Howdy neighbors!  Amazing how fast the months are flying and especially how blazing fast summer snuck by.   Being a “dude”, I am known to measure the seasons through sports and so it’s nice to be beyond the All-Star Game (Go ‘Stros, looking great this year!) and entering into football season.   Cooler weather is just around the corner.  A lot of news this month for Cypress Forest and the surrounding area.

School in Klein ISD starts back on August 21^st.  Please watch your speed and driving habits.  Also remember that it’s against the law to use your cell phone while driving in school zones and I’m told by the Constables that they’ll be watching closely for this behavior in the first few weeks of classes.   We love our kids and it would heartbreaking to see anything tragic occur in our community.   We ask that you just take it a little slower each day while in the community and give plenty of space to our children, parents and the crossing guards. 

Several homeowners are receiving notices from the management company this month regarding mildew and mold on their siding.  The association tries to avoid these letters until summer months when it is a bit more comfortable to tackle this problem.   For those who received letters or even some who have started to notice that pesky thin coating of residue on the north side of the house, there are many solutions.  Pressure washing is always one of those options.  However, there are many DIY tips out there that are a bit less intrusive and not as much work as pressure washing.  One method that I have utilized in the past that seems to work is to use a garden sprayer, Tide and some bleach.   Mix one gallon of bleach, one cup of Tide laundry detergent and approximately half a gallon of cold tap water in a large garden sprayer.  If you have a strong sprayer, you will likely not need a ladder as the pressure should be enough to hit the high points of your home.  Spray the mixture directly on the mold so that it coats it thoroughly.  Let the solution sit on your home for ten to fifteen minutes to allow it to dissolve the mold.  Finally, take a regular garden hose and spray off the entire area where solution was applied.   If the mold does not dissolve in one treatment, you can re-apply until gone.  In the event the mildew and mold has accumulated for an extended time or is really caked on to the siding, you may replace the one cup of Tide laundry detergent with a cup of Oxi-Clean powder detergent.  HOWEVER, please note that you must add water before adding the Oxi-clean as the powder reacts violently with bleach and can be toxic if not diluted with water first.   One last tip when using either of these solutions; do not spray directly on plants and avoid long-term exposure to your landscaping.   With anything you do, use caution and common sense…it’ll save you elbow grease, sweat and tears! 

“Several homeowners are receiving notices from the management company this month regarding mildew and mold on their siding…..there are many DIY tips out there that are a bit less intrusive and not as much work as pressure washing. “

The Board has been fielding quite a few calls regarding our deed inspection process.  Usually these inquiries are in relation to a “violation” letter.  We are always happy to answer any questions you might have, whether a letter arrives or does not.   We hope that if you receive a violation letter and you do not feel it is justified, that you will contact the management company or a board member in relation to this correspondence.  Although many see this as a “subjective” exercise, the board always tries to be as objective with our inspection process as the deeds allow.  This process is not as subjective as many think.  The deeds are very clear as to what constitute violations and the board strives to be fair in having more than one party observe the complaint before taking action.  The board and I are always available to discuss any such violation with a homeowner.  We are neighbors first and board members second.  So please reach out to me, to PMG or to any other board member if you are concerned about a violation notice. 

Please put a collar on your pets with an emergency number so that we can help return your fur baby if they hatch an escape plan.  There was an abundance of loose pets during the summer and it was difficult to get them all home when there was no collar and no chip.  There are some great social media pages available in our area to help owners find their lost pet, but it’s much easier for your neighbors to read a tag and make a quick call prior to having to post.   This also helps keep animal control away and that is what we desire. 

I am happy to announce that CFCAI will again be participating in and sponsoring the National Night Out celebration to be held in the parking lot/pavilion at Forest Oaks Racquet Club (19023 Joanleigh, 77388).  This event will take place on October 3, 2017 from 5-9 PM rain or shine.  Residents from all of our nearby communities are invited to come out and meet each other, eat some great free food, and partake in great fellowship.  There will be tons of events for the kiddos as well.  Last year, we have nearly 1,000 participants and we are hoping to exceed that 1,000 mark this year.  We all work very hard to make our local NNO event one of the best and most enjoyable ones in all of Houston.  We hope to see you there and share a hamburger (or two!) with you.

We are still seeking enough advertisers to bring back the print version of The Chatter back to over 800 homes.  If your business wishes to advertise or if you know of someone who might benefit from such print advertising, please reach out to me for rates and details. 

Your board works very hard to serve you and each board member invites you to contact the group if we can provide any assistance, address any concerns, or answer any questions.  I speak on behalf of the group when I say thank you for making the collective Cypress Forest region the best place in Houston to reside.   I wish you all a spectacular month and for those with children, a great beginning to a new school year. 

Warmest wishes,

Scott D. Hubert

Neighbor and President

Happy June, neighbors!  Not a whole lot of neighborhood news to chat about this month short of the oppressive heat.  I love these 90 to 100 degree days……said no one ever! 

I wish to remind everyone that the official start of hurricane season started June 1^st.  It is predicted to be a rather active hurricane season this year, so now is the time to prepare in the event our region is on the receiving end of a storm.  Some recommendations to help you prepare:

• Have an evacuation route and shelter planned in advance of a storm.
• Put together a “go bag” along with a disaster supply kit. This kit would include a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications and copies of critical information.  Be ready to go at a moment’s notice.  The “go bag” is particularly useful for emergencies beyond storm-related ones.  Make sure that you have adequate supplies inside your home if you do decide you’d not be evacuating.  Consider a battery-operated weather radio as if a storm comes through our area, it’s almost certain that networks, internet and mobile phone channels will be adversely affected.  
• Tune up those generators and if you have a whole-house unit, make sure it’s in fully operational state and has been tested recently.
• Trim trees and loose branches now. Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts.  Make sure all trees are healthy and completely remove any sickly or dead trees.  Secure any trampolines or light patio furniture prior to a storm.
• Keep your car in good working order and keep your tank topped off as best as possible during the “season”.
• Review your flood insurance policy as well as your traditional property and casualty coverage (two separate policies). Note that flood insurance is a tertiary policy and very affordable.  Both P&C (“wind”) and flood coverage traditionally require that you apply and fund these policies 30 days prior to the landfall of any storm, so it’s prudent you consider your options now. 

 There are dozens of other tips to help prepare for a storm and I recommend everyone spend a few minutes on a Google search, FEMA.gov, or ready.gov to make sure that you, your family and your property are ready if the worst heads into our direction. 

There is no new information on the Hendricks Interests development at Cypress Oaks and Interstate 45.  I’m told that some of the basic utilities will be installed in the near future and prior to further dirt work and retention pond work, but I do not know when this utility work will commence.  I’ve received a lot of questions regarding the piece of property located on the north side of Cypresswood at Hickory Twig Way (just next to the Sport Clips/Subway retail center).   Many speculated that this would turn into a convenience store/gasoline station.  This is not the case, or so I am told.  It’s been noted that the intended plan for this property is as another retail property (or “strip center”) and none of the tenants will include a gasoline option.   Work is anticipated to move rapidly, and the center is expected to be complete prior to October 2017.   The fit and finish will be similar to that of adjacent buildings though it’s supposed to be given a bit more of a modern touch.  It has been confirmed that at some point, Harris County will install a new traffic light at this intersection while also making modifications to the lane configuration at Cypresswood and Holzwarth.  

While any development robs us some peaceful tranquility, it is hopeful that it will also bring in some new retailers who wish to advertise in The Chatter.  We have had to suspend publication of this print media due to lack of enough paid advertisements that support the printing and mailing to our approximately 800 neighbors in Cypress Forest, Cypress Forest Estates, Cypresss Forest Lakes and Lakes of Cypress Forest.  It is hopeful that this hiatus is short-lived as the print version has many more resources beyond what our website posting can bring.  If your company might like to advertise in The Chatter or if you know of a business that could benefit from such print exposure, please feel free to reach out to me at 832-663-0133.  It is hoped that the print version of The Chatter can be revived prior to the end of 2017. 

“It is hoped that the print version of The Chatter can be revived prior to the end of 2017. “

The board would like to thank our neighbors for working diligently in keeping your yard lights maintained and burning bright.   The board started a campaign approximately six months ago to bring 100% of the lights functional and at this writing, there are only a handful that are not in compliance.  This really is about more than just aesthetics.  It’s about safety and security as without street lights, these pole lights are the only way to keep the streets lit during nighttime hours.  Please do all that you can to keep them burning and if for some reason you are having issues that cause a long-term outage, contact a board member to let them know the cause and discuss solutions. 

The board continues to push for all chipped and broken curbs to be repaired soon.  Any curb outside of 2 feet of a driveway is the responsibility of Harris County.  The roads and bridges division of Harris County Precinct 4 Maintenance Division handles such requests and the board has been in close contact with Landon Reed, the supervisor for our area.  He has accepted a list of such curb defects from the board and not only is scheduling to correct these matters, but also would like to speak at our next association meeting.   As with all matters, I will keep everyone apprised of any anticipated date for repairs.   I have performed three slow drives through the Cypress Forest community and have noted over 40 issues.  If you’d like to determine if your home or property is on the list, please feel free to give myself or any board member a call.  I can be reached at 832-663-0133. 

I hope that June is a great month for everyone.  If the board or I can be of any assistance in any way, please feel free to reach out to us.  We are here to serve and enjoy being able to give back.  We’d love to hear from you if there is something we can do to make Cypress Forest a better place to live or if we can be of assistance.  Our best to our neighbors and friends.

Scott Hubert

Neighbor and President