Willowlake - June 2013 by Peel, Inc.

Willowlake

www.willowlake.siteblast.com

June 2013

Volume 10, Issue 6

The Official Publication of the Willowlake Homeowners Association

Fireworks…Dos and Don’ts July 4th

The Willowlake Board of Directors requests that this 4th of July, all residents execute caution regarding fireworks, and that they use fireworks responsibly and away from children. We ask that you stay out of busy streets and away from parked cars for the same reasons. Please end the firework festivities by 1:00 a.m. in consideration of your neighbors. Be sure to sweep up debris after setting off fireworks and dispose of it in the trash. Please do not dump debris and waste in the sewer or in our lake or wetlands area near the gazebo. Have fun, be safe!!

INDEPENDENCE DAY JULY 4

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

May Yard Of The Month We have our first winner for the 2013 Yard of the Month at 9511 Autumnway Dr. Their yard was well manicured and had lots of color and textures going on. Some of you guys made it hard for us, but keep up the good work and rewards will come your way. The board has recommended that we extend the contest an additional month, so now you have three more chances to win. We will be judging after the last weekends of May, June and July so you can make your yard work plans for this. The winners will be receiving a $25 gift card! Check out the Willowlake Facebook page for a picture and comments. Let’s get dirty and win! By the YOM Committee

FLAG DAY June 14

In the United States, “Flag Day” is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress. Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Willowlake Watch - June 2013

IMPORTANT NUMBERS Willowlake 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 District 5 Vacation Watch............................... 281-290-2100

MANAGEMENT INFO Randall Management, Inc. Team....................... 713-728-1126 Manager Jane Godwin..........jgodwin@randallmanagement.com, ext. 11 Asst. Manager Miguel Trevino..... mtrevino@randallmanagement.com, ext. 15 Deed Restrictions Lucy Sandoval.............deed@randallmanagement.com, ext. 18 Collections Jennifer Phillips.. collections@randallmanagement.com, ext. 22 Answering Service After business hours for common area emergencies............................... (713) 850-4729 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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - ...................................................................... OPEN Vice President - David Bannen.........................dbannen@att.net Treasurer - Nancy Kapell...................... nancykapell@yahoo.com Secretary - Travis Guinn.............................tmguinn@gmail.com Director - Mark Hubenak............... mhubenak001@comcast.net

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

Willowlake Watch - June 2013

Happy Father’s Day to All Willowlake Dads FOR SALE FOR SALE: Stationary bike in good condition $75 If interested contact 832-248-3997.

ATTENTION: Personal information submitted in articles may be archived by Peel, Inc. and searchable in the future.

Kids’ Corner WHY ASK WHY?

How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges? Why don’t sheep shrink when it rains? If the #2 pencil is so popular, why is it still #2? Would a fly without wings be called a walk? How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?

2013 COMMITTEES

Architectural Control Chairman Mark Lackey................................... melackey@comcast.net Social Events Chairman James Deitiker.................................deitiker@sbcglobal.net Newsletter Editor Linda O’Pry.............................mermaid400@sbcglobal.net Yard of the Month Phyllis Cutrer................................ phyllis.cutrer@yahoo.com Tammy Steffen Neighborhood Watch Chairman Dave Bannen........................................... dbannen@att.net Gazebo Rental Randall Management.713-728-1126 Pool Chairman Lynn Piwonski................................LMP4040@yahoo.com Park Chairman Diego Lamacchia........................dlamacchia@hotmail.com Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Hurricane Season June 1 - Nov. 30

Tips to Prepare and Protect The destructive force of a hurricane should never be taken lightly. These powerful storms can unleash devastating winds, torrential rains, storm surges, and tornadoes, causing extensive damage. And while you can’t stop a hurricane from coming, you can strengthen your home against its brutal force. Here are some plans you can make and steps you can take to help protect your property, and even save your life. Prepare - Long before hurricane season (June 1 - November 30), make sure you take these precautions to help insure your family’s safety and minimize damage to your property: DEVELOP A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN.

Willowlake Mark Your Calendar JUNE 5, 12 19, 26

WASTE/RECYCLE PICKUP

JUNE 14

FLAG DAY

JUNE 16

FATHER'S DAY

JUNE 20

BOARD MEETING JULY 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY

• Find the fastest routes from your home and workplace to your public evacuation shelter or other safe area. Let friends and relatives know the shelter’s location. • Make sure you’re aware of the disaster plans of your workplace, children’s schools, or day care centers. • Make sure your vehicle fuel tanks are filled. • Designate an out-of-state friend or relative as a family contact. PUT TOGETHER A DISASTER SURVIVAL KIT IN CASE YOU NEED TO EVACUATE.

• The kit should include basics such as water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and blankets, emergency supplies/tools, and special items such as cash. • Be sure to include important documents, including insurance policies. • Once you have placed these items in airtight plastic bags, store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a plastic storage container with lid or a duffle bag. • Keep the kit in a convenient place known to your whole family. • Change the water and food supply every six months. • Update your kit once a year, based on your family’s changing needs. • Ask your physician or pharmacist about whether you can store your medications with your survival kit and the best way to do so. PROTECT - WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS GIVEN: SECURE YOUR PROPERTY.

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• Close window shutters or attach protective panels with previously installed fasteners. • Garage or store vehicles you plan to leave behind. • Moor boats securely. If your boat is ashore in a jack stand, strap the boat down when possible. • If you have a pool, cover the pump filter. • Anchor garage doors.

BRILLIANT ENERGY’S ELECTRICITY RATES CHALLENGE THE RATES OF EVERY OTHER PROVIDER IN TEXAS!

GET YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO SAFETY. • Keep your radio tuned to local weather advisories. • If you are ordered to evacuate, go to a shelter as directed by local authorities. (Continued on Page 4)

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GREAT BUSINESS RATES TOO! Willowlake Watch - June 2013

Willowlake Hurricane Season (Continued from Page 3) • Lock doors and windows before you go. • Bring your survival kit and other supplies. • Let friends and relatives know where you plan to be. • If an evacuation has not been ordered or there is no time to get to a shelter, stay in the middle of your home away from windows. Try to take cover under a staircase or a heavy piece of furniture. • Dial 2-1-1 to register if you have special care needs, or if you simply do not have transportation: Gulf Coast residents in evacuation zones with special health care needs-who do not have friends or family to help-should register in advance for a ride by dialing 2-1-1 in advance. Residents with no other transportation can register for a ride in advance by dialing 2-1-1. HELPFUL HINTS: • A 74 M.P.H. wind (the lowest hurricane wind) can blow water up a wall about 4”, forcing gallons of water through even very small cracks in walls and causing serious damage! That’s why it’s so important to seal any holes or cracks. • Also, make sure your home has flood insurance because a standard home insurance policy doesn’t cover damage caused by a flood. Flood insurance is backed by the U.S. Government’s National Flood Insurance Program. There is generally a 30-day waiting period for the policy to go into effect.

Drowning is Preventable

The Texas weather is warming up. Summer is almost here. Pools will soon open and the cool water will be calling your name. You can almost hear your kids laughing and the playing in the pool. Your family deserves to have many Best Day Ever moments in the water this summer. Please do not let those moments be ruined by the sound of a life guard whistle blast or the need to do CPR in order to save your child’s life. Most families love a trip to the swimming pool, the lake or the beach during the summer…but the water can be deadly for a child. Did you know that drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children between the ages of 1 and 14, with kids under the age of 5 at even higher risk? Colin Holst’s parents did not know either. Sadly, June 13th marks the 5 year anniversary of his drowning in a public, lifeguarded pool in Austin. Since Colin’s drowning in 2008, Central Texas-based Colin’s Hope has become a nonprofit leader in water safety and drowning prevention. My name is Alissa Magrum and I am the Executive Director of Colin’s Hope. But I am also a parent to 8 year old Ella. So, from one parent to another, please listen to this message. It is simple but filled with purpose: DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE. YOU can help protect your children. Following a series of simple water safety tips creates multiple layers of protection. These layers WILL keep children safer in and around the water and CAN prevent drownings. THE FIRST 3 OF THESE TIPS ARE KEY. • Practice constant visual supervision. Always assign an adult “water guardian” whose ONLY responsibility is to watch children who are in, near and around the water. If that water guardian needs to take a break, they must transfer their “watching” duty to another adult. • Learn to swim. Enroll children (and adults too) in formal swim classes. For kids under the age of 4, taking formal swim lessons reduces the risk of drowning by 88%. • Wear life jackets. Children who cannot swim should ALWAYS wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when in and around the water. You can see additional tips, as well as more information on water safety and drowning prevention, on our website at www. colinshope.org.. Each year, Colin’s Hope volunteers stuff and distribute 75,000 water safety packets to families in zip codes that have been targeted due to the high number of near drownings and drownings in recent years. This life saving information along with a Peel Inc. ad campaign, a Reagan National Adverstising (Continued on Page 6)

Willowlake Watch - June 2013

Willowlake

Harris County Sheriff’s Office

March

April

Crime Report 911 Hang Up Alarm Local Alarm/Rep. -Site Alarm/Sil/Pan/HU Burglary/Motveh Check Park Contract Check Crim Mischief Disch Fire Arm Dist/Family Dist/Juvenile Dist/Loud Noise Dist/Other DWI Illegal Dumping Meet the Resident Mud Bldg Chk Solicitors Susp Person Theft/Other Traffic Hazard Traffic Stop Vacation Watch Veh Abandon Veh Suspicious Vehicle Stolen

0 4 0 1 0 65 63 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 11 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 1

-Submitted by Dave Bannen Vice President

0 11 0 0 1 65 65 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

-Submitted by Dave Bannen Vice President

Willowlake Watch - June 2013

Willowlake Drowning (Continued from Page 5) billboard campaign and a presence at many community events is helping to raise water safety awareness to prevent children from drowning. WE ALSO NEED YOUR HELP. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION with family, friends, neighbors, teachers, babysitters…everyone! We have seen the difference that being aware and being prepared can make. Communities that have received our water safety information in prior years have seen child drownings and near drownings in their areas reduced to zero! Please visit www.colinshope.org to find out how you can get involved in your own community. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our monthly newsletter or even support our efforts with a donation. We envision a world where children do not drown. Please share that vision and together we will get there. Wishing you the SAFEST AND BEST SUMMER EVER, Alissa Magrum Executive Director Colin’s Hope

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Willowlake Watch - June 2013

Timely Tip for Gardeners Texas is home to nearly 5,000 native plant species due to the vast and diverse geography of our great state! Often people envision “native plants” with Mesquites and cacti but many of our basic landscape plants are native to Texas. After the Summer of 2011, gardeners are looking for Texas tough plants in their landscapes. Native plants tolerate our Texas Summer heat better than most, require less water, need less mowing, provide habitats for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, protect the soil and save on fertilizers and insecticides. Add native trees to your landscape and enjoy the colorful blooms from the Texas Mountain Laurel or Desert Willow. Select Texas Sage for its purple Summer flowers or the Red Yucca with its red spike-like bloom as additions to your landscape. Native grasses such as Mexican Feathergrass or Big Muhly add another different texture and look to the garden. Also, don’t forget the reliable perennials for providing Texas tough color! Blackfoot Daisy, Gaura, Coneflower and many of your Salvias are native to Texas and will provide color year after year once they are established. Buy a native plant and know that you are making your garden a more enjoyable place for yourself and the birds and butterflies.

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Willowlake 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.

NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE

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.

Do You Have Reason to Celebrate? We want to hear from you! Email articles@PEELinc.com to let the community know!

Willowlake Watch - June 2013

Willowlake

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PEEL, INC.

DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE WATER SAFETY TIPS AT

WWW.COLINSHOPE.ORG 5 years ago this month, Colin Holst tragically and silently drowned at the age of 4. 10 Texas children have already drowned this year. Be a Water Guardian and help prevent children from drowning.

Ongoing: Volunteers needed to stuff and distribute water safey packets info@colinshope.org Ongoing: Colin's Hope Athlete Ambassadors needed! http://www.tinych.org/signup Now-June 18: Discount Schlitterbahn Tickets for sale. http://www.tinych.org/tickets June 18: World’s Largest Swim Lesson at Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels July 1: Colin’s Hope Got2Swim Lake Austin 4 Miler (solo or relay) http://www.tinych.org/got2swim4 July 21: Colin’s Hope Kids Got2Swim Pure Austin Quarry Lake http://www.tinych.org/got2swimkids Volunteer - Donate COLINSHOPE.ORG

CONSTANT VISUAL SUPERVISION

LEARN TO SWIM

Willowlake Watch - June 2013

LAYERS OF PROTECTION

WEAR LIFE JACKETS

MULTIPLE BARRIERS ON ALL POOLS & HOTTUBS

KEEP BACKYARDS &BATHROOMS SAFE

LEARN CPR

CHECK POOLS & HOTTUBS 1ST FOR MISSING CHILDREN

VISIT US ONLINE