Sonoma - August 2013

Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc. The Grapevine - August 2013 1

The Grapevine

August 2013, Volume 7, Issue 8 Official Publication of Sonoma Homeowners Association

TheGrapevineTheGrapevine

School Crossing Safety ConcernsAt last year’s Annual HOA meeting, parents expressed concerns

about their children walking to and from Blackland Prairie and/or Ridgeview and the hazards posed at the intersection of via Sonoma and Forest Creek Drive. I contacted the CORR and RRISD to see what safety measures could be put in place to ensure the safety of our children. A whole school year has gone by; RRISD did not look into the matter as promised and will not do an assessment until after the new school year has begun. It is unlikely that the CORR will be able to create another School Zone due to regulations and the close proximity to the existing one just up the street, BUT, RRISD can and should place a crossing guard at this very busy intersection.

After the meeting I made it a point to walk that way one afternoon to observe the car and pedestrian traffic and was really shocked by what I saw. Cars, school buses and even children were turning onto and off of via Sonoma.

The district “rationale” is that walkers will travel up to Lake Forest Blvd. or down to Rusk Rd., cross at the dually protected intersections and then back track to Paradise Ridge or Piper

Sonoma. On paper this sounds all well and good but it is not realistic. One afternoon I witnessed a young boy fall off his skateboard while crossing through this busy Forest Creek intersection. Thankfully drivers were paying attention but you could tell he knew the jeopardy he was in because he was scurrying to get himself up.

I am urging all residents, whether or not you have students walking to either of these schools, to please contact Ramiro Flores, Deputy Superintendent at [email protected], Michelle Faust, Director, Safety and Risk Management at [email protected] and John Knight (he is in charge of crossing guards) at [email protected] and urge them to place a crossing guard at the intersection of via Sonoma and Forest Creek. Please take a few short moments to voice your concerns regarding this issue. Let’s all come together to ensure the safety of our young school children.

Regards,Donna Kohn

mailto:[email protected]




2 The Grapevine - August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.

The Grapevine

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NEWSLETTER INFO

PRESIDENT Donna Kohn ......................... [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT Doug White .................. [email protected]

SECRETARY Carl Anderson........................ [email protected]

TREASURER Will Smith ............................. [email protected]

MEMBER AT LARGE Charles King [email protected]

COMMITTEESPOOL CHAIR Charlie King [email protected] LANDSCAPE CHAIR Donna Kohn [email protected]

SOCIAL COMMITTEE CHAIR Cyndi Wasserboehr ..................... [email protected]

NEWSLETTERCamille Bunch [email protected]

WEBSITE ........................... [email protected]

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHDonna Stina ............ [email protected]

MANAGEMENT CO.Goodwin Management Company

Property Manager: Earline Wakefield11149 Research Blvd. Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759-5227

Voicemail: 512-502-7526Cell: 512-470-5104Fax: 512-346-4873

E-mail: [email protected]://son.goodwintx.com

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER Peel, Inc. ..................................................... 512-263-9181 Article Submissions .... [email protected] Advertising............................... [email protected]

IMPORTANT NUMBERSEmergency ......................................................................911Fire Department ................................................... 218-5590Poison Control .............................................. 800-764-7661 Police Department ............................................... 218-5500Round Rock Hospital ........................................... 341-1000Williamson County Sheriff’s Department ............. 246-1155 Post Office- 2250 Double Creek Road ........... 800-275-8777 Blackland Praire Elementry School ........................ 424-8600 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/bkldprairie/Ridgeview Middle School ...................................... 424-8400 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/ridgeview/Stony Point High School ....................................... 428-7000 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/stonypoint/Cedar Ridge High School ...................................... 704-0100 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/cedarridge/City of Round Rock Website ....................................... http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!Sonoma HOA, Round Rock, TXSONOMA HOA WEBSITEhttp://hoasonoma.com

ONLINE

SonomaSocial Events 2013

The Social Committee has put together another fun filled year of activities for your family. If you are looking to gather with your neighbors or make new friends, come out and be Social!

August 14Annual HOA Meeting, 7 pm, Barefoot Pool

September 21Neighborhood Garage Sale

October 26Halloween Party at Barefoot Pool, 3-5, petting zoo,

train and pony ridesDecember 7

Santa Claus returns to Barefoot Pool, 11-1

Your help is needed to make these events successful….if you can volunteer your time for any event, please contact Cyndi Wasserboehr at [email protected] or 512-294-2183.


The Grapevine

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At Your Service !

Don’t Forget!The annual meeting of the Sonoma HOA has been set for

Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 7 PM at Barefoot Pool. Please watch your mail for more information as well as your proxy. Return your proxy in the event that you cannot attend the meeting. If you are able to attend, your proxy will be exchanged for a ballot.

Problems with Animals?

The Round Rock Animal Control Unit helps to ensure that our community enjoys a high quality of life by enforcing laws that protect citizens from dangerous animals and domestic animals from abuse and neglect.

The Animal Control Unit will investigate a wide range of complaints, including barking dogs, animal bites, and animal-abuse complaints. Animals may be impounded and quarantined when appropriate to address safety and health concerns. Animal Control Officers may issue citations for violations of City Ordinance or state law. By working to help the public have a thorough understanding of and compliance with these laws, we promote the safety and well-being of animals and improve relations between animal owners and the general public.

The Round Rock Animal Control Unit provides the following services for our residents:

• Controlling loose livestock on roadways• Enforcing leash-law and other ordinances• Investigating dangerous animal complaints• Investigation of dog/cat bites• Impounding stray dogs and cats• Removing deceased animals from public areas• Investigating animal-cruelty complaints

For more information on these services, please call Round Rock Animal Control at (512) 218-5500.


The GrapevineSummer Time

Water ConservationAs of July 2013, the City is not under any mandatory water

restrictions. With temperatures now reaching into the 100s, irrigation systems can be set to water turf grass no more than twice per week. Native shrubs and beds shouldn’t need any supplemental water at all--those irrigation zones could be turned off--or put on a separate program to water no more than once every 2 weeks. Irrigation cycles should be completed before the sun rises, or after the sun has set, to reduce the amount of water that is lost to evaporation and wind. The City of Round Rock is offering a rebate on Rain Water Harvesting. See the rebates page at the Round Rock city web page for full details. Basically the program is for 50 cents per gallon of storage capacity of the rain barrel or tank, up to a maximum rebate of $250, per water account. Outdoor water use accounts for the majority of Round Rock’s water consumption during the summer months, as a city our water use can easily triple. This is where the majority of our water savings opportunities are, since outdoor use is discretionary. Voluntary watering schedule is as follows:

• Residential Odd-Numbered Address: Wednesday and/or Saturday• Residential Even-Numbered Address: Thursday and/or Sunday

Automatic Irrigation Systems: A typical irrigation system can use anywhere between 500-3,000 gallons of water each time it waters the yard. This is a large range, due to several variables, including size of yard, depth & type of soil, water pressure, type of sprinkler heads, and length of runtimes (to name a few!). Each yard is different and it’s difficult to provide a one size fits all answer for how much water it takes to water your yard. If you are concerned about your water usage, you can schedule a free irrigation system evaluation by licensed City staff at 512-671-2872 or by emailing Jessica Woods, Water Conservation Program Coordinator. Staff will determine how many gallons your current schedule uses, provide a recommended watering schedule, and recommend any system upgrades that may benefit your yard. Staff will not make repairs. You must have a working irrigation system and be a direct City of Round Rock water customer to qualify for an irrigation system evaluation.

Indoor Water Use: Indoor water use is considered essential for health, so while you cannot stop using water altogether, you can use it more efficiently though your appliances and behavior changes. Toilets are the highest consumer of water inside, around 30% of household water usage. High-efficiency toilets (HETs) use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf ) or less, and can save 4,000 gallons per year. Look for WaterSense labeled models when replacing yours. Toilets purchased and installed since 1996 are already efficient toilets, using 1.6 gpf, which is the current standard set by the EPA. High-efficiency, front-loading clothes washers use 35% to 55% less water, 50% less energy, and less detergent and are gentler on clothes. Hot water on demand systems are growing in popularity. While they do not actually save much water, they do reduce energy costs, as the hot water is not heated 24-hours a day, but only when it is needed. Look for an Energy Star model if you opt to install one at your property.

How to execute the Half VolleyIn previous newsletters, I offered tips on how to hit a forehand

groundstroke, a two-handed backhand, one-handed backhand, forehand volley, the two handed backhand volley, and the serve. In this issue, I will give you instructions on how to execute the half volley, which is usually played between the base line and the net. The player is not close enough to the net to hit it on the air and/or does not have enough time to retrieve back to hit it on the top of the flight. The ball is usually hit right after it hits the ground. In these pictures student Camille Palafox demonstrates the proper form and technique. Photos by Charlie Palafox.

Step 1: The Split step: When the player realizes that she will have to play the ball right after it hits the ground, the player will stop and take the split step by bouncing off her toes at the same time and let her body lean forward to react to the ball. Both hands are on the racket so it can react to either move to the left or to the right. Eyes are focused on the incoming ball.

Step 2: The Back Swing: The secret of the half volley is to take the racket back early and have a short back swing. Also, it is critical to lay the wrist back slightly to allow for a good point of contact in front of the body. The player will then bend her knees and lunge forward to hit the ball as soon as it hits the ground. Notice the concentration of keeping her eye on the ball.

Step 3: The Point of Contact: As soon as the ball starts to rise, the player will make the contact with the ball and will aim to go away from the net person. Her eyes are focused on the point of contact and the left hand is still close the body for better balance. The left knee is still bent and the left toe is pointing toward the point of contact.

Step 4: The Finish: Once the ball leaves the racket, the left knee has now almost straightened up and the follow through is above the players’ head. This will allow the ball to go high over the net and will land deep toward the baseline. The opponent will have to back off to hit the next ball, or will also be forced to hit another half volley. The left hand is ready to hold the racket on the handle to anticipate the next shot, which probably will be the volley.

By USPTA/PTR Master Professional Fernando Velasco

TENNISTIPS


The Grapevine

Paul & Jan Gillia Knowledge,

Integrity, & Hard Work.

512-388-5454 • [email protected]

The Home Select Team Makes All the Difference!

Do Not Pay 6% To Sell Your Home!Our full service listings are now 4.5%. We Also Do Leasing.

Call or Email Before You List!

BEAT THE HEAT WITH COOL ARTThrough August 18

Jan Heaton’s “Quiet” exhibit features peaceful, soothing watercolors in the McDermott Learning Center. Jim La Paso’s colorful kinetic sculptures float like flowers in the breeze in the gardens through September 2.

WILDFLOWER SEED ONE-DAY SALE!Saturday, August 24

Take 20 percent off our entire stock of grass and flower seeds in time for planting season next month. At The Store only.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND SIDEWALK SALESaturday through Monday, August 31-September 2

The Wildflower Center is open on Labor Day. Major reductions at The Store.

AUGUST EVENTSSubmitted by Saralee Tiede

at the Wildflower Center


The Grapevine

Neighborhood Watch

Please contact [email protected] if you would like to join this group or would like more information.

FROM ONE NEIGHBOR TO ANOTHER....

As another summer comes to our neighborhood, Sonoma families enjoy the great outdoors of our community. As a community that includes our beloved pets. While enjoying the outdoors please make sure Fluffy doesn’t leave anything behind. As a responsible pet owner, you scoop it if your dog poops it.

Sonoma is a family neighborhood made up of residents of all ages. Please be considerate when parking in your driveway to not block the sidewalk. We don’t want young children, the elderly or special needs neighbors to have to enter the street to get around these cars...it is just not safe for them to have to do so!

Thank you for your consideration and for asking your guests to do the same.


The Grapevine

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 Grapevine 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 Sonoma Homeowner's Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Sonoma Homeowner's Association residents only.

Jennifer L. Kiening, D.D.S.

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Help Our NeighborhoodPlease report any broken sprinklers or other irrigation

irregularities to [email protected]. This would include any areas sprinkling when you think they shouldn’t or any water coming from sprinkler heads in an improper fashion.

The City of Round Rock is encouraging its utility customers to follow the twice-weekly voluntary watering schedule. Currently the watering days for commercial property is Tuesday and/or Friday. Residential odd-numbered addresses are Wednesday and/or Saturday. Residential even-numbered addresses are Thursday and/or Sunday.

Please remember the weather can and will change and mechanical systems can fail, so we need to use our water resources wisely.



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308 Meadowlark St.Lakeway, TX 78734-4717

WWW.COLINSHOPE.ORG

PREVENTABLEDROWNING IS

WATER SAFETY TIPS AT

LAYERS OF PROTECTION

Volunteer - DonateCOLINSHOPE.ORG

Ongoing: Volunteers needed to distribute water safey packets, [email protected]

October 19:

August 19: Got2Skate for Colin's Hope Fundraiser, 6:30-8:30pm at Playland Skate CenterAugust 29: Colin's Hope Got2Swim Lake Austin 10K/10 miler, http://www.tinych.org/got2swimSeptember 8: 5th Annual Colin’s Hope Kids Triathlon, http://www.tinych.org/KidsTri

2013

August

Calendar

ALERT: 36 Texas children have lost their lives to a fatal drowning this year.Many more have survived non-fatal drowning incidents.

Drownings are preventable!

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MULTIPLE BARRIERS

ON ALL POOLS & HOTTUBS

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LEARN TO

SWIM

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JACKETS

Be a Water Guardian and Watch Kids around Water.

Sharkfest Austin Swim bene�tting Colin’s Hope, www.sharkfestswim.com

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Sonoma - August 2013