Pine Brook Periodical
Official Newsletter of Pine Brook Homeowner's Association
March 2010 - Volume 2, Issue 3
Building a Forest around the Prairie Pothole Marsh
(by Debra Goode, Pine Brook resident)
From November 2009 till February 2010, trees and shrubs planted, including the Beautyberry, Sweetspire, Coralberry, Turk’s volunteers focused on removing tallows and following 60 species: Bur Oak, Chinquapin Cap, Red Bud*, Arrowwood Virburnum*, reforesting the 2 acres inside the nature trail Oak, Compton Oak, Laurel Oak, Nuttal Wax Myrtle*, Yaupon*. (*quantity 50+) on the east end, and along the 500’ by 50- Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Water Oak, 100% of the native trees and shrubs 100’ strip of forest facing Clear Lake City White Oak, Willow Oak, Leatherwood, planted produce berries, acorns, or seeds Blvd. eaten by 90+ species of In this part of the forest, birds and mammals; and migrating yellow-rumped support 120+ species of warblers forge for wax butterflies and moths. myrtle seeds; tiny ruby60% bloom and produce crowned kinglets and nectar for butterflies and blue-gray gnatcatchers bees. tumble through the bushes Where thousands searching for insects; while of tallows once choked blue jays, cardinals, wrens, vegetation tr ying to and mockingbirds battle survive in the forest for nesting territor y. around the prairie This photo of a Sharp-shinned Like people, waterfront pothole marsh, 6,500+ hawk was taken by Debra property with a great tallows were removed Goode near a home close by the restaurant appeals to the and replaced with 3,000+ Cedar Waxwing Pine Brook wetlands. birds, as well. native trees, shrubs, High above in the trees, grasses, and aquatic the shrill of 100+ migrating cedar waxwings Pecan, Black Walnut, Shagbark Hickory, plants. Bird songs fill the forest. To view as the sun reflects their yellow breasts and Black Gum, Sweet Gum, Green Ash, bird and butterfly photos, a list of natives that illusive Zorro-like masks, is an indicator Hackberry, American Elm, Cedar Elm, support birds and wildlife, or to donate see that the yaupon berries are almost perfectly Winged Elm, River Birch, Sycamore, Pond PineBrookWetlands.com. ripe. Robins, mockingbirds, blue jays and Cypress, Red Maple, Red Bay, Eastern cardinals check the berries too- especially the Red Cedar, Parsley Hawthorn, Sweet Bay vines. Berries are important to many birds, Magnolia, Fringe Tree, Carolina Buckthorn, when insects are not available. A flock of Roughleaf Dogwood, Sumac, Senna, Mayhaw, goldfinches feast on sweet gum seeds while Possumhaw, Persimmon, Mexican Plum, nervously watching for sharp-shinned hawks, Chickasaw Plum, Wild Crabapple, Mulberry, while a gang of crows chase off a hungry red- Farkelberry, Black Cherry, Sassafras, Cherry Sign up to receive The Pine shouldered hawk. Laurel, Paw Paw, Virgina Sweetspire, Rusty Brook Periodical in your inbox. By February 2010, another 1,500 tallows Blackhaw, Buttonbush, Indigobush, Dwarf Visit PEELinc.com for details. were removed and replaced with 500+ native Palmetto, Swamp Privet, Walter’s Virburnum,
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Pine Brook Periodical - March 2010
Pine Brook Periodical Board of Directors President........................................................... Doug Quillen Vice President.....................................................David Leboe Director............................................................Susan Bobrick Secretary..............................................................Tricia Totten Treasurer.....................................................Melinda Kokkinis CIA Services Community Manager...... Danielle Chiodi-Jones Administrative Assistant.................................... Sennait Tasfai Maintenance Coordinator......................................Ed Barnett Newsletter Editor............................................ Jenny Verghese
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Pine Brook Periodical New Diving Blocks For The Orca’s
After years of saving its penny’s, the Orca swim team has finally purchased and installed six competition grade starting blocks that will be used for swim meets at the Pine Brook community pool. The competition-grade starting blocks are actually not new, but used, having previously been installed at Clear Creek High School. They will replace the homemade wooden blocks the team has been using since its inception. The blocks are removable and will normally not be installed, leaving the pool deck clear for resident use. The swim team will use the blocks only during swim meets. The Orca’s would like to thank the PBCA board for allowing the installation of these new, great looking starting blocks.
These new diving blocks purchased from CCISD will be installed during Orca swim meets at the Pine Brook community pool.
New Social Committee Chair Needs You! Thanks First, thank you to Melinda and Dennis Kokkinis for their dedication to Pine Brook and their faithful service for organizing the community Easter Egg Hunt, 4th of July Parade and Holiday Hay Ride over the past couple of years. We really appreciate the time and energy they have devoted to enhance the Pine Brook neighborhood experience. Thank you as well to Doug Quillen for entrusting Pine Brook’s Social Committee Chair to me. I look forward to leading the committee to serve the varied interests of our community and would love to hear your ideas for additional activities! New Ideas welcome! Additional events being considered are Coordinated Block Parties, Dinner Club, Theater Nights, Bunco and a Book Club. I would greatly appreciate input from everyone, including the youth and young adults of Pine Brook. Individuals interested in serving on the Social Committee or providing volunteer support to expand the Social activities in our neighborhood are welcome to contact Amy Best at
[email protected]. Save the date! The Easter Bunny will be hiding eggs and waiting to see you on Saturday, April 3rd for the Annual Pine Brook Easter Egg Hunt. So dig out those baskets and your hippity-hop, too – Easter’s on its way!
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Pine Brook Periodical - March 2010
Pine Brook Periodical City of Houston’s About Pine Brook Parks….. Chapel Park Way & W. Pine Brook Way Park Compostable Bag Program Effective April 1st, 2010, residents who receive the city’s trash pick-up service will be required to dispose of green, organic material only in a new, biodegradable bag. Residents will be mailed the implementation date. • Grass clippings, leaves and plant trimmings can only fill the bags. • The bags must weigh less than 50 pounds. • There is no limit to how many can be placed at the curb. • One box contains 10, 39-gallon bags and will cost $6-$8. • The bag must bear the City of Houston seal as well as the Compostable-Biodegradable Product Institute-US Composting Council logo * • The bags will be available for purchase at area Wal-Mart stores, as well as Kroger, Lowes, Home Depot, and Fiesta. Citations will be issued to those in violation of the new ordinance. Fines range from $50 to $2,000. For more information, contact Council Member Mike Sullivan’s office at 832-393-3008 or visit www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste.
In March, this park is a riot of blooms- blue, purple, and orchid Louisiana Iris are happily blooming under Sweet Bay Magnolias, in a low swampy area. Near the sidewalk are blooming Rusty Blackhaw Virburnum. Screaming for attention in the center of the park is a Chinese Fringe Tree spouting white puffy blossoms. The wonderful fragrance comes from the three Mexican Plums. Near the back of the park, is a possumhaw holly, a show stopper laden with berries in February, but likely growing bare by March as birds discover its treasure. Other trees include a Pistachio and Swamp Chestnut Oak along the wall; Mexican Sycamore by the iris; Drummond Maple by the yellow bulbine; Sweet Gum by the yellow iris in the back of the park; and three Live Oaks that fill the center and left side of the park. The largest and oldest trees are Water and Willow oaks. All trees under 20 feet tall were planted in 2005 by Parks and Grounds Committee volunteers, with perennials -- extras from residents’ yards. Blooming perennials which attract butterflies, along the wall, are planted by Butterfly Garden volunteers.
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Pine Brook Periodical - March 2010
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Pine Brook Periodical To the Editor A response from Councilman Mike Sullivan In the fourth quarter of 2009, I proposed the widening of Clear Lake City Blvd from 2 lanes to 4 lanes as a city of Houstonsponsored project. This was an effort on my part to return millions of tax dollars to the area, and to improve mobility. I spoke about this at homeowners’ association meetings, and interviewed with the Bay Area Citizen, too. Since proposing the project, there has been considerable opposition from the community. I pride myself on listening to my constituents and responding to their needs. It is clear to me that the widening of Clear Lake City Blvd is not supported by the residents of the Clear Lake area. Because of the strong opposition to the project, I have publicly withdrawn my support. I will not submit it for consideration, and I will make sure that it is not on any near-term list of projects to be considered. It is a pleasure to serve as the District E Council Member, but more importantly, it is an honor to represent the views of the constituents that I was elected to serve. Thank you, Mike Sullivan Houston City Council Member Note from the editor: This letter was originally submitted to the Bay Area Citizen, and is used here by permission of its editor. Thanks AT&T A phone call was made on behalf of Pine Brook to AT&T in January concerning the poor condition of their two small buildings located in the 3500 block of CLCB. Those two buildings are in between the north and south side of our subdivision. The buildings had mold/mildew growing all over the exterior and they were in desperate need of painting. Within two weeks, Ron Holley/AT&T Building Supervisor had the mold/mildew removed and a fresh new coat of paint was applied. The residents of Pine Brook appreciate Mr. Holley listening to our concerns and addressing them in a timely manner. Thanks, David Sauer
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Help Keep Pine Brook Beautiful If you would like to volunteer 1-2 hours a month in the butterfly garden at Pine Blossom and Meadow Grove, please contact Jean Taylor at 281-488-6931.
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Pine Brook Periodical Give Yourself Watch the patterns of wind roll through the tall grass.
Leaves rustle without complaint. Scent of contentment fills the air.
Undulating movement, complete yield of will, gracious acceptance of passing time.
In my heart, a voice whispers a reminder that life is meant to be simple.
Void of countenance, they dance Joyfully, in unison, Bend, get up, stand straight, prepare for the next gust.
Yearn not for too much. Run nowhere. Remain planted. Lift you face to the sun, and give yourself to the one who made you.
Again and again, they remain pliable to command.
Patti McKee Pine Brook resident
7/22/08
Letting Go by Patti McKee 05/09
Editors note: Poetry and photography inspired by the Pine Brook wetlands
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If you are interested Parks and Grounds issues and would to participate in the Parks and Grounds Committee, please call Debra Goode at 282-280-9944.
Save the Date Fabric of Faith Spring Style Show University Baptist Church Saturday, April 24th at 2pm Read the April Pine Brook Periodical for more Details
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