into six months; meetings can go on
forever; committee members may drift off topic; and precious, limited time can
be hijacked by strong personalities.
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Next Generation Playgrounds
Unfortunately, what was fun for us at the time was also pretty dangerous. Children often fell off the teeter-totters, slides and monkey bars onto rock-hard asphalt or concrete surfaces, jacket strings got entangled on slides and merry-go-rounds causing serious injuries (and worse), children regularly got their heads stuck between poles and bars, and rough metal edges and surfaces led to many scrapes and burns.
Read MoreHanging Tough
For community associations facing a world of economic uncertainty, the old
notion of “strength in numbers” has never felt more relevant. Because when it comes to tough problems, the
associations that are able to work together and sacrifice together are the ones
that usually end up stronger in the end.
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Environmental Issues
So you’ve just moved into your new condo and you want to hit the ground running in terms of energy and water conservation. Read More
