TIME STRETCHES FOR WARNER

Pretty heavy duty stuff but a truck probably ran over it exposing the shield. Of course this is on rock, so they'd have some work to circumvent it.



This is my favorite, because for months the box was wide open! If you were ever a ten year old boy, you know the magnetism of an open box of 'stuff' - heck, once we found an unlocked traffic control box. Imagine the fun!

Well, there may or may not be any harmful voltage or amps in there, but the door swung open for months before someone closed it. However, they had this nasty cable to route. Nicely done.



More cable susceptible to whatever comes along. Did you know a new york rat can eat through concrete?

It's not that hard to find above ground cables in S.O. I assume these are TW, or somebody could conceivably do a dance with Mister Amp. Does anybody inspect this place with an eye for these things which are all too obvious and allowed to stand for YEARS?

(These are on Musket Rim - an early part of the development, so they've been there for at least three years.)

(Aside to "anonymous" who thinks I am pulling down the value of the homes by pointing these things out: this is reality.)

YOU DON'T NEED WATER FOR A POOL PARTY

Some anonymous ticked off owner left a nice contribution of vitroil over in the comments section of Sarcasm Oaks. Thinks the blog can affect his or her property values. I don't think the Fed can even do that. Put a bb in a glass jar and shake. That's the brain power being generated.

I say let's bring back Benjamin Franklin and prop him up at the east gate guardhouse. Maybe add a little perspective to what stands behind free speech.

MEANWHILE the blowout was great last night, a soft opening (bad title) a hose opening (better) of the Lodge and camp. Wish I had been drinking as I spied some mighty fine selections there in the bar. Mighty fine.

Here are some random pictures. For the archives. The pool should be ready to swim on July 4.

SARCASM OAKS

I write a blog for the locals - as 12th or 14th into this development, we've sure seen it grow while the developers were and continue to be very weak at communication - in my opinion. This gave me the idea of a blog which would basically serve as a newspaper/ organ (ahem) for the folks who were interested or bought in. This is that blog.

Well, there's certainly some political correctness necessary, even though I've been consistent in my opinion (hey, a newspaper has opinion pages!) which centers around my perception of mismanagement in various nitpicks plus the big one - lack of info flow to owners.

So far, I am the communications person (voluntary) for the development - as such - any emails sent out must be to an opt-in list and also vetted by the bigs at the Board of Directors or their assigns. Once almost weekly, they have trickled down to almost none. Frustration builds.

This leads to an Electric Onion approach toward it all... and a new website with a title that I feel explains it all. Nothing is true. All is fair game and in the spirit of tongue deeply in cheek. See Welcome to SARCASM OAKS! The active link will be at the top right side of this site. Please come visit, add ideas, smile.

71 INFO FROM CITIZENS FOR CHANGE ON 71

CAMPO Public Hearing: Monday, March 17th 6pm. CC71 will be on the official agenda to request funding for improvements on Hwy. 71. Location of hearing will be at the UT Thompson Center. Public comments will also be welcome from citizens regarding Uplands Ridge Boulevard to Preserve Way on Hwy. 71. http://www.campotexas.org/

comment:

Haven't we been told by legislators and reps that THERE ISN'T ANY MONEY for this and even if there was it'd take 5 years or more to complete? - Envoironmental studies, bids, design, construction process...

Nevertheless:

Texas Department of Transportation

SH 71 Action Plan

Limits: US 290 to FM 2322

After a review of roadway and accident data the following activities are proposed:

Immediately contract to roughen roadway surface in areas where wet weather related fatality accidents have occurred except for those areas already resurfaces with a porous friction course pavement. This region is from FM 2322 to Bee Creek Road (Approximately 6 miles). This activity is estimated to be complete within 30 days.

Immediately contract to rest ripe entire length of SH 71 from US 290 to FM 2322 including replacing raised pavement markers. Rumble striping will be used to alert drivers when crossing the center line or edge lines. (Approximate length 18 miles). This activity is estimated to be complete within 60 days.

Immediately contract to place porous friction course pavement in the area where bad wet weather related fatality accidents have occurred and not previously placed. This region is from FM 2322 to Bee Creek Road (Approximately 6 miles). This activity is estimated to be complete by the end of the summer.

Conduct traffic speed study for the entire SH 71 corridor from US 290 to FM 2322 and reduce speed limits where justified under the legal criteria for setting speed limits. The study is estimated to be complete within 10 days and signs installed within 45 days.

Place additional warning signs and flashing beacons where warranted. This activity is estimated to be complete within 60 days.

The total cost for the above activities is estimated to be $3 million.

Longer term activities include:

Bid project in fall of 2008 to construct a continuous left turn lane and add shoulders from FM 2322 to R.O. Drive Estimated Cost: $7 million

Continue to seek funds to add a continuous left turn lane and add shoulders for the remaining portions of the corridor.

71

Bob, I am sure you have heard about this. My cousin is friends with the family of this girl. It is such a terrible story, and to make matters more horrible, I was told that the girl's sibling was also killed in a car accident two years ago.

The guy that hit her was going 110 miles per hour! She was on the far outside lane, where her parents had told her she would be safest if someone crossed the yellow line. The driver survived.

This road is SO VERY dangerous as it is, so why would someone drive so fast on it? I don't travel the road a lot (yet) so I am not sure how much the police patrol it, but it seems to me that if they had a huge presence on that road, people would be more conscious of how fast they are going. I have already told my family how dangerous this road is and to be cautious when they visit us in the future. I would hate to think that "budget" and trying to preserve a small part of the environment would take such precedence over human lives.

Student killed in crash on Highway 71


04:28 PM CST on Monday, March 3, 2008


KVUE News, A Lake Travis High School student was killed over the weekend in the ninth deadly accident on a dangerous stretch of Highway 71 just west of Bee Creek, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said., Lake Travis High School, Michelle Kaughs, The accident happened Sunday night around 10 o'clock., One person was killed in a one vehicle accident., Lake Travis ISD identified the victim in a letter sent to parents Monday as Michelle Kaughs, a Lake Travis High School junior. The district said she was heading home from work., “I know that the care and strength of our school and community will help sustain us during this difficult time of grief and healing, ” LTHS Principal Charlie Little said in a news release. “We ask that you please keep the Kauhs family in your thoughts and prayers.”, Counselors were available to talk to students and staff., Eight people have died on that stretch of road since 2006.

Cathi Rustmann

WEEKLY EMAIL?

Well, it wasn't exactly weekly anyway, but it seems there's nothing to report. Not officially. Or vetted. Or corporately. Hard to believe.

So if you opted in, you aren't forgotten.

Another accident - this one at the top of the hill west of east entrance... looked like a rear ender. I tried to get some pictures but that's hard while leaning backwards out the window at a stopped line of cars.

We can all look forward to the soft opening of the Lodge. You should have received your box of invitation.

Lights remain on on Spanish Oaks Parkway today in the bright sun at 3:50. Al Gore contacted.

ANOTHER MAJOR WRECK ACROSS FROM EAST ENTRANCE

I happened on the scene shortly after it must have taken place. At least two pickups were in the woods across the roadway from the east entrance to S.O., actually off of 71. It appears there's a bit of embankment there - not much was visible, though at least one of the trucks was damaged heavily. Firetrucks and ambulances were there or on the way. Don't know what my phone picked up, but here's what I got:

ONE DIP OUT OF TWO

Notice the marking on the incoming route to the east entrance - they found the dip that scraped my friend's Limited Edition Viper. But also notice there's no marking on the virtually same dip right as you exit the east entrance gate.

Maybe they ran out of paint.

Let's hope they fix both.

Steve Yetts has promised me a meeting when he's on the grounds and I look forward to that. If you have any pictures of questionable things, please submit to rwood24@Austin.rr.com You can be anonymous, but at least identify the picture location.

ROADS LEAD TO FISH... AND BEYOND!

Roads are in. Who knows where they lead? Likely to multi-million dollar escapes for the rich and famous. I doubt you'll see a fishing show shot back at the fish camp, but at least you can get there and keep your Escalade shiny. If you forgo the lot, which isn't paved.

Just for grins:

TAKE THE PAPER. TAKE IT. TAKE IT!

The American-Satesman must tell its distributors to leave them wherever there's a driveway and no contract for delivery. Our neighbor gets one at each of their two driveways.

This house doesn't exist yet, but undeterred, the American Statesman persists.

FINALLY

We finally received some of the answers to questions posed at the/ or for the/ annual meeting last month. They've been sent to the opt-in weekly e-mail list and will be posted on the HOA website. Probably not appropriate to post here through certain questions RAISED questions and clearly there's more to come.

Anybody know what the 'lift' is all about on La Barzola? <>

Meanwhile another wreck reported yesterday AM at 71 and the Madrones. No details.

THE BIG CRACKDOWN

Overheard two motorcycle cops just now, talking about Highway 71. Apparently there was a police meeting somewhere at that moment discussing crackdowns on speeders on on 71. As one put it, "5 mph over can happen without you knowing it, but 10 - you're speeding on purpose. I might give a warning." The other said, "if 10 over, and on the phone, it's a ticket for them."

Be warned. And safe.

THE CIRCLE IS BROKEN

Spanish Oaks Boulevard, as it passes through the circle, clearly isn't working the way it was intended, due primarily to too-large-truck traffic. We've seen mitigation attempts from wooden fencing to rocks to HUGE ROCKS and now, no rocks. Maybe something has happened since last night - you never know.

We hear the circle will be rebuilt but cannot obtain a solid timetable or plan.

Maybe they'll pave it.
Or put cameras to catch the miscreants and fine them.
Or post a guard permanently.
Or fence it with an angry bull in the fence.

Who's in charge? What are they thinking? Who knows?

3 KILLED ON 71

Fatal wreck on Texas 71 kills three, injures 5
By Melissa Mixon | Saturday, February 16, 2008, 03:14 PM

At least three people are dead and five are seriously or critically injured after a two-car collision this afternoon, emergency officials said.

The dead are believed to be “student aged,” around 16 to 18 years old, and one of the critically injured is believed to be a child, said Warren Hassinger, a spokesman for Austin-Travis County EMS. Names and information about the injured and deceased were not immediately available.

Click here for full story

UPDATES

Rebar has been installed into the community pool area. It's one heck of a lot of iron!

Some of the roads back there have been paved.

A visit with two friends and generations of fishing technique added up to one catch and release. I lost a lure but caught another lure. Entropy.

Here are a few pictures of the latest (Sunday past.)

ROAD GLOOM

According to TxDOT's Exec Director, TxDOT's ability to come anywhere close to meeting those needs (for the next 25 years) looks doubtful, due to problems caused by stagnating revenue sources, escalating costs, and cuts in expected federal aid as resources are devoted to other programs, including military spending.

In the biennial appropriations bill passed by the Texas Legislature in 2007, TxDOT was allocated more than $8.721 billion for fiscal 2008, but the funding has not developed as anticipated, and the agency is having to cut back on what it intended to spend for maintenance and new construction projects.

READ full article click here!

Where does that leave what will be discussed below? Somebody be sure to ask. Also get timetable projections. Then please pass along info to this blog. My guess is that if we see 71 widened at the bridge over B Creek within 5 years, the roadway will contain a chapel where pilgrims can visit the site of the miracle!

HIGHWAY 71

TxDOT will hold an open house on Tuesday, February 26th, at the Travis County West Rural Community Center (adjacent to the City of Austin Fire Station, west of the "Y") from 5 pm to 8 pm. The purpose of the open house is to discuss proposed improvements to SH 71 from Uplands Ridge to Silvermine Drive (approximately 1/2 mile east of Thomas Springs Road). The proposed improvements would widen SH 71 to accommodate a continuous turn lane and shoulders.


Another wreck yesterday up the hill toward Bee Cave Road. No details.

BYE BYE BACKYARD?

The Backyard may no longer be in our backyard. Click here for the story.

19 DAYS

If you are a regular reader you know (about three or four posts below) that upon request, I had submitted questions to be answered at the annual meeting. They were not addressed.

I've been told they are in process.

So - what is the proper forum for getting answers which relate to our HOA if not through the one suggested? I completely understand the (assumed) desire of the board to not turn the annual meeting into a bitch session; still, it seems there's been a disconnect. Questions were solicited. Wouldn't it have made sense to say something at the meeting like "some of you have questions which we'll be addressing in the near future." I'd ask why the delay? Why were no specifics given to the one question about the apparent HOA payment for trail maintenance ("I'll get back to you" was Steve's answer.) Well, what's the answer to that one?

Supposedly some of the questions were unanswerable due to Pam's absence due to family matters. That's understandable and unfortunate.

Despite an effort at better communication it seems to me we are back in a lull which needs attention. Again I insist that the best salespeople for this development are the people who live here. They deserve better service from management.

In my business experience (radio) there's the rule of quintiles: basically about 80% of your business comes from 20% of heavy users. I'm sure if you sat down all the owners only 20% would have issues or would wish to participate. (Many people are non-confrontational or apathetic.) A free flow of information which affects us all would serve the 20% and maybe bring the others into a greater sense of inclusion.

-------

That said, an update - as of yesterday it looked like the curbing has been installed on one of the roads to the fish camp. You'd have to assume paving would be soon. This is exactly the kind of basic information which if communicated would give the owners a better sense of ownership and progress.

FISHY STORY

This is the lodge at Fish Camp though it's up the street (still unpaved.) Think whistling and Andy and Opie and coffee can of worms.

Or imagine sparkling blue waters as bronzed moms and dads chat while their kiddos splash poolside. Or maybe a sunset/evening party. This has the makings of a good thing. See below for more.