Bella Vista
BELLA VISTA May 2010
Bulletin
Official Publication of the Bella Vista Homeowners Association
Volume 2, Issue 5
The Easter Egg Hunt
Was A Big Success!
Bella Vista experienced its largest turnout for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 and we want to thank Tara Kendrick and Melodee Sadeghi for a fantastic job.
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Letter from the President Hello Neighbors! I hope you all are enjoying the wonderful spring weather which is the best time of year to spruce up your yard by clearing weeds, trimming shrubs, adding mulch and planting new color. We hope you will join us at the upcoming annual meeting to meet potential new board members, review the 2009 financial summary, review Real Manage service metrics, and discuss upcoming projects and a neighborhood watch program. Please consider running for the Board since we have 4 OPEN POSITIONS: two positions will serve the standard 2-year term and two positions will serve the remaining 1-year term of previous board members that resigned in 2009. Each year after the election, the new board determines which members will serve each role (i.e. President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer and Director). If you are interested in the responsibilities of each role, please review the bylaws which are posted on the Bella Vista website or contact any current Board member. If you are not able to attend the annual meeting, PLEASE complete your proxy and send it with a neighbor or drop it off in a sealed envelope to one of the board members for delivery to the meeting. Sincerely, Veronica Frederick (vfrederick@austin. rr.com)
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2010
Bella Vista Important Contacts President, Veronica
[email protected] Vice President, John Shumaker........
[email protected] Treasurer, Bill
[email protected] Secretary, Shelley Lee............................
[email protected] Director, Brian Lott........................
[email protected]
HOA Management RealManage Resident Services (pool, issues, etc)..........................
[email protected] Association Manager: Kathy Frazier, RealManage, 10800 Pecan Park BLVD, Ste. 100, Austin, TX 78750 When calling 911 for assistance, let the dispatcher know we are served by Cedar Park Fire Station #2 on Cypress Creek.
mission statement
Upcoming Events:
Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 7 to 9 p.m. at Deer Creek Elementary.
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article info The Bella Vista Bulletin newsletter is mailed monthly to all Bella Vista residents. Residents, community groups, churches, etc. are welcome to submit information about their organizations in the newsletter. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, recipes, special celebrations, and birthday announcements are also welcome. If you have an article of interest to the community please submit to
[email protected] by the 8th of the month. The newsletter can also be viewed online at www.PEELinc. com.
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2010
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Bella Vista Board Report As you may know, the pool suffered vandalism several times last year which incurred costs to the HOA for cleaning and repairs; therefore, we would appreciate your assistance in reporting any unauthorized access (climbing over the fence) or destructive activities (throwing furniture or other objects in the water) to the Travis County Sheriff ’s Department or John Shumaker as soon as possible. Also, the pool gate cannot be propped open for ANY reason – this is against HOA pool rules and creates a liability. Don’t forget to submit an Architectural Committee Approval Request Form before beginning any landscaping projects or permanent improvements to your home and the form is located on the Bella Vista website (http://www.bellavista-hoa.com/bellavista/ outside_home.asp). Please let any Board member know if you wish to attend Board meetings which are typically held on the first Wednesday of each month. Sincerely, Bella Vista HOA Board of Directors
Garbage Service Update Thanks to everyone that participated in our informal poll late last year; however the board has decided to postpone a decision on alternative providers for now. Homeowners that do not recycle are charged $17.80 per month and homeowners that recycle are charged $22.05 per month by Clawson. If we contract directly with Central Texas Refuse the charge would be $18.25 per month for a 96 gallon garbage cart and an 18 gallon recycle bin (same as Clawson). However, everyone would pay the same price regardless of your recycle preference. This new pricing means some homeowners will pay $.45 more per month or $5.40 per year and others will save $3.80 per month or save $45.60 per year. Also, we do not have to use the large single stream recycle cart that other Cedar Park residents are required to use. We will provide an updated list of items that can be recycled by both vendors in a future issue. Currently only 123 homes of the total 300 homes are recycling. We can discuss the matter further at the annual meeting if desired.
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Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2010
Bella Vista
Gardening in the Hill Country
Spring is in full swing with bright green mornings full of sunshine and bird song. Area garden centers are bursting with eager gardeners loading carts with compost, flowers and landscape supplies. While riding the energy of the season to beautify your yard, keep in mind a few things that will help the garden flourish through spring and summer. Healthy soil supports a healthy landscape. Dedicate energy every year to improving your soil, and you will be richly rewarded with better blooms, improved water efficiency, and fewer disease problems. Work compost into garden and flower beds, and top-dress established areas and lawns with compost. Compost improves soil quality, and reduces or eliminates the need for fertilizer. Water your garden efficiently and effectively. Although some watering is necessary to sustain gardens in the Hill Country, many people water too much! Over-watering wet or shallow soil results in weakened or diseased plants as well as runoff (water and money down the storm drain). For our thin and clay Hill Country soils, ½ inch, twice per week is the maximum amount you should need to water--even during the heat of summer. During spring and fall, ½ inch once per week is plenty.
Watering between dusk and dawn further increases the effectiveness of the water you use by reducing evaporation and increasing the amount of water that makes it to plant roots. Twice per week summer watering is good for landscapes and also good for water supply. Over 60 percent of residential water is used on landscapes in the summer, resulting in water treatment plants experiencing peak demands. Efficient watering reduces the need to built new water treatment plants. Healthy soil and efficient watering will assure that the vibrant flowers in your shopping cart at the garden center thrive in your yard throughout the growing season. Be sure to consider using native and adapted plants that are drought tolerant. For more information on drought tolerant plants and tips on water conservation, go to the LCRA web site: http://www.lcra.org/water/save/index.html.
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Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2010
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Bella Vista Health Briefs Protect eyes, prevent long-term damage to sight Taking precautionary measures to protect your eyes during the spring and summer can help prevent long-term damage to eyesight, said a Baylor College of Medicine ophthalmologist. “Ultraviolet light has certainly been linked to the development of macular degeneration, cataracts and other vision-loss problems,” said Dr. Elizabeth Baze, assistant professor of ophthalmology at BCM and deputy executive of the Eye Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Baze offered tips you can practice to help protect your eyes from sun damage. - When picking sunglasses, the bigger the better. “The more they wrap around and shield your eyes and the skin around the eyes, the more full protection you have,” she said. - Pick sunglasses that provide 99 to 100 percent UV protection. They do not need to be expensive to offer this. - Use sunblock around the eyes.
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- A broad-brimmed hat can add extra protection. If you already have an existing eye condition like macular degeneration or cataracts, protecting your eyes from the sun should be a top priority on sunshiny days, she said. “Practicing these measures can ensure for healthy fun in the sun,” Baze said. Psoriasis is more than skin deep Psoriasis is more than just a skin disorder that might need treatment, say doctors at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease,” said Dr. Sylvia Hsu, professor of dermatology at BCM. “In about 10 percent of cases the disorder will affect the joints, a condition known as psoriatic arthritis.” Hsu said the first symptom of psoriasis is usually an itchy rash, caused by an overproduction of skin cells. It most commonly affects the scalp, elbows and knees. The rash can heal and come back (Continued on Page 6)
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2010
Bella Vista Health Briefs - (Continued from Page 5) throughout a person’s life. Joint problems usually don’t appear at the same time as skin problems, and in most cases they aren’t severe, Hsu said. Many people may find they are stiff in the morning or become achy as the day goes on. Treatment for the two symptoms can be given separately by a dermatologist or a rheumatologist. A form of treatment known as biologic therapy can be used to treat both. It can be given through injection and works by targeting the specific immune pathways that cause inflammation on the skin and in the joints. “There is no cure for psoriasis but as doctors begin to better understand the cause of the disorder, therapies are becoming more effective and longer lasting,” said Hsu. Sling device helps prostate cancer patients manage incontinence Men who have undergone prostate cancer surgery have a new option for managing incontinence - a common side effect and significant quality-of-life issue some men face after surgery, said a urologist from Baylor College of Medicine. “Many men may become distressed and embarrassed when dealing with incontinence, or the loss of their bladder control, said Dr. Mohit Khera, an assistant professor in the Scott Department of
Urology at BCM. A new sling device can help men manage their bladder function and control after surgery. In prostate cancer surgery patients, the urethral muscles are weakened by the removal of the prostate gland and subsequent injury to the surrounding urethral muscle. To fit patients with the sling, doctors make a small incision under the scrotum. “The sling serves as a hammock for the urethra,” said Khera. “It is made of polypropylene mesh and does not require any additional hardware or artificial materials. It’s very natural.” Patients go home the day of surgery. They will have a catheter for one to two days and should be back to full activity in four weeks, Khera said. Alternate treatments are more invasive and may be less tolerable to some patients, Khera said. “We are making significant advances in improvement of quality of life following prostate cancer surgery,” said Khera. Traditional colonoscopy recommended over virtual method The option for a “virtual” colonoscopy is now available but doctors at Baylor College of Medicine recommend sticking to traditional methods when screening for colon cancer. (Continued on Page 7)
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Bella Vista Health Briefs - (Continued from Page 6) A virtual colonoscopy is a CT scan image of the colon and does not require the use of an endoscope - a thin, flexible device that is inserted into the colon. “While a virtual colonoscopy may sound less invasive than traditional methods, it isn’t always as accurate,” said Dr. Waqar Qureshi, associate professor of medicine and chief of endoscopy at BCM. “A scan is more likely to miss small precancerous growths, and catching those polyps early is the key to preventing progression to colon cancer.” Studies have shown that polyps smaller than 6 mm are frequently missed by CT scanning, Qureshi said. For someone who is at high risk for colon cancer, missing a polyp can be deadly. Almost all instances of colon cancer begin as polyps, which are easily detected and removed during a colonoscopy. Many times a virtual colonoscopy must be followed by the traditional method, he added, and both procedures require the same preparation, which includes laxatives, diet restrictions and in some cases certain medications must be stopped. Colon cancer screening should take place every 10 years starting at age 50. If colon cancer runs in a family, testing should begin earlier and be performed more often.
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For more information, check out our website at
www.colinshope.org Increasing water safety awareness and standards FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DROWNING DROWNING CAN STILL OCCUR EVEN IF YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children ages 1-4
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NO ONE is “drown proof” – no matter their level of swimming ability.
Falls, entrapments, and injuries lead to drowning regardless of swimming level.
A majority of people overestimate their own and their child’s ability to swim, especially in a panic event.
DROWNING WILL AFFECT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW
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Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death ages 1-14.
DROWNING IS QUICK AND SILENT 2min
Drowning occurs in as little as 2 minutes.
4min
Irreversible brain damage occurs in as little as 4 minutes.
5min
Most children are out of sight or missing for less than 5 minutes and usually in the presence of 1 or both parents.
6min
Most children die who are submerged for as little as 6-10
Children who drown do not scream, splash, or struggle. They silently slip beneath the water, even with adults & lifeguards present.
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - May 2010
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