sandy – Page 18

June 2, 2016 by sandy

Practice the 4Ds

Spring and summers is time to take precautions against mosquitoes when you are outdoors.

Dusk and Dawn: Limit activities when mosquitoes are most active.
Dress: Wear long sleeves and pants, loose and light colored clothing.
DEET: Use insect repellants containing DEET or another EPA-approved repellent and follow label instructions.
Drain: Eliminate standing water around your yard.

Also, don’t forget the Dallas watering restrictions: Water only two days a week (mornings midnight to 10 a.m. and evenings 6 p.m. to midnight) on your designated days. If your address ends in an even number, water Sunday and Thursday. If it’s an odd number, water Saturday and Wednesday. Do not water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. >>More information

June 2, 2016 by sandy

Swimming Pool Discharge

The information below is from City of Dallas Stormwater Management, 214-948-4022.

Dallas City Code Chapter 19 Health and Sanitation, Section 19-118 prohibits discharging filter backwash and pool water with a chlorine level of 1 mg/L or greater to the storm drain system. Such violations can result in fines up to $2,000 per violation, per day.

It is a City Code violation to drain pools into the alleyways. Pools drained for repairs or cleaning must drain to the sanitary sewer in compliance with the Dallas Plumbing Code, to a natural drainage course if no sanitary sewer is available (City Code Chapter 43A).

When a swimming pool is drained to a natural drainage course, such as down an alley/street, the pool water with all its chemicals enters the storm drainage system and then is discharged directly into the nearest creek, river, or lake without being cleaned or treated.

Stormwater pollution from swimming pools is preventable. To view swimming pool requirements in the Dallas City Code, visit the City of Dallas website at www.dallascityhall.com.

Stormwater Prevention Tips

Cease pool treatments prior to discharging.
Dechlorinate water to less than 1 mg/L before draining.
Verify a pH between 6 and 9 prior to discharge.
Clean vegetation and debris before draining.
Monitor draining to prevent erosion.
Discharge all backwash to the sanitary sewer system.
Clean pool filters over a vegetated area.
Do not discharge copper-based or silver-based algaecides.

Report stormwater polluters. Call 3-1-1.

June 2, 2016 by sandy

NPNA Spring Picnic

The NPNA Annual Spring Picnic was a huge success! Over 450 residents attended, along with local luminaries, DPD, DFD, and our Dallas City Council Person, Jennifer Gates.

The catering was provided by Le Cordon Bleu , along with hot dogs grilled by the McKay family for the kids. Desserts were provided by many of the NPNA Me, Myself & I group members, along with other NPNA residents. Thanks to all of you who helped to make this our best Picnic ever, especially Kiki Paschall, Clarissa Carter and membership team, Section Leaders, Karen Herleman – my co-chairperson, Ginny Barbato, Shelby Collier, and Maureen Clements.

Did you like the salad dressing served at the picnic? Here’s the recipe from Le Cordon Bleu.

Citric Vinaigrette
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 cups 1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 small clove of garlic, finely chopped
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon/lime juice each
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
2 tablespoons honey
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper

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June 1, 2016 by sandy

A Fish Tale Or One That Got Away?

June 2016.
Two small fishing parties that visited the creek recently illustrate its continuing appeal. One was a youngster with her pink fishing rod and her dad, who explained “this is strictly catch and release.” The other, a tall white egret, offered no explanation – none needed.

When NPNA residents spotted a number of dead fish in the creek last month, a prompt and thorough investigation soon followed. Neighborhood environmentalists tested the creek water near the site of the apparent fish kill, and relayed their observations to personnel from the City’s Trinity Watershed Division, who removed about 40 dead fish, conducted their own tests, and diligently returned for several days to monitor for any additional fish die-off.

Since small fish and minnows continued to thrive in the creek waters, and the fish in question were generally larger (including some catfish) than those we normally see in the creek, the consensus conclusion was that these fish likely originated elsewhere, and were dumped into the Joe’s Creek, let’s just say, by someone who got away with it this time.

We can be grateful for the quick response from our own experts, the prompt and sustained actions from the City, and that no unusual pollution was found in this incident. We are also reminded of the fragile nature of the ecology of the creek – its very accessibility makes it easy to introduce contaminants either intentionally or by default – and the efforts needed to keep it uncontaminated.

Two areas merit special attention during the summer months:

Swimming pools – extra care should be taken to ensure that no chlorinated water is discharged into the alleys, and thus into the creek. City Stormwater publishes guidelines for water discharge from pools, including specifying the maximum level of chlorine acceptable. It’s a simple matter to test the water for chlorine and ph before discharge. Note there can be a substantial fine levied for excess chlorine discharge. See Swimming Pool Discharge for the guidelines.

Lawns – can also be a source of pollution if too much fertilizer or weed killer is used. Organic methods are best, and one good source for these methods is Howard Garrett’s newsletter. See his website www.dirtdoctor.com.

Enjoy summer, but let’s keep the creek natural, for the fish, and for all those who delight in observing.

Vince Punaro, Creek Event Leader

May 18, 2016 by sandy

MMI, May 2016

Me, Myself & I, a luncheon group for Northaven women who are single, divorced or widowed, met on May 17 at the Garden Tea Room at the Forestwood Antique Mall. We meet the third Tuesday of the month and enjoy meeting our neighbors.

May 7, 2016 by sandy

It’s My Park Day

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May 7, 2016 by sandy

Backyard Garden Tour & Plant Sale

2016 NPNA Annual Backyard Garden Tour & Plant Sale

With clouds looming, questions arose about attendance, but our neighbors and their friends prevailed. With another record attendance at our 5th annual NPNA Backyard Garden tour, it has been declared another successful neighborhood event, and provided another reason for calling Northaven Park a great place to live. In just three hours, 200 neighbors toured the twelve spectacular locations, and generously donated over $100 to help offset the event costs, plus we had several neighbors join as new NPNA members … and the best part is we had neighbors meeting neighbors, and making our community stronger!

We owe a big ‘THANK YOU’ to the following neighbors who shared and showcased their wonderful and unique spaces with our neighborhood:

Doug & Ellen Guiling – 3855 Pallos Verdas
Dr. Chet & Jan Mateja – 3822 Alta Vista
Patrick Stare & Lois Ford – 11223 Dwarfs Circle
John & Joy Waller – 3959 Courtshire
Dennis & Claudia Barnes – 4132 Hockaday
Hon. Ed & Barbara Foreman – 3815 Waldorf Circle
Carroll & Linda Rogers – 11008 Rosser Road
Dr. Stephen & Sara Harder – 11007 Candlelight Lane
Phil & Stephanie Ritter – 10824 Aladdin Drive
Sandra Horton – Withers Children’s Garden
Lisa Centala – Dallas County Master Gardeners – Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills
Stan & Mary Ann Greene – The Da Vinci School Native Plant & Butterfly Garden

And to the volunteers and Plant Sale Leader, Emily McDonald, who raised over $100 dollars from selling the donated plants and seeds.

Also, a huge ‘SHOUT OUT’ to the many volunteers that helped make these events happen: Ann Irvine, Lorna Acker, Audrey Ball, Dana Cutright, Kumkum Dalal, Donna Denise, Rob & Carolyn Ennis, Melanie Frazier, Renee McKay, Eva Michaels, Gladys Pully, Claudia Reynolds, Liz Rowe, Marilyn Schiffman, Amy Shamblin, Shirley Smith, Jayne Sparrer, Mindy Stanley, Ann and Whitey Thomas, Don & Marty Judd, Joan Dolan, Lenora Volk, Becky Mayad, Gene & Flo Leslie, Deb Williams, Kathy Lewis, Beverly Merritt-Hensley, and Liz Wyand. And thanks to Ron Paschall for capturing the day in photos and to Mike Glover & Sandra Blaydes for the publicity. It really DOES take a village!

If you’re interested in having your home considered for the 2017 Garden Tour, send a message to beautification@npna.com.

Kiki Paschall, Backyard Garden Tour Event Leader & VP Events

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May 7, 2016 by sandy

More Photos – Garden Tour

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April 30, 2016 by sandy

It’s My Park Day

Our wonderful Mom’s and their families met in Northaven Park to paint the Merry-Go-Round. You can see how much fun was had by all in the photo journal below. Thank you Moms for caring about our park!

Painting the Merry-Go-Round

Before