Membership Drive – Safety in Numbers

A subcommittee to the Utopia Board has been recently formed to reach out for growth of our membership. What began as neighbor members interested in group events evolved into the realization that additional police coverage for our area must be our number one priority with group events focused on building membership that will allow us to contract for more patrol hours.

The membership fee is only $3.37 per day, and we know by crime stats that Utopia police coverage makes a difference.   Twenty more families would provide sufficient income to contract 13 more patrol hours per week and we believe that with the right approach many families will join.  If you would like to help our effort, please call Mario Klappholtz or any of the committee members directly, or send a message to  [email protected]

Name

Cell Phone Number

Home Phone Number
Mario Klappholz

305-667-7090

305-661-0737
Glenn Patron

787-306-8350

305-661-4575
Ellen Klappholz

305-490-0362

305-661-0737
Maureen Pelham

716-480-0991

786-953-6322
Gale Patron

787-671-6002

305-661-4575

Crimewatch – auto thefts

In response to a series  of car thefts in our area during the summer of 2011, the board made a decision to substantially increase police patrol presence.   The good news is that with the additional security and neighborhood vigilance, no serious crimes or additional car break-ins were reported.

Although this crime trend ended, remember that cars parked outside are extremely vulnerable to theft.  Always empty vehicles of all tempting personal belongings before locking up.

President’s Letter – 3rd Quarter 2011

Issue II, 3rd Quarter 2011

Dear Member,

I hope this newsletter finds you well, and that you are enjoying a great summer.  We hope you enjoy the second edition of our newsletter, designed to keep you up-to-date with news of the Utopia Homeowners Association.

Since our last newsletter, your UHOA Board of Directors has been hard at work interacting with the City of Miami Police to enhance the security of our neighborhood. We are constantly monitoring crimes in our surrounding area in coordination with our police patrol to determine the most effective strategy for keeping our community safe.

On a social front, our first “Neighborhood Dinner” was a great success. Many members of UHOA joined together for a night of drinks, dinner, and fun. Our Board is busy planning additional opportunities for you to come out and meet your neighbors. A members event is planned for September followed by a community event in our park in the fall.

Finally, and most crucially, your Board has been reaching out to all the non-members within the UHOA boundaries to increase our membership. More members mean more patrol hours, and hopefully an even safer neighborhood. YOU, our member, are the best ambassador for growth for Utopia HOA.  Please take the time to invite your neighbor to join us.
Have a wonderful summer,

Ben Quevedo
President

Carla’s Chicken Cacciatore

  • By popular demand we are reprinting the recipe for member Carla Blanco’s famous Chicken Cacciatore which was served at the first Progressive Dinner in March, 2011.  Add a tossed salad, some rustic artisan bread and you have a perfectly simple and delicious meal for 8 hearty eaters.
  • ½ lb. chicken, cut up, or the equivalent amount of chicken pieces (I use boneless thighs and some legs)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 bay leaves
  •  2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  •  3 cloves garlic, peeled (1 crushed, 2 sliced)
  • 1/2 bottle Chianti
  • Flour for dusting
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 anchovy fillets, optional (didn’t use)
  • A handful of r black olives, pitted (I used Kalamata)
  • 2 14-oz. cans of good-quality
  • plum tomatoes (broken up with a wooden spoon)
  • Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and put them into bowl. Add bay leaves, rosemary sprigs and crushed clove of garlic and cover with Chianti, leave to marinate for at least one hour, but preferably overnight in refrigerator. (did this in a ziplock bag)
  • Preheat oven 350°F.
  • Drain chicken, reserving marinade in bowl on the side, and pat meat dry with paper towels. Dust the chicken pieces with flour, shaking off any excess. Heat ovenproof pan, add splash of olive oil and fry chicken pieces until they are browned slightly all over; set chicken aside
  • Place pan back on heated burner and add sliced garlic. Fry gently until golden.
  • Add anchovies, olives, tomatoes and chicken pieces along with reserved marinade. Bring to a boil, cover with lid and bake in preheated oven for 1½ hours.
  • Skim off and discard any oil collected on top of sauce, then stir, taste, and add salt and pepper if necessary. Remove bay leaves and rosemary sprigs and serve.
  • Serve with crusty bread to sop up the sauce.