Villages of Northpoint - April 2021 by Peel, Inc.

THE COMPASS

Volume 12, Issue 04

A newsletter for villages of northpointe

APRIL 2021

By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center It’s happened to most of us. We hear something hit a window and when we go outside to check it out, we find a little bird laying on the ground. The same thing happens with other shiny objects like chrome car bumpers, car mirrors, grills and gazing balls. Why do birds fly into these objects? There are a couple of reasons. The most likely explanation is that birds see the reflection of the sky or vegetation and thinking it’s real, try to fly into it. Another reason is that some species are territorial and aggressive and when they see their own reflection, they think it’s a rival and they try to attack it. This happens more frequently during mating season. It’s estimated that up to 1 billion birds die every year from window strikes but there are things you can do to protect our fine-feathered friends. • Put tape on your windows. You can purchase reflective tape on Amazon made especially for protecting birds. There are many other sites as well. Just do a general search on how to protect birds from window strikes. Be sure to follow the instructions for correct placement. • Decals. Companies like Window Alert sell decals specifically made to protect birds from window strikes. They also sell a unique spray that can be applied to your windows. Check other websites as well to get the best price. • Add screens to your windows. Easy Up Shade (easyupshade.com) offers shades that attach with suction cups so they can be easily removed if needed. • Get creative and paint your windows with non-toxic tempura paint. You can easily change your artwork with the seasons or for special occasions. • Close your drapes or blinds. • If you have feeders near windows, consider moving them away from the windows. • Place small mesh netting over your windows. You can use a frame to make it easy to hang up and remove. It should be at least 3 inches from the window. • Collide Scape (collidescape.org) makes a one-way transparent film that allows you to see out but makes the window appear opaque from the outside. • Install outside sun shades or shutters. If you find a bird that has hit a window, gently pick it up and examine it for injuries. If there are no apparent injuries and you don’t see any blood, sometimes the bird just needs a few minutes to recover. Place it in the shade in a safe area and watch it. If it hasn’t recovered in 15 minutes, please call us. You may need to bring the bird to us for emergency care. 713-468-TWRC. Let’s work together to save our wild friends. TWRC Wildlife Center Houston, Texas Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Villages of Northpointe Security Director

Andy Elmore .............................................. hit02@scbglobal.net Waste Management................................................... 281-376-8802 Centerpoint Energy .................................................. 713-207-2222 Tomball Post Office................................................... 281-516-0513 Harris County MUD #281 (water and recycling)...... 281-376-8802 Harris County Constable Precinct #4 24-hour Dispatch ................................................ 281-376-3472 Villages of Northpointe Patrol Officer Deputy Kelly........................................................ 281-376-3472 SCHOOLS Tomball Independent School District................. www.tomballisd.net Canyon Pointe Elementary.................................... 281-357-3122 NorthPointe Intermediate...................................... 281-357-3020 Willow Wood Junior High.................................... 281-357-3030 Tomball High School............................................. 281-357-3220 Tomball Memorial High School............................ 281-357-3230 TAX ENTITIES: Tomball ISD Tax Office......................................... 281-357-3100 .

www.tomballisd.net and follow the link to the Tax Office

MUD #281 & NorthPointe WCID...................... 713-462-8906 ................................................................. www.wheelerassoc.com Harris County Appraisal District........................... 713-957-7800 ............................................................................... www.hcad.org Electric Company Choices.......................................866-7974839 ............................................................... www.powertochoose.org

NEWSLETTER INFO PUBLISHER Articles.............................. villagesofnorthpointe@peelinc.com Advertising..................................... advertising@PEELinc.com 2

Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS

Insects and the BIG FREEZE

Camp Hope Encounter the Unexpected with Jesus Dates: • Week 1 July 5-9, 2021 • Week 2 July 12-16, 2021 • Week 3 July 19-23, 2021 9:30 am –3:30 pm Camp Hope is our three week, day camp for children ages 5 yearsold through 6th grade. It is an adult-mentored, student-led ministry. Each day children will hear a new bible story, learn what it means to their life by eating a snack, playing a game, and experiencing the story through the arts, STEM and worship. Camp Hope is a day camp that is passionate about growing leaders. This is one of the reasons that Camp Hope is one of the BEST ways to develop youth leaders. It’s a vital part of what Camp Hope is all about! Parents are invited to register their children online at www. messiahlc.org/camp-hope. For more information, call 281-8903013. Messiah Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Messiah is located at 11522 Telge Road, ½ mile north of Highway 290. Regular Sunday worship times are: 8 am—Traditions; 9:30 am—The Gathering; and 10:45 am—The Crossing. The Discovery Time (education) is 9:15-10:30 AM on Sundays. For more information, 281-890-3013 or www. messiahlc.org. All people are welcome at Messiah. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

With most of Texas seeing freezing temperatures in February, I’ve been getting numerous questions on what it will do to the insect populations this year. Since we haven’t experienced such cold temperatures along with ice and snow for a long time, the short answer is that we just don’t know and will have to wait and see. I have a feeling that the majority of insects- and other arthropods- will be just fine because they have ways of surviving winter’s cold temperatures. Just like “snowbirds” that drive their RVs to Texas or Florida to spend the winter, there are certain groups of insects that migrate to new areas to spend the winter where temperatures are not as cold. A great example of this is the Monarch butterfly. Another example that can be put into "human relation" terms would be insects that use cryoprotectants (anti-freeze compounds). The most commonly used compound that insects use for this purpose is ethylene glycol, which is the same compound that is in antifreeze that humans put into vehicles. Ethylene glycol allows the insect's body tissues to supercool and remain above the freezing point. Freeze tolerance is another modification that some insects use to survive winter temperatures. With this method, freezing causes water to be forced out of living cells and the fluid around the cells freeze. These insects also empty their digestive tract to get rid of any food that contains water which could freeze and cause the digestive system to burst. Freeze tolerance is easier for smaller insects due to the fact that they have less fluid in their body because of their small size. Some insects may gather together to create collective heat. Honey bees do this inside the hive during the winter to keep warm. Other insects seek areas of shelter in areas where it is not so cold. An example is ladybugs that move indoors during colder months of the year. These insects move into homes through cracks and crevices or other areas that are not well sealed when it gets cold. This can lead them indoors to become nuisance pests. For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com This work is supported by Crops Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program [grant no. 2017-70006-27188 /project accession no. 1013905] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS

Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS

Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS The Compass is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use the Compass 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 newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.

Kid Entrepreneurs Get Help From Andrew and Amanda By Janet Gutherie

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.

There are kids that grow up ready to take on the world. They have the attitude, the skills and can spot opportunities that are right for them. They are excited about life, they are prepared and know they will handle whatever life throws their way. More than ever, successful kids are exposed to ideas normally associated with entrepreneurship. To be a successful entrepreneur requires creativity, empathy, communication skills, problem-solving ability, practical mathematics and a knack for spotting something at the right moment and having the confidence to act. Raising a child with an awareness of entrepreneurship and the associated skills can change their life for the better even if they don’t go on to start or scale a business. At the very least, the same set of skills will steer them towards opportunities that are right for them. Fairfield siblings Andrew and Amanda Nichols are kid entrepreneurs, just like the ones Daniel described above. They have been running their own businesses since they were both 11 years old. One of their priorities is to inspire other youth entrepreneurs with strategies and practical tools to turn their passions into generating income. Thanks to International Business Global Radio (ibgr.network), Andrew and Amanda have a weekly radio show Saturdays at 1 pm called Z Gen Entrepreneurship. Their listeners (called Baby Sharks) can tune in for an hour each week to learn about topics such as Passion to Product, The Money Factors, Work/School Balance, Marketing and Credibility, and much more. So go to ibgr.network or anywhere you access your podcast and search for Z Gen Entrepeunership to access past and upcoming radio shows. You can also follow and order from their local businesses! Andrew’s Artisan Cakes-www.andrewsartisancakes.com and Instagram Andrew’s Artisan Pens - www.andrewsartisanpens.com and Instagram Amanda Faith Designs - Facebook and Instagram 6

Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS

Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021

THE COMPASS 1405 Brandi Ln Round Rock, TX 78681

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Villages of NorthPointe Compass - April 2021