willowlake - august 2012

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc. Willowlake Watch - August 2012 1

Willowlake

www.willowlake.siteblast.com August 2012 Volume 9, Issue 8

The Official Publication of the Willowlake Homeowners Association

On Sunday, June 10, 2012 the social committee held a fun filled ice cream social at the gazebo for our Willowlake residents. It was a great way to cool off from the hot, humid weather, to socialize with friends and to meet new ones.

Residents, including board members David Bannen and Daniel Flores, enjoyed a variety of ice cream bars, cold drinks and bags of popcorn. We appreciate the support of Deputy Bruce and Deputy Nichols of the Sheriff ’s Department who attended the event and answered security questions from our residents.

A big, big thank you to James Deitiker, our Social Committee Chairperson, for his time and efforts in putting this event together. Hope y’all had a good time! Watch for other social events planned for later this year, and we hope to see you there.

By Linda O’Pry, Newsletter Editor

Ice Cream Social

A Cool Event

Mark Your CalendarAug. 16 Board Meeting

Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Waste/Recycle Pickup

Aug. 17, 18, 19 Tax-Free Weekend

Aug. 27 Cy-Fair Schools Begin

Sept. 3 Labor Day

TEXAS ANNUAL TAX-FREE HOLIDAY AUGUST 17, 18, & 19Texas shoppers get a break from state and local

taxes on August 17, 18 & 19 - the state’s annual tax-free holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year at some stores to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. A detailed list of exempt and non-exempt items can be found at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98.

2 Willowlake Watch - August 2012 Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

WillowlakeAll Emergencies ...............................................................911Bratton Pools .................................................. 281-988-7700Cypress-Fairbanks Hospital ............................ 281-897-3300Harris County Sheriff ..................................... 713-221-6000Department of Public Safety .......................... 281-890-5440Fire Department (non-emergency) ................. 713-466-6161Center Point Energy - Power Outages Only ... 713-207-2222Center Point Energy - Gas .............................. 713-659-2111Harris County Animal Control ...................... 281-999-3191Memorial City Hospital ................................. 713-932-3000MUD #11 ...................................................... 281-807-9500Poison Control Center ................................... 800-222-1222Willowplace Post Office ................................ 281-890-2392Harris County Road & Bridge ....................... 281-353-8424VF Waste Services, Inc. .................................. 713-787-9790Harris Co. Public Health & Environ. Svcs. .... 713-920-2831District 5 Vacation Watch .............................. 281-290-2100

Randall Management, Inc. Team ...................... 713-728-1126ManagerJane Godwin [email protected], ext. 11Asst. ManagerMiguel Trevino [email protected], ext. 15Deed RestrictionsLucy Sandoval [email protected], ext. 18CollectionsJennifer Phillips [email protected], ext. 22Answering ServiceAfter business hours for common area emergencies .............................. (713) 850-4729

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

MANAGEMENT INFO

President - Debi Bon ............................. [email protected] President - Nancy Kapell [email protected] Treasurer - Stacey Ward [email protected] - Daniel Flores [email protected] - David Bannen [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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 77036Phone: 713-728-1126 Fax: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER INFONewsletter PublisherPeel, Inc. ........................................................ 888-687-6444 Sales Office [email protected], 888-687-6444

2012 COMMITTEES Architectural Control Chairman Mark Lackey [email protected] Events Chairman James Deitiker [email protected] Editor Linda O’Pry [email protected] of the Month ......................................................OPENNeighborhood Watch Chairman Dave Bannen .......................................... [email protected] Rental Randall Management.713-728-1126Pool Chairman Lynn Piwonski [email protected] Chairman Diego Lamacchia [email protected]

NOT AVAILABLEONLINE

First Place Mother’s Day OutA ministry of the

Houston First Church of the Nazarenenow enrolling for 2012-2013 (begins Sept. 4)

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for ages 3 months to 5 years

Open House: August 31, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

10001 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N

281.897.0300


Willowlake

Bashans Painting & Home Repair

• Interior & Exterior Painting• Hardi Plank Installation• Wood Replacement• Sheetrock Repair• Interior Carpentry• Cabinet Painting• Wallpaper Removal and Texturizing• Pressure Washing• Fence Repair/Replacement

Commercial/ResidentialFree Estimates

281-347-6702

References Available • Fully InsuredNO PAYMENT UNTIL COMPLETION

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• Garage Floor Epoxy• Custom Staining• Roofing• Gutter Repair/Replacement• Faux Painting• Door Refinishing• Window Installation• Trash Removal• Ceiling Fan/Light Fixtures

(yes.)

Your newsletteris provided 100% freeof charge to your hoa... and is made possible by the advertisers within.

Please frequent their businesses and let them

know where you saw their advertisement.

While there, be sure to say “Thanks!”

www.PEELinc.com

SCHOOL BUS SAFETYCy-Fair Schools Back in Session August 27

The Cy-Fair schools will be back in session August 27, 2012. Please be aware of children walking and biking to and from school! Of course, we want all children to be safe and school buses are relatively safe. However, accidents and injuries involving school buses do happen. More often than not these injuries happen when children are entering or exiting the bus. Here are some safety tips for school bus riders:• Have a safe place to wait for the bus, away

from traffic and the street.• Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver

signals you to enter.• Hold onto the handrails when entering or exiting the bus.• Once on the bus, take your seat and remain seated face forward.• Talk quietly so that you don’t distract the driver.• Never throw things on the bus and keep your hands to yourself.• When you exit the bus, take ten giant steps away from the bus. When

you are closer than 10 feet from the bus, the driver might not see you. This is known as the DANGER ZONE.

• If you forget something on the bus, do not return to the bus. The driver might not see you.• Be aware of the street traffic around you.• If you need to cross the street, cross in front of the bus, never behind the bus.

Motorists should follow safety rules around school buses. Yellow flashing lights

indicate that the bus is preparing to stop. Motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate that the bus has stopped

and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until

the red flashing lights are turned off. Here are a few more safety tips for motorists:• When backing out of a driveway or garage, watch out for children. • When driving through neighborhoods and especially in school zones,

watch out for children. Children don’t always pay attention to traffic and don’t always know that motorists have trouble seeing them.

• Slow down. Watch out for children walking or playing in the street.• Be alert and ready to stop. Children sometimes dart into the street.


Willowlake

HOUSTON - TRAMPOLINES PUT KIDS AT RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURIES

“About 100,000 children between 5 and 10 years old are injured annually on trampolines,” said Dr. William Phillips, professor of orthopedics and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of pediatric orthopedics and scoliosis at Texas Children’s Hospital. “Younger children and teens are also at risk.”

Common causes of injury on trampolines can be from colliding with another person, landing improperly, falling or jumping off the trampoline and falling on the trampoline springs or frame. Younger children are at greater risk for fractures, while older children often suffer sprains and strains.

“Kids don’t have to fall off a trampoline to get hurt, so using a net around a trampoline does not mean they are safe,” explains Phillips. “I’ve seen many children break bones landing on the trampoline itself.”

LOSE WEIGHT TO SLEEP BETTERHOUSTON - Expanding waistlines are causing many Americans to

lose sleep. Chronic obstructive sleep apnea, not visions of doughnuts, is keeping us awake.

Obesity in the upper body, especially in the neck, can narrow the airways leading to the lungs, resulting in heavy snoring, pauses in breathing and frequent interruptions of sleep.

“Most of our overweight patients say they snore excessively and don’t sleep well,” said Dr. Peter Jones, an associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and medical director of weight management at Methodist Wellness Services at Methodist Healthcare Systems.

Patients in Methodist’s weight management programs need to lose 50 or more pounds. After losing weight, many report that their sleep improves.

“Losing weight can be an important part of treatment for patients who have sleep apnea,” said Dr. Max Hirshkowitz, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Baylor Sleep Disorders Center at the Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “Even a 10 percent weight loss can reduce the number of times most patients stop breathing during the night.”THERAPY IS ‘NO SWEAT’ FOR EXCESSIVE PERSPIRERS

HOUSTON - A little-known procedure at Baylor College of Medicine provides an alternative antiperspirant for those who sweat uncontrollably.

Iontophoresis involves passing a mild electrical current through tap water to shut off the sweat glands temporarily. The hands and feet are soaked in a basin of water for 40 minutes in the comfort of the patient’s home.

“The technology has been around since the 1950s, but it never gained widespread fame, in part because most doctors don’t know it is an option,” said Dr. Ramsey Markus, an assistant professor of dermatology at BCM. “It is a very safe and effective way to decrease sweating, especially in the hands and feet.”

Markus said he prefers Iontophoresis for his patients with sweating in the hands and feet because it is less expensive and less painful than Botox injections, and it can be done regularly as needed in the home. Most

patients only require the therapy twice a month to keep the sweat glands from producing excessive sweat.

MANAGING FOOD ALLERGIESHOUSTON - Food packages often come with the

caution, “Warning: may contain peanuts,” and for good reason. It’s estimated that more than 1 million Americans

suffer from peanut allergies and their reaction if exposed can be life-threatening.

Other common food allergies are to cow’s milk, tree nuts, fish and shell fish, egg and even some fruits and

veggies, said Dr. Celine Hanson, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and chief of the allergy/

immunology clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital.Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe and can affect

various parts of the body, including the digestive system, the respiratory system and the skin.

Hanson offers several ways that patients can manage their food allergies. The best tactic is to avoid foods that cause allergies altogether, Hanson said. But in addition, medications such as antihistamines and corticosteroids are available to help manage symptoms. Patients who suffer severe reactions, should keep a device such as an EpiPenR on hand so that they can administer an epinephrine shot.

Allergy sufferers should wear a medical bracelet or necklace withinformation about their allergy, and schools, caregivers and even the

parents of children’s friends should be notified of food allergies.

HEALTH BRIEFSMay 2012

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.

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.


Willowlake

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WATER SAFETY TIPS AT


WillowlakeKids’ Corner

The parents of an 8-year-old boy who was away at camp for the first time had not heard from him. So they finally telephoned their son and were both relieved-but also disappointed to discover that he hadn’t missed them at all.

“Have any of the other kids gotten homesick?” inquired the mother.

The boy replied, “Only the kids who have dogs.”

PET TIPQUESTION: Fans help cool people by promoting evaporation of perspiration, but dogs

don’t perspire. So, do fans help cool dogs?ANSWER: Because dogs have sweat glands only on their noses and the pads of their

paws, fans provide little cooling, if any. But if you wet the dog first, a fan is beneficial. Just remember that as soon as your pet dries off, you’ve got to wet him again!

What NOT to Say to Your Wife

Halfway through a romantic dinner, my husband smiled and said, “You look so beautiful under these lights.”

I was falling in love all over again when he added, “We gotta get some of these lights.”

SUNSCREEN EFFECTIVENESSQUESTION: Sunscreen manufacturers recommend that their products be applied 15

to 30 minutes before exposure to sunlight. If you first apply a sunscreen when you’re already in the sunshine, how is its effectiveness altered?

ANSWER: The effectiveness is delayed at least 15 minutes while the product dries. This can be significant exposure depending on the time of day and the fairness of one’s skin. And if you do this repeatedly-say, over the course of a weeklong vacation-you’ll build up a low level of UV radiation damage without even noticing it.

There’s no such thing as a safe suntan, including “base” tans intended to delay burning. If one’s natural skin color has changed after UV exposure, the skin has been damaged.

Questions & AnswersBy Marilyn vos Savant

By Marilyn vos Savant


Willowlake

Growing up, mom used to make strawberry shortcake as a treat for dessert. I believe firmly that the very best shortcake has a biscuit-y texture and not a sponge cake one. Since strawberries are back in season, I couldn’t resist sharing this very favorite recipe!

TOPPING:• 3 quarts fresh

strawberries, cleaned, stems removed & sliced

• ½ C sugar• Whipping cream• Vanilla

BISCUIT:• 2 1/3 cups Bisquick

baking mix• 3 Tbsp butter, melted

• 1/2 cup milk• 3 Tbsp sugar

Heat oven to 425°F. Stir baking mix, melted butter, milk, and 3 Tbsp of sugar in a mixing bowl until soft dough forms. Drop 6 big spoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 6 biscuits.

DIRECTIONS:Put the strawberries into a large bowl. Add 1/4

cup to 1/2 cup of sugar (depending on how sweet the strawberries are to begin with) and mix into the strawberries. Set aside at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes.

After the strawberries have been sitting for 20 minutes or so, take a potato masher and mash them just a teeny little bit. Not too much, just enough to get more juice out of them.

Whip the cream, adding a drop or two of vanilla and a teaspoon of sugar.

To serve, break up one biscuit per person into big pieces into a bowl or cut them open. Ladle strawberries over the biscuit. Add a dollop of whipped cream. In the dog days of summer, we have also topped these with Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream instead of whipped cream.

Kim’s Cooking Corner Strawberry Shortcake


Willowlake

WL

Update

Willowlake

Courtesy of “DAVID FLORY”This market information report is provided to keep you informed of resale market activity in your subdivision.

#1Realtor in Windermere Lakes

This chart represents the homes that have sold and closed in the past 6 months according the Houston Multiple Listing Service.

David “Super Dave” FloryDavid “Super Dave” Flory

TOTAL

000010

000000

001000

010100

010000

000000

0 1 1 2 1 0

Jan 09 Feb 09 Mar 09 Apr 09 May 09 Jun 09

Highest $/Sq Ft 60.53 67.49 78.30 69.18

$200,000 +$180,000 -$160,000 -$140,000 -$120,000 -$120,000 -

Selling Over 500 Homes A Year#16 America’s Top 200 Real Estate Professionals ( Teams by Sides, Wall Street Journal 11/8/2008)

Top 1% of Realtors in the U.S.

HIGHEST PRICE PER SQ.FT. resale homes soldHIGHEST PRICE PER SQ.FT. resale homes

WILLOWLAKE MARKET REPORTWILLOWLAKE MARKET REPORT

Professional Group832-478-1205

Direct line: 281-477-0345www.SuperDave.com

Willowlake

David “Super Dave” FloryDavid “Super Dave” Flory

$134,900$189,900

$162,679

$75.04

88

10

$139,999$199,900

$171,633

$81.61

73

3

$139,000$183,500

$165,368

$70.87

72

9

$57.59

$85.88

ACTIVE PENDING SOLD Last 6 Mos

# of Listings

Price Range:

Avg DOM

Average Price

Avg Price/sq.ft.

High Price/sq.ft.

Low Price/sq.ft.

Professional Group832-478-1205

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

David FloryDirect line:281-477-0345www.SuperDave.com **Realtor Teams per Remax 9/2008, 3/2009

#2 Realtor in Houston & Texas**

#7 Realtor in United States**

Selling Over 500 Homes A Year

#1 Realtor in Willowlake*

*According to information taken from the HAR MLS Computer

I am very pleased with the David Flory Team. Theykept me updated and were always courteous. Ipurchased this house through David Flory inSeptember of 1986 and now he has sold it for me inSeptember of 2009, 23 years later. The first contractcame in the day I listed and within a few days I hadthree contracts. Thanks to David and his team!

- Helen Nicholson -

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPEEL, INC.

willowlake - august 2012

Documents

willowlake watch

willowlake residents

harris county sheriff

social events

harris county animal

vacation watch

social committee chairperson

harris county road bridge