Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. The Beacon - September 2013 1

The Beacon

Volume 4, Issue 9 September 2013

National Night Out, sponsored by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH, is a neighborhood crime and drug prevention event that occurs annually on the first Tuesday in August (IN TEXAS NNO 2013 IS IN OCTOBER) and is celebrated in every city, town and village in the US. In addition to increasing awareness of crime and drug prevention programs, NNO also strengthens neighborhood spirit and community-police partnerships, while sending a message to criminals that “neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime!”

San Antonio has always had strong and enthusiastic support for and participation in NNO, and won national NNO Awards in 1998, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 2010, 2011 and in 2012.

Show your neighborhood pride. Meet up with your neighbors on October 1st between 6:30pm and 8:30pm and join us at the park or just go for a walk around the neighborhood to help us reclaim the night. Let’s see how many people Rivermist can put

on the streets for a good cause!! Remember safety first… If you plan to walk after dark, wear reflective clothing or carry a

flashlight. Please turn your patio and driveway lights on to help deter crime in our community.

Planned Activities for Rivermist include but are not limited to the following:

• Appearances by various city mascots (requests for McGruff and Sparky the Fire Dog have been submitted in addition to other mascots)

• Visits by Police/Fire/EMS personnel• DJ/Dancing• Rock Climbing Wall• Child ID kits• Bouncy castle• Refreshments

• Video game truck

We will hold a school supply drive to benefit children in foster care (donations going to CASA). Please bring items to

the CASA table at the event. Items needed include backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, Kleenex, markers, crayons, scissors,

folders, binders, etc. etc.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

2 The Beacon - September 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc

The BeaconCASA SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO BE CHILD ADVOCATESBy Belinda Cox

My name is Belinda Cox and I am the Volunteer Recruiting and Training Coordinator here at CASA. Thank you for your interest in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Below is some additional info about volunteering and our trainings.

Child Advocates San Antonio is the only nonprofit organization in Bexar County with volunteers sworn-in by a judge to make recommendations to the court in the best interest of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. A CASA volunteer is community member who is a court-appointed, trained and committed adult who stands by these children's side, watches over their case and advocates for their best interest.

Imagine the experience of children who are removed from their parents because the people who should have protected them cannot or will not do so. These children find themselves in a world filled with social workers, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms where life-altering decisions are made on their behalf, while they remain voiceless. A CASA volunteer ensures that these children remain a priority in an overburdened legal and social service system and they may be the only guiding presence involved from beginning to end during a child's case. For these children, our volunteers will be the difference between instability and permanence, insecurity and learning to trust, invisibility and being made a priority.

As a CASA volunteer advocate we ask a commitment to one specific case for at least a year. On average our volunteers spend about 15 hours per month on their case. During the course of the case, volunteers contact parents/caretakers, family members, medical/mental health professionals, legal professionals, school officials, CPS representatives, foster care and various other sources

to gather information about the child or children.

They also build a trusting relationship with the child or children and identify their needs as well as resources to address those needs. A CASA provides these youth a voice in court, advocates for stability, ensures educational and medical needs are met, and optimizes

opportunity for personal development and growth. They will prepare reports to the court based on the information they gather and on what they believe is in the best interest of the child. Essentially they will serve as the "eyes and ears" of the court; helping the judge make the most informed decision possible. The opinions of the CASA volunteers and staff members are highly valued in the courtroom and regularly incorporated into the children's service plans. The scheduling of the volunteers activities is flexible, and they will be paired with a staff professional who supports and guides them every single step of the way.

CASA volunteers not only greatly improve the life of a child in need, they will also impact their own life tremendously. Many CASA volunteers often question whose life was most affected by a case, theirs or the child's. Volunteers do not need any special kind of education or experience to serve as a CASA volunteer. We provide all the training and support our volunteers will need to serve as an effective advocate and all training is completed before they work directly with children on a case. The initial training is about 33 hours and is offered at a variety of times throughout the year to include Saturday, evening and daytime trainings to accommodate all schedules. Call us at 210.225.7070 to learn more about how you can make a difference in the life of a child.

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. The Beacon - September 2013 3

The Beacon

Rivermist Homeowners Association Virtual Family 5K Fun Run/Walk

Where: Rivermist Community When: September 1st – September 15th Cost: FREE to Rivermist community members!!

We see you out in the community walking and running! Now, it’s time to do it for a purpose (and get some swag!). Let’s take back our community in the month leading up to our National Night Out Block Party. Get out and meet your neighbors!

What do you have to do? Go to the Rivermist Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rivermist-Homeowners-Association/151126751623770 (you can google it). “Like” our page while you’re there! Private message us with your name, and Rivermist address and tell us you are registering for the Virtual 5K. Complete the run/walk anytime between September 1st and September 15th while using a running/walking app. Capture a screen pic of your phone after completing the 5K and post a screen pic of the run summary on our FB page with the words “I support NNO.” That’s all you have to do. You can pick up your goodies at National Night out on October 1st. If you take some photos of yourself while completing the 5K and post them on our FB page, we might just give you extra goodies!! Won’t you feel special at National Night Out when most people won’t be getting any swag?!?!? How a virtual race works is much like a typical race, up until race day. The unique part of virtual racing is you pick your route, your terrain, and your timeframe. Once you run your race and the distance you set out to do, you log-in online and post your time. When it’s all done you can put the medal around your neck and feel accomplished. Basically, it looks exactly like a traditional race other than the fact there isn’t one set race venue. Some running groups race together and turn it into their own mini race and others trudge out on the road and trails solo, it’s your race, you decide how to run it. It’s a great way to give yourself a timed training day that you will have to be held accountable to.

NNO Celebration will

include

Rock Climbing Wall

DJ/Dancing

Child ID kits

Bouncy Castle

Video Game Truck from Games2U

Refreshments

Our community NNO celebration will follow the race! Please join our community in

celebrating the 30th annual National

Night Out!

4 The Beacon - September 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc

The BeaconHow to Maintain a Great Lawn

Provided by Rivermist resident Sabrina Garcia

Most importantly, a great looking yard improves the values of our homes and community. Curb appeal is everything. Whether you are buying, selling or renting the front yard is the first thing people see. First impressions are everything in the real estate market. If people aren’t impressed with the outside a lot of times they won’t want to see the inside.

TIP 1Avoid mowing in the heat of the day. This can

damage grass. The 100 degree heat alone will drain the moisture from the grass. This can result in the tips of the blades of grass looking burned. Cutting in the

early morning or evening is best.

Ridge Gate Realty | sabrinasellstexas@yahoo.com | Cell 210-970-2501 | Fax  210-647-9959 | Off  210-647-9999

TIP 2The biggest mistake most of us make is cutting our

grass too short. Grass does better if it is cut at a higher setting. This also helps to prevent weeds. A

higher mowing height helps to provide a thicker root system which requires less water and maintenance.

TIP 3Water your lawn after mowing. Watering by hand in

the morning and evening is best to avoid evaporation. Once your grass becomes thicker and healthier less

watering is required.

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. The Beacon - September 2013 5

The BeaconCome see what your neighbors are talking about.

Join Nextdoor Rivermisthoa, the private website for your neighborhood.

Get to know your neighbors • Share local recommendations • Lend, borrow and give away • Keep the neighborhood safe • Stay informed

To join, visit:rivermisthoa.nextdoor.com/join

Charles (Rivera Cv) writes: "We are coming together onlineas a community. Join us on Nextdoor. This will help usshare crime/safety info as well as help us get to know eachother. "

To accept your invitation, visit:rivermisthoa.nextdoor.com/joinYour flyer code: XEIGAR

Nextdoor Rivermisthoa

Nextdoor RivermisthoaYour neighbor, Charles Hasberry, invited you to join.

6 The Beacon - September 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc

The Beacon

“The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization that works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Since 1981, NATW has been dedicated to the development, growth and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs nationwide. NATW’s network has grown to include over 6,000 crime, drug and violence prevention organizations.”

“National Night Out, ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime,’ was introduced by the Association in 1983. The program was the brainchild of NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin. In an effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anticrime efforts, Peskin felt that a high-profile, high-impact type of crime prevention event was needed nationally. At that time, he noted that in a typical ‘crime watch community’, only 5 to 7% of the residents were participating actively. Due to the growth and success of these programs, he felt this percentage was too low. Subsequently, he proposed a national program that would be coordinated by local crime prevention agencies and organizations - but that would involve entire communities at one time. The first National Night Out was introduced early in 1983 - with the event culminating on the first Tuesday in August.”

“That first year, 400 communities in 23 states participated in National Night Out. Nationwide, 2.5 million Americans took part in 1984. The seed had been planted. In subsequent years, participation has grown steadily. The 19th Annual National Night Out on August 6, 2002 involved 33 million people in 9,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2003 culminated on August 5th.”

“While the traditional ‘lights on’ and front porch vigils remain a part of NNO, activities have expanded considerably over the years to include block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from police, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings.”

“Peskin said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It [NNO] is a night to celebrate crime prevention successes - and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT HISTORY In 1983, the National Association for Town Watch, sponsor of

National Night Out, was first subsidized by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The goal was to encourage interest in the formation of Neighborhood Watch groups that would involve citizens at the national, state, and local levels.

The program began slowly, but in the late ‘80s, reports were developed to summarize the events before, on, and after each National Night Out. Through these reports, the National Night Out Against Crime and Drug Abuse documented the success of this interaction between citizens and law enforcement officials. The National Association for Town Watch gives awards to states, cities, counties, and neighborhoods based on these reports. Several categories are established using population brackets as the differentiating factor. Since 1995, Texas has won every year. Connecticut won the first state award in 1990. Then Connecticut won the next two awards before Michigan claimed the ‘93 title. Colorado won in ‘94.

HISTORY IN TEXAS Tyler held the first National Night Out in the State of Texas

in 1982. Corpus Christi has been an award winner since 1983. The Woodlands, San Antonio, and Houston/Harris County have all been ranked number one in their respective population categories at least once since 1994. The following Texas communities have ranked in the top 10 in their categories since 1994: The Woodlands (7), San Antonio (2008 2nd place, 2007 3rd place, 2006 1st place, 2005 3rd place, 2004 2nd place, 2003 1st place, 2002 5th place, 2001 3rd place, and 2000 6th place), Houston/Harris County (6), Richardson (5), Arlington (2), Central Texas (2), Travis County (2), and Coppell (1). The Texas National Night Out trophies are on display in the trophy room of the Sheriffs’ Association, 1601 S. IH 35, Austin. The Texas sheriffs invite everyone to stop in to see what neighbors and law enforcement professionals working together have earned. For information about Texas’ NNO 2009, contact Mike Clowdus, Chairman of the Texas NNO Coordinating Committee at mclowdus@cityofpflugerville.com or call him at (512) 670-5512. Or you can call Bill Rudd of the Dallas Police Department at (817) 994-5512. His e-mail address is John.Rudd@fortworthgov.org.

To learn more about the national program, check the Web site at www.nationaltownwatch.org or write NATW, P.O. Box 303, Wynnewood PA 19096 or call (610) 649-7055.

National Night OutA History of America’s Night Out Against Crime

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. The Beacon - September 2013 7

The Beacon

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Dear Homeowner, Here at Spectrum we strive to make the transition to our company as seamless and problem free as possible. This article is just a reminder on the different ways you can pay your homeowner association dues. The most traditional method of coming to our office to pay is available. Our address is 17319 San Pedro, Suite 318, San Antonio, TX 78232. You can also register at www.spectrumam.com and login to pay your dues by e-check or credit card. We accept payment from Mastercard, Discover and American Express. On this site you can also setup recurring payments, view current reports of any ACC requests, Violations, governing documents, upcoming events and other information. For your security, we do not take credit card payments over the phone. If you ever have questions on how to register or how to review something on the website, please feel free to contact us. Our policy is to return all calls and emails the same day. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Regards,

Jason M. GreenCommunity Manager Office: 210.494.0659 www.spectrumam.com

Check us out on the web at www.rivermisthoa.org

Our community website is a treasure trove of information regarding community events, community safety and other helpful items. There is also a calendar of events and a link to past newsletters.

Sincerely,

Your Board of Directors