On March 20th, the Spring Equinox (aka the Vernal Equinox) signals the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of Fall in the Southern Hemisphere.

The word equinox translates from Latin to "equal" (equi) and "night" (nox)—when the sun is located vertically above the equator, making day and night times equal across the planet. The term vernal means and comes from the Latin word for "of spring," meaning "new and fresh" (vernus).

During the equinox, the Southern and Northern Hemispheres receive equal exposure to the sun's rays, a perfectly balanced moment humanity shares all over the globe.

Many places in Arizona experience the brilliance of March with the advent of greener grass, budding trees, flowering cactus, baby animals, and songbirds heading here for the summer. It's a beautiful time of fresh starts!

Homeowners, Please Vote!

"Yield-chasing investors are snapping up single-family homes to rent out or flip." ~ Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2021

The Augusta Ranch community is being targeted by outside investors intent on converting homes into highly profitable Short-Term Rentals (STR's) marketed on VRBO, Airbnb, and similar websites. STR's may appear a suitable strategy for some who are selling their homes right now, but STR's are becoming a severe nuisance for our community and threaten property values.

Augusta Ranch has always allowed Long-Term Rentals. Those rarely cause a problem because the occupants behave as residents who respect and enjoy our community's beauty, tranquility, and amenities. In contrast, STR's increasingly are generating a long string of serious complaints, including:

It's widely recognized that outside investors are becoming increasingly active here locally. Families move out, weekenders pull in, and the complaints pile up. HOA's throughout the East Valley are making covenant changes to rein in this unfortunate trend. Augusta Ranch is one of the few that has not yet acted, making our home values increasingly vulnerable.

Your HOA board unanimously urges homeowners to vote YES to adopt this amendment as we strive to protect our beautiful, peaceful family community that we all enjoy. As investors gobble up more and more of our properties, this may be our last chance to stop the invasion.

Click on the buttons below to read the amendment and VOTE by way of giving your written consent.

To encourage ease in voting, we will also offer online access via the VOTEHOANOW. You should receive a time-sensitive postcard and email with instructions for that website.

If you have any questions, please call Kamin Havens at 480-354-1236 or attend the board meeting on March 21st, at 6:30 PM.

Interested candidates must submit a Board Member Candidate application on the augustaranch.org website. Applications must be submitted by April 8, 2022.

After April 8, Augusta Ranch residents should receive emails from VOTEHOANOW, the website we use for online voting. If you don't use computers, no worries, you may request a mail-in ballot or stop by the onsite HOA office to receive a paper copy.

Whether or not you run for the board, we would love to see you at our Annual Meeting on May 16, 2022, at 7 PM. Find out what has been happening in your community and our plans for the future!

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Please Help Reduce Traffic Near

If you have been in the Augusta Ranch Elementary School area during drop-off and pick-up times, you know how crazy congested it can be. So many cars in one place cause frustration for everyone.

Recently, a shortage of bus drivers is contributing to the problem, adding at least 50 more cars to the mix as parents have to drive children who were previously riding the bus.

If you are not there for a student, please avoid the streets near the school during 7:30-8:15 AM and 2:30-3:15 PM. There are alternate routes in and out of the neighborhood; please choose to travel those.

For those accompanying children to and from school, please ride bikes or walk if possible—it's fun and healthy, a win for all involved. Doing so would be a tremendous assist in reducing traffic congestion.

We appreciate everyone's effort in working through this challenge! Most of all, we encourage you to stay calm, look for ways to help, and work with the school on finding solutions.

Then register at the button below, and please put: last name and number of people attending in the "Did you pay to reserve your seat via Venmo or dropped off a check to onsite HOA office?" Doing so will enable us to match your registration with your Venmo payment.

"Mitchells vs. Machines"

FREE outdoor movie! No reservations are needed. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Soft drinks, popcorn, and assorted candies will be available for purchase. The regular menu will be available until 8 PM. Appetizers only from 8-9 PM. The kitchen closes at 9 PM.

Purchase tickets at Venmo: @Augusta-Ranch

After purchasing your tickets, please register at the button below and put: last name and number of people attending in the "Did you pay to reserve your seat via Venmo or dropped off a check to onsite HOA office?" Doing so will enable us to match your registration with your Venmo payment.

You likely have items you no longer use or want that other people are looking to buy. If so, consider joining our community yard sale and gain a bigger audience for your wares. It's a great way to Spring Clean, plus make some money.

If you are a seller, we encourage you to register through the link below so we can add you to a list of addresses and big-ticket items.

After the sale, from 12-3 pm, Sunshine Acres Children's Home will pick up unsold goods and donations at the Golf Course parking lot.

The most obvious step in holding a successful yard sale is to decide what you want to sell. It might also be the most difficult one. Start by going through your belongings and sorting everything into piles, like "keep," "sell," and "donate." Look around your home to see if there's furniture you don't use or decor that is no longer your style.

You might get emotional. When sorting through your items, some may hold potent memories. That's okay; you can save sentimental items for *next time*. But if you come across stuff you haven't used in over a year or two, it may be time to let it go. With the cash you'll make from the yard sale, you'll be able to buy things that you'll actually use.

Figure out how you want to display the items you wish to sell. Ready your tables, get pricing stickers from a dollar store and have some grocery bags on hand. If you're selling fragile items, it's good to keep a stack of newspapers nearby for wrapping things after the sale.

Get your cash and cash drawer squared away. Over-estimate the amount of change you'll need, especially if you plan on selling a range of higher and lower-priced items. It's better to have more change than not enough. The last thing you want to do is risk someone walking away because you don't have the correct change.

Tip: Price things in 25 cent increments, so you'll only need quarters.

Get ready for people asking the prices of things. Don't be caught off guard. Avoid winging it by deciding ahead of time—discount most things to move quickly. Put price stickers on items or write down the price on a nearby card.

If you've got Square, use it. Although Square takes a percentage of every transaction, you'll sell more items than if you're only accepting cash. You can even post a "credit and debit cards accepted" sign.

Curbside appeal is a significant factor in attracting traffic. Set up your tables and other displays in a way that's easy to navigate and visually appealing. Expect to fill spots once things start to sell. You want to constantly curate the space to make sure there aren't holes in your display.

Don't get overzealous and put out *too* much stuff. It can overwhelm guests if they see rows and rows of clothes to look through. Be discerning: put out the things you're confident will sell. Donate the rest.

Sift through everything more beforehand. Ensure there aren't any family photos used as bookmarks or cash left in pockets.

Keep an eye on your merchandise. If you have valuables out, make sure someone is watching them. Also, make sure your items are displayed securely. There's nothing worse than propping a vintage mirror up against a wobbly table and having to clean up shards of broken glass after a gust of wind knocks it down.

You could set out some mystery grab bags. Organize items by category, like toys, DVDs, paints, and silverware. Then put each group in paper bags, staple, label, and sell for a flat $5 or $10.

Finally, enjoy yourself! Make it festive. Dress up a bit, decorate your displays, put on some light music. While it can be a little stressful dealing with strangers, maintaining your cool will ensure a happy and successful day for all involved!

International Puppy Day 💖

We ask residents to be patient and reasonable regarding barking dogs; however, if you are seriously annoyed 😫 by a dog barking according to the above guidelines (and we understand this happens), you are encouraged to call security at 480-518-3399.

In severe cases, if you are willing to testify in court, have specific documentation, and want prosecution, a civil infraction violation can be issued by the City of Mesa. Please visit the City's website to learn what's involved: https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/animal-control/animal-noise-disturbance.

Please, Always Walk Your Dogs on Leash 🐕‍🦺

We've had several complaints of a resident walking dogs around the neighborhood off-leash, causing dangerous and disturbing situations. Not only is walking your dog without a leash is illegal, but it's also highly inconsiderate of others and the dogs themselves, who could be hit by a car or taken by authorities for attacking someone or their dog. If you want your dogs to run free, please bring them to a remote area, not a residential one. Be kind to your pets and neighbors and respect the rules.

Join us for drink specials.

Check Facebook for Tuesday's

$2 Truly Tasty Tacos 5-9 PM

Check Facebook on Thursday for Bodacious Burgers 5-9 PM.

Friday Features

Check Facebook on Friday for our Fabulous Friday Features 5-9 PM.

Sunday, March 19, 6-9 PM

Saturday, March 24, 6-8 PM

Saturday, March 29, 6-8 PM

Tuesday, March 1, 6-8 PM

Friday, March 4, 6-9 PM

Saturday, March 11, 6-9 PM

Friday, March 12, 6-9 PM

Saturday, March 15, 6-8 PM

Thursday, March 17

Live Music!

Friday, March 25, 5-8 PM

GOLF COURSE Events for March

"Locals vs. Snowbirds"

A Family Event!

Beautiful plants, worth a little effort!

Spring is an excellent time to plant flowers in containers. It's easy to move the pots around, change out the flowers and protect them from the hot sun, and the smaller area makes pest and weed management more manageable.

Your Security Patrol Team

Augusta Ranch Security Patrol Team consists of three full-time armed guards licensed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The guards patrol our community approximately 18 hours per day, seven days a week, continuously changing schedules. They work through Valley Protective Services, Inc., and have a close working relationship with the Mesa Police Department, who may rely on our guards to assist when needed.

Augusta Ranch Security Patrol Team: 480-518-3399

Mesa Police non-emergency line: 480-644-2211, option 2

Bermuda grass thrives in hot temperatures, high sunlight conditions, and shallow soil, making it well-suited for lawns in Arizona. Like most other plants, your grass needs regular watering and fertilizer to meet its full growth potential, especially when exposed to the grueling summer.

SNEAK PEEKS - Coming Attractions!

Mark Your Calendars

The Board of Directors establishes the basic policies of the HOA and oversees operations and procedures. Many projects are in the works at any one time to benefit the community. The Board meets on the third Monday of every month to make decisions that move these projects forward. Board meetings are open to all residents of Augusta Ranch, and we welcome you to attend. Records of the agenda and minutes are available on the Augusta Ranch website: augustaranch.org.