Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - November 1, 2021 Edition!
|
|
|
|
"Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness and gratitude."
~ Nigel Hamilton
|
|
OFFICE CLOSURE
The office will be closed, Thursday, November 11, 2021, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday. Normal office hours will resume on Friday, November 12, 2021.
The office will be closed Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, November 29, 2021.
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
|
|
FALL BACK TO STANDARD TIME
Sunday, November 7th at 2:00 AM is when we officially change our time from Central Daylight Time to Central Standard Time by turning our clocks back one hour.
CLICK HERE if you want to learn more about Daylight Savings Time.
Submitted by: Francis Lomax, Communications Committee Member
|
|
In case you missed our Board of Directors Meeting held on October 21, 2021, here is a recap of some of the projects discussed.
-
Splash Pad- This item has been tabled until scope of work is determined. The Community Manager, Activities Director and VWOA Vice President met with a vendor to discuss the options for the installation of the splash pad. A proposal is expected within the next two weeks.
-
Clock Tower Landscape Design- This item is still open and the Community Manager has presented both proposals to the Board for review and has asked the vendors to make revisions per the Board’s direction.
-
Monuments at Daisy Field and Potranco Rd.- This item is still open and the Community Manager is still working with TXDOT to obtain permission to place a monument in the right of way.
-
Monuments at Garden Lily and Tally Rd.- The Board has decided to table this project until 2022 due to the construction on Talley Road now in progress.
-
Mountain Bike Trails- Jason Dunbar informed the Board that the homeowners working on marking the trail have been notified that the overflow parking lot is approved to be utilized for parking. He said that soccer season has slowed down the progress however it will pick up again once soccer season is over.
-
New Pool Furniture and Shade Options- The Board and Community Manager are working to obtain quotes for these items for the 2022 pool season. The Board requested that the quote be included in the weekly update.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
|
|
GREAT NEWS - LOAN PAYOFF COMING SOON |
It was announced at the Board of Directors meeting on October 21, 2021, that the Community Center loan is predicted to be paid off in 2023. This is 2 years prior to the original loan's maturity date. This is a great testament to the stewardship of the Board of Directors.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
|
|
Please remember that when items are dumped in the easements, such as tree limbs, furniture, old fence posts, and other unwanted items, there is a cost to the entire association to remove them. If you need to dispose these items, please place them out for brush pick up, bulk pick up, or take them to the dump.
Let's work together to keep the Villages of Westcreek beautiful!
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
|
|
STREET RESURFACING PROJECT IN THE WOODS AND OAKS |
At present, Bexar County Public Works is working on the streets in the Woods and Oaks. The Chip Seal operations in these villages are in the final stage of completion. This final stage includes street sweeping and putting down the top layer seal coat.
According to the Public Works website, most primary Bexar County streets and roads regularly (every 6-7 years) have a seal coat applied to the pavement. This preventive maintenance activity prolongs the "lifespan" of the road and delays the reconstruction of existing County streets.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the Bexar County Public Works Department at 210-631-0220.
Submitted by: Maria Robinson, VWOA Community Manager
|
|
STAY TUNED FOR ANGEL TREE UPDATES |
The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association staff are in the process of planning for our annual Angel Tree Project. Once we complete our planning, we will send out the details in "What's the Buzz" later this month!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Contract and Facility Rental Information links below!
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
|
|
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
|
|
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.
-
CLICK HERE to review the Sports Park Rules
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, VWOA Office Manager
|
|
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONDUCTING BUSINESS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
|
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
|
|
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, November 13, 2021
- Sunday, November 14, 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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Good News from the VWOA ARC!
Homeowners are actively using Property Improvement Applications (PIAs) to submit improvement requests to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). This is exciting, as we know many of you are looking to make improvements and updates to your homes. The ARC is here to help make this process as seamless as possible.
In September we received 28 PIAs and were able to respond to Homeowners within an average of 1.9 days. This means homeowners were able to get started and see their work come to fruition sooner. Remember, once you get your approval, you have 90 days to complete your project.
Did you know?
If it’s time to update/refresh your home’s exterior paint, you do not need to submit a PIA, as long as you are using the same paint color.
Submitted by: Lynette Bradley, Chair Architectural Review Committee
|
|
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!
Halloween
- Decorations Down - November 15, 2021
Thanksgiving
- Decorations Up - October 26, 2021
- 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
|
|
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.
|
|
The 2021 Flag Football Season is starting soon.
Submitted by: Jason Dunbar, VWOA Activities Director
|
|
|
JUST IN TIME FOR THANKSGIVING
Fall Coloring Pages
Fall Word Search
Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzle
Thanksgiving Mad Libs
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
|
|
4 Favorite Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses bring beauty and texture and can make ordinary landscapes pop with interesting focal points.
1. Inland Sea Oats: Made for the shade, you can usually see these Texas natives on walks through wooded areas in our city parks. Inland Sea Oats do not need well-drained soil as they prefer consistent soil moisture. They also have a fantastically strong and extensive root system, making them an excellent choice to combat soil erosion. This quickly-spreading, bamboo-resembling, perennial grass grows an average of 1′-2′ high by 3′-5′ wide. When fall and winter temperatures settle in, foliage turns a yellow-bronze color.
For pollinators: Showy seed heads, that range from off white to the palest pink and then tan, droop off of the grass blades from summer through fall. These seed heads feed our native birds through the winter, so wait until early spring to prune them back. They are also host plants to some of our skipper butterflies.
2. Mexican Feather Grass: This grass is often found in median displays of local shopping centers. The short and compact growth habit of these ornamental grasses (18″ tall x wide) make them perfect choices for specimens that you wish to display up front and center. The foliage is a light green hue that turns to a soft tan color in fall and winter. Plant in areas that receive full to part sun. Mexican Feather grass is a low water user.
3. Muhly Grass: These are ornamental grasses that thrive in sun to part sun locations and grow to average landscape sizes of around 4′ tall x 3′-4′ wide. You can experience a myriad of colorful hues, depending on the variety. Gulf Muhly, native to Texas, have pink flower plumes. Bamboo Muhly sport very thin reeds of bamboo-like foliage and offer up an airy, billowy, and fluffy texture when the white plumes burst in fall. Lindheimer’s Muhly, a Texas native, is a sought after specimen for its gorgeous bluish-green foliage that grows in a clumping, rounded form. The plumes begin with a slight purplish tint and go through a spectrum of changing color ending in off white to tan seed heads.
4. Pampas Grass: One of the larger specimens, Pampas Grass can reach a mature size of 6′ tall x wide. A deer resistant option, Pampas Grass will also tolerate poor soils, drought conditions, and doesn’t mind the heat. Giant, showy, fluffy white plumes pop in spring, last for months, and create a stunning landscape display. They are a great choice for privacy or screening plants, for use as windbreakers, or as an eye-catching stand-alone specimen. Full sun is best though it can tolerate a little bit of shade.
Extra Tips about Ornamental Grasses
Remember that while some ornamental grasses go dormant during winter, it is still advisable to leave them alone until early spring. Birds feed on their seed heads and the dried foliage provides shelter and habitat for other local wildlife throughout winter.
Don’t overwater your grasses, especially through winter as most can suffer from root rot when given too much moisture.
Plan on dividing ornamental grasses every 3 years. If not, the middle of the grass can decline in health.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
|
|
Mexican Olive – Cordia boissieri
Sun; nearly evergreen; very ornamental with large, thick leaves, a rounded crown, and often multiple trunks. White trumpet flowers appear all summer long and sometimes year-round. It drops leaves in extreme freezes and can be damaged by subfreezing temperatures (15 degrees F), but even then it returns vigorously from the roots to quickly regain full size; if in doubt, give it a south wall location or frost protection, especially in hilly country north of San Antonio. Once established, Mexican Olive is very drought-hardy and it survives without irrigation along roadsides and highways in the Rio Grande Valley.
CLICK HERE to learn more about this beautiful plant, maintenance requirements, and plant features from San Antonio Garden Style!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
