Archive for April, 2009
Brush Country Trail Clean Up
Posted by Nick Weynand in WNA Events on April 29th, 2009
Oak Hill Trails Association is continuing its efforts to improve the trail connecting the end of Brush Country, Westcreek Drive and Monterey Oaks this Saturday, May 2nd. They plan to work from 9-12. Meet at the large pile of brush in the middle of the trail area. Please bring wheelbarrows, heavy rakes, tree trimmers, gloves, etc.
Rick Perkins of Oak Hill Trails Assoc is looking for some stone paver material. They want to build some steps somewhere at the end of the trail near Monterey Oaks. His email is rperkins8503@att.net.
Please consider showing up, get some exercise and have some fun.
Neighborhood Garage Sale
Posted by Nick Weynand in WNA Events on April 23rd, 2009
Westcreek will hold a neighborhood wide garage sale on Saturday, May 16th.
The normal rules apply: you put up your own signs and have the garage sale on your property. And when the day is over, you take down your signs around the neighborhood.
The WNA will run an ad in the Austin American-Statesman the day before and also in the Oak Hill Gazette the week prior to the sale.
Happy selling!
The Patton Elementary School Carnival
Posted by Nick Weynand in WNA Events on April 8th, 2009
The Patton Elementary School carnival is scheduled for Saturday, April 25
from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m…rain or shine! Every year the carnival is the
main way that the PTA makes its money to support the school. The community
is invited to come and support the Patton PTA.
In addition to the traditional carnival games and entertainment there will
also be a chance to pick up a great deal at the silent auction. So far the
Patton PTA has received donations from local business such as Alamo
Drafthouse, Austin Pizza Garden, Mad Science, Schlitterbahn with more
donations coming in daily! The silent auction will include baskets made by
our very own Patton classes. The themes this year include “Disney”,
“Camping”, “Picnic for Two”, “Garden”, “Lego’s”, “Go Green”, “Kid’s Summer
Fun”, “Pets”, “Breakfast” and many, many more!
If you or your family knows of a business or would like to support the
Patton Carnival with your sponsorship, please send in donations as soon as
possible. We are in the final stages of planning for the annual Patton
carnival and those sponsorship dollars go directly to providing fun, food,
and entertainment to the Patton children and community. Envelopes and forms
are available in the front office of Patton Elementary School for your
convenience.
Please contact Rebecca Rolan at 517-5361 or jrrolan@yahoo.com for more
information.
Brush Collection
Posted by Nick Weynand in WNA Events on April 8th, 2009
Stacks must be no more than 4′ high and 15′ long. Place cut ends next to curb and piles should be 5′ minimum from other trash/recycle containers.
Douglas Woodworking
Posted by Nick Weynand in Cabinetry on April 7th, 2009
Josh Douglas
Comments from a Westcreek resident:
“A custom cabinet builder. His prices are significantly less than every person I talked to (4 other bids) and the quality is high. Double check the details with him, make sure all measurements are accurate. He made a couple of fixable mistakes on measurements, and he fixed them quickly. I believe he is a highly skilled woodworker who is learning the ins and outs of doing cabinets as a businessperson. I loved working with him, the quality of my all-wood (no particle board) cabinets is comparable to high-end homes, and I got all the bells and whistles I wanted. I would definitely use him again, and I saved at least $5000 on my kitchen alone by using his services.”
G&G Berry Associates
Posted by Nick Weynand in General Home Repair, Remodeling on April 7th, 2009
Jamie Grigar
Comments from Westcreek resident:
“Best [darn] contractor I’ve ever used, by far. On time, under budget, no drama, painstakingly careful and clean. Understands budget constraints, understands upscale, and everything in between. A great man to work with. At this point in our economic times, he is willing to take on projects that are much smaller than normal. He has built entire homes – $million+ homes, and done things as small as replace siding, redo a room, add a sunroom, repair your fence.”
Example home: http://www.gunhollow.com/
Quick Tips to Prevent Oak Wilt
Posted by Nick Weynand in Oak Wilt on April 5th, 2009
- DO NOT TRIM OAK TREES DURING “Leaf Exchange” (when they drop
their leaves- which is occurring now). Trim in late December, January and August. - Make sure that the tree trimmers you hire are THOROUGHLY
disinfecting their cutting tools between EACH & EVERY tree that they trim. Do not let them go from one tree to the next without disinfecting tools completely. - Make sure that they are IMMEDIATELY SEALING EACH CUT AS THEY
CUT IT on the oak tree they are trimming, including sucker cuts. - Watch for color changes if you have Red Oaks. If they look like
they are “turning” (as in Fall leaves) during the summer, you might have a problem. Call a Certified Arborist immediately. - Hire a reputable tree trimming company.
- WATCH the trimmers as they are doing the work.
Although these are fairly elementary steps, many of us have to work and often hire a company to come to do the work during the week. With the spread of Oak Wilt, it is worth your while and the life of your oak trees to be present when the trimming is done. It will be well worth the vacation day you took to be there, and your property values as all of our wonderful oak trees continue to live.
As Oak Wilt spreads, it is likely many of us will need to replace our beautiful trees. Chris recommends replacing large Live Oak and Red Oak varieties with a number of heat and drought resistant Central Texas trees such as the following:
- Bur Oak
- Chinese Elm
- American Elm
- Bald Cypress
- Escarpment Cherry
- Italian Stone Pine
- Montezuma Cypress
- Pecan
- Cedar Elm
- Mexican White Oak
- Mexican Sycamore
- Arizona Cypress
He also has a list of medium sized trees and smaller trees if you are interested. No matter what, his recommendation is to DIVERSIFY your trees.
Contact Chris Dolan, our City of Austin Arborist, about any Oak Wilt or other tree concern at chris.dolan@ci.austin.tx.us or call him at (512) 974-1881.
For more information on Oak Wilt in Texas, visit www.texasoakwilt.org. This site has every possible fact and photo you will need to know about Oak Wilt.
Kindergarten Round Up
Posted by Nick Weynand in WNA Events on April 5th, 2009
UPDATE: The date has changed to Tuesday, May 5th.
Location: Patton Cafeteria
You will need to bring your child’s immunization record, social security card (or number) and birth certificate. Please also bring your driver’s license and a utility bill, lease, or mortgage agreement for proof of your address. Although the school can make a copy of these documents, the registration process will go much faster if you bring your own copies to leave with the registrar in addition to the original forms.
April 2009 Winners
Posted by Nick Weynand in Yard of the Month on April 1st, 2009
Melba Zett and her son Buddy have lived at 4813 White Elm for almost six years, and before moving to White Elm they lived on Summserset Trail for 13 years. Melba’s a retired state employee and Buddy works for the Eanes School District. Buddy is also an excellent carpenter and has made a lot of improvements in both the house and the yards.
This year Buddy built a couple of square foot gardens in the back yard, hoping to grow a few vegetables, using nothing but organic soil and fertilizers. Melba says living on the greenbelt gives not only a sense of privacy, but also an opportunity to enjoy the wildlife.
Melba and Buddy were presented with a $25 gift card from Randalls and a $50 gift card from Emerald Gardens. Be sure to support Randalls and Emerald Garden in return for their generosity to Westcreek.
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