Kleinwood - July 2014 by Peel, Inc.

KLEINWOOD

K leinwood Krier Official Publication of the Kleinwood Homeowners Association

July 2014

Volume 4, Issue 7

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation As the summer heats up, many of you will escape the daily grind and head out on a well-deserved vacation. But before you hit the road, take a few precautions so your home isn’t enticing to thieves or susceptible to fire and other disasters. Not only is having your home vandalized or burnt to the ground a highly unpleasant way to return from a trip, but it also puts the rest of the association at risk, as these problems have the potential to spread quickly throughout the neighborhood. So, before you take off, consider implementing these safety tips to keep your home and our community secure. Call on friends for help. If you’re going to be away a week or more, ask a trusted friend to check on your house every day or two—or better yet, housesit— while you’re gone. Not only will they make sure nothing happens to your home, but you might also ask them to bring in your mail and newspapers, water plants or even feed Fluffy. Of course, it’s a good idea to let your neighbors know a friend is monitoring your property so they don’t call the police to thwart a perceived “break-in.” Set your lights on a timer. Leaving your house unlit for days on end is a sure sign to burglars that it’s empty, but so is keeping the lights on 24-7. A good way to handle the lights on/off conundrum is to set them on a timer that’s scheduled to simulate your regular routine. Of course, if the lights seem a bit too simulated, that can be another telltale sign, so it’s a good Copyright © 2014 Peel, Inc.

idea to set the timers in individual rooms on staggered schedules to make the light coming from your home seem more natural. Stop your mail and newspaper. Nothing screams “nobody’s home!” like a pile of newspapers strewn about your doorstep or an overflowing mailbox. So, if you can’t get a friend or neighbor to collect them for you, it’s best to have your mail and paper stopped if you’re going to be out of town for awhile. Don’t leave the spare house key lying around. That fake rock where you keep the extra house key isn’t as discrete as you think. Whether you keep a spare under your welcome mat, above the door frame or in a hide-akey contraption, chances are it will take the nefarious types five minutes flat to find it and gain easy entry to your house. So take it with you, let a friend hold onto it or put it in a safe place inside your house, even if you’re worried about losing your other keys. Because when it comes down to it, calling a locksmith is less traumatic than calling the police. Make a last-minute checklist. Are all the windows and doors locked? Stove and oven turned off? How about all the faucets? Are the electronics unplugged and valuables secured? Take five minutes before you leave to ensure your house is vacation-ready. Another run-through of the house may seem unnecessary if you did it earlier in the day, but knowing you’ve left your house as safe as possible will help you kick back and have a great vacation. The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

KLEINWOOD IMPORTANT NUMBERS KLEINWOOD MAINTENANCE BOARD Larry Chamberlin, President............................ 281-580-2222 Ronnie Brod, Vice President............................. 281-370-9200 Tom Houser, Secretary..................................... 281-379-6517 Jeff Gobbell, Treasurer...................................... 281-251-7767 Kelly Smith, Director at Large.......................... 281-370-9735 KLEINWOOD MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT Sherry Allard, President.................................... 281-923-8603 Joe Fratangelo, Vice President.......................... 281-251-3189 Bernie Bryl, Secretary-Treasurer........................ 281-251-2688 David C Guerrero, Assistant Secretary.............. 281-251-2773 Robert Ehmann, Asst. V.P. & Asst. Sec............. 281-251-8621 MANAGEMENT COMPANY Chaparral Management.................................... 281-537-0957 POOL MANAGEMENT COMPANY Southwest Pool Management........................... 281-370-2474 MUD FACILITY MANAGER & BUILDING RENTALS Roger Schuett................................................... 281-685-1275 NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATORS Jeff Gobbel, Message Board Coord...... jeffgob1@sbcglobal.net Jeff Gobbell, Pool Liaison................................. 281-593-5405 Mona Currey, Newsletter Editor.......... mona@aegis-web.com Ronnie Brod, Tennis Liaison............................ 281-370-9200 Head Block Captain............................................... NEEDED SCHOOLS Mittelstadt Elementary..................................... 832-484-6711 Kleb Middle School......................................... 832-249-5500 Klein High School............................................ 832-484-4000

COMMUNITY SERVICES Emergency........................................................................911 Harris County Constable................................. 281-376-3472 C.C.E.M.S....................................................... 281-440-4300 St. Lukes Vintage Hospital............................... 832-534-5000 Methodist Willowbrook Hospital..................... 281-737-1000 Poison Control Center..................................... 281-654-1701 Waste Management.......................................... 713-686-6666 Klein VFD Business Office............................... 281-376-4449 Water/Sewer Repairs (24/7).............................. 832-467-1599 Water/Sewer Billing Questions......................... 832-467-1599 Reliant Energy/HL&P..................................... 713-207-7777 Centerpoint (report streetlight outings)............ 713-207-2222 Harris County Library, Barbara Bush Branch... 281-376-4610 Harris County, Precinct 4................................. 281-353-8424 Harris County Animal Control........................ 281-999-3191 Aircraft Noise Complaints................................ 281-233-3900 Environmental Development Partners.............. 832-467-1599 Harris County Dispute Resolution Center....... 713-755-8274 ....................................................... www.co.harris.tx.us/drc Domestic Violence........................................... 281-401-6250 Harris County Animal Control........................ 281-999-3191 Dead Animal Pick-up....................................... 713-699-1113 Harris County...........................................www.co.harris.tx.us Poison Control..............................................1-800-764-7661 Harris County Health Dept............................. 713-439-6000 .................................................................. www.hcphes.org Harris County Community Service.................. 281-353-8424 Ha.................................................................... www.hcp4.net Harris County Appraisal District...................... 713-757-7800 ......................................................................www.hcad.org Harris County Flood Control District.............. 713-684-4000 .....................................................................www.hcfcd.org NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER PEEL Inc.................................................... www.peelinc.com Advertising....................................................... 888-687-6444

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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

KLEINWOOD Hosts of Red White & Blue TV Show to appear at Cypress-Tomball Democrats Meeting The next Cypress-Tomball Democrats monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Rudy’s Grill & Cantina, 11760 Grant Rd., Cypress, TX 77429. A meet and greet starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the general meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. July’s guest speakers are David Jones and Gary Polland, co-hosts of the Houston PBS political affairs program, “Red White & Blue”. They will discuss the outlook for the 2014 and beyond campaigns. All are welcome to attend the meeting and to join this growing club, which meets on the third Tuesday of every month. For more information, visit the website at www.cytomdems.com; contact Glenn Etienne at cytomdems@yahoo.com; or “Like” the club on Facebook.

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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

KLEINWOOD KIDS’ RUNNING TEAM’S CROSS COUNTRY SEASON STARTS SEPTEMBER 8TH The Northwest Flyers Track Club Youth Cross-Country Team kicks off the fall season with registration and a mandatory orientation for parents and athletes on Monday, September 8, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. Registration will be held at Cypress Creek High School, 9815 Grant Rd., Houston, TX. The first practice will be held at the Cypress Creek YMCA on Thursday, September 11. 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 27th year in the northwest Houston area. Ages 6 - 18 may participate in the team, and both beginners and experienced runners are welcome. Middle school and high school cross country athletes can also register, but should compete after their cross country season is over. Contact Coach Eric Wentworth at emw185@gmail.com, 281-961-6603, or Coach Donnell Carter at dcarter.nwflyers@

The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

yahoo.com, 281-467-4727, for more information. Email Coach Carter to get on the email list and you will receive a free running training video. Visit www.northwestflyers.org to get updates and learn more about the team.

KLEINWOOD

Keep Your Backyard Bug窶色ree... Naturally Summer is the time for barbecue parties and sleeping under the stars, but bothersome bugs can ruin outdoor fun. Many people spray themselves and their lawns with chemical repellants to get rid of these pests, but there are natural alternatives that are environmentally friendly to your home and our association. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a bug-free summer. Get growing. Planting a simple garden can do wonders in keeping the bug count down. Plants like garlic, radishes, marigolds, nasturtium, oregano, sage, rosemary, cilantro and mint are easy to cultivate and can make the area in and around your garden uninviting to the creepy crawlers, as they act as natural bug repellants. Pest-control never looked or tasted so good! Wet and wild. Eliminate stagnate or standing water in your yard; it provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Emptying used kiddy pools and fountains and refilling them with fresh water, cleaning gutters of leaves and other rain-blocking debris and filling in puddles with dirt are just some of the ways to reduce the buzzing bugs in your yard.

Going to the birds. Setting up a few bird houses in your yard is not only a great way to enjoy the beauty of our feathered friends, but it also mitigates bug problems, since many birds love to dine on dragonflies, dung beetles and the ilk. Candle in the wind. When outdoors, ignite an all-natural bug repellant candle nearby to keep the bugs at bay, and enjoy the sweet smell of citronella, lavender, mint and other aromas that pests find repugnant. Brands such as BioSensory, Solay, Melo and Yankee Candle have jumped onto the debugging bandwagon and offer eco-conscious candles. Light up the night. Many high-flying insects are drawn to light like a moth to the窶ｦyou get the idea. So, why not install an elevated yellow bug light on your back porch or deck to attract those critters up and away from the ground (and you!) when you spend an evening outdoors. Of course, be sure to review our Association Docs or talk with to an association representative to make sure your bug lights are in compliance with HOA rules.

The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

KLEINWOOD Date Set, Downsize Fitness Joins 2014 Texas Stallions Family Fun Run & Free FitZone! The Texas Stallions Track Club Cross Country team is proud to announce the return of the Stallions Stampede 2K/5K Fun Run 10K Relay and We Can! FitZone. The family friendly event will take place on October 18, 2014, at 8am, at Forest Oaks Park in Spring, Texas. The Stallions Stampede and We Can! FitZone aims to promote healthy living in youth through family education, increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time. A USATF Sanctioned event the Stallions Stampede offers 3 races to get the community involved – A Family 2K, a USATF Certified 5K, and a 10K Relay. The We Can! FitZone is free community event offering youth and families fun and useful tools and information for healthful living. “Stallions XC is excited to welcome Downsize Fitness as a Winner’s Circle Sponsor, their perfect complement to our efforts to raise awareness about childhood obesity”, said Head Cross Country Coach Lavoxkeia Carnes. “Downsize fitness is the world’s first gym for people with more than 50 pounds of weight to lose and offers kids free memberships when their parents join”, said Grover Daly, VP of Downsize Fitness. The Stallions Events Committee is seeking healthy living businesses and professionals to provide health screenings, education, assessments and other services to our participants. For more details, visit the event web site at www.StallionsStampede. com or contact Lavoxkeia Carnes, meet director, Texas Stallions Track Club at 832-415-0568 or by email at txstallions@texasstallions.com. Registration is underway for our 2014 Cross Country Running Program, visit www.TexasStallions.org to join today!

A REMINDER FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT

THIS SUMMER, THINK SAFETY FIRST! Summer barbecues, beach trips and fun in the sun are on everyone's to-do lists. While getting ready to enjoy some summer fun, Waste Management encourages residents to keep safety in mind. 1. Keep our kids safe: During summertime, many children enjoy carefree activities such as bike riding and playing basketball in our streets. Encourage your kids to observe all safety rules and regulations, including wear helmets and pads, in addition to remaining aware of oncoming traffic. Waste Management drivers are specially trained to remain cautious and

The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

aware at all times while driving, but we need the community's help to keep our kids safe. 2. Keep our trash cans safe: Every year, hot coals from barbecues are improperly disposed of and cause both fires and injuries. Coals that appear cooled may in fact still be hot, and could cause a fire in your trash can, which is dangerous for your community and for our drivers. Coals or ashes fresh from the barbecue should never be disposed directly into your collection (Continued on Page 7)

KLEINWOOD Waste Management (Continued from Page 7) container or in your green waste container. Coals should be cooled for several days, and then placed in a metal container with a tight lid for proper disposal in your waste container. To speed up the cooling process, you may carefully place coals in a metal container full of water to "drown" them as you would a campfire. Remember: never place coals Ð even if you think they are cool - in plastic, paper or wood containers. 3. Keep our wildlife safe: Be sure to dispose of all trash from barbecues and picnics properly to keep our wildlife safe from harm. Improperly disposed of trash, especially items like plastic from soda can containers can be dangerous to wildlife such as birds. By keeping waste properly contained, we can keep our wildlife safe from unnecessary harm. Waste Management will do the rest! "Summer is a time for safety just as much as it is for fun," said Lisa Hemenway, Community Relations for Waste Management. "Waste Management is always on the lookout to improve safety for residents both in and out of our trucks."

At no time will any source be allowed to use The Kleinwood Krier's 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 Peel, Inc. The information in The Kleinwood Krier is exclusively for the private use of the Kleinwood HOA and Peel, Inc. 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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The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

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DROWNING IS FAST & SILENT KEEP KIDS IN ARM’S REACH

WATER SAFETY TIPS AT WWW.COLINSHOPE.ORG Help keep your family safer around water. Take our Water Safety Quiz. www.colinshope.org/quiz

Colin's Hope Athlete Ambassadors needed. Swim, bike, play tennis, hula hoop and more! www.tinych.org/AthleteAmbassador

LAYERS OF PROTECTION CAN PREVENT DROWNING STAY AWAY

CONSTANT VISUAL SUPERVISION

LEARN TO SWIM

The Kleinwood Krier - July 2014

WEAR LIFE JACKETS

MULTIPLE BARRIERS TO WATER

KEEP BACKYARDS & BATHROOMS SAFER

CHECK POOL & HOT TUB FIRST

STAY AWAY FROM DRAINS

RULES

BE SAFER AT THE BEACH

LEARN CPR & REFRESH SKILLS YEARLY