President’s Report By Glenn Sommers School has started as well as all the fall activities, so I hope you got your break in during the summer. DVCA activity is picking up again. The Landscape Committee hosted a great mulch party on Saturday, August 11. We had about 30 volunteers (over 20 from Boy Scout Troop 120 – Thanks Troop 120!!) and spread 40 cubic yards of mulch in about two hours. Thanks to all who volunteered!! It was so successful Landscaping is thinking about doing it again. Maybe we can get them to provide doughnuts next time!! Thanks are also due to Tim McGhee who has served DVCA for many years (I think around 12) on many committees (chairing two) and the DVCA Board (including being President). He has decided to take a well deserved break. Thanks Tim!!! The work on the 2008 DVCA budget is moving forward and the committees are finaliz-ing their recommendations. More to come on this next month. REMEMBER: You are always welcome to come and be part of the committee process. Last month I reported that the board approved a mosquito control trial (Aug/Sept) and we are halfway through it. There is a DVCA Member forum on September 11 at 7:30 to get your feedback on this and other items. I am trying to get a representative from the Harris County Mosquito Control Division to present and answer our questions. They have given an initial yes, but not confirmed by the time this article was due. Additionally, the Security Committee has requested to have a member forum to discuss their recommendation to add a 3rd shift security patrol (see separate article for more de-tails). So to provide better communications, we decided to combine the two topics into one Member Forum on September 11 at 7:30PM. The Security Committee will work to have constable representation at the meeting to help answer questions you have for them. So plan to attend the Member Forum on September 11 to become more informed and to give your feedback!! I will be setting up the first meeting of the DVCA communications group after school starts. It’s not too late to be included. Let me know if you’re interested. Have a great start to the school year and all the activities that resume. Don’t forget – we need you here in DVCA too! Call us to find out where.

DEERFIELD VILLAGE NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007

Deerfield Village CAI 4045 Deerfield Village Drive

Houston, TX 77084

Office: (281) 463-2624 Fax: (281) 463-7679

Email: deerfield4@sbcglobal.net www.deerfieldvillage.net

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday– Friday 8:30AM –2:30 PM

Deadline for October

Newsletter:

September 15th

Submit articles and ads to Rec Center Office or email deerfield4@sbcglobal.net

T H E V O I C E O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y

D e d i c a t e d t o t h e r e s i d e n t s o f D e e r f i e l d V i l l a g e

Mark your Calendars!! DVCA Member Forum September 11, 7:30PM Topics Mosquito Control 3rd Shift Security Patrol

MOVING MOUNTAINS Landscape Committee Friday, August 10th a mountain of mulch (48 cubic yards to be exact) was delivered to the rec center parking lot. Less than 24 hours later it had disappeared, spread throughout the rec center by a crew of very hard working volunteers. Many thanks to all who labored so hard on a very warm day and a big round of applause for all of the members of Scout Troop 120, who showed up in force to do community service work. One way to show your gratitude is to support their mulch sales next spring. When spreading mulch in your plant beds, apply it no more than 3 inches deep. Anything more will create a blanket too thick for water to penetrate. Around the picnic tables, we spread it twice that thick because we don’t want water to penetrate. We want a good solid attractive area that will support foot traffic. We have additional plans for improving the rec center area. Please consider joining the Landscape Committee to help make these plans reality.

Tennis Committee

Meets every 1st Wednesday at 8:00 PM

ATTENTION LEAGUE CAPTAINS: Please leave a copy of your league schedule

with Rebecca at the Office.

ATTENTION TENNIS PLAYERS: Remember to use the sign up sheets on the office window when playing tennis even if there is no one

else on the courts.

Security Stats for July 2007 Constable Dispatch: 281-463-6666

Contract # 87 Harris County Precinct #5

Reminder: Constable Emergency telephone stickers are available at the DV Rec. Center

office: 281-463-2624

Rec Center Committee

Meets every 1st Monday at 7:30PM

Do you like to throw parties?

Are you a good planner? Call the office at (281) 463-2624 if you

would like to join the Rec Center Commit-tee or just help with one of our events.

Next event: Adult Swim Party - 9/15 Halloween Party– 10/31

ACTIVITIES Total Accidents 2 Alarms 11 Assaults 0 Burglaries 1 Burg Motor Vehicle 0 Citizens Assistance 13 Citizens Contact 52 Criminal Arrests 0 Criminal Mischief 8 Disturbance Calls 14 Suspicious Vehicles 6 Suspicious Persons 3 Thefts 0 Traffic Citations 5 Traffic Warnings 12 Vacation Watch 41

Security Committee Meets every 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 PM

Security Crew At Work

In the near future, members of the Deerfield Security Committee will be installing new (and additional) Neighborhood Watch Signs around the neighborhood. These signs will be placed on existing street lamps strategically throughout the sub-division where we feel they will get the most visibility. If you would like to see a map detailing the location of these signs, please join us at the Rec. Center on (Tuesday) September 11th 2007 at 7:30 PM when we will participate in the Mosquito Spraying and 3rd shift Security Patrol Mem-ber Forum discussion.

Requesting additional Constable Patrol Shift

As many of you have noticed, or have even been a victim, there has been an increase in criminal mischief throughout the Deerfield subdivision. We are facing a huge increase in the amount of graffiti and in some cases these individuals have crossed the line and become racial in their message. Once the message be-comes racial or considered as a hate crime, this type mischief becomes a felony and the FBI is notified. Behavior like this is something I never thought would exist in our subdivision. We are also getting more and more reports of vehicles driving through and trenching yards. Many of you spend a fair share of your hard earned money and time keeping your yard and community beautiful only to have someone get their kicks driving through it causing damage and destruction. Most of these type crimes happen after our present deputies have left Deerfield. Although we are under a 24 Constable Contract and a Constable can be dispatched at any time, we need the presence of a 3rd shift patrol to monitor the neighborhood for this type activity. A 3rd shift patrol can be added to the existing yearly contract for approximately $50.00 per household. The Security Committee feels that it is our re-sponsibility to consider and present to the neighborhood the recommendation for this additional shift and would like to request funding in our 2008 budget. If you would like to express your opinion, please join us at the Deerfield Rec. Center for a Member Forum to discuss Mosquito Control and 3rd Shift Security Pa-trol on (Tuesday) September 11th, 2007 at 7:30 PM. See you there.

ATTENTION RESIDENTS! On Wednesday, August 15th at about 9:45 PM, a resident was walking his dog down Oakhampton and was hit by a high powered “air soft” gun. The man saw the pellets coming from a small red pick-up truck. Last weekend, another resident was shot in the leg while working in his yard. We are happy to re-port that the shooter has been caught! Our new Deputy (Jason Boughter) took the call and with assistance from the victim, identified the individual (way to go all). This was great Teamwork by the victim (Deerfield resident) and our Constable Patrol. Once again this proves that our Neighborhood Watch pro-gram and the Constable Patrol make a GREAT TEAM diminishing crime in Deerfield. Never be afraid to call the constable. That is why they are here. If you are in a situation that you feel may need constable assistance, please call!

CONSTABLE’S OFFICE (281) 463-6666 Contract# 87

Financial Services Committee Meets every Tuesday the week before the Board Meeting at 7:30 PM to review the financial, status of our community

This month we will be reviewing what the committees have prepared for their expenditure for 2008. We shall be continuing to refine the budgets during next month for the final presentation to the board. If you wish to have some input into the way Deerfield is run, there is still time to be involved. Go visit those committees that match your interest. Contact the committee chairmen and make your views known.

Last month we looked at the monthly expenses for running Deerfield. Remember the overall expense is $460,668 for 2007 ($38389 per month). At July 30, we have spent $272,501 ($38921 per month) The Budget through July was $292,880 so we are $20,379 under budget.

This month we are looking at what we call the reserves. Simply put, this is our household savings account for expenditures we can foresee in the future. Deerfield has land and facilities worth $1.8 Million Dollars. This ranges from the green belt areas, the recreation center, tennis courts, pool, playgrounds, streetlights, and the patio home streets. Each year funds are “reserved” to pay for the replacement or refurbishment of these items. Some of these are short term (1 to 10 years), some are long term (11-25 years). The amount reserved each year is based on the time to replacement.

Currently we have $360,207 worth of reserves. With reserves that we have budgeted for this year we anticipate that the reserves will be around $400,000 by year end. The reserves are invested in CD’s so they also contribute to our income each year

Next month we will follow up with how the assessments, that we as home owners pay, provide for that. Come help us keep Deerfield a very special place in which to live.

***UPDATED*** 2007 DEERFIELD VILLAGE

SWIM POOL HOURS September 2007: Day(s) Pool Times Saturday (1st), Sunday (2nd), & Labor Day 10:00am-8:00pm Saturday, Sunday 10:00am-8:00pm Monday CLOSED Tuesday-Friday 5:00pm-8:00pm

Swim passesare required. Call the office to get one (281) 463-2624.

Swimming Pool Committee

Meets every 1st Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM (Next meeting- Sept 6th 7:30P.M.)

Labor Day Pool Party September 3, 2007

3PM-5PM We will have snow cones and games

Bring the whole family for a day of fun in the sun

Deeds Committee Meets every 2nd Mon at

7:00PM

The Deeds Committee works hard to keep our neighborhood in the best shape possible. The Deeds Committee consists of a

group of volunteers that give their time to make sure we are all keeping our homes accord-ing to the regulations that were

set many years ago.

IF YOU RECEIVE A LETTER PLEASE REMEMBER TO:

Call the Association Office

ASAP! We just need to hear from you to know that you are working on it or that you don’t

feel there is a problem. We will work with each individual situa-tion. Please do not get upset if

you receive a letter. Our houses on the average are get-ting up there in age. It is going to be time for new paint or sid-ing soon and mildew is inevita-ble in Houston. The letters are simply to give you a little push

to take care of these situations.

If you receive a letter- JUST CALL!

We will work with you. We are here to help you!

MUD 136 BOARD REPORT FOR THE BUSINESS MONTH OF AUGUST, 2007 By Jay Singleton, Secretary At its August meeting, the Board decided, at the recommendation of the District Engineer, to

begin an inspection program for the District’s sanitary sewer system using a TV camera that will be run inside the sewer pipes. Most of the system (except Section 6) is as much as 30 years old. As we have learned from recent events in the news, infrastructure will deteriorate with age, So, an ounce of prevention is in order. ECO Resources has analyzed their service records and identified some locations that have had repeat service calls. These locations and the pipe adjoining them will be the first to be televised. Next will come the pipes serving the Patio Homes. By the end of 2007 over 9000 feet of pipe will have been inspected (the total

system footage is 63,500 feet). In 2008, another 9000 ft will be inspected. The Board approved the purchase of flyers from the West Harris Regional Water Authority. These flyers contain helpful tips for water use and conservation. Watch for a new one each month in your water bill. Other actions taken by the directors are detailed in the meeting minutes that will be posted on the District web site.

Committee Board Trustee Committee Chair Phone

Community Services Dan Karsten OPEN

Deed Restrictions Carolyn Dinger Robert Serradilla 281-550-9204

DVCA Board Glenn Sommers

Financial Services Bob Henry Andrew Jackson 281-463-7665

Landscape Mike Polk Jay Singleton 281-463-7346

MUD #136

Rec Center Dennis Hughes Rebecca Adams 281-463-2624

Security Walt Bohn Kirk Aden 281-855-7103

Swim Pool Susan Greer Peter Howell 281-463-1360

Tennis Marie Nugent Mark Tinne 281-463-1258

Meeting Dates

1st Monday

2nd Monday

4th Monday

Tuesday before Board Meeting

2nd Monday

2nd Thursday

1st Monday

2nd Tuesday

1st Thursday

1st Wednesday

Time

7:30 PM

7:00 PM

7:30 PM

7:30 PM

7:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

7:30 PM

7:30 PM

8:00 PM

Community Services Committee Meets every 1st Monday at 7:30 PM

THANK YOU TIM FOR GIVING SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY!

If you are interested in being a part of the Deerfield Community, please join our committee. We are looking

for a new chair. Please call the office if you are interested (281) 463-2624.

The Community Services Committee has chosen a company to update the clubhouse and renovations will begin soon. We will be painting and eventually re-flooring the clubhouse, small room, and office.

Adult Get Together by the Pool and Dedication Ceremony in honor of NORA FEARING

September 15th Deerfield Village Swim Pool

8:30 PM - 11:00PM ceremony will be from 8:30 - 9:00 pm, pool party will follow ceremony

The Deerfield Village Community will be dedicating a new landmark in Nora’s name in memory of the spirit she brought

to our neighborhood. Nora worked hard to bring our neighborhood together and build a sense of community. Join us for a small dedication ceremony followed by an adult neighborhood get together at the pool

HALLOWEEN PARTY October 31st 5:30-7:00PM

Deerfield Village Clubhouse

Start your Trick-or-Treating here! Get a goodie bag with safety items for trick or treating Get a picture of your child in their costume Enjoy a snack and drink

Do you need community service or volunteer hours?

We are looking for help keeping the Marquee up to date with the neighborhood news. We are looking to have it changed 1-2 times per week (30 minutes each

time). Please contact the office if you are interested (281) 463-2624.

West Houston Aglow Lighthouse

This month we will hold a special evening meeting beginning at 7.30 pm in the upstairs annex. Guest speakers will be Stephanie Weber and Gayle Christie of the Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition. They will be speaking on their work to end human trafficking ( a very alarming problem in Houston) and the rescue and restoration of victims. This meeting is open to all residents of Deerfield who are urged to attend and become informed on this very serious topic.

Flip’s Irrigation Service

Flip Thompson

832-474-6066

Licensed Irrigator 6327 flip@industryinet.com

Office 979-992-3815

Specializing in commercial &

residential repair on all brands. Installation

available. 18 years experience

Ladies Bible Study

Please come join us on

Wednesday mornings @ the Deerfield Clubhouse

beginning on

September 12 at 9:30 a.m.

We will be doing "The Truth Pro-ject." Come and check it out. Break-fast will be served and you are in-vited. We would love to see you. For more information call Kelly @ 281.861.9455.

YARD OF THE MONTH

John & Ruth Catapano 4310 Deerfield Village Dr.

Friends of the Library

Come join the Friends of the Library as they discuss program planning

for the upcoming months.

Katherine Tyra/Bear Creek Branch Library September 10, 2007 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

OPEN NOW!

STUDENT BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL

20% OFF EVERY SERVICE

Cy Springs High School Band to Sell Entertainment Books for Fundraiser

Cy Springs High School Band is selling copies of the popular Entertainment 2007 coupon book to raise funds to offset the cost of needed supplies and equipment to allow the band to operate at a truly competitive level. The fund-raising campaign will kick off August 24, 2007 and continue through September 14, 2007. Each Entertainment book contains thousands of dollars in 2-for-1 and up-to-50%-off discount offers from local and national restaurants, hotels and resorts, entertainment venues and much more. The Houston edition includes offers for, among others, Black-Eyed Pea, Target, Quizno’s, Philly Connection, Radio Shack, Blockbuster Video, Casa Ole’, Midas, Baskin Robbins, Domino’s, Kroger, Randall’s, LosTios, and Ninfa’s. Books cost $20.00, with a portion of the proceeds from every book supporting Cy Springs High School Band. To order a copy of the Entertainment Book, contact Celeste Heath at 281-855-3608 or Patti Lozano at 281-463-6694 of the Cy Springs High School Band. Or buy online at www.entertainment.com/support . Please enter 603166 when prompted to support the Cy Springs Band.

DEERFIELD VILLAGE CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

We have set the date for the 29th Annual Christmas Bazaar. This year’s bazaar will be Friday, November 2nd and Saturday, November 3rd. We are looking for new talented ba-zaar participants. If you would like to earn some extra “Holiday” money and meet some fun Deerfield women, come check us out at our first or second meetings. Our first meeting will be a fun pool & paint party at Sharon’s house on Thursday, Sep-tember 6th. We will kick off the year with a semi-work party at 7pm. For more informa-tion or directions, please call Sharon at 281-859-0174 or Connie at 281-463-0750. Our three regular meetings will be September 17, October 11 and October 23 at the Deer-field Clubhouse. Our by-laws require that participants attend 3 meetings and work during the bazaar. Please call if this is something you would like to do. Hope to hear from you!

Matthew Jamison, grandson of Deerfield residents Wayne and Lois Jamison, will appear in the ACT@TUTS production of THE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ PROJECT. Matthew is a fifteen year-old musical theatre student at The High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. His recent performance credits include Masquerade Theatre Company’s GREASE and CHILDREN OF EDEN at The Hobby Center, and Kids For Kids’ production of SEUSSICAL, which raised over $35,000 for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as numerous productions with Applause Theatre Company. Matthew is one of over fifty talented high school and college-aged theatre students that comprise the ACT@TUTS cast. Have you ever tried defying gravity? It’s wicked! The inspiring songwriting career of Stephen

Schwartz will enliven the fourth annual Apprentice Conservatory Training @ Theatre Under The Stars production for 2007, THE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ PROJECT. THE STEPHEN SCHWARTZ PROJECT will be performed in Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Performance dates and times are: Friday, September 21 @ 7:30pm, and Saturday, September 22 @ 1:30 and 7:30pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (713) 558-8887 or visit www.tuts.com.

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DEERFIELD VILLAGE MARKET NEWS

Lynne Wilbar, Realtor Direct: 713-857-7426 Lwilbar@garygreene.com www.garygreene.com Deerfield Village Resident

Over 17 years Your Profit is Our Utmost

PRIORITY!

Home sales in Houston have slowed for the 2nd month. It seems to be affecting mostly homes selling from $80K to $140K because of the tightening of lending requirements in the sub-prime market. However, there is a trickle up affect, since that price range of sellers is trying to move up to the quality of Deerfield. In Deerfield, we have seen homes staying on the market for longer time periods, with the average now around 120 days for the 17 homes now for sale. There are currently 3 homes pending, ranging from $131K to $269K. From mid July to mid Aug. there were 7 sales ranging from $160K to $265K. The Good News is that the Price/SqFt has remained a little higher at $70.97/SqFt. These homes averaged about 60 Days on the Market.

Equal Housing Opportunity, Information is deemed reliable, however, we can not guarantee accuracy.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT WEST NILE VIRUS?

Every year about this time, concern seems to rise about the likelihood of getting this virus in Deerfield Village. Some informa-tion was gathered from the following websites to answer questions you may have:

www.kidshealth.org www.cdc.gov/westnile www.healthwise.net West Nile virus is spread to humans and animals by the bite of a specific mosquito, only, called the CULEX mosquito; and only those which have fed on infected birds will become carriers. Less than 1% of mosquitoes in an area where carrier mosquitoes have been found are actually infected with WNV. Less than 1% of people who are bitten and infected with the virus will become seriously ill. Those most at risk of becom-ing seriously ill are persons over the age of 50. 80% of people who are infected will have no symptoms! Symptoms that do develop between 3-14 days after a bite may in-clude fever, fatigue, headache, body ache, and sometimes skin rash and swollen glands. If you do experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should contact your doctor. WNV cannot be spread from person to person by casual contact. PREVENTION Neighborhood spraying can help, but will not completely rid the problem. Other things we can do to help are: 1. Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts when outdoors particularly at dawn and dusk. 2. Make sure screens on windows and doors are in good condition. 3. Use mosquito repellent when outdoors. Be sure to use according to the label - less than 10% DEET for children. 4. Eliminate standing water, containers of standing water, and blocked gutters from your property. 5. Maintain your swimming pools. Empty, turn over or cover children’s swimming pools when not in use. 6. Keep birdbaths clean. Change the water at least once a week. 7. Report mosquito concerns to Harris County Mosquito Control at (713)440-4800 8. To control mosquitoes inside a house, use a "flying insect spray". Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Reporting Dead Birds – Victims of West Nile? West Nile Virus is present in the 77084 Zip code. Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services Department tracks outbreaks of West Nile Virus by mosquito traps as well as the public turning in dead birds found on their property. If you find a dead bird with no obvious cause of death (e.g. cats, bb guns), consider turning it into the County to see if it was the result of West Nile Virus. Pick up the bird with a plastics bag and seal it. Do not touch the bird. Dead birds (dead for less than one day and no ants or maggots, please) being submitted for testing for the West Nile virus are accepted at Mosquito Control, Monday to Friday, from 8 AM - 4 PM. Dead birds can be turned in to the West Side Service Center on Clay Road . Please note that there is no Saturday nor Sunday dead bird drop-off.

Mosquito Control Pilot Program Update The mosquito season beings in April and may last as long as November, depending on weather. Some residents have perceived the mosquito problem being severe this year and as a result requested Deerfield Village resume spraying for mosquitos. Spraying is somewhat controversial, with many authorities saying it is not effective, yet many subdivisions continue to do it; Harris County sprays when there are severe problems. The Deerfield Village Community Association began a 2 month Mosquito Con-trol Pilot Program in August that will last through September. The program includes weekly neighborhood spraying which started August 2nd, as well as bi-weekly spraying of the greenbelt. Also, tablets have been put into 218 street drains to control mosquito larva. There have been additional treatments by Harris County due to the outbreak of West Nile Virus in the area. Whether the mosquito control program continues past September depends on how successful the community feels the pilot pro-gram is and whether the community wants to continue it. There will be Community Meeting open to all residents to come and discuss the Pilot Program and comment on the program’s success or failure. As an outreach for community involvement, the Community Meeting will also cover expanding the commu-nity association security contract to include a 3rd shift. The meeting has been moved from September 20 to September 11, at 7:30 at the Rec Center. These comments will be critical input on whether mosquito control should be continued for the rest of 2007