September October 2020

Published bi-monthly by Neighborhood News Inc

Redland OaksBoard of Directors

President Quinn Britt830-237-9155

quinnbritt61gmailcom

Vice President Michael Gray

Treasurer Raymond Weiss

Member-at-Large Jane Burchard

Committee amp Activity Chairs

Architectural Control ROHOA Board

redlandoakshoagmailcom

Bunco Lea Mcintyre 210-723-6536

Civic Affairs Barbara Faught210-494-3205

Newsletter Karen Davis210-413-8045

Safety Tony Alviar210-490-3570

WelcomeDirectory Judy Gray210-912-2010

SAFFE Officer Patrolman Z Knox 1186

SAPD 210-207-5191

General Counsel Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC

ManagementROHOA Board

PO Box 700806San Antonio TX 78270

(830) 237-9155

Greetings Everyone

I hope you and your family are doing well I know that the social effects of the pandemic are getting tiresome but please continue to take care of your health by staying home as much as possible and taking precautions when going to the grocery store or other public areas And watch out for COVID-related scams ndash see the story on page 6

Due to the social distancing required by the pandemic the Redland Oaks HOA annual meeting is being postponed for the time being until it is safer for people to gather The board will let us know when the meeting is rescheduled As always board members can be contacted if you have any questions or concerns

School has started although as I write this we donrsquot know how the year will unfold -- whether it will be total distance learning a hybrid of distance and in-person classes or all in-person Regardless please keep an eye out for children walking or playing outside when you drive through the neighborhood

Editorrsquos NoteEditorrsquos Note

Fall may officially start on September 22 but that doesnrsquot mean a lot in South Texas Itrsquos still hot and some types of grass and landscape plants just donrsquot do well Check out the story on page 3 about replacing some of that greenery with native or adapted plants

Many of us are ordering more items by mail instead of going to the stores Those packages that arrive on our doorsteps can be a temptation to ldquoporch piratesrdquo See the story on page 2 for ways to stymie the thieves

And lastly if you are walking barefoot in the house or on your patio keep an eye out for scorpions Theyrsquove been seen in our area recently and stepping on one can mean a nasty sting See the story on page 5 on how to avoid ndash and get rid of ndash these pesky arachnids (yes they are related to spiders)

I wish you and your loved ones good health and happiness in the coming months

Karen Davis

Redland Oaks - September October 2020

Page

WH AT rsquo S COOK I NG

LEMON-GARLIC MARINATED SHRIMP

These days we are all looking for a tasty dish that doesnrsquot heat up the kitchen or take long to prepare Lemon-Garlic Marinated Shrimp fits the bill It can be used as an appetizer on its own or with a side of vegetables as a light main course You can grill the shrimp before tossing it in the marinade if that is your preference

Ingredients

3 tbsp minced garlic2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oilfrac14 cup lemon juicefrac14 cup minced fresh parsleyfrac12 tsp kosher saltfrac12 tsp pepper1frac14 lbs cooked (or grilled) shrimp

Directions

Place garlic and olive oil in a small skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant about 1 minute Add lemon juice parsley salt and pepper Toss with cooked shrimp in a large bowl Eat warm or cold as you prefer

Recipe of the MonthDo you have your own favorite recipe Just take a clear cell phone photo of the ingredients and instructions and send it to Karen Davis at

kdavis35satxrrcom Wersquoll publish it in a future newsletter

As the pandemic keeps us home more of us are mail ordering items that arrive in packages on our front porch While there hasnrsquot been a major problem with thefts by ldquoporch piratesrdquo in our neighborhood it always pays to be safe And that will only become more important as the holidays approach Here are some tips from the safetycom website on how to prevent thefts

Outdoor security cameras and video doorbells can show you whorsquos on your porch Would-be thieves may leave rather than see themselves on ldquocandid camerardquo

If your package is from Amazon you can get a free Amazon locker in a convenient location You select ldquolockerrdquo delivery when you check out and yoursquoll receive a passcode you can use to retrieve it

Home security service signs and window decals can also be a deterrent

Request that your deliveries require a signature This may not always be available but with especially valuable items like electronics you should be able to specify it

Subscribe to delivery alerts Amazon UPS and FedEx are among the companies that can send you text alerts that your package is on its way with an estimated delivery time so yoursquoll be watching for it

Request packaging that doesnrsquot identify whatrsquos inside Amazon offers this and other companies probably do as well

Cut back shrubs and other plants from around your porch so therersquos no place for a thief to hide

And of course bring in your package as soon as possible after itrsquos delivered Donrsquot leave it sitting on the porch because yoursquore busy doing something else

Tips toTips toKeep Your Keep Your

Packages Safe Packages Safe

We welcome corrections suggestions or input for the newsletter Send to kdavis35satxrrcom

The Deadline for the November Issue isMonday October 19 2020

REAL ESTATE AGENTWANTED TO

ADVERTISE HERE

REAL ESTATE AGENTWANTED TO

ADVERTISE HERE

Multiple Ad Sizes Available

Call 210-558-3160 or SalesNeighborhoodNewscom

Call 210-558-3160 or SalesNeighborhoodNewscom

Redland Oaks - September October 2020

Page

The ladiesrsquo Bunco group is not meeting at the present time due to the social distancing required by COVID Members will be notified when gatherings are to resume

Pick Up the PoopPeople walking their dogs are a common sight in our neighborhood The shady sidewalks are a safe place to walk Just remember that no one likes an unexpected ldquogiftrdquo from your dog in their yard If your dog does his business be sure you have a plastic bag on hand to pick it up Letrsquos all be considerate of our neighbors

BUNCO IS ON HIATUS

Choose Native Plants to Save Water Is there a sunny spot in your yard that doesnrsquot do well no matter how much you water it Our hot Texas sun and long summers can fry grasses like St Augustine and then crabgrass and other invasive plants come in

The solution Put in a garden bed of native andor adapted plants If you choose the right ones they love the sun and donrsquot require a lot of water Other than trimming them back once in a while most donrsquot need much maintenance And many have beautiful flowers that attract bees butterflies and hummingbirds

In the summer you can see the spectacular orange flowers of the Pride of Barbados (also known as the Mexican Bird of Paradise) the yellow blooms of Esperanza and varieties of salvia and other plants Once theyrsquore established they should last for years

The SAWS garden website has numerous suggestions for plants that do well in the dry South Texas heat and in our type of soil To see whatrsquos suitable for our area go to wwwgardenstylesanantoniocomplant-search

Lic 100102

Live the LifestyleYOU Deserve

bull Housekeeping and linen services

bull Fitness center water aerobics Zumba Gold yoga exercise and dance classes

bull Pickleball Corn Hole participate in Senior Games

bull Wine club

bull Golf tennis and social privileges at The Club at Sonterra

bull Pets welcomedog park

bull Hobby studios (optional)

bull No more property taxes or homeowners insurance Full Service Apartments and

Assisted Living also available

Make New FriendsLive the Retirement Dream at

20550 Huebner Road San Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 209-8404

wwwindependencevillagecom

Enjoy life in our maintenance free neighborhood of spacious one story homes with great neighbors and a full social calendar

Redland Oaks - September October 2020

Page

Why the 2020 Census Matters to Your Neighborhood

By Lora Reynolds Staff Writer

School lunches Plans for highways Support for firefighters and families in need Census results affect your community every day

As of mid-August less than 60 percent of Texans have completed the 2020 Census Texas ranks 39th out of 52 entities (50 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico) in responses received Minnesota is first with 727 percent of residents responding See the statesrsquo rankings at httpspublictableaucomprofileuscensusbureauvizhomeResponseRateChallengeStateDashboard

As a community leader you have the opportunity to encourage all of your residents to respond by the September 30 2020 deadline Herersquos an image you can customize and download to share with residents on social media ndash https2020censusgovenhow-to-helphtml

The US Constitutionrsquos Article 1 Section 2 mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790

Please include this link ndash https2020censusgovenways-to-respondhtml to my2020censusgov to ask those who have not responded to complete the 2020 Census

Xeriscape to Save Water By Mark Peterson SAWS Conservation Project Coordinator

Looking for a landscape thatrsquos high style and low maintenance Xeriscape may be the fuss-free remedy you are searching for Coined in 1981 by employees at Denver Water the word xeriscape (xeris is Greek for dry) refers to combining a low maintenance landscape with low water useA xeriscape is not rocks decomposed granite cactus agaves or rain barrels although these could all be components of one In its simplest form a xeriscape is minimal lawn native flowering perennials and shrubs mulch and other soil amendments and pervious patios or decks There are seven principles of xeriscape They include

7 Principles of XeriscapingPlanning and Design Soil AmendmentEfficient Irrigation Appropriate Plant SelectionMulch Limited Lawn

Appropriate Maintenance

Letrsquos examine how these principles apply to our South Texas landscapesbull Consider aspect shade slope soil and existing and

desired species The goal is to aim for one-third lawn one-third beds and one-third pervious patio or deck

bull One way to increase water-holding capacity is to add amendments such as compost Add one inch of compost to the soil to beds in spring and fall and one-fourth inch over lawns during the same seasons

bull Of course the most efficient irrigation is rain but we recommend using a hand-held hose or soaker hoses

bull Use native plants or ones well-adapted to our area My personal favorites are salvias firecracker fern damianita cenizo and iris

bull Two inches of mulch whether organic like woodchips or river rock is sufficient Xeric plants prefer limited mulch

bull Lawns use an excessive amount of water By reducing the amount of lawn you not only minimize mowing you also significantly reduce how much water you use

bull Excessive pruning and fertilizing do more harm than good Keep it simple mdash mow weekly prune perennials three times a year and trees once every five years and fertilize with compost in spring and fall Check out our handy maintenance section broken down by month plant type or topic at wwwgardenstylesanantoniocom

bull To see a true Texas xeriscape visit one of our wonderful natural areas like Friedrich Wilderness Park or Hardberger Park

bull As always contact a Redland Oaks HOA board member to file an application and receive approval before starting any landscaping project

News thatrsquosclose to home

Discounts bull Multiple AD SizesAsk about other newsletters in your area

210-558-3160 salesneighborhoodnewscom

ADVERTISE HERE

Redland Oaks - September October 2020

Page

Watch Out forScorpions

Few things are as unsettling as the idea of stepping on a scorpion in the dark There have been a few reports of scorpions inside homes in our area though apparently none of them were ldquodiscoveredrdquo by a bare foot

Area entomologists ndash insect and arachnid experts ndash say hot dry weather can bring scorpions out of hiding and wersquove had plenty of that this year Whether or not yoursquove seen them in or around your house they may be present Scorpions are nocturnal so they could be scuttling around your house at night especially in bathrooms and kitchens where there is access to water

Here are a few tips from pest control experts to prevent scorpions in your home or get rid of them if you already have them Most scorpions are not poisonous but their sting is still painful and could be dangerous if you are allergic

bull Remove piles of trash logs or any other potential hiding places that are next to your house

bull Cut back shrubs and other greenery immediately adjacent to your house

bull Remove leaf litter and mulch from around your foundation

bull Make sure any holes or other potential access points to your house are sealed That includes around doors windows and pipes Use weather stripping where needed

bull Make sure window screens fit tightly

bull If you see scorpions you can get rid of them by spraying insecticide around the foundation or calling an exterminator The general rule is that if you see one scorpion at least one more is on the premises

And take care when yoursquore in the house Shake your shoes before putting them on to make sure there are no scorpions or spiders inside If a scorpion lands on your body find something to brush it off with mdash donrsquot swat it

Taking a few precautions should prevent a painful sting

Yoursquove probably got a box of baking soda sitting at the back of your fridge but this powerful deodorizer has hundreds of uses around the homeClean an automatic coffee makerProperly caring for your automatic coffee maker means never having to worry about bitter or weak coffee Every two weeks or so brew a pot of one litre of water mixed with a quarter cup of baking soda followed by a pot of clean waterClean your hairWhen it comes to personal grooming too much of a good thing (wersquore talking built-up gel hairspray and conditioner) can spell bad news for your hair But a thorough cleansing with baking soda at least once a week will wash all of the gunk out of your hair Clear a clogged drainMost kitchen drains can be unclogged by pouring in 1 cup of baking soda followed by one cup of hot vinegar (heat it in the microwave for one minute) Give it several minutes to work then add one litre of boiling water Repeat if necessary

Get rid of fishy odorsBeen chopping something pungent The smell of garlic or fish can linger on your fingers long after the food is gone To avoid that scrub your wet hands with baking soda (as if it were soap) then rinse in warm water Your hands will smell sweet (and feel softer too)Deep-clean a funky-smelling dishwasherSort out the stink with a baking soda wash Put 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on a rinse cycle Take the sting out of sunburnPour a cup of baking soda into a lukewarm bath then soak and relax It will help lessen the pain more quickly

Benefits Benefits and Uses of and Uses of Baking SodaBaking SodaSource wwwreadersdigestca

20 Discount

(Up to $200)20 Discount

(Up to $200) AGRITREE EXPERTS

wwwAGRITreeExpertscom

No Oak Wilt

Tree Trimming bull Tree Removal

Ball Moss Removal bull Stump Removal

CALL TODAY 2108426144CALL TODAY 2108426144

Redland Oaks - September October 2020

Page

InfoNeighborhoodNewscom bull wwwNeighborhoodNewscomFor advertising sales and information please call or send an email to SalesNeighborhoodNewscom

Articles that appear in the Redland Oaks newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official position of Neighborhood News Inc and their publication does not constitute an endorsement therein The appearance of any advertisement in the Redland Oaks newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by Neighborhood News Inc of the goods or services advertised Neighborhood News Inc is not responsible for errors beyond the cost of the actual ad space Any publication of Neighborhood News Inc whether draft or final is the sole property of Neighborhood News Inc and cannot be reproduced or distributed in any way whether in print or electronically without the express written consent of Neighborhood News Inc copyNeighborhood News Inc

Published and distributed byNeighborhood News Inc3740 Colony Drive Suite LL100San Antonio TX 78230(210) 558-3160 (210) 558-3163 fax

COVID-RELATEDSCAMS

Unfortunately whenever there is a major disaster or disruption scammers come out of the woodwork to play on peoplersquos fears The current COVID pandemic is one of those situations so it pays to be very careful with your money and personal information

The Northeast Neighborhood Alliance which repre-sents a number of neighborhoods including ours is passing on the following warning from Metro Health

As staff from Metro Health continue to diligently keep our community safe during the coronavirus pandemic we have been made aware of the potential for scammers These scammers may call and pose as a contact tracer for Metro Health but they will try to obtain personal information such as a Social Security number andor a credit card number

Metro Health staff will never ask for your Social Security number and personal banking information Most importantly staff will not ask for payment If you have tested positive for COVID-19 staff will ask you to provide information such as your name date of birth address and where you were to help in the notification of people who might need to be quarantined to stop the spread of the virus If you were a contact to a known case staff will contact you to inform you of this potential exposure explain the importance of staying home during the days you could develop the infection and how to contact us to be tested

FOUR WAYS TO SIGN UP FOR COVID-19 ALERTS Download the Ready South Texas app available

in the iTunes and Google Play stores Text COSAGOV to 55000 to receive SMS text

message updates Follow COSAGOV on Facebook Twitter and

Instagram Bookmark covid19sanantoniogov

National Night OutCANCELED

Due to the need for social distancing National Night Out 2020 has been canceled

The event in which neighborhoods hold get-togethers to focus on fighting crime is normally held on the first Tuesday in October which is October 6 this year

Hopefully things will be back to normal next year

SeekingAccount Executive

Advertising Sales

Several Markets Available

(210)(210) 775-5834Generous Compensation Pkg