Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc. Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 �
Canyon Gate at the Brazos
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Volume 1, Issue 2December 2007
Official Publication of the Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowners Association
GAte KeePer"FrOm Our GAte tO yOur FrOnt dOOr!"
Celebrate the Holidays around the World!
Howdootherculturesandcountriescelebrate theholidays thistimeofyear?Manydifferentways,butmostofthetraditionsincludebeingwithfamilyandcelebratinglife.Learnmoreaboutthedifferentcelebrationsbelowandlet’scelebrateeachother! Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is known toChristiansaroundtheworldasthebirthdayofJesusChrist.Traditionsinclude thedisplayofNativity scenes,hollyandChristmas trees,theexchangeofgiftsandcards,andthearrivalofSantaClausonChristmasEveorChristmasmorning. Hanukkah,alsoknownastheFestival of Lights,isaneight-dayJewishholidaybeginningonthe25thdayofthemonthofKislev,whichmayfallanytimefromlateNovember to lateDecember. Itcelebratesthere-kindlingoftheTemplemenorahatthetimeoftheMaccabeerebellion.ThefestivalisobservedinJewishhomesbythe kindling of lights on each night of the holiday - one on the first night,twoonthesecond,andsoon. Kwanzaa isaweek-longPan-AfricanfestivalprimarilyhonoringAfrican-American heritage. It is observed from December 26 toJanuary 1 each year, almost exclusively in the United States ofAmerica.Kwanzaaconsistsofsevendaysofcelebration,featuringactivities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations, andculminatinginafeastandgift-giving.ItwascreatedbyRonKarenga,and first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967. Karenga calls Kwanzaa the African American branch of "first fruits" celebrationsofclassicalAfricancultures. Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance that takes placeduring the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when the Qur'anwasrevealed.Thename"Ramadan"istakenfromthenameofthismonth;theworditselfderivedfromanArabicwordforintenseheat,scorchedground,andshortnessofrations.ItisconsideredthemostveneratedandblessedmonthoftheIslamicyear.Prayers,fasting,charity,andself-accountabilityareespeciallystressedatthistime;religiousobservancesassociatedwithRamadanarekeptthroughoutthemonth.
Did you hear?!?! Did you hear?!?! Santa is coming to town and his first stop isCanyonGateat theBrazos!!ComemeetSantatellhimhowgoodyou’vebeen thisyearandwhatyouwantforChristmas. He will be waiting for you, withcookies,attheRecCenteronDecember9th from 2 p.m. – 5 p. m.
2 Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc.
Canyon Gate at the BrazosHelpful Phone Numbers
Brazos Recreation Center & Clubhouse Office......... 281-341-7349CanyonGateGuardHouse........................................ 281-238-0805NEWSLETTEREditorsShelitaKimble............................................gkeditors@bigfoot.comJeremyandAliciaSearl..............................gkeditors@bigfoot.comPublisherPeel,Inc.................................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-989-8905Advertising................... [email protected], 512-989-8905POLICE & FIRE EMERGENCY...........................................911FortBendSheriff....................................................... 281-341-4665RichmondFireDept................................................... 281-232-6871FireDept.,Station66625.......................................... 281-275-2952SugarLand,PoliceDept............................................ 281-275-2500 ................................................................................ 281-275-2649FBCo.CrimeStoppers..............................................281-342-TIPSAnimalControl.......................................................... 281-342-1512MEDICAL MemorialHermannHospitalS.W.............................. 713-776-5000MemorialHermannHospitalSugarLand.................. 281-725-5000OakBendMedicalCenter..........www.pollyryon.org,281-342-2811MethodistHospitalSugarLand................................. 281-274-7000PoisonControl........................................................... 800-764-7661GulfCoastReg.BloodCtr......................................... 713-790-1200POST OFFICERichmond................................................................... 800-275-87775560FM1640Rd...................................................... 281-633-0386SugarLand,FirstColony3130GrantLakesBlvd.............................................. 281-494-4150UTILITIESGas(CenterpointEnergyEntex)................................ 713-659-2111PowertoChoose........................................................ 888-797-4839Telephone(AT&T)..................................................... 800-464-7928Eco Resources Water #116 (RAN82591)................... 281-368-8397WasteCorp.ofTexas(GarbagePickup).................... 281-368-8397TXUComm(TE/EPhone)........................................ 281-972-5000RichmondCityHall................................................... 281-342-5456AutoRegistrationInfo............................................... 281-341-3700DriversLicenseInfo.................................................. 281-232-4334FortBendChamber.................................................... 281-491-0800GreaterHoustonPartnership...................................... 713-844-3600FirstColonyBranchLibrary...................................... 281-265-4446GeorgeMemorialLibrary.......................................... 281-342-4455CABLE TELEVISIONComcast(NewService)............................................................ 713-895-2539(CustomerService).................................................... 713-341-1000SCHOOLSLamar Consolidated ISD......................................... 832-223-0000Dickinson Elementary(K-5thGrade)...................... 832-223-1400Wessendorf Middle School(6thGrade).................. 832-223-3300Lamar Jr. High School (7th & 8th Grade)............... 832-223-3200Lamar High School.................................................. 832-223-3000Transportation.......................................................... 832-223-0280
WHO TO CONTACT
To Contact the Board or Community ManagerPlease address the Board of Directors to:
SarahHudson,ProjectManager PCMI P.O. Box 219223 Houston, TX 77218 281-504-1360(O) 281-531-4611(F)
Board of Directors BJWeidenfeld........................................................ President AlBrende....................................................... VicePresident LindaHouston........................................................ Secretary
Director/Homeowner RepresentativesTracyDavenport [email protected]........................ 832-283-1304LynnFranklin [email protected]....................... 832-452-5200BrentBaldwin............................................................................JimmyKirby...............................................................................JohnLeos....................................................................................
Recreation Center [email protected]
281-341-7349
Recreation Center & Clubhouse Open for all residents’ use during office hours 2 pm – 6 pm Tues-Sat. Contact the office to inquire about private party reservations 281-341-7349.
Advertising Information Please support the businesses that advertise in the CanyonGateattheBrazosHomeowner'sAssociationNewsletter.TheiradvertisingdollarsmakeitpossibleforallCanyonGateattheBrazosresidentstoreceivethemonthlynewsletteratnocharge.Nohomeownersassociationfundsareusedtoproduceormailthenewsletters.Ifyouwouldliketosupportthenewsletterbyadvertising, please contact our sales office at 888-687-6444 or advertising@PEELinc.com.Theadvertisingdeadlineisthe10thofeachmonthforthefollowingmonth'snewsletter.
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Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc. Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 �
Canyon Gate at the Brazos
Events around town:Campfire Christmas 2007 Fridays & Saturdays, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22; Call the GeorgeRanchHistoricalParkat281-343-0218ext258;Reservations RequiredMt. Moore Home Candlelight Tour Afterundergoingextensiverenovations,theJohnM.MooreHomein Richmond has special holiday Candlelight tours in December.Visitorswillseethehomelitbyvotivecandlesandhurricanelamps,with trimmed trees, decked halls and festive holiday finery, created anddecoratedbytheFortBendMuseum'sdocentorganization.281-342-6478Rosenberg's Holiday Magic Follow the Christmas star to the streets of downtown HistoricRosenberg the first Saturday of each December and you will step backtotheChristmasSeasonof1883--theyeartheGulf,ColoradoandSantaFeRailwayCompanyrolledintoRosenberg.CapturetheHolidaySpiritanddelightinthesightsandsoundsofChristmas1883includingalivenativity,entertainment,LetterstoSanta,foodandcraftvendors,Christmaslightparade,visitswithSt.Nick,RailroadMuseumtours,children'scarnival,realsnowandsomuchmore!Freeadmission. Event information 832-595-3520
Mommy Meet Up PlayDateforDecemberwillbescheduledforTuesday,December11thatnoon. M e e tattheparkforabreakfromallthehustleandbustle.Aspecialtreatmaybewaitingforyouandyourlittleone!
Neighborhood News
Toll Road Proposal Updates and Corrections Correction: Tollroadwouldbe130feetfromsealevel. Update: It has been confirmed the Grand Parkway Segment C has plans to link to I-69. For information on Segment C, visit www.grandpky.com
� Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc.
Canyon Gate at the Brazos
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Entertaining with Ease Ready,set,celebrate!Gettingreadyfortheholidayscanbefunand enjoyable. Setting out the fine china, twinkling lights, shiny decorations,andwhippingupallthatyummyfoodmakesusallfeelgiddyabouttheholidays. So,howcanweentertainourfriendsandfamilywithease? First,setabudget.Whenitcomestoparties,timeismoney--whatyoulackofoneyoucanmakeupwiththeother.Youjusthavetodecidehowmuchtimeandmoneyyouarewillingtospend.Don'toverspendoneither. Next,“deckthehouse.”Festivedecorationsthroughoutthehousewill make holidays even more memorable. Create some specialtouches,makeyourowndecorationsandhaveyourkidsevenjoininthefun. Afterthat,planthemenu.Willitbeaformalsitdowndinnerorcasual buffet with finger foods? Make a list of ingredients and take atriptothestoreatleastthreedaysinadvance.Giveyourselfplentyoftimetomakethemealssowhenyourguestsarriveyoucanenjoythemandnotworryaboutthefood. Lastly, set the mood. Play soothing holiday music while yourfamilyandfriendsarrive.Lightsomeholidayscentedcandlesandsetupyourbartoservesomefunfestivedrinksshortlyafteryourguestsgetthere. Quicktip:Besuretohavesomeholidaymoviesandboardgamesonhandforthekids.
At no time will any source be allowed to use the Canyon Gate at the BrazosHomeowner'sAssociationNewslettercontents,orloansaidcontents,toothersinanyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy,fax,oretc.forthepurposeofsolicitation,commercialuse,oranyuseforprofit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without writtenorexpressedpermissionfromtheCanyonGateattheBrazosHomeowner'sAssociationandPeel,Inc.Theinformationinthenewsletter isexclusivelyfortheprivateuseofCanyonGateattheBrazosHomeowner'sAssociationresidentsonly.
Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc. Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 �
Canyon Gate at the BrazosCoping with Holiday Stress Whenyourunaroundfromstoretostore,eventtoevent,familygatherings to school functions, trying to fit everything in, it’seasy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. We often have higherexpectationsforthistimeofyearthanforanyother,whichplacesevenmorepressureonusandincreasesthelikelihoodwemayendupdisappointed. Signsofstressmayincludefeelingimpatient,fatigued,worried,andcranky.Childrencanpickuponyoursignalsofstressandcanalsostarttofeelthepressureoftheholidays. FollowingtheRESTrecipemayhelpyouandyourfamilycopewithholidaystress.
1. Relaxandtakeadeepbreath2. Enjoythemoment3. Simplifythings4. Takecareofyourself
Coping with stress during the holidays at work can be difficult as well.Santahasiteasy,hebasicallyworksonceayear.Hehasateamofelvesthatdotheworkforhimallyearlongandthenhejusthopsonhissleighanddropsoffgiftsallinonenight.Ifweallhaditsoeasy! Well,wemaynothavean‘oleSaintNickschedule,butwecanminimize things inourwork schedule to also copewith stress atwork.Whendeadlinesaretobemeet,meetingsarewaiting,ande-
mailsarepilingupit’shardtolookforwardtothecompanyholidayparty!So,justhowdoweminimizeworkstress?Giveyourselfabreak-literally.Leaveworkearlyeverynowandthen,anddon’tfeelbadaboutit,workwillbetheretomorrow.Also,trytoeathealthy,eventhoughthosecookiesintheloungearecallingyourname,thoseaddedsugarswilldragyoudownlaterintheafternoonandduringyourcommutehome. Thistimeofyearissupposedtomakeusfeel“jolly,”butdon’tgetdiscouragedifyoudon’talwaysfeelthatway.However,relishinthetimesthatyoudo!JustremembertoREST!Train with Weights to Protect Your Bones Walkingandrunningareoften-citedexamplesof“weight-bearing”activities that can help women strengthen their bones and guardagainstosteoporosis(thinningofthebones).Butlet’snotforgetthemostobviousformofweight-bearingexercise:strength-trainingwithweights.Followingasimpleweight-trainingregimencandowondersfor improving bone density.According to some experts, weight-trainingexceedsrunninginitsbone-strengtheningeffectiveness.Onlyamodestamountofstrengthtrainingisneededtohelpthebones:twoorthreesessionsaweek,20to30minuteseach,withexercisesthatworkallofthemajormusclegroups.Ifyoualreadyhavesomedegree of osteoporosis – or if you’re unsure about whether weight training is right for you – speak with your doctor first.
Health and Wellness
� Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc.
Canyon Gate at the Brazos
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Copyright © 2007 Peel, Inc. Canyon Gate at the Brazos Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2007 7
Canyon Gate at the Brazos
It might look like just child’s play, buttoddlersarehardatworklearningimportantphysical skills. During the toddler years,children master basic skills as they gainmuscle control, balance, and coordination.Eachnewskillletsthechildprogresstothenextone,buildingonafoundationthatonedaywillenablehimorhertoperformmorecomplicatedphysicaltasks,suchasjumpingrope,kickingaballontherun,orturningacartwheel.Toddlers want to do more thanthey may be physically capable of doing.Thiscanbeapowerfulmotivatorthatdrivesthem to keep trying until they acquire a new skill,nomatterwhatittakes. Takeadvantageofyour toddler’snaturaldesire to keep moving. Even at this earlyage,achildisestablishingpatternsofactivitythatsetthestagefortherestofchildhood.Aninactivetoddlerislesslikelytobeactivelaterinlife.Developing Skills Playing and learning are completelyenmeshed for toddlers, so acquiring the long listofskillsbelowshouldbefunandgamesforthem.Parentsshouldgivetoddlersmanyopportunities to practice their developingskills -andprovidea lotofsupervisionsotheystaysafewhiletheylearn.Inadditiontothesephysicalaccomplishments,toddlersare developing in other ways. Provideopportunitiesforyourchildtoexplore,askquestions, use his or her imagination, and practice fine motor skills, such as stacking blocksorcoloring. Knowwhichphysicalskillsyourchildisworkingonnow,andwhichoneswillcomelater.
Earlytoddlerskills(12-24months)• Walksindependently• Pulls/carriestoyswhilewalking• Stoopsandgetsbackup• Beginstorun• Kicksaball• Holdsrailingup/downstairs• WalksbackwardOldertoddlerskills(24-36months)• Balances1to2secondsononefoot• Climbswell• Bendsovereasilywithoutfalling• Runsandjumpswell• Kicksballforward• Alternatesfeetupanddownstairs• Pedalstricycle• ThrowsballoverhandHow Much Activity Is Enough? Forchildren12-to36-months-old,currentguidelines recommend this much dailyactivity:• atleast30minutesofstructuredphysical
activity(adult-led)• atleast60minutesunstructuredphysical
activity(freeplay) As a general rule, toddlers shouldn't beinactiveformorethan1houratatime,exceptforsleeping.That'salotofworkforparentsand caregivers, but a lot of much-neededactivity for toddlers.Encourageyour childtobeactive,andrememberhowmuchheorsheislearningalongtheway.Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MDDatereviewed:September2005
This information was provided by KidsHealth, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this one, visit www.KidsHealth.org or www.TeensHealth.org.©1995-2006. The Nemours Foundation
Toddlers: Learning by Playing
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