OLLEGE PARKcollegepark-richardson.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/...Crime Watch Patrol Kathy Hill 214-533-5295 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Chris Xeros 972-740-4151 [email protected]

c OLLEGE

P ARK Neighborhood Association

November/December 2018

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.CollegePark-Richardson.com

Happy Holidays &

aSafe, Healthy, &

Prosperous New Year

2019

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Notes from the President Patti Glenn

[email protected] 972-900-9188 or 972-699-1615

I want to thank everyone for all your efforts and attendance to make National Night Out a success, again this year – we keep getting better – we won the Top City of Richardson award for National Night Out. This is the 2nd year in a row that we have been so honored. The recognition this year is only the result of your hard work and effort at the celebration. A big thanks to all that helped with the event. Great job to all of those who volunteered and attended the NNO Event. NNO Richardson collected over 6K pounds of food for the Network of Community Ministries. CPNA wants to give a special thanks to Clint Burleson, who has been delivering the CPNA Newsletters for the residents on Edgewood that do not use email for the last several years. Unfortunately for CPNA, Clint is moving in January. I am looking for a volunteer to delivery these newsletters. I deliver the newsletters to volunteer with list of the addresses for the current month and ask that they be delivered in the following few days. There are less than 15 addresses on Edgewood that need manual delivery. Please contact me if you are willing to volunteer. I occasionally find an article that is too long for the newsletter, but I think residents might find interesting or helpful – When this happens, I will make note in my Notes from President & have it loaded to the website. Loaded this month

• Medical Test Recommendations

• Protect Your Identity with Lifetime Credit Freeze

Through the Volunteer Assistance Program, Community Services partners with local volunteer groups to help residents maintain their property. The purpose of the program is to unite owners who cannot properly maintain their property due to age, finance or disability with volunteer groups who wish to provide assistance. Community Services provides the expertise and experience needed during the planning, implementing and evaluating stages of each volunteer project. Volunteer projects involve painting and cleaning-up the exterior of homes that have a code violation, but whose owners lack the resources to abate it. All projects are completed with donated materials at no cost to the resident or the City. For additional information https://www.cor.net/departments/community-services/community-programs/volunteer-assistance-program Groundbreaking for an inclusive playground, to be located at Cottonwood Park, is scheduled for 2 pm January 13th. The public is invited to attend and help turn some dirt to get the project started. The playground will be a first for Richardson, a play space that includes specialized surfaces and equipment that enable children of a wide variety of abilities to play together and give caregivers of varying abilities more opportunities to play with their children. This inclusive playground will be named the Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground. Ann and her husband, Charles, longtime community benefactors and prominent civic leaders, gave a naming rights donation of $100,000 to the Richardson East Rotary Foundation in October and an additional $25,000 to help pay for the construction of an adjacent restroom facility. For more information, visit www.cor.net/inclusiveplayground.

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CRIME TIPS

Crime Watch Patrol Stats

October & November

Patrol Hours: 52.50 November Patrol Hours: 124.5 October

(October includes CWP participation in NNO)

Types of Observations

Oct Nov Open Garage Doors 10 6 Suspicious Persons 2 0 Other Property Observations 10 5 Suspicious Vehicles 3 0 House Watches 7 20

The following people patrolled in November

Rick Skaggs, Dieter Paul. Ray Champion, Jim Krizmanic, Patti Glenn, Chieu Mai, Michael Henn,

Dale Kosterman, Ben Parlapiano, Joe Sheehan,

Len Foster & Kathy Hill

The following people patrolled in October

Sara Bostelmann, Rick Skaggs, Dieter Paul,

Ray Champion, Jim Krizmanic, Patti Glenn,

Chieu Mai, Michael Henn, Dale Klosterman,

Ben Parlapiano, Joe Sheehan, Len Foster,

Sonia Hetherington, Peggy Williams, & Kathy

Hill

YARDS OF THE MONTH

Amir & Parvin Kahanzadeh

925 East Berkeley

Ray & Sharon Vickrey 807 Edgewood

Our thanks to Callaway's Nursery, located on

Plano Road, north of Campbell, for sponsoring

CPNA Yard of the Month

Calloways.com Calloway's Nursery Monthly Lawn & Garden Checklist

https://wp.me/p7g9eg-nA

College Park’s Personal Officer

Ed Coleman cell 214.282.0843

Provided by the COR for our protection.

This dedicated police presence helps residents by deterring crime and providing another way to watch over the neighborhood.

Call Officer Coleman for:

• General Assistance

• To report Minor or Unusual Activities

• Cars on the Street

For Emergencies, continue to call 911.

Crime Tip: Do not leave cell phones, GPS units, DVD players, monitors, laptop computers, wallets or purses inside your vehicle in plain view. Unattended valuables are an invitation to a thief. These are very hot items to steal. Remember, a thief will assume the GPS was stuffed inside your glove box or under the seat if you leave the mount or power cord visible inside the vehicle.

Crime Tip: During the holiday season many people have decorations stolen from their yards. Take pictures of your decorations & put your name on them.

Crime Tip: Always keep your gas tank at least half full & your vehicle in good repair in expectation of the unexpected. Foul weather, traffic delays & detours, or simply getting lost can result in unanticipated fuel consumption. A tank of fuel not only allows for better traction on slippery roads, but it can keep the heater running in frigid weather & lights on at night should you run off the road. An empty tank or mechanical break-down can leave you all alone & in dire straits.

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College Park Market Analysis Summary as of 12/15/18

Active Listings 6 (Includes 1 pending & 1 kickout) Avg list price $317.4K Avg price/sq ft $136.59

Sold past 6 months 23 Avg sold price $296.7K Avg price/sq ft $134.86 Avg Days on Market 32

Please note this does not include “For Sale by Owner” Properties

The Market Analysis combines College Park, College Park North, College Park East (Glenville Park), and Town North Park subdivisions If you would like additional information or a market analysis of your property, please contact me at

972-900-9188 [email protected]

CPNA OFFICERS & COMMITTEE HEADS 2018-2019

President Patti Glenn 972-699-1615 [email protected] 972-900-9188 cell Vice President Jerry Silverman 972-231-2300 [email protected] Secretary Sharlee Skaggs 972-690-3172 [email protected] Treasurer Pam Young 214-415-4132 [email protected] Parliamentarian Jerry Silverman 972-231-2300 [email protected] Welcome Comm. OPEN Beautification/YOM Dale Klosterman 972-644-1583 [email protected] Beautification/YOM Pam Young 214-415-4132 [email protected] Newsletter Helene Levitan 972-519-0270 [email protected] Crime Watch Patrol Kathy Hill 214-533-5295 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Chris Xeros 972-740-4151 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Chieu Mai 972-235-0028 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Peggy Williams 972-680-2863 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Laura Koloc 972-235-6516 [email protected]

CPNA - Dedicated to improving our neighborhood & community

Membership dues covers June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019

Our College Park Neighbors (All neighbors, not just homeowners) are invited to join CPNA!

Mail dues of $35.00 to Treasurer- Pam Young

1202 Dunbarton Richardson, TX 75081

Questions? Pam Young 214-415-4132 or [email protected]

REALTOR®, Associate Broker GRI, ABR, SRS , SRES, PSA, BPOR

November Gardening

Tips

by Bruce Miller Nursery

There is plenty to do for your lawn & garden in November. It’s the perfect time to think about planting spring bulbs, growing herbs, adding shrubs, pruning trees, & sprucing up your fall garden.

Plan • Plan ahead & buy some frost cloth or identify the blankets/sheets you will use to protect your

plants in case of a freeze. • Make room in the house for any tropicals you have outside.

Plant • Bulbs: for the earliest show of color…add bulbs to your landscape. Choose from Dutch Iris,

Muscari, Hyacinth, Lycoris, Narcissus, Anemone, Tulip, & Crocus bulbs. Remember that Tulips & Hyacinths require 6 weeks of chilling before planting, come & select yours now to plant in mid December.

• Grass: Overseed with Ryegrass for a green lawn this winter…. Do not overseed St. Augustine growing in the shade as it will be too much competition in late spring when the St. Augustine grass starts to grow.

• Perennials: Dig & divide Spring flowering perennials; share them with friends & family if you have too many!

• Annuals: Pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, or ornamental cabbage, kale, & swiss chard…these hardy annuals will take your garden through the winter so plant them now in well-prepared soil.

• Trees & Shrubs: This is the BEST time to plant these hard working plants! By planting now you allow them time to establish strong healthy root systems before they endure any summer heat stress. Use colorful evergreen shrubs to provide interest in your beds year round.

Prune • Let the leaves on the trees be your guide as to which limbs are dead & need to be pruned. Cut any

low branches that impede walkways or are touching your roof. • Reshape shrubs with a light pruning to remove erratic growth. Avoid shearing whenever possible. • Remove dead growth (flower heads, foliage, stems) from perennials & lanky, spindly stems from

annuals such as impatiens, lantana, copper plants & coleus. • Mow at recommended heights so your grass will not be stressed. For healthy lawns, St. Augustine

should be mowed at 2-2.5 inches & Bermuda at 1.5 inches.

Lawns • Spot spray any actively growing broadleaf weeds such as clover, dandelion, henbit & chickweed.

Fertilize • Add water soluble food, high in nitrogen to all container plants & winter annuals to keep them

blooming. • Add iron or sulphur to any chlorotic plants (yellow leaves with dark green veins especially on new

growth)

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December Gardening

Tips

by Bruce Miller Nursery

In December, our thoughts turn toward the winter holidays. If you have an avid gardener, or perhaps a new homeowner on your gift list, consider a Bruce Miller Nursery Gift Certificate or the gift of a tree! Our parking lot is an easy “in and out,” and there are no long lines at the register. Gardening tools also make great gifts: Add a trowel, gloves, bulbs or gardening book and make someone truly happy! Give the “gift of green”!

Remember your turf grasses will be going dormant, so cut back on watering, and any trees and shrubs planted now will require far less water to get established than if you wait to plant them in spring.

PLANT • Pansies! Vibrant, colorful pansies that are cold hardy, snapdragons, ornamental cabbage and

kale. These are great plants to liven up your garden while many other plants are moving into dor-mancy.

• Plant cyclamen in pots so that you can easily move them indoors if the temperature drops below freezing.

• Spring bulbs can still be put in the ground. Remember to bury them approximately 2-3 times their size with the pointy end up. Bulbs are best when planted in masses, so go ahead and dig the hole, empty the bag of bulbs in the hole, smooth them out so there is only one layer, cover with soil, plant some pansies on top and enjoy the show of color in spring!

• Shrubs such as nandinas, loropetalums, mahonias, hollies, pyracanthas. Plant now to enjoy their colorful winter foliage and berries.

• Fruit and nut trees are best planted now. Some fruit trees require “chilling days” to bear fruit. Getting them in the ground now will give them a great start.

• Trees! If you need to replace a tree or want to add a shade tree to give your cooling bills some relief next summer, this is a perfect time to do so. Did you know that Bruce Miller Nursery offers a “planted and guaranteed” program for our trees? Come in and select the one you want and let us take care of the rest.

Prune There is lots to do in this category.

• Mistletoe! Not the kind you share a kiss under, this is a parasite that lives on your trees and must be removed. Cut the twigs and branches on which the mistletoe clumps have formed.

• Trees and shrubs: remove dead or damaged branches, and any that interfere with walkways, roofs, etc. Do not “top” your trees. Trim only what is necessary for the health of the plant and to maintain the plants’ shape. Remove tree roots that are a hazard to people or threaten foundations.

• Crape Myrtles: Trim excess trunks if you are taking the plant from a shrub to tree form. DO Not “top”.

Other • Broadleaf weeds (clover, dandelions, henbit, chickweed) can be handled by applying a broadleaf

weed-killer spray on a warm afternoon.

• Freezes: protect your faucets, disconnect hoses, and make sure your system is not on auto. Cov-er tender plants with sheets, blankets or frost cloth.

• Equipment: repair/clean/drain power equipment now so that it is ready for you in spring.

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How to find exactly what you want, & how to work

with the experts who’ll help you get it.

So you’re thinking about buying your first home. Your very own house (and mortgage). A place to call — and make — your own.

It’s a big move, literally & figuratively. Buying a house requires a serious amount of money & time. The journey isn’t always easy. It isn’t always intuitive. But when you get the keys to your new home — that, friend, can be one of the most rewarding feelings pretty much ever. The key to getting there? Knowing the home-buying journey. Knowing what tools are at your disposal. And most importantly? Creating relationships with experts who can help you get the job done.

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll show you not only the major steps you’ll take during the home-buying process, but also explain the relationships & experts you’ll need along the way. We’ve even made a handy infographic that outlines the home-buying process from start to finish.

You ready to live the dream? Here we go.

Do Your Homework

Oh sure, everybody wants to jump right into open houses. But before you even set foot into a foyer, you should identify your list of “musts” & “wants.” This list is an inventory of priorities for your search. And there’s so much to decide: Price, housing type, neighborhood, & school district — just to name a few.

To get yourself grounded, we recommend filling out this brief worksheet.

If you’re planning to buy a home with a partner (in life or in real estate), fill the worksheet out with them. You want to be on the same page while buying a house. If you’re not, you’ll be less able to give agents or lenders the information they need to help you. And you risk wasting time viewing homes you can’t afford — or don’t even want in the first place.

Start Shopping

Once you know what you’re looking for, the next step is to start looking at listings & housing information online. (This part? You’re going to crush it.)

Find a Great Agent

Your relationship with your real estate agent is the foundation of the home-buying process. (And your agent = your rock.) He or she is the first expert you’ll meet on your journey & the one you’ll rely on most. That’s why it’s important to interview agents & find the agent who’s right for your specific needs.

Choose a Lender

Once you’ve found your agent (AKA, your new best friend), ask him or her to recommend at least three mortgage lenders that meet your financial needs. This is another big step, as you’ll be working with your lender closely throughout the home-buying process.

Pick a Loan (It’s Not So Bad)

Once you’ve decided on a lender (or mortgage bro-

ker), you’ll work with your loan agent to determine

which mortgage is right for you. You’ll consider the

percentage of your income you want to spend on your

new house, & you’ll provide the lender with paper-

work showing proof of income, employment status, &

other important financials. If all goes well (fingers

crossed) you’ll be pre-approved for a loan at a certain

amount. (Sweet.)

Visit Open Houses, & Look Around

Now that you have both an agent who knows your housing preferences & a budget — & a lender to finance a house within that budget — it’s time to get serious about viewing homes. Your agent will provide listings you may like based on your parameters (price range, ZIP codes, features) & will also help you determine the quality of listings you find online. Then comes the fun part: Open houses & private showings, which give you the unique opportunity to evaluate properties in a way you can’t online.

Make an Offer

Once you find the home you want to buy, you’ll work

with your agent to craft an offer that not only specifies

the price you’re willing to pay but also the proposed

settlement date & contingencies — other conditions

that must be agreed upon by both parties, such as

giving you the ability to do a home inspection &

request repairs.

The Everything Guide to Buying Your First Home

Continued on Pg 8

The Everything Guide to Buying Your First Home, cont’d.

Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate

Making an offer can feel like an emotional precipice, al-most like asking someone out on a date. Do they like me? Am I good enough? Will they say yes? It’s stressful! Some home sellers simply accept the best offer they receive, but many sellers make a counteroffer. If that happens, it’s up to you to decide whether you want your agent to negotiate with the seller or walk away. This is an area where your agent can provide real value by us-ing their expert negotiating skills to haggle on your be-half & nab you the best deal.

Get the Place Inspected

If your offer is accepted, then the seller will sign the contract. Most sales contracts include a home inspection contingency, which means you’ll hire a licensed or certified home inspector to inspect the home for needed repairs & then ask the seller to have repairs made. This mitigates your risk of buying a house that has major is-sues lurking beneath the surface, like mold or cracks in the foundation. (No one wants that.) Repairs become a negotiating point in the sale.

Ace the Appraisal

When you offer to buy a home, your lender will need to have the home appraised to make sure the property value is enough to cover the mortgage. If the home appraises at agreed-upon purchase price, you’re one step closer to settlement — but a low appraisal can add a wrinkle. Not one you can’t deal with. Sales Price can again become a negotiating point in the sale or addition-al down-payment may be required to make the deal work.

Close the Deal

The last stage of the home-buying process is settlement or closing. This is when you sign the final ownership & insurance paperwork & make this whole thing official. There’s some prep work you have to take care of first. When it’s all said & done — break out the rosé. You’ll have the keys to your new home!

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What’s the Difference Between the Flu & a Cold?

Determine which you have, how to treat it & the best ways to keep your family healthier this cold & flu season.

The terms “cold” & “flu” get thrown around a lot in fall & winter. If you’ve ever pondered the difference between the two or simply need a refresh on how to protect your family, this one’s for you.

Cold or Flu: Symptoms

Both the common cold & influenza, aka the flu, affect your respiratory system. A cold tends to come on gradually, while the flu often hits you like a semi-truck. Cold symptoms nearly always include sneezing, a runny nose and/or a cough, & unfortunately, those can all be influenza symptoms, too.

Fever, chills or aches help narrow things down: Those symptoms point toward flu. Though keep in mind that not all flus come with a fever.

The most important difference is that the flu can turn serious & even life threatening, especially for children under 5, adults 65+ and those with asthma, heart disease & other health conditions.

To find out for sure if it’s the flu, get a flu test ASAP. The rapid influenza diagnostic test takes just 30 minutes or less, but can give false negatives. The most reliable test involves a nose or throat swab, sent to a lab for testing.

How to treat the cold & flu

Both colds & influenza are viruses, so they can’t be treated with antibiotics.

Though if it’s the flu, doctors can prescribe an antiviral drug that may shorten symptoms by a day or two, as well as prevent serious complications in high-risk patients. Another reason to move quickly: Benefits are greatest when antivirals are started within two days of the flu’s onset.

Try over-the-counter products, as recommended by your doctor, to relieve cold symptoms such as running nose, coughing & a sore throat. Get plenty of fluids & rest while you recover.

Keep your family healthy

Cold & flu viruses spread from person to person through the air & close personal contact, as well as by touching an infected surface, then touching your nose or mouth. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends getting the year’s flu vaccine, as well as covering coughs & frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of either virus.

If someone in your home has the flu:

Limit close contact with others, especially face to face. Wash hands often with soap & water, or an alcohol-based rub. Clean & disinfect contaminated surfaces. Keep the sick person home until at least 24 hours after a fever is gone, without the use of fever-reducing medicines, so as not to give it to others.

(BPT) - Charitable giving is a significant part of many peoples lives and budgets. Individuals are often eager to give back & lend a helping hand to those in need. Unfortunately, not every organization seeking a donation is exactly what it claims to be. If you’re not careful, you could wind up losing your well-intentioned money to a scam. Don’t let the threat of scammers keep you from supporting the causes you care about. By staying educated & informed about charity cons, you will be prepared to spot a scam & avoid falling victim to fraud. Recognizing common scam periods

While scams & other ploys can arise at any time, they of-ten increase while emotions are running high - like near the holidays or following a natural disaster - when people let their guard down & are eager to support those in need. Such scams may request donations from you over the phone, through the mail, via email or even on social me-dia. They might include charity names that are very simi-lar to legitimate charities, or even mention recent genuine emergency relief efforts. Their goal is to look as authentic as possible in hopes of tricking you. Some of them are very convincing, but you can protect yourself with these fraud awareness tips from Western Union. Take your time Be wary of any sense of urgency to donate. Scammers will try to work quickly, urging you to donate before you find any holes in their story. If you get a phone call where someone is wanting a donation don’t act right away. Do your research Don't be afraid to ask for details about an organization. The charity should happily provide them. You can also find a third-party source for information such as Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. If the group that contacted you isn't recognized as a charity by either of these organizations, you should exercise extra caution and think twice before donating.

Tips for Avoiding Charity Scams

The friends & family rule

Only use money transfers to send money to friends & family. Never send money to someone you have not met in person & never share your banking or credit card information. Legitimate charities will never ask for donations to be sent to an individual through a money transfer service. Be cautious of email links

Some donation requests may come through emails that house fraudulent links taking you to look-a-like websites. These websites have phony donation pages where fraudsters can capture your personal & financial information. Instead of clicking on links in a donation request email, open a new browser window to navigate to the charity’s official website & donate there. Trust your instincts

Don’t ignore your own concerns regarding a charity’s legitimacy & never assume you are just being paranoid. If you notice any red flags or feel uncertain about the situation, don’t donate. You may just be right after all. Reach out for help

If you get a fraudulent charity donation request & you’ve sent them money via Western Union, call the company’s fraud hotline at (800) 448-1492 to report it. If the transaction has not been paid out to the receiver, Western Union can stop the transaction & refund your money.

To learn more about scams & how to protect yourself, visit the Western Union Consumer Protection Center at www.westernunion.com/fraudawareness.

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It feels great to have a clean, organized, well-functioning home when you’ve got guests coming. Especially around the holidays. It’s like your gift to you.

Here’s how to get that satisfying feeling — no matter how much time you have. Just choose your starting point on this checklist: Three (or More) Weeks to Go • Think big picture. Get anything that requires a

pro or installation out of the way now. No one wants calamity to strike when guests are pulling into the driveway.

• Get your HVAC maintained, if it’s overdue. • If you have a self-cleaning oven, clean it now. An

oven is most likely to break down during the cleaning cycle, so don’t save this task for last.

• Replace any appliance on its last legs. You don’t want your hot water to go out or fridge on the fritz with a houseful of guests.

• Steam-clean upholstery. (Or hire a pro. It’s a big job)

• Hire a handyman for those repairs you’ve been putting off.

• Check outdoor lighting. Replace old bulbs & call an electrician to address any bigger issues.

Two Weeks to Go • It’s not panic time yet. Focus on decluttering & a

few deep-cleaning tasks now & you’ll have a more manageable to-do list when the clock really starts ticking down.

• Do a deep declutter. It’ll make things easier to keep clean.

• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures & high-up shelves. • Wipe down baseboards. • Clean out & organize the fridge. • Wash windows to make the entire house feel

brighter & cleaner. • Toss washable shower curtains & drapes in the

washing machine & re-hang. Easy. One Week to Go • It’s strategic cleaning time. Here’s what to tackle

now — things your family won’t easily undo be-fore your guests arrive.

• Declutter again. • Vacuum & dust guest rooms. If they’re low-

traffic, the cleanliness should hold with just a quick wipe-down right before they arrive.

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Cleaning Your House for Guests: A Checklist Countdown to a perfectly clean guest-ready home no matter how much — or little — time

One Week to Go (cont) • Wipe down walls. • Wipe down kitchen & dining room chairs &

tables, including the legs. You’d be surprised how grimy they get.

• Deep clean the entryway — & make room for your guests’ stuff.

72 Hours to Go • The final cleaning stretch is on the horizon. • Do another declutter. • In the kitchen, toss stove burners, drip pans, &

knobs into the dishwasher for an easy deep clean.

• Wash kitchen cabinet fronts. • Scrub the kitchen floor. • Clean & shine appliances. 48 Hours to Go • Now it’s time to get serious. • Clean & sanitize garbage cans to banish

mystery smells. • Wipe down doorknobs, faceplates, & light

switches. They’re germ magnets. • Clean the front door. • Deep clean the bathroom your guests will use

& close it off, if possible. • Wash guest towels & linens. 24 Hours to Go • Your guests’ bags are packed. Time for final

touches. • Do a final declutter - by now it shouldn’t take

more than five minutes. • Give one final wipe-down to toilets, tubs, &

bathroom sinks. • Another final wipe-down in the kitchen. • Do all the floors: mop, vacuum, sweep, etc. • Make guest beds & set out clean towels. • Plug in nightlights in guest baths. • Put out guest toiletries so they’re easy to find. • Add a coffee or tea station in the guest room or

kitchen. • Get your favorite smell going, whether it’s a

scented candle, spices in water on the stove, or essential oils.

• Use rubber gloves to wipe off pet hair & dust from furniture. It works.

• Do the full red carpet: Sweep or shovel porch, steps, & outdoor walkways.

Your home: You love it, but sometimes you have to leave it. Whether it’s the eight hours a day or eight days on a dreamy beach, allowing your biggest in-vestment to fend for itself can be stressful. And it’s a legit concern; when your home looks empty, break-ins happen. A lot. Ugh. You could deter burglars by never leaving your house again. Or you could do the next best (OK, way better) thing & just make it look like someone is there all the time.

Here’s how.

#1 Light Up a Room (From the Road) Your parents may still rely on their lighting timer — on at 8 pm off at 7 a.m. That old-fashioned option still works, but apps are more fun. They not only turn your lights on & off but can do so randomly for a more realistic effect. And you can decide to flip on your porch light while sipping a mojito in Fiji.

You can Google your options, but one affordable example is the Lutron Caséta Wireless system (about $80 for the device & $55 per switch). You replace your current wall switches with these wireless ones & “talk” to your lights from afar .

2 Fake a Netflix Binge Nothing says “we are definitely home” like the colorful glare of a television dancing in the window.

Put the little FakeTV gizmo where it can project light onto a curtain & that’s exactly what your home will say to passersby.

The device (which runs between about $20 & $40 depending on size) plugs into an adapter & can either work on a timer or with a light sensor, so it can switch on when it gets dark.

#3 Change Up Your Shades Remotely Leave your window shades down while you’re gone & you might as well put out a “Gone Fishin’” sign.

Check out wireless options to throw some shade on the go. Several companies have systems — including Hunter Douglas PowerView, Pella Insynctive & Lutron Serena — that allow shades to go up & down at your command for about $300 to $500 a window.

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Near-Genius Ways to Fool Burglars

#4 Make Some Noise Burglars can change plans in a hurry at the first sound of life inside a home — they’re a bit touchy that way. So one option when you’re just gone for the day is a noise app, like Sleep & Noise Sounds that can play on a homebound phone, tablet, or computer. With noises like vacuuming & a boiling kettle, it can deter a thief who cracks open a window.

#5 Make Them Ring & Run “Burglars will often ring your doorbell, & if no one answers, they’ll go around back & kick in the door,” says Deputy Michael Favata with the Monroe County Sheriff’s office in New York. Now you can answer the door with the Ring Video Doorbell ($180 for the basic model).

If someone pushes the doorbell, you can talk to them through an app on your phone. Whether it’s your nosey neighbor or a sketchy stranger, you can say, “I’m in the basement” while you’re really on the slopes. They’ll never know. And even if they don’t believe you, they know they’re being watched (insert devilish laugh here).

#6 Try a No-Tech Technique Not everything requires a gadget. Here are ways to up your home security without downloading a single app.

Hire a house sitter. Then someone will be home.

If there’s snow, have a neighbor walk up & down the path to your door, shovel a passage up to the garage door and drive in & out of the driveway. If it’s hot out, ask them to keep your plants looking fresh with regular watering. And don’t forget to bring them a nice gift from your getaway.

Ask friends, family, or neighbors to just be present on your property — use your patio, play in your yard, or bring in the mail.

Invite a neighbor to keep a car parked in your driveway. During the holidays, they may be happy if they need overflow for visitors.

Install a fake security camera for as low as $8. Burglars may not notice these fakes don’t have all the wiring necessary to be real. And their blinking red lights offer reasonable doubt.

Get a dog. A real dog. While you’re at work or running errands, nothing deters bad guys & gals like a barking, slobbery security guard. And when you go away, having a pet sitter stay can be as economical as some boarding facilities (especially if you have multiple dogs) & you’ll get the benefit of a human & canine sentinel.

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Enjoy Ducks, Geese Without Feeding Them

With the onset of fall, many people are beginning or continuing a fall/winter tradition of feeding waterfowl that reside in our city lakes & ponds, so the City is continuing to educate on the dan-gers of this practice. Informational signs were placed near duck habitats last year in City parks & a page at the City’s website (www.cor.net/waterfowl) provides comprehensive information on the topic.

Here are a few main points:

• Human food is junk food for ducks & geese. As they fill up on bread & other human food without seeking other food sources, they don’t get the nutrients they need to survive. Waterfowl that are malnourished or devoid of vital nutrients develop abnormalities such as deformed, “propeller” wings, decreased reproduction, lowered energy & the loss of flight ability.

• Feeding waterfowl their “natural” food such as weeds, berries & earthworms isn’t good, either, since feeding waterfowl anything promotes overcrowding, as they come to depend on their human feeders. The popularity of “feeding spots” created by humans draws dozens if not hundreds of birds to reside at certain lakes & ponds, when too many ducks or geese live in a small area, it is easier for the birds to catch diseases & get each other sick.

• Ducks & geese lose their fear of humans & can become more aggressive when fed by people.

• Having too many birds in one place is not good for the environment. The birds can become a nuisance by grazing on grass & excess nutrients in ponds caused by bird droppings can result in water quality problems. Uneaten food can pollute the water & can also attract other animals & pests.

Appreciating nature can still be a family tradition, however. The City suggests several waterfowl-related alternatives to feeding, such as birdwatching (with binoculars & a notepad) to note each bird’s distinctive features in the hopes of spotting them again on a return trip &

photography. For more ideas & information, visit www.cor.net/waterfowl.

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Lilies are poisonous to cats. A single leaf can be fatal if swallowed. Even a bit of pollen on their coat can be ingested during self-grooming. The pollen from lilies will cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite & potential kidney failure.

Holly berries & leaves are dangerous for both cats & dogs. Ingestion can cause severe vomiting, discomfort & depression.

Mistletoe in mild cases can cause an upset stomach, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. In extreme cases, it can cause hallucinations, erratic behavior & even heart collapse. If you must use real mistletoe, keep it away from pets by placing it on high surfaces that are inaccessible to cats & dogs.

Poinsettias cause irritation to the stomach & mouth of both cats & dogs. The sap from a plant will blister their mouths within minutes of ingestion. Although the white sap in poinsettias does cause vomiting, it is less dangerous than the other plants on this list.

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees can be the dazzling focal point of your home during the holiday season. As well as being beautiful, they introduce many hazards to your pets. Here is what you need to do to minimize the risk of injury.

Pine needles can make a tempting (but hazardous) snack. Be sure to keep lots of water in your tree stand so that the needles do not dry out & fall to the ground. Once on the ground, they are easy to munch on for curious cats & dogs who like the aroma.

Christmas Lights. Some pets, such as cats & especially rabbits, love chewing on electrical cords. If the current is strong enough, your animal can suffer an electric shock. This can cause tongue lacerations & even death, depending on the voltage. To prevent this, use a thick, three-pronged, grounded extension cord or a cord protector that pets cannot chew through.

Tinsel that hangs from low tree boughs & catches the reflection of light can be a bewitching new toy for your cats. It is not poisonous, but still dangerous. When ingested, tinsel will twist & bunch inside your pet’s intestines. The results can be deadly if not treated.

Watch for vomiting, pawing at the mouth, diarrhea, & weakness, which could mean that your cat has tinsel stuck in their abdomen.

Happy Holidays everyone, it’s that time of the year again! Houses are lit up & festive for the season, but full of new dangers for pets. The last thing you want to be doing on Christmas morning is frantically try-ing to get a hold of an emergency vet. Pets are curi-ous creatures & new household decorations can be irresistible to explore.

In this post, we have put together the five most common seasonal dangers that can put your pet’s health at risk. Avoid an accident & protect your furry family from serious harm with these helpful tips to stay safe.

Food & Bones

Holiday seasons are a time of feasting on extravagant meals with family & friends. Bits of turkey in small quantities can be an enjoyable treat for your canine companion, but the bones can be hazardous. Raw bones are fine & even a healthy treat, but when turkey is cooked, the bones become brittle. They can break into tiny, razor-sharp pieces that, if swallowed, pose a serious threat to your pet.

When a bone makes it into the digestive tract, a sharp piece may perforate the bowel. A perforated bowel can allow bacteria, stomach acid, or bile to enter the abdomen, which is life-threatening. The common symptoms of a perforated bowel are vomiting, chills, fever, rapid heartbeat, & exhaustion.

Excessive amounts of fatty foods, like the carcass of the turkey, can also be dangerous to pets. The small digestive systems of cats & dogs cannot process a lot of fat. If you want to share your holiday meal with your pet, cut off a small piece of turkey & limit it to that.

Always remember when you give your pet table scraps that you are treating them, not feeding them.

Finally, always make sure to secure the trash from the dumpster diver pets! There will be an excessive amount of foil, plastic, & other materials full of food remains that will be tempting to your pet. These can be choking hazards & can cause dangerous digestive tract obstructions.

Holliday Plants

Many of the plants that are popular at Christmas time can be poisonous to pets if ingested. If you plan on decorating with lilies, holly, mistletoe, & poinsettias, be sure to put them out of reach. Even a small amount can be toxic. If you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following, make sure to bring them to a vet immediately.

Holiday Safety for Your Cats & Dogs!

Holiday Safety for Your Cats & Dogs! (cont’d)

Christmas Trees (cont’d)

The water in your Christmas tree stand can be dan-gerous if you add any chemicals to preserve the life of your tree. If you add preservatives or aspirin, be sure to keep the poisonous water away from pets. Make sure that you always have lots of water available in your pet’s designated water dishes, so they are not forced to drink tree water when thirsty.

Chocolate

The Christmas season is a time when we see a spike in chocolate-related vet visits. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, contains a substance called theobromine. This is poisonous for dogs. Although most people are aware of how hazardous chocolate is, during the holidays, there is more chocolate around our homes. Many people will hang chocolate ornaments from their trees or place wrapped chocolate gifts underneath them. A layer of wrapping paper is not enough to mask the smell of chocolate to curious canines. Pets will wait until their owners are asleep or out of sight to rip into this hidden treat. Keep chocolate & all goodies that contain chocolate away from your dogs by putting them in a hard to reach place. If someone has given you a wrapped gift to put under the tree, make sure to ask that it does not contain chocolate.

A dog that has ingested chocolate will exhibit the following symptoms: rapid breathing, poor coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, or even seizures. You must take them to a vet immediately. The vet can establish if your pet has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate, which may require stomach pumping

Alcohol

Common effects of alcohol are intensified when consumed by pets. With their small digestive systems, they are less able to process its harmful effects. Even a small amount can be poisonous to your dog or cat. Be sure that you & your guests keep alcoholic drinks far away from furry friends! When cats or dogs drink alcohol, it causes a depression in their nervous system.

This can be fatal if it slows their heart rate & breathing. Drinking alcohol can also lower your pet’s body temperature & change their blood chemistry. If their blood becomes too acidic, it can even cause cardiac arrest.

Signs of intoxication in animals can take up to two

hours to appear. The common signs of alcohol

poisoning in pets are: trouble walking & standing up,

drowsiness, lack of coordination, excessive urination,

vomiting & unresponsiveness. If your pet has any of

these symptoms, it is best to bring them in for

monitoring by a vet.

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Recently, we’ve seen a significant upsurge in scam emails attempting to extort users by displaying usernames or passwords recovered during one of the major website breaches that have occurred over the past several years. Many of these came from LinkedIn, Yahoo, or Facebook, where millions of accounts were compromised. Scam emails using this data often attempts to extort money from recipients by claiming the perpetrator has hacked into a computer or mobile device you use & obtained videos or pictures of you doing something you wouldn’t want anyone else to see. They go on to demand money, usually in the form of Bitcoin, in exchange for not sending the video or pictures to everyone in your contact list/co-workers/parents/etc. They may display an old password you once used, in an attempt to make the email seem more authentic & scarier.

You should ignore these emails & refuse to click on any links or attachments the email may contain.

Also, for those of you who use Facebook, they’ve been hacked again this month & you should change your password there & any other sites where you may have used that password.

We strongly recommend, that everyone be very careful not to post too much personal information anywhere online, including at Facebook. Criminals use this data in a wide variety of ways to attempt to steal money & you should be very careful not to give them any information that they can use to hurt you or those you love.

In particular, you should never post where it may be seen publicly (or stolen):

Full name, including middle name Date of birth (birthday) Full address Social security number Any bank info, especially credit card info Names of family members/people you work with Maiden name Any medical information of any sort Place of birth

The red items can be used directly to steal money, take out loans in your name, etc. The rest can aid a criminal in stalking you, planning a crime against you, or convincing others they are someone to be trusted.

Bottom line, the less the Internet knows about you, the better.

Stay safe out there, & if we can answer any questions, please feel free to ask (972)744-4017

Reminder: Cybersecurity Alert Brian Davis, Chief Information Security Officer

City of Richardson