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This page contains items that have been posted as News & Events. When they were no longer considered to be "News" but were still newsworthy, they were moved to this page for future reference. (click the link below to go to the following articles) Those unwanted telephone books.. Investment assistance SCHOA wishes to remind you: Some good advice  Damage caused by birds Think safe! Be safe!

Those unwanted telephone books…  As we’re all aware, the Qwest/DEX telephone books are being delivered door to door throughout the community.  If you have old phone books you need to dispose of, there are three locations.  Although the Lions Service Club maintains these sites, it cannot afford the dumpsters at these locations.  So, just put your phone books in the pile of books and the Lions will see that they are picked up on a regular basis.  Locations are as follows:              Phase One         Sunbowl Plaza, 107th and Peoria Avenues, behind Freeds             Phase Two         Greenway Plaza, 99th and 103rd Avenues, behind Dollar Tree              Phase Three       Bell Camino Plaza, Bell & Del Webb, behind Safeway  DEX says you can cancel or opt out of receiving phone books by calling 1-877-2getdex. (1-800-243-8339)  Consumers also can use the number to order additional copies of books or obtain a CD version of the directory.  If you are opening an account or relocating, make sure you request to not have books delivered at the time you place your order for service, according to DEX.  This information was taken from an article in Dave Cherry’s column in the Arizona Republic on August 8th, 2005.  Please keep in mind that DEX is published by Qwest.  The Sun City Directory is not a Qwest publication.  When relocating or changing information, please use the card in the Sun City Directory to notify its publisher.  Back to Top

INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE Got a question about an investment that you might be considering?  Following are sources of information and assistance: Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Securities Division 602-542-4242 www.azinvestor.gov www.cc.state.az.us Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) 1-800-732-0330 www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/cyberfraud.htm Federal Trade Commission 1-877-382-4357 www.ftc.gov/reports/Fraud/index.htm Back to Top

SCHOA wishes to remind you:  Arizona law requires a contractor to be licensed for all work over $750 (materials included) or work requiring a Building Permit.  Call the Registrar of Contractors at 602-542-1502 to see if a contractor is currently licensed.  If possible, have the vendor’s license number and category before you call them.  Be aware that certain categories have dollar limitations and specific work involved.  The Registrar regulates the work of contractors for two years if they are licensed. Get competitive bids.  We suggest three. Do not hire anyone who comes to your door, check with us first. Be careful of prepayments.   A good faith deposit of  50% to bind the contract is customary.  Payment in full only after the job is satisfactorily completed. Have a clear understanding of the contract.  Be aware that changes in a contract may result in extra charges. Have a warranty in writing and in detail.  If you use unlicensed contractors, get their business name, telephone number and other I.D. such as Driver’s License information. Call us for references, that’s what your annual dues are for.  Let us do what we do best, referring reliable trades people.    Back to Top

SOME GOOD ADVICE  Next time you order checks, use only your first and middle initials instead of your first name.  Only you and your bank know how you sign your checks.  If you are paying a credit card bill, do not put the entire credit card number on the check’s memo field.  Use only the last four digits of your credit card number.  Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks or any other document for that matter.  Copy the front and back of every document you carry in your wallet.  If stolen, you will know immediately who and how to contact.   It’s a good idea to copy the front and back of each credit card that you possess.  If stolen or lost, you will know the credit card number and the phone number to use to report the incident.  Keep all of this in a safe and confidential place, but where you can find the information easily and quickly.  People should call the following three (3) credit reporting organizations after a theft to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your name and Social Security number.  This alert means that any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.             Equifax:                                1-800-525-6285            Experian (formerly TRW):     1-888-397-3742            Trans Union:                          1-800-680-7289             Social Security fraud line is:     1-800-269-0271 Back to Top

DAMAGE CAUSED BY BIRDS Birds cause millions of dollars of damage every year to buildings, machinery, automobiles, roofs, ventilation systems, and much more.  Bird droppings and nesting materials, which are allowed to accumulate, pose a host of physical and health problems which can become very serious. Damage to Roofs and Equipment by Droppings Bird droppings are very acidic in nature.  They eat away at many substrates, especially tar-based roofing materials.  Pigeons have been known to enter attics of houses through openings that have been either broken or never sealed off in the first place.  In most cases the pigeons set up homes in these protected areas, build nests and discard their bodily waste.  Droppings which are allowed to accumulate on roofs will eat into the material and eventually cause leaks. Ventilation Systems Blocked by Bird Nests Bird nests in chimneys and ventilation systems can not only spread diseases through the system, but can actually block air-flow which can have horrible consequences. Automobile Finishes Damaged by Bird Droppings Most bird droppings, but especially pigeon, will fade paint finished by eating into the protective coating and the paint itself. Diseases Caused by Birds The general public's affection toward birds translates into a serious underestimation of the health risks associated with birds.  People who would never tolerate a colony of rats living in their attic will turn a blind eye towards pigeons entrenched in the rafters of their roof.  Yet, in terms of disease and damage, the two pests are quite similar.  In order to better understand how nuisance birds (or rats for that matter) spread disease we need to understand the basics of disease and transmission.  Birds are a perfect mechanism for spreading disease because they travel great distances, harbor over forty types of parasites and can host over sixty type of infectious diseases. Associated Parasites Birds harbor ticks, fleas, mites and other parasites.  Parasites transfer disease by biting an infected animal and passing along the germ to the new victim.  Over forty types of parasites live either on the birds, in their nests or in the places they roost.  They are responsible for the transmission of several hundred viral and bacterial agents.  These diseases include plague, encephalitis, pox and meningitis. Diseases Associated with Pest Birds Bacterial:  Paratyphoid, Vibriosis, Salmonella, Listeriosis, Pasteurellosis Fungal:  Histoplasmosis, Candidiasis, Sarcosporidiosias, Blastomycosis Viral:  Encephalitis, Meningitis, Newcastle Disease, St. Louis Encephalitis Protozoal:  Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis, American Trypansomiasis Rickettsial:  Rickets PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS! SUN CITY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Back to Top

THINK SAFE!  BE SAFE! At the risk of sounding paranoid and being viewed as an "alarmist," following are some common sense security tips you may want to consider:   If somebody were to cut your phone lines prior to committing a burglary, a cell phone, re-charging in the bedroom instead of the kitchen (where most people leave them), may be advisable.   Keep a flashlight in your bedroom.   Do not keep cash, valuables, jewelry in visible areas around your home, especially areas that can be seen from an outside window.   Put a lock on your breaker/fuse box.   When a stranger asks to use the phone, BEWARE. Make the call yourself.  Do NOT let them in your home for any reason.   Keep landscaping around windows and doors trimmed so no one can hide there.   Use thorny bushes/cactus under windows.   Install security screen doors.   Use twist locks or dowels to additionally secure vulnerable windows and doors, especially sliding glass doors.   Keep garage doors closed, and windows and doors locked.   Look inside your vehicle before getting in.   Lock your doors after getting into your vehicle.   Lock your vehicle when getting gas, and keep the keys with you.   Avoid using ATMs and convenience stores after dark. Back to Top