Serving Blue Lake, Texas Property Owners
Association

Issue 11.09

In this issue:

• Featured Article

•Home Care Tips

• Upcoming Events

• Humor

•Special Announcements

•Classified Ads

•Articles & Photos Needed

____________________

Board of Directors

Paul Castiglione
President

Rodney Bond
Vice President

Janet Mayne
Secretary

Jack Valentine
Treasurer

L.D. "Red" Stewart
Parks & Recreation

Jim Grassman
Architectural Chairman

Roger Havenkosts
Storage Areas

_____________________

Humor

A physician told this story about his then 4 year old daughter.

"On the way to preschool, the doctor had left his stethoscope on the car seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it.

'Be still, my heart,' thought my friend, 'my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!'

Then the child spoke into the instrument: "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

_______________________

Blue Lakes Newsletter

Staff and Contributors

Sue Burkhalter
Editor

Dora Tweed
Photo Journalist

Bob Burkhalter
Reporter

_____________________

Newsletter
Articles Needed

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Sample Newsletter Format for 2010

Feature Article

Interesting Bald Eagle Facts
By Caroline Mackay

The American Bald Eagle is the United States National Symbol. It was chosen as our national symbol in 1782 and was chosen over the Golden Eagle because it lives on on the North American Continent while the Golden Eagle also lives in Europe. When born it is truly an ugly duckling, but in four to five years it will turn into a beautiful bird that inspires you when you view it in flight. If you study about this beautiful bird you can learn some very interesting facts.

There are eagles all over the world, but the American Bald Eagle only lives on the North American Continent. The Bald Eagle is not bald it develops white head and tail feathers around the age of four or five. They stand at a height of 2 ½ - 3 feet tall and weigh about 10-14 pounds. Their wing span is 6-8 feet.

Bald Eagles mate for life, but if one dies the other one may or will choose another mate. Some eagles may live 30 years or more in the wild. A Bald Eagles nest (aeries) is nearly always located in a tree that will be taller than 75 feet. A pair of them may take as long as six weeks to build a nest the first time. The nest is made of sticks and lined with twigs and green grass. The heaviest nest ever found was one ton. The nests may be as tall as five feet and the diameter could also be as large as five feet. There was a large nest found in Ohio that was eight and a half feet across and 12 feet tall. Occasionally the nests become to large for the trees and will topple the tree.
A female Bald Eagle lays 1-3 eggs and raises one brood of eaglets a year. Both female and male eagles will sit on the eggs. If the eggs are destroyed she may lay some more eggs. It takes the eggs four weeks to hatch.
Eaglets are covered with gray fuzz and require a great amount of food. Both parents feed the chicks. They normally eat fish (fresh and salt water fish), but will sometimes eat snakes and smaller birds, rodents and rabbits. There eyesight and diving ability help them catch food. They can fly with four to eight pounds of food in their grasp. They have long sharp orange beaks and curved talons to hold their prey. Because of their large size they require a large hunting area.
They have superior eye sight. They can see 1½ miles away. They can also see both forward and sideways. Their flying speed is 30 - 35 miles an hour, but can their diving speed can be up to 100 miles an hour.
They are the top of the food chain making them more vulnerable to toxic chemicals found in the environment. Because of this vulnerability and the desire for their feathers at one time they were being hunted and killed
to the point of near extinction. That is why they were put on the Endangered Species Acts.
If you have ever watched a Bald Eagle soar across the sky you will realize that this bird is very special and we need to do all we can to preserve it for us and for future generations.

Edited for Length

Resource Box - Caroline Mackay 2006

Caroline Mackay is a retired teacher of thirty seven years and writer and producer of many school programs. She is the host of http://www.ezeducationplays.com/

And [http://www.ezelectronicelements.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Mackay

Home Care Tips:

10 Simple Steps For Do it Yourself Home Repairs
By Frank Sarntarpia

There are many house repairs and home improvements that are well within the ability of the average homeowner.

Ten of the most cost effective do it yourself home repairs - those with the biggest bang for the buck - are listed below.

Paint that room
Painting just may be the easiest, and the most valuable improvement any homeowner can make. If you are planning to sell your house, a new coat of paint can add thousands of dollars to the eventual purchase price. And if you are planning to stay put, new paint can brighten your rooms and brighten your moods. Best of all, painting requires little investment, little money and few supplies. A good paint roller, some brushes, paint stripper, and paint are generally all that are needed. These items are all available at your local home improvement store.

General cleaning
A good spring (or fall, or winter, or summer) cleaning can do wonders for both the value of the home and its livability. If there are parts of your home that have been needing a good cleaning for awhile, why not buy some polish, carpet cleaner or glass cleaner and get going? These simple do it yourself repairs can be as simple as thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of all your glass windows, as well as the shutters and molding. In addition, cleaning brass fixtures and chandeliers can make them look better than new. Consider renting a power washer to clean dirty aluminum siding, or a steam cleaner to brighten up your carpets. General cleaning is one of the easiest and most effective of all do it yourself repairs.

Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom
New kitchens and bathrooms have been shown in surveys to provide the most resale value relative to their cost, so if your bathroom and kitchen could use some sprucing up, chances are that these do it yourself repairs can actually pay for themselves. Examples of common do it yourself repairs in the kitchen and bathroom include a good cleaning, new cabinet hardware, or new cabinets.

Reclaim your closet space
We all know that closets can quickly get out of control. It is all too tempting to just open the door and hide those unwanted or unneeded items in the closet. Redesigning your closet space is one home repair that will definitely help your quality of life, and help you reclaim your wardrobe. There are many do it yourself closet kits available at home improvement stores, on the internet and in department stores. Installation is generally simple and easy, and this do it yourself repair can usually be done over a weekend.

Brighten your home with new lighting
New lighting fixtures, or cleaning and reclaiming old ones, is one of the most cost effective do it yourself home repairs that a homeowner can make. Penny wise homeowners can use simple rope lights and fluorescent light fixtures to achieve the same dramatic effects as more expensive custom designed under cabinet lighting. These rope lights and fluorescent lights are widely available at home improvement stores and on the internet.

Don't forget the outside of your home
While you are busy inside painting, installing lights, fixing the closets, and remodeling the bathroom, does not forget the importance of the exterior of your house. After all, your home's exterior is the first thing you, and everyone else sees. Examples of popular do it yourself home repairs for the exterior of the home include painting the front door and installing a great new doorknob and door knocker. Other exterior improvements can be as simple as trimming overgrown shrubs, planting flowers and keeping the grass neat and trimmed.

Toss that old carpet
Replacing old and worn out carpet is one of the easiest and most inexpensive of all do it yourself home repairs. Carpet that is in poor condition affects both the value and the livability of the home, and the many do it yourself carpet kits make ripping up the old carpet and installing the new carpet a relatively simple matter.

Perform simple plumbing repairs
While fixing a clogged toilet may require the help of a professional plumber, there are simple do it yourself home repairs that most homeowners can do for themselves. These diy repairs include fixing dripping faucets and installing new, modern bathroom fixtures.

Spruce up your entrance way
The sidewalk leading up to your home should make a good first impression and welcome guests to your home. If your entranceway is lacking, the installation of colorful stepping stones or other special touches is a great and beautiful do it yourself home improvement.

Don't overlook the simple repairs
Simple diy repairs such as a stuck cabinet drawer or burned out light bulbs are easy do it yourself home repairs. It is a good idea to walk through the home with a tablet in hand. Take note of any diy repairs that need done. Write down each item and take this list with you when you visit the hardware store.

Find more info on DIY home repairs and home remodeling at home-remodeling4u.com - a comprehensive resource for improving your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Sarntarpia

Upcoming Events

Golf Course Clean Up Wednesday

Attention All Blue Lake Golfers - Come Lend a Hand

Date: November 25, 2009
Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Agenda: Clean up around the Club House

Special Announcements:


POA Elections:

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