Canyon Call
CANY N Volume 1, Issue 8
Call
Official Publication of the Sunset Canyon Land Owner's Association
Christmas Home Tour Features SCLA homes… Our ever alert roving reporter comes up with this real gem for getting into the holiday spirit. The annual Christmas in the Hills Tour of Homes, which benefits the Dripping Springs Community Library, will feature two homes right here in Sunset Canyon. The eclectic assortment of items garnered in her world travels will be the highlight of the tour of Mary Clarkson’s Cottonwood Creek home and bed and breakfast. Flying under the banner of 3 Dawg Nite, Mary has earned a reputation for outstanding Texas warmth and hospitality. The other Sunset Canyon home on the tour is that of Jewell and Ken Orr. The Orrs likewise have assembled a fascinating assortment of memorabilia, focused mainly on Western folk art and collectibles. Also among the featured homes will be that of Carolyn and Scott Burns. Many of you will recognize Scott from his regular financial column in the Austin American Statesman. The word is that Scott and Carolyn moved here to be near their grandchildren. (You might ask Scott if the draw of Texas barbecue may have influenced their decision just a little bit). We are told their tranquil natural setting exudes the laid back charm of Hill Country living at its finest. Tickets are $15. The cost is $12 if ordered by mail by Nov. 26. Mail check to: Friends of the Library, 501 Sportsplex, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. Tickets will be mailed to you on Dec. 1. The tour, which includes six homes, will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Friends of the Library President, Donna Woods, promises a great outing. She says “You won’t want to miss this delightful opportunity to get an insider’s view some unique neighbors, and you will be helping the library in the process.” For more information, Donna can be reached at 512-858-2937 or 512-963-5739. Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
November 2010
GREETINGS
Sunset Canyon Neighbors, The year is winding down and the SCLA BOD meetings continue to rev up. I’ll be the first to admit that I advocate and promote for diversified perspectives. It is not until there is a room full of diversity that an issue has the optimum prospect to be discussed fully with a complete representation of the larger community. It makes for a lively discussion and furthermore, it obligates the representatives to “think out of the box” to creatively work toward an innovative resolution to any and all issues. It certainly adds to the meeting duration but holds the representatives to a higher standard of work on behalf of the community. I cannot thank each of the Board Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairs enough for the arduous work done thus far. It would definitely be much simpler to have others think and agree with my own perspective and fulfill association business at a faster rate and in a thoughtless manner. However, the SCLA BOD and Committee Chairs will continue to ask the difficult questions and consider novel solutions on behalf of a growing and sundry Sunset Canyon Community. (Continued on Page 2)
Sunset Canyon - November 2010
Canyon Call community info Sunset canyon land owner's association
PO Box 588 • Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Voice Mail (leave message) 215-4090 www.SunsetCanyon.org •
[email protected]
Board of directors
To pose issues, questions or concerns to the ENTIRE board, send email to
[email protected] President..................................................Teresa Carbajal-Ravet ..................................................President@SunsetCanyon.org Vice President............................................ Kim Ort, 858-5476 ...........................................................
[email protected] Secretary.............................................. Tammy Reed, 810-3134 ..................................................
[email protected] Treasurer...............................................Ben Fletcher, 894-0452 ...................................................treasurer@SunsetCanyon.org Infrastructure........................................... Gary Hale, 858-5637 ...........................................infrastructure@SunsetCanyon.org Welcome Committee............................. Sandy Hale, 858-5637 ..................................................
[email protected] Database Management..................... Robert George, 858-4210 .............................................membership@SunsetCanyon.org Architectural Control............Matthew Wilcox,(510) 773-2616 ....................................................
[email protected] Propane Chairman........................... Wendy Weekly, 858-1144 Website...............................................Phil Auldridge, 517-0055 ..........................................................web@SunsetCanyon.org Board At Large.........................................................Mark Glass ..................................................
[email protected] Board At Large................................................... Mary Clarkson ..................................................
[email protected] Board At Large.............................................. Michael McGown ..................................................atLargeC@SunsetCanyon.org Board At Large...................................................... Heidi Scholz .................................................
[email protected] Newsletter..................................
[email protected]
To Participate in community dialogue, you may sign up for the Google forum by visiting www.sunsetcanyon.org/google
Emergency & Useful Numbers
Hays Co. Sheriff...................................................512-393-7896 Northern Hays Co. Volunteer Fire Dept..............512-858-5451 Poison Control.....................................................800-222-1222 D.S. City Hall......................................................512-858-4725 D.S. Chamber of Commerce................................512-858-4740 D.S. Community Library.....................................512-858-7825 D.S. Independent School District........................512-858-4904
Newsletter
Editor..............................................
[email protected] Publisher - Peel, Inc..............................................512-263-9181 Advertising...........................................advertising@peelinc.com
Sunset Canyon - November 2010
SCLA 2010 President - (Continued from Cover Page) Consequently, the community survey tallies regarding the future work of the SCLA have been completed and the BOD is processing every piece of information gathered from those submitted. Data could be as simple as the total marks each option received or as intricate as extrapolating the community’s intentions by its participation or non-participation on the survey. The tally results will soon be posted in the Canyon Call newsletter and the SCLA website, along with the goal(s) the BOD will attempt to achieve in response. At the same time the BOD and Committee Chairs are working on two community issues that are in need of a positive closure. The issues of the Sunset Canyon West entrance sign and the commercial backyards facing the residential neighbors on Hidden Hills Drive continue to receive consideration on the agenda and discussion for resolution. Both commercial corner lot owners at North Canyonwood will be approached to facilitate an agreement for an easement to place an entrance sign for our neighbors to the west. And the commercial owners, as well as Hays County, will be approached to facilitate an agreement for some sort of native, foliage fence line between the backyards of the commercial lots and the front yards of Hidden Hills Drive residences. Lastly, as the year comes to a close the SCLA will soon be calling for nominations to the SCLA Board of Directors for an election scheduled for the Annual Meeting in January 2011. Any SCLA member eligible to vote may be elected to the Board of Directors. Respectfully, Teresa Carbajal Ravet SCLA 2010 President
From the Editor…
“Life is never simple.” We have heard this before. This is not news. In politics, that is, where you have elected officials involved in decision making which affects the rest of us, that is particularly true. Sometimes it seems like the debate will go on forever and nothing ever gets resolved. To some, this is a good thing. Their theory of governance is to maintain the status quo at all cost, and a do-nothing result suits them just fine. At the other end of the spectrum are those who seem to relish change simply for the sake of change. In between we would hope to find the majority, those who believe that reasonable discussions by reasonable people will produce reasonable change where there is a demonstrated need. This world view of the political landscape may indeed confirm that life is never simple. It may be that the polarized gridlock we see at both the national and state level is so much a part of our present day political persona that those “reasonable” discussions among “reasonable” people cannot take place. One would hope otherwise. To bring it down to a local level, consider the current state of affairs at the SCLA. The Board initially had discussions about the future direction and organization of the Association. Those discussions were helpful, if for no other reason than to reveal major (Continued on Page 3) Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc
Canyon Call From the Editor- (Continued from Page 2) gaps in the understanding of the powers, duties and role of the Board and the Association. The Board sought approval to obtain an attorney’s opinion to opine on these matters, which it did. This prompted further discussion by the Board and resulted in taking a survey of all Sunset Canyon property owners, which has now been completed. To those who responded, thank you. Meanwhile, discussions continue. To say that this has produced a more focused discussion would be overly generous. Although there have been discussions following the completion of the survey, the Board is still struggling with what action, if any, is indicated. Having observed many of these discussions, I can say with all candor that the Board is fully engaged, wants to do the right thing and produce a positive lasting result. I believe that they are largely made up of those “in the middle.” At the same time, while the ultimate action, if any, which the Board might recommend may appear pretty simple, getting at a resolution will not be a simple task. Whatever the outcome, even if it is just one small step, I urge the membership to support the Board in this effort. While perhaps not the most earth-shaking occurrence on the priority scale, it would nonetheless be salutatory that reasonable people, working together, can and will reach reasonable means for change, if change is indicated. Until next time… John Hoag
First Call For Nominations As the end of the year approaches, it is time to start thinking about who will serve in a leadership role in the Association in the coming year. The Board generally meets once per month and there is an Annual Meeting in January of each year. If you have any interest at all in serving, we urge you to come forward. If you have any questions, any of the existing officers or board members would be pleased to answer them.
Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting to be held January 24, 2011. The nine offices to be filled are as follows:
• • • • •
President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Five Board Members-at-large
Nominations should be in writing and sent to the current Secretary.
Follow up to National Night Out… During October, several families played host to their neighbors and friends in celebration of National Night Out. In addition, most gatherings enjoyed visits by the Sheriff and Fire Departments. Here’s a big “Thank You” to all those that participated and especially those that hosted an event and to our fire and law enforcement people, many of whom took unpaid time to volunteer and be part of this important community activity.
The preferred mode would be via email to
[email protected]
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Sunset Canyon - November 2010
Canyon Call SSudoku udoku
November’s Night Sky…
The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.
Nov. 13, 2010 – Austin Astronomical Society. Star party, open to the public. Check it out at http://www.austinastro.org/upcoming.html Nov. 17, 2010 – The Leonids meteor, peak activity. Active: Nov. 7-28, 2010 Peak Activity Meteor Count: Approximately 15 per hour Time of Optimal Viewing: A half-full moon sets after midnight, allowing for a dark sky. Best viewing time will be just before dawn.
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If there was ever such a thing as a teaching meteor shower, the Leonids would be it, because astronomers have learned more from this shower than from any other meteor shower. What makes them special is their occasional tendency to produce exceptionally large numbers of meteors. The Leonids were officially discovered during 1833. Not long after sunset on the evening of November 12, 1833, people were going about their business along the East Coast of the United States. Some were beginning to notice an unusual number of meteors crossing the sky. The numbers picked up after midnight and then, during the four hours prior to dawn, the skies opened up. Several astronomers estimated that meteors were falling at a rate of about a thousand a minute! Newspapers of the time reveal that almost no one was left unaware of the spectacle, for if they were not awakened by the cries of excited neighbors, they were usually awakened by flashes of light cast into normally dark bedrooms by the fireballs. The anticipated activity for 2010 will be much less than this spectacular shower. November 21 - full moon. Moonlighting tour at Wild Basin November 21, 1010 see http://www.austinastro.org/wbtours.html Austin Astronomical Society - Star party, open to the public November 13, 2010 check it out at http://www.austinastro.org/upcoming.html The Leonids - November 17, 2010 Active: Nov. 7-28, 2010 Peak Activity: Night of Nov. 17-18, 2010 Peak Activity Meteor Count: Approximately 15 per hour Time of Optimal Viewing: A half-full moon sets after midnight, allowing for a dark sky. Best viewing time will be just before dawn.
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Sunset Canyon - November 2010
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Canyon Call Earlier On Election Night…
Earlier, supporters were huddled ‘round TV sets dotted around the hall. Now the hall is empty. Earlier the room was all aglitter with streamers and posters. Now, no one is there to notice the sagging banners or discarded handbills and confetti strewn about the floor.
One piece of crumpled paper should have been of particular interest, but it lay a few feet from the podium, tossed absently aside. No one is there to notice, and most likely no one cares. If you happen to pick that wad off the floor and open it and press out its unruly wrinkles, you would see, in tragic starkness, the words “And so I concede…” “And so I concede…” Personally, you still cannot believe. You cannot believe the voters have chosen another. Something tugs at the corner of your eye. No, you cannot believe.
It is almost morning. Earlier, you offer awkward condolences, one final embrace for what might have been. His wife, his kids there, hurting for him. Suffering the innocent rage of injustice, that people thought him unworthy. Him, the world’s greatest, at least in their world. If only people could have known. Earlier he was bound up in that sense of purpose, a sense of duty, a sense of worlds to be conquered and wrongs set right. Now there is only one wrong, and it can never be set right. Earlier he was the picture of unbridled enthusiasm and confidence. Earlier he knew what to believe… John Hoag
Earlier, one man’s declaration of faith and hope resounded through the hall. Earlier, the faithful cheered lustily as each winning precinct was announced. Later, this is replaced by disbelief. The loyal and not-so-loyal drift aimlessly away. Blurred eyes are cast down…empty, unseeing.
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Sunset Canyon - November 2010
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Sunset Canyon - November 2010
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Canyon Call
Nature Watch
Leafy Treasures
Texas Red Oak in fall
Flame-leaf Sumac in fall Photo by Sally and Andy Wasowski
Eastern Cottonwood in fall Photo by Benny Simpson Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
Fall is the time when the quiet, green palette of summer gives way to the crisp reds, vibrant oranges, and mellow yellows that paint the natural landscape. During the growing seasons of spring and summer, our trees and shrubs use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide from the air into sugar. Called photosynthesis, this process begins to wane in November in Central Texas, and the leaves on some plants begin to change color in preparation for winter’s rest. Pigments are natural substances formed by the cells of leaves which provide the basis for leaf color. Most familiar is chlorophyll, which produces the color green, and is vitally important as it is required for photosynthesis. Carotenoid, which produces the colors yellow, orange, and brown, is a common pigment in many fruits and vegetables, as are anthocyanins, which produce the color red. Both chlorophyll and carotenoid are present at the same time in leaf cells, but the chlorophyll covers the carotenoid and hence the leaves appear green in the spring and summer. Not all trees can make anthocyanins, however, and most are produced under certain conditions and only in the fall. As the days grow shorter, the decreasing amount of sunlight eventually causes trees to stop producing chlorophyll. When this happens, the carotenoid in a leaf can finally show through, turning the leaves into a myriad of yellows, oranges, and browns. Red, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. Affected by temperature and cloud cover, red fall colors can vary greatly from year to year. A lively showing of reds depends upon warm, sunny autumn days and cool, but not cold autumn nights. This type of weather pattern triggers the production of anthocyanins, which the tree produces as a form of protection. Anthocyanins allow trees to recover any sugar or nutrients left in the leaves, moving them through the leaf veins and down into the branches and trunk, and its presence generates the red color before the leaves fall off. Rainfall during the year can also affect fall color, with too much lowering the overall color intensity, and too little delaying the arrival of color. Fall leaf color can easily be used to help identify local tree and shrub species. The most notable reds and oranges in our area are produced by Texas Red Oak and Flame-leaf Sumac. Dotting the hillsides, roadsides, and upper reaches of wooded canyons, they contrast well with the surrounding greens of Ashe Junipers and Live Oaks. Golden yellows are represented by Eastern Cottonwood and Escarpment Black Cherry, whose color transforms the low-lying areas near creeks and streams. While a tree’s trunk and branches can survive the colder winter temperatures, many leaves cannot. Made up of cells filled with water and sap, these tissues are unable to live throughout the winter, and the tree must shed them to ensure its survival. As the days grow shorter, the veins that carry sap to the rest of the tree eventually close. A separation layer forms at the base of each leaf stem, and when complete, the leaf falls. Some oak trees are the exception, with this layer never fully detaching and the dead leaves remain on the tree until new spring growth pushes them off to the ground. Once on the ground, the leaves slowly decompose with the help of earthworms, beneficial bacteria, and fungi, creating the soil necessary for the continuation of the cycle of life. Send your nature-related questions to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer them. If you enjoy reading these articles, look for our book, NatureWatch Austin, to be published by Texas A&M University Press in 2011. SUN - by Jim and Lynne Weber Sunset Canyon - November 2010
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