PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Larry Baker

Looking back, 1999 was a tremendous year for NHHA. Membership is over 520 and growing. With increased membership, we were able to increase our daylight Patrol hours. A study is underway to determine the effectiveness of this increased coverage.

The Meadowcreek median west of Hillcrest was completed and we are all anxious to see what new color spring will bring to that area. Our other established medians were given an extra dose of TLC this year, and springtime will show the results of that attention.

Our annual July 4 parade was a huge success again, and to complement that event we added two new ones: a Fall Festival at Fretz Park and a golf tournament at the Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club. All events were well attended and will be scheduled again this year. Gene Saunders, our Webmaster, took our Web site challenge last March, and by year's end had built it into the envy of every homeowner's association in Dallas. With such a terrific base to build on, we look forward to the new year with enthusiasm. HELLO 2000!

In our last issue, we reported on new real estate developments in our area. Albertsons is proceeding with plans to build at the old Holly Tree site. In this issue, Dave Collins reports on the 8.7 acre development on Spring Valley at White Rock Creek. Also in this issue, Cris Murrey gives her residential real estate update, show-ing positive trends over the last three years. Northwood Hills is hot property! But we knew that all along.

Highlights of this year's meeting are: election of four directors, Barbara Dunn, Cris Murrey, Ross Sanders and Fred Williams; presentation of the 2000 annual budget; guest speakers Lois Finkelman and Sandy Greyson, Dallas Councilmembers for Districts 11 and 12, and new Deputy Police Chief McClain of our North Central Division.

Please plan to attend and let us know how we can make NHHA better for everyone. Best wishes for the new year -- and see you January 31!

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH TOUGH NEW BULK TRASH LAWS CAN COST YOU $$$.

By Barbara Dunn & Allen Rudy

Now, more than ever, it pays to know the rules governing when and how to put bulk trash at the curb -- because if you don't comply you might have to pay the City big bucks. Penalties can range from to $200 to $2,000 for repeat offenders. In October of last year, the Dallas City Council passed a new ordinance that changes many of the old rules. Here is what you need to know to avoid being cited for violations:

We no longer have a full week before pick-up to put trash curbside. The new law states that trash must not be placed at the curb any sooner than the THURSDAY prior to pick-up.

Bulk trash must be on your property -- not in the street. Curbside means on your lawn or driveway, not by the curb in the gutter where it becomes a traffic hazard.

All bulk trash must be curbside no later than 7:00 AM Monday of the pick-up week. If you wait until Tuesday because that's the day they came last month, you've got a problem. Trash put curbside after the pick-up is a violation.

Your scheduled pick-up week has not been changed. If you were scheduled last year for pick-up the first Monday of the month or the second Monday, that remains the same. It's a good idea to mark your calendar, and if you're not sure which Monday applies to you, call the City at 311 or the NHHA Voice Mail HotLine at 972-480-5249.

If you want a special pick-up for building materials, rocks, bricks, or on a non-scheduled day, you can get such service from the City for a cost-plus fee by calling 214-670-8613.

Why are these changes being made? Because trash at the curb for a week and frequently longer before pick-up makes our neighborhood look like one continuous trash pile. The new law is designed to improve the appearance of the entire city. Cleaner, more attractive neighborhoods mean higher property values and that's something we all want.

The City is determined to enforce the new rules, so get to know them and make sure you comply. Otherwise, your trash could cost you cash.

SEND US YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS AND WE'LL SEND YOU NHHA ALERTS.

A growing number of NHHA members are receiving e-mail alerts from the Association when important information needs to be communicated. Neighborhood Crime Alert messages, meeting schedules, and other special announcements are sent to members who furnish us their e-mail addresses.

Your most recent dues notice card contained a space for you to enter your e-mail address and return it to NHHA. You can also do this by sending your address to ghffmnn@mindspring.com, or registering it at www.northwoodhills.org, our Web site.

One way or another, get on the list to receive important NHHA news by e-mail.

NHHA TO SUPPORT THREE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS IN THE YEAR 2000

Northwood Hills Elementary PTA is underwriting major improvements in the landscape of our neighborhood school. Under the expert eye of NHHA member John Peart, playground fields have been leveled and an irrigation system installed. The next phase will be the planting of 20 four-year-old trees at an estimated cost of $8,000. NHHA has pledged $1,000 to this worthy project. John hopes to begin planting by the end of January.

Project number two is the beautification of the medians on Coit Road. Our contribution of $500 will fund two sections of medians between Rolling Hills and Brookgreen. NHHA has joined three other HOA groups (Valley View, Randco, and Willow Falls) in funding this pilot project. Time, service and labor have been given by Harrison Landscape and Susan Elking's Landscape Design. Of special interest is the fact that low maintenance Xeriscape plants will be tested on the medians.

Finally, the third project NHHA is funding is the proper trimming of 60 trees growing on medians in and around Northwood Hills. The City does not have a budget for this needed maintenance, so we are volunteering our time and money for the benefit of the neighborhood.

More trees and beautification touches are being studied for all the medians that outline Northwood Hills. This is a long-term project, and we will report further on it as plans develop.

NORTHWOOD HILLS PATROL LOGS MORE THAN 2,400 HOURS IN 1999.

Six Dallas Police officers shared the duty of patrolling our neighborhood streets and alleys in marked patrol cars in 1999. The officers were on patrol from 7 PM to 1 AM every Monday through Saturday, and 10 AM to 4 PM on variable week days. The patrol cars are fully equipped and carry a mobile telephone provided by NHHA which members can call at any time. If the patrol officer is not on duty when you call, you can leave a voice mail message.

During the last three months of 1999 we added 18 hours per week of extra daytime patrol. The value of this added patrol time is being studied by the Board.

In addition to being very visible while on patrol, the officers honored many requests by members to have their homes checked while they were out of town. You can request this service simply by calling the Patrol and giving your name, address, and the dates you will be away. Further, many members, when coming home late, will call the Patrol and have them meet them at their address and see that they get safely inside.

Should you have an emergency, please remember to call 911 FIRST, then call the NHHA Patrol. If the NHHA Patrol officer is on duty, he will respond and coordinate with the Dallas Police. But always call 911 FIRST.

Questions?

Use the NHHA HotLine: 972-480-5249

DOGGIE OWNERS, PLEASE … DOO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DOO UNTO YOU

Your Association has had an urgent request from Northwood Hills Elementary School regarding pet owners who walk their doggies on the school playground. It seems the owners are not cleaning up the doggie doo when their pets relieve themselves. The resulting mess when the kids come out to play is not printable in this newsletter. But let it be clearly understood -- cleaning up is not an option, it's the law.

While on this subject, let me add that I have had many homeowners complain of the same problem on their lawns as NHE is having on the playground.

So, doggie owners, please curb your doggie and clean up afterward. Don't doo unto others what you wouldn't want done to you. This is sometimes referred to as "the golden retriever rule."

Just take a plastic bag along, use it like a glove, then turn it inside out and take it home to your garbage can.

HELP US SERVE YOU BETTER BY INVITING YOUR NEIGHBORS TO JOIN NHHA.

There are approximately 1,200 homes in Northwood Hills, and nearly half of them are members of your Association. That's great, but we can do better!

Talk to your neighbors. Welcome new families when they move in near you. Invite them all to join NHHA. The more members we have, the better NHHA can serve us all.

Use this handy membership form:

NAME


SPOUSE'S NAME


ADDRESS


HOME TEL.


BUSINESS TEL.

Dues are $20/month paid quarterly.
Enclosed is my check for ___$60 (one qtr) ___$120 (six mos) __$240 (twelve mos)
Please mail to NHHA, P.O. Box 800874
Dallas, TX 75380-0874.

COMING UP AT FRETZ PARK RECREATION CENTER:

March 6 - Spring Break Discovery Camp

April 8 - Women's Basketball Tournament

April 15 - Fretz Park Garage Sale

April 20 - Easter Egg Hunt

May 19 - Adult Volleyball Tournament

For more information, call 214-670-6203 or come by Fretz Park Rec Center.

FRIENDS FLOCK TO FRETZ FOR FALL FUN FESTIVAL.

October 4 was the date and Fretz Park the site for NHHA's first annual Fall Festival Fun/Run, Picnic, and Band Concert. More than 250 friends and neighbors participated.

The Fun/Run featured serious runners, joggers, walkers, and stroller pushers. Some ran and pushed as families, including pets. It was hilarious! Because the temperature at run time was 95 degrees, Melissa Liebowitz, Festival Chair, announced that next time we'll probably run in the morning.

Afterward, we all gathered in the shade south of the Fretz Park pool to be serenaded by Tom Reger and his BIG 50-member Town North Concert Band. They played everything from Sousa to Ellington, and it was magnificent!

NHHA Pickup Trucker Steve Keller distributed free soft drinks to picnickers donated by Tom Thumb, Albertsons, Kroger, and Minyards. Seniors sat around and mused over memories brought back by the music, while youngsters swarmed over the playground equipment with parents close behind. It's impressive to see how many young families are moving into Northwood Hills these days.

The evening was topped off by Susan Hanchey, Picnic Chair, holding a raffle of merchandise donated by our generous local businesses. Dick and Mikell Miner won the Southwest Airlines roundtrip ticket.

Other businesses and merchants donating prizes are Mountain Hideout, Run On, Edwin Watts Golf, Bike Mart, North Haven Gardens , The String Bean, McDonalds, Mendenhall Automotive, Compass Bank, C&S Hardware, Gary Miars Automotive, Sunnyland Furniture, Marble Slab Creamery, REM Productions, and R.J.S. Gardens. Thank you all!

EVERYONE'S A WINNER AT NHHA GOLF TOURNAMENT.

Fifty players had a ball at the first annual NHHA golf tourney held at Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club October 11. Although some played better than others, no one went home a loser.

The Team Championship was a close battle between Mott's Motley Monsters and Gooden's Gorgeous Gorillas. The Gooden team of Mike Gooden, Dr. Steve Mobley, Steve Mobley, Jr., and Doug Roper shot a gross score of 58 that netted to 49.25. But Leo Mott, Ross Sanders, Bob Ladue, and guest (ringer) John Matera had a gross 61 that netted to 47.75, thus winning the championship.

Leo Mott won $50 in service from Mendenhall Auto for Closest to the Pin. Bryan "Big Knocker" Holiday, a last-minute replacement for Scott Armstrong, won a $50 gift certificate from Gary Miars Auto for Straightest Drive.

Everyone had a great time except Anne DiFiore who kept worrying she was going to miss lunch.

Special thanks goes to Ginnie Hood and Donah Baker for getting up early and registering the golfers as they arrived. The girls got a little confused when adding up the proceeds, so Larry Baker took off his shoes and socks to finish the counting.

We broke even. See ya next year!

ARE YOU A NORTHWOOD HILLS PIONEER? LET US HEAR FROM YOU!

At the conclusion of A Personal History of Northwood Hills -- Part III we added a Post Script that included this appeal:

"If you were among the original homeowners in your area and still live in the same house today, send us your name and address, along with any anecdotes or experiences you want to share about your early years in Northwood Hills. We'll develop a list of 'Pioneers' and have some fun together. Please help us by writing to NHHA Pioneers, c/o Marion Mitchell, 7371 Paldao Dr., Dallas, TX 75240. Thanks so much!"

The response was terrific! But we're sure there are still more of you out there that we haven't heard from. Send us your names and addresses and the year you moved in. We'll keep adding to the list below. Send us your corrections, too.

ZERO LOT LINE HOMES PLANNED FOR SPRING VALLEY

A new residential development of 15 homes in a gated community is planned for Spring Valley Rd. near White Rock Creek. The site consists of 8 acres of land, however due to flood plain restrictions only two acres are buildable. The homes will range from 3200 to 5000 sq. ft. and will start at approximately $600,000. Construction by LTS Group is scheduled to begin this spring according to Cary Platt, president.

Preliminary 1999 Financial Report

Income for 1999 totaled $111,269.60. Expenses for the period totaled $105,677.53. Net cash flow for 1999 was $10,892.07. Membership dues were greater than budgeted. Expenditures for beautification and insurance exceeded budget; however, patrol expenses were somewhat less than anticipated.

As shown on the balance sheet for December 31, 1999, the cash balance was $35,546.80. However, interest income and some incidental expenses for December have not yet been recorded.

Dues notices for the first quarter 2000 have been mailed. All money received will be recorded against the 2000-budgeted income. The 2000 budget will be presented at the annual meeting on January 31, 2000, along with the final 1999 financial report.

Thank you for your support of NHHA. If you have any questions concerning your dues payments or NHHA expenditures, please feel free to contact me.

Comments? Please drop us an email.
Material Copyright © 1998-2008 Northwood Hills Homeowners Association, Inc.