The Beacon
Issue 3, Volume 12
Dear River Mist Community, I would like to extend you a warm welcome. As of October 1, 2011, I, Jason Green, started as your new community manager. I am excited and pleased to have been chosen as your new community manager. I will work diligently to assure that you are satisfied with the superior level of service that Spectrum offers. As an industry leader, we pride ourselves in doing all we can to meet and exceed the needs of our clients. In order to provide the very highest level of customer service we have a number of departments in our office with trained specialists ready to take care of your needs. When calling our office please inform the receptionist of the nature of your call so that we may properly route your call to the correct department. We urge you to review and become familiar with our website, www. spectrumam.com. You will find many convenient services available, which are designed to make it easy to pay assessments online by credit card or e-check, submit improvement requests, and report violations. You will also be able to access the association’s governing documents, contact information, and community messages from your Board of Directors. Please register as soon as possible so you can enjoy all of the above services. You are our primary responsibility. I am here to serve each owner and help you in any way possible. Please do not ever hesitate to contact me if you have concerns or question. My email is
[email protected] , phone is 210.494.0659, and my fax number is 210.494.0887. It is Spectrum’s policy to return all calls and emails the same day. Regards,
Jason Green Community Manager Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
December 2011
IN THIS ISSUE: Ask the Arborist............................ 2 Attraction of the Trees................... 3 River Mist H.O.A......................... 3 Payment Options.......................... 3 5 Tips to Improve Student Performace....................... 4 Taking Control of your Diabetes............................ 5 The Night Before Christmas........................... 5 Yard of the Month......................... 6
Happy Holidays! from your Rivermist Board of Directors Charles Hasberry Jr. Debora Estes Rudy Cervera Michael Southworth Jeff Wells
The Beacon - December 2011
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The Beacon
"Ask the Arborist” WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY PLANTING, HERE ARE THE BASICS:
This is a new column that will feature Ross Hosea as our “expert.” Please feel free to send your questions for Ross to hoa.bod@rivermistsa. com and we will pass them on to Ross. Ross Hosea is a San Antonio native and ISA Certified Arborist with 20 years of experience and a degree in Forestry. He’s owned his own business since 2004. He and his wife, Cindy, are expecting their first child in December 2011. Dear Ross, When is the best time to plant a tree in San Antonio? What are some tips on planting to give my tree a good start? Thanks so much for your help! Sincerely, Sylvia on Rivera Cove That’s a great question! Planting trees are an excellent investment that will add property value in years to come. In order to achieve that investment, proper planting must be done. The best time to plant a tree is in the fall. Planting in the fall allows the root system to get more established before growth in the spring. However, because we have mild winters, it can work to plant all the way up to the spring, if necessary. The first step is to choose the proper tree for your location. Good species for your area include: live oaks, red oaks, burr oaks, Monterrey oaks, and cedar elms, to name a few. Another factor to consider is the size of the area where you will be planting. You want to have plenty of room when the tree reaches maturity. Avoid planting too close to houses, power lines, fences, and other structures. Be sure to choose a tree from a quality nursery that you know grows their trees locally. It is not always necessary to buy the largest tree at the nursery as often smaller trees can adapt more quickly to their environment.
1. The planting hole should be dug twice the diameter of the tree’s container size or root ball. 2. The depth of the planting hole should be equal to or slightly less than the height of the root ball. It is extremely important not to plant the tree too deep. 3. Before placing the tree in the hole, try to add things that encourage root growth such as fungal mycorrhiza or rock phosphate (follow product instructions). 4) When backfilling the hole, you want to fill it with the native soil you took out but also add a quality organic compost. As you’re backfilling, water regularly as you go to make sure the soil is properly packed. 4. Last steps include staking the tree and mulching. A quality mulch should be used, about 3 to 5 inches thick, but not piling it too close to the stem of the tree. The mulch will help hold moisture in the soil and prevent grass from growing close to the tree, keeping the weedeater away. 5. Once your tree is planted, make sure it is watered regularly for the first year. 6. Following these basic techniques will help ensure a good start for your tree. Good luck and happy planting!
Check us out on the web at www.rivermistsa.com Our community website is a treasure trove of information regarding community events, community safety and other helpful items. You can sign up to receive email updates/alerts that are sent out by our talented webmaster. Sincerely, Your Board of Directors 2
The Beacon - December 2011
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The Beacon
“Attraction of the Trees” A festive tradition for the family can be a danger zone for our four-legged friends. Here are some examples of what to watch out for: Christmas tree water often contains dangerous fertilizers and turpentine-like compounds that are hazardous to your pets. If ingested, this contaminated water can cause stomach upset or even be lethal. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria which could cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea in your pet. We recommend placing a physical barrier such as a screen or tree skirt to try to keep your pets out. Sharp pine needles should be kept swept up because they can cause intestinal problems if they are eaten. Beautiful decorations on your tree can attract attention from your pets that may lead to trouble. Puppies have been known to chew on glass ornaments, which can shatter into jagged shards and cut their mouths. These shards can also cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if swallowed. Consider hanging your treasured ornaments higher on the Christmas tree. And consider using wooden, metal, resin-cast or the like on the lower branches in case curious little paws want to play with bright and colorful ornaments. Ribbons and tinsel are appealing targets for pets to play with, especially for kittens. Both of these can cause choking or they may even become twisted up in the intestines and cause an intestinal obstruction – a life-threatening condition. Similarly, gift ribbons and bows should be kept out of sight to prevent chewing and swallowing. The lovely bubbling holiday lights are moderate to lethal in toxicity, depending on the amount of fluid (methylene chloride) inhaled or ingested. Christmas tree light cords and/or electrical cords can be tempting “chew toys” for puppies and kittens. These can cause mouth burns or fatal shock. Even brief electric shocks can trigger an irregular heartbeat in your pet, which can cause fluid to gather in the lungs, leading to serious complications or even death. Town and Country Veterinary Hospital
Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
Bexar County
River Mist Homeowners Association, Inc. Change in Management Companies Dear Homeowners, As of November 1, 2011 Spectrum Association Management began managing our association. We are excited and pleased to announce this change. You should have received additional information in the mail outlining some of their services and providing you with your registration information for their website. Regards, Your Rivermist Board of Directors
New Payment Options Dear Homeowner, Here at Spectrum we strive to make the transition to our company as seamless and problem free as possible. This article is just a reminder on the different ways you can pay your homeowner association dues. The most traditional method of coming to our office to pay is available. Our address is 17319 San Pedro, Suite 318, San Antonio, TX 78232. You can also register at www.spectrumam.com and login to pay your dues by e-check or credit card. We accept payment from Mastercard, Discover and American Express. On this site you can also setup recurring payments, view current reports of any ACC requests, Violations, governing documents, upcoming events and other information. For your security, we do not take credit card payments over the phone. If you ever have questions on how to register or how to review something on the website, please feel free to contact us. Our policy is to return all calls and emails the same day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and once again, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Regards, Jason M. Green Community Manager Office: 210.494.0659 www.spectrumam.com
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The Beacon
5 Steps to Help Improve Student Performance in the Classroom
A classroom is not always the easiest place to learn. Teachers are trained to make the classroom engaging, fun, thought provoking, and challenging all at the same time. I know it’s hard to believe, but keeping active minds and bodies engaged 7 hours a day, 5 days a week can be a struggle for even the most talented teacher. The classroom is not ALWAYS an ideal place for learning. Think of all the distractions that could happen within a classroom. For a student to stay focused 100% of the time is nearly impossible. There are some tips and tricks that will help a student improve their learning performance in the classroom despite the typical distractions. ASK QUESTIONS
So many students are scared to raise their hands and ask questions. They’re afraid of looking “dumb” in front of their classmates. Peer pressure has an enormous effect on students. Teaching them to get beyond what other people think can be difficult, but it can be done. By explaining to your student that most of the questions that are being asked are the same questions other students in the class have, but were too afraid to ask. Let your student know that when they ask questions, they’re not only helping themselves, they’re helping their classmates. Teachers love when questions are asked. That shows them that the students are engaged in the lesson and want to learn. Teachers are always willing to go the extra mile for students that are engaged and willing to learn.
by: Michael Southworth M.Ed. they have support from home. The teacher will notice a change in the student’s negative behavior or bad grades. Even the mentioning of contacting the student’s parents/ guardian will normally stop the behavior if there is support at home. If the teacher does not have support at home, the teacher loses ability to control their classroom. The teacher having control of the classroom is a must for learning to occur. The teacher has very little options to control behavior. In my experience, the option that would curb a student’s negative behavior best would be to contact the parents/guardians. That’s of course, is if the teacher has the support from the home. Support your student’s teacher!!!!! TEACHER AND PARENT/ GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION
TEACHER SUPPORT AT HOME
Open and honest communication is a must in any relationship. The teacher parent/ guardian relationship is vitally important to the success of student learning. The teacher will always try to match the expectations of the parents/guardians. Some parents/ guardians have higher expectations than others. This helps the teacher know when to contact parents/guardians depending on the set expectations. Some parents/ guardians would like to be contacted if grades drop below an A; others just want to make sure the student is passing. In my experience, if the student knows the teacher and parents/guardians have open and honest communications the student tends to be more engaged in the learning process.
When notes about negative behavior or bad grades come home there is nothing more important than a teacher having support at the student’s home. A teacher can tell if
For a student to enjoy and to be engaged in the learning process it helps to encourage
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or celebrate successes in the classroom. Not only does the teacher need to know your parent/guardian expectations, the student does as well. When a student studies hard for a test and receives a good grade they should be rewarded. Once a student knows the expectations of both the teacher and parents/guardians, they then have goals they are trying to achieve. When they achieve or go beyond the set expectations they should be rewarded. This has a very positive effect in the classroom. HOMEWORK ROUTINE
Having a set time that the student sits down every day and studies can have the most profound effect on a students learning. This is very hard for most families to fit into their busy schedules but the rewards can be enormous. The most common excuse that students use to get out of having to study is saying “I have no homework”. This should never be an excuse. There is always something to study, spelling test, upcoming tests or just plain reading for enjoyment. Try it for 2 weeks and you and the teacher will be pleasantly surprised! Michael Southworth M.Ed. has been in the education field for 14 years. He started his career as a classroom teacher and is currently works for a nonprofit educational assessment and research company. He also has a tutoring company. If your student needs educational assistants please contact
! k c u L d Goo
CELEBRATION/ ENCOURAGEMENT
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The Beacon THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Appologies to Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when our Snookums got sick. Our dog was vomiting and in need of a vet. The stockings that were hung by the chimney with care, Were torn and devoured, with nothing to spare; Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, When I had to take Snookie to see Dr. Ted; With mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, We had just settled down for a long winter’s nap, When out of the great room there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away down the stairs I flew like a flash, To see Snookie vomit and throw up some trash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave luster to the puddle of ingesta below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But an entire red stocking being disgorged right here, With the retching and heaving, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment that I might get sick. More rapid than eagles I dressed just the same, And whistled, and shouted, and called Snookie by name; “Here Snookie, come now! You are in need of some fixin!” Don’t vomit! Don’t retch! Or puke in the kitchen! To the garage door at the end of the hall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, We raced down the street fearing Snookie might die. So up to the clinic like coursers we flew, We rushed in the door, me and poor Snookie too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard from where the tech sat, “There’s an emergency here, we need a vet stat”. As I swiveled my head, and was turning around, I saw down the hall the vet come with a bound. He was dressed in green scrubs, from his head to his toe, And his clothes were all tarnished with what I don’t know; A coiled stethoscope he had hung on his neck, And he looked like the captain just coming on to the deck. His eyes -- how piercing! his brow now furrowed! His cheeks were pale, his demeanor seemed harrowed! He tried to be cool, his emotions not show, With the surgery mask at his chin that was as white as the snow; The stump of a pen he held tight in his teeth, And the surgeons cap encircled his head like a wreath;
Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he coughed, like a bowel full of jelly. He was all business and care, the clinic’s top chief, And I sighed when I saw him, feeling loads of relief; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke many words, and went straight to his work, Calling for CBCs, Chemistries, IVs, the whole works. And laying his hand on our Snookie he happened to say, That Snookie was stopped up as the tech rolled Snookie away; He sprang to his feet, and followed his team into surgery, And away they all flew, everyone in a very big hurry. But I heard him exclaim, ere he went out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all, Snookie will soon be alright." Town & Country Veterinary Hospital (210) 684-1448 10350 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78250 Now Open 24/7/ Veterinary Care/Boarding Facilities/Grooming SPAW 1 FREE Nail Trim Exp. 6/30/2012 *with proof of current Rabies vaccination “Let Us Help You Love Your Pets!” Urgent & Hospital Care, Routine Care & Vaccinations, Surgeries & Dental Procedures, In-house Lab & Pharmacy, Advanced Diagnostics, Xray & Ultrasound
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The Beacon
Congratulations
November Yard of the Month Winners
8415 Parkdale Cove The Miller Family
11011 Rivera Cove The Keller-Guzman Family
8015 Ferndale Oaks The Arriaga Family
10930 Rindle Ranch The Espitia Family
Nominate Your Neighbors for the Yard of the Month!!!
If you see a great yard on your street and think it deserves recognition in the Rivermist Beacon, email the Board of Directors and let us know. You can reach us by sending a short note to:
[email protected]. 6
The Beacon - December 2011
Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc
Helping Yourself
The Beacon
How to File a Dispute Regarding Your Credit File Part 2 in the Rivermist credit series from www.ftc.gov
STEP 1: Tell the consumer reporting company, in writing, what information you think is inaccurate. Include copies (NOT originals) of any documents that support your position. In addition to providing your complete name and address, your letter should identify each item in your report you dispute; state the facts and the reasons you dispute the information, and ask that it be removed or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your report, and circle the items in question. Send your letter by certified mail, “return receipt requested,” so you can document that the consumer reporting company received it. Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures. Go to www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/ consumer/credit/cre13.shtm to see a sample dispute letter. Consumer reporting companies must investigate the items you question within 30 days — unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all the relevant data you provide about the inaccuracy to the organization that provided the information. After the information provider receives notice of a dispute from the consumer reporting company, it is required to investigate, review the relevant information, and report the results back to the consumer reporting company. If this investigation reveals that the disputed information is inaccurate, the information provider has to notify the nationwide consumer reporting companies so they can correct it in your file. When the investigation is complete, the consumer reporting company must give you the results in writing, too, and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change. If an item is changed or deleted, the consumer reporting company is not permitted to put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies that it is accurate and complete. The consumer reporting company Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
also must send you written notice that includes the name, address, and phone number of the information provider. If you ask, the consumer reporting company must send notices of any correction to anyone who received your report in the past six months. You also can ask that a corrected copy of your report be sent to anyone who received a copy during the past two years for employment purposes. If an investigation doesn’t resolve your dispute with the consumer reporting company, you can ask that a statement of the dispute be included in your file and in future reports. You also can ask the consumer reporting company to provide your statement to anyone who received a copy of your report in the recent past. You can expect to pay for this service. STEP 2: Tell the creditor or other information provider, in writing, that you dispute an item. Be sure to include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider reports the item to a consumer reporting company, it must include a notice of your dispute. And if you are correct — that is, if the information is found to be inaccurate — the information provider may not report it again. Reporting Accurate Negative Information When negative information in your report is accurate, only the passage of time can assure its removal. A consumer reporting company can report most accurate negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for 10 years. Information about an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer. To calculate the seven-year reporting period, start from the date the event took place. There is no time limit on reporting information about criminal convictions; information reported in response to your application for a job that pays more than
$75,000 a year; and information reported because you’ve applied for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance. The Credit Repair Organizations Act Credit repair organizations must give you a copy of the “Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law” before you sign a contract. They also must give you a written contract that spells out your rights and obligations. Read these documents before you sign anything. And before signing, know that a credit repair company cannot: make false claims about their services charge you until they have completed the promised services perform any services until they have your signature on a written contract and have completed a three-day waiting period. During this time, you can cancel the contract without paying any fees. BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT, BE SURE IT SPECIFIES: • the payment terms for services, including the total cost • a detailed description of the services the company will perform • how long it will take to achieve the result • any guarantees the company offer • the company’s name and business address • Have You Been Victimized? Many states have laws regulating credit repair companies. State law enforcement officials may be helpful if you’ve lost money to credit repair scams. Don’t be embarrassed to report a problem with a credit repair company. While you may fear that contacting the government could make your problems worse, remember that laws are in place to protect you. Contact your local consumer affairs office or your state Attorney General (AGs). Many AGs have toll-free consumer hotlines; check the Blue Pages of your telephone directory for the phone number or www.naag.org for a list of state attorneys general. The Beacon - December 2011
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
308 Meadowlark St. Lakeway, TX 78734-4717
PAID
PEEL, INC.
RVM
ACA Guidelines
Approved June 28, 2011 REPAINTING HOME THE SAME COLOR-ACA approved. Member does NOT need to submit ACA application.
Cabot-Semi Transparent Finish (Oil Stain) a. Frontier CS643 b. New Cedar CS663
RESTAINING FENCE THE SAME COLOR (and no other changes to the fence such as changing fenceline)-ACA approved. Member does NOT need to submit ACA application.
Cabot-Solid Color Finish (Acr ylic Decking Stain)=Frontier CS543
CLEAR COATING A FENCE-ACA approved. Member does NOT need to submit ACA application. If member chooses fence stain from ACA approved list of fence stain colors, member does NOT need to submit ACA application. ACA APPROVED STAIN PRODUCTS BEHR-Exterior Wood Stains—Semi Transparent Stains = Cedar Naturaltone DP-533 BEHR- Premium Weatherproofing Wood Finish a. Pre-mixed Colors=Natural NO. 500 and Natural Cedar NO. 501 b. Custom Colors= Natural Sequoia WP-545 and Golden Honey WP-546 Olympic-Semi Transparent Stains a. Cedar Naturaltone 716 b. Sierra 700 Cabot-SPF Deck & Fence Finish=Natural (no ID# listed) Cabot-Clear Solution a. Natural (no ID# listed) b. Cedar (no ID# listed) Cabot-Deck Stain=Chestnut Brown CS507 Cabot-Solid Color Finish a. PRO. V.T. Solid Color Acrylic Stain=Frontier CS643 8
The Beacon - December 2011
Cabot-Semi-Solid Finish (Decking Stain) a. Frontier CS543 b. New Cedar CS563 Minwax-Water-Based Wood Stain a. English Oak (no ID# listed) Minwax-Gel Stain a. Honey Maple (no ID# listed) Minwax-Wood Finish a. Natural (no ID# listed) b. Golden Oak (no ID# listed) REGARDING LOT/PLAT SURVEYS For applications where member is only painting house or staining the fence NO Lot/Plat survey is required. If member does not have copy of their Lot/Plat survey, SA Engineering did surveys for most of Rivermist when neighborhood 1st built so member can contact them at 210-561-0808 to see if they still have copy on file and then purchase a copy. (Their address is 12703 Spectrum Dr, San Antonio, TX 78249) MULTIPLE IMPROVEMENTS can be combined on one application If member needs to submit multiple applications please submit them in the same business week if possible-the HOA is charged a $25 fee for each application but is only charged once for all applications that come in the same business week.
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