Westador Westwind On-Line

Westador’s Community Response Team (WCERT) Participates in Katrina  Evacuee Support by Patrick Durkin

            Harris County requested CERT members volunteer to help evacuees at Reliant Center.  My experience over the Labor Day weekend was very rewarding, and I was a part of history.  DPS troopers and Harris County sheriff deputies provided security outside the complex.  Inside the buildings, HPD police officers provided security.  It seemed to me to be the safest place in all of Houston.   

After sign-in, an orientation was given and then we proceeded to our assigned stations.  Evacuee support stations were manned by volunteers serving food, providing medical aid, issuing clothing, operating telephone centers, registering evacuees, providing child care, assisting the elderly, and manning information booths. 

Evacuees received 3 meals a day and the food was quite delicious, and volunteers were provided breakfast and lunch. The arena was lined with cots and evacuee support stations were located around the perimeter of the arena.  Volunteers manned all the stations and they acted with a sense of urgency that plainly communicated to the evacuees, we were there to help.  People continually commented that Houston was such a welcoming city.  At the information booth, evacuees wanted to know how to find a loved one or the job information. 

One young woman was taking her entire family to Alaska to live.  Her New Orleans employer paid for her and the family to fly to Alaska and paid for 6 months of apartment rent.  A volunteer flew his private plane over the weekend to Houston and worked the entire Labor Day weekend.  He then flew back with a family of 4 and united them with relatives in Ohio.  Former Presidents Clinton and Bush arrived and met with the residents.  I was in a front row seat of history. 

In Jim Wooten’s book, "We Are All the Same”, a young boy dying of AIDS said, “Do all you can with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are”.   

Westador Has a Lot in Common with Hattiesburg, Mississippi

In the early hours of August 29, 2005, hurricane Katrina made landfall just east of New Orleans and proceeded north to Hattiesburg where it was still at Category 2 hurricane strength with sustained winds of more that 100 MPH, and was downgraded to tropical storm status in Laurel (30 miles north of Hattiesburg).

Both Hattiesburg and Westador are 70 miles from the Gulf and are heavily wooded.  They are near the same elevation above sea level – Westador at 110 and Hattiesburg at 145.  Many residents of Westador have felt reasonably safe from the effects of hurricanes being “so far” inland, as did the Hattiesburg residents. 

According to an editor at the Hattiesburg American, the wind damage was very extensive with roofs blown off homes and buildings and widespread damage from fallen trees.  Fortunately, no deaths were reported for Forrest County.  Power failure was complete and 70% of the system is being rebuilt.  Public drinking water was unavailable due to the power outage. 

A similar storm here should bring no interruption in Westador's water supply or sewer service since both the Westador Municipal Utility District and the Ponderosa Joint Powers Agency have diesel powered generators and a fuel supply for use during power outages. These are regularly inspected and are exercised each month.  Westador residents should be aware that a category 4 or 5 storm is possible to make landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg could be here.  The most dangerous place is, of course, on the coast as it was in Mississippi, but Westador is not immune to significant damage. 

WCERT to Have Training Meeting October 25

                Westador’s Community Emergency Response Team (WCERT) will attend a special training session at the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department training facility on October 25^th at 7 PM  to learn how house construction affects emergency rescue operations.  Gas and electric turn off procedures and other ways to make rescues and evacuations safer will be discussed.

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of September 12

Homeowners who are delinquent on the annual maintenance fees incur interest, collection and legal fees, have lien notices filed on their property. and are prohibited from using common facilities such as the tennis courts, pools, and clubhouses.  This month four addresses were deleted that paid up and added back three that have fallen behind on payments.

 The following list of addresses reflect only those homeowners who have a Lien Notice filed on their property or are delinquent for more than one year as of September 12, 2005.

Also, the Board has authorized stopping the trash and garbage collection service for homeowners who are delinquent for more than one year.  If a delinquent homeowner is making monthly payments in accordance with an arranged payment plan, that homeowner’s address will not be listed and trash and garbage collection service will not be suspended unless they cease to comply with the arranged payment plan.

Trash Service Will Pick up Certain Bulky Items; Hazardous Waste Fall Event is to be November 5th by Jerry Butler

I get a fair amount of questions about what the trash company will take in addition to garbage and yard waste.  Here are the bulky, non-hazardous waste items that the garbage company will accept: ­“refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners (note: all must have certification of freon reclamation), stoves, water tanks, washing machines, dryers, freezers, other white goods, appliances, hot water heaters, couches, furniture, bicycles, and similar items.”

Not sure how to safely dispose of those hazardous items such as old paints, yard chemicals, or automotive products lying around your home, garage or garden shed? Harris County sponsors FREE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS, which allow residents to properly dispose of these unwanted items. The next event for north Harris County residents will be held Saturday, November 5, 2005 at Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway West, from 8 AM to 2 PM only.  The County also has an excellent downloadable .PDF file entitled “Recycle & Disposal Quick Guide” listed at:WWW.CleanwaterClearchoice.Org/Documents/Recycle_Disposal_Guide.PDF. Harris County’s main website is at WWW.Co.Harris.TX.US.

“Street of Shoppes” Bazaar is Set for November 4th and 5th

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church’s 34^th Annual "Street of Shoppes" Holiday Bazaar will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM, Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5, 2005 at 14301 Stuebner-Airline, ¼ mile north of FM 1960.  Items available will include handmade gifts, ornaments, collectibles, plants, pottery, baked goods, snacks, a Silent Auction, and much more!  Booth space will be available for local crafters on Saturday, November 5th. 

Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department Round Up

National Fire Prevention Week this year is October 9-15. This year the theme is, “Use Candles With Care”.  Candles may look nice, but they’re a growing fire threat in our communities.  And knowing the facts about candles is a key to fire safety.  Roughly 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smokes alarms.  Don’t become a statistic!  The personal pain is too great.

During 2001, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to public fire departments.  These fires resulted in an estimated 190 civilian deaths, 1,450 civilian injuries, and an estimated direct property loss of $265 million.  One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening.  The time available is often less.  And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!  Get out immediately, have a family meeting place in the neighbor’s yard – get away!!!

In the Ponderosa VFD district, we have witnessed an alarming increase in the number of candle related fires.  It is so easy to use a large ceramic plate under the candle, and to never leave a burning candle unattended, and to keep candles away from everything – at least three feet away.  Do you realize that a candle is an open flame??

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends on October 30.  Change Your Clock – Change Your Smoke Detector Battery. 

Pool Season Ends in Westador by Beth Fuller

It's hard to believe we have finished another summer (even thought it is still hot, hot, hot), school has started, and the pools have closed.  I hope everyone enjoyed the pools this year.  It was a great summer - lots of people at the pools and the lifeguards did a great job and everyone seemed to have fun.  We were able to purchase new chairs and umbrellas for the pool, which was an added feature and was enjoyed by all.

We’ll be looking forward to seeing you next year around the pools, which will open on weekends beginning the first weekend in May.

AAUW Announces Annual Holiday Tour of Homes by Judy Brownlie

Guidelines for Curbside Trash Service are Detailed by Jerry Butler

As always, bundles of tree branches, shrub and brush trimmings, or newspapers and magazines should be tied and neatly stacked, forming an easily handled package not exceeding 5 feet long or 50 pounds, and 18 inches in diameter.  Our contractor has the right to not pick up your bundles unless they meet these requirements.  Please note that such bundles and lawn clippings in bags will be left behind if not placed at curbside.

Neighborhood Wide Garage Sale Planned for October 22 by Ann Koelling

Here we are again, another month has gone by and, hopefully, we’re all looking forward to September!  School is back in session, the weather will be a bit cooler, and vacation time is drawing to a close!

I’ve talked with a few people about the upcoming neighborhood garage sale!  It seems a lot of people are looking forward to it!  We’ve planned for Saturday, October 22nd.  

If you are interested, please fill out the following form and return it to me by October 1, 2005.  After that, we will get this event organized to the benefit of all who will participate! 

In the past, we charged $5 per household for the newspaper advertising, plus the balloons and string to tie up the balloon to your mailbox.  The balloons were red.  As in life, there were some people who participated in the garage sale without paying their $5and having a garage sale anyway along side the people who did pay.

This year, I don’t think we have to spend the $5 – as I don’t think it necessary to put an advertisement in the paper.  We plan to put out signs along FM1960 in the front of the subdivision, and we believe that will be enough of a draw of people to the subdivision.

At the entrance to each street will be a sign indicating there is a garage sale on that street.  You can tie a balloon on your mailbox indicating you are participating. 

Flyers will be made available as to the location of each garage sale.  Due to the clubhouse not being available on the 22^nd, we haven’t worked out the details where the flyers will be available to the people attending the garage sales.  Possibly they can be available at the homes of each garage sale. 

Thanks and we look forward to you having a great sale.  If you have any questions, please call Ann Koelling or E-Mail me at AKoelling@Earthlink.Net.  You can provide the same information in an E-Mail also. 

Three Levels of Spanish Offered at Fifty Plus

First and Third Mondays of Each Month at 1 PM Intermediate Level Spanish with Paula Riggs.

Second and Fourth Mondays of Each Month at 1 PM Basic Level Spanish with Paula Riggs.

Board Member’s Message

Playground Systems are Reviewed by Richard Bailey, WCA Grounds Director

The Cali playground area is planned to be upgraded with new playground structures over the next two to three years.  The existing wood playground structure and slide, which has been in the Cali area for a number of years, was demolished and removed in late July.

            Following the April quarterly meeting of the Westador Civic Association (WCA) at the Cali clubhouse, a “playground group” was established to define and suggest the type of playground equipment that can be established at Cali.  

            The playground group did not want the existing wood structure re-built.  Andrea Barnes and Ethan Krupp called the wood structure a “hazard” to young children and stated it should be removed rather than agree to re-build the existing structure to comply with current guidelines for playground safety.  Based on the comments of the playground group and a site review with the association, WCA issued a demolishing order for the existing wood play system,

            Since the April general meeting, the playground group has surveyed several playground vendors for various playground systems and the types of play structures that can be made available to Westador residents.  A sampling of Westador residents were also asked to provide comments or suggestions on various play systems to the members of this group listed below. 

            Initially, a basic “box kit” play system is planned to be placed at the Cali site.  The basic “box kit” play system was used because of the belief that WCA could not pay - in a single year - the high cost of $35,000 to $40,000, plus a percentage of the cost for installation, for a new and “complete play system”.  It was believed that the optional payment plans, available from various playground vendors, for a “complete” play system with either a long-term lease or five year extended payments would not be accepted by the WCA board.  This is based on the belief that the WCA board could only spend what is budgeted for each calendar year. 

            During the next two-three years, it is expected that the WCA would budget for additional “playground kits” to added to the existing basic “box kit”. Some items may include ramp and ropes, trapeze ring combo, climbing wall with rocks and rope, overhead monkey bars with climbing rungs and swings, and a curvy tube slide.

            The plan is for the new playground area to be moved closer to Cali’s present parking lot and across from the swimming pools. The existing swings - that have been up graded with new seats and brackets – are to be relocated within a year and placed near the new play system.  A 10 inch deep playground cushion of fluffy wood shavings, using splinter free cypress with a bit of cedar added for a pleasant aroma and pest retardant, would be the bedding for the playground structures.

            Members of the Playground group follow:

The Westador Information Sheet is Printed Quarterly

             The Westador information sheet is printed quarterly, or more often in the event of some major changes.  The information sheet is being distributed this month along with the Westwind as a separate document.  Since this sheet is only printed quarterly, residents are asked to retain this document until the next printing.  It can be folded and inserted into the Westador Residents’ Directory.

                     Of special interest are the teen helpers anxious to baby-sit, cook, and to do yard work while earning a buck or two in the process.

                      

Senior Forum

Potluck Dinner   About 35 Westador seniors attended the potluck dinner on September 7, 2005 at the Cali clubhouse.  The after dinner speaker was “Nurse Nan” representing the Houston Northwest Medical Center.  She informed the attending seniors as to the progress and future plans for the Center.  Although a new Emergency Room facility has been added on the first floor of a four-story addition to the Center, most of the existing facilities will remain in their present location.  The other three floors are planned to accommodate non-surgical patients needing constant monitoring and a non-surgical intensive care unit.  Also, a new employee parking garage has been constructed in order to make more parking available for visitors in the old parking garage.

Fifty plus NAM September/October Activities.

One Stroke Painting with Linda Sue Carter Monday September 26, 2005 1 PM (Second Class).  Cost is $15 per class plus supplies and $1 daily user fee.

Antique Group Trip to Martha’s Bloomers in Navasota and Montgomery Thursday September 22, 2005 8:30 AM.   Cost is $10, plus lunch on your own.

Precinct 4 Bus Trip to Opera in the Heights for Verdi’s “il Trovatore” Monday September 26, 2005 9:30 AM.  Cost is $6 plus lunch on your own at Hickory Hollow.

Guest Speaker Sandra Kilson, R.Ph. to Speak on the 2006 Medicare Prescription Plan (Non-Members are Welcome) Monday October 10, 2005 9 AM.  Cost is $1 daily user fee.

AARP Defensive Driving Class (Non-Members are Welcome) Wednesday October 12 and Friday October 14, 2005 9 AM to 1 PM.  Participants must attend both classes to obtain certificate.  Cost is $10.

Beginning Ceramics Class with Mary Ann Yoas Every Thursday beginning October 13, 2005 for six weeks 9 AM to 12 Noon.  Cost is $18 for the six weeks and $1 daily user fee.

Antique Group Trip to Conroe and Huntsville Thursday October 20, 2005 8:30 AM.   Cost is $10 plus lunch on your own.

Private Tour of Mr. Dave’s “Golden-Blackhawk & Central City RR” Friday October 21, 2005 12:30 PM.  Cost is $2 plus $1 daily user fee.

Precinct 4 Bus Trip to Beaumont for the Beaumont Booming Oil Tour Monday September 26, 2005 9:30 AM.  Cost is $15 including a traditional Drillers lunch.

Cypress/Woodlands Junior Forum Costume (or not) Party Wednesday October 26, 2005 9:30 AM.  Cost is $1 daily user fee.

Mahjongg Group Tuesdays at Noon.

Basic Beginner Line Dance Class Wednesdays at 1 PM.  Cost is daily user fee.

One Hour Exercise Class Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 AM. 

Duplicate Bridge Group Class Mondays at 12 Noon. 

Social Dance Class Tuesdays at 10:45 AM.

Yoga Classes Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 PM.  Cost is $85 for 17 classes and $1 daily user fee.