Willowlake - July 2013 by Peel, Inc.

Willowlake

www.willowlake.siteblast.com

July 2013

Volume 10, Issue 7

The Official Publication of the Willowlake Homeowners Association

JUNE

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Yard of the Month Ice Cream Social Willowlake has the 2nd winner (of 4) of the Yard of the Month award. We are so happy to see so many homeowners participating (whether they know it or not) in making our community beautiful. You guys are making it hard for us to choose. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yard at 10115 Autumnway Ct. was chosen because of the colorful flowers, manicured lawn, yard decorations and stonework. Remember, edging, mowing and colorful (real) flowers count. We get so much pleasure awarding the homeowners for their hard work when we present them with a $25 gift card and see their surprise and happiness. Can we make you happy? You know what you have to do. By the YOM Committee

By James Deitiker, Social Events Chairperson All residents of Willowlake subdivision are invited to socialize with neighbors while enjoying a variety of ice cream treats on July 4th at 5:00 p.m. at the Gazebo. Feel free to bring your flags, decorative items, apple pie or other holiday treats for all to enjoy. For more information, contact James Deitiker.

Willowlake Park Clean-Up A Success

By James Deitiker, Social Events Chairperson The annual Willowlake park clean-up was held on May 11, 2013. Enrique Sifentes, Elizabeth Deitiker and I participated in the park clean-up. It was a success despite a turnout of just three volunteers mainly due to rain the day before the event. We picked up many plastic bottles, cans and other trash, but left much for future clean-up. We plan to have another clean-up in October of this year. Look for more information in the September newsletter and also on our facebook page.

Willowlake Watch - July 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 - Dave Bannen.............................. dbannen@att.net Vice President - Mark Hubenak.. mhubenak001@comcast.net Treasurer - Nancy Kapell...................nancykapell@yahoo.com Secretary - Travis Guinn......................... tmguinn@gmail.com Director - Brannon Beck................ .Brannon.beck@gmail.com

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

Willowlake Watch - July 2013

Just A Few Reminders

• A new list of the board members and their contact information will be in the newsletter starting in July. • Board meetings will no longer be on the third Thursday of each month. The new time will be printed in the August newsletter. In the mean time, if you wish to attend a board meeting please contact Randall Management. • The 4th of July fireworks should end no later than 1:00am in consideration of your neighbors. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO SHOOT FIREARMS INTO THE AIR AT ANY TIME. • Don’t forget to attend the Willowlake Ice Cream Social July 4th 5:00pm at the gazebo. • School is out; watch out for children and teenagers playing in the streets.

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.

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.

Willowlake

Chinch Bugs Tip Sheet from Gardenline host Randy Lemmon

Once it’s hot enough in Houston, it’s not long before the dreaded chinch bugs come to suck the life out of our St. Augustine turfgrass. They especially like to chew up lawns that aren’t taken care of very well. In other words, well-watered and well-fertilized lawns are the best way to keep chinch bugs at bay. But what if you suspect you’ve got chinch bugs? Is there a quick way to tell? Unfortunately, in many cases, people make the wrong diagnosis when chinch bugs begin their damage. Quite often, when the first telltale sign pops up in the form of small yellowing spots, people either assume they have a fungal disease or iron deficiency. Then, they spray in vain with a fungicide or put out an iron supplement or fertilizer. And even when people think they have chinch bugs, they sometimes don’t treat often enough to break the cycle. I’ll get to that a little later. If you start seeing a small yellowing, irregular patch in the lawn, first find out if you’ve got chinch bugs. You can make that determination with a regular coffee can and a water hose, while you get down your hands and knees to do a little investigation. On the green-yellow edge of the patch, shove the coffee can (open at both ends, for my Aggie brethren out there) into the soil and fill it with water. If you see flea-like insects floating to the top, you’ve got chinch bugs. While you’re on your hands and knees, push the grass aside and look down near the root systems - near that yellow-green edge of the patch again. See if you can spot those flea- sized bugs with white spots on their sides or the baby ones that are orange with a white ring. To treat for chinch bugs, you need to apply a liquid insecticide (a synthetic pyrethroid like Bifenthrin, Permethrin, Cypermethrin or Deltamethrin) three times over a 21-day period ... or once every five to seven days ... up to four applications at most. Sadly, most people who try to treat for chinch bugs use a granular insecticide or they only make one application of liquid insecticide. GardenLine is heard exclusively on NewsRadio 740 KTRH 6:00-10:00 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Recipe of the Month

PECAN BARS

INGREDIENTS: • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour • 4 eggs • 1/3 cup firmly packed brown • 1 cup dark corn syrup sugar • 1/4 cup butter or margarine, • 3/4 cup butter or margarine melted • 1 cup firmly packed brown • 1/8 teaspoon salt sugar • 1-1/4 cups chopped pecans INSTRUCTIONS: Combine flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press mixture evenly into a greased 13- x 9- x 2-inch pan. Bake at 350 deg. for 15 to 17 minutes. Combine 1 cup brown sugar and remaining ingredients except pecans, beating well. Stir in pecans. Pour filling over prepared crust. Bake at 350 deg. for 35 to 40 minutes or until firm. Let cool, and cut into bars. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

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Willowlake Watch - July 2013

Willowlake Kids’ Corner

My 18-year old daughter and I were sitting in the yard one afternoon when our cat sauntered by. “That cat certainly has a great life,” I remarked. “She comes and goes just as she darn well pleases.” “That,” my daughter replied dryly, “is because she doesn’t live with her mother.”

Mark Your Calendar

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Waste/Recycle Pickup

July 4

Independence Day

Kids’ Cross-Country Team’s Season Starts September 10th

The Northwest Flyers Track Club Youth Cross-Country Team kicks off the fall season with registration and an orientation for parents and athletes on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. (location to be announced.) The first practice will be held at the Cypress Creek YMCA on Thursday, September 12. The Northwest Flyers Track Club is a member program of USA Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and cross country. The club is in its 26th year in the northwest Houston area. Ages 6-18 may participate in the team, and both beginners and experienced runners are welcome. Contact Coach Eric Wentworth at emw1105@gmail.com 281961-6603 or Coach Donnell Carter atdcarterpfs@msn.com, 281467-4727 for more information. Visit www.northwestflyers.org to get updates and learn more about the team.

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Willowlake Watch - July 2013

Willowlake Homeschool Corner • • • • • •

DID YOU KNOW? Several families in Willowlake are homeschoolers! Today an estimated 1.6 – 2.0 million children are being taught at home by their parents. On average, homeschool students in grades 1 – 4 perform one grade level higher than their public and private school counterparts. By grade 8, the average homeschool student performs four grade levels above the national average. The number of families choosing to homeschool grows at an estimated annual rate of 7 – 15 percent. In a web poll taken by 989 respondents, 49% said religious conviction is the main reason they continue homeschooling; 15% positive social environment; 14% academic excellence; 12% specific needs of child; 5% curriculum choice; and 5% flexibility.

HOMESCHOOLING: GETTING STARTED As long as there have been parents and children, “homeschooling” has been happening. It was only with the emergence of widespread compulsory public education that this age-old method of instruction was virtually forgotten, but not eradicated. Foreign service workers or missionaries who by choice or necessity did not send their children to boarding schools continued the tradition of home education. Children who had illnesses that kept them from attending school were frequently taught at home. And families who lived in the remote areas of Alaska or other isolated regions answered their children’s educational needs with homeschooling. In the 1970s and ‘80s, homeschooling experienced a renaissance as a few parents began to question whether the public education system or existing private schools were right for their individual child. They wondered if they might be able to do a better job. And what do you know? Parents discovered they could do a great job. They told two friends who told two friends and so on. The modern homeschooling movement was born. (Source: HSLDA) ONLINE RESOURCES: The following websites have tons of great information about homeschooling: • Southeast Texas Homeschool Association: www.sethsa.org • Texas Homeschool Coalition: www.thsc.org • Home School Legal Defense Association: www.hslda.org UPCOMING HOMESCHOOL EVENTS: THSC Southwest Convention & Family Conference: August 1-3, 2013 The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands, Texas If you are interested in learning more about homeschooling or connecting with other Willowlake homeschool families, email or call me anytime! Lynn M Piwonski, 832-704-1252 LMP4040@yahoo.com Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

Willowlake

Harris County Sheriff’s Office

Crime Report Willowlake - Month of May

911 Hang Up 0 Alarm Local 10 Alarm/Rep. -Site 0 Alarm/Sil/Pan/HU 0 Burglary/Motveh 1 Check Park 56 Contract Check 105 Crim Mischief 0 Disch Fire Arm 0 Dist/Family 0 Dist/Juvenile 0 Dist/Loud Noise 3 Dist/Other 0 DWI 0 Illegal Dumping 0 Meet the Resident 3 Mud Bldg Chk 5 Solicitors 0 Susp Person 2 Theft/Other 0 Traffic Hazard 0 Traffic Stop 0 Vacation Watch 0 Veh Abandon 0 Veh Suspicious 4 Vehicle Stolen 0 -Submitted by Dave Bannen President

Willowlake Watch - July 2013

Willowlake Tips from the Community Association Institute Submitted by Mary Smith

H. Jackson Brown, Jr., wrote Life’s Little Instruction Book to provide his son with wisdom he could refer to as he lived his life. In that same spirit, community association leaders through the years have shared their advice and pearls of wisdom for better community association life. Here are a few tips from the Community Association Institute to guide all of us to ensure that our community association experience enhances our life. 1. Review the covenants, conditions and restrictions again after you move in. 2. Pay your assessments on time. It helps the association keep expenses down. 3. Attend the annual meeting. Find out what’s going on. 4. Read the community magazine. 5. Follow the rules. 6. Serve on a committee. Serve because you care about your neighborhood, not because you have a hidden agenda. 7. Help organize a community event--a food drive, holiday gift drive, or social event. Help Others. 8. Vote when the opportunity arises. 9. Remember that you are a member of the community association.

What is good for the Association is good for you. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR! 10. Curb your dog. Keep him/her from disturbing the neighbors. 11. Keep noises, i.e. televisions, music, lawn equipment, at a reasonable volume during reasonable times. 12. Park in your garage and keep the door closed. Park excess vehicles only on the driveway; don’t park in the street. 13. Take care of your property.....no junk cars, paint when needed, junk out of yard and well manicured. 14. Walk softly. 15. Share a smile and a wave with a neighbor. 16. Offer to lend a hand. 17. Welcome new neighbors to the community. 18. Timely pick up (or ask your neighbors to do it for you if you are away) your trash containers and store them away from your neighbors’ and public view. 19. Practice the Golden Rule. Do unto others as I would have them do unto me. 20. Have a good life.

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Willowlake Watch - July 2013

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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.

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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.

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Willowlake Watch - July 2013

Willowlake

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DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE WATER SAFETY TIPS AT

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July ar Calend

Ongoing: Volunteers needed to distribute water safey packets info@colinshope.org Ongoing: Colin's Hope Athlete Ambassadors needed! http://www.tinych.org/signup July 21: Colin's Hope Kids Got2Swim Pure Austin Quarry Lake. http://www.tinych.org/got2swim August 29: Colin's Hope Got2Swim Lake Austin 10K/10 miler. http://www.tinych.org/got2swim September 8: 5th Annual Colin’s Hope Kids Triathlon http://www.tinych.org/KidsTri

ALERT: 18 Texas children have already drowned this year! YOU can help us prevent children from drowning. Please KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE around water.

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Willowlake Watch - July 2013

WEAR LIFE JACKETS

MULTIPLE BARRIERS ON ALL POOLS & HOTTUBS

KEEP BACKYARDS &BATHROOMS SAFE

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CHECK POOLS & HOTTUBS 1ST FOR MISSING CHILDREN

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