Highlands at Gann Ranch

HIGHLANDS at Gann Ranch

MARCH 2016 | VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

HGR COMING EVENTS 2016 HGR HOA Meeting Summary SPRING Pool Opening/Triathlon? - April 15, 2016 HGR Community Garage Sale - May 7, 2016

A few exciting things happened that I will get to shortly, but I would like to start by saying thank you to all those who showed up to this year’s meeting and contributed by voting, commenting, and bringing your items of importance to the board and your neighbors. As always, Carmen was there to keep our meeting on task, but special thanks needs to be given to both Stephanie and Diane. Stephanie provided us a Gann Ranch Real Estate market update, while Diane ran the show by covering everything from the success of our past year’s events to the current financial status of the HOA to the plans for 2016. Among the most important things that was covered in this year’s meeting was the election of two new board members Somer Walker and Barbara Manley. You can read more about our two new neighbors and board members later on in the newsletter, but for now help me welcome these two ladies and their families to our community. Welcome Somer and Barbara and thank you for jumping right in and becoming involved in our community. Diane did a wonderful job of recapping the success of 2015’s community events and laid out the agenda for what the board has in mind for 2016. The Spring Garage Sale, Fall Fest, and Christmas Decorating Contest will all be back in 2016, and this year we are looking to add a Triathlon to help kickoff the pool’s opening. So here is where we need your help. Each one of these events takes some planning and coordination. If you want to help with any of these events or even have another event that you would like for the HOA to put on, please contact one of the board members as soon as you can. While it will involve some of your time, the work is lessened by the more people that are involved and it really is a fantastic way to meet neighbors and really build a sense of community. Contacts will be listed in next month’s newsletter so please keep an eye out for that.

FALL Fall Festival - October 1, 2016 Pool Closing -October 17, 2016 Winter Christmas Lights and Decorations Contest December 2016 To help with getting our schedule of events better organized, each month the newsletter will begin with a list of upcoming events. In next month’s column contacts will be provided, but for now please consider what event or events with which you would like to help. From project managing the event to volunteering to setup - whatever you can help with please let us know. These events can be as good as we want them to be, but we really need your help. Later on this month we will be having a board member’s meeting that will hopefully assign some dates to our events, but for now the first two things that will be coming up are the Spring Garage Sale and the Pool Opening/Triathlon Kickoff. Undoubtedly, something like the Triathlon will need some coordination so if there are any of you who can even name a triathlete you’ve got me beat already and this could be a job for you. (I looked up “famous triathletes” and still didn’t recognize anyone!) As for the garage sale, in the past this has been done at each individual’s home, but the fantastic idea of maybe using the pool’s parking lot for those who only had a few items to put out was tossed around. This shouldn’t be too time consuming, but off the top of my head I would think that assigning/reserving spots and helping with setup would be required. We’ll also need signs put up/taken down and maybe ads on Craigslist, NextDoor, etc posted. So if you have been looking for an event to volunteer for that wasn’t too involved, this might just be right for you.

Highlands at Gann Ranch - March 2016

Highlands at Gann Ranch IMPORTANT NUMBERS EMERGENCY NUMBERS

EMERGENCY ...................................................911 Ambulance / Fire..................................................911 SCHOOLS

Knowles Elementary............................ 512-570-6200 Running Brushy Middle School.......... 512-570-3300 Leander High...................................... 512-570-1000 OTHER

City...................................... www.cedarparktexas.gov Cedar Park Post Office ....................... 512-260-7585

Highlands or Gann Ranch – Calendar of Events! February 4 (6:30) Annual HOA meeting (Knowles Elemementary) May 7 Neighborhood Garage Sale May or June ? Neighborhood Triathlon (kids and adults events) Date TBD October 1 Fall Fest

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Highlands at Gann Ranch - March 2016

Highlands at Gann Ranch

New Board Members

As was previously mentioned, two new board members were elected at this year’s Annual HOA meeting. It is my pleasure to introduce Barbara Manley and Somer Walker! Both Barbara and Somer are new to Highlands at Gann Ranch, but as someone who is relatively new to HGR I can say with the ultimate confidence that they will grow to love this community and its neighbors. To help introduce themselves both women provided a brief biography that I believe serve as excellent introductions. I’ve edited them a little to make the styles match, so if there are any misspellings, grammar errors, or lame puns you can put them on me! Somer Walker joins us by way of Flagstaff, Arizona as part of a work transfer last July. In addition to being one of our newest board members, Somer splits her time between raising a toddler, church, work, and graduate school. Somer enjoys the outdoors and especially loves to share her time in the sun with her son. Right now she’s still working on his endurance for longer hikes, but if you see her bicycling with her son in tow, please give her a big friendly howdy. We all know how quickly kids grow up and Somer is really looking forward to taking him fishing and hiking with her as he gets older. Somer modestly wrote that she enjoys singing and “plays just enough acoustic guitar” to make for some fun late night jam sessions, but I get the feeling that she is better than she lets on and her boy will really be in for a treat when he gets older. Welcome to our neighborhood Somer! After living in Austin for 12 years, Barbara Manley also joined our neighborhood this past July from even farther out west - Orange County, California. She and her husband, Steven Manley, have four children between them and round out the family with three dogs and two cats. Both Barbara and her husband serve the community with Barbara working as a Business Manager for a Chiropractor and Steve serving as a Deputy Sheriff for Travis County. So if you see the Manleys while driving through the neighborhood make sure to sit up straight, slow down and wave hello! Barbara enjoys scrapbooking her family photos, gardening, reading, and spending time with her family. If anyone is up for the challenge and the privilege of calling themselves the Greatest Tennis Player of all of the Highlands of Gann Ranch, you might be in for more than you expected as Barbara has been honing her tennis skills for the last 12 years and currently competes in various leagues! The courts are just around the corner at the park and the weather is pretty much great most of the time so I think you picked a great spot Barbara! Barbara and the rest of the Manleys welcome to the Highlands of Gann Ranch!

Texas Quarterly Housing Report

The Texas Quarterly Housing Report is here! This data is provided by local Realtor associations, like the Austin Board of Realtors, along with several other sources of real estate sales information. The report provides sales data from all over the state of Texas and is released in February, May, August and November. Data for the Austin area reports a 10% increase, compared to fourth quarter 2014, in the median home price to $265,000. Average days on market is 52 which is 1 day less than that of Q4 2014. The number of active listings is up 9.7% and months of inventory available is 2.1. Meaning, if no other homes came on the market, it would take 2.1 months before we run out of homes for sale! What this means for Gann Ranch. The average home price is up 6.25% from this time last year and hovering at around $257,000. We’ve had 3 homes sell within the last 90 days and currently there are 6 homes pending. There is one new home under construction in the Preserve. What this means for you! The housing forecast indicates another banner year for real estate in the Austin area. If you have been thinking about selling and have been on the fence, now is a great time to list! The market will be picking up as we move closer to the spring. Stay connected and know what’s going on in the neighborhood! Contributed by Stephanie Biggs, Realtor 512-876-4863

Let s Chat!

If you are not aware, there are some easy ways to get connected to neighbors in Gann Ranch. None of these is directly maintained by the HOA, which is probably best. These apps/websites are a great ways to chat, message, and connect with your neighbors! Facebook: The “Highlands of Gann Ranch” does have a facebook group page. It’s not highly visited or updated but when there is an event or need to communicate it is one place where we will post things. Please “friend” us if you are on Facebook: Highlands at Gann Rann Nextdoor “app”: online or on your phone you can access this app. https://nextdoor.com/ When you join you become connected to the “neighborhood” for Gann Ranch, as well as surrounding neighborhoods if you like. We are finding this to be a good way to stay connected to a larger number of you-all! If you are interested in joining please do! And of course – if you need to contact our HOA management – here is their info: HOA Management contact info: Goodwin Management Customer Service Info@goodwintx.com<mailto:Info@goodwintx.com 512-502-7515 Highlands at Gann Ranch - March 2016

Highlands at Gann Ranch

AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT:

Saturday, May 7, 2016 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Topics covered will include: • Evacuation Readiness: Key to Surviving Wildfire • Protect your home So it can protect you • Insuring for wildfire: Knowing what’s at stake • Fire-Adapted Families: Protecting what matters most Wildfires are a fact of life in Central Texas. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless against them. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 4801 La Crosse Avenue Austin, TX 78739 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Lunch and beverages provide This event is free, but seating is limited! Register now at: Wildfire Survival Symposium Questions? Contact Justice Jones at (512) 974-0199 or via e-mail at justice.jones@austintexas.gov.

Highlands at Gann Ranch - March 2016

Spirit of Hope Caregivers Support Group (For Caregivers of Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Family Members) Many caregivers are under high emotional stress due to the demands of caregiving. This can lead to anxiety, fear, doubt, feeling alone, isolated or stigmatized. Many caregivers are not aware of community resources available to them or feel uneasy in reaching out for help. The challenges of caregiving can be even more difficult if there are problems with thinking such as dementia involved. Support groups offer a safe and confidential place where you can get help with coping and problem-solving as you meet the daily challenges of caregiving a loved one with dementia/Alzheimer’s. There is something tension relieving about being with others who share similar experiences and challenges as you do. The Spirit of Hope Caregivers Support Group was birthed from the faith-based “God’s Transforming Journey of Caregiving” Seminars in Leander, Texas in 2015. Several attendees felt a need to continue the bonding, information sharing, and support they had received on an on-going basis. I am pleased to offer this faith-based support group to caregivers of dementia/Alzheimer’s family members in the Hill Country area. All are welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, retired Professor of Social Work from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (2010), former caregiver, and facilitator of God’s Transforming Journey of Caregiving Seminars. The support group is held every third Monday of each month at Generations Church in Leander, Texas at 1461 E. Woodview Drive 78641 at 7:00-8:30 p.m. The small donation is $10.00/ month. You are not alone. We hope to see you there!

TENNIS TIPS

Highlands at Gann Ranch

By USPTA/PTR Master Professional, Fernando Velasco

Zika Virus

How to execute The Half Volley In previous newsletters, I offered tips on how to execute a forehand groundstroke, a two-handed backhand, one-handed backhand, forehand volley, the two handed backhand volley, and the serve. In this issue, I will give you instructions on how to execute the half volley, which is usually played between the base line and the net. The player is not close enough to the net to hit it on the air and/ or does not have enough time to retrieve back to hit it on the top of the flight. The ball is usually hit right after it hits the ground. In these pictures student Liz Stanis from the Grey Rock Tennis Club demonstrates the proper form and technique. Step 1: The Split step: When the player realizes that she will have to play the ball right after it hits the ground, the player will stop and take the split step by bouncing off her toes at the same time and let her body lean forward to react to the ball. Both hands are on the racket so it can react to either move to the left or to the right. Eyes are focused on the incoming ball. Step 2: The Back Swing: The secret of the half volley is to take the racket back early and have a short back swing. Also, it is critical to lay the wrist back slightly to allow for a good point of contact in front of the body. The player will then bend her knees and lunge forward to hit the ball as soon as it hits the ground. Notice the concentration of keeping her eye on the ball. Step 3: The Point of Contact: As soon as the ball starts to rise, the player will make the contact with the ball and will aim to go away from the net person. Her eyes are focused on the point of contact and the left hand is still close the body for better balance. The left knee is still bent and the left toe is pointing toward the point of contact. Step 4: The Finish: Once the ball leaves the racket, the left knee has now almost straightened up and the follow through is above the playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; head. This will allow the ball to go high over the net and will land deep toward the baseline. The opponent will have to back off to hit the next ball, or will also be forced to hit another half volley. The left hand is ready to hold the racket on the handle to anticipate the next shot, which probably will be the volley. Look for in the next Newsletter: The One Handed Backhand Volley Copyright ÂŠ 2016 Peel, Inc.

Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and there is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. The best way to avoid getting the virus is to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitoes. About 20% of people with Zika virus actually get ill. Severe disease, requiring hospitalization, is uncommon and death due to the virus is rare. The incubation period of Zika virus is thought to be a few days to a week, but is still unknown. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, and headache. Symptoms tend to be mild and last from 2-7 days. Zika virus can be contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito, through blood transfusions, through sexual contact, and from mother to child during pregnancy. The mosquitoes that are able to transmit Zika virus are also able to transmit dengue and Chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes are daytime biters, but can also bite at night. Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water- buckets, tires, tree holes, animal water dishes, etc. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, wear lightcolored clothing that covers as much skin as possible, use insect repellent (read and follow label instructions), use screening on doors and windows, use mosquito netting (if needed) while sleeping, and reduce standing water areas. For more information on Zika virus, please see the CDC website here http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

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 AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas AgriLife Research is implied. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Highlands at Gann Ranch - March 2016

Highlands at Gann Ranch At no time will any source be allowed to use Highlands at Gann Ranch newsletter 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 Highlands at Gann Ranch newsletter is exclusively for the private use of the residents Peel, Inc. 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.

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Highlands at Gann Ranch - March 2016