President’s Letter

A Message from David Ojeman

It is hard to believe, but 2014 has almost come and gone. On behalf of the FWCIA, I would like to wish everyone a joyous holiday season.

It has been a very busy year for the FWCIA and for our Civic Committee. We have had several very successful events, including Flag Day, 4th of July, and National Neighbors Night Out. I would like to thank Elizabeth, Kendra, and the rest of our Civic Committee members and volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our community.

As many of you know, the FWCIA formed a committee to take an in-depth look into our current deed restriction and by-laws. This committee is made up of Forest West residents who volunteered for this pain-staking duty. A total of 11 residents volunteered, and the committee meets several times a month. Of course not all of the volunteers are able to attend all meetings, which is understandable. I was able to sit in on my first meeting on November 22nd. This was a 3 hour meeting and a lot of topics were discussed. I would like to commend all of the volunteers. They are taking this task very seriously and are doing an excellent job. The committee is taking its time wanting to do it right. Once the committee has finished, the neighborhood will be notified, and notifications will be sent out for any meeting of the Board of Directors concerning the new proposed Deed Restrictions. Understandably, this will not happen until well after the first of the year.

The annual statements will be out very soon. As always, the fees are due by January 1st of each year. If you need to pay out over time, payment plans are available. Please contact Brent Miller with Beacon Residential Management to arrange your payment plan. His phone number is 713-466-1204.

Just an early reminder: the annual meeting and the election of the Board of Directors is always on the first Tuesday of February, each year, which next year will be February 3rd 2015.

Civic Committee News

Neighbors Support National Night Out

Thank you to all of the residents who were able to attend this year’s National Night Out event. We had an overwhelmingly wonderful group of residents come out to the festivities, totaling 95 neighbors. Children enjoyed small group crafts and activities. Parents were also able to take home free child identification kits from Harris County.

Residents were given take-home information packets, which included: Important Contacts in Forest West and the City of Houston, Emergency Preparedness Guides, brochures about CPP and Garden Club, and more.

The next upcoming Forest West event is our annual Holiday Party. This event will be held at the Community Center on December 17th at 6:30pm. Details and flyers will be sent out through the Forest West email program.

Garden Club News

The Forest West Garden Club will be judging its ANNUAL FOREST WEST CHRISTMAS LAWN DECORATION CONTEST on Monday, December 15, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. The judging categories are Best Traditional, Best Original, and Best Religious motifs. Start working on your display today!

The Forest West Garden Club wishes to thank all of you who have supported our club through your purchases of flowers from our recent Fall Flower Sale. Through your efforts, you are helping to make Forest West a better place to live.

September Yard of the Month Laurie & Randy Tolliver 6011 Spruce Forest

October Yard of the Month Mr. & Mrs. Larry Frazier 6135 Autumn Forest

November Yard of the Month Mary Ann & Richard Janish 6039 Greenmont

Gardening Tips

Many of us use poinsettias in our holiday décor. Poinsettias like to stay evenly moist. Water your plant when the top seems dry and the pot feels light when you pick it up. Water thoroughly but allow the extra moisture to drain out of the pot. Be sure you pour out any extra water that may remain in a drainage saucer as poinsettias do not like to have wet feet.

Remove dead vegetation and weeds to prevent a buildup of diseases, weeds, and insects. Order seeds now for spring vegetables so you will have them in plenty of time for starting early transplants or sowing directly into the garden in early spring. Many cool season, fall crops, like lettuce and spinach, have shallow root systems, so be sure to apply water frequently to keep the soil slightly moist, in order to keep the plants healthy and growing. Between the rows and around the plants in the garden is a good place to use leaves to help conserve soil moisture and control weeds

Citizens’ Patrol Program (CPP)

The PIP annual dinner was well attended this year. Seven residents from our neighborhood attended, and the food was excellent — as usual.

HPD – North Division will continue its annual Christmas Toy Drive this year. Sergeant Escobedo is asking for donations of new and unwrapped toys for children ages three months to twelve years old. He also asked for donations of gift wrap bags, tissue, tape, and other wrapping supplies for their volunteers to use for gifts. Our division held one gift-wrapping session in November. The gift- wrapping held at HPD on November 19th was successful, and there may be another possible gift wrapping day planned for December.

Residents may bring donations to the North Command Police Station – Community Service Unit, located at 9455 West Montgomery Rd., Houston, Texas 77088, or call 281-405-5341. Donations will be accepted until December 8th.