Weather is getting nice - and that means that critters will be appearing around Paa-Ko.  Rattlesnakes (and all snakes), and bears.
So far, a bull snake has been spotted, and signs of a bear have been seen (tipped over garbage can in back of house).

Take care and be alert when doing work in your yard.  Snakes love to hide under bushes around rocks, and even wrap themselves around the base of outdoor planters.  

Please keep garbage cans inside until trash day.  If, for some reason, you cannot, please make sure the lids are secured to the bin so it is more difficult for a bear to open.  

Haven't heard if our resident Paa-Ko mountain lion has been spotted this year or not.......

In any case be vigilant when outdoors, especially when children and pets are running around your yard.

Please send me photos to put in newsletter if you get some great or unusual shots of wildlife.

The Official Firewise Certificate is attached.  (Go to READ MORE and then to DOCUMENTS)

Present this certificate to your homeowners insurance company to see if you can get a discount on your rate. Some accept them, some do not. In the past, companies such as Farmer's, have recognized this accomplishment, but every company is different.

Here are my random notes about concerns from residents that I put out about every 3-4 months that no one pays attention to:
1 - BARKING DOGS - If you have dogs who constantly bark, please don't leave them out all day or night.  It is very annoying and disruptive to your neighbors. Besides all the people who try and sleep at night, there are some people who work nights or who have many health issues and sleep during the day. 
2 - LOOSE DOGS - Remember, your dogs must be on a leash when walking (a few incidents have happened in the past where an "under control" off-leash dog has attacked another dog or person),  and when in your yard, your dog needs to be confined by a fence.  It's the regulation and law.  If you have a problem with your neighbors dog, please have a conversation with them. If that doesn't work, call Animal Control 505.314.0280   Go to READ MORE to see photos of some recent loose and wandering dogs.
3 - DOG POOP - Always pick up your dogs' poop.  It is not a pleasant thing to look at, smell, or step in. And please don't write back and tell me that there's a lot of wildlife poop around.  Wild animals don't know how to bag their poop. :-)
4 - SPEEDERS AND WALKERS - Once again, there have been several near misses between speeding cars and pedestrians on the roads (especially on the straightaway Paa-Ko Drive). Walkers/runners, please try to stay as close to the edge of the road as possible AND when you hear a car coming, move over. Groups of walkers need to be particularly aware, especially on all the side streets that do not have shoulders.  Cars - PLEASE slow down.  There are speed limits in Paa-Ko.  Know that there will be pedestrians and bike riders on the streets. There are many, many blind curves. Don't kill someone then wish you had been driving slower.
5 - KEYS - If you see keys left in a mailbox, please take them to the Paa-Ko Office.  Don't leave them in the box for some non Paa-Ko person to take (can lead to mail theft).  By the way, the office has a huge collection of keys and other lost items.  Please find time to go and collect your items you have lost.
Always remember to be a responsible pet owner as well as a courteous, respectful, and considerate neighbor.  No one is above the rules.