1. home and garden

OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
Oak Creek
Oracle
Sunshine
PRESIDENT’S NOTES
A Quarterly Newsletter Representing ‘Our’ Community
A Soggy Spring must mean
A Great Summer!
Hello Neighbors!
It has been a very soggy spring but we are all looking forward to a great summer. There has been a lot of activity so far in
2015. The construction on the South side of the neighborhood continues to progress along Rosemeade. After many emails, a tabled planning and zoning meeting, a community meeting with the developers
and a final planning and zoning approval, an agreement was reached
regarding the border between the development and Oak Creek Estates.
There will be a wrought iron fence with points that attached to decorative brick columns along the boundary. Furthermore, there will be landscaping and scrubs planted in front of the fence to provide greenery.
This will be the continued plan for future development that borders the
neighborhood. It was great to see such a large turnout for the community meeting and the number of interested neighbors. Hopefully that
interest can continue for other projects and events in the future.
Also a reminder that HOA dues for 2015 were needed as of January
15th. The majority of residents have paid either via the website or by
mail so if you have yet to submit your annual payment, please do so.
This covers the front landscaping, utilities, security cameras, events, etc.
The Yard of the Month program is back for the summer so let’s make
those yards look fantastic especially with this rain, everything should be
green.
Other news, a new baseball/softball backstop was installed by the city
at Oak Creek Park. (photo attached). This has been a nice addition to
go along with the basketball court, the play area and trail.
On behalf of the volunteer HOA board, I want to wish everyone a terrific summer.
John Mahalik
HOA President
IN THIS ISSUE
Carrollton News
2
Newsletter Sponsors
3
Oak Creek News & Crime Report
4
Oak Creek Estates Homes Sold
5
Yard of Month Winners
6
Calloway Tips and Coupon
6
Beautiful, Quiet,
Safe, Friendly,
and Active!
THERE IS JUST NOT A
COMMUNITY BETTER
THAN OUR
OAK CREEK ESTATES
Just A Reminder
Your 2015 Association Annual Dues were due January 15th
If you have not already done so, please
go to our website www.oceha.com to pay with credit card or mail check to P.O. Box 116921, Carrollton, Texas, USA 75007
Thank you
OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
Cool Tuesday Movies at JRL Begins with The Incredibles
Josey Ranch Lake Library (1700 Keller Springs Road) kicks-off Cool Tuesday Movies on Tuesday, June 9 with two showings of The Incredibles. Ages 6 and up are invited to attend; movies
start at 11 a.m. and are shown again at 1 p.m. Popular and fun family films will be shown
throughout June, July, and August. Bring a pillow or comfy sleeping bag to relax on during the
movie. For more information and a complete list of upcoming movies, contact the Library at
972-466-4800 or visit cityofcarrollton.com/library.
Kids
June 4 - August 23: Every Hero Has a Story Reading Program

pick up a reading log at either library

1 log per participant
Turn in your completed log July 1 - August 23 and receive:

a Summer Reading Program certificate

a free book

a voucher for a free Ringling Brothers circus ticket, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (Children under 2 do not need a circus
ticket)
Ringling Brothers Circus:
July 29 - August 9, 2015 at American Airlines Center
August 12 - 16, 2015 at Fort Worth Convention Center
Sponsored by the Friends of the Carrollton Public Library
Fight the Bite
The weather is warming up and the City of Carrollton is taking action to “Fight the Bite”. The surveillance program has
14 fixed testing sites. Each week mosquitoes will be collected from seven of these sites and the following week the
next seven will be tested. The first samples were collected Friday, May 8 and the results of these tests were negative
for West Nile Virus.
In the next couple of weeks, signs will be displayed in Carrollton parks, greenbelts, and medians to remind citizens
about the importance of following the four Ds:
• DRESS to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long, loose and light-colored clothing when outside;
• DEFEND yourself by using insect repellents approved by the EPA or CDC;
• DUSK to DAWN outside activities should be avoided when possible, and especially if one isn’t dressed and prepared
with repellent; and
• DRAIN all areas of standing water in and around the home, including wading pools, pet dishes and birdbaths.
Free mosquito dunks are available to residents at Carrollton Animal Services Center
Sandy Lake Road). Staff is only able to provide one package per resident, while
plies last.
For more information about the West Nile virus and prevention, visit ityofcarrollton.com/westnile.
Source: City of Carrollton.com
(2247
sup-
OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
OCE “ORACLE” NEWSLETTER AD RATES
$20 for 1/8th page (business card size)
40 for 1/4 page
$60 for 1/2 page
$100 for Full page
OCE Newsletter is distribute 1st of month in:
March, June, September, December
To place your ad in an upcoming issue please contact Lora at
email: [email protected] or call 972-567-0751
TRULY NOLAN
Page 3
OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
Update from the Crime Committee
We continue to have no crimes reported this year. Let’s all keep it that way by reporting any suspicious activity to the Carrollton Police Department at 972-466-3333. Keep in mind that summer is right around
the corner after the rains. That means children are out of school, so watch closely while driving through the neighborhood. Everyone continue to watch your neighbor’s property and let’s keep Oak Creek Estates crime free.
Wayne Robins
Do you know the difference between “Severe
Weather Watch” and “Severe Weather Warning?
Find Emergency Kit checklist at TexasPrepares.org
Your neighbors enjoying
The new
Baseball/Softball
Backstop
now installed at
Oak Creek Park!
Thanks to City of Carrollton
Page 4
OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
Realtor’s Update
by Carin Nehlsen
Homes
for Sale
Change over
3 mos
Carrollton
193
75007
80
Avg.
Days on
Mkt.
Change over
3 mos
Up 25%
53
Up 13%
Up 82%
52
Down 2%
Homes
Sold (in
Change over
3 mos
Inventory in
Months
Change over
3 mos
109
Up 17%
1.8
Up 6%
54
Up 42%
1.5
Up 25%
past mo)
*Data obtained from NAR MLS statistics as of 5/21/15
Looking at the past 6 months of sales data for neighborhoods in our area:
Oak Creek Estates sold 7 properties – Avg Sales Price: $324K ($122/ sf) – Avg days on mkt: 35—Avg SQ FT - 2662
Highlands Carrollton sold 8 properties–Avg Sales Price: $264K ($107/sf) – Avg days on mkt: 42-Avg SQ FT- 2591
Creekside Estates sold 4 properties – Avg Sales Price: $446K ($113/ sf) – Avg days on mkt: 50-Avg SQ FT - 3877
With so many sellers showing homes in summer via an Open House, the little details can make a big difference. Have
your home show its best with these simple tips:
Curb appeal: A good first impression is important. A trim yard that’s been freshly mulched, nicely painted or stained
front door with sparkling hardware, clean porch or patio furniture, polished light fixtures, fresh plants & flowers and doormats go a long way to welcome a buyer to your home.
Cleanliness counts: A clutter-free house assures buyers of a well-kept home. Closets, especially, should be cleaned
out and rooms should appear spacious as well as clean & tidy. Give the kitchen and bathrooms a good scrubbing & replace caulk where needed.
Space out: Pull back the shower curtain to expose the bathroom, open blinds to let in natural light and pull furniture
away from doorways or windows to show open space & let in the light.
Get the rear in gear: The backyard could be a deciding factor — a fresh lawn, sparkling pool and tidiness speak volumes. Power wash your patio or driveway, replace or re-stain the fence if it’s showing its age or in need of a fresh look.
~ courtesy of John Orrico, Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer, Bank of America Home Loans
Please let me know if you have any questions about the sales data for our neighborhood or surrounding communities and
don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re considering a move this year. The market is still hot & our neighborhood continues to be
in demand. If you’d like to see what the comparative sales data shows for the area or like to get an idea of what the value is
on your home, give me a call.
Best Wishes,
Carin Nehlsen, ABR, NHS, GHI, Realtor®
& Oak Creek Estates homeowner
Five Star Professional Real Estate Agent
Keller Williams Realty Plano
Direct: 972-898-3138
Page 5
OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
Timely Tips for Gardeners from Calloway’s and Cornelius
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—Saturdays
June 6 at 10:15 am-Creating Gardens for Beautiful Birds
June 20 at 10:15 am-Heat-Thriving and Colorful Plants
June 13 at 10:15 am-Healthy Green Summer Lawns June 27 at 10:15 am-Forget the Grocery-How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes for Fall
Timely Tips for July Gardeners from Calloway’s and Cornelius
Gardening activities usually slowdown in the summertime as the temperature continues to climb into the 90’s and
beyond. July is often a very dry month and can be very hot. New garden projects are not usually started but there are
always maintenance chores to do. The best time to do any kind of gardening or maintenance is in the early morning
or late in the day after supper.
Proper watering is essential to keep plants healthy in the heat of summer. It is best to water as deeply and infrequently as possible, as opposed to frequent light sprinklings. This will encourage a deeper root system that can take
advantage of water stored in the soil.
One of the best strategies for getting shrubs and young trees through summertime dry spells is to apply a thick layer
of mulch over the root systems of plants. Mulches break down over time, so if it has been awhile since you’ve
mulched, check all the plants in your yard. A three to four inch layer will prevent most evaporation from the soil and
lower the soil temperature in the root zone, reducing stress on the root system.
Drip irrigation combined with mulch is an excellent way to maintain high quality of plant materials. Drip irrigation,
also known as trickle irrigation or micro irrigation is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing
water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either into the soil surface or directly into the root zone, through a network
of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the
plant. This allows for fertilizer and nutrient loss to be minimized due to localized application and reduced leaching.
Soil erosion and weed growth is lessened with this type of irrigation along with the foliage remains dry, reducing the
risk of disease. If drip irrigation is not an option at this time, consider using soaker hoses to provide a good source of
water to your garden or bedding plants.
Water plants in containers and hanging baskets more frequently in the summer to keep them from drying out. This
can leach out plant nutrients from the soil, so use a water-soluble fertilizer regularly to keep your plants growing and
healthy.
In-Store Garden Series Saturday July 18th at 10:15 am – Save Water & Money with Drip Irrigation
Yard of the Month
Congratulation to Winners!
April - 2503 Fallview Lane
May - 3709 Grandview Drive
Timely Tips for August Gardeners from Calloway’s and Cornelius
August is here and needless to say, it is HOT! However Fall is right around the corner and here are a few tips to get
you through the scorching days of August and into the “Second Spring” of the South – Fall. This is usually one of the
June - 3702 Poplar Court
driest months for our region, and rainfall may be sparse. With new watering restrictions in place, when and how you
water becomes even more important.
Make the best use of the water you have by watering early in the morning before the wind speeds pick up. Otherwise, much of the water will evaporate before
the plants get to use it. To further avoid excess evaporation, use a sprinkler that produces large drops of water instead of a fine mist. Plants need about one
inch of water each week during this long summer period. If you have heavy clay soil adjust the timing of the irrigation zones to make sure water is not running
off the landscape. Your irrigation schedule should be adjusted to allow for slow infiltration of the water. Be a WISE – keep water on the landscape.
Soil that is exposed can heat up to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to kill those tender root hairs near the surface. Three to four inches of mulch can make the soil 10 to 20 degrees cooler. Besides reducing soil temperature, mulches also conserve water by reducing evaporation, often up to
65 percent.
August is the last month to plant a new lawn before winter temperatures arrive. Newly-installed lawns need at least six to eight weeks to establish a healthy
root system.
Prune roses back, but do not remove more than one-third of the plant. Prune and remove spent blooms on annuals and perennials to encourage continuous
blooming well into fall.
Tomato and Peppers planted earlier this year will not set fruit during the heat of the summer, even though they may still be flowering. If the plants remain
healthy, they will set fruit again once the temperatures stay below 90 degrees. Sidedress established healthy plants with fertilizer and keep watered to encourage new growth. Set out tomato transplants; look for early maturing variety (65 to 75 days). Our average first freeze is mid-November and tomato maturity slows down as the days get cool and cloudy.
There are no Clinics scheduled for August – Stop by your nearest Calloway’s or Cornelius Nursery for friendly expert advice from one of our Texas Certified
Nursery Professionals.
Information courtesy of Calloway's Nursery ©2015,
www.calloways.com. Attribution to Calloway's required for all
use and reproduction
Page 6
OAK CREEK ORACLE
ISSUE SUMMER 2015
O ak Creek O racle
A Quarterly Newsletter Representing ‘Our’ Community
PO Box 116921
Carrollton. TX 75011-6921
Ready for Summer!
We’re on the web!
www.oceha.com
BE SURE TO SAY “THANKS” TO OUR
Newsletter Sponsors
Truly Nolan Pest Control
Julie Stauss, Realtor-Ebby Halliday
Victor’s Restaurant (New restaurant at Josey & Rosemeade)
The Oak Creek Oracle is a publication for residents of Oak Creek
Estates and is published bi-monthly. The newsletter is distributed
to the 200+ Oak Creek Estates households.
The newsletter is produced by a volunteer team of neighborhood
residents.
A limited number of advertisements are accepted. A standard
business-card sized ad is $20. The rate is discounted to $15 if the
business is owned by an HOA member. Ads for adult-oriented
establishments are not permitted, and all advertisements are
subject to review by the newsletter editor.
Helpful Contacts
Oak Creek Estates Website
www.oceha.com
City of Carrollton Interactive City Map
http://www.cityof carrollton.com/maps/
Police Emergency 911
Advertising Rates
OCEHA Board 2014-2015
$20 for 1/8th page (business card size)
 John Mahalik (President)
$40 for 1/4 page
 Kristy Pirello (Secretary)
$60 for 1/2 page
 Paul Ivanoff (Treasurer)
$100 for Full page
Distributed in March, June, September, December by HOA
 Wayne Robbins (Crime Watch)
 Carin Nehlsen (Yard Of Month & Welcome Committee)
 Rick Kirby (IT/Web Specialist)
 Ulysses Wright (Neighborhood Coordinator)
For more advertising information,
email Lora Cormier at [email protected]
 Nick Oray
 Michael Keilhofer