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Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - June 1, 2019 Edition!
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| Servant Leadership: What It Means To Have A Servant Heart |
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For as long as I can remember, I have had an extremely strong and uncommon desire to serve others. At first, many people, to include myself, viewed this as a weakness. Unfortunately, when people answer this call of serving others, they sacrifice their own success. Burning the midnight oil for other people, they fall behind on their personal responsibilities and burn out. Reaching down to help others up, often leads to being stepped on - and sometimes squashed. However, as I grew and developed myself as a professional and leader, I have realized that my innate desire to serve has catapulted my life both personally and professionally to astronomical heights; all because I have always followed my desire to serve first; by becoming a servant leader. Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. "The servant-leader is servant first...it begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead (Robert K. Greenleaf)."
How do you give and serve without compromising your well-being and falling short on traditional notions of success? First, reject these myths about servant leadership.
- Servant leadership is not about being nice. Being a nice person is about courtesy. When you believe you have to be nice in order to serve, you fail to set boundaries, rarely saying no. Productive givers focus on acting in the long-term best interests of others, even if it's not pleasant. They provide critical feedback that truly needs to be heard, offers tough love knowing that they may be liked less but will come to be trusted and respected more.
- Servant leadership is not about altruism. In the eyes of many people, giving doesn't count unless it's completely selfless. In reality, giving isn't sustainable when it is completely selfless. Think of it this way, successful givers secure their oxygen masks first before coming to the assistance of others. Although their motives may be less purely altruistic, their actions prove more altruistic, because they are able to give more.
- Servant leadership is not about refusing help. When people focus on giving, they often become fearful of asking. They don't want to be a burden or an inconvenience to others. The productively generous recognize the difference between taking and receiving. Taking is using others solely for personal gain. Receiving is accepting help when you need it and maintain a willingness to pay it back or forward.
Once you dispel these myths you can now focus on what true servant leadership is. Servant leadership is about:
- Letting others see you serve and encourage them to join you. It is of the utmost importance that you lead and live by example. Invite others to serve in your community with you.
- Making sure they know that you genuinely care. Have you heard this famous quote before? "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." It is crucial that leaders know and understand that being knowledgeable does not make you a good leader, being caring does.
- Investing in people. The biggest investment you can make in people is your time. Giving your time is a surefire way to let people know how much you care. Spend time connecting with others as often as you can.
Last, servant leadership is not placing restrictions on your willingness to serve. Successful leaders maintain a servant's heart and thus encourage people to do the same. My good friend and mentor John Maxwell, whom I served alongside for the last two years, says "the best place for a leader isn't always the top position. It isn't the most prominent or powerful place. It's the place where he or she can serve the best and add the most value to other people." I challenge you to explore ways to foster servant leadership in your own leadership style and among your community as well.
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At the Board of Directors meeting, held on May 16, 2019, the Board of Directors decided what position each member of the new Board would have for the upcoming term.
Just before this meeting, current Board Member Judi Cannon submitted her resignation due to health and personal issues. The Board of Directors decided to appoint Roger Larson to fulfill her term since he received the next highest vote by the members in the last election.
The Directors voted to fill the Officers positions on the Board as follows:
- President - Richard Gentry
- Vice President - Kevin Drummonds
- Treasurer - Heather Mallia
- Secretary - Roger Larson
- Assistant Secretary - Daniel Schafer
Finally, we would like to thank outgoing Board Members Judi Cannon and John Steele for their dedication and service to our community.
Submitted by: Richard Gentry, VWOA President
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LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION EVENT!
The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association would like to express our sincere appreciation to the
"Women of Westcreek" who planned, organized and executed the
"Law Enforcement Appreciation Event" for our local law enforcement Community from start to finish.
We would also like to recognize the following volunteers and sponsors who contributed their time and services to make this special event a great success:
| VOLUNTEERS |
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- Kim Dixon
- Marla Gill Ferguson
- Duchess Yana
- Heather Mallia
- Sarah Miller
- Vanessa Lagunas
- Reanna Rodriguez Martinez
- Alexandra Bashkirolf
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- DeeDee Papendick Valerio
- Karolina Ferguson Biernacka
- Raina Pitsch White
- Jonna Janicki
- Candace Taylor
- Julie Hafermann
- Melissa Garcia
- Brennan ROTC
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| SPONSORS |
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A Special
"Westcreek Shoutout" to
William Scaramell for all his help!
Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher, Communication Committee Chair
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WESTCREEK RESIDENTS LEARN THE ABCs OF STOP THE BLEED
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If you were in a car accident and a loved one was bleeding profusely, would you know how to help him or her until help arrives? The number one cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. Knowing how to stop that bleeding could mean the difference between life and death.
Teaching civilians some basic actions they can take in a bleeding emergency is the purpose of the
"Stop the Bleed" campaign. The skills learned could be beneficial following everyday emergencies and man-made and natural disasters. The presentations are supplemented by hands on training of tourniquet application and pressure application in a life threatening injury scenario. More than a dozen Westcreek residents attended a free class last month in the Community Center that was generously led by residents
Jacqueline Khalaf, RN, CPST, and her husband
Rudy S. Khalaf, Division Chief Bexar County Emergency Service District No. 2. Captain Brad Bendele, Paramedic also taught the class with them.
The Khalafs explained that the first priority is your own safety. Once you are in a safe location and someone near you is bleeding, you should remember the ABCs of Bleeding Control:
A-Alert 911-Know your location, call 911, and follow instructions provided by the operator.
B-Bleeding-Find the source of bleeding by looking for continuous, large volume, or pooling of blood.
C-Compress-Apply direct pressure to the wound and, if available, use gauze or cloth to cover the injury. Compress further by packing gauze into the wound. If the bleeding is in a leg or arm, apply a tourniquet 2 or 3 inches above the wound and tighten until the bleeding stops.
Class participants were given the opportunity to practice the techniques learned by using supplies from Stop the Bleed kits, which Jacqueline Khalaf said are available on Amazon.com. She also said you can easily create your own kit with supplies such as gauze, gloves, a tourniquet, and more. For more information, visit BleedingControl.org or StoptheBleed.org.
On a side note, just this past week, the Texas Senate passed Texas House Bill HB496, which would require school personnel and campus resource officers to learn the basic lifesaving skill that's part of the national Stop the Bleed movement. The bill also would require schools to maintain and provide bleeding control stations. If HB496 receives the Governor's signature, it will be effective Sept. 1 but not fully implemented in schools until January 2020.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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RFID CARD DEADLINE EXTENDED
Due to recent feedback, we have decided to extend our deadline to June 3rd. Old ID Cards with updated or current stickers will be accepted through June 3rd. Please come in at your earliest convenience to take your new photo and receive your new RFID Card.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the HOA Office at 210-679-8761.
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The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association Office will be open from 9:00 AM till 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
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The Sports Park Pool will be closed as follows for the "Westcreek Wahoos Swim Team" practice
May 21, 2019 through June 7, 2019
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
(Monday - Friday)
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2019 POOL SCHEDULE UPDATE
- Open May 1st - October 27th
- The pool will be open during the following hours, weather permitting*
- *Safety Note: The pools must be closed if there is thunder and/or lightning within 15 miles of pools.
COMMUNITY CENTER POOL
- Pool Season: May 1st - October 27th
- Regular Pool Season Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Early Lap Swim: M/W/F 5:00 AM -7:00 AM
- Closed Tuesdays for Cleaning
- Pool Season: June 1st - September 1st
- Regular Pool Season Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Aqua Fitness will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM till 10:30 AM ($7 for residents - $8 for non-residents per class or $50.00 per month)
- Aqua HIIT will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:10 AM till 6:40 AM ($7 for residents - $8 for non-residents per class or $50.00 per month)
- Open Weekends Only in September, October: (10:00 AM - 10:00 PM)
- Closed Mondays for Cleaning
- The Sports Park Pool will be closed for Westcreek Wahoos Swim Practice as follows:
- May 20th - June 7th
- 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (M-F Only)
- On June 7th, the Sports Park Pool will be closed at 3:00 PM for the remainder of the day to accommodate the Westcreek Wahoos Swim Practice.
GAINING ACCESS TO THE AMENITIES
- VWOA office is located at 12395 Military Drive West
- The Association will be issuing new RFID ID cards. Replacement cost for the cards will be $20.00. The new cards will have a photo on the front to identify the user. Anyone caught using a card that is not theirs will have their cards confiscated.
- If you are a tenant, please provide a copy of the current lease agreement.
GUEST POLICY
- Sports Park and Community Center Pools:
- All residents, 13 and older, may sponsor up to 3 guests per card not to exceed 6 per household. All guests must be registered upon entering the pool's area whether they are swimmers or spectators.
- NOTE: Due to recent complaints and events that have occurred at the pools, the Board has decided to adjust the guest policy for residents. Any resident under the age of 18 years of age, with a valid Villages of Westcreek RFID card, are no longer allowed to bring guests with them without an accompanying adult. We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation with this. This is effective immediately.
- Must be current on all assessments with a zero balance prior to issuance/activation of an RFID ID card.
- Must have an RFID ID card to enter facility.
- Must be a resident and/or guest of a resident.
POOL PARTY RESERVATIONS
- Homeowners may reserve the Community Center pool area for parties between the hours of 8:00 PM -10:00 PM. Please find the Exclusive Use and Contract sheets on the Villages of Westcreek website. You can print them out before you come in to book your party.
IMPORTANT LINKS
SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK
Each swimmer is responsible to swim within their own abilities.
In the event of an Emergency call 911
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Your 3rd Quarter Assessment of $99.00 will be due on July 1, 2019.
On July 29, 2019, all accounts with outstanding balances begin incurring a late fee of $20.00, plus a delinquent interest charge.
CLICK HERE
for more information about how to pay your assessments and our
Billing/Collection Policy
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NOTE
: The Office is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, excluding holidays. In addition, the Office is open on the 2nd Saturday each month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Payments can still be made here at the VWOA onsite office during business hours.
- Payments may also be mailed to our office, made payable to VWOA, at 12395 Military Dr. West, San Antonio, TX 78253. You can also mail your payment directly to Spectrum Association Management, P.O. Box 299008, Lewisville, TX 75029. Mailed payments are processed electronically; please do not send cash!
- You may drop off cash (in a sealed envelope), check, or money-order at the drop box, located to the right of our front entry doors at the business office. Make sure you include your address on your check/money order.
- Cash is accepted in the office.
- Card Payments will be accepted only after the homeowner is registered with Spectrumam.com.
- Pay by Phone- 1-877-342-6233 (your account number needed).
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If you need extra time to pay your assessments, fill out the form on the website below to see if you qualify for a payment plan. Payment plan requests are reviewed within two business days, and if approved, a payment plan agreement will be emailed to sign and return to our office within five business days.
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The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association is happy to announce that the
"Farmers Market" is back for the 2019 Season (April 24th thru August 7th)!
Please be sure to drop by and support the Farmers Market which is located in the overflow parking lot at the VWOA Community Center.
Hours of Operations: Every Wednesday from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM
SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS!
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This event will be held in the overflow parking lot at the VWOA Community Center located at 12395 Military Drive West, San Antonio, Texas 78253.
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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS
The Villages of Westcreek launched an experiment to see if there was enough interest and support within the community for us to host local Food Trucks.
What started with just two food trucks serving the community on Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings, has now expanded to several additional trucks offering their cuisine throughout the week.
The support we received from community members and the Food Truck vendors has made this a successful venture.
If you know of a Food Truck that you think would be interested in joining the
"StrEATS of Westcreek,"
have them contact the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 during our normal business hours. There is a small $25 fee for each truck that participates in the program. We only allow one truck per evening.
CLICK HERE
to view the StrEATS of Westcreek Food Truck schedule and menus!
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CALLING ON ALL WESTCREEK KNITTERS!
Westcreek is now taking donations for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
We are asking for donations of scarfs, caps and hats.
You may drop items off at the VWOA Office.
*Donations will be picked up July 1, 2019*
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Our next scheduled Community Yard Sales will be held on
June 8, 2019
. Community Yard Sales listings will be posted on the
VWOA website,
the day prior to the event. If you wish to add your yard sale to the listing, please call the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 by 12 noon on the Friday before the scheduled yard sale.
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| Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, Administrative Director |
CLICK HERE for additional information and registration for our 2019 Fall Soccer Program!
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Come join your neighbors in a fun game of Bingo!
Date: 1st Tuesday of the month
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: VWOA Community Center Hall, 12395 Military Drive West, San Antonio, Texas 78253
To play you will need to make either a $2.00 or Prize donation!
For questions or additional information, contact Jason Dunbar at 210-679-8761!
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British Soccer & Tetra Brazil have combined & Challenger International Soccer Camps will be coming to our community this summer!
Challenger Sports, the leading soccer camp company in North America, is combining the most popular elements of their two existing industry-leading camp programs, British Soccer and Tetra Brazil, integrating them into a collection of the most effective soccer practices used by youth teams around the world.
The new Challenger International Soccer Camp reflects the truly global nature of the sport today and provides young players with a wide variety of coaching styles, practices, and influences that will help them develop a well-rounded skill set.
We have taken the best coaching methodologies and practices from England, Brazil, Spain, USA and France and have woven them together in a multi-faceted on and off-field coaching experience.
LOCAL PROGRAM:
Villages of Westcreek
- Location: VWOA Sports Park, 12354 Military Drive West, San Antonio, TX 78253-6021
- When: July 15 - July 19
- Every participant also gets a Free T-Shirt and a Free Soccer Ball regardless of when they register for the week long camp.
Improve your game with the most popular soccer camp in the USA and Canada!
- Incredible Coaching Staff
- Develop new skills and refine existing ones
- Play with more confidence and have more fun
- Learn the NAIA Champions of Character traits; respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership
- Represent your country in your very own World Cup
- Any camp or clinic participant will receive the iChallenge App and 20 free skill-building videos!
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2019 LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM
The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association is happy to announce that our
"2019 Learn to Swim Program" will begin on June 3rd. Numerous classes will be offered throughout the Pool Season.
REGISTRATION:
- To register for these classes, drop by the VWOA Community Center Office during normal business hours.
- Registration in progress now.
- Registration Fee is $100 per person.
CLASS LOCATION:
- Villages of Westcreek Community Center Pool
- 12395 Military Drive West, San Antonio, Texas 78253
NOTE:
- All Special Needs Children and Adults Require Adult Assist in Water.
- Private Lessons are Available -@ 9:30 AM - Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
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The Westcreek Poker Club was established by homeowner Michael Rico to bring community members together for an evening of fun. This club is exclusively for Westcreek residents.
Poker Club Rules:
- Each Westcreek resident must present a current VWOA ID card.
- Each resident may bring one guest to play.
- No alcoholic drinks (food, water, soda, snacks, etc. are okay).
- Sign-in sheet for residents.
- $20 tournament with rebuys and late entries for the first 90 minutes.
- Tournament payouts depend on the number of entries and rebuys.
The Poker Club meets the first Thursday of the month!
The Westcreek Poker Club will get together this Thursday, June 6th at 7:00 PM in the VWOA Community Center Hall.
Same format as before: $20 entry with a starting stack of 12k in chips. *Rebuys and late entries allowed no later than 8:15 PM.
To earn BONUS CHIPS, register by
7:00 PM!
For additional information or questions about the requirements and tournament format, email Michael Rico.
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Sign up during "Early Bird" registration and SAVE $10!
| Sports |
Registration Dates |
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- Early Bird - December 17, 2018 ~ August 17, 2019
- Regular - August 18, 2019 ~ August 31, 2019
- Late - September 1, 2019 ~ September 21, 2019
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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - TRASH CONTAINERS - PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
- No property is permitted to fall into disrepair. To keep property values at their highest, homeowners must keep their property in a well maintained, safe, clean and attractive condition at all times in accordance with the VWOA's Governing Documents. This includes, but is not limited to, items that are visible from the street or adjoining properties, such as the dwelling's exterior; other structures; fencing; furniture; play equipment; window screens; window solar screens; broken windows; front and back yard overgrowth of weeds and other vegetation; etc.
TRASH CONTAINERS
- Trash and recyclable containers continue to be visible from the street when neither container is scheduled for pickup. As a reminder, these containers are not to be put out any earlier than 5 PM the day before the scheduled collection, then stored out of sight from the street by 9 AM the day after the collection. Storing them behind the front fencing or in the garage will prevent violation notices. Also, when putting trash and recyclable containers out for collection, placing them in the street next to the curb is the best option to prevent violation notices.
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
- It is unlawful for motor vehicles to interfere with the pedestrian's use of sidewalks therefore, they may not be parked on sidewalks and driveway aprons. Violators are subject to being ticketed by law enforcement officials. Trash or recyclable containers and other objects such as trailers, RV's, basketball hoops, children's toys, etc. that interfere with the pedestrian's use of sidewalks and driveway aprons are not allowed.
Remember: Curb appeal attracts prospective buyers.
REFERENCES
Submitted by: Gene Hopkins on behalf of Tyrik Green, Standards Manager
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Lawn Fertilizing
By now, you've likely mowed your lawn at least twice. If you haven't already fertilized, then do so now.It's recommended that you fertilize at least twice, in spring and in fall. Fertilizing your lawn on a regular schedule is your BEST defense against weeds, fungus, and insect damage. Apply a simple 19-5-9 formula for an early green-up.
What do the numbers on the fertilizer bag mean?
They are the ratio of nitrogen (N) to phosphorous (P) to potassium (K).
- Nitrogen is responsible for making turf green.
- Phosphorous (slower-acting) promotes root development.
- Potassium works to feed turf and keep it strong during drought or other stressful conditions.
Fungus Prevention and Treatment: June-August/Early September
Slime Mold: It presents itself as patches of grass, about hand-size, that appear to have cigarette ashes sprinkled on them. No harmful damage from this fungus, except perhaps a little shading of the areas affected. You can hose off the spores, brush them off with your shoe, or mow to remove them from the turf.
Gray Leaf Spot: Watch out for gray-brown, blotchy to diamond-shaped lesions on the grass blades (mostly on St. Augustine lawns). If you see this on your lawn, think back to if you just applied nitrogen to the turf through the summer, because you saw yellowed-leaves. You might have thought your turf needed more nitrogen, but in fact, the application of extra nitrogen could have increased likelihood of fungus. Systemic fungicides like Fertilome F-Stop, Bonide Infuse, Bayer Advanced Fungus Control, can help, but also refrain from applying nitrogen fertilizers from summer until cool fall temps.
Heat-Loving Perennials
With summer right around the corner, it's a good time to plant those heat-loving, brilliantly-hued, summer bloomers. Pride of Barbados, Firebush, and Esperanza always top the "Most Wanted" list when their blooms pop while other things start to fade in the garden.
Why You Should Plant More Native Plants
1. Native Plants Feed and House Native Pollinators.
More native plants encourage our native birds and wildlife to return and forage for food and shelter. Many are aware of the plight of the Monarch butterflies and their depleting source of nectar and host plants. But there are a ton of other pollinators and wildlife that need our assistance too. By offering up a bevy of Texas native plants, we are doing our part to preserve the natural diversity of our state and country.
2. Native Plants are Low Maintenance.
Native plants can adapt to whatever extremes our weather throws at them. Even if they catch a little frost, they will bounce right back the next season with little tending to. They aren't overly fussy about the soil they are plopped in, and once they are established they need very little supplemental water.
3. Native Plants Save You Money.
Less money spent on replacing plants that just can't hack our climate and less money spent on gallons of water wasted on thirsty non-native plants means more money in your pockets.
- Native Texan Shrubs: American Beautyberry, Flame Acanthus, Turk's Cap, Texas Sage
- Native Texan Perennials: Salvia/Autumn Sage, Butterfly Weed, Winecup, Lemon Mint/Horse Mint, Red Yucca, Esperanza, Texas Lantana, Firebush
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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Photo Courtesy of Hannah Winter |
CONURE INSIGHT
Conures are parrots. They make up multiple genera including aratinga, brotogeris, enicognathus, cyanoliseus, and pyrrhura.
There are multiple species and subspecies within each genus. They tend to live in warmer climates such as Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and South America. They are typically 9 inches to 19 inches in length. Average lifespans are about 30 years.
One of the most popular is the Green-cheeked conure. They have multiple available colors ranging from deep and light greens, yellows, reds, oranges, whites, blues, and browns. They make wonderful pets because of their playful personalities and the desire to interact with their owners. At times they can be quite loud with their screams and calls. They can even talk with a somewhat scratchy voice most often easily noted by the companion owner.
Amongrequirements needed for them is proper cage size of at least 24" x 16" x 20" for the smaller breeds and 44"x 26"x40" for the larger. They need vertical and horizontal room for play and exercise. They enjoy daily baths or water spritz. Multiple water changes throughout the day are needed to maintain clean water as they tend to dunk their food on a regular basis. Toys are also essential for health and happiness and are not an option. Toys are needed for mental and physical health. The lack thereof can contribute to feather plucking or overgrown nails and beaks. Good foods for your conure include fruits, vegetables, legumes, pellets, seeds, and meats such as turkey, chicken, pork and scrambled eggs (any remaining meat must be removed one hour after serving). Some of their favorites include bananas, raisins, apples, papaya, mangos, figs, carrots, potatoes, corn, pasta, bread, spinach, broccoli, and kale. Never feed your conure avocados as they are toxic and remember to remove all pits from the fruits you serve.
They are very social and love to be a part of family, including mealtime. Most domesticated conures will even eat from your hands. They can learn tricks with some patience and love to please their owners. It is really beneficial to spend at least 3-4 hours daily with your feathered friend. Remember not all communication is verbal and they are well known for expressing their needs or desires with body language. Always educate yourself before obtaining your bird and understand the time and commitment needed to maintain a healthy happy bird.
SOURCE:
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Greggs Mistflower (conoclinium greggi) is a sun loving Texas native that will g
row about 2 feet high and 2 feet wide.
It spreads easily to form a ground-
cover that will be covered in butterflies. It is a perennial so it will die back in the winter and return s
trong in spring.
- Light Requirement: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Water Demand: Low to moderate
- Flower Color: Lavender, Blue
- Season: Spring thru Fall
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Homeowners Beware of Wood Rot in Your Home
What is Wood Rot?
In nature, wood rot is a vital decomposition process, turning fallen logs into nutritious soil. However, few things send homeowners into a panic as quickly as discovering it their homes, because wood rot can lead to a number of structural problems, including deteriorated support posts and beams, rotted floor and ceiling joists, and destroyed roof decking. The cost to repair the damage can be large, so it's essential to understand causes, how to prevent it, and what to do if you discover it. Discovery can be difficult if the wood rot is hidden from view beneath flooring, wallboard, and siding.
Wood rot is a form of decay triggered by the combination of moisture and fungi (microscopic organisms). For fungi to grow the wood must be continuously damp. Although fungi will not grow on dry wood, with as many as 5 million types of fungi in the air and soil around us, there's no escaping them. The numerous types that trigger wood rot are loosely classified by the three general effects they have on wood.
Brown Rot (Dry Rot): The surface of the wood appears dry; brown-rot fungi targets cellulose in the wood's structure. Brown rot thrives at temps between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and once it starts growing, it spreads rapidly.
White Rot:
If wood takes on a whitish or light yellow shade and feels spongy, it's probably white rot. Like brown/dry rot, white rot occurs in temps between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soft Rot: Soft-rot fungi decompose wood more slowly than brown/dry-rot fungi and white-rot fungi, but thrive in temperatures too hot and too cold for the other types to survive, between 0 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. While soft rot is usually found in fallen logs and trees, not commonly in houses, it can strike a home if conditions are right.
Detecting Wood Rot
Because wood rot occurs in damp areas that do not dry out, it often goes undetected until a remodeling project exposes it. The most likely spots for wood rot to get a foothold are windows, exterior doors, outdoor decks, and "wet room areas" such as kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, or utility rooms, where leaks around water supply lines and drain pipes may keep the area wet, providing an optimal environment for wood-rot fungi to thrive. All it takes is a small gap that's not adequately sealed with caulk around windows, doors, or water pipes for rain to seep through and saturate the wood in the wall. Missing or damaged shingles on your roof can permit water to seep in and eventually lead to wood rot in the roof decking and lumber used to frame the attic.
You should check your home for signs of wood rot at least once a year. A good time is during your fall cleanup or pre-winter weatherproofing tasks. Since paint can frequently hide wood rot you can check for it by poking the surface of your siding, windows, exterior doors, decking, etc. with the tip of a screwdriver. If the screwdriver sinks into the wood, you've got a problem.
Use a strong flashlight to check the attic for discolored wood. If you find any, perform the screwdriver test. Wood should never be soft. Prime spots in the attic for wood rot are on the underside of the roof decking, in the joints where the wood members connect at the peak of the roof, and at the edges of the attic where the rafters slope down to form the eaves.
Examine walls and floors beneath sinks, around tubs and showers, and around the water heater for signs of water leaks or discoloration. If you find mold growing, the wood floor plates behind the wall are at risk of wood rot. The only way to know is to remove a section of the wallboard and check the wood behind.
Treating or Repairing Rotted Wood
Softwood damaged by wood rot is not salvageable and should be replaced as soon as possible to keep the rot from spreading. If the wood is discolored, but the screwdriver test did not detect softness, you can try treating it. You'll first have to dry the wood by repairing leaks and/or running a dehumidifier. Once the wood is dry, you can apply a wood preservative that contains copper or borate; check with your local home improvement store. Continue to monitor the wood because it's still at an increased risk of future rot.
When it comes to wood rot, prevention is the key. It's easier and much cheaper to prevent rot rather than fix it. The following steps will help keep the wood in your house dry so fungi don't have a chance to set up shop.
- Seal all cracks around exterior doors and windows with caulk. Scrape away old hardened caulk, and replace it with fresh caulk.
- Clean gutters regularly at least twice a year to prevent blockages that can lead to water running over the backside of the gutter and down the side of your home.
- Add a covered entryway over doors to keep rain away from the doors.
- Install exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove steamy air caused by hot showers.
- Repaint exterior windows and siding if paint is cracking or peeling.
- Sweep standing water from outdoor decking as soon as the rain stops.
Source of info for this article is from "Wood Rot 101: How to Prevent and Repair Its Damage", by Bob Villa." You will find the entire article with photos at the following link:
Submitted by: Judi Cannon and Gene Hopkins, Communications Committee Members
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This is a dark, yet extremely important topic to discuss. Human trafficking is a scary situation to think about, yet is a real problem. According to the San Antonio Police Department:
Human Trafficking is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery. It includes any act in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age. The majority of victims are said to be women and children (SAPD, n.d.).
Remaining vigilant in your environment is crucial. This means phones down, eyes up.
- Keep your children near when out in a public venue.
- Be aware of your surroundings- people around who seem to linger, vehicles parked near you with occupants.
- Talk to children about stranger danger and being aware of their surroundings.
- Warn older children about technological avenues that may be used to make contact, such as in live video game interactions, apps, and social media.
- Enable parental security settings on devices where possible.
- Learn self-defense.
- Have an action plan- while opinions and levels of comfort in protection may differ, it is important to develop a plan to protect yourself or loved ones if you encounter a dangerous situation.
- Help advocate for others recognizing signs of a potential child victim such as changes in attendance, physical appearance, behavior, interests, or unexplained injuries.
If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, you may call the following:
- For Emergencies:
- For Non-Emergencies reporting:
- Bexar County Sheriff's Office:
- 210-335-6000 (Non-Emergency Line)
- San Antonio Police Department:
- Sex Crimes Unit - 210-207-2313, M-F, 7:45 AM till 5:45 PM
- Night Detectives- 210-207-7389, after-hours
SOURCE:
Submitted by: Jacqueline Khalaf, RN, CPST
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PROPANE AND GASOLINE SAFETY
The leading equipment involvied in LP-gas home structure fires is a grill, hibachi, or barbecue.
Propane Safety Tips
- Handle any propane-powered equipment cautiously and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Cylinder tanks for equipment such as stoves and ovens must be located outside of the home.
- Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside the home.
- Never operate a propane-powered gas grill inside the home.
- Have propane gas equipment inspected periodically by a professional for possible leaks or malfunctioning parts.
- Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions when lighting a pilot.
- If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home.
Gasoline Safety Tips
- Keep gasoline out of children's sight and reach. Children should never handle gasoline.
- If fire does start while handling gasoline, do not attempt to extinguish the fire or stop the flow of gasoline. Leave the area immediately, and call for help.
- Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e., electrical devices, oil- or gas-fired appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or a spark).
- Store gasoline outside the home (i.e., in a garage or lawn shed) in a tightly closed metal or plastic container approved by an independent testing laboratory or the local or state fire authorities. Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers (i.e., milk jugs).
- Store only enough gasoline necessary to power equipment and let machinery cool before refueling it.
- Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent.
- Clean up spills promptly and discard clean-up materials properly.
- Do not smoke when handling gasoline.
- Never use gasoline in place of kerosene.
- Use caution when fueling automobiles. Do not get in and out of the automobile when fueling. Although rare, an electrical charge on your body could spark a fire, especially during the dry winter months.
- Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors. Place the container on the ground before filling and never fill containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck.
- Follow all manufacturer's instructions when using electronic devices (those with batteries or connected to an electrical outlet) near gasoline.
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BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
SCORE UNIT - WHAT THEY DO!
SCORE stands for Sheriff's Community Oriented Response and Education. The SCORE Unit is a community-based unit designed to meet the needs of the community in a more personal and inner-active way. They are an expansion of the Special Operations Unit to assist our Patrol Division. They "Respond"to the communities' needs regarding neighborhood concerns such as an increase in Auto Theft, Burglary, Narcotics, Tagging, Criminal Mischief, and other suspicious or criminal activities. These activities are either communicated to them by the various HOA's, Next-door App, individual homeowners, ortheir own Statistics. They "Respond" by adding extra patrol units from our SCORE Unit in patrol cars and/or bicycles.
The
"Education" portion of our
SCORE Unit, educates the community on an array of programs such as
Crime Prevention, Cellular On Patrol, Neighbors On Watch, Cyber Bullying for Teenagers and Anti-Bullying Elementary Level students, Stranger Danger, Senior Frauds and Senior Safety, Business Watch Sheriff's Gold Badge Certification and Active Shooter CRASE Course. Training for these educational programs are held during specialized classes, HOA meetings, Neighborhood Meetings, Career Days, and School request.
Also, they have created educational programs such as our
Sheriff's Citizens Academy and the Explorer Program designed to provide a better understanding of law enforcement by educating its citizenry in the everyday risk and functions of your Deputy Sheriffs and Bexar County Sheriff's Office. By partnering with the community, they also developed the
V-CORPS (Volunteer Corps) program to create a spirit of cooperation and support that enhances the Bexar County Sheriff's Office ability to better serve the citizens of the County.
Check out the video below about the
Sheriff's Community Oriented Response Education (S.C.O.R.E.) Unit. You will hear how they recently responded to an issue of concern that was brought to their attention by community members in the Villages of Westcreek.
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Bexar County Sheriff's Office SCORE Unit
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Listed below are just some of the programs that the BCSO provides to keep communities saf
e!
- This training is available for business, schools, churches, and community organizations. Deputies are able to provide training as well as onsite live simulations.
- Cellular on Patrol is a unique and exciting program that gives residents an opportunity to work closely with law enforcement to make their neighborhoods a safer place to live.
- The Homeowners Insurance Reduction Program is intended to help homeowners reduce their insurance premiums by qualifying for a Texas Home Security Credit. A Crime Prevention Specialist will perform a security evaluation as well as provide you with a written evaluation and safety plan.
- The Gold Badge of Safety Approval lets the community know that business owners have taken measures to insure the safety of both customers and the community. In addition, it alerts criminals that you have taken the necessary precautions, alerts to their activities, and has formed a line of communication with neighboring business and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
- This program works to educate Senior Citizens on how to protect themselves against various types of fraud such as telephone, email, and phishing scams. Training can be provided to groups of any size.
Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher, Communications Committee Chair
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EVERY NIGHT IT'S TIME FOR THE 9 PM ROUTINE!
-
Remove any items of value from vehicles
- Take your keys
- Lock your car
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SpotCrime is an independent, commercial site that provides crime mapping and incident information.
Official
Police Reports can be obtained from the BCSO Central Records Office. Contact information, fees, and hours of operation can be found on the
Central Records page
.
CLICK HERE to view SpotCrime mapping for the Villages of Westcreek.
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Submitted by: Patrol Administration Deputy Meyer, Bexar County Sheriff's Office
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My name is
Melissa Motz. I am a certified health coach and I will be writing the new health article for Westcreek. I thought I would take the time, in my first article, to tell you a little about myself and why I am excited to be contributing to the health and wellness section.
I am a former math teacher who moved here to Westcreek when I became a stay at home mom 4 years ago. My husband is a Northside football coach and science teacher. I have always been health conscious but really started to struggle after my second pregnancy. I tried so many different things that just did not work like they used to, and our health was going downhill. Finally, a wonderful friend taught us how to change our habits. My husband and I each lost 50 pounds and have kept it off for over for a year now. We realized how much that extra weight had been negatively affecting our health when we started living much better lives, being taken off medications, having so much more energy to enjoy life and play with our kids, sleeping better, and no longer suffering from pain. I was so amazed at the positive impact that being healthy had on us that I became a certified health coach so that I could help others.
Each month I would love to share some healthy tips and a healthy recipe that I hope you will enjoy. A habit that is important to get into is eating 6 times a day, every 2-3 hours. I know that seems like a lot and hard to do with our busy lives. But when balanced with the right foods, this helps your body work as it should, instead of it constantly trying to repair the damage being done from the bad foods. This habit fuels your body to help level out your insulin, raise your metabolism, cut down on inflammation, and create natural energy.
Eating healthy is not just for adults. It is important to teach children how to make healthy choices as early as possible. School is coming to an end and our kids will be spending more time at home over the next few months. With our busy lives, and having picky eaters, we tend to let them snack on ready-made foods, chips, sweets, and so on. Our taste buds have gotten used to refined sugars and MSG, but thankfully our taste buds can adjust to different foods in a matter of weeks. So, it IS possible for them to start liking foods that they have never had or are not used to eating.
One example of a healthy snack is fruit. When the kids get hungry, there is a healthy choice ready to go:
- Keep a lot of cut up fruit in the fridge.
- To ensure they are getting plenty of protein, you can buy yogurt for them to mix with the fruit or use as a dip. Try to get yogurt that is high in protein and low in sugar. We buy the 32 oz tubs of Dannon Oikos Triple Zero Blended Greek Yogurt and the kids love it!
- You can also make a smoothie for a refreshing treat. Pretty much any fresh fruit blended with some yogurt will be tasty. I have provided a recipe using frozen fruit. I personally like to include fresh spinach to add more nutrients; you can't even taste it!
- You can also freeze the fruit smoothies to make popsicles.
I look forward to sharing many more tips in future articles. In the meantime, if you would like to reach out to me for questions or help, please feel free to email me at
melissa.motz@yahoo.com.
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FRUIT SMOOTHIE
Ingredients:
1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed berries
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches in light syrup, drained
2 tablespoons of honey (optional)
1 handful of spinach (optional)
Directions:
In a blender, combine
all ingredients. Blend until smooth.
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The Villages of Westcreek is proud to sponsor programs that foster "Healthy and Fit" lifestyles for the members of our community. We have programs that fit all age groups. Click on the links below to learn more about our current offerings!
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AQUA FITNESS AND AQUA HIIT
Better known as "water aerobics," Aqua Fitness classes are more than just aerobics. This a low impact, calorie burning, strength building, and intense form of exercise that will help you reach your physical fitness goals.
At the Villages of Westcreek, you can currently attend a one hour aerobic and strength building Aqua class from 9:30-10:30 am or Aqua HIIT which is non-stop intensity for thirty minutes from 6:10-6:40 am.
The benefits of Aqua Fitness are very often overlooked. The low impact aspect is great for everyone whetheryou are a beginner, just coming back to exercising, recovering from an injury or surgery, or just want to supplement your active lifestyle. Another benefit of the low impact effect is that you can make the class as intense as you'd like without all the soreness or aches and pains that come with typical high impact workouts. Hydrostatic pressure acts like wearing a compression stocking over the parts of the body that are submerged, aiding in the recovery process. This pressure also acts to apply resistance up 12x that of gravity, helping you build strength. Just because the workout is low impact does not mean it isn't high intensity. You will leap, hop, kick, punch, and jump, bringing up your heart rate and getting you out of breath just like your favorite high impact classes. Depending on your body and how intensely you move through the water, this class can be a calorie burner.
On Tuesday we hop, skip, and jump. Wednesday, we incorporate kickboxing. Thursday, we take full advantage of buoyancy and work on suspension. Each class type is just a bit different in how they approach the different themes. The Aqua HIIT thirty-minute class will take you through each theme day without a break and only standing still to move your arms through the water as intensely as you can. The Aqua fitness full hour class will give you time to rest and catch your breath in between intervals. The Thursday suspension work also involves mobility wall work to help improve range of motion. Come give Aqua a try!
Submitted by: Instructor - Brenda Gonzalez, NASM Certified Personal Trainer & LA Fitness Cycling, Power Circuit, Kickboxing, Aqua Fit, & Boot Camp fitness instructor
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