June - Balcones Woods Neighborhood Association

Balcones Woods
Newsletter
Calendar
June 23 - BWC Swim
Meet, 8:00am - 2:00pm at
Twin Creek
June 30 - Championship
Swim Meet, 8:00am 2:00pm at University of
Texas
July 1– Fireworks at the
Quarries
July 4- Parade and Celebration at the Commons
Area. 9:00 am!
July 9- City brush collection
Sept 11 - BW Board of
Directors Meeting, 7:00 pm
at the Clubhouse
Sept 12 - BW Operating
Committee Meeting, 7:00
pm at the Clubhouse
Sept 22 - BW Casino
Night Adult Party, 6:30 pm
at the Clubhouse. Only
residents 18 years or older
please.
Balcones Woods Club,
Inc.
11204 Alhambra
Austin, TX 78759
Web site:
www.balconeswoods.org
E-mail:
newsletter@
balconeswoods.org
Phone: 512.338.4971
Balcones Woods Club, Inc.
takes no responsibility for the
content, promises made, or the
quality/reliability of the products or services offered in all
advertisements. For ad information, please call us at 3384971 or e-mail us.
July 1 Fireworks at
the Quarries!
The Hyde Park Baptist Church at the
Quarries invites you to their family
fireworks celebration by the lake.
Fireworks usually start at dark and
this year, the Mesa Park gate will be
open to traffic. This means Santa
Cruz and the first section of Balcones
Woods Drive could be traffic busy
that night. Also please take precautions to protect your pets from the
noise.
Brush collection is
scheduled for July 9 for Balcones
Woods. See the guidelines: http://
www.austintexas.gov/department/
residential-brush-collection.
June 2012
Be FireWise!
Joe Zygarlenski has been appointed our
neighborhood fire prevention coordinator and will be sharing tips from the
Austin Fire Dept’s program called
Firewise. Please feel free to discuss
any issues with him at 372-2211.
One of the best tips he offers is to trim
up the trees and dead undergrowth that
is the primary fuel source for a
fire. Please visit www.firewise.org.
Firewise Tips:
*Improve your “home ignition zone”—
the house and surrounding area within
100 to 200 feet.
*Use non-combustible construction
materials, such as stucco, brick, and
cement siding. (Cont’d on next page)
July 4th Parade & Celebration!
Join us at 9:00 a.m. at the commons area for
our Annual Balcones Woods July 4th Parade!
Prizes will be awarded for the Best: Vehicle, Float,
Bike, Wagon/Stroller, Pet, and Yard. The Austin
Fire Department will be in our parade, and there to
cool off the kids; plus we'll be handing out free ice
pops. Later join us at the pool for Pool Games such
as the Family Relay, Big Splash, Belly Flop and
Watermelon Pool Polo. Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded to the winners of these events. It's a whole day of family fun! If you would like to help
with these events, please contact Jennifer Heinzke at
youthsocial@balconeswoods.org. We need donations of treats for the APD
and AFD, judges for the Parade, decorating at the commons, and donations of
old unused trophies.
Be FireWise
Friendly Reminder…
(cont’d)
Decks and fences attached to the home are part of the
home.
*Consider using Class-A asphalt roof shingles, clay
tile, or slate roofing materials.
Please don’t place your trash, recycle and yard waste
cans/bags on the street corner until Tuesday afternoon
(the day before pick-up) and put them away on
Wednesday. If you are having difficulty moving
them, please contact the BW Volunteer Committee at
338-4971, and we can help. Thank you!
* Prune all trees so the lowest limbs are 6-10 feet
from the ground and remove dead or overhanging
branches.
Here is the city link on trash guidelines: http://
www.austintexas.gov/department/residential-trashcollection
*Within 5 feet of the home, use nonflammable landscaping materials, such as rock, pavers, annuals, and
high-moisture-content perennials.
Tennis Group
*Select low-growing plants with high moisture content that are free of resins, oils, or waxes that burn
easily.
*Remove leaves and pine needles from gutters
and around your home and attachments, such as
decks and fences.
*Allow 30 feet between tops of trees to reduce
the risk of crown fire.
*Contact your state forestry office or local fire
department for hazard assessment and specific guidelines for your area.
.
There is a new Yahoo group for Balcones Woods tennis players. This group list will only be used to connect with other tennis enthusiasts in the neighborhood
and act as a distribution list among the neighborhood
tennis players of Balcones Woods. To join, please go
to: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/
BWC_Tennis/ Then enter your contact information
in the database contact list.
BW Bunco
You’re missing a great time if you are not at
Bunco at the Clubhouse on the 3rd and 4th Thursdays
of every month. The groups rotate hosting and occasionally have a Potluck. It's a great way to play a
mindless dice game, meet your neighbors, and eat
and drink. Sorry guys, this is a women's club. The
3rd Thursday Group meets from 7:30-10:30. The 4th
Thursday Group meets from 7:00-9:00. The 3rd
Thursday Group is full, but we need more Subs. The
4th Thursday Group has openings.
If you are interested, email Nancy Reed at
nreed59@gmail.com for more details.
Detailed landscape techniques, homeowner guidelines, and building construction choices are available
online at www.firewise.org.
New BW Volunteer Group
We received two requests: one for raking leaves and
another to remove a fallen tree branch and both jobs
were a success. Special thanks to Jennifer Burleson!
If you are a senior citizen or need help on a small
home cleanup project or want to volunteer, please
contact us at newsletter@balconeswoods.org or 3384971.
Thank you!
Summer Camp Events
Betty Boden wanted to thank the BW Meal Circle
and all the wonderful ladies who brought meals to
her recently. “We have some awesome cooks in our
neighborhood. Thank you again to everyone. Blessings on your kind deeds!”
Our neighbor, the Hyde Park Church at the Quarries,
has some awesome summertime and holiday camps
for kids and it's right next to us. The link is http://
www.hpbc.org/quarries.
2
No Trespassing (Part Deux)
With the summer blockbuster season opening, and perpetuating the trend of sequels, prequels, and updates, we
thought it appropriate to revisit the last post on the greenbelt areas owned by the Balcones Woods Club.
We appreciate the many residents who contacted the Operating Committee and Board to request clarification,
and those that attended the recent meetings in April and May.
The greenbelt areas owned by the Balcones Woods Club are a “use at your own risk” part of our community.
The “No Trespassing” signs will remain up so it’s clear to non-residents that these are not public lands.
When walking your dog, leash laws and rules for common courtesy that exist for walking on the street should
be adhered to. Additionally, as was clarified in the last newsletter, these areas are owned by the Balcones
Woods Club, and are not trash collection points, and should not be altered with pathways, or used for storage.
3
Meet the Lifeguards
We have quite a few New Faces up at the pool
this year and could not ask for a better crew of
lifeguards. We have just the right mix of seasoned veterans and youthful enthusiasm to
make for a perfect combination of life-saving
ability.
They got off to a quick start this year with 3
saves under their belts within the first week of
the pool being open full time. Talk about a
sink or swim start to being a guard—it was a
trial-by-fire atmosphere up at the pool and
they came through with flying colors!
The lifeguards do it all, from selling popsicles
to cleaning bathrooms, but their most important job is to save you or a loved one in trouble. Swim at your own risk does not really apply at the Balcones Woods pool with these
lifeguards on duty.
Front row: Rachel Douglas, Garrett VanderStoep, Christy Olsen,
Chris Anne Laskowski. Back row: Matthew Mahavier, Ray Anthony, Erin Buergner, Claire Mendez, Zachary Smith. Not Pictured: Katy Hanson, Brandon Barnes, and Andrew Burnett
Scott Dady, Pool Personnel Chairman
More Pool News
Free Bridge Lessons
Thanks to David & Christie James for their stereo donation
to the pool, Larry Sears for helping to install the speakers,
and Joe Zygarlenski for all his help.
Have you ever wanted to learn to play bridge?
Or did you play in college and want to brush
up your skills? Or would you just like to challenge yourself with a game that is similar to,
but a bump up from Hearts? Sally Sassen will
be offering free bridge lessons this summer to
Balcones Woods residents. Contact her at
sallysassen@gmail.com, or 517-4123.
Please warn your kids to watch for traffic as they enter the
parking lot by the pool. Recently, one driver reportedly was
speeding through the parking lot. Naturally, we want all
drivers to exercise extreme caution and slow down! Be
especially careful when backing up your vehicle.
Also, if you see vandals or trespassers on the pool property
after operating hours, please call 9-1-1. The police have
been alerted and will respond immediately
Feral Cats
A neighbor reported that feral cats are frequenting our neighborhood, possibly coming from the BW Apartments. The Austin Humane Society offers clinics held every Wed. and Thurs. for spaying, neutering, rabies
vacs, and more. Reservations can be made at online at www.AustinHumaneSociety.org/Ferals
Questions? Please call (512) 968-7131 or (512) 646-7387
4
Pot Luck Party
Keeping your
Property Value Up
The Balcones Woods Architectural Control Committee (ACC) was established in our by-laws to ensure property improvements do not violate any of
our Deeds and Covenants. They are also charged
with the duty of making sure improvements aren't
substantially different from the general aesthetics of
our neighborhood. The ACC is a committee of three
volunteer neighbors, who examine applications and
weigh in to decide if they can proceed, or request
changes if there are any points of issue.
The ACC members make every effort to be timely in
their decisions and more importantly try to consider
not only the property being improved, but also the
neighbors such an improvement impacts. Sometimes
it might take some additional time to consider an
application, due to debate between members or a
need for more information.
Ultimately the ACC volunteers must be very objective with their decision making. It may seem as if
they are being too restrictive, but it's in an effort to
maintain a certain level of quality and aesthetic for
improvements in Balcones Woods. The ACC wants
to allow for progressive changes; it doesn't want
Balcones Woods to stay a 1970's-looking neighborhood. They especially want improvements that add
value or save water and resources to properties, as
this sets a good example for the neighborhood as a
whole, encouraging higher property values for us all.
The next time you are considering an improvement
to your property, be it an addition, a new fence or
shed, or a new landscape design, please submit an
application to the ACC to ensure your project complies with the Deeds and Covenants, City of Austin
Building Codes and that it doesn't negatively impact
your neighbors. Remember the ACC is here to help
the neighborhood and make sure expensive, permanent changes do not adversely affect those around
us. So think of the ACC not as the Architectural
Control Committee, but the Architectural Compromise Committee.
5
Balcones Woods held its annual adult Potluck Party
Saturday, May 12th. Approximately 80 people came
out to the clubhouse to share in a night of neighborhood fun. Great prizes were awarded for the raffle,
bingo, and a hula hoop contest held this year. KFC
chicken and biscuits were on the menu as well as the
delicious side dishes and desserts contributed by attendees. A keg of NXNW beer was tapped, along
with wine and iced tea. Everyone had a great time
as was posted on the Balcones Woods Neighborhood
Email (balconeswoods@yahoogroups.com).
If you missed it though, don't worry because on
September 22, the annual adult Casino Night Party
will be held. It’s completely catered along with
great prizes. So mark your calendars for September
22 at the Balcones Woods Clubhouse.
National Night Out
National Night Out will be held on October 4th from
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. If you are planning a party, please
post it on the Yahoo Groups. Let’s try and make it
bigger than last year. We plan to get some news
coverage out here this year. Shortly there will be
two links on our website, one for APD and one for
the Sheriff's Dept. Please apply to both links to get
them to come out to your parties.
Thanks Bob Vehon!
Want to know if you should sell, or hold on to your investment?
Call me today for a free market analysis!
Buyers & Tenants are waiting to move into Balcones Woods!
Allison Dady, Realtor®
Sales & Leasing Consultant
(512)924-1818
allisondady@jbgoodwin.com
www.allisondady.com
Balcones Woods Specialist & Resident
Have You Walked Your Dog Today?
Is your fenced yard a haven for your dog, or a prison? Every dog should have a fenced yard as a safe and
handy place to play, to relax in, and to defend. Fenced yards relieve owners of the necessity of walking their
pet 3 or 4 times a day. Unfortunately, a lot of dog owners sentence their pets to "life" inside the chain links.
They never take the dog for a walk, and deprive themselves of many of the pleasures of pet ownership. Every
dog deserves one walk a day (or at least one a week) and every owner will benefit from providing it. Here's
why: *Time together, especially active time together, provides an opportunity for dog and owner to interact
and establish mutual communication and a strong bond of affection. Dogs on a walk also get to socialize with
other dogs. *Most dogs won't run around a fenced yard enough to get the exercise they need. Your dog may
run up and down the fence line barking at a passing stranger two or three times a day, but unless your yard is
the size of a football field, that isn't much exercise. *Yard bound dogs get bored. Walk past a fenced yard and
watch the resident dog race along the fence line, press its face through the links, bark, pant, whimper, and
practically turn somersaults to get your attention. Imagine being able to see a park, alley, or vacant lot from
your yard but never getting the chance to explore it. No wonder dogs get frustrated. They deserve some variety
in their lives, which regular walks can give.
Commons Area Workday Success! On April 29, numerous volunteers helped get the pool area prepped
for opening day. Volunteers replaced a lifeguard chair, umbrellas, and decking on the lifeguard stand. Russell
purchased and replaced the wheels on the lane rope storage wheel. New speakers were donated and installed
for the outdoor communication system. Restrooms, lawn furniture, guardhouse, and shower were all cleaned.
Trashcans and recycle bins were installed. Thanks again to the following volunteers that signed up and contributed that day: Jack and Katie Butler, Scott and Lane Dady, Alan and Justin Heinzke, John Bohne, Zach
Smith, Russell and Mathew Mahavier, Christy Olsen, Claire Mendez, Marina Weikel, Manning Lorino Family,
and Rachel Douglas. Looking forward to a safe and fun summer of swimming.