Rivermist - December 2012

The Beacon

Volume 3, Issue 12

December 2012

“Attraction of the Trees” A festive tradition for the family can be a danger zone for our four-legged friends. Here are some examples of what to watch out for: Christmas tree water often contains dangerous fertilizers and turpentine-like compounds that are hazardous to your pets. If ingested, this contaminated water can cause stomach upset or even be lethal. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria which could cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea in your pet. We recommend placing a physical barrier such as a screen or tree skirt to try to keep your pets out. Sharp pine needles should be kept swept up because they can cause intestinal problems if they are eaten.

Beautiful decorations on your tree can attract attention from your pets that may lead to trouble. Puppies have been known to chew on glass ornaments, which can shatter into jagged shards and cut their mouths. These shards can also cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if swallowed. Consider hanging your treasured ornaments higher on the Christmas tree. And consider using wooden, metal, resin-cast or the like on the lower branches in case curious little paws want to play with bright and colorful ornaments.

Ribbons and tinsel are appealing targets for pets to play with, especially for kittens. Both of these can cause choking or they may even become twisted up in the intestines and cause an intestinal obstruction – a life-threatening condition.

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

Similarly, gift ribbons and bows should be kept out of sight to prevent chewing and swallowing.

The lovely bubbling holiday lights are moderate to lethal in toxicity, depending on the amount of fluid (methylene chloride) inhaled or ingested.

Christmas tree light cords and/or electrical cords can be tempting “chew toys” for puppies and kittens. These can cause mouth burns or fatal shock. Even brief electric shocks can trigger an irregular heartbeat in your pet, which can cause fluid to gather in the lungs, leading to serious complications or even death.

Town and Country Veterinary Hospital (210) 684-1448 10350 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78250 Now Open 24/7/Veterinary Care/Boarding Facilities/Grooming

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The Beacon Winter Health Submitted by Greg Sedbrook

Hi everyone. Hope everyone survived Thanksgiving and are now looking forward to the upcoming winter holidays. I hope everyone has been able to maintain their regular fitness routines and continue doing as the weather turns colder. And now that the weather has kept a lot of people indoors and gift giving ideas are starting to scamper through our brains, you might want to consider gift ideas that are fitness related. Gift such as treadmills, exercise balls, weight set…etc….are all great gifts to give to help us all maintain our routine fitness.

Massages are also great gift ideas, as most massage establishments offer gift certificates and reduce their prices for the most part. (Time for me to get a plug in, as I also offer gift certificates for my massage and pain management services.)

Some indoor activities to consider: 1.) Swimming is a great form of exercise for all ages; water aerobics and water therapy are just two of the forms.

2.) If you are near a mall consider walking in the mall. True you have to get there, but it's inside and well maintained to walk from one end to the other covers a considerable distance.

3.) Jump roping is a very inexpensive form of exercise that offers a great indoor workout. Today a basic rope will work or you can purchase 'special' ropes just for the activity. This is a great way to burn calories. All that is needed is a rope and an open enough area to do it, which could be a garage or living room.

4.) Set up an everyday fitness center at home. We all have weights available if we think and get creative. One pound cans of food offer just enough weight for use to hold and raise for toning arms. A step stool can be substituted for stairs. Push-ups (even against a counter) can help tone and slim. Sit ups and other exercises slim and tone while offering a workout from the convenience of your living room.

5.) Martial arts. This usually involves travel to a studio but there are many forms to test fitness. Tae kwon do is one form.

While many people take up martial arts for self-defense or discipline there are many that realize it is also a great fitness work out. At the core martial arts is fitness and discipline, and three to five sessions per week is ideal.

6.) Treadmill work, as stated earlier offers walking at a steady

speed in an indoor area and is something even the dog can walk with you! You can often find used treadmills in classified sections for very reasonable prices.

7.) Fitness bikes are also a great gift idea. Many love to ride their bike outside but this is dangerous where it is icy and traffic is always a hazard. Having an indoor bike that is either a standard exercise bike or a street bike conversion for the indoors is a very good form of exercise.

8.) The popularity of shows like "DWTS" has shown that dance can be incredibly physical. This can be ballroom dancing but also can include just any movement to music; don't overlook dancing to your favorite music, whatever it is. Country music fans may find line dancing of interest.

Technology today offers instructional DVDs that can teach from the convenience of your home.

9.) Believe it or not 10-15 minutes of cleaning house can be a warm up routine for exercise! Stretch as you clean windows or reach for dust bunnies under the bed. Bend and twist and generally pay attention to your movement and accentuate it where possible. This can be altered within your limitations but is a way to get two benefits - a cleaner home and increased fitness from stretching, breathing and bending.

These are all activities that can be adapted for use by children to seniors. It doesn't require a fitness club, although those can certainly be another means to indoor fitness. Indoor activity can be vigorous or not so much, depending on your abilities.

Maintain a safe workout but don't think that indoor must be boring.

Finally…I’m going to throw in another “personal plug”…

Electronics are another gift that many people either give or receive and these often include PC’s and laptops. I offer both Professional and Certified service for PC’s and laptops which include new set-ups, repair, software installations and virus & mal-ware removal. I also accept older or unused PC’s and laptops to repair and then redistribute to those who have neither. So if giving or receiving a new PC this holiday season and don’t know what to do with your old one, consider donating them to a worthy cause.

Well until next time, be safe and enjoy!

Happy Holidays

from your Rivermist Board of Directors 2

The Beacon - December 2012

Charles Hasberry Jr. Debora Estes Rudy Cervera Michael Southworth Bob Brenner Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc

The Beacon

Better Watch Out! 6 Online Scams That Could Steal Your Joy From www.usaa.com Keep the jingle in your pocket and ward off fraudsters this holiday season.

Cybercriminals are always hard at work this time of year. They're corrupting e-cards with viruses, creating fake online auctions, imitating charity sites — all to take advantage of your holiday habits, says Katherine Hutt, spokeswoman for the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

Each year, scammers use the season of giving to devise new schemes — and relying on their tried-and-true tactics — to steal your money and personal information, warns Dave Marcus, director of security research and communications for McAfee Inc., a leading security technology company. Here are six major holiday scams to look out for this season and tips on protecting yourself.

1. Quizzes, Polls and Contests The promise of something for nothing is a classic ploy of online crooks. One typical scam promises the first 20,000 responders will receive $1,000 gift cards to a popular electronics store if they "Like" the store on Facebook. Clicking the link takes you to a bogus page that asks for numerous personal details, which can be used for identity theft. And, of course, there are no gift cards.

To protect yourself: Ignore these kinds of offers or go directly to a company's Facebook page or website to verify the offers are legitimate.

2. Auctions and Deals Too Good to be True Shopping on online auction and classified ad sites can be a great way to save money, but may not be such a deal after all — especially if the seller wants you to wire money in advance.

To protect yourself: Remember the old saying: "If the deal's too good to be true, it probably is." Before considering any deal, Hutt says, check the seller's ratings and reviews on the selling site. Be extra cautious: Some fraudulent sites may even imitate a Better Business Bureau seal to throw you off. You can verify BBB-approval at bbb. org. And whatever you do, never pay by wire transfer, a surefire

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

indication of a fraudulent sale.

3. Phony Charities Scammers take advantage of your good nature and generosity by asking for donations via a website or text message, particularly after a natural disaster (such as the earthquake in Haiti) or during the holidays.

To protect yourself: Check to see if a charity is legitimate at the BBB Wise Giving Alliance or American Institute of Philanthropy websites. Another alternative would be to donate directly through a charity's website, if that option is available.

4. Malware-ridden Holiday Cards and Programs Animated greetings, seasonal screensavers and winter-themed games become popular this time of year. Sadly, many of these programs are accompanied by spyware and other malicious technology.

To protect yourself: A good anti-malware product — try McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky or Avira — will stop virtually all of this stuff in its tracks. But your best bet is simply to not open any email — even from a loved one — that contains a forwarded greeting card or holiday game. Get extra protection by ensuring your computer software updates are downloaded and applied automatically.

5. Vacation Homes Not Really for Rent This up-and-coming scam is surprisingly simple: Fraudsters set up a vacation rental site for a real home (complete with photos), and they rent it out for weekend and holiday getaways. The problem: The scammer doesn't own the house, and it's not actually for rent, much to the surprise of both owner and renter come arrival day.

To protect yourself: Use trusted travel sites and rental agencies when booking. Low-resolution photos of the home and super-low rental prices are also a giveaway that something is fishy, says Marcus.

6. Fake Emails and Phishing A common holiday scam is a fraudulent email that gives you confirmation about an order, payment or shipment you know nothing about. The email, which may appear to be from a reputable company, advises you to click a link or attachment in the email to view the status of your order or shipment. When you click the link or attachment, you are routed to a fake website that will ask you to enter your personal information, which is the target of the scam.

To protect yourself: Avoid opening emails from people and companies you don't recognize or trust. Permanently delete those emails.

If the email seems to be genuine, don't click on the links or attachments contained within it. Type the address into the address bar.

If you are not expecting a shipment, delete the email. You can go directly to the shipping company site to discover if you have a surprise shipment.

If you receive an order or payment confirmation for something you aren't certain about, contact the company directly or check your debit card or credit card to verify you made the purchase and it's valid.

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The Beacon The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Rivermist took first place in the NNO competition for neighborhoods in District 8!!! Way to go Rivermist!!! The awards ceremony will be held on December 8th at the UTSA Downtown Campus. If you would like to attend, call Spectrum Association Management for more information.

Members of the Board of Directors will be accepting the award on behalf of the community.

NNO Awards Ceremony

NSC Tree Safety For many people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the holiday. The National Safety Council offers some safety tips to make sure a mishap doesn't spoil your holiday season.

Christmas Trees Natural and artificial Christmas trees start an average of 250 home structure fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires cause approximately 14 deaths, 26 injuries and $13.8 million in property damage yearly.

Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap.

Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand.

Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.

Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.

If you use an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

Line-voltage holiday or decorative lights start an average of 170 home structure fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires cause approximately 7 deaths, 17 injuries and $7.9 million in property damage yearly.

Tree lights Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only

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The Beacon - December 2012

outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

Replace or repair any damaged light sets.

Also, use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs.

Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

Tree ornaments Always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places.

Information and recommendations are compiled from sources believed to be reliable.

The National Safety Council makes no guarantee as to and assumes no responsibility for the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or recommendations. Other or additional safety measures may be required under particular circumstances.

Read labels before you use materials that come in jars, cans and spray cans.

Never place lighted candles on a tree or near any flammable materials.

Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.

Do not hang popcorn chains and candy canes on the tree when small children are present. They may think that other tree ornaments are also edible. http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/ Christmas_Tree_Tips(5).pdf

Copyright Š 2012 Peel, Inc

The Beacon Pumpkin Stuffed With Everything Good Makes 2 very generous servings

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment, or find a Dutch oven with a diameter that's just a tiny bit larger than your pumpkin. If you bake the pumpkin in a casserole, it will keep its shape, but it might stick to the casserole, so you'll have to serve it from the pot — which is an appealingly homey way to serve it. If you bake it on a baking sheet, you can present it freestanding, but maneuvering a heavy stuffed pumpkin with a softened shell isn't so easy. However, since I love the way the unencumbered pumpkin looks in the center of the table, I've always taken my chances with the baked-on-a-sheet method, and so far, I've been lucky.

Using a very sturdy knife — and caution — cut a cap out of the top of the pumpkin (think Halloween jack-o'-lantern). It's easiest to work your knife around the top of the pumpkin at a 45-degree angle. You want to cut off enough of the top to make it easy for you to work inside the pumpkin. Clear away the seeds and strings from the cap and from inside the pumpkin. Season the inside of the pumpkin generously with salt and pepper, and put it on the baking sheet or in the pot. Toss the bread, cheese, garlic, bacon, and herbs together in a bowl. Season with pepper — you probably have enough salt from the bacon and cheese, but taste to be sure — and pack the mix into the pumpkin. The pumpkin should be well filled — you might have a little too much filling, or you might need to add to it. Stir the cream with the nutmeg and some salt and pepper and pour it into the pumpkin. Again, you might have too much or too little — you don't want the ingredients to swim in cream, but you do want them nicely moistened. (But it's hard to go wrong here.)

Put the cap in place and bake the pumpkin for about 2 hours — check after 90 minutes — or until everything inside the pumpkin is bubbling and the flesh of the pumpkin is tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a knife. Because the pumpkin will have exuded liquid, I like to remove the cap during the last 20 minutes or so, so that the liquid can bake away and the top of the stuffing can brown a little.

When the pumpkin is ready, carefully, very carefully — it's heavy, hot, and wobbly bring it to the table or transfer it to a platter that you'll bring to the table.

Serving You have choices: you can cut wedges of the pumpkin and filling; you can spoon out portions of the filling, making sure to get a generous amount of pumpkin into the spoonful; or you can dig into the pumpkin with a big spoon, pull the pumpkin meat into the filling, and then mix everything up. I'm a fan of the pull-and-mix option. Served in hearty portions followed by a salad, the pumpkin is a perfect cold-weather main course; served in generous spoonfuls or wedges, it's just right alongside the Thanksgiving turkey.

Storing It's really best to eat this as soon as it's ready. However, if you've got leftovers, you can scoop them out of the pumpkin, mix them up, cover, and chill them; reheat them the next day.

Greenspan's Stuffing Ideas There are many ways to vary this arts-and-crafts project. Instead of bread, I've filled the pumpkin with cooked rice — when it's baked, it's almost risotto-like. And, with either bread or rice, on different occasions I've added cooked spinach, kale, chard, or peas (the peas came straight from the freezer). I've made it without bacon, and I've also made and loved, loved, loved it with cooked sausage meat; cubes of ham are another good idea. Nuts are a great addition, as are chunks of apple or pear or pieces of chestnut.

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

INGREDIENTS 1 pumpkin, about 3 pounds Salt and freshly ground pepper 1/4 pound stale bread, thinly sliced and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 1/4 pound cheese, such as Gruyere, Emmenthal, cheddar, or a combination, cut into 1/2-inch chunks 2–4 garlic cloves (to taste), split, germ removed, and coarsely chopped 4 strips bacon, cooked until crisp, drained, and chopped About 1/4 cup snipped fresh chives or sliced scallions 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme About 1/3 cup heavy cream Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

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The Beacon THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Apologies to Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston

'Twas the night before Christmas, when our Snookums got sick.

Our dog was vomiting and in need of a vet.

The stockings that were hung by the chimney with care, Were torn and devoured, with nothing to spare; Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, When I had to take Snookie to see Dr. Ted; With mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, We had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out of the great room there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away down the stairs I flew like a flash, To see Snookie vomit and throw up some trash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave luster to the puddle of ingesta below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But an entire red stocking being disgorged right here, With the retching and heaving, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment that I might get sick.

More rapid than eagles I dressed just the same, And whistled, and shouted, and called Snookie by name; "Here Snookie, come now! You are in need of some fixin!”

Don’t vomit! Don’t retch! Or puke in the kitchen!

To the garage door at the end of the hall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, We raced down the street fearing Snookie might die.

So up to the clinic like coursers we flew, We rushed in the door, me and poor Snookie too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard from where the tech sat, “There’s an emergency here, we need a vet stat”.

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As I swiveled my head, and was turning around, I saw down the hall the vet come with a bound.

He was dressed in green scrubs, from his head to his toe, And his clothes were all tarnished with what I don’t know; A coiled stethoscope he had hung on his neck, And he looked like the captain just coming on to the deck.

His eyes -- how piercing! his brow now furrowed!

His cheeks were pale, his demeanor seemed harrowed!

He tried to be cool, his emotions not show, With the surgery mask at his chin that was as white as the snow; The stump of a pen he held tight in his teeth, And the surgeons cap encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he coughed, like a bowel full of jelly.

He was all business and care, the clinic’s top chief, And I sighed when I saw him, feeling loads of relief; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke many words, and went straight to his work, Calling for CBCs, Chemistries, IVs, the whole works.

And laying his hand on our Snookie he happened to say, That Snookie was stopped up as the tech rolled Snookie away; He sprang to his feet, and followed his team into surgery, And away they all flew, everyone in a very big hurry.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he went out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all, Snookie will soon be alright."

TCVH 2012

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc

The Beacon Dear Homeowner,

Pro Tree Care r o b r A

Ross Hosea, Owner 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.

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

(210) 912-4869 or rosshosea@hotmail.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) 705-1121.

Your Board of Directors

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