Sydney Harbour - September 2015

Copyright © 2015 Peel, Inc. Sydney Harbour - September 2015 1

SYDNEY HARBOURSYDNEY HARBOUR

News For The Residents at Sydney Harbour • September 2015 Volume 3, Issue 9

The Yard of the Month for August has been awarded to Inez Smith, 15203 Opera

House Row. Please join the Landscape Committee in congratulating and

thanking Ms. Smith for helping make Sydney Harbour a community we can all

take pride in and call home.

YARD of the

MONTH

AugustBOARD HAS APPROVED A NEW MANAGEMENT COMPANY

FOR SYDNEY HARBOUREffective August 1, 2015, Principal Management Group (PMG)

replaces Sterling as the management company for all Sydney Harbour. This is a major change and will affect your interaction with the neighborhood.

Why did Board want to change from Sterling? Many residents have negative impression of Sterling although not always deserved; PMG is an opportunity for a reset. PMG says that it will be a more “hands on” management company, so the Board, committee members and residents do not need to be so directly involved in managing the subdivision.

Why did the Board select PMG? Change is difficult, so the new company needed to offer a significant improvement. PMG offers a competitive price. PMG is a member company in Associa, the largest management company in USA, so it has economy of scale for a larger suite of services and a bench of highly experienced professionals. For example, PMG offers superior IT that will add clarity and efficiency to interfaces with Board, Committees and residents. Also, through Associa, PMG can access broader knowledge to help in resolving unique Sydney Harbour issues.

What should we expect from PMG? A smooth transition of base business including existing committees and contractors. More involvement by the management company in base business. Better communication with neighborhood through new channels and better use of existing channels. New ideas to resolve long standing issues and to add value and enjoyment for the residents. A more neighborly tone in the relationship between the residents and the management company.

What does it mean for me? For any matter that you would previously have contacted Sterling, instead please call the following:

Roni Verrett: 713-329-7100 (office) / 713-329-7158 (direct)[email protected] has sent an introduction package to every resident and will

also attend our Board meeting on August 13.

2 Sydney Harbour - September 2015 Copyright © 2015 Peel, Inc.

SYDNEY HARBOUR

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As the industry leader in community management, we proudly serve nearly 4 million homeowners every day. With a wide array of programs and services ready to fit your specific needs, we help bring superior results to your community. We put people first—always—which is why when you choose Associa, you get a level of trust and security you won’t find anywhere else.

As the global leader in association management, Associa brings over 30 years of experience and the highest levels of service to our clients’ communities. We understand and strive to meet the unique needs of each community, including exceptional expertise and resources for your association.

We serve associations of all types – single-family, condo, mixed-use and master-planned communities, luxury high-rise, active adult, resorts, golf and commercial – while also helping builders, developers and real estate professionals achieve their goals.

Combining our global strength with local, fully staffed offices, our number one goal is serving you and driving superior results for your community.

Our services include:A Full Service Company. Associa/Principal Management Group

Houston provides complete management and consulting services to our clients through a wide array of programs tailored to your individual and specific needs. We are locally based and proud to serve the area in which we live.

The Industry’s Best Trained Staff. Recognizing the importance of professional education for our personnel, Associa/Principal Management Group Houston devotes a substantial amount of human and financial resources to Associa’s National Continuing Education Program, which helps our staff, earn recognized industry designations and accreditations in addition to being kept abreast of the latest governmental, operational, and philosophical trends in the field of community association management.

Innovative Programs That Save Your Association Time and Money. Associa/Principal Management Group Houston offers our clients the opportunity to participate in a number of volume purchasing programs and other unique service offerings. Volume purchasing programs on such items as property and liability insurance can result in significant cost savings, and service offerings such as community websites and full color newsletter production make your job as board members much easier. We can help our clients save tens of thousands of dollars through participation in these optional programs. While these programs are voluntary and available for an additional cost, many of our associations recognize the value each program brings to their bottom line.

The Associa Advantage. Through our exclusive Associa Advantage program Associa/Principal Management Group Houston offers all residents the Associa Advantage. This exclusive and free program for homeowners in Associa/Principal Management Group Houston managed

communities brings together discounts from Lowe’s and other regional and national vendors. In some cases owners can offset their cost per door for management by simply taking advantage of the savings we have negotiated with these partners. Log on to www.associaadvantage.com to learn more.

Our experience is unmatched. What we take the most pride in is the reputation we have earned from providing excellent management, operational, and financial services to our clients. We believe strongly in the value of personal service, which is why each community we manage receives the personal attention of an individual community manager selected to meet the particular needs of each client. We know that every community is unique with different requirements and different priorities; so our management services are custom tailored to match the objectives of each community we represent. When you call Associa/Principal Management Group Houston you get to speak with a live person and we aim to resolve all calls the first time they come in.

We value Houston – particularly its spirit and sense of community – and we look forward to our partnership with Sydney Harbour!

Let Us Introduce Ourselves!


SYDNEY HARBOUR

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Tuesday, October 6th | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmNational Night Out in Sydney Harbour is an opportunity to

meet your neighbors and become more acquainted so we can work together to keep crime out of our community. We can do this by watching out for each other.

Let›s see if we can get every street in Sydney Harbour to participate. Volunteer to work with your neighbors for this year›s NNO. Residents can meet in their cul-de-sac or in a neighbor›s driveway. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Don›t forget to bring your favorite beverage and chair.

In the past a volunteer from each street would pass out flyers announcing NNO. If you need a flyer, send your request to [email protected] no later than Friday, October 2nd.

Garage SaleSaturday, October 24th8:00 am - 12:00 noon

The Sydney Harbour Community Garage Sale was a huge success last year. This is a good way to clean out those closets & attics. If you would like to participate, please register at [email protected], so we can put an arrow at the end of your street.


SYDNEY HARBOUR

What’s In a Name?From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sugarloaf Bay Drive is a cul-de-sac street on the east side of Sydney Harbour subdivision and is located between Obelisk Bay and Harbour Bridge Point. It is home to 29 residences. It is named after an actual bay in Sydney, Australia that is a part of a larger area known as Middle Harbour. Middle Harbour itself contains 13 separate bays.

Various parks, bush land and some developments surround Sugarloaf Bay.

Historically, Middle Harbour was almost entirely neglected during the first two centuries of European settlement in Sydney due to the rugged, forested terrain. There were only a few small patches of flat land on its shores.

Since the 1920s , most of the land on the ridge-tops around Middle Harbour has been developed for suburban hous ing . Much of the shore of the Middle Harbour remains covered with bushland and for that reason is now protected by parks and reserves. Middle Harbour is a popular area for recreational boating and fishing.

Harold Reid Reserve is one such large park overlooking Sugarloaf Bay, and brings many visitors to the area. The park includes lookouts, walking trails and picnic facilities. It has also been declared a protected area for wildlife, which includes goannas, sugar gliders, buff-banded rails, swamp wallabies, snakes and eastern spinebills.

Also overlooking Sugarloaf Bay is Innisfallen Castle located in Castle Cove. Henry Hastings Willis, a prominent member of the Parliament of New South Wales built Innisfallen Castle is the Gothic style over 18 months from 1903-1905 using sandstone quarried on the estate.

Situated on the ridge of Castle Cove, the building overlooks Sugarloaf Bay and is a landmark that can be seen from various places in the area.

Managing the LakesAs we all spend more time outside in the summer, we

pay particular attention to the signature lakes of Sydney Harbor. We took this opportunity to catch up with the Lake Committee on the status of lakes over the last few months. They provided us with the following update:

The excessive rainfall in the spring was good for our lawns and foliage, but contributed to a poor water color. We are dying the lakes as much as we have in years past, but this past spring as soon as we put dye in the lakes, the rain washed it out. During the summer months, the dye has resided longer. Lake management is an ongoing tradeoff between cost and color. We will continue to dye the lakes as scheduled to try to systematically maintain the lake color within our budget

Runoff washes dirt and sand from our yards, construction sites and streets, directly through the storm drains into the lakes. Any trash or construction debris which is left in the street will eventually be washed into the storm drains, and then into our lakes.

The homeowners association has a contract with Lake Pro to maintain the waterways, fountains, lights, and waterfalls. Lake Pro usually comes to Sydney Harbour once or twice a week to check the lakes and make necessary repairs. During their maintenance visits they also remove trash from the lakes. Unfortunately, this still leaves five or six days without scheduled trash removal. Sydney Harbour residents can help by ensuring that our trash doesn’t get into our waterways in the first place.

Rain can also bring out mosquitoes. Whereas you may think that mosquitoes breed in the lakes, in fact, our fountains keep the lake water moving enough to discourage mosquito breeding. They prefer stagnant water to lay their eggs, such as gutter downspout splash blocks, potted plant trays and semi-submerged boats.

Most of the water in the lakes comes from rainfall. During drier periods, we supplement with water from our well into Lake 3 (northern-most). This pumped water flows through underground pipes connecting the three Lakes. Although we own the well, we still must pay for pumped water to the local Subsidence District. It is expensive. The Lake Committee decides when to pump into the lakes so as to only pay for water when we are fairly certain that rainfall will not be sufficient to maintain an acceptable water level.

Managing the lakes requires ongoing attention and judgment to keep them looking nice while watching our spending.


SYDNEY HARBOUR

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SYDNEY HARBOUR

SENIORS 50+ Experience the Magic of Maui

April 20 - 27, 2016Includes:

• Round trip air on American Airlines• Round trip transportation between the airport & hotel• 7 night hotel stay at The Royal Lahaina Resort• Full American breakfast daily• 1 evening luau with island style food and entertainment• Day of island sightseeing (Haleakala Crater, Iso Valley & Lahaina)• Road to Hana tour with picnic lunch• Travel Protection

Partial Ocean View Room $2525.00Deluxe Ocean View Room $2725.00

Ocean Front Room $3070.00

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A deposit of $480 is needed to reserve your space and prices are subject to change until deposit has been received. $150.00 non refundable. Final Payment is due by March 2016.

For more information call Lori Skadowski 281-782-5517 or [email protected]

Hockley Community Center Presents

SPECIAL EVENTSIn addition to regularly scheduled activities – knitting, quilting,

oil painting, yoga, stretching, exercise classes, cards and dominoes – Harris County Precinct Three Commissioner Steve Radack’s Hockley Community Center is offering the following upcoming events and activities:

Lunchtime “Whodunit” Book Club: All curious minds are welcome to attend the “Whodunit” Book Club on the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva will be discussed on Sep. 8th. Please bring a sandwich or a snack. Call (936) 931-5029 for more information.

Advance registration for special activities is typically requested. An adult must accompany and remain with anyone under the age of 18 visiting the center. The Hockley Community Center is part of the Harris County Precinct Three Recreation Complex at 28515 Old Washington Road in Hockley. A calendar of events is available at the Harris County Precinct Three website at www.pct3.hctx.net. For more information, call (936) 931-5030.

AHFC JUNIOR HURRICANES (JHSL) REGISTRATION FOR

FALL 2015 OPENThe Junior Hurricanes Soccer League (JHSL) is led by

professional United States Soccer Federation (USSF) licensed staff and is designed for boys & girls who want to play and have fun in a safe and developmentally appropriate environment. The JHSL program is being offered at multiple locations and in conjunction with CFSA at the Schiel Road Complex. To learn more about each location and to register please visit www.albionhurricanes.org. For those wishing only to train, join us in Katy for AHFC Friday Night Academy. Visit Katy Youth Soccer to register for this Friday Fun Program. Email us at [email protected] for more information or questions.

Office Phone: 713-939-7473 Come Join The Fun!

JOIN GIRL SCOUTS!School has begun and your family is getting back into its fall routine.

This might include school, homework, sports activities, dance, and if you have a daughter, hopefully GIRL SCOUTS! Beginning in September, consider joining Girl Scouts at your neighborhood schools as we will be hosting a recruitment events to encourage girls and parents to join this great organization. In Girl Scouts, your daughter has the opportunity to explore new interests, participate in community service activities, make new friends, and simply have fun. As a Girl Scout leader, an adult has the chance to mentor a group of girls to help them reach their fullest potential. Please consider joining this organization so you can have a direct impact on the girls in your community. Girl Scouts is for girls in grades kindergarten to 12th grade and the cost is $15.

To find out when Girl Scouts will be at your school, please go the Girl Scout of San Jacinto website at www.gssjc.org and click on “Join Today.” For more information, please contact your community volunteer, Susan Lawyer, at [email protected]. We are looking forward to another great year in the Cypress area and hope you can join in on the fun!


SYDNEY HARBOUR

IMPORTANT NUMBERSEMERGENCY NUMBERS

Harris County Sheriff ......................................... 866.222.7100Pct 4 Main Dispatch Number ............................. 281.376.3472Animal Control (Emergency) .............................. 281.999.3191Poison Control .................................................... 800.764.7661Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department ..................... 713.466.6161Emergency .......................................................................... 911

LOCAL UTILITY/SERVICE PROVIDERSElectricity- Reliant Energy ...................................281-897-8808

You can choose your electric providerWater and Sewer-Eagle Management ................... 281.374.8989Garbage Pick-up ........................................Monday & ThursdayRecycle Pickup ..................................................Monday ONLYGas-CenterPoint Energy ..................................... 713-.659.2111Telephone- AT&T .............................................. 800.464.7928

You can choose your telephone providerCable-Comcast .................................................... 713.895.2539

You can choose your cable provider

PUBLIC SERVICESUnited States Postal Service ................................. 281.373.9125.......................................................16635 Spring Cypress RoadMetro Park and Ride ........................................... 713.635.4000

MEDICAL FACILITIESMethodist Hospital-Willowbrook ....................... 281.477.1000Cy-Fair Medical Center ....................................... 281.890.4285Memorial Herman Hospital ................................ 281.392.1111North Cypress Medical Center ............................ 281.894.0003

COMMUNITY SCHOOLSCy-Fair ISD Administration ................................281-897-4000......................................................................10300 Jones RoadFarney Elementary School ...................................281-373-2850.................................................................14425 Barker CypressGoodson Middle School ......................................281-373-2350.....................................................................17333 HuffmeisterCy-Woods High School .......................................281-213-1727.......................................................16825 Spring Cypress Road

PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

Houston OfficeRoni Verrett ........................................... Association Manager ............................................................. 713-329-7158 office, .....................................................sverrett@pmghouston.com Cymone Bolden ................................Administrative Assistant ........................................................................713-329-7158 Roni Verrett .........Pool Card Administrator/Customer Service ....................................................................... 713-329-7158 .....................................................sverrett@pmghouston.com

Homeowners are welcome to contact 713-329-7158 for emergencies and account information. Representatives are

available to assist homeowners.

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

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Description: The position includes marketing our community newsletters to local and area businesses. It is a flexible position that allows you to work from home and set your own hours.

Roles: Stimulate new advertising accounts in our community newsletters. Maintain current accounts assigned to you by Sales Manager. Service your accounts by assisting them from ad design to final proof approval.

Skills: Excellent communication through email and phone, with high level presentation and relationship-building skills. Strong prospecting and business development skills are a must. Previous sales experience preferred but not required.

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Advertising Sales Representative


SYDNEY HARBOUR

SYD

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Sydney Harbour - September 2015