SPANISH OAKS... SO EXCLUSIVE...

We have twin fireplugs - one for regular and one for sparkling water.

THE BUZZ ABOUT BEE CAVE

BEE CAVES, TEXAS. Bee Caves (Beecaves or Bee Cave) is at the intersection of State Highway 71 and Farm roads 620 and 2244, twelve miles west of Austin in west central Travis County. It was named by early settlers for a large cave of wild bees found near the site. A post office opened there in 1870 with Martin V. Lackey as postmaster. By 1871 Wiley Johnson was operating a trading post at the settlement. In the mid-1880s the Bee Caves community had a steam gristmill, a cotton gin, a general store, a church, a school, and twenty residents. The population fell to ten in the early 1890s but rose to fifty-four by 1914. The post office at Bee Caves was discontinued in 1915, and mail for the community was sent to Cedar Valley. The Bee Caves school was consolidated with the Teck common school district in the 1940s and with the Dripping Springs Independent School District in Hays County in 1951. The population was reported at fifty from the 1940s through the 1980s. In 1990 it was 241, and it grew to 656 in 2000.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Mary Starr Barkley, History of Travis County and Austin, 1839-1899 (Waco: Texian Press, 1963). John J. Germann and Myron Janzen, Texas Post Offices by County (1986).

Vivian Elizabeth Smyrl

EVEN MORE RAIN

Forecast for Friday from the NWS - 6 to 8 inches of rain. Arg. Feel sorry for the car wash owners.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY

This is currently posted on the News 8 website: (Lori Bales checks in)

Wettest Start to Any Year

The year 2007 tops Austin rain charts as the wettest January to July period according to weather records dating back to World War II. Wow! In a similar replay to what unfolded last month, a slow moving (if not stalling) disturbance will hover over Texas, generating greater uplift in the atmosphere and a continued threat for flooding rains. Lawns won't need watering anytime soon...
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Don't know about you - what I'm saving in water I am spending on salt for the pool. Rain keeps washing the salt out. I also discovered that if your chlorine cell is clogged or crusted, your salt reading will go down and down. You keep adding salt. Then you finally clean the thing and discover how high your salt really IS. Not that it happened to me.... cough.

IT WASN'T LIKE THIS

Last year the summer was hot but dry; very sunny - after mornings, rather low humidity and a southeastern breeze. This summer is a record breaker. Just want you to know - if you are new here since last summer - this isn't normal.

SHOP 'N' LIVE

The first group of apartments at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave are slated for delivery in December, following the fall opening of the 1.3 million-square-foot lifestyle center. Click for more.

MOVING AWAY CAN'T TAKE IT ALL

Hello All

Just a reminder the Duncan Family is relocating back to DC and have some wonderful (NEW) furniture that they need to sell. Check out the goodies on Craig's list, just type in teamduncan@aol.com in the search and it will all pop up.

AND the latest addition Dick's Porsche!

YELP! KA-CHING!

We ran into a friend while walking the dog. One of their dogs had been bitten very recently by a rattlesnake. The anti-venom and overnight monitoring costs $1000... thought you should know.

When I take Jessie out for the night's last visit, I almost always take a flashlight to be sure she doesn't get a surprise. During the day we let her "go" unleashed... she does her biz and heads right back as we watch.

But at night, snakes are active.

RECYCLING

This from Shelby Duncan

JULY RECYCLING

REASONS WHY I SHOULD RECYCLE:
It saves trees
protects wildlife habitat
lowers the use of toxic chemicals

WHAT ALLIED WASTE RECYCLES:
aluminum (ex: soda cans)
paper
magazines and catalogues
all plastics (ex: water bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles)
steel

WHAT ALLIED WASTE (OUR CURBSIDE PICK UP) WILL NOT RECYCLE:
cardboard
computers
glass
batteries

if you need a recycling bin or have any question you can call: 1-800-252-3586. If your question cannot be answered you can call Ecology (listed below.)

WHERE CAN I TAKE THESE TO BE RECYCLED?
to recycle my cardboard and glass(all but sheets of glass), i can take it to ECOLOGY:

707 East 9th St.
Austin, Texas
estimated drive time:15-20 minutes
512-322-0000
ecology-action.org

to recycle my computers, i can take them to GOODWILL
to recycle my batteries, i can take them to WAL-MART

OTHER THINGS I COULD DO TO HELP:
don’t buy heavily packaged foods
stop junk mail and faxes through the Mailing Preference Service
REUSE:
carrier bags
scrap paper for writing messages etc.
envelopes-stick labels over addresses

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE....?
PLASTIC BOTTLES:
1. recycling 1 plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a 60w light bulb for 6 hours.
2. plastic bottles cannot decompose
3. only 3% of household plastic bottles are being recycled
4. 25 2 liter bottles can make an adult size fleece jacket

MONTHLY QUOTES:
“What we do today, right now, will have an accumulated effect on all of our tomorrows.”
~Alexandra Stoddard

“Nature is a painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.”
~John Ruskin, (1819-1900)




AUGUST RECYCLING

REASONS WHY I SHOULD RECYCLE:
helps stop global warming
creates jobs and promotes economic development

WHAT ALLIED WASTE RECYCLES:
aluminum (ex: soda cans)
paper
magazines and catalogues
all plastics (ex: water bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles)
steel

WHAT ALLIED WASTE (OUR CURBSIDE PICK UP) WILL NOT RECYCLE:
cardboard
computers
glass
batteries

if you need a recycling bin or have any question you can call: 1-800-252-3586. If your question cannot be answered you can call Ecology (listed below.)

WHERE CAN I TAKE THESE TO BE RECYCLED?
to recycle my cardboard and glass(all but sheets of glass), i can take it to ECOLOGY:

707 East 9th St.
Austin, Texas
estimated drive time:15-20 minutes
512-322-0000
ecology-action.org

to recycle my computers, i can take them to GOODWILL
to recycle my batteries, i can take them to WAL-MART

OTHER THINGS I COULD DO TO HELP:
cancel unwanted newspapers, magazines and catalogues
donate old books and such to waiting rooms

REUSE:
rent or borrow items you don’t use often (i.e. party supplies, crockery)
donate old computers and audio visuals
buy rechargeable instead of disposable items

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE....?
ALUMINUM CANS:
1. it saves energy and natural resources
2. if all aluminum cans were to be recycled, there would be 14 million fewer dustbins emptied 3. into land fills each year
4. making 1 aluminum can from raw material uses the same amount of energy that it takes to recycle 20
MONTHLY QUOTES:

“Away, away, from men and towns,
To the wild wood and the downs,- -
To the silent wilderness,
where the soul need not repress
Its music.”
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, (1792-1822), “To Jane, The Invitation,”

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
~Mahatma Gandhi


SEPTEMBER RECYCLING

REASONS WHY I SHOULD RECYCLE:
helps prevent water pollution
cities may profit by selling recyclables

WHAT ALLIED WASTE RECYCLES:
aluminum (ex: soda cans)
paper
magazines and catalogues
all plastics (ex: water bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles)
steel

WHAT ALLIED WASTE (OUR CURBSIDE PICK UP) WILL NOT RECYCLE:
cardboard
computers
glass
batteries

if you need a recycling bin or have any question you can call: 1-800-252-3586. If your question cannot be answered you can call Ecology (listed below.)

WHERE CAN I TAKE THESE TO BE RECYCLED?
to recycle my cardboard and glass (all but sheets of glass), i can take it to ECOLOGY:

707 East 9th St.
Austin, Texas
estimated drive time:15-20 minutes
512-322-0000
ecology-action.org

to recycle my computers, i can take them to GOODWILL
to recycle my batteries, i can take them to WAL-MART

OTHER THINGS I COULD DO TO HELP:
use your own bags when shopping and do not except plastic
grow your own vegetables (many can be grown in small gardens)


REUSE:
look for long lasting appliances when buying new electrical items
choose products in packaging that you know can be recycled

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE....?
STEEL:
1. recycling 1 ton of steel: reduces air emissions by 86%, reduces water pollution by 76%, and saves 1.29 tons of solid waste
2. steel is 100% recyclable

MONTHLY QUOTES:
“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be is willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”
~Gaylord Nelsom

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead (1901-1978) quoted in john M. Richardson, ed. Making it Happen, 1982



OCTOBER RECYCLING

REASONS WHY I SHOULD RECYCLE:
reduces needs for land fills
buying recycled products puts recycled products in more demand

WHAT ALLIED WASTE RECYCLES:
aluminum (ex: soda cans)
paper
magazines and catalogues
all plastics (ex: water bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles)
steel

WHAT ALLIED WASTE (OUR CURBSIDE PICK UP) WILL NOT RECYCLE:
cardboard
computers
glass
batteries

if you need a recycling bin or have any question you can call: 1-800-252-3586. If your question cannot be answered you can call Ecology (listed below.)

WHERE CAN I TAKE THESE TO BE RECYCLED?
to recycle my cardboard and glass(all but sheets of glass), i can take it to ECOLOGY:

707 East 9th St.
Austin, Texas
estimated drive time:15-20 minutes
512-322-0000
ecology-action.org

to recycle my computers, i can take them to GOODWILL
to recycle my batteries, i can take them to WAL-MART

OTHER THINGS I COULD DO TO HELP:
take a packed lunch in a plastic container
re-wash plastic containers (i.e. yogurt containers) and zip-lock bags
REUSE:
compost
but products made from recycled materials

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE....?
COMPUTERS:
often disposed computers still have a couple years of “life” in them and are STILL WORKING


MONTHLY QUOTES:
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.”
~Mohandas K. Gandhi

A KODAK MOMENT?

The picture was taken around Bastrop. It is probably a good idea to be careful when taking pictures of small children sitting among the flowers. And I don't know about your dog, but some which run free might just do the wrong thing.

MAN MISSING

Search for Missing Jogger near Bee Cave very sorry to report his body was found the next day, miles from here.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY

Not very long after I wrote the weekly HOA Email in which I noted the storms appear to be over, we got hit by a rain bomb. Radar showed a growing cell positioned almost directly overhead and not moving. By my crude measurement (pool water height) we had in the near neighborhood of 4 inches.

ZAP!
And the power went out. Were you home? Then you know it went out, came back twice, and stayed off. They did get it fixed in relatively short order. So you know, my understanding is that when it's coming back ON is when your equipment is at risk.
Imagine the effect of all those air conditioners coming back on simultaneously!
I powered down, unplugged, etc., and all is good and working. Here's a good question: Is there a manual way to open the gates for the fire trucks in the event of a power outage and lightning strike fire?

RIBBIT
Judging from the dog walk this morning, Spanish Oaks must be awash in frogs at night - there are many squished ones... figure the low traffic we have, that must mean there are one heck of a lot of frogs.

HELLO, MAINTENANCE?
Is this an exercise in futility? You decide. Just know if something isn't done, it won't be the last time.

MAIL GONE ASTRAY

Receiving neighbor's mail? Reading neighbor's mail?

Better check the adressee's name before opening or canning that mail.

If you receive mis-delivered mail let the USPS know. Call 1
(800)ASK-USPS to register a complaint. Stick it back into the outgoing slot if you don't walk it over to them.

And don't try to lick the pre-glued stamps or you'll'alklikehiss.