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Published weekly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association's
Communications Committee - January 9, 2017 Edition!
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"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
~
Henry Ford
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Villages of Westcreek and the David (Davy) Crockett Connection? - Part 1
Calling on Westcreek Residents to Solve the Puzzle
Upon purchasing a home in Westcreek in 1996, the salesman shared the rumor that the
land that is Westcreek once belonged to David (Davy) Crockett's heirs.
Yuri Balmaceda, a member of the
Westcreek Historical Research Sub-Committee, researched and provided a map and information showing a portion of Westcreek was indeed a part of the original survey given to the heirs of David Crockett. The documents indicate 196 acres and a patent date of October 19, 1891. Further inspection shows an original patent date of
May 12, 1838 and Robert Crockett's name is on some documents.
Problem solved? No, there are more parts to the puzzle.
Background Information on Land Grants in Texas
The history of the disposition, use, and settlement of public land in Texas is too complex to go into detail. Land grants were awarded by the Spanish crown, the Mexican government, the Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. Our concern is with land grants given to defenders of the Battle of the Alamo.
In 1835, a provisional government set up by Anglo inhabitants of Texas ordered all land offices within Texas closed. On March 2, 1836, with the Alamo siege underway, delegates from across Texas met and declared their independence from Mexico. The Republic of Texas lasted from March 2, 1836-February 19, 1846, when Texas was annexed as a state to the United States.
Following the example of other countries, the Republic of Texas (an independent country) encouraged and rewarded military service. Because the new Republic of Texas lacked the funds to provide pensions, it resorted to its public lands. Bounty grants were used as a recruiting device and land was promised as compensation for service. In 1837, donation grants of 640 acres were issued to soldiers (or their heirs) who fought at the Alamo, Goliad, San Jacinto, or the siege of Bexar. Recipients of the donations were prohibited from selling the land (a provision which was repealed in 1848).
Click here to view copies of the historical documents related to this article!
Next week, we will share more of this fascinating story and the missing parts of the puzzle.
If you would like to be a part of the team that solves this puzzle, please email
Deb Biggerstaff, to find out how you can help in this research.
VWOA Historical Research Sub-committee Meeting
Date: Monday, January 9, 2017
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Where: Community Center Conference Room
This is an open meeting! All are Welcome!
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LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!
The
"VWOA Historical Research Sub-committee" is seeking the volunteer services of a
"Videographer/Movie Producer" who can create a final production product that will include video clips, still photos and audio recordings in celebration of the
"30th Anniversary" celebration of the Villages of Westcreek.
Point of Contact
This is an awesome volunteer opportunity to do something to preserve our history for future residents.
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Just a reminder that your 1st Quarter Assessments were due on January 1, 2017!
NOTE: You can still come into the office and pay your assessments in cash, or a check/money order without incurring a fee.
Click here to visit our Assessment page on the website for additional information!
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We want to bring to your attention the traffic safety within our community. We are all aware that our main thoroughfares have quickly become overly congested with a constant stream of traffic. With this comes a number of drivers that aren't particularly paying attention to other vehicles and unfortunately even less to pedestrian traffic.
While the Bexar County Sheriff's Department and the Constable often make safety patrols in our community, you still should look out for drivers focused more on their phones or passengers than on the road.
Last week a homeowner and pet were narrowly missed by a driver at the subdivision entrance off of Loop 1604 and Military Dr. West. The dog was scratched above the eye but other than that, thankfully both owner and dog are fine. Please be extra cautious with our runners and walkers throughout the community. Let us ensure that we create a safe environment for everyone to enjoy this beautiful community.
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Got an issue with a violation somewhere in the community? Need information about assessments? Want to know a bit more about our facility usage? Do you have family coming to visit with their big RV that will be parked in the driveway for a bit? Do you have a large renovation project on the interior of your home and will be keeping a trailer around for a day or so?
Just let us know! Either give us a ring at the following number (210-679-8761) or send us an e-mail using infoaction@villagesofwestcreek.com. We will be glad to hear from you.
By communicating with us directly, we may be able to avoid sending violation notifications or we could address your issue much faster.
Thank you so much!!!
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If you're planning on having a
Yard Sale this weekend, please be sure to get your permit from the VWOA Office by
Thursday, January 12, 2017.
Your event will be listed on the
Community Yard Sale Listings page of our website, on
Friday, January 13, 2017!
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BECOME A SPONSOR - SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SOCCER TEAMS
We are offering the opportunity for local and small private businesses to advertise with our soccer teams. We are asking for support to help make our upcoming season another great success. Our program is strictly funded through player registrations and the generous donations of our local business community. This is a great opportunity if you have a small business from home (Etsy shop, Beauty Control, Advocare, etc.), small business offering services (roofing, landscaping, cleaning, etc.) or a big corporation you work for to get some visibility through multiple avenues. For your tax-deductible donation for both the spring 2017 and fall 2017 season(s) we will provide the following:
- Company name and/or logo on front of team jerseys (team of your choosing based on availability)
- Company website listed under our "sponsors" section on league page on VWOA website
- Company listed in annual Community Sports Almanac
- Proud Sponsor plaque with team photo and name for you to display
Please help us provide the children of Westcreek Soccer League a safe place to go for fun, friendship, exercise, recreation, memories and positive valued life skills.
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Jason Dunbar, Community Activities Superintendent, at 210-679-8761.
Click here to download the Soccer Team Sponsorship Form!
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SUPER SOCCER SATURDAY
We will be holding a registration event on
Saturday, January 21st, for our 2017 spring soccer season! Between the hours of
10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M., stop in at the Community Center and get your soccer stars signed up and have a little fun.
We are going to have some activities for the kids to have some fun, along with vendors to help us ensure the proper sizing for your child's jersey. The vendors will also bring a selection of the basic necessities for your athletes like black shorts, socks, shin guards and cleats for your shopping convenience. We will have a bouncy house, and the wonderful hot dog stand set up for your enjoyment as well.
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CREATIVE DANCE CLASS - AGES 3 - 5
Creative Dance Class is for children ages 3-5 and provides a fun way to learn the foundation of dance, music, timing and fun choreographies. The class teaches focus, and coordination, while combining movements to music that is fun for all.
- Rates: $12 per class
- Full Session Rate: $189 ending in Holiday Spring Showcase
- Class meets every Monday, starting Monday, January 9, 2017, from 6:00 P.M. to 6:45 P.M., in the Community Center Hall.
- First class is FREE. After the free trial class, you can register at the VWOA Office during normal business hours
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MedDropSA - FREE EVENT
MedDropSA is the safe, easy way to dispose of unwanted and expired over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Simply bring any unwanted medicines along with other household hazardous waste items to the City of San Antonio's mobile collection events. Medications will be accepted at NO CHARGE, and disposed of in a safe, legal way - keeping these drugs off our streets and out of the environment.
- DO bring unused or expired prescription medications as well as out-of-date or unwanted over-the-counter medications.
- DO bring pills dumped into a zipper storage bag.
- DO bring liquids in their original container.
- DON'T bring needles or other 'sharps.' (These can be discarded in a sealed milk jug or carton or even a coffee can, and tossed into the trash.)
Click here for more information!
SOURCE: San Antonio Water System
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TEMPORARY SPORTS PARK PASSES EXPIRE ON JANUARY 14, 2017
Anyone who has a temporary ID pass that expires in January or beyond will need to have a regular ID issued by
January 14, 2017. The office will be open Saturday,
January 14, 2017, to help facilitate this.
All temporary IDs will be invalid on
January 14, 2017, regardless of the expiration date. Hopefully this will help to facilitate all of our homeowners and their needs.
Thank you!
Richard Gentry
President, Board of Directors
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This weekend around the house, take down all exterior holiday decorations.
Residents have until
January 16, 2017, to remove all holiday decorations.
Keep Westcreek Beautiful!
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No crime or incidents of vandalism have been reported to the VWOA Office.
Please remember to be observant in your neighborhood.
- Report any suspicious activities or persons to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at 210-335-6000.
- If you see graffiti or vandalism in the Villages of Westcreek, please report it to the office at 210-679-8761.
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10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CAR FROM THEFT
Don't leave your car unlocked.
- Never leave your car running, especially while it is unattended or unlocked
Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle.
- Many people keep a spare key under the car, just in case they get locked out and thieves know exactly where to check for an extra key. While getting locked out of your car is a pain, think about the potential hassle of your car getting stolen.
Never leave your windows open.
- Even during the summer when it is scorching hot, don't leave your windows open or slightly cracked when you are not in the vehicle.
Park in well-lit, public areas.
- Avoid parking in areas that are poorly lit or places that are not immediately seen by the public. This will not only keep you safe when you exit the car, it will also help keep your car safe because thieves tend to avoid areas that are highly visible.
Install an audible alarm system and a visible anti-theft device.
- Car thieves tend to avoid cars with alarms or anti-theft devices because they attract attention when they go off. These devices are well worth the investment.
Install a vehicle immobilizer system.
- Thieves can bypass your ignition by "hotwiring" your car. You can prevent this by using a vehicle mobilizer system such as fuel cut-offs and smart keys
Consider installing a GPS tracking system.
- When your car is stolen, this tracking system will emit a signal to the police of your vehicle's location. This may help the police recover your vehicle faster and may minimize the damage to your car. This may be a good investment if you live in an area with high auto theft rates.
Don't leave valuable personal property in your car.
- The best way to attract a thief is to leave your purse or another high-value item in a highly visible area of your car. If you must put something of value in your car, keep it in the trunk or under the seats, where it is not visible to others.
Use common sense.
- If you are wary of the safety of your car or see someone loitering around the parking lot, it's best to park somewhere else. It's better to walk a few extra steps than to have your car stolen because you ignored your instincts.
Source:
The Allstate Blog
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Santikos Winter Movies - FREE
The following movies are FREE on the following Saturdays in January at the Silverado, Northwest Rialto and Mayan Palace. Movie time begins at 11:00 A.M. Free for all ages. Arrive early for best seating.
- January 14, 2017 - The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- January 21, 2017 - Happy Feet
- January 28, 2017 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
For more information visit: www.santikos.com/wintermovies
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Westcreek resident
Michelle de Jongh prepares a weekly list of
"Things to do in San Antonio."
To subscribe, send your email address to
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ALLOWED WITHOUT ARC APPROVAL
Address house numbers
that are painted on the curb by local venders for a small fee do not require ARC approval, however they will fade over time and is subject to being rubbed off by vehicle tires and/or street sweepers.
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What is the difference between knowledge and intelligence?
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