CORNERSTONE PLACE
NEWSLETTER
Volume 16, Issue 6
Cornerstone Place HOA
June/July Edition 2015
CORNERSTONE 4TH OF JULY PARADE
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2015
Cornerstone Neighbors—it is time to come together to celebrate our freedom.
Time:
10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 4, 2015
Theme:
“239 Years of Freedom”
Registration: 9:30 a.m. A sign-up table will be at the corner of Brook Grove and Hill Park by the pool. Sign
your name, and take a number badge. Place the badge either on your right sleeve or on your back. You must
have a badge in order to be judged for a prize. Return the badge to the table immediately after the parade.
Also, please take a water bottle for while you are in the parade.
Tattoos:
9:30 a.m. at the registration table.
Pledge of Allegiance: We will have the pledge just before we march.
Photos with Uncle Sam: There will be a prop near registration for you to put your face into and make you our
nation’s Uncle Sam.
Route: We will begin on the corner of Hill Park and Ash Forest, down Kent Falls, right to Cove Hollow following this around as the inside horseshoe, right to Wildwood Grove and around the pool again.
RESIDENTS ARE ASKED NOT TO PARK CARS ON THE STREET FROM 9:30 A.M. UNTIL NOON ON THE FOURTH OF
JULY TO MAKE ROOM ON THE STREET FOR THE PARADE TO PASS.
Safety: Protect Our Head Gear Paraders!!! Safety is of the utmost importance!!! Please move any vehicles off
the streets for just this parade time. Plenty of room is needed for the firetruck, and we wish to avoid the possibility of children participating in the parade running into a vehicle or creating damage to a vehicle.
Music:
Provided by Sandy and Bill Rimmer
Photographs:
John Warner
Post Parade Lunch: For Lunch, there will be hot dogs, chili and buns, brisket, baked beans, and cookies. MIKE
CHITTWOOD NEEDS SOMEONE ELSE TO COOK A BRISKET. HOA will provide you the brisket. HE IS DOING
ONE. PLEASE CALL MIKE AT 281-450-6356 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP HIM OUT. Anyone to bring side dishes?
SPLASH DAY: Have the kids bring swimsuits, there will be games in the pool following lunch.
Games and Refreshments: There will be games at the pool. Lemonade and water bottles will be available before the parade starts, and frozen pops will be available while we wait for the judges’ decisions. Please contact
Cristina Arnold @ 505.353.6669 with any concerns or to volunteer. We really hope everyone will come out on
the 4th and be a part of the fun.
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CORNERSTONE PLACE NEWS
MYSTERY DINER STRIKES AGAIN!!
Genghis Grill
23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. Ste. H130
Katy, TX 77494
281-394-2445
A fun place to go to, and it is close to home—it is in La Centerra. This is a Mongolian Stir Fry—fast, casual
dining place. It is an Asian stir-fry concept.
Build your own bowl.
Build a signature bowl.
Build a heart-healthy bowl,
All ingredients are natural, and everything looked nice and fresh. Very reasonably priced for the amount of
stuff you can pack into your bowl.
Give them a try, it is something different for a change.
RECOMMENDED TRADESPEOPLE
At this time, I have nothing to report. No one has sent me any information. If you want to keep
this column going, I need information from residents. I see many contractor trucks in the subdivision, but no submissions from residents.
Ninety-Eight Cornerstone Place residents have joined. We have already lost two members. Wish
we could get more to join. We are trying to get our membership to 100. Remember, it is FREE. This is a
good way for us to post information for our subdivision. We posted information about the Easter Egg
Hunt and the Garage Sale, and we will be posting about the 4th of July Parade. Please, please, consider
joining. It is a good way to stay in touch with what is going on around your neighborhood. Let’s try to
get our membership to 100. Not many things these days are free to join. This is a good way to know
what is going on in our area and the surrounding area. THINK ABOUT JOINING!
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UPCOMING EVENT— 4TH
OF JULY PARADE!!
Our Theme for the 4th of July Parade is “239 Years of Freedom.” Cristina Arnold needs volunteers. Resident Candy Schaefer has already donated a few prizes. Your donation is greatly appreciated. We will
have a table where children and adults can learn the proper way to fold the flag. Sandy and Bill Rimmer have their old Cadillac back, so they will provide music for the parade this year! We also need
judges.
We will have the Chalk Art Drawing in the Driveways. This is to be done on Friday, July 3, and will be
judged during the Parade on the 4th. The parade has five categories, and a winner in each category:
Chalk Art, Best decorated car/truck, best float, best decorated four-wheeler, and best decorated bicycle/scooter. We also want to have bubbles for the children.
We have lots of young children in the subdivision who will be able to participate in the activities. We
need their parents to step up and help us out. Please volunteer. Call Cristina Arnold at 505-353-6669.
We are trying to make this a great event, but we do need resident help. Please don’t be afraid to volunteer.
We also need to know who will be cooking brisket, etc. for the picnic. Sandy said she would make
some chili; Marlene Adams is making baked beans and bringing some cookies. Please contact Cristina
Arnold to let her know what food you will be bringing. Cristina can be reached at 505-353 6669.
Cristina is trying her very best to organize this event, but she does need our support. Come on folks, if
you will be around for this event, please give us a couple of hours that day. The event doesn’t last all
day. We need your support if this is to be a successful event for us. This is another great way to meet
your neighbors.
MIKE CHITTWOOD IS COOKING A BRISKET AND NEEDS SOMEONE ELSE TO DO ANOTHER BRISKET. ANY VOLUNTEERS? PLEASE
CALL MIKE AT: 281-450-6356.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK ANY CARS ON THE STREETS FOR THE
MORNING OF THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE. FIRE TRUCK NEEDS TO
BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH! THANKS!
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RESIDENT RECIPE
TACO ROLL
Ingredients:
1 pound ground lean beef or turkey
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 can Rotel
2 cans crescent rolls
Shredded cheese
Lettuce
Sour cream
Avocado and tomato
DIRECTIONS: Brown your ground beef or turkey until it is no longer pink. Drain off grease. Add taco seasoning and Rotel.
Add water as directed on taco seasoning. While that is simmering, place crescent rolls in a circle on a pizza pan (lightly sprayed)
in a circle with points out. Use extra rolls to fill in where needed on the bottom. Add meat on top of rolls, then the cheese. Fold
points of rolls to the middle and tuck. Bake for 25 minut es on 350 or until lightly brown.
Now is the time to start working on your landscaping—
planting flowers, mulching, and cleaning up the shrubs.
If your vines and shrubbery are hanging into your
neighbors’ yard, try to clean them up. Cut them back.
We are looking for curb appeal on the sides and back
of the houses too, not only in the front.
It is a good time to start power washing. Some of us
have mold on our homes—sometimes on the siding or
the brick, where the sun doesn’t get to it. Remember
that we have had a lot of
rain lately, so that has encouraged the mold. Take a
day or two and clean up
your property. It is your
responsibility as a homeowner to do this.
CORNERSTONE PLACE NEWSLETTER
CORNERSTONE PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Editor: Marlene Adams
JOHN IRWIN
Proofreader: Phyllis George
C/O IRWIN COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT
Phone: 281-693-0207
P.O. BOX 6544
E-mail: [email protected]
KATY, TX 77491
Web Site: www.cornerstoneplace.org
PHONE: 281-802-4365
THE CORNERSTONE NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED BY THE CORNERSTONE PLACE
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, A 501(c)3 ORGANIZATION. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE
NEWSLETTER TO ACCEPT ARTICLES OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY FROM
OUTSIDE SOURCES AS WELL AS FROM NEWSLETTER STAFF. VIEWS EXPRESSED
IN PUBLISHED ARTICLES ARE THOSE OF THE WRITER AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OPINION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE NEWSLETTER OR BY THE CORNERSTONE
PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
FAX: 281-392-1488
EMAIL: [email protected]
PROPERTY MANAGER: JOHN IRWIN
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H
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
i Neighbors,
I am getting excited! We are well on our way to having a great Fourth of July Celebration.
The parade is shaping up, and we have a few sponsors to help us with the cost. We have
begun contacting people to volunteer their help. One item that we need some help with is
cooking a brisket. We will supply the brisket—all we need is someone to cook it for the picnic after the Parade. If you are interested, please give Mike Chittwood a call at 281-450-6356. This
would be a big help. Remember, we need other volunteers as well, and don’t forget to sign your kids up
to participate in the Parade. There will be prizes.
On another subject, a LOT of rain has fallen this year, and things are growing like crazy. The subdivision
looks wonderful. But with all of this growing going on, trees have begun hanging low over the streets
and sidewalks. One of the beauties of Cornerstone is the ability to walk under these shady trees, but
when the trees are too low, it becomes a hindrance to pedestrians. Our deed restrictions require that tree
limbs be at least 8 feet above the sidewalks. You should also remember that we had an issue when some
of the school buses were battered by tree limbs hanging too low over the street. Those buses and delivery
trucks require about 15 feet of clearance to get through safely. Please do your part. Make sure that your
trees are trimmed appropriately.
I would also like to note that another one of the deed restrictions—that all residents have committed to—
is that homes in Cornerstone cannot be used for commercial purposes. Now we understand that having a
home office and conducting your business from it really doesn’t bother your neighbors. But when you
start moving operations visibly into garages, driveways, front yards, and the public street, you are in violation of that deed restriction.
One safety reminder—kids are out of school, and they are home during the day. Slow down and pay attention while driving through the subdivision. It is so easy for a kid to dart out from behind a tree or
parked car, and you would not want to be responsible for hurting one of our children.
The other side of this, is that some of those same lovely children are going to be getting into mischief.
Typically in the summer, thefts from cars and vandalism of property go up. Protect yourself. DO NOT
leave any valuables in your car, and lock your car at all times when the vehicle is not in your sight. Eventually, some individuals will be by to check your doors and relieve you of anything that you left behind
in the car. Remember, they will also remove any packages from your front porch and toys or equipment
from your front yard. It is up to you how much they will get. By the way, if you do see someone checking car doors or acting suspiciously, call the constables right away.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at the parade and picnic. Don’t forget to have the kids bring
their swim suits as well. We will have Splash Day events at the pool during the early afternoon.
I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE SUMMER.
Tony Adams, Cornerstone HOA President
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CORNERSTONE RESIDENTS SEEKING YOUR BUSINESS
If you are a resident, we can put your business card in the newsletter,
giving you free advertising.
Please don’t forget to give me your new business cards when you get
them. I am trying really hard to keep this page as up-to-date as I can.
I can do this only if I am given the newest information. Thanks!
Page 6
Timely Tips for June Gardeners from Calloway’s and Cornelius
It’s getting hotter and summer time activities are getting into full swing. Take advantage of
the longer days by doing gardening tasks in the morning or evening when it is more pleasant
to be outside.
Hotter weather means grass will be growing faster. Keep up with the mowing so you don’t
have to bag the clippings. That may mean mowing every 5 or 6 days instead of every 7 to 10
days. Letting the clippings fall back into the lawn recycles nutrients but does not promote
thatch. Mowing frequently at the correct height will promote a healthy, thick turf that is
resistant to weeds.
As spring rains slack off and give way to drier days, apply supplemental water as needed.
The rule of thumb is to water enough to wet the soil 5 to 6 inches deep. Do not water too
frequently. Shallow, frequent watering promotes a shallow root system that is more
susceptible to the stress of summer heat and winter cold.
The best way to conserve moisture in the landscape is by mulching. A 3 to 4 inch layer over
the root zone retains moisture, keeps the soil cooler and helps prevent weed seeds from
germinating under your shrubs, trees and flowers.
June is a great month for colorful summer annuals. In a sunny location try marigolds, salvia,
petunias, dusty miller, and lantana just to name a few. Caladiums, coleus, impatiens and
bedding begonias are a good choice for shady areas.
Summer tropical plants, though they are not freeze hardy, are perfectly at home in our Texas
heat and humidity. Plant them in the ground for quick growth or in pots or tubs so you can
overwinter them indoors.
In-Store Garden Series
Saturday, June 6th at 10:15 am – Creating Gardens for Beautiful Birds
Saturday, June 13th at 10:15 am – Healthy Green Summer Lawns
Saturday, June 20th at 10:15 am – Heat-Thriving and Colorful Plants
Saturday, June 27th at 10:15 am – Forget the Grocery – How to Grow Delicious
Tomatoes for Fall
Information courtesy of Calloway's Nursery ©2015, www.calloways.com. Attribution to Calloway's
required for all use and reproduction.
Page 7
June Fun Facts
In America June is known for having Father’s Day on the 3rd Sunday of the month, but it is also recognized
as National Dairy Month, U.S. Flag Month, Rose Month and Gay Pride Month.
It is said, Benjamin Franklin “discovered” electricity with his key and kite on June 15th.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recognized by U.S. Congress on June 22, 1942.
The “Korean Conflict” (non-declared War) began on June 25, 1950.
The infamous actress Marilyn Monroe was born June 1st, 1926.
June 6th is the anniversary day of the Great D Day Battle of WW II that happened in 1944.
The first Drive-in Movie Theater opened in New Jersey on June 6th, 1933.
June 9th is Donald Duck’s birthday! [1934]
In both common and leap years, no other month begins on the same day of the week as June.
It is recorded that Sand Paper invented by I. Fischer Jr. on June 14th, 1834.
On June 19th America celebrates– Juneteeth – The oldest knows celebration of the end of slavery.
June 28th is Paul Bunyun Day.
June 28th marks the date of the Stonewall Riots/Uprising in NYC.
June 30th is Superman’s Birthday.
And remember June 4th is “Old Maids Day”.
June is the month with the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shortest daylight
hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
A big thanks to the Rozier family for always putting a very interesting article into
each newsletter. I don’t think they have ever missed a newsletter since I have been
doing it. It is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! - Marlene Adams (Editor)
Page 8
JULY FUN FACTS
Independence Day is observed in the United States on July 4. On that day in 1776, the Continental
Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in duel, July 1, 1804
Wyoming became the 44th state, July 10, 1890
Scientists set off the first atomic bomb, Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 16, 1945
U.S. astronaut Neil A. Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, July 20, 1969.
First patent in United States registered, July 31, 1790.
Louis Bleriot made first flight across the English Channel, July 25, 1909.
George Stephenson first successfully demonstrated a steam locomotive, July 25, 1814.
July is usually the hotest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. July is one of the winter
months in the Southern Hemisphere. The climate is mild in most of the Southern Hemisphere, with the
exception of the COLD Antarctica, and the cold, rainy part of South America.
In the May Cornerstone Newsletter, Tony mentioned Hurricane Preparedness in the President’s Letter.
Considering that I use the “Farmer’s Almanac” to assist in planning events for the HOA, in order to avoid
bad weather, the almanac gives notice to when we might expect threats of Hurricanes in the TexasOklahoma region. The dates are as follows:
July 29-31= Hurricane Threat
Sept. 6-8= Hurricane Threat
Sept. 16-17= Hurricane Threat
Sept. 27-30=Hurricane Threat
I recognize that this is not necessarily a proven science, however it is always interesting to determine
how accurate the Almanac is to predicting the weather. Let’s see how close the Almanac is this year.
The above two articles were submitted by: Cristina Arnold of Wildwood Grove
Page 9
The Home Advantage
by David and Barbara Rozier
Cabinet Meeting
Can’t afford a full kitchen
makeover? Sprucing up the
cabinetry is an easy fix for a
fraction of the cost.
There are two options:
replacing
or
refacing.
Refacing includes covering
the existing cabinet doors and
drawer fronts with a wood or
plastic veneer and replacing
knobs and door hinges;
replacing cabinets requires
removing them entirely and
starting from scratch. So
what’s best for your home?
Here are a few things to
consider,
according
to
HGTV.
First, check to see if the
cabinets
are
structurally
sound. If you have problems
opening the drawers, closing
the doors, or if the cabinet’s
interior isn’t as large as you
need it to be, simply
rejuvenating the look isn’t
going to help in the long run.
Also consider the age of the
cabinets: Those made 20 to
30 years ago were typically
built using thicker wood and
sturdier construction. Such
cabinets can often be refaced
instead of replaced.
Next, consider how long
you’ll remain in your home.
Replacing the cabinets will
add to the home’s value and
could be worth the extra
money if your home will be on
the market in the near future.
But for a potential buyer, a
modern renewal of the
cabinets
with
up-to-date
veneers might be enough,
making refacing your cabinets
a
cost-effective
viable
solution. The typical cost of
refacing with plastic veneer
can cost up to about $3,000,
while wood veneers can run
up to $7,000. If you’re still
considering replacing, make
sure you budget accordingly.
According to Costhelper.com,
the cost of delivery and
installation of new cabinets
can cost at least $10,000.
Lost in Space
Do you have one area in your
house you just can’t figure
out? Maybe it’s too small or
oddly shaped or just not in the
right location in your home.
Don’t let it turn into dead
space. There are plenty of
ways to turn unusual home
spaces
into
comfortable,
functioning living areas that
appear as if they were built for
a purpose.
If large enough, divide the
space into individual “rooms,”
so that one area can be used
for one purpose, leaving the
rest of the area open for a
different use. The possibilities
are endless: a library or
reading nook, an office, a
crafting room, or a yoga or art
studio.
Page 10
If the room is particularly
small, remember to use
furnishings that fit the space.
For example, an overstuffed
couch won’t do well in a
room meant for two chairs.
Go curvy: Round furnishings
in hard corners or plants
placed strategically can help.
To give the illusion of space
in a small area, choose glass
tops or chairs. Curtains that
run floor to ceiling create
height and flow in a small
space.
Other things to consider:
Painting an “odd” wall in a
different color, and using it to
display art or photos will also
lessen its awkward effect on
the room; and an area rug in
the center of the room will
bring the eye to the middle of
the space, rather than
focusing on its unusual shape
or size.
David and Barbara are
Realtors®
with
Keller
Williams Realty in Katy and
live on Kent Falls Dr. in
Cornerstone Place.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FOR CORNERSTONE
PLACE??
We would like to be notified if anyone in Cornerstone creates or knows
of someone who could do a Christmas Garland to rest on top of the monument in the entryway to the subdivision. We looked commercially, but
they want a lot for it. It is in the thousands of dollar range. If you are
good at making decorations or know where we can get them
at a reasonable price, contact John Irwin of Irwin Management at 281-392-2484 or Tony Adams at 281-693-0207. We
are also looking for 4 new wreaths to go up on the monument area too.
REMINDER FOR RESIDENTS!
This is just a little reminder again for residents. Please do not have cars in your
driveway that block the sidewalks. It makes it hard for people walking. They have to
walk out into the street to get around. This could be very dangerous for kids to have
to walk into the street. Please think about your neighbors.
Another reminder is that it is time to get the power washer our and get the mold and
black stuff off of your driveway and off of the siding on your home and garage. We do
have some houses in the subdivision that have mold, where the sun doesn’t shine, especially on the back sides of the houses.
Please try and keep your landscaping manicured nice and neat for good curb appeal. It
doesn’t take long to let the shrubs get overgrown and cover up your windows. Having
covered windows is a good place to have burglars hide in your shrubs and get in
through the windows. We are just trying to keep up good curb appeal in our subdivision. A well groomed neighborhood helps keep up your property values.
Now that the children are out of school, please drive slower through the subdivision.
The children will be out and about playing and walking to the pool.
Page 11
YARD OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE
CORNERSTONE SECURITY REPORT!
Sgt. Higginbotham attended the HOA Meeting on
May 14, 2015. He said that everything was good in Cornerstone Place. He commented that things have also
been better in the surrounding areas too. So that was a
good report.
Yard of the Month for June went to Theron &
Judy Pickering of 22519 Kent Falls Drive. Looks
Super!
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR!
I would like to take this time to thank the
Glidden family for delivering our newsletter
door to door. It is greatly
appreciated. If they didn’t
do it, I have no one else
who would do it. Thank
you, Glidden Family, for
all your hard work every
month.
The Constables are doing the Home Security Inspections again. Contact Deputy John Jerome Kovar at
281-642-8814 or 979-733-7734, or email him at
[email protected]. Visit the Web site at
www.Constable PCT5.com .
This inspection is beneficial; you can save 5-10% on
your homeowner’s insurance, depending on your carrier. How does it work? You schedule a time for our officers to come by and give you simple suggestions on how
to better secure your home. Take advantage of this,
because it is a free service.
Operation Safe Child—Attend a coordinated event or
schedule a deputy to come to your house. The Officer
will inspect your car seat, check for recalls, and teach
you the proper way to install it in the car, based on your
child’s height and weight.
Contact: Deputy J.J. Kovar, 281-642-8814
OPERATION ID - Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct 5 is offering free use of engravers to
mark your valuables. Engraving items with your driver’s license number, initials, a logo or a keyword will make returning stolen items easier after recovery.
A deputy will bring an engraver to your home, you engrave your items and create an inventory
identifying the items you engraved, what you engraved on them, and the item's serial number. Be
sure to keep two copies of this list in separate places.
At the June Board Meeting, it was brought up that everything in Cornerstone was quiet.
But in some of the surrounding areas, they were having trouble with kids trying car doors
that were parked in the driveways and on the streets. Please lock your cars and do not
leave your valuables in the car. Some subdivisions had kids smashing the mail boxes. It is
summertime, and the kids are out of school, so be on the lookout for these things happening.
Page 12