LAUREL CREEK August 2016
Official Newsletter of the Residents of Laurel Creek
TREE TRIMMING
All of the rain this spring has led to lush and green trees in Laurel Creek. Many trees have grown so quickly that they are in need of trimming, even if they were trimmed just last year. Please check your trees to see if any of them are hanging too low over the street. Ideally, all trees along the street should be trimmed high enough for a trash truck or a moving van to drive underneath them. Any trees that are so low that a person of average height could reach up and touch them definitely are in need of trimming!
Did you know that a Girl Scout is more likely than a non-Girl Scout to • Advocate for herself and others • Set ambitious goals and think about her future • Be mentally and emotionally strong • Be financially independent • Overcome failures, fears, and so much more! Through a girl’s experience in Girl Scouting, she has will have opportunities to make new friends, have new experiences, and work together with other girls to serve in her community. Girl Scouts is about charting the course of a girl’s destiny so she grows up confident, knowing she is capable of achieving great things in life. of being successful and doing something significant! It’s August and that means the summer is winding down and school is starting soon. As you start planning your daughter’s activities, we hope you plan make Girl Scouts a part of it. If you’d like your daughter to explore new interests, achieve her goals, or simply to make new friends to overcome their shyness, look for Girl Scout recruitment events in your school. Girl Scouts is for girls in grades kindergarten to 12th grade and the cost is $15. Join Girl Scouts at www.gssjc.org or contact Jo Anna Harris at
[email protected]. We are looking forward to another great year in the Cypress area and hope you can join in on the fun!
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LAUREL CREEK
Volume 3, Issue 8
ACC Applications Summer is here, and many residents without a doubt have plans to make improvements to their homes over the next few months. Please be aware that an ACC application is required for any of the following: • New fences; • Roofs; • Exterior painting; • Concrete work; • Swimming pools; • Gazebos and pergolas; • Storage sheds; • Room additions, covered patios, and all architectural changes; or • Tree removal. A good starting point is to refer to your ACC guidelines before finalizing any plans. When submitting the ACC application, it should be as specific as possible (i.e. please specify the brand of paint, color number, shingle manufacture, color, and warranty). If the request involves construction or the installation of a swimming pool, the request should include a drawing and the name of the contractor. Ample time should be allowed for the ACC committee to review the request. Requests such as for new roofs, painting, etc. can usually be reviewed fairly quickly if all of the necessary information is provided with the request, but larger projects may take longer. The ACC takes into consideration not only the ACC guidelines, but also whether the proposed plans provide for installations such as adequate drainage, or whether the proposed plans will unduly interfere with neighbors’ enjoyment of their property, along with other factors. If you need an application form, or have any questions as to whether an ACC application is required, please contact Victoria Schoon at Crest Management Company. Ms. Schoon’s direct line is 281-945-4623, and her e-mail address is
[email protected].
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LAUREL CREEK COMMUNITY CONTACTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ann Murphree......................................................... President Greg Magness................................................... Vice President Linda Pirtle-Porras................................................... Secretary Nathan Overstreet.................................................... Treasurer Valerie Phelps............................................................ Director
NEWSLETTER INFO
PERSONAL CLASSIFIED FOR SALE $ 14,000: 2012 Harley Davidson Road Glide Chrome Yellow 500 miles , excellent condition. Please text if interested to 832-370-7770.
Classified Ads: Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $50, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales Office at 1-888-687-6444 or
[email protected].
NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER Peel, Inc............................888.687.6444, www.PEELinc.com Advertising....................................
[email protected]
IMPORTANT NUMBERS Crest Management.................... www.crest-management.com .........................................................................281.579.0761 Association Manager Jennifer
[email protected] Assistant Manager Victoria
[email protected] .........................................................................281.945.4623 Call Before You Dig ...................................................................1.800.344.8377 Street Light Outage www.centerpointenergy.com (Have light number) ......................................................................713.207.2222 Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Service ............................................. http://records.txdps.state.tx.us Police Information If you witness a crime or suspicious activity call Pct. 4 Constable
......................................................... 281.376.3472 or 911 Police Emergency..............................................................911 Constable's Office Precinct 4.............................281.376.3472 ......................... Laurel Creek has a contract for faster response Cy Fair Volunteer Dept. (Ambulance) ........................................ (Non-emergency) 713.466.6151 Harris County Alarm (Permit) ..................................................................... 713-755-4660 TOPS (Water Issues) ......................................................................281.807.9500 Poison Center ...................................................................1.800.222.1222
Please remember: We do not live in the City of Houston but in Harris County. Inform the emergency operator of this to assure a more prompt response.
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Laurel Creek - August 2016
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LAUREL CREEK
Kids’ Running 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 www.northwestflyers.org. 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
[email protected] or 281-961-6603. Visit www. northwestflyers.org to get updates and learn more about the team.
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Laurel Creek - August 2016
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LAUREL CREEK
USA Fit Champions Ready to Get Aspiring Runners Marathon/ Half Marathon-Ready by January
With many winter long distance races to look forward to, USA Fit Champions seeks to get Spring and Northwest Houston area residents "marathon-ready." The local full and half marathon training group is currently taking registrations through Aug. 30 at www.ChampionsFit.net for its new season, which kicks off with two orientation/in-person registration events at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 9 and 16, at the D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA in Spring. Now, Co-Organizer Roy McDonald says, is the perfect time, no matter a runner's ability level, to start training for January races such as the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon and Memorial Hermann USA Fit Marathon. “Most people don’t believe they can complete a full or half marathon for various reasons,” said McDonald. “Our mission at USA Fit is to show people they absolutely can succeed by providing training plans for every fitness level in a fun, non-intimidating and safe environment.” McDonald himself joined USA Fit’s Houston group 25 years ago when he and four fellow employees at his company discussed running
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Laurel Creek - August 2016
a marathon. It was a goal he had never entertained. At the time, he weighed 240 pounds and at the end of his first marathon training with the group dropped to 185 pounds. In addition to gaining a lifelong love of running, McDonald gained a lifelong friend in member and now co-organizer Mitchell Garcia, who was one of the employees who had initially joined him. McDonald and Garcia both hope as organizers and coaches to bring the same motivation and encouragement that their coaches and fellow members had given him to help runners and walkers around the Champions area reach their own personal goals. According to McDonald, the top myths about marathon running include: · Marathoners must be young. · Marathoners must be athletes. · It is not possible to walk 13.1 or 26.2 miles. · Running long distances is dangerous to one’s health. · Runners must be a certain weight or size to successfully run a full or half marathon. He said that members of USA Fit Champions defy all of these myths and have gone on to complete half and full marathons during their very first seasons with the group as well as meet personal health and fitness goals. “The most rewarding part of our job as coaches is to see members achieve so much more than they thought possible, no matter their fitness level or stage in life,” said McDonald. “The only thing we ask our members to show up with is a goal and the passion to meet it. We take care of the rest.” Registration for USA Fit Champions is $140 for new members and $100 for returning members. Runners meet Saturday mornings for ability-based group trainings, enjoy weekly seminars and social events throughout the season and benefit from the encouragement and expertise of certified coaches. To learn more and to register, visit www.ChampionsFit.net or contact Roy McDonald at info@ championsfit.net. Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.
LAUREL CREEK
The Heart Gallery of Central Texas
REMINDER Summer is here and more children will be out playing during daylight hours. When driving, please be alert for children on bicycles and skateboards. Please use extra caution and keep your speed down.
Fabian, 5 and Julio, 7 are two happy little boys who are always laughing and interacting with one another, they are searching for a forever family. They enjoy playing games and watching videos, and are quick to show others how much fun they're having. Fabian and Julio are healthy children and will do well with a patient family who offers structure and a routine. They respond well to encouragement and motivation and will enjoy having positive role models in their lives. A program of Partnerships for Children, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas is both a traveling portrait exhibit and outreach opportunity for individuals to learn more about children in the foster care system and the adoption process. The children are in foster care because they have been removed from their biological homes because of abuse and neglect, and are awaiting adoption. Learn more at www. partnershipsforchildren.org
NOBODY IS DROWNPROOF WATCH KIDS AROUND WATER
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
LEARN CPR
BECOME a Water Guardian for your child
TAKE the Water Safety Quiz PREVENT drowning www.colinshope.org/quiz LEARN more at www.colinshope.org Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.
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LAUREL CREEK At no time will any source be allowed to use Laurel Creek's 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 Peel, Inc. The information in Laurel Creek is exclusively for the private use of the Laurel Creek 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.
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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 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com 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.
Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.
LAUREL CREEK
Best Foods & Fitness Matchups It’s a common problem: You’re going for the final stretch, looking for that extra push to help you burn just a few more calories, but suddenly you’re out of gas. You’re not alone. “The muscles maximally absorb nutrients from food during the first 30 minutes after a workout,” says Roberta Anding, M.S., R.D., national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. What to do? Fuel up with the right stuff before you hit the gym, and don’t forget a recovery meal post-workout. Try one of these winning combinations before your next workout, and see if you don’t find that extra oomph you’ve been missing. Weight Training + Protein: Combining a high-protein diet with strength training can help dieters lose more weight — and you lose fat, not muscle. Protein not only builds muscles but it also helps repair them after a workout. “The winning combination is typically four grams of carbs for every one gram of protein (think skim chocolate milk, energy bars, a turkey sandwich on whole wheat),” says Anding. Long Distance Running + Carbohydrates: For long workouts, the performance edge goes to people who have the most glycogen (the stored form of carbohydrates). When you eat pasta or other starchy food, the body converts those carbohydrates into muscle glycogen for fuel. Hence the reason marathoners “carbo-load” the night before a big race. The trouble comes in when you eat more carbs than you need, because unused carbs can also be stored as fat! Aerobics, Kickboxing and Spinning + Fat: For activities that involve repetitive joint action, monounsaturated fats from fish, nuts, seeds and canola, olive and peanut oils can help lubricate the joints while also providing high-quality protein to power you through a workout. An added bonus: These fats also reduce post workout soreness and stiff muscles. Yoga and Pilates + Complex Carbohydrates: The fiber from whole grains and vegetables slows the digestion of food, allowing your body more time to absorb critical nutrients. And since most yoga and Pilates classes require fasting for two hours before class, the long lasting effects of fiber will help sustain you through a few hours without food.
Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.
Pasta Salad
• 4 cups Elbow Macaroni • 3 whole Roasted Red Peppers Chopped (more to taste, can also use Pimentos) • 1/2 cups Black olives - chopped fine/ can use Calamari olives • Add pepperoncinis sliced - to taste • 6 whole Dill pickle slices -diced about 1/2 cup diced • 3 whole Green onions sliced - white and dark green parts • 1/2 cups Mayonnaise • 1 Tablespoon Red Wine or Distilled Vinegar • 3 teaspoon Sugar more or less to taste • 1/4 Salt teaspoon • Plenty of black pepper • 1/4 cup Milk - more if needed • Splash of Pickle juice - add more if needed/ can also add pepperoncinis juice also Cook Macaroni in lightly salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside. Mix together mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt & pepper. Splash in enough milk (1/4 of milk) to make it pourable. Splash in pickle juice for extra flavor. Taste & adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside. Place cooled Macaroni in a large bowl and pour 3/4 of the dressing. Toss and add more dressing if you if you like. (Dressing will seem a little thin, but it will thicken up as salad chills). Stir in olives, Roasted red peppers( or Pimentos), pickles, and green onions. Add more of any ingredient if you'd like stuff going on. At the end, splash in a little more pickle juice and stir. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle with sliced green onion to serve.
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