LOST CAT

His name is Neo, and he has a very saggy belly. He went missing Sunday
morning in the Barton Creek Preserve neighborhood.

Thank you so much,
Joni Benson
402-1282 / 423-4696

DESIGN GUIDELINES???

There's an ongoing issue which hangs over us all like an umbrella. It's somewhat invisible - we only see the results but not usually the process. I am writing about the Design Guidelines and their application, or lack thereof:

S O Design Guidelines, Page 3, Preface

Each lot owner must demonstrate how development of their property respects the vistas and amenities of neighboring properties and of the project as a whole.


Page 4-4, 4.3 Building Height

Objective
To minimize the visual impact of all buildings and to ensure that they are subordinate to and blend with the surrounding Hill Country landscape.
To ensure that the view potential from each lot is preserved.

Page 4-6, 4.5 Building Massing

Objective
To ensure buildings whose overall scale, image and appearance are compatible with that of the natural landscape, and to protect the mutual and reciprocal privacy of neighboring residences.

Page 4- 10

4.7 Colors

The color of external materials must be subdued to compliment the colors of and blend with the natural landscape. Locally found, muted Hill Country tones are recommended, although occasional accent colors, used judiciously and with restraint, may be permitted.

Walls - Natural and earth tones. Large areas of monochromatic surfaces shall be minimized. Wall surfaces shall utilize texture and / or multi layered applications

The was a reflectivity value limit which we learned has been dropped.

The home under construction shown was approved, though to my reading of the guidelines, it misses in scale, color, blending, and monochromatic issues. What do YOU think? I suggest you make your feelings known - or your piece of Spanish Oaks could have the same issues as they become more lax.

Pam Chandler DID respond about the color issue and said they are working with the builder to tone it down. Her answer ignored the other issues.

POOL-O-RAMA

As the weather continues to be warm, the Board of Directors has decided to extend the Lodge & Pool Hours through the month of October, on a limited basis. The Lodge Grill & Pool will be open Fridays, 4pm to 8pm; Saturdays, 10am to 8pm; and Sundays, Noon to 8pm, for the next few weeks.

Please note, however, that on Saturday, Sept. 27th, the pool will close at 3:00 pm. Prior to the extension of pool hours, the facility was reserved for a private party on this date. We hope you all will continue to enjoy the Lodge as long as weather permits.

FISH-O-RAMA

We have scheduled several things at Fish Camp for the month of October, and hope you can participate. For all events, please contact Liza Bachelder at 533-2363 to sign up. The cost of these events will be added to your Lodge account and you will be invoiced at the end of the month.

Sunday - 9/28 - 10:00 AM to Noon
FISHING SKILLS FOR NON-FISHING ADULTS
Have you ever wanted to take your kids down to Fish Camp but didn't really know where to start? This class if for you! In an easy to understand format you will get the skills you need to make fishing fun for both you and your child. You will learn all the basics from rigging, knots and bait selection to the all important "how do I get it off the hook". This class is presented for non-fishing adults, and the cost is $15.00 per fisherman.

Wednesdays, 10/1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 - 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
BASS BUS FOR KIDS
A perfect ending to a long day at school - fresh air and relaxation! Spanish Oaks residents may sign children up for the "After School Bass Bus". On Wednesday afternoons our fishing pro, Kevin Hutchison, will pick kids up at the end of your driveway. After a few casts and jaunts around the lake he will return them home in time for supper. Ages 6 and up, limit 6 kids per week. Shuttle makes rounds at 3:30 pm and returns at 5:30 pm. Cost is $10 per child.

Sundays, 10/5, 12, 19 & 26 - 8:00 AM
YOGA MORNING AT FISH CAMP
Experience the rich benefits of yoga in a relaxing and peaceful outdoor setting. Classes will run every Sunday for four weeks and accommodate the beginner or advanced yoga student. $30 per class. Mats will be provided.

Sunday, 10/5 - 10 AM to Noon
KIDS' FLY FISHING CLINIC
This class is geared for kids between the ages of 10 and 16, encompassing all the basic skills needed to get your child on the road to fly fishing success. During this two hour class your child will get real "hands on" casting experience and will learn the correct practice method that will help them succeed. $12 per student - limit is 10 children.

Sunday, 10/19 - 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
FATHER & SON FISHING TOURNEY
Let's see who can haul in the biggest fish today! Dad's biggest and Junior's biggest catch of the day are added together to find our winner. We'll have a prize and plenty of kudos for the winning duo. Moms and Daughters are also welcome to enter. $10 per team.

Sunday, 10/26 - 10:00 AM to Noon
BASIC FLY CASTING FOR ADULTS
Fly fishing can be intimidating but the reality is, with well-structured practice, anyone can master the basics of fly catching. Join certified casting instructor and guide, Kevin Hutchison, as he teaches the basics you need to get started in fly fishing. $20 per student - limit of 10 people.

Remember, to sign up for any of these events please call Liza Bachelder at 533-2363.

5 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST

Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage a area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND

Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock it saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).


Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"

THIRD

Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

FOURTH

How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone:
* # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone is stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally:,

FIFTH

Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends

POOL DAYS POOL DAYS, DEAR OLD... wait, that's not it...

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

THIS AND THAT

How will mail get to all the new homes with limited Kiosk space? Another Kiosk? Home delivery?

----

The pool will close at the end of summer unless it stays very hot in which case maybe it'll be opened weekends.

----

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.

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. >>>

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.

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.

71 UPDATE

This from rep. Valinda Bolton:

Hwy 71 from Uplands Ridge to Arroyo Canyon Drive

· Reconstruction of the Barton Creek Bridge with reduced speed limits in construction zones.

· Reconstruction of this segment into a 5-lane Highway with 8-foot shoulders.

· Project will be bid on in Summer 2009.

We were once told this process could take up to 7 years due to the various processes involved. Either that info was wrong, or some thing's changed! Specifically, we were told the environmental concerns of widening that bridge would take years to address. This will be interesting to follow. We wish the salamanders well, but our east entrance/exit needs that turn lane, if not a traffic light.

SKUNKADILLOCOON?

Something has been visiting our landscaping and digging it up at night. Whatever it is, it doesn't follow the rules for when workers are to be on site.

It wouldn't matter so much but this being the year of the Green, we put a layer of newspaper under the mulch to prevent weeds. Now we have mulch'n'paper strips instead.

I spoke to a wise neighbor. He says if you get rid of them they'll just come back. What? For the comic section?

Seriously, maybe I should borrow his infrared camera to see just what it is out there? THEN what, I don't know. If they'll come back, what's the use?

On the garden GREEN front I bought a concentrate (expensive, actually) which is supposed to contain a bacterium which infests caterpillars and kills them from the inside. I've sprayed now FOUR times and they still lounge about on the leaves like divorced women poolside in South Beach. Green is a nice idea I subscribe to, but it has to work. Today I doubled down the dose. I expect the shrubs to be dead in the mulch'n'newspaper garden by morning.

SOMETHING IS READING OUR LANDSCAPING

Since going green is all the rage, this year, prior to mulching, we took an article out of the paper to heart, in which they described putting sheets of newspaper under the mulch to act as a weed barrier.

What the article didn't mention was the possibility that a skunk, raccoon, or armadillo would find our mulch-with-buried-newspaper intriguing, as it is now digging it all up, presumably to read the text.

THE 4TH OF JULY POOL AND LODGE OPENING

"OH MAN, THAT FEELS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!"


"WATERMELLON EATING RULES!!!"


"I GOT IT I GOT IT I GOT IT"


"MY HUSBAND IS WATCHING OUR LITTLE GIRL - NOW IT'S MY TURN TO RELAX"


"DADDY ON A DAY THAT COULDN'T BE BETTER!"


"TWINS!"


"JUST LIKE ST. TROPEZ. CANNES? LA JOLLA? BETTER!"



"Wow, where'd all those people come from!?" was a repeated phrase as quite the turnout on a beautiful puffy cloud day brought together families, friends, neighbors, new neighbors, potential neighbors, developers, builders, and more.

Beautiful people and sunny mop-tops were sighted everywhere. The food was great and the water inviting.

HERE KITTY KITTY - FOUND CAT

A beautiful little (very hungry) cat found its way to us today and I’m desperately trying to find his owner. Would you mind posting his picture on the website? I’m assuming he belongs to someone in Spanish Oaks.



Thank you so much,

Joni Benson in Barton Creek Preserve

402-1282

jonibenson@austin.rr.com