w e i v e R
Estates of Russell Creek Estates of
Russell Creek August 2008
Volume 2, Issue 8
Official Publication of The Estates of Russell Creek Homeowners Association
You Can Make the Grade at Your Child’s School
With school almost back in session, and routines back into motion, it is time that we as parents should think about what programs we would like for our schools to educate us on as well as our children. There are many classes and workshops that our schools can hold if parents would express an interest in a topic. Such topics include helping with homework, improving reading skills, testing programs and what they mean, discipline, improving your child’s self image, building your own parenting skills, helping your child explore career choices, how to help your child succeed, preventing drug and alcohol abuse, school safety, special needs and learning disabilities, financial planning for college, stranger danger, internet safety, etc..... If you would like your child and/or yourself to be educated on any of these topics or others not mentioned, find out who the programs coordinator is at your child’s school and contact them with your interest and the interests of your children. There is a wealth of knowledge out there that is easily accessible to all of us and free of charge by just expressing our interests. I would also encourage you to join the PTA of your child’s school. By doing so, you are providing funds to make it possible to carry out these programs and making it possible to educate parents and students about those important subjects that are not covered in the classroom. Lisa Oldani, Editor Estates of Russell Creek
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Attention All Junior Story Writers!!!!!!
Do you like to write and win prizes? If you do, then be sure to enter our ERC Summer Vacation Story Contest. Just send your best summer vacation experience to
[email protected], or drop it off in the mailbox of 3729 Norwich Lane. The winner of the contest will win a prize, as well as have their story printed in the September edition of the ERC newsletter with your photograph, if Mom and Dad say it’s okay! Deadline for entries is August19th. Good Luck.
Smile, You’re on Security Camera! The ERC security cameras are installed and running at the Bonita Park & Pool Complex. These cameras were installed with the intention to catch and prosecute any acts of vandalism or destruction of ERC property. They will also soon be installed at the Kimbrough facility as part of its renovation. These cameras are yet another example of how your HOA dues are being used to improve our community and protect ERC property. Many thanks to Bob Geibler and Robert Simmons for helping us set up and obtain items for the ERC Adult Pool Party. Many of our current and some new residents gathered for some fine food and drinks. Thanks also to those of you who brought goodies for everyone to share! -Dave and Lisa Oldani
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The Estates of Russell Creek Review newsletter is published and distributed in conjunction with Peel, Inc. and the ERC Homeowners’ Association and the residents of ERC. The monthly newsletter will be delivered to homes by the 10th of every month. If you would like your information considered for publication, please submit it by the 15th of the preceding month in which you would like the information published. To submit an article or to place a FREE classified ad, please send it to the Editor at
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - August 2008
Estates of Russell Creek ERC Board Members David Oldani, President....................................... 972-731-6244 Denise Duggan, Vice President............................ 972-335-2290 John Dwyer, Secretary......................................... 972-377-0246 Doug Finn, Treasurer........................................... 972-712-4655 Jeff Einspahr, Director......................................... 972-335-5413 Amy Newell, Director.......................................... 972-335-5860 Robert Simmons, Director................................... 972-731-9683 Dan Step (CMA).................................................. 972-943-2856
Newsletter Information
Editor Lisa
[email protected], 972-731-6244 Publisher Peel, Inc.......................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-989-8905 Advertising.........
[email protected], 512-989-8905 At no time will any source be allowed to use the Estates of Russell Creek Community Newsletter contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from the Estates of Russell Creek Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Estates of Russell Creek residents only.
DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.
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Visit My Website at www.youragentofchoice.com Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - August 2008
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Estates of Russell Creek Weekend Adventures
By Denise Duggan Here are a few suggestions for weekend adventures that are close to explore the area before they board the train for the return trip. The home! For additional ideas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department entire 50 mile excursion takes about 4 hours. has a wonderful website that provides a wealth of information about Spend the weekend in Fort Worth things to do in Texas. http://www.fortworth.com http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ Fort Worth may be just an hour away, but it a totally different Texas State Railroad State Park -- Rusk to Palestine experience. It is frequently described as a mixture between cowboys and culture and is known as the city “where the west begins”. http://www.texasstaterr.com/ The Texas State Railroad (TSRR) runs between Rusk and Palestine Some of the major attractions are the Fort Worth Zoo, downtown’s in the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. This historic train is Sundance Square, the Botanical Gardens and the Kimbell and Amon a great way to let your kids experience riding on a train. You can Carter Museums. A trip to Fort Worth would not be complete board the train in either Rusk or Palestine. It takes about 1 ½ hours without a visit to the legendary Fort Worth Stockyards. From to reach the opposite station. Visitors have an hour to eat lunch and Billy Bob’s Texas to the Cattlepen Maze for big and little kids, the Stockyards are lots of fun.
Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine www.greatwolf.com/Locations/Grapevine The Great Wolf Lodge is a year-round resort that offers activities for the whole family. The facility is “designed to capture the natural environment and adventurous spirit of the northwoods.” The main attraction of the resort is the indoor waterpark which is for guests only. It includes nine indoor waterslides, the Howlin’ Tornado funnel slide, family raft slide; cannon bowl slide, two body slides, two tube slides and two kiddie slides. It also has six pools and a gigantic wave pool.
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - August 2008
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Family Volunteering: Doing Good Together Submitted by Wendi Baird
During a recent camping trip, my children were shocked to see the amount of trash left along the river bank following a long holiday weekend. “Didn’t the people see the empty trash cans,” asked my daughter with all the childlike wisdom of an eight year old. As we looked downstream, we noticed a lone Park Ranger walking along the banks with a trash bag picking up all the empty cans and other garbage left behind by the holiday revelers. I saw the light bulbs go off simultaneously in my kids’ minds … “Mom, can we go back to our camper and get some trash bags to help, too?” To be honest, my first thought as a mom was that I didn’t want my children touching all that germ-infested garbage. But then I realized what a great learning opportunity this could be. Here was a problem, and it was one that we could work together as a family to remedy. So after walking along the river banks, filling up two trash bags with garbage, we finally caught up to the Park Ranger downstream. Although he was very appreciative of the help, he was quite surprised by our efforts. “You shouldn’t have to do this,” he said. “It isn’t your trash or your responsibility to pick it up”. I don’t know what was more disappointing that morning – the fact that this beautiful park was strewn with garbage (while empty trash cans sit in plain site) or the surprise shown by the Park Ranger that someone would voluntarily help pick up the garbage. It seems that the phrase “That’s not in my job description” has become a common mantra today. I firmly believe that one way to combat the selfish and materialistic attitudes prevalent in our society is through Family Volunteering. It’s one thing to tell our children that we need to help others. But actually doing volunteer projects together as a family instills life lessons that won’t be readily abandoned later in life. According to the website www.DoingGoodTogether.org, family volunteering “is a hands-on way to teach children the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship.” The website is full of ideas for family volunteer projects. One of my favorites is one that even the youngest children can do. Create a “Giving Box” from an old coffee can or shoe box. Let your children decorate it and then place it in a prominent location in your home. Encourage your children to fill it with any loose change they find. Then as the Holiday Season approaches, let your children help choose where the money will be donated. For example, they could use the money to buy a toy to donate to Blue Santa or to buy canned goods to donate to the local food pantry. Our children still talk about that family experience of picking up trash along the Frio River. It was gratifying to all of us to see how clean the riverbank looked after spending just a few minutes helping that lone park ranger. But, more importantly, it reinforced to us as parents that it’s one thing to teach your children something, but the impact is far greater when you show them!
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Estates of Russell Creek SSodoku udoku
Home Energy Saving Tips These are some simple ways you can reduce your energy consumption as well as save money on your utility bills. 1. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs – You can buy these light bulbs at any superstore. They use about a third of the energy and last up to ten times longer and than regular light bulbs.
The challenge challenge is is to to fill fill every every row row across, across, every every column column down, down, and and every every The 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once once in in each each row row across, across, each each column column down, down, and and each each 3x3 3x3 box. box. only
2. Adjust the thermostats – Keeping your thermostat at 78 or above in the summer and 68 or below in the winter impacts the energy consumption. 3. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances – When it is time to replace your appliances, select ones that are Energy Star rated. They can cut your home energy usage significantly. 4. Unplug your Electrics – It is reported that up to 40% of the energy that home electronics consume is in the standby “phantom” mode. Computers, TV’s, DVD players, cable modems and kitchen appliances are some of the biggest offenders. 5. Here are some easy ones: • Turn off the lights when you leave a room • Only run the dishwasher when it is full • Don’t over dry your clothes • Take showers instead of baths *See solution at PEELinc.com
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - August 2008
Estates of Russell Creek Have you noticed a street light that is out?
Have you noticed a neighborhood streetlight that is out? ERC Residents can go to http://www.oncorgroup.com/community/ streetlights/form.aspx and report it.
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If SparkPowerBank isn’t your current electricity provider…chances are you're paying too much!
I’m Texas Energy Analyst Alan Lammey. Maybe you’ve heard me on the radio talking about the market forces that drive energy prices. I’m here to tell you that you’re not stuck paying those high prices to big electric companies anymore! Stop it. Why pay more than you have to? Those days are over! Why would you want to go with an electric provider that charges you more, when you can go to www.sparkpowerbank.com and pay far less for the same electricity? Make sense? Please choose "Newsletter Ad" as your referral on the SparkPowerBank.com website. Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - August 2008
Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek Announcenments & News Briefs Registered Sex Offenders Awareness Websites
ERC Neighborhood News
Would like to receive periodic emails containing neighborhood announcements, including upcoming events, crime watch notices and other ERC information? Then send an email to erc_neighborhoodnews@ tx.rr.com requesting your email address be added to the distribution list.
There are several free service websites that provide information on registered sex offenders and child predators. Sheriffalerts.com, Familywatchdog.us or http://records.txdps.state.tx.us are all sites that provide the location and conviction information of registered sex offenders. Just enter an address and these sites will show a map of all known offenders in your area. A couple of these sites also provide an automatic notification service that you can sign up for as well. Please take a moment to review these sites.
Want to see photographs from the recent events of ERC?
ERC Website Update
Have you gone to our neighborhood website lately at www.estatesofrussellcreek.com? It is a great resource for all of us living in the ERC. Please review our site and let us know if any updates, changes or deletions need to be made. You may send your updates directly to our Web Site Coordinator, Dianna Huan at
[email protected].
Just log on to our neighborhood website, www. estatesofrussellcreek.com, and click the events icon to see the latest photos of our community events. Also, if you have photos of any of our events that you would like to have posted on our site, please send them to webmaster@ estatesofrussellcreek.com to have them posted.
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - August 2008
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