Steiner Ranch - October 2021 by Peel, Inc.

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2021

Ranch Record - October 2021

COMMUNITY INFO STEINER RANCH

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS OFFICE 12550 Country Trails Lane Austin, Texas 78732 512-266-7553 – Telephone

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

512-266-9312 – Facsimile

STEINER RANCH CONTACTS

www.steinerranchhoa.org

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

OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday (Closed from 12-1:00pm).9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday ........................................................................... CLOSED

STAFF General Manager Joe Ristuccia........................................................ steiner@ciramail.com

Steiner Ranch Community Association

SCHOOLS

Leander ISD....................................................512-570-0000 Vandegrift High School.............................512-570-2300

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

Laura Welch Bush Elementary.................512-570-6100 Steiner Ranch Elementary........................512-570-5700

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

UTILITIES

Travis County WCID # 17...............................512-266-1111

City of Austin Electric.................................512-494-9400 Texas Gas Service

Operations Manager

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

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

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

Lifestyle and Communication Manager Desirre Ghebremicael.................................... steiner@ciramail.com

Emergencies...............................................512-370-8609 AT&T

New Service...........................................1-800-464-7928 Repair......................................................1-800-246-8464 Billing.......................................................1-800-858-7928

Architectural and Community Standards Coordinator

Time Warner Cable

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

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

Front Desk Coordinator Kayla Rutt................................................................ steiner@ciramail.com

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

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

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

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

SRMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER

Email the SRMA BOD.........................board@steinerranchhoa.org

Advertising.............................advertising@peelinc.com

Peel, Inc..............................................................512-263-9181

Ranch Record - October 2021

FROM THE ASSOCIATION OFFICE 5

HOA Office - NOW OPEN!

Steiner Ranch Wildfires 10 Year

Anniversary

October Residential Landscaping Tips

Fall Green Waste Pick-Up & Bulky Waste

Information

Halloween Safety Tips

Fall is a Good Time to Trim Trees

Steiner Ranch Commercial Properties

Management Company

STEINER ACTIVITIES & EVENTS 8

Halloween Spook-tacular House Parade

Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving Day

Free Residents Classes

112

Steiner Ranch Multicultural Festival

News from the Trails Committee

Young at Heart is BACK!

Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Board of Directors Meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm at Bella Mar. Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Board of Directors Meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6:00pm at Bella Mar. 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

UPCOMING STEINER RANCH HOA EVENTS

SWIMMING NEWS

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

11/25

Turkey Trot

NEWS YOU CAN USE

12/04

Santa visits Steiner Ranch

Why Native Trees are Better for Birds

Don't Commit "Sewercide!"

12/09

Volunteers’ dinner

Steiner Ranch Pool Rules

IN EVERY ISSUE

12/01 – 12/17 Santa Mailbox and Elves'

Special Delivery

12/13-12/23

Annual Holiday House Decorating

10 Classifieds

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

Steiner Ranch Events

Cover Photo Teenage Job Seekers

COVER PHOTO

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 - October 2021

We are OPEN, Walk-Ins are Welcome! October Residential Landscaping Tips

We are pleased to announce that the HOA office repairs following the severe damages due to the February freeze are now complete. The office located at 12550 Country Trails Lane, Austin, Texas 78732 is now open to walk-ins Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm. We strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask to ensure the safety of our staff and residents. We look forward to seeing you in person!

10th Anniversary of 2011 Steiner Ranch Wildfires 23 Homes Destroyed from Embers from Across 620 A wildfire prompts an evacuation in Steiner Ranch:

Fire Professionals say it's not IF, but WHEN wildfire will happy again. Your home can survive a wildfire!

Request a FREE Home Ignition Zone Evaluation Today at srfirewise@gmail.com

The February freeze of 2021 will be fresh in the minds of all that lived through it early this year! It is amazing to think that we are still seeing the effects of the freeze as we enter early fall! Likely we will still be talking about it well into 2022. Plants have different ways for dealing with previous freezes and the cold. Some die completely, leaving the next generation to carry on in their seeds. Others only lose their tender leaves and possibly tender new stem-growth, while others will die all the way back to the ground. But some varieties have hardy root systems, allowing them to emerge after the harsh cold and freezing weather has passed. As we enter into the Fall there has been adequate time to make an assessment if most plants will survive or not. Generally speaking, a determination can be made on evergreen shrubs, palms, and perennials. To determine if a plant will be viable into future seasons simply look to see if there is new growth growing from the base of the plant. If there is new growth, it is recommended to remove all dead branches to just above where the new growth starts. This may look bare through the rest of the season and even into the Spring but the root system is healthy and the plants should grow back more vigorously than a newly planted plant. If a plant shows no signs of life at this point in the year it will likely not come back and should be removed entirely. Removal of the roots is recommended to make way for new plantings. Like evergreen shrubs and perennials palm trees can be diagnosed in the same way. If there are no new fronds growing at the top of the palm then it is likely dead and needs to be removed. If a palm does have new fronds growing from the top it is recommended to remove of the lower dead fronds for safety and aesthetic reasons. Larger dead palms can be considered hazardous and should be removed in a timely manner by an arbor professional. October is a great time to plant new plants as temperatures are milder and the weather is wetter. Nurseries have had the Summer to recover and are largely stocked and ready for Fall planting. Utilize the City of Austin Grow Green Guide to help determine what plants are best for your planting space at www.growgreen.org. Ranch Record - October 2021

Fall Green Waste Pick-Up & Bulky Waste Pick-Up Information

Fall Is A Good Time to Trim Trees

Green Waste Pick-Up: Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) will provide Steiner Ranch residents with a fall green waste collection pick-up (bagged leaves, brush, limbs and other yard waste) during the week of December 6th to December 10th, 2021. To participate, residents may place up to 20 thirty gallon paper bags of green waste at their curb on their designated trash pick-up day during the week of green waste pick-up. NOTE: Green Waste materials are composted and therefore must be bagged in paper bags. Plastic bags will not be picked up. Bulky Waste & Bundle Pick-Ups: Residents may schedule free bulky waste and/or bundle pick-ups twice per year by calling TDS. Bundle pick-ups may include tree, shrub, and brush trimmings; newspapers or magazines securely tied together, not exceeding 4 feet in length or 40 pounds. Bulky waste pick-ups consist of large pick-up items such as sofas, refrigerators, water tanks, etc. Call TDS at 512-329-1752 to schedule individual pick-ups. Reminder: Aside from scheduled green waste pick-ups and individually scheduled bulky waste/bundle pick-ups, TDS will not pick up items/ bags left outside of trash containers, unless bags are tagged with TDS trash tags. Tags are available for purchase, by check, at the HOA office for $2.50 per bag. Additional trash/recycle carts may also be ordered directly from TDS.

We ask residents to keep the below safety tips in mind before heading out for trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween! • Steiner Ranch is dark at night, with limited street lights. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers or have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. • Slow down and be especially alert while driving in the neighborhood. Children will be excited to get from house to house- which means they may run into streets unexpectedly. • Cross the street at corners and enter and exit driveways slowly. • Always walk on sidewalks or paths and avoid walking in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. • Young children should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out alone, they should stick to familiar areas and trickor-treat in groups. 6

Ranch Record - October 2021

If you have oak trees with branches over-hanging the street, please contact a professional tree trimming company now so that this can be remedied as soon possible. Residents are reminded to trim trees before February, as the risk of oak wilt infection is greatest from February through June. Regardless of seasonality, residents are encouraged to follow proper pruning techniques. TexasOakWilt.org recommends the following: • 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 Lysol™ between sites and/or trees. • Debris from diseased red oaks should be immediately chipped, burned or buried. • Pruning should be completed before February 1 or after June 30. If uncertain about trimming, consult with a Texas oak wilt certified arborist, an oak wilt specialist from a city, county or state government agency such as the Texas Forest Service or Texas AgriLife Extension Service, or visit texasoakwilt.org.

Steiner Ranch Commercial Properties Management Company

Real Manage Austin manages the commercial properties in Steiner Ranch. For any questions or concerns, please contact Amanda Davis at Amanda.davis@realmanage.com.

Ranch Record - October 2021

Get your Halloween décor out and decorate the exterior of your property to have some neighborhood Halloween FUN! Voting will take place October 18 through the 28.

Deadline to enter is October 11, 11:59 pm. Categories are: Most Spooky, Most Fun, Most Creative & Community Favorite. Winners will receive a yard display and a themed basket for their efforts and will be announced via email, on the Ranch Record and the HOA Facebook Page on October 31st. As you plan your outside decor, please observe the following Steiner Ranch rule regarding holiday decorations on the exterior of your property: ‘Holiday decorations (excluding Christmas) may be put out up to fourteen (14) days in advance of the holiday in question. Decorations must be removed no later than seven (7) days after the holiday’. A map and the link for voting will be posted on the HOA Facebook page and also emailed to all residents with an email address on file by October 18, 2021. Then residents can choose their own self-guided Halloween Spook-tacular House Parade Route to drive, bike or walk by and vote for their favorite decorated house. If you plan to participate in decorating, please visit the HOA website at http:// steinerranchhoa.org/ or scan the QR code here to fill out the form online.Thanks for helping us make this fun Halloween celebration a community tradition! Questions? Please contact Desirre Ghebremicael at desirre.ghebremicael@ grandmanors.com

Ranch Record - October 2021

Free Residents Classes

Tai Chi Group Practice

When: Monday - Friday 8:15 am - 9 am Where: Bella Mar Basketball Court 12401 Bella Mar Trail, Austin, TX 78732 Come learn the Basic Forms of Chen Style Tai Chi Yi Lu 83 movements Benefits of Tai Chi: • Relieve Stress on the body and mind • Improve Health and Physical Fitness • Enhance Self Defense capability Questions: send an email to Ivan Hong at ivanhoeparry4@icloud.com

High Fitness Class

When: Tuesday, 7am to 8am Where: Towne Square Basketball Court 12550 Country Trails Lane, Austin, Texas, 78732 High Fitness brings old school aerobics back in a fun and modern way. Easy-tofollow fitness choreography set to current music will motivate you and make your work out so enjoyable you'll forget it's exercise. Interval training moves (squats, burpees, jacks, etc) given with options for any fitness level make High Fitness something everyone can succeed at. One class and you'll be hooked! High Fitness will leave you energized and ready to conquer your day! *Offered activities are for adults only.

The Steiner Ranch Master Association has partnered with Austin Christian Fellowship to bring back the Turkey Trot to Steiner Ranch after taking a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the event will occur on Thanksgiving Morning, November 25th, from 7:45 am to 9:30 am at the Towne Square Park (12550 Country trails Lane, Austin, TX 78732). It will feature a 5K Fun Run and a Kids Fun Run. This is the Community opportunity to give back, and this year proceeds will be donated to Community First! Village, a housing project in Austin founded by Mobile Loaves and Fishes for those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. In 2019, the Steiner Ranch community was able to donate $4500 to Community First! Village thanks to record participation, and we hope to break that record this year. To create this community-focused event, we are looking to bring in again local businesses and organizations to participate. If you are interested in sponsoring the event or have any questions, please email desirre. ghebremicael@grandmanors.com. To register for the Run, please visit the Steiner Ranch HOA Events Facebook page or the event page on Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-steiner-ranch-turkey-trottickets-169564174009

BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS 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. HAYDEN AQUILON – FIREWOOD FOR SALE! –

We have four types of seasoned firewood: post oak, live oak, mesquite, and pecan. Ideal for BBQ and home fireplace. Don’t wait until the next freeze! Call or text Jordon - 512560-2966 - www.kingsfirewood.com

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. 10

Ranch Record - October 2021

Steiner Ranch Multicultural Festival

Each month a Steiner family or group of families share their unique culture and heritage on the Ranch Record. 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

october highlight the chifamba family By Rudo Chifamba

We are the Chifamba family. My husband Robert and I have two boys; Anesu, a sophomore at Texas Tech University, and Ano, a 7th grader at Canyon Ridge Middle school. Robert works as a technology manager for a fintech company, and I work as a project manager for a financial services firm.

"notice" each other. And the rest, as they say, is history. Being in Austin and the USA has been a wonderful experience, and it has given us yet another opportunity to live in and experience a country and culture other than our own. Having spent a significant part of our lives in Zimbabwe, Robert and I have a strong connection to our home country, and we want the same for our boys. Our challenge is that Anesu (20) left Zimbabwe when he was only 7, and Ano was born in South Africa and has never lived in Zimbabwe, so we are very deliberate about exposing them to all things Zimbabwean. We play music from home, eat food from home, and speak our home language at home (even though the boys have varying proficiency with our mother tongue). Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It shares a border with South Africa to the south, Mozambique to the East, Botswana to the west, and Zambia to the north.

(Map of Zimbabwe and surrounding countries) (From left to right: Robert, Rudo, Ano & Anesu Chifamba) January 2016 saw us moving to Austin from Cape Town, South Africa when Robert's company offered him the opportunity to transfer from their Cape Town Office to the USA. After living in the beautiful city of Cape Town for eight years, our family uprooted itself from South Africa to the USA. The move invoked feelings of reluctance on the one hand and expectancy on the other. Reluctance because we were leaving a city, friends, and a life we loved to move to a city and country where we had never been. Expectancy because it felt like a new adventure, an opportunity to experience a new country and culture. While still in Cape Town, Steiner Ranch crossed our radar on online searches of potential neighborhoods to live in. At that time, we intended to live closer to Robert's work, so Steiner Ranch was not a strong contender. However, once we arrived in Austin and toured Steiner Ranch and several other neighborhoods, Steiner Ranch was a clear winner. The schools were a major drawcard for us and weighed on our decision the most. In addition, there is beautiful landscaping, proximity to the lake, and the sense of being in a city balanced with the tranquility of being far enough away from the hustle and bustle. By mid-February 2016, we had moved to Steiner Ranch. Anesu enrolled into 8th Grade at Canyon Ridge Middle School while Ano enrolled into 1st Grade at River Ridge Elementary, and both settled in pretty quickly. However, our story as a family starts in Zimbabwe. Robert and I met back in 1995 as undergraduate engineering students in our home country of Zimbabwe. We took almost the same classes and moved in the same social circles, but it took us up until our third year at university to finally 12

Ranch Record - October 2021

It is a relatively small country with a geographical area of roughly a quarter of Texas and a population of 15 million, which is less than half that of Texas. There are two main ethnic groups, the Ndebeles and the Shonas. Inherently we have two main languages; Isindebele, which is spoken by the Ndebeles, and Chishona, which is spoken by the Shonas. However, English is the lingua franca of Zimbabwe - school instruction and business are generally conducted in English. That English is Zimbabwe's 'official language' has its roots in that Zimbabwe was once a British colony. The language, law, education system, street names, signage as well as architecture in cities and town have a strong British influence. Since attaining independence from Britain in 1980, Zimbabwe has attempted to rename some streets and cities; however, the British influence on institutions and everyday urban life is still prevalent.

Continued from Page 12 Rural Zimbabwe is significantly different from its urban counterpart. The most glaring difference is the architecture of the houses. Rural houses are round huts made from wooden poles and mud. The roofs are predominantly thatch. A typical rural homestead has multiple round huts, each with a specific function: kitchen, parents bedroom, boys bedroom, girls bedroom.

(Typical Zimbabwean rural homestead with round mud huts) We have beautiful natural attractions, the most famous of which is Victoria Falls. In addition, the eastern part of Zimbabwe called the Eastern Highland boasts gorgeous scenic views of undulating lush green mountainous terrain. I grew up in the Eastern Highlands and have fond memories of family outings to our favorite spots.

(The Victoria Falls) Continued on Page 14

Ranch Record - October 2021

Continued from Page 13 Culturally, Zimbabwe has a blend of traditional local culture and so-called western culture. A traditional cultural activity celebrated in Zimbabwe is the start of the rainy season. We call the rainy season Zhizha and this is celebrated in early October when the first rains fall. It is a feast by families or whole communities in anticipation of a bountiful harvest after good rains. The other 'adopted' activities we enjoy as a country are sports-related. Zimbabweans love soccer. Fun fact: back home, soccer is called football, and we have had to make a significant adjustment to call it soccer since we moved to the USA. In Zimbabwe, we observe some typical holidays observed internationally, such as Christmas, Easter, New Year's International Workers Day. We also have some other unique Zimbabwean holidays: • Independence Day (April 18th), when we commemorate independence from British rule, • Heroes Day (2nd Monday of August), when we honor all the individuals who fought to free Zimbabwe from colonial rule, • Day of National Unity (December 22nd), when we commemorate the merger of two important political parties 35 years ago and the start of a peace and reconciliation journey in Zimbabwe. Fall is a season we have really come to enjoy since moving here to Texas. Not only are the temperatures much cooler, but one of our favorite holidays is in the Fall - Thanksgiving. We do not observe or celebrate Thanksgiving back home, but we have quickly found deep meaning in it. We all have so much to be thankful for. Therefore, to have a day where we are intentionally giving thanks and sharing that experience with loved ones is pretty special. Thanksgiving at our house is pretty low-key (especially food-wise). It is usually just the four of us, and since we find making a turkey for four both excessive and intimidating, we have a much smaller meal, usually a meal of traditional Zimbabwean food. A favorite of ours is Mupunga uneDovi, a "mash" of rice and peanut butter that we pair with chicken stew and a side of kale (we call it Covo in Zimbabwe). One of our most favorite activities we do as a family is taking road trips. We love to travel, and road trips have been an excellent way for us to discover this vastly large and geographically diverse country. We have taken numerous road trips; our longest being from Austin to Montreal and back. The past two Thanksgivings have seen us taking road trips to Arizona and Louisiana, respectively. This Thanksgiving will likely be the same, except we have not yet figured out where we will go…

Recipe for Mupunga uneDovi Ingredients 2 cups long grain white rice 3.5 cups water 4 heaped tablespoons peanut butter Salt to taste Cooking Instructions 1. Rinse the rice 2. Add rice and 3 cups water to a medium sized pot. 3. Bring water to a boil. 4. Season water 5. Reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer until rice is cooked. 6. Add peanut butter and remaining ½ cup to the rice. 7. Mix with wooden spoon until peanut is fully mixed into rice. 8. Cover and simmer for 30 - 45minutes Serving Suggestion (serves 4 -6) 1. Plate as you would a thickish mashed potato 2. Serve with a chicken or beef stew (pairs much better with chicken) and sauteed kale or spinach Enjoy! 14

Ranch Record - October 2021

News from the Trails Committee by Sterling Gray

Ahh, October! Cooler more comfortable weather has finally arrived in Central Texas, making it a great time to venture out onto the trails in Steiner Ranch. You can actually go out for a hike and not return looking like you decided to take a swim instead. I just got back from a hike on one of my favorite trails; Lakewood Hills. Lots of shade and incredible lake views are its hallmarks. The trailhead is located in the Summer Vista neighborhood at the intersection of Bright Sky Overlook and Cassiopeia Way. Initially, the trail descends into a canyon over rough terrain where it intersects with Bright Sky Overlook Trail. Bear left and cross a small bridge over a year-round creek that gently cascades over small limestone tiers. From here, the trail passes through a heavily shaded area, but eventually opens up with views of Lake Austin. The trail continues along a ridge high above the lake with interspersed views of lush “undeveloped” Central Texas hill country that go for miles – a rare find these days. Two benches dot the trail and offer a great spot to sit a spell and watch the boaters cruising up and down the sea green waters of Lake Austin. For those that are a bit more adventurous, there are a few small side trails that traverse down the ridge to large rock outcroppings with even better views of the lake. At the end of the trail, you can return via the sidewalk on Quinlan Park Road, or just turn around and return via the trail for a “completely different” view of the trail and lake. At two miles round-trip, the trail is easy for hikers of all abilities. If you’re still up for more, take a left at the Bright Sky Overlook Trail intersection for even more lake views and hill country vistas. If you enjoy our nature 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!

Why Native Trees Are Better For Birds

by Johanna Arendt and Jeremy Hull, Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve With Fall just around the corner, there’s no better time to think about planting trees. The cooler Fall weather and increased moisture mean the new trees will be less stressed, and they will have plenty of time to get established before the summer heat returns. We highly recommend choosing trees that are native to Texas, especially if you enjoy seeing birds at Steiner Ranch. The reasons are rooted in evolutionary ecology. Native wildlife co-evolved with the native plants in this area, and are adapted to those species. For example, more than 90% of native insect species are unable to eat non-native plants. And a good population of native insects is critical for the birds and Continued on Page 15 Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Continued from Page 14 other wildlife – they are an essential part of the food web. More than 95% of land-dwelling birds feed their chicks with caterpillars and other insects, not seeds or berries. And those baby birds eat a LOT of caterpillars. Research has shown that chickadee parents need between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars to raise one nest of babies! So it’s important to plant trees that support a healthy population of caterpillars. Doug Tallamy, a prominent entomologist and researcher, has found that across the United States, native oak trees host more than 900 species of caterpillars. Meanwhile, familiar non-native trees like crepe myrtle and ginkgo Black-capped vireo eating a katydid; photo host as few as four. While natives are in general better for caterpillars than non-natives, oaks by Tom Hausler really stand out as the super stars, and so are critical for birds. Here are some of our favorite native Central Texas trees: • Oaks: There are many native oaks to choose from, including live oak, red oaks, and chinquapin oak. They all provide birds with both food (like caterpillars) and places to nest. Red oaks often also have nice fall foliage. • Cedar Elm: Many birds nest in cedar elms, and enjoy eating their seeds in the fall. They are also important hosts for caterpillars, supporting hundreds of species. Cedar elms make great shade trees and show off their bright yellow-orange foliage in the fall. • Texas Redbud: Redbuds are small, Red oak fall foliage; photo by pretty trees with heart-shaped leaves. Johanna Arendt Their pinkish-purple blooms are a valuable nectar source for butterflies, bees, moths, and other insects, especially since they appear early in the spring before many other flowers are available. Their fall seeds are enjoyed by goldfinches and other birds. • Texas Persimmon: Another great small native tree, the Texas persimmon produces tasty fruits that birds love – especially bluebirds, waxwings, and warblers. It’s also a butterfly host plant and its small white flowers are a nectar source for pollinators. • Ashe Juniper (aka cedars): While these trees often get a bad rap, they are great for wildlife. Many birds and other animals eat their berries; they are a host plant for several kinds of butterflies including the juniper hairstreak; and the bark of mature Ashe junipers is needed by the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and other local birds to build their nests. For more information about Texas native trees, check out the Texas A & M Forest Service’s Tree Planting Guide: https://texastreeplanting. tamu.edu/index.html In addition to helping you find the right trees for your landscape, it has a variety of tips for site selection and planting techniques. (See Figure C) Please avoid planting non-native invasive trees and shrubs like ligustrum, Chinaberry, and nandina. They wreak havoc in natural areas and are also prohibited by the Steiner Ranch HOA. For a full list of prohibited plants, check out the Residential Design Guideline Manual on the HOA’s website. For more information about invasive plants in Texas, visit https://www.texasinvasives.org/ So as you begin planning your Fall planting, please keep the birds and Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

butterflies in mind, and consider using Texas natives. They are beautiful, hardy, and key to a healthy ecosystem, for both us and the birds. For more information about the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, visit our website at https://www.traviscountytx.gov/tnr/nr/.

Figure C Image courtesy of the Texas A&M Forest Service.

(YAH women group at one of their recent meetings) Young at Heart is an active senior social group open to Steiner Ranch residents ages 55+. We are purely a social organization wanting to share fun times. Joining us is a great way to make new friends and to get to know people your own age and with common interests. Our activities are planned to give everyone a chance to get know each other in casual social settings. Many friendships have been formed while participating in our various interest groups. 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 steinerranchYAH@gmail.com. Planned activities include: Book Club, Ladies’ Social Bridge (limited), Canasta (day and evening), Euchre (limited), Exploring Austin, MahJongg, Mexican Train, Technology Classes, BUNCO and Biking. In addition, we have several other social groups that give us an opportunity to meet and visit with those in Young at Heart but are not in any of the other groups. These activities include: Ladies’ Lunching Out, Happy Hours, Wine Socials, as well as the popular ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and SWEET (Single Women Enjoying Eating Together). New groups are added when there is interest. Ranch Record - October 2021

DON’T COMMIT “SEWERCIDE!”

Steiner Ranch Pool Rules

by WCID 17

(A grinder pump clogged by “flushable wipes” wrapped around the motor) It’s simple. Please don’t put “flushable” wipes down the toilet. Some manufacturers of disposable wipes indicate on the product’s packaging that the wipes are “biodegradable” and “flushable.” Unfortunately, because of the amount of time needed to break-down these products, wipes RARELY IF EVER biodegrade in the sanitary sewer system. The presence of wipes in the sewer system can cause clogs and equipment failure in lift stations where mechanical pumps facilitate the conveyance of sewage in many areas of your community to the treatment plant. Wipes that go through your sewer system can clog grinder pumps by wrapping around the pump and causing the motor to overheat, and then block pipes which can lead to the overflow of sewage backup, into the streets, buildings, and the environment, and cause expensive equipment repairs. Customers with grinder pump stations on their property should be especially careful because these pumps are smaller and can clog more easily. Discard wipes and similar products in the trash. The proper disposal of these convenient and useful products will help keep our sewer system flowing properly, and ensure the safe containment, conveyance and treatment of the community’s wastewater. Remember, the primary function of the sewer system is to convey human wastes and water. The following products should never be flushed: • Disposable wipes, rags and other rubbish; • Fats, Oils and Grease; • Pharmaceuticals (medications); or Household hazardous wastes such as paints, solvents, insecticides, herbicides, etc. At the WCID 17 wastewater treatment facilities, a process using living bacteria breaks down the pollutants and germs in the wastewater. Almost all solids except for human wastes and toilet tissue should be thrown into the trash can and not in the toilet. Never flush wipes, paper towels, facial tissues, paper napkins, wrappers, gloves, condoms, underclothes, elastics, plastic bags, wrappers, bottles, medical waste, cotton-tips, cotton balls, tampons, cigarette filters, toys, cans, sticks, pebbles, sand, cat litter, stockings or rags down the toilet. When you flush substances down the drain that do not belong there, customers ultimately have to pay the extra costs to repair sewers and pumps and to keep the treatment plant working properly, as well as the extra costs of mitigating the environmental impacts. You can avoid committing SEWERCIDE (injury to the treatment process) by keeping all potentially harmful substances out of the pipes. When in doubt, TOSS IT! 16

Ranch Record - October 2021

To ensure Steiner Ranch pools remain fun, safe, and sanitary for all residents, the below rules are in place. 1. Pool gates must remain closed and locked at all times. A facility fob is to be used to access locked facilities during hours of operation. DO NOT PROP GATES! 2. The association may deny access to the pools at any time due to occupancy limits, weather, pool conditions, or if maintenance is required. 3. At the discretion of the association, and as approved by the Board of Directors of the SRROA and/or SRMA, certain periods of the normal open swim hours may be set aside for specialized activities. 4. Use of the pool facilities is at the resident and/or guest’s own risk. 5. L ifeguards, when present, have full authority and are responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of all rules. 6. Only lifeguards are permitted on the lifeguard stand. 7. An adult must accompany children 14 years old and under at all times. 8. Proper swim wear is required. Swim diaper and plastic pants must be worn by children who are not completely toilet trained. 9. No diving. Dive blocks are for use by Swim Teams and/or private lessons approved by the Association. 10. No Smoking. 11. No glass containers of any type are allowed in the pool facility. 12. No pets in pool area. 13. Residents are responsible for any damage they, their guests, or their children cause and for cleaning up any mess or trash created by them prior to leaving the pool facility. 14. Violation of these rules may result in suspension of pool privileges, fines or other charges, and/or legal action. 15. Pools are for residents of the Steiner Ranch Master Association and the Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Associations, and up to 4 guests per household without a reservation. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Ranch Record - October 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......................15...........................•...........•...................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 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 Naymal Siddiqui+...................14.............•..........................•...................512-968-5993 Cameron Romero*^................13.............•.............•................................713-210-9042 Megan Schmitt........................14.............•.............•...........•...................512-713-5343 Kaitlyn Schmitt.......................13.............•.............•...........•...................512-663-6543 Grace Jackson..........................14.............•...............................................512-565-0963

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

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 Haley Judd..........................16............ •...........•...........•.......... ...... 330-310-9073 Jaden Judd ..........................13............ ............•...................... ...... 330-310-9073 Veda Montgomery.................. 11......... ...•..MH. •............ ....................512-592-1186 Siena Hannabery*^................ 14......... ...•..MH. •............ .................... 512-608-2750 Huey, Haley............................ 12.......... ...•..MH............... ....................214-649-0015 * 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 - October 2021

PO Box 1148 Round Rock, Texas 78680

Ranch Record - October 2021

Steiner Ranch - October 2021

Articles inside

Halloween Spook-tacular House Parade

Young at Heart is BACK SWIMMING NEWS