From the Board Free Curbside5f8c274712c4ea693cc1-fdbcf82d3dfc08785157cf0d6fc8ed50.r16.cf… · Kendrick, Tony Pocklington, Jackie Krienes and other volunteers demonstrate their NASCAR

Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Pine Brook Periodical - March 2009 �

Pine Brook Periodical

Official Newsletter of Pine Brook Homeowner's Association March 2009 - Volume 1, Issue 2

Coming to our Neighborhood!

Dear Fellow Residents, I am thrilled to announce that our community, Pine Brook (Houston-section), will finally be receiving curbside recycling pickup -- with no fee! To see this goal realized is something I personally have been hoping for since our family moved to Clear Lake in 2000, after having curbside recycling pickup since the early 1990’s in Kingston, Ontario and in The Woodlands since 1997. I hope everyone will share in my excitement by participating as a community to be GREEN. We are fortunate to have been chosen, as we were on a waiting list for this service for over 2 years. Let’s not take it for granted and participate wholeheartedly! I know my husband will be relieved to no longer have to drive to Ellington Field with a carload of recycling. Our community will be able to recycle paper, plastic #1-5 & 7 and glass, no sorting required! Let’s strive for 100% neighborhood participation. Thank you to the Board for their support during this process.Indira FeustelPinebrook Resident

The Board is pleased to announce Mr. Shad Johnson has been appointed by CIA Services our new community manager. Shad replaces Margaret Eckhardt who has been acting manager for the past six months. A special thanks to Margaret for all of her help during the interim period and especially for all of her efforts associated with the cleanup and repairs after IKE. Margaret is not abandoning us; she will still be involved with our community as manager of the Boulevard Association. Work has commenced on repairing the concrete fence panels damaged during IKE. Residents are requested to inspect the concrete fences for damage, leaning post or panels separating from the post and notify CIA Services. Residents are reminded of the association policy that growing fig ivy on the concrete fences is prohibited. Replacing the community’s damaged cedar fences will start soon. A contract has been awarded to Colonial Fence Company to replace approximately 1050 linear feet of cedar fence at Canary Grass Park, Sand Myrtle & River Birch Park, Evergreen Court Park, S.Beechwood Court & Park Center Court cul-de-sac walkway and S. Water Iris Court & Deer Grass cul-de-

sac walkway. The fences will be 6 foot high including a 6 inch rot board as per the community deed restrictions. This is part of an on going six year project to replace all of the community’s cedar fences. As Spring approaches, residents are reminded deed restriction inspections that were temporarily suspended after IKE will resume on March 13, 2009. Residents are reminded that the Board is obligated by law to enforce the deed restrictions and ARC guidelines. Please be a good neighbor and submit your applications for changes or new improvements to the ARC for approval. ARC Guidelines and Deed restrictions are posted on the CIAServices.com website. Also, please be reminded the City of Houston has changed their policy on heavy trash pickup on the 1st Wednesday of every month. Good news for our Houston residents! Curbside Recycling is coming to our community due to the efforts of Andrew and Indira Feustel who circulated a petition and worked City Hall for approval. Thank you, Andrew and Indira for making it possible for Houston residents to join our Pasadena residents in making Pine Brook GREEN.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

From the Board Free Curbside recycling

2 Pine Brook Periodical - March 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.


advertising information Please support the businesses that advertise in the Pine Brook Periodical. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Pine Brook residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512-263-9181 or [email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter.

Newsletter InformationPublisher Peel, Inc. ...................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Article Submission ..................................... [email protected] Advertising................................ [email protected]

artiCLe sUBmissionsInterested in submitting an article? You can do so by emailing [email protected] or by going to:

http://www.peelinc.com/articleSubmit.php.All news must be received by the 9th of the month prior to the issue.

Board of DirectorsPresident ..........................................................Doug Quillan

Vice President ....................................................David Leboe

Director .............................................................Tricia Totten

Secretary .....................................................Melinda Kokkinis

Treasurer .......................................................Roxanne Moore

CIA Services Community Manager .................. Shad Johnson

Administrative Assistant ..................................... Karla Santos

Maintenance Coordinator .....................................Ed Barnett

Newsletter Editor ........................................... Jenny Verghese

Management InformationC.I.A. Service, Inc.

Ph: 713-981-9000Fax: 713-981-9090

Email: [email protected]

Bashans Painting & Home Repair

• Interior & Exterior• 20 Years Experience• Hardiplank Installation• Wood Replacement• Pressure Washing• Sheetrock Repair & Texturing• Cabinet Painting• Door Refi nishing & Replacement• Wallpaper Removal• Custom Staining• Fence Replacement or Repair

Commercial/ResidentialFree Estimates

281-347-6702

References Available • Fully InsuredNO PAYMENT UNTIL COMPLETION

281-731-3383cell

[email protected]

Brookwood ElementaryUpcoming Events3/12 ............7 pm Choir Performance3/13 ............Field Day3/16 ............Spring Break begins3/27 ............Rodeo Dance4/18 ............Fun Run*

*If you have a student at Brookwood and would like to help with our Fun Run in April, please email Karen Dluzniewski at [email protected].

Eighth graders plan to“Rock On”

The Space Center Intermediate 8th grade dance, themed, “Rock On,” is set for Friday, April 17. The event will be held at the Endeavor on NASA Parkway, from 8 to 11 p.m. Parents, watch for notices that will be coming home with your 8th grader!

don't want to wait on the maiL? the Pine Brook Periodical can be viewed

online at www.PeeLinc.com



We Challenge What You Pay For Electricity!If SparkPowerBank isn’t your current electricity provider…chances are you're paying too much!

I’m Texas Energy Analyst Alan Lammey. Maybe you’ve heard me on the radio talking about the market forces that drive energy prices. I’m here to tell you that you’re not stuck paying those high prices to big electric companies anymore! Stop it.

Why pay more than you have to? Those days are over!

Why would you want to go with an electric provider that charges you more, when you can go towww.sparkpowerbank.com and pay far less for the same electricity?

SIGN-UP ONLINE

TODAY!

Please choose "Newsletter Ad" as your referral on the SparkPowerBank.com website.

Make sense?

www.sparkpowerbank.com

The annual Pine Brook Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 11. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. in the Pine Brook Park. In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt, the Easter Bunny himself will be making a special appearance your kids won’t want to miss!Refreshments will be served. Volunteers are needed to help make this event a fun time for all. If you can help, please contact Melinda Kokkinis at 713-858-8301, or email her at [email protected].

City of HoustonAnnounces

Recycling Program The Pinebrook Community Association is being considered to participate in the Single Stream Recycling Program as part of a 10,000 home pilot program around the city. This recycling program provides the convenience of curbside recycling collection every-other-week with the added convenience of using a 96 gallon green automated cart. The new cart will allow residents to easily roll everything to the curb; as well as not worry about materials flying away or getting wet because the cart has a lid. The program is expected to start up around the 1st week of March. Tentatively, your first collection day will be March 5 or 12, (Thursday ). This date will match up your garbage and recycling collection days. Residents will be individually notified by letter of the program. The letter will provide details of the program, the collection day and cart drop off.

Here comesPeter Cottontail…

� Pine Brook Periodical - March 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.


(Continued on Page 5)

Behind-the-ScenesThis is a special behind-the-scenes report on the Pine Brook Wetland Fringe Restoration Project

Thanks to all the volunteers who help make this project a success! We have all seen piles of cut tallows, and carts of native trees disappear into the yaupon tunnel to the nature trail, but what really happens out there? Here is a glimpse into the work so far: November 2007, Debra Goode and Rob Plaza meet with Houston Audubon Society to tour Pine Brook’s natural areas together. It seemed the birds knew to ham it up– as a different species appeared every few steps! A “partnership” was formed with Audubon to help preserve vital habitat for migrating and resident birds in Pine Brook. Denise Kromka takes the lead with ladies distributing flyers on front doors, pleading for volunteers and donations, while Rob Plaza enhances communications with his creative signage and emails. Ken Kromka and Bob Goode team up to research and develop a safety precaution protocol for tallow herbicide – else every time tallow is cut without it – a clump of 5+ tallows grow in its place. With fall turning into winter, volunteers spend days with expert, Glenn Olsen identifying and tying existing native trees and vines with yellow ribbons. January 2008, Debra and Bob Goode kick off the tallow removal with Katie and Ed Chimenti as lead “pioneers” in the massive thicket. First, “How do we move through hundreds of tallows as close as 1-2’ apart?” Chris Ferguson steps forward and easily toggles from shuttle commander to chainsaw explorer – cutting the first path in unfamiliar territory. 80 tallows down and 6000 to go! Pondering the massive tallow thicket challenge, Bob Goode applies a bit of NASA engineering to the problem. He dazzles all with his innovative “cut and treat 400 tallows a day” method. Down the nature trail, Bill Kendrick, Tony Pocklington, Jackie Krienes and other volunteers demonstrate their NASCAR skills while pulling cut tallows via ATV. Rob Plaza amazes with an astonishing ability to condense the piles into something that costs much less. Jim and Jean Taylor, Mike Gendrich, Mike Flanigan, Mark Carter, David Kring, Ed Chimenti, David

Sauer, Scott Cryan, Debra Goode, and many other volunteers, drag tallows to the ATV. Connie Shultz (aka “Rembrandt”) achieves notoriety as an outstanding herbicide painter while simultaneously appearing glamorous in her safety glasses. Heide Piper and Julie Mays, teamwork experts, toss an armful of tallows with ease. Glenn Piper precisely saws while reaching to grab many a damsel tripping over a log with the other hand. When the mud sucks off Sylvia Owusu’s boot, revealing perfectly manicured toes, her infectious laughter sends volunteers in stitches. Turbo family work teams include the Ding, Bowen, Soisson, Kane families, while the most exceptional young men awards go to Scott Bowen, the most helpful, and Eric Macke, the most enthusiastic. On one particularly challenging day (very large tallows) volunteers paused for breath by the island, “Hey, do you realize that 4 out of 6 of us today are heart patients 55 -70+ old!” (FYI - all had St. Luke’s cardiologists.) In the final days of working in the wettest tallow thicket, lady volunteers formed a skillful assembly line to pass the tallows, while the men were relegated to the deeper water and larger tallows. Then someone looked up and yelled, “Hey, where did all the men go”? By the deck was a circle of muddy knights sitting on tallow stumps. Priceless! Bob Flint has a knack for showing up in his green convertible to add elbow grease to whatever job is running out of steam. One day, Bob learned that the survival of many birds depended on the blackberries which were overcome by invasive honey suckle. This retired oil executive declared war, and the invasive vines quivered in his presence as he spent days ripping them out. The migrating cedar waxwings stayed an extra month to taste the best bumper berry crop ever, as a result of his efforts. Debra Goode and Jean Taylor spend hours researching native trees, shrubs, plants, and wildflowers which support birds and butterflies; identifying the conditions

necessary to support these plants; consulting with various experts; and learning how very difficult it is to find native plants to purchase! A Doremus Native Wholesale Nursery semi- truck arrives in Pine Brook with over an 800 native trees and plants for volunteers to store in the pavilion until planting. Jim Taylor and Bill Kendrick risk their lives on a downtown freeway route to pick up trees, when a giant bolt flies through the windshield. Connie Shultz (aka “Thelma”) and Debra Goode, (aka “Louise”) sweat it out in a 7 hour, unconditioned trip in a “Rent-a-Wreck” 1992 pick up with duct-taped tail lights, to pick up more hard to find native plants. Scout troop #848 planted over 350 blooming aquatic plants and restored deepest wet areas by removing debris. Scout troop #389 removed tallows in the native prairie, installing over 450 native grasses that were either rescued from development, or grown in the Macke’s kitchen. Girl Scout troop #7140 helped plant native grasses divided and grown in pots on the Soisson’s patio. Multiple ladies laid out and planted hundreds of native trees, shrubs, grasses, plants and over 10,000 native wildflower seeds, while Rob Plaza planted over 150 native trees and shrubs. Once a week, Bunny Woinsky and Jean Taylor tenderly tucked over 200 native seedlings in the soil, from the Forest Service. When it was discovered how delicious parsley hawthorns are to swamp rabbits, Mike Flanigan rescued the trees with his homemade wire fences. George Macke was recognized by Houston Audubon Society as the “best man with a shovel - most likely to break dirt hard as concrete”, while rescuing and relocating native grasses from the Saum prairie in Katy, to Pine Brook’s native prairie. In all – over 2000+ native trees, shrubs, grasses and aquatic plants that support birds, frogs, toads, butterflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife were planted to replace the tallows removed.


Pine Brook PeriodicalBehind-the Scenes - (Continued from Page 4)

Peel, Inc.1-888-687-6444

www.PEELinc.com

community newsletters

Effective Advertising, Done Right.Call today to Reserve your space.

Advertise YOUR businessto YOUR neighbors forless than 8¢ per home.

PB

It was time for the spring rains, and everyone was ready to relax a bit, until one of the worst droughts in history hit Pine Brook. Glenn and Heide Piper generously offered access to their water. Connie Shultz and Debra Goode developed a new “abs and arm workout” consisting of 300 foot of the Goode’s hoses and a 4-8 hour weekly obstacle course. The “best Bobs” (Goode and Flint) took over hand watering 20 hours a week for months to help the new plants become established. Rick Todd, volunteer fire fighter, offered a possible rescue option by the Pasadena fire department, and other volunteers offered their time – until finally the rains came. As long as there are volunteers and donations, we will continue to replace the remaining 2000+ invasive Chinese tallows with native trees which support wildlife. Thanks to the 85+ volunteers, and 3 Scout troops who gave their time (over 2500 volunteer hours) to remove and treat 4000+ tallows, and replant with 2000+ native trees and plants (100+ new species), and thanks to the many residents and their employers who donated funds to make this project happen! To donate or more info www.PineBrookWetlands.com .

Calling all swimmers! The community’s summer swim team, the PineBrookWood Orcas, is ready to start another year of summer swim competition. The team is comprised of 200 swimmers from the Pine Brook and Brookwood subdivisions ages K through high school. Swim team teaches kids who already know how to swim to swim better. It is a social experience that the kids love. Practice is held every weekday. Five swim meets are held on Saturdays in late May and June. Practice starts after school Monday April 27th and will be held at both the Pine Brook and Brookwood community swimming pools. Signs will be posted in the neighborhood for registration times. Watch for flyers at school, too!

Business ClassifiedsFor Sale: 8’ Gandy pool table, solid wood, Queen Ann legs, includes cues and stand. Pictures available. $1,000 OBO. Don 281-286-6236 or [email protected]



At no time will any source be allowed to use the Pine Brook Periodical's contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the Pine Brook Periodical is exclusively for the private use of the Pine Brook HOA and Peel, Inc.

DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser.* The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising.* Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction.* Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

1-888-687-6444www.PEELinc.com

We currently publish newslettersfor the following subdivisions in Houston:

Peel, Inc.Printing & Publishing

Blackhorse Ranch Bridgeland

Coles CrossingCypress Mill

Enchanted ValleyFairfield

Harvest Bend The VillageLakes of FairhavenLakes on Eldridge

Lakes on Eldridge NorthLakewood GroveLegends Ranch

LongwoodPine BrookRiata Ranch

Shadow Creek RanchSteeplechaseStone Gate

SummerwoodVillage CreekWillowbridgeWillowlake

Willow PointeWinchester CountryWinchester TrailsWindermere LakesWortham Villages

Kelly Peel, Sales [email protected] • 1-888-687-6444

NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE



ENERGETIC SALES REPRESENTATIVES

WANTED FOR WORKING FROM HOME, EARNING EXTRA INCOME, AND

SELLING ADS IN YOUR NEWSLETTER

WANTED

VISIT WWW.PEELINC.COM/JOBS.PHP FOR MORE INFORMATION

888-687-6444 www.PEELinc.com

REWARDCOMMISSION BASED INCOME

BY PEEL INC.

any $20 purchaseexpires 4/15/06

not to be combined with any other offers or used on sale merchandise

$5oo OFFRachael’s

5582 Fairmont Pkwy. @ Beltway 8 • 281-991-5800

Cardinals Win Tournament The Space Center Intermediate 8th Grade A Boys Basketball Team beat Seabrook, League City and the previously undefeated Westbrook team to win the District Tournament at Victory Lakes January 6-7. The Space Center 8th Grade A Team is coached by Marc Wondergem. Earlier in the week, 7th and 8th Grade Cardinal teams lost to Westbrook. The tournament victory was a strong way to finish out the season for the Cardinals.

From left to right: Andrew Lapia, Jerrod Madden, Coach Marc Wondergem, Paris Clayton, Colton Torrance (holding plaque), Ryan Swingle, Grayson Moore, Darryl Fraser, Sean Laughlin, and Wesley Atkins.

Space Center 8th Grade A Teamwith First Place Victory Lakes Tournament Plaque

Clear Lake High School Freshman A Lady Falcons

The Lady Falcons concluded their 2008-2009 season undefeated in district games. Pictured from top, left to right, Amiee Brown, Alex Thompson, Brooke Walker, Shae Quigley, Taylor Totten, Kellie Ward, Coach Eric Gautreaux, Alex Kochner, Justin Thompson (Mgr.), bottom row Bristol Gunderson, Lindsey Dugat, Alissa Whitlock, Marissa Seloff and not pictured Annie Ortiz. Congratulations to the Freshman and to Varsity and JV Lady Falcons for an outstanding season!

Stork Reportin Pine Brook

Submit your informationon the arrival of your little one to

[email protected].



Alan and Michele Jacobs - Aggressively Marketing Pine BrookSpouses Selling Open Houses! - 2006, 2007 & 2008 #1 PINE BROOK REALTORS®

You can reach Alan and Michele at 832.876.SALE (7253)Broker/Owners/REALTORS®/ABR/GRI/CRS/QSC/PIC-PSC Property Image Consultants

[email protected] Devices: www.PDAHomefinder.mobi

Website: www.JacobsRealtyGroup.net1976-2009

Celeb

rating 33 Years

PINE BROOK SPECIAL!$100 off wrought iron stairwell

when mentioning this ad. In most cases, total cost is under $3,300 and takes only one day! Call us for a FREE estimate!

Jacobs Realty Group is SOLD OUT of listings in Pine Brook. Let us help you

get your home sold fast and for top dollar!All of our homes are professionally

staged for FREE if listed by Jacobs Realty Group

3915 W. Pine Brook Way 4303 Cedar Ridge4015 Cinnamon Fern Ct 16023 Park Center Way4503 Olive Green 17014 Chapel Park Way3611 W. Pine Brook Way 3711 Canary Grass15702 Park Center Way

Jacobs Realty Group’s Recent Sales

Your address could be next!

Peel, Inc.311 Ranch Road 620 S. Ste 200Lakeway, TX 78734-4775www.PEELinc.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPEEL, INC.

PB

Documents

From the Board Free Curbside5f8c274712c4ea693cc1-fdbcf82d3dfc08785157cf0d6fc8ed50.r16.cf… · Kendrick, Tony Pocklington, Jackie Krienes and other volunteers demonstrate their NASCAR