HIGHWAY 71 PLANS ON HOLD?

I can't find anything by doing a quick search on Google, but a good source informs me that the Highway 71 plans for a center turn lane, etc., have been put on hold. Work was to have begun this summer. Since this has been such a big issue, I will continue to investigate.

Click here to see the latest info I could find. This doesn't seem to gibe with 'on hold.' Will find out more.

Meanwhile, other questions INSIDE the gates:

1- Why hasn't the east entrance center striping happened yet? Wasn't it promised asap at the 'annual' meeting?

2- When will the broken curb on SO Blvd be repaired?

3- Why are there so many weeds all over the grassed areas along SO Blvd?

4- A seemingly long time ago, a truck dragged one of the three large rocks away from the roundabout on SO Blvd (east side) - it was never replaced and there's been a gouge there - where it used to be - ever since. Ironically the rocks were placed there to prevent large trucks from running over that very area.

We were also told (again, seemingly long ago) that the roundabout would be rebuilt with a more effective radius. If so, when? If not, why not?

5- Why no regular ongoing communication from our HOA rep?

By the way, I've been told and have seen that crushed granite driveways can be approved here.

'DILLO NUMBER DEUX

The other night while taking the dog out for her before-bedtime necessaries, I spotted another armadillo browsing our shrubbery beds. I noted another large hole dug around our gas pipe feed, just like there was when the LAST armadillo was trapped. Though we had filled it in, these guys are super diggers, and the hole had reappeared.

I take Jessie out with a flashlight, always on the lookout for snakes, said to be especially restless during this heat. So I shine it around and that's when I saw the beast.

I set the trap and today Terri greeted me (she walks Jessie in the early morning) with a "You're going for a ride today!" We caught the bugger and I am charged with driving it away, hopefully far enough that it would not come back. (My limit is 10 miles.)

After the photo shoot, we headed to a side road off Rt 71 (busy highway) to just outside a new development deeper into the Hill Country called Bee Creek. I released on the rocky, undeveloped side of the road but the 'Dillo took off at a run across the road and into the lush greenery of the new tract. I thought I could see a smile.


TRAPPED


NO-NECK, MEET LONGNECK!


THE GETAWAY

POOL and LODGE-NIC JULY 4

There should have been a loop of the song HOT HOT HOT playing as the festivities commenced under a hot July sun.

Perhaps due to the $19.95-a-head pricing, numbers were noticeably down from last year, or from Memorial day - perhaps only a third as many people showed in the hours we attended.

There weren't the gaggles of people - most were in the pool and the lower numbers scattered them about. Some 'activities' or games for the kids had some attendance - a nice try, but the cooler action was in or under the water (89 degrees, cooler than the official record-setting 101).

DVR TROUBLE - TIME WARNER

The other night Time-Warner lost service to this area. I don't know how widespread, but suspect all of Spanish Oaks, or at least the east side. You call and you get the voice mail computer...

Anyway, service is restored, but you might have the same issue we did/do, and that's there are no channels on our TiVo. In other words, the numbers are there, but you go to them and receive nothing.

I THINK it requires a reboot. This means you unplug TiVo power for about 15 seconds, replug, and all should be fine. If I am wrong, or discover more, I'll post it. Try this before you call for an expensive or incovenient service visit!

4TH OF JULY PARTY

FISH CAMP NEWS

Our own Raymond Hayes, Security Supervisor, has taken over keeping Fish Camp supplied with rods, reels, bait, etc. Raymond is an avid fisherman and will be helping us out with lake & fish camp maintenance and care. He will be stopping by Fish Camp most days after 2:00 pm, so feel free to stop and visit with him - he might give you a few pointers!

We've asked Raymond to monitor Fish Camp on a daily basis, as we've recently experienced a bit of carelessness and/or vandalism with the fishing equipment. The HOA has an annual budget for fishing equipment and supplies, and unfortunately if it is necessary to replace more equipment than our budget allows, it may be necessary to stop supplying equipment. We ask that all visitors to Fish Camp be considerate of their neighbors by replacing rods in the racks, picking up any trash that you leave, and in general, caring for the facility.\

...source: Pam Chandler

COONAN O'BRIEN

After our varmint saga some posts below, resulting in a quick ride down the highway for Mister Dillo, there was a brief lull where our grass'n'weeds grew normally. Then more digging appeared, like tiny toy archaeologists were looking for artifacts. I reset the trap. First some bait was eaten but whatever ate it got away with Salmon breath. However, this AM brought another trapped digger. Even while in the cage it managed to ruin the grass under it.


Now I know many will see this and go "ooooh, how cute..." but you'd be wrong! This snarling, wretched, spiteful, straight-razor toting beast was quite intent on breaking through the slammer to slash and chew on my white ass.

My research said that you'd have to drive it at least 20 miles away because they can come back and will certainly find your house and seek revenge. (Okay I made up the revenge part, but they can really wreck a house when inside it, and they apparently will try to get inside - a neighbor trapped 2 DOZEN in Florida as they infested his home!)

And they can be rabid.

So, drastic measure time.



I can assure you the circle of life is an unbroken one. Read into this what you will.

PAVING

No doubt you've all seen the marked areas of pavement throughout the property over the past few weeks. We have awarded the contract for these repairs to Ballard's Asphalt & Concrete, and they are scheduled to be on-site this coming Tuesday, June 16th, to complete the work. It is anticipated that everything can be accomplished in one to two days, and the contractors will be re-routing traffic as they work. They will try to minimize any inconvenience, but will appreciate your patience while we complete this long-awaited project. I have attached a map to this e-mail locating the areas to be repaired. They include:

1) The approach to the East Gate, including dips and alligatoring pavement at both entrance and exit lanes
2) The significant dip in Club Blvd. on the westbound side near Malaquita
3) The pavement failures at the East Roundabout (Club Blvd. & Paraiso Parkway)
4) Corner of Musket Rim & Paraiso (both ends of Musket Rim)
5) Intersection of Overlook Pass & Calabria Court

On a second visit, not yet scheduled, curbs will be repaired and a pavement dip as you enter Malaquita Branch will be repaired, along with some other paving work for the Developer. Please don't hesitate to give me a call or an e-mail with any questions. Pam Chandler.

POOL CRUD VANISHED!

This might help you. I have no financial interest in what I am about to describe.

If your pool has accumulated what I can only guess to be calcium or other hard mineral deposits around the tile edging, you might know it's almost impossible to remove this scale. I have spent hours in the water with a pumice stone, rubbing until my hands were raw, even through a cloth 'protection.' No amount of scrubbing made any difference.

I saw advertised, bought and tried a 'miracle' gel which supposedly contained some type of acid which would cling to the crud and eventually detach it (I never was sure about what it would do to the water itself, but in short order I found it didn't work at all.)

I also tried pool acid itself... Muriatic. Diluted, then increasingly stronger. It works some, but you can't keep it where it needs to STAY due to that pesky gravity thing.


Crud on pool tile

Crud on spa wall at waterfall. I even tried chipping away with a chisel and hammer and a LOT of elbow grease.

Then Terri brought home a one-sheet for a new process. One of the realtors in Lakeway had the detail... the process is called Soda Blast. Think of sand blasting or bead blasting but with Magnesium Sulfate. From Wikipedia: "Magnesium sulfate is a chemical compound containing magnesium and sulfate, with the formula MgSO4. In its hydrated form the pH is 6.0 (5.5 to 7.0). It is often encountered as the heptahydrate, MgSO4·7H2O, commonly called Epsom salt." Said to be softer than alternatives, and claimed to leave your tiles intact, and be PH neutral, we hired the guys.

They arrived in a big truck trailer with a VERY large compressor on the flat trailer. Hoses, pressure vessel, and mixture pumps were unloaded.

The guys go to work.
They lowered the water about 8 inches and drained the spa completely, then went to work blasting the tiles. The magnesium sulfate turns grey when wet, and so did the pool.

Blasting
They 'sort of' cleaned the pool, but since so much of the stuff was in the water, obviously couldn't get it all.

Pool Murk, after...
I was told to refill, turn on the pumps and let them run for a while - 8 hours or so, then to backwash, and possibly repeat. After checking pressure on the filter, which surprisingly hadn't changed, I decided to let the pump run maybe 24 hours. The pressure still didn't change. Overnight the water went from really murky to clear!

You can decide for yourself if you think the process was successful. A good 4 years of crud is gone, the pool and spa look new and clean and, I am amazed. Finished tile

Cleaned Spa at waterfall. If you notice pits on one tile to left, I did that with chisel in another failed attempt to clean it myself.

The name of the company is Soda Blast Express.

Our water is sparkling clear today.

LUNKER LURKING

It's out there in the fishing hole. Oh yes. About 8 inches long. And hungry.

CAPTURED! AND RELEASED!

This is where the trap was set. Catfood bait.


I'll bet the beast weighs maybe 15-20 pounds!



I only hope THIS is the one which has been digging up our lawn and planting beds.

Until now, I can't recall ever seeing one up close. I have seen them occasionally on the roadside, with little Xs where the eyes would be.

The Texas armadillo is about the size of a large cat; its overall length is about 2½ feet, and adults weigh from twelve to seventeen pounds. The shell is really bone.

I drove this big fat one about 7 miles away and released it, somewhere where it hopefully will stay far from here. I let it go and it ran behind a fenced in property, once I shook it out of the trap.

POOL SPLASHES

The Lodge was buzzing as the pool opened to bright blue skies for Memorial Day after two days of rain (historically the rainiest weekend of the year.)

We missed the Chick-Fil-A Cow jumping into the pool.

But with the grill going full blast, lots of kids enjoying the fun, it was a great day.

POOL GLORIOUS POOL

Pam Chandler writes:

Spanish Oaks Lodge and Pool Memorial Day Celebration!

Join us on Memorial Day as we introduce our new swim program provided by Aqua Tots Swim School. Instructors will be providing free introductory swim lessons and games from 11:00am – 1:00pm and again from 5:00-7:00pm. Enjoy our complimentary smoothie bar and order lunch from the Grill. Aqua Tots will determine your child’s level of expertise (programs start at 6 months old and up) as you sign them up for summer lessons. Private and adult swim training programs will also be available. The full schedule and sign-up sheets will be available at the pool on Memorial Day.

We're very excited to have found AquaTots, as they have a great program for children from infant water safety through age 12. Should you have any questions please contact Pam Chandler at 533-2365, or Liza Bachelder at 533-2363.

Below for your convenience are the summer hours for the Fish Camp, Pool, and Lodge Grill.



Fish Camp Open Daily from 8:00am – Dusk

Lodge & Pool
May 23, Saturday 10:00am to 9:00pm
May 24, Sunday Noon to 9:00pm
May 25 (Monday, Memorial Day) 10:00am to 9:00pm
May 26 to end of season Tues.-Sat., 10:00am-9:00pm
Sunday, Noon-9:00pm
(Closed Monday)

Pool Grill
May 25 (Monday, Memorial Day) 11:00am to 7:00pm
May 26 – June 4 5:00pm to 7:00pm
June 5 to end of season Tues.-Sat., 11:00am-7:00pm
Sunday, Noon-7:00pm
(Closed Monday)

WE ARE THE US IN USPS

A reader writes:

I met the current USPS carrier today and was encouraged by what he had to say about service to our community.

You may have experienced repetitive misdelivered mail and delivery delays of up to three years. Yes, three years. Seems that misdelivered mail had remained in Spanish Oaks mail kiosk boxes after the respective homeowner had moved from the community.

Eddie, the new carrier, informed me that this route, formerly an auxiliary route, has become a permanent route, for which he has been assigned. This means that we should not experience further carrier turnover with inexperienced personnel.

I had to resort to writing the Postmaster General in Washington as well as the Regional Office in San Antonio since dealing with the Lakeway branch was not responsive to my numerous complaints. Perhaps the USPS does give serious attention to customer complaints, albeit slowly.

If you have the opportunity say hello to Eddie and thank him for his service. He does care.

SNAKE

Sometimes I am too cautious. It's a side effect of a good imagination - I imagine things going wrong... so when I take our dog out for her final pee in the dark, I always use a flashlight, especially at this time of the year, when snakes are said to be active. You never know.

Last night I swept the concrete with my spotlight, like a guard at a maximum security institution of incarceration. I noticed what appeared to be a branch, which had fallen onto the driveway.

But wait, the branch... was moving. A closer look - a snake! (And scarily, pointed away from the house, as if it lives there or close-by!)

Jessie did her business and I retreated to the house for tools - in this case a pickaxe, which I dropped on its side to immobilize the reptile, while I got the shovel for a beheading.

Yeah yeah, I know, they eat flies or something. I don't care.

Apparently I need a sharper shovel.



I thought it might be a baby copperhead but am not sure. Similar, to be sure.

I took a valium to sleep without snakey dreams as I had some adrenaline to overcome. Woke 45 minutes past my normal wakeup, with no bad dreams. I put the carcass out for the vultures.

USTABE RABBIT

We found this against the house in a planting bed. We wonder: How it died? What dragged it there? What ate it?

STREET REPAIR?

Land-A-Goshen! Or whatever you prefer as an appropriate expression of amazement... there are markings on several of the street "issues" we've had for, oh, years, as if they are really going to DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM! Don't know about you, but the bump at east entrance exit gate just galls me every time I thump over it. I mumble something about "premiere community" to myself and grind my teeth.

No word or markings on the eaten-up curb on S.O. Blvd.

The other day a sod-carrying truck came across the east entrance bridge far over into the oncoming lanes. And that striping plan is...?

Remember we are a development that doesn't have maintenance in the budget. So all the above may be a miracle. If so, Sunday services will be at the top of Musket Rim - just follow the dirt because they apparently don't clean the streets anymore either.

H-E-B THEFT ALERT

Apparently our 'new' HEB has become the target of purse snatchers - a woman with a man who parks in handicap parking (for a fast get away) have teamed up to steal your purse. Here are some tips from the Lakeway Police.


Safety purse tricks for ladies:
from Officer Andrea Greig, Lakeway Police Department.



1. Buckle your purse into the straps on the cart
that hold the baby in. If the person tries to steal your
purse the cart will have to go with them!

2. Keep your purse closed at all times and don't
turn your back or walk away.

3. Put it in the bottom basket where you keep
the food, if the cart has no baby safety straps.

4. Keep check book, credit cards and money in
different wallets or pockets. This way you will not
lose everything, hopefully.

5. Be aware of the people around you and try
to remember what they look like and what they
are wearing.

I hope this helps! Be safe, Officer Andrea Greig

Note: We have seen many open or accessible purses throughout the store. It's so easy to get distracted.

POOL HOURS

The pool will be open on Saturdays, 10 AM to dusk, and Sundays, Noon to dusk, beginning this weekend Saturday, May 2.

The grill will not open until Memorial Day Weekend, the official full-time pool opening date, so in the meantime please bring your coolers and enjoy the pool for these first few weekends!

HIGHWAY 71 ACCIDENT

Going west on 71, rear ended by another car today at 5:20 pm.
Wish there was a turning lane (already). My car goes in for an estimate tomorrow.

Rich Siegelman, Mondonedo Cove
Another victim