August 2016 Official Newsletter of the Atascocita Community Improvement Association Volume 6, Issue 8

Transcription

1 Ivy Point, Pinehurst, Club Point, Golf Villas, The Shores, The Pines and Estates of Pinehurst August 2016 Official Newsletter of the Atascocita Community Improvement Association Volume 6, Issue 8 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

2 COMMUNITY CONTACTS ACIA HAPPENINGS BOARD MEMBERS Ric Halbrook, President... Bob Garlington... Sue Boaz Raymond, Secretary... Edwin D'Artois, Trustee... Dr. Michael Say... Community Asset Mgmt, (CAM) SOCIAL COMMITTEE Sue Raymond, Chair... Robert Comstock... Kaye Fortenberry... Susan Bergquist... Ann Michael Moser... TENNIS COMMITTEE Sue Raymond... Pam Hailey, Chair... CONTRACT / PROJECT REVIEW Ken Hembey, Chair... khembey@gmail.com Lloyd Lance... Lloyd.lentz@yahoo.com Ric Halbrook... rhalbrookacia@gmail.com ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE Ed D'Artois, Chair... dartois@embarqu .com Robert Comstock... rcomstock1@comcast.net Chris Peck...chris67200@aol.com Ken Hembey... khembey@gmail.com EMERGENCY INFORMATION Fire, Medical or Life Threatening Emergency P-4 Constable Dispatch Humble ISD Police (Schools) Atascocita Volunteer Fire Dept (AVFD) Non-Emergency Number Harris County Animal Control Texas Poison Control Center UTILITIES Electric, (multiple providers)... Power Outages Street Light Outages Gas, Centerpoint Energy Gas Leaks Water, Severn Trent Hour Emergency Number Telephone, Centurylink Trash, Waste Management Humble Post Office Harris County MUD # Harris County MUD # SCHOOLS Humble ISD Website... Pine Forest Elementary Maplebrook Elementary Atascocita Middle School Atascocita High School NEWSLETTER INFORMATION Editor - Sue Boaz Raymond... sueboazraymond@comcast.net Advertising... advertising@peelinc.com JULY 4th Monday July 4th started out warm and sunny. It was perfect weather for a parade. Patriotism and Red White & Blue filled the air as community members gathered at the Library for the Annual Atascocita ACIA parade. Leading the parade were Pct. 4 Constables followed by decorated bicycles, cars, golf carts, wagons, and even a few pets. Atascocita Fire Department brought Ladder Truck 19 and an Ambulance to add some color and noise to the parade. As community residents came out to watch, the parade made its way to The Overlook where refreshments and food awaited. Pct. 4 Constables graciously agreed to be the parade judges this year. As the officers were pressed to make a decision, one commented it s too hard! Everything looks wonderful! The following are the 2016 ACIA 4th of July Parade winners. BEST DECORATED: Age 3 and Under Gianna Reyes Age 4-6 Cosette LaBored Age 7-10 Valerie Northrud Age Sean Helton Age 14 and up Jody Shumpert Float Cole Milsap Vehicle Rosalee & Lilliana Florez Animal Toby Nancy Chaffman, owner Most Patriotic Pierson & Morgan Land Best in Show Gemma Hart Congratulations to all of you and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Thanks to everyone who put in the time to participate in this year s parade. Your efforts showed. A special thanks to all the volunteers too who helped with the parade organization this year. Robert Comstock Parade Chairman 2 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

3 Volunteers lining up their boats to fill live wells with the 80,000 bass fingerlings. ENTER TO WIN 4 TICKETS TO SCHLITTERBAHN! The Tracy Montgomery Team would like you to do something fun with your family this summer. We are giving away 4 tickets to the famous water park in Galveston. ACIA HAPPENINGS Lake Houston Atascocita residents enjoy the beauty of Lake Houston every day as we drive through our neighborhoods, cross the bridges to Kingwood or Huffman, or visit one of our neighborhood parks that are part of this lovely community. Some of us may boat, ski or kayak around the many inlets and islands on the lake. Water has such a way of bringing a peace to our souls and a calm to our often times, busy lives. Even if for just a few minutes, we gain a different perspective by relaxing near or on the lake. What you may not know is that there are hundreds of volunteer hours spent preserving the integrity of the lake and the inhabitants therein. Part of this work is done through the Lake Houston Sports & Recreation Foundation (LHSRC) via a strategic alliance with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This alliance is the re-stocking program. The re-stocking program has introduced species of plants into the lake that provide long term benefits to the ecosystem as well as 356,093 Florida largemouth bass since Of those numbers, 80,000 were introduced into the lake in June of this year. Prior to this stocking program, the last fish introduced were palmetto bass in (Continued on Page 6) Enter to win by sending us an . Put SCHLITTERBAHN in the subject line. Send us your name, address, and phone number where you can be reached if you win. TracyMontgomeryTeamRSVP@gmail.com Congratulations to the Parada Family for winning last month s prize of a gift card to Topgolf! We appreciate your continued referrals. If you or someone you know is thinking of buying, selling, or investing, please give us a call! We d love the opportunity to help someone start another chapter in their life. Tracy Montgomery Cell: Lisa Hughes Cell: Sandy Brabham Cell: Melissa Nelson Cell: Your Neighborhood Realtors tracy@tracysoldit.com W Lake Houston Parkway Humble, TX Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

4 Friends of the Atascocita Library If you have visited the Atascocita Branch of Harris County Public Library, you and your family may have attended programs, including summer reading, used computers, enjoyed reading periodicals, and other activities. You may not know that the Friends of the Atascocita Library provides approximately $20,000 a year for programs and materials not funded by Harris County. The late Odell Dreyer, retired educator and community volunteer, began the quest for a library in Atascocita in The path was fraught with difficulties including funding and a land search. The one constant was a community united in a desire to have a library in Atascocita. The Atascocita Branch Library opened May 5, 1996 and just celebrated it s 20 year anniversary. Fundraising has been an ongoing necessity, beginning with FOAL s nonprofit incorporation in 1991 and continuing today. Used book sales provide the bulk of funds, including 2 large used book sales a year & daily sales on FOAL s used bookshelves in the lobby & just inside the library doors. Most books are 50 - $1.00 & everyone loves 25 magazines. Corporate volunteer grants are another source of funds earned by employees & retirees of companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Best Buy & others. Donations, including memorials and matching funds from some companies, are also important contributions. Recently FOAL installed a beautiful professional mural & new carpet in the meeting room. The new electronic sign with color graphics was added in front of the library last July, after $24,000 was raised in addition to the budget. The community will be better informed of library programs and activities with quickly updated information on the sign. Most programs; including those for children, teens, adults, and the summer reading program for all ages, with crafts, prizes, and exciting programs, are funded by FOAL. Periodical subscriptions, continuations, audio books, and other media are also included in FOAL s budget. Several years ago, when the county budget was particularly stretched, FOAL raised an additional $23,000 to replace 18 computers. When a security camera system was deemed necessary, FOAL took on the responsibility, including maintenance. Membership in FOAL is tax deductible, with single memberships $5 per year; families, $10 per year; & business/group/patron level, $25 per year. Members enjoy entrance to a preview sale the evening before the public used book sales and 2 newsletters a year to stay informed of FOAL & library activities. The Atascocita Branch Library is located at Pinehurst Trail Dr. For more information about FOAL, visit or contact@foal.ws. For library hours and calendar visit: www. hcpl.net & click on Atascocita Branch. Used Book Sale Back to School & Christmas in August The Friends of the Atascocita Library (FOAL) will hold a used book sale Saturday, August 13, from 10AM - 5PM at the Atascocita Library, Pinehurst Trail Dr. Individuals with disabilities may shop from 9AM -10AM. Preview sale for FOAL members is Friday evening from 5PM-7PM, with memberships available at the door. Individual memberships are $5 & families $10 per year. This will be a back to school sale with teaching materials and Christmas in August sale with holiday items donated by H-E-B. In addition there is a large set of 6 inch letters for a portable sign. There is a large selection including fiction & nonfiction, hard backs & paperbacks, children s books, music CD's, magazines & much more. Most are priced at $.50 - $1.00 with music CD s & magazines 25 each. FOAL reusable book bags are available for $3. Due to space limitations, no wheeled carts or strollers are allowed. Donations of used books & magazines are welcome anytime during regular library hours. Visit for library hours & for more information, or contact@foal.ws. All proceeds benefit the Atascocita Library. 4 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

5 Membership Form Friends of the Atascocita Library If you would like to become involved in supporting your library, please fill out the form below and return along with the appropriate annual dues to: Friends of the Atascocita Library, Pinehurst Trail Dr., Humble, TX Individual - $5.00 Family - $10.00 Group/Business/Patron - $25.00 Donation Total Name Address Phone City, State, Zip If you are interested in volunteering, please circle any of the following. Fund Raising Committees Officers Book Sales Fairlake Ln Huffman, TX MINI-WAREHOUSE BOAT / RV STORAGE ADVANTAGES 24 Hour Access Climate & Non-Climate storage units Large Driveways Convenient Payment Options Fairlake Storage & Lake Road Storage offer both climate and non-climate storage units as well as large storage units for boats and RV s. Unit sizes from 25sqft to 750 sqft Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

6 (Continued from Page 3) The Lake Houston group also works with the City of Houston to improve navigation and safety on the lake which has a surface area of 11,854 acres with a maximum depth of 45 feet. Currently there is very little marking or identification of the depths of the lake, submerged objects or overall on-lake identification. Most recently, buoys were placed near the waterways surrounding the Kings Harbor area of the Lake. Capital projects such as placing depth markers, channel buoys and other lake identification are in progress. LHSRC (a 501c3 non-profit) is formed from members of the community who are interested in the improvement of Lake Houston. The mission of the Foundation is to increase public awareness of the value of having a major lake (Lake Houston) in our community by hosting several fundraising events in which the proceeds will benefit the fishery, habitat and other various Lake Houston projects. For more information on how you can be part of this team, see their website: lakehoustonsports.com Submitted by Deborah McDonald NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING Dear Homeowners: The Board of Directors for the Atascocita Community Improvement Association will hold a regular meeting on Monday, August 22, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30:pm., at The Overlook Pinehurst Drive, Atascocita, TX The subject of the meeting is general business of the Association, including but not limited to, discussion of items related to the Association budget and expenditures as well as discussion of repair and maintenance of the assets owned by the Association. An appeal from the denial of an architectural application may be considered during executive session. Discussions involving personnel, pending or threatened litigation, contract negotiations, enforcement actions, and confidential communications with the Association attorney, matters involving invasion of privacy of owners, and other matters that are confidential by request of an affected party and agreement of the Board are discussed in executive session. We hope you will join us to hear what is going on in your community! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INSPIRATIONAL IDEAS 6 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

7 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

8 Lake Houston Ladies Club Lake Houston Ladies Club is a social organization that meets from September to May on the third Tuesday of the month at the Walden Country Club, Walden Forest Drive, in Humble TX. The club welcomes new members from all surrounding areas to join and offers several avenues for individual interest. They include: Readers Choice, Bridge, Bunco, Mah Jongg, Lunch and Look, Movie Group, Supper Club and Tea Time Group. Many of the groups continue throughout the summer months. There are periodic events planned during the year that include spouses or significant others. The club is an excellent way to meet new people and make new friends. Please call Linda at for more information about the club. Lake Houston Ladies Club Website: Ladies Fun Tennis & Free Tennis Clinics CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW SHORES COURTS IS DUE TO START JULY 18, The Friday morning Ladies Fun Tennis continues. Please be advised this currently is every Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. This is for any age and any level of experience. The clinics continue on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. This is also for all levels and ages. If you would like to have your name added to the Distribution List on either of these please contact Pam Hailey or Sue Raymond. pamelagenehailey@yahoo.com sueboazraymond@comcast.net E-blasts will be sent out on Mondays for the following Thursday and Friday s tennis to confirm for the week. These will come from the ACIA web If you are on the Distribution List you will receive a personal reminder. I want to thank Pam Hailey for doing an awesome job with handling these clinics and the ladies fun play. You are truly appreciated Pam. Volunteers at any level of play are invited to assist. Sue Raymond ACIA Trustee 8 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

9 Team s Cross Country Season Starts September 6th The Northwest Flyers Track Club Youth Cross-Country Team kicks off the fall season with registration and a mandatory orientation for parents and athletes on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at Cypress Creek High School, 9815 Grant Rd., Houston. Registration starts online September 1 at Practices are held at the Cypress Creek YMCA and Spring Creek Park in Tomball. The Northwest Flyers Track Club is a member program of USA Track and Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and cross country. The club is celebrating its 30th year in the northwest Houston area. Ages 6-18 may participate in the team, and both beginners and experienced runners are welcome. Middle school and high school cross country athletes can also register, but should compete after their cross country season is over. For more information contact Coach Eric Wentworth at emw185@ gmail.com or Visit to get updates and learn more about the team. Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

10 TENNIS TIPS By USPTA/PTR Master Professional - Owner, Manager and Director of Tennis Grey Rock Tennis Club, Austin, TX How to execute The Forehand Service Return In previous newsletters, I offered tips on how to hit a forehand groundstroke, a two-handed backhand, one-handed backhand, forehand volley, the two handed backhand volley, the serve, the forehand half-volley, the one-handed backhand volley and the overhead smash. In this issue, I will offer you instructions on how to execute the second most important shot in the game of tennis: The Service Return, since it is the response to the first most important shot of the game: The Serve. In the illustrations, Jill Schmidt, player at the Grey Rock Tennis Club, shows the proper technique to execute this stroke. Step 1: The Ready Position: When Jill is getting ready to return the serve, her eyes are focused on the tennis ball held by the opponent. Knees are relaxed and the hands are holding the racket with a relaxed grip. Step 2: The Back Swing: Once Jill realizes that the ball has been directed to her forehand, she will turn her upper body and will take the racket back. Notice that the left hand is up in front to allow her to keep her center of gravity in the center. She has loaded her weight on her right foot and will be ready to step forward to meet the ball Step 3: The Point of Contact: Jill now is ready to step into the ball. She has kept her eye on the ball and her center of gravity now is shifted to the point of contact. Notice the left knee being slightly bent and the left foot is pointing to the ball meeting the racket Step 4: The Extension of the Point of Contact: Jill is now directing the ball toward the opponent s court. Her eyes have now shifted toward her target and her body weight is now fully in front of her left foot. The left hand is still helping to keep the center of gravity in the center without opening up too early. Step 5: The Follow Through: Once Jill has finished her stroke, the momentum of the racket continues to move almost to a point behind her neck. Her left hand is next to her body and her right elbow is pointing toward her target. Her body is now ready to take the split step with both feet in order to prepare for the opponent s returned shot. Look for in the next Newsletter: The Two Handed Backhand Service Return 10 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

11 PET OF THE MONTH Interested in adopting Pippi? Please us to fill out an adoption application Pippi was saved from a kill shelter. She is an Anatolian Shepherd around 1 years old. She gets along with small-large dogs and cats. She loves to be around people and enjoys sleeping next to your bed. She is a little shy but warms up quickly. She loves to run and play in the yard. She will run as fast as she can then run back to you and roll over. She is a joy! Potty trained and heartworm negative. She is approximately 40 lbs but will need to gain a little weight. $200 adoption fee How does it work? Lets say you have a design you would like for a one-off custom shirt. We take your idea and design it for you. Once you approve the design we make it available in our store for you to purchase. Who do we work with? We work with individuals as well as partner with organizations and businesses. Some of our partners are CrossFit boxes. We relieve the box owners of the hassle of mass shirt orders by creating their very own store within W4 Apparel. This allows their members to visit our site and order their shirts directly. We create custom designs at their request and even toss in a few of our own. We offer the same service for non-profits, businesses, and organizations of all kinds. Visit us online and view our Partners to see who we are currently working with. We would love to partner with you as well! whiskeyfourapparel@gmail.com Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

12 Dead spots in the lawn? Look for chinch bugs. Chinch bugs often appear in Texas lawns during hot, dry conditions. Usually damage starts in sunny locations or near driveway and sidewalk areas. Damage appears as irregular dead patches in the lawn surrounded by yellowing or dying grass. Chinch bug damage can be mistaken for other lawn problems like white grubs or fungal diseases, so confirmation of chinch bug activity is needed before choosing proper treatment. So how do you tell if you have chinch bugs? The easiest way is to look for the insects. One way to look is to cut both ends out of a can, push it into the ground using a twisting motion and then fill the can with water for about 10 minutes and wait for any bugs to float to the top. Another way would be to get down on your hands and knees and part the grass to look for the insects. For both methods, samples should be taken in the damaged (yellowed grass), not dead, grass areas. Chinch bugs are small (about 1/5 of an inch as adults; immatures are smaller). Adults are black with white wings containing triangular markings. Nymphs, or immatures, are yellowish or pinkish with a light colored band across their body. Nymphs do not have fully developed wings. Treatment is usually a liquid or granular formulation. Liquid formulations are often bottles that attach to the end of the garden hose or concentrates that you mix with water in a tank sprayer. Granular formulations are applied with push spreaders and need to be watered in after treatment. Treatment should be applied to the area where damage is occurring and several feet out from the damaged area; the entire yard does not have to be treated. All label instructions should be read and followed before and during the treatment. For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at Check out my blog at 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. 12 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

13 Ready to Serve your Storage Needs Storage West West Lake Houston Parkway Humble, TX Resident Managers Free Move-In-Truck Air Conditioned Units Individually Alarmed Units Fire Sprinklers Over 50 Security Cameras On-Site 2nd Month Free with this coupon Must present coupon to receive discount Valid on Select Units Only Not valid with any other offer. Expires August 31, 2016 Call Us Toll Free SERVING OVER Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

14 At no time will any source be allowed to use ACIA Happenings contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, , 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 ACIA Happenings is exclusively for the private use of the ACIA HOA and Peel, Inc. DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above. BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS RAINCO IRRIGATION SPECIALIST: Commercial & Residential. Backflow Testing, Irrigation (Sprinkler) System Service, Maintenance and Repair, Rainbird - Hunter. Fully Insured. License # 9004 & Call Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $50, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales or advertising@peelinc.com. PERSONAL CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE: $14, Harley Davidson Road Glide Chrome Yellow 500 miles, excellent condition. Please text if interested to Classified Ads Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Atascocita CIA residents, limit 30 words, please sueboazraymond@comcast.net. Brilliant Energy Texas OUC #10140 Easy Online Sign-Up at BrilliantElectricity.com USE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER AS REFERRAL BRILLIANT ENERGY = SERIOUSLY LOW RATES BRILLIANT ENERGY S ELECTRICITY RATES CHALLENGE THE RATES OF EVERY OTHER PROVIDER IN TEXAS! LOCK-IN A LOW ELECTRICITY RATE FOR UP TO 3 YEARS BRILLIANT ENERGY IS RECOMMENDED BY TEXAS ENERGY ANALYST, ALAN LAMMEY THE HOST OF THE ENERGY WEEK RADIO SHOW ON NEWSTALK 1070 KNTH! Ask the Energy Analyst GREAT BUSINESS RATES TOO! ELECTRICAL SERVICES SERVICING ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS Panel Upgrades Home Inspections TV Install/Mounting Troubleshooting Remodeling Landscaping Lighting Home Generators RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LICENSED & INSURED Take $25.00 Off Your Next Service Call 24-7 SERVICE FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED or TECL Master ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.

15 NOBODY IS DROWNPROOF WATCH KIDS AROUND WATER ACIA HAPPENINGS COLIN HOLST 61 Texas children have already fatally drowned in 2016 DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE THESE WATER SAFETY TIPS CAN SAVE LIVES WATCH KIDS & KEEP IN ARM S REACH LEARN TO SWIM WEAR LIFE JACKETS MULTIPLE BARRIERS AROUND WATER KEEP YOUR HOME SAFER CHECK WATER SOURCES FIRST PRACTICE DRAIN SAFETY BE SAFER IN OPEN WATER TAKE the Water Safety Quiz PREVENT drowning LEARN CPR BECOME a Water Guardian for your child LEARN more at Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc. ACIA Happenings - August

16 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PEEL, INC. ACIA Over 28 Million in Closed Sales this year Really Big News! EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE...I can help you realize your dreams. With 34 years in the real estate industry, I have the experience you need to guide you during your home buying or selling process. My team and I are ready to service your needs from start to finish. TEAM WORK...Whoever said Many hands make light work really understood a team work concept. Each member of my team (including you) will have specific duties towards our common goal to ensure the strength and endurance needed to get this transaction closed. BILLIE JEAN HARRIS (Cellular) (Direct) x106 (Office) bharris@remax-east.com #1 Team BILLIE JEAN HARRIS TEAM January March 2015 in the UNITED STATES for RE/MAX Agents #1 Team BILLIE JEAN HARRIS TEAM January March 2015 INTERNATIONALLY for RE/MAX Agents 16 ACIA Happenings - August 2016 Copyright 2016 Peel, Inc.