November 2008 PALOMA CREEK HOA News A Publication of the Paloma Creek Homeowners Association, Inc. A WORD FROM THE MANAGER by Shawn Smith I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Paloma Creek family. My name is Shawn Smith, and I am your new HOA Manager. I bring many years of experience to Paloma Creek in property management, in both onsite management operations and customer service operations. Like you, I am a homeowner and know the importance of maintaining a home environment you can be proud of! I am very excited to be working with your Homeowners Association and look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks! What a wonderful time of year this is, bringing cool crisp weather and opportunities to spend time with family and friends. I would like to wish you a healthy and happy season. As I am learning your community I have noticed a few things, so please allow me to offer some important reminders regarding your community: • • • • Trash receptacles may not be out on days other than collection day. Please store your trash receptacle out of public view. Portable basketball goals are to be maintained only on the paved driveway of the home. Please do not allow them to be stored blocking the sidewalks or stored in the street. It is fall and the perfect time for replacement of all dead trees or shrubs. If you have lost a tree in your yard, please be reminded that you must replace it with a 3.5” caliper tree. I can provide you with a list of the approved trees for the community. Remember to that you are still required to maintain your lawn in the fall and winter months. It takes everyone to keep your community beautiful. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you should have any questions at all about your Association. Shawn Smith Association Manager shawn.smith@premiercommunities.net 972-347-9160 KITCHEN ENERGY SAVERS • Move your refrigerator away from the stove, dishwasher, or heat vents. Make sure the door seals are airtight. • Use pots that fit the size of the burners on your stove. Use lids so you can cook at a lower temperature. • Clean your dryer lint filter before you put in a new load. • Make sure your water heater is set to 120 degrees. Some thermostats are preset to 140 degrees, which can cost you more money. The 380 Softball League will be starting up in March 2009. If you are interested, please contact either Greg Schaefers or Tim Powell for more information. Gregschaefers@yahoo.com Tim.powell@metavante.com Paloma Creek Elementary News Calendar of Upcoming Events: November: 6th Fiesta Math Night 6:00pm-fun for the whole family! 21st – Spirit Day-Dress Patriotic 26th-28th – Thanksgiving Break December: 1st-5th Holiday Shop 5th – Tree Lighting at Paloma Creek Elementary 11th Choir Program 19th – Spirit Day-Wear your Pajamas& Slippers 22-Jan 5th Christmas Break Recycle, Recycle, Recycle There are now recycling bins in front of the school (Northwest corner of front parking lot). These bins are for paper only. Recycle and at the same time you are helping contribute funds to the school. Visit the New PTA website for Paloma Creek Happenings and Updates: http://palomacreekpta.txpta.org/ Thank you to all the supporters of the Falcon Festival and Silent Auction. A special Thank You to our sponsors: Paloma Creek Development Corp The Kids Corral Capital One-Little Elm Talon Martial Arts Jared Raye-Prime Lending Savannah Pet Nanny Little Elm Chiropractic Children’s Lighthouse Dallas Saw and Supply 24 Hour Emergency Room Having a Party? Why not rent one of the clubrooms. You can rent the room for $125 with a $500 refundable security deposit. If you would like more information please call 972-347-9160. If you notice a street light out please contact CoServ at 940-321-7800 ACC REQUESTS REMINDERS: As required in the Paloma Creek Homeowners Bylaws and in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of the Association, all exterior improvements must be approved in writing by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). The ACC issues the final approvals or denials of all applications. While the following list is not intended to be all encompassing, it is safe to assume that any exterior change to a lot or residence does require an application to the ACC. The following are common topics of application requests to the ACC: • • • • • • • • • Landscaping beds Fences and gates/Fence Staining Decks Pergolas Arbors Pools Gazebos Patios/Patio covers/Storage sheds Paint ACC… CONTINUED An application detailing the modification desired with all dimensions must be submitted. A plot plan with a drawing of the modification facilitates the process, along with pictures, plans, bids, or brochures as necessary. A copy of the application may be acquired through the website www.palomacreekhoa.com. For convenience, one is also included in the newsletter. Paloma Creek Homeowners Association 900 Villa Paloma Blvd. Little Elm, TX 75068 Fax: (972) 347-9357 E-mail: shawn.smith@premiercommunities.net Dates at a Glance Nov 7th - Scrap booking Nov 8th - Poker Night Nov 18th - Social Committee Meeting Nov 27th - Safety Committee Meeting Nov 28th - Poker Night Dec 5th - Scrap booking Dec 13th - Poker Night Dec 16th - Social Committee Meeting Dec 19th - Scrap booking Dec 20th - Paloma Creek Women’s Club Dec 26th - Poker Night As a Paloma Creek resident, I care about my neighbors and their real estate needs! • Buying a Home? Whether buying an existing home or building, I represent my clients to protect their interests • Selling a Home? Don’t just list your home, Market it! I professionally market your home to bring you more buyers • Considering Leasing? Not ready to buy or thinking of leasing your existing home, I can help! • Need a Home Valuation? Call me today to determine your homes value with a FREE market analysis • Property Management? I can provide property management services for your investment property Cheryl Billotte 469-867-7980 cheryl@billottehomes.com www.billottehomes.com RE/MAX Premier Group Paloma Creek Special Free Home Warranty or Inspection for Paloma Creek Residents* (friends & family included)! Call Today For Details! “Your home is my business!” *Credited at Closing,Must Close with Cheryl Billotte, Some Restrictions Apply. Congratulations Halloween Décor Winners!!!! Paloma Creek Women Join us Saturday, November 15th at 7pm at the Creekside Community Center. This month everyone is bringing Appetizers ~ The craziness of the holidays starts here so let’s make this a night to relax with appetizers, conversations and sharing holiday ideas. Bring your favorite holiday recipes or post them on the yahoo group at http:// g r o ups . y a ho o .c om / gr ou p / PC_Women/ so we have some new ideas in addition to our traditional family favorites. Also, if you would like to contribute, you may bring a non-perishable item to donate to the food pantry and/or an unwrapped toy or board game, etc to donate to Toys for Tots and a couple of us can go together or I'll volunteer to drop them off at the appropriate place. Saturday, December 20th at 7pm, Creekside Community Center we are having a potluck dinner, cookie exchange and gift wrap party. 1001 Partridge 1035 Aviary Let’s all bring either an appetizer, entree, or dessert to share & what you would like to drink. If you have last minute gifts that haven't been wrapped yet and need to get away from the kids & hubby's to get it done this is the perfect time to take care of that. If you have left over wrapping paper that you'd rather share than have it taking up storage space for another year bring it with you. If you have questions, please email Michelle at chelle.williamson@att.net or call 972-814-5205. National Night Out! Safety Committee On Street Parking is a Safety Issue. Please park your vehicles in the driveway or garage. Parking in the street inhibits visibility for motorists and is generally unattractive for the neighborhood. But more importantly, vehicles parked in the street hide small children who are playing. Our deed restrictions provide that each homeowner shall have a garage suitable for parking two automobiles, while at the same time homeowners have the right to use public streets for overflow parking. Most cities approve street widths during the platting and development process that, while meeting city codes, lack the width to accommodate heavy street parking loads. Many fire marshals will tell you that vehicles parking on both sides of a street, too close to corners, or on cul-de-sacs create an obstacle for emergency vehicles that can cause a safety issue and a delay in response time. When we drive through a neighborhood, we may consider the neighborhood either desirable or undesirable based on curb appeal. If you are a prospective homeowner, would that persuade you to look elsewhere? Do you want to dodge all those cars each night when you get home from a long day at work? Other problems that are created include the blocking of other neighbor’s driveways, mailboxes and storm sewers. We all have legitimate reasons to park in the street…too many cars, too many kids, a boat in the garage…too much stuff in the garage. Take a look for yourselves and see what you can do to help with this problem. Please be considerate of your neighbor and especially that small child. Make every effort to park in your garage first, driveway second, and only as a last resort, the public street. Please also drive safely and courteously. We have many concerned homeowners worried about the safety of their children due to drivers whipping around the streets too fast. Please slow down! AUBREY PLUMBING, LLC Landscape Committee News: Joe S. Szymanski Master Plumber License M9913 P.O. BOX 384 AUBREY, TEXAS 76227 940-765-9523 Phone 972-347-1530 Fax aubrey.plumbing@yahoo.com 36 Years Experience Residential and Commercial Plumbing Service, Repair, Remodel Superior Workmanship Reasonable Rates Insured "JOE the PLUMBER is now servicing your neighborhood " Mention this ad for a 15% discount on first service call (applies to labor only) www.aubreyplumbing.homestead.com The December Holiday decor winners will be selected the week of 12/14/2008. The winners of the 1st and 2nd place awards will receive Lowe's gift cards of $40 and $25 respectively. Timely Tip for November Gardeners: Brighten up your fall and winter landscape with annual flowers. Go ahead and add those tired, bloomed out summer flowers to your compost piles and replace them with fresh, colorful plants. Pansies are by far the most popular winter color. Big blooms, a wide selection of colors and good cold tolerance make them a favorite in the winter garden. Dianthus, Snapdragons, Cyclamen, Violas and the fragrant Alyssum are also good choices for cold tolerant annuals. Ornamental Cabbage and Kale provide striking foliage forms for the landscape as well as color. For best effect, limit your planting to two or three colors per bed. The key to growing beautiful annual flowers is soil preparation. Select a well drained flowerbed and add lots of organic matter such as Organic Compost or Bedding Plant Mix. Add either Flower Food or Blood and Bone Meal to the soil at planting to provide the extra nutrients for growth and blooms. Mulch will to reduce moisture loss and to insulate the soil. These same annuals can be used in patio containers. Fill your containers with fresh potting soil and plant food. Keep them watered as necessary. Pinching off faded blooms will encourage repeat blooming. Now sit back and enjoy this transformation to your landscape! instant PALOMA CREEKHOA C/O PREMIER COMMUNITIES MANAGEMENT COMPANY 2711 N. HASKELL, SUITE 2650 DALLAS, TX 75204 P REMIER C OMMUNITIES M ANAGEMENT C OMPANY WWW.PREMIERCOMMUNITIES.NET TELEPHONE: (214) 871-9700 FAX: (214) 871-0355 Association ManagerShawn Smith, (972) 347-9160 shawn.smith@premiercommunities.net Accounting / Billing questions214-389-1377 accountservices@premiercommunities.net Amenities Questionsamenities@premiercommunities.net Resale & Refinance Certificates214-451-5434 or 214-451-5422 www.premiercommunities.net/resale.html Newsletters / WebsitesJamie Crowsey jamie.crowsey@premiercommunities.net After hours Emergency number214-871-9700 ext. 350 YUMMY HOLIDAY RECIPES! INGREDIENTS 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie 8 apples - peeled, cored and sliced 1/2 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter Paper-Wrapped Apple Pie DIRECTIONS 1. Mix 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix this with apples and pour into pie shell. Sprinkle lemon juice over top. 2. To Make the Top Crust: Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup flour, then cut in butter. Sprinkle over pie. 3. Take two 15 inch pieces of parchment paper and enclose pie; fold edges up 3 times. Place on a baking sheet. 4. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 1 hour. Remove from oven, split parchment open and cool pie on wire rack. DO NOT open parchment covering while baking! INGREDIENTS 1 medium sugar pumpkin 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup honey, warmed slightly 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream Fresh Pumpkin Pie DIRECTIONS 1. Cut pumpkin in half, and remove seeds. Lightly oil the cut surface. Place cut side down on a jelly roll pan lined with foil and lightly oiled. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) until the flesh is tender when poked with a fork. Cool until just warm. Scrape the pumpkin flesh from the peel. Either mash, or puree in small batches in a blender. 2. In large bowl, blend together 2 cups pumpkin puree, spices, and salt. Beat in eggs, honey, milk, and cream. Pour filling into pie shell. 3. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted 1 inch from edge of pie comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.