Village Creek - July 2016

Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc. The Voice - July 2016 1

The Voice

VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 7 | JULY 2016

Questions as asked by Gordon Watson Editor of “The Voice” to Kay Serventi, Municipal Territory Representative, Tanner

Market, Republic Services.• Whatphonenumbershouldresidentscalliftheyhavequestions

aboutRepublicRecycling andTrash? 713.726.7300Are thenumbersthesameforrecyclingandtrash?Answer:Yes

• Is there an email address for the public to contactRepublic?Answer:ThewebsiteallowsforemailtoRepubliccustomerserviceatrepublicservices.com.

• Howcanaresidentgetanewrecyclecontaineriftheoldonewasdamaged?Answer:Theywouldneedtocontactcustomerservice.Areplacementisfree.Iftheyrequestanadditionalbin,therewillbeafeetotheresident,andtheywouldneedtosetupanaccountfortheextrabin.

• Whatlargeitems(suchaswashersanddryers)canandcannotbeputonthecurb?Whatistheweightand/orsizelimit?Iwouldassume, forexample, thata300poundcampershellwouldbetoobig,butresidentsdon'tknowonewayoranother.Answer:The contract allows forRefrigerators (Freon removed taggedaccordingly), stoves,water tanks (drained),washingmachines,dryersanddishwashers.

• Iflargemetalitems,suchasawasherordryerareputonthecurb,aretheserecycledortrashed?Answer:Trashed.

• Ifwehavemorerecycleditemsthanthegreencontainercanhold,is itOK toplace themoutside and adjacent to the container?Answer:No,everythingneedstobeinthebin.

• Ifwe havemetals (copper, steel, aluminum) other than foodcontainers,isitOKtoputtheminoradjacenttothebin?Isthereaweight limit for recycledobjects (suchas an electricmotor)?Answer:Wedonotrecyclecopper,steeloraluminumonlywhatisontherecycleprotocol.

Commonly Asked Trash and Recycle QuestionsBy Gordon R. Watson

• Isarecycleflyeravailableonline?Where?Answer:No,itisnot.• Doesrecycledmaterialneedtobeinabag?Onlyifitislight-weight

andmightblowoutofthecontainer.• Whataretherequirementsforthetrashcontainersuchasmaterial

andsize?Answer:Trashcannotexceedone95gallonbarrel.Bagscannotexceed35pounds.Youmustbuyyourowngarbagecan.

• DoyouacceptPVCandABSpipetorecycle?Answer:No• Shouldbottlecapsberemovedfromglassbottlesorplastic?Are

theyrecyclable?Answer:No,theyarerecyclable.• Arebeerorsodaplasticringholdersrecyclable?Isthereaneedto

cutthesetopreventanimalsfrombeingtrappedinthem?Answer:Yes,theycanberecycled.Iwouldcutthem.

• Doresidentsneedtocallintoaskthatheavyitemsberemoved?Whileittheoreticallyisn’tnecessary,thecrewwouldappreciateaheads-upcallat713.726.7300tomakesuretheyareawarethatitistrash,andtheyhavethepersonneltohandleit.Allitemsshouldbeplacedcurbsideby7amonFridaytoensurepickup.ItwouldalsohelptoputanoteontheheavyitemindicatingitistobepickedupasHEAVYTRASHbyRepublic.

• Howmanybagsorbundlesofbranchesmaybeputout?Answer:Residentsmayputout6bagsor6bundlesofbranchesinadditiontothegarbagecanoneitherTuesdayorFriday.Anyyarddebrismustbecutto4footlengthorsmallerandtiedorbundled.

• CanIputloosetrashintothetrashcan?No.Itisimportantthatalltrashisbagged.Thishelpskeeptheneighborhoodclean.Forexample,don'tputsawdustorlawnclippingsdirectlyintothegarbagecan.Puttheminabagfirst.

• Doyouacceptplasticgrocerybags?Answer:No.Wedonotacceptplasticbagsforrecycling.Thisisbecauseoftheirlightweightandtendencytojamtherecyclingequipment.Therearesomegrocerystoresthathavebinstorecycleplasticbag.

2 The Voice - July 2016 Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.

The Voice

IMPORTANT NUMBERSIN CASE OF ANY EMERGENCY DIAL 911

SCHOOLS

TomballISD............ 281-357-3100,www.tomballisd.net

WillowCreekElem(K-4)...........................281-357-3080

NorthpointeInt(5-6).................................281-357-3020

WillowWoodJr(7-8)................................281-357-3030

TomballHigh(9-12)..................................281-357-3220

TomballMemorialHighSchool.................281-357-3230

Transportation............................................281-357-3193

SERVICES

HarrisCountyAnimalControl..................281-999-3191

Lost/FoundPets.........................................Nextdoor.com

HarrisCountyVeterinaryPublicHealth.....281-999-3191

MunicipalDistrictServices(24hrs)...........281-290-6503

...Forwaterleaks,wateroutages,waterquality,orsewer

leaksorstoppage.”

Streetlightsout&poweroutages:www.centerpointenergy.

com/outage

HarrisCountytrafficsignaloutages............713-881-3210

RepublicWaste...........................................713-849-0400

TrashonTueandFri.HeavyitemsonFrionly.

RecycleFri(#1through#7plastics;aluminum,steel&tin

containers;glassbottlesandcontainers;newspapers;

cardboard;andmixedpaper)

Digging?TwodayspriortoANYdigginginyouryard,call

811orusehttp://www.lonestar811.com/

NEWSLETTER

Publisher-Peel,Inc....................................512-263-9181

[email protected],888-687-6444

Editor..................................................GordonR.Watson

... [email protected]@sbcglobal.net

ELECTRICAL SERVICES SERVICING ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS

713.467.1125 or 281.897.0001www.WiredES.com

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

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RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIALLICENSED & INSURED

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Take $25.00 Off Your Next Service Call

TECL 22809 Master 100394

(Editor’s note: This letter is in response to the May, 2016, article on EZTAG. As the writer indicates, the one method to use depends on your visitor’s situation).IreadyourEZPlatearticlewithinterest,andthoughtitwouldhelp

togiveyoumyexperiencewithit.WehadfamilyfromIowacometovisitinMarch,andIthoughtitwouldreallyhelpthemiftheycoulddriveonI-99,soIcheckedtheEZPlateideawithHarrisCountryTollRoadAuthority(HCTRA).Tomysurprise,IfoundoutthetollroadoperationsinTexasareaconfusedmess.ThereareactuallythreeseparateentitiesinTexas.TwoofthemnowhavetollroadsintheHoustonarea:HCTRAwithEZTAG,andTXDOTwithTXTAG.249tollroadisHCTRA,butI-99isTXTAG.HCTRAinformedmethattheEZPlateONLYworksonHCTRAtollroads,consequentlytheycanNOTuseitonI-99.IcametotheconclusionthatthebestoptionforatouristwouldbetheTXTAG.Iftheyordereditonlinefarenoughinadvance,theycouldinstallthetagbeforetheycametoTexas.ItisgoodonalmostalltollroadsinTexas.ButthebestpartisiftheysetitupforautopaywithacreditordebitcardtheTXTAGisFREE.TheEZTAGcosts$15.00.InadditiontheTXTAGonlytakes$20.00atatimeforonecar.EZTAGtakes$40.00atatime.

Hopethisishelpful,J.R.(fullnamewithheldatwriter’srequest)

Letters to the Editor


The Voice

Modified and submitted by Donna Lowe and from http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2010/07/30/texas-brittle/•Cover a 9 x 13 cookie sheet w/ a lip

w/ foil•Layer a single layer of pretzel sticks

on the foil (a few handfuls)•Put a few handfuls of Fritos (not the

big scoops) on the pretzels•Melt (microwave or double-boiler)

about 4 oz. milk chocolate (I used chips) and drizzle over the pretzels/Fritos

•Top w/ chopped pecan pieces (I toasted mine first)

•Put in freezer about an hour til it sets•Break apart - keep in sealed container

in cool spot

TEXAS FRITO BRITTLE


The Voice

July is hot andhumid inTomball, like aLouisiana swampwithoutthegators.Ihadthecarwindowsallrolleddown,butIamsureitwashotterinthePackardthanoutside.Thetwo-toneblacktopdidn’thelpmuch.Sweatrandownmybrowandneck.Myhandsglistened.Thehotcoffeewasabadidea.TheAMradiohadjustmentionedthatTomballhadreached95degrees.Themovingcarcooledmeabit,butIwasstillhot.IpulledintoaDairyQueen.ThePackardrolledtoastoppreciselybetweenthetwowhitelinesontheblacktop.Igotout.Thepavingwasashotasapancakegriddleatachurchbreakfast.Theslidingwalk-uporderdooropened.Thecalorie-ladenfragranceoffries,hamburgers,andice-creamrushedout.Theteenagegirlcheerfullytookmyorder:onesinglechocolatedippedcone.Ifeltthecoolairfromtheirairconditioner.Itfeltwonderfullycooling,butshequicklyclosedtheorderdoortokeeptheevilheatout.IwasthankfulthatIwasatleaststandingintheshade.

Mysecretaryhadjustreceivedacallthataclient’sclothesdryerwasnotworking.Theclothesweren’tgettingdry.Igotbackinthecar,andatetheconeasIheadedtoherhouse.IhadfinisheditbeforeIpulledup.ThereisnothinglikeaDairyQueenconeonahotday.

ThehousewasatypicalhomeinTomball:niceyardwithhugeoaks, a few crapemyrtles, and roses…lots of roses. I noticednothingawrywiththeentrance.Asmymomusedtosay, thefirstimpressionpeoplehaveofyourhomeisyourdoor.Nah,shedidn’tsaythat.Shesaidthatfirst impressionswere important.Alwayskeepyourhaircut,shoespolished,andbrushyourteeth.Iaddedthepartaboutthedoor.

The Riddle of the Wet Laundry: Another House Detective Mystery

By Gordon R. Watson

Thewomanwas concerned. She had just purchased a newclothesdryerbecause theoldoneno longerworked.She alsomentionedthatherchurchwashavingarummagesalethatweek.Iadvisedhertostickwiththefacts.SheseemedOKwiththat.Itooknotesonmyspiralpad.Theolddryerslowlydied.Itwastenyearsold.Clothesnevergotdry.AsImadenotes,Ibeganaddinguptheclues.

Ithoughtbackovermydryercases.Themostinterestingcaseinvolved some friendswhodid some sleuthing on their own.Theydiscoveredthattheboosterfanwasconnectedphysically(andsealedinwithsheetrock),butithadneverbeenconnectedtoanelectricalsource.Asthedryerwasused,lintbuiltupinthefan,andthedryereventuallywouldnotworkatall.Inthiscase,thehomeownerremovedthefan,re-connectedtheduct,andthedryerworkedfinewithoutit.

Ipulled thedryerout from thewall.Theyare so light thatanyonecandoit.Thehosewasaflimsyplasticone.Itwasbenttightly.Iwonderedifiteverworkedatall.Thankfully,itnevercausedafire.

Thiswasafairlyeasyfix.Iadvisedherthattheventhosewascrushed,andthatsuchrestrictionscancausefires.ItoldherthatIwouldorderheroneofthosefancynewmetaltelescopingvents.Ialsomentionedthattheexpertsrecommendusingmetalductratherthanplastic(lesstoburnifthereisafire).IcarefullyshovedthedryerbackagainstthewallandadvisedhernottouseituntilIcouldreturnwithasuitabletelescopingvent.IreturnedtothehotPackardanddrovedowntheoak-linedsteamysummerstreetsofbeautifulTomball.

By the EditorABoardelectioniscomingupthismonth,andtwoseatsareopen.

Bothoftheseseatswerefilledbyappointment.Infact,threeofthefiveBoardmemberswereappointedbecauseofresignations.

Whenyouvote,makesureyoureadasmuchasyoucanaboutthe candidates. Vote smartly. TheBoard spends a significantamountofyourafter-taxincome,andtheirworkcangreatlyaffectourneighborhood.

We hope that thosewho are running have provided a clearstatementoftheirvisionforVillageCreek.

Village Creek Board Election


The Voice

By the EditorUntilveryrecently,nasalrinsingwasbothunfamiliarandstrangetoourfamily.Then,aftersomesinusissues,mydoctorsuggestedusingit.Hehappenedtomentionthatitactuallywasapleasuretodoandinnowaypainful.Itgenerallydoessuchgoodthatpatientsquicklyget intothenasalrinsehabit. Beforeallelse,checkwithyourdoctortomakesurethatnasalrinsingisOKforyou.Ifitis,IsuggestyousearchYouTubefor“Neilmedsinusrinsetutorial.”YoucanbuyNeilMed’sstarterpackforabout$7.00,butthatincludesonlyonesaltpackage.Youmaywanttocheckatthedrugstore,bigboxstores,oron-lineforlargerpackagesformoreoptionsandbestprices.Generally,youwillfindthatthesaltpackageswillcostaboutfifteencentsperdayorso.Acoupleofimportantreminders:• Qualityofwaterisimportant.Mostwatersmustbeboiled(and

cooled).FollowtheDoctor’sandNeilmed’sadvice.• Makesureyoudon’tusewaterwithoutthesaltpackage.Itwill

bepainful.• Again,makesureitisOKwithyourdoctor!

Our HealthBy the National Highway Safety Administration (edited for space)In2014,3,179peoplewerekilledincrashesinvolvingadistracted

driver.Oneofthemostalarmingandwidespreadformsofdistracteddrivingiscellphoneusage.AccordingtoastudybytheVirginiaTechTransportationInstitute(VTTI),sendingorreceivingatexttakesadriver'seyesofftheroadforanaverageof5seconds,theequivalentofdrivingblindat55-mphforthelengthofanentirefootballfield.Anda2014specialarticleintheNewEnglandJournalofMedicinefoundthattheriskofacrashornear-crashamongnovicedriversincreasedwiththeperformanceofmanysecondarytasks,includingtextinganddialingcellphones.

Textmessagingisofheightenedconcernbecauseitcombinesthreetypesofdistraction–visual,manualandcognitive.Inotherwords,textinginvolvestakingyoureyesofftheroad,yourhandsoffthewheel,andyourmindoffthetaskofdriving.

NHTSA’smessageissimple–“OneTextorCallCouldWreckitAll.”Legislationisbeingpassedacrossthenationtodiscouragedistracteddriving.Wehopedriversgetthemessageloudandclear.

So the next time you are pressed for time, and it seems likemultitaskinginthecaristhebestdecision,rememberthose3,179livesthatweretakenbecausesomeonedecidedtheycoulddotwothingsatonce.Atextorcallisnotworthyourlife,oranyoneelse’s.

Texting and Cell Phone Use during Driving


The VoiceTomball Gardens

Vegetables:This is a greatmonth (start as soon as feasible) toplantthese:eggplant,cantaloupe,okra,southernpeas,sweetpotato,pumpkin,andwatermelon.

TreesandBushes:Treesandbushes,particularlyyoungones,willneedsomewaterifitdoesn’train.Don’tover-water,butallowtherootstobemoist(neitherwetnordry).Ifitdoesn’trainduringtheweek,givethemadeepwatering.Digdownafewinchesintherootareatocheckthemoisture.Itisdesirabletohavethesoildamp(notwet)12”belowthesurface.Fertilizenewplantswithalawnfertilizerwithabout1to2cupsperinchoftrunkdiameter…accordingtothe“TexasGardenerMagazine.”Wateritinwell!Abermaroundyoungtreeswillhelpyoukeepsufficientwatertotheiryoungroots.

Lawns:Aswewritethis,rainfallhasbeenplentiful,butoneneverknows.Youwillneedtomakeupthedeficiencyusingyourirrigationsystem. Strive to oneweekly….deepwatering.Deepwateringencourages deep roots.Most peoplewater too little…too often.Notethatirrigationtimerscangenerallybesettowaterseveraltimesduringoneday…toallowtimeforthewatertobeabsorbedinthesoil.Forthoseareaswhichhavesparsegrass,itispossibletheyarenotgettingenoughwater.Addoradjustsprinklerheadsaccordingly.

Reminder:Most experts advise keeping lawn clippings on the

By The Editorlawn.Theyarethesameasaddingfertilizer…plustheyenhancethesoil,overtime.

PersonalHealth:Gardeninearlymorningifpossible.Drinklotsofwater.Wearhatsandsunscreen.Userepellant.Considerkneelingonfoampadsorkneepads.Weargloves.

Recommendedwebsite:https://www.wildflower.org/ThisistheUniversityofTexasatAustinLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter.GothereforinformationaboutalmostanyplantinTexas.

Untilnexttime,HappyGardening!

By theEditor (with help fromLadybird JohnsonWildflowerCenter,UniversityofTexasatAustin)

The Sunflower is one of themost commonflowers inTexas.VarietiesgrowwildthroughouttheStates.Somevarietiesgrowupto8’.Theygrowquickly,soareagoodplantforchildrentotryasoneoftheirfirstgardeningadventures.Pointouttothemthattheflowerheadsfollowthesuninaremarkableway,facingEastinthemorningandWestatsunset.InfacttheSpanishnamefortheSunflowerisGyrosol,whichmeans“followthesun.”TheEnglishscientificwordforsuchturningisheliotropism.RemindthemthattheSunfloweristheStateFlowerofKansas.Theflowerwasusedtoobtainyellow,black,andbluedyeswhichwereusedbytheAmericanIndiansforbasket-making.

TheSunflower is drought-tolerant (once established), and theseedsmaybeplantedasdeepas3inches,thoughgenerallyaboutaninch.Doplanttheminthesun.Watersparingly,butwater.Inoursoil,itislikelythattheywillbecometopheavy,soyoumayneedtostakethem.Birdsandbeeslovethem,andthereisacertainstrangespindlyspeciesofinsectthatyouwillprobablyfindontheplantswhentheyaremature.

LateAprilisthebesttimetoplant,butJulyisnottoolateaslongasyoucankeepthesoilmoistduringthefirstfewweeksofearlylife.Expectthemtomatureinabout90days.Ittakesaverycoldfrosttokillthem.

Plant of the Month: Sunflower

BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS

Business classifieds(offeringaserviceorproductlineforprofit)are$50,limit40words,pleasecontactPeel,Inc.SalesOffice@[email protected].

WILLS FLAWLESS DETAILINGisbasedoutofWildwood.Ioffervehicledetailing,washing,buffing,headlightrestoration,residentialpressurewashing,etc.Checkmeoutonfbforreviews,picturesandcomments.CallortextWilltodayforafreeestimateat281-827-1133.


The Voice

BASHANS PAINTING & HOME REPAIR

• Interior & Exterior Painting • Wallpaper Removal • HardiPlank Replacement • Wood Replacement • Sheetrock Repair • Interior Carpentry• Cabinet Painting • Wallpaper Removal &• Pressure Washing Texture • Fence Repair/Replacement • Garage Floor Epoxy• Custom Staining • Roofing

• Gutter Repair & Replacement • Faux Painting • Crown Molding

NO MONEY UP FRONT

281-347-6702 281-731-3383 cell

Commercial/Residential ~ FREE ESTIMATES ~

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Village Creek - July 2016