Villages at Western Oaks - December 2018

DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 12

The Trail Foundation Receives $1.1 Million Gift to Seed All Future Projects CORGAN CANOPY FUND TO GREATLY IMPACT TTF’S ABILITY TO IMPROVE THE TRAIL

The Trail Foundation has received a major gift, $1.1 million, to seed all of its new projects to protect, enhance, and connect the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.

Colin Corgan, retired partner with Goldman Sachs, is the donor, and the Foundation’s Canopy Fund will be named in his honor.

The Fund will serve as a reserve of dollars for trail projects already in the pipeline, and will be replenished by community fundraising.

“This is a true legacy gift,” says TTF Executive Director Heidi Anderson. “It will allow us to speed up the process of implementing our highest priority projects, and allow us to move multiple projects forward at the same time.”

“I can think of no cause more central to Austin, literally and figuratively, than The Trail Foundation,” Corgan says. “Coming from New York, where we have Central Park and the High Line, I’m interested in access to the outdoors in an urban environment. The Trail Foundation is all those projects rolled into one.”

The Corgan Canopy Fund will provide seed funding, first for 15 charter projects ranging from new trailheads and bathrooms to new water access points and playgrounds in honor of TTF’s 15th anniversary, and later for even more new initiatives.

The news was announced at TTF’s Twilight on the Trail gala on Sunday at the Four Seasons, the wrap-up to the Foundation’s 15th anniversary year. More than $285,000 was raised at the event, which honored members of the original Town Lake Beautification Committee, helmed by Lady Bird Johnson, who had the original vision for enhancing the area around what was then known as Town Lake.

For more information, visit http://www.thetrailfoundation.org/.

About The Trail Foundation Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, The Trail Foundation’s Copyright © 2018 Peel, Inc.

mission is to protect, enhance, and connect the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike-Trail at Lady Bird Lake, the 10-mile lush, urban path in the heart of Austin that gets more than 2.6 million visits every year.

Since its founding, The Trail Foundation has achieved restoration and beautification projects to the Trail’s infrastructure and environment, while honoring the original vision of the Trail’s founders and ensuring its vibrancy for generations to come.

Community Comes Together for the 27th Annual Alzheimer's Texas Walk On Saturday, October 6, 2018, members of the Travis County community gathered at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas to support Alzheimer’s Texas in its mission to raise funds for Alzheimer’s disease education and research by participating in the 27th Annual Walk.

The Alzheimer’s Texas Walk creates a community around this issue, a place for people to come together to celebrate loved ones affected by dementia, and to commemorate the many ways lives can be changed by this illness. This year’s Walk was a huge success thanks to the help of the Travis County community members and sponsors.

Our gracious sponsors for the 2018 Walk were Westminster, ABC Home and Commercial Services, Silverado, Kindred, New Lifestyles, Senior Resource Guide, KLBJ Radio, Arden Courts, Querencia at Barton Creek, St. David’s Health’s Angels, Austin Regional Clinic, Austin Senior Resource Alliance, Autumn Leaves, Belmont Village Senior Living, Elan Southpark, Intrua Financial, Ledgestone, Legacy Oaks Austin and Lakeway, Live Oak Photo Booth, Peel Inc, Schlotzsky’s, Tech Ridge AL & MC, Texas Mobile Dentist, The (Continued on Page 2) The Gazette - December 2018

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS EMERGENCY NUMBERS EMERGENCY........................................................... 911 Fire.............................................................................. 911 Ambulance.................................................................. 911 Sheriff – Non-Emergency............................512-974-0845 SCHOOLS Elementary Clayton....................................................512-841-9200 Kiker........................................................512-414-2584 Mills........................................................512-841-2400 Patton......................................................512-414-1780 Middle Bailey.......................................................512-414-4990 Small........................................................512-841-6700 Gorzycki..................................................512-841-8600 High School Austin......................................................512-414-2505 Bowie.......................................................512-414-5247 UTILITIES Water/Wastewater City of Austin............................................512-972-0101 City of Austin (billing).............................. 512-494-9400 Emergency.................................................512-972-1000 Texas State Gas Customer Service....................................1-800-700-2443 Gas related emergency.............................1-800-959-5325 Pedernales Electric Cooperative New service, billing....................................512-219-2602 Problems....................................................512-219-2628 ATT/SBC Telephone New Service............................................1-800-288-2020 Repair.....................................................1-800-246-8464 Billing.....................................................1-800-288-2020 Allied Waste................................................512-247-5647 Time Warner Cable.....................................512-485-5555 OTHER NUMBERS Oak Hill Postal Station.............................1-800-275-8777 City of Austin Dead Animal Collection.............................512-494-9400 Abandoned/Disabled Vehicles....................512-974-8119 Stop Sign Missing/Damaged......................512-974-2000 Street Light Outage (report pole#).............512-505-7617 NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER

Peel, Inc.............................................. 512-263-9181 Article Submissions.......... villagegazette@peelinc.com Advertising........................advertising@PEELinc.com 2

The Gazette - December 2018

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Village at the Triangle, Valerian Home Health, University Village MC, We Work for Health Texas, Austin American Statesman, JEC Legislative and Regulatory Consulting, United Heritage Credit Union, H-E-B, Slip Fixers, and the Rotary Club of Austin Centennial.

Westminster has helped us not only by being a sponsor, but they have had a dedicated Walk team that has raised the most money for the past three years and were also awarded largest team for this year’s Walk. Westminster is Austin’s premier Life Plan community and they are passionate about treating their residents with respect, love, and care. Their leader, Charles Borst has walked with us the past three years and has been awarded Top Individual Fundraiser for the past two years.

“I walk for my friends and family with Alzheimer’s disease or affected by it, and all of the residents we serve here at Westminster, who have suffered through it, or have watched loved ones suffer through it,” says Charles Borst, Executive Director of Westminster.

Charles has chosen to Walk with Alzheimer’s Texas because he believes Alzheimer’s Texas wants to end Alzheimer’s Disease as much as he does and will do everything they can to provide support and caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and help find a cure to end this disease.

“I hope that everyone that is stricken with Alzheimer’s and every family member that must endure the long goodbye, has all of the support and resources they need to live the best life possible, and to know that they are not alone in this. We are all here for each of them and we will continue to fight the fight, and provide all the support and resources we can until we find a cure.”

All Alzheimer’s Texas services and programs are offered to community members free of charge, therefore we would not be possible without the generous donations from individuals and groups such as Westminster and we greatly appreciate their dedication to our cause. If you would like to support Alzheimer’s Texas with an end of year donation keeping all of the funds local you can do so at http://www.txalz.org/donate About Alzheimer’s Texas Alzheimer’s Texas is a leading voluntary health organization that provides information, referrals, and a variety of support programs for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their family members, caregivers, and professionals. Alzheimer\\\'s Texas* has proudly served Central Texas since 1982.

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Silent Flight

by Jim and Lynne Weber The Great Horned Owl has a broad diet of small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, and is the only animal the regularly eats skunks. They have a large repertoire of sounds, but the most common is that of the male’s resonant territorial call ‘hoo-hoo hoooooo hoohoo’ that can be heard over several miles through the canyons on a still night. These owls are solitary in nature, only staying with their mate during the nesting season of January and February. Typically 2-4 eggs are laid and incubated solely by the female, until the young start roaming from the nest six to seven weeks later.

The structure of an owl’s feather is the main reason they can fly so silently. The leading edge of their primary wing feathers are serrated like a comb, which breaks down the turbulence into smaller, microturbulences. The soft, tattered edges of their secondary feathers allow those small currents of air to pass through them and further reduce the turbulence behind their wings. In addition, the velvety down feathers found in the wing linings and on their legs further dampen and absorb sound frequencies. Together, these features allow the owl to greatly reduce the overall noise caused by the turbulence of air flowing over them as they fly.

Eastern Screech Owl

Owls have fascinated man from time immemorial – to some cultures they are symbols of wisdom, while to others they are harbingers of doom and death. Adding to the mystique of these creatures is that they are mainly active at night, using their exceptional vision, acute hearing, and silent flight to stealthily hunt down their prey.

Send your nature-related questions to naturewatch@austin.rr.com and we’ll do our best to answer them. If you enjoy reading these articles, check out our books, Nature Watch Austin, Nature Watch Big Bend, and Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies (all published

by Texas A&M University Press), and our blog at naturewatchaustin. blogspot.com.

Common in Central Texas, the Eastern Screech-Owl is found in wooded suburban and rural areas and readily nests in tree cavities as well as man-made nest boxes. A small owl 6-10” long with a wingspan of 19-24”, it has feathered ear tufts and is normally gray, brownishgray, or less commonly reddish-brown. The Eastern Screech-Owl eats a variety of small animals, and each night consumes from one-quarter to one-third of its own body weight. It uses a soft trilling call to keep in contact with a mate or family members, and the male’s trill can advertise a nest site when courting a female or signal an arrival at the nest with food. This owl also has a descending whinny, which is used to defend its territory. Eastern Screech-Owl pairs are usually monogamous and remain together for life, although they will take a new mate when one dies. In mid-April, the female lays 3-4 eggs on average, and the downy white owlets emerge from the nest by mid-May. Also common but much larger at 18-25” long with a wingspan of 40-57”, the Great Horned Owl prefers habitats of secondary-growth woodlands mixed with open meadows. Often found perching next to an open area and nests in tree hollows, broken off snags, or nests made by other large birds. It has prominent ear tufts spaced widely on its head, a brownish-gray body with dark barring, and a rusty facial disk edged in black surrounding each of its orange-yellow eyes.

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Great Horned Owl The Gazette - December 2018

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Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

Health Myths You May Have Heard Around the Holidays

By Athena Hessong It’s the holiday season, but that also coincides with cold and flu Prevent Food Poisoning by Cooking Food Until It Looks Done season. These two times merge as temperatures plummet and people Many a home cook has foregone the meat thermometer and used begin to travel. To keep yourself healthy this winter, you might the age-old test of “it just looks done,” but this is one of the many need to unlearn some of the health myths you’ve heard around the health myths that could make you sick if you follow it. Since meat holidays. comes from different animals, sometimes cooking meat until all the pink is gone or until it looks fully cooked may not work. If the food Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

The common cold, like the flu, is caused by a virus, not by cold has not been cooked thoroughly, you risk food poisoning, which temperatures as many health myths would have you believe. Just can sideline you and your family for several days. Always use a meat standing in a walk-in freezer or outside on a cold day will not give thermometer to test the innermost portion of the meat, but don’t you a cold. Though, the cold weather has long had an association allow the probe to touch the bone. with this ailment. In most cases, being in a closed environment with people you haven’t seen for a while, shaking hands, hugging, and kissing creates a prime place to pass germs. Most scientists attribute this to why more colds and cases of flu appear during the holidays than at other times of the year. However, recent studies have shown that cold air may make it easier for the cold virus to replicate in the nose, though the cold weather does not cause the cold. You have to pick up the virus first.

You Lose Half Your Body Heat Through Your Head As a child, you may have been reminded by a parent to wear a hat in cold weather because you lose half of your body heat through your head. But this is another of the many health myths that does not hold true. The head is such a small proportion of the entire body, and for most people, it’s covered in hair. Can you really lose so much heat from your head to suffer cold illnesses? After some scientific study, experts showed that the heat lost through the head was proportionate to the percentage of the body’s surface area taken by the head. Heat loss through the head accounted for only 7 to 10 percent of all heat lost, and the head is only about 7 percent of the body. While you won’t lose the majority of heat through your head, if you stay more comfortable in the winter with a hat, keep it on.

You should also use the thermometer with stuffing cooked inside a turkey and leftovers, both of which should reach 165F to kill off any bacteria. If you have leftovers, cool them to below 40F. Or keep it warm above 140F until you can cool and store it. By cooking food thoroughly and treating leftovers properly, you’ll avoid getting sick.

How to Stay Healthy Avoid believing health myths during the winter, and keep yourself healthy this holiday season. Cook food thoroughly, and use a food thermometer to test for proper doneness. To prevent spreading or picking up germs, wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer if you cannot wash. Cover your mouth and nose with your arm instead of your hands when you sneeze or cough, and get plenty of rest during this hectic time of year.

Hangovers Have a Cure Sorry partiers, but hangovers don’t have a cure, no matter how many nutrition drinks or pills are pushed for a miracle remedy. A hangover results from the body’s reaction to processing excessive amounts of alcohol. Sadly, the only true cure for a hangover is time.

You cannot take a hair of the dog and sip on more alcohol the next morning, and no matter how tasty a plate of migas for breakfast is, it won’t get rid of the hangover.

While you’re waiting for your blood alcohol level to get back to zero, drink up on electrolyte-containing beverages since dehydration contributes to many hangover symptoms. If possible, sleep while you can, and get a good breakfast to get your system going. This is especially important if you experienced any nausea or vomiting, as low blood sugar can make you feel even sicker. To prevent a hangover, don’t drink as much the night before, and only drink on a full stomach to slow the absorption of alcohol.

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The Gazette - December 2018

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Cheyanna’s Champions 4 Children (CC4C) “Braden’s condition is currently undiagnosed. Braden doesn’t communicate the way the other children do; however, that makes Braden’s motto even more truer than true. Braden is totally “smarter than you think.” With that being said; our family has found great joy in getting to know our Hays Rebels Baseball team and look forward to spring. The financial assistance CC4C has provided for Braden supports his ever changing needs and has been a tremendous blessing. Braden’s glasses, trach supplies, chiropractic care and additional therapy equipment in the home, which was funded by CC4C, helps us keep Braden moving forward by making him stronger in his own abilities each and every day. We are fortunate for the chance to continue to help the undiagnosed community by sharing Braden and his story with the world. The more we share, educate and inform others that seeing past Braden’s multiple disabilities is what is important. Focusing on the many things Braden can do opens your heart to understand why God sent us Braden. We were told to never expect Braden to live to see his first birthday. This year we celebrate Braden turning 12!” ~Braden’s mom, Crystal To learn more about CC4C visit www.cc4c.org

FINISH STRONG The holiday season is in full swing, and we know your calendar is packed.

But with numerous exercise classes offered daily, state-of-the-art fitness equipment and facilities, the YMCA of Austin is here to help you finish the year strong. Keep the commitment to your health through the holidays and burn off your seasonal stress at a Y near you.

For more than a workout. For a better us. locations across

Travis, Hays & Bastrop counties

Learn more at AustinYMCA.org

FREE ChildWatch while you work out

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The Gazette is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use the Gazette's 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 newsletter 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.

512-302-5555 www.atfcu.org 24 Metro Locations

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Ingredients: • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened • 3/4 cup sugar • 1 egg • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 tsp. salt • 2 slightly beaten egg whites • 1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds (optional) • 1/4 cup pearl sugar (or substitute regular sugar) • 1/4 to 1/2 cup raspberry jam Preparation: Preheat oven to 375º. Cream together butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Sift flour and salt together; add to creamed butter mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Divide dough in half. Roll first half into 1/8" thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use a 2 1/2" round cookie cutter (or the top of a round glass) to cut out circles.

Roll second portion out into 1/8" thickness. Cut out 2 1/2" circles and then use a thimble to cut out smaller circles inside these rounds (Note: You can also use a linzer cookie cutter or a small 1/2" cutter for this).

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Brush these "wheels" with egg white and sprinkle with pearl sugar and chopped almonds (optional).

Place cookies on ungreased baking sheet and bake on center rack of oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove and cool on counter.

Place a scant 1/2 tsp. of jelly in the middle of the round cookies and cover with the "wheels" to create sandwich cookies.

Yield: 3 1/2 dozen jelly cookies.

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Attention KIDS: Send Us Your Masterpiece!

Color the drawing below and mail the finished artwork to us at: Peel, Inc. - Kids Club 308 Meadowlark St. Lakeway, TX 78734-4717 We will select the top few and post their artwork on our website at www.peelinc.com/index.php/kids-club DUE: December 31st, 2018

Be sure to include the following so we can let you know!

Name (first name, last initial): ___________________________________________ Age:________________

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ASHLEY AUSTIN HOMES wants to wish you and your family a

H a pp y H ol ida y Seaso n !

Thank you for trusting us with your home purchase and s e l l i n 2 0 1 8 . Ye a r a f t e r y e a r y o u r s u p p o r t h a s c o n t i n u a l l y allowed me to be the highest volume producing agent in all of Southwest Austin!

If you’re looking upgrade or downsize in 2019 my team and I are here for you and your family!

w w w. a s h l e y a u s t i n h o m e s . c o m 512.217.6103

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The Gazette - December 2018

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SquiresTeam.com Hey Southwest Austin, the holidays are around the corner and we are still seeing new listings continue to come on the market. Homes show beautifully during the holiday season with all of the gorgeous lighting and décor within the homes and in the yards. Many buyers can see themselves with their families enjoying the same property in future holidays. Typically, homes smell wonderful with the holiday cooking, candles and decorating.

In this neighborhood, there never really is a “bad” time to list, as we sell year round. In recent history I had multiple offers on a home on New Years Eve that I listed that same day! Call me if you would like to speak about the market, interest rates or timing in general. I work by appointment, 7 days per week and any evenings. Happy Holidays!! Thanks, John Squires

John Squires’ “sell” phone is (512) 970-1970.

“CONTRACT PENDING!” John’s listing at 1811 Hawthorne is a stunning hill country home loaded with upgrades and on approximately 1.25 acres of one of the most gorgeous lawns in all of Rimrock. In-ground pebble-tech pool, fire pits and outdoor sitting areas. 4 large bedrooms, 3 full baths PLUS a huge study with 20’ ceilings! $619,000. UNDER CONTRACT IN 2 WEEKS!

“JUST LISTED!” John’s new listing at 7118 Magenta Lane is a gorgeous, Plantation Home at 3592~ sq. ft. and features 5 large bedrooms, 4 full baths and is a mother-in-law plan with 2 full baths and 2 bedrooms downstairs! The family room and huge upstairs game room both feature surround sound wiring and are ready for a party!

Hand-scraped wood floors, custom paint and private back yard. Asking $567,000. Call John to see it.

“JUST LISTED!!” John’s new listing at 11316 Hollister Lane is offered at $519,000.! Gorgeous 3 bedroom, 3 bath PLUS separate office space and amazing game room up. Call John for more info.

“JUST LISTED!” John’s new listing at 5036 Bluestar. Priced at $419,000.! Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with huge game room, wood floors, stone fireplace and treed homesite. Call John !

SquiresTeam.com “State of the Southwest Austin Real Estate Market” in the last quarter of 2018. Also, future expectations going into the new year according to area-wide statistics and real estate trends followed by me annually for the last 22 years in southwest Austin.

Hey there Southwest Austin well another year is almost over and we are still working very hard daily with our listings and buyers in Legend Oaks, Villages at Western Oaks, Circle C Ranch and the surrounding areas. The market is definitely busier right now with about 88 listings total on the market in the southwest.

Last year at this time there were about 96 homes on the market but the fall market had really slowed down with many homes remaining from the summer rush.

That is a pretty solid number and most of these are re-sale homes in all areas of southwest Austin. New homes in Avana are selling pretty well, but it all depends on the lot sizes and home sizes you’re looking at. The 70 foot wide lots are selling very well, starting generally in the mid $550’s and going up to approximately $750,000.+/- depending on the house plan. Cal Atlantic merged with Lennar (Village) homes this year and is the largest home builder in the United States now.

This may cause prices to bump up a little, as when builders typically merge they try to show an increase in sales/profit to impress shareholders. Many buyers are looking for cheaper housing, such as Belterra, Sawyer Ranch and the southwest outskirts of Austin. Many builders in Belterra also built in Circle C for about $30,000.-$50,000. less for the same floorplans years ago and those are now reselling also, giving buyers more choices. They are still selling new homes out there and they have hundreds of lots left. That is what created the spike in sales out there and here last year and this year. If history is to be followed, we will see a lull during the holidays and start off with a bang early in the year by the end of January. The early spring shoppers will dictate how the market rebounds. If we see a rush in home sales immediately after New Years, then that will probably equate to another strong spring with prices stabilizing. I do not see prices going up any further than they have in 2017 and 2018, as I believe the market priceheight has been reached for now. The one thing that remains to be seen is how the 45 freeway extension will affect future pricing. Call me at any time to speak about the market in general, look at some properties or to list your home for sale.

Thank you so much and have a great holiday season! John Squires

John’s listing at 6613 Hillside Terrace. Listed at $409,000. “Sold!”

John’s listing at 9008 Edwardson Lane. Listed at $419,000. “Sold!”

(512) 970-1970 #1 realtor in the southwest Austin marketplace with approx. 650~ homes “SOLD!" to date.

Over 1055~ homes sold in the entire Austin area. #1 agent sellers and buyers served in Southwest Austin according to Austin Board of Realtors statistics.

“Top 50” agent in central Texas 8 times according to Austin Business Journal.

Only 1 number to call and John Squires answers his phone and you will never be handed off to an assistant.

Call John’s direct ‘sell’ phone at (512) 970-1970.

John’s listing at 10904 Cusseta Lane.

Listed at $749,000. “Sold!”

“John, A quick note to commend you for all of your hard work and diligence on getting these three-house contingency-closings to happen without a hitch! It was an impressive effort and clearly no easy task for you keeping FOUR! buyer and seller families happy and working together towards the common goal of selling/closing my two homes on Hillside Terrace and Edwardson and us purchasing Cusseta. Your organization, timing, negotiation and sales efforts were amazing. On behalf of the entire Wilson family, thank you very much, we couldn’t have done it without you. Best, Brian Wilson” 10904 Cusseta Lane