The Dominion - April 2016

THE OUTLOOK

NEWS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE DOMINION

VOLUME VIII ISSUE IV

APRIL 2016

Butterfly & Bee-friendly Landscapes

Sweet-smelling nectar from both flowers as well as fruit draws both bees and butterflies to your property, as they are principally reliant on smell rather than vision. Strategic planting of seasonal floral plants and fruiting trees is necessary to help keep these essential pollinators around Spring, Summer and Fall. How you choose and arrange your planting is also of importance. Large blocks of floral is best as opposed to sporadic spots. Also, a tiered level from ground cover, to tall flowers, to shrubs, to climbing vines and then tall floral trees such as a Southern Magnolia is an ideal situation. Vegetable gardens and small fruit orchards are also excellent habitats for these pollinators. It is my professional assessment that due to water requirements and the value of providing more habitat for wildlife, that the percentage that turf represents in a total landscape should drastically diminish. A wildlife-friendly approach can actually lend itself to much more creativity and lower maintenance costs.

So far one of the best comprehensive lists of central Texas bee-friendly plant lists I’ve encountered can be found at: www. daddysbees.com/beeplants. Not on this list and unfortunately unknown to many are the (Spring – Fall) Chitalpa tree, Goldenball Lead Tree (Spring – Summer) Golden Rain tree, Mimosa, Acacia, (Fall) Strawberry Madrone. Acquiring these more unique species can be a challenge but the following nurseries can supply some or all of your bee & butterfly-friendly plants: Madrone Nursery (San

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Marcos), Fannicks Nursery (San Antonio), and Mosty Brothers Nursery (Centerpoint).

For those interested in learning more about bees and wildscaping, I recommend the following books: Texas Wildscapes

by Kelly Conrad Bender and The Bee-Friendly Garden by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn.

Questions or comments this article or previous articles have generated, may be directed to me at: kevin@arborcareandconsulting. com

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THE OUTLOOK IMPORTANT NUMBERS EMERGENCY NUMBERS EMERGENCY................................................................911

Fire....................................................................................... 911 Ambulance........................................................................... 911 Police Dept – Non-Emergency.............................210-207-7273 Fire Dept – Non-Emergency................................210-207-7744

DOMINION SECURITY

Chief of Security..................................................210-268-9932 Main Gate................................ 210-698-2997 or 210-698-2998 North Gate...........................................................210-698-7812 South Gate............................... 210-698-5323 or 210-698-0041

CITY

City Customer Service..........................................210-207-6400 Solid Waste (Trash)..............................................210-207-6428

OTHER NUMBERS

Cedar Elm Postal Office.......................................210-641-0248

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER

Peel, Inc...............................................................512-263-9181 Advertising............................................ dominion@peelinc.com

MISSION STATEMENT The Outlook, For The Dominion The mission of The Outlook is to provide The Dominion Community with one source of local news content that is written by Dominion residents. Our goal is to help build the community by connecting local businesses with residents and residents with relevant neighborhood information.

"Be the community."

ADVERTISING INFO Please support the advertisers that make The Outlook possible. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 888-687-6444 or advertising@peelinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue.

ARTICLE INFO The Outlook is mailed monthly to all Dominion residents.

Residents, community groups, churches, etc. are welcome to include information about their organizations in the newsletter. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, recipes, special celebrations, and birthday announcements are also welcome.

To submit an article for The Outlook, please email it to dominion@peelinc.com. The deadline is the 20th of the month prior to the issue.

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At no time will any source be allowed to use The Outlook 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 Outlook is exclusively for the private use of 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. * The Dominion HOA does not endorse any of the advertisers contained in The Outlook.

NOW HIRING Advertising Sales Representative

Description: The position includes marketing our community newsletters to local and area businesses. It is a flexible position that allows you to work from home and set your own hours.

Roles: Stimulate new advertising accounts in our community newsletters. Maintain current accounts assigned to you by Sales Manager. Service your accounts by assisting them from ad design to final proof approval.

Skills: Excellent communication through email and phone, with high level presentation and relationship-building skills. Strong prospecting and business development skills are a must. Previous sales experience preferred but not required.

Benefits: Commission Based Apply by sending resume to jobs@peelinc.com Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.

THE OUTLOOK Pruning Guidelines for Prevention of Oak Wilt in Texas Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, is the most destructive disease affecting live oaks and red oaks in Central Texas. Most of the tree mortality results from tree- to-tree spread of the pathogen through interconnected or grafted root systems, once an oak wilt center becomes established. New infection centers begin when beetles carry oak wilt fungal spores from infected red oaks to fresh, open wounds on healthy oaks. Wounds include any damage caused by wind, hail, vehicles, construction, squirrels, birds or pruning. Research has shown that both oak wilt fungal mats on infected red oaks and insects that carry oak wilt spores are most prevalent in the spring. Below is a brief description of how you can reduce the risk of fungal spread when pruning.

• Always paint fresh wounds on oaks, including pruning cuts and stumps, with wound dressing or latex paint immediately after pruning or live tree removal at all times of the year.

• Clean all pruning tools with 10% bleach solution or LysolTM between sites and/or trees.

• If possible avoid pruning or wounding of oaks during the spring (currently defined as February1 through June 30). Reasons to prune in the spring include: o To accommodate public safety concerns such as hazardous limbs, traffic visibility or emergency utility line clearance. o To repair damaged limbs (from storms or other anomalies) o To remove limbs rubbing on a building or rubbing on other branches, and to raise low limbs over a street. o On sites where construction schedules take precedence, pruning any live tissue should only be done to accommodate required clearance. o Dead branch removal where live tissue is not exposed.

• Pruning for other reasons (general tree health, non-safety related clearance or thinning, etc.) should be conducted before February 1 or after June 30.

• Debris from diseased red oaks should be immediately chipped, burned or buried.

Regardless of the reasons or time of year, proper pruning techniques should be used. These techniques include making proper pruning cuts and avoiding injurious practices such as topping or excessive crown thinning. If you are uncertain about any of this information, you should consult with a Texas Oak Wilt Certified arborist, ISA Certified Arborist, or an oak wilt specialist from a city, county or state government agency such as the Texas Forest Service or Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

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THE OUTLOOK

Honey Bee Swarms

Honey bees are beneficial by producing honey, wax and pollinating crops. With warmer temperatures, honey bees are becoming more active and may soon begin to swarm.

Honey bee swarms look like a large clump of bees clustered together. The swarm may stay in a location from a few hours to a week. Swarms are produced as a part of the colony’s reproductive process. An established colony produces a new queen, causing the old queen and half the worker bees to leave the colony to search for a new nesting location. Swarming honey bees are usually gentle and unlikely to sting. Swarms are not protecting their home, food or offspring. Scout bees are sent out from the swarm to search for a nesting site. Colonies produce comb and honey and are defensive.

Bees from a colony are more likely to sting as they are guarding their home, food and offspring.

Sometimes, honey bee colonies can be found in wall voids, chimneys, attics or sheds. If bees are in a wall void, DO NOT block their entrance; this makes them search for another way to exit and could lead bees into the structure. To keep bees from entering a home, seal any holes found in walls where pipes enter the home, cracks in window framing, knotholes, weep holes, or cracks between wood and brick junctures.

While many enjoy having honey bees around, some people are severely allergic to their venom. This, along with other situations, such as bees located near sensitive areas (such as playgrounds) may require removal or even extermination of the bees.

People should NOT try remove or exterminate bees on their own.

Beekeepers and pest control companies have equipment to carry out these jobs in a safe manner. The city or county does not provide bee removal services.

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.

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The Outlook - April 2016

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THE OUTLOOK From design to print to mail, Quality Printing can help you with all of your printing needs!

Call today for more info

512.263.9181 Or visit our website at: www.QualityPrintingofAustin.com Copyright Š 2016 Peel, Inc.

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THE OUTLOOK

TENNIS TIPS

By USPTA/PTR Master Professional, Fernando Velasco

How to execute The One-Handed Backhand Volley In previous newsletters, I offered tips on how to hit a forehand groundstroke, a two-handed backhand, one-handed backhand, forehand volley, the two handed backhand volley, the serve, and the forehand half-volley. In this issue, I will offer you instructions on how to execute the one –handed backhand volley when players are at the net and have to hit the ball on the fly. In the illustrations, Ross Hooks, a Member of the Grey Rock Tennis Club, demonstrates the proper form and technique.

Step 1: The Split step: When the player comes up to the net, the player will stop and take the split step by bouncing off the toes at the same time and let the 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. Notice the left hand being on the throat of the racket, not next to the right hand Step 2: The Back Swing: The left hand will guide the head of the racket at eye level and with a short back swing. The upper body has made a turn and the weight of the body has been placed on the left

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The Outlook - April 2016

leg. Eyes are focused toward the point of contact. The right hand is relaxed to allow the left hand to make the proper opening to meet the ball.

Step 3: The Point of Contact: As the swing comes forward, the left hand releases the racket and the right foot leans toward the ball.

The left hand stretches back to allow proper balance on the point of contact. The head of the racket is slightly tilted up to allow a slice on the ball. This assures good height above the net and will force the ball to stay low when making contact with the court, thus making it tougher for the opponent to return the ball back to the player.

Step 4: The Follow Through: Once the ball leaves the racket, the follow through is extended toward the target. The weight of the player is now on the right leg and the left arm is still balancing the body as a “butterfly swing”. The shoulders are still slightly turned and are ready to come back to the split position.

Look for in the next Newsletter: The Two-Handed Backhand Volley

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THE OUTLOOK

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