Bella Vista
BELLA VISTA March 2010
Bulletin
Official Publication of the Bella Vista Homeowners Association
Volume 2, Issue 3
Coyotes
Many of us grew up watching Warner Brothers’ cartoons where the dull-witted Wilie Coyote was constantly outsmarted by the Road Runner. In reality, this could not be farther from the truth for the coyote is one of nature's most cunning and clever predators. In the tales and traditions of Native Americans, the coyote is usually portrayed as a very savvy and clever beast - often referred to as "The Trickster.” Modern coyotes have displayed their cleverness by adapting to the changing American landscape. Much of their adaptabilty can be attributed to the fact that they are both hunters and scavengers and will eat almost anything. They eat any small animal they can capture, including mice, rats, gophers, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, lizards, frogs, fish, birds, and small deer. They also happily dine on insects, fruits & berries, grasses, carrion, garbage, garden crops, poultry and pets (mostly cats). Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, many ranchers and farmers regard them as destructive pests. Coyotes occasionally kill domestic dogs (and foxes) that they consider territorial intruders. They are very protective of their young and will attack dogs that get too close to their dens and pups. Coyotes can vary in size, but the city-dwelling versions of these canines are still going to be larger than foxes, says urban wildlife biologist, Kelly Bender, of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. You might have seen a gray fox, as they do live in the Austin area. Though it can often be difficult to judge the size of an animal, Bender says, a coyote is generally going to weigh about 35 to 45 pounds, roughly the size of a border collie. A gray fox, on the other hand, is going to be much smaller, with shorter legs and a sleek, almost Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
catlike appearance. They also have shorter muzzles than coyotes as well as reddish areas on their front legs, neck and head. Coyotes are can run up to 40 mph and have a remarkable sense of smell, keen vision and hearing. Sightings of coyotes are most likely just after dinner and before dawn as most hunting activity takes place at night. They do not hunt alone, but are usually in groups of two or three. Undisturbed and hungry coyotes, however, will hunt or scavange during daylight hours. Although extremely shy and wary of human contact, when people provide food, coyotes lose their natural fear of humans and can become increasingly aggressive. In this way, they also become dependent on the easy food source people provide. Humans increase the likelihood of contact and conflicts with coyotes by deliberately feeding them or inadvertently feeding them by providing access to food sources such as garbage or pet food. Once a coyote stops hunting on its own and loses fear of people, it becomes dangerous and may attack without warning. As humans share more and more space with coyotes, this has become more of a problem in some urban areas. Wildlife authorities say that minimizing contacts with coyotes (and other types of wildlife) is the best way to prevent such occurences. Below are some of their suggestions: • Do not leave small children unattended where coyotes are frequently seen or heard. If there are coyote sightings in your area, prepare yourself and your children for such a possible encounter. Explain to them: DO NOT RUN and BE AS BIG, (Continued on Page 2) Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 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 Peel, Inc. Community Newsletters Our goal is to provide the Bella Vista community with one source of local news content that is provided by Bella Vista residents. Our goal is to help build Bella Vista by connecting local businesses with residents and residents with relevant neighborhood information.
Coyotes - (Continued from Cover page) MEAN, AND LOUD AS POSSIBLE. By shouting a phrase such as “go away coyote,” they also inform any nearby adults of the coyote’s presence better than a general scream. If you are with your children when approached, pick up the child, if possible, and act aggressively. Wave your arms, throw stones, and shout at them. Try to appear larger; e.g., if you are sitting down – stand up. If you are already standing – step up on a rock or bench. You want to convince the coyote that you are not prey, but are a potential danger to it. If encounters occur regularly, keep noisemakers and other scare devices nearby. Vinegar water in a squirt gun, pepper spray, or a paintball gun are powerful deterrents at close distance. • Never feed coyotes and do not give them access to garbage. • Prevent access to fruit and compost. Keep compost piles securely covered and cover new compost material with soil or lime to prevent it from smelling. Never include animal matter in your compost. If burying food scraps, cover them with at least 12 inches of soil. Clean and put away any stinky tools used to turn the compost such as your shovel. • Feed dogs and cats indoors. If you must feed them outside, do so in the morning or at midday and pick up food, water bowls, (Continued on Page 3)
Dr. Cold Inc. Home & Commercial Services Heating - Cooling - Plumbing
dba Austin Refrigeration Solutions
"Be the Community."
Newsletter info Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc......................................................... 512-263-9181
[email protected], 512-263-9181
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 - March 2010
Call “Dr. Cold”
Your Neighborhood Specialist!
We Make House Calls! Plumbing • A/C • Heating Wine Cellars Free Service Call P/M Contracts Flat Rate Pricing Spring A/C Check-Ups
We are prou owned a dly nd operate by Ceda d r Park Residen ts!
512-695-4323
Check out our website: austinrs.com TACLA021657C • M-17796 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
Bella Vista Coyotes - (Continued from Page 2) leftovers, and spilled food well before dark every day. Do not feed feral cats. Coyotes prey on these cats as well as any feed you leave out for them. Prevent the build-up of feeder foods under bird feeders. Coyotes will eat birdfeed and are attracted to the many birds and rodents that come to the feeders. • Keep dogs and cats indoors, especially from dusk to dawn. If left outside, cats and small to mid-sized dogs may be killed by coyotes. If you lose a pet, let your neighbors know. Once a Ingredients coyote finds easy prey, it will return to hunt in that area. • 1 package frozen broccoli • 1 cup cooked rice In 2005, the City of Austin started a management program to help • ½ cup chopped celery • ½ cup chopped onion deal with coyote problems. If coyotes are sighted in a residential area, • 1 small jar Cheese Whiz • 1 can cream of chicken soup they urge residents to follow the precautions noted above. For a link • 1 can cream of mushroom soup to more information, visit www.statesman.com/lifeguide. To file a Directions report, call Animal Damage Control at 854-9613 or #311. Place rice in greased casserole dish. Notes regarding coyote tracks: Coyote tracks are difference from Saute onions and celery. Cook broccoli until crispy tender. domestic dogs in several ways: A coyote’s rear paw tracks are smaller Combine vegetables, soups, and cheese. Pour over rice. Bake than its front. Dogs typically have symmetrical paw prints. On a at 375° until bubbly. trail, the front and rear paw tracks are quite close or even overlaid, If you would like to submit YOUR recipe giving the appearance of a two legged animal. The prints are eleven email it to
[email protected]. to sixteen inches apart, depending on the size of the animal and speed of travel. Prmrs_59178_7.5 x 5 - Ad #126 - THIS AD CAN NOT BE EDITED
Recipe of the Month
•
Broccoli Casserole
Accreditation you can tr ust. itation
Educational accred
ed Proprietary Balanc
m Learning curriculu ®
d in ograms develope Curriculum and pr experts consultation with
Primrose School of Cedar Park West 2021 Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613
512.250.2400
www.primrosecedarparkwest.com
Each Primrose School is privately owned and operated. Primrose Schools, Balanced Learning, and The Leader in Educational Child Care are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2010 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
B3UPUVB/RFDO$GB,'BLQGG
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2010
30
Bella Vista
The Bella Vista Stork Report Congratulations! Let us help celebrate... email info on the arrival of your little one to
[email protected].
Nominate Your Favorite Yard for
Yard Of The Month
Do you know a neighbor who takes excellent care of their property or a neighbor who has added something new to their yard? Nominate them by emailing the address to vfrederick@austin. rr.com. Please include a photo if possible.
Congrats Neighbor!
CUSTOM HOME & FURNITURE DESIGN, INC. RICK INGRAM TRCC 23724
Mob: 806-773-3396 Home: 806-385-5531
[email protected]
C. IN E, 9 33 OM 79 L H 25 XAS RA E 19D, TE NE EA SINCFIEL FU IELD AR TTLE
• EF TL ST. E LIT H 5T TH G ST IN RV 3 EA SE 0•
X 91
P.O
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2010
. BO
50
LI
PAY AND SAVE , INC. 1804 HALL AVEN UE LITTL EFIEL D, TX 79339
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
Bella Vista Nature Watch
Spiny Splendor
Often described as unusual and unique, cacti are a family of plants native only to the Americas, and due to its wide Texas Prickly Pear (Photo: variety of habitats, Texas has the Melody Lytle) most diverse cactus population of any state. In the hill country, cacti are abundant and some species are among the early bloomers that characterize the arrival of spring. While all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. Anatomically speaking, cacti consist of tubercles, areoles, leaves, spines, glochids, and flowers. Tubercles refer to enlarged, nippleshaped structures on the surface of the cactus. When running in vertical lines or aligned spirally along a stem, tubercles form ribs which can aid in species identification and add strength and stability to the body of the cactus. Each tubercle bears an areole, which is a highly specialized structure that can give rise to leaves, spines, flowers, fruits, or other stems. While cacti do not appear
JOH5JNF %BZMJHIU4BW I #FHJOT.BSD PVS SXBSEPOFI P G H O SJ Q 4
to have typical flat, green leaves, most have tiny ones, which reduce the surface area through which cacti lose water. Lace Cactus (Photo : Spines are modified leaves and Melody Lytle) can vary in number, arrangement, size, and shape. Prickly pears, or Opuntia, are the only family of cacti that have glochids, much shorter and thinner spines that dislodge easily and are difficult to remove from the skin. Perhaps the most stunning feature of cacti is the strikingly beautiful flowers they produce. In proportion to the plant, the flower is generally quite large and can appear in every color except blue. Unlike other flowers, cactus flowers are ‘inside out’, hollow tubes where the ovary is located beneath all other parts of the flower. Maturing from this floral ovary is the cactus fruit, which contains the seeds. These fruits are eaten by several species of (Continued on Page 6)
XXXHICDPSH
4VOEBZ.PSOJOH4DIFEVMF 5SBEJUJPOBM8PSTIJQ]$POUFNQPSBSZ8PSTIJQ]#JCMF-JGF(SPVQT BMMBHFT
(SFBU)JMMT#BQUJTU$IVSDI]XXXHICDPSH]+PMMZWJMMF3PBE"VTUJO 5FYBT] Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2010
Bella Vista Nature Watch - (Continued from Page 5) animals and birds, thereby ensuring distribution the seeds and propagation of the species. By far the most common cactus in central Texas is the Texas prickly Tasajillo (Photo: pear (Opuntia engelmannii var. Robert C. Duncan) lindheimeri). A relatively large, sprawling plant, this cactus has green to blue-green pads, mostly yellow spines, and almost circular areoles. Brilliant yellow blooms appear in March through June, opening in the morning and afternoon, and sometimes closing at night. There are several species of prickly pear in Texas, and collectively they are the state plant of Texas. Also called Christmas cholla and pencil cactus, Tasajillo (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) is a low shrub with pencil-sized branched stems. Its spines are gray tipped with yellow, growing out of broadly elliptical areoles. Small, pale green to yellowish-green blooms appear in March and continue through August, opening in late afternoon and closing at night.
Avery Ranch Barton Creek Barton Hills Bella Vista Belterra Canyon Creek Cherry Creek on Brodie Lane Circle C Ranch Courtyard Davenport Ranch Forest Creek Granada Hills Hidden Glen Highland Park West Balcones Highpointe Jester Estates Lakeline Ranch Lake Pointe Lakeway Lakewood Laurel Oaks NA
With all but one protruding central spine forming a star at the areole, the Grooved nipple cactus (Coryphantha sulcata) is also known as the finger cactus and the pineapple cactus. Often seen in growing in clumps, its gray spines contrast with its green globular shape, and it blooms at the apex with a golden yellow flower and bright red center from April through May. Identified by radial spines in longitudinal rows along its columnar body, the Lace cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) is prolific and probably one of the best known cacti in our area. Elliptical to linear areoles at the base of the spines are close enough together to cause the spines to overlap and mimic fine lace. Its bright pink to magenta flowers appears in April and June, but only last for a day. While they can vary greatly in size and general appearance, cacti have played an important role in ancient civilizations. Tenochtitlan, the earlier name of Mexico City, means ‘place of the sacred cactus.’ Images of this family of Grooved Nipple Cactus plants occur in many forms (Photo : Melody Lytle)
Legend Oaks II Long Canyon Lost Creek Mayfield Ranch Meadows of Brushy Creek Pemberton Heights Ranch at Brushy Creek River Place Sendera Shady Hollow Sonoma Steiner Ranch Stone Canyon Travis Country West Twin Creeks Villages of Westen Oaks Vista Oaks Westcreek Westminster Glen Wood Glen
512-263-9181
[email protected]
www.PEELinc.com
Publishing Community Newsletters Since 1991
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2010
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
Bella Vista At no time will any source be allowed to use The Bella Vista Bulletin 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 Bella Vista Bulletin 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.
JOIN US FOR SOME GOLF AND A GREAT CAUSE! DATE - Wednesday, May 19th LOCATION - Flintrock Falls Golf Course COST - $165 per golfer Honorary Chairs this year will be Garrett Weber-Gale, two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer and Ian Crocker, three-time Olympic gold medal swimmer and former world-record holder in the 100m butterfly! Special Guest Emcee will be Bob Fonseca of the 93.7 KLBJ Dudley and Bob Morning Show To register online, please visit www.colinshope.org
WWW.COLINSHOPE.ORG Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2010
Peel, Inc. Bella Vista
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
311 Ranch Road 620 S. Ste 200 Lakeway, TX 78734-4775 www.PEELinc.com
PAID
PEEL, INC.
BEL
Advertise
Here CAll
512.263.9181
for more info
m o c.c
n i l e e p
. w ww
Bella Vista Homeowner's Association Newsletter - March 2010
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
