Westador Civic Association is Seeking Candidates for Board Positions by Ann Koelling, President

Hello everyone--it’s that time of year again. The Westador Civic Association is looking for generous hearted Westador residents who would like to volunteer as Directors on our local neighborhood board.

Each board member is elected for a two-year term.  Approximately half the board’s terms expire each year, and some will run for reelection as incumbents.  Others choose to retire their service to the board.  Needless to say, vacancies are created by these retirements.  In addition, all residents in good standing are eligible to put their best foot forward in service to the community by placing themselves on the ballot.  Next month will be our general meeting and election of our new board directors. We hope to see many of you there.  Please come to all our general meetings; let us know what kind of neighborhood you want Westador to be.

It is a rewarding and fulfilling service to perform for your community, so if you are interested in serving on the board or know someone you would like to recommend, please call Don Markus.

Pool Season Draws Record Numbers by Beth Anne Lechmann

This summer brought out a record number of Westador residents and their guests to both the Nanes and Cali Pools.  Over 850 Pool Passes were issued and more than 375 grandchildren passes were distributed.  The Nanes Pool continued to draw the most residents on a consistent basis throughout the summer.  Next summer the WCA Board will be requested to increase hours at both pools, due to both the overwhelming use and continued residents requests this summer.

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to our resident lifeguards who did such a terrific job this summer: Greg Wescott (Manager), Sarah Lechmann (Assistant Manager), Emily Lechmann, Nathan Midcap, Mark Borengasser, and Kourtnye Grove.

New Fencing is Installed at Nanes and Cali

          Seven-foot wrought iron fencing has replaced the chain link fencing between the Nanes pool and the Nanes park, the wooden fencing along Tuliptree at the Nanes pool, and along the bicycle racks at the Nanes pool.  Also, a seven-foot wrought iron fence was installed between the Cali pool area and the office buildings on Red Oak in front of the existing wooden fence.

                During and after the Labor Day weekend, the filtration and chlorine system is being replaced at Nanes.

Harris County Hazardous Waste Events Set for September 30 and October 31 by Jerry Butler, WCA Environmental Services Director

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: ­“stoves, water tanks, washing machines, dryers, other white goods, appliances, hot water heaters, couches, furniture, bicycles, and similar items.” Whereas technically they will take refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners, these must have certification of freon reclamation, which could cost you well over a $125 to have a technician do it.  My advice here is to use John LeBlanc, aka “John the Junkman”.  He will pick up refrigerators and other metal appliances from Westador residents for $20-$25.  A group of residents could reduce costs by pooling their junk for his trip up here from Houston.  He would be responsible for the freon certificate because he takes ownership.  Call John at 281-743-2615 or call his partner Lane Smith at 832-885-2837.

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 (HHW) COLLECTION EVENTS, which allow residents to properly dispose of these unwanted items.  The next event for north Harris County residents will be held Saturday, September 30 at Tomball Community College, 30555 Tomball Parkway, from 9 AM until noon.  The event after that is on Saturday, October 21 at the Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive (enter via York Minster) from 8 AM until 2 PM. For more information, call 281-351-5484.

To find out what you can and cannot bring, see the County’s excellent downloadable PDF file entitled “Recycle & Disposal Quick Guide” listed at WWW.CleanWater ClearChoice.Org/Documents/Recycle_Disposal_Guide.PDF.

Harris County’s main website is at WWW.Co.Harris.TX.US.

WCERT’s September General Meeting to Feature SAT Presentation by John Danner, WCERT Communications

                Westador’s Community Emergency Response Team (WCERT) has arranged for the Harris County Constable office’s Search and Assist Team (SAT) to make a presentation at the September general meeting.  The meeting will be at the Cali clubhouse on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 7:30 PM.

Westador Welcomes New Residents

          On a monthly basis, Hays Utilities (contractor for the Westador Municipal Utility District) provides Bill Streidl with a listing of residences that have had their water turned on or off.  The purpose of this list is to assist the Civic Association in the maintenance of the Residents’ directory, the electronic version of which is distributed quarterly.   The process is not totally accurate for a variety of reasons.

                The most recent list follows, and Westador welcomes these newcomers to the subdivision.  These new residents have been reported by Hays covering the month of August 2006.  Telephone numbers often are subject to change since many new residents have the water turned on before move in and their new telephone numbers have not yet been obtained. Therefore, new residents are urged to contact Bill Streidl to update their information for the directory.  In any event, welcome to -

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of September 11, 2006

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 two addresses were deleted where the homeowner paid in full.  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 11, 2006 (and are not making regular payments).        

1102 Baffin	1019 Drava	17914 Nanes
1118 Baffin	1023 Lodgehill	706 Oder
819 Baltic	706 Loire	706 Redleaf
1027 Baltic	1010 Loire	815 Redleaf
1010 Belaya	706 Maranon	815 Romaine
1011 Belaya	806 Maranon	1002 Terranova
1123 Belaya	810 Maranon	1003 Terranova
1103 Caspian	806 Marne	703 Timor
1110 Caspian	1107 Marne	17903 Zagar
1015 Drava	811 Misty Lea	17918 Zagar

Also, the Board has authorized stopping the trash and garbage collection service for homeowners who are delinquent for more than one year.  If delinquent homeowners are 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.

All homeowners who have not yet paid their maintenance fee are urged to do so promptly.  The billing for the 2006 fee, due January 1, 2006, was mailed to homeowners in mid November.  On June 15, 2006, Lien Notices were filed on properties that had no payments on their 2006 fee.

Westador MUD Announces First Internal Water Rate Increase In 15 Years 

What Can You Expect?

Westador homes use an average of 11,000 gallons of water per month.  Effective with the bills to be mailed on October 25, 2006, those who used 11,000 gallons will receive a bill for $32.68.  This is an increase of $5.87 over the current rates.  For those who used 5,000 gallons the bill will be $22.63, which is an increase of $3.35.  The very few homes that have a peak usage of 55,000 gallons will receive a bill for $117.63.  This is an increase of $29.10 over the current rates.  

Reasons for Change

• Effective October 1, 2006 the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) has increased the pumpage fee for everyone within the authority by 25 cents to a new rate of 84 cents per 1,000 gallons.  This fee will hold for 12 months.  The current fee of 59 cents was firm for 12 months but the NHCRWA board extended it to 16 months.  This Authority has spent $40.3 million installing 28.5 miles of pipe.  This is about half of what will be required to furnish 30% surface water to this area by 2010.  The pumpage fees pay off the bonds that were sold to finance this work.  As has been reported previously, surface water will cost all residents significantly more than our excellent well water has.  Note that the NHCRWA fee on your bill will become 92 cents rather than 84 cents per 1,000 gallons.  This markup of 10% accounts for unbilled water such as line flushing and leaks.
• Your Westador Municipal Utility Board has found it necessary to increase internal water rates for the first time in 15 years.  An extensive review of costs and revenues has clearly shown that the current rate schedules do not provide sufficient revenue to cover service expenses.  Rates will be raised as shown in the table below.  Note that the rate per 1,000 gallons increases as a home uses more water.  This is to encourage conservation of our precious and finite water resources.

Current and the new rate schedules

*Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

**North Harris County Regional Water Authority.

Of the $3.35 increase for a 5,000-gallon per month user, $1.35 or 40% is due to the NHCRWA.  That total $22.63 bill would have been $33.29 in the City of Houston.

Of the $5.87 increase for an 11,000-gallon per month user, $2.97 or 51% is due to the NHCRWA.  That total $32.68 bill would have been $73.95 in the City of Houston.

Of the $29.10 increase for a 55,000-gallon per month user, $14.85 or 51% is due to the NHCRWA.  That total $117.63 bill would have been $441.85 in the City of Houston.

The Information Sheet is Printed Quarterly

          The Westador information sheet is printed quarterly, or more often in the event of some major changes.  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.     This month, Brent Hartman-yard work, pet sitting, and power washing and Christy Berger-baby and pet sitting were added.  Also Vickey Barkley has become the block captain for Lodgehill (East). And, Charlie Wade has joined the Pride Committee.

Westador Resident Teaches Calligraphy Entrepreneur Interview by Bill Streidl

Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department Round Up

"Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat" — that's the message of this year's Fire Prevention Week October 8-14.  Spread the word that more fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home — and teaching families and kids how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place.

In 2003, cooking equipment was involved in 118,700 reported home structure fires, the largest share for any major cause.  Of these fires, 75,300 were reported as fires confined to a cooking vessel (meaning the interior of a cooking device or appliance).   In 2003, cooking equipment structure fires in homes resulted in 250 civilian deaths, 3,880 civilian injuries, and $512 million in direct property damage.  Most home cooking fires involve the range, and this is also true for losses in home cooking fires.  The leading factor in home cooking fires is equipment unattended (one-third of home cooking structure fires, excluding confined fires, and two-fifths of associated civilian deaths), followed by combustibles too close to heat source and unintentionally turning on or not turning off the device.

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends on October 29.  Change Your Clock – Change Your Smoke Detector Battery. 

Senior Forum

Potluck Dinner Wednesday September 13, 2006 Really Fine Food and Real Estate.  About thirty Westador Seniors dined on a tasty and eclectic  mix of salads, entries and desserts at our September 13^th Senior Forum potluck dinner. WCA President  and Realtor  Ann Koelling  complimented the fine dining experience by presenting her views on the current status of the real estate market  in Westador.

Fifty plus NAM September/October Activities.

Precinct 4 Bus Trip to Mercer Arboretum Monday October 23, 2006 9 AM.  Cost is $1daily users fee.

Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum Party Wednesday October 25, 2006 9:30 AM.  Cost is $1 daily user fee.

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

Intermediate Line Dance Class Wednesdays at 10 AM.  Cost is daily user fee.

One-Hour Exercise Class Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 AM.  Duplicate Bridge Group Class Mondays at 12 Noon. 

Country and Western Dancing Class Mondays at 10:45 AM.

Social Dance Class Tuesdays at 10AM.

Arts and Crafts Class Thursdays at 10 AM.  Cost is $1daily user fee.

AAUW Announces Holiday Tour of Homes by Barbara Hine

The North Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) announces its 33rd Holiday Tour of Homes. This traditional holiday event will be held on Sunday, November 12th between noon and five PM. The tour will highlight five homes selected for their unique interior design and architectural style.

“Street of Shoppes" Fall Festival is Set for October 27 and 28

SAFD Is Set For a New Year by Pam Dube

The Society for the Advancement of Floral Design (SAFD) will meet at 6:30 PM at Cypress Creek Christian Center, The Forum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive between Cypresswood Police Station and the library on Tuesday, October 17^th for a silk flower demonstration.  Join us there. Snacks and beverages will begin at 6:30 PM with the meeting and program to follow at 7 PM.  Guests are always welcome. For more information, or if you have any questions, call Pam Dube at 281-516-3323.

Make your plans to attend our annual Tabletop Gala on the evening of November 2, 2006 at Shirley Acres.  Tickets are $45 per person and a silent auction and raffle will also be held that evening.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please call Eileen Collins at 281-379-2426 or Bobbie Adams 281-444-1776.

Our first meeting for the 2006-2007 season will be on Tuesday, September 19^th, 2006 beginning at 6:30 PM at Cypress Creek Christian Center at 6823 Cypresswood Drive located between Cypresswood Police Station and the library. 

Westador Resident Performs in ACE Theatre Production

Hali Poetz, daughter of Cindy and Mike Poetz will perform in the ACE Theatre production “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” on September 17^th, 23^rd, 29^th.  Call the theater (281-587-1020) and reserve your date.  Adults are $8 and Children are $5.

New Tennis Screens are Installed by Richard Murphy

Benefits of Tax Deferral are Explored by Jeffrey Williams, CSA

The old adage "the more money you earn, the more taxes you pay" rings true for many Americans today. With little real tax relief in sight, small and large investors are constantly seeking creative, and legal ways to protect more of their interest earnings and decrease their annual taxes.

One way to decrease your annual tax bill is through the use of accounts or financial products that allow your money to grow on a tax-deferred basis. Tax-deferral simply means that the tax due on your gains is deferred until a later time, generally when you decide to take all or some of your money. In tax-deferred accounts where you are earning compound interest, the deferring of taxes results in faster overall growth of your money. You earn interest on your principal, interest on interest, and interest on the money you would have otherwise paid in taxes.

Annuities provide the benefits of tax-deferral and competitive interest earnings. There are many types of annuities available. Some guarantee your annual interest for all years of the contract, while others base your interest earnings on the performance of a stock market index or a professionally managed bond portfolio.