PINELOCH PERSPECTIVE

Pineloch Party In The Glen Scheduled For August 18th

Pack a picnic and bring your lawn chairs to the annual Pineloch Party in the Glen on Saturday, August 18th, at Mabry Mill pool/park (at the corner of Mabry Mill and Whitlock in Bay Glen).  Live music from 5:00 -- 8:00 p.m. by the Cruise Control Band (www.thecruisecontrolband.com).  Snow cones, water and soft drinks, desserts provided by the Association.  Moon walks.  Kids pool events from 6:00 -- 7:00 p.m.  Dive-in family friendly movie beginning at 8:30 p.m. -- bring your floats!

Volunteers needed -- call or email CMSI or any board member.

Mark your calendar for the Pineloch Community Association Annual Members Meeting on Thursday, August 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. at New Beginnings Church on Crescent Landing at Bay Knoll.  Enter on the north side of the church by the football fields and follow the signs to the theater.

Agenda: How are our finances?  How is the fence going?  Election of Directors.

Three Board positions are up for election -- contact any board member or Association Manager Kathy Dooley if interested.

Watch your mail for official notices and proxy forms.  We need 10% of the community (210 people) present or by proxy in order to make quorum.  Help avoid the cost of rescheduling -- please send in your proxy if you can't attend.  Great door prize drawing if we make quorum on the first try!

Effective July 2nd, the City of Houston changed the regular trash pickup schedules for most of our community.  All homes in Bay Glen, Bay Glen Manor and Bay Knoll now have regular trash pickup on Thursdays.  The schedule for heavy trash and recycling is not changing.  If you are unsure of your pickup days for these items, please consult the City web site at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, or contact the City Citizen Request Line by dialing 311.  As a reminder -- trash cans may not be left in public view on non-pickup days.  Be sure to store your trash can or bags behind the fence on in the garage (unless it's Thursday!)

If you're in the mood for a little pampering, there's a Pineloch business member you need to check out.  Zlynn's Nails at 1080 Clear Lake City Boulevard (Bay Knoll) provides a complete range of manicure and pedicure services, and the seaweed wrap that comes with the deluxe pedicure is guaranteed to leave you feeling great.  Tina Bui, owner of Tina's Hair next door, bought the shop about a year ago and combined the two businesses.  Tina puts a lot of emphasis on health issues.  All foot spas are cleaned daily, and all instruments are autoclaved between customers.  Her staff is ready to advise you on the proper care of cuticles and nails, as well as how to prevent nail fungus.  Your pedicure will place you in a massage chair with enough massage options to keep you punching buttons through your footwork, though falling asleep in the chair is also a possibility.  Tina has an amazing memory for names and faces, and a genuine concern for her customers that is lacking in many other places.  Hands and feet need a little pampering?  This is the place!

The Houston Police Department invites you to join the fight against crime by participating in National Night Out 2007.  Give neighborhood crime and drugs a going away party!  On Tuesday, August 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., residents are encouraged to grab a snack, put on a smile, and go outside to meet your neighbors.  Plan your own block party!  Get to know the people on your street!  National Night Out is the ultimate crime prevention tool.  Send a clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate crime.  Partner with your neighbors and your local police department and let strangers know that our neighborhood works together.  To register your party or for more information contact Officer Randy Derr at 281-218-3900.

Ward Elementary: Check out school supply lists on the Ward PTA web site at www.wardpta.org, or find additional news on the Ward link through www.ccisd.net.  Looking for fun summer learning activities?  Check out Stretch, Think, Score! for the Popsicle Zone, Skateboard Science, and the Yuckiest Site Ever!  See www.ccisd.net/sts.  Back to school news can be found at www.ccisd.net/bts.  Don't forget -- the first day of school is August 27th.

Clear Lake Intermediate: Be sure to check out the summer reading lists at www.ccisd.net/teaching/library/list.html.  There are categories for Pre-AP, AP, enriched and regular readers.  Orientation for 6th graders and all new students is scheduled for August 23rd at 6:00 p.m.  Class schedule pickup is as follows: August 23rd: 6th grade -- 6:30 p.m.  8th grade -- 8:00 -- 11:00 a.m.  7th grade -- 1:00 -- 4:00 p.m.  7th and 8th -- 5:00 -- 7:00 p.m.  Open House will be September 11th, with the PTA meeting starting at 6:30 and Open House at 7:00 p.m.

Clear Brook High School: The Clear Brook Fish Camp will be held August 21, 2007 from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Class schedule pickup is as follows: 12th grade (A-L): August 20 from 1:00 -- 3:00 p.m.  12th grade (M-Z): August 20 from 9:00 -- 11:00 a.m.  11th grade: August 20 from 1:00 -- 3:00 p.m.  10th grade: August 21 from 9:00 -- 11:00 a.m.  9th grade: August 21 from noon -- 4:00 p.m.  New student orientation will be August 21 at 7:00 p.m.  Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.  PARENTS: Please watch for information from your students' activity and grade level booster clubs.  Parental involvement and support for school organizations at the high school level is typically very low for groups other than band or sports.  We need you!  Junior and Senior parents -- Project Graduation for the Seniors, and the Class of 2009 Booster Club (pre-Project Grad) for Juniors -- please get involved!  There are multiple opportunities to help, even if you can't volunteer at the events.  When the Booster Club or PTA membership applications come around, JOIN!  It is a very easy and inexpensive way to support your student's school activities.  We're on the web at www.ccisd.net/schools/schoolwebs/3/.

PCA guidelines are reprinted here to remind our membership of Association policies.  See the PCA website at www.pineloch.org, under Architectural Control Committee, for additional information.

VI. FENCING GUIDELINES

B. YARD FENCING

Chain link fences are not permitted, nor are fences exceeding six feet in height. Six-inch (standard) or four-inch (narrow), notched (dog-eared), six-foot western red cedar pickets that are free of large or loose knots and/or splits are required. The fence should utilize 4" X 4" posts set in a minimum of two feet in concrete on eight-foot centers. Rot boards are permitted as this lends itself to more efficient maintenance, but the overall fence height may not exceed 6'-0" from the common grade. Fencing that crosses over culverts or drainage channels may be maintained at the same elevation as the adjacent fencing instead of following the exact contour of the ground. There should be little variation in fence height or style from one property to another. If metal poles are used for posts, they must not be visible from any public area or neighboring properties from 6 foot above ground level.

Fencing on the rear or side property lines of certain lots which adjoin a street right-of-way or restricted open-space reserve may have originally been installed with a design that is different from the community standards outlined above. In order to preserve the overall architectural continuity, replacement of these fence sections should be of the same design as the original fence in that area (including the fence facing). Regardless of design, ACC approval is required for all new fencing. Special situations with non-standard fencing should be noted on the ACC application. Applications must include a plot plan that clearly defines the project.

Homeowners are encouraged to collaborate with their neighbors when planning fence projects. The purpose of the six-foot height rule is to encourage all fencing elevations to be consistent and uniform throughout the entire subdivision. When new fencing meets old fencing that has sunken below the standard 6'-0" elevation, height tapering over the span of one eight foot section is appropriate to assure the continuity of the fence line.

Homeowners whose property line includes sections of the Association maintained wall and whose property is greater than the common grade (on the outer side of the Association wall) are required to install new fencing at an elevation shorter than 6'-0", so that the cedar pickets are not visible from the public ares over the wall. In general, the Association wall is set at 6'-0" from the common grade of the Association's property. As with interfaces between new and old fencing, it is appropriate that height tapering over the span of one eight-foot section is enough to assure the continuity of the fence line and overall appearance of the Association wall to the public.

Fences must be allowed to weather with age. Only a clear coat of wood preservative may be applied to cedar fences after aging.

C. TRASH ENCLOSURES

Trash receptacles must be screened by adequate plantings or fencing so they are concealed from view of neighboring lots, streets, parks, and public areas. The construction of a fence in the front yard to screen trash enclosures is prohibited.

E. FRONT YARD FENCING (revised 2007)

Front yard fencing of any type is not permitted, as it is inconsistent with the overall design of the community.

I. ANIMAL CONTROL (revised 2007)

No animals, livestock or poultry may be raised, bred or kept on any lot for any length of time, except for common household pets such as dogs or cats (not to exceed two in each category) and for professional petting zoo services utilized for birthday parties (not to exceed two hours duration). No animals may be kept that are obnoxious to other residents in the vicinity or allowed to roam the subdivision. Animals must be controlled by the owner on a leash when not in an owner's back yard or home.

Owners are expected to clean up after their animals when utilizing the parks and sidewalks within the Association.

The second fence assessment installment payments were due before July 1st.  Late fees have been assessed on all past due accounts.  The Association will be moving to collection action quickly, so please be sure your payments are up to date!  If collection action is initiated, the Association policy is to pursue the full special assessment balance, not just the current installment.  Delinquent members will also be responsible for all costs of collection, including court costs and attorney fees.

Association approval is required for all changes or improvements to the exterior of your home or lot.  This includes paint, fencing, pools, roofs, swing sets, etc.  The Architectural Committee meets every three weeks to review applications.  See www.pineloch.org for more information or to obtain an application.

Have you taken a good look at the bushes and trees along your fence line lately?  Many homes have landscaping that has grown considerably and is now hanging over the fence into the neighbor's yard.  If you have low hanging limbs, or limbs that are hanging over onto other property or rubbing against your neighbor's home, it's time to do something about it.  Appropriate trimming will also help improve air circulation in your back yard and improve the long term health of your trees and plants.  As you trim, make sure that none of the debris is left on your neighbor's property.  Good neighbor relations need maintenance too!

Comments and questions about the Pineloch Community Association may be emailed to the Management Company at CMSI.

Comments and questions about the PCA web site may be emailed to the site curator at .  (NOTE: Be sure to put "PINELOCH" or "PCA" in the message subject line, so my spam filter doesn't kill it before I see it!)