Dear Fireside at Norterra Residents, My name is Karen Pond, and I am excited to serve as the new Lifestyle Director for the Fireside at Norterra community.
Creating memorable experiences and bringing people together has been my passion for many years. I have worked in the events and lifestyle industry since 2011, planning and coordinating everything from community celebrations and family events to social gatherings, wellness programs, and large-scale special events. Prior to joining Fireside at Norterra, I served as the Lifestyle Director at a nearby country club, where I had the opportunity to develop engaging programs, organize community events, and help foster meaningful connections among residents.
In addition to my professional experience, I am also an AAM-managed community resident myself. This gives me a unique perspective and appreciation for the important role that community events, amenities, and resident engagement play in creating a neighborhood that truly feels like home.
On a personal note, I am the proud mother of two wonderful children, a devoted dog lover, and an enthusiastic gardener. Whether I'm attending my kids' activities, spending time with my dogs, or working in the garden, I enjoy the simple things that help create a sense of home and community. These interests have given me a special appreciation for family-friendly activities, outdoor spaces, and opportunities for neighbors to connect with one another.
Since joining Fireside at Norterra, I have been impressed by the welcoming atmosphere, beautiful amenities, and strong sense of community that make this neighborhood so special. I am honored to be a part of it and look forward to getting to know many of you in the months ahead.
We have an exciting lineup of activities planned, including Trivia Nights, community interest groups, fitness programming, seasonal celebrations, family events, holiday festivities, and much more. My goal is to create opportunities for neighbors to connect, make memories, and enjoy all that Fireside has to offer.
I encourage you to stop by the Community Center, introduce yourself, share your ideas, and let me know what types of events and programs you would like to see in the future. Resident feedback is invaluable, and I am always eager to hear new ideas that can help make our community even stronger.
Thank you for the warm welcome. I am thrilled to be here and look forward to meeting you at an upcoming event soon!
Warm regards,
Karen Pond Lifestyle Director Fireside at Norterra
INTEREST GROUP DIRECTORY
Send all group news and changes to activities@ourfiresidenorterra.net
Schedules for Interest Groups vary. Please contact the leader for more information.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
WINE 101
Dennis Horcher / 801-201-4949
BOOK CLUB
2nd Tuesday of the Month 7 p.m.
Jason Laipply / 614-323-5320
FIRESIDE JAM SESSION
Andy Nydell / andrewnydell@gmail.com
FIRESIDE PHILANTHROPY GROUP
Jason Bressler / 602-561-2348 Jason@phxleegacy.org
CARDS & GAMES
M & M’S MAH JONGG
Wednesday 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Kay Tegland / 623-249-6227
Jason Bressler / 602-561-2348 Jason@phxleegacy.org
FIRESIDE AT NORTERRA: SUMMER 2026 PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
Partnering for Progress: Leadership, Stewardship, and Safety
Dear Fireside at Norterra Neighbors, Friends, and Families,
As we head into the warm Arizona summer months, it is a privilege to share a comprehensive update on the incredible work happening across our community. The second quarter of 2026 has been a season of significant progress, strategic reorganization, and reinforced community foundation. Thanks to the extraordinary collaboration between our professional management team at AAM, our dedicated Board of Directors, and an active roster of volunteer committees, our "Six Pillars of Strategic Growth" are delivering real, lasting value.
Below is a summary of our major milestones as we look ahead to a safe, beautiful, and fiscally sound third quarter.
Good governance requires institutional stability and clear roles. Following the resignation of Rick Jones in late March, the Board implemented a thoughtful, transparent "Hybrid Transparency Selection Model" to fill our empty seats. We conducted structured, fair Q&A sessions in our open meeting, followed by deep strategic deliberation.
I am thrilled to formally welcome David Mercer and Carole Raimondo to their new leadership seats on the Board! Our newly reorganized leadership team and strategic Board-to-Committee liaisons are:
• Jim Bell (President): Strategic Liaison to the Budget & Finance Committee.
• Desiree Frey (Vice President): Strategic Liaison to the Activities Committee.
• David Mercer (Treasurer): Strategic Liaison to the Gym Committee.
• Jordan Wise (Secretary): Strategic Liaison to the Aquatics Committee.
• Carole Raimondo (Director): Committee Chair to the Design Review Committee (DRC) and Strategic Liaison to the Landscape Committee. This structure firmly cements our "Liaison Rule"—where Board members act as strategic oversight conduits rather than diving into daily tactical execution, allowing our brilliant committee leads and management to shine.
We also want to congratulate and welcome our newly appointed committee volunteers who stepped up this spring:
• Activities Committee: Beth Tomkiw and Diane Eicher
• Gym Committee: Denise Demaris and the reappointment of Penny Nardi
• Aquatics Committee: Kate Murphy, Karissa Dean, Mike McMillie, and Billee Jo Winskowski
• Design Review Committee: Brittany Wise
• Budget & Finance Committee: Tom Webster
The board is fully staffed, highly aligned, and ready to roll.
2. Smart Stewardship: Reinvesting in Fireside's Wealth
Our financial health is the bedrock of our property values. Guided by the conservative, forward-thinking recommendations of our Budget & Finance Committee, the Board approved a massive restructure of our liquid reserves in April.
To combat inflation and safely put our community's cash to work, we:
• Reduced our low-interest operational balances and transferred $750,000 into our Edward Jones master investment account.
• Acquired four (4) new high-yield CDs and US Treasuries in the amount of $245,000 each (strategically splitting them into two 2-year terms and two 3-year terms) to maximize yield while ensuring staggered liquidity.
• Invested our remaining liquid cash reserves (approximately $250,000) into a secure, Treasury-Only Money Market Fund (TCOXX).
• Reinvested our Combined Gated CD, raising the principal to $350,000 split across staggered 2-year and 3-year notes.
This disciplined approach ensures that our reserves are growing securely, preparing Fireside to tackle future infrastructure needs without unexpected capital calls.
3. Landscape & Water Conservation Milestones
Our common areas are the "crown jewels" of Norterra, and maintaining them requires matching desert aesthetics with environmental responsibility.
• Early Bermuda Grass Turf Conversion: In our March session, the Board approved an early transition to Bermuda grass turf. This transition utilizes
native, heat-tolerant turf that requires substantially less water during peak summer heat, representing a significant long-term win for both water conservation and utility budgeting.
• Adjusted Tree Trimming Schedule: To ensure the safety of our pedestrian paths and the health of our local canopy, the annual tree trimming schedule has been adjusted to begin this June. The only exception will be our ironwood trees, which will be trimmed during their ideal biological window in the fall.
• Irrigation Phase II Plan: We are actively reviewing and vetting water-delivery blueprints with ProQual Landscaping to replace aging infrastructure, prevent underground water loss, and secure our zero-scape system's durability.
4. Safety & Infrastructure: Connecting with City & Regional Partners
True security and robust infrastructure don't stop at our property lines. To ensure the long-term durability and safety of the Norterra corridor, we are currently planning the launch of a dedicated Safety and Infrastructure Committee. I am working closely with Yvette to define the charter and scope of responsibility for this group. In the meantime, our active Board and community volunteers have initiated several vital, strategic outreach efforts:
• Coalition of Associations (COAs) Collaboration: We have established direct lines of communication with neighboring COAs. By uniting with surrounding communities, we amplify our collective voice when advocating for regional infrastructure repairs, traffic mitigation, and shared safety initiatives along our primary access roads.
• Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) Engagement: We are actively partnering with the City's NSD to leverage municipal resources. This outreach is focused on securing local grants, aligning on code enforcement assistance, and ensuring our outer perimeter public infrastructure is maintained up to Phoenix city standards.
• PPD Authority to Arrest (ATA) Active: Under the direct guidance of Phoenix Police Bureau Sergeant Charles Lambert, we have successfully processed and completed the active ATA registration for all 157 common-area tracts owned by our association. This legal framework permits law enforcement to immediately intervene and address trespassing on any HOA-owned parcel.
• Welcoming CAO Officer Kelsie Sanborn: We are pleased to introduce our new Phoenix Police Department Community Action Officer, Officer Kelsie Sanborn (#10649), who succeeded CAO Officer Blair this spring. Officer Sanborn is working closely with Precinct 200 and our community leadership to keep a close eye on our neighborhood.
• Vandalism & Tot Lot Protection: We are aggressively pursuing additional security bids and evaluating protective measures—including specialized fencing and camera integrations—to keep our beautiful playgrounds and common facilities clean, intact, and safe from mischief.
☀ A Vital Summer Safety Reminder: Stay Hydrated!
As beautiful as our desert landscape is during the summer months, the Arizona heat is incredibly dangerous. Our community fitness center, pools, and walking trails remain open, but please put your health and safety first:
• Avoid strenuous outdoor physical activity during peak afternoon hours.
• Always carry water with you—even on brief walks around the neighborhood.
• Monitor your kids and pets closely near paved surfaces and open outdoor spaces.
• Remember to stay hydrated with water and electrolytes before you even feel thirsty. Let's look out for one another and keep our neighborhood safe all summer long!
A Summer Note of Appreciation
Behind every clean pool, every manicured trail, every community event, and every balanced ledger is a neighbor volunteering their time. As we look at our freshly updated community center spaces, our energized fitness center, and our blooming desert landscapes, let’s remember that our community is only as strong as our willingness to participate in it.
To everyone who spent an evening in a committee meeting, submitted constructive feedback, or simply said "hello" to a neighbor on a walk: thank you. Wishing you all a wonderful, safe, and happy summer season!
Warmest regards,
Jim Bell | HOA Board President
Fireside at Norterra Community Association www.OurFiresideNorterra.net
ALL ACCESS
ENJOY CONVENIENCE
AAM All Access is a free all-in-one, user-friendly app created for AAM homeowners and Board members.
Whether you need to make a payment, review an architectural request, or refer to important association documents, AAM All Access makes it easy and convenient.
Account
View & Pay Balance
Update Contact Info
Mail Archive
Update Billing Preferences
Forms
Maintenance Requests
Fee Waivers
Compliance Concerns
Compliance
View Compliance Issues
Observe Photos
Submit Appeals Set Notifications
Integrated Features
eVoting Guest Passes
Membership Cards Room & Club Schedules
Architecturals
Submit Request with Pictures
Review Pending Request Full Action History
Board Members
Financial Dashboard
Association Documents
Board Tasks
Record Archives
Association
Important Contacts and Links
Resident Directory
Association Documents
Community FAQs
Enjoy Convenience
Customizable Dashboard
Multiple Account Access
Custom Push Notifications
Search AAM All Access
GLUTES & CORE
9:15AM Mondays
Strengthen your core and sculpt your glutes with a dynamic mix of bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, and weights.
Movement Studio
$5 Drop-In Fee
Ingredients
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 medium-size red onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium (about 3-pound) pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices
2 fresh habanero chiles, stemmed
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
GRILLED PINEAPPLE SALSA
Grilled pineapple is mixed with a pungent, garlicky habanero paste and fresh lime juice for this balanced, bold salsa.
Instructions
1. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Place garlic cloves and onion on 2 separate pieces of aluminum foil; fold each to create sealed packets. Place packets directly on grill grate; cook, uncovered, turning occasionally, until garlic and onion have softened, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place pineapple slices and chiles on oiled grates. Grill, uncovered, until pineapple is well marked, flipping once, 3 to 5 minutes per side, and skin on chiles is evenly charred, flipping often, 5 to 6 minutes Transfer to a cutting board and let cool 5 minutes
3 Chop pineapple into 1/4-inch pieces, and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in grilled onion and lime juice. Set aside.
4. Add salt and grilled garlic to a molcajete (see Note), and grind garlic to a smooth paste. Gradually add chiles and olive oil, grinding until mixture forms a mostly smooth paste.
5. Add chile paste to bowl with pineapple mixture. Stir in parsley, and season with additional salt to taste.
Pressed F lower Bookmarks
What You’ll Need
• Fresh flowers or lea
• Heavy books or a fl
• Cardstock
• Clear self-adhesive laminating sheets
• Scissors
Step One : Pick and Press Your Flowers
Head outside and collect small flowers and flat leaves : daisies, wildflowers, ferns, clover, petals that aren’t super thick . Place them between sheets of paper or newspaper and slide them inside a heavy book . Protect the book with plenty of tissue, newspaper, or paper towels. Stack a few more books on top and let everything sit for about a week . Longer if the flowers are thicker.
Step Two: Arrange Your Bookmark
Once your flowers are completely dry, lay them out on a piece of cardstock . This is the fun par t . Let kids arrange them however they want . Spell out names, make a scene, surreal ar t …anything goes. That freedom is what makes this so fun. If you’re making these as gifts, adding a name or date with a fine marker makes them ex tra special. I suggest writing their names and dates on the back bec ause you will not remember who did what in ten years. You won’t!
Step Three : Seal It Up
Carefully place your design inside a self-adhesive laminating sheet and smooth it down slowly to avoid bubbles. Trim the edges into a bookmark shape. Punch a hole at the top and add ribbon or twine.
FIRESIDE AT NORTERRA
Events are subject to change. Check the calendar on our website, www.OurFiresideNorterra.net, for
After Hours Emergency 866-553-8290 The Crossings Management GUD / 480-635-1133
Terrace View Management Amcor / 480-948-5860
Master Billing Inquiries 602-957-9191
Master Customer Care Center 602-957-9191/ aamcsrs@associatedasset. com
Community Action Officer & Block Watch Kelsie Sanborn #10649
Barking Dogs, City of Phoenix 602-262-6466 Garbage Collection 602-262-7251 Crime Stop / Non-Emergency Police Line 602-262-6151 City of Phoenix Parks & Rec. Department Claire Miller, Recreation Supervisor / 602-4955506
(Contact regarding City Parks in area) Andy Long, Park Ranger II, Sonoran Preserve 602-495-6939 / andy.long@phoenix.gov
