willowtalk… · willowtalk volume 15 july 2010 no. 7 ... , get a new door, fixyour fence ... , you...

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-Stonebridge Civic Associate Newsletter - July 2010 1 WillowTalk Volume 15 July 2010 No. 7 Willowbridge - Stonebridge Homeowners Association Newsletter www.willowbridgehoa.com WillowTalk Yard of the Month Contact The coordinators for our Yard of the Month Program are Chuck and Karen Roush of Willowbridge. We want to thank them for volunteering! If you have a nomination for Yard of the Month, please send it directly to them at [email protected] Yard of the Month June 2010 Yard of the Month goes to Dave and Sharon Lindsey at 9415 Willowbridge Park Blvd. They have lived here 15+ years. Beautiful color accentuates the yard. They just love flowers and plants and love to try new things each season and it shows with the burst of color that flows from their yard. Lots of TLC and Patience is the key to keeping everything thriving as well as weed be gone and lots of water in this heat. The Meaning of HOA What does a homeowners association mean? Wikipedia describes, “Homeowners’ association (abbrev. HOA) is an organization created by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing, managing and selling a development of homes. Most homeowner associations are incorporated, and are subject to state statutes that govern non-profit corporations and homeowner associations. A homeowners association is incorporated by the developer prior to the initial sale of homes, and the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) are recorded when the property is subdivided. The CC&Rs run with the land. If an individual sells the land/ home, the individual ceases to be a member of the association and the new owner becomes a member. All members must pay assessments and abide by the restrictions of the association. Like a city, associations provide services, regulate activities, levy assessments, and may impose fines. An HOA provides people with shared neighborhood values, an opportunity to enforce regulations, consistent with overarching statutory constraints, to achieve a community representative of such values. For instance, a degree of conformity is often required in exterior appearance of single family homes and there are often time limits and/or restrictions to activities generating noise.” So how does this affect you? As a resident within a HOA, we are required to follow the covenants, conditions, and restrictions listed for this subdivision. Thus, if you are trying to put on a new roof, get a new door, fix your fence, build a shed, get solar windows, and may others improvements to your home; there are guidelines listed and applications must be submitted and approved before work is completed. Below are some documents in which we must follow, all copies can be found on our HOA website: www.willowbridgehoa.com with other useful information provided. This is good information for all residents to know about and take the opportunity to get some good reading. Knowledge is power. (Continued on Page 3)

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Page 1: WillowTalk… · WillowTalk Volume 15 July 2010 No. 7 ... , get a new door, fixyour fence ... , you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 1

WillowTalk

Volume 15 July 2010 No. 7

Willowbridge - Stonebridge Homeowners Association Newsletterwww.willowbridgehoa.com

WillowTalk

Yard of the Month Contact ThecoordinatorsforourYardoftheMonthProgramareChuckand Karen Roush ofWillowbridge.We want to thank them forvolunteering!IfyouhaveanominationforYardoftheMonth,[email protected]

Yard of the Month

June 2010 Yard of the Month goes to Dave and Sharon Lindsey at 9415 Willowbridge Park Blvd.

Theyhavelivedhere15+years.Beautifulcoloraccentuatestheyard.Theyjustloveflowersand

plantsandlovetotrynewthingseachseasonanditshowswiththeburstofcolorthatflowsfromtheiryard.

LotsofTLCandPatienceisthekeytokeepingeverythingthrivingaswellasweedbegoneandlotsofwaterinthisheat.

The Meaning of HOAWhatdoesahomeownersassociationmean?Wikipedia

describes, “Homeowners’ association (abbrev. HOA)is an organization created by a real estate developerfor the purpose of developing, managing and selling adevelopmentofhomes.Mosthomeownerassociationsareincorporated,andaresubjecttostatestatutesthatgovernnon-profitcorporationsandhomeownerassociations.Ahomeownersassociationisincorporatedbythedeveloperprior to the initial sale of homes, and the Covenants,Conditions,andRestrictions(CC&Rs)arerecordedwhenthepropertyissubdivided.TheCC&Rsrunwiththeland.Ifanindividualsellstheland/home,theindividualceasestobe amemberof the association and thenewownerbecomesamember.Allmembersmustpayassessmentsand abideby the restrictions of the association.Like acity,associationsprovideservices,regulateactivities,levyassessments, and may impose fines. An HOA providespeoplewithsharedneighborhoodvalues,anopportunitytoenforceregulations,consistentwithoverarchingstatutoryconstraints, to achieve a community representative ofsuchvalues.Forinstance,adegreeofconformityisoftenrequiredinexteriorappearanceofsinglefamilyhomesandthereareoftentimelimitsand/orrestrictionstoactivitiesgeneratingnoise.”

So how does this affect you? As a resident within aHOA,wearerequiredtofollowthecovenants,conditions,andrestrictions listedforthissubdivision.Thus, ifyouaretryingtoputonanewroof,getanewdoor,fixyourfence,buildashed,getsolarwindows,andmayothersimprovementstoyourhome;thereareguidelineslistedandapplicationsmustbesubmittedandapprovedbeforeworkiscompleted.Belowaresomedocumentsinwhichwe must follow, all copies can be found on our HOAwebsite: www.willowbridgehoa.com with other usefulinformationprovided.This is good information for allresidentstoknowaboutandtaketheopportunitytogetsomegoodreading.Knowledgeispower.

(Continued on Page 3)

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2 Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

Willowbridge - Stonebridge

JulieDubros........................................................... PresidentKyleSurvance.................................................VicePresidentThomasHeitzman..................................................SecretaryRobertLogsdon......................................................TreasurerKarenRoush...........................................................Director

AllEmergencies...............................................................911HarrisCountySheriff..................................... 713-221-6000HarrisCountyAnimalControl...................... 281-999-3191Cy-FairHospital............................................. 281-890-4285CenterPoint-StreetLights&Outages........... 713-207-2222CenterPointEnergy........................................ 713-659-2111NewsletterPublisher Peel,Inc......................www.PEELinc.com,[email protected],888-687-6444PCMI/KharaMathews........................ 281-870-0585x1350PoisonControlCenter................................... 800-764-7661SouthwesternBell-Repair............................. 800-246-8464-Billing............................. 800-585-7928SwimmingPool-PayPhone.......................... 281-469-9004SwimmingPool-Lifeguard............................ 281-517-0225Trash–WasteManagement............................ 713-686-6666VacationWatch-HarrisCountyDistrict5.... 281-290-2100W.HarrisCountyMUD#11......................... 281-807-9500WillowPlacePostOffice................................ 281-890-2392WillowbridgeWebsite.................www.willowbridgehoa.com

WelcomingCommittee GracieGalvan............................................. 281-732-0009BeautificationCommittee ThomasHeitzman...................................... 281-807-6937HomeownersAssociation..................... 281-870-0585x1350 [email protected]/Reservations SheritaJeter...................................281-870-0585ext127PoolParties/Tags PCMI...................................................... 281-870-0585MarqueeCoordinator BarbaraLallinger......................................... 281-890-8464NewsletterCoordinator KyleSurvance................................. [email protected] JulieDubros................................................ 281-794-9032WebsiteCoordinator AngelaDoray............................. achang314@hotmail.comYardoftheMonthCommitteeNominateyourfavoriteat:willowbridgehoa.comorContact ChuckRoush....................................... [email protected] JessicaLeFevre..................................jrey664154@aol.comSoccerFieldReservations TresseJoubron.......................... [email protected] SoniaMoore.................... [email protected],281-955-8068

WillowbridgeHomeownersAssociationInc.-PCMI KharaMathews................................. 281-870-0585x1350 E-Mail...............................................kmathews@stes.com Fax............................................................. 281-870-9170If you have any questions or comments regarding the

neighborhoodpleasecontactthenumbersabove.

HOAmeetingsareheldonthe4thThursdayofeachmonth,7:00p.m. at theClubhouse,unlessotherwisenotedon themarquee.Meetingsareopentomembersandyourattendanceandparticipationareencouraged!

Toreportstreetorcurbdamage,missing/damagedstreetsignsandstreetflooding:(281)353-8424orwww.hcp4.net.

Ifaresidentwantstorequestanewsignorreplaceadamagedone,theyhavetogoonlineandfilloutarequest.

bOArd Of direcTOrsiMpOrTAnT nuMbers

AssOciATiOn direcTOry

HOA MeeTings

HOA infOrMATiOn

HArris cOunTy rOAd And bridge

Advertise Your Business Here

888-687-6444

WelcOMing cOMMiTTee TheWelcomingCommitteemeetingsarethelastMondayofeachmonth.

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 �

WillowTalk

713-937-4400TACL-A011183C

$6800

*One System

Professional A/C SystemSummer Tune-Up*

Additional Systems $5400

Mastercard, Visa, and Discover Accepted

GRACIE GALVANRealtor

Area resident for 16 years.

Selling Your Home- Free Market Analysis

Buying A Home- Free Home Search Service

Look no further for greatcustomer service and put

experience to work for you!

Member of HAR/MLS serviceAlways working for you!

SRES, CHMS, & ALHS Specialist

RE/MAXProfessional [email protected]

Direct: 281-732-0009

ArcARCGuidelines,ApplicationInstructions,Application

cOMMuniTy by-lAWsWillowbridgeBy-Laws

d e c l A r AT i O n O f c Ov e n A n T s ( d e e d resTricTiOns) DeclarationofCovenants(DeedRestrictions)

fining pOlicies FiningPolicies

leAsing rules & regulATiOns LeasingRules&Regulations

peT pOlicies PetPolicyResolution

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsonanyofthepolicies,pleasecontactthe HOA.Willowbridge Homeowners Association INC, PCMI,KharaMathews:281-870-0585x1350,email:[email protected],fax:281-870-9170.

HOAmeetings areheld on the4thThursdayof eachmonth,7:00pmattheClubhouse,unlessotherwisenotedonthemarquee.Meetingsareopentomembersandyourattendanceandparticipationareencouraged.

The Meaning of HOA - (Continued from Cover Page)

HAve A HAppy And sAfe

Fourth Of JulyTohelpyoucelebratesafelythisFourthofJuly,theConsumer

Product Safety Commission and the National Council onFireworksSafetyofferthefollowingsafetytips:

• Alwaysreadandfollowlabeldirections• Alwayshaveanadultpresent• Onlybuyfromreliablefireworkssellers• Onlyignitefireworksoutdoors• Besuretohavewaterhandy• Neverexperimentorattempttomakeyourownfireworks• Lightonlyoneatatime• Neverre-ignitemalfunctioningfireworks• Nevergivefireworkstosmallchildren• Storefireworksinacool,dryplace• Disposeoffireworksproperly• Neverthrowfireworksatanotherperson• Nevercarryfireworksinyourpocket• Nevershootfireworksinmetalorglasscontainers

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� Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

Willowbridge - Stonebridge

College ParkThe Woodlands

3 Locations

West Rd

Hwy-290

I-45

Hwy-249

Jones

BELTWAY 8FM 1960

Spring Cypress

Louetta

Research Forest

HOUSTONN

20% Off First3 Months

� Individually Monitored Alarms on Every Space� Climate Controlled & Non-Climate Spaces� Boxes & Moving Supplies Sold� Penske Truck Rentals� Color Camera Recording System� Property Completely 18-Wheeler Accessible� Deliveries Accepted

D i s c o v e r t h e AmAzing StorAge DIFFERENCE!

10830 West Rd. 2 Blocks East of Jones Rd.

281-378-7592

www.AmazingSpaces.net

THings yOur burglAr WOn’T Tell yOu: 1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning

your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your newrefrigerator.

2.Hey,thanksforlettingmeusethebathroomwhenIwasworkinginyouryardlastweek.WhileIwasinthere,Iunlatchedthebackwindowtomakemyreturnalittleeasier.

3.Lovethoseflowers.Thattellsmeyouhavetaste...andtastemeanstherearenicethingsinside.Thoseyardtoysyourkidsleaveoutalwaysmakemewonderwhattypeofgamingsystemtheyhave.

4.Yes,Ireallydolookfornewspaperspileduponthedriveway.AndImightleaveapizzaflyerinyourfrontdoortoseehowlongittakesyoutoremoveit..

5.Ifitsnowswhileyou’reoutoftown,getaneighbortocreatecarandfoottracksintothehouse.Virgindriftsinthedrivewayareadeadgiveaway.

6.Ifdecorativeglassispartofyourfrontentrance,don’tletyouralarmcompanyinstallthecontrolpadwhereIcanseeifit’sset.Thatmakesittooeasy.

7.Agoodsecuritycompanyalarmsthewindowoverthesink.Andthewindowsonthesecondfloor,whichoftenaccessthemaster

bedroom-andyourjewelry.It’snotabadideatoputmotiondetectorsuptheretoo.

8.It’sraining,you’refumblingwithyourumbrella,andyouforgettolockyourdoor-understandable.Butunderstandthis:Idon’ttakeadayoffbecauseofbadweather.

9.Ialwaysknockfirst.Ifyouanswer,I’llaskfordirectionssomewhereoroffertocleanyourgutters.(Don’ttakemeuponit.)

10.DoyoureallythinkIwon’tlookinyoursockdrawer?Ialwayscheck dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicinecabinet.

11.Here’sahelpfulhint:Ialmostnevergointokids’rooms.

12.You’reright:Iwon’thaveenoughtimetobreakintothatsafewhereyoukeepyourvaluables.Butifit’snotbolteddown,I’lltakeitwithme.

13.AloudTVorradiocanbeabetterdeterrentthanthebestalarmsystem.Ifyou’rereluctanttoleaveyourTVonwhileyou’reoutoftown,youcanbuya$35devicethatworksonatimerandsimulatestheflickeringglowofarealtelevision.(Finditat<http://www.faketv.com/>;http://www.faketv.com/)

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 �

WillowTalk

LEPOW DENTALASSOCIATES9125 West Rd.Houston, Texas

West Road

Walgreens

Kroger

Gessner R

oad

SamH

oustonTollw

ay

(713) 937-0050 www.lepowdental.com

Now Welcoming New Patients!

LEPOW DENTALASSOC IATES

Small Bridge

Bank of America

Se Habla Español

Kenneth Lepow, DDS

Evan Melamed, DDSEvan Melamed, DDS

Kenneth Lepow, DDS

Dean Lankford, DMDDean Lankford, DMD

All of Your Dental Needs Under One Roof

Team of Dental SpecialistsFamily DentistryCosmetic DentistryOrthodontics and InvisalignPeriodontal (Gum) Treatment/SurgeryRoot Canal TreatmentWisdom Tooth RemovalDentures and PartialsDental Implants

Hurricane season is Here!According to theNationalHurricaneCenter,hurricane season

datesareintheAtlanticbeginsJune1standendsNovember30th.TheEasternPacifichurricaneseasonbeginsMay15thandalsoendsNovember30th.Theyalsostate,

“Historyteachesthatalackofhurricaneawarenessandpreparationarecommonthreadsamongallmajorhurricanedisasters.Byknowingyourvulnerabilityandwhatactionsyoushouldtake,youcanreducetheeffectsofahurricanedisaster.”

Thus,itisgoodideatohaveaplaninplace.SeveralwebsitesandorganizationsincludingtheNationalHurricaneCenter,www.nhc.noaa.gov,havegoodguidelinesandcheckliststoformulateaplanforyouandyourfamily.Usesuchresourcesandinformationtocreateaplan,asupplykit,haveaplacetogo,secureyourhome,andhaveapetplan(ifapplicable).HurricaneIKEaffectedourcommunitywithblownroofs,shutters,andotheritemsontheroadandinourfrontyards.HurricaneIKEwasthethirdcostliesthurricaneevertomakelandfallintheUnitedStatesandtheaffectsarestillfelttoday.Pleasetakesometimetocreateaplanandbepreparedforthisseason.Checkoutallthelistedresourcesforyouruse:www.nhc.nooa.gov,www.willowbridgehoa.com(underdocuments),www.redcross.org,www.abc13.com(hurricanecentral)

8 MOre THings A burglAr WOn’T Tell yOu:

1.Sometimes,Icarryaclipboard.Sometimes,Idresslikealawnguyandcarryarake.Idomybesttonever,everlooklikeacrook.

2.ThetwothingsIhatemost:louddogsandnosyneighbors.

3.I’llbreakawindowtogetin,evenifitmakesalittlenoise.Ifyourneighborhearsoneloudsound,he’llstopwhathe’sdoingandwaittohearitagain..Ifhedoesn’thearitagain,he’lljustgobacktowhathewasdoing.It’shumannature.

4.I’mnotcomplaining,butwhywouldyoupayallthatmoneyforafancyalarmsystemandleaveyourhousewithoutsettingit?

5.Ilovelookinginyourwindows.I’mlookingforsignsthatyou’rehome,andforflatscreenTVsorgamingsystemsI’dlike.I’lldriveorwalkthroughyourneighborhoodatnight,beforeyouclosetheblinds,justtopickmytargets.

6.AvoidannouncingyourvacationonyourFacebookpage.It’seasierthanyouthinktolookupyouraddress.

7.Toyou,leavingthatwindowopenjustacrackduringthedayisawaytoletinalittlefreshair.Tome,it’saninvitation.

8.Ifyoudon’tanswerwhenIknock,Itrythedoor.Occasionally,Ihitthejackpotandwalkrightin.

Pleaseremembertoreportallsuspiciouspeopleorvehicles,calltheHarrisCountySheriff ’sOfficeat713-221-6000.Ifyouhaveanysecurityquestionsorconcerns,andyouwouldliketoreceivesecurityupdates,[email protected].

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� Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

Willowbridge - Stonebridge

Not AvAilAble oN-liNe

Making $50 is EASY AS PIERefer any loan to Energy Capital and receive $50. Through August 31st, 2010.

Loan amount must be $5000 or greater and $50 will not be awarded until first loan payment is made. Person referring the new loan must be an Energy Capital member. $50 will be deposited into the referring member’s Energy Capital checking or savings account. All new loans must be closed July 1 – August 31 to receive the incentive. There is no limit to the

number of loans any current member can refer. Referring member must be in good standing. Contact us at 832-604-4848 for further information.

Federally insured by NCUA .

832.604.4848www.eccu.net

fire drill updATeTheAccessCommitteewasformedbyresidentvolunteerstostudy

theimpactofvariousparkingissuesintheneighborhood.Thereare3mainscenariosthatwerelookedat:

• Inner-neighborhoodparking in the streets,particularly at/nearintersections

• ParkingbesideGleasonElementarySchool• ParkinginfrontofthepracticefieldsatCookMiddleschool

Aftersomeresearch,itwasdeterminedthattheschoolsdonotcontroltheuseoftheroadwaysaroundtheschoolproperty.ThoseareCountyownedroads,andthereforetheyaresubjecttothenormalpublictrafficlaws.Also,wefoundthatinCook’scase,theschoolhasnocontroloverwhousesthepracticefieldsafterschoolhours.Becauseheavyparkinginfrontoftheschoolsoftenoverflowsintotheneighborhood,thoseresidentslivingneartheschoolhavegreatdifficultygettinginandoutoftheirowndriveways,andgeneraltrafficisfrustratingatbest,whenonlyonevehiclecangothoughatatimeonWheatland.IfyourchildrenarepartofthosesportsorganizationsusingtheCookpracticefieldsafterhours,PLEASEconsiderwalking,ridingabike,orataminimum,parkintheCookschoolparkinglotsinfrontoraroundtheside/backoftheschool.

To research the inner-neighborhood parking question, thecommittee solicited the help of the Cy-Fair Volunteer FireDepartment.Alargeladdertruckwasdrivenintothesubdivisionwith several carsparkedalongside the roads. Itwasproven thatincertaincircumstances,illegallyparkedvehiclesWILLimpedealargeemergencyvehiclefromdrivingthroughthestreets.Keepinmindaveryimportantrulehere:Afiredoublesevery1minute!So…ifafiretruckcannotturnacornertogettoafire,itwillnotonlywastevaluabletimecomingtothatconclusion,butitwillthenhavetofindanalternativesolutiontogettingtothefire.Thefirefighterswillalwaysdotheirbesttodotheirjobs,butiftheyhavetofindadifferent route,or spend time stringing longfirehosestogether,etc.theemergencysituationwillcontinuetogetworseinthemeantime.

Insummary,thecommitteerecommendedthefollowingactionsbetakenbytheHOAtominimizetheriskofsuchtrafficblockages:

1.Paintcurbswithred“FireLane-NoParking”indicatorsatallintersections and fire hydrant locations inWillowbridge andStonebridgeVillage

2.Post“ParkingViolationsStrictlyEnforced”signsatallentrances(estimateofabout$50/sign–samplevendorseenhere:http://www.myparkingsign.com)

3.Haveourdeputiesbeginwritingtrafficwarningfor30days,thenproceed with issuing parking citations after that 30 day graceperiod

4.Notifyresidentsvianewsletterregardingpainting&enforcementofparkinglaws

5.Issuelettertoallsportseventcoordinatorsrequestingthattheirmembersparkinfrontorsideschoolparkinglotsratherthaninourneighborhood

Afullreportcanbefoundonourwebsiteat:www.willowbridgehoa.com. Pleasego read the resultsofourefforts and seephotosofour fire drill exercise! Feedback is welcomed! Feel free to [email protected].

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 �

WillowTalk

Electricity is ON SALEat StarTex Power!

Alan “Petrodamus” Lammey, host of ‘Energy Week’, can be heard every Sunday on 1070 KNTH in Houston.

I’m Texas Energy Analyst, Alan Lammey. In case you didn’t know, electricity rates are currently at lows not seen in years, which means that NOW is the time to lock in a very low electricity rate with the provider that I highly recommend to all my radio show listeners: StarTex Power. StarTex Power is local and reputable, with some of the most competitive rates available in all of Texas. You can switch right online at www.StarTexPower.com

“Highest in Residential Customer Satisfaction with Retail Electric Service”... J.D. Power and Associates

Sign Up Today Online: www. StarTexPower.com or call 866-917-8271 PLEASE USE “NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER” as your referral!

PUCT #10089 StarTex Power received the highest numerical score among residential electric service providers in Texas in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Texas Residential Retail Electric service Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on responses from 6,890 consumers measuring 15 providers and measures opinions of consumers with their electric service provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed between October 2008 and June 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

TAlking TrAsHBy: Barbara Lallinger

WHO Me?Itwouldappearthatmanyvisitors(surelynottheresidents)toour

niceneighborhoodlovetodiscardbeercans/bottles,sodacans,fastfoodanddrinkpackaging,plastic/cardboardjuicecontainersandcigarettebuttsandpackagesonourstreetsandinourstreetgutters.Ofcoursetheyshouldtakeithomeandthrowitintheirfrontyards!But,whentheydon’t…thenresidentsareresponsible forpickingupafterthem.Rememberthatthecurbsandstormdrainsbyyourresidenceareyourresponsibilitytokeepcleanandclear.WedonothavestreetsweepersinWillowbridge/Stonebridge!Ifyoulivenearastormdrain,pleasekeepthegratesclearofdebrissuchastrash,pineneedles,limbs,balls,etc.sothattheycanbefreeflowing,hopefullyavoidingfloodingduringheavyrains.

Also,pleaserememberitisIllegaltopurposelydiscardanythingotherthancleanwaterdownthesedrains!Itmaybehardtobelieve,butI’veactuallywitnessedsomeonewalkingouttoastormdrainwithacookingutensilintheirhands(anobviouskitchenmishaptheydidn’twanttoputintheirtrashordownthedisposal…musthavebeenprettybad)anddumpingthecontentsdownthedrain!

recycle rita or disposable david?AreyouaRecycleRitaoraDisposableDavid?DisposableDavid’s:Here’sahintthatmightsaveyousome$$$.If

yourwatchfacebecomesfogged(withcondensation,notscratched)fromheatandmoisturethathasaccumulatedundertheface,don’ttossit…trythisfirst.Putititinaziplockbagandfillwithuncookedwhiterice.Ricenaturallyabsorbsmoistureandwilldrawitfromtheinteriorofthewatch.

Recycle Rita’s: Keep this in mind..pet flea collars, sprays andpowders are considered to be toxic and should be disposed ofseparately from regular trash. These items should be taken tocollectioncentersalongwithrechargeablebatteriesandtoxicliquidssuchaswindshieldwiperfluid.Oh…ifyouchangeyourpet’scollarsfrequentlyandthinktheoldonestillhassomegetupandgo,youmightrecycleitfirstbyputtinginthepet’skennel/beddinguntilitisreally“dead”.

(5) recycling ideas for the newspaper1.Usecrumplednewspaperinsteadofpapertoweltocleanwindows

andgivethemanextrashine.(Continued on Page 8)

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� Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

Willowbridge - Stonebridge

Increasing water safety awareness and standards

FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DROWNING

For more information,check out our website at

www.colinshope.org

Drowning is the leadingcause of unintentional

injury-related deathin children ages 1-4

Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death ages 1-14.

DROWNING WILL AFFECT YOUOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW

Most children are out of sight or missing for less than 5 minutes and usually in the presence of 1 or both parents.

NO ONE is “drown proof” – no matter their level of swimming ability.

Falls, entrapments, and injuries lead to drowning regardless of swimming level.

A majority of people overestimate their own and their child’s ability to swim, especially in a panic event.

5min

Drowning occurs in as little as 2 minutes.

Most children die who are submerged for as little as 6-10 minutes.

Irreversible brain damage occurs in as little as 4 minutes.

2min 4min 6min

Children who drown do not scream, splash, or struggle. They silently slip beneath the water, even with adults & lifeguards present.

DROWNING IS QUICK AND SILENT

DROWNING CAN STILL OCCUREVEN IF YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

factSheet_ad_half.pdf 6/25/2009 2:24:33 PM

2.Wrapflowerbulbsinnewspaperand store in a cool, dry darkspace.Orplacebulbsinaboxofshreddednewspaper.

3.Addnewspaperforprotectivep a d d i n g w h e n p a c k i n gbreakables.

4. Create a flower or vegetablebed without removing grassandwithoutusingherbicides.Outline a bed area withbricksor stones. Place sheetsof newspaper on the grasswithin these borders (paperwill smother the grass andeventuallybreakdown).Placeseveral inches of organicallyenriched soil on top of thepaper,thenaddplants.

5. Last but not least, the oldstandard…use it to line thebottomofabirdcage

Talking Trash - (Continued from Page 7)

THE RECIPE BOXItalian Cream Cake - By: B. Vanglahn

1c.buttermilk Mixbuttermilkandsoda,letstandforafewminutes.1t.bakingsoda Creamtogethersugar,butterandshortening.Add2c.ImperialExtraFine eggyolksoneatatime.Beatwell.Addmilkmixturegranulatedsugar andflouralternately,alittleatatime.Addvanilla,nuts1stickbutter andcoconut.Beatwell.Inseparatebowl,beategg½c.shortening whitesuntilstiff.Carefullyfoldintobatter.Pourinto(3)5eggs,separated wellgreased9”cakepansandbakeat325degreesfor2c.flour,sifted 25minutesoruntiltoothpickcomesoutclean.Coolon1t.vanilla rack.FrostwithCreamCheeseFrosting(recipefollows).1(3.5oz.)cancoconut&1c.pecans,chopped

creAM cHeese icing1(8oz.)packagecreamcheese Creambutterandcreamcheeseuntilsoftandfluffy.Add1lb.bagImperialpowderedsugar powderedsugarandvanilla,beatwell.1t.vanilla ***Submityourfavoriterecipeto:[email protected]

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 �

WillowTalk

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• Garage Floor Epoxy• Custom Staining• Roofing• Gutter Repair/Replacement• Faux Painting

Commercial/ResidentialFree Estimates

281-347-6702

References Available • Fully InsuredNo PAymENt UNtIl ComPlEtIoN

281-731-3383cell

[email protected]

Please stop by for a tour, and see why

Kids R Kids is the Best learning environment

for your child. Now ENrolliNg iNfaNts,toddlErs, PrEschool, PrE-k& school-agE summEr camP!

internet viewing of classrooms and lunchroomProfessional,age-appropriatecurriculum,spanish & signlanguageHighly trained teachers in field of Early childhood Educationsummer camp for school-age: includes field trips, in-house meals, arts/crafts, games/wii,monster water slide, “Gymstation” (sports/fitness program), and “games2u”(electronic games, laser tag, and hamster Ball), plus we will keep up math/reading skills in a fun way!summer fun for Pre-k with field trips, water activities, and gymstation (sports program).

Jersey Village/Cy-Fair area10708 Ranchstone at West Rd (1 block East of Jones Road)281-807-0999www.kidsrkids4tx.com

SCHOOLS OF QUALITY LEARNING

FREE ENROLLMENTWITH AD

Offer available to new customers only at initial

enrollment at this location. Not valid with other offers. Expires August 30, 2010.

you can Help bring a dog park to 1960/Willowbrook AreaSubmitted by Tiffany Moore

Ifyouhaveevertakenyourdogtoadogparkyouknowhowmuchfuntheyareforpeopleanddogstoo.YouprobablyalsoknowthereisnotoneinourneckofthewoodsifyouliveinfarNWHouston.The nearest off leash public dog park is Bill Archer Park in theBearcreekParkareaonHwy6nearI-10.Ifyouhavenoteverbeentoadogparkyoumaysoongetachancetodosohereinourownbackyard.TheHoustonDogParkAssociation(HDPA)isproudtobepartneringwithsponsorBarks5thAvenuetobringapublicdogparktofarNWHouston.LandnexttotheBarks5thAvenuefacilityon1960nearJonesRd.willbedonatedbythelandownertoHDPAtobuildapublicdogparkon.HDPAwilldesign,constructandmanagethedogpark.TheplanisinpreliminarystagesnowandmoredetailswillbesharedattheKickOffandFundRaisingeventtobeheldOctober2ndintheparkinglotofBarks5thAvenueat10620FM1960West,Houston,TX77070.

WewillbeannouncingtheeventdetailsonourwebsitesoonbutyoucanmarkyourcalendarforOct.2ndnow.Leashedpetswillbeinvitedtotheeventandwe’llhavelotsoffunforpeopleanddoggiesincludingadogandcarwash,frisbeedogdemonstrations,doggiecostumecontest,andlotsoflocalvendortableswithfreebiesandgoodiestogiveawayandwin.Weareseekingvendorsandwillalso

needvolunteerstohelpsetupandworkattheeventfromwashingcarsanddogstoentertainmentandsetup/cleanup.HDPAisalsoseekingsponsorsandvendorsaswellasentertainmentfortheevent,contactHDPAtoofferyourservicesorreserveyourspace.

YoucandonatetotheNWareadogparkconstructionfundrightnowonourwebsiteunderProgramsviaPaypaloryoucandonateattheevent.Dogparkdonationsaretaxdeductible.HDPAhasalreadyraisedover$1000fortheNWareadogpark.HDPAwillbeforminga“FriendsoftheNWAreaDogParkCommittee”tohelpusplananddevelopthisnewdogparkandtheeventandweneedvolunteers.Ifyou’dliketohelpusmakethisdreamarealityforNWHoustondogownersemail [email protected] to learnhowyoucanhelp.HDPAisa501c3non-profitvolunteerorganizationthatadvocates for dog parks and supports dog park patrons througheducation.LearnmoreaboutHDPA,howyoucanhelp,andwhatHDPAisdoingtosupportdogparksallaroundHoustononourwebsite.ForamapofallthedogparksaroundHoustonvisitwww.HoustonDogPark.org.Seeyouatthedogpark!

AuthorTiffany Moore is President of the Houston Dog ParkAssociation and an Advisory Board Member on the Gragg ParkAnimalCampusprojectforBARC.www.animalcampus.org.

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10 Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

Willowbridge - Stonebridge

• Servicing Harris and Montgomery Counties • Free CMA with ad• Members of HAR/MLS• Native Houstonians • Residents of Willowbridge

8101 Cypresswood • Spring, TX 77379 • www.KRMrealty.com*each office is independently owned & operated

K. Rex Meyer713-806-0101

281-444-3900 [email protected]

Kathleen Meyer281-796-1876281-444-3900 [email protected]

can i park Here legally???HasitbeenawhilesinceyoutookDriver’sEducation?Ifyou’re

likemanyfolks,you“think”youknowwhatislegalandwhatisnot,withregardstoparkinglaws,butoftentimes,weforgetthedetails.Herearesomehighlightsforyoutokeepinmind.Note–wewillaskourSheriffpatrolstostartwritingticketsfortheseinfractions,inanefforttominimizetheriskofproblemsintrafficflowthroughoutourneighborhoods.

• Legalparkingallowscarstoparkwithin18”ofacurb• Noparkingallowedwithin15’ofafirehydrant(oneitherside)• Noparkingallowedwithin20’ofacrosswalkatanintersection• Noparkingallowedwithin30’uponapproachoftrafficcontrol

signalorsign• Noparkingwithinanintersection• Noparkinginfrontofpublicorprivatedriveways

Inthediagrambelow,youcanseeatypical“T”styleintersectionwhich is representative of those found in Willowbridge andStonebridgeVillage.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Y <---TrafficflowTrafficflow--->----------------------------------- ------------------------------------ | |Stopsignhere |ZX| | | | |

Car“Y”isparkedillegally,asheistechnicallyinthemiddleoftheintersection.

Cars“X”and“Z”areillegallyparkediftheyarewithin30ft.oftheintersection.

You canfind the fullTexasTransportationCodeon theTexasLegislature’swebsiteathttp://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/.ClickonTexasStatutesandscrolldowntotheTransportationCode,thengotosection545.

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 11

WillowTalksTreeT ligHT OuT?

IfyounoticeastreetlightoutPLEASEreportittoCenterPointEnergy.Pleasebeawarethatwepayforallofthestreetlightsinoursubdivision,everymonth,regardlessiftheyareilluminatedornot!

fOllOW THese sTeps:1.Dial(713)207-2222.2.Choosealanguagepreference.3.Selectoption“4”(forstreetlightoutages).4.Providethe6digitnumber(locatedapproximately5feetupthe

pole),streetnameandclosestaddress.

Peel, Inc.512-263-9181

www.PEELinc.com

community newsletters

Effective Advertising, Done Right.Call today to Reserve your space.

Advertise YOUR businessto YOUR neighbors forless than 10¢ per home.

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DISCLAIMER:Articlesandads inthisnewsletterexpress theopinionsoftheirauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheopinionsofPeel,Inc.oritsemployees.Peel,Inc.isnotresponsiblefortheaccuracyofanyfactsstatedinarticlessubmittedbyothers.Thepublisheralsoassumesnoresponsibilityfortheadvertisingcontentwiththispublication.Allwarrantiesandrepresentationsmadeintheadvertisingcontentaresolelythatoftheadvertiserandanysuchclaimsregardingitscontentshouldbetakenupwiththeadvertiser.*Thepublisherassumesnoliabilitywithregardtoitsadvertisersformisprintsorfailuretoplaceadvertisinginthispublicationexceptfortheactualcostofsuchadvertising.* Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, thepublisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information ortypographicalmistakes,exceptaslimitedtothecostofadvertisingasstatedaboveorinthecaseofmisinformation,aprintedretraction/correction.*Undernocircumstancesshallthepublisherbeheldliableforincidentalorconsequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or anyotherliabilitiesfromfailuretopublish,orfromfailuretopublishinatimelymanner,exceptaslimitedtoliabilitiesstatedabove.

Atno timewillanysourcebeallowedtouse theWillowTalkcontents,orloansaidcontents, toothers inanyway, shapeor form,nor inanymedia,website,print,film,e-mail,electrostaticcopy,fax,oretc.forthepurposeofsolicitation, commercial use, or anyuse forprofit, political campaigns, orotherselfamplification,underpenaltyoflawwithoutwrittenorexpressedpermissionfromtheWillowbridge-StonebridgeHomeownersAssociationandPeel,Inc.TheinformationintheWillowTalkisexclusivelyfortheprivateuseofWillowbridge-Stonebridgeresidentsonly.

Advertising Information PleasesupportthebusinessesthatadvertiseintheWillowTalk.TheiradvertisingdollarsmakeitpossibleforallWillowbridgeresidentstoreceivethemonthlynewsletteratnocharge.Nohomeownersassociationfundsareusedtoproduceormailthenewsletters.IfyouwouldliketosupporttheWillowTalkbyadvertising,pleasecontactoursalesofficeat888-687-6444oradvertising@peelinc.com.Theadvertisingdeadlineisthe8thofeachmonthforthefollowingmonth'snewsletter.

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12 Willowbridge-StonebridgeCivicAssociateNewsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

Willowbridge - Stonebridge

Peel, Inc.311 Ranch Road 620 S. Ste 200Lakeway, TX 78734-4775www.PEELinc.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPEEL, INC.

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