HACKBERRY CREEK MID-WEEK UPDATE

EARLY EDITION

February 1st, 2023

Happy Wednesday Morning Hackberry Residents! February has not disappointed as the coldest month in Texas and hopefully this last blast of ice, freezing rain and sleet is the last gasp of winter - but don't bet on that!

Yes, this mid-week update is 9 hours early but due to the weather the office staff continues to work remotely. We (Jason - compliance; and Randy - management) are available during business hours to assist you and our emails are below.

You can also reach us through the Hackberry Creek HOA app.

Jason Snider - jsnider@ccmcnet.com

Randy Smith - rasmith@ccmcnet.com

This week's Mid-Week update includes information on...

• Women's Club Event! New Start Time
• Bobcat Sightings in Hackberry - Irving Animal Control Contact Info
• Feb / Mar Issue of HCL Magazine Is Out!
• Irrigation Class for Hackberry Residents
• Bylaws Amendments - Up for Board Vote March 15th
• Leaders Needed For Hackberry Events
• School Crossing Volunteers Still Needed
• New Hackberry Creek App for Residents
• New Hackberry Creek Cookbook Project - 60 More Recipes Needed!

If you're stuck at home and have a few extra minutes, send us your favorite recipe so we can wrap up the cookbook project! Link to submit below!

Have a great week and as always, if you have any questions, please call the Hackberry Creek office at 972-401-4946 - but while we are working remotely please utilize email!

The 4 Way intersections / stops at Ruston & Creekside and Ruston & Clearspring Dr N that were to be reverted back to 2 Way stops will now not be reconfigured until next week due to weather delays.

The Women's Cub of Hackberry Creek invites you to a night of Line Dancing. Dress comfortably and wear your dancing shoes. 410 Line Dancing will be providing the dance lessons.

410 Line Dancers classes are for everyone. Their classes are designed for people that have no experience line dancing, as well as for the most advanced dancers. Their style of teaching is patient and positive. Their goals are to ensure that you can dance and have the most fun. We move at the pace needed to ensure you can master the dances we are teaching. Their classes begin with a community-building warm-up and stretching to ensure everyone is safe to exercise.

There has been a recent sighting of a bobcat in Hackberry Creek. (Photo above not from Hackberry). The Irving Animal Control office states that both bobcats and coyotes are a natural part of the ecosystem of Irving and Las Colinas and as such, they do not trap or relocate these animals.

Although a few years old, the article below about wildlife in DFW urban areas (specifically bobcats and coyotes) is a full of information about what attracts these animals to neighborhoods and why they are here. If you have a few moments be sure to read this very enlightening article below!

IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL CONCERNS ABOUT BOBCATS OR COYOTES PLEASE CONTACT IRVING ANIMAL SERVICES.

To report an animal related issue or concern, call the IAS Field Services unit at (972) 721-2256 or file an online report.

Be ready to provide a detailed description of the problem, including the species, breed, color, and size of the animal, as well as an address or specific location where the violation is taking place.

If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911.  

Come join the City of Irving’s licensed irrigator for a crash course on irrigation system basics, controller programing, system trouble shooting, and minor repairs.

They will have soil moisture meters, knee pads, and hose valves available to residents who would like them!

You can let them know you will be attending (RSVP suggested but not required) by emailing Zach Tabor, Water Conservation Specialist at ztabor@cityofirving.org.

If you have any questions before the workshop, feel free to contact him!

The workshop will be held on March 25^th from 10am – 12pm, at the Valley Ranch Library - 401 Cimarron Trail, Irving, Texas.

The Hackberry Creek Board of Directors will be considering approval of two amendments to the Bylaws at the March 15th Board Meeting (after 30 day notice period to community has passed). The proposed amendments can be found on the community website by clicking the link below.

Do you have strong leadership skills? Adept at organizing? Interested in making a difference in the neighborhood while having fun?

We need your talents to help lead an HOA event!

Hackberry Creek prides itself on being a social and friendly place to live. Our HOA sponsored events offer opportunities for neighbors to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones.

There are a few events coming up that will need new leadership. We have supportive information on how they have been previously organized to guide someone new to the event. If you are interested in volunteering to lead or just learning more, please click here.

Those events for which we are currently seek new organizers:

Taste of Hackberry

Fourth of July

National Night Out

Halloween Festival (has one leader but requires one more leader, a co-chair)

Turkey Trot

The HOA Board would like to thank all of our volunteers for supporting our activities. To those who led past events, our deepest appreciation for your time and energy, creativity and dedication.  And thank you to all in our community who participate!

At the January 2023 Board meeting the Board of Directors finalized speed limit discussions concerning Southern Oak. The speed limit on Southern Oak (only), once new signage is installed, will be 20mph from the intersection of Summitview and Southern Oak to the intersection of Sumac and Southern Oak.

A new traffic fining schedule is in the works to include this new speed limit and enforcement limits and is expected to be voted on at the February 2023 Board Meeting. We expect the speed limit (plus pedestrian crossing signs) to be installed before the February Board meeting. The board would like to provide the community this notice starting today and approximately no less than 45 days from now the new speed limit of 20mph will be enforced in this area. The proposed enforcement will see the issuance of a fine at any vehicle travelling 24mph or more.

Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the installation of new signage.

The office has vests and signs ready for use - now we just need volunteers to act as crossing guards! Denelle Alexander is heading up the project so please reach out to her with any questions. (denelle.alexander@gmail.com)

A sign-up genius has been created and you can find the link below!

We are happy to announce that Hackberry Creek now has its own resident's app for Apple and Android devices!

The app will allow you to contact the office, view other website members, utilize the forum and receive push notifications for important news and updates! The app does not have as many features as the full website but is still a great tool to stay in touch with neighbors and up-to-date with Association news! And, if you prefer the app language other than English, you can change that setting as well.

After downloading (links below) for your specific device, please follow these steps to get connected and logged in to the app:

1. Download the app for your device using appropriate link below or simply search "Hackberry Creek" to find it in the App Store or on Google Play. You should see the green Hackberry Logo and the name of the app is Hackberry Creek HOA App.
2. Open the App
3. In the far upper left of the home screen you will see a little round grey and white profile icon. Tap that icon.
4. You should see the Hackberry Name and logo and a button that says "Get Started". Tap "Get Started".
5. Enter your email address.
6. Click "Continue"
7. If you already are a member of the website registered with the email address you entered, look at bottom of screen and select "Already have a password? Log in". Skip to step 9.
8. If you are not already a member of the website, go to your email account and click on the link provided within 20 minutes. Be sure to check your Spam folder. Follow the instructions to create an account. Once you've received notification your account is approved / created, close and re-open the app and start again at step 2.
9. Enter your password (the one you use for the website) and click "Log In"
10. A pop up should appear asking you if you'd like to allow notifications. Select Yes to ensure you are notified of any alerts or messages instantaneously.
11. If you have landed at your profile page, you can update accordingly or push the back arrow in the upper left to go to the home page.
12. You're in!

From the app Home Screen you will find Important Announcements below the menu bar. If you scroll to the bottom of the page you will see a Members list. To follow the Association Manager or specific board members, find them in the members list and select follow so you will be notified anytime they post something. At the moment you can only search by first name be we are working on expanding that capability.

By selecting the Contact menu option you can send a message or click to call us at the office. You can also go to the full mobile version of the website.

The Forum is available on the app so you can read, comment on, or add a post. If none of the categories are visible or are grayed out - it means you are not logged in as a member.

The Galley page has photos from recent events.

To manage notification settings, click on the round, gray notification icon (a bell) in the far upper right side of the screen. Click the 3 dots in the upper right, select "Notification Settings". On this screen you can select what type of notifications you'd like to receive. We recommend at a minimum you elect to receive "Announcements" under the General category (first selection) so any important push notifications will be delivered immediately. Ensure notification are also enabled on your phone for the Hackberry App in your phone's notifications settings.

To change the app language to a language other than English, from the Home screen, press the small round profile icon in the upper left. On the My Profile page, select the gear icon in far upper right to go to the Settings page. Select App Language and choose your preferred language from 23 different options. Once changed the app will close and re-open. Note that any text in Announcements will still display in English but all other navigation text should appear in the language of your choosing.

Click the icons below to download your app! 

We Want to Publish Your Favorite Recipes!

We need your help to create a community cookbook of favorite family recipes. To contribute is simple and can be done online in just a few minutes! Here's how you can contribute... Find the special recipe that your family loves to eat and you love to make. Click the button below to fill out a simple form to submit your recipe. It's that simple! 

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To help us know how many cookbooks you may want to order, be sure to include that information as well. This project is being done at cost. We expect the books to cost approximately $5 or less. The final exact cost will depend on how many copies are ordered and the number of recipes submitted.

(If you'd like to help edit or assist with the project please contact the office!)

The Deadline has been extended in order to collect more recipes. Please help us to make this project a success and enter at least one recipe! 

Click The Button Below To Submit Your Recipes!