w e i v e R
Estates of Russell Creek Estates of
Russell Creek July 2008
Volume 2, Issue 7
Official Publication of The Estates of Russell Creek Homeowners Association
Hello ERC Neighbors!
Dave Oldani, President of Estates of Russell Creek HOA I hope that everyone is having an enjoyable summer and has a Happy 4th of July! The 4th of July always make me stop and reflect on our wonderful country. In addition to being blessed to live in this great country, all of us are also blessed to live in a great community, the Estates of Russell Creek. This was evident at our recent End of School Year Extravaganza. The turnout was fantastic! I personally witnessed many families, friends and neighbors coming together as a community and enjoying spending time together. It was good to watch many neighbors connect with one another again. Thanks to all those that helped to make this event a huge success. I think it helped kick of the summer with a bang! Speaking of summer, this season is a time when the kids in our community are out and about enjoying the warm weather and all the activities that go along with it. Considering this, please take a moment and talk to your children about safety. Pool safety, bike safety and being safe around strangers are always good topics of discussion with your children. Unfortunately, in today’s world there are many dangers that our children need to be aware of. It is up to the parents to be informed, educate their children regarding safety and to stay alert. Know where your children are and provide them with the information that will help keep them safe. Please know that it is not the responsibility of the HOA to provide security or safety Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
for our community. It is up to each of us individually to protect our homes, our families and our community. One thing we can all do as a community to be safer is to not let people into the pool when they knock on the gate and ask to be let in. I understand that no one likes to be the bad guy and tell others “no.” However, think of the safety of yourself and all the others in the pool area with you first. You never know who you are letting in. I recently had to remove a large group of approximately 30 driving age teenagers from the Bonita pool. Not a single one of them lived in the ERC, not one. Of course none of them would have been there if someone had not opened the gate for them in the first place. Everyone who is entitled to use the pool has a security access card that enables them to gain access to the pool and restrooms. We will soon be adding signage that states the pool is a private facility, for use by members only and that only card access is allowed. So the next time someone asks you to open the pool gate you can just simply point to the signs and tell them “NO, it is not allowed.” In closing, I want to thank all of you that attended our recent Town Hall Meeting. I especially want to thank Tim Pyles, the Preaching Minister of the church of Christ on McDermott Road for allowing us to use their facilities. It was an informative and educational session for all those that attended. I also want to thank all of you (Continued on Page 3)
REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER NOTICE
June 20, 2008 TO: ALL OWNERS/RESIDENTS While the Estates of Russell Creek Homeowners Association does not want to alarm our owners and residents, it was recently determined that a resident in our community, Kenneth James McQuade, 3913 Evesham Drive, Plano, Texas 75025, is listed on the Texas Sex Offender Registry data base (http://records.txdps.state.tx.us). If you want to determine if any other registered sex offenders reside in or around the community, the Association refers you to the above-referenced website or www.sheriffalerts.com. Keep in mind, the Estates of Russell Creek Homeowners Association does not provide security and cannot guarantee your personal safety in our community. Residents should always take their own reasonable precautions and measures to safeguard their property and personal well being. If you have any questions or need to report any threatening conduct, contact the Plano Police Department at (972) 941-2490 or, if an emergency, at 911. THIS NOTICE IS BEING C I R C U L AT E D S O L E LY F O R INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. PLEASE DO NOT BE OVERLY ALARMED AND DO NOT HARASS OR TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST MR. MCQUADE.
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 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.
Peel, Inc.
Printing & Publishing Publishing community newsletters since 1991
Amy White
Sales Representative
214-762-9057
[email protected]
1-888-687-6444
www.PEELinc.com
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2008
If You Build It, They Will Come
Okay. Is it just me, or do any one of you get a little antsy when you are at the pool and time and time again someone bangs on the door to get let in to use the facility, and the gate is opened by someone each and every time? This is not only an issue of who pays their dues to use the pool; it is also an issue of safety. Do you ever think about who you or your children are letting in to join you, them, your friends, their children and your fellow neighbors and their children at the pool? Sure, it may make us all feel uncomfortable to say no to someone asking to be let in, but realistically, you wouldn’t open your own door to a stranger, so why would you do it at our pools? Would you let a stranger eat food out of your own refrigerator or use your car to go out to dinner? It’s the same principle. Your dues payments are being used for nonresidents who are not guests to have a good time. I have seen adults, teens and young children alike open the gate to the masses at all times. Just today, I went to the Bonita pool and there were about 30 teens there that I never saw before, and you guessed it- all of them admitted that they did not live in the ERC when they were asked! You may not have a problem with groups of people from other neighborhoods using our facilities, but I do. They have no respect for our property, leave their trash everywhere, take up our parking spots, use the provided tables and chairs we want, and they disturb the enjoyment of dues paying residents who have every right to enjoy the pool to the fullest extent. Is it not better to deny someone access that does not belong to the ERC HOA, then to give them access to our facilities and compromise the safety and of any dues paying resident? I know I do not want my children around strangers, and I am sure you don’t either. So please, tell your children young and old not to open the gate to anyone and lead by example. And remember, our community is the Estates of Russell Creek, not the Estates of Across Coit/Hedgecoxe, Over to Spring Ridge and Down by the River Estates. Lisa Oldani, Editor Estates of Russell Creek Review
Support This Neighborhood Newsletter. Advertise your business to your neighbors. Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek President's Letter (Continued from the Cover Page )
Thank You Volunteers!
who signed up to be block captains or to volunteer in other capacities while at the meeting. Based upon the turnout at the End of School Year Extravaganza, the Town Hall Meeting and the number of new people that have stepped forward to become volunteers, I can tell that the ERC Renaissance is well under way. Not just in the revitalization of our community capital assets such as our pools, buildings and park equipment, but the rejuvenation of our greatest asset of all…us, the ERC community. I will continue to do my best to make the ERC a great place to live. However, it takes all of us to make the ERC a great community. Regards, Dave Oldani President Estates of Russell Creek HOA
Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make the End of School Year Pool Party a huge success! We had an amazing turnout and none of the venues would have been possible without the help of: Erin Longley, Lisa Heins, Denise Duggan, Doug Finn, Bridgette Porter, Nolan Denny, Maria Caldwell, Kathleen Munroe, Michelle Bouvy, Marc and Beth Ann Niketas, Errol Akomer, Gail Nenning, Jennifer Bolton, Sylvia Tripp, Donna Horne, Holly Smith, Angie Layton, Angie Jakubik, Colleen Hill, Jennifer Stein, Susan Brill and Rachel Szeto. You are all to be commended for your time and talents to our community. Dave and I could not have done it without you! -Lisa Oldani
Way to go Team!
“Three Wyatt Wallaroos were key members of the Patriots Flag Football Team that brought the First Grade Spring Championship trophy home to the Estates of Russell Creek. Reese “Quick Hands” Eaton, Christian “Swivel Hips” Heidemann and Benny “The Jet” Smith lead the Team to an undefeated regular season. These three boys were key members in helping the Patriots win both playoff games and securing the Championship. Congratulations, boys on going 10-0!!!”
Need medical care? 15 MINUTES DOOR-TO-DOCTOR, GUARANTEED! When you or someone you love needs immediate medical care or suffers a medical emergency, you shouldn't have to wait for an appointment or in the waiting room at an emergency department for the care you need now. Here you will find a state-of-the-art emergency room with all the staff, the equipment and the expertise ready to help you with your medical needs whether it be urgent care or emergency care.
Emergency and Urgent Care 365 Days A Year 10:00am—10:00pm 6501 Preston Road Plano, TX 75024 Phone: 972.403.1300 www.ercentersofamerica.com Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2008
We Challenge What You Pay For Electricity! Estates of Russell Creek If SparkPowerBank isn’t your current electricity provider…chances are you're paying too much!
www.sparkpowerbank.com 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. Some electric companies talk about “Simple” rate plans – that just means it costs you more! Others brag that they’ll “Send you a Rebate” – that just means you’re already paying too much!!
Come to the Power Bank – www.SparkPowerBank.com 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?
www.sparkpowerbank.com
SIGN-UP TODAY Right Online!
Please choose "Newsletter Ad" as your referral on the SparkPowerBank.com website. Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2008
Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek Registered Sex Offenders Awareness Websites
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.
Lost and Found
FOUND: A silver ladies wrist watch, found at Russell Creek Park. Email
[email protected] to describe and claim.
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.
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].
Want to submit information for the monthly newsletter?
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
[email protected].
Want to Keep More Money in Your Pocket? My Flexible Marketing Plan lets you decide the level of service you need to sell your home and my services to you as a Buyer are FREE. In addition, you get
⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒
Excellent Customer Service No Hidden Fees FREE No Obligation Market Analysis Additional Savings when you buy and sell your home with me.
It’s Your Home… Shouldn’t You Decide How to Sell It?
Call Today to Find Out More
Kim Ford, ABR Phone: Email:
214-597-4421
[email protected]
Visit My Website at www.youragentofchoice.com Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
18383 Preston Road, Suite 150 Dallas, TX 75252 Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 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.
SSudoku udoku
The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.
*See solution at PEELinc.com
© 2006. Feature Exchange
Advertise YOUR business to YOUR neighbors for less than 10¢ per home. Effective Advertising, Done Right. Call today to Reserve your space.
Peel, Inc. community newsletters
1-888-687-6444 ec
www.PEELinc.com
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2008
Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek Bottled Water vs. Tap By Louise Bell
A few facts about each, then you decide.
Water that comes from your faucet costs about $0.002 per gallon. Bottled water is about $9.00 per gallon. Cost is only one factor. Many people choose bottled water over what comes from the faucet because they say they like the convenience, taste, and purity. Actually, one quarter to 40% of bottled water is municipal tap water re-packaged, possibly with additional treatment. The FDA regulates bottled water; however, standards are weaker than EPA standards for tap water. For instance, E. coli is allowed in bottled water, but not in tap water. The EPA requires water testing 100+ times per month, FDA requires testing once a month. In addition, the 60-70% of bottled water that does not cross state lines is exempt from any FDA standards! The nonprofit National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) tested samples of 103 brands of bottled water and found that a fourth were just tap water---sometimes further treated, sometimes not. The group stated that there was no reason to assume that bottled water was superior to tap water or had fewer microbial or chemical contaminants. The plastic bottle itself may leach phthalate (regulated by EPA) into the water, for which there is no bottled water standard. As Americans, we are entitled to drink safe, clean water. If you are concerned about drinking tap water, perhaps a purification system will erase your fears. You can make sure that your water has additional treatment by reverse osmosis distillation, UV radiation or the use of absolute l micron filtration to eliminate smaller or resistant disease-causing organisms. Filter your own water and carry it in a stainless steel thermos. Bottled water is sold in cheap, convenient PET (polyethylene terephthalate) containers, an easily recyclable form of plastic, but recycling rates for plastic bottles are less than 25%. Most head for a landfill! Plastic is light and floats and is blown about in the wind. All rivers lead to the sea; the Houston Ship Channel is a
frightening repository of plastic of all types, probably washed down storm drains. Each year, more than 4 billion pounds of plastic bottles end up in landfills or as litter in the U.S. Think about this: THE TOTAL ENERGY NEEDED TO MAKE, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSE OF ONE BOTTLE OF WATER IS EQUIVALENT TO FILLING THE SAME BOTTLE ONEQUARTER FULL OF OIL! Plastic has been around for about 50 years. It is made from oil; it takes 1.5 million barrels to manufacture a year’s worth of those handy bottles. It can photo-degrade, meaning sunlight will cause it to become brittle and crumble, but it does not decompose. No microbes have yet evolved to eat it—break it down into its building blocks. It can break into smaller and smaller bits, but will remain a man-made polymer, and it can possibly hang around in the environment for 1000 years! We have a steady, reliable, and cheap source of clean, freshwater for drinking, available at few other times in world history and few other places in the world. But many people are choosing to forsake ordinary tap water for the convenience and perceived benefits of bottled water, in favor of a product that is the same or lesser quality, higher price, uncertain safety, packaged to be discarded and not degrade for 1000 years. We are very wealthy, indeed, to be so heedless. The convenience and perceived benefits of bottled water seem dubious when we consider the added costs for transportation and packaging and, most important, the cost to the environment. What would a person who cares about the future of our environment drink? You decide.
Sources:
FDA Consumer Magazine, July-August, 2002 FDA, Federal Register, 21, Part 165, 2005 EPA, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 2007 Think Outside the Bottle, Beverage Marketing Corp., Natural Resources Defense Council
Advertising Information
Please support the businesses that advertise in the Estates of Russell Creek Review Community Newsletter. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Estates of Russell Creek residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. No homeowners association funds are used to produce or mail the newsletters. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office @ 512-989-8905 or
[email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter. Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2008
Estates of Russell Creek
Peel, Inc.
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
203 W. Main Street, Suite D Pflugerville, Texas 78660
% Voice 512-989-8905 Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2008
PAID
PEEL, INC.
V www.PEELinc.com
EC
Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
