oakhillgazette.com
March 6, 2014 Volume 19, No. 5 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
Oak Hill ballfields will be ready to ‘Play Ball!’ by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - Although the weather has not cooperated as much as organizers would like, it appears that the Oak Hill baseball and softball fields will be in good repair, ready for play when the umpires call, “Play ball!” on Monday, March 17.
Community rallies to restore baseball complex hit by October flood The Opening Day ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 22, and a couple of cool cats have agreed to help young Oak Hill ballplayers celebrate that weekend. World Series champion first baseman Lance
Berkman, known as the Big Puma, will throw out the first baseball pitch on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., while star softball pitcher, ex-UT phenom and Olympic gold medal winner Cat Osterman will throw out the first
softball pitch on Sunday at 4 p.m. Berkman recently retired after 15 years in the major leagues. Born in Waco, this graduate of Canyon High School in New Braunfels actually played at the Oak Hill ballfields in his youth. He is a six-time All-Star and played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 when they won the World Series, and before that was a star for the Texas Rangers and Houston Cat Osterman and Lance Berkman will Astros. throw out first pitches on Opening Day. Catherine “Cat” Osterman played mostly soccer and Softball National Player of the Year basketball as a youngster, but three times while at UT, where she discovered softball when she was pitched the first perfect softball tagged as a back-up pitcher. She game in UT history as a freshman. asked for pitching lessons for her Cat was the youngest member of the 11th birthday and the rest, as they gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic say, is history. She was named USA See OHYSA on page 22
Fight to save ‘Taco Bell’ oak is nearing victory by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
Spring Home & Garden issue Australian bottlebrush (Callistemon) on Poncha Pass. See Home & Garden, p. 14.
Gazette: Bill Scheick
OAK HILL - The fight to save a historic Oak Hill Heritage oak is only a few thousand dollars short of being won. Aided by community members and local businesses, the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation has raised $17,000 of their $20,000 goal. Kelli Reyna, TxDOT public information officer, said the new deadline for transplanting the historic heritage oak at the intersection of William Cannon and U.S. 290 has been set for March 17th. The tree is also known as the “Taco Bell” oak tree, for the Taco Bell that used to
The ‘Taco Bell’ heritage oak tree at William Cannon and Hwy. 290. be on that corner. The 130-year-old oak tree currently stands in the way of TxDOT’s See FIGHT on page 22
2 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Civic Agenda This space is reserved for information on civic happenings that occur in, or relate to the Southwest Austin area. To be included in the Civic Agenda, a meeting or event must relate to public policy. For other community events please see our community calendar on page 10. If you would like to be included, please e-mail editorial@oakhillgazette.com with the subject “Civic Agenda” and include details of your meeting or happening, along with any relevant agenda items. Sheriff ’s Office Offering A Free Citizens’ Academy Class Tuesdays 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm for 13 weeks, starting March 18 Ever wondered what Sheriff ’s Deputies are doing while they are sitting on the side of the road parked next to one another? Or why the jails are always the big budget item in the county? For the answer to these and other questions sign up for the Sheriff ’s Citizens’ Academy. The Sheriff ’s Citizens’ Academy is meant to inform you of how the Sheriff ’s Office works and how your tax dollars are being spent. You will get to meet Sheriff ’s Office employees and find out what it takes to be a Deputy or Corrections Officer from the selection process through training and working on a shift. You even get an exclusive tour of the Jail from Central Booking to the
Correctional Complex. The next class starts on March18 so visit the Citizens Academy Alumni Association web site at www.tcscaaa. org for your application and send it in today. The class is open to anyone who is 21 or over, and lives or works in Travis County. For ainformation and applications contact Senior Deputy Vincente Galloway at Vincente.galloway@ co.travis.tx.us or call 512-854-4989 Join in online discussions about Town Lake Metropolitan Park Austin Parks Foundation, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and Tur Partners invite you to join in a new way to help imagine the future of Town Lake Metropolitan Park. They have launched an online virtual public engagement forum that allows community members to share their experiences, views and ideas toward a long-term vision for this park. This website is built upon discussions initiated during the visioning sessions held Fall 2013 and Winter 2014. Austin Parks Foundation is working in partnership with Tur Partners, LLC to conduct a study that will provide recommendations for enhancing public access and enjoyment of the park. The final report will be delivered in April 2014. To join the online discussions, visit townlakepark.mindmixer.com. For photo by alison narro
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more information about Tthe park, visit the Austin Parks Foundation’s “Special Initiatives: Auditorium Shores” webpage, http://www.austinparks.org/auditorium-shores.html, or contact Josh Strickland: (312) 5066950; jstrickland@turpartners.com. Volunteer with the Travis County Sheriff ’s Office- Victim Services Unit Volunteers with the Victim Services Unit of the Travis County Sheriff ’s Office assist Victim Services staff on the front lines of crisis intervention! They must complete a comprehensive training program AND must be accompanied on a series of call outs before taking calls on their own. The monthly requirement is 4 fourhour shifts per month. During these shifts, volunteers must be prepared to respond to a request for assistance immediately. Volunteers must be 21 or older, with a reliable vehicle and cell phone. They must be able to attend the three week training (Mon. 6-9pm, Thurs. 6-9pm, Sat. 9am-5pm for three consecutive weeks). For more information, please contact the TCSO Victim Services Volunteer Coordinator at kelly. sheridan@co.travis.tx.us or 512854-4334.
Now in its 17th year, the Oak Hill Gazette is locally owned and is published every other Thursday. With a circulation of 7.500, it is home delivered to over 5,000 homes in Southwest Austin and is sold in stands for 50¢. Publisher/Editor: Will Atkins Co-Publisher/Advertising: Penny Levers Webmaster: Taylor Christensen Circulation Manager: Ingrid Morton Reporters/Writers: Ann Fowler, Tony Tucci, Patrick Olson, Travis Atkins, Bobbie Jean Sawyer T. Q. Jones, Roger White, Mike Jasper, Lucia Benavides and Joanne Foote, To advertise or subscribe: 301-0123 • advertising@oakhillgazette.com
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 3
Disc golf basket stolen from Clint Small by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - Coaches from Small Middle School have requested the community’s help in recovering a disc golf basket stolen in the last month. Basket #5 was one of a 9-basket course installed to create a disc golf half course. “We are very disappointed by the missing basket,” Melissa Hernandez, Small Middle School athletic coordinator, told the Gazette. She said the equipment was purchased with funds from a $4,000 grant. “We decided to use the grant funds for students, parents, families and the Small community. Our goal was to provide an outdoor activity that anyone can participate in.” Disc Nation on Slaughter Lane helped design the course and provided more funds that allowed the school to complete the course, as well as purchase indoor practice baskets and discs adorned with the Clint Small logo. A former Small student installed the baskets for his Eagle Scout project, cementing each basket into the ground. Just as a golf course is comprised of 18 holes, a full course for disc golf requires 18 baskets. This is a half-course with nine baskets, but designed as a loop, making it simple for the player to repeat the course if he or she wants. The course was available for Small’s
A disc basket like the one stolen from Clint Small, the stolen basket has the number 5 on it. before and after school clubs, as well as all physical education classes. The theft was not immediately discovered because the thieves who dug up the basket closest to Westcreek Drive filled in the hole before scurrying off into the night. The missing basket has a yellow top with a red Innova Disc Golf logo and the number 5 in black. Anyone with information on the missing basket can contact Hernandez at 512-841-6758.
Upper arrow shows location of stolen #5 basket on disc golf course.
4 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
This Old Spouse
family humor
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by Roger White Musician/songwriter Dan Fogelberg. Actor Dennis Hopper. Musician Frank Zappa. Television producer Merv Griffin. Actor Telly Savalas. Psychologist/writer Timothy Leary. What do all these guys have in common? They all died of prostate cancer, a highly treatable disease if caught in the early stages. Why am I telling you this? I guess you could say it’s become a personal mission of mine to get the word
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out about early detection. I was biopsy—a quite literal pain in the diagnosed with prostate cancer in rear—and conduct what’s termed “watchful waiting” over the years, November 2013. It was a shocker, to say the least. wherein they’re obliged to check It all started with a routine phys- their PSA level regularly to see if ical, grudgingly agreed to after it’s rising. Unfortunately, it seems this conthe insistent urgings of my lovely wife, Sue. One of the many things troversy about PSA test accuracy has been used as an excuse the doc checks for in by many men to simply guys my age (50+) is skip the whole screening. the level of PSA in the Well, I’m here to tell bloodstream. PSA, short men over 50, despite the for prostate-specific clamor about overtreatantigen, is produced ment, to get your PSA by the prostate gland, level checked. I was in located down in the the 30 percent. My bimale nether regions. Its opsy report came back main function, to put it stamped in red, in all in terms appropriate for caps: “CARCINOMA.” family-friendly reading, Cancer. After the initial is to produce a substance terror wore off, we went that, um, allows one’s Roger White into action. And here is boys to swim more where it helps immensely freely. An elevated PSA to have a supportive partner. Sue level is a red flag, however. Now, here’s where it gets tricky. read everything she could get her PSA tests, as Sue and I found through hands on about prostate cancer. We voracious research, are somewhat found that every case is different and controversial because some health that treatment options are varied— advocates have cited an overdiagno- and confusing. We discovered that sis and overtreatment for prostate although prostate cancer is among cancer in otherwise healthy men. the most common cancer in men, Only 30 percent of men with ele- some men can actually live with the vated PSA levels are found to have disease into very old age. This, however, was not my case. prostate cancer following biopsy, according to the U.S. Preventive The biopsy showed that mine was Services Task Force. And the biopsy advanced to the stage that I reis no picnic, let me tell ya. Many quired treatment. My options were men, I discovered, opt to skip the Continued on page 9
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 5
The Word from Oak Hill Mike Jasper
(Pause.) The word from Oak Hill is... I also think you should be able to ya basta. read this column on an iPad at Jim’s Which are two words—in Span- Restaurant. ish no less—and means, “Enough (Pause.) already.” And I promise not to mouth off at Yeah, I did it again. I voted. And I the polling place anymore. was asked for my ID again, and so (Pause.) I went ballistic again. Well, at least I promise not to write “Sure, I’m familiar with the about it anymore if I do. Neo-Nazi tactics now in place,” I ••• said as I took out my wallet. Looks like the park project at Poor polling place woman. She Convict Hill Quarry Park went along had no way of knowing swimmingly last weekend. I wasn’t talking to her, According to organizer but to the law in general, Jim Turney, 22 volunteers in hopes that my words showed up to clean up the would rise through the park and spread more than ether and reach the pow7 yards of mulch. ers-that-be who hand “We plan to have another down these edicts on what work day in April to spread I can only assume is whim another 5 yards,” Turney and caprice. says. “Many of the volunMike Jasper “Yes,” they would say. teers are willing to work “We’ve seen your drivers’ again, but we will need a few more. license photo. We must put an end Stay tuned.” to this practice at once and end your We will. pain and humiliation.” ••• But no, in return I only received the With the continuation of the cold pained look of a humble volunteer. winter winds comes another call for Frankly, the couple ahead of me warmth from the Austin Zoo in the looked even more appalled than form of a blanket drive. the poll workers. Odd, because they Zoo supporters can donate blanhad their credentials questioned, kets, comforters, towels, sheets and something about a faulty barcode. pillowcases to help keep the animals It must be the shock of hearing the warm. Donations can be dropped off words Neo-Nazi uttered out loud. at the gift shop at the zoo between Guess it’s the other N word. 9:30 and 5 p.m. Monday through Here’s the thing. I think everyone Sunday. should be able to vote, even felons. The Austin Zoo can be found at So if we have to show our ID to 10807 Rawhide Trail, a right turn prove citizenship, fine, as long as off of Circle Dr. It’s open every day that’s all we need. No more of this from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. voting registration jive (that’s right, ••• I wrote jive. And I almost got away The rodeo starts March 4 and with it, too). runs until Sunday, March 16 at the Look. On Election Day there was Travis County Expo Center at 7311 a cold snap and the polling places Decker Lane. Along with the rodeo, didn’t open until 11 a.m., at least there will be concerts every day my polling place didn’t. And a lot featuring different country/western of good hard-working people, who acts including Willie Nelson March usually vote early in the morning 9 and Dwight Yoakam March 16. before work, didn’t get the opporI just realized something. Whentunity to vote at that time. ever I do go to a rodeo it will be, in Sure, maybe they voted after work, fact, my first rodeo. but then maybe they were just too ••• tired. Their voting routine got (Want your neighborhood associdisrupted. Voting should be easier. ation highlighted? Have a story you I think everyone should be able to need to tell? Would you like to rat out vote over the Internet. And I think a neighbor? If so, be sure to email me they should have up to a week to do at mail@mikejasper.com and get the it. It could be done, and it could be word out.) done safely with no fear whatsoever about voter fraud.
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6 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 7
Car Review
2014 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X By T. Q. Jones
If we were in the market for a small truck the Nissan Frontier in one of its guises would be a top contender. The problem is that there aren’t a lot of choices in the small truck market (though we keep hoping one of the auto makers will start a new round of mini-trucks, as they already have suitable platforms.) Maybe they could start with a smaller truck, a lot smaller design that rode closer to the road for more stability, probably a design not much different than the original Datsun pickups. We’d like to see a vehicle pretty close to the more recent (though not the most recent) Chevy S-10s and GMC S-15s. In a lot of ways, this week’s “ride” is pretty close to such a truck, though it does suffer from the industry’s unquenchable drive to make everything larger whether it makes sense or not.
Even better, the current Nissan Frontier is another in a long line of cars and trucks that, if they weren’t designed to double as mid-size cars, at least took the opportunity when it was put before them. It may seem odd that a small(er) truck would slip so neatly into a space built for a four-door sedan, but that is the nature of the modern sedan, four-door or no. It is helped by the realization of all manufacturers that a luxury vehicle does not have to be huge as well, nor does a fair-sized truck with the ability to pull fairly heavy loads need be needlessly thirsty. But trucks, particularly in Texas, have other uses, one of which is to look good parked outside of the local honky-tonk and by, extension, make their owners look good as well. In addition, this is also proof that when it comes to performance, it isn’t power, it’s power to weight. (It’s also the reason most motorcycles can out
accelerate most cars and trucks.) This particular PRO-4X is also carrying a four-liter, twincam V- 6 pulling 261 horsepower through a fivespeed automatT. Q. Jones ic transmission, and that isn’t all it has. At $36,050, it’s also loaded for a combination of work and to an performance. and to an extent, performance. Shift on the fly four- wheel drive complements a two-speed transfer case with an electronic locking differential and Bilstein high-pressure off road shocks and more. And, with all the equipment it’s carrying, the PRO-4X is still rated by the EPA at 21 miles per gallon on the highway. We didn’t do a mileage check because we were having too much fun and that tends to lead to
Gazette Automotive Guide
Geeneral Motors Inc.
the current Nissan Frontier is another in a long line of cars and trucks that, if they weren’t designed to double as mid-size cars, at least took the opportunity when it was put before them. unfair fuel consumption. The upshot is that this is basically a work truck for someone who either doesn’t like trucks or only has limited need for one, or someone who needs a truck but has to make it do double duty and just likes trucks. We’re fairly large on the side of only buying what you need, which is why you either buy only as much vehicle as you need,(in which case you are
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still allowed to complain about high gas prices) This is a bit far from our original discussion of the perceived need for another round of small pickups, but it might keep people from thinking we’re anti pickup. We not only like pickups, we’re thinking about getting one just so our black Lab can ride in it. He REALLY likes pickups.
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8 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 9
Softball tourney to benefit firefighter Scholarship Fund by Ann Fowler
A softball tournament scheduled for Sunday, April 27 at the Del Valle Adult Softball Complex will benefit a scholarship fund in memory of an Oak Hill firefighter who died five years ago at the age of 26. Cohnway Johnson served with the Oak Hill Fire Department for three years before leaving to train with the Houston Fire Department (HFD). He enrolled in the HFD “Certified Firefighter/EMT Fast Track” Academy Class for Texas certified firefighters and on the morning of April 29, 2009—nine days into the training—Johnson was on a 4.4-mile jog with 34 other trainees.
The temperature was 73 with an 87 percent relative humidity. No water stops were provided along the route. As he neared the finish line, Johnson collapsed. Ice packs were applied and he was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital. His temperature on admittance was 105.3 degrees. Johnson’s friends from the Oak Hill Fire Department visited him in the hospital two days later, where he appeared in good spirits and expressed concern about finishing the Academy. No one realized the severity of complications of hyperthermia and exertional heatstroke he had suffered on that training run. His family and friends were
Oak Hill firefighter died 5 years ago at the age of 26 shocked and saddened when he died on May 4. An 18-month investigation by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concluded that Johnson’s medical issues were caused by heavy physical exertion from the physical fitness training. Proper hydrating before and during the run, and the availability of ice water immersion therapy at the Fire Training Academy, likely would have prevented Johnson’s death, according to the report. In memory of their firefighter son,
Candy and Mike Johnson founded the Cohnway Johnson Scholarship Fund for the Oak Hill Fire Academy, which awards funds to three Academy graduates each year. The single fundraising event is the annual Oak Hill Firefighters Softball Tournament. Fire Service softball teams from across the state are invited to participate. The first ten to register ($200 per team) will be accepted for the double-elimination bracket system tournament. Players must be certified with the Texas Commission on
This Old Spouse Continued from p. 4 surgery (removal of the prostate gland), external radiation (a series of treatments in which a beam targets cancerous tissue), or brachytherapy (inserting radioactive “seeds” directly into the body). Considering my relatively young age at diagnosis and at the recommendation of specialists, we chose surgery. Radiation, we found, is more viable for men in their 70s and beyond. My main fears
Fire Protection. This year’s tournament will be held on Sunday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Del Valle Adult Softball Complex, 3614 FM 973. Spectators are welcome. Food, drinks and tournament t-shirts will be available (cash only). For further information, contact Jason Ramsdell at 512-656-2899 or Aaron Lyngaas at 512-619-6706.
family humor
regarding the procedure weren’t about being cut open; the possible side-effects were truly frightening: risk of urinary incontinence and loss of sexual function. With all this swirling in my head, we chose February 15, the day after Valentine’s Day, as the day to go under the knife. I don’t remember much about my hospital stay, except that I was in much more pain than I had anticipated. And I was sent home with a
“little buddy”—a catheter. With that cumbersome bag strapped to my leg for more than a week, I hobbled around the house looking somewhat like a nude gunfighter. But the catheter’s off now. I have a nice scar running from just under my belly button to just above my crotch. I have a little pain, and I’m moving slow; however, I’m not wearing adult diapers and my ability to function as a man is coming back
day by day. TMI, perhaps, but this is important stuff. I have some obstacles to overcome, but I have my life. The upshot is this: Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States—sixth in the entire world. According to the American Cancer Society, of all the leading new cancer cases and deaths estimated for 2014, prostate cancer accounts for 10 percent, second only to lung cancer.
Listen to the wife, men. Get a physical. Roger White is a freelance writer living in Austin, Texas, with his lovely wife, two precocious daughters, a very fat dachshund, and a self-absorbed cat. For further adventures, visit oldspouse.wordpress.com.
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10 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Arts & Entertainment Ongoing Events
in a round robin, open mic atmosphere following the featured preSundays sentation. On the third Thursday of every month. Free. Food pantry doLive Jazz Brunch- 10am-2pm. nations are welcomed. 7pm at New Nutty Brown Cafe, 12225 Hwy. 290 Life Lutheran Church, 120 Frog W., 78737. 301-4648. www.nuttyPond Lane in Dripping Springs. For brown.com. more info call 858-2024. Tessy Lou Williams & The Shotgun Stars- 3pm at Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. No cover.
Mondays Charles Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces- 6:30pm at Evangeline Cafe, 8106 Brodie Lane. 282-2586. Texas Songwriters Showcase - 6:30pm Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. No cover.
Tuesdays Kem Watts - 4pm Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-03183
Third Thursday at The Blantonfree evening of art and activities. 5-9pm at Blanton Museum, Brazos and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. blantonmuseum.org/.
Fridays Friday night Dance Club- w/ Western bands and a Pot Luck break. 7:30pm-10pm at South Austin Activity Center, 3911 Manchaca RD, Austin. $4.50.
Saturdays
New Events Ending Sunday, March 9
hit play by Neil Simon is both surprisingly poignant and sidesplittingly funny. The City Theatre 3823 Airport Blvd. 512-524-2870 March 7 - March 11
SXSW Interactive - 800+ confirmed Sessions including Keynote Speaker Anne Wojcicki more info at sxsw.com March 7 - March 15 SXSW Film - Conversations with Nicolas Cage, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Ralph Steadman, Robert Duvall and Tilda Swinton more info at sxsw.com Saturday, March 8 The Road to Austin - 7pm 10pm The South Austin Popular Culture’s next exhibit The Road to Austin opens with an event that will include live music. The exhibit will be a historical pictorial pondering of the Austin music culture. 1516-B S Lamar Blvd 512-440-8318
Brennen Leigh - 7pm at Evangeline Cafe, 8106 Brodie Lane. 282-2586.
Wednesdays No Bad Days Open Mic - 7pm at Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood.
UTNT (UT New Theatre) presents OR, “The One With The Dogs” 11am In a crappy house surrounded by a dead walnut orchard, brothers Boomer and Dirt struggle with each other, with themselves, and with their dogbreeding business. Lab Theatre 300 E. 23rd Street 512-471-5793
50+ Singles Dance- 7:30-9:45 Live Music. Senior Activity Center 29th & Lamar. 2874 Shoal Crest. www.fiftyplusdanceaustin.com
Wicked - Winner of over 50 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, Wicked is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” March 11 - March 16 (The New York Times). Bass Concert Hall 2300 Robert Dedman SXSW Music - more than 2000 (512) 477-6060 artists will be invading Austin. more The Peacemakers- 10pm at Evaninfo at sxsw.com geline Cafe, 8106 Brodie Lane. March 6 - March 9 282-2586. Saturday, March 15 Kinesthetic Imperative - March Open Mic Night- at Nutty Brown 6-8 at 8:00 p.m. and March 8-9 Cafe, 12225 W Highway 290, Free. at 2:00 p.m. The annual spring Thursdays concert features unique and compelling works created by KGSR Unplugged At The Grove renowned choreographers, -every Thursday evening through including Merce Cunningham, a Sept 6th. Join KGSR every Thursleader of American avant-garde day for 23 consecutive weeks at dance. B. Iden Payne Theatre (300 Shady Grove on Barton Springs E. 23rd St.), located in the F. Loren Road for one of Austin’s longest Winship Drama Building. (512) 477running free concert series. 6060 Karaoke- at Boomerz Nightclub, March 7 - March 29 6148 Hwy 290 W.. 892-3373. Trivia Night - Wednesdays at Waterloo Ice House, Southpark Meadows, 9600 South I-35 Service Rd. SB, Suite D-100. 512-301-1007. waterlooicehouse.com.
Tony Harrisson / Dance Lessons / Jesse Dayton- 6pm - 9:15pm / 9:15pm at the Broken Spoke, 3201 S. Lamar. 442-6189. Open Mic with your host, Garett Endres. Starts at 9pm every Thursday 290 West Club 12013 W Hwy 290 “Thirsty Thursday” gatheringPoems and songs will be shared
The Odd Couple - This beloved
WWE LIVE: “Road To Wrestlemania “- 7:30pm 10:30pm Featuring John Cena, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton, The Rhodes Brothers, The Shield, Ryback, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, The WWE Divas and many more! Frank Erwin Center 1701 Red River Street 512-471-7744
Community Clubs & Events Ongoing Events South Austin Mystery Book Club - 7:30 pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, at the Sunset Valley Barnes & Noble on Brodie Ln. Our April 16th book is Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn. If you have questions please email dschieck@yahoo.com. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous Meeting - Bannockburn Baptist Church room 103 Every Wednesday, 7pm - 8:30pm Anne Slater 512-215-9719 for more info Free Conversation Cafe - Drop in for open, public dialogue on a variety of topics. Every third Saturday from 10:30am-11:30am at the Hampton Branch of the Austin Public Library at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd.. Free and open to the public. 512974-9900 / cityofaustin.org/library. Classes and meditation - with Western Buddhist nun, Gen Kelsang Ingchug. Every Sunday at 9:30am at Chittamani Buddhist Center, 1918 Bissel Lane, 78745. Everyone welcome. Spiritual counselling by appointment. Call for free brochure. 916-4444. meditationinaustin.org. Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter - Meets monthly on the second Sunday of the month at 2pm at the Recycled Reads (part of the Austin Library system) at 5335 Burnet Road www.hotxsinc. org. VFW Post 4443 meeting - Meets on first Tues. of month from 7-8:30pm at 7614 Thomas Springs Road in Oak Hill. Members and potential members are encouraged to be there around 6pm to gather for dinner. There is no cost. The Oak Hill Rotary Club -Meets at noon on the first three Mondays of the month at Mandola’s Italian Market, 4301 W. Wm. Cannon. More info at 288-8487 See www. oakhillrotary.org for other activities and events. Circle C Area Democrats 6:30-8:30pm at Santa Rita in the Escarpment Village. Meets on second Mondays of month. For in formation:circlecareademocrats. org. Toastmasters Groups - Build leadership and communication skills in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Visitors welcome. Tejas Toastmasters: 288-7808/ tejastoastmasters.org. Meets every Mon. at 6 pm at IHOP, 1101 S. Mopac. South Austin Toastmasters: meets first and third Tuesday at noon at ACC South Austin Campus, 1820 W. Stassney Lane. Phone 443-7110 or 288-7808. Oak Hill Toastmasters: meet every
Thursday from 6:45-8pm at Western Hills Church of Christ, 6211 Parkwood Drive. Open to ages 18 & up. 956-494-4809 / oakhill.freetoasthost.biz for more info. Alzheimer’s Caregiver SupporGroup - 2nd Wednesday of the month at noon at Arveda Alzheimer’s Family Care, 11013 Signal Hill Drive, 78737. Anyone caring for a loved-one with dementia and needing support is invited. RSVP to 512-637-5400 and feel free to bring your own lunch. www.arvedacare.com. Senior Luncheon Program - Seniors (over 60) meet at 8656 Hwy. 71 W, Bldg A, next to JP bldg every Tues, Wed and Thurs from 10am2pm. Transportation available. Call 512-854-2138 for more info. Oak Hill Neighborhood Planning Contact Team - Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at the ACC Pinnacle Campus, 10th Floor Board Room. www.ohnpct.org. MOMS Club of Austin - Southwest Oaks - Social and support group for stay-at-home moms and their children. Meet new friends, and enjoy a guest speaker. Monthly meeting at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 7815 W Hwy 290. 10am on the first Thursday of every month. For more info, email momsclubswoaks@gmail.com. Southwest Networking Group (SWING) - meets for breakfast at Waterloo Ice House, Slaughter Ln. & Escarpment Blvd., 9600 Escarpment Blvd.. 8-9:30am. Bring business cards. For more info call 482-9026 or 921-4901. Thursdays. South Austin AARP Chapter 2426 - Tom Bauer will talk about leadership styles and best practices, 1pm - 4pm at South Austin Senior Activity Center, 3911 Manchaca Rd. Free. Meets on third Wednesday of the month. For more info call Mary at 280-8661. www.southaustinaarp.org. OHBPA Meeting - (Oak Hill Business Professionals Association). Meets every first Thursday of the month from 11:30am-1pm at Mandola’s Italian Market, 4301 W. Wm. Cannon $15. ohbpa.org. Retired Austin Travelers - a group for people who love to travel. Regular meetings are held the second Wednesday of odd-numbered months, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM,in the Oak Hill Library at 5124 Convict Hill Road.. ratsonline.org. Creative Arts Society - Meets on first Wed. of month (except Jan.,July, Aug.) at ACC Pinnacle, 10th floor, faculty lounge. 6pm networking. 7pm program. All artists and art enthusiasts are welcome. creativeartssociety.org 288-0574.
South Austin Lions Club -Meets every second and fourth Thursday 6pm – 7pm Premier High School at Travis 1211 E. Oltorf On the campus of Travis High School, follow Premier sign as you enter driveway, veer right. http://www.eclubhouse.org/sites/austin_south/ Austin Public Library Computer Training Classes - Adult computer classes covering everything from the basics to finding a job online. Classes are held in various languages, with some requiring registration beforehand. Call or go online for a complete schedule and additional details. 512/9747400 library.austintexas.gov Sat. & Sun. February 8 & 9
New Events Through May 23 A+ Education Foundation’s 2014 Grant Program - Founded in 2005 by A+ Federal Credit Union, funds grants up to $1,000.00 for central Texas educators. Grants are funded for equipment, supplies, materials, training, and new and continuing programs. Check out aplusfcu.org/grants for the grant application Through April 4 Registration open for Great American Cleanup and Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off Any Texan can participate! Online registration is now available at www.ktb.org for localorganizations to schedule events in their communities and gain access to valuable resources. Thursday, March 13 SWING presentation & book signing by Scott Shickler - 8am Author & Co-Creator of 7 Mindsets, will discuss strategies for applying the 7 Mindsets to create a mindset revolution resulting in a positive, long-term impact on individuals and organizations all over the world. Waterloo Ice House on Escarpment RSVP now: contact Liz Jensen at 512-301-6966 or at lizleej@gmail.com March 15 - March 16 Artists & Artisans Festival More than a dozen artists who create hand-made jewelry, Texas mesquite lamps, nature photographs and more. Their art for sale will be showcased indoors 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 15 and 16, with opportunities to talk with artists all weekend. Meet artists in the store Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. 512232-0105 Learn more at http:// www.wildflower.org/newsroom.
Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 11
Outdoors & Fitness Ongoing Events Farmer’s Market at Sunset Valley - Locally grown fresh produce at Tony Burger Center, 3200 Jones Rd. Saturdays from 9am-1pm. www.sfcfarmersmarket.org. Free Introduction to Dance Class - for adults and teens. Every Saturday at 11am at Tapestry Dance Company & Academy, Western Trails Blvd., Austin. www. tapestry.org. Docent Tours of AMOA - Each Saturday and Sunday 1pm Docent-led tours of the recently restored 1916 Driscoll Villa, the intimate art exhibition Laguna Gloria Grounded and the historic gardens overlooking Lake Austin. at Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress Ave. 512-495-9224 www.amoa.org. Texas Outdoor Women’s Network - Open to women of all ages interested in outdoor activities. fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking and more! No experience required. Free monthly meetings on fourth Tuesday of each month at 6pm at the LCRA Red Bud Complex, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd. . www.townaustin.org. Hill Country Outdoors- “Austin’s Most Active Outdoor, Sport and
Social Club” Specializing in adventure with outdoor events such as hiking, camping, biking, road trips and rafting. www.hillcountryoutdoors.com. Westcave Preserve public weekend tours- Sats. and Sundays, 10am., noon, 2pm & 4, $5 adult/$2 child/$15 family. One mile hike into the canyon & back. Kids welcome w/ adult. No pets. For more info call (830)825-3442 westcave.org . Thursday, Novemver 28Guided Hike - Second Saturday & second Sunday of each month at 9am at Bright Leaf Natural Area, 4400 Crestway Dr., Austin. Hikes are usually 4 miles long and last about 2 hours. Wear sturdy shoes and bring your own water. www.brightleaf.org Boot Camp Workout - At 9am every Saturday, our expert coaches will lead you through a muscle toning, fat burning, FREE 45 minute boot camp class! Bring your ten closest friends and jump start your weekend. Mills Elementary School 1-877-801-8171, extension 710 Nature Hike at McKinney State Falls - Free interpretive hikes to discover the diverse range of flora and fauna that can be seen at McKinney Falls. Hikes are offered
the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month starting at 10am from the Smith Visitors Center. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and bring water. Hikes last approximately 1.5 hours. Info contact: jeanneffia@ gmail.com
New Events Through March 16 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo - Join with the Cowboys and Cowgirls in this star studded event at the Travis County Expo Center 7311 Decker Lane (512) 919-3000 info@rodeoaustin.com March 15 - March 16 First Austin African Violet Society 45th Annual Judged Show & Sale - 11am The theme of the show will be “Golden Jubilee-50 years of Violets” Austin Area Garden Center, Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd 512-477-8672 Saturday, March 29
Arts & Entertainment cont. New Events Thursday, March 6 Liz Morphis - 7pm Evangeline Cafe 8106 Brodie Lane 282-2586 28-CAJUN evangelinecafe.com Jesse Dayton - 9:15pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 4426189 brokenspokeaustintx.com Chet O’Keefe - 7pm Johnson830:pm Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies.net Matt Farrell - 7pm Satellite Bistro & Bar 5900 Slaughter Ln #400 288-9994 satellitebistroandbar. com Friday, March 7 Eve and The Exiles - 7pm Evangeline Cafe 8106 Brodie Lane 282-2586 28-CAJUN evangelinecafe.com
7th Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour - 9am The ride begins and ends at the LBJ airstrip with routes of 10, 30, 42, 62 and 85 miles taking riders on quiet country roads, past historical landmarks. For registration and further information: www.lbj100bicycletour.org
cluded with regular Zoo admission. 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin 78736. For additional information, call 512288-1490 or visit www.austinzoo. org.
Second Saturdays are for Families - $7 per family; $5 Member families. Noon-4pm at Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress Ave. New Events Please RSVP to akichorowsky@ amoa.org to give an idea of materi- Friday, February 21 - May 3 als needed. 512-495-9224 / www. amoa.org.
Petting Zoo - 11am - 3pm Snort, baa, quack! Let your senses guide you as you meet real potbelly pigs, goats, and other mini creatures, then make your own animalistic art to take home. Inspired by Pet At Austin Children’s Museum: Sounds, artist Charles Long’s Community Night - Come out and play EVERY Wednesday night at The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss’s colorful interactive installation 5pm and enjoy exhibits, storytime classic children’s book comes to life named for the 1966 Beach Boys and a variety of hands-on activities. in a wild ride of physical comedy. album, on view now at Laguna Themed stories, songs,d activities. Kleburg Stage Zach Theater. 202 Gloria. 3809 West 35th Street 512 Tuesday - Saturday: 11am, 1pm & South Lamar (512) 476-0541 Ages 458 8191 Tuesday, March 18 3pm. Baby Bloomers- Every Mon.. 3 up For kids 3 & under & their caregivers. Storytimes 9:30 & 11am; Sing- March 1 - March 23 a-long 10:30am at Austin Children’s Museum, 201 Colorado St.. 4722499 / ausinkids.org. Storytime - Tuesdays & Wednesdays at the Hampton Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. Toddlers Fridays at 11am, . 892-6680. wiredforyouth.co Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary - Join us in making Animal Enrichment (toys for animals) every Monday and Wednesday at 11:30am in the Picnic Grove and Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:15am and 1:15pm in the Peacock Barn. Both activities are in-
Joe Ely - 6pm Strange Brew 5326 Manchaca Rd 512-8287636 strangebrewloungeside.com
Rapunzel - Sat at 10am Sun at
Shaun Peace Band - 7pm Senor Buddy’s 8600 Hwy 290 West (512) 288-0437 senorbuddys.com Sunday, March 9 Gospel Brunch w/ The Purgatory Players - 11am Strange Brew 5326 Manchaca Rd 512-8287636 strangebrewloungeside.com
Chet O’Keefe - 7pm Johnson830:pm Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies.net Bukka Allen - 1:30pm Strange Brew 5326 Manchaca Rd 512828-7636 strangebrewloungeside. com My Buddy Todd - 5:30 Chisos Grill 512. 263-7353 12921 Hill Country Blvd, Suite D2-130 Friday, March 14 Sons of Johnny Cash - 9pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 442-6189 brokenspokeaustintx. com
2nd Sunday Brunches with Mente Clara 7:30pm Satellite Bistro & Bar 5900 Slaughter Ln #400 288-9994 satellitebistroandbar.com
Legends & Legacies: Graham, Sexton, McMurtry, Allen, Hickman, Welch, Gilmore and special guests - 7pm Strange Brew 5326 Manchaca Rd 512-828-7636 strangebrewloungeside.com Tuesday, March 11
Gary P. Nunn - 9:30pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 4426189 brokenspokeaustintx.com
Amanda - 6pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 442-6189 brokenspokeaustintx.com
Charlie Pierce - 4pm South Austin Moonlighters - 10pm Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies.net $10
John Edward Baumann - 4pm Kem Watts - 6pm Tommy Elskes - 8:30 Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies.net
Matt Castillo & The Herdsmen - Nutty Brown Cafe 12225 Highway 290 West 512-301-4648 nuttybrown.com
Wednesday, March 12
Roxy Rocca - 6:30pm Central Market 4477 S. Lamar Blvd. 512899-4300 centralmarket.com Saturday, March 8
Austin Children’s ChoirAuditions - 5pm - 8pm auditions for any children ages 6-17 who might interested in joining the choir. First Presbyterian Church 8001 Mesa Dr 512-402-2185 infoaustinchildrenschoir.org toschedule a time to visit.
Carper Family Band 6:30pm Central Market 4477 S. Lamar Blvd. 512-899-4300 centralmarket.com
Texas Songwriters Showcase: W.C. Jamison Hosts Laurie Turner Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies.net
2pm The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens 101 FM 2325 Wimberly 512-847-6969 Saturday, March 8
Double R Nothin - 8pm $7 Canvas People - 10:30pm $7 Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies.net
Spoke 3201 South Lamar 4426189 brokenspokeaustintx.com
Monday, March 10
Kids Calendar Ongoing Events
Bob Schneider - 7pm Nutty Brown Cafe 12225 Highway 290 West 512-301-4648 nuttybrown.com
Trio Landa 7:30pm Satellite Bistro & Bar 5900 Slaughter Ln #400 288-9994 satellitebistroandbar.com Cornell Hurd - 9:30pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 4426189 brokenspokeaustintx.com
Chapparel with Jeff Hughes - 9pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 442-6189 brokenspokeaustintx.com Cameron Riggs 7pm Satellite Bistro & Bar 5900 Slaughter Ln #400 288-9994 satellitebistroandbar.com Thursday, March 13 Paul Klemperer & Manteca Beat - 7pm Satellite Bistro & Bar 5900 Slaughter Ln #400 288-9994 satellitebistroandbar.com Jesse Dayton - 9:15pm Broken
Jumpstart - 8pm Senor Buddy’s 8600 Hwy 290 West (512) 2880437 senorbuddys.com Charlie Pierce - 4pm Jimmy and the Mustangs - 8:30pm $7 Buster Jiggs - 11pm Poodies Bar & Grill, 22308 Hwy. 71 W., Spicewood. 264-0318 poodies. net $7 Quarterway - 7pm Nutty Brown Cafe 12225 Highway 290 West 512-301-4648 nuttybrown.com Noel McKay Band - 6:30pm Central Market 4477 S. Lamar Blvd. 512-899-4300 centralmarket.com Free LeeAnn Atherton Band - 7pm Maria’s Taco Xpress 2529 South Lamar Blvd. 512-444-0261 tacoxpress.com Saturday, March 15 Sexton Brothers, Amy Lavere & Hanna Star W/ Special Guest Finley Sexton - 4:30pm Strange Brew 5326 Manchaca Rd 512828-7636 strangebrewloungeside. com $20 Twang Fest - 12-5pm The Derailers - 9:30pm Broken Spoke 3201 South Lamar 442-6189 brokenspokeaustintx.com T Jarrod Bonta Trio - 7:30pm Satellite Bistro & Bar 5900 Slaughter Ln #400 288-9994 satellitebistroandbar.com
12 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Gazette Sports: Austin • Bowie • Crockett Bowie 4, Austin High 0
Student Athlete Spotlight sponsored by Oak Hill Body & Paint
Sara Sanders
by Patrick Olson Following a successful season as the primary pitcher for the Crockett softball team, Sara Sanders continues to improve her performance on the mound as a sophomore. “Academically, she is extremely responsible and very conscientious about her grades,” said coach Sharon Montgomery. “On the field, she’s trying not to plateau. She’s been working on all her pitches, with exact pinpointing, learning the art of pitching.” Born in Austin, Sara attended Kocurek Elementary before proContinued on next page
Sara Sanders, Crockett
Adrian Herrera
Gazette: Emmeline R. Aguirre
Maroons Drew Schimberg and Adam McKee attempt to head the ball past #6 Connor Flanigan of Bowie
by Patrick Olson With seven goals on the season, Adrian Herrera ranks second on the Crockett boys’ soccer team in scoring, and consistently provides an offensive threat for a brown and gold crew aiming to make the playoffs. “We’ve grown as a team,” the senior midfielder said before practice Tuesday. “Over the years, we’ve grown together as a team. Not just as a team but as friends as well.” A native of Austin, Herrera attended St. Elmo Elementary before moving up to Bedichek Middle School where he also played basketball. During his Continued on next page
Adrian Herrera, Crockett
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Gazette: Emmeline R. Aguirre
Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 13
Student Athletes of the Week Continued from p. 12
Sara Sanders
gressing to Bailey Middle School, where she also played basketball. She played on select team STS (Softball Texas Style) during the summer, traveling to Dallas, Houston and Corpus Christi for tournaments. Sanders credits her grandfather Paul Fournier for much of her softball skill. “He taught me everything I know,” she stated. “He pushes me.” Sanders pitched in all six games for the Cougars over the weekend at a tournament in Taylor, winning three and losing three. “I gained more experience,” the pitcher added. “Every game is a chance to learn something new.” Her favorite athletic experience occurred last year when Crockett faced Marble Falls in a bi-district playoff showdown. The Mustangs prevailed in the first game, but Crockett rebounded with a win in the second contest, but lost the third game in the best-of-three series by a single run. Sara’s younger brother Jason helps her practice, and will soon play baseball in the South Austin Optimist league. “He’s very athletic,” the older sibling noted. The Cougars disposed of Travis 8-1 in a district opener, as Sanders fanned thirteen Rebel batters. Crockett must maintain intensity to extend a string of three seasons without a district defeat.
Wash Day Laundry turns 5 in March.
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“We have to continue to work on wanting it,” said Sanders. “We can beat good teams. We have to have drive and aggressiveness.”
Adrian Herrera
first two seasons at Crockett on the varsity club, he played center back on the full back line. A high ankle sprain limited him to four games as a junior, but he now operates at the center midfield spot and is second to Brian Serna’s eight goals on the year. English instructor Ms. Lewicki is Adrian’s favorite teacher at Crockett. “She really helps one-on-one individually,” he noted. “She helps you until you get it. She’s there after
school, before school and at lunch to help.” The eldest of two children born to Jose and Hortencia Herrera, Adrian hopes to play soccer in college and is currently considering Concordia or Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee to attend after graduation. Adrian’s younger sister attends Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders and plans to play volleyball next year. Coach David Dupont has provided a positive influence for the young man. “He’s helped me grow and mature as a player and as a person,” Adrian added. Crockett (9-7-2, 5-2-2) visits Lanier at Noack on Friday before closing out the regular season on St. Patrick’s Day at Nelson Field versus Reagan. Both games are set to begin at 6 p.m.
Baseball season updates: by Patrick Olson
Austin High baseball The Austin High baseball team used a season-opening come from behind 5-4 victory over Frenship as a springboard to reel off ten straight wins before district com-
petition commences. Down 4-1 in their second game versus Belton, the Maroons rallied to prevail 7-5. “We’ve played well, especially the first week of the season,” coach Glenn Bacak said. “That set the tone for everything. It was good for our Continued on page 25
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14 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Raising standards for Oak Hill area patios Story and Photo by Bill Scheick When raising children, establishing standards can be challenging. When raising plants, fortunately, establishing standards is much easier. “Standards” are woody shrubs trained to look like little trees. The foliage and flowers of a standard, also known as a patio tree, are allowed to develop only at the top of a long, bare, straight stalk. Sometimes two or three thin stalks can be braided to form a single woven unit. While vines are the easiest type of plant for fashioning a braided standard, a remarkable number of bushes can be styled into single-stem patio trees. In fact, some of the fun in creating standards is discovering which plants look elegant as small trees. While forming a standard is far less trouble than dealing with a bonsai or even a topiary, the process takes time. For gardeners without the time or interest in personally designing their own, established patio trees are available at local nurseries and big box stores. But expect to pay a premium for the extra nursery attention already given to these plants. Be prepared to dig even deeper into your pocket to buy a braided standard. Using standards As land values have increased and the size of new home landscapes has shrunk, patio trees have become increasingly popular. Standards offer striking focal points for courtyards, decks, patios and balconies. They can transform a ho-hum doorway, corner or wall into a wow floral showcase. Because of their tidy appearance, some patio trees can add a touch of formality to a landscape. Whether planted in pots or the ground, their well-groomed vertical features offer a welcome contrast to the bushiness of neighboring plants. Standards can surprise the eye with an unexpected, even unique, perspective on a plant. A rose grown not as a typical bush, but as a seemingly exotic patio tree, commands
& Garden issue
As seen on front page: Australian bottlebrush [Callistemon] Some species of Australian bottlebrushes [Callistemon], such as this one growing on Poncha Pass, are good candidates for standards. the viewer to pause for a second look. Often, too, standards can give an impression of miniaturization, a hint of Lilliputian fantasy. Patio trees sometimes seem to belong in a child-scaled garden or to have been pilfered from Alice’s Wonderland. Creating standards Cultivating standards is basically an exercise in strategic pruning. This, luckily, is a simple procedure. Start with a young woody plant with at least one healthy straight stem. Ideally, this plant should be well established in the ground or a planter. Trim away every stem except one straight stalk (referred to as the “leader”). Clip off the other stalks as close as possible to the plant’s roots. Then insert a sturdy four-to-six foot stake next to the remaining leader stem. At about two-inch intervals, securely fasten the leader to the stake with plastic or cloth ribbons tied in a shoelace bow. These ties will keep the plant straight while binding the stem loosely to allow for trunk thickening. As the plant grows taller, calculate the leader height that suits you. Continued on next page
Gazette: Kathy Tucci
Over the years, Lessa Ennis has used her knowledge as a Master Gardener to convert her front yard into a mosaic of plants and landscape materials.
City cash for grass program promotes grass-free landscaping by Tony Tucci Faced with a diminishing supply of water, some Southwest Austin homeowners are tearing up their yards and replacing grass with native plants and materials such as mulch, stones and gravel. The practice is part of water conservation measures adopted by the city’s water utility, which recently announced that it may be facing a budget shortfall this year because users have reduced
their consumption, and thus their water bills. Although a small part of the utility’s water conservation movement, the Waterwise Landscape Program is one of the more visible. It calls for the city to provide rebates of $25 per 100 square feet of healthy turf grass that is torn up and replaced with native plants and materials. So Austin’s water utility finds itself in a Catch 22—it needs to cut water consumption and increase revenues.
The grass-for-cash program started in the Fall of 2012. “The focus was taking out healthy turf grass and replacing it with native plant beds that conserved water,” said Christopher Charles, a conservation program associate with the water utility. Charles said the lawns had to be healthy, and inspections were made before and after the program. “We allowed a few brown Continued on page 27
Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 15
Raising standards for Oak Hill area patios Continued from p. 14 This is usually between three and five feet, depending on the plant’s potential, the stake’s length and your preference. The next step determines the maximum height of a patio tree. Cut off the uppermost node. (A node is a stem segment where leaves or buds appear, and the topmost node is where the highest leaves or buds have formed.) Once it is “topped,” the leader will not grow any higher. Safeguard four of the remaining top nodes, but snip off all foliage or buds appearing farther down the cropped leader. The goal is to have the leader branch out only from the four preserved top nodes. Although a stem-braid is sometimes possible, styling it is particularly slow going. A braided standard is fashioned from separate plants or from various different stalks on a single plant. For braided patio trees, follow the procedures for single-stalk standards, but also manually wrap two, three or four — three is generally considered especially attractive — leaders around each other as the plant grows. With some plants, such as ficus, if the braid is started with very young and pliable stems, the
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combined stalks will fuse at points to produce a unique visual effect. Maintaining standards Periodically, a patio tree should be gently retied to its stake to accommodate expanding trunk girth. Maintaining a standard also requires cutting away any volunteer (sucker) shoots appearing at the base of the plant. Likewise, all leaves or branches resprouting below the four-node crown must be continually clipped off. Managing the crown’s foliage is a little more demanding. As this preserved foliage crown of the standard begins to fill in and spread, from time to time trim it lightly to foster fullness and roundness. Snipped tips encourage more branching, but each branch should first be allowed to develop several inter-nodal segments before it is shortened. Continued on next page
‘Red Heart’ rose of Sharon [Hibiscus syriacus]. Branch structure makes ‘Red Heart’ rose of Sharon [Hibiscus syriacus] a good inground choice for an eight-to-ten foot standard. Right: Tropical hibiscus [Hibiscus rosa-sinensis]. Readily available tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is one of the easier plants to fashion into standards.
16 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Raising standards for patios Continued from p. 15
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Leave the hedge sheers in the shed, though. Hard pruning ruins a crown’s look by curtailing flowering and fostering unsightly long shoots. Keeping a patio tree’s look requires some attention to proportion, too. A general rule for standards holds that the width of its top foliage-ball should measure about one-third of its trunk’s length. So a three-foot patio tree usually looks best with a one-foot wide crown. But this rule is flexible, depending on the plant. In some cases — the ‘Grande’ firebush (Hamelia patens), for example — a larger than average top does not create an eyesore. For potted standards, the larger the crown the greater the risk of tipping over. Since patio trees are sometimes top-heavy and fairly delicate, they are easily tumbled and damaged by wind, children and pets. Choose large sturdy planters and invest in attractive containers to show off patio trees to advantage. In the Oak Hill area, unfortunately, potted plants tend to dry out rapidly from sun, heat and wind. So the vigor, appearance and flowering of most of our standards benefit when situated for afternoon shade and when their draining soils are hydrated regularly as needed. Continued on next page
‘Grande’ firebush [Hamelia patens]. A long summer bloomer and hummingbird magnet, the ‘Grande’ firebush [Hamelia patens] makes a pleasantly surprising patio tree.
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 17
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Raising standards for patios
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Continued from p. 16 Winter is another consideration. In-ground standards can be protected by mulching roots and wrapping trunks with pipe insulation. A large trashcan, turned upside down and covered with blankets, helps. Potted patio trees, especially tropicals, are particularly vulnerable to winter temperatures in the Oak Hill area, where temperatures have recently fallen into the teens. Potted roots are less insulated than in-ground roots. A dolly or, even better, a PotLifter (www.potlifter. com) facilitates moving tropicals indoors. While being overwintered indoors, most standards need bright light from a southern window. They also require much less moisture than when maintained outdoors during summer. Keeping inside standards on the dry side and skipping all feeding will provide for a quicker comeback in the spring. Some, such as hibiscus, slowly shed their leaves over the course of winter, but they refresh quickly during the following growing season.
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Choosing standards That potted standards are less cold hardy than those in the ground should be kept in mind when thinking about which selections to purchase. In fact, even in-ground Continued on back page
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Religious Services 18 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
ANGLICAN St. Philip’s Anglican Church 1408 W. 9th St, Austin. 78703 Fr. Gary Francis, Vicar Holy Communion 1928 Book of Common Prayer Sunday 11:00 am gkfrancis@suddenlink.net Traditional Anglican Worship
ASSEMBLY OF GOD New Life Assembly of God 7612 Cooper Lane, Austin. 78745 (Between Wm. Cannon and Dittmar) Call: 445-5433 Pastor: Charlie Hilburn Sunday Services: Sunday School 9:30am; Worship & Children’s Church 10:30am; Prayer and Worship Service 6pm Wednesday Services: 7:00pm Kidtastic! * Missio Dei Youth Ministry * Adult Class newlifeaustin@agchurches.org www.newlifeaustin.org connecting...growing...reaching
BAPTIST Bee Cave Baptist Church 13222 Hwy. 71W (at Hwy. 620) 263-5058 Pastor: Rev. Jim Roquemore Services: Sun. 10:45am & 6:30pm, Sunday School 9:30am Children’s church available Sun. am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study 7 pm First Baptist Church of Oak Hill 6907 Convict Hill Rd 78749 288-7570 Pastor: Rob Satterfield Services: Sun. 10:50am & 6:00pm Bible Study Sun. 9:30am Wednesday Prayer 6:45pm www.fbcoakhill.org Oak Hill Primitive Baptist Church 11408 Camp Ben McCulloch Rd. Pastor: Elder Richard Halbgewachs Church: 288-4994 Pastor: 791-0678 Services: Every Sun. 10:30am
BUDDHIST Chittamani Buddhist Center Without Inner Peace, Outer Peace is Impossible. Classes and meditation currently on the 4 Noble Truths. Every Sunday 9:30am -11 am Everyone welcome www.MeditationInAustin.org 1918 Bissel Lane, 78745 (off Manchaca) 512-916-4444 Sitagu Buddha Vihara 9001 Honeycomb Dr. 78737 (4 miles west of the “Y”). We are a monastery, meditation center, community center, education center and home of a beautiful Burmese pagoda. Daily activities.
sitagu.org/austin/, (512)301-3968 sitaguvihara@yahoo.com.
CATHOLIC St. Catherine of Siena 4800 Convict Hill Rd. 78749 892-2420 Pastor Rev. Patrick Coakley Weekend Masses: Sat. 5pm, Sun 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:15pm, 5pm Weekday Masses: Mon-Fri. 12noon, Sat. 9am, Tues & 1st Fri 7pm
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Bee Caves Road) 288-0128 www.stchristopher.net Rector: The Rev. Bo Townsend Services: Holy Communion at 10am Sundays; Children’s Chapel at 10 am Christian Ed. 9am (Sept. 10-May 20) Seeking God’s Truth, Sharing God’s Love
HINDU TEMPLE Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple Radha Madhav Dham, 400 Barsana Road, Austin, Texas 78737 (FM 1826, 7 miles from 290 W) 288-7180 Sunday Services: 11:00am- 12:30pm; 7:30-9:30pm Visiting hours: 8:1510am & 3-5pm daily
Western Hills Church of Christ 6211 Parkwood Drive 892-3532 www.westernhillscoc.com whcc@westernhillscoc.com Sunday Services:9am Bible Classes (all ages),10am Worship (with Children’s Church) Evening - groups & worship alternat-ing weeks Wednesday: 7pm Worship, classes for all ages, 6pm Meal together We have an inspiring and Bibli-cally rich worship service, a very active Youth Ministry and a growing Children’s Ministry! “We are... a place to believe, a place to belong, a place to call home”
Masjid Ibrahim Islamic Center Religious Services/Youth & Children Activities 1701 W Ben White Blvd. Bldg. #3 512-693-2924 Friday Sermon @ 1:00 PM Mosque open 7 days for 5 daily prayers Check Mosque website for prayer timings and weekend programs www.masjidibrahim.org Email: admin@masjidibrahim.org
COWBOY CHURCH
LUTHERAN
Cowboy Church of the Hill Country 8305 Sharl Cove (slightly south of intersection of Loop 45 and Camp Ben McCulloch Road) 587-2242 Pastor: Jerry Kelley pastor@cowboychurchhc.com Services: Sunday 10 a.m. www.cowboychurchhc.org facebook.com/Cowboy ChurchHC info@cowboychurchhc.org We do things the Cowboy way!
Abiding Love Lutheran Church 7210 Brush Country, 78749 892-4040 Sr. Pastor:Lynnae Sorensen Assoc. Pastor: Brad Highum Sunday Services: 8:30am and 11am Sunday School 9:45 am Children’s Center 892-2777 M-F, 7:00am-6:00pm Food Pantry-Monday, 1:30-3:30pm info@abidinglove.org www.abidinglove.org
EPISCOPALIAN St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 So. IH-35 (exit #223, FM 1327; take north access road 1.1 mile) 282-5631 www.stalbansaustin.org Seeking the transformation of lives through sharing God’s love and grace Rector: The Rev. Margaret Waters Services: 9 a.m. Come & See! (Blended worship w/ sermon & Holy Eucharist) 10:00 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:15 a.m. Christian Formation for All Ages (Please go to the website for more details) 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II 12:45 p.m. Coffee Hour Children’s Chapel at both services, and professional nursery from 8:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Youth Group, Sundays 4-6 p.m. Bible Study, Thursdays 9:30-11 a.m. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church 8724 Travis Hills Dr. 78735 (between Southwest Parkway and Old
ISLAM
Bethany Lutheran Church “Where Jesus Meets His Friends” 3701 West Slaughter Lane (next to Bowie High School) 292-8778 email: info@blcms.org Pastor: Rev. William B. Knippa Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Kevin D. Lentz Sun. Worship Services: 8am (Trad.) 9:30 & 11:00 am (Blended Traditional & Contemporary Music) 6:00 p.m. (Contemporary Praise) Sunday School & Bible Study: 9:30am Nursery During Services Bethany Preschool, Mon & Wed program, Tues & Thur program www.blcms.org Holy Cross Lutheran Church 4622 S. Lamar 892-0516 Rev. Magdalene Holm-Roesler, Pastor Services: 10:00 am Sunday Study Hour: 9:00 am Sunday Fellowship & Coffee after services Adult and Children’s Sun. School www.hclcaustin.org You’re always welcome here.
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church 10408 Hwy 290 West (4 miles from the “Y” in Oak Hill) 512-288-2370 info@ConnectwithJesus.org www.Mt.OliveAustin.org Pastors: Paul Meyer and Ben Braun Services: 8 am traditional and 10:30 am contemporary. Education Hour: 9:15-10:15 am Preschool: 18 months to Pre-K, Preschool Phone: 512-288-2330 Full and part-time hours. Risen Savior Lutheran Church-WELS 2811 Aftonshire Way 78748 280-8282 Rev. Paul Kuehn, pastor Services: Sunday Worship— 9:30am Sunday School/Bible Classes for all ages, Sunday— 11:00am; Thursday Night Worship— 7:00 pm www.risensavioraustin.net
METHODIST Oak Hill United Methodist Church 7815 Hwy. 290 W. 78736 288-3836 Rev. Jim Roberts, Rev. Pam Sheffield, and Rev. Stella Burkhalter Services: Sunday 8:45, 10 & 11:15am (Interpreted for the deaf at 11:15 service) Wednesday ReCharge service 6:15pm Sunday School: 10 & 11:15am Children’s Sunday School: 8:45, 10 & 11:15am Youth group: 5pm www.oakhillumc.org open hearts, open minds, open doors! Manchaca United Methodist Church Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors! 1011 FM 1626 (SE corner of FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd) www.ManchacaUMC.org; office@ ManchacaUMC.org; 512.282.7274 Pastors: Rev. Laura Adam, Rev. Tracey Beadle Sunday Schedule: 8:30 am – Traditional Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary. 9:45 am - Sunday School; adult, youth and children. 11:00 am - Traditional Worship and Hymns in the Sanctuary. 11 am - Life on the Road - Casual Praise Service in the Family Life Center 5 pm - High School & Middle School youth programs Wednesday Worship: 6:00 am Individual Prayer and Meditation with Communion
Hope in the City 4407 Monterey Oaks Blvd, 78749 Phone; 512-892-4673 Senior Pastor: Britt Tucker Sun. Service 10:15 am www.hopeinthecity.org We value loving God, loving one another and loving Austin and the Nations. LifeAustin 8901 W Hwy 71 78735 Phone: 512-220-6383 Lead Pastor: Randy Phillips Sun. Services: 9:30 am, Celebration Service, 11:15 am Wed Services: 7 pm Life University, 7 pm Student Life LifeAustin is a Bible Church - a cosmopolitan community of healing and hope. We are all about connecting people to Christ and to each other. Unity Church of Austin 5501Hwy 290 West, 78735 (512) 892-3000 unity@unitychurchaustin.org Interim Minister: Rev. Denise Creech Service 11:00 pm “Our God is love,our race is human and our religion is oneness.” www.unitychurchaustin.org
ORTHODOX St. Sophia Orthodox Church 225 Rose Dr. in Dripping Springs Fr. Peter Smith, Pastor 512) 638-0721 / pcmsmith@hotmail. com (Fr. Peter’s email) www.stsophiachurch.us Services: Sundays- 8:45 a.m. Orthros (Matins) & 10:00 a.m. Divine LiturgyWednesdays- 7:00 p.m. Daily Vespers or other special services according to the season Saturdays- 5:45 pm. Ninth Hour & 6:00 pm Great Vespers and Confession Special feast day services as announced All services are in English and visitors are always welcome. The Orthodox Church is the original, historic, pre-denominational Church of the New Testament. Please join us for worship soon!
PRESBYTERIAN
NON - DENOMINATIONAL
Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church 5226 W William Cannon 78749 Pastor Larry W. Coulter; Assoc. Pastors Michael Killeen, Britta Dukes Worship Schedule: 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Austin Ridge Southwest 7416 Hwy 71 W, 78735 512-288-8000 Worship services: 9:15 and 11:00 Children’s Ministry: 9:15 and 11:00 Middle/High School 6 pm www.austinridge.org
Shepherd of the Hills Brodie Campus at the corner of Brodie Ln. & Hewitt Ln. 12420 Hewitt Lane 78748 Ted Thulin, Campus Pastor Worship Schedule: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Web site: www.shpc.org
Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 19
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 21
Celebrate Spring at colorful festival The“Mindset Revolution”
Radha Madhav Dham invites the public to come and enjoy food, games, live music and more during this year’s Holi celebration on Saturday, March 15 from 2 to 8 pm, in their beautiful, retreat-like setting, located on FM 1826. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is an ancient Hindu celebration that has become increasingly popular with non-Hindus throughout the world. It marks the arrival of spring’s season of hope and joy, signifies the victory of good over evil, and is considered a time of love
and forgiveness. During Holi, people gather together to playfully throw colored powder on one another in good-natured fun, sing and dance in joyous celebration, and enjoy delectably savory dishes and sweets. Radha Madhav Dham welcomes everyone who would like to experience this festival’s exuberant and interactive celebration. Festivities will include: food booths with delicious Indian dishes, kid’s games and prizes, zorb balls, inflatables, Bonzo Crunch the clown, and a petting zoo;
presentations on Hinduism 101 and the significance of Holi; Indian dance and other cultural performances on the outdoor stage; in addition to Holi play of colors with a live band and a Holi bonfire, symbolizing new beginnings. The celebration ends with a joyful Holi Kirtan program on the outdoor shrine. Bring family, friends and neighbors, and come make new friends at Radha Madhav Dham. What better way to celebrate the promise of spring than to play like a kid again?
Wash Day Laundry in Oak Hill is proud to announce their five-year birthday. The entire month of March will be a celebration to thank customers for their patronage and support. Oak Hill is Wash Day Laundry’s first location, which was followed by two additional laundromats that opened in 2011, one in Wimberley, and another on Brodie Lane in south Austin. Locally owned and operated, Wash Day Laundry is committed to being environmentally responsible and an asset to the community. Their community focus includes donating gift cards to schools, churches, non-profits and local civic organizations toward fundraising benefits. Wash Day is also a proud member of the Austin
Independent Business Alliance and a gold member of the City of Austin’s Green Business Leader’s program. Wash Day Laundry offers a multitude of laundry services ranging from full service pick-up and delivery to selfservice card operated machines. All the equipment is high efficiency and state-of-the-art and is regularly maintained so machines stay in working order. Customers earn free rewards by using Belly, their customer loyalty program. Wash Day Laundry was pleased to receive the Best Laundromat in Austin award for three consecutive years from the Austin Chronicle (2009. 2010 and 2011). They were recognized as New Business of the Year by the
South Austin Civic Club as well as the Oak Hill Business and Professional Association. The month-long birthday celebration will include special rates for comforters, wash and fold specials, bonus money on self-service customer’s cards, discounts on washers, and treats for the children. These specials will be promoted via their Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/washdaylaundryaustin) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/ washdaylaundry). Wash Day Laundry is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with television, plenty of parking, and free wi-fi. It is fully attended by Martha, Ana and Maria, their stellar, hard-working and knowledgeable staff.
Wash Day Laundry celebrates 5 years
comes to Southwest Austin Bestselling author, entrepreneur, and speaker Scott Shikler will be giving two free seminars 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Thursday, March 13th. Schikler is the author and co-creator of “The 7 Mindsets To Live Your Ultimate Life”. Shickler and his team spent three years researching, interviewing and studying thousands of success stories across the globe, and what emerged were 7 Mindsets that have literally changed the course of people’s lives. The most surprising finding according to Shikler was that most individuals are inadvertently living the counter-mindsets, the exact opposite path to happiness and success. In this presentation, Shikler will introduce the 7 Mindsets and share the considerable influence the program has had on people of all ages. He will discuss strategies for applying the 7 Mindsets to create a mindset revolution resulting in a positive, long-term impact on individuals and organizations all over the world. The presentation promises to be engaging, inspiring
and empowering through the use of impactful stories, videos and hands-on activities. Noted as one of the world’s leading experts on personal empowerment, Scott Shickler is a sought-after speaker, thought leader and advocate in his field. He has been featured in a variety of media including CNN, ABC and NBC News, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and has authored or co-authored eight books. In addition to his role with 7 Mindsets, he is the cofounder of the Magic Wand Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to empowering youth to live their dreams, as well as CEO and founder of Excent Corporation, a global education company serving millions throughout the world. Shickler’s groundbreaking book will be available for sale at a reduced price at the seminars. In addition, there will be drawings at both presentations for the online Masterclass & Life Plan and signed copies of “The 7 Mindsets.” Seats at the seminar can be reserved by emailing 7 Mindsets Ambassdor Carl Mehlman at Carl@ 7Mindsets.com.
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22 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Oak Hill ballfields Fight to save ‘Taco Bell’ oak is nearing victory Continued from p. 1
softball team in Athens in 2004. Osterman, now a south Austin resident who is an assistant coach at St. Edwards University, told the Gazette, “I played every sport growing up. It wasn’t just softball that was important to me, but also having a place to play sports in general. I was an athlete, and that is how I developed my confidence as well as a social circle of friends.” Having a place to play baseball and softball locally was jeopardized when the fields were heavily damaged after a record-breaking rainfall last October: the five baseball and two softball fields were flooded, and fences, infrastructure for the fields’ irrigation systems, equipment and the uniform shed all needed repair. The community participated in fundraisers, while the Round Rock Express, Ryan-Sanders Sports Turf Services and partners stepped in to shoulder the remaining expenses (nearly $40,000) to get the 18acre facility ready for spring ball. Sponsors included Diamond Pro, Fenske Sand Gravel, the Houston Astros, Jack Allen’s Kitchen, the Nolan Ryan Foundation, the Perfect Mound, Sunbelt Rentals, the Texas Rangers Foundation and Whittlesey Landscape Supplies. Stephen Bega, president of the Oak Hill Youth Sports Association (OHYSA), owner of the facility, told the Gazette, “Because of the generosity of our supporters and the increased donations we received, the Board voted to increase the
amount we were contributing to the fields. We will now be paying for one half of the price—$36,500 of the $73,000 bid.” OHYSA Shetland softball commissioner Lynda Youngblood said, “This past weekend we held our annual OHYSA Field Work Day to finish up any additional repairs that were needed such as painting the bleachers, re-hanging signs, etc.” Youngblood added, “We are excited about all the changes that are being made, because in addition to Round Rock’s field repairs, OHYSA is also taking the opportunity to install new scoreboards, as well as add a new picnic area and playscape for the children.“ Youngblood said her daughters, Grace and Lauren, met Osterman at a banquet last December. “It was very memorable for us— especially Lauren—because Cat talked about the challenges she faced. Lauren could really relate to that as she was going through some challenges herself and was considering giving up on the game. Lauren came home with a renewed spirit for the game, realizing others are challenged as well.” Added Youngblood, “I think this just goes to show how important a role women in sports play in our children’s lives. I hope this is a new tradition and that we will see more of this in seasons to come.” The Oak Hill ballfields are located at U.S. 290 West and Joe Tanner. For further information, see www. OHYSA.com.
Continued from p. 1
planned continuous flow intersection renovations at the intersection. Michael Fossum, executive director of the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation, said the remaining $3,000 must be raised before the tree can be removed by Environmental Design, a tree moving and landscaping company based in Austin. In mid-November, a feasibility study conducted by a team of certified experts, including the city arborist, determined that the tree was able to be transplanted across U.S. 290 to Beckett Grove, a line of oak and pecan trees east of the intersection of 290 and William Cannon, named for the Beckett family who owned the former ranch land in the 1870s. The location was frequently used as a campsite by travelers heading into Austin and a popular spot for picnics and reunions as far back as the 1800’s. “We hope that this tree will start the renovation of the grove
into an open green area with many trees for all to enjoy,” Fossum said. “Some of that area may be impacted by the future Oak Hill Parkway, but not the area where the tree will be relocated.” The Austin Heritage Tree Foundation stated that $10,000 of the funds raised would go to transplanting the tree, while the remaining $10,000 will go toward miscellaneous expenses related to transplanting the tree, such as traffic control while the tree is transported across U.S. 290. Fossum said the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation obtained a grant from the city of Austin that helps to cover a large portion of the transplanting cost. The tree, which spans 31.5 inches in diameter, was initially scheduled for removal at the end of October. Tree supporters banded together, holding rallies and fundraisers to raise money for the feasibility study and draw attention to the cause. The feasibility study concluded that the tree is a good transplant candidate and has an estimated 75 percent chance of survival if transplanted.
Ways to Donate · Send a check to the Austin Parks Foundation, 507 Calles Street, Ste. 116, Austin, TX 78702. Make sure to write “Austin Heritage Tree Foundation- Taco Bell Tree” on the memo line. · Call the Austin Parks Foundation at 512-477-1566 ext. 1 to donate by phone. Specify that your donation is for the “Austin Heritage Tree Foundation- Taco Bell Tree.” · Donate with a credit card at this link: https://www.austinparks. org/adopter-donations.html. Click on the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation box. For all donations, email mfossum@austin.rr.com with the amount and donor’s name and specify that the donation is for the Taco Bell Tree. The Austin Heritage Tree Foundation operates under the Parks Foundation, which manages the tree fund. Donations are tax deductible. For more information visit www. austinheritagetreefoundation. com.
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 23
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December 6- December 19, 2012
Gazette Classifieds Gazette Classifieds
24 ...Oak Hill Gazette March 6 -March 19, 2014 28 ...Oak Hill Gazette December 20-January 9, 2013 24 ...Oak Hill Gazette December 6- December 19, 2012 Commer T. Q. Jones
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Oak Hill Gazette March 6--March 19, 2014.. 25
Baseball season updates: Continued from p. 13
confidence.” Austin High plays twice Thursday in the AISD Tournament, facing Lockhart at 2:30 p.m. at Garrison Field and Marble Falls at 7:30 p.m. at Burger. Bacak’s crew completed competition in the Round Rock Tournament with an 11-4 win over Midland and an 8-2 victory over McNeil. Nick Perez blasted a home run versus Midland and Sam Slawter earned the victory on the mound against McNeil. The Maroons then defeated Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Loreno and Shoemaker in the Killeen Tournament. A home run by Slawter helped Austin High defeat Shoemaker 13-3. Under the guidance of coach Billy Brown, the Austin High pitching staff has only once surrendered more than four runs. “We’ve got some depth,” Bacak admitted. Shortstop Perez remains the ace of the club and centerfielder Richard Cunningham continues to improve on keeping the ball low, as evidenced in a 3-2 pitching victory over perennial Class 3A power Lorena. Transfers Slawter and Richard Andelin from Seattle and Lewisville respectively, give Bacak options on the mound. Riley Greiner and Quinton Saucedo provide quality relief.
Bowie baseball With a new skipper at the helm, the Bowie baseball team continues to earn victories. As Sam Degelia moves into the varsity head coach position, longtime head coach Rudy Alvarez now works as an assistant coach for the first time since 1973. “I decided to come back and help him out for a couple of years,” Alvarez said. Bowie (9-3) lost only to Vandegrift, Cedar Park and Churchill after beating the Chargers the first time in a San Antonio tournament. The Bulldogs opened the season versus Pflugerville in a Round Rock Tournament. Through five innings, southpaw Kyle Gray threw eighty pitches, limiting the Panthers to a single hit. Six foot, two inch Jake Orth closed out the contest in relief. Versatile Marcel Carter began the game at third base, but Graham Case substituted for him in the later innings. Second baseman Thomas Varner drew a base on balls in the
sixth inning and later scored the Bulldogs’ fifth run in a 6-1 victory. Bowie then lost 7-6 to Vandegrift before closing out the event with wins over Coronado, Rouse and San Angelo Central. Centerfielder Austin Eschenburg had four hits, two steals and three RBI in the win over Coronado. Trevor Sartin recorded a shutout win over Rouse. Sean Crowley and Case each collected a pair of hits in a 12-0 blowout. Catcher Joe Davis unleashed a powerful attack in an 8-2 destruction of Hays. The junior smashed a pair of home runs and Gray added another dinger. Bowie earned four victories over the weekend in the Alamo City. Orth recorded a victory and Dustin Jourdan registered a save in a 4-3 win over Churchill. The Bulldogs pounded out 20 hits in a 20-7 obliteration of Taft, and Davis hit a grand slam en route to six RBI. Davis then hit another home run and
Crockett baseball Through nine games, the Crockett baseball team has five wins and four losses. “Our kids have done real
well,” coach Miguel Trevino said. The Cougars ventured south over the weekend and defeated El Paso Parkland, but lost to Pflugerville, Burnet and Dripping Springs at a tournament in New Braunfels. Julian Reyna, Marshall Mindieta, Brandon Gonzales and Skylar Ventura all pitched for the brown and gold. Gonzales threw a shutout in a 7-0 triumph over Parkland. Cougar infielders include Dominic Rodriguez at first base and sophomore Ricky Clark at second. AJ Riojas and Ventura platoon on the corner and junior Josef Soriano operates at shortstop while batting cleanup in the lineup. Veteran Daniel Lopez works behind the plate. John Sheppard, DJ Wilhite, Reyna and fourth year starter Jonathan Garcia labor in the outfield for the Cougars. Crockett participates in the AISD Tournament this weekend and visits rival McCallum next Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Northwest Field.
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26 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
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City cash for grass program promotes grass-free landscaping Continued from p. 14 spots, but it had to be mostly green,” he said. Replacement yards can include different types of mulch, but have to be at least 50 percent plant coverage. Eligible plants are listed in the city’s Grow Green guide. Charles said participants in the program could expect to cut 20 percent off their water bills. “Since the start, more that 50 yards have been approved,” he said. Dennis Jackson, owner of Dennis Jackson Landscaping, said about three out of five customer calls now are requesting that turf grass be replaced with xeriscape materials. “This has really caught on since the drought,” he said. “We’ve used a wide range of materials, from crushed granite to crushed glass, although usually the crushed glass is only for accent. Everybody’s interested in cutting back on their water use,” he said. Jackson said not many of his customers have taken advantage of the city rebate program. “The
biggest reason is that people are not aware of it,” he said. He added that the amount of the rebate is too small to warrant going through the application process. Jackson said he recommends crushed gravel for walkways and stone or concrete for borders. “River gravel can cause problems,” he said, explaining that it fills up with silt or leaves and is hard to keep clean. His favorite plants are the yellow esperanza, lantana and the bicolor iris, plus most succulents. One plant he avoids is the blue agave, that razor-sharp cactus that can inflict harm on passers-by. While the cash-for-grass program is relatively new, the idea of switching from water-gulping grass to materials that do not require water has been around for awhile. In early days, participating homeowners were considered a bit eccentric, and neighbors looked with concern as yards became displays of wood and stone and native plants. They wondered from the vantage point
of their St. Augustine grass if the oddity on their street would affect property values. Charles said there was some opposition, particularly from homeowners associations that had set standards for landscaping within their boundaries. He said the utility can meet with these associations to establish new guidelines. Gary Philips, a Shady Hollow resident who owns a landscaping company, Plantscape Formations, said the low-water landscapes have become increasingly popular as the drought continues. “Everybody’s interested in cutting back on their water usage,” he said. Phillips said many homeowners don’t apply for the rebate because “they find it difficult to navigate through the process.” He helps homeowners select the right plants suitable to the environment. “We try and stay away from
the highly toxic plants like oleander, which is poisonous.” He said he heard that a San Antonio family got poisoned when it used oleander branches to roast hot dogs. Lessa Ennis, a Shady Hollow resident, started adding special touches to her front yard almost from the day she moved to Austin eight years ago. Included in the moving van along with the Ennis family belongings was a box of Illinois river stones that quickly found a place in her planting beds. Over the years, Ennis used her knowledge as a Master Gardener to convert her front yard into a mosaic of plants and landscape materials. She used Texas native plants including several varieties of cacti from throughout the state plus salvia greggi, plumbago, Russian sage, broom bush, lantana and many others. She said passers-by often stop to ask about the identity of a certain
plant, and when bluebonnet season arrives, they take their picture with the flowers. Ground glass, obtained from the city’s glass recycling program, adds a special look to the front yard landscaping. The gleaming green class contrasts with the dark mulch and looks like lakes or rivers. In the Ennis’ backyard is another special attraction: a bottle tree, made from a dead cedar tree trunk and different colored bottles arranged for branches. “The bottles are from special occasions like our anniversary,” said Ennis. Ennis said the yards are not maintenance free. The plants have to be trimmed regularly, and sometimes they have to be moved if they’ve outgrown their space. “Plants get so big here,” she said. “It’s rewarding when people stop by and make comments.”
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28 ...Oak Hill Gazette
March 6 -March 19, 2014
Raising standards Continued from p. 17
patio trees are generally less hardy than their shrubby versions. Some suitable and easy-to-grow choices include rosemary, rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) and Camellia japonica. Indian hawthorne (Rhaphiolepis indica) and roses, including the ‘Iceberg’ series, also work well. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is available in patio-tree versions, such as ‘Black Knight’ with winehued flowers and ‘Harlequin’ with variegated leaves. Also consider oleander (Nerium oleander), Australian bottlebrush (Callistemon) and ‘Viridis’ Euryops pectinatus. Each is beautiful but also vulnerable to lingering freezes. The growing demand for patio trees has led to increasingly surprising standard creations — for instance, ‘Inca Sun’ Brugmansia, blue glory
bower (Clerodendrum ugandense), honeysuckle fuchsia (Fuchsia triphylla) and golden dewdrop (Duranta erecta). Harder to find and to train as standards, but not to be overlooked, are blue hibiscus (Alogyne huegelii) from Australia and Cape mallow (Anisodontea x hypomandarum) from South Africa. For an especially unusual sight — sure to generate conversation — try styling ‘Mabel Grey’ (Pelargonium citronellum) into a nearly two-foot standard. Since there is no woody stem in this case, this fragile socalled scented geranium will always need its stake. Several cultivars of P. crispum (including ‘Lemon Balm,’ ‘Clorinda’ and ‘Purple Unique’) offer other trainable pelargonium selections. It takes at least two years to form a pelargonium standard, and usually it takes even longer to fashion patio
trees from other plants. While standards are easy enough to create, they will not be rushed! So the gardener undertaking to raise them from the time they are young should already possess a high personal standard for patience. Bill Scheick has written gardening articles for the Oak Hill Gazette, Dallas Morning News, Austin-American Statesman, Native Plant Society of Texas Newsletter, Tropical Treasures Magazine and Texas Gardener Magazine, where he serves as a contributing editor.
This honeysuckle fuchsia (Fuchsia triphylla), a South American native, survives Oak Hill winters .
‘Dallas Red’ and other woody lantanas are easy to fashion into standards, but keeping their tops attractive is more challenging.
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