Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - December 1, 2021 Edition!
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"All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors."
~ John Calvin
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OFFICE CLOSURE
The office will be closed Friday, December 24, in observance of the Christmas Eve Holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, December 27, 2021.
The office will be closed Friday, December 31, 2021, in observance of the New Year's Holiday and normal business hours will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Reminder that the office is closed the 3rd Friday of the month from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. for staff training.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
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In case you missed our Board of Directors Meeting held on November 18, 2021, here is a recap of some of the projects discussed.
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Splash Pad- TABLED until scope of work is determined. The Community Manager has requested additional information from the vendor on the cost-effective way to install the potential splash pads and once she has more information, will present it to the Board.
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Clock Tower Landscape Design- OPEN-The Board has reviewed the two proposals and have made the decision to move forward with the Summit proposal in Spring 2022. A refreshed proposal will be needed at that time as they are only valid for 30 days.
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Monuments at Daisy Field and Potranco-OPEN- The Community Manager is still working with TXDOT to obtain permission to place a monument in the right of way.
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Garden Lily and Tally Rd.-TABLED- The Board has decided to table this project until 2022 due to the construction on Talley Road now being completed.
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Mountain Bike Trails-OPEN—Jason Dunbar informed the Board that the homeowners working on marking the trail have been informed that the overflow parking lot is approved to be utilized for parking. He did let everyone know that soccer season has slowed down the progress, however it will pick up again once soccer season is over.
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New Pool Furniture and Shade Options-OPENED- The Board has voted and approved the purchase of new pool furniture at the Community Center pool for the 2022 pool season. The Board also approved the purchase of sunshades for the monitors that will be purchased from Lowe’s or Home Depot.
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Community Clean Up-CLOSED-The Board has approved a proposal from Summit Landscaping to clean out the easements at the cost of $6,472.45 before tax. This will take place in January 2022.
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Landscaping at Monuments-CLOSED-The Board has received a proposal to add landscaping at the newly renovated monuments and approved the proposal from Summit in the amount of $5,645.42 with tax included. This is set to start immediately.
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RFID Cards at Dog Park-TABLED- This is tabled until after the clock tower landscaping has been completed in Spring 2022.
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Holiday Lighting/Decorations-IN PROGRESS-The Community Manager presented the Board with two proposals for holiday lighting. They approved Gleam Team if they retain possession of any lights used at $3,913.24. This will include the office, clock tower, and both entrances at Westcreek Oaks and 1604.
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Pointe Monument-OPENED-The Board reviewed the proposals for adding electric to the monument and replacing The Pointe monuments at the cost of $11,700.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
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MAINTENANCE SHOP BREAK-IN |
The Community Manager informed those in attendance at the last Board of Directors Meeting, that the Maintenance Shop was broken into on Sunday, October 31, 2021, and Wednesday, November 3, 2021. She reported that the ATV Ranger, a weed eater, hedge trimmer, and two gas cans were stolen.
An insurance claim has been filed and the Board has approved the purchase of a new ATV. They are reviewing options for new maintenance shops. This will remain open under unfinished business until it has been finalized.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
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Please remember that when items are dumped in the easements such as tree limbs, furniture, old fence posts, and other unwanted items, this is a cost to the entire association to remove. If you are needing to dispose of these items, please look for information on the next bulk pick up or take them to the dump.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
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Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager |
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager |
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Santa's favorite Fire Department is delivering Santa nightly to the neighborhoods of Bexar County ESD No. 2.
CLICK HERE to see dates, times and the street routes Santa will be using in your neighborhood.
Submitted by: Bexar County ESD No. 2.
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Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager |
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PORCH PIRATE SEASON IS UNDERWAY
Best ways to avoid porch pirates are to have your package rerouted to only when you're there, have it sent to a neighbor who is going to be home, change your package delivery for signatures only, or have it sent to where you work.
Get permission to ship all your packages to work. That way, they aren't left unguarded at your doorstep for hours while anyone walking by could snatch them. If this arrangement works out, be sure to tell all your friends and family members to ship packages to your work address.
Ask a friend or neighbor to receive your packages for you. You might not be home on workdays, but plenty of people are. Trusted friends who are retired or who work at home might be happy to let you have packages delivered to them for safekeeping.
If a neighbor can't receive your packages and you can't get them at work, another option is available. Try a service that lets you arrange for a package to be held at a warehouse until you arrive home. Then you can arrange delivery for evening hours that better suit you.
Set up a live recording video camera aimed at your porch. That could allow you to spot a theft as it happens and alert law enforcement officials, or at least provide you with a video that might help identify the thieves.
Submitted by: Patrol Administration Deputy Meyer, Bexar County Sheriff's Office
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COVID-19 AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS |
The Board understands the effect on the community that COVID-19 has had and the financial hardships it has created.
If you have been affected and unable to make your HOA assessment payments, please email the office staff or Community Manager with your request for relief of the late fees assessed. We will review each request on a case-by-case basis and communicate back to each homeowner individually.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
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We are happy to announce that capacity limits were raised to 100% starting June 1st.
Guests are now allowed in the fenced areas (Children’s Tot Lot, Basketball Court, Tennis Court and the Pool) in the Sports Park. NOTE: 3 guests per ID but 6 per household.
The basketball court still has a capacity limit on the court and spectators/non-players need to stay outside of the fence.
CLICK HERE for the latest status of community openings and closures.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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Contract and Facility Rental Information links below!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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HEALTH AND FITNESS CLASS INFORMATION
The Villages of Westcreek offers a variety of Health and Fitness Programs throughout the year.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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SPORTS PARK RULES
The Sports Park is open from 8 AM to 10 PM daily for the use and enjoyment of all residents of the VWOA that are in good standing and have a current VWOA RFID Card.
KEY REMINDERS
- 3 guests per ID card, 6 per household
- If using the Park’s BBQ pits, do not leave the Park unless the fire is completely out. Personal BBQ grills must be accompanied by a fire extinguisher and are not allowed in the children’s playground, or on volleyball, tennis, or basketball courts. Those using propane are not allowed in the pavilion.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the children’s playground or on the tennis and basketball courts.
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CLICK HERE to review the Sports Park Rules
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONDUCTING BUSINESS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
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CLICK HERE for information on how we are addressing safety precautions while conducting business at the Community Center!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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Our next scheduled Community-Wide Weekend Yard Sales will be held between the hours of 7:00 am till 7:00 pm on the following dates:
- Saturday, December 11, 2021
- Sunday, December 12, 2021
Community Yard Sales listings will be posted on the VWOA website, the day prior to the event.
During the week leading up to your yard sales, the Association will place signs at the major intersections and entrances to the Villages of Westcreek that state: Yard Sales this Weekend.
If you wish to add your yard sale to the listing, please call the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 by 12 noon on Friday before the scheduled yard sale.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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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.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS
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!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
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OOPS, I FORGOT TO SUBMIT MY PIA!
Do you have an improvement that was made prior to submitting a Property Improvement Application (PIA) and receiving Architectural Review Committee (ARC) approval? Now is the time to submit your application and ensure you are in compliance. This will help eliminate any Standards violations regarding the improvement.
While we definitely prefer all improvements be submitted for approval prior to proceeding, this is your chance to get those already completed projects documented. The ARC has streamlined its PIA process and is currently able to provide homeowners with approvals/disapprovals within 2-3 days.
If you have any questions regarding what improvements require ARC approval, please review in the Standards and/or Covenants that can be found on the Villages of Westcreek website. Only PIAs that are within the Standards Guidelines can be approved.
Submitted by: Lynette Bradley, Chair Architectural Review Committee
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HOLIDAY DECORATION SCHEDULE
As we approach the Holiday Season, we thought it would be a good time to review the timelines on when you can display your outdoor holiday decorations!
Holiday decorations may be displayed on the premises, without ARC approval. Under our current guidelines, you can display your Christmas/New Year's holiday decorations forty (40) days prior to the holiday but they must be removed no later than 15 days after the holiday.
For all other holidays during the year, the decorations can be displayed 30 days before the holiday and must be removed no later than 15 days following the actual holiday date.
Special event decorations such as birthdays, anniversaries, newborns, returning veterans, etc., may only be displayed on the premises for three (3) days without the Standards Department's approval if the number of decorations are minimal and, the decorations and signs are not placed anywhere else within the Villages of Westcreek, including the properties fronting any entrance to the Villages of Westcreek.
We hope you find the chart below helpful as you decorate for the upcoming Holiday Season!
Thanksgiving
- Decorations Down - December 10, 2021
Christmas
- Decorations Up - November 15, 2021
- Decorations Down - January 16, 2022
New Year's
- Decorations Up - December 2, 2021
- Decorations Down - January 16, 2022
Reference: Section 6.7 of the Standards
Submitted by: Lynette Bradley, Chair Architectural Review Committee
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The Villages of Westcreek offers a variety of Sports Programs throughout the year.
CLICK HERE to visit our Westcreek Sports website for a complete listing of our current sports program and registration information.
Submitted by: Jason Dunbar, VWOA Activities Director
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JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!
Christmas Crossword Puzzle
Printable Activities for Kids
Christmas Maze
Connect the Dots
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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5 Reasons to Try Xeriscape Gardening in the Landscape
Many people think a xeriscape garden means little color or maybe just a cactus or two. Even though having a xeriscape landscape means that you have a landscape or garden that needs very little or no supplemental water irrigation to survive and thrive, a xeriscape landscape can also have color, texture, and eye-catching interest. All this while helping you save water, time, and money.
Keep in mind that all plants, even xeriscape plants, need to be given adequate water while they are establishing their roots. For shrubs and trees, this process could take anywhere from one and a half years to three years, depending on soil conditions. Groundcovers and vines can take around two years depending on soil conditions, and perennials one to one and a half years, also depending on soil conditions. Read on for a few reasons to get you interested in xeriscape gardening.
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Xeriscape Gardening: Start Small. You don’t have to do a major overhaul right away. Designate specific areas in your landscape to house xeriscape plants rather than replacing everything all at once. Swapping out one water-hungry shrub or perennial with a xeriscape choice is another option for starting small.
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Xeriscape Gardening: Plants and Hardscape. You can choose both plants and hardscape items when creating a xeriscape garden. Combining both of these generally helps stretch the dollar. Rock borders, pathways of crushed granite, and mulch can help fill in larger spaces between plants, and make for larger areas that don’t need money-gobbling water.
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Xeriscape Gardening: Less Maintenance. How many weekends have you spent mowing, edging, trimming, fertilizing, watering your landscape and everything in it, only to notice you spent no time enjoying it? You have much less maintenance when you create some xeriscape gardens within your landscape.
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Xeriscape Gardening: Less Money. All some of us need to do is look at our most recent water bill and we will quickly get interested in xeriscape gardening. The lack of rainfall so far this fall has been surprising. After being established, xeriscape plants can afford to wait for natural rainfall and keep thriving in the meantime.
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Xeriscape Gardening: Sun or Shade. You can find xeriscape plants that are fit for both sun or shade. Perennials like Lantana, Purple Coneflower, and Verbena are happiest in xeriscape gardens that are full of sunshine; while Turk’s Cap, Cedar Sage, and Columbine need a shadier spot to hang out.
Here is a link to a list of xeriscape plants for San Antonio:
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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CHRISTMAS CACTUS (Schlumbergera)
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Light Requirement: Indirect light
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Water Demand: The top inch of soil should be kept moist to the touch at all times. Never allow the soil to become water-logged, or permit water to stand in the pot tray.
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Flower Color: Pink, Purple, Red and White
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Height: 10 in with a diameter of 24 in.
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Season: They bloom from mid-November to January.
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