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Helping The Bees:

How to Create A Garden They’ll Love

Helping the bee population thrive is so important these days, as they are dying off at an alarming rate due to pesticide use and loss of habitat. These tiny creatures play such a huge role in our food production system that without them, it would be next to impossible to manually pollinate the nation’s crops. Can you imagine a world without blueberries or apples? Spinach and tomatoes? Unfortunately, that’s a very real possibility we face if the bees continue to decline in population. What you can do >>

About the author: After trying a friend’s “homemade” honey 2 years ago, Christy Erickson began learning more about backyard beekeeping and its role in sustainability. She is committed to collecting and distributing the most accurate and up-to-date resources on the bee crisis and information on how to help in your own community. She lives here in Dallas and created SavingOurBees.

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October Coffee Klatch

About 30 neighbors enjoyed coffee and pastries at the home of Bernie and Maureen Clements. Thank you, Bernie and Maureen, for opening your lovely home. The next Coffee Klatch will be in December. Watch for details soon.

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Football, Chili, and Pie

The Moms Group enjoyed a Cowboy Game/Chili/Pie Party in October. 16 Moms Group members and their children attended (57). Chili and pies were brought by neighbors with 1st & 2nd place prizes awarded for the Best Chili and Best Pie. Thank you, Stu & Sara Pauley, for hosting.

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Withers Wildcat Prowl 5K and Fun Run

NPNA was again a sponsor of the Withers 5K Prowl & Fun Run held on October 7. Volunteers from NPNA manned 3 water stations for the participants.

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National Night Out/ Ice Cream Social

What a fun event – even if we had to stand in the drizzle. Everyone brought an umbrella and seemed happy to attend. I’m sorry the weather prevented some of you from attending. Will hope for better weather next year. The Braum’s ice cream was delicious. Thanks to all of you sending in your RSVP.

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Last Friday First Call, September 2017

In September 34 neighbors enjoyed conversation and laughs at the home of section 9 directors, Greg and Jennifer Selzer. It was another success! Thank you, Greg and Jennifer, for opening your home to us.

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MMI September 2017

Me, Myself & I, a luncheon group for Northaven Park women who are single, divorced or widowed, met this month at Dunston’s Steak House. We meet the third Tuesday of the month and enjoy meeting our neighbors.

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Solar Eclipse

September 2017.
During the recent eclipse, shielded rays of the sun focused sharply on Joe’s Creek, offering a close up view of some of its diminutive creatures and features. Even minnows cast a distinct shadow. Perhaps due to a pinhole camera effect of light filtering through tree leaves, dozens of images of the eclipse appeared on the paving at the Alta Vista bridge, and on other surfaces.

Blue Dasher

Colors seemed a bit more vivid in the slightly reduced light, and if the mosquito can see in color, (or at all), the red dragonfly, or red-veined darter, must appear fearsome in pursuit. Observed sweeping back and forth, this sturdy yet graceful flying creature appears well designed for its mission.  The smaller blue dragonfly with black bands, the blue dasher, waits until its prey comes close, then dashes out.

Texas Toad

Perhaps more conspicuous by its relative scarcity this spring and summer season was the Texas Toad. This common native so delighted a young visitor from Sweden in the 1980’s that his Dad, a visiting professor, shortened his lecture to tell the class about the encounter. Every spring in Northaven Park waves of these toads could be seen crossing the road, leaving the creek and headed for backyards and gardens. Experienced Outdoorsmen will attest that these amphibians have suffered a decline in many locales. They are the canaries of the creek, their absence denoting poor water quality, presence of pollutants or contaminants from runoff, or just plain lack of water. We can have an impact on all but the latter.

Only if we continue our efforts to safeguard the creek and keep the water clean, can we expect that our youth will be able to encounter these small marvels of nature around the Creek and the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, don’t wait until the next eclipse to have a look for yourself and your young ones.Click on each photo for a larger view.

Vince Punarov, Creek Leader

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Last Friday First Call, August 2017

About 60 neighbors enjoyed conversation and laughs at Rhapsody, an historic Disney Street home. It was another success! Thank you, John, for opening your beautiful home and thank you, Mindy, section 8 director, for coordinating this event.

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MMI, August 15, 2017

Me, Myself & I, a luncheon group for Northaven Park women who are single, divorced or widowed, met on August 15 at Maple Leaf Diner. We meet the third Tuesday of the month and enjoy meeting our neighbors.