Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc. The Kleinwood Krier - June 2011 1

Kleinwood

June 2011 Volume 1, Issue 3

KleinwoodKrierOfficial Publication

of the Kleinwood Homeowners Association

K KleinwoodKrierOfficial Publication

of the Kleinwood Homeowners Association

(Continued on page 2)

getting to know our neighbors…It’s been said that Houston (and Spring) is a big city

with a small town heart. This was made particularly clear in the days just following hurricane Ike just a few short years ago. Kleinwood neighbors helped each other, shared food and water with each other and even shared generators. In an effort to continue that good neighbor glow, the Krier introduces this new section – Getting to Know Our Neighbors. Share your story and what brought you to Kleinwood by emailing the editor at mona@aegis-web.com.

This month’s neighbor to know is the President of our home owners association, Larry Chamberlain. Here’s how Larry sees his neighborhood:

“For me, Kleinwood was a hidden treasure. Rosaura and I had looked at neighborhoods all over the northwest area. We happened to pass through Kleinwood on the way to Champions and immediately were attracted to it. In 1997, we bought the second house we looked at and have been blessed to be here ever since. While we were home bodies by nature, the Dolphin Swim Team brought us out to meet neighbors and participate in the fortunes, lows and resurgence of the team. I began to regularly attend homeowner meetings early in the 2000s, ran for the board two years later, and have been elected to repeat terms ever since. The most fun I’ve had was helping to save Klein High School. That was the best outpouring of civic concern I have witnessed in this area. There’s no stone plaque with my name on it, and I hope that when the neighbors feel I no longer represent their best interest, there will be someone to take over the duties of this position.”

-Larry Chamberlin, current Board Member & President.

KMUD In April: Board Approves Contract To Televise U/G Lines

(Prepared by Mike Morgan, Kleinwood Board of Directors, e-mail: vttotx@msn.com)

The Kleinwood MUD (the “Water Board”) met once in April in which the primary items of discussion included 1) approving the contract to televise all underground sewer lines within Kleinwood, 2) reviewing the outcome of the mediation hearing to resolve the lawsuit against JP/Raveneaux, and 3) preparing the plan to increase usage of surface water as mandated by the NHCRWA. Please note that the Water Board holds its monthly meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Kleinwood Clubhouse, beginning at 6 PM. Residents of the Kleinwood MUD are welcome to attend, as these meetings are open to the general public.

--- During the month, the District’s Engineer, Jones & Carter, received bids from seven qualified contractors to televise the lines throughout Kleinwood. The successful bidder, Quality Pipe Services, was awarded the contract in the amount of $73,405. The purpose of the televising is to determine the extent of deterioration that has occurred over the past 35-40 years. The first lines were installed in Section 1 in 1972, and in Section 2 in 1976. There is over 33,000 lineal feet of pipe throughout Kleinwood, the majority of which is 8 inch and 10 inch pipe. The trunk line that runs along Squyres Road down to the Waste Treatment Plant is 24 inch from Louetta Road to Kleingreen, and 30 inch from Kleingreen to the Treatment Plant.

--- In late March, Jones & Carter held a pre-construction meeting with the contractor, AR Turnkey Construction Company, who was selected to install the water and sanitary sewer lines along Stuebner-Airline. These lines will be installed along the west side of Stuebner-Airline, from Lyons School Road south to Cypresswood Drive, and then along Cypresswood Drive west to the Meyer Park boundary. The installation of these lines will enable owners of property along these roads to develop their land for commercial purposes, following their official annexation into the District. The expected duration of this construction is approximately 60 days, targeted for June 7.

--- On April 1, two members of the Board met with representatives from JP/Raveneaux to resolve the several years old lawsuit before the dispute went

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KleinwoodIMportAnt nUMbersKleinwood Maintenance boardLarry Chamberlin, President ........................... 281-580-2222Ronnie Brod, Vice President ............................ 281-370-9200Tom Houser, Secretary .................................... 281-379-6517Jeff Gobbell, Treasurer ..................................... 281-251-7767Kelly Smith, Director at Large ......................... 281-370-9735

Kleinwood Municipal utility districtRobert Ehmann, President .............................. 281-251-8621Sherry Allard, Vice President ........................... 281-923-8603Joe Fratangelo, Secretary/Treasurer .................. 281-251-3189Bernie Bryl, Assis. V. P. & Asst. Sec ................. 281-251-2688Mike Morgan, Assis. Sec.& Investment Off. .... 281-376-6607

ManageMent coMpanyChaparral Management ................................... 281-537-0957

pool ManageMent coMpanySouthwest Pool Management .......................... 281-370-2474Mud facility Manager & building rentalsRoger Schuett .................................................. 281-685-1275

neighborhood coordinatorsMessage Board Coordinator ........................................OPENJeff Gobbell, Pool Liaison ................................ 281-251-7767Mona Currey, Newsletter Editor ............ mona@aegis-web.comRonnie Brod, Tennis Liaison ........................... 281-370-9200John Bush, Signs ....................................................................Head Block Captain ....................................................OPEN

schoolsMittelstadt Elementary .................................... 832-484-6711Kleb Middle School......................................... 832-249-5500Klein High School ........................................... 832-484-4000

coMMunity servicesEmergency .......................................................................911 Harris County Constable ................................ 281-376-3472C.C.E.M.S ...................................................... 281-440-4300Northwest Medical Center .............................. 281-440-1000Poison Control Center .................................... 281-654-1701Waste Management ......................................... 713-686-6666Fire (Klein VFD) ............................................. 281-251-0101Water/Sewer Repairs (24/7) ............................. 713-983-3604Water/Sewer Billing Questions ........................ 713-983-3605Reliant Energy/HL&P .................................... 713-207-7777Centerpoint (report streetlight outings) ........... 713-207-2222Harris County Libryary, Cy-Creek .................. 281-376-4610Harris County, Precinct 4 ................................ 281-353-8424Harris County Animal Control ....................... 281-999-3191Aircraft Noise Complaints ............................... 281-233-3900Environmental Development Partners ............. 832-467-1599

newsletter publisherPEEL Inc.................................................... www.peelinc.comAdvertising ...................................................... 888-687-6444

Klein high uil - (Continued from Cover Page)

to trial. Essentially, KMUD sued JP/Raveneaux to recover legal and engineering expenses incurred by KMUD during the planning phase to annex the Raveneaux property into the Kleinwood Water District. JP/Raveneaux subsequently entered into a similar agreement with the Champions Forest water district, thereby negating the contract with KMUD. The suit was resolved to the Board’s satisfaction with JP/Raveneaux agreeing to pay, over a 15 month period, the requested amount to cover the expenses incurred by the Kleinwood MUD during that planning phase period.

--- The Board received in March a letter from the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) stressing the importance of KMUD using more surface water over the next six months to achieve the 12 month mandate on surface water usage. KMUD experienced lower water usage during the fourth quarter 2010, which was attributed to mechanical control problems at Water Plant #2. These control problems have now been fixed and surface water usage for February and March was 93% and 98%, respectively.

--- The new diesel generators for the Louetta Road water plant and lift station were delivered and installed in April. Centerpoint installed a natural gas service line to the lift station later in April, and the units should be fully operational in May. The District’s goal last fall was to have this backup power supply in place and fully operational prior to the start of the hurricane season.

A Piece Of Kleinwood Area History: Town of Spring – Part 1

The early years 1800 – 1875

The old part of Spring is sleepy, revealing little of its bustling past as a commercial and railroading center. Once the air rang with laughter from the saloons and the clamor of trains in the round house, while across the tracks came the buzz of the veneer sawmill and the shouts of children in the schoolyard.

In 1838 Spring was a trading post on Spring Creek run by William Pierpont, a settler from Connecticut. The area was frequented earlier by Orcoquisac Indians and visited by Spanish and French explorers. In the 1820’s a number of Austin colonists settled nearby, and the mid-1840’s brought German immigrants like the Carl Wunsches from Saxony. In 1846 land around Spring sold for as little as 10 cents to 25 cents per acre. Property was purchased by Americans from Dixie, including French-Louisianans like the Sellers family. In 1878 there were enough people in the area to establish a post office.

The early days were agricultural, and Spring was isolated by mud and mire until the train made it accessible to Houston. The early farmer had to make an overnight wagon trip to take produce to the Houston market. Nearly everyone had a sugar cane patch and brought the crop to the town’s sugar mill for syrup making. Farmers brought their cotton to Charles Wunsche or to Antone Mittelstaedt’s gin near town.

(Source: “The Heritage Of North Harris County”, published in 1977 by the North Harris County Branch of the American Association Of University Women)

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Kleinwood

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KleInwooD DolphIns

The Kleinwood Dolphins Swim Team is a non-profit organization formed to promote competitive swimming for all Kleinwood residents and eligible nonresident participants ages 4 to 18 years.

the 2011 season continues with these Meets:• Away Meet at Wimbledon: Saturday, June 4th• Away Meet at Spring Creek Forest: Saturday, June 11th• Home Meet at Greenwood Forest: Saturday, June 18th• Divisionals Meet (Location TBD): Saturday, June 25th

For more information, visit the Kleinwood Dolphins website: www.kleinwooddolphins.com

Or contact Mike Wysocki, Swim Team President at 281-468-1601 or via email: miwysocki@earthlink.net

locAl resIDent Goes to GAMes

Jan Uhrick, resident of Kleinwood for almost 20 years, competed in the Texas State Games in January and placed 1st and 2nd in ice skating. She has qualified to go to National Games in San Diego, California in August. Jan attended Abercrombie Pre School, Mittelstadt Elementary, Kleb Middle School, and graduated from Klein High School in 2009. Currently, Jan attends University of Houston. If you would like to help Jan get to the games in San Diego, please contact her parents at c_uhrick@sbcglobal.net.

for sale: moped Kymco 2ZX50 - 2005. 665 miles showroom condition street legal, and easy to ride $699 contact 281-627-3361

personAl clAssIfIeDs

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Kleinwood

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May 14-August 7, 2011Main Gallery

The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts will present a new exhibition highlighting one of Japan’s most famous sights, Mt. Fuji. A loan from the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, the exhibition showcases images of Fuji-san in a wide diversity of media, such as photography, woodblock prints, ceramics, lacquerware, tea kettles, and others.

Mt. Fuji, a strong national and international symbol for Japan, has been celebrated in poems and paintings for over 1,000 years. A highlight of the exhibition is the contemporary photography of Kazuhide Takada, inspired by the 19th century 36 Views of Mt. Fuji by artist and printmaker Katsushika Hokusai.

Through the ages, the mountain with its idyllic beauty has been revered as a holy place. The yamabushi, ascetic hermits (and also mighty warriors) who worshipped the mountain’s deity, saw the ascent to the top as a journey from the profane to the sacred. In the same manner, this exhibition encompasses not only traditional fine art forms, but also the everyday objects used by the Japanese people. The rich collection of the Morikami makes it possible to juxtapose old and new, to pair inspiration with the inspired.

not AVAIlAble onlIne

Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc. The Kleinwood Krier - June 2011 �

Kleinwood

Just One ThingJust One Thing (JOT) is a free newsletter that suggests a simple

practice each week that will bring you more joy, more fulfilling relationships, and more peace of mind. A small thing repeated each day adds up over time to produce big results. Just one thing that could change your life.

what have you been given?

the practice

Be Grateful.

why?We experience gratitude when we are freely given something

good. Therefore, looking for opportunities for gratitude, and developing

an “attitude of gratitude,” is a great way to notice and enjoy what you’ve been given in this life.

Gratitude does not mean ignoring the hard parts of life, including the losses in it. It just means also paying attention to the gains and gifts that have come your way. Especially the little ones of everyday life.

When you do this, you’re resting your mind increasingly on good things moving toward you, on being supported, on feelings of fullness inside - on the sense of having an open heart that moves toward an open hand.

Fuller and fuller inside, more and more fed by life instead of drained by it, you naturally feel like you have more of worth inside yourself and more to offer to others.

And that is a very good thing. For example, studies by Robert Emmons and others have shown that gratitude is associated with many benefits, including greater well-being, better coping, and even better sleep.

how? Prime your pump by bringing to mind a being you naturally feel

grateful to. Perhaps a friend, parent or grandparent, teacher, even a pet.

deliberately look around and notice, both here and now, and in the past:

• Other people being helpful or generous toward you. • The gifts of nature, like the flight of a bird, the creatures that die

so we may live, and the amazing brain• The gifts of the physical world, including the stars in the sky, the

colors of the rainbow, and the remarkable fact that the seemingly random mathematical constants that determine how atoms stick together are just right for planets to form and life to develop in this universe.

• Being alive; no one can ever earn the gifts of DNA, human society, and the physical universe that were freely offered to each one of us on the day we were born; the only thing we can do is to be grateful for those gifts, and do what we can in our own little corner of the world to use them well each day.

Let yourself accept these gifts. It would be rude - ungrateful! - to refuse them.

Remember that gratitude is not guilt or indebtedness - which actually make it harder to feel grateful. You may feel moved to be generous in turn - including in other directions, such as giving to others out of appreciation for what you have been given yourself - but it will come from large-heartedness, not because you think you owe something. Gratitude moves us away from let’s-make-a-deal exchanges in relationships toward a sense of abundance, in which you feel fed beyond measure and in turn give with all your heart without keeping score.

Then feel the benefit to you of what’s been given. Consider how it helps you and those you care about: bringing you resources, making you feel good, fueling your own generosity in turn.

And recognize the benevolence of the giver, whether it is a person, Mother Nature, or the physical universe - or, if this is meaningful to you, something transcendental, call it God, Spirit, the Ground, or by no name at all. Don’t minimize the benevolence to avoid feeling unworthy or indebted; open up to it as a telling of the truth, as a giving back of something yourself to the giver, and as a joyful leaning toward that which is truly gift-giving in your world.

Last, soak in the gift, whatever it is. Let it become part of you, woven into your body, brain, and being. As you inhale, as you relax, as you open, take in the good that you’ve been given.

This newsletter, reprinted with permission, comes from Rick Hanson, Ph.D., neuropsychologist, founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, PsychologyToday.com contributor, and meditation teacher.

send us your Event Pictures!!

Do you have a picture of an event that you would like to run in the Kleinwood Krier? Send it to us and we will publish it in the next issue. Email the picture to mona@aegis-web.com. Be sure to include the text that you would like to have as the caption. Pictures will appear in color online at www.PEELinc.com.

� The Kleinwood Krier - June 2011 Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.

KleinwoodKIsD board of trustees hears Zoning report

Preferred plan for relieving enrollment at Klein Oak High School created after 13

options considered by committeeAt the May 2011 meeting of the Klein ISD Board of Trustees, district

administration presented a high school zoning report that included the preferred draft plan for the rezoning of Klein Oak High School in 2012. Klein ISD has been discussing plans to realign the Klein Oak High School attendance zones for the 2012-2013 school year because the campus is overcapacity and projected to continue to grow.

A zoning committee met on three days over the last month with two meetings on each day to facilitate parents’ schedules. With more than 125 participants including parents, teachers, administrators and staff, the group studied 13 options.

The preferred draft shows the current Klein Oak subdivisions that would be moved to the Klein High or Klein Collins zones. After much consideration, the district recommended a preferred draft that allows all three campuses to grow to just under 120% in 2019 when the new high school is currently proposed to open. Klein Collins can only support 11 temporary buildings, and this option requires no more than 9 temporaries at its highest enrollment. The students who currently live the greatest distance from Klein Oak will now travel a shorter distance to Klein High School, saving on transportation costs for the district.

The committee studied topics involved in rezoning high school students such as academics, University Interscholastic League (UIL) regulations, extracurricular activities, and transportation. A draft policy was presented to the Board.

The draft policy allows simultaneous siblings to remain at Klein Oak; next year’s Klein Oak ninth grade class members to stay if they received a varsity letter or have been officially selected for a varsity program, lettered in music or other UIL non-athletic event, or were a member in good standing of the drill team; and next year’s sophomores and juniors at Klein Oak to remain there. These provisions are all subject to students providing their own transportation or riding a district bus from a pre-determined, designated stop in a nearby neighborhood. UIL eligibility requirements also apply under all circumstances.

Between now and June 30, the public may send comments regarding the preferred draft by visiting the district website at www.kleinisd.net and clicking on the “Zoning Information” then “High School Zoning” links. These e-mails will be read and considered; however, due to the large volume of comments received, the district will not respond to questions.

The KISD will hold a Zoning Community Forum on May 31 at the Klein Oak High School auditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The district administration will take comments and questions during that forum.

The Board of Trustees will be provided a final preferred draft for approval consideration at its regular meeting on July 11, 2011. The new attendance zones will go into effect for the 2012-2013 school year.

Mercer Arboretum & botanic Gardens

Summer 2011 Program ScheduleMercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, a Harris County

Precinct 4 facility under the leadership of Commissioner Jerry Eversole, is located at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, one mile north of FM 1960. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability. Anyone requiring special assistance to participate in any program, or to obtain additional information, should contact Mercer at (281) 443-8731, or on the Web at www.hcp4.net/mercer.

June

lunch bunch: Caladiums. Wed., June 8, noon-2 p.m. Program presented by Mercer Director Linda Gay. Turn over a new leaf and move toward a whole new range of luscious leaves that sparkle in the shade and sunnier garden spots. With names like ‘Twist ‘N’ Shout,’ ‘Raspberry Moon,’ ‘Starburst,’ ‘Peppermint,’ and ‘Candyland,’ this presentation of the new hybrids and trial plants is a must see! Bring a sack lunch to enjoy during the program.

texas gulf coast fern society Meeting: the soil food web. Sat., June 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., John Ferguson, owner of Nature’s Way Resources, introduces participants to an incredible diversity of organisms that make up the soil food web. The soil food web is the community of organisms living all or part of their lives in the soil, and how this living system interacts with the environment, plants and animals. These organisms range in size from the tiniest one-celled bacteria, algae, and fungi, to the visible earthworms, insects, and plants. As these organisms eat, grow, and move through the soil, they make it possible to have clean water, clean air, healthy plants, and moderated water flow. The Fern Society’s meeting continues until 2 p.m. where you can learn about ferns for Houston gardens. Members, non-members, and the public are invited to enjoy this program. Call (281) 443-8731 to reserve a spot.

children’s story time in the garden. Mon., June 20, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The Very Lazy Lady Bug by Isobel Finn. Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library’s children’s librarian Nancy Rodriguez shares some of her favorite nature books with children and their parents in the garden. This program has quickly become a favorite with moms and children, and gives them a chance to spend time outdoors and revel in wonderful garden stories. Check in at the visitor’s center for the specific location. Free. (Continued on page 7)

Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc. The Kleinwood Krier - June 2011 �

KleinwoodAt no time will any source be allowed to use The Kleinwood Krier's contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in The Kleinwood Krier is exclusively for the private use of the Kleinwood HOA and Peel, Inc.

DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser.* The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising.* Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction.* Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

How are your

social networking skills?

July

lunch bunch: Cajun Hibiscus. Wed., July 13, noon-2 p.m. Join Linda Gay as she shares her enthusiasm about these colorful flowering shrubs that make spectacular summer landscapes. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the amazing flowers and color combinations of several varieties of Hibiscus including ‘Voodoo Queen’ and ‘Stolen Kiss.’ Bring a sack lunch to enjoy during the program.

children’s story time in the garden. Mon., July 18, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Summer is Summer by Phillis and David Gershator. Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library’s children’s librarian Nancy Rodriguez shares some of her favorite nature books with children and their parents in the garden. This program has quickly become a favorite with moms and children, and gives them a chance to spend time outdoors and revel in wonderful garden stories. Check in at the visitor’s center for the specific location. Free.

orchids and tropical workshop: Sat., July 23, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sign-up now for this one-day workshop that focuses on lush and exotic plants. The day’s activities include speakers, a plant sale, and garden tour. The tour focuses on the plants that survived the winter freeze in Mercer’s tropical garden and that are well-suited to tropical landscapes. The workshop fee provides lunch, admission to the talks and sale, handouts, and the garden tour. Space is limited to 50 participants and registration is required. TMS members $60; non-members $75.

Mercer arboretum - (Continued from Page 6)

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