Travis Country West - February 2015 by Peel, Inc.

Travis Country West

Volume 10, Number 2

February 2015

TCW Neighborhood News Official Publication of Travis Country West Community BOARD MESSAGE ABOUT PROPOSED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECT Hello Neighbors, In early January, some of our residents received a notice from the City of Austin regarding the upcoming final approval of the site plan for the development of an administrative office building on a 10 acre parcel between Sunset Ridge and Southwest Parkway adjacent to our community. This proposed development is an issue that our community previously addressed in 2010. In 2010, the Travis Country West Owners Association (our HOA) and the developer of this site negotiated and entered into a development agreement. In return for the HOA’s support of (1) a zoning change from Industrial Park to General Office, (2) changes to a restrictive covenant allowing more floor-to-area ratio and (3) site plan approval for either an office project or a church project, the developer agreed to the following concessions: • revise the site plan to relocate the office building further to the west; • limit the height of a parking garage to 45 feet and construct the garage in the center of the tract; • prohibit all access to and from Sunset Ridge to the property (except via an emergency crash gate); • provide $30,000 to TCW to construct traffic calming measures approved by the City within the neighborhood; • exterior illumination restrictions; and • a number of other restrictions, including grounds maintenance and property improvements. In 2010, the Board expended significant effort in negotiating these concessions, which include retaining legal counsel to assist in the negotiation and execution of the agreement. We believe that the agreement that was executed is a good one for the neighborhood, and we will monitor developments closely to ensure that the developer complies with our agreement. We understand that this is an issue of interest to everyone in our community and we will provide an update as more information becomes available. Best, TCW Board of Directors Copyright © 2015 Peel, Inc.

CLEARING PROJECT ALONG WALKING TRAIL In an effort to optimize the functionality of the drainage easement along areas of the walking trail where large quantities of tress, brush, and other plant life grown unfettered, an 8-day clearing project has taken place. Brush was set aside to clean up in the future. As nature compresses the brush, the expense of removal will be lessened. Thank you for your patience as we work to beautify the trail system and provide for proper water channeling in to the detention ponds.

EFFORTS TO ENLIST CITY OF AUSTIN ASSISTANCE Ascension Property Management has been communicating with the City of Austin, and in many cases following up, on requests for clean up and repair in several areas of Travis Country West. The City was quick to respond in mowing overgrowth on both sides of Big Timber Drive. Sidewalk repairs near the Fort Benton mailboxes close to the pool have been requested, and an inspector has evaluated the site. Graffiti removal should be cleared as of the printing oft his newsletter. Previous requests were lost on the City’s end.

Travis Country West Homeowner's Association Newsletter - February 2015

Travis Country West IMPORTANT NUMBERS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY Ascension Property Management Paul & Melissa Yehl admin@ascensionpm.com www.ascensionpm.com Ph: 512-255-1671 Fax: 512-777-4905 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President.....................................................................Julie Saft Vice-President............................................ Jonathan Gallmeier Secretary........................................................... Tim Shelhamer Treasurer....................................................................Lee Jones Member At Large.................................................... Gary Jones Email........................................ Board@traviscountrywest.com

CITY OF AUSTIN CONTACT NUMBERS Dead Animal Pick up................................................ 947-9400 Abandoned Vehicle.................................................... 280-0075 Pothole Repair........................................................... 974-8750 Street Light Outage................................................... 505-7617

Committees are Growing Did you know Travis Country West has 4 committees now in existence, thanks to the volunteer spirit in the community. More help is needed. None of the committees requires a big time commitment, so please consider getting involved. The social committee has the most fun – come be a part of it. There are 5 events budgeted for in 2015. The finance committee will take part in budget preparation each year, and review monthly financial reports. No accounting skill is required, just a desire to monitor the financial stability of the HOA. The communications committee helps with website updates, and in collecting content for the monthly newsletter. Please contact Ascension Property Management (admin@ ascensionpm.com) with your interest. Your contributions, no matter how small, are huge to the success of ensuring Travis Country West is a tight knit neighborhood, not just a subdivision.

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER Peel, Inc.............................www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Editor - Pat Muntz................................. patmuntz@gmail.com Advertising..............advertising@PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181

ADVERTISING INFO Please support the businesses that advertise in the Travis Country West Community Newsletter. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Travis Country West residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. No homeowners association funds are used to produce or mail the newsletters. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512-2639181 or advertising@PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 8th of each month for the following month's newsletter.

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SOUTHWEST FAMILY YMCA 2

Travis Country West Homeowners Association Newsletter - February 2015

* see website below for details

Travis Country West

Easy Valentine Sandwich Cookies Recipe by Laria Tabul, allrecipes.com

SILVERFISH

This recipe makes 17- 3 inch sandwich cookies and 17 - 1 1/2 inch heart shaped cookies. You’ll need a 3-inch heart shaped cutter and a 1 1/2-inch heart shaped cutter. Frost with Pink Valentine Frosting (see recipe).

I recently noticed silverfish lurking in my house while handling holiday decorations, so I’m sure others may have the same problem. Silverfish can eat and stain books, fabrics, food and wallpaper, but are often considered being more of a nuisance than a pest. These insects have flattened carrot-shaped bodies with three long “tails” that come off the tip of the abdomen. The body is covered with fine scales that give them a silver sheen. Immatures look just like the adults, but are smaller in size. Usually silverfish are not seen by homeowners because they are most active at night. They can commonly be found in attics, closets or near bookcases. They may also be found behind baseboards or around door and window casings. Silverfish feed on starchy foods like paper, flour, oats or glue. Tips for managing silverfish: • Remove old books, papers & magazines • Store items in sealed, plastic bags or plastic containers with tightfitting lids • Clean closets on a regular basis- vacuum/ sweep floors and wipe down any shelves • Reduce humidity with fans, air conditioning or dehumidifiers • Repair any water leaks • Inspect all items before bringing them into the house • Target treatments to where silverfish live- wall voids, closets, attics, behind baseboards, etc. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Copyright © 2015 Peel, Inc.

• • • • • • • •

Ingredients

1 cup butter 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional) 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream together butter and confectioners’ sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; blend into the butter mixture. Divide dough into thirds and shape into balls. Working with 1/3 of dough at a time, roll out dough into desired thickness on a lightly floured surface. For each heart sandwich cookie, cut out 2 3-inch hearts. Cut out the center of ONE of the 3-inch hearts with the 1 1/2-inch cutter. Place each piece separately on an ungreased cookie sheet, 1 - 2 inches apart. Bake in a preheated, 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven until lightly browned (7-8 minutes for 1/4 inch thick cookies). Cool completely on wire rack. Frost bottom cookie with Pink Valentine Frosting and place an open centered cookie on top to form the sandwich. Also frost the small 1 1/2 inch hearts and serve as separate cookies.

Pink Valentine Frosting

• • • • •

Ingredients - makes 1 cup (approximately) 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon water 2 drops red food coloring

Directions Blend sugar, salt and flavoring. Add just enough water to make it easy to spread. Add 2 drops red food coloring and mix well. Travis Country West Homeowner's Association Newsletter - February 2015

Travis Country West SEND US YOUR

Event Pictures!!

Do you have a picture of an event that you would like to run in this newsletter? Send it to us and we will publish it in the next issue. Email the picture to patmuntz@gmail. com. Be sure to include the text that you would like to have as the caption. Pictures will appear in color online at www.PEELinc.com.

Travis Country West Homeowners Association Newsletter - February 2015

Travis Country West

Thursday March 5, 2015

Travis Country West Homeowner's Association Newsletter - February 2015

At no time will any source be allowed to use TCW Neighborhood News' contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the TCW Neighborhood News is exclusively for the private use of the Travis Country West HOA and Peel, Inc.

Crossword Puzzle

DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.

SUDOKU

View answers online at www.peelinc.com DOWN ACROSS 1. Incline 1. Tack 2. Change 5. Giant 3. Small particle 9. Philippine dish with marinated 4. Compass point chicken or pork 5. Night bird 11. Journalist's question 6. Body snatcher 12. Tiny insects 7. Cultivate 13. Cut of beef 8. Volcano 14. School group 10. Change into bone 15. South 16. Musical productions 17. United States 18. Canadian prov. 18. Bottle need 19. Palladium (abbr.) 20. Upset 20. Many 22. Cow's chow 21. Perfect 23. Year (abbr.) 22. Captain (abbr.) 24. Computer makers 24. Institution (abbr.) 27. Brews 25. Swain 29. Sleep disorder 26. African country 31. Parent teacher groups 28. Fast plane 32. Strong rope fiber 30. Pastry 33. Bend 34. Decorative needle case © 2006. Feature Exchange

Travis Country West

Sudoku

2006. every Feature column, Exchange and The goal is to fill in the grid so that every©row, every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Each digit may appear only once in each row, each column, and each 3x3 box.

Submit your news at: www.peelinc.com 6

Travis Country West Homeowners Association Newsletter - February 2015

Travis Country West

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Travis Country West Homeowner's Association Newsletter - February 2015

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Travis Country West Homeowners Association Newsletter - February 2015