Harris Branch
The Official Publication of the Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Volume 1, Number 8
HB Board Update for August Newsletter
by Jeremiah Bentley It has been a busy summer for the Board of Directors, as we continue to work to make the transition to a resident-run association as smooth as possible. A resident meeting was held on June 12 at Bluebonnet Trail Elementary. At the meeting, we provided an update on the association and pool management contracts. I’d like to thank everyone that attended the meeting and persevered through the brief blackout. I’d also like to thank representatives from the YMCA (our pool managers) and RealManage (our association management company) for their presentations. If you have questions or concerns, such as a violation report or an architectural request that you want to make, you can contact RealManage by filling out a customer service request form at www. RealManage.com or by calling their customer service line at 2191927. One of the big issues in the neighborhood over the last couple months has been the landscaping. I’m happy to inform you that we have entered into an agreement with Greater Texas Landscaping. Greater Texas will be providing full-service landscaping for the common areas every other week. In case you haven’t been up to the rec center recently because of the heat, the A/C unit has been completely replaced. I’d encourage everyone to use the rec center and pool as much as possible, and also take advantage of the other unique amenities that we have in Harris Branch, like the walking paths and the lakes. Hopefully everyone is having a safe and happy summer. The school year will be upon us before we know it. With that in mind, please remember to observe posted speed limits and warning signs in our school zones. This transition has been an interesting time for all of us. I’d like to personally thank those residents that have helped out by mowing common areas, picking up trash, and other activities as we assume control of the association. Remember that one thing we can all do is be good neighbors to each other. The easiest and most effective solution for many of our problems is to get to know our neighbors and take up any concerns we may have with them before getting others involved. Finally, I’d like to welcome residents that have moved into Edinburgh Gardens over the last few months. Welcome to Harris Branch. Hopefully you’ll like living here as much as the rest of us do. That’s all for now. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Copyright © 2006 Peel, Inc.
Pool Rules
August 2006
Recent incidents at the pool necessitate a reminder of the pool rules. Please use the pool responsibly and remind any teenage children attending without parental supervision of the following: Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising their children. Lifeguards are on duty to enforce rules and respond in case of emergency. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. NO: Running, smoking, rough play in or out of the water, hanging on lane lines, glass containers, alcoholic beverages, two speaker radios, bikes or dogs. All children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper along with their bathing suit when entering the water. A plastic or rubber diaper cover is highly recommended in addition to a swim diaper and bathing suit. The stairs and ladders are for entering and exiting. Do not congregate on stairs. Food and drinks are allowed in designated areas only. Do not leave valuables unattended. We do not take responsibility for loss or theft. As a precautionary measure, the pool will close indefinitely when lightening or thunder is present and will remain closed 15 minutes past the last sighting of lightening or sound of thunder. A 10-minute safety check will be conducted each hour. All patrons (except lap swimmers) will be asked to exit the pool at this time. All children under the age of 12 will be swim tested prior to entering any pool with water depths over 4’. Children that do not pass the swim test will not be allowed in the water over 4’ without an adult within arm’s reach (with or without a PFD on). LIFEGUARD IS POOL AUTHORITY AND WILL ENFORCE ALL RULES.
View the Harris Branch Newsletter each month on-line at www.PEELinc.com
Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
Harris Branch
HBRPOA Board of Directors
President Jeremiah
[email protected] 12100 Kilmartin Ln................................................... 272-4038 First Vice President Nellie
[email protected] 6303 Gidleigh Ct....................................................... 272-9468 Second Vice President Del Rogers......................................................
[email protected] 5901 Speyside Dr...................................................... 567-5016 Secretary Shelley Dent...................................
[email protected] 6004 Speyside Dr...................................................... 791-0343 Treasurer Joel Hotchkiss .
[email protected] 12012 Kilmartin Ln....................................................278-1110 At no time will any source be allowed to use the Harris Branch 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 Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Harris Branch residents only. 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.
Vandalism
In late June, the pool and recreation center suffered significant damage at the hands of vandals. The Coke machine was demolished (and will not be replaced). The window to the lifeguard room was broken and items were stolen. Please let this unfortunate incident serve as a reminder that we all need to keep a watchful eye on both our own neighborhoods and the shared community property. If you see any suspicious activity, please call the police.
Yahoo Groups
An online forum is available to residents as a tool for sharing and receiving information pertinent to the neighborhood. Members of the forum receive meeting announcements and special notices about issues affecting the Harris Branch Residential Property Owner’s Association. To sign up for the group, go to groups.yahoo.com and type “Harris Branch” (use the quotation marks) into the Find a Group box. Click on the group name on the next screen, and then click “Join This Group.” You will need to be signed into Yahoo! in order to sign up for the group. A Yahoo! ID is free.
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Homeowner Association Dues
As a reminder, 2006 Homeowners Association Dues in the amount of $347.83 were due January 31, 2006. Homeowners delinquent in their payments will be assessed a $15.00 late fee each month for payments received after January 31, 2006. Please bring your account current by submitting payment to the following address: Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association P. O. Box 845364 Dallas, TX 75284-5364
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Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
203 W. Main Street, Ste. D Pflugerville, Texas 78660 Copyright © 2006 Peel, Inc.
Harris Branch The following scenarios should also be treated as potential rabies exposure: • Child touches a live or dead bat. It’s bat season in Austin, and the • Adult touches a bat without seeing the part of the body they bug-eating night fliers will be with touched. us until the fall. Bats are important animals • Bat flies into a person and touches bare skin. because they help to control insect pests. Like other • Person steps on a bat with bare feet. animals, some bats contract rabies so you should never touch them. • Person awakens to find a bat in the same room. It is especially important to educate children not to touch bats. Also, • Bat is found near an infant or toddler. because pets sometimes have contact with wild animals, they should • Person puts their hand in firewood, brush, a crevice or a dark be vaccinated against rabies as required by law. Talk with your space (i.e. a closet), experiences pain, then sees a bat. veterinarian about the appropriate vaccination schedule for your pet. In such cases, you should Contact Austin/Travis County Animal If you find an injured, sick or dead bat, do not touch it. If it is in a Control immediately to have the bat captured and submitted for building where a person or pet could come into contact with it, call rabies testing. Also contact your personal physician or local health 3-1-1 to reach Animal Protection & Control. Department about the incident. By following these simple rules, To prevent it from escaping, cover it with a coffee can or similar we can live safely with Austin’s bug-eating friends. For more container. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information about bats and rabies, visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/ (CDC) recommends that if a bat is found in, or could have been in a http://www.batcon.org idcu/health/zoonosis/default.asp or room with an unattended child, a person who is intoxicated, sleeping, or mentally impaired in any way, the bat should be submitted to the Many thanks to Barbara French at the Bat Conservation International for assistance with this article. health department for rabies testing.
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www.PEELinc.com Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
Harris Branch Bus Service
Del Rogers recently petitioned Capital Metro for expanded bus service for the Harris Branch area. Interested parties are encouraged to submit similar petitions to raise awareness of this need. A sample letter and petition is printed below for your convenience. Date Mr. Rob Smith, Director Planning and Development Capital Metro 2910 E. 5th St. Austin, TX 78702 Dear Mr. Smith: Due to the current and expected growth of East and Northeast Austin, the residents need additional service to their areas, especially those in the Harris Branch and Manor subdivisions. Access to Austin is extremely limited except by auto, and we all know the congestion and pollution problems caused by this population explosion. The Board of the Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association urges your consideration of expanding east/west service to connect with your current more north/south oriented service. The following information is respectfully submitted. Sincerely, Signature
Petition for Addition of Bus Service To Northeast Austin and Manor
A. Current Service 1. Bus Routes to Northeast: Nos. 135, 440 & 935 servicing from Downtown to Tech Ridge Shopping Center and Tech Ridge Park & Ride; this provides shopping and service to Dell and a few nearby residents but not to residents East of there. 2. Bus Route to East: No. 990; services limited to early morning and late afternoon hours, primarily for Applied Materials and Manor Park & Ride B. Expanded Service Needed: particularly East/West Routes 1. Developments with thousands of potential riders along Parmer and East 290 (towards & including Manor) are not served at all, forcing residents to add to traffic congestion. The population movement East of Austin is developing at a rapid pace with consequent traffic congestion along these two roads. 2. When completed, the new toll road (130) will increase the population expansion. Business are already vying for positions (Samsung expansion; five housing developments in and around Manor; zoning changes for housing and businesses surrounding the Harris Branch area; proposed shopping mall at junction of 130 and 290). 3. More direct bus service between the Park & Ride areas in Manor, Harris Branch and Tech Ridge are needed now, not just for future expansion. Daily service throughout each day would particularly help the nearly 1,000 households in the four Harris Branch subdivisions be able to shop without adding to the auto pollution and congestion problems.
Community Service Spotlight
by Ketan Kharod This is the first in an ongoing series describing volunteer opportunities in the greater Austin area. The purpose is to highlight the work of a nonprofit organization in Austin, describing its services and needs, and provide contact information for those interested in helping out. Caritas of Austin Caritas, best known for operating a soup kitchen at its downtown Austin location, serves over 20,000 adults and children annually in Travis County. Founded in 1964, Caritas counts among its clients the unemployed, working poor, homeless (either permanent or temporary), and documented refugees. What services does Caritas provide? Its services fall within 2 broad categories: Basic Needs and SelfSufficiency. Its Basic Needs services include providing hot meals (over 400 lunches served each weekday, plus outside volunteer organizations provide breakfast and lunch on every Saturday), onetime rent and utility assistance, take-home groceries for families, and a variety of support services for newly arrived refugees. Through its Self-Sufficiency services, Caritas social workers encourage clients to become self-sufficient through life skills training, ESL classes, teaching clients how to budget and handle personal finances, and job training and placement. How can I help? Caritas can operate well only through the steady support it receives from the Austin community. Besides cash donations, Caritas welcomes in-kind donations such as food & hygiene items (nonperishable food, infant supplies, and toiletries) and household items (“gently used” furniture and household supplies). All donations are tax-deductible. If you are interested in volunteering your time with Caritas, a range of opportunities exists from serving meals in the soup kitchen to helping place refugees in permanent housing. Caritas provides training for its volunteers and simply asks individuals to attend a volunteer open house and make a minimum three-month commitment. Opportunities for volunteer groups are also available. For more information, please contact Caritas at (512) 479-4610 or visit www.caritasofaustin.org. Caritas is located at 611 Neches Street in downtown Austin. Many thanks to Ketan Kharod for kicking off this new series! If there is charitable organization you’d like to spotlight, please submit an article to Doka Cullender at
[email protected].
Do you have a Home Based Business right here in Harris Branch?
You can get information about your service or products to every home in Harris Branch, by running a business classified in the Harris Branch Newsletter. It is a great way to get your name and contact information to many potential customers in your neighborhood. The cost is $45 for up to 40 words. Display ads are also available. For more information, please contact Peel, Inc. at 512-898-8905 or advertising@PEELinc . The deadline is the 10th of each month for the upcoming month’s newsletter.
Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
Copyright © 2006 Peel, Inc.
Harris Branch
It’s back-to-school time! You and your family are invited to join us at our back-to-school community event. There will be coloring book activities, hot dogs and refreshments!
Sunday, August 13th 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 6708 Cromarty Lane
Copyright © 2006 Peel, Inc.
Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
Harris Branch
Vacation Safety
A vacation should be a pleasant experience for you and your family. Take a few simple steps to reduce the possibility of a burglarized house while you are away. Here are steps you should do in preparation for your trip, and a few additional thoughts to keep in mind while you are on your trip: One or Two Days Before You Leave on Your Vacation: • Notify your newspaper to put your subscription on a vacation hold and give them a date to start delivering again. • Notify your local post office to put your mail delivery on a vacation hold and give them a date to start delivering again. • As an added precaution, ask a neighbor to pick up your newspapers and mail if your instructions were not followed. Also ask them to remove throwaway papers and circulars from your yard and doorway. • If you have valuables in the house, take them to your bank for storage in a safe deposit box or vault. • Do not leave cash in the house. By this time you should have engraved your valuables such as TVs, appliances, computers and other easily sold items prone to being burglarized. • Notify your local police or sheriff’s department about your departure and return dates. Give them a name and telephone number of a neighbor or relative to notify in case of a burglary, fire or other emergency. • Make arrangements to have your grass cut and watered while you are gone, leaves raked, or your walk and driveway shoveled in winter. • Move all ladders, tools, lawn implements, garbage cans and yard furniture to your garage, basement or storage shed several days before you leave. • Arrange with your block captain, a neighbor or relative to watch your house. Give them a key and let them know where or how you can be reached in an emergency. Write their telephone number down so you can check with them during your trip. Give them your car description and license number. • Make sure any broken windows, window locks and door locks are repaired. On the Day You Leave: • Plug in timers to turn lights and a radio on and off at appropriate times.
• Give the appearance that the home is occupied when you are away. • Unplug all electrical appliances such as television sets, irons, washer, dryers, and fans to prevent possible damage from storms. Coffee makers, crock-pots and all small kitchen appliances should be unplugged when not in use. • Set your thermostat so that your furnace or air conditioners will maintain a reasonable temperature in your house. 85 degrees in summer and 65 degrees in winter are good settings. In winter, make sure outside water taps are drained to prevent freezing. • Close your fireplace flue to prevent birds or animals from entering. • Be certain all gas appliances are in good order and pilot lights are on. • Turn off water to automatic washer to prevent possible damage from a broken hose. • Turn off ringer on your phone so it cannot be heard from outside. Do not leave a message that you are away on vacation on your telephone answering machine. • Close all windows and sliding doors. Lock them. Place wooden dowels in all sliders so windows and doors cannot be slid open. • All screens or storm windows should be checked to be certain they are locked and fastened. • Make sure all main floor drapes, shades and curtains are arranged in their normal daytime position so that neighbors and police can see into your house. Even better, ask a friend to close and open window coverings daily. • Be certain any car or other vehicle you are leaving in your driveway is locked. If you take your only car, ask a friend or neighbor to park their car in your driveway. • Lock your garage door. Disengage or turn power off to your automatic garage door opener. Make sure the last person out locks the door. If you have an alarm system, make sure it is turned on. • Take a walk around the house. Check all the doors and windows. • As you pack your luggage check for identification tags. If you will be checking in your luggage anywhere, only your business address and phone numbers should be available for identification - NOT your home. (Continued on Page 7)
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Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
Copyright © 2006 Peel, Inc.
Harris Branch
Vacation Safety- (Continued from Page 6) Assuming you are driving, here are some additional tips: • Make sure your vehicle has been properly serviced and is in suitable condition for the journey. • Try to have specific directions and route to your destination. • If you get lost, call the local police or sheriff for directions or assistance. • Always keep your vehicle doors and windows locked. • At stoplights and other traffic delays, leave enough space in front of your vehicle so that you have an escape option in case of an emergency. • Let someone know the route you intend to travel and your itinerary. This will help authorities in locating you if there is a need to do so. • Plan your trip carefully and allow for facts such as weather, fatigue, facilities for lodging, food and fuel. • Be sure you have sufficient finances, either cash or credit cards. • Ask the hotel or motel staff about their security measures so you know what to expect. • Use the hotel or motel safe to store your valuables during your stay. Travel safely and relax, have fun and be safe. Enjoy your vacation and return to your home in the same condition you left it.
Advertising Information
Please support the businesses that advertise in the Harris Branch Newsletter. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Harris Branch residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. No homeowners association funds are used to produce or mail the newsletters. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office @ 512-989-8905 or
[email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter.
Classified Ads
Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Harris Branch residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail
[email protected] Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $45, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales @ 512989-8905 or e-mail
[email protected].
Suggestions for the Newsletter?
If you have comments or questions about the newsletter, or would like to submit articles or suggest story ideas, please contact Doka Cullendar at 512-278-9226 or dokacc@yahoo. com. Deadline for submitting articles is the 8th of each month for publication in the following month’s newsletter.
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Harris Branch Residential Property Owners Association Newsletter - August 2006
Harris Branch
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