Courtyard - March 2022 by Peel, Inc.

Courtyard Caller

March 2022

Volume 18, Number 03

Spring Reminders What gorgeous weather! Everyone wants to get outside and spruce up the yard in anticipation for the spring and summer. Here are some tips and reminders for all of us sharing this beautiful area in the Courtyard: Don’t blow leaves into the street or down into the ravine – bag them (and don’t store the bags on the curb – put them out on Thursday evening, along with your bins). Remember that COMPOST bins are subject to the same rules as trash and recycling bins – they must be stored out of sight of the street as well as neighboring properties! Make sure your landscape crew knows and follows these rules. If you are lucky enough to have trees or shrubs to create shade along the street or walkways, now is the time to trim them. No branches should be extending into the sidewalk area, and a six-foot tall person should not be able to touch the lowest branch with his or her arm extended overhead. Similarly, if you have bushes near the sidewalk, make sure they are trimmed back so that they are at least one foot away from the sidewalk. So many of us walk the neighborhood that it creates a true danger if a branch could scrape or poke someone whose attention is momentarily on the beautiful scenery or if it’s dark outside. Remember: it’s OAK WILT season! The oak wilt beetle is active from February until the end of June. NO OAKS should be trimmed until July 1. Some people prefer the look of climbing vines on their home. Did you know that Copyright © 2022 Peel, Inc.

the vines can cause potential problems? The roots are seeking moisture and will take it from the mortar and bricks they are climbing, leading to crumbling mortar and masonry that fails. The shade and moist conditions close to the house also create the perfect habitat for roaches, other undesirable insects and rodents.

Mark Your Calendar

Saturday March 26

Spring 2022 Park Volunteer Day & Kayak Area Clean Up

The same scenario is true for trees. Climbing vines can damage and even kill the tree. Once a vine takes over the tree, it is timeconsuming and can be expensive to remove them. Controlling vine growth is important in naturalized areas, as well, so be on the lookout for vines in natural areas which abut your property.

Volunteers are needed for the annual 2022 Spring Park Volunteer Day. If you love the Park and use it, we hope you will pitch in to help us do 3 hours of clean-up & maintenance. It’s FUN and it’s a great way to get outside and join in with your neighbors for a community project!

You can save money and conserve water by converting your sprinkler system to drip irrigation for flower beds. It’s easy and relatively inexpensive if you are handy and your existing irrigation zones for sod are separate from the zones for your beds. Use pressure regulating heads, like those you will find at an irrigation supply store (not at the big box stores).

Where: The Courtyard Park, 5905 Cone

And as a general reminder: if you are sitting at the traffic light at Courtyard and southbound Loop 360, waiting to turn left, PLEASE do not be looking at your phone or be otherwise distracted. Be ready to drive as soon as the light changes to green, so that the cars behind you also have time to get through the light. Awareness is kindness! Please DRIVE SLOWLY in the Courtyard!!!

When: Saturday, March 26, 9AM – Noon Circle

Activities: Trail maintenance: Remove

downed branches from the trails and wooded areas. Bring your gloves. Snacks and water will be provided.

Contact: Terry Edwards, Park Chair at t.edwards54321@gmail.com. Or at 214392-4627

Kayak Area: All Residents who have a

space in the Kayak Storage Area will be performing the semi-annual cleanup of the Kayak Storage Area. Please contact Jim Vence at jimvence@gmail.com

Please JOIN US for a morning of fun community service!!! Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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CHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Denise Hogan.......denise.1.hogan@gmail.com, 214.403.4454 Vice President Konavis Smith........................................... konavis@gmail.com Treasurer Jim Lloyd.........................jlloyd@austin.rr.com, 512.231.0855 Secretary Waneen Spirduso......................................spirduso@utexas.edu BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Janet Wright ........................ ..............mightywrights@me.com ..........................................................................469-387-5632 Meredith Massey-Kloetzer......................meremass@gmail.com Henry Mistrot....................................................512.459.7313 COMMITTEES Environmental Control (ECC) Diana Apgar ................................ ..............fd1966fd@aol.com Community Park Terry Edwards......t.edwards54321@gmail.com, 214.392.4627 Welcome Erik Maye ......................erikmaye@gmail.com, 512.626.2404 Social & Decorating Joany Price....................joanyprice@gmail.com, 512.775.8942 Landscape & Decorating Ed Ueckert.........................................................512.345.6137 Security Jim Lloyd.........................jlloyd@austin.rr.com, 512.231.0855 Communications, Editor – Courtyard Caller Jen Harold.......... harold.jennifer@gmail.com, 281.773.2880 Compliance Denise Hogan................................denise.1.hogan@gmail.com Kayak Jim Vence .......................jimvence@gmail.com, 512.436.5678 Fire Safety Richard Stelzner................................... arebeess42@gmail.com Area Development and Zoning Liaison Denise Hogan....... denise.1.hogan@gmail.com, 214.403.4454

SUB-HOA CONTACTS Center Court: Amanda Gilliland... mandagilliland@gmail.com, 512-927-7118 Travis County Courtyard (aka "Backcourt") Terry Edwards .............................. t.edwards54321@gmail.com Villas at Courtyard: Thomas Hoy..........Thomas.Hoy@freescale.com, 512.231.1270 Wolf Court: Susanne Doell.................... Drdoell@gmail.com, 512.454.3400 4

Courtyard Caller - March 2022

Courtyard Caller

COURTYARD BOOK CLUB Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Chris Whitaker’s We Begin at the End is part thriller and part character study. The novel is the Courtyard Book Club’s selection for its April 5 meeting. The early setting for the book is coastal California where the police chief awaits with apprehension the return of a boyhood friend who has served a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of a local child. Numerous residents of the small town have a connection to the long-ago crime and the anticipation of the prisoner’s return has many on edge. There are many plot twists to the unfolding story that takes place over the years but one of the hallmarks of the book is the memorable characters who are introduced along the way. Whitaker is a resident of the UK and works in a local library in his spare time. The Courtyard Book Club usually meets at the home of its chair, Lou Blemaster, 5612 N. Scout Island Circle, at 1 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. To receive book club emails, contact Lou at LouBlemaster@gmail. com. Depending on the Covid situation, the April meeting might be by Zoom rather than in-person, so please check your email for particulars about the meeting. Even those who haven’t read the monthly book are welcomed to join your neighbors for some interesting discussion. And if you have friends in other areas of Austin who would like to join a book club, feel free to include them.

Courtyard Caller - March 2022

Courtyard Caller

Caring for Our Neighbors By Tracy Henderson

2022 COURTYARD EASTER EGG HUNT and SPRING FLING Saturday, April 16, STARTING AT 11:00am Plan now to attend the 2022 Courtyard Easter Egg Hunt in the Park! Bunnies of all ages bring your baskets and hop on down for some Easter fun. Hunt for eggs, play games and meet neighbors! Hope to see you there! Please call or email to let us know how many egg hunters will be in your group. Joany Price (Social Chairperson) 512-775-8942, joanyprice@gmail.com

EGG STUFFERS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED CONTACT JOANY PRICE IF YOU HAVE TIME OR IDEAS TO SHARE!

February has posed some challenges with another ice storm and the boil water requirement in The Courtyard. Have you wondered about some of your neighbors? Are they OK? Do they need anything? Can their family members get to them? Do family members have a neighbor to contact if they cannot reach their Courtyard resident? I have wondered and I want to do something about it. The HOA Board has given the green light to create a sub-committee within the Social Committee chaired by Joany Price. If we have sufficient response from volunteers, I (Tracy Henderson) will be organizing a group to check on some of our residents who may be at risk in times of crises, such as bad weather, no power, or no water. Your help is needed! Firstly, I need volunteers who will be “checkers”. Secondly, we will identify and reach out to Courtyard residents who might like to receive a “well check.” This list could include some of our elder residents or families with a special needs situation. And lastly, we need to create a good subcommittee name. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, please email or call Tracy Henderson at tracy4647@sbcglobal.net or 512-587-4457. Please let me know if you want to receive a “well check” or be a “checker.”

LADIES’ BUNCO NIGHT AND MEN’S POKER NIGHTS HAVE RESUMED! FOR BUNCO Contact Joany Price 512-775-8942 joanyprice@gmail.com FOR POKER Contact Terry Edwards 214-392-4627 t.edwards54321@gmail.com 6

Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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FIRE SAFETY COMMITTEE Hopefully each of us in the Courtyard Community avoided the worst of the latest February freeze. Although not as cold as February 2021, it does remind us that there is a winter and despite the 40 degree swings in the Hill Country, there is still such a thing as freezing. It is also important to note that thinking wildfires don’t occur in cold weather is not completely accurate. Wildfire could still occur in the immediate wildland interface surrounding our community it just takes dry conditions, oxygen, fuel and ignition. And as an example, there was a wildfire in Bastrop County in January and a wildfire in Spicewood in February. The dry weather even in winter creates favorable conditions for fire, which prompted the Travis County Fire Marshall to declare Burn Bans in both January and February. The cause of the Spicewood fire wasn’t immediately determined, but the direction

of the wind pushed it away from threatened structures. The Bastrop fire was initiated as a Prescribed Burn, and is being evaluated to determine how it escaped the control boundaries. There were some evacuations, but neither fire caused life or structure losses due to the immediate actions of the firefighting resources and key residences near the fire that had done excellent work in creating defensible space that kept the fire low and minimized ember storms. Why prescribed burns? About 100 years of mistaken forest management policies requiring the putting out of any and all fires interrupted the natural fire cycle and caused the build-up of overgrowth and fuel accumulation making forests unhealthy and prone to the mega-fires experienced today. Prescribed burns, which take months of planning, are designed to meet multiple land management objectives including reducing the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve forest health, improve access and

visibility for forest management activities and improve wildlife habitat. Communities built in the Wildland Urban Interface add another important dimension to the planning priorities. There is also a place for communities in this scheme. The Courtyard HOA does its part to control fuel buildup in common areas with periodic fuel mitigation initiatives, and homeowners have a part in this as well. The Firewise USA Alliance provides us with upto-date information that helps us be active participants in hardening our homes against the threat of wildfire. Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Evaluations by members of the Fire Safety Committee can help point out how to create defensible space around your home. To sign up with the Courtyard Fire Safety Committee and schedule a free, no obligation evaluation go to the Fire Safety page at http:// www.courtyardhoa.org or email fire-safety@ courtyardhoa.org

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Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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HOW TO IDENTIFY ANT & TERMITE SWARMERS Soon it will be time for swarming insects to emerge out from their homes in the ground and fly into the air in search of a mate. Usually, this event coincides with warm temperatures and a significant rainfall event but can also occur if you forget to turn off your irrigation system. “Swarmer” or “alate” are other terms used to describe the reproductive stage of ants and termites. These insects have wings when they initially leave the colony, but the wings are either shed or chewed off after they land on the ground and before they form a nest. So, how do you tell them apart? Ant swarmers have antennae that are bent at a ninety-degree angle and are said to be “elbowed”. The area where the thorax and abdomen meet, sometimes called the “waist”, is constricted, narrowed, or pinched. If you find a reproductive that still has wings- they chew off their wings once they have mated and land on the ground- the front wing will be larger than the hind wing and all wings will have few veins. If the wings are missing from the ant swarmer, there will not be a wing stub left on the thorax from where the wing was attached. Male ant swarmers retain their wings after landing on the ground, but they die after mating. Termite swarmers have antennae that are straight and a thoraxabdomen area, or “waist”, that is broadly joined together. Termite reproductive wings are similar in size and shape and tend to have a lot of veins. Sometimes with termites you may find only wings that have been left behind due to shedding when the termites land on the ground or you may see the termites themselves with or without wings still attached. If you find a termite reproductive without wings, there will be wing stubs, called “scales”, left behind on the thorax. Male and female termite reproductives shed their wings after landing on the ground, pair up, and find a site to begin a new colony. For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

STYROFOAM RECYCLING Have you ever agonized over throwing big bulky pieces of Styrofoam into the trash bin, knowing that the vile stuff will be buried in the landfill where it may negatively impact soil and water quality for years? No need to throw it away! The Austin Recycle and Reuse Center will take all forms of packing Styrofoam EXCEPT peanuts. Packing peanuts may be donated to EcoBox. What do they do with it? ARRC has a specialized machine that is a combination grinder and super-heater. The styrofoam is ground into a fine powder substance, then super heated and formed into 60-pound blocks. The blocks are then shipped to manufacturers, for use in upcycled products. So if you are doing some spring cleaning, don’t throw the Styrofoam in the trash can. Collect small pieces in large bags or stack large pieces in your car. It’s a 20-minute trek South on 360 and East on 71. You’ll be asked for your zip code at the gate. Happy spring and be kind to the earth!!

AUSTIN RECYCLE & REUSE CENTER 2514 Business Center Drive Austin TX 78744 512.974.4343 Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 7-12 Accepts paint, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, household chemicals, pool chemicals, and Styrofoam

ECOBOX MOVING SUPPLIES 2200 Denton Drive, Suite 110 Austin TX 78758 512.836.7644 Mon-Thu 8-6; Fri 8-5; Sat 9-5 (in the second row of storefronts; behind Capitol Floors) At no time will any source be allowed to use The Courtyard Caller Newsletter contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in The Courtyard Caller Newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc. DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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NATUREWATCH by Jim and Lynne Weber

Color Changers Native to North America and most abundant from the Carolinas south to Florida, along the Gulf Coast, and as far west as the Texas Hill Country, the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a small to medium sized lizard with a long, pointed head, slender body, long tail, and toes with adhesive pads that facilitate climbing. Arboreal in nature, it can also be seen on the ground and in areas with shrubs and vines at the edge of our moist forests. Males are typically 15% larger than females, from 4.9 to 8 inches long, with about 65% of that length being tail. Males have a dewlap or throat fan that is three times the size of the females and is strawberry-red, while the females’ dewlap ranges from white to light pink. Unlike males, females also have a prominent white stripe that runs along their spine. Strongly territorial, males will fight other males to defend their territory, and have even been known to fight their own reflection in mirrored glass. When a male sees a rival, he will compress his body, extend his dewlap, inflate a dorsal ridge, and bob his head to chase off the intruder. If that doesn’t work, they will fight, especially during mating season. A male’s territory typically includes two to three females, and he will court a female by extending his dewlap and bobbing up and down, mimicking a push-up. Breeding begins in April and ends in late September, with females laying their first clutch of one or two eggs about a month later. Females can produce an egg every two weeks during mating season, up to about ten eggs, and they are buried in a shallow depression in soft soil or leaf litter. Eggs are incubated by the heat of the sun, and hatch in five to seven weeks, with the hatchlings left to fend for themselves.

Color Changers-Green Anole in brown color form

What is most intriguing about these lizards is their ability to change color from bright lime green to dark brown, and while often called ‘American chameleons’, they are not true chameleons. Their ability to change color is a result of three layers of pigment cells or chromatophores. The first is the xanthophores which is responsible for yellow pigmentation, the second is cyanophores responsible for blue pigmentation, and the third is melanophores responsible for brown and black pigmentation. If one of the chromatophores is lacking due to genetics, color mutations can form, but are extremely rare in the wild. Blue-phased green anoles lack xanthophores, and yellow-phased green anoles lack cyanophores. These color exceptions rarely live long, as they don’t provide the camouflage the green color does, which is highly useful in hiding from predators and hunting down prey. Several factors contribute to the anole changing its color, including its mood, stress level, activity level, and even social signals such as displaying dominance. Although claimed, evidence does not support color change due to camouflage or a response to background color, and it is even less clear if the color change is in response to temperature. When stressed, during a fight for example, the skin behind their eyes may turn black and form postocular spots that resemble a small black mask. Regardless of the reason, no other lizard species in Texas is capable of such extensive color change. With populations existing in even the largest of cities, these color changers are a fascinating part of our suburban landscape! Send your nature-related questions to naturewatch@austin.rr.com and we’ll do our best to answer them. If you enjoy reading these articles, look for our books, Nature Watch Austin, Nature Watch Big Bend, Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies, and Native Host Plants for Texas Moths, all published by Texas A&M University Press.

Color changers-Male green anole with dewlap extended 10

Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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AUSTIN WATER OUTDOOR REBATES Austin is experiencing dryer than usual conditions this winter and warmer temperatures are on the way. But fear not! Austin Water offers a variety of landscape and irrigation-related rebates to help you maintain your landscape while saving precious water. It could save you some money too! From rebates on rainwater harvesting systems, to hose timers, to healthier, happier landscapes that need less water to thrive, Austin Water’s got you covered. We even offer swimming pool rebates that help reduce water loss in the Texas heat! Check out the full list of Austin Water’s rebates and incentives at waterwiseaustin.org Just in time for the spring planting season, here are a few of the rebates we currently offer: The Landscape Survival Tools Rebate encourages customers to improve their landscapes using mulch, compost, and core aeration. Eligible applicants can receive up to $120 for the following upgrades: • $50 for at least 2 cubic yards of compost (perfect for topdressing a yard)

Due to planting seasons, both WaterWise programs have time sensitive pre-approval periods. Customers have until March 31 to submit their applications for the spring season. The Irrigation Upgrade Rebate offers customers up to $1,000 to improve their automatic irrigation system. Rebates for up to seven different irrigation system upgrades include: • Up to $50 for Rain or Soil Moisture Sensor • Up to $150 for an Irrigation System Pressure Regulating Valve • Up to $200 for converting to 6-inch heads ($3 per head) Customers can apply to one or multiple rebates to maximize their water and money savings. Before starting a project or purchasing any equipment, make sure to read through the eligibility requirements and guidelines found on each rebate application. It takes a lot of blue to stay green. Conserving water today means protecting our water supply for generations to come. For more information about Austin Water Conservation’s rebates, tools, and programs, please visit www.waterwiseaustin.org, call (512) 974-2199, or email watercon@austintexas.gov

• $40 for at least 2 cubic yards of mulch • $30 for core aerating service of entire front and/or back lawn For customers looking to transform their landscape, you’ll want to check out Austin Water’s WaterWise rebate programs. The WaterWise Landscape Rebate encourages customers to convert healthy turf grass to native plant beds that require less water. The WaterWise Rainscape Rebate helps customers install landscape features such as raingardens, berms, terraces, and swales to promote better absorption during rain events.

Courtyard Caller - March 2022

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Courtyard Caller - March 2022