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Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - September 1, 2019 Edition!
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"Every human has four endowments - self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change."
~Stephen Covey
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Do You Possess the Mental Fortitude for a Successful Life?
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I once heard someone say Not all accomplished people are successful and not all successful people are accomplished. For a long time, I had no idea what that meant. How can you not be accomplished and successful at the same time? Then it hit me. You can accomplish anything but if you accomplish this while
faking happiness, fulfillment, mental strength, this is not success. When you go through life imitating joy and peace because this is something others need or want to see from us, you are not a success no matter our accomplishments.
Here is the deal, as a society, we've gotten really good at faking so much of who we are. We hide our experiences and how we feel from the outside world. In the world of social media, it is so easy to do. We snap a selfie with a smile on our face bragging about where we've been, where we are, where we are going, while in the background there is something missing from the bigger picture of our life. When we do this so often, we sometimes come to believe this lie. But, we know inside it is all a lie because the person who knows the truth is you. What happens when we consistently do this, is we become conflicted with who we are as a person. We begin to wonder why we can't seem to move forward all the while remaining idle on our path. We stop living an authentic life. When we fail to authenticate our life, we lose the mental fortitude necessary to become successful; successful in our work, in our lives, with our relationships, you name it.
Mental fortitude allows you to be transparent so that you may learn from your failures. It gives you the permission to make mistakes and show those around you that life isn't perfect, but that you know how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off to try again. When you strengthen your fortitude, when you start living authentic lives, when you stop pretending to have happiness, fulfillment, mental strength, and actually develop that for your life, you can begin to see how you become a successful and accomplished member in the community. You can become a pillar for others, an example to follow, a mentor to guide, and the person people look to for hope and encouragement.
The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we never see them fight. Help keep yourself prepared for whatever comes your way tomorrow by practicing good habits of mind and attitude.
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The two previous Westcreek Living Newsletters introduced the Suggestion and Recommendations Committee (or "SARC"). As stated, it now takes the place of the Landscape Committee, the Sports Park Committee, and the Safety Committee. Thus, the SARC monthly meeting is an excellent place for those interested in these areas to come and discuss their ideas and submit suggestions to benefit the rest of the community.
The SARC plans to meet on the first Monday of the month from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the VWOA conference room. Since the first Monday in September is a holiday, Labor Day, the September meeting will be held on Tuesday, the 3rd, at 6:00 PM. Please consider joining us.
Here are the statuses of the suggestions from the first two meetings:
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Suggestion #
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Suggestion
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Status
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1,2,4
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Coordinate Quarterly Safety Training events by professionals; e.g.
Stop the Bleed,
CPR Training,
Active Shooter Training, etc.
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Sent to BOD as SARC Recommendation #1.
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3
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Consider establishing a Westcreek Curb Appeal Program.
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In SARC review.
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5
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Establish a Public Document Review Team or Committee to review our public documents before they are filed with the county.
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Sent to BOD as SARC Recommendation #2.
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6
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Hooks and benches in Pool Restrooms to aid in changing clothes.
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Sent to BOD as SARC Recommendation #3.
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The SARC is currently looking into establishing methods of making it easier for all homeowners and residents to be able to submit their suggestions. If possible, please consider joining us in our discussions.
Submitted by: Francis Lomax, SARC Secretary
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On July 30th, the Finance and Reserve Study Committee conducted a thorough line by line review of the Proposed 2020 Budget. The committee then submitted the budget to the Board of Directors for their review. At the August 15th Board of Directors Meeting, the Board voted in favor of passing the 2020 Budget with minimal changes. The most significant item of note in the passing of the 2020 budget is NO INCREASE in Annual Assessments! I'm very pleased to say this will be the 4th year with no increase in assessments!
A new Reserve Study will be conducted in 2020. For those unfamiliar with the Reserve Study, it's a long-term capital budget planning tool. This study itemizes the life expectancy and suggested repair timeline for all facilities, amenities, and monuments in the Villages of Westcreek's common areas. We have added many items to our common areas since the last Reserve Study, such as new Sports Park bathrooms, lighting on the fields and track, refurbishment of both pools, and new handicap picnic tables in the Sports Park. An updated Reserve Study will give management and the Board a better idea of what funds will be needed in our Repair & Replacement account to plan future repairs and expenses.
Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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The
Chief Appraiser, Michael Amezquita, and the Assistant Chief Appraiser, Rogelio Sandoval,
from the
Bexar County Appraisal District
will give a presentation on the different property tax exemptions, qualification for the exemptions, and how to apply for the exemptions at our
Board of Directors meeting on September 19, 2019.
I encourage everyone with questions to attend that meeting.
CLICK HERE to download a Residence Homestead Exemption Application Form.
CLICK HERE to see a summary of the other types of exemptions that will lower your property taxes.
Submitted by: Daniel Schafer, VWOA Assistant Secretary
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Oasis tutors are changing the lives of children in the Villages of Westcreek. The highly successful Oasis program is in its fifth year at Ott Elementary and in need of more volunteers from within our community. This program pairs adults age 50 and older with children in grades 1-3 to promote success in reading. Volunteers are needed to spend one hour a week with the same child throughout the school year.
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No teaching experience is required
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Free training is provided
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Hours are flexible for vacations and appointments
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Choose the school where you prefer to tutor
"You can change a life by providing the individual attention that helps children build confidence and experience success."
Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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Deed restrictions have been successful in many residential and mixed-use developments. These protective covenants are the basis for ensuring a quality environment as well as assisting residents in maintaining the property values.
Deed restrictions cover things such as: allowed land uses, setbacks, utility easements, materials, colors, etc. to be used plus the procedures for dealing with non-compliance.
Generally, their purpose is to:
- preserve, so far as possible, the natural beauty of the properties;
- avoid harsh contrasts between structures and landscape;
- guard against the use of unsuitable materials and the erection of poorly designed or proportioned structures;
- encourage and secure the erection of attractive improvements that are harmonious and compatible with their sites; and,
- enhance and maintain the environmental quality and economic value of the Homeowner's property.
Contact our Standards Department if you have any questions on any of our Deed Restrictions and Standards.
Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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TALLEY ROAD EXPANSION PROJECT UPDATE
In response to questions from our residents concerning the status of the Talley Road Expansion Project, we reached out to
Reggie Fountain, P.E. Capital Projects Engineer, B
exar County Public Works Department for an update. This is what we have learned.
The Talley Road Phase III Project begins at FM 1957 (Potranco Road) and extends north approximately 2.4 miles to Wiseman Boulevard.
The Project will expand Talley Road from an existing two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane urban roadway consisting of an 11-foot lane and 14-foot lane in each direction with curbs and sidewalks. Additional work includes bridge construction, drainage improvements, traffic signal installation and other operational improvements. The Project includes SAWS Water and CPS Gas joint-bid items of work.
Current Status of the project-
Bids on the project were opened on August 24, 2019. Plans are to award the contract on September 18th. From that point we would be approximately 90 days before construction would begin.
The anticipated start and end dates for the project would be December 2019 through June 2022. The project has a proposed schedule of 30 months for construction.
ROUNDABOUT UPDATE
Another project that has recently stemmed a lot of interest within the Villages of Westcreek has to do with the proposed installation of "Roundabouts." Reggie Fountain has informed us that after careful consideration of the feedback received by our residents, they have re-evaluated the project and
will move forward without the inclusion of the roundabouts in the design.
The revised scope of work will
include the widening of sidewalks along Military Drive West and Westcreek Oaks. In addition,
a traffic signal at the intersection of Westcreek Oaks and Military Drive West will be installed.
We will keep you posted on the status of both projects as information is made available to us.
Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher, Communications Committee Chair
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NEW STANDARDS MANAGER HIRED
The Board of Directors and Staff are pleased to announce that
Beverly Hover was hired as the new
Standards Manager for the Villages of Westcreek effective
July 22, 2019.
Beverly has replaced Tyrik Green who was recently promoted to another position at Spectrum. We want to extend our sincere appreciation to Tyrik for his service and dedication to our community.
Beverly is responsible for inspecting all residential properties and common areas within the Association to ensure that they comply with the governing documents (CC&Rs and Standards). In addition, she will be providing administrative support to the Architectural Review Committee.
If you drop by the office or see Beverly in the community, please feel free to introduce yourself and welcome her to our team!
Submitted by: Gene Hopkins, Communications Committee Member
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SOLICITATION FOR VOLUNTEER ARC MEMBERS
The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association is currently recruiting to fill vacancies on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC shall consist of 3 Regular Members and 2 Alternate Members. You must be a homeowner to be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve on this committee.
The primary objective of the ARC is to enhance and preserve property values throughout the community while being as consistent and fair as possible with their decisions and recommendations. The ARC has the authority to:
- Adopt and administer the review process on behalf of the VWOA;
- Review and approve or disapprove plans and specifications for each Property Improvement/Change Application (PIA) regarding changes to the premises;
- Make changes to the "Standards for Architectural Design and Maintenance" as deemed necessary in accordance with the CC&Rs and applicable Federal, State and local laws; and,
- Make reasonable efforts to assist the applicants with their requests and any other concerns regarding the "Standards."
ARC members will be trained and expected to conduct business using an automated system. This system allows ARC members to view, comment, approve or deny PIAs digitally.
Ideal candidates will
- have access to a computer and internet.
- be available on a consistent basis to meet in person should homeowners request a meeting to discuss their PIA.
- Have knowledge of the VWOA's current standards.
HOW TO APPLY!
CLICK HERE
to send an email to the VWOA Community Manager to submit your name for consideration. Be sure to include your home address, phone number and email address.
Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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MedDropSA is the safe, easy way to dispose of unwanted and expired over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Simply bring any unwanted medicines along with other household hazardous waste items to the City of San Antonio's mobile collection events. Medications will be accepted at NO CHARGE, and disposed of in a safe, legal way - keeping these drugs off our streets and out of the environment.
- DO bring unused or expired prescription medications as well as out-of-date or unwanted over-the-counter medications.
- DO bring pills dumped into a zipper storage bag.
- DO bring liquids in their original container.
- DO NOT bring needles or other 'sharps.' Please check with your doctor, pharmacy or law enforcement agency on how to properly dispose. For more info, visit meddropsa.com.
The next MedDropSA Collection Event will be held as follows:
- Saturday, September 21, from 8:00 AM till 1:00 PM
- Alamo City Christian Fellowship Church located at 250 Dinn Dr, San Antonio, TX 78218
Submitted by: SAWS Senior Communications Specialist Daniel Vargas
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The office will be closed Monday, September 2, 2019
In observance of Labor Day!
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Your 3rd Quarter Assessment of $99.00 was due on July 1, 2019.
On July 29, 2019, all accounts with outstanding balances began 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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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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Our next scheduled Community Yard Sales will be held on
September 14, 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.
Submitted by: Melissa Garcia, Administrative Director
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ATTENTION VENDORS!
Vendors who register for the Fall Market Day and Fall Festival events will get both for $40!
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This event will be held at the VWOA Community Center in the overflow parking lot!
CLICK HERE
for Fall Market Day Vendor Registration Form!
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This event will be held at the VWOA Sports Park!
CLICK HERE
for Fall Festival Vendor Registration Form!
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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 Westcreek Poker Club will get together on September 5th 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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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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REGISTRATION ENDS SOON!
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Registration Dates |
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- Regular - August 18, 2019 ~ September 7, 2019
- Late - September 8, 2019 ~ September 21, 2019
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMMUNITY YARD SALES
Effective August 11, 2018, the Board of Directors decided to allow Yard Sales without requiring a permit and charging a fee.
Sales may only be held on the second (2nd) Saturday of each month from 7 AM to 7 PM and only at the resident's home.
Up to three (3) commercially produced signs are allowed and must be provided by the resident.
The signs may not exceed five (5) square feet and may not be placed/affixed on objects such as boxes, trees, street signs, mailbox clusters, fences, utility poles, or on the common properties of the VWOA.
Homemade signs are not permitted anywhere within the Villages of Westcreek.
To invite the general public to your Yard Sale, you should consider placing:
- one (1) sign at the major intersection closest to your home; and
- two (2) other signs at appropriate locations to guide the public to your home.
Signs may not be displayed any earlier than 12 noon on the day prior to your planned yard sale and must be removed by 9 PM the same day as the sale.
During the week leading up to the yard sales, the Association will place signs at the major intersections and entrances to the Villages of Westcreek that state: "Yard Sales this Saturday".
Residents who wish to have the name of their street and Village posted on the Association's website, must call the office at 210-679-8761 no later than 12 noon on the last business day before Saturday's yard sale.
Sale items may only be displayed on the resident's driveway, lawn, and in the garage. To prevent congestion and interference with street traffic and the pedestrian's use of the sidewalk, sale items are not allowed on the street, sidewalk, and the driveway apron that is an extension to the sidewalk.
References:
Submitted by: Gene Hopkins on behalf of Beverly Hover, Standards Manager
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FALL: PREPARE TO SEED, DIG, PLANT, DIVIDE, AND CONQUER
Planning for gardening tasks in fall should be a top priority for these next couple of months.
Fall is for planting wildflowers
- Many people don't think about wildflowers until the bluebonnets show up around April; but wildflower seeds need to be planted in fall to produce their beautiful blooms in spring. If you plant these wildflower seeds in springtime, they won't have enough time to develop.
Fall is for pollinators
- Most of us are aware of the Monarchs making their way through San Antonio on their migratory path back from Mexico, but other butterflies are also migrating; with many of our perennials putting out a second show of blooms, fall is prime time for pollinators.
Fall is for a fresh round of vegetables and some fruits
- Warm-weather fall vegetables: Living in San Antonio affords us the awesome opportunity for planting a second round of some of our favorite warm-weather vegetables in fall, like: eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and more.
- Cold-weather fall vegetables: Right on the tail of that second round of warm-weather vegetables is the arrival of cole crops and cold-weather fall vegetable gardening. Get excited about planting broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and more.
- Strawberries: Just like the wildflowers mentioned above, many folks don't think about them until springtime, not realizing that the right time to plant them is in fall. Fall-planted strawberries out-produce spring-planted strawberries by far.
Fall is for dividing and transplanting
- Transplanting: Fall is the perfect time to transplant a tree, shrub or perennial that you realize might be better off in another area of your landscape. The cooler weather allows the plant to withstand the shock of being dug up and replanted, and gives it the right amount of time to establish strong root growth in its new home.
- Dividing: Since plants will experience less heat stress, fall is the perfect time to dig and divide plants that have become crowded over the years. Some perennials that can be dug up and divided during this time of year are: iris, canna, phlox, coneflowers, hardy amaryllis, Shasta daisy, liriope, daylilies, and hosta.
Fall is for planting trees and shrubs
- There is absolutely NO better time than fall to plant trees, shrubs and woody perennials. Planting in fall gives them much more time (all winter and early spring) to grow strong roots to be able to withstand summer heat.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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DIG THIS ... WATERSAVER COUPONS ARE BACK
Thousands of San Antonians have replaced part of their water-guzzling grass with dazzling drought-tolerant plants or patioscape. Will you be next? WaterSaver Coupons are here so don't miss your chance to use them.
If you've been thinking about redesigning your landscape - replacing water-demanding grass with beautiful drought-tolerant plants and/or a permeable patioscape - these coupons make it easy and affordable.
You can apply for up to four WaterSaver Coupons through Oct. 15. You must remove at least 200 square feet of grass per coupon. Be creative and combine landscape and patioscape coupons any way you like to build an inviting outdoor space.
If you have an in-ground irrigation system, you must schedule an onsite consultation
(https://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/coupons-rebates/watersaver-irrigation-consultation.html)
when you apply.
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BLUE PLUMBAGO (
PLUMBAGO AURICULATE)
A real Texas star in my book. Blooms spring to fall without hardly any water after e
stablished.
Will bloom in full sun and full shade. It attracts butterflies and hummers.
Cut back to ground level after freeze. It can grow up to four feet in both directions. Deer resistant.
- Light Requirement: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
- Water Demand: Low Water Requirement
- Flower Color: Blue or white flower clusters
- Season: Spring thru Fall
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ROCKY - Picture courtesy of Deanna Gonzalez
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DOUBLE YELLOW-HEADED AMAZON
The Double Yellow-Headed Amazon is also known as the yellow-headed parrot or the yellow-headed Amazon and scientifically called the Amazona oratrix. This is a larger parrot species ranging from 15-17 inches; typically living 60-80 years or more given appropriate conditions. They are originally from Mexico and Central and South America. Unfortunately, there are only a few thousand left in the wild. Therefore, they are protected by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources being an endangered bird. Domesticated birds can be legally sold and owned with proper paperwork.
Temperamental, they can be very affectionate if hand-raised. They are highly intelligent and diverse in their ability to speak and sing. Bonds are generally with one household family member. Being the center of attention strengthens the bond but the lack thereof can lead to destructive behavior and depression.
During the adolescent phase, they can go through hormonal bluffing often becoming aggressive and biting and lunging towards others. This phase can last for several months up to two years.
Color markings do resemble the bird's name with the head being primarily yellow and the rest of the body a green parrot color. As he or she ages, the yellow to green ratio increases, with full head color being near six years of age.
Cages should be of sturdy steel material, offering as much space as possible with a minimum of 34 inches square and with an upper play gym. Many toys should be available to play with and destroy to maintain proper beak health and mental stimulation. The lack thereof could result in boredom, feather plucking, and destructive behaviors. Three to four hours of outside cage exercise time is needed to maintain proper overall health and prevent obesity.
Showers are an important regular need to ensure feather and skin health. Food should be a high-quality pellet with supplements such as seeds, fruits, and vegetables that are bird safe. Calcium and Vitamin A are important since this particular parrot is prone to these deficits.
"Rocky,"
who is pictured above, has enjoyed 15 plus years with his family. He is articulate with an 80 plus word vocabulary. He can and has called out for help for his beloved family members and can be noted cheering along for his favorite basketball team, the Spurs. His beauty and captivating personality are just a few of the many reasons owner Deanna Gonzalez wishes that she had made him a part of their family sooner.
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FALL PREVENTION - TIPS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN
National Fall Prevention Awareness Week is observed in September. Falls are the number one cause of traumatic injury and traumatic death among older adults. According to the National Council on Aging (2019), "every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall". Modifications can be made to help prevent or reduce falls, and awareness is crucial. These can be physical, behavioral, and environmental. Here are six steps on fall prevention according to the National Council on Aging (2019):
- Participate in a balance and exercise program (see resources below)
- Have a risk assessment discussion with your primary care provider
- Review medications with your medical provider or pharmacist
- Get regular hearing and vision assessments
- Keep your environment safe- remove tripping hazards, provide good lighting
- Discuss concerns with family or support system- adults may need help in achieving fall safety
For more information on Senior Health and Wellness Programs, visit:
Falls are a common occurrence among children, alike. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, "unintentional falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children in the United States" (2019). Here are some tips to help reduce falls in children:
- Avoid placing infants and young children on elevated surfaces - this includes countertops and beds. A pillow barrier will not ensure your child will remain safe on an elevated surface. Opt for a playpen or ground-level safe area instead.
- Talk to your children about playground safety- this includes using equipment as intended and not climbing on equipment in ways not intended. Supervise children appropriately and attentively to reduce unnecessary rough play.
- Use protective equipment when using wheeled or motorized play equipment - helmet, elbow and knee pads
References:
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Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.
Why home escape planning and practice matter:
Home escape planning and practice ensure that everyone knows what to do in a fire and is prepared to escape quickly and safely. Today's homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds.
A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Install smoke alarms inside every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Smoke alarms also need to be on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
According to the National Fire Protection Association survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it. One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less and an alarming 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
How to make a fire escape plan
Draw a map of your home on a sheet of paper (graph paper works well for this). Show all doors and windows. Visit each room. Find two ways out. All windows and doors should open easily. You should be able to use them to get outside. Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Push the test button to make sure each alarm is working. Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of your home. Everyone will meet at the meeting place. Make sure your house or building number can be seen from the street. Talk about your plan with everyone in your home. Learn the emergency phone number for your ο¬re department. Practice your home ο¬re drill!
With proper preparedness, you can help keep your family safe from fire. When the smoke alarm sounds in a real fire, it's too late to start making a plan.
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IMPORTANT PREVENTION TIPS
Do
you or someone you know own one of the above most commonly stolen vehicles? If yes, follow these simple tips to prevent your car from being stolen. Remember that half of all vehicle thefts can be prevented by following these simple tips!
* Park in a well-lit area
* Take your keys with you
* Close and lock all doors and windows
* Don't leave valuables in your vehicle
* Install an antitheft device such as a steering wheel lock, GPS tracking, or a car alarm.
In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, be sure to call the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at 210-335-6000, as well as file an insurance claim.
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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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HOW DO I STOP THE CRAVINGS?
As a health coach, one of my most asked questions is, "How do I stop the cravings?" Unfortunately, there is not one simple answer
,
but I will shed some light on this topic and give some tips. Our bodies crave food for many different reasons and most of it all goes back to habits from the way you were raised.
Routines: What did your family do every time you went to a movie theater or watch tv/movie at home? What did they do every time they invited company over or attend a gathering? How did you get rewarded for good behavior? What do you do when you are extremely tired but can't sleep? How about when you are stressed, emotional, or simply bored? The answer to most (or all) of those is probably... EAT. Many years ago, we went away from the mindset of "We eat to live" to "We live to eat." Food is our culture and eating is routine/habit. There is also scientific research behind triggers, like craving more food when we are stressed, emotional, and had a restless night. It is important to work on all areas of your life. Here are some tips to help with the cravings.
Better Choice
Your cravings could be from a
lack
of certain minerals. Sugar is the number one craving we experience. Keeping fruit handy when sugar cravings hit allows you to
get
fiber and nutrients, along with some natural sweetness. Eat fruits with high sugar content like pineapples, bananas, and dried fruit sparingly. Reach for fruit like apples and berries the majority of the time. For carb cravings eat nuts, seeds, or raw vegetable
s.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Eating 6 times a day, every 2-3 hours,
helps keep your body fueled and
levels
out your insulin, as long as you are eating the right foods. (If you'd like an easy personalized meal plan, feel free to contact me.) Being consistent with this provides you with energy to make it the next 2-3 hours without getting tired, stops the
cravings, and, amazingly, lets
go of fat in our cells
because your body knows it will be fed
soon
and doesn't need to store
fat
anymore. When you are inconsistent with this and you don't eat enough, your body
stores fat for
energy. This makes you want to eat everything you see and crave all kinds of unhealthy foods that will give that instant satisfaction.
Balanced Meals
Make sure you are getting lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs. If you improve your overall diet, you will not be lacking in nutrients and minerals. Eat less sugar so that you will crave less sugar. Eat more complex carbs that help you feel fuller longer, like vegetables and fruit. Simple carbs are refined and highly processed, which digest quickly and tend to leave us feeling unsatisfied. They also cause unstable blood sugar and insulin
levels, stimulate
appetite, and make you want more.
Remove Temptation
Clean out your pantry and don't buy any more
tempting foods.
If you make sugary treats hard to find, you'll eat them less. Avoid situations where you know you'll be overly
tempted.
Plan your meals and prepare healthy snacks for work and outings ahead of time. You can find a large variety of healthy recipes and entrees on my Offering Hope FB page.
Distract Yourself
Try to find a way to take your attention off the craving. When cravings strike, work on a project, cook a healthy meal, and/or drink a full glass of water. Way too
often, we
do not drink enough water and mistake thirst for hunger. Make sure you are drinking at least 64 oz or half of
your
body weight in ounces, each day. Taking a step outside or making the room brighter also helps.
Research has
found that dark rooms and darkness of night make us more likely to overeat. It also helps to take a walk or exercise. If you want to get involved in some low impact classes, our Westcreek
Senior
Fitness program has some classes that focus on the following:
Limit Intake or Go Cold Turkey
Some people can handle a few bites without going crazy, while others, especially those who struggle with sugar addiction, can't. Going cold turkey
may be your best friend. The first 48-72 hours will be tough, but after that, your craving
s will diminish drastically!
Hopefully these tips will help you overcome your cravings. Knowing all the scary side effects of sugar and being aware of your own habits and triggers takes you one step closer to ending the cravings. Living sugar free will help you lose weight and be healthier. When it comes down to it, determine to make a lifestyle change and stick with it. Believe it or not, our minds can override our physical cravings! Simply set limits, make decisions, plan your meals and snacks and stay with it. This step is necessary if you want to break the vicious cycle.
I am a certified health coach and would love to help you with achieving your health goals. Please feel free to email me at
melissa.motz@yahoo.com
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MEXICAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE
Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole
(A full balanced meal that makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups spaghetti squash, cooked
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1ΒΌ pounds 93% lean ground beef
2/3 cup shredded 2% reduced fat Mexican style cheese
1/2 cup 2% plain Fage Greek yogurt
1/2 cup red enchilada sauce
3 Tbsp reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 tsp chili powder
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine enchilada sauce, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and chili powder. Stir until combined. It is okay if the mixture is a little lumpy from the cream cheese. The cream cheese will eventually melt when combined with the warm ground beef and spaghetti squash. Set aside.
3. Over medium high heat, add ground beef, chopped green peppers, and can of Rotel tomatoes to a large skillet. Cook until ground beef is no longer pink and green pepper is tender. Drain meat of all fat and liquid.
4. Add spaghetti squash and enchilada sauce to the ground beef mixture. Stir until everything is combined.
5. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish. I used a deep 9-inch square casserole dish. Top with Mexican style cheese. Bake for about 25 minutes or until cheese is melted.
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Low Impact is exactly that, Low Impact!
The classes are held every Tuesday thru Thursday from 11:00 AM till Noon in the VWOA Community Center Hall.
Each day we work on something different that will help improve quality of life.
- Tuesday - Balance and Posture
- Wednesday - Strength
- Thursday - Cardio and Intervals
We start each class with a thorough warm up in our chairs. If we will be working off the chairs there is a quick warm up for that as well. We also thoroughly cool down and stretch to relax before leaving the class. Every exercise class should have an effective and relevant warm up and cool down routine.
Tuesday alternates from sitting and working on posture and chair assisted single leg balance exercises - to small hurdles and step up/down curb practice.
Wednesday, we rotate using resistance bands for doing seated strength training - to using the wall to help us strengthen core, upper, and lower body.
Thursday stays the same as it's quite a strenuous workout. We will do seated full body intervals, slow down to a steady cardio pace, and then pick things up again out of our seats using sliders and the chair to assist, if necessary. All exercises can be progressed or regressed, and even alternatives can be given to suit your need. Each day is different so I always tell class participants to take it at the pace they feel they can maintain for that hour.
As we age, we start to lose strength, cardiovascular fitness, balance, and our posture. These are the key elements we work on in class to keep us moving and feeling better. This class is not only an exercise class but a caring community. Come join us for Low Impact! The first class is free.
"Like most people, you have probably heard that muscle strength, absent some weightlifting, starts to decline in middle age. And you probably expect things like your balance, coordination and flexibility to naturally take a bit of a downturn .... someday. But new research from Duke University shows that these fitness-related changes begin much earlier than many people expect - often when they're still in their 50s."
For questions and additional information about this class contact:
Submitted by: Brenda Gonzalez, NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor
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Dance2Fit with Hillary meets every
Monday & Wednesday from 8:00 PM till 9:00 PM.
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