Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Lost Creek Times - February 2009 �
lost creek times
Lost Creektimes
February 2009 News for the Residents of Lost Creek Volume 2, Issue 2
Lost Creek
Not Available Online
2 Lost Creek Times - February 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
lost creek times
Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc. ........................ www.PEELinc.com, 512-989-8905 Article Submissions [email protected] Advertising ........ [email protected], 512-989-8905
Newsletter Information
At no time will any source be allowed to use the Lost Creek Times 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 Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc..
Advertising Information Please support the businesses that advertise in the Lost Creek Times. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all The Lost Creek Times 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 888-687-6444 or [email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter.
Business Classified
Classified AdsPersonal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Steiner Ranch residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail [email protected] classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $50, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales Office at 512-989-8905 or [email protected].
FOUR POINTS TUTORING AT LOST CREEK, offers one-on-one tutoring in all core academic subjects. We serve all ages, pre – kindergarten through adult. Our tutors are experienced educators that are passionate about helping students learn! For further information contact us at 512-497-4355 or [email protected].
Go PaperlessSign up to receive The Lost Creek Times in your inbox. Visit PEELinc.com for details.
azizsalon.comNEW SOUTH LOCATION NOW OPEN!
5400 BRODIE LANE IN ACADEMY SHOPPING CTR., NEXT TO BED, BATH & BEYOND 512-891-0420
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE BUY ON-LINE
Downtown Salon located at 710 W. 7th St. 512-476-4131
Day Of Beauty MakeoversHair DesignersMaster Color SpecialistsMicroCurrent Face LiftSpa PackagesSkin Facial Services
Professional Manicures/ PedicuresIPL/Photofacial Rejuvenation Laser/IPL Hair RemovalRefreshing Spa/Body Treatments Professional WaxingExtraordinary Massage Services
Serving Austin for 35 Years
SALON & DAY SPA
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Lost Creek Times - February 2009 �
lost creek timesNew Food Guide Pyramid - (Continued from Cover Page)
meals that might spoil their appetite. • Serve smaller portions, which are less overwhelming for kids. Plus,
bigger portions may encourage overeating. • Create positive peer pressure. Look for opportunities for kids to
eat healthy with friends (at home, playgroups, or school). • Set a good example. Sit down for family meals together and make
sure your kids see you enjoying the same wholesome foods you’re expecting them to eat.
• Get more inventive as they grow. Create food faces. Offer condiments, dressings, and dips (like peanut butter, applesauce, ranch dressing, yogurt, cream cheese, guacamole, or salsa dip) for dunking and decorating. Serve colorful fruits and veggies in a “food rainbow” or on a kabob. Cut cheese, veggies, and sandwiches into shapes. And if your picky eater opts not to eat anything at all, don’t make
a big deal about it — your finicky kid won’t starve. Simply offer nutritious choices again at the next scheduled meal or snack. But if your child is regularly skipping meals and snacks or you’re worried that your little one isn’t getting enough calories or nutrients, talk to your doctor.
Luckily, although lots of tots are picky eaters at some point, this often-frustrating phase too shall pass. In the meantime, get creative, be patient, stay positive, and stock up on snack and meal ideas from
other parents, KidsHealth’s recipe section, and tools like the USDA’s new website (go to MyPyramid.gov and click on MyPyramid for Preschoolers). And, just think, in no time they’ll be really big kids raiding the cabinets!
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MDDate reviewed: October 2008
This information was provided by KidsHealth, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this one, visit www.KidsHealth.org or www.TeensHealth.org. ©1995-2006. The Nemours Foundation
Live Your Best Life!
We Can Help!
Lose WeightEliminate Unwanted HabitsManage Stress Effectively
Pam Yagjian, MS, CHt(512) 422-3380
www.austinhypnosolutions.com
Got Botox?Great Gift for Any Occasion!
$10.00 off first treatment(Mention this Ad)
Texas College ofTraditional Chinese Medicine
445-4444www.austinacupuncture.com
Insurance Acceptedwww.brownpaint.com
512.506.9740
What can BROWN paint for you? INTERIOR / EXTERIOR PAINTING
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL GENERAL REPAIRS / CARPENTRY
SHEETROCK REPLACEMENT TEXTURING & FAUX FINISHES
CUSTOM STAIN & VARNISH
Why should BROWN paint for you? FREE ESTIMATES
BONDED & INSURED 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE EXCELLENT REFERENCES
3-YEAR WARRANTY FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED
The
Brown PaintCompany
Not Available Online
� Lost Creek Times - February 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
lost creek times
WWW.ATFCU.ORG 512.302.5555
*Annual Percentage Rate. All rates expressed are “as low as”. **Austin Telco will pay all standard closing costs on Home Equity loans below $100k. Additional non-standard fees will be the responsibility of the member. ***Rate applies to 1st lien commercial real estate loans with a loan to value of 80% or less; construction/development loan rates / terms may be different. No Pre-payment penalty. Please call for details. ****Annual Percentage Yield. Penalties for early withdrawal may apply. Actual rate may vary depending on credit qualifications. All APRs, APYs and terms are subject to change without notice. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
14 METRO LOCATIONS
Free Checking 200+ Free ATMs
WWW.ATFCU.ORG 512.302.5555
Plus No
Clo
sing Co
sts!**HOME EQUITY LOANS
5 YE
AR
S %APR*4.95
10 Y
EAR
S
%APR*5.40
15 Y
EAR
S
%APR*5.75
MONEY MARKET
$75,
000
to
$124
,999 %
APY****2.48
$125
,000
to$1
74,9
99 %APY****2.68
$175
,000
and
Abo
ve %APY****2.89
SHARE CERTIFICATES
%APY****3.44%APY****3.75%APY****3.85
12MONTHS
24MONTHS
36MONTHS
%APY****3.29%APY****3.55%APY****3.65
Reg
ular
1
Jum
bo2
New
, Used
or R
efinance
AUTO LOANS
UP
TO66
MO
NTH
S
%APR*4.85
72 M
ON
THS
%APR*5.20
20 Year A
mo
rtization
COMMERCIALREAL ESTATE LOANS
5 YE
AR
S %***5.99
10 Y
EAR
S
%***6.29
15 Y
EAR
S
%***6.49
GRAND OPENING
Please call 512-328-6459 todayto schedule a complimentary wellness evaluation.
“I have helped many people achievetheir health goals and improve the
quality of their lives through gentle and affordable Chiropractic care and I lookforward to helping you do the same.”
RollingwoodFamily Chiropractic
2712 Bee Cave Rd., Ste. 112Rollingwood,TX 78746
512-328-6459Donald G.
Pethtel, D.C.
We are conveniently located in the Rollingwood Plaza byBistro 88 and offer same day and Saturday appointments.
www.rollingwoodchiropractic.com
(Continued on Page 5)
Virus and Spyware and Mail… Oh My!Submitted by Laurie Scott
The problem with these and many other malware programs is that they are increasingly difficult for your anti-virus and anti-spyware program to detect and almost impossible to completely remove. Many threats appear before the anti-virus companies even have a chance to update their software, leaving you completely unprotected.
So how can you keep your computer safe from such threats? The first thing you must do is be sure to keep your anti-virus up to date. If your subscription has expired, you should either renew it or else use one of the free anti-virus programs like AVG Free or Avast (they have paid versions but you don’t need them). Microsoft’s anti-spyware program “Defender” is included with Vista and can be downloaded free from Microsoft for Windows XP. Though the threat for Macs is low, programs like ClamXav and MacScan are available, as are programs from Symantec and McAfee.
Next is keep your operating system up to date. Both Microsoft and Apple frequently issue updates, and it’s very important you patch your computer before the bad guys worm their way in.
Finally and most important is your behavior when using your computer. You can own a Volvo or Mercedes with 12 airbags and 5-way seat belts, but if your behavior is to drive 120 miles an hour,
Here we are in 2009, and the days of thinking that our anti-virus and anti-spyware software will protect us is over. We live in a time when organized crime all over the world is trying to either get your personal information directly or turning your computer into a “zombie” that without your knowledge attacks other computers or sends out spam. Even Apple computer has posted (rather quietly) a recommendation that Mac users consider using anti-virus software.
The generic term for viruses, spyware, etc. is malware, and malware authors are getting more and more creative in getting their hands into your computer. A particularly nasty approach being used is to trick you by popping up a window that says your computer is being scanned for viruses, and that upwards of 40 have been found. It instructs you to click on a button to download their “anti-virus” software to clean your system. When you click on that button, you’ve just allow the spyware onto your system. It is a very convincing window and looks legitimate. Once downloaded, it adds insult to injury by telling you need to purchase the software to actually remove the viruses. Of course, it doesn’t remove any spyware or virus, and getting you to send them money is just icing on their cake. The most common names for this program is WinAntiVirus 2008 (and now a 2009 version) and Pro AntiSpyware.
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Lost Creek Times - February 2009 �
lost creek times
Lost Creek Newsletter is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use Lost Creek 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.
Newsletter Article Submissions Interested in submitting an article? You can do so by emailing [email protected] 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 Lost Creek Times. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, special celebrations and military service are also welcome.
Family Owned & Operated!Serving all of Austin & Central Texas for 33 years!
Call for a FREE ESTIMATE today!(512) 834-6416 • (512)250-5228 • (512) 278-0500
Daniel Ballard – OwnerISA Certified Arborist Texas Chapter
SPECIALIZING INRESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL:
Tree RemovalPruningCabling
Brush GrindingLandscaping
Stump Removal
Roof CleaningGutter Cleaning
FertilizingTree & Shrub TrimmingBall Moss, Mistletoe, & Dead Wood Removal
PRESENT THIS AD FOR20% OFF ANY SERVICE!
Ballard’s Service
Doug’s Garage Door ServiceThe service man you can trust!
Family owned and operated since 1984
Free Estimates
Custom Steel and Wood Doors
Residential/Commercial
Repairs
OpenersFor Service/Sales
Contact Doug Yoder: 512.282.6238
Virus and Spyware - (Continued from page 4)
those safety features aren’t going to help you when you hit a solid wall. Likewise, when you’re using your computer, don’t click on links or open attachments in email, even if it’s from someone you know – they may not even know they sent it! If you’re expecting it, then ok. Don’t click on email links that look like they came from your bank, many people have given their banking login information to thieves because they thought they were logging into their bank, but really weren’t. If you use Internet Explorer, be sure you’ve upgraded to version 7 (click on Help | About to see the version number.) If you’re using Firefox, you should be using version 3. Safari users should be at 3.2 (4.0 will be released sometime “soon”.) Don’t click on pop-up’s, and don’t download music sharing sites like LimeWire, where malware is EVERYWHERE. Follow those few tips and you’ll enjoy a much safer computing experience.
Not Available Online
� Lost Creek Times - February 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
lost creek times
Stephen Blair, M.D.Board Certified Family Physician
Lost Creek Homeowner
912 Capital of Texas Highway, South(between Bee Caves Rd. & Lost Creek Blvd.)
Call 306-8360 for an appointment
www.capitalfamilypractice.com
Extended hours:Evening and Saturday
www.miraclemethod.com
We can resurface:• Bathtubs• Tile• Showers• Countertops Laminate & Cultured Marble
We can also:• Repair Tub & Sink Chips• Install Grab Bars• Install the EasyStepTub to Shower Conversion
5 Year Warranty
Call for free estimate today!
512-467-8812To reach your localMiracle Method office.
It’s 2009!�e Perfect Time
Special Offer Call Now!
to give your tubs and countertops a facelift!
Echoes of the Drought from the 1950s LCRA meteorologist Bob Rose reflects on 2008 and shares his 2009 weather predictions
“During the long Texas drought of the 1950s a joke, probably already as old as the state, was told again and again about a man who bet several of his friends it would never rain again, and he collected from two of them.” This line is from Elmer Kelton’s famous book, “The Time it Never Rained”, a chronicle of the terrible record-setting drought of the 1950s in West Texas. In the book, Elmer states that drought, by Texas definition, is a period of severely deficient moisture that laps over from one year into another. “It often lasts two to three years duration. Anything shorter, though it may be serious, is termed a dry spell, as if more annoyance than hardship.”
There’s no doubt the long drought of the 1950s is one of the worst on record for Texas. During that period, many cities set records for all-time lowest rainfall in a month and in a calendar year. For example, Austin’s rainfall in 1954 was only 11.42 inches, the driest year on record, dating back to 1856. But very dry weather in 2008, although not long enough in duration to qualify as a drought, is matching, if not exceeding, some
of the bad drought years of the 1950s. From the Hill Country to the middle Texas coast, rainfall through late December has been roughly 25 to 50 percent of normal. Data for Austin and San Antonio indicate 2008 was the fourth driest year for Austin and the third driest year for San Antonio, as well as the driest year for both cities since the mid 1950s! In reality, the dry weather of 2008 has not just been a dry spell but rather a very serious drought!
The cause of this drought, like most droughts, is not fully understood. It appears to be the result of many different elements in the oceans and atmosphere that have influenced the weather pattern over the central part of Texas most of the year. But in some ways, this drought also seemed to happen by chance, with several large
rain storms just missing our region in one direction or another while other storm systems weakened and fell apart just before they moved through. In how many years do you find much of West and deep South Texas wetter than Central Texas?
Bob Rose, LCRA meterologist
(Continued on Page 7)
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Lost Creek Times - February 2009 �
lost creek times
“For Old Fashioned Service”
Composition Roofs - Modified Bitumen Single PlyGutter Drain Protection
We Assist You On Insurance ClaimsLocally Owned & Family Operated - Fully Insured
Residential & Commercial“For Old Fashioned Service”
Residential & Commercial
Painting and Decorating
Specialty finishes
Faux Finishes
Staining
Minor Repairs
Hydro Cleaning
Outstanding Quality
Professional Painting
Murals
Interior / Exterior
512-926-8291Over 25 years experience
www.innovativepaintinginc.com
Ask us about thinking green.
Scientifically speaking, we’re currently in a period caused by a very long-term weather pattern that favors more dry years across Texas than wet ones. So having a fairly dry year right now is not all that surprising. But what is surprising is just how dry this year has been, especially following the very wet year in 2007. Like the two-year droughts of 2005-2006 and 1998-1999, the drought of 2008 still may continue for another six months to a year, possibly longer. No one knows for sure. But I have some hope the drought may back off some later this winter and going into spring. Looking back at the weather from other years with somewhat similar ocean and atmospheric conditions, specifically 1950, 1974 and 1989, dry weather continued into January of the following year, but some fairly generous rains began to develop February into March in each of those years. If 2009 is similar, we might indeed see more rains across our region late winter and into spring. But will this be a true change in the pattern or just a temporary break? Will the dry spell of 2008 turn into the drought of 2008-2009? Let’s certainly hope not.
Echoes of the Drought - (Continued from Page 6) SudokuThe challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appearonly once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.
© 2007. Feature Exchange
Sudoku
*Solution at www.PEELinc.com
Don’t want to wait for the mail?View the current issue of the Lost Creek Times on the
1st day of each month at www.PEELinc.com
� Lost Creek Times - February 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
lost creek times
SUPERIOR PAINTING& WOOD ROT REPAIR
PromPt - reliable - affordable - Since 1993
int./ext. Painting - Siding rePlacement
door/window inStallation - trim carPentry
extenSive referenceS - free eStimateS
SatiSfaction guaranteed
512-426-8997
satisfaction guaranteedfree estimates
water pressure problemsfiber optic drain line inspectionssewer & drain service
Steve Brougher276-7476
1106 West Koenig Lane
STEVE’SPLUMBING
REPAIR
Master License: M-11465
n Nature Watch
by Jim and Lynne Weber
it also depends on surprise to ambush and kills its prey. It prefers to eat a wide variety of small mammals and is more of a generalist predator than its relative the mountain lion. While the bobcat is highly adaptable and in most areas has learned to cope with the inroads of human settlement, both the bobcat and the mountain lion face threats due to hunting by humans as well as from habitat loss and fragmentation. Little has been learned about these wild cats due to their stealth and mainly nocturnal habits, and while fairly common, they leave little evidence of their presence. Often the only evidence that presents itself is a set of tracks.
While the front tracks of felines (such as mountain lions and bobcats) and canines (such as coyotes and foxes) are larger than the hind tracks, there are some key differences that can aid in proper identification. Cat tracks do not usually have claw marks as their claws are retractable, and only show when they are pouncing or running. In terms of their palm pad, cats have three lobes on the hind edge and two lobes on the leading edge, where dogs have two lobes on the hind edge and one lobe on the leading edge. Lastly, the two front middle toe pads of a cat are not aligned as they are in a dog track, and the positioning of the leading toe pad can help you
Cat TracksOf the 36 species of wild cats in the world, 7 species roam North
America, and only 2 range widely in the state of Texas. In the desert mountain ranges of West Texas, the dense brushlands of the Rio Grande Valley, and parts of the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas, the mountain lion is the top predator. Preferring heavily wooded uplands and bottomland forests, as well as the rocky limestone regions of the Edwards Plateau, the bobcat is present throughout Texas.
A large, long-tailed, unspotted cat, the mountain lion has a lithe, muscular body covered in short, tawny fur with darker markings on the face, ears, and tip of the tail. Also known as the cougar or puma, mountain lions can run up to 43 mph, leap 20 feet from a standing position, and jump a distance of 16 vertical feet! Unlike other big cats, they cannot roar, but they do purr like their close relative, the house cat. They can grow up to eight feet long, weigh up to 150 pounds, and can kill prey to up seven times their body weight. Their diet consists chiefly of large and small mammals, and although mainly solitary, they will come together to mate.
A medium-sized cat with a spotted and barred gray to reddish brown coat, black-tufted ears, and a stubby tail, the bobcat inhabits more of North America than any other wild native feline. With its flexible body measuring up to three feet long and weighing up to 30 pounds, (Continued on Page 10)
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Lost Creek Times - February 2009 9
lost creek timesCheck us out at: www.Sco-Bar.comResidential and CommeRCial HaRdsCape speCialists
9413 neils tHompson, austin, tx 78758 • 512-873-7784
�0 Lost Creek Times - February 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
lost creek times
Peel, Inc.512-263-9181
www.PEELinc.com
community newsletters
Effective Advertising, Done Right.Call today to Reserve your space.
Advertise YOUR businessto YOUR neighbors forless than 7¢ per home.
lt
identify a left from a right foot. If the toe that is furthest forward is on the right, the track is made by the left foot, and if it is on the left, the track is made by the right foot. Needless to say, the tracks of a mountain lion are generally larger than that of a bobcat (roughly 3-4 inches wide versus 2-3 inches wide). However, a large bobcat can splay its foot over 3 inches, and in those rarer cases the size of the palm pad is used to determine which feline left the tracks.
While you may never actually see a mountain lion or bobcat in Central Texas, you can be sure these magnificent animals are present. Tracks and signs are everywhere, and if you spend the time to study them, they can tell you much about the secret lives of these elusive felines!
Send your nature-related questions to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer them.
Left Front Feline Track
Canine Tracks
Nature Watch - (Continued from Page 8)
View the Kids' Club Contest Winnersonline each month at
www.peelinc.com/kidsclub.php
Advertise Your Business Here
888-687-6444
Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc. Lost Creek Times - February 2009 ��
lost creek times
Color the drawing below and mail the finished artwork to us atPeel, Inc. - Kids Club
311 Ranch Road 620 S, Suite 200Lakeway, TX 78734
We will select the top few and post their artwork online at www.PEELinc.com. DUE: February 28th
Attention KIDS: Send Us Your Masterpiece!
LT
Be sure to includethe followingso we can
let you know!Name: ________________________ (first name, last initial)
Email Address: __________________________________________________
Age:___________________________
[This information will only be used to notify you or your parents if your artwork was selected.]
�2 Lost Creek Times - February 2009 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.
lost creek times
% Voice 512-989-8905 V www.PEELinc.com
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPEEL, INC.
LT
Peel, Inc.311 Ranch Road 620 S. Ste 200Lakeway, Texas 78734-4775
“On May 14th, $9,000 + was stripped from my Lake Point home value”
“Hail damage…now I have a new roof, gutters, & fence. I highly recommend EcoExpress… They inspect & verify any damage then work with the insurance company on MY behalf.”“Thanks to their marketing program, we paid $0 out-of-pocket!”
- Dave & Beth Young
This is a TIME-SENSITIVE issue.
512-779-5590 – Bob 512-563-1395 - Marcus
There Is No Obligation!Check For Hail Damage!
The April & May Hail-Storms removed 80 lbs of granules from roof shingles . . . reducing
the life of a 30 year roof by 10 years.
"They did everything they said they would do... They met with my insurance inspector... I had a settlement check in just days... The whole process was effortless" - Ann Ferrell
Free Roof Check-upCall 779-5590
Limited Time – Our marketing program pays you to help us grow - $500 / mo.
