The one-day truck sale of rain barrels and compost bins will have limited supplies, and all sales will be on a first-come-first-serve basis beginning at 9:00 am. Historically, Norseman has sold out within the first couple of hours of the truck sale, and if you are not in line at 9:00 am you may not get the rain barrel or compost bin you want. By making a small tax deductible donation to BBAP, you can pre-order your rain barrel, compost bin, or kitchen organics collector today. This will guarantee that you get the rain barrel or compost bin you want, and support public art at the same time.
National Night Out
National Night Out is quickly approaching. It is set for next Tuesday evening, October 5th, 2010. We encourage you to talk to your neighbors and block captain to plan a gathering for your block. We should all use this opportunity to welcome new neighbors and spend time catching up with old friends. National Night Out is a nation-wide program designed to raise crime prevention awareness, generate support for anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals that we are fighting back! Our City of Houston National Night Out coordinator has asked for us to come up with something special to do for our National Night Out parties. The Houston Police Department is once again collecting non-perishable food items to donate to the Houston Food Bank. This would allow us all to assist those less fortunate than ourselves during these tough economic times. Let’s try to make a difference in their lives!
If you are planning on hosting or attending a block party please let Matt Herring know so he can forward this along to HPD. They are going to try to send officers out to chat with as many neighbors as possible.
Letter From the President
Well Hello Neighbors! Is it hot enough for everyone out there? What a summer of high temperatures. I used it as another excuse not to exercise. Shame on me ;o).
Where is my life going? Another summer has come and gone. How does it fly by so fast? My Daddy warned me about this but I just thought he was senile. My kids moved off to start their own lives and I am dreaming about grandkids. I look in the mirror and my mother’s face smiles back at me. Daddy is a smart man – wish I had paid closer attention. Oh well – all the more reason to enjoy each day to the fullest.
November is coming fast and it means voting and turkey/dressing. I love them both. Please know there is a law on the books that allows you to support your fave candidate with yard signs. If the yard signs bother you, please grin and bear it. The signs must be down by Nov 12th. Please don’t remove your neighbor’s signs like we’ve done in the past. It is against the law to steal another’s property and your neighbors aren’t breaking in laws by putting them up (the law overrides our deed restrictions). Also – get out and VOTE.
Block Captains – I am still seeking a CHIEF Block Captain. You don’t have to be your block’s captain to apply. Those of you who have not paid your civic club dues, please do. I’ll be happy to drop by and pick up the check.
I hope you all enjoy your fall months and we’ll see you at the next 5th Friday at our place Oct 29th.
Walking Safety Tips – A Successful Start
— By Birgitt Haderlein Owner of To Fit You, Wellness coach/Fitness Consultant —
I got some really great feed back on my article in last month’s newsletter which focused on a walking program for all. Are we ready to let go of the dog days of summer? I know I am. Yet it has been amazing how many of you I have seen walking around the neighborhood this past month. This tells me we are committed to being a healthier and happier community in spite of this heat.
Now that you have some idea about how to start a walking program and have some idea of your technique, let’s talk about walking safely in and around the neighborhood.
Walking outside is a great way to enjoy some fresh air and get some exercise at the same time. Before you head out the door here are some safety tips you may want to consider.
Find a buddy. It can make the time more fun and motivating. But more importantly there is safety in numbers. If you cannot find a buddy that day let someone know what time you will be back and the route you are walking.
Wear clothes that are light colored if walking early morning or late evening. There are many clothes that have reflective materials built into them from shoes to shorts hats etc. This will help oncoming traffic see you and walk on well-lit streets as much as possible.
Walk facing traffic. Especially if there are no side walks the rules of the road say walk against the traffic. This way you can see the oncoming cars or any potential danger coming your way.
Vary your route. This is important for safety and enjoyment. It is much more interesting to experience different surroundings and a great way to meet your neighbors. This keeps anyone from memorizing your route.
Be aware of drivers. Do not assume that a driver can see you or that they know the rules of the road. Be cautious of driveways. Most drivers are looking for oncoming cars not walkers.
Be aware of your surrounding. Watch for cracks, holes, cars and bikers. You get the point, it can be very easy to trip and fall and especially dangerous if you are by yourself.
Here are a few things every walker should bring or not bring.
What to bring.
Carry pepper spray and a phone with an alarm. And walking stick of some sort in case you need to fend off a dog. Take muffin with you, she needs the exercise too and it keeps you safe. Always carry your I.D. in case of injury.
What not to bring. Do not wear any jewelry, expensive watches or headphones. They can prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic or someone behind you. Pay attention to your surroundings. Your safety deserves it.
So, have fun, get out and walk. This will make your experience fun and enjoyable and most of all safe.
Read more at the To Fit You blog. I will be posting tips, links, articles, and other items related to health and fitness.
Yard of the Month – September 2010
We have observed the house at 2218 Brooktree since late 2007 when the house went into foreclosure. At that time the house and the landscape was a disaster. The front sidewalk was gone and the indention where it used to be was filled with dead sod. Whatever plants were there were overgrown or dead.
Less than three years after Vonda and Sean Bonte bought the run down property in December 2007, the house has been completely remodeled with new siding, new roof, new windows, new carport, a new wrought iron gate across the driveway, new gameroom/entertainment area in the back yard and a new salt water swimming pool, new outdoor kitchen, three pallets St. Augustine sod and new landscaping. The house was not habitable when they bought the house but they started the remodeling process and moved into the house on July 1, 2008. The Bonte’s have two sons, Kenneth age 14 and Mitchell age 12. The two boys do the lawn maintenance. Sean who is an electrician did a lot of the remodeling work himself. Vonda grew up in Lazybrook. Her parents live on Watercrest.
Today this home stands out in Lazybrook as a prime example of what updating can do to a 1960’s Lazybrook house. The new landscape was designed and planted by the homeowners. They purchased all the plants in the neighborhood at Lowes, Home Depot and Garden World. When Vonda and Sean went looking for plants, they wanted plants native to the area and plants that were maintenance free. They chose five Italian Cypress trees about four feet tall and spaced them across the front of the house. They created curved beds and in the beds they planted a variety of plants including Dwarf Indian Hawthorne, Variegated Pittosporum, Mexican Heather and Foxtail Fern. At the left end of the bed they planted a tall Callistemon or Bottlebrush and at the right end of the bed near the driveway they planted a Sago Palm. Across the front of the beds, they planted clumps of Aztec Grass which is a variety of Giant Liriope with very distinctive green and white striped foliage. Their St. Augustine grass is greener than any other yard on Brooktree and when asked about how they kept it so green, Vonda an Sean said they watered a lot but they do not fertilize the St. Augustine. The sidewalk in the front yard is new and connects the driveway with the front door. As the concrete curves toward the door the sidewalk gradually gets wider until it forms a welcoming entrance to the home.
The driveway has been widened by adding about a foot of white gravel on each side of the existing driveway. Sean has started gathering the pine straw which falls from the large pine trees in the front yard. He is wisely using the straw as mulch in the flower beds. This is a mulch which is free, attractive and very effective in controlling weeds.