Willowlake - February 2012 by Peel, Inc.

Willowlake

www.willowlake.siteblast.com

February 2012

Volume 9, Issue 2

The Official Publication of the Willowlake Homeowners Association

Mark Your Calendar

Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29................... Waste/Recycle Pickup Feb. 14.................................................Valentine's Day Feb. 18 - Mar. 18..................Livestock Show & Rodeo Feb. 20................................................. Presidents' Day Feb. 29.......................................................... Leap Day

Volunteers Still Needed!!

While we have seen some great participation in our new Willowlake Watch Program and have new volunteers on board, we are still showing some vacancies in several committee positions. Willowlake has not had a social chairperson for several years now and a big reason is that people who have volunteered in the past became super frustrated because of a lack of participation. In order to make our community more family friendly, more festive, safe or whatever ideas you have that would be good for all, we need to have people willing to invest their time and creativity to make it happen. This is your community and it is what you make of it. You can choose to get involved and improve it or you can sit back and allow others to serve you. The one thing you cannot do, at least with any credibility, is complain if you are one of those who aren't participating. In the absence of volunteers year after year, the board made a decision this past Christmas to pay a company to put up and take down our neighborhood decorations. This is money that comes out of our assessments and could be used elsewhere if we have people willing to show up and lend a hand for a few hours. Thank you to those of you who have faithfully served your neighbors in various ways year after year, we appreciate you!! Debi Bon Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

LEAP YEAR FACTS

2012 is a leap year, yea! Here are some leap year facts: • Leap years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the earth's revolutions around the sun. • A leap year consists of 366 days, whereas other years, called common years, have 365 days. • The Gregorian calendar has a 400-year cycle until it repeats the same weekdays for every year-February 29, 2008, was a Friday and February 29, 2408, will be a Friday. • The Gregorian calendar has 97 leap years during those 400 years. • The longest time between two leap years is eight years. The last time that occurred was between 1896 and 1904. The next time will be between 2096 and 2104. Special Leap Years Leap years that share the same day of week for each date repeat only every 28 years between the years 1904 and 2096. The year 2008 was a leap year. If you look at a 2008 calendar, you will see that February has five Fridaysthe month begins and ends on a Friday. February comprised five Fridays in 1980 as well, and the next occurrence will be in 2036. February 29, the leap day, has been associated with age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore.

Happy Valentine's Day February 14

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for Valentine's Day. She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds." I bought her a bathroom scale. And then the fight started…..

Willowlake Watch - February 2012

Willowlake important numbers All Emergencies................................................................911 Bratton Pools................................................... 281-988-7700 Cypress-Fairbanks Hospital............................. 281-897-3300 Harris County Sheriff...................................... 713-221-6000 Department of Public Safety........................... 281-890-5440 Fire Department (non-emergency).................. 713-466-6161 Center Point Energy - Power Outages Only.... 713-207-2222 Center Point Energy - Gas............................... 713-659-2111 Harris County Animal Control....................... 281-999-3191 Memorial City Hospital.................................. 713-932-3000 MUD #11....................................................... 281-807-9500 Poison Control Center.................................... 800-222-1222 Willowplace Post Office................................. 281-890-2392 Harris County Road & Bridge........................ 281-353-8424 VF Waste Services, Inc.................................... 713-787-9790 Harris Co. Public Health & Environ. Svcs...... 713-920-2831

2012 COMMITTEES

Architectural Control Committee Mark Lackey........................................ markl@comcast.net Social Events...............................................................OPEN Newsletter Linda O’Pry.......................mommyma1422@sbcglobal.net Yard of the Month .............................................................................. OPEN Security Chairman ................................................................................OPEN Block Captains James Deitiker...................................deitikerj@yahoo.com Gazebo Rental - Randall Management............ 713-728-1126 Pool Chairman Lynn Piwonski................................LMP4040@yahoo.com Park Chairman Diego Lamacchia.........................dlamacchia@hotmail.com

management info Your Randall Management, Inc. Team............. 713-728-1126 Association Manager Jane Godwin....... jgodwin@randallmanagement.com, ext. 11 Assistant Manager Janet Bonura........jbonura@randallmanagement.com, ext. 17 Deed Restriction Coordinator Lucy Mora................deed@randallmanagement.com, ext. 18 Accounting Contacts Janeth Flores. collections2@randallmanagement.com, ext. 25 Lily Flores collections@randallmanagement.com, ext. 22 Answering Service: 713-850-4729 - After Business Hours (For Emergencies) For information on your homeowner’s assessments, deed restriction violations or questions in general please contact:Randall Management, Inc. 6200 Savoy, Suite 420, Houston, TX 77036 Phone: 713-728-1126 Fax: 713-728-5015 www.rqsmith@randallmanagement.com

NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE

board of directors President - Debi Bon.............................. debibon@sbcglobal.net Vice President - Nancy Kapell.............. nancykapell@yahoo.com Treasurer - Stacey Ward...........................w.stacey@sbcglobal.net Secretary - Daniel Flores.......................dsflores10@sbcglobal.net Director - David Bannen..................................dbannen@att.net

newsletter info Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc.......................................................... 888-687-6444 Sales Office........advertising@PEELinc.com, 888-687-6444 2

Willowlake Watch - February 2012

Classified Ad FOR SALE: Two builder's custom built-ins for sale on Trailing Moss. They would be perfect for a Willowlake home. They are white with an armoire and shelves on both sides with a desk AND drawers in the middle. One set has already been removed and the other is in one bedroom for display. I am sure these were costly add-ons, but I like a more contemporary look. Please call Linda @ 832-646-8721 and make an offer. Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

New Year's Good Intentions

"Darn!" the man said to his pal while weighing himself in a drugstore. "I began this diet yesterday, but the scale says I'm heavier. Here, Norm, hold my jacket…It still says I'm heavier. Here, hold my Twinkies." "I was relaxing in my favorite chair one Sunday," said one office worker to another, "reading the newspaper, watching a ball game on TV and listening to another on the radio, drinking beer, eating a snack and scratching the dog with my foot-and my wife has the nerve to accuse me of just sitting there doing nothing!" By Lola Brandli

What You Missed

If you failed to read the January newsletter, here are some of the articles you missed: • 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft • Repeat of Residential Waste Collection Guidelines for Willowlake HOA • Harris County Crime Report for Willowlake for the Month of November • Funny Jokes and more It's still not too late to read these articles. Just go to http://www.peelinc.com/ residentsNewsletter.php?newsletter=WL and view each month's articles going back as far as 2005. As always, thank you for reading our newsletter. By Linda O'Pry, Newsletter Editor

Willowlake Kids' Corner Question: How do you get a child to do sit-ups? Answer: Put the remote control between his feet. By Katie Kendrick

VF Waste Services Reminder February has five Wednesdays; thus, there will be (5) waste/recycle pickup days in this month. This won't occur again until May of 2012.

Willowlake Watch - February 2012

Willowlake

WILLOWLAKE SECURITY ALERT

In the last two months, Willowlake has unfortunately experienced several home burglaries and a theft to a parked car. In response, your follow neighbors have banded together to prevent crime before it starts. In December, Willowlake kicked off our Neighborhood Watch (NW) program. It’s simply a program to create awareness, and get to know the neighborhood better. It’s been proven that being visible, and looking out for our neighbors will stop crime in the neighborhood before it gets started. Our goal is to have a NW block captain on each street. What are a NW block captain’s responsibilities? Basically, sharing some proven crime safety tips and spending some time getting to know your neighbors a little better. • Educate your neighbors on when and who to contact should they see something suspicious. • The KEY is Communication and Information. • Report anything suspicious to the local law enforcement agency. They would prefer to spend 10 minutes checking out a call than 10 days following up on a crime that has already been committed. • A Block Captain is NOT expected to solve the crimes, nor are they to interfere with the investigation. • A Block Captain is in a position to gather and provide information to the Sheriff’s Department through the Neighborhood Watch program. • A Block Captain will NEVER CONFRONT A SUSPECT - IT CAN

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• Fence Repair/Replacement

Willowlake needs you! Want to volunteer for a good cause that’s close to home? Willowlake is looking for volunteers! • Neighborhood Watch Captains • Social Event Coordinators • Yard of the Month Chairperson • Welcome Committee Members Neighborhood Watch Program Volunteer to be a Captain on your block. Captain Responsibilities: • Get to know your neighbors • Coordinate reporting of suspicious activity on your block • Stay informed of neighborhood activities • Attend Neighborhood Watch meetings, (as needed, ~ 1/month or Qtr). • Training provided. Social Event Coordinator Responsibilities: Work with a team of other neighbors to coordinate community events; including National Night Out, Gathering at the Gazebo, Book Club, Bunko and other events. Welcome Committee Member Responsibilities: Work with fellow neighbors to welcome new residents to Willowlake, deliver our welcome packet. It is a lot of fun and a great way to meet your new neighbors. WE need YOU to build a stronger community. Contact HOA Board Member Dave Bannen at dbannen@att.net to volunteer. Follow what’s going on in your neighborhood Log on to the Willowlake HOA Facebook page. Willowlake Activities and Security Alerts are posted on our neighborhood Facebook page. www.facebook.com. Once you have an account, join the Willowlake HOA group. Don’t miss out - stay informed on what’s going on in Willowlake!

Come grow with us!

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BE DANGEROUS! YOU ARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT; LET THE TRAINED EXPERTS HANDLE THE CASE. If you See Something, Say Something. Know who to call. Find out who your NW block captain is on your street. If there isn’t one yet, consider volunteering as a captain. We’d like to cover every street, and with your help we can. Sound interesting? To volunteer contact HOA board member Dave Bannen at dbannen@ att.net

Willowlake Watch - February 2012

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School

“Living, loving, and learning in Christ and the Church.” 6646 Addicks Satsuma Rd. Houston, TX 77084 281-463-1444 www.seascs.org EXCELLENT CURRICULUM • ATHLETICS COMPUTER & SCIENCE LABS BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Tree Care

Texas is in the midst of one of the worst droughts in recorded state history, and it's creating disastrous results for trees across the state. Many trees are dropping their leaves and branches, while others have leaves that are wilting and turning yellow or brown. Some have even died. It's hard to say for sure just how many trees we might lose before the drought breaks. It may be spring 2012 before we know whether some of our dormant trees will make a comeback. Until then, the most important thing you can do is ... water, water, water! Why should I water my tree? The time has passed for early warning signs. If you have a tree in your yard and do not have an irrigation system, it's likely stressed from the drought and needs water. It's a small price to pay - literally just pennies per gallon - for all the benefits trees provide. When should I water? As a general rule, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day-from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. How often should I water? During this extreme drought, mature trees need to be watered about once a week, while younger, newlyplanted trees need to be watered about three times a week. You can use a screwdriver to determine if it's time to water; simply try to push it into the ground. If the ground is dry, you won't be able to. If the ground is wet, you will. If you can't get your screwdriver to easily go at least 6 to 8 inches into the ground, it's time to water. What is the best way to water my tree? For large, valuable yard trees, you can water with a garden hose or soaker hose - both are preferred methods, especially under water usage restrictions - or a sprinkler, which is the fastest way to water large areas. A 5-gallon bucket with holes drilled into the bottom can be used to water smaller trees. What if I have in-ground, pop-up, automatic sprinklers? Take a screwdriver and poke it into the soil under the tree. If it doesn't go 6 to 8 inches deep in the soil, give your tree more water with the outlined methods. What should I not do in a drought? Don't apply high-salt, quickrelease fertilizers or dig under the canopy of a tree during a severe drought. It's also not a good idea to prune live branches off young trees. They may need these branches once the rains return. Where can I get more information about tree care? Contact a local, certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture or Texas Forest Service. Watering with a garden hose? 1. Before you water, test your soil with a screwdriver. If the screwdriver doesn't go 6 to 8 inches into the soil, it's time to water deeply. 2. Turn the faucet on high and let the water flow until it begins to run off, a good indicator that the ground is no longer absorbing it. Then lower the flow. 3. Start close to the trunk and work your way out until you've covered the entire area under the canopy. 4. Conduct the screwdriver test every 30 minutes until you can get it at least 6 to 8 inches into the ground. You want the water to soak about that far into the soil. 5. Once you can get the screwdriver to slide easily into the ground, it's time to move the hose and repeat these steps in a different spot. 6. Repeat this process every week during a severe drought. Don't forget to use your screwdriver to see if you need to re-water. Copyright ÂŠ 2012 Peel, Inc.

Willowlake

Watering with a soaker hose --Slow watering that works best for small to medium trees. 1. Before you water, test your soil with a screwdriver. If the screwdriver doesn't go 6 to 8 inches into the soil, it's time to water deeply. 2. Encircle your tree with a soaker hose. If you hook several soaker hoses together, use just one flow restrictor next to the garden hose connection. Make sure you follow the directions that came with your soaker hose. 3. Generally, soaker hoses take about four hours to put out an inch of water, which is about how much a mature tree needs every week during a drought. 4. Start near the trunk and work your way out, making sure all ground under the canopy has at least an inch of water. 5. Repeat this process every week during a severe drought. Don't forget to use your screwdriver to see if you need to re-water. Watering with a sprinkler --The fastest way to water your trees. 1. Before you water, test your soil with a screwdriver. If the screwdriver doesn't go 6 to 8 inches into the soil, it's time to water deeply. 2. Run the sprinkler until you have put out about an inch of water under the tree. This should take about 30 minutes depending on your sprinkler. 3. For a more specific reading, set a tuna or cat food can next to the sprinkler. Check the can every 15 minutes or so until you know how long it takes to put out an inch of water. 4. Once you know how long it takes, just set the timer and move your sprinkler every time it goes off. 5. Remember to start near the trunk and work your way out, making sure all ground under the canopy has at least an inch of water. 6. Repeat this process every week during a severe drought. Don't forget to use your screwdriver to see if you need to re-water. Watering with a 5-gallon bucket --Slow watering best for small or newly-planted trees. 1. Before you water, test your soil with a screwdriver. If the screwdriver doesn't go 6 to 8 inches into the soil, it's time to water deeply. 2. Take a five-gallon bucket and drill several small holes in the bottom. 3. Set it near your small or newly-planted tree, fill it up with water and then let it slowly flow out. 4. Remember to start near the trunk and work your way out, moving the bucket around to ensure you've watered the entire area underneath the tree canopy. 5. Repeat this process every week during a severe drought. Don't forget to use your screwdriver to see if you need to re-water. Water your Trees! Visit http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=mg8k6hdab&et=1107771673922&s=5 047&e=0018xi65g G3gJGTYX6JYDx-KZr8oEFYMdVVutgavZdJOk7cnLgfQyCp_ aBKItVKic1B7YIrD8lza4-sxzlBWB Mlhx7XDa7hycI9jXuc2YHkYRZ1LjkV_lfdLnCv5FHIBR0g> for more information about trees and drought.

Willowlake Watch - February 2012

Willowlake

Residential Recycle Collection Guidelines for Willowlake HOA Services Now Include Certain Glass

Updated Recycle Collection Guidelines Since February 2, 2011, VF Waste Services has been providing curbside recycle service to Willowlake. VF Waste will provide 1 – 18 gallon recycle bin to each household. In addition, each household can add two more of their own containers for recycling similar to our bins. Each additional container may be no more than 20 gallons and must be made of plastic and must be clearly labeled with the word(s) “Recycle” for identification by VF employees. You can purchase extra recycle bin(s) from us at $15.00 or purchase your own at a hardware store or online. Your recycle bins are not part of the eight (8) item trash limit. Please place your recycle bin(s) at least three feet apart from your regular trash to avoid any confusion by our employees. Below is a list of the items that we will accept and not accept for recycle collection....... Items Accepted: Paper (Place in paper bag. Do not put in plastic bags) Carbonless forms, tissue role cores Clean pizza boxes, soda and beer boxes Envelopes, junk mail, paper bags

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Direct: 281-732-0009 Office: 832-478-1246 Area resident for 17 years.

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Willowlake Watch - February 2012

Newspaper, magazines, catalogs, annual reports Shredded paper strips Telephone books, paper egg cartons White, colored and fax paper Metals Aluminum beverage cans, tin/steel food & pet food cans, aluminium foil, pie pans and trays, and metal jar lids rinsed out prior to placing in recycling bin GLASS (Please rinse and drain glass as much as possible before placing out for pick-up.) We will accept household glass items purchased at the grocery store such as jars, glass bottles, wine bottles, glass beer bottles etc. We will accept the most common color such as clear, brown and green. We will not accept window/door glass, glass plates, table glass or glass products used for placing cooked foods. Flattened Cardboard Corrugated cardboard boxes broken down, cereal, food, detergent, pet food, etc. Plastic Containers (Check for recycling seal #1- #7, please rinse and remove the lid – lid can go in bin) Bleach & detergent containers Butter & ice cream tubs (Continued on Page 7) At no time will any source be allowed to use the Willowlake contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from the Willowlake Homeowners Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the Willowlake Watch is exclusively for the private use of Willowlake residents only. DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above. Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

Willowlake Residential Recycle Collection - (Continued from Page 6) Clean plastic flower pots Dish, shampoo, lotions, soap bottles Household cleaning containers Milk, juice and cooking oil jugs Soda & water bottles Yogurt cups & microwave trays Orange prescription pill bottles (please double check recycle # on bottom and must wash out residue) Thin Plastic Grocery store bags, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, plastic sleeve from newspaper Items not accepted at this time: Batteries Biohazard Ceramic items or porcelain Computer Parts Medical Waste Styrofoam PAPER not accepted: Disposable diapers, food-encrusted pizza boxes, cereal box liners, food/seed bags, photographs, foil greeting cards, slick-coated frozen food boxes, tissue paper, foil gift wrap, hardback books, Tyvek envelopes, food contaminated paper plates, cups and napkins.

METALS not accepted: Paint and aerosol containers, pesticide & chemical containers, oil filters & batteries, syringes & needles. PLASTICS not accepted: anti-freeze & motor oil containers, pesticide & chemical containers, plastics with no recycling symbol, toys, laundry baskets, and unsanitary containers. The bins must be placed by the curb by 7:00 am on your scheduled pick up day. If you have backdoor pick up then your bins must also be ready by 7:00 am on your scheduled pick up day. The recyclable items must be placed inside the bins and must not overflow. RECYCLE PICKUP WILL BE DELAYED TO THE NEXT SCHEDULED COLLECTION DAY WHEN THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS FALL ON WEDNESDAY: NEW YEAR’S DAY & CHRISTMAS DAY We greatly appreciate your time and cooperation. If you have any further questions about or service please contact our Customer Service Department at 713-787-9790 or email us at vfwaste@ vfwasteservices.com or visit our website at www.vfwasteservices.com. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are also open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. V.F. Waste Services, Inc. - Customer Service Department

REACHING YOUR NEIGHBORS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Atascocita CIA Blackhorse Ranch Bridgeland Chelsea Harbour Coles Crossing Copperfield Cypress Mill Cypress Point Eagle Springs Enchanted Valley Fairfield Fairwood Harvest Bend The Village Kleinwood Lakemont Lakes of Fairhaven Lakes of Rosehill Lakes of Savannah Lakes on Eldridge Lakes on Eldridge North Lakewood Grove Legends Ranch

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

and many others...

Longwood Normandy Forest North Lake Forest Riata Ranch Riverpark on the Brazos Shadow Creek Ranch Silverlake Southgate Steeplechase Stone Forest Stone Gate Summerwood Village Creek Villages of NorthPointe Willowbridge Willowlake Willow Pointe Winchester Country Winchester Trails Windermere Lakes Wortham Villages

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Willowlake Watch - February 2012