2013 Holiday Lights Details as published December 1, 2013
Holiday Lights – Version 2013
It’s that time of the year and with the weather hinting at winter, holiday decorations will soon appear. For years GMCA has recognized the fun our neighbors have in decorating for the holidays. We really get with the season.
It’s that time of the year and with the weather hinting at winter, holiday decorations will soon appear. For years GMCA has recognized the fun our neighbors have in decorating for the holidays. We really get with the season.
Send the street address of your nomination using the Contact GMCA form.
The association tries to be attentive to the changes taking place in our neighborhood and in Lakewood. A few matters seem to be appropriate to think about this year.
First, when thinking of our lights we think of last years winner, Brad Shrader. He has the lights down on W. Dakota Ave., the massive computer controlled display that is coordinated with music we can play in our cars on the FM dial. Clearly Brad has set a very high bar in any competition for the best lights. In chatting with Brad, it turns out he is not really motivated by the competition. He loves the challenge of engineering the display and sharing it with his neighbors. This is the same way elite model railroaders are. In recognition of this, this year we will have a “Pro” category of light displays. In search of criteria, we’ll use the computer as the feature that defines the “Pro” category. Brad will be in this category. We wonder if there is a challenger or two.
Second, the “Open” category will include just about everyone that isn’t ‘Pro”. We will feature on the website a list of homes that stand out, the more the merrier. But there will be an added twist.
Every year it is a great challenge to pick a winner in the Holiday Lights ‘contest’. As you may imagine it is impossible to be objective. We hope to reflect the spirit of the season by listing as many homes as are nominated, and featuring a few “Special Recognition” homes similar to the way we did with the Landscape Judging. Unlike the Landscape event, we will include only a few photographs on the website. There is simply nothing like seeing the real thing. But just the same, we will be experimenting with the challenge of getting few nice photographs. And photos can be contributed through the Contact Us page on the website.
And this year we will not be awarding cash prizes. Looking at past years, the token checks written were typically never cashed! We’ll use the small budget to put out signs encouraging neighbors to nominate homes that interest them.
This year we will add another dimension to our list. We have had neighbors suggest a sustainability theme in the past, and even suggest that our neighborhood strive for the City of Lakewood Sustainable Neighborhood Award. So this year we will note “Special Sustainability Recognition” displays.
The criteria for a Sustainability display this year are based on suggestions from Erich Harris, Sustainability Manager for the City of Lakewood. The criteria are simple and based on the conservation of energy.
On the website there is an article based on a meeting with Erich Harris. It was an interesting discussion. http://www.greenmountainestates.org/sustainability.html
This year we will also note displays that include a religious theme. Neighbors have asked that we make this note so they can make sure they see them. We ask everyone to send a note when they see a religious component so we can make that note for those interested.
As always we hope you will share with us any ideas you may have to make this event better.
First, when thinking of our lights we think of last years winner, Brad Shrader. He has the lights down on W. Dakota Ave., the massive computer controlled display that is coordinated with music we can play in our cars on the FM dial. Clearly Brad has set a very high bar in any competition for the best lights. In chatting with Brad, it turns out he is not really motivated by the competition. He loves the challenge of engineering the display and sharing it with his neighbors. This is the same way elite model railroaders are. In recognition of this, this year we will have a “Pro” category of light displays. In search of criteria, we’ll use the computer as the feature that defines the “Pro” category. Brad will be in this category. We wonder if there is a challenger or two.
Second, the “Open” category will include just about everyone that isn’t ‘Pro”. We will feature on the website a list of homes that stand out, the more the merrier. But there will be an added twist.
Every year it is a great challenge to pick a winner in the Holiday Lights ‘contest’. As you may imagine it is impossible to be objective. We hope to reflect the spirit of the season by listing as many homes as are nominated, and featuring a few “Special Recognition” homes similar to the way we did with the Landscape Judging. Unlike the Landscape event, we will include only a few photographs on the website. There is simply nothing like seeing the real thing. But just the same, we will be experimenting with the challenge of getting few nice photographs. And photos can be contributed through the Contact Us page on the website.
And this year we will not be awarding cash prizes. Looking at past years, the token checks written were typically never cashed! We’ll use the small budget to put out signs encouraging neighbors to nominate homes that interest them.
This year we will add another dimension to our list. We have had neighbors suggest a sustainability theme in the past, and even suggest that our neighborhood strive for the City of Lakewood Sustainable Neighborhood Award. So this year we will note “Special Sustainability Recognition” displays.
The criteria for a Sustainability display this year are based on suggestions from Erich Harris, Sustainability Manager for the City of Lakewood. The criteria are simple and based on the conservation of energy.
- LED lights take about 80% less energy and have a much longer life expectancy
- Use timers to show your displays at the popular hours. Consider turning the display off by 10 PM. Avoid dusk-to-dawn timers.
- Make every light count, be imaginative and creative.
On the website there is an article based on a meeting with Erich Harris. It was an interesting discussion. http://www.greenmountainestates.org/sustainability.html
This year we will also note displays that include a religious theme. Neighbors have asked that we make this note so they can make sure they see them. We ask everyone to send a note when they see a religious component so we can make that note for those interested.
As always we hope you will share with us any ideas you may have to make this event better.
Send the street address of your nomination using the Contact GMCA form.