SPANISH OAKS CLUB BOULEVARD ROCKS!!!

The situation in a nutshell (and nuts is a great starting place!) Trucks rolled over the center island buffalo grass, as they apparently (?) couldn't make the turn in the radius presented. So (this goes back some time) a wooden fence was attempted.

Then it was replaced by small rocks (have I got the chronology right?) then they were replaced by larger rocks. Then they were taken away. This is over months. And now we have another realtor open house Sunday and suddenly much bigger rocks are back!

It looks ridiculous. Cheap. Hello, management, you can do better.

BEE CAVE PARK

We knew it was proposed - a new Bee Cave Park - but where? Part of the confusion was cleared last night as we attended the meeting about Highway 71 - there, in the lobby of Bee Cave City Hall, was a sketch of the park. What cleared up is that the road shown on it doesn't exist yet - Bee Cave Parkway will extend from where it exists now (onto 620) to eventually link up with Hamilton Pool Road.

On this sketch I've inserted some text to help align your view. Click here to see it in full screen.

HIGHWAY 71

By now you know - due to pretty compete media coverage, that the 71 enhancements are underway - what you might not know - especially if not in the area (absentee lot owners, for example) is that the area of immediate concern/number of deaths is considerably west of here. Our issues will be part of another project - from Oak Hill (The Y) to beyond S.O. That's if and when. If it's funded and when it can be done.

Roadway money is hard to come by in Texas.

THE BACKYARD

Last night at the Bee Cave Council Meeting, the Backyard presented a preliminary plan to move to the NW corner of 620 and 71 (behind the church). A 7500 seat facility is proposed, with parking for 2500 cars. If you've endured the present silly parking scheme, you might leap for joy. Good to see it's not moving FAR away.
It's still in the early stages (ha!)

EAST VERSUS WEST

While waiting, we measured. The west gate, from beep of the scanner to fully open, is about 4 seconds slower than the east. It's about 14 vs. 18 seconds. According to one of the guards, the west side gate actually lifts then opens, though we've not noticed that as it takes a few seconds to get there from the 'pad.'

Let's push for a fix to the remaining dip right as you exit the east entrance gate. They did a nice repair job on the other one down by the bridge. One down, one to go.

WHITE CAT LOST

We're missing a White Cat with 24 toes, if anybody has seen him, this neutered male cat belongs to Taylor Skinner, age 14 at 4813 Mondonedo Cove. If you find him, please call Taylor 627-6332

MISSED THE FIRST PHOTO

Walking the neighborhood this perfect afternoon, my mind wandered despite the choke chain. There were many good smells and many new shades of grey. So I failed to notice the snake thing in the street ahead and I didn't alert Bob, who was lost in his own thoughts. It's a good thing he went to the bathroom before our walk. He did see the last little bit of slither into the grass and we avoided the area.

Jessie Wood

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?