Vista Oaks
the
Vista March 2011 volume 3, issue 3 vistaoaks.org
Official Publication of the Vista Oaks Owners Association
Congratulations to the Social Committee
On behalf of the Vista Oaks Community, we would like to thank the Social Committee for their hard work and time that was invested in our neighborhood to create events where neighbors are able to break bread and socialize with each other. The 2010 events were outstanding and enjoyed by many. Many of us are looking forward to 2011 events to meet more of our neighbors and celebrate the holidays.
UPCOMING EVENTS
St. Patrick’s Day Around the world St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th. As far south as Argentina to Japan, Korea and several countries where the Irish have immigrated to such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Legend has it that St. Patrick was kidnapped as a child and sent to Ireland to be enslaved. Upon being freed he return to his Roman Britain home and was called into the priesthood. He returned to Ireland to teach Christianity. St Patrick used the shamrock to teach the Trinity. Blue was the first color associated with St. Patrick and in time it got replaced with green. In the US, St. Paddy’s Day is celebrated with parades in Boston, MA which started in 1737, New York in 1762, and Philadelphia in 1771. Although Corned Beef and Cabbage is associated with Irish Immigrants, it is not very common in Ireland. Bacon was preferred to brisket that was considered the “demon of gluttony” by the kings and queens. Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
Kick Start Your Resolution With A Boot Camp!
8 week Boot camp Challenge ...in Vista Oaks! Now that your New Year’s Resolutions are set, Vista Oaks wants to make it easy to follow through on your personal commitments. Work with an experienced personal trainer to achieve your goals. The camp includes the use of kettle ball, medicine ball, circuit training, and running plus, much, much, more! Date: Starts March 21 (Monday & Wednesday) Time: 5:30-6:30am | Cost : $125.00 (4 week session) Meet at the Community Center parking lot. Bring water, towel, and a GREAT 5:30 a.m. smile!! To register please visit the Vista Oaks website.
Magnolias & Cosmos
Many neighbors have requested that we form a garden club as an avenue to meet other Vista Oaks residents and contribute to the landscaping of our community. If you are interested in meeting new friends and take part in the planning and installation of landscape projects, please join us for coffee at the Recreation Center on April 21st at 7pm. We will review the areas that the board has designated for the club to work up, budget and schedule projects. We will be recruiting middle and high school kids who need to complete service hours in May for our first installation. Please RSVP to Deirdre at
[email protected]
Garage Sale
Get ready for our next neighborhood garage sale scheduled for April 9th, 2011. Vista Oaks Owner's Association Newsletter - March 2011
Vista Oaks Board of Directors President........................................................Deirdre Goggins VP......................................................................Suman Khisty Secretary................................................................Ed Medford Treasurer............................................................Suman Khisty Landscaping...................................................... David Pedroza MAL..................................................................... Doug Mink
Communication Committee Newsletter Editor..............................................Suman Khisty .......................................................
[email protected] Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc......................................................... 512-263-9181
[email protected], 512-263-9181 VO Webmaster....................................................David Little
HOA Management Southwest Management Services...........................512-266-6771 Office hours: 8:30 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 5:00 www.southwestmanagement.net
mission statement Peel, Inc. Community Newsletters Our goal is to provide the Vista Oaks community with one source of local news content that is provided by Vista Oaks residents. Our goal is to help build Vista Oaks by connecting local businesses with residents and residents with relevant neighborhood information.
Recipe of the Month Irish Soda Bread
The bread is best served with lots of whipped butter, jam or marmalade. Perfect with a cup of tea anytime of the day. Ingredients • 3 CUPS FLOUR • ¼ CUP SUGAR • 1 TEA SP. SALT • 1 & ½ TEA SP. BAKING POWDER • 1 TBL SP CARAWAY SEEDS • 1/3 CUP SHORTENING • 2 CUPS RAISINS (WE MIX GOLD & BLACK RAISINS WITH CURRENTS) • 1 & 1/3 CUP BUTTER MILK • 1 EGG • BRUSH MIXTURE • ¼ CUP BUTTER MILK • 1 EGG WHITE • SET OVEN TO 375 AND GREASE AN 8INCH ROUND BAKING PAN In a bowl sift flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix in caraway seeds. With a pastry knife cut in shortening to the consistency of cornmeal. Add raisins. Stir in buttermilk, egg and baking soda –mix until incorporated. Turn out dough on floured board or counter and knead gently. Do not over work since it will make the dough tough. Place in greased baking pan and rest for 10 minutes. Cut a cross on top in four sections and brush with buttermilk and egg. Bake one hour or until tooth pick removes clean from the bread. Cool prior to cutting.
"Be the Community."
article info The Vista newsletter is mailed monthly to all Vista Oaks 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 4th of the month. The newsletter can also be viewed online at www. PEELinc.com.
Vista Oaks Owner's Association Newsletter - March 2011
New Year’s Resolution to finally finish that “honey-do” list? Make it easier on yourself, call ruble’s handyman services! Home Repair & Painting • Power Washing Lawn Maintenance • Property & Gutter Clean-up Light Remodeling/Restoration
Mark ruble - 512.551.3728 www.Handymanruble.com
[email protected]
s nce ere able! f e l i R va A
est FRee ima tes !
Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
Vista Oaks COMMERICAL VEHICLES - FYI Please keep in mind that the board will continue to require that all commercial vehicles are to have the signage covered when parked at Vista Oaks. We are recommending that you get a magnetic panel the same color as the vehicle and place it over the signage. Please refer to the HOA CCRs for compliance information.
RECREATION CENTER BATHROOM LOCKS Due to the recent vandalism issues, the board has elected to install locks on the restrooms. You are able to enter the restrooms with the same electronic key used to open the gate at the center. During summer swim season the restrooms will be kept open during life guard hours and locked at the end of their shift.
REAL- ESTATE ACTIVITY
in Round Rock, Texas
Total Active Homes in Round Rock on 2/7/11: 632 Homes Sold in Round Rock in Jan 2011: Under 100K : 6 | $100K - $199K: 38 200K - $299K: 19 | $300K and Up: 13 Jan 2011 Activity in Vista Oaks and Around: Neighborhood Activities Pending Sold Vista Oaks
18
2
2
Mayfield Ranch
16
7
1
Stone Oak
9
6
3
Sendero Springs
12
8
3
Wood Glen
10
3
3
Behrens Ranch
13
7
1
Teravista
64
11
11
ROUND ROCK NEW NEIGHBORS ...will hold their March 9th meeting at 10:15 AM at the Fern Bluff Community Center….7320 Wyoming Springs Drive, Round Rock. Following a business meeting and a catered lunch, a member of the club, Jennifer Lucas will speak on the topic of Container Gardening 101. Come and join us for food, fun and fresh ideas. You will want to come back again. For further information, visit our website. www.rrnewneighbors.org For Lunch reservations ($12) call Jackie Waldecke: 255-7519 by Friday, March 4th. Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
Tips and Tidbits by Debby Cole
Question of the Month
Q: Are there any plants should be cut back severely in an attempt to rejuvenate them? I know that I should never cut back Crepe Myrtles more than just a little. Landscape Lady Says: A. As mentioned previously, ornamental grasses can be cut back to groom them; however, cutting back before the weather starts to warm DOES create a freeze hazard. You can also cut back Liriope (to the ground) which will cause a new flush of growth in spring. Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) should be cut back by ½ to ¾ in order to promote new growth and abundant blooms. Lastly, a surprise rejuvenation project is Texas Sage which will seemingly come back to lush life after a severe cut back in winter. Landscape Tips for February • Continue to operate your irrigation system at least 1 cycle per month. • Now! Cut back perennials (WAY BACK) and ornamental grasses. • Add mulch to all bare soil in shrub beds. • Are you planning your spring planting? Warm weather (consistently!) will be here before you know it. BE PREPARED!!! • February is pruning month for roses. Think Valentine’s Day? Think rose pruning! • Perform full irrigation audits NOW and get the repairs done before spring. It has been terribly dry and we need that additional water on our landscapes. • Plan to add ¼” to ½” of compost to all turf areas. • Start a compost bin. Plant of the Month An interesting groundcover that has made its way into the nursery trade is a beautiful little groundcover called Silver Pony’s Foot. It spreads wide to cover large sunny expanses of ground but also is good for pots (to drape) and for areas above a tall wall (again, to drape). It is very drought tolerant but does need sun to looks its best! Its delightful silvery leaf makes it a great contrast to deep greens also occupying the planting bed. Sustainable Landscape Tip Consider using an organic fertilizer for your turf and your beds. Dillo Dirt and Milorganite are inexpensive options to bring excellent change for your landscape. Milorganite is a byproduct of sewage sludge and adds umpteen goodies to your native soil. You cannot burn your plantings by using this and it is beneficial to those soil microbes we all love. Compost Love it. Love it. Love it. If there were only 1 item that Landscape Lady was allowed to buy for the landscape, it would be compost. This addition provides more benefit to the landscape that a truck load of fertilizer and herbicides combined. Not only does it provide natural nutrients to the soil (which plants adore) but it also improves the structure and texture of the soil. For those of you who have no soil (western side of our communities), compost added to imported soil is the BEST thing you can do for your entire landscape. Vista Oaks Owner's Association Newsletter - March 2011
Vista Oaks
Cardiovascular Disease and Women Think Red Heart
Do you know the number one killer of women in the United States? It’s not breast cancer. Try again. It’s heart disease. 489,000 women die from heart disease annually, not breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a research study, the American Heart Association reported only 13 percent of all women in the United States are aware that heart disease can kill them or play a major threat in their lives. Women are bombarded with advertisements, news media, and commercials about how breast cancer can kill them. Yet, cardiovascular disease is playing a lethal role in women’s health today, more so than cancer. Cancer is the second killer of women. Though it’s not breast cancer, but rather lung cancer. 73,000 women die annually of cigarette related lung cancer. In the United States 202,964 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, and 40,598 women died from this disease. Receiving regular mammograms and doing daily breast self-checking examinations are crucial for survival. Along with great surveillance, research, and early detection fewer women are succumbing to this disease. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cancer killer in women.
The fact is heart disease is the number one killer in women. Women need to think more Red, along with Pink. Heart disease is a preventable disease and can be controlled. Yes, many contributing factors, such as genetics, gender, and ethnicity, do play a role. However, lifestyle is a major culprit in heart disease. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes the following factors, can reduce the risk of contracting heart disease: • Exercise regularly. • Control other contributing factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. • Maintain a well-balanced nutritional menu that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. • Eat high fat foods sparingly. • Reduce the amount of sodium, sugar, and alcohol. • Maintain a health body weight. • Cook meals more frequently. • Limit pre-packaged foods. Article by, Valerie Salinas, MS
Nobody Teaches Math Like We Do.
1500 A.W. Grimes, Ste 125 Round Rock, TX 78664 512-415-5371
[email protected]
900 N. Austin Ave, Ste 127 Georgetown, TX 78626 512-869-MATH (6284)
[email protected]
www.mathnasium.com K-12th & Home Schooler - Summer Camps Private Tutoring - Homework Help • SAT/ACT/TAKS Prep
Vista Oaks Owner's Association Newsletter - March 2011
Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
Vista Oaks Security Report for JANUARY 2010
Steve Shanks, Security Patrol • Williamson County Sheriff s Office 25 Total Calls for Service • 5 Alarm Calls • 2 Suspicious Person • 1 Suspicious Vehicle • 3 Traffic issues • 1 Medical • 1Theft, Christmas Decorations • 1 Noise Disturbance, Constuction Noise • 2 Missing Person/Runaway • 1 Welfare Concern • 1 Gas Leak, in house • 4 Animal Calls • 1 Water Main Break, (VISTA ISLE DR • 4100 CR 175) • 1 Child Custody • 1 Assist Other Agency, locate suspect in criminal activity from PFLUGERVILLE PD. Ron and Steve Patrolled Neighborhood Assisted with; Traffic Complaint, Alarm, • 19 Security Checks Rec. Center/ Steve • 20 Resident Contacts/ Steve • 17 Security Checks MUD lift Station/Steve • 25 Security Checks Rec. Center/ Ron • 24 Security Checks MUD Lift Station/ Ron • 14 Residents Contacts/ Ron • 17 Traffic stops made by security and patrol this month (stop signs, suspicious vehicles, speeding) List of Street Light’s, not working; • #5 • # 55 Very Dim • # 14 • # 47 • # 20 • No # 3830 Newland Dr • No # Newland at Artesia Bend
JOIN US FOR GOLF AND A GREAT CAUSE! DATE: Wednesday, April 13th 11:00 am Registration - 1:00 pm Start LOCATION: Flintrock Falls Golf Course FORMAT: 4-person scramble COST: $165 per golfer* *Includes lunch, dinner, shirt & goodie bag Please join us for the 3rd annual Colin’s Hope Classic charity golf tournament and help prevent childhood drownings. Special Guest Emcee will be Bob Fonseca of the 93.7 KLBJ FM Dudley & Bob Morning Show
Register online now at: www.colinshope.org Email:
[email protected]
Do You Have Reason to Celebrate?
We want to hear from you! Email thevistanews@ yahoo.com to let the community know! Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
WWW.COLINSHOPE.ORG Vista Oaks Owner's Association Newsletter - March 2011
Vista Oaks
Seton Care For Your Entire Family
As the leading provider of health care services in Central Texas, the Seton Family of Hospitals is proud to offer a full continuum of care for your family. Our primary care clinics provide a wide range of medical services to improve the health and wellness of infants, children and adults: s 0RIMARY FAMILY CARE s 0HYSICALS AND SPORTS EXAMS s 7ELL WOMAN ANNUAL EXAMS s $IABETES CARE AND PREVENTION s "LOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL MANAGEMENT s -INOR EMERGENCIES s $ISEASE MANAGEMENT For more information and directions, please visit:
setonfamilyofdoctors.com
Three Convenient Locations In Round Rock & Pflugerville 22
5NIVERSITY "LVD
Chandler Rd.
1 (WY
Gattis School Rd.
To Hutto
2
130
I-35
To Georgetown
1. Seton Family of Doctors at Williamson &AMILY