• Advise our staff immediately of dripping plumbing fixtures or if you see or hear water running.
• Whenever possible do not hand-wash dishes - the water flow on a kitchen faucet is 2.2 gallons of water per minute, almost the same as a shower head.
• Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
• Take a shower instead of a bath.
• Do not use the toilet as a trash receptacle.
• Do not use running water to thaw frozen items.
• Store drinking water in the fridge rather than letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Don't rinse dishes before placing in the dishwasher instead scrape food from dishes into the trash.
• Only wash full loads of clothes and adjust the water level accordingly.
• Do not allow water to run while brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Use Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. Although they cost a bit more, they use less energy and last up to 10x longer.
• Unplug idle appliances and electronic devices. Even though a computer is turned off or a cell phone is not on the charger does not mean that there is not power being drawn. For instance, devices such as televisions with standby modes can use up to half the power they would draw when turned on.
• Buy local. Buying regionally produced food is a keystone of sustainability: not only does it save the energy costs associated with shipping bulk produce, it keeps a portion of your grocery money in the community.
• Drive smarter. First, it's a good thing to keep tires properly inflated, and this is a commonly recommended strategy for saving gas. Use your cruise control on the highway for up to a 15-percent improvement in mileage. Driving less aggressively is the single most effective way to save gasoline: accelerate out of lights more gently, avoid rapid braking, and only drive as fast as you must. And turn off your engine rather than idling excessively.
• Take advantage of the added perks that Foxridge has to offer. Check our community maps for the locations of our recycling drop offs. Instead of driving to campus every day, use the walking/biking path or use the Blacksburg Transit.

• Change your address. Stop by the post office or visit www.usps.gov to complete the "Change of Address" form. Be sure to contact your credit card companies to notify them of the change as well.
• Be sure the Welcome Center has a forwarding address on file. This will not only ensure that we will be able to contact you if necessary, but also that any deposit refund reaches you as quickly as possible.
• Double check your apartment to be sure that no items were left behind. Items left in the apartment will be stored for 10 days at a minimum storage fee of $35.
• Vacuum and Steam Clean the carpets. If you rent a steam cleaner or hire an outside contractor, it may be beneficial to provide the Welcome Center with a copy of your receipt.
• Using the Foxridge and Hethwood "Standard Vacating Checklist" as a guide, thoroughly clean your apartment home. This form will indicate what our staff will look for upon inspection, as well as a basis for any charges. This form can be obtained at the Welcome Center or online.

• Turn appliances off and unplug! This includes your coffee pot, iron, stove/oven and any other electrical appliance (excluding refrigerator).
• Turn off alarm clocks! Make certain that alarms are not set to go off while you are not at home. If alarms are not turned off and continue to go off and disturb neighbors, Foxridge staff will enter the apartment and disengage the alarm.
• Lock all doors and windows! Please make certain that your apartment home is secured.
• Remove trash! Take out your trash prior to leaving. This will prevent insects and odors in your home when you return from vacation.
• Pay your electric bill! Don't forget to pay your AEP bill before leaving for vacation. If the electricity to your home is disconnected, damage could occur to your home. If damage occurs due to the electricity being disconnected, you could be held responsible for damage cost reimbursement.
• Water your plants! Don't forget to take care of your house plants before leaving.
• Pay rent! Remember that your rental payment is due on the first of each month. In accordance with your lease agreement, a late fee of $75.00 will be assessed to your account if rental payments are not received by the due date.
• Leave an emergency contact number with the Welcome Center! If you are unable to call or stop by the Welcome Center to provide this information, send us a quick email. Remember that the Welcome Center can not allow anyone access to your apartment home without your written permission.
• NEVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!!

• Thursday, May 1- Reading Day: GOOD LUCK on exams!
• Saturday, May 3-Musica Viva Final Concert; 7:30pm @ Squires Recital Salon: Musica Viva presents the Vanbrugh Quartet; the resident quartet of Ireland's radio and television. Tickets $5 Child; $8 Student; $18 General Public.
• Monday, May 5-Coca-Cola Hokie Open Golf Tournament; 1:00pm @ Pete Dye River Course in Radford. Open to VT Patrons and the public.
• Thursday, May 8-Donning of the Kente; 6:00pm @ Graduate Life Center, Multipurpose Room. An afro-centric pre-graduation ceremony celebrating the cultural connection between the African Diaspora and the graduates of today. Admission is free.
• Friday, May 9-Graduate School Ceremony; 3:00pm @ Cassell Coliseum. Master's degrees, certificates, education specialist, and doctoral degrees will be conferred at the Graduate School ceremony. The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. There are no guest limits or ticket requirements for this ceremony.
• Friday, May 9-University Ceremony; 7:30pm @ Lane Stadium. Associate and bachelor's degrees will be conferred at the university ceremony. The ceremony is expected to last approximately one hour. There are no guest limits or ticket requirements for this ceremony.
• Saturday, May 10-Spring Commencement College Ceremonies; All Day. See www.vt.edu for individual college information.
• Saturday, May 17-Virginia Tech Day @ King's Dominion; 10:30am-10:00pm. Tickets are $33.95 and include All-Day Admission and an All-You-Can-Eat Private Picnic. $2.00 of the ticket cost will be donated to the Virginia Tech Chapter Scholarship Fund. To order tickets, visit http://www.kingsdominion.com/shop/shopping_corporate_partners.cfm and enter code GOHOKIES

Community Events Children's Activities Exercise Classes eNewsletters

Senior Citizen's Activities Student Activities Rent Reminders Maintenance Reminders

It's easy to sign up, and you can remove yourself from the list anytime. Visit our Foxridge eNews signup page, and get on "the list" right now! 
 
NOTE: Foxridge never allows outside companies or organizations access to your name, email address or other contact information. Foxridge eNews is for supplemental information only. We will never rely on email for critical notices.
 
Maintenance Reminders
Foxridge and Hethwood Communities offers 24-hour emergency maintenance for our residents. If you have an emergency to report, call (540) 951-1223. Please give complete telephone number, address and description of the problem. The following are considered emergencies: gas leak, no heat or air conditioning (in summer months), no hot water, water leaks, inoperable stove or refrigerator, inoperable door lock, overflowing toilet, or any situation that may cause injury or damage. When calling in a heat or A/C issue, our maintenance staff must have access to the closet containing the heating and A/C unit.
 
Rent vs. Buy - Dollars and Cents
Did you know that most Americans automatically assume that they will reduce their tax bill if they buy a house. This myth is perpetuated by parents, accountants, teachers, and real estate agents. The truth is that your mortgage interest has to be more than the standard deduction to gain any tax advantage. If you itemize your deductions and they are greater than the standard deduction, you will save no more than 10 dollars to every 35 dollars that you pay in mortgage interest above and beyond the standard deduction. As a resident in Foxridge and Hethwood you are already receiving the standard deduction of $5150 if you are single and $10,300 if you are married.
 
Real life example: Assume you are a married couple and buy a $220,000 house with a 5% down payment and a 6% interest rate. Your total net tax savings, assuming that you are in a 28% tax bracket, is a mere $607. That's right. You will be able to deduct $12,470 in mortgage interest, but you would have gotten the $10,300 standard deduction without buying. Once you factor in your monthly mortgage (principal and interest of $1253 per month), monthly taxes and insurance (approximately another $200), closing costs, maintenance, repairs, decorating costs, etc., this savings quickly disappears. In fact, you would have been better off living in the Foxridge and Hethwood Community and investing this additional money into stocks, REITS, etc. Or, you could have used this additional money to treat yourself to a vacation, contribute to your children's college fund, etc.
 
Earn Rewards For Paying Your Rent On Time
Bring your rent payment to the Welcome Center on or before the first of the month, and receive a $5 gift card to Texas Roadhouse. To qualify you must present your payment to a Leasing Professional. While at the Welcome Center, register to win a $25 gift card to Texas Roadhouse! This is our way of saying thanks for paying your rent on time!!!!
 
Preventive Extermination
Extermination chemicals are non-toxic and should not harm your pets or fish. However, we ask that you place your pets in a confined area so that the exterminator can do his job. If this request is inconvenient, please call the Welcome Center to reschedule an extermination for another time when you can be at home to tend to your pet.
 
Per request we offer flea exterminations every Tuesday and Wednesday in conjunction with routine exterminations at 9 am and 11 am. Please indicate which time you would prefer when scheduling your apartment for extermination. Remember if you request flea exterminations you are required to vacate your apartment for up to four hours. Please call the Welcome Center if you have any questions.

Date	Day	Buildings
May 6	Tuesday	11800, 11900, 12000, 12100, 12200, 12300
May 7	Wednesday	12400, 12500, 12600, 12700, 12800, 12900
May 13	Tuesday	13000, 13100, 13200, 13300, 13400, 13500
May 14	Wednesday	13600, 13700, 14000, 14100, 14200, 14300
May 20	Tuesday	14400, 14500, 14600
May 21	Wednesday	100, 200, 300, 400, 500
May 27	Tuesday	600, 700, 800, 900, 1000
May 28	Wednesday	1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500

 
Classifieds
AK Rocker Gaming Chair 4-Point Harness style racing seat that rocks. Perfect for living room or bedroom. $20 obo. Contact Jim at jamorri1@gmail.com.
 
Squeaky's Laser Wash - NOW using ARMOR ALL® Products. Visit www.squeakyslaserwash.com for more savings. COME SEE US on your way to the NEW RIVER VALLEY MALL in Christiansburg!! Good Luck HOKIES! Open 24 hours! Accepts all Major Credit Cards. Print this coupon for $2.00 OFF any Laserwash 4000 car wash. Attendant must be on duty to redeem discount (b/t 9am-3pm-most days except inclement weather).
 
Summer Positions- We are hiring for summer positions in our Painting, Grounds, and Housekeeping Teams. If you are an energetic person who enjoys working with a team, this is a position for you! Applications are available at the Foxridge and Hethwood Welcome Center.
 
Lifeguards Wanted - Planning for the 2008 swimming season is already in motion...as summer is just around the corner. We will need certified lifeguards and swim lesson instructors (F/T & P/T). If you are a returning guard or would like to work with us for the first time, please stop by our office to pick up an application. Spaces will fill up fast...so spread the word! If you want a cool summer job working with great people, see Christine or Carol at the Hethwood Foundation office or call 552-5252. You can download an application from the HHHunt web site.
 
Mascot Needed - If you are an energetic, upbeat person, you are just the person for our mascot, J.D. Fox. Please submit and application and resume to the Foxridge and Hethwood Welcome Center.