Rivermist - August 2012

The Beacon

Volume 3, Issue 8

August 2012

Yard Of The Month Program Overhaul Your Board of Directors wants to encourage you to get out and work on those yards!! We have revamped and restarted the Yard of the Month program and this month we awarded three winners with gift certificates to reward them for their hard work. This month’s winners are Phase I - The Richley Family at 8007 Stream Water Phase II - The Ward Family at 10731 Rivera Cove Phase III - The Chavez Family at 11814 Oak Water We will place signs in their yards proclaiming their landscaping and horticultural victories to the world!! Prizes will only go out every 2-3 months but in between those months we will recognize other homeowners in the monthly newsletter. We hope to eventually expand the competition to “best street,” so get out there and use those green thumbs!! (please submit ACA request for any major landscaping changes… You may do so online at www.spectrumam.com )

Sign up for email alerts by registering at www.Spectrumam.com Our management website is a treasure trove of information regarding neighborhood policies, community events, community safety and other helpful items. You can pay your assessment fee online and can also sign up to receive email updates/alerts that are sent out by the Board of Directors and site managers. If you need help registering or need to have your password reset, call our site manager, Jason Green at (210) 483-8127.

Your Board of Directors Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

The Beacon - August 2012

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The Beacon CASA seeking volunteers to be child advocates

By Jason P. Olivarri Published 05:30 p.m., Monday, April 25, 2011 Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) is seeking more volunteer advocates, specifically Hispanic and African American males, to make a difference in any child's life. Yolanda Valenzuela, vicepresident of programs at CASA, said they work with children that have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services (CPS) due parental abuse and neglect. CASA essentially operates as extra hands for overworked CPS caseworkers by recruiting, training, and supporting community volunteers who act as the voice of these children.

“It's a commitment,” Valenzuela said. “They (volunteers) make some pretty heavy decisions.” During this time, volunteer mentors commit up to 15 hours a month doing everything from visiting a child's school to daycare, doctor, foster homes and relatives to ensure they are safe and their needs are being met. Children range in age from a few months old to age 18. In the end, a volunteer will also make a recommendation to a judge on whether a child or children should go home to their parents or be placed elsewhere.

Right now, CASA is focusing its recruitment towards more African American and Hispanic males. With only 30 male CASA volunteers out of 300, and with Bexar County leading the state

in child deaths, the need for more positive father figures is greater than ever. “Right now we're serving about 35, 40 percent of the kids that are in care,” she said. CASA Recruitment and Training Director Aleigha Barrera said no special training or background is needed to be a volunteer. All that is really required, she added, is a big heart and a desire to make a difference. Emlyn Jeffrey, an eight-year CASA volunteer, said its very satisfying knowing he played a part in putting a child in the best situation possible.

“Really it's what's most important for the child, and getting them set up so that they can live their lives in a happy and a safe manner,” he said.

For more information about Child Advocates San Antonio, visit www.casa-satx.org or call CASA at 225-7070.

Volunteer to be a powerful voice for abused and neglected children!

Next new volunteer training class : Starts August 21st Tuesday and Thursday Evenings from 6 - 9 pm for Three Weeks and includes one Saturday. August 25th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Sign up for our next information sessions: Friday June 29th from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Thursday August 2nd from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Call 225-7070 or email bcox@casa-satx.org for more

Check us out on the web at www.rivermistsa.com Our community website is a treasure trove of information regarding community events, community safety and other helpful items. You can sign up to receive email updates/alerts that are sent out by our talented webmaster.

Sincerely, Your Board of Directors 2

The Beacon - August 2012

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc

The Beacon Dear Homeowner,

Arbor

Pro Tree Care

Ross Hosea, Owner

Regards,

ISA Certified Arborist #TX-3811A Texas Oak Wilt Certified San Antonio native with more than 20 years experience Trimming ● Removal ● Planting Free Estimates

Here at Spectrum we strive to make the transition to our company as seamless and problem free as possible.

This article is just a reminder on the different ways you can pay your homeowner association dues. The most traditional method of coming to our office to pay is available. Our address is 17319 San Pedro, Suite 318, San Antonio, TX 78232. You can also register at www.spectrumam. com and login to pay your dues by e-check or credit card. We accept payment from Mastercard, Discover and American Express. On this site you can also setup recurring payments, view current reports of any ACC requests, Violations, governing documents, upcoming events and other information. For your security, we do not take credit card payments over the phone. If you ever have questions on how to register or how to review something on the website, please feel free to contact us. Our policy is to return all calls and emails the same day. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Jason M. Green Community Manager Office: 210.494.0659 www.spectrumam.com

(210) 912-4869 or rosshosea@hotmail.com

1 FREE Nail Trim* Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

The Beacon - August 2012

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The Beacon

The Finer Points of Hand Watering

By Mark A. Peterson

San Antonio Still Following Stage Two Watering Rules The Edwards Aquifer has dropped four feet since Sunday, prompting San Antonio Water System officials to remind everyone that the community is still in Stage Two drought restrictions.

"San Antonio has managed well through watering restrictions this spring with once per week watering," said Anne Hayden, SAWS Communications Manager. “We are asking people to continue to be diligent and follow the Stage Two drought rules to help us avoid further restrictions."

Due to dry spring weather and heavy water use across the Edwards region, San Antonio entered Stage Two drought restrictions on May 1. While the Edwards Aquifer Authority briefly returned to Stage One restrictions earlier this month, the City of San Antonio has continued to follow Stage Two restrictions throughout the summer.

Off-duty police officers continue to write citations for watering on the wrong day and water waste. Since Stage Two restrictions were put in place on May 1, more than 500 citations have been issued.

LAST DIGIT OF ADDRESS

WATERING DAY

0 or 1 2 or 3 3 or 5 6 or 7 8 or 1

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

There is an art to watering with a handheld hose and using one proficiently. Watering with a handheld hose is allowed any day and time. It's also an enjoyable, relaxing way to spend time in your yard.

You'd be surprised how many people don't know the finer techniques of hand watering. There's a trick to watering efficiently without creating excessive evaporation or runoff.

Our soils generally don't allow rapid permeation, so it's important to gradually apply small amounts of water.

• Start at one section of your landscape and move slowly in one direction.

• Keep moving – You don't want to create puddles of water.

• Repeat the process until you've covered your whole landscape.

Proper maintenance will extend the life of your garden hose.

Always bring it in from the elements. Gently work out any kinks by hand. Coil it in loose loops, and hang it on something (but never a nail or wire hook).

Treat your garden hose like a prized tool and it will serve you well for years to come.

*No watering on weekends* 4

The Beacon - August 2012

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc

The Beacon The Nitty-Gritty About Ideal Soil

By David Abrego

No matter what kind of soil you have, the best way to improve it is by mixing in organic matter such as compost.

Enhancing your garden begins with the soil. More than just a blank canvas for arranging plants or walking upon, healthy soil contains thousands of living organisms, each performing a special function.

Ideally, soil should be loose, well-drained and rich in organic matter and nutrients. But without preparation, most local soils are far from ideal. Each soil type has properties that affect water and nutrient supply to the plants. Clay soils hold excessive water and nutrients, while sandy soils drain well and lack nutrients.

Most of our soils are clay or clay loam.

Both roots and microorganisms need oxygen for development.

When soil is wet, the available air spaces fill with water. Too much water will suffocate the roots. The availability of water to the plants depends on the existing root system and soil properties such as porosity, conductivity and water retention capacity.

Before you choose your plants or begin planting, evaluate your soil. Ask yourself: • Is it clay or sandy?

• What nutrients are present?

• What nutrients are lacking?

These answers will help you select plants that will thrive in the existing conditions. No matter what kind of soil you have, the best way to improve it is by mixing in organic matter such as compost.

Then, tread lightly! Your footsteps tend to compact the soil structure, which reduces its ability to conduct water, nutrients and air that plant roots need to thrive.

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

Don’t Be “Trashy” Do you put your trashcans out two days early? Do you leave your trashcans out for days after pickup? If you answered yes to either of those questions, YOU are costing your neighbors money, loot, coinage, greenback$, dough!!!

Every year the homeowners association spends hundreds of dollars sending out notices to members who leave their trash and recycle bins in view and the majority of letters are sent to the same homes over and over again. When we purchased our homes we all agreed to abide by the rules of the neighborhood and to keep our trash cans stored out of sight (either in back yard or garage.) This keeps the neighborhood looking nice and no one's neighbors want to look out their windows and see trash cans or smell them. The Board of Directors has been working hard to keep our expenses low while trying to improve the look of the neighborhood through such things as updated landscaping and proper maintenance of the park. If all members abide by the rules then the HOA would have the hundreds of dollars that we spend on violation notices to spend on new plants, mulch, paint for fences or new amenities for the park. If everyone does their part, it also helps to keep our HOA dues low. So put your bins away Rivermist and save your HOA and your neighbors $$$!

The Beacon - August 2012

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The Beacon

The Benefits of Stretching Provided by Greg Sedbrook

In this article I will start to describe some stretches you can incorporate into any lifestyle. Stretching to help you wake up each day has benefits for your body, mind and spirit.

Why stretch in the morning?

When you lay curled up sleeping, resting idle for several hours, your muscles can become stiff and tight. If you see a cat or dog wake up from a sleep, you'll notice that the first thing they do is stretch.

It's Mother Nature's way of ironing out the kinks.

Early-morning stretches can help loosen and realign your muscles, and they are a gentle way to increase blood flow throughout your body. What's more, your body is usually already warm from being in bed, which allows for more effective stretching. Plus, it's a calming way to help your body and mind transcend from a rested to a woken state.

Stretching has also been proven to boost self-confidence. It's a good way to cope with your day-to-day physical and emotional stresses.

Doing something positive for your health first thing in the morning can be a real boost to your sense of self-worth. Research has shown that exercise can bring about a significant increase in physical selfconcept or self-esteem in both genders across all age groups.

How long to hold a stretch?

There is much debate among fitness professionals about how long you should hold a stretch. Fortunately, a study published in the African Journal of Biomedical Research in 2005 has helped to clear up any confusion. Researchers discovered that a 15-second stretch is just as effective as a 30, 60, 90, or 120 second stretch at increasing flexibility. In my experience I have always found between 20-30 seconds is optimum. But for those who feel they can’t fit in those extra few seconds, use the 15 second rule.

For optimal results, incorporate three phases into your stretching to loosen muscles and reduce tension.

•Phase 1. Ease in — gradually move into a light stretch and hold until the feeling of tension begins to diminish (usually after five to 10 seconds).

•Phase 2. The development — now your stretch receptors have begun to disengage, you can move a fraction further into the stretch until you feel mild tension again. Hold for another five to 10 seconds.

•Phase 3. Repeat — it is also beneficial to repeat phases one and two (perform a second set of the same stretch) after a short rest.

What muscles to stretch?

Focus on stretching the major muscle groups in your legs, gluteals, lower and upper back. The following five stretches are a good starting point to target these muscles.

•Front of thighs — stand on one leg and pull the heel of your other leg towards your bottom until you feel slight tension in the muscles in the front of your thigh. Hold, and repeat on the opposite leg.

•Back of thighs — place one leg straight out in front of you on top of a stable object, and reach for (or over) your toes. Hold, and repeat on the opposite leg.

•Buttocks — lie on your back, bringing one bent knee towards your chest. Hold and repeat on the opposite leg.

•Upper back — while standing, slowly raise both hands above your head and reach as high as you can.

•Lower back — lying on your back, slowly bring one knee up and across over your straightened leg until you feel a stretch in your trunk. Keep both shoulders squarely on the ground.

Hold, and repeat on opposite leg.

Tips for safe and effective stretching •Hold each stretch for approximately 15 seconds. (Longer, up to 30 seconds if time allows.)

•While you may feel warm, your heart rate is not elevated first thing in the morning, so stretch lightly. Don't stretch to the point of pain.

•Avoiding sudden, jerky, bouncing movements.

•Do a little bit of stretching regularly (every morning) rather than a big stretch infrequently for the best results.

•Work at your own pace and don't compare your stretching with others.

•Relax and breathe freely during each stretch. This helps maximize the calming effect of flexibility training.

For those suffering from headaches, incorporating neck and shoulder stretching is very important. In next month’s article I will describe some neck & shoulder stretches to add to your daily, morning stretching routine.

Until next time; be safe and enjoy the rest of your summer.

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The Beacon - August 2012

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc

The Beacon San Antonio is named a 2012 All-America City based on plan to improve third grade reading Release Date: July 2, 2012 City of San Antonio Office of Communications and Public Affairs: 207-7234 San Antonio was named an All-America City by the National Civic League today based on its ambitious plan to ensure that more children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

Chosen from a field of more than 100 entries, San Antonio's plan was submitted by a community coalition that included the Antioch Community Transformation Network, Big Brothers Big Sisters, City Year San Antonio, San Antonio Public Library Foundation, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, San Antonio Youth Literacy, the USAA Foundation, the University of Texas at San Antonio and YMCA. The community was one of 14 awardees selected from 32 finalists.

"In San Antonio, we recognize that brainpower is the currency of success in the 21st century," said San Antonio Mayor JuliĂĄn Castro.

"Those cities that nurture it will be the most prosperous in the coming years and decades. For that reason, we are truly honored by the All-America City Award because it shows we are on the right track to get every child to read by the third grade and put them on a path to academic success and a brighter economic future."

Beyond the award contest, San Antonio's plan makes the city a charter member in the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Communities Network, a national movement of local and state leaders, nonprofits, and foundations putting a stake in the ground on third-grade reading. That milestone marks the point when children shift from learning to read and begin reading to learn.

Students who haven't mastered reading by then are more likely to get stuck in a cycle of academic failure, drop out of school, and struggle throughout their lives.

The awards are given each year by the National Civic League for outstanding civic accomplishments. Ordinarily, applicants choose their own local projects to showcase, but this year NCL is teaming with the Campaign to encourage community-based partnerships to improve reading proficiency among young students.

"This partnership with the Campaign has been an amazing experience for our All-America City Awards," said Gloria RubioCortes, president of the National Civic League which has sponsored the award for more than 60 years. "We were overwhelmed by the quality, passion and thoughtfulness of all the action plans submitted by more than 100 cities, towns and regions. There is a real and deep commitment to ensuring that our children are prepared to succeed."

The 124 cities and counties in the network, representing 350 school districts with 8 million students, are adopting a collective impact strategy, engaging the full community around the goal of Copyright Š 2012 Peel, Inc.

supporting low-income children from birth through third grade.

San Antonio's comprehensive plan to increase school readiness, attendance and grade-level reading performance involves setting measurable goals based on independently developed data, preparing students academically for postsecondary success, building teachers' capacity to deliver high-quality instruction to every student and encouraging parents to share in the responsibility for student learning. The city has set an ambitious goal of having 100 percent of third graders reading at grade level by the year 2020.

"It is an honor for the City of San Antonio to receive the AllAmerica City Grade Level Reading Award," said San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley. "We recognize the significance of providing the support and leadership needed to afford children in our community with the equitable opportunity to acquire strong reading proficiency abilities. Through continued collaboration with our education partners, the City will remain proactively engaged in this highly rewarding community-wide learning endeavor. All children deserve an equal ability to learn and achieve."

As a charter member of the Grade-Level Reading Community Network, San Antonio will have access to a Promising Practices Clearinghouse, an online help desk, peer-learning opportunities, meetings with national experts and policymakers and a foundation registry designed to expand and replicate successful programs.

The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a collaborative effort by dozens of funders across the nation to: close the gap in reading achievement that separates many low-income students from their peers; raise the bar for reading proficiency so that all students are assessed by world-class standards; and ensure that all children, including and especially children from low-income families, have an equitable opportunity to meet those higher standards. For more information, visit www.gradelevelreading.net or contact Phyllis Jordan at pjordan@thehatchergroup.com or 301-656-0348.

The National Civic League is a 117-year-old nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that strengthens democracy by increasing the capacity of groups and individuals to participate in and build healthy and prosperous communities. In addition to giving the All-America City Awards, NCL publishes the Model City Charter and the National Civic Review. www.ncl.org; www.allamericacityaward. com.

All-America City Award sponsors include: The Piton Foundation; Southwest Airlines-Official Airline of the All-America City Awards; PCL Construction; Mile High United Way; Greenberg Traurig ; US Bank; El Pomar Foundation; JP Morgan Chase; City of Lakewood; City of Aurora; Comcast; FirstBank; Ready Foods; Rose Community Foundation; Western Union; and Denver Health.

The Beacon - August 2012

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The Beacon

Rockin' S'more Bars

Makes 16 bars - Hands-on time: 15 min. - Total time: 45 min.

Ingredients • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup butter, softened • 1 large egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 3/4 cup crushed graham crackers • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 3 (1.55-ounce) chocolate bars • 1 (7-ounce) jar of marshmallow creme

Our Lady Of Guadalupe - Helotes

Crossword Puzzle

CYO NOW REGISTERING FOR

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Flag Football, Soccer & Volleyball Register Online At Http://Www.Olgyouthathletics.Org For more information CALL (210) 617-3260 or Email: OLGRegistrar@olgyouthathletics.org

The Beacon - August 2012

Instructions 1. Grease an 8-inch-square baking pan. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Add the crushed graham crackers, flour, salt, and baking powder and beat until well mixed, stopping occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl.

3. Spoon half the dough into the pan and spread evenly with your fingertips. Break the chocolate into pieces and arrange over the dough. Spread a layer of marshmallow creme over the chocolate. Flatten the remaining dough into pancakes and lay them over the marshmallow.

4. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let the bars cool before serving.

Nutritional Information Per serving (1 bar): Calories 200 • Total Fat 9 g (13% DV) • Saturated Fat 5 g (27% DV) • Cholesterol 30 mg (10% DV) • Sodium 145 mg (6% DV) • Total Carbohydrate 28 g (9% DV) • Fiber .5 g (2% DV) • Sugars 17 g • Protein 2 g (4% DV)

Sudoku

The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.

SUDOKU

View answers online at www.peelinc.com DOWN ACROSS 1. Incline 1. Tack 2. Change 5. Giant 3. Small particle 9. Philippine dish with marinated 4. Compass point chicken or pork 5. Night bird 11. Journalist's question 6. Body snatcher 12. Tiny insects 7. Cultivate 13. Cut of beef 8. Volcano 14. School group 10. Change into bone 15. South 16. Musical productions 17. United States 18. Canadian prov.

18. Bottle need 19. Palladium (abbr.)

20. Upset 20. Many 22. Cow's chow 21. Perfect 23. Year (abbr.)

22. Captain (abbr.)

24. Computer makers 24. Institution (abbr.)

27. Brews 25. Swain 29. Sleep disorder 26. African country 31. Parent teacher groups 28. Fast plane 32. Strong rope fiber 30. Pastry 33. Bend 34. Decorative needle case © 2006. Feature Exchange

Fans of Joe, Nick, Kevin, and Demi (to those below a certain age, no last names are necessary) have been counting down the days to September 3, when "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" premieres on Disney Channel. Celebrate the event with a batch of oven-baked s'mores and other fun ideas from our viewing party guide, available for downloading. We've assembled our best rock-star- and campthemed crafts, activities, and snack recipes into one free booklet.

Sudoku

The goal is to fill in the grid so that every© 2006. row, Feature everyExchange column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Each digit may appear only once in each row, each column, and each 3x3 box.

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc