w e i v e R
Estates of Russell Creek Estates of
Russell Creek March 2008
Volume 2, Issue 3
Official Publication of Estates of Russell Creek Homeowners Association
From Your President!
Hi Neighbors, It is official; the Annual Homeowners Association meeting for 2008 is on March 25th at Rice Middle School. We will be electing 4 board members. We will discuss the capital improvement projects that are planned. We can discuss the future of the neighborhood and answer questions in an open forum at the end of the meeting. Hope to see everybody at the meeting. The HOA has purchased netting to allow members to divide the tennis courts if needed. The nets are meant to help reduce cross-court distractions. The nets should be up soon. Our tennis coordinator, John Hagen, has done an excellent job of responding to the needs of our tennis players. The board is meeting next week to discuss plans to fix up the landscaping along Bonita. The roadside landscaping declined significantly during the drought a couple of years ago. There are some areas along the road that have been unsightly for several years. Trees along the road have created so much shade that the grass quit growing. We will trim the trees higher up so that sunlight can get under them. Speedy Green, our landscape maintenance vendor, says that they can get grass to grow in most of the areas that are now dirt. There are some ideas to fix the rest of the trouble spots and create an attractive walkway. Hopefully, we will be able to approve the plans and fix this negative area of the neighborhood. I’ve received a couple of questions this month that I want to address. First, who is responsible for the excessive tree trimming occurring in some areas of the neighborhood? Several homeowners received a letter from the city requesting that they Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
trim their trees 14 feet above the street. This city ordinance was strictly enforced in the southern section of the neighborhood. The inspector who usually provides these inspections went on maternity leave. The person who assumed her duties took the enforcement to a whole new level. I have heard from several neighbors who tried hard to keep from butchering their trees, but the inspector gave them no option. We are trying to get the city to help us and not force us to butcher our trees. There is a tough line between clearing the sidewalks and streets, and butchering the young trees as they grow. This is an ongoing challenge for the entire neighborhood. Another question of concern I received was in regards to political signs. I want to make it clear that the HOA and the city cannot prevent someone from putting a political sign in their yard. We have looked into the laws of the city and state. Yes, the developer did put a CC&R restriction against putting signs in your yard. The intention of this rule was to prevent people from putting advertising or personal message signs in the yard. We want our yards to be attractive and maintain homeowner property values. Having said that, HOAs and homeowners have gone to court over this issue before. Recently, the courts ruled that HOAs cannot prevent political signs or the American Flag. They did however support the HOA in the enforcement of how much a homeowner can display. A homeowner who had 56 American Flags in their front yard had to take most of them down. The HOA doesn’t want to push to eliminate all signs from the front yard, but it is reasonable to ask everyone to be respectful of their neighbors and limit the number of signs in the front yard.
Welcome New Neighbors! Atanas H. Atanasov 3704 Stockport Dunstan D. Dang Ngoc Hong Dao 3701 Waddell Drive
ERC EASTER EGG HUNT Sunday, March 16th Bonita Park 2:00 pm
(Details on page 2)
Don’t want to wait for the mail? View the current issue of the Estates of Russell Creek Review on the 1st day of each month at www.PEELinc.com
Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
Estates of Russell Creek ERC Board Members Doug Finn, President........................................... 972-712-4655 Marc Niketas, Vice President............................... 972-712-0600 Terri McCoy, Secretary........................................ 972-731-0871 David Oldani, Treasurer....................................... 972-731-6244 Joe Bisacca, Director........................................... 972-335-2290 Denise Duggan, Director..................................... 972-335-2290 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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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
ERC EASTER EGG HUNT Sunday, March 16th* Bonita Park 2:00 pm Please join us for the annual Estates of Russell Creek Easter Egg Hunt! There will be candy and prize-filled eggs for all attending children to hunt and find. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of the best homemade Easter bonnet contest and the winner of the Bunny Hop contest! So bring your baskets and hop on down to Bunnyita Park to hunt for some eggcellent treats with your neighbors. ** Please drop off candy and plastic egg donations for this event to the Oldani home at 3729 Norwich Lane by March 14th. No chocolate products please, as they may melt. ** Your contributions are very much appreciated!!! *Rain date is Saturday, March 22nd at 2:00 pm
Support This Neighborhood Newsletter. Advertise your business to your neighbors. Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Estates of Russell Creek IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!!!! 2008 ERC Annual Garage Sale Saturday, April 12th
This is a chance to clean out your house & simplify, make some extra money, meet some neighbors and trade “stuff”! For a mere $5 you get: Signs at major intersections, a sign & balloons for your yard, advertising in the newspaper, “The List” on the website, a list of sale tips and, as always, with the proceeds that are left after expenses are met, a donation will be made to the American Cancer Society. You provide the “treasures”, the price tags and word-of-mouth advertising. The City of Plano requires a garage sale permit for each address participating. Please go to their website at: www.plano.gov/ garagesales and follow the step-by-step directions to get a garage sale permit. It takes about 2 minutes…an advantage of this new method is your “stuff” will be registered so others in Plano can access and find you—added publicity for all of us! It’s really easy to do! If you need help, call Marlene at 972-377-0601 or Dianna at 972-335-8051. The date & times to put on the permit application are as follows: APRIL 12TH – 8:00am TO 12pm (noon). Please make sure to print a copy of your permit because you can get fined as high as $500.00 if you do not have one on the premises the day of the garage sale! The police DO make random checks in the neighborhood on the day of the sale. Deadline for forms at $5 is Monday April 1st. Please drop off enclosed form(s) at 8116 Lynores Way or 3713 Southport Drive with $5 cash or check made out to CASH or ERC. After April 1st, the fee will be $10 with this form and we cannot guarantee being “on the List”. (Late entries still get signs, the benefit of advertising, the benefit of the
8am-12noon
day’s momentum, a donation to the charity, etc.) For our new neighbors & first-timers, “The List” is a compilation of participating neighbors, items for sale & contact information, so you can shop with your neighbors ahead of everyone outside the neighborhood. Signs Pick-Up Day: Thursday, April 10th, 5:30-7pm, 3713 Southport Drive Neighborhood Preview Night: Friday, April 11th, 6:30-8:00pm – This night is for friends and family only to preview the sales and get the “good stuff” Check the website www.estatesofrussellcreek.com for updates and “The List”. Contacts: Dianna Haun,
[email protected] 972-335-8051 Marlene Newby
[email protected] 972-377-0601 Jennifer Steinbrenner
[email protected] 972-335-1380 Denise Duggan
[email protected] 214-727-8618 If you are looking for an item, please fill out the form on page 5; turn it in, as above, with $1.00 per “wanted” item. Items will appear in the “Wanted” section of “The List” online and on paper. Please note that your address and phone will appear on the World Wide Web from April 1st to April 13th. As we always caution, if you are in the Witness Protection Program, hold your garage sale at a neighbor’s and list their info. :) Just kidding!!!!
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Phone: 214-872-1219 Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
Estates of Russell Creek A New St. Patrick’s Day Tradition
- by Lisa Oldani Traditionally, when we think of St. Patrick’s Day, we think of discussing alcohol with your children: Ireland, leprechauns, pots of gold and wearing green - even if we are • Underage drinking is a factor in nearly half of all teen automobile not of Irish decent. Also, many things that are normally not green in crashes, the leading cause of death among teenagers. color are dyed so in celebration of the day, such as the River Walk in • Alcohol use contributes to youth suicides, homicides and fatal San Antonio, bagels, cupcakes and of course - beer. This leads me injuries- the leading cause of death among youth after auto to the topic of discussion. Since St. Patrick’s Day is associated with crashes. the consumption of alcohol, why not use this day as an opportunity • Alcohol kills six times more young people than all illicit drugs to discuss the dangers of alcohol with your children and reduce the combined. chances of underage drinking. • Studies reveal that alcohol consumption by adolescents results According to the American Medical Association, approximately 11 in brain damage-possibly permanent- and impairs intellectual million American youth under the age of 21 drink alcohol. Nearly development. half of them drink to excess, consuming five or more drinks in a row, one or more times in a two week period. Alcohol is the most widely The alcohol industry spends approximately $4.8 billion every year used substance of abuse among America’s youth. Adolescents drink on advertising. A study of 12 year-olds found that children who less frequently that adults, but when they do drink, they drink more were more aware of beer advertising held more favorable views on drinking and expressed an intention to drink more often as adults heavily than adults. The American Medical Association also has found that alcohol is than did children who were less knowledgeable about the ads. the most frequently used drug by high school seniors, and its use is As parents, let us take the place of the images the media instills in increasing. In a survey of Americans aged 12-17, the average person the minds of our children and discuss the ill effects of alcohol starting took their first drink before the age of 13. Boys usually try alcohol with St. Patrick’ Day and thereafter. We would all be so “Lucky” if for the first time at just 11 years old, while the average age for the we did. American girl to have her first drink is 13. Consider these facts when
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
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Estates of Russell Creek ERC Babysitting Co-op Social
ERC GARAGE SALE ENTRY FORM Name______________________________________________ Address____________________________________________ Phone______________________E-Mail _________________________* *To save some money on printing, we are e-mailing all communications this year so you will then be able to print out info immediately as it is available. To receive all available information (including “The List”), you MUST include your e-mail address. If you have a special situation, please contact Marlene Newby at 972-377-0101.
List of things for sale: (include brand names, clothing sizes/ages, etc.) Also please write/print as clearly as possible. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ---------------------WANTED LIST - $1/item listed--------------------------------Name____________________________________________________ Phone________________________E-Mail_______________________ ITEM(S) WANTED:__________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ IF YOU FORGET TO KEEP THIS FORM, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE ERC WEBSITE TO GET ANOTHER APPLICATION ONLINE!!! DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN!!!!!
Personal Classifieds FOR SALE: CARGO Furniture: One twin bed, bookcase, TV/ armoire, chest/dresser -- Can sell all for $325. Please call (972) 377-4846.
FOR SALE: Gorgeous hand-tied wool 8’x10’ Kashan Oriental rug. Real deal, not an imitation. Burgundy, Navy, sage & cream. Perfect cond. Never used since Dalworth cleaned. List $2400, yours for $950. Dave Ramsy says sell it.
[email protected]
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You should receive your newsletter no later than the 15th of the month. If you have received this after the 15th please call the Plano Post Office. 972-377-3166
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Friday, March 28th, 12:15 pm., at Bonita Park in ERC, the ERC Babysitting Co-op is having a social when ERC mothers meet and get to know each other while their kids play in the park. Co-op members and those interested in joining are invited to attend. Bring a sack lunch or snack if you like. Does having another ERC mother take care of your little one(s) sound very convenient and put your mind at ease? Ready for a much-needed break but don’t want to pay a babysitter? The ERC Babysitting Co-op is a group of mothers who trade babysitting time for co-op coupons so the mothers can have free time and the kids can literally play at a neighbor’s house OR be cared for in their own home. Requirements to join the co-op are ERC residence, annual dues ($2 for 1st year, $1 per year thereafter) and completion of/current CPR certification. Please contact Cynthia Farrell, 972-712-5010 or Sherri Hausner, 972-712-7138 for more information.
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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
Estates of Russell Creek 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 advertising@ PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter.
Parent Program at Rice Middle School
Tuesday, March 11th 5:00 p.m. Open House immediately following the program. RAISING GREAT DAUGHTERS – A Program for Mom & Dad and Their Daughter Rice Cafeteria What do we hope for our girls? How can parents help them find ways to achieve their own dreams? Join Dr. Susan Sugerman, cofounder of Girls to Women Health and Wellness, in a discussion of the developmental tasks that take girls from giggles and braids toward becoming fine young women. Sugerman combines empathy and experience to help girls see the light at the end of the tunnel; using humor, candor, and humility, she offers guidance for parents on how to guide and mentor their daughters to become “successful” adult women. Dinner will be available.
Classified Ads
Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Estates of Russell Creek residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail
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CooperCraigRanch.com Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
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Estates of Russell Creek Jan “Where Children’s Hearts Begin to Heal” uar y
200 By the age of 10, one out of every seven children 8 will have By fun crafts for kids, the a T ge o of the Journey experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. The he mission egg hunts, fabulous raffle chi missio f 10, o ldrsupport of Hope Grief Support Center is to provide at no cost for n n items, silent auction items, e o out f t of t en, te heto mourn hei as they children, teens, young adults and their families Jou of evea goodie bag for each child, r lo enslearn , you r rne For one invead safe, ng y o y seveof course, a special one caring the death or impending death of their loved a and o nc “Wh Ho in a dults f and, hild sup ver ni pe and appearance saf renby the Easterere Ch por ne nurturing environment. G e r y t the , ca ildre ear fam nt ir f ief Su will ha r s, J n’s il m iserved h amhimself! 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Estates of Russell Creek Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2008
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