NO STOPLIGHT

Terri spoke with TxDOT. Here's the skinny:

There won't be a traffic light at our East Entrance to replace the flasher in the forseeable future, but we might see a turn lane within a year.

Somehow they'd widen the road or restripe it after the bridge headed west, which would allow a turn lane and hopefully you would have a reasonably clear shot.

They are aware of the danger BUT there's an issue: Barton Creek - they can't widen the bridge due to environmental concerns. (I assume the bridge was built in less-strict days.) The issue ISN'T funding.

On another matter, TxDOT said there will be a road cut north of the new Galleria, linking 2244 and 620; hopefully lessening some of the traffic on 71.

HOME OWNER'S ASSOCIATION details

This site will attempt to address the specifics regarding Texas HOA’s. Each separate HOA, however, can operate differently according to the specific goals of the builder or the developer who initiated your beginning POA/HOA. There are state regulations that govern all CIDs. This site will attempt to keep homeowners up to date on all proposed legislation effecting homeowners, and especially legislation regulating HOAs/POAs.

The Texas Website for the American Homeowners Resource Center (AHRC)

ANNUAL MEETING

Will be in JANUARY - just confirmed - you'll get the exact date in approximately the next two weeks. There's a builders' breakfast to outline new building regs in early December and perhaps that led to some confusion on some folks' parts.

Apologies

To all who posted comments: My trial posting in comments worked (no doubt because I am the host.) To prevent spam, all comments have to be reviewed before posting. My other blogs were attracting almost all spam. Blog spam = Splog? Blam?

I won't censor unless someone posts something derogatory with an anonymous id.

So the comments are up and I am sorry for the delay. Now that I know what to do I will follow through regularly (probably daily!)

NEW BUILDING REGS

I understand new regulations will be introduced to builders in about two weeks. I'll try to get them and post the highlights, once available.

I invite anyone (builders) who gets them to E me. That's the only way you can post on this blog unless you append a comment to any posting. My e is:

rwood24@Austin.rr.com

WHAT TO GIFT THE GATE GUYS?

Does anyone have a clue what to do? Most of the new security force are new, right? And how do you get to the right one (the one you see most?) Please add your comments in the comments section below. You don't have to use your real name - use initials or make one up.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Without getting mushy, we have SO MUCH to be thankful for.

As the trees redden over the Preserve and all over our slice of heaven, as we enjoy the 80 degree days and warm sunshine, as we meet nice new friends and neighbors and enjoy Austin's many great dimensions, we know we are lucky, even blessed; certainly with a bounty for which we should pause and be very thankful!

LIGHTING THE EAST ENTRANCE

We heard that TxDot will be improving the lighting of the turn-in to Spanish Oaks' East Entrance. Made the turn last night and man, it was hard to find. If you are trying to pass between oncoming downhill traffic as the halogen lights blind you and destroy your night-vision, it can be very difficult to find the 'slot' of our entrance!

BACK GATES CLOSED SOON

The back gates and road will be closed soon for about 6 months to allow construction of the road back there. The other night we saw a herd of rabbits on a drive through. They were everywhere. None wore construction helmets.

WEST ENTRANCE

The west entrance is being redone. It's much grander already with more to come in January. Now there are wooden - what? - arbors? - over the walkways on the bridge, new plantings and what looks like a temp guard shack.

Somehow there will be a separate entrance to the Tennis Academy, apart from the Spanish Oaks entrance.

The offices will also be moved to that area.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting will be moved from December (when everyone is busy with life in general) to a more agreeable time in January. There will be a newsletter in December to alert you to specifics and to get you to include agenda items you may wish included.

The developers don't turn over the reigns till all the lots are sold so it looks like it won't be soon.

TRAFFIC LIGHT?

TxDot has not returned repeated calls, but here's the skinny (we believe):

The issue is that the bridge on 71 would have to be widened to accommodate a center turn lane before a light could be put in. That would cost about $425,000. If you have some political sway, crank it up!

Otherwise, it was suggested that as TAXPAYERS we could unite and call some attention to our need.

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The Tenants (their real name, honest) have moved in very recently, and the Vinsons are days away. That got me thinking that we might see new faces but never know much about the folks with whom we share the neighborhood.

Would you be interested in posting a little bio about you and/or your family? We could post your info right here or if I got enough of them, I'd open another blog which was just THAT and link to it.

Just a thought.

I have metrics on this blog and can see that many people of the number I E-mailed, have viewed it. Thanks! Come back often. As more contribute, it'll become the center of communication, hopefully.

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Did you figure out that coming toward 71 from Bee Caves Road there is only one left turn lane? What appears to be the inner left is actually a 'straight' into the new shopping center.

It's on a sign far right as you approach the intersection. (I never saw it - Terri did.) As they haven't stencilled the road, you can get someone beside you who also turns and it's a great place for a side swipe. Heads up!

CONTRIBUTE!

There are two ways: post a comment! You can simply click on the word "comments" (under each post) and add one there, or, send me text at rwood24@Austin.rr.com and I'll put it in as a posting.

Armadillo Race Day Pictures

Say, that's a strange dog ya got there.


Cowboy ropes a herd o' kids!


Rope Tricks.


Good ol' country music!


The Spanish Oaks Stage.


God Bless Texas!


Good times.


Cowboy shows how to motivate construction crew!

Lions' Roar?

Again we've come upon owners from the Barton Creek Preserve (landlocked by S.O and at the end of Overlook Pass (east side of the S.O. sprawl) who ask "Have we heard the lions at the Zoo?" We haven't (yet) but others have and it's only a matter of time. The Zoo is a few miles away on the next ridge (we think.)

We learned there are some cattle, horses and goats on at least one 17 acre property back in the preserve. And of course, the three horses on the back of Musket Rim. Our little cocker spaniel, Jessie, loves those horses when they come by the fence.

Jessie also really wanted to play with the big steers which were grazing one day on the land that adjoins the back road. The steer was curious. Jessie was all wig-waggy.

No pictures

Blogger and Picassa, which I use to add pictures, are not working together well and haven't been for some time, according to the forums. So far, they only work sporadically.

Armadillo Race Day

Another FINE TIME was provided by the good folks of Spanish Oaks Golf Club and Discovery Land. A cowboy standing on his horse was roping kids as we stepped out of the car on this perfect fall day (about 65 degrees and sunny). Then after a walk to Pecan Grove we passed another cowboy doing rope work, and a good country band playing on stage (didn't catch their name.) Great grub at the chuckwagon (and tent) filled us all while the entertainment continued (the best peach cobbler I ever ate, too!)

Soon it was more rope and pistol twirl demonstrations then the armadillo races. Kids were called upon to be 'armadillo jockeys' to root their 'dillos to victory.

An Armadillo, for non-natives, is a woman's purse before the strap is attached and claws removed.

A stagewagon gave rides to all who wanted them.

Another fabulous fun time for the whole family!

Building BOOM

I count two dozen home in construction phases in the East section of Spanish Oaks - ranging from just cleared to almost completed! Many of these are on Musket Rim, surely to be the first "dense" population.

It seems that certain properties "embraced" by Spanish Oaks due to being landlocked are immune from the building codes INSIDE S.O., but who's really to say, since these seem to be changing or on a case-by-case basis.

The real question is what teeth are behind any codes?

Population is a-comin'! Get ready for new neighbors.

And yes, the WEST side is also seeing construction, though, as more recently opened, not nearly at the extent of the eastern side of paradise!

Patrols have begun.

You’ll notice a white pickup truck with yellow lightbar on top riding through the streets of Spanish Oaks. This is part of the new security service. The patrol includes daytime drive-thrus to insure all is well in our areas and at building sites. SInce we are so stretched out, it's good to see someone on the case.

Critters

The Duncan's Dog got into a porcupine.

One of the builders found a baby rattlesnake.

There have been several sightings of a large fox.

And a huge owl.

Skunks, raccoons, armadillos, deer, rabbits, vultures.

WATCH YOUR DOGGIES AND CATS! (The Calaways have lost their cat "Nino.)"

Terri Wood got her first scorpion bite. The scorpion died. (Probably at the toe of a designer shoe!)

(This is all on the east end of S.O.)

DEEP-FRIED RATTLESNAKE

1 medium-sized rattlesnake (3-4 lbs.), cut into steaks
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup cracker crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 teaspoon salt
dash pepper

Mix dry ingredients. Whisk milk into beaten egg and use to dip snake steaks.
Then coat them with dry ingredients. Fry, uncovered, in 400 degree oil until brown.

This just in (Nov 20th):

You can add another "critter" to your list. A few weeks ago my tile guys found a very nice coral snake at the Donald Abrhams Shirley Werner job on Musket Rim. They had it in a jar and didn't know how bad it was. It was the largest one I've ever seen at about 18" long and the size of a 20 gauge shotgun shell around and beautiful red, black, and yellow bands. The red and yellow were together confirming it was a coral.
Your blog is a great idea; good luck with it.
Doug Connolly

Note: Coral snakes are poisonous. Very poisonous. The first color of their band is black. Other lookalikes start with other colors.

There were so many young kids at the Armadillo Races Event... I'd be sure they all know to avoid any snake.

Read about coral snakes and see pictures here

Welcome

Welcome. The Spanish Oaks Blog will be a site for neighborhood news, official (hopefully) and unofficial. I admit it's a trial and is motivated by the distance in both space and time demands between busy home owners, lot owners, and the development company.

It seems there's a need for better communication and that'll help us become a COMMUNITY as we build out this wonderful place.

If you'd like to post, please E mail me at rwood24@Austin.rr.com and be sure to put Spanish Oaks Blog as your subject. Or make a comment. Thanks!

Bob Wood