News and Posts

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Notice from Austin Police (Be Safe)

The Austin Police Department has received a number of reports from elderly Austin residents who have been approached at their homes by individuals offering to repair their rooftops and electrical wiring. These individuals are not legitimate roofers and electricians, and residents are encouraged to contact APD Detective Kevin Covington at (512) 974-9774 or kevin.covington@austintexas.gov if they are targeted by these scammers.

The City of Austin and Austin Energy are not participating in any electrical rewiring of homes. This work would be done by a certified electrician and City employees wear identifiable badges. Residents who have questions about their electricity can call the Utility Contact Center at (512) 494-4900.

Scam 1
The suspects claim they are working on a house nearby or driving by and see a squirrel go inside the home through a hole in the roof. They offer to repair the roof for a fee and ask the resident to pay half the cost up front. The scammers “work” for an hour or so and then leave with the money.

Scam 2
Police also believe the same suspects are going to homes and claiming they are City of Austin employees and that the homes may need electrical rewiring to prevent a fire hazard. The suspects appear official and have been granted access to at least four homes in south Austin. They walk around and “check” the electrical outlets inside the home, claim repairs must be made immediately, and then charge a fee of $3,000 to make the repairs. The scammers say they will deduct $500 from the total cost if they pay with cash.

Suspect Descriptions
• White male in his 30s
• White female in her 30s
• White male believed to be 12-15 years old
• Two Hispanic males in their 20s

The suspects are believed to be driving a green or white pick-up truck. If you have any information about these suspects, please call APD Detective Kevin Covington at (512) 974-9774.

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Aquifer District Out of Groundwater Drought

The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District’s General Manager has declared a No-Drought condition for the aquifers within the District, effective immediately. The declaration comes after a wet September that saturated soils, then record-setting rainfall in October that caused runoff to area creeks which swelled beyond their banks allowing substantial recharge to the aquifer. One of the area’s two groundwater drought indicators, the water level in the Lovelady Monitor Well, has been rising steadily since the storms in mid- and late-October. On Sunday, November 17, the water level in the Lovelady Well crossed above the District’s drought threshold, a rise of over 19 feet in about a month. The other drought indicator, sustained flow rate at Barton Springs, moved above its threshold after the precipitation events in mid-October and has remained there.  Both indicators need to be above their designated thresholds – and currently are – to emerge from drought.

The District declared a groundwater drought and has been enforcing mandatory water-use restrictions since November 15, 2012, just over a year ago. While the aquifer has received substantial recharge and has passed into No-Drought status, it is still below average water storage capacity.  “The water level at the Lovelady well is still 22 feet below average, but the rapid recharge caused by the recent storms has greatly improved groundwater conditions around the District,” said Robin Gary, Public Information Coordinator.  Groundwater users are encouraged to maintain conservation practices, but mandatory water use restrictions are lifted.

Brian Smith, Aquifer Science Team Leader, stated that, “These exceptional rain events in October fell over parts of the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zone, but the western parts of the contributing zone received only moderate amounts of rain, so we are not likely to see flow continuing in the creeks for an extended period of time.  Without significant rain this fall and winter the aquifer could return to drought status by late winter or spring.”

The District’s General Manager, John Dupnik, offered this reminder stating that, “Despite the exceedingly wet conditions this fall, it is important that groundwater users not forget about the preceding summer months during which severe to extreme meteorological drought gripped the area, and as a consequence, caused water levels in the aquifer to plummet to close to Stage IV Exceptional Drought conditions.” Even in No-Drought status, end users are encouraged to continue to conserve.  Conserving water can prolong the time spent out of groundwater drought and protect water levels and springflow at Barton Springs.

Useful links:

•        Aquifer Data (links to real-time drought trigger measurements):  www.bseacd.org/aquifer-science/aquifer-data/

•        Aquifer Status:  www.bseacd.org/aquifer-science/drought-status/

•        Drought Monitor Blog: droughtmonitor.blogspot.com/

•        Aquifer Bulletin newsletter (with full aquifer rain response article):  www.bseacd.org/publications/newsletters/

•        Press Release Archives:  www.bseacd.org/publications/press-releases/

 

BSEACD is a groundwater conservation district charged by the Texas Legislature to preserve, conserve, and protect the aquifers and groundwater resources within its jurisdiction, which includes parts of three Central Texas counties.  It is governed by a Board of five elected directors and staffed with hydrogeologists, groundwater regulatory compliance specialists, environmental educators, geospatial systems specialists, and administrative support personnel.

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Neighborhood Halloween Decorating Contest

ChrisPumpkin_2012

It’s time gain for our Annual Halloween Decorating Contest!  No prizes just admiration from your neighbors with a sign posted in your yard.  We will be voting and counting your votes for the most spooky decorations on October 26.  Please vote for your favorite “Most Spooktacular” and “Children’s Favorite”.  Put your votes in the mailbox by the marquee by the end of the day on October 26.  We want to hear from you on your favorite decorations!!1208

C

MostSpooktacular_2012LightwoodLoop

CarlasHouse

CathysHouse

RSpider_2012

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House Concert In Cherry Creek!!

Hi friends and neighbors,
This is my first living room concert, I hope you will make it.
Erica Taylor

What a treat! (Costumes optional, but fun) The BEST singer/song writer & violinist playing right here. Better than a front row seat! Bring a friend, a favorite side dish and BYOB for a memorable night you won’t forget. Food and snacks at 6:30, concert starts about 7:30pm Suggested donation $20 (includes copy of CD) Please RSVP to Erica Taylor

–Here’s a Bio bit of Phoebe that is sure to win you over:
Singer-songwriter-instrume ntalist Phoebe Hunt just can’t stay planted in one spot for long, and that insatiable wanderlust drives everything she does — from exploring her own musical styles to living the gypsy life of a touring musician.

Hunt wraps her sultry voice and sincere lyrics right around listeners’ souls with each song. Flowing between the heartbreaking tones of a classic country song into the provocative riffs of a jazz artist, Hunt artfully navigates through many musical landscapes pulling from the heart of the American soul. She shifts moods from playfully demure to seductive and intimate in the blink of a beat. But the quality that shines through most is her honesty.

Please click the link above and respond if you are coming as we have limited seating.
Nov 1st, Friday _ 6:30 for food & drinks, 7:30 concert
Erica & Sam Taylor’s home
3303 Silkgrass Bend 78748
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Board Meeting Tonight! Thursday October 17, 7:00-8:00, @ 3303 Silkgrass Bend

If you have any questions or concerns about what is going on in the neighborhood come to the meeting tonight!

 

Meeting Agenda:
1. Treasurer’s Report
2.  Landscaping Report
     A.  Fall Plantings?
     B.  Fall Clean up?
3.  Neighborhood Watch
     A.  Talk about getting it in place
4.  Welcome Committee
     A.  New homeowners report
5.  Park Update / Status of flooded picnic area
6.  Discuss pros and cons for NNO party
7.  Halloween Decorations Contest
     A.  When to vote for best decorations
8.  Holiday Decorations Contest
     A.  Front Entrance Hoilday lights / who to hire
     B.  When to vote for best decorations
9.  Budget for next year
     A.  Events to Plan
          1.  Annual Meeting
     B.  Expenses planned for coming year
          1.  Flag subscriptions
          2.  Solar Lights for marquee
10.  Old Business
11.  New Business
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COME Join Your Police Department For The Commander’s Forum

The Commander will talk about crime stats in our Region as well as crime prevention.  Code Enforcement will give a small brief and answer questions you may have.  They will also break off in groups by who is your District Rep. In the groups the DR’s will talk about crime stats in your neighborhood. This is also a good time to address any concerns you may have in your neighborhood. 

AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT

    REGION IV

COMMANDER’S FORUM

Time:     6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

 Where: Clinton Hunter Substation

                    404 Ralph Ablanedo (Between Congress and  S. 1st ST.  1 Block North of Slaughter Ln)

                    Tuesday, October 15th 

                                 

 We look forward to seeing you and getting your feedback!

Questions?  Please call  512-974-8100

(Southeast/Southwest)

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Introducing President Carla Trautwein

Dear Neighbors:

My name is Carla Heinrich-Trautwein and I have stepped up to take the role of President of the Cherry Creek on Brodie Lane Neighborhood Association. I have been on the board for many years and have served the neighborhood in many different capacities.  I welcome any input from our residents on the direction you would like the Board to take in making this the neighborhood you want to live in.  The Board has been giving me excellent support and guidance.  We will be posting a schedule for regular meetings so interested residents can attend and give us input.  My hopes are to continue to get people in the neighborhood involved and help make Cherry Creek on Brodie a place we all want to live.

I would like to increase our membership.  By increasing our membership we will be able to maintain the appearance of our neighborhood and keep our property values up.  Our home values are important and if we all become members and take care of our properties we can have a very desirable neighborhood.  Also by getting involved and taking on a small task of your interest we can accomplish so much more.  I want a sense of community and with that comes a sense of security.  By knowing your neighbors and watching out for others we can cut out crime.  With being an active community we can have events that are fun for our families and a chance for each of us to meet new neighbors and make new friends.

Let’s all plan to start the new year off with paying our association dues and taking care of our properties so we can all be proud of Cherry Creek on Brodie.

Thank You,

Carla Heinrich-Trautwein

 

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Annual Marketplace at Bethany Lutheran Church

Bethany Lutheran Church is having an annual Marketplace on Saturday November 9th, 9am-4pm with over Eighty Five (85) Vendors from all over Texas.  This is a great opportunity to do Christmas shopping.  Booths will be all over the Fellowship Hall and the Gym behind the church.  The Vendors have a variety of Hand Made and other interesting items for sale.

Come out and do your Christmas shopping.  Snacks will also be available.