Winter A PUBLICATION OF THE WOODCREEK FATE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Manager’s Corner What happened to winter? I am certainly not complaining about the beautiful weather and spring-like temperatures, but it’s been an uncommonly warm start to 2012. This is due to “positive North Atlantic oscillation,” which is a weather related term referring to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. When the NAO is in a positive state, very cold arctic air has difficulty dipping below the Canadian border, causing generally warmer patterns across the continental United States. Because of this, Texas has enjoyed a very mild winter so far. Let’s see what February brings to our doorstep! We also recently received some much needed rainfall. This helped to restore Lake Lavon from 50% to 75% full capacity. In response, the North Texas Municipal Water District did not move to implement Stage 4 Drought Plan Restrictions as was earlier predicted. However, Stage 3 Water Restrictions have been extended from March 31 through June 1. To verify the days when you should be watering (based on your address) you can visit the HOA website at www.woodcreekfatehoa.com. Because we remain under Stage 3 Water Restrictions, the Board of Directors has extended the amnesty period on replacement of dead trees and/or landscaping. This will remain in effect until the restrictions are eased to Stage 2 so as to provide residents with improved success in establishing new landscaping. If you think you may have a dead tree, experts recommend that you delay removal until spring. This is because many homeowners have difficulty in distinguishing between a dormant tree and a dead tree. Trees that showed severe stress in late 2011 may recover and show leaves starting in March or April. However, trees and landscape shrubs that are confirmed to be dead must be removed to provide a clean appearance. Empty landscape bed areas should also receive a good cover of several inches of mulch to help prevent weed germination. The Association will begin issuing reminder notices for dead landscaping in April. The warm January weather also allowed for a head start on some common area improvements. The pergolas found at the main community entrance and along CD Boren Parkway have been refinished. Another canopy structure is being fabricated for the pool area to provide more shade, and flagstone walkways have been added to allow for easier access to the clubhouse porch overhangs. Waterproof bulletin boards are being installed at the clubhouse and pool entrance to display information on community events. These are just a few of the things that are planned for 2012. I hope this information is helpful in showing that the HOA truly cares about maintaining the quality lifestyle that residents of Woodcreek have come to enjoy! Jonas Tune, Association Manager How to Contact the Manager Should you have a question regarding the Association, you are invited to contact the Association Manager Jonas Tune at [email protected] or by phone at (972) 722-6484. If you have questions about your homeowner account, please contact Premier Communities Account Services at (877) 378-2388. On-site office hours are: Mondays 9 AM – 3 PM Tuesdays 1 PM – 5 PM Wednesdays 9 AM – 3 PM Thursdays 1 PM – 5 PM Fridays 9 AM – 3 PM Communications are Open Again Please welcome Emily Fox as the new Communications Chair! Emily grew up in Katy, TX and attended Southern Methodist University, where she majored in journalism with a minor in archaeology. While at SMU she met husband Brian and the two have lived happily in Woodcreek for nearly three years. Emily is a self described “sci-fi nut, avid reader, traveler and foodie.” Her work as a staff writer for the Metro section of the Dallas Morning News keeps her quite busy. Emily has already started the Woodcreek Twitter account which you can follow @WoodcreekFate on Twitter to stay abreast of HOA news and events. We’re excited to have someone with Emily’s professional credentials become involved! www.twitter.com/WoodcreekFate Polar Express and Holiday Lighting Contest Recap The Social Committee wishes to say ‘thank you!’ to all homeowners who came out to enjoy the spirit of the season during the December Polar Express. During the event, residents helped raise a total of $41.00 in funds and 2 tubs full of dog food, cat food, snacks, and toys. The Royse City Animal shelter was very grateful to receive the donation on behalf of the Woodcreek community. Attendees also cast their votes for the holiday lighting contest. There were LOTS of beautifully decorated homes this year! This year’s winners are listed by category below. To see color photographs of the winning homes, please visit the Landscape Committee page of the HOA website. The Landscape Committee will be adding a new category in 2012 and extends their appreciation and admiration to everyone who took part in this fun competition. People’s Choice Award Barringer – 222 Zeter Drive Bradfield – 512 Pear Drive Best Animation and Clark Griswold Award Classic Christmas Award As a reminder, all holiday décor must be removed within 30 days of a holiday, so if your lights are still up, please – take them down! Wonderland Kid’s Favorite Best Ingenuity and Green Awards www.woodcreekfatehoa.com 2012 HOA Events Mark your calendars and come have some fun with your neighbors at these great events! If you would like to assist as a volunteer, please email [email protected]. Hosting community events is time consuming and requires a lot of effort, so extra help is always appreciated. The below dates are what is currently planned for 2012. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • February 26, Photography Benefit for Kensley Jones (12 – 5 PM) March 31, Children’s Easter Egg Hunt (3 – 5 PM) April 18, Annual Meeting (6:30 – 8 PM, Miss May Vernon Elementary) May 3 – 5, Spring Garage Sale June 23, Family Pool Party (2 – 5 PM) July 4, Children’s 4th of July Parade (11 AM – 1 PM) July 14, Family Pool Party (2 – 5 PM) August 18, Adult Mixer at the Pool (7 – 10 PM) September 22, Daddy-Daughter Dance (4 – 7 PM) September 30, Fall Festival (2 – 5 PM) October 4 – 6, Fall Garage Sale October 20, Haunted Trail (7:30 – 10 PM) October 28, Halloween at the Park (5 – 7 PM) December 14, Polar Express (6 – 9 PM) Recurring events include Coupon Club on the 1st Sunday of each month (2 – 5 PM), Men’s Poker on the 3rd Friday of each month (7 – 12 PM), and Ladies’ Poker on the 3rd Saturday of each month (7 -12 PM, excludes November and December). Scrapbook Club is a new group that meets on the 2nd Friday of each month (7 – 12 PM). Do you have an interest in starting a group or club to meet with like-minded persons? Contact the manager to discuss your idea! Kensley Jones Kensley is the 11 month granddaughter of Woodcreek residents. In late December she was diagnosed with AML (acute myelogenous leukemia). In support of Kensley, on February 26th a professional photographer will be at the clubhouse from noon to 5 PM taking family portraits. Each family who attends will receive one free photo with the option to purchase additional prints. Complimentary hot dogs and drinks will be provided and donations for Kensley will be accepted. Please consider coming out to show your support! www.woodcreekfatehoa.com www.woodcreekfatehoa.com Is your home winterized? • • • • • • • • Make sure sprinkler systems are TURNED OFF. Wrap outdoor pipes in newspapers or insulation and cover with plastic Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be. Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze. Disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house. If you don't have a separate valve to turn off outside water, wrap or cover faucets or hose bibs with an insulating material. Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. Opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls. Has the warm weather made you start thinking about spring improvement projects? Remember that all exterior improvements require review by the ACC. ACC request forms may be found online by logging in to PremierConnect™. The ACC review process takes an average of 5 to 10 business days, although the bylaws provide for a period of up to 30 days for review. Please keep the review period in mind when you submit your request! Want to rent the clubhouse for a private party? The weekday rate (Mon – Th) is $75 for 5 hours. The weekend rate (Fri – Sun) is $125 for 5 hours. A refundable $500 security deposit is required; checks should be made payable to Woodcreek HOA. The Association Manager will take reservations up to 3 months in advance. Did you know that you can check the calendar for availability by logging in to PremierConnect™ from the HOA website? If you need assistance in registering for PremierConnect™, please contact the Association Manager by email at [email protected]. Power Down, Save Money Looking to cut back due to a tight budget or ready to go green? Here are 10 quick and easy tips to accomplish both: • Unplug appliances and electronics. TVs, computers and kitchen appliances, as well as cell phone and laptop chargers, all use energy when they are plugged in—even if they are turned off. • Use power strips. “Smart” power strips automatically turn off when electronics are off or when one main unit (like your personal computer) is powered down. • Turn off lights. When you’re not in the room or not in the house, there’s no need for all the lights to be on. • Clean and replace furnace or air conditioner filters. Dirty filters block air flow, increase energy bills and shorten equipment life. • In the warmer months, keep the shades and blinds down on south-, east- and west-facing windows. In the colder months, open them up and let the sun in. • Activate “sleep” features on your computer and office equipment. When they go unused for a long period of time, they power down. • Lower the thermostat. Wear a sweater around the house and put an extra blanket on the bed at night. • Use fans instead of air conditioning when possible or combine their use to turn down the air temperature a bit. • Close vents and doors to unused rooms. • Wash your laundry with cold water. It’s just as effective. www.woodcreekfatehoa.com WOODCREEK FATE HOA, INC. PREMIER COMMUNITIES MANAGEMENT COMPANY 3102 OAK LAWN AVE, STE 202 DALLAS, TX 75219 C/O WWW.PREMIERCOMMUNITIES.NET TELEPHONE: (214) 871-9700 FAX: (214) 889-9980 Association ManagerJonas Tune (877) 378-2388 [email protected] Accounting / Billing questions(877) 378-2388 [email protected] Resale & Refinance Certificates(888) 679-2500 www.premiercommunities.net/resale.html After hours Property Emergency number(214) 871-9700 ext. 350 www.woodcreekfatehoa.com Tips to Discourage Burglars The association makes every effort to maintain a secure environment in our community, but there is only so much we’re authorized to do. Unfortunately, illegal entries into homes in our area—and others—happen from time to time. Residents can do more to protect themselves and their property than the association can do. Here are a few common-sense suggestions for reducing your chances of being the target of burglary. • Install double-cylinder, dead-bolt locks on your outside doors and include a reinforced strike plate to strengthen the doorframe. • Install bars or lock pins on sliding doors and windows. These are available at local hardware or discount stores. Some mechanisms allow you to lock a sliding window or door in a partially-open position so you can enjoy fresh air securely while you’re at home. However, if you go out, close the window and lock it. • That old trick of hiding a key somewhere outside your home is a bad idea. Burglars—or anyone who may have seen you hiding the key—will know where to find it. Instead, give a key to a neighbor or leave one with the association management office. • If you’re going to be out of the house for a short time, leave a television or radio on to create a sense of activity and presence. • If you’re going to be away for a longer time, such as a vacation, take a few simple precautions to keep your home from looking empty. Ask a neighbor to collect your mail and keep the door and porch clear of delivery notices, newspapers and fliers. Pick up several electric timers at the local discount store, and use them to turn lights, a television or radios on and off at various times during the day and evening. Are you interested in Let your neighbors and the manager know how to reach you in case there’s an serving as a Block emergency. Captain for your • Marking your valuable personal property won’t prevent it from being stolen, but it will street? help you get it back if it is. Engrave your driver’s license number on items in a If so, we would be glad to have hidden area. Check with the local fire department, police station or library to borrow you! To get involved in helping to an engraver. maintain a safe neighborhood, • please contact It doesn’t take much to discourage a burglar. He succeeds on opportunity, and if your [email protected]. home doesn’t offer a good opportunity, he’ll move on to one that does.