Want trees in our medians? Read about a big opportunity for you to make it happen. Barbara McAlister explains it on page 2.

Plans are made for annual Fourth of July Parade & Fun Fest. All that remains is for you to plan on being there. Page 2.

NHHA wants YOU! The ten best reasons for joining your neighbors as a member are listed on page 3.

NHHA Preferred Merchant Discount Program adds six new names to save you $$. Read how some members have saved up to $150 so far this year. Page 4.

Good news in crime stats for last two years. How far they have dropped and why. Page 4.

High Five construction update: TxDot tells what's going on at Hillcrest & LBJ and for how long. Page 6.

What is CLD syndrome and how is it affecting our neighbors? Read what eminent behavioral scientist Dr. April Won has to say. Page 6.

Our Annual Meeting was held Tuesday evening, January 29, 2002, at Northwood Hills Elementary School. A big thank you goes to Dr. Everett Williams for making his school such a focal point for our community. We had about 110 people in attendance.

Our NHHA Treasurer reported on our finances for 2001 and presented the budget for 2002, which was approved by members in attendance. Total income for the year 2001 was $120,150, a small increase over the year before, but short of the budgeted amount by 5%.

Other important business was the election of new Board Members and recognition of those outgoing. Steve Keller was elected representing Area 2, Susan Hall and John Larranaga were elected as Members at Large, and yours truly was elected to a second term from Area 4. Gene Hoffmann was appointed to serve as Treasurer.

Special plaques were presented to Cris Murrey and Barb Dunn in recognition of their service as Board Members for two terms -- Cris having also served as Secretary in that time.

I believe we can point to 2001 as a year of progress for our neighborhood, to which NHHA made many noteworthy contributions. Your Association aided in the negotiations that led to long-awaited redevelopment of the old Holly Tree site on Coit Road at Spring Valley. We took many steps toward further beautification of our medians and entrances. We strengthened our relations with city government, added hours to the NHHA Patrol that means so much to our security, and as a result of these activities we all benefited from rising property values.

We have a good track record. But our Association has just 500 members carrying the load of community improvement for a neighborhood of 1,150 homes. I appeal to each of you reading this to help us gain new members so we can do an even better job in the year ahead.

You can make a difference…

NH RESIDENTS OFFERED PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO BEAUTIFY MEDIANS

By Barbara McAlister

As the poet said, "Only God can make a tree." But Father John Stack knows how to take it from there. An ordained priest and counselor at Jesuit High School, he began several years ago planting trees in medians, parks and school areas throughout north Dallas. He has now offered to help beautify our neighborhood.

This fall, beginning in November, Father Stack will plant approximately 400 five-gallon size trees of four varieties native to north Texas, if we will pay $5 apiece for them. That's a bargain price and a splendid opportunity, because the good Father not only plants them, he mulches, trims and waters them for up to three years, making sure they get well established.

NHHA doesn't have $2,000 in its budget for this opportunity, but with your help we can take advantage of it. If you would like to support the planting of trees in our medians and other common areas, please send as generous a contribution as you can to:

You can make a lasting difference in the beauty of Northwood Hills.

If you love a parade…

JOIN US FOR A FOURTH FULL OF FUN FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The date is Thursday, July 4, and the place is Northwood Hills Elementary School, 10 AM to noon. It's a "family tradition" for NHHA -- our ninth annual Independence Day parade and celebration.

After we march with a volunteer band leading the way, we'll enjoy such feature events as the Moonwalk, Dunking Booth, Face Painting, Helium Balloons, Icicle Toes, 3-Leg Racing and more!

Don't forget fabulous prizes for winning parade costumes. Cub Scout Pack 585 will sell hot dogs, soft drinks, bottled water and sno-cones. There's gonna be something for everyone!

Volunteers are needed for the following tasks:

• Collecting and organizing prizes donated by area merchants.
• Staffing and coordinating events.
• Recruiting a marching band to lead the parade.

If you can help out, please call Lynn and Mark Carlton at 972-392-2749. Then circle July 4 on your calendar!

If you haven't yet joined…

TEN GOOD REASONS FOR BECOMING A MEMBER OF NHHA

1. Improving property values. In just the last five years, the average selling price per square foot for homes in Northwood Hills has increased 53% -- from $77 to $117. The following reasons for belonging to NHHA are also reasons why property values have risen so dramatically.
2. Lowering crime rates. Since NHHA's founding in 1991, crime has been steadily reduced in our neighborhood, category by category. More recently, the addition of daytime hours to the NHHA Patrol has brought an even greater measure of security to Northwood Hills homeowners.
3. Protecting neighborhood standards. From arguing to retain deep setbacks in new and remodeled homes to encouraging code compliance by established residents, NHHA actively promotes and protects the quality standards that set our neighborhood apart from others.
4. Addressing issues with City Hall. We must speak up if our neighborhood's goals and needs are to be recognized by city government. And a well-informed NHHA membership, speaking with a single voice, is the best way to be heard.
5. Beautifying our common areas. Not only is a portion of membership dues spent each year on projects that improve the beauty of our neighborhood, but NHHA members volunteer countless hours of their time to preserve the beauty we have.
6. Saving $$ with Preferred Merchants. Exclusive discounts for NHHA members are now offered by 25 area retailers and restaurants. Ranging from 20% off your dinner check to 15% off clothing items, these savings are yours when you show your NHHA membership card. You can save enough to pay your dues!
7. Enjoying events and activities. What's a neighborhood all about if it isn't social? NHHA conducts events throughout the year that attract members of all ages. Ideas for new activities are always welcome.
8. Keeping you informed by e-mail. News you can use about neighborhood matters, from tips on crime prevention to special offers by area merchants, gets sent directly to members' e-mail addresses.
9. Networking with neighbors. You'll get to know more neighbors -- and more about your neighborhood. NHHA keeps its members better informed and better able to meet the demands of home ownership. We think you'll catch the spirit of "all for one and one for all."
10. Enjoying a sense of community. By fostering closer bonds among neighbors, families, and individuals, NHHA works to unite members and non-members alike. For we all share the same goal: making our neighborhood the best it can possibly be.

You can enjoy all these benefits for only 66 cents a day! Use this form to join now! Make check payable to Northwood Hills HOA.

Now save even more $$…

PREFERRED MERCHANTS DISCOUNT PROGRAM ADDS SIX NEW NAMES

Introduced to members just three months ago, the NHHA Preferred Merchants Discount Program< is paying off big time! One member took his family to dinner at Mediterraneo and saved $150. Another told us he saved $100 in the first quarter alone. If you haven't yet used your 2002 NHHA membership card at the original seventeen area restaurants and retail establishments, you're missing out. And now there are six more locations where you can save $$:

• Canyon Café
• Panera Bread Co.
• Lombardi Mare
• Bristol Suites Hotel
• The Plant Market
• Crown Plaza Suites

Get details of locations and offers on our Web site, www northwoodhills.org. When you access the site, click on "A to Z," then select Preferred Merchants Program and click on the list. If you don't have Web access, go to Fretz Park Library and use their equipment.

Remember, you must be a member of NHHA and show your 2002 membership card to get your discounts. Enjoy!

Identified by Dr.April Won…

CURIOUS AILMENT AFFLICTING AREA HOMEOWNERS

In an interview with renowned behavioral scientist Dr.April Won, NHHA has learned of a newly identified syndrome afflicting a number of Northwood Hills residents. Its primary symptom, according to Dr.Won, is a tendency to put bulk trash at curbside days or even weeks before the City's scheduled pick-up dates.

WRONG !!!

The principal cause appears to be faulty calendar perception -- an inability to discern which is the second week of a given month. Hence the name given by Dr.Won: Calendar Legibility Disorder (CLD).

Fortunately, a remedy for CLD can be had simply by reading the dates below:

Thank you, Dr.Won. See you next year.

HAVING A GARAGE SALE? MAKE SURE YOU KNOW RULES OF CITY CODE

Don’t risk citation and a possible fine from City Code Enforcement by having more than two garage sales in any twelve-month period. And the length of time for each sale cannot be longer than three days.

You can place a sign in your yard for those three days, but not in a median or on a utility pole. Signs placed anywhere but in your yard will be picked up by Code Enforcement and destroyed.

On this subject, we encourage our members to call 311 and report any signs, other than political, that are placed on poles or medians in our neighborhood. Help us get rid of "sight blight."

Good news for the neighborhood…

NH CRIME STATISTICS SHOW SIGNIFICANT DROP FROM PRIOR YEAR

I'm happy to report good news on one of our most important membership benefits -- the NHHA Patrol by armed DPD officers in marked police cars.

At the end of 2000 we analyzed the number of thefts, robberies, and burglaries in our area by various time segments. Our study revealed that out of 55 total incidents, 38 of them took place when the NHHA Patrol was off-duty, but only 17 occurred during Patrol duty hours. And most all took place during daytime.

To improve this situation, we added more than 50 hours of Patrol duty per month in 2001 -- all of them on weekdays between the hours of 7AM and 7PM.

The change seemed to be working during the year, and now we have DPD crime statistics to prove it. Total number of crime incidents in our area dropped from 55 in 2000 to only 39 in 2001. That's almost a 30% reduction. And that adds up to good news for everyone!

ENTRANCE MARKER STRUCK BY AUTO IS BACK IN BUSINESS

A new stone planter marking the entrance to Northwood Hills at Spring Valley and Hillcrest was demolished during the night of December 26 by a car that jumped the median. Now it's completely rebuilt, paid for by the driver's insurance.

Do you recall the telltale clue? When the vehicle came to rest bumper down in the planter, its license plate left a perfect impression in the sand. Sgt. Rivera of NHHA patrol was called to investigate, and the license plate number led police to its owner. The newly rebuilt entrance marker now holds a freshly planted yaupon tree.

Happy ending!

Of growing concern to homeowners…

HOW MAILBOX THEFT CAN TURN INTO THEFT OF YOUR IDENTITY

Twice in the past three months, thieves have stolen outbound mail from street-side mailboxes in Northwood Hills. This is mail left for the postman to pick up, with an upturned "red flag" clearly indicating it's in there. Operating from a vehicle, usually in mid-morning, the thief can pull up, clean out the mailbox, and be gone in seconds.

The "loot" is quite valuable in the wrong hands. For example, one check in payment to a credit card gives a crook your credit card number, your checking account number, and a check he may be able to copy and reproduce. With these tools he can create a lot of mischief.

In the case of checks made out to local payees, he may forge an endorsement and cash them. If he gets his hands on a document containing your Social Security number, you've really got a problem.

Your best defense is to avoid using your mailbox for outbound bill payments. Take them to a secure postal drop box. If you absolutely must use your mailbox to send, put mail out as close as possible to the time your postman usually arrives.

Here are specific tips for keeping your identity safe:

1. Don't give account numbers over the phone unless you initiated the call.
2. Report lost or stolen checks to your bank immediately. The bank will block your account for the missing check numbers.
3. Notify your bank of any suspicious phone inquiries about your account.
4. Don't toss out financial solicitations you receive by mail. Cut them up because others might use them to apply for credit in your name.
5. If you suspect someone has your credit card number(s), inform the credit bureau fraud lines below. They will insure that no one applies for unauthorized credit in your name.
   • Equifax 800-685-1111
   • Experian 800-682-7654
   • Trans Union 800-916-8800
6. Don't forget to call the Social Security fraud line, 800-269-0271, if you suspect someone has your Social Security number.

Just remember, mail=identity, and take the necessary precautions.

High Five project update…

"TEXAS U-TURN" LANES UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT HILLCREST & LBJ

Of great interest to all of us in Northwood Hills is the intersection of LBJ Freeway and Hillcrest. Currently the activity taking place there is the installation of "Texas U-Turn" lanes for both east and west-bound service roads. These lanes will allow drivers to reverse direction under the overpass with-out entering the intersection. According to TxDOT, construction should be complete by the end of this year or early next.

After that, improvements will be made to service roads and entrance and exit ramps both east and west-bound. We are told that access to Hillcrest from LBJ will be maintained during this construction and thereafter. Later on, the widening of LBJ between High Five and Midway Road may require the closing of access and exit ramps, but, as the TxDOT representative said with a smile, "not in my lifetime."

Finding your house from behind…

SIGNS AVAILABLE TO SHOW YOUR STREET NUMBER FROM ALLEY

A company called Crimewatch Dallas now offers address signs for your back fence and driveway entrance. The 6" x 12" sign is made of aluminum and displays your house number and street name in bold white letters on a dark green background.

We recommend these signs because they make finding your house from the alley much easier for police, fire, and our own NHHA Patrol personnel.

You can order your sign by using the form below and mailing it along with your check for $16.24 to the address shown.

Crimewatch Dallas
P.O. Box 600892
Dallas, TX 75360-0892
Name_____________________________
Address__________________________
Please make check payable to Crimewatch Dallas.