Briar Village Newsletter www.briarvillage.com M a rc h

Volume 0 4 Is s ue 0 3

BRIAR PARK CIA Activities for 2004 by Tina Dismukes President/Deed Restrictions Ron Rexrode 281-497-4596 Lots of activities are headed age of computers….it is a com- phone). This is headed your [email protected] puter gaming type day. LAN way on April 17. For those that your way in 2004. I can’t wait Vice President/Pool Oper./Common to get to know each and every or Local Area Network. I plead had to pay too much to Uncle Areas a very limited knowledge but Sam, now you can make some Charlene Craze one of you in the coming year. 281-870-9823 Whether you want family know that you bring your com- money back tax free! [email protected] puter up to the clubhouse and friendly events or just adults, I Headed your way in the future Secretary./Newsletter/Activities believe I have you covered. those “techies” will get it all months is Teen Night, Pre-Teen Tina Dismukes hooked in with others and you 281-920-4187 We tried to figure out a day in Night, Elem. Night, Adult [email protected] play video games with those in March for a family game night Night, Independence Bash, the same room. Details such as Treasurer/Special Projects and between my busy schedule Opening Weekend Gala, End of Joanne Bailey game and system requirements 281-493-2308 and the busy schedule for the Summer Luau, Family Game [email protected] are available from Elmer at ??? clubhouse a date could not be Night, Potluck, Or on the message board. Hot Director/Clubhouse worked out. No perhaps a Halloween , Vicki Taylor fret!! We have three and even Caroling and 281-584-0908 [email protected] events headed your Cookie Exchange. Director/Security/Pool Mgmt. way in April. Check the website for all the Daniel Ruiz dates that have already been 281-556-6666 First off in April we [email protected] have the annual set!! Plans are being worked out for perhaps even some Director/Tennis. Easter Hunt. A local Randy Garner teen will be dressed dancing and cake decorating 281-920-1815 classes. Let me know anything [email protected] as the Easter Bunny to entertain all the that you would like to see hap- RCM, Inc. pening and we will see what we 281-493-5400 kids. Pic- [email protected] can do to get it going. tures will be Check www.briarvillage.com for exact dates. BV Webmaster available for Mark your calendars!! James Dismukes $1 each. [email protected]

There will be prize give-a- Dogs, chips, drinks and funnel Constable – 281-463-6666 ways. Different egg hunts for cake will be served. You know different age children.. Are all about it but not when...April you excited? April 3 from 10 from 11am—until Al kicks Big Daddy BBQ at 13907 Westheimer 10am-1pm at the clubhouse. them out of the clubhouse. Triple Crown at 13600 Westheimer Hot dogs, chips and drinks will Exxon at Westheimer & Hwy 6 Two is not enough...for the be served, first come first serve. Prestige Cleaners at Hwy 6 and Piping Rock third event of April we have It is sure to be a great success, Thanks to the local neighbors our now “bi-annual” Garage the Mom’s Club does such a Sale. Sign up via the web at great job every year. In business right here by us. www.briarvillage.com or give Next we have the LAN . Tina a call at 281-920-4187 Yard of the Month Sponsors Some of you may ask what the (leave name, address and By Club 55 heck is a LAN party. It is the Highlights of the Last Board Meeting

February 26, 2004 checking into it and report back. dents about every 6-8 weeks and does them Clubhouse Newsletter was report by Tina started with at one time and would continue to do the article. The yard of the month would be the report on the new look and new soft- ware. All seemed pleased with the new told to Ann also by Club 55+ member. Meeting started with an open forum to all look. Next month those that requested not It was also discussed about some residents residents. This is a time in each meeting to receive a paper copy would hopefully be are getting older or perhaps just have health where any resident or other person might having their last paper copy. Deadline issues that prevent them from simple up bring something to the attention of the would be the Board Meeting each month keep. It was suggested a helping club and neighborhood. for any ads or anything that did not pertain Shirley Huhm raised her hand to head it up. Basketball Area—Much discussion was to the meeting. Anything from the meeting had on the pros and cons of the basketball would be due Saturday at noon following net-(s). It came to light that we were one of the board meeting. the last subdivisions to still have a basket- Ron discussed the need to let people know net due to the problems with the people about the ACC form since this is the time had with the players. See an extensive Dates to Remember:: that everyone starts getting outside and write up on page 5 by Ann. Tags are en- working on the house. Lots of mold prob- forced, constable will be available, call and lems, color and weeds. A reminder that the Mom’s Club Meeting 3/22/2004 let them know if they need to be called in. ACC form was printed in last month’s Board Meeting 3/25/2004 Joanne gave an extensive report from the newsletter as well as being available on the Easter Hunt 4/3/2004 Treasurers report upon questions arising web. LAN Party 4/10/2004 about the financial report. Much more de- Daniel was in Mexico for a Security report. Bi-Annual Garage Sale 4/17/2004 tailed report can be anticipated in the future Ron did know that he and both constables and all monies accounted for in more cate- had been in great length talks to get a han- gories to reflect there different aspects. See dle on everything going on in the neighbor- article on page 5. hood. Activities are planned throughout the year Randy was just able to get from the family friendly and kids only to the key to the tennis all adult and everything in between. See courts the day prior to the article page 1. meeting, but was aware of Common areas has turned into all areas the screen needing re- surrounding us. Charlene reported on get- hanging. A resident said ting the homeless problem handled, stand- that it needed a squeegee ing water at Dresser causing mosquito and that the yard people problem, speed bumps and traffic turn sig- needed to blow out the nal lights at Briargreen/Westheimer and tennis courts when they also at Piping Rock/Hwy 6, and that is all came. just for starters in her first weeks on the Pool Management/Pool job. Maintenance was reported Clubhouse management by Vicki reported by Charlene. Miller that the clubhouse had been very busy with Swim Academy was different groups meeting there. One of the awarded this year’s con- lights is flickering and her husband would tract. be up to look at it over the weekend. If it During the old business was determined the ballast was going out if portion the web site was would be better to replace the entire fixture. report to have had one of If we replace one, we might want to think the highest hits ever the about doing them all at one time since day prior. Ann gets when one goes out then they tend to need names of the New Resi- one after another after that. She would be

Page 2 Briar Village Briarvillage.com News The website continues to grow. February talked about ’Business Directory’. This would be a good tool for anybody is the shortest month this year, but I was This would let members of the site post a looking for a business or service. Say surprised when I looked at the numbers review on any business near our subdivi- you need carpenter, this would be a good and discovered that last month set the sion, good or bad. place to start looking. Look for the re- record for the most hits in the website’s So if you find a great lease of this in March. history. little restaurant James Dismukes, Webmaster Overall there were 11,881 hits, and around the corner Top Page Hits - Feb March looks to be on a path to crush Feb- and want to let your ruary’s numbers! neighbors know 4,556—Message Board I have been enhancing the site slowly but about it, add it to the 1,307—Home Page surely. Most of the improvements have directory! Or if you Coming soon,… 326—Private Messages get ripped-off or The Briarvillage been made to the backend where I ad- Business Directory 255—Calendar minister the site. Only the hardcore have a bad experi- ‘techie’ people would notice the differ- ence, you can give a 236—Board of Directors ence. I am also working on the much warning to all.

Common Areas and Pool Operations by Charlene Craze

At Briar Green and Westheimer we had a a complaint of high weeds, mosquitoes , report, I ask of you Please treat others as homeless man with a sign. Thanks to a place for wild vermin to reside, and you wish to be treated and be a good one of our constables Pat Christian trash. neighbor!” he has decidedly to choose another loca- Dresser has been contacted about the wa- tion to stand. I am contacting Pep Boys ter in their South end causing mosquito and Super K to file an affidavit with the problems and what solutions can courts regarding trespassing. This will be done allow the police to remove the vagrants Pam Holm our District G representative from begging and doing disgusting things has been contacted in reference to a turn at the store and not allow any homeless signal at Briar Green and Westheimer from living behind Pep Boys. If you are and Piping Rock and Hwy 6 So. In addi- a customer of Super K, please request tion to what can be done about the speed from the owner to not allow these people situation in the neighborhood. Maybe an to hang out. The more people he hears idea is during certain times of the day a from the more likely he will do some- slower speed. We should feel safe walk- thing. I do not wish to be asked for ing down the street and at the same time, money from these people nor see any- not be stopped for 22 miles an hour at thing that is inappropriate. Most impor- 2:00 a.m. figuratively speaking. We are tantly the children of this neighborhood getting bids on the moving and building should be able to go to the store and pur- of a new trash container building. chase things without fear of being ap- Basketball courts we are working on so- proached in any way by these vagrants. It lutions for the situations on times they will take us as a community to fix this are playing and the issue of outside of the problem, before it gets worse. If you are neighborhood people using our court. not comfortable saying anything to the The basketball keeps some of the kids off owner then drop him a note. Please…. the streets. We also want the people who Panagard and Westheimer vacated lot. I live nearby not to be bothered by the have done a lot of investigating and the noise. Please encourage your kids not to true owner is still a question. I have con- abuse the privilege of having a court. tacted the City of Houston and registered As I end this summation of this months

Volume 04 Issue 03 Page 3 Pat Al The Difference 1 burglary 1 call for service 3 calls for service Between 31 special watches 13 citizen assists Night and Day 3 suspicious vehicles 126 friendly citizen contacts 23 vacation watches 1 other disturbance 3 warning citations 1 report made 27 open doors

1 special watch Our neighborhood never closes for busi- 1 stolen vehicle recovery ness. We are so happy to have two full 2 suspicious vehicles time constables making sure our neighbor- 3 vacation watches hood is safe. They are on the case of sev- 1 warning citation eral issues (neighborhood youth and home- less is on the top of the list.

Quality of Life in Briar Village by Ron Rexrode Lately there seems to be a lot of interest in activities that have The Homeless little to do with deed restriction violations, but affect the quality Our constable has talked with the homeless that were at our of living in Briar Village. Briargreen entrance and it appears that they have moved on.

Barking Dogs It is my understanding that one or more of these men are liv- One person I spoke with was concerned about barking dogs dur- ing in Briar Village. As long as these men, or anyone, do not ing the day and evening. I explained that chronic dog barking create any nuisances, do not participate in deed restriction should be reported to our constable at 281 463-6666. Our consta- violations and obey city ordinances, they are considered ble will make the homeowner aware of the nuisance. If no one guests of a Briar Village homeowner. Our maintenance fees answers the door, he will contact them after 6 p.m. Hopefully and deed restrictions are designed for homeowners. that will correct the problem.

Homeowners are not allowed to “rent” space or charge visi- If the problem persists, please call the special nuisance barking tors for living on their premises. Briar Village is a single dog line at HPD at 713 222-3131. They will send an HPD officer family community which means that we do not allow apart- to talk with the homeowner. Repeated offenders can be requested ments or multiple living arrangements. to appear in court.

Page 4 Briar Village The Great Basketball Debate by Ann Weinmer The basketball backboard located in ing against the pool fence. Because on repairs before they have no the BV Family Recreation Center he had not obtained HoA permission, choice but to do away with the parking lot is, once again, the subject it took the Board some time to iden- cause? of heated discussion. The behavior of tify the owner and have him remove 5. Keep it some of the players (noise, language, the board. During that period, groups "Real"! Other littering, vandalism, harassment) is of young adults congregated in the residents have casting the future of the facility into evening to play. There was loud the right to ac- doubt. At present, the neighborhood shouting with profanity, destruction of cess the pool is working hard to find a better solu- Association property (expensive trash and clubhouse tion to this problem than the obvious cans, the trash shed, permanent without feeling one :removal of all basketball equip- plantings) and significant littering. On threatened. No Basketball stay or go? ment. So, if you, your youngsters, or the evening of Feb.. 5, residents try- one feels com- your neighbors play Bball, this article ing to reach the Clubhouse for the fortable in their is for you. (Just think: if they're not Annual meeting had to run a gambit homes with playing at the Rec Center, they'll of rude remarks and intimidation. large groups of loud, intimidating men probably play in your driveway!) During that meeting, there was a call behaving rudely. Years ago, the HoA (Homeowners' from the floor for the removal of all It will take a neighborhood effort and Association) erected two basketball basketball equipment. Since then, the a change in behavior to save our backboards in the parking lot: one constables have responded to repeat basketball court. backing on the ditch; one backing on disturbance calls. the pool fence. The old Pampas Most of the homeowners would like Grass hedge was removed and re- to find a better solution to this prob- placed by an expensive line of olean- lem then the removal of the equip- ders (which would by now serve as ment. Cindy Yeglin of RCM reported an effective and attractive screen that, of the more than 20 neighbor- along the ditch had the young plants hoods she serves, Briar Village is the not have been so severely trampled only one that still maintains basket- behind the backboard). An expensive ball facilities. All others have re- floodlight was installed; and is main- moved their equipment that still main- tained today for a monthly fee. tains basketball facilities. All the oth- Soon after the installations, it became ers have removed their equipment in obvious that the board backing on the response to similar problems. Our pool posed a serious hazard: the Board of Directors is working hard to balls, naturally, flew over the fence find a better solution. Treasurer’s Report into the pool, followed closely by the If you know someone who enjoys the players. So that backboards had to facility, you might talk with them By Joanne Bailey be removed. Throughout the ensuing about the following: years, there were sporadic problems 1. Keep it "Down"! As the nice A complete Treasurer’s report show- with rowdyism on the court, but noth- weather arrives, people will want to ing all financial transactions for the ing persistent. The court was well- open their windows or sit out on their month was presented to the board on used by neighborhood youths. patios without a noise disturbance. Thursday evening. It was empha- The present crisis began last summer 2. Keep it "Nice"! Just imagine that sized that 78% of the maintenance when groups of non-residents carry- your Mom, Grandma, and Baby Sis- fees for the year 2004 have been col- ing high-volume Boom boxes invaded ter are sitting out on that patio next lected at this time. Trash reimburse- the court, displacing legitimate resi- door. Obscenity, profanity, and filth ment from the city of Houston was dents and disturbing the neighbors. (oh, my!) are not appropriate to a current up through November 2003. Director Vicki Taylor worked with the Family Recreation Center. constables and resident youths to es- 3. Keep it "Neat"! No one enjoys There was some discussion about the tablish a tag ID system and improved wading through piles of litter. Take it bank charge from Sterling Bank for behavior. Gradually order returned. with you or put it where it belongs. the two signatures on the checks. This past winter, one resident 4. Keep it "Together"! Vandalism will This concern is being taken into con- brought his own portable backboard kill basketball in Briar Village. How sideration. All other revenues and to the parking lot and placed it back- much do you think the HoA will spend expenses were sufficiently explained.

Volume 04 Issue 03 Page 5 Briar Flyers Hire New Head Coach The Briar Village Swim Team would like Children 11 years old and older swim 50 move to early mornings on June 1st. to announce the hiring of our new head yards (two lengths of the pool). The top coach Jessica DeWitt. Jessica is a sopho- six children in each age group can also Fees are $80 for one swimmer, $130 for more swimming at the University of complete in breaststroke and butterfly. two swimmers from the same family, and Houston. She is the school record holder Every swimmer receives a ribbon for $145 for three or more. Swimmers age of the 200 butterfly and 50 backstroke. each race that he or she finishes. 14years and older are free. Fees cover the Jessica has been a volunteer coach for the coaches’ salaries, insurance, ribbons, tro- Special Olympics and has been giving There are special practices for the 6 year phies, and other operating expenses. The private learn to swim lessons. Assisting olds and younger swimmer who receive team swimsuit will be available at the Jessica will be Maryann Baxter. Maryann in-the-water training from coaches and signup and at practice. Late fees apply is the younger sister of former head after May 1st. No registrations can be coach Cricket Baxter and a 12yr veteran accepted after May 31st. of the team. Also assisting Jessica will be John Mosley and Mathew Hull, both 11- Mark your calendars for May 15, 2004. year veterans of the team. This is the date of the swim team’s an- nual Spring Fling fundraiser. The entire Signups for the Briar Village Swim neighborhood is invited. Please stay Team have been set for April 3rd, 2004 tuned for details on the fun, family event. from 12noon to 2 pm at the clubhouse immediately following the Easter Egg Doug Stapp, President Hunt. A second sign up will be on Tues- 281-493-5070 day April 20th, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fry’s Sign up April 3 [email protected] Restaurant on Westheimer. If you plan to come to the restaurant, then stay for din- David Sutton, V.P. ner. Fry’s will donate 20 percent of your 281-277-5988 dinner tab back to the team. older Briar Village swimmers in small Mary Hull, Treas. Are you new to the neighborhood or groups. Prior swimming experience is 281-589-7871 summer league swimming. Here is how not a prerequisite, but children must be it works. The Briar Village Swim Team comfortable putting their faces in the wa- Nina Daniels Sec. is one of 22 teams in the West Houston ter and going under the water. 281-597-9119 Aquatic league (WHALE). All Briar Village children between the ages of 4 Debra Massey and 18 years of age, as of May 1, 2004, Practice is set to begin on Monday, May 281-531-1322 are invited to join the team, regardless of 3. Swimmers six years old and younger prior experience or ability. Residents of will practice from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Swim- Kelly Murphy neighboring subdivisions may also par- mers ten years old and under, and eight 281-531-8552 ticipate on a space-available basis. The years old and under will practice from team practices daily during the months of 4:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. All children over Fred Davis May and June in preparation for four the ages of 11 years old will practice 281-597-0699 dual meets, a divisional championship from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Practices meet, and an all-star league meet. The two home meets are held on Monday nights in June. The two away meets can be on another weeknight or possibly on a Saturday morning, depending on how the schedule is set. The is completely over before the Fourth of July.

Every child on the team competes in freestyle and backstroke at every meet. Children ages 10 years old and younger swim 25 yards (one length of the pool).

Page 6 Briar Village The Wandering Neighbor by BJ Bailey The new editor of the Newsletter has How many folks out there remember organize events. They don’t know requested that I submit this article the Men’s Club and Women’s Club of what it would take to bring the newer every month. I am certainly glad to be Briar Village? Those were two groups folks to an event at the clubhouse. At able to communicate to the neighbor- that were extremely beneficial to this times they feel totally left out because hood the tidbits that I hear every day neighborhood. I have a “Briar Village everything is geared for families with when I am out walking. Of course, I Cookbook” in my kitchen that was cre- small children. Some of you younger have to take these tidbits and do some ated by the Women’s Club. I think the couples have asked me if I have ever research to verify their validity before I Women’s Club met monthly at the spent an evening with these 70 or 80 print them in the paper. clubhouse. All the monies that they year olds. All they want to talk about Several of you have been talking with made from their garage sales, bake is how things use to be in the neighbor- me about the that use to be held sales, book sales, and other events was hood. Things have changed, and they down at the clubhouse. They were fun. donated to a community project. They don’t want to accept the changes. That Usually a barbecue, or a game of domi- were always there to meet any new is true, none of us like change. noes. Or sometimes it was a meal and resident and include them in the many However, don’t under estimate these an evening of talking with other folks events of the community. older residents. Many of them are ac- from the neighborhood. I think you are And the Men’s Club was so successful, tive in organizations outside of the talking about the Club 55 parties. Club I wouldn’t be surprised if they still community. These retired engineers 55 was a group of older folks from the have money in the bank from all of are taking computer and web design neighborhood that met monthly or their events. This was a group of men classes. Doctors and Nurses are not quarterly in the clubhouse. Sometimes that always knew what was going on in practicing medicine for money but they it was a carry in dinner, or barbecue. the neighborhood. And if there was a are available to help out if needed. Re- At other times it was just dessert and family that needed help of any kind, tired attorneys are available to help in- dominoes. It was always an evening of this group of men stepped in and terrupt the law. Retired teachers al- good fun and fellowship. Has it oc- helped out. ways want to meet the new families curred to you that many of the folks in There is a whole new group of folks in and their children. Company owners that group were in their 60’s at the time this neighborhood today. And many of that have retired always have a network of all those parties. Today, those folks these older residents would welcome of friends that can be approached to are in their 80’s. Some of these older the opportunity to meet some of the help with a community need. Think Club 55 members have told me that younger, newer residents. I know that about it folks, do we need to get these they would love to see Club 55 come older folks will not take the initiative to groups back together. back into existence. They would help out and attend the events; they just can’t be responsible for organizing eve- rything. “There is a whole new group of folks in the neighborhood today.”

Volume 04 Issue 03 Page 7 PRSRT STD Briar Village Community U.S. POSTAGE 2000 Dairy Ashford, #590 PAID HOUSTON, TX. Houston, Texas 77077 PERMIT NO. 6270 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER

Briar Village Marketplace Sold 3 Prop Jan. ’04 SqFt Beds FB HB LP/ LP SP/ SP SP/ DOM SqFt SqFt LP% M in 1589 3 2 0 58.21 92500 56.7 90093 97.4% 21 Avg. 2127.67 4 2 .333 72.84 156333 71.14 152031 97.2% 81.33 M ax 2930 5 2 1 87.45 213500 87.45 203000 95.1% 168 M edi 1864 4 2 0 72.87 163000 69.28 163000 100% 55 an

3/04 All statistics supplied by HARMLS