Work on the Berm has begun! The job includes the removal of all of the dirt and plants in the giant planters. The dirt is devoid of nutrients, and will be discarded. After the dirt is removed, the waterproofing of the giant planters will begin. When it is finished, new dirt will be brought in, and a landscape design including a new stone wall in place of the concrete curb, as well as irrigation and electricity will be installed. At that time, we also expect to solve a problem with the mini park lights, as we will be placing them on a separate circuit. We expect that the work will take approximately 60 working days, or up to 3 months. Limited work will also be done on Saturdays in an effort to shorten the amount of time that that driveway area is partially obstructed.

Our weather conditions have been less than ideal for spring and summer flowers. High winds and lots of clouds have slowed our planting and the blooming of the flowers. Only about half of the flowers have been planted on the property, by two professional companies, and the work is not finished. Planting had to be suspended due to weather and wind conditions and will continue on May 19th. Please be patient while our flowers root during the next week. The pots are expected to explode with color, blooms, and hanging vines, but not until we get some consistently good weather. We have been advised that with 5 straight days of sun, warmth and water (we are supplying the water!) our plants will bloom and thrive. Aren't the new Weeping Cherry Trees at the Tower I driveway area beautiful? The evergreens that were in those pots will be replanted throughout the property, and the pots will be re-painted once the planting is finished.

The Galaxy Management has undertaken a new program to control the pigeon infestation. We have begun a feeding regiment that will cause the birds to break away from their present group and seek new nesting grounds. This is a "no-kill" program. We welcome your feedback.

The tennis courts are officially open for the season! Reservations will be taken starting immediately. Remember, courts must be reserved in advance but not more than 24 hours in advance. One hour reservations for singles or two hours for doubles.

The Spa will be enforcing the guest rule for the tennis courts. There is a $10.00 fee for guest usage on weekends until 2:00 PM. Anyone interested in participating in round robins or lessons, contact Cassandra Wagner at 201-854-6068 or intothecourt@aol.com.

Steve Rosen's Sunday morning Hacker's League will be up and running at 9:00 AM on Courts #1 and #2 next week.

The Flea Market and Craft Sale will take place on Sunday - May 18th, 10:00AM to 4:00PM in the Picnic Area. If you want to rent a table, check in at the Spa Desk. Come down and be a buyer or a seller, or both! Hot dogs and lemonade will be on sale too. Check the cubbies in the lobbies and in the Spa for more information about this event and other activities at the Galaxy.

The Seniors Committee (aka the Voice of Experience) proudly present a gala event, the "Fantasy of Arabian Nights" in the Spa Lounge on May 24, 2003 at 8:00 PM. The evening will feature a belly dancer, open bar, superb Middle Eastern Cuisine from Beity Kabib Restaurant, dancing to a DJ and much more at a cost of $30 per person. Galaxy residents and guests 21+ years are welcome. Contact Hasso Gulrajaney at 201-861-5478 for more details.

Every Friday evening at 7:30 PM join your friends for a free half hour session of pure laughter in Room 3 in the Spa This club is sponsored by your Recreational Activities Committee. Check the cubbies for more details.

The movie for May 16, 2003 will be Red Dragon, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes and Ed Norton.

A wine tasting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2003 at 8:00 PM in the Spa Lounge. The event is a seated tasting of six wines accompanied by Spanish cheeses. The cost is $10.00 per person and sign up is at the Spa desk. Galaxy residents and their guests must be at least 21 years of age.

The Galaxy Social and Cultural Committee will be sponsoring a Caribbean Week, August 18 to 23, ending in a Caribbean Night party on August 23rd. If you come from a Caribbean country, maybe you would like to share your knowledge of the culture and customs of this region through a talk, slide show, a cooking demonstration, a fashion, crafts, art or dance presentation. If you are interested in doing a presentation, or know someone who could be part of our Caribbean Week program, leave a note with your name and phone number for Pam Sanabria at the Tower II concierge desk.

Please support one of our own, Charles Ntamere, as he trains for the Kona Marathon on June 22, 2003 to raise money for Diabetes research. Donations can be made on line at http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/CharlesNtamere/default.asp or via check to Tower 2-9A. Make checks payable to American Diabetes Foundation. Call Charles at 201-662-0944 for more information.

The next meeting of the Creative Eye will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 8:00 PM in room 3 of the Spa Lounge. We are now enrolling new members. Come-on down!

Massages are available at the Spa for $60 per hour. For an appointment call Rich Santangelo at 201-868-4380 or the Spa.  The Spa is also offering core strengthening classes on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM and Saturdays at 10:00 AM.  Massage therapy and fitness equipment orientations are also now available.  Contact the Spa at 201-453-2405 for more information.

For the May 21, 2003 meeting the members of the Book Club will be reading Amsterdan by Ian McEwan.

The book for the June 18, 2003 meeting will be The Fortunate Pilgrim by Mario Puzo.

The group meets at 8:00 PM in meeting room #3 in the Spa. Contact Florence Friedman at 201-854-1268 with any questions.

The Spa is now offering Pilates classes to be held twice weekly (Monday at 6:30 AM and Saturday at 8:00 AM). Classes run in 12 week sessions. Contact the Spa at 201-453-2404 for more information.

The only 'official' and valid website for The Galaxy can be found at http://www.galaxy-condo.com. Any other websites with the Galaxy name are not endorsed or reviewed by management, and may contain inaccurate information.