Open normal hours through Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) - POOL WILL BE OPEN 10 AM TO DUSK ON LABOR DAY!
Effective Tuesday, September 2 thru Sunday, September 22, the pool/grill hours will be as follows:
Tuesday thru Friday: 4 PM to 8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM to 9 PM (Grill 11 AM to 7 PM)
Sunday: NOON to 9 PM (Grill Noon to 7 PM)
We anticipate the last day of pool season will be September 22nd.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
WE ARE NOT ALONE!
This is on 45th Street. In or not far from the Hyde Park neighborhood. The picture is blurry because the driver was pointing the camera out the side window while driving safely.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
WHY WATER DURING RAIN? $$ DOWN THE DRAIN.
This question has been posed literally for YEARS now with never a satisfactory answer or apparent action! Why don't we install water sensing water controllers which - like the one at our house - determines when it is raining or has rained to stop the irrigation cycle until it dries?
During the rain recently we were paying for extra water as the sprinkler system in the neigborhood of the east entrance was full on.
You'd have a very hard time convincing me that our grounds are responsibly managed from a cost-saving point of view. Remember, this has been ongoing for YEARS. It's not only costly, but irresponsible.
During the rain recently we were paying for extra water as the sprinkler system in the neigborhood of the east entrance was full on.
You'd have a very hard time convincing me that our grounds are responsibly managed from a cost-saving point of view. Remember, this has been ongoing for YEARS. It's not only costly, but irresponsible.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
FOXES
This just in... neighbor David Smith writes...
"Here are two foxes from several weeks ago. The game camera shot was in our yard. The daylight shot is off of Musket Rim. You have to look closely to see the fox in woods on the 2nd shot. He is in the center and out of focus."
I marked him for you - it's hard to pick out but surely THERE.
Sunday I met some neighbors who live in the small area which is inside our development though not a part of it... this would be at the bottom of lower Musket Rim. A few homes there were land-bound by Spanish Oaks - they aren't part of our HOA but are within the gate, and not behind the Preserve gate.
We discussed wildlife. They said they had seen several foxes, one pretty large, on their property, one via game-cam.
Wouldn't it be interesting to put game-cams up for the same span and then see what we see? (If you do this, would love to see your Spanish Oaks' critter collection.)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
CAGE O' SKUNK
Have you been following the story of the good ole boys from Georgia who claim to have Bigfoot in a box somewhere?
This isn't that. This is real. This is the hill country, where the legends build housing developments.
Neighbor Landon Marino sent these snapshots to the blog - apparently the smell I smelled wasn't me.
But seriously, skunks, aside from their dead-on impression of burning tires, can carry rabies. We don't need no stinkin' rabies.
Nice job, Landon. Oh - some advice from country boy Bruce - you have to take them way, WAY away, or they'll come back. Of course, there have been no cases of rabies by angel that have ever been reported.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
THIS AND THAT
How will mail get to all the new homes with limited Kiosk space? Another Kiosk? Home delivery?
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The pool will close at the end of summer unless it stays very hot in which case maybe it'll be opened weekends.
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There is supposed to be some street repair coming soon. What exactly this will apply to remains to be seen. One man's bump is another's non-bump. We are told they'll fix the one right at the gate of the east exit. Also the manholes on S.O. Blvd. circle. Already fixed - the broken cement curb at the intersection of the top of Musket Rim where it meets S.O. Blvd.
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The pool will close at the end of summer unless it stays very hot in which case maybe it'll be opened weekends.
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There is supposed to be some street repair coming soon. What exactly this will apply to remains to be seen. One man's bump is another's non-bump. We are told they'll fix the one right at the gate of the east exit. Also the manholes on S.O. Blvd. circle. Already fixed - the broken cement curb at the intersection of the top of Musket Rim where it meets S.O. Blvd.
Friday, August 08, 2008
HURRICANE-BORNE CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS
An answer: the builder must post a million dollar insurance policy before work can begin, which would cover such things.
THE PROPANE ISSUE EXPLAINED
This from Pam Chandler:
Many of you have expressed concerns about the rates charged for propane here in Spanish Oaks. In an effort to address those concerns, Joel Dobson (Secretary/Treasurer of the Association's Board of Directors) and I have held numerous discussions and meetings with all of the parties involved:
Hill Country Gas, L.P. - the owner and builder of the pipelines.
Sharp Community Energy - a third party vendor who maintains the system, and provides the propane to our system.
There are two primary pricing components with respect to community propane pricing, commodity charge and transportation. According to Sharp, not only has the commodity price of propane increased but, they also set a rate for each neighborhood which varies according to the delivery costs. These costs, according to Sharp, are affected by the amount of storage capacity in or near the neighborhood. For example, Sharp reports, the rate at Flintrock Falls is lower than the rate at Spanish Oaks because there is a 30,000 gallon storage tank on the property. Currently there is only an 8,000 gallon storage facility serving Spanish Oaks.
To more efficiently deliver propane to our neighborhood, it was recently reported to me that construction will soon begin on the installation of a 30,000 gallon storage facility at the rear of our lift station which is just outside the east gate. The tank will be provided by Sharp and constructed by Hill Country Gas. It is hoped that more efficient delivery (reduced trucking costs per gallon due to larger truck loads and fewer deliveries) as a result of increased storage capacity will result in somewhat lower propane service rates.
In an effort to enhance relations between Spanish Oaks residents and Sharp Community Energy, I am working with Sharp representatives to implement better communication between Sharp and the Association which will include resident information and education on ways to use their propane service more efficiently.
As the contract for propane delivery in Spanish Oaks is and will continue to be by and between Hill Country Gas and an outside provider, the Association has no actual control over the selection of a vendor or terms of the contract. However, Hill Country Gas assures us they are committed to obtaining the best service and rates for the neighborhood.
We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
<<< BTW: It has been suggested that hot water recirculation pumps are great wasters of propane. Solution: putting the pump on a timer. >>>
Many of you have expressed concerns about the rates charged for propane here in Spanish Oaks. In an effort to address those concerns, Joel Dobson (Secretary/Treasurer of the Association's Board of Directors) and I have held numerous discussions and meetings with all of the parties involved:
Hill Country Gas, L.P. - the owner and builder of the pipelines.
Sharp Community Energy - a third party vendor who maintains the system, and provides the propane to our system.
There are two primary pricing components with respect to community propane pricing, commodity charge and transportation. According to Sharp, not only has the commodity price of propane increased but, they also set a rate for each neighborhood which varies according to the delivery costs. These costs, according to Sharp, are affected by the amount of storage capacity in or near the neighborhood. For example, Sharp reports, the rate at Flintrock Falls is lower than the rate at Spanish Oaks because there is a 30,000 gallon storage tank on the property. Currently there is only an 8,000 gallon storage facility serving Spanish Oaks.
To more efficiently deliver propane to our neighborhood, it was recently reported to me that construction will soon begin on the installation of a 30,000 gallon storage facility at the rear of our lift station which is just outside the east gate. The tank will be provided by Sharp and constructed by Hill Country Gas. It is hoped that more efficient delivery (reduced trucking costs per gallon due to larger truck loads and fewer deliveries) as a result of increased storage capacity will result in somewhat lower propane service rates.
In an effort to enhance relations between Spanish Oaks residents and Sharp Community Energy, I am working with Sharp representatives to implement better communication between Sharp and the Association which will include resident information and education on ways to use their propane service more efficiently.
As the contract for propane delivery in Spanish Oaks is and will continue to be by and between Hill Country Gas and an outside provider, the Association has no actual control over the selection of a vendor or terms of the contract. However, Hill Country Gas assures us they are committed to obtaining the best service and rates for the neighborhood.
We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
<<< BTW: It has been suggested that hot water recirculation pumps are great wasters of propane. Solution: putting the pump on a timer. >>>
Thursday, August 07, 2008
NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENTS
THE BACKYARD EXPANDS, MOVES
After 16 years in its present location, at the end of this season, the BACKYARD, Austin’s renowned outdoor amphitheater in Bee Cave will relocate to a more accessible, larger venue, to be built almost across the street from its current location.
The proposed new venue, at the northwest corner of RM620 and Texas 71W will have seating for about 7500, 50% larger than current capacity. Addressing the convenience factor, on-site parking for 2500 cars is included in the proposal. A smaller facility to cater to smaller audiences will also replace the Glenn in the new location.
The Backyard has seen an eclectic mix of artists, ranging from Snoop Dog to ZZ Top, Dylan and Bowie to Widespread Panic.
Completion is expected by fall 2009.
Shops at The Galleria Morph
An entrance beautification project is underway – new trees, shrubs, flowers and signage will welcome shoppers; the middle entrance will be fashioned to better mirror the Galleria entrance directly across 71.
Two new restaurants are planned: Tsubaki, an Asian-fusion approach with sushi bar and deck; and a Waterloo Ice House by the pond with another deck and outside fire pit, catering to children and adults with covered patio, picnic tables and a playscape.
HEB Expands
With an expanded pharmacy, cheese and deli meat section, increased floral and organic areas, construction of the buildout is slated for May through Thanksgiving to add approximately 15,500 square feet. The front façade will be updated. Look for modifications to the lighting at the fuel station as well as the buffer landscaping along Highway 71 and Bee Cave Road.
After 16 years in its present location, at the end of this season, the BACKYARD, Austin’s renowned outdoor amphitheater in Bee Cave will relocate to a more accessible, larger venue, to be built almost across the street from its current location.
The proposed new venue, at the northwest corner of RM620 and Texas 71W will have seating for about 7500, 50% larger than current capacity. Addressing the convenience factor, on-site parking for 2500 cars is included in the proposal. A smaller facility to cater to smaller audiences will also replace the Glenn in the new location.
The Backyard has seen an eclectic mix of artists, ranging from Snoop Dog to ZZ Top, Dylan and Bowie to Widespread Panic.
Completion is expected by fall 2009.
Shops at The Galleria Morph
An entrance beautification project is underway – new trees, shrubs, flowers and signage will welcome shoppers; the middle entrance will be fashioned to better mirror the Galleria entrance directly across 71.
Two new restaurants are planned: Tsubaki, an Asian-fusion approach with sushi bar and deck; and a Waterloo Ice House by the pond with another deck and outside fire pit, catering to children and adults with covered patio, picnic tables and a playscape.
HEB Expands
With an expanded pharmacy, cheese and deli meat section, increased floral and organic areas, construction of the buildout is slated for May through Thanksgiving to add approximately 15,500 square feet. The front façade will be updated. Look for modifications to the lighting at the fuel station as well as the buffer landscaping along Highway 71 and Bee Cave Road.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
QUESTIONS
You might be surprised to know that answers are sometimes very difficult to get from the management. Perhaps if I begin to post them here, others might wish to add their voices to the questions and maybe then we can access a timely answer.
I have been asking about the Propane Issue for months now. Info had been promised repeatedly. Still, no news.
But here's another: prompted by the almost-hurricane Eduardo headed this way, and living right beside and in front of two homes under construction, I wonder what, if any, regulations are in place for builders in the event of a hurricane? The Spanish tiles stacked on the roof next door would seem to be ideal heavy "kites" under enough wind. The same with any plywood panels unattached. And debris not in the dumpster. Just look at any construction site and ask yourself what could blow into YOUR house under enough wind pressure? Obviously, the builder has $$$ incentive to make sure all is buttoned down, but I wonder who decides what and when? Example: moving all those tiles onto the roof is no easy job. Moving them OFF would be just as time and labor intensive.
I have been asking about the Propane Issue for months now. Info had been promised repeatedly. Still, no news.
But here's another: prompted by the almost-hurricane Eduardo headed this way, and living right beside and in front of two homes under construction, I wonder what, if any, regulations are in place for builders in the event of a hurricane? The Spanish tiles stacked on the roof next door would seem to be ideal heavy "kites" under enough wind. The same with any plywood panels unattached. And debris not in the dumpster. Just look at any construction site and ask yourself what could blow into YOUR house under enough wind pressure? Obviously, the builder has $$$ incentive to make sure all is buttoned down, but I wonder who decides what and when? Example: moving all those tiles onto the roof is no easy job. Moving them OFF would be just as time and labor intensive.
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