"High Five" project at LBJ-N.Central. is ahead of schedule Page 2.

Tree planting fund needs your help. Page 2.

Identity theft growing in our neighborhood. Page 2.

Northwood Hills real estate continues to climb in value. Update by Cris Murrey, page 3.

New restrictions on summer lawn watering now in effect. Page 3.

Doos and don'ts for dog owners. Page 3.

Photos catch fun and games at Fourth of July celebration. Pages 4-5.

First half financialsshow income over budget, expense under. Details on page 6.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Fred Williams

The Fourth of July has come and gone, and it had a little bigger meaning this year than in years past. With all that our country and her people have been through since September 11, 2001 the concepts of Liberty and Freedom have taken on greater significance in our lives. So we had something more to celebrate on July 4 this year -- and we did it proud with our traditional "Fourth Full of Fun for Everyone," featuring a parade for the children followed by activities for all ages plus food and cold drinks.

Mark and Lynn Carlton not only organized the event but were working from before the start until long after the finish. We owe them special thanks for the great job they do each year. I also want to thank Dinah Matthews for guiding all the volunteers who helped. Gene Saunders, our gifted webmaster, was in attendance taking photos so you could view them on the web site and also inside this issue of the newsletter.

Cleaning up afterwards in the company of good neighbors and friends reminded me of how dependent we are on each other in maintaining our quality of life and our beautiful neighborhood. Elsewhere in this newsletter are stories about controlling our pets, following the rules for bulk trash collection, conserving water, and keeping litter off our streets. Each of us owes it to his neighbors to do the right thing. This requires that we know and respect the rules of good neighborly conduct, whether specified by City Code or simple common sense, and follow them for the benefit of everyone.

The expression, "What goes around comes around," is especially true among neighbors. So it's in our own self-interest to protect the quality standards we all share. If you were there to celebrate Independence Day with us, you saw the happy evidence of what I'm saying. Let's all work together to keep Northwood Hills the best place to live in north Texas.

Early start paying off…

DALLAS "HIGH FIVE" INTERCHANGE MAKES GOOD PROGRESS

Gene Saunders and I attended separate community meetings last month to hear reports on the progress of the Hwy 75-LBJ interchange nicknamed "High Five."

H. B. Zachry Construction, the general contractor, got started in October 2001 instead of January 2002 by setting bridge columns using their own concrete plant. That early start has been maintained and the project is ahead of schedule, though no one would say exactly how much. The incentive is substantial -- a bonus of $11.5 million if they finish in four years instead of the originally planned five. It appears they have a good chance of doing that.

Over at LBJ & Hillcrest, the "Texas U-turns" and new east and west access roads should be completed by late August. By year-end the bridge over Hillcrest will be widened and LBJ back to full capacity.

If you want to keep track of progress, the web site is DallasHighFive.org

BULK TRASH PICK-UP DATES

Pick-up weeks are those beginning with the second Monday of each month.

AUGUST 12

SEPTEMBER 9

OCTOBER 14

NOVEMBER 11

DECEMBER 9

Webmaster's note: these dates are always listed on our NHHA Events Calendar

500,000+ cases nationwide …

GROWING CRIME OF IDENTITY THEFT HITS NORTHWOOD HILLS

Since we reported on this subject in the April newsletter, more cases have been reported in our neighborhood, and the crime threatens to become epidemic nationwide. Here's what you need to know: ·

• Thieves are stealing outbound mail from residential mailboxes. From this they can get your credit card, checking account, even Social Security numbers which they use to fake your identity and convert it to cash.
• Use Postal Service drop boxes instead of your residential maibox for outgoing mail, especially when paying bills.
• When you re-order checks, pick them up at the bank instead of having them mailed to your home.

To learn more about the crime of identity theft, go to the April NHHA newsletter or our Web site, www.northwoodhills.org

Planting begins November 1…

HOW YOU CAN HELP ADD 350 TREES TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

By Barbara McAlister

Area medians on Hillcrest, Belt Line and Meandering Way, as well as Northwood Hills Elementary and Fretz Park, will soon be enhanced by hundreds of young native trees if we can raise approximately $2,000 between now and November. Father John Stack and his Jesuit organization's outreach program will provide them and plant them, then follow up with three years of care.

Our NHHA budget can't cover the whole project, so we need your help. Please send your contribution payable to:

Thank you for helping!

Real estate update…

AVERAGE SALES PRICE OF AREA HOMES ROSE 21% FROM 1998 - 2001

By Cris Murrey

During that same period, the median actual sales price increased 18.8%. Currently, 21 homes were reported sold in the first half of 2002, according to MLS, compared to 29 for first half of last year. Average sales price was $396,042 and average price per square foot was $109.88.

Currently, 50 homes are on the market, an unusually large number. Two are pending and eight have offers.

Enforcing water conservation…

NEW LAW RESTRICTS WATERING YOUR LAWN

From June 1 to September 30, 2002 -- and each year thereafter -- watering of lawns or landscapes with an irrigation system or sprinkler is prohibited between 10 AM and 6 PM. Watering with a hand-held hose or soaker hose is permitted at any time.

New City laws are also on the books governing sprinkler system maintenance, high water usage, and required system rain sensors and freeze gauges. Violations can result in fines of $250 to $2,000 each.

For water-saving tips and complete text of the new ordinance, call 214-670-3155 or go to www.dallascityhall.org.

If you walk your doggie…

DOO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DOO UNTO YOU

I borrowed the headline from Larry Baker, president of NHHA in 2000. Then and now we are pleading with our neighbors to clean up after their dogs -- especially if the pet doo-doos on someone's lawn. A Dallas City ordinance requires that you walk your dog on a leash and clean up after dooings. It's easy to do the "glove trick" with a double plastic sack, then drop it in your dumpster. And it's the law.

Dogs loose in the neighborhood are also a recurring problem. If you recognize the animal, call its owner. Otherwise, the only solution I can offer is to call Animal Control at 214-670-3762. I will ask our NHHA Patrol to be alert to these problems. This may sound harsh, but the complaints I receive are growing, and I can't do anything without help from others. You can help by talking it over with your neighbors.

Webmaster's note: lots of details are on our Found a pet -- lost a pet? page.

NORTHWOOD HILLS
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
First half 2002 Financial Report
By Fred Williams

I have put my name on this article and the numbers associated with our results year-to-date because our treasurer has escaped to Wisconsin for the summer. I have been paying the bills and keeping the books along with fellow member Glyn Jordan.

To the best of our knowledge, the numbers presented are correct. If our treasurer finds a material difference upon his return in August we will let you know.

Income for the first half is slightly ahead of budget by $551, but we have big goals for the second half of the year. Our income target is $64,300 or 6.5% more than the first half. We have added 47 new members so far this year but 37 members have not renewed. Some because they have moved, but others have just not yet paid. If you have not paid yet, please send in your dues now.

On the expense side we are in good shape. First half expenses were $2,945 under budget, most of which was in the category of beautification. Beautification is under budget due to timing of expenses, and we expect expenses to be very close to budget by year-end.

You will notice a new Liability account on the Balance Sheet called Tree Reserve. This reflects the amount of contributions to our tree project mentioned in an article elsewhere in this issue.