MORE NEW NEIGHBORS

Hello everyone we are the Leibl's. We live at 11901 Musket Rim at the top of the hill on the right. I have just found the blog and think it is a great way to informally keep everyone update and be able to express your self quickly.

I think having some social events early as the community is just getting started is a great way to help creating a fun place to live. Both myself and wife Annette would be happy to assist in any way.

I was also wondering if there are any POKER players out here that would like to start a poker night. If there are any Texas hold-em players I would be happy to host the first game.

You may contact us at dennisleibl@yahoo.com

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Dennis

NEW NEIGHBORS COMING

I have enjoyed reading the blog you manage on Spanish Oaks. My husband John and I, along with our three children, will be moving to the house on Spanish Oaks Club Blvd) in August. We close on the property in mid-June, but we spend all of our summers at our lake house in Michigan. We currently live in a very urban suburb of Chicago. While it is very urban, it actually is a small village where everyone sends their children to the public school, all shop at the same stores, go to the same churches, etc. There is always someone out walking their dog, pushing a stroller or on a bike. One of the things that attracted us to Spanish Oaks was the sense of community we kept reading about. From the sounds of things, it sounds like it will be a good decision for us. Other than an address, we don't have anything to add to a neighborhood directory yet, but if possible, I would like to be kept updated on area developments, especially if you decide to post things off the blog that may not be available to the general public. In the meantime, I look forward to reading the postings, although the snake/coyote postings have me a little freaked.

We look forward to meeting you when we eventually make our way down there in August.

Valorie Doyle

Lakeway growth parallels Bee Cave Growth

This from an American Statesman story about Lakeway growth... Read More

In the nearby Village of Bee Cave, Taylor Woodrow Inc., one of the world's largest home builders, announced plans for Falconhead West, a 375-acre development with homes to be built on bluffs and priced between the high $200,000s to the $900,000s.

Bee Cave, already home to a Target and Home Depot, also is adding retail development, including the Shops at the Galleria, a center with numerous big-box stores, including Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse.

Across the street, work has started on the Hill Country Galleria, a 1-million-square-foot regional mall anchored by a Dillard's and a Barnes and Noble. Scheduled to open in the summer of 2007, the project will include apartments, offices, townhomes and a movie theater.

E. H. "Bubba" Breazeale, a real estate agent with Turnquist Partners Realtors Inc. who has lived in Lakeway for 30 years, predicts even more commercial growth is destined to come along RM 620. Once a country road, it's now a five-lane corridor traveled by more than 23,000 cars a day.

"They seem to be developing every nook and cranny," Breazeale said. "I doubt many people thought it would grow this much."

MEETING NEIGHBORS

Donald Abrams and I made some rounds of the residents last night till dark, to fill them in on the home owner's association board and Donald's representation as one of us. We have many more homes to go.

I am heading the information committee (big surprise, huh?) and as such we will attempt to engage residents to a much greater extent than communication has existed till now. As I wrote before, this info will be much more private than what's here on the Blog, which will remain more a general mix of lighter fare (since the public can see it.) Better communication will help bring us together and ease what may have been certain concerns or tensions.

Donald's goal is to bring much more sense of community into our neighborhood, and from what I've seen, he's perfect for the job!

Note his new E mail: dabrams@spanish-oaks.com

We hope to increase socialization among residents and help grow this beautiful area into an equally impressive neighborhood of friends. Some of the distances between occupied lots tends to preclude that without a catalyst. Donald is that catalyst.

And since he didn't like the picture I took of him and posted below, I will change it. Have a look. Scroll down.

TRAFFIC LIGHT

Yesterday, HOA President Steve Yetts, Pam Chandler, Don Bosse, Joe Heimlich and homeowner rep Donald Abrams met with County Commissioner Gerald Dougherty and a woman from Rep. Terry Keel’s office for an hour and a half. They discussed the traffic light, road re-configurations and other safety considerations. More detail will follow in an e-mail to interested home and lot owners.

Note: We are almost at the point when certain information will have to be sent directly to owners rather than post in a public forum. The information is more private than sensitive, but in an effort to do the right thing, this seems to be the best course of action. More on that and how to be certain you are on the list in the very near future, here on the blog.

The blog will continue with general information and communication configured as it is now.

AND BABY MAKES THREE

The Vinsons on Overlook Pass welcome James IV into the world. Welcome James IV and congratulations to the proud parents!

COMING SOON

New home frame for concrete pour! Impressive!

Better and increased communication. You will be receiving E mails - perhaps weekly -which bring you up to date with changes or happenings within our community. I will include this info here on the blog if appropriate. (Some info is for home/landowners only and the blog is public.)

Donald Abrams and I met the other day and he told me many exciting details of how Discovery Land is behind the HOA and he will use our new E mail as a way to give you a better sense of not only what's happening, but our community.

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The Donald, Homeowners Rep on the Board

I asked Donald Abrams to give us a little background. I think you'll agree we are lucky to have him represent us.

Why did you step up to join the board?

I have always felt that public service is something inherent in me. In prior communities that I had resided in, I wanted to make the situation as best as it could be. When Shirley and I bought in Spanish Oaks we joined the vision that was offered. I want to make sure that the vision is carried out and that each homeowner has a voice. Therefore, I felt that this was the least that I could do to ensure that we are heard, that the vision comes true and that living here is all that we want it to be.


Have you met with the rest of the board yet? (How often do they meet?)

Actually, as I write this I am preparing for my first meeting with the Board today. At that meeting a timetable for future meeting will be discussed.

What is your sense about how S.O. is progressing?

With the change to Discovery, we have stumbled a bit. However, I do not think that we are very far from the original course chartered. I am seeing some things that are very positive. Some light (not nearly enough) at the entrance, changes to the landscaping and fencing protection to the lots that have been built out. We need to improve the communication to the members so that everyone knows what is happening and why and how to deal with any other setbacks that might arise.

What do you see as the major issues facing us all?

Safety. The single largest one is the stop light at 71. We have a meeting scheduled with some of the county leadership. However, we all know that there are a number of tangents to this issue that are, if you will pardon the pun, stoplights in the road. Ranging from space to salamanders to money; all has put the brakes on this topic. I know we were all told stories of any month now, and that is not the truth. When our security vehicle is rear ended we know that there are issues. I will make sure that we continue to do all that we can and that every one has all the information concerning this topic. This will make our little slice of the hill country the place every one wants to be. We all have to be cognizant of those things that keep our property values where we want them to be.

Are there any opportunities for residents to become involved in ad hoc committees?

At this point, I cannot answer that question. However, I believe that I will have an answer by this weekend.

Can you give us a feeling for any timetables for improvements, builds, etc., from Discovery Land's plans?

Not as of 10:07 Tuesday April 18. However, I personally plan to knock on every door and introduce myself and leave my e-mail address with each homeowner. Hopefully I can get this done by the end of the month. This is easy to say when there are less than 100 homes on property. But I will make myself available to each homeowner. My cell is 512 750 5900. I have no problem with anyone calling to chat, kvetch, complain, point out an issue or whatever to make this a better community. I cannot guarantee that the answer is the one that you will want to hear, but there will be an answer as soon as I can deliver one.

Anything else you'd like to say?

I am pretty stoked about living in Spanish Oaks. I have met a good number of my neighbors and have made and am developing more friends than I could have imagined. Harry and Faye are a hoot! Heather and Jim are super. This makes me think that for all the folks I have not met yet, there are even more good people to be friends with. We can develop a social circle that the neighbors can participate in, (I am a big fan of pot luck block parties) and I think that the SOHOA can sponsor events for the neighborhood that will make everyone proud to have the acorn sticker on the windshield.

I look forward to more time on this blog, more time speaking with all of my new friends, neighbors and those who will be, because I have yet to meet them, my new friends and neighbors.

If there are any concerns, questions, issues please feel free to call me.

Donald Abrams

FUTURE NEIGHBORS

Hi Bob,

I just wanted to say hi and let you know that I totally enjoy reading the blog. Gary and I are very impatiently awaiting the construction of our home, which will most likely begin sometime next year. It is still in the planning stages. We are waiting for two more kids to graduate high school in May before we really get going on it.

We are not world record holders of any kind (unless you could qualify fine wine consumption as an event). But hopefully we will bring something of value to the community!

When school is out in June, we are going to put our house on the market, and begin the exodus to Austin as soon as it sells. We are looking for a place to live temporarily (I hate to mention the apartment monster, but it might be an option for us if the timing is right).

We do not plan to cut down any Spanish Oak trees as long as we can help it. We are thinking Hill country Tuscan for the house and want our home to complement the neighborhood beautifully so don’t worry about us spoiling things! We are hearing a lot about Musket Rim houses on your blog. This is cool because our lot is #7 on Musket Rim, which is at the top of the turnaround facing the preserve next door to, I believe, the Pigfords? Is that right? Last time we looked at our property, the house just west of us had poured the foundation. Is that the one story people are saying looks so nice and “floats above the property?” COOL! That is what we want too.

We wanted a social membership to the club but we will make our own social activities if they don’t want us, and to be honest, we really couldn’t care less if they don’t. Hopefully we will fit in just fine.

We look forward to living at Spanish Oaks, and we are glad that we have a way to keep abreast of the goings on until we get there. Thanks for making the blog!

Cathi Rustmann

ANOTHER SNAKE FOUND - COPPERHEAD !!!

Hi Bob,

I happened upon a snake early this morning. Luckily it was dead and the dog and flashlight spotted it before I landed on it. It was on Musket Rim around Mondadebo Cove -- not sure on the correct spelling. I sent some pics via Shutterfly. It could possibly be a copperhead, or just an imposter. Maybe somebody could identify it so we can all be better educated.

Lori













The copperhead is a small hemotoxic reptile classed closely with the water moccasin. The Broad-Banded subspecies is found in western/central Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas living in both lowlands and hilly areas.

It is characterized by the rich "new penny" copper colors with wide alternating bands that extend completely around even the underside.

They exhibit a tenacious personality when approached and are extremely well camouflaged in nature so that they are usually quite close at hand when finally spotted by those in the field.

Thanks to Lori Bailes

Sure looks like a copperhead to me, but Malcolm Pigford is our blog snake expert --- Malcolm?

Confirmed copperhead. BEWARE!

ANOTHER SNAKE FOUND IN A GARAGE

Different garage, different species. (thamnophis proximus) Not poisonous. But warn your kids and watch your pets! Sure as shootin' there are some of the 4 poisonous-in-Texas species out there somewhere.

And in tonight's news... A WOMAN WAS BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE in a potted plant at the Lakeway Home Depot.

ANOTHER WRECK AT EAST ENTRANCE

Three cars or trucks involved. No word on injuries or who was involved or even how it happened. Thanks to Lori Bailes for the report and pictures.




If you happen by an accident at our entrance and can get some space to maybe snap some pictures on your cell phone, please do. It can add up as evidence to present to those who can maybe finally address our safety issues.




One thing we can count on - with the apartments going in, this community building out, and the development farther west up 71 (1800 homes if built!) - and the two new shopping centers PLUS the build out of the one we have now, traffic is going to be MUCH worse in the years to come.




Be careful!

STROKE

Trish Hamilton forwards this helpful piece:

RECOGNIZING A STROKE:

Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps.

Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. (Coherently) (i.e. . It is sunny out today)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. if the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to ten people, you can bet at least one life will be saved .

JACK VISITS

It's that time of the year! This bad boy or benign boy (and non golf-club member) replaced Terri's car today in the garage. I will name him Jack Abramoff.







With the help of neighbor Malcolm Pigford, this snake has been identified. Eastern Hognose Snake: Heterodon platirhinos: A shy and harmless snake.

EVENT OFFERED

David Tennant and I would love to host/co-host an event for the neighborhood.

We haven't had the opportunity to meet everyone and feel that this is the right time of year to have a party -- before it gets too hot!

If anyone is interested in co-hosting or has any ideas on some other social events for the neighborhood, please feel free to comment.

Amanda Tennant

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i like the idea of our own spanish oaks country club/social club facilitated thru the blog.
yes, we'll participate in a get-together event if organized ...and maybe even host one down the road.

Tim Sabo

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This was input as a comment, but since that's much less prominent, I also included it here a as POST. Remember, please, that if you wish to POST vs COMMENT, you should E mail me the text at the address to the right top of the column: rwood24@Austin.rr.com Thanks! Bob Wood

HOMEOWNERS vs GOLF CLUB MEMBERS

Please post:

Food for thought: Out of the 37 occupied homes only 12 are members. Rest assured non-golfers you are not the minority.

... Lori Bailes

BARTON CREEK IN SPRING GLORY

Picture taken from above Barton Creek Preserve adjacent to Spanish Oaks

Spanish Oaks Dead Letter Office