Ranch Record - June 2021 by Peel, Inc.

JUNE 2021

Ranch Record - June 2021

COMMUNITY INFO STEINER RANCH

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS OFFICE 12550 Country Trails Lane Austin, Texas 78732 512-266-7553 – Telephone 512-266-9312 – Facsimile www.steinerranchhoa.org

OFFICE HOURS

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

EMERGENCY...........................................................................911 Fire...........................................................................................911

Ambulance...........................................................................911 Sheriff – Non-Emergency........................512-974-0845 Travis County ESD No.6/Lake Travis Fire Rescue

Administration Office.............................512-266-2533

Travis County Animal Control.................512-974-2000

STEINER RANCH CONTACTS

Steiner Ranch Community Association

Office........................................................................................512-266-7553

SCHOOLS

Leander ISD....................................................512-570-0000

Monday - Friday (Closed from 12-1:00pm).9:00am - 5:00pm

Vandegrift High School.............................512-570-2300

Saturday & Sunday ........................................................................... CLOSED

Laura Welch Bush Elementary.................512-570-6100

(Currently office closed to walk-ins until further notice)

Canyon Ridge Middle School..................512-570-3500

Steiner Ranch Elementary........................512-570-5700

River Ridge Elementary..............................512-570-7300

STAFF

UTILITIES

General Manager

City of Austin Electric.................................512-494-9400

Joe Ristuccia........................................................ steiner@ciramail.com

Travis County WCID # 17...............................512-266-1111 Texas Gas Service

Custom Service....................................1-800-700-2443

Lifestyle and Communication Manager

Emergencies...............................................512-370-8609

Desirre Ghebremicael.................................... steiner@ciramail.com

AT&T

Operations Manager

Call Before You Dig.............................1-800-344-8377

New Service...........................................1-800-464-7928 Repair......................................................1-800-246-8464

Sarah Dunlap....................................................... steiner@ciramail.com

Billing.......................................................1-800-858-7928

Architectural and Community Standards Coordinator

Customer Service....................................512-485-5555

Samantha Dominguez.................................. steiner@ciramail.com

Front Desk Coordinator Cami Porter........................................................... steiner@ciramail.com

Compliance...................................................... steiner@ciramail.com

COMPLIANCE, ARCHITECTURAL Compliance/ACC Coordinator............... steiner@ciramail.com

SRMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Email the SRMA BOD.........................board@steinerranchhoa.org

Time Warner Cable

Repairs.........................................................512-485-5080

TDS (Trash & Recycle).................................512-329-1752 Austin/Travis County Hazardous Waste

............................................................................512-974-4343

OTHER NUMBERS

Lake Travis Postal Office...........................512-263-2458

Coyote Sightings.................................................................311 Five Star Commercial Community Management

Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.......................................

.................https://www.traviscountytx.gov/tnr/nr/bcp

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER

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

Ranch Record - June 2021

FROM THE ASSOCIATION OFFICE 4 6 6 8 8 9 9 9

Update from the SRMA BOD Dog Park and Lake Club Upgrades Assessments Are Due July 1st, 2021 Fireworks/Firecrackers Prohibited Oak Wilt Policy Residential Changes Require Architectural Approval June Residential Landscape Tips Overnight Parking, Boats, & Watercraft Storage Reminders Greenbelt Reminders

10 11 11 15 16 16 17 17

Happy Father's Day Steiner Dads! VHS Band March-a-thon 2021 Steiner Ranch Multicultural Festival The World Below Our Feet News from the Trails Committee Firewise News Young at Heart is BACK! Steiner Ranch Cycling News

Gold Stars Developmental Swim Team

STEINER ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

SWIMMING NEWS IN EVERY ISSUE

4 Steiner Ranch Events 4 Cover Photo 17 Classifieds 18 Teenage Job Seekers

COVER PHOTO

The Steiner Ranch HOA would like to congratulate all 2021 Graduates and wish everyone a Happy and Safe Summer. This month’s cover photo features Vandegrift High School 2021 Seniors: Luke Kemmerer, Kylie Bryan, Arina Shah, Emily Frierson, and Megan Zeltner. CONGRATULATIONS! Have a photo you would like to see published in the next Ranch Record? For consideration, send pictures to communications@steinerranchhoa.org no later than the 8th of the month prior to publication. Your photo might just be next month’s cover! By submitting your photo you agree to allow your photo to be published in future issues of the Ranch Record and/or other Steiner Ranch communications. 4

Ranch Record - June 2021

Steiner Ranch Master Association Board of Directors Meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm. Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Board of Directors Meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6:00pm. Trail Committee Meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm. The committee also holds monthly trail work days. To learn more visit the Steiner Ranch Trail Committee Facebook page for the most up to date information and join their newsletter by subscribing at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/ steinertrails Event Planning Committee Meets once a month. To join the committee and for more info, please send an email to desirre.ghebremicael@ grandmanors.com (Because of the COVID19 Pandemic all Association meetings are conducted via Zoom. Meetings links are sent to residents' email addresses on file at least 72 hours before the meeting).

UPCOMING STEINER RANCH HOA EVENTS 07/04

July 4th celebration

10/18 – 10/28 Steiner Spook-tacular House Parade 12/04

Santa Parade

12/09

Volunteers’ dinner

12/01 – 12/17

Santa Mailbox and Elves’

Special Delivery Mailbox

12/13-12/23

Annual Holiday House

Decorating Contest

Events are tentative & subject to change or cancel at any time. Events are planned by the Steiner Ranch Event Planning Committee, and are for Steiner Ranch residents in good standing with the association and their guests only. Final approval to participate in any Steiner Ranch program or event is dependent upon HOA approval. For more information, please contact Desirre Ghebremicael at: steiner@ciramail.com. For the most up to date information, follow us at: Facebook.com/SteinerRanchHOAevents or visit the Steiner Ranch HOA website at: www.steinerranchhoa.org

Update from the SRMA BOD Dog Park and Lake Club Upgrades Dear Steiner Ranch Residents, We are excited to announce that temporary construction fencing has gone up for the new dog park project, located in the lower meadow behind Towne Square Community Center. When construction begins next week, this area will not be safe for residents to enter. We ask that the construction fencing be respected as off-limits during this time. The permanent fencing design includes a beautiful decorative fence set between stone columns. The two-acre dog park will be sub-divided into areas for small and large breeds. It will have various features, including a dog wash station, drinking fountains for humans and dogs, and a jogging path that will be carved around the area. The park can also be used as an outdoor venue for events as needed. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June 2021.

Construction has also started at the Lake Club with secure fencing, RFID vehicular gates, directory code access for guest parking for event reservations at the pavilion, and improved signage. This project will also be completed by the end of June 2021.

Key 2.0 Transformational Project updates will be shared at upcoming SRMA Board meetings and through email communications. To learn more about 2.0 SRMA Transformational Projects, please visit http://steinerranchhoa.org/document_view.asp?id=1106. We encourage all homeowners to attend the monthly board meetings and register and/or log into the Resident/Ciranet portal by visiting the Association homepage at www.steinerranchhoa.org. Here residents can review monthly board meeting minutes, financials, etc. For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email at steiner@ciramail.com. Best Regards The Steiner Ranch Master Association Board of Directors All Volunteer run board, for more information about the SRMA Board, Vision, Projects, Communications, please visit www.steinerranchhoa.org Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Ranch Record - June 2021

Assessments Are Due July 1st, 2021

The July semi-annual Association assessments are due July 1st, 2021. We encourage all residents if you have not done so already to take the opportunity to register on the CiraNet portal. Not only can the assessments be paid with ease through the portal, you can also view Associations documents, current/history of your account ledger (starting September 1st, 2018, anything prior to this date contact the HOA office), Association financials and “report a problem” in your Association. While on the portal please verify your contact information such as your mailing address, telephone number and email address. Semi-annual assessments are due July 1st, 2021 and considered late if received after July 31st, 2021. Statements will be mailed or emailed to each homeowner at the address on file. If you do not receive a statement by June 30th, contact the GrandManors Resident Services at 1-855947-2636. Residents are encouraged to use one of the following payment methods: ACH/Auto Debit (**Recommended**) – Sign Up Today! This is the easiest way to pay! The ACH system automatically debits your account for the correct amount when your assessment is due. You will need your GrandManors Community ID; Account #; and Check Digit ID. For assistance call 1-855-947-2636 eCheck/Credit Card You can make a one-time payment using eCheck (electronically debited from your checking account), Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover*. Visit Resident Portal and choose "Make a payment" or call 1-855-947-2636 to pay over the phone. *The bank charges a $14.95 convenience fee if you pay via a credit card. Check You can write a check payable to your homeowners' association and mail it along to the address listed below. Please write your homeowner account number on the check: c/o GrandManors 2633 McKinney Ave #130-502 Dallas, TX 75204-2581 Your Bank’s Online Bill-Pay If you pay your assessments through an online bill-pay service, please update the payee information of your HOA to include your new GrandManors Customer ID. The payee address should be set up as shown below:

Ranch Record - June 2021

Payee: Your Association’s Name Address 1: c/o GrandManors Address 2: 2633 McKinney Ave #130-502 City/State/Zip: Dallas, TX 75204-2581 Account/Reference # Late payments will cause aggravation and penalties. Any payments received after July 31st , 2021 are subject to an initial $25 late fee per association and for each subsequent month that the assessment remains unpaid. Assessment must be received by July 31st not postmarked by July 31st.

Please note: As the Association office is closed to walk-ins, any check dropped off in the dropbox, will be delayed in processing.

FIREWORKS / FIRECRACKERS PROHIBITED

Residents are reminded that fireworks within Steiner Ranch are PROHIBITED by the Steiner Ranch Master Association and Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Association. There are several reasons for this: 1. The use of fireworks places homes at serious risk of fire. 2. The topography and green space of Steiner Ranch is conducive to fires. 3.Rules regarding management of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (which borders Steiner Ranch) impose significant restrictions on activities that may affect wildlife therein. Serious penalties for violation can be imposed by Travis County and/or City of Austin officials. 4. Homeowners are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their property. Fire Safety Please do not put the community at risk for fire, obey the Association rule which prohibits any type of fire or smoking in the green belt. Continued on Page 8

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The City of Austin. If at any time you see suspicious activity in and/or around trails or greenbelt areas, please call Captain Trubee (512-203-0632) and he will send a crew out to investigate the activity. Please notify LTFR ONLY IF you come across a fire pit, or you are witnessing an active fire in the greenbelts. In case of an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

Oak Wilt Policy

Please remember to NOT prune, trim or wound oak trees through the month of June. Doing so puts oak trees at high risk for oak wilt infection, a destructive fungus that affects oaks and causes tree mortality. The Association may impose fines for violations of the Steiner Ranch Master Association Oak Wilt Policy. To view the approved Oak Wilt Policy in its entirety, visit the HOA website and click the ‘FAQS’ menu drop down.

Residential Exterior Changes & Enhancements Require Architectural Approval

Any changes or enhancements you make to the exterior of your home requires architectural approval by the association. Steiner Ranch governing documents require the submission of plans and specifications for review and approval by the Architectural Committee (AC) before construction or installation begins. Improvements requiring approval include, but are not limited to, front door changes, playscapes, pools, decks, patios, ponds, new siding or trim colors, planter boxes, arbors, walkways and sheds. Before making exterior changes to your home, please submit a Modification Application. ACC Modification Application Process The ACC Modification Application process is now completely automated and residents can submit ACC applications online. The review application process may take up to 30 days, and if additional items are requested for review, the 30 days review period starts over again once those items are received. Please note that in the past 12 months we have received a record number of Architectural Modification applications putting a lot of strain on the ACC Committee which is made up of resident volunteers from Steiner Ranch. How to submit a Modification Application on the CiraNet portal: 1. Log in to your CiraNet account at https://www.ciranet.com/ ResidentPortal/user/login. 2. Click on Architectural Application tab. 3. Download and complete out appropriate applications (please make sure to only fill out the appropriate addendums/variance if needed). 4. Click on Add New Improvement Request. 5. Select Category. 6. Enter in a description of the requested modification. 7. Attach all necessary documents for full review. 8. Check box that you have read and understand the agreements. 9. Click submit once all items are attached and filled out. Please note: You can monitor the status of your application in your CiraNet account. Please refrain from emailing or calling the HOA staff for an update on the status of your application before your 30 days is up. The application can be filled out using tools in Adobe Reader or by printing the application out to fill it by hand and then uploading to the Ciranet Portal.

Ranch Record - June 2021

June 2021 Steiner Ranch Residential Landscaping Tips Author: Brandon Fojt

Pruning need not be mysterious. Armed with a little knowledge and the right tools and equipment, you can prune virtually any tree or shrub yourself. REASONS FOR PRUNING - To keep a plant’s size in check. - To rejuvenate old or neglected shrubs by stimulating the growth of vigorous new shoots. - To remove dead or diseased wood so the integrity of the entire plant is preserved while improving its total aesthetics. -To screen or frame a view and improve the look of your home. -To decrease the amount of shade to bed plantings and lawns and the overall weight on the trunk and branches. There are basically two types of pruning: Heading Back and Thinning Out Trees and Shrub HEADING BACK is a uniform trimming of the shape of a plant to make it sturdier and bushier. Heading back is simply cutting around the entire shape of a plant. Generally, this is the shortening of a limb, twig or branch. Typically it is done to shrubs and hedges more often than trees to create a tidier, more formal look. Heading back makes a tree or shrub shorter and/or narrower. Take shearing a boxwood into a tight hedge, for example. In a sense, mowing your lawn is a form of heading back. THINNING OUT is the selective cutting away of individual branches to create open spaces within the plant, removing dead limbs or branches, producing symmetry and training a plant to look more natural. It also aids in better fruit production mentioned earlier. A good example would be trimming a young crab apple tree to have a more graceful appearance instead of a garbled mass of folia. Typically, nursery people combine both techniques, heading back and thinning out, in any particular pruning job whether it be a tree or shrub. Where to Cut terminal buds before and after the lateral bud. Some shade trees “bleed” or lose too much sap if they’re pruned while dormant. Maples, birches, magnolias, sweet gums, and many nut trees fall into this category. They are best pruned in summer after their leaves have fully expanded. Late winter is a good time to prune most shade trees. Trees typically seal their wounds during the coming growing season. Plus, it’s easier to see what you’re doing. Removal of dead or damaged wood should always be done immediately regardless of the season. Avoid pruning in late summer. Pruning usually stimulates new growth that is soft, succulent and easily damaged by an early frost. Every cut made to a tree or shrub must have a purpose. An exact working knowledge of how that plant will respond after the cut is made is critical as well. For example, a plant can only devote so much energy to growth. Therefore, if you cut off a terminal bud and leave a lateral bud, the lateral bud will inherit the terminal bud’s energy, and functionally, become the new terminal bud. Cut an inch or slightly less just above an outward facing bud so the new growth won’t extend toward the center of the trunk and other branches. The goal is for the plant to grow away from the trunk and leader to achieve symmetry. When heading back a branch, cut it just above a side branch that is 1/3 the diameter of the branch that is being removed. Avoid pruning cuts in the middle of an internode. Such stubs usually die back to the next side branch and prevent the normal sealing of pruning cuts. Using the Right Tools for the Job Any professional landscaper will tell you that it’s essential that their tools perform efficiently – and non-professionals should demand that same level of quality. Products to assist in your pruning jobs: - Precision Loppers - Precision Hedge Shears - Precision Pruning Saws - Precision Pruners - Extended Length Pole Pruners Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Ranch Record - June 2021

Overnight Parking, Boats & Watercraft Storage Reminders

Per Steiner Ranch governing documents, no automobile or other vehicle may be parked overnight on any roadway within the community. Boats and watercraft must be stored in an enclosed space at all times. Storing watercraft in driveways or on the street is not allowed. To report overnight street parking or watercraft violations, visit the CiraNet Portal and submit a "Report a Restriction Violation". Thank you for helping the association uphold Steiner Ranch rules which serve to protect and maintain the appearance and safety of the neighborhood.

Greenbelt Reminders

Please remember and share with all family members the following: •GREENBELT CUTTING & CONSTRUCTION IS PROHIBITED Greenbelts in Steiner Ranch are private property of the HOA. Cutting trees, constructing forts or fire pits, and any other activity which damages greenbelts is prohibited and may result in fines and penalties. •FIRES ARE PROHIBITED Fires are absolutely prohibited in Steiner Ranch greenbelts. •MOTORIZED VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED Motorized vehicles are not allowed in greenbelt areas or trails as they pose a safety hazard to walkers and bikers. They also damage the trails, which the Trails Committee and other volunteers graciously maintain. •BALCONES CANYONLAND PRESERVE RULES Cutting vegetation, dumping materials such as landscape trimmings, draining swimming pools into the preserve, and building forts or other structures on the BCP are illegal. Any use of fire on the BCP at Steiner Ranch, including smoking, is strictly prohibited. No access to the BCP is permitted EXCEPT FOR the J-Canyon, Eastridge, and Powerline Hill trails, which may only be accessed from established trailheads. Users must stay on approved trails at all times. Creating additional trails is prohibited, including trails from the back of residents’ lots. Violations could result in trails being closed. Travis County natural resources staff routinely patrols the BCP, and while no one wants it to reach this point, legal action can be taken when the law is broken. The full list of rules and a comprehensive trails map can be found on the Steiner Ranch HOA website – go to http://www.steinerranchhoa.org/document_view. asp?id=1070. Should you observe anyone vandalizing the greenbelts or operating a motorized vehicle on the trails, please immediately contact the Travis County Sherriff’s Department. 10

Ranch Record - June 2021

VHS Band March-A-Thon 2021

The award-winning Vandegrift Band & Vision Dance Company is excited to continue its summer tradition of entertaining the Steiner Ranch community with the annual March-A-Thon parade. The event will be held Saturday, July 31, 8am, starting at John Simpson Park. More than 375 band and Vision members will march and play spirit tunes through the residential streets of Steiner Ranch. This event will help raise funds for the nationally top-ranked program and their planned 2022 trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Residents on the route can book private concerts, and all are welcome to follow the group as they play along the parade route. For more information, visit www.vhsband.com.

Steiner Ranch Multicultural Festival Each month we feature a Steiner family or group of families sharing their unique culture and heritage. We hope you will join us in this exciting journey, and you will contribute to the Festival. To participate, please contact us via email at communications@steinerranchhoa.org

JUNE HIGHLIGHT THE EDSTRÖM FAMILY By Jenna Edström

When do you hop around like a frog, singing and dancing with a crown of flowers on your head? On Swedish Midsummer, of course! After a long, dark, cold winter, Swedish people are excited to celebrate the longest day of the year, Midsummer! We are the Edström family and we love living in Steiner Ranch. It is so exciting to be featured in the Steiner Ranch Multicultural Festival! My husband, Per, grew up in Sweden and met me in California when he moved there for a high-tech job. I am Jenna and our three children are Ina, Glenn and Victor. We ended up moving to Steiner Ranch in 2003 because I think it is “The Disneyland of Neighborhoods.” You can’t beat the friendly neighbors, community events, swimming pools, parks, athletic areas, hiking trails and beautiful, spacious homes.

(Left to right - The Edström Family: Victor, Per, Glenn, Jenna and Ina)

Okay, so back to Midsummer. Our family was fortunate enough to have lived in Umeå, Sweden for a little over a year in 2015/2016 while we rented out our Steiner Ranch home. It was such a great experience to celebrate Midsummer with a whole town full of Swedes. The purpose of Midsummer is to welcome summer and the season of fertility. A tall maypole is decorated with lots of green leaves. Crowns of beautiful flowers are made and worn, along with summer dresses or traditional Swedish outfits. Music is played while people sing and dance around the maypole, and no Midsummer party would be complete without the people singing, dancing and hopping around like frogs, singing Små Grodorna, a song about little frogs. The goofiness is part of the fun. Continued on Page 12 Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

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All that singing and dancing makes people hungry. Midsummer is also a time for getting together for an outdoor meal with family, friends or neighbors. Some traditional foods are dill potatoes, pickled herring, crisp bread with cheese, and strawberry cake for dessert.

(People singing and dancing around the maypole and celebrating Midsummer)

(Midsummer dessert – Swedish strawberries cake)

(People singing the Små Grodorna)

After eating, the people may want to play some yard games, like croquet or Kubb. Kubb is the most Swedish yard game I know. It is made from wooden sticks and batons. The very simplified goal of the game is for two teams to try to knock down each other’s kubbs and then the king, by throwing the batons. The game originated from people playing with the off-cuts from chopped firewood. We brought a Kubb game back home with us from Sweden. It is such fun to play with friends in our backyard.

(The Edström family playing Kubb with friends in their Steiner Ranch home)

Midsummer can be an all day event, with music and dancing on the dancefloor in the warm summer evening. After a whole day of events, single young adults have one more thing to do. It is said that if you put seven kinds of flowers under your pillow, you will dream about your future husband or wife. This year, Midsummer will be celebrated on Friday, June 25th. So, if you don’t have any plans that day, maybe you should spend some time eating, singing, dancing or playing outside. Put some flowers in your hair. Invite some friends over and enjoy, Swedish style! Continued on Page 13 12

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(Source: Isabelle at https://swedishspoon.com/strawberry-cake/)

This cake is easy to adapt to your tastebuds and what you have at home. Don’t have enough strawberries at the moment? Fill the cake with jam instead, and cut up a few strawberries on top. It is just as delicious with any berry or fruit. Use the very large or less “aesthetic” strawberries for the filling. The cake tastes even better if you let it rest for a few hours before you serve it. Store it in the fridge. Ingredients (for one cake, about 12-14 slices, measurements in Swedish dl – 1 dl = 0.423 of a cup): For the cake butter and breadcrumbs for the springform pan 1 dl flour 1 dl potato starch 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 4 eggs 2 dl sugar For the custard 2 yolks 2 1/2 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp potato starch 1 dl milk 1 dl cream 1/2 tsp vanilla powder (or 2 tsp vanilla sugar) For the strawberry filling 2 cups strawberries 3 tbsp sugar lemon zest and lemon juice from 1/2 lemon For topping and decoration 4 dl cream (whipping cream) 4 cups strawberries 14

Ranch Record - June 2021

Method The cake 1. Set the oven to 200°C (390°F). Prepare a springform cake pan, about 22-24 cm wide. An optional but recommended step: cut out a round piece of baking paper that fits the pan. Grease the sides of the pan and coat it in breadcrumbs. If you’re not using baking paper, grease and bread the bottom of the pan, too. 2. In a small bowl, sift flour, potato starch, and baking soda, and stir until it is well combined. 3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together with a hand mixer until the batter is high, white and fluffy. It usually takes 5-10 minutes. 4. Sift the flour mixture into the large bowl and fold in the flour into the eggs. Pour it into the baking pan and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is golden and a toothpick comes out clean, without crumbs. 5. Once the cake is out, let it cool in its pan. The custard 1. Add the yolks, sugar, potato starch, milk, and cream into a saucepan. 2. Put it on low heat — do not let it boil! — and whisk until it thickens. 3. Once the custard has thickened, pour it into a small bowl to cool. Once it has cooled slightly, stir in the vanilla powder. The strawberry filling 1. Prepare the strawberries by removing the stalks and cutting up the berries. Put the berries in a bowl and add the sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir it and mash it slightly until you have a thick, raw jam with large strawberry pieces. Assembling the cake 1. Whip the cream until it is thick, but don’t let it become grainy. Remove the stalks from the strawberries and slice the berries, or use whole strawberries if they are small. 2. Cut the cake into three layers. On the bottom layer, spread the vanilla custard. 3. On the middle layer, spread the strawberry filling. 4. Add the top layer. Add all the cream in the middle and gently push it outwards with a spatula. Use a little bit of the cream to coat the sides of the cake to lock the crumbs in, then use more of the cream to cover it. 5. Decorate the cake with strawberry slices however you wish! Suggestions Make it gluten-free? Just use potato starch instead of potato starch and flour. For the filling: you can swap the custard for a frangipani sauce, lemon curd, or why not a chocolate mousse? Instead of this raw strawberry jam, you can use any other kind of berries, regular jam, or mix strawberries and banana together. Top the cake however you like! How about topping the cake with flaked almonds, chopped nuts, edible flowers, or herbs like mint or Melissa? If it’s difficult to cut the cake into three layers, you can cut it into two. First spread the custard, and then add the strawberry filling on top of that. ENJOY! Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

The World Below Our Feet Central Texas is known for its amazing underground system of caves and aquifers. Many people each year visit “show caves” like Longhorn Caverns, or “wild” caves like the ones at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which are open during special events like the annual Austin Cave Festival. But most of us rarely visit, or probably even think about, this hidden world below our feet. This year, the international community is shining a spotlight on these underappreciated spaces and their important roles in our lives. Join us in celebrating the International Year of Caves and Karst! What is karst? You’ve probably seen limestone in this area that’s full of holes like swiss-cheese. That’s a sure sign of a karst landscape. Those BCP staff surveying for endangered species in a cave. Photograph by Heather Valey. holes are created by the carbonic acid in rainwater dissolving away the soluble limestone over time, enlarging existing cracks, and creating an underground without light. It has long appendages (to feel around in the dark), reduced network of caves and channels. This same process happens all over the world, eyes (because they’re no longer needed), and lacks pigmentation (because usually in sedimentary rock like limestone, but not always. Learn more from camouflage isn’t necessary when no one can see you). The Tooth Cave the International Union of Speliology at http://iyck2021.org/ spider is the smallest of the BCP’s six endangered karst species, measuring only 1/16 of an inch long. Even though it has lost all its pigment, making it mostly translucent, it has a slight purple iridescence, which you can see a little in this photo. So while we many not think of them often, caves are important not only to us, but also the unique creatures that call them home. While many cave tours are suspended right now due to COVID, you can check out the virtual cave tours on the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection page https://www. atxwatersheds.com/VR-CaveTours/#/ To learn more about the species protected on the BCP, check out https://www.traviscountytx.gov/tnr/nr/ bcp/species.

Eroded limestone with cedar sage growing out of it. Photograph by Johanna Arendt. Why are caves important? Besides being cool places to explore, caves and other karst features provide us with lots of benefits. About 700 million people around the world get their drinking water from karst aquifers like the Edwards and Trinity aquifers here in Central Texas. They are also home to incredible wildlife. For example, the Mexican freetail bat colony at Bracken Cave near San Antonio is the largest known concentration of mammals anywhere in the world, with an estimated 20 million inhabitants. Bats are crucial to the economy and local ecosystem, pollinating plants including commercial crops, dispersing seeds, and helping to control pests. While bats are pretty well-known, there are lots of cave-dwellers that most people have never seen. Many organisms live their entire lives underground and have adapted to the unique conditions of caves. The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) was created to protect many of these cavedwelling animals, including 6 endangered species and 25 species of concern, many of which are found only in Central Texas. One that we’re highlighting here today is the Tooth Cave spider, named after a cave right here on the BCP. Like many troglobytes, (animals that live their entire lives in caves), the Tooth Cave spider has adapted to living in a world Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Tooth Cave spider (Tayshaneta myopica). Photograph by Travis Clark. Ranch Record - June 2021

News from the Trails Committee by Sterling Gray

If you’ve been out on the trails lately, you’ve probably noticed how lush and green everyingthing is. It’s nice to see how well everything has “sprung” back to life after the severe freeze in February. It also helps that May and June are our wettest months – so it’s a great time to get out and enjoy the mild weather before the heat of summer arrives. I recently came across a spectacular “blooming” prickly pear catcus near the north entrance to J-Canyon Trail. Could this be the famous “Yellow Rose of Texas”? The Trails Committee has also been active with new improvement projects. With funding from the SRMA, we recently purchased three new benches to locate on some of our more scenic trails and vistas. The first bench was installed by a crew of volunteers in late April on the River Heights Overlook trail with a nice view of the canyon. For those new to Central Texas, I can assure it was not easy digging the post holes on the side of the canyon. Thanks to George, Eric, Jack, Jason and Rob – for all the hard work and effort – and taking turns on the pick axe and Texas toothpick. If you happen to pass the bench on the trail – stop and sit a spell, and enjoy the sounds of the babbling brook below and all the Texas songbirds. If you enjoy our wonderful trails and would like to lend a hand, we hold monthly trail maintenance events on the fourth Sunday of each month. To learn more, visit the Steiner Ranch Trail Committee Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/srtrailcommittee). As always, we on the Trails Committee hope to see you out on the trails soon!

Ranch Record - June 2021

Firewise News: What are red flag warnings and watches and why should you care? Author: Bill Hamm, Firewise Committee Chair

Simply put, a red flag warning means that conditions are ripe for wildfires now. A red flag watch means that conditions are forecasted to be ripe for wildfires in the near future. You should care because Steiner Ranch is at high risk for wildfires and there are actions you can take to protect your home and prepare for an evacuation. The actions to protect your home have been outlined in previous articles such as creating defensible space and hardening homes against embers which cause about 90% of house fires in a wildfire situation. These actions should have already been taken, but a red flag watch/warning should be an alert to do any last minute checks, such as removing flammable furniture, making sure there are functioning hoses attached to your outside faucets, etc.. You should also check on your readiness to evacuate. For more details, there is a brochure called Ready, Set, Go! on the Firewise web site (https://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/ hsem/ReadySetGoTexasBooklet.pdf ). For a free assessment of your home, please contact srfirewise@gmail.com. To get alerts related to any local emergency including fire, and evacuation orders, sign up for WarnCentralTexas.org. To get alerts for almost any emergency including red flag warnings and watches, download the FEMA app. Remember that wildfires can put many more homes in jeopardy than there are firefighters, so being prepared is essential if your home is to survive a wildfire! Note that many of you have seen the Smokey the Bear Fire Danger Sign. There is not a direct correspondence with Red Flag watches/ warnings. Red Flag watches/warnings are put out by the National Weather Service, the Smokey sign is governed by the Forest Service (and can be seen outside our LTFR fire house here in Steiner). However, the actions you should take are the same. You can protect your home against wildfires!!

BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS Young at Heart is an active social group open to Steiner Ranch residents ages 50+. We are purely a social organization wanting to share fun times. Joining us is a great way to make new friends, and get to know people your own age in the neighborhood. If you live in Steiner Ranch, you are invited to join us. To become a member, send your name(s), address, phone number and e-mail address to youngatheartaustin@gmail.com. Planned activities include: Book Club, Canasta, Euchre, Mah-Jongg, Mexican Train, Bunco, Biking, Card Making, Ladies' Out to Lunch Bunch. YAH members get together for happy hours, wine socials, International Dining, dinner groups, and the popular ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out). New groups are added when there is interest. (Featured below: YAH Book Club)

LEARN GUITAR…In-Home Guitar Lessons. Great teacher, fun environment. B.A. in Music, Berklee College of Music. Steiner resident. Over 24 years of teaching experience. All ages, styles and skill levels welcome. Proudly serving Steiner Ranch for years. For more info call Charles Couch at 646.704.3092 or visit http://www.charlescouch.com/ | www.charlescouch.com. ALLSTATE INSURANCE- Ed Mena Agency Inc. – We are competitive without cutting corners. Call for all your insurance needs and to save money. Save even more by bundling your policies. Steiner Ranch Resident. edmena@allstate.com or call 512-459-5363.

Classified Ads

Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $65, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales Office @ 512263-9181 or advertising@PEELinc.com.

Gold Stars Developmental Swim Team

(formally the Shooting Stars Program)

Steiner Ranch Cycling News June 2021

SRC: We know many of you are continuing to ride safely solo or in your small groups of trusted friends within your bubbles. Although we’re all disappointed with the current state of cycling in our location, please be assured we’re doing our best to reinstate formal group cycling within the club. We hope to be posting and communicating weekend ride information by the end of the summer as long as Austin-Travis County moves from stage 3 to stage 1 risk-based guidelines. Ride route details are posted each week to our website at http:// www.steinerranchcycling.com, Facebook page http://facebook.com/ SteinerRanchCycling and to our email list (sign up on our website). Thanks to our SPONSORS! • Austin City Living • Patten Title • Cyclist Law • Lakeside Pizza & Grill • Independent Investment Bankers Corp RIDE DISCLAIMER: Each rider is responsible for his or her own safety on our rides. Please join us at your own risk. Our weekly rides are open to public participation but ride leaders do NOT assume any liability for your participation. We require that all participants complete a waiver, follow traffic laws and wear a helmet while on our rides. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Our very popular and super fun Gold Stars Developmental Swim Team will take place a John Simpson Pool July 13th - August 5th, 2021. This is a noncompetitive swim team for swimmers ages 5 to 14. We focus on the development of swimming skills in freestyle and backstroke with a mix of conditioning and station work. At the end of the 4-week session, swimmers will be able to measure their improvement at an mock trial swim meet. Prior swim experience is necessary to enroll - at minimum, kids will need to be able to tread water for 10 seconds on their own and put their faces under water for at least 3 seconds. Swimmers will need a competitive style swim suit (one piece for girls and jammers for boys), goggles that fit as well as properly fitting rubber fins (non-ackle strap fins). Dates: July 13th-August 5th, 2021. When: T/W/Th 8:30-9:30 am 5-7 year olds T/W/Th 9:30-10:30 am 8-14 year olds More information and registration Forms can be found at: https://www.goldstarsswimming.com/developmentalswim. Please contact Hollie at goldstarsswimming@gmail.com Ranch Record - June 2021

ATTENTION TEENAGE JOB SEEKERS

TEENAGE JOB SEEKERS Baby Pet House Yard Name Age Sit Sit Sit Work Phone Alexis Atencio..........................16.............•.............•...........•...................512-924-2976 Bonner, Allen..........................15.............•.............•...........•.............•.....206-484-0504 Sarah-Kaye Thurston*^...........17.............•.............•................................512-820-4010 Gabriella Sevieri......................13...........................•...........•...................505-263-2689 Emily Schulz...........................14.............•.............•................................512-266-6306 Nathaniel Proffitt....................12...........................•................................512-695-7795 Karla Trujillo...........................17.............•.............•...........•...................737-932-1128 Nicole Freer*+^.......................14.............•.............•...........•...................737-256-1352 Kendra Stephens*+^................16.............•.............•................................903-217-9230 Katherine Nissen*+^...............18.............•.............•................................512-266-7044 Hannah Nissen........................15.............•.............•...........•...................512-266-7044 Nathan Nichols*+^.................21.............•.............•...........•...................512-660-0556 Leanne Nichols*+^..................15.............•.............•...........•...................512-660-0556 Kody Hicks.................................. mother's helper.•................................512-217-3158 Eesha Patel...............................14.............•..........................•...................631-560-7307 Kiersten Dyke+.......................15.............•.............•................................512-266-8090 McKenna McDaniel*+............13.............•.............•................................512-608-2135 Nicole Greenberg*+................14.............•.............•................................512-497-0902 Sarah Conner..........................15...........................•................................512-507-6000 Rachael Klein*+.......................19.............•.............•...........•...................512-810-9003 Isabela Carson*+......................15.............•..........................•...................509-308-8601 Kassidy Gailey.........................15.............•.............•...........•...................864-238-0020 Campbell Fernandez...............13.............•.............•...........•...................808-783-0780 Lilly Nguyen...........................17.............•..........................•...................512-694-5568 Madelyne, Miranda*+..............................•.............•...........•...................512-266-7361 Naymal Siddiqui+...................14.............•..........................•...................512-968-5993 Cameron Romero*^................13.............•.............•................................713-210-9042

Please submit your information to communications@steinerranchhoa.org if you would like to be added to the list.

Baby Pet House Yard Name

Age Sit Sit Sit Work Phone

Megan Schmitt........................14.............•.............•...........•...................512-713-5343 Kaitlyn Schmitt.......................13.............•.............•...........•...................512-663-6543 Grace Jackson..........................14.............•...............................................512-565-0963 McKayla Bagnal*+^................13.............•.............•...........•...................512-695-1981 Grace Jackson..........................14.............•...............................................512-565-0963 Leila Mahmud.........................16.............•..........................•................... 512-657 7718 Abbey Wilson..........................16.............•...............................................310-343-2286 Henri Renel.............................12............. ..............•...........•.......... •.......512-660-9542 Johnson, Jade...........................15............ •.............•................................970-787-0740

Kassidy Gailey.....................14............•............•...........•................ 864-238-0020 Brittany Ryley......................18............•............•...........•................ 512-501-0482 Nina Porter*+......................16............•............•...........•................ 512-589-0165 Camille Gutierrez+..............13............•............•............................ 512-762-8507 Zachary Davis.....................11............•............•............................ 512-965-1644 Melanie Wisenbaker*+^......16............•............•...........•................ 512-659-1602 Jacob Villegas.......................16............•............•...........•..........•..... 512-608-7087 Kaylee Russell......................18............•............•...........•................ 512-689-1553 Ariel Wood..........................18............•............•...........•................ 417-207-9305 Michael Craft......................13.........................•............................ 832-589-6939 Riley Bryarsi+......................15............•............•............................ 512-788-2014 Makinna Pritchard*+^........14............•......................................... 512-922-3121 Eva Pacak*...........................15............•............•............................ 512-655-9491 Kathryn Russell*.................16............•............•...........•................ 512-375-8887 Carly Christensen+*............13.........................•...........•................ 512-565-5588 Jacqueline Hines+*..............13.........................•...........•................ 512-565-5588 Alexa Gray...........................15............•............•...........•................ 425-753-3950 Michael Hildner..................................•............•...........•..........•..... 512-507-5937 Eesha Patel+.........................14............•........................•................ 631-560-7307 Benton Ballengee*^.............17............•............•...........•..........•..... 512-992-3138 Grace Ballengee*+^.............17............•............•...........•..........•..... 512-992-3138 Luke Ballengee....................15.........................•...........•..........•..... 512-992-3138 Jennifer Walker*+^..............17............•............•...........................-512-409-8590 Annika Olson*^..................15............•............•...........•................ 650-291-3633 Marie Seybal+......................15............•......................................... 512-851-7995 Brooke Moore+...................14............•............•...........•................ 512-788-3373 Meghan Gary......................11.........................•............................ 512-979-7169 Claire Cussimanio...............14............•............•...........•................ 512-839-1669 White, Katherine.................15............•............•...........•................ 737-346-2847 Roberto Guarda..................15.........................•...........•..........•..... 713-858-4934 Kate Richmond*+^.............14............•......................................... 512 484-1088 Vanessa Rubio*+^...............15............•............•...........•................ 512-987-7473 Bridget O'Brien...................14............•............•...........•..........•..... 512-777-2675 Rikhil Vatcher.....................14.........................•...........•..........•..... 432-269-8646 Nate Wilson........................16............•............•............................ 310-343-9139 Corinna Crawford...............14............•............•...........•................ 512-944-3001 Kaleb Gailey........................13............•............•...........•................ 864-238-0030 Isabella Sanchez...................16........... •............•...........•................ 512-552-4939 Henri Renel.........................12.........................•...........•..........•..... 512-660-9542 Valeria Euran*.....................15............ •...........•...........•.......... ...... 737-230-2005 * CPR Training + Red Cross Certified ^ First Aid Please contact us via email at steiner@ciramail.com to have your information updated if outdated.

Ranch Record - June 2021

1405 Brandi Ln Round Rock, TX 78681

Ranch Record - June 2021