Third Quarterly Meeting of the WCA is set for July 24

          Reports from the Board of Directors, financial statement review, and door prizes will be featured at the quarterly meeting of the Westador Civic Association.  The meeting will convene at 7:30 PM at the Cali clubhouse.

                Expenditures through June 30 are less than budgeted in almost every category.  Leading the favorable variance is trash service where $15,893 less than budgeted was expended, because of the change to curbside only service.  Similarly, receipts are better than budget in almost every category.  It was budgeted that $409,475 would be collected in maintenance fees, which gives effect to the amounts anticipated to not be paid by some homeowners.  At June 30, 79 homeowners owed a total of $81,640.

A summary of the financial results through June 30 follow and details will be available at the meeting.

 

Westador Waves Take Second in Divisionals by Gail Wescott

Once again your Westador Waves took second place in divisionals. This is the third year in a row we have easily taken second place. Once again, the number of swimmers is the only thing that keeps the Waves from first place. We were not far from first, but the number of swimmers that Lexington Woods carries is just too much for us. Remember we only lost to them in the regular season by 20 points. Hopefully, next year we can break their streak. Let’s go Westador, we need your swimmers!

The Wave swimmers did another fantastic job this year. We had approximately 90 swimmers and over half of them were selected to swim in the post season invitationals. Our top swimmer at invitationals this year was Taylor Farmer, who took 1st place in her age group (10).

Pool Passes to be Issued Once a Month by BethAnne Lechmann

On Sunday, August 5, from 6-8 PM, pool passes will be made for new residents at the Nanes Pool.  Residents with 2006 passes can have renewal stickers issued as well.  Please remember to bring a drivers license to show proof of residency.  Contact BethAnne Lechmann for any questions.

President Comments on 2008 Budget, Fireworks, and Neighborhood Appearance by Don Markus, WCA President

With all the rainy weather, lawns, and plants have been growing more than usual.  With the yard maintenance that results, there are more leaves, branches, and other plant refuse items to remove.  This means more opportunity for things to end up in our storm drains.  Please make sure you clean up the street and sidewalk when you are finished with yard work.  Don’t leave grass, and plant, and tree trimmings to wash into the drains.  A good working drainage system helps all of us and aids in preventing flooding for Westador and our neighbors.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our residents who abided by the fireworks prohibition of our Deed Restrictions.  While we weren’t facing the same level of fire concern this year that we have in years past, fireworks are still a risky thing to handle.  In many cases, aerial fireworks end up going in unexpected directions and may find their way into dry areas of yards where fires can start.  Exploding fireworks are dangerous unless handled extremely carefully.  In all cases, fireworks leave residue which must be cleaned up.  At the very least, the remains of fireworks sessions are unsightly and create a bad impression.  Worse than that, they can end up in our storm drains, creating blockages and potential water problems.  Thanks again for a great 4^th of July, and let’s keep fireworks out of Westador.

The Board is in the process of creating next year’s budget and would like to know what you think is needed to keep Westador a pleasant, growing neighborhood.  In the past, many of you have requested improvements to the various amenities we have for our residents.  The equipment in both playgrounds is well used and in need of updating.  There are things we could improve at the pools and park areas.  Are there enough street lights throughout the subdivision?  Is there something we could add or improve at the Clubhouses that would entice you to use them more?  Since the Office Supply store moved from the south side of the Nanes Clubhouse, there is some land for sale that we could use to provide some badly needed parking for the clubhouse pool and park areas.  Please think about things that we could include in our plans to make Westador a great place to live.

The next General Meeting will be held July 24^th at 7:30 PM in the Cali clubhouse.  This is your opportunity to bring your concern or pet peeve out in the open.  The only thing we ask is that you recognize that not everyone may share your feelings, and that everyone is entitled to their opinion as well.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to come and find out what’s going on, what’s being discussed, and just to meet your neighbors.  We have begun having refreshments and door prizes, so it’s even more fun than ever.  C’mon down and say hello.

Acceptable Trash and Garbage Pickup is Defined by Mike Poetz

                I have received phone calls in the past asking what can be thrown out and when.  The following paragraphs outline the terms and conditions of various types of trash. 

.01. Whenever in this Agreement the following terms are used, they shall be defined as follows:

(a) Bags – Plastic sacks designed to store refuse with sufficient wall strength to maintain physical integrity when lifted by the top. Total weight of a bag and its contents shall not exceed fifty (50) pounds.

(b) Bulky Waste – 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, large volume of containerized yard waste and similar items that might be found in or around the home.

(c) Bundles – Trees, shrub, and brush trimmings or newspapers and magazines neatly stacked, forming an easily handled package not exceeding five feet (5’) in length or fifty (50) pounds in weight, and eighteen (18) inches in diameter.

5.04.        All yard waste, bulky waste and bundles shall also be placed within five feet (5') of the roadway, as practicable without interfering with or endangering the movement of vehicles or pedestrians, and shall be collected on the second collection day of each week. If construction work is being performed in the right-of-way, containers, bags, bundles, or items of bulky waste shall be placed as close as practicable to an access point for the collection vehicle.  CONTRACTOR may decline to collect any container not so placed or any garbage or yard waste not in an approved container or bundle.

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of July 10, 2007

Homeowners who are delinquent on the annual maintenance fees incur interest, collection and legal fees, have lien notices filed on their property, and (including their renters, if any) are prohibited from using common facilities such as the tennis courts, pools, and clubhouses. 

The following list of addresses reflects only those homeowners who have a Lien Notice filed on their property or are delinquent for more than one year as of July 10, 2007 (and are not making regular payments).      

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, these homeowners’ addresses will not be listed and trash and garbage collection service will not be suspended unless they cease to comply with the arranged payment plan.

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.

                Newcomers for June will be acknowledged in the August Westwind along with new arrivals for July.

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, Westador welcomes its new neighbors.

Water Exercise is in Progress

Klein Soccer Club Begins Fall Registration by Bill Bryan

Fall registration is beginning soon.  Our season will begin September 8, 2007.  Any child born between August 1, 1988 and August 31, 2004 is eligible to play.  The early registration fee is $90. After August 5, 2007 the fee will be $110.  The fee includes a full uniform for all ages and for our new pre-k and kindergarten players a ball and shin guards. Registration forms can be picked up at our office located in Meyer Park, located on Cypresswood between Stuebner Airline and Champion Forest Drive.  Forms are also available on our web site WWW.KleinSoccerClub.Org.  New players need to bring a birth certificate.  Our office hours are 4 until 7 PM Monday through Friday. 

Pre-k and kindergarten soccer is played under a modified set of rules.  The teams play 3 on a side with no goalie.  We would like for the children to learn a little about soccer and have a lot of fun.  These teams are coed. This is also a good time to ease parents (who don’t know anything about soccer) into this fast growing sport.

We offer “all boys” and “all girls” teams from 1^st grade through 10^th grade.  Teams are formed by subdivision and school.  Games are on Saturdays for boy and girl teams through the 8^th grade. The older boys’ and girls’ teams play on Sunday afternoons.  We again this season make technique-training sessions available to players 1^st grade and up.  These sessions led by professional trainers focus on improving individual skills.

Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department Round Up

Run From the Water – Hide From the Wind  That is the theme you should remember while preparing for hurricanes and other weather related situations.  Following is information that has recently been updated via Harris County’s Office of Emergency Management and Texas.

• Dial 2-1-1 to register if you are infirm or need special assistance
• Interstate 45 is our evacuation route
• Airplane and helicopter monitoring will occur to reduce choke points
• Contraflow will not be in Harris County except on Highway 290 beginning at Highway 6 to the county line
• Comfort stops and fuel will be available outside of Harris County
• During hurricane season, always keep your vehicle’s fuel tank at least half full
• Storm surge will not affect our area
• A tropical storm may create localized flooding
• Remember that the higher wind speeds allow for less rain, and vice versa
• Do NOT store excessive amounts of fuel
• Other information
• Record our direct emergency contact number, 281-444-(FIRE) 3473 on the inside of a cabinet door.  Use this number ONLY if 9-1-1 fails.
• When winds reach over 45 mph, emergency services will not respond
• Never operate a generator in a garage or other enclosed area (not even a patio)
• Verify your smoke detectors are working
• Clean your gutters
• Shelter any lawn furniture or other items that the wind can launch
• Video tape your entire home and contents; store in a safe place
• Identify a safe place in your home (under the stairwell?), away from windows and doors

Make sure you bookmark the Harris County Office of Emergency Management’s webpage WWW.HCOEM.Org.  Learn how to use the rainfall and tributary water gauging pages.

August 7 is National Night Out (excerpted in part from National Association of Town Watch Website)

National Night Out is America's Night Out Against Crime!

The "24nd Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime and drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 34 million people participated in NNO 2006.

National night out is designed to:

· Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;

· Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;

· Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and

· Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Two More Graduating Seniors are Featured

                The June issue of the Westwind honors Westador’s graduating seniors.  Nine seniors were featured and now, there are two more to honor.  They are Christy Berger and Nathan Patel……………………………………….

Christy Berger

Christy Berger graduated from Westfield High School in June 2007.  She enjoyed her High School years by playing Freshman Volleyball and being part of the Westfield Big Red Band "Colorguard" her Sophomore through Senior year.  During her Senior year Christy was the Lieutenant of Rifles in the Colorguard.  Christy received one of the Westfield Athletic Booster Club scholarships to be put toward her college education.

She will enjoy her summer by working her part-time job at Joe's Crabshack and get prepared to start the Fall semester at North Harris Community College.  Christy will attend there for her first year to work on basic classes and then plan to transfer to Blinn College to pursue a degree in teaching.  She would like to work with the Special Education students.

While in school in the fall Christy will continue to work at Joe's and be able to watch her brother Brent play football and baseball for Westfield High School.

Nathan Patel

Nathan Patel is the son of Manny and Dorothy Patel.   Nathan and his family moved to Houston and settled in Westador in 1999.  Nathan finished his elementary education at Bammel Elementary then went on to Bammel Middle School and Westfield High School. Nathan was a percussionist in the Big Red Band all four years at Westfield, including 2003, the year the band was named Bands of America’s Grand National Champion.  As a senior, he served on the band leadership team.

In addition to band, Nathan was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta where he served as president his senior year.  As part of Westfield’s computer science team, Nathan qualified for state, where he placed 11th in a competition of the top high school computer scientists in the State of Texas. 

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, to cook, and to do yard work while earning a buck, or two, in the process.

                Hali Poetz joins the Teen Helpers as a baby sitter.

      Gusta Byas has replaced Kathleen Wilson as the newcomer volunteer.

You Can be “Beached” by your Organizing Efforts by Denise Landers

Last spring I watched as crews of college students patrolled the beaches on Bolivar Peninsula, doing the spring clean-up to rid the beach of accumulated debris. 

Two months later I returned to the beach and found very little evidence of their earlier efforts.  Cans, bottles, and paper were scattered across the sands.  More clean-up days needed to be scheduled.

From listening to the tales of attempts to get organized in the past that I hear recounted during the time management seminars I present, it struck me that this is the way many people approach their desks and home spaces in their attempts to gain control of the overwhelming demands on their time.  They decide to get organized and designate a time to get it all in order.  Everything looks great.  Then, a couple of weeks later it looks as if that day had never occurred. 

What happened in both of these scenarios?

1) There is no new procedure established that would eliminate future clutter.

2) Cleaning up and getting organized are not the same.

Getting organized means:

• Creating systems and realigning spaces
• Making an immediate decision about everything coming in
• Placing the paper or item in the appropriate location for further action

Benefits of getting organized include:

• prioritized use of time
• no reshuffling of clutter
• increased ability to focus

Westador Celebrates Fourth of July by Gail Wescott

The 4th of July has come and gone with a great time had by all. Despite the gloomy weather approximately 50+ (adults and kids) showed up at Cali for a great time.

We started with a parade from Nanes clubhouse to Cali Clubhouse. My thanks go to Richard Murphy and the Ponderosa Fire Dept for organizing the parade. We had surprises for the kids that participated in the parade once they got to Cali. Each child received a ribbon and a goodie bag.

Next, Miss Sarah Lechmann had planned lots of fun games for kids of all ages to participate in. There was something for everyone. Thank you Sarah, you did such a great job organizing the kids activities.

We also had a large blow up slip and slide for the kids to play on. They had a blast! I must confess it was really a lot of fun! Yes, even Stephen Ritchie and I went on it. We had a hard time getting the kids to leave it, even when it was time to go.