Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Highpointe Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2010 1

HigHpointe observer

HigHpointeof Dripping Springs

observerJuly 2010 . volume 1, issue vii

official newsletter of tHe HigHpointe Hoa

Don’t want to wait for the mail?

View the current issue of Highpointe Observer

on the 1st day of each month at www.PEELinc.com

10 freQUentlY aSKeD QUeStionS Regarding MUD #5

1. what iS a mUnicipal UtilitieS DiStrict?

A Municipal Utility District (MUD) is a local governmental entity created and regulated by the State. Its general purposes are to finance, own and operate water, wastewater and drainage systems. MUD’s may, among other things, incur debt, levy taxes, charge for services and adopt rules for those services, enter into contracts, obtain easements, and condemn property in order to accomplish their purposes.

2. how beSt can one contact oUr mUD DiStrict #5?

The MUD is best contacted through its General Manager, JadCo Management (Joe DiQuinzio, 478-0017; JadCo@austin.rr.com); or its Operator, Southwest Water Company (Jeff Garrett, 219-2292, jgarrett@swwc.com).

3. how are oUr mUD billS calcUlateD?

The MUD sewer bills are calculated based upon a customer’s winter average water usage. The MUD first determines the amount of water that was used at the customer’s home during the months of December, January and February of each year (the winter averaging period) as shown by the meter readings of

the LCRA. The sewer bill is then calculated based upon the amount of water used during the two lowest water usage months during the winter averaging period. If no winter average is available, because a house was occupied after the winter averaging period, a flat volume of 8,000 gallons is utilized. Once a winter average is established, the winter average volume replaces the assigned volume. If, at any time, actual water use is less than the winter average volume, the sewer bill is based upon the lesser amount.

4. what iS the eaSieSt waY to paY oUr bill?

Currently, sewer bills may only be paid by check or money order. However, Southwest Water Company is investigating a program that will enable customers to pay their sewer bills by credit card. If this program is cost=effective for the MUD is could be implemented within sixty days.

5. how manY boarD memberS exiSt?

There are five elected Board Members.

6 . when are the boarD electionS?

The next election is May 1, 2010. Three positions will be filled. Candidate packets will be available from the Districts attorney

beginning in early February 2010. The tentative deadline for candidate filings is March 1, 2010.

7. what are the exiSting boarD memberS termS DUe to expire?

The remaining two Directors terms expire in May 2012.

8 . what are the boarD memberS paiD?

Directors receive a per diem of $150. This per diem is set by State law.

9. what role DoeS JaDco Serve?

JadCo Management is the MUD’s General Manager.

10. what role DoeS Swwc Serve?

Southwest Water Company is the MUD’s utility operator.

2 The Highpointe Homeowners Association Newsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

HigHpointe observer

newSletter infoPublisher Peel, Inc. ...................................................... 512-263-9181 .............................................................www.PEELinc.com Advertising................................ advertising@PEELinc.com

Please support the businesses that advertise in The Highpointe Observer. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Highpointe residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512-263-9181 or advertising@PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 8th of each month for the following month's newsletter.

aDvertiSing info

article SUbmiSSionS Interested in submitting an article? You can do so by emailing highpointe@peelinc.com or by going to http://www.peelinc.com/articleSubmit.php. All news must be received by the 9th of the month prior to the issue. So if you are involved with a school group, scouts, sports etc – please submit your articles for The Highpointe Observer. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, special celebrations and military service are also welcome.

Southwest Management ServicesP.O. Box 342585

Austin, Texas 78734Phone: 512-266-6771

Fax: 512-266-6791www.southwestmanagement.net

aSSociation management

MaiOrthodonticswww.maiorthodontics.com

6012 W. William Cannon DriveSuite D-103

Austin, Texas 78749512-892-1188

eagle Crest Steve Van Vlack - Chair ............................. 308 Saddleback svanvlack@gmail.com .................................. 512-413-4149

timber ridge Dwayne Johnson - Vice Chair ..197 Whispering Wind Way derby.johnson@gmail.com ........................... 512-992-1039

emerald heights Keisha Lacy French - Secretary .............. 118 Tanager Circle klacy@myarg.com ........................................ 512-858-1122

Canyon Crossing Omar Codina ................................... 117 Grapevine Court omar_codina@msn.com .............................. 512-828-4815

laurel Crest Gary Morton .............................................136 Yucca Cove garym@stedwards.edu .................................. 512-858-4686

boulder sPrings Joab Salce ...................................... 214 Desert Willow Way joabs1@gmail.com ....................................... 512-829-4563

Platinum heights Richard White ................................. 139 Rocky Spot Drive richardwhite40@gmail.com ......................... 512-358-6974

bluff sPrings Stacey Woodard ...............................................128 Big Sky hotbrakesfail@austin.rr.com ......................... 512-751-6107

Pebble Crest Chris Newton ............................................. 288 Dry Creek brotherdarque@gmail.com .......................... 469-222-8991

highpointe aDviSorY committee

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Highpointe Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2010 �

HigHpointe observer

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� The Highpointe Homeowners Association Newsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

HigHpointe observerWhy Scoop The Poop?

Besides being a nuisance, uncollected dog waste is a serious problem for our association. Next time you’re tempted to leave your dog’s droppings on the lawn, please remember these facts:

1. The appearance and quality of the common areas are known to affect home sales—not just whether and for how much they sell, but how quickly.

2. The more residents complain about dog waste, the more time the manager must spend on enforcement rather than serving the association.

3. Uncollected dog waste spreads disease and attracts rodents who feed on pet waste.

Just a Little Reminder:If you have not changed the address with your bank for HOA

assessments, please change to Community Association Banc, PO Box 65733, Phoenix, AZ 85082 and double check your account number on the payment.

exterior moDificationS?

Are you planning on making some changes to your backyard? A new pool, deck or arbor? Did you know that these types of exterior modifications are subject to prior review and approval by the Highpointe Architectural Committee Please visit our website (www.southwestmanagement.net ) to review the procedure for submitting your plans. Feel free to contact Stacy Lambdin at 512-266-6771 if you have any questions regarding the submittal process.

are YoU in the loop?Wondering why you’re not receiving the most current information

in the community? Did you create a log in on the website and sign up for electronic bulletins? If not, then you are not in the loop. We encourage you to create a log in and sign up to receive electronic updates. Electronic updates will ensure that you receive important association communications.

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Highpointe Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2010 �

HigHpointe observer

Highpointe Resident512.940.9418

Susan J. Remerscheid(formerly Johnson)

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Mobile: 512.940.9418Office: 512.829.2000

Fax: 512.829.2001

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highpointe Calendar of Events

JUlY 3rD 4th of July Party

aUgUSt 21St Back to School Ice Cream Social

September Fall Community Day

october 30th Halloween Party

December 11th Holiday Party

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 highpointe@peelinc.com. Please include a photo if possible.

Congrats Neighbor!

� The Highpointe Homeowners Association Newsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

HigHpointe observer

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Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Highpointe Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2010 �

HigHpointe observer

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financial focUSIf you’re a member of Generation X — the age group born between

1963 and 1981 — you may well be in the busiest time of your life. You’re probably in the early to middle stages of your career, for one thing, and if you have children, they’re likely still at home. Yet despite the hectic nature of your days, you still have to look after the financial concerns of your children, yourself and possibly even your parents. This three-generational effort may seem challenging, but with some planning and persistence, you can help your family make progress toward a variety of goals.

To begin with, let’s consider the needs of your children. Obviously, you’re already providing for their living expenses, so from an investment point of view, your biggest concern may be how you’ll help them pay for college. Here’s a suggestion: Put time on your side and start saving as soon as possible. You might want to consider opening a 529 college savings plan, which offers potential tax advantages. Saving for college is important — but so is saving for your own retirement. Consequently, you’ll have to find the right balance of resources to devote to these two goals. To avoid shortchanging yourself, take full advantage of your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contribute as much as you can afford right now, and whenever you get a raise, increase your contributions. At the very least, put in enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered. Your 401(k)

accumulates on a tax-deferred basis, and your contributions are generally made with pretax dollars, so the more you put in, the lower your taxable income. You aren’t confined to investing in a 401(k), either, because you can also put money into a traditional IRA, which accumulates tax deferred, or a Roth IRA, which accumulates tax free, provided you’re at least age 59½ when you start making withdrawals and you’ve held your account at least five years.

Once you’ve started saving for college for your kids and investing for your own retirement, you’ve got one more generation to consider — the older one. For example, you’ll need to make sure your parents have adequate financial protection for their health care expenses. If your parents have saved and invested throughout their lives, they may not need any financial help from you — but that doesn’t mean you’ll never be called upon to straighten out their affairs. That’s why now is the perfect time to ask your parents some key questions: Where are your assets located? Do you have a will? How about a durable power of attorney? You might think these inquiries will make you sound “selfish,” but the opposite is true: The more you know about your parents’ financial situation and estate plans, the bigger help you’ll be to them, and to other members of your family, if the day arrives when your parents need some assistance. It may not always be easy to act on behalf of three generations — but it’s worth the effort.

� The Highpointe Homeowners Association Newsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

HigHpointe observer

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StrategieS for a poSSible laYoff

A family’s most important financial strategies include defensive ones. What if you or your spouse might get laid off in the near future? What types of things should a family do? The challenge is to protect your family’s assets while staying on-plan to secure your future finances.

First, stay with your retirement savings plan. Keep on contributing because it reduces your taxes and your company may make matching contributions. Combined, these will do you more good than paying off consumer debt. And avoid borrowing against a retirement plan or worse, withdrawing funds early. The taxes and penalties for this are severe.

Next reduce your spending, say, by 10%. This is a good idea

regardless of your situation and the upside is you might reconnect with what is important. Distinguish between wants versus needs. Include the kids on the family decisions. Now that you have more money, it’s time to boost your emergency fund. Everyone needs 3 to 6 months of expenses in a readily accessible account. This helps you avoid going into debt when emergencies arise.

Secure your life insurance. This protects your income stream. If you have a group life plan, it will disappear with a job loss. And group plans often have steep increases when you hit those magic milestones every 5 years after 40. Buying a policy outside the company is called portable insurance, and it’s smart.

Next knock down your consumer debt. By that I mean anything with a “minimum payment” box – that’s bad debt. Use debt-stacking techniques to get out of debt quicker while paying no more on a monthly basis. It’s smart to open a home equity line of credit now but don’t borrow against it. Think of it as a safety net.

Lastly, secure your home by refinancing while interest rates are low. While you could get a 15-year note, it’s smart to get a 30-year loan and pay it off as though it were a 15-year note using higher payments. In this way if you get laid off you can always revert to the lower payments required by the 30-year note.

- Submitted by rich Keith

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Highpointe Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2010 �

HigHpointe observer

Increasing water safety awareness and standards

FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DROWNING

For more information,check out our website at

www.colinshope.org

Drowning is the leadingcause of unintentional

injury-related deathin children ages 1-4

Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death ages 1-14.

DROWNING WILL AFFECT YOUOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW

Most children are out of sight or missing for less than 5 minutes and usually in the presence of 1 or both parents.

NO ONE is “drown proof” – no matter their level of swimming ability.

Falls, entrapments, and injuries lead to drowning regardless of swimming level.

A majority of people overestimate their own and their child’s ability to swim, especially in a panic event.

5min

Drowning occurs in as little as 2 minutes.

Most children die who are submerged for as little as 6-10 minutes.

Irreversible brain damage occurs in as little as 4 minutes.

2min 4min 6min

Children who drown do not scream, splash, or struggle. They silently slip beneath the water, even with adults & lifeguards present.

DROWNING IS QUICK AND SILENT

DROWNING CAN STILL OCCUREVEN IF YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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CM

MY

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CMY

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factSheet_ad_half.pdf 6/25/2009 2:24:33 PM

get YoUr grill onSummer Is Here!

healthier recipeS tipSSummer is here. That means summer

Barbecue in the great outdoors and enjoying the company of family and friends. There are all kinds of tasty foods to grill up, plus those sides, desserts and drinks that round out the meal. Unfortunately, this leads to an influx of excess calories and weight gain. There goes your beach body that you worked so hard for. Here are some simple barbecue alternative recipes that can help keep you lean and healthy through the summer season when grilling.

grilleD veggie bUrger4 Garden Veggie burger patties 2 Medium red vine tomatoes, sliced2 Dill pickles, sliced1 Bottle of mustard, ketchup, and/or light mayonnaise * use sparingly

••••

Green leaf lettuce4 Whole grain hamburger buns2 Grilled medium onion, sliced

grilleD SoY hot DogS4 Yves meatless hot dogs1 Bottle of mustard and/or ketchup * use sparingly1 Can of Amy’s vegetarian chili½ Cup of dill pickle chopped4 Whole or sprouted grain hot dog buns1 Medium red vine tomato, diced1 Medium sweet onion, diced

grilleD vegetable KabobS2 zucchini1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper1 onion 12 oz halved mushrooms4 skewers

•••

••

•••••

•••••

Cut bell peppers, onions, and zucchini into uniform pieces. Thread the vegetables onto the skewers. Optionally brush with oil and vinegar and then place on grill until vegetables are tender and slightly brown.

Optional side dishes: Grilled corn on the cob, baked BBQ chips, watermelon, or fresh fruit mixture.

- bY valerie SalinaS, m.S.

10 The Highpointe Homeowners Association Newsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

HigHpointe observer

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 Highpointe Observer 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 Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.

from the commUnitY managerIs Rover roaming around? The Highpointe community has a rule

which states that all dogs must be on a leash when not on your property. During my visits to Highpointe I often observe dogs roaming the community without a leash or owner in sight. This is irresponsible and potentially dangerous to the dog and your neighbors. The dog may be harmless but a child or non pet owner can be made to feel threatened by an animal that approaches them. Please be a responsible pet owner and keep your dog on a leash when not on your property.

Recipe of the Monthmexican laSagne

ingreDientS 1 ½ pounds ground beef, browned1 (16 oz) can refried beans½ tsp dried oregano2 tsp ground cumin¾ tsp garlic powder12 uncooked lasagna noodles2 ½ cup water2 ½ cup salsa2 cups sour cream¾ cup sliced green onions1 (2 ¼ oz) can sliced black olives½ cup shredded pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese

DirectionS Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 13x9” baking dish

with non-stick cooking spray. Combine browned beef, oregano, cumin, and garlic powder. Place 4 lasagne noodles in bottom of baking dish. Spread ½ the beef mixture over noodles. Top with 4 more noodles and remaining beef mixture. Cover with remaining noodles. Combine water and salsa and pour over noodles. Cover with foil and back 1 ½ hours or until noodles are tender. Spread refried beans over top. Combine sour cream, onions and olives. Spoon over casserole and top with grated cheese. Bake, uncovered until cheese melts. Remove and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

••••••••••••

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Highpointe Homeowner's Association Newsletter - July 2010 11

HigHpointe observer

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12 The Highpointe Homeowners Association Newsletter - July 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

HigHpointe observerPeel, Inc.311 Ranch Road 620 S. Ste 200Lakeway, TX 78734-4775www.PEELinc.com

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