Southgate - September 2011

Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc. The Southgate Gazette - September 2011 1

SOUTHGATEOfficial Publication of the Southgate Homeowners

The Southgate GazeTTe

Official Publication of the Southgate Homeowners

The Southgate GazeTTe

September 2011 Volume 1, Issue 6

OUR NEWCommunity Websitehttp://sgatehoa.orgHave you registered for your personal

login and password on our new community website? Did you know that you can pay your dues by credit card, submit an architectural control committee (ACC) form for changes you want to make to the outside of your home or yard, view the status of that request; view your personal account information such as last payment and balance information; view HOA documents such as meeting minutes and Deed Restrictions; Place and find ads for babysitters, lawn mowing, lost and found, etc; sign up to receive regular emails about various community related subjects; list garage sales, homes for sale/lease/rent and many other great features.

Go online today to register and receive your personal login information to this valuable site!!

Yard of the Month Congratulations to the August Yard of the Month

winner Mr. David Bennett of 11413 Harris. The Yard of the Month winner receives a well-deserved Home Depot gift certificate. Hint to homeowners: One of the qualifications for winning yard of the month is having seasonal color in your yard. Add some colorful flowers to your beautiful yard and be a candidate for Yard of the Month!

Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

• The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.

• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. • When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our

country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. The local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) offers this service for free. The Boy Scouts will also take your tattered flags and have a ceremony to destroy them.

American Flag Etiquette

2 The Southgate Gazette - September 2011 Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.

SOUTHGATE

Please support the advertisers that make The Southgate Gazette possible. 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 8th of the month prior to the issue.

ADVERTISING INFO

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Interested 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 8th of the month prior to the issue. So if you are involved with a school group, scouts, sports etc – please submit your articles for The Southgate Gazette. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, special celebrations and military service are also welcome.

EMERGENCYEmergency .......................................................................911Poison Control ................................................ 800-764-7661Pearland Police ................................................ 291-997-4100

SCHOOLSLaura Ingalls Wilder ........................................ 281-245-3090Mary Marek .................................................... 281-245-3232Manvel Junior High ........................................ 281-331-1416Alvin Senior High ........................................... 281-331-8151Manvel High ................................................... 281-245-2235Alvin ISD ........................................................ 281-338-1130

UTILITIESReliant Energy ................................................. 713-207-7777Center Point .................................................... 713-207-2222Trash Removal ................................................ 281-652-1600

CITY OF PEARLANDCity Hall ......................................................... 281-652-1600Water Dept Billing .......................................... 281-652-1603Animal Control ............................................... 281-652-1100Post Office ....................................................... 281-485-2132

SOUTHGATE INFORMATIONArticles ....................................peelinc.com/articlesubmit.phpBoard .................................... [email protected] ......................................................... http://sgatehoa.orgLPI Mgmt Company ....... 281-412-2580 or [email protected] - Peel Inc ..................................... www.peelinc.comAdvertising ...................................................1-888-687-6444

Board Of DirectorsMeetings

The Southgate HOA Board of Directors meets the 2nd TUESDAY of every month at the Shepherd of the Heart Methodist Church from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The church is one-half mile west of Kirby on CR 59. All homeowners are welcome to attend.

Contact the board at our new email address: [email protected]

CITY ALERTSSIGN UP BY EMAIL AND/OR TELEPHONEAre you aware that the City of Pearland has two methods to send

you information regarding extreme weather, emergency notifications, traffic alerts, city council agendas, garage sales and many other topics? Just go to their web site www.ci.pearland.tx.us and sign up for City News email alerts and/or the Telephone Notification system. You can pick the issues which you are interested in receiving. Here is the list of City News email subjects:

• Agendas (City Council)• Agendas (Planning & Zoning)• Bailey Rd. Expansion• Community Development

(Building Dept and Code Enforcement

• Community Information• Cowart Creek Diversion• Cullen Expansion• Dixie Farm Rd - Phase II• E. Mary’s Creek Regl. Det. Pond• Emergency Management News• Fire & EMS Station 5• Fire Prevention• FM2234 Improvements• FM2234 Improvements -

Businesses• Garage Sales

• Job Postings• Magnolia Rd Exp. Ph II

(East)• Magnolia Rd Exp. Ph III

(West)• Old Police Department

Renovations• Orange St /Town Ditch• Parks & Recreation News• Pearland OTS Businesses• PEDC Old Townsite• Planning & Zoning• P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t

Information• Pro jec t s /Cons t ruc t ion

UpdatesSign up today to receive

interesting and valuable information from the City of Pearland

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


SOUTHGATE

PH: 866-917-8271PUCT #10089

Save on Your Energy Costswith StarTexPower.

SCan ThEQR CodE!

ThEn EnTER “Neighborhood

Newsletter”aS ThE PRomo CodE.

SIGn UP online TodaY at www.StarTexPower.com

We pride ourselves with low rates, award-winning customer service,

and no suprises. Listen to Alan “Petrodamus”

Lammey, host of ‘Energy Week’, every Sunday on 1070 KNTH in

Houston.To speak to Alan Lammey about

your electricity needs, call: 281-658-0395

Bashans Painting & Home Repair

• Interior & Exterior Painting• Hardi Plank Installation• Wood Replacement• Sheetrock Repair• Interior Carpentry• Cabinet Painting• Wallpaper Removal and Texturizing• Pressure Washing• Fence Repair/Replacement

Commercial/ResidentialFree Estimates

281-347-6702

References Available • Fully InsuredNO PAYMENT UNTIL COMPLETION

281-731-3383cell

[email protected]

• Garage Floor Epoxy• Custom Staining• Roofing• Gutter Repair/Replacement• Faux Painting• Door Refinishing• Window Installation• Trash Removal• Ceiling Fan/Light Fixtures

SOUTHGATE COMMUNITY PARKFollowing is an email we received from Michelle Smith, Director of

Parks and Recreation regarding our neighborhood park to be located between the west end of Harris and Kirby in the open area next to our retention pond. When Michelle visited with us at the November General Meeting she had hoped to have progress on the park by spring. This is her email from June 21, and I talked to her on Aug 3rd and the status is the same.

We are currently working on the drainage part of the plan to make sure the site will drain properly once the amenities are constructed. One of our City Engineers has agreed to do the work for us so he is fitting it in with other duties as time permits. I know there is a meeting this week to finalize the drainage and design plan. The deadline for this newsletter was August 8th, so this will be the most current update.

As I might have said to you before, this park is one of two that I am working on and in order to get a better bid for the work I wanted to bid them together. The other property happens to have a pipeline easement running along it so I must get approval from the pipeline company first. The information has been sent to them and approval is pending. I hope to hear back from them soon. In the event they do not approve, we will proceed with your park project independently.

I have two different playground choices and the one we are able to go with will depend on the remaining budget, once the trail part of the project is determined. I know I had originally said I wanted a ‘pour in place’ surface but in order to get more equipment we may have to

go to the rubber chip type surface. I really am hoping to have the trail part of the project bid out pretty

soon so you will see movement out there. I also hope it rains so the ground is a bit easier to move during construction!

Do you know if the HOA is interested in contributing any funds for the project? The playground showed as the first priority, then pavilions and then the fitness equipment and that is what I am using as my order of what gets funded first.

I appreciate your commitment and patience in this process. We are still moving forward....just a bit slower then I had hoped.

Please let me know if you have any questions.Michelle A. Smith, CPRPDirector of Parks & Recreation City of Pearland

The board has discussed that the HOA does have funds to improve on the park once we learn the city budget commitment. The list of priorities was established by the homeowners present at the November General Meeting, and that is the list that will be followed. The list is as follows in order of priority: playgrounds; pavilions with tables; fitness equipment; trails; sports field/courts; community garden. They will also have benches on the trail, trees, water fountains. There will be a berm (hill) at the end of the park to block the view from Kirby and a large open area in the middle of the trail around the park. More details to follow!


SOUTHGATE20 TIPS FOR HOME SAFETY AND SECURITY

In addition to your monitored home security system, there are steps you can take to protect your home and family from burglary, fire and intrusion. Below are some basic tips to keep your family safe.

General Home Safety and Security1. If out of the home for an extended period of time, create the

illusion that someone may still be there. Leave a TV or stereo on in the room where a burglar would most likely break in. Use exterior lighting and motion detectors to minimize burglar concealment.

2. Make sure all exterior doors have good proper locks. Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.

3. If you get an unexpected knock at the door, check to see who it is before opening it.

4. Do not leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location. Thieves will generally find them. Find an inconspicuous place to hide the keys, or give a set to a neighbor you can trust.

5. Burglar-proof your glass patio doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide. The pipe should be the same length as the track.

6. Keep garage doors shut. 7. Keep drapes and blinds shut - especially in rooms where there is

expensive equipment. Don’t advertise the items in your home. 8. Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit

box instead of leaving them lying around the home. 9. Don’t leave notes on the door for service people or family

members. These alert the burglar that you are not home. 10. If you’re going to be away from home for a few days, adjust

your telephone ring to its lowest volume setting. An unanswered phone may tip off a burglar that no one is home. Also, have a neighbor or friend collect your newspaper and mail. Never cancel delivery - you don’t know who will get that information.

Home Fire Safety11. When buying, building or renovating your home, make sure

all roofing materials are fire resistant. 12. Never leave candles or other open flames burning unattended. 13. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping

them in the trash. 14. Don’t leave hot irons, or burning stovetops and outdoor grills

unattended while in use. Double-check that you’ve turned them off after use.

15. Regularly clear and dispose of dry or dead vegetation in your yard or areas near your home.

16. Make sure the lid stays on your trash can, and store firewood and other combustibles away from your home.

17. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.

18. Don’t have deadbolts that lock with an inside key. You need to get out fast if a fire starts. A missing key could trap you inside. Also, don’t nail windows shut, make sure they can open easily.

19. Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place in front of your home. Practice makes perfect - hold a family fire drill at least twice each year. Be sure your street address is visibly posted so that firefighters can identify your home in the event of an emergency.

www.PEELinc.com

Support Your Community Newsletter

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESSTO YOUR NEIGHBORS

PEEL, INC.community newsletters

Ryan LundbergSales Manager

1-888-687-6444 ext 23 [email protected]


SOUTHGATE


SOUTHGATE

At no time will any source be allowed to use The Southgate Gazette'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 Southgate Gazette is exclusively for the private use of the Southgate 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.

FREE?DID YOU SAY

www.PEELinc.com

YES! YOUR NEWSLETTER IS PROVIDED100% FREE OF CHARGE TO YOUR HOAand is made possible by the advertisers within. Please frequenttheir businesses and let themknow where you saw their advertisement. While there, be sure to say “Thanks!”


STREET LIGHTS OUT?If you notice a street light out please report it to Centerpoint

Energy. Follow these steps.Dial (713) 207-2222Choose a language preferenceSelect option for street light outages Provide the 6 digit number painted about 5 feet up on the pole, the street name, and closest address.

POWER OUT AT YOUR HOME?

We have had many power outages in our neighborhood lately. Every homeowner should call CenterPoint Energy at 713-207-2222

to report these outages. They will usually respond quickly to multiple reports from the same area.

NEW STOP SIGNON MADISON AND CARSON

Many thanks to Jim Sudela, former board member, who worked diligently with the city to have a stop sign erected on Madison at Carson. Thanks Jim!

SLOW DOWN PLEASEPlease be aware of the speed limits and stop signs when you

are driving through our community. We want to ensure the safety of pedestrians and children. Thank You.

Let’s Make a Good First Impression

People coming into our neighborhood should be impressed by what they see especially if they are looking to buy a home. Are the yards neat and maintained? Are the houses attractive and free of mold and mildew? Are so many cars parked on the street that it is hard to drive through? What if an ambulance or fire truck needed to get through? These things are just some of the things that make a good first impression for someone visiting our neighborhood. Let’s all do our part to impress our visitors.


SOUTHGATEBE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY

During an emergency, Pearland residents will be supplied all pertinent local information on radio station 740 KTRH AM. Another source of information is the City’s website at www.cityofpearland.org. The Pearland Office of Emergency Management (2010A Old Alvin Road, 281-652-1954) offers a number of brochures and information booklets on hurricane safety - including what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.

Citizens can also access information from the following websites: • http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem-- Governor’s Division Of Emergency

Management • http://www.spc.noaa.gov-- NOAA Storm Prediction Center • http://www.srh.noaa.gov-- National Weather Service, Southern Region

(Texas) • http://www.nhc.noaa.gov-- National Hurricane Center • http://www.redcross.org-- American Red Cross • http://www.fema.gov-- Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Preparedness Tips: Prepare emergency supplies and copies of important documents before

hurricane season begins. Also, plan for your supplies to last three to seven days. • Store supplies in easy-to-carry containers • First-aid kit• Extra prescription medications, written copies of prescriptions, other special

medical items• Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence,

information you may need to process insurance claims

• Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable) • Battery-operated radio• Flashlight with extra batteries• Phone numbers of family and friends• Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations• 3 - 7 day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per

person per day• Coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic utensils• Manual can opener, knife, tools, booster cables, fire extinguisher, duct tape,

tarp, rope• Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra clothing• Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products• Eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids• Special supplies needed for babies, older adults or pets• Extra keysLast but not least, the Federal Insurance Administration cautions

everyone to double-check policies to make sure they’re covered for flood damage. There is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy goes into effect. Home and content damage is not normally covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy if the adjuster determines flooding. Please call the Pearland Office of Emergency Management at 281-652-1954 with any questions or for additional information.

http://www.cityofpearland.org/

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

http://www.redcross.org/

http://www.fema.gov/


SOUTHGATE PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPEEL, INC.

SGG

308 Meadowlark St.Lakeway, TX 78734-4717

ADVERTISE

Call Today 512-263-9181.

Right on markfor your

target audience


www.PEELinc.com512-263-9181

Documents

Southgate - September 2011