Legendary Times
February 2009
Legendary Times
Volume 2, Issue 2
Official Newsletter of the Legend Oaks II Homeowners Association
News From OHAN by Jim Turney
This is to introduce a new feature to the Legendary Times. You may remember me as the former newsletter editor, or as the man behind the development of Convict Hill Quarry Park. I have also been the LOHA2 voting representative to OHAN (Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods). OHAN is a major voice for Oak Hill, and every meeting addresses several issues affecting our community, and often votes for or against these issues. Over 20 HOAs are members, representing about 80% of Oak Hill. Meetings are the second Wednesday evening every month. All residents are welcome to attend, but each HOA has one official member. Meetings are usually chronicled in the Gazette. I will review items of particular neighborhood interest. The December meeting was our Christmas and awards party. It was very well attended, with snacks and drinks for all. A major award was “Citizen of the Year” to our good friend Constable Richard McCain. I got this one last year (he said proudly). The new president is Sandy Baldridge, who is also president of OHBPA (Oak Hill Business and Professional Association). One very busy lady! Former president Dwain Rogers has retired in the face of a pressing workload in his new position as Deputy Commissioner, Renewable Energy at the Texas Land Office. Also one busy man! I will report on the January 14th meeting in the next issue.
Community News
Landscaping Update from Craig Powell, Landscape Committee Chair By the time this edition goes to press, our new landscape maintenance contract is expected to be under way. Other volunteers, including Vanesssa Gallagher, have accepted new responsibilities to assist Craig with the myriad of jobs and responsibilities involved in this process. One of the first steps is new mulching along Escarpment, which should be in place now. Annual HOA Meeting: This edition of the newsletter went to press before the meeting on January 29th. Look for the recap of the meeting in the March Edition of the Legendary Times. Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
Movie Review: Australia By Janet Rourke
Run time: 2 hours 45 minutes Epic love story, western, war story – all could be used to describe Australia, a bigger than life movie by director Baz Luhrmann. Starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, the movie is a definite must-see if you are a history fan or if you just like good love stories. On the brink of WWII, English aristocrat Kidman travels to Australia to bring home her husband. She finds he has just been murdered when she arrives. After burying him, she joins forces with Jackman to drive her cattle to Darwin to save the ranch. It is a very long movie and not really appropriate for young children. There are several discrete sex scenes, an amazing and terrifying cattle stampede, and a brutal bombing by the Japanese. Multiple people are killed during the movie. Australia is a lovely epic movie on the par with Gone with the Wind. Critics have reviewed it much more harshly than individuals. Personally, I would give it an A-. While not the best movie I have ever seen, it is certainly up there among the top 20 or so. I expect it to be nominated for several Academy Awards this year.
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legendary Times Association Contact Info HOA Directors
Mary Mendoza.......................................................ph. 301-0155 . ...........................................
[email protected] Philip Mahon..........................................................ph. 301-1670 . ..............................................................mooney3106@aol.com Pat Poole................................................................ph. 301-4208 . .............................................................
[email protected]
Landscape & Maintenance Committee
Chair/Landscape: Craig Powell.............................ph. 288-8854 . ..........................................
[email protected] Chair/Maintenace: Loyd Wiley........................via Yahoo Group Members: Shari & Cliff Vars, Vanessa Gallagher, Richard Huffman
Newsletter Committee
Maura Thomas.......................................................ph. 693-8530 . .....................................................
[email protected]
HOA Representatives
Chuck Vaughan – Association Manager........ ph. 866-473-2573 . ..........................................................service@realmanage.com Sherry Lindsey – Assist. Assoc. Manager...... ph. 866-473-2573 . ..........................................................service@realmanage.com
Pool Committe
CoChairs: Amanda Hyde....................................................
[email protected] Lisa Clemons..................................eric.clemons@sbcglobal.net Members: Frank Crell, Melissa Williams, Nikki Tate, Shawn Thomas
Recreation Committee
CoChairs: Amanda
[email protected] Lisa Clemons..................................eric.clemons@sbcglobal.net Members: Amy Tillman, Stephenie Rockwell, Nikki Tate, Shari Vars, Vanessa Gallagher
New Webmaster
Larry Juergens...................................larry.juergens@gmail.com
LO Yahoo Group
http://groups. yahoo.com/group/legendoaksneighbors
APD Neighborhood Representatives Officer Zach Lahood (covers north of Convict Hill toward William Cannon) Desk 512.974.4415 / email:
[email protected] Officer Josh Visi (covers south of Convict Hill toward Slaughter) Desk 512.974.4260 / email:
[email protected]
Newsletter Information Editor Maura Thomas......................................................... 693-8530 ...........................................................
[email protected] Publisher Peel, Inc.......................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Advertising.........
[email protected], 512-263-9181 Legendary Times - February 2009
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Legendary Times News From Quarry Park by Jim Turney
We used to report frequently about developments in the park. After the extra effort to get ready for the dedication, we slowed down somewhat. We still have monthly work days, with lots of cleanup and maintenance to do, and also some large projects were completed. Note the stone wall on the northeast corner, and all the ‘dillo dirt and new plantings along the fence. There was an Eagle Scout project that erected a waterfall runoff and water collection pond in the western trail beside the water collection pond near the condos. And most recently a chimney swift tower was erected in the center of the park. When finished there will be kiosk panels all around to display materials about the history, development, trails, and park activities. We have paint and will apply it to the tower when we have a better weather work day. We still have more improvements planned, and welcome any contributions. Take a flyer from the box near the entrance for more details. Watch for monthly work days and join the fun, enjoy our gem. I live across the street and definitely see an increase in number of visitors. It is a vital part of LOHA2!
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.
At no time will any source be allowed to use the Legendary Times 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 the Legend Oaks II Homeowner's Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Legend Oaks II Homeowner's Association residents only.
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Legendary Times - February 2009
legendary Times
Legend Oaks Resident Installs Solar Power
One of our neighbors, Michael Lencioni, agreed to an interview for the Legendary Times regarding his recent decision to pursue solar energy for his home and his experience getting the panels installed.
ML: There are a number of companies that work with Austin Energy.
LT: In case our residents want to take a look at your panels, where
LT: How much of your annual energy consumption comes from
in Legend Oaks to you live? ML: Clara Marie Cove. Just look at the roofs as you drive down the street.
LT: Why did you decide to install solar panels? ML: Given the rebates that Austin Energy provides, the tax credits
and the reduced environmental impact, I felt that installing solar panels at this time was about as cost effective as it was going to get in the near term. The payback time is still long (I estimate about 8 years until I recoup the costs for installing them), but having green energy production has been something I have always wanted to do.
LT: Did you buy or rent the panels, and how did you decide? ML: You have to purchase the solar panels, there currently aren’t any options for renting them.
LT: What company did you choose to work with, and what other options did you have?
Your home is probably the most expensive asset you’ll ever own . . . Trust it to your Legend Oaks expert
Leslie Kasen JBGoodwin, Realtors® 512 769-8849 Direct 512 502-7646 Office www.LeslieKasen.com
[email protected]
The one I decided on was Texas Solar Power based on the design they proposed, the cost, and their responsiveness. your solar panels? ML: I estimate about 50% of my total electric usage will be supplied by the solar panels. Since you get more energy in the summer, it helps to compensate for the increased energy usage. This helps optimize my bills as the first 500 kwh in Austin are cheaper then the rest of the energy you purchase.
LT: How much did this reduce your energy bills, and are you currently selling any power back to the grid? ML: The meter install should happen early 2009 (until then it is just installed physically but not activated). I don’t estimate I will sell any back, it will just reduce my bill by about 50% usage every month (maybe a 60% or so reduction in $ terms)
LT: Did your house have to be checked to see if it was a good option
for you to have panels? ML: Yes, it’s a fairly involved (but easy) process. You have to have (Continued on Page 5)
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Legendary Times - February 2009
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Legendary Times Legend Oaks Resident - (Continued from Page 4) Austin Energy come out and inspect the site and approve you. This is to make sure you have enough sun, enough space on your roof and some other criteria. Then you have to get estimates on the system from contractors, decide on a design and get HOA approval. After all that you just have them come out and install. The rebate from Austin Energy is paid directly to the contractor, so you just have to deal with the rest! Overall Austin Energy pays for about 65% of the total cost, plus you get a tax credit from the federal government, so it greatly reduces your expense.
LT: Would you be comfortable sharing the cost with us? ML: It was very easy to get the rebates from Austin Energy, and the
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tax credits are just on an extra form you file with your taxes.
LT: Is there anything else you would like to add about your
experience with solar panels? ML: Overall so far it was worth it, even though it did take a while. Our HOA now has more experience with dealing with these requests so it should go more smoothly for others in the future. The prices different companies charge can vary a fair amount, so anyone considering this should get multiple estimates and compare everything.
LT: Thanks for sharing your experience, Michael, and for pioneering the process in Legend Oaks!
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Legendary Times - February 2009
legendary Times Tips from a Neighbor Surely there is some worthy organization or support, or a website you visit regularly? Share it with you neighbors! Please send an email with a website you love or an organization you support to
[email protected] with “Neighbor Tip” in the subject. EVERNOTE - WWW.EVERNOTE.COM This is a desktop (PC & MAC), Smartphone, and web application that makes it easy for you to capture information you would like to remember. Take text notes, picture notes, or recorded voice notes, and sync them with the internet, your smartphone, and your computer so that you have access to them whenever you have an internet connection. They can be tagged and searched easily (even text contained in a picture) so they can be easily found, even if you have many notes. Basic subscription is free, but there are also paid versions that allow for more storage space. Check out the 3-minute movie tutorial at www.evernote.com. AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY – WWW.AUSTINHUMANESOCIETY.ORG The city’s largest no kill, non-profit animal adoption shelter
dedicated to saving Austin’s homeless cats and dogs by educating our community about responsible pet ownership and reducing pet overpopulation. For numerous reasons, owners relinquish their pets to the Humane Society. They take in approximately 2,700 unwanted dogs and cats per year. Animals are evaluated for their health and temperament, and if adoptable, they are accepted and placed in the Pet Adoption Center. The AHS also operates the feral cat spay/neuter program. This community program embraces the Trap/Neuter-Return (T/N/R) method of feral cat population control. T/N/R works! It is humane, non lethal, more effective than trap and kill, and is more reflective of a caring society. AHS provides a public spay/neuter program for Travis, Williamson, Bastrop and surrounding counties. If you have or know of a feral cat colony that needs their attention, please contact Leticia Stivers at 512-646-7387 Ext. 101 or email at
[email protected]
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Legendary Times - February 2009
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Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
Legendary Times Learn What’s Going on in Your Community: Join the Legend Oaks Yahoo Group! Some topics discussed by your neighbors on the LO Yahoo Group recently: House Break-In Neighborhood Security Options Items for Sale Car Break-Ins Holiday Party 2 Dogs Roaming Missing Trash Cans New School Boundaries Discounted Event Tickets
Learn more at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/legendoaksneighbors/
Want to be a part of the discussion? Sign up today! Please include your name and address in your request. This group is a great way to communicate with your neighbors about local happenings, lost & found items, yard sales, suspicious activity, discuss administrative issues and things to buy, sell, share, and trade. However, if you have a complaint or a suggestion for the board or management, the Yahoo Group will not substitute for official notification. You can use the group to gauge interest and garner support for your suggestion, but formal notification will still have to be made to the board and/or to RealManage.
Subscribe today:
legendoaksneighbors-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com Group owner:
[email protected]
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Legendary Times - February 2009
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