GONE GONE GONE!

In case anyone stumbles upon this blog, you might like to know we moved out, and that's some of why this is the end.  Good luck.  Happy Trails.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF... MONEY.

You know where the cows climb to the stars?  The hill in the middle of Spanish Oaks, owned by Dr. Rashid?  Well, he sold to Spanish Oaks.

Plans TBA.

THEFT

Hi Spanish Oaks Social Scene Members!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!

I was just notified by Charlotte that her neighbors cars left outside (2 of them) on Musket Rim, were burglarized last night and thought this would be a great way to get the word out quickly. Cash and an expensive camera were taken. Others in the area also mentioned that their belongings were "moved" as if they went rummaging through the open cars to find loot. It's true that we all get comfortable living behind these gates and we either leave our car doors or home/garage doors unlocked/open which unfortunately now, needs to change.

I'm going to suggest something that I hope we can all take seriously. I don't know about you all but a couple of reasons we bought in here was the sense of small community and the safety of the 24hr guard gates. Assuming (and praying) they aren't kids/teens from our hood that are violating our residents, it's important that you update your list at the guard gates ( teens that are non-residents, babysitters, housekeepers, lawn, pest, pool maintenance etc) and reiterate to the guards that you are notified if you have a guest coming you were not expecting. It's also important to let the guard gate know if know you are expecting someone that wouldn't ordinarily be on your list, ensuring them that you are willing to work together. I know it's a hassle, but if we all work together it can be beneficial to us all when we least expect it. With our community growing, it's important we implement the rules and standards the neighborhood has put in place for us and that the guards are getting paid to do. The East gate has been the most problematic and I have been told by Raymond at the West gate that unless they hear from residents, they can't fix a problem of "relaxed" guards at the gates!

It's certainly disappointing that we have to tighten the reigns here in the hood but we are paying for them to protect our streets and now is a better time than ever to make sure they are utilized as a "road block" for those unexpected guests!

I know we can't control everything..but this is a great start and healthy habit to practice for the safety of our neighborhood!

Please send out to your neighbors and lets get the word out to protect Spanish Oaks!

Sincerely,

Monica

BOBCAT? (no relation)

Apparently, as you will read, there have been sightings of a bobcat or cats.  If you get a better picture (be careful!) please send it to me to post.


Bob,
It was nice seeing you and Chester again this morning! He's adorable! Here is a picture of one of the bobcats. Six adults have come eye to eye with the bobcat. It has been coming out in the early morning and early afternoon/evening. I was told it has a den behind us down in the creek area. I hope this helps! I would hate to have anything happen to any of our animals or children for that matter!

All my best, Libby Bunting

Thanks, Libby.

Bill Gunn lives in the Preserve, abutting Spanish Oaks' east end.

From: Bill Gunn [mailto:bgunn@datasight.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 7:20 PM
Subject: The Phillips' dog was killed last night

I wanted to let everyone know that the Phillips’ dog (next door to us) was attacked and killed last night by some type of predator. The vet said the nature of the wound did not indicate that it was inflicted by another dog.

There have also been several sightings of a bobcat in Spanish Oaks.

Be vigilant.

= Bill =

Bill Gunn

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To all:

This is really sad.  Have you got a trail cam?  Why not set it up in your backyard?  I will post pictures.  Perhaps it can be trapped?  Bill lives just through the gate to the Preserve on Overlook Pass.

When I take Chester out, there had been as many as four rabbits in our yard.  Until two weeks ago or so, when they all disappeared.  Coincidence?

WRECK 3?

Just west of the east entrance on Westbound 71.  Be careful!

WRECK... 2?

Yesterday at he east entrance onto 71.  Be careful.

VARIOUS

The east entrance traffic light is now operational.  Warning: we watched a car zoom down the hill and go right through a red at what seemed like 60 mph.  Until all get used to it, be careful!

According to Pam Chandler, solar cells are now allowed in S.O. DRC to approve whatever.

Does it seem like several builds have stalled?  Sub issues?  Timing?

A family in the community watched the other day as a large (estimated) 50-60 pound cat walked through their backyard and stopped to look in the window at THEIR cat.  Said to be red on top with spots all over, black feet, round face, they didn't get a picture but will try if seen again.  Calls to the zoo, etc., turned up no info.  It was suggested perhaps a hybrid 'pet' had escaped.  Not a cougar, not a wildcat, but BIG.

IMPORTANT NOTICE OF WATER USE CURTAILMENT WEDNESDAY, 6/20 10 PM!

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE FROM THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY. DUE TO A TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STATE HIGHWAY 71 ROAD WIDENING PROJECT THAT WILL IMPACT A LARGE TRANSMISSION MAIN SERVING YOUR AREA, PLEASE SUSPEND ALL OUTDOOR WATER USE AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USAGE COMMENCING AT 10:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012, THROUGH 12:00 NOON, FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU TURN OFF YOUR AUTOMATIC LAWN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND STOP ALL NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USE DURING THIS PERIOD. WATER SERVICE WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, BUT IT WILL BE FOR INDOOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY. ALSO, PLEASE LET YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW OF THE WATER CURTAILMENT USE PERIOD COMMENCING AT 10:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012, THROUGH 12:00 NOON, FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012. YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS MATTER, PLEASE CONTACT DON RAUSCHUBER, GENERAL MANAGER, OF THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY AT 512/263-0100.

NEW LAWN SERVICE FOR PUBLIC AREAS

Much faster.

THINGS ARE HOPPING

71 at our east entrance is complete.  Now, turn on the lights!!!

The leak is also back across from the east guard shack.  Fixed before.  Leaking again!

Construction seems to have picked up!

71

If you don't live here you can't appreciate the length of time this is taking.  I saw five guys in hard hats just standing around today.  Nice.  Meanwhile the scope of the job seems to be increasing, or other 'projects' piggyback on this one...  someday we'll have a safe east exit w traffic light, and can zoom over it all remembering the slow days.

PLAY POOL

Copied from the newsletter.  No mention of Oak cutting... basically, you have to paint your cuts or oak wilt will maybe getcha.

Pool Season Begins Friday, May 25th! The Grille will be open for beverage service only on the 25th, but will begin full service on Saturday, May 26th. Hours for the season will be:

Pool: Tuesday thru Sunday 10 am - 9 pm

(Pool is Closed Mondays)

Grille: Wednesday thru Saturday 11 am - 8 pm

Sundays 1 pm - 8 pm

Closed Monday & Tuesday

As in previous years, several residents have reserved the pool area for pre-season private parties. Those dates are:

Thursday, 5/17, Noon to 9 pm: Seifert for LT Tennis Banquet

Friday, 5/18, 3 to 7 pm: Granger for Regent's 7th Grade

Saturday, 5/19, 3 - 9 pm: Schmitz for Wedding Reception

Sunday, 5/20, Noon to 9 pm: Fulks, Birthday Party

Wednesday, 5/23, 5 - 9 pm: Phillips/Snell, Golf Outing

After Memorial Day, the pool may only be reserved for private parties on Mondays when we are closed. Groups of more than 20 guests are allowed only on weekdays with reservations, and weekend guests are limited to 10 per household.

Please remember that our liquor license prohibits any alcohol not purchased on the premises.

THE SLOW ROAD

...aka Highway 71.  Apparently the contractors blame the time it is taking on the weather! - ???  And they plan on a finish by the end of summer.

Speaking of roads, it is again time when our snake friends are appearing as smashed or squirming.  Warn the kids - they are not all safe!

And almost on the subject, wouldn't you think we could get the electronics working after all this time at the east gate?

HIGHWAY 71 TRAFFIC

If you read this prior to Wednesday the 11th, you should know that there's a memorial procession for the slain police officer estimated to be 10 miles long, which will proceed to 71 and 620 tomorrow.  I estimate its arrival at about 3PM but don't take my word for it.  Just know that heading west from the east entrance is likely to be much delayed at that time, or thereabouts.  If it's really that lopng then you won't be able to turn onto SW Parkway either, due to the long line.

AT NIGHT

We found some skeletons in the back yard of a home bordering the preserve. Yes, they were animals. No, we couldn't be sure exactly what, as the vultures had picked the bones clean. One skull appeared to be feral pig, another, deer.

If you have a trail cam, why not put it up and then send the best shots to the blog here for posting!  It'd be real interesting to see what goes on in the middle of the night.  What roams the dark.

SOCIAL

A social committee has been formed and events are planned - the meet 'n' greet for new neighbors at the Lodge this past week was well attended.

Next up is an Easter egg hunt for the kids. With all the jack rabbits and cotton tails it'd be easy to claim one is The Peter Cottontail.

WHEN WILL 71 BE FINISHED?

TX DOT projects mid-summer for "our" part. I believe there are to be lights yet uninstalled, to answer a poster below.

But then farther east there's a lot of obvious work and that will take much longer. So traffic will be down to one lane each direction farther up that hill toward SW Parkway as they do more.

FINALLY! A LIGHT DAWNS.

We'll call it the Ray Ware memorial light. Ray was an early salesman for Spanish Oaks. His estimate of the time-to-east-end-traffic light was off by about 5 years, but, in a blink, we'll have it now.

THEY ARE PAVING 71

I tried to grab a picture on the run but was unable to get anything but this. Safety first! This is certainly no secret to those who live here, but I post for those who may own but be away. Not that anyone reads this, but I pretend.

There's still work to be done, and rain on the way, so the project may be delayed a few days. Soon, though, and very soon, we'll have a light at the east entrance, a great new wider 71 with a turn lane from the east, and sugar plum fairies dancing on or in our heads.