vista ridge - august 2011

Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc. Vista Ridge Reporter - August 2011 1

Vista Ridge ReporterReporterV I S T A

VOL. I, ISSUE VIIAUGUST 2011

O F F I C A L N EW S L E T T E R O F T H E V I S T A R I D G E HOA

R I D G E

What a great time we had on the 4th of July!

!anks to Chloe Hall for the fabulous face painting! !anks also goes out to the Social Committee members for organizing our yearly parade and treats: Karen Curtis, Jennifer Voith, Marissa Burill, and their husbands. If you'de like to help out with our festivities, please drop an email to Terri Hall, [email protected].

What a great time we had on the 4th of July!

2 Vista Ridge Reporter -August 2011 Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.

Vista Ridge Reporter

!e Vista Ridge Reporter is a monthly newsletter mailed to all Vista Ridge residents. Each newsletter is filled with valuable information about the community, local area activities, school information and more.

!e Vista Ridge HOA hopes you enjoy this newsletter and welcomes this new communications tool for our neighborhood. Additionally, you may wish to visit our Vista Ridge website, www.LeanderVR.com. Directions on joining our Yahoo Group message board can be found there as well. If you have questions or would like to join any of the committees, please contact the appropriate chairperson below:

Our goal is to keep you informed!

A newsletter for Vista Ridge residents

NEWSLETTER INFOPUBLISHER Peel, Inc. ...................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Article Submission [email protected] Advertising................................ [email protected]

WELCOME

Please support the advertisers that make !e Vista Ridge Reporter possible. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales o"ce at 512-263-9181 or [email protected]. !e advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue.

ADVERTISING INFO

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 !e Vista Ridge Reporter. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, special celebrations and military service are also welcome.

NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATOR Terri Hall [email protected] OF THE MONTH COORDINATORMarissa Burill [email protected] & PARK COMMITTEE CHAIR Tim Lehner ...................................... [email protected] COMMITTEE CHAIR Karen Curtis ....................................karenCurtis@aim.comCOMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Lisa Naumann .......................... [email protected]

HOA COMMITTEES

MANAGEMENT CO.Goodwin Management, Inc

Carl Gamble, Property Manager [email protected]

502.7517

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LaxFarm

2 0 1 1

Is your son looking for an alternative to the same old fall

youth sports?

Registration is now open for The LAX Farm’s Fall 2011 House League. The league is structured for novice players and it is organized to emphasize fun and skill development.

If your son was looking for a way to enter the sport, this recreational league is an ideal way for him to test the waters. The league is designed for entry level players, but it is also for boys with some lacrosse experience who want to keep their skills honed during the off season. We offer full equipment rental packages as well.

www.thelaxfarm.com512-568-7597

the lax farm

Boys Youth Lacrosse / Fall League / Grades 1-6

“Growing Players with a Passion”

DEAR VISTA RIDGENEIGHBORS & FRIENDS,

!e Lawn and Garden committee is undergoing some restructuring. We are working on getting new Yard of the Month signs and are also looking to find others interested in assisting with the committee. !e duties would include assisting with the judging and creation of miscellaneous forms and/or spreadsheets to track winning addresses and expenditures, placement/return of YOM signs, article/web link resources to be published on website and in Vista Ridge newsletter. For the remainder of this 2011 year we will have a Yard of the Month winner, for the months of July through December. October and December contest will be a theme contest.

Here are the guidelines that we willbe using for Yard of the Month:

1. One home will be selected each month (April – December). !e exception will be in the months of October and December, when there will be two homes selected. Since the date of the holidays falls late in those particular months, judging will be the weekend prior to the holiday. Judging will be based on the Holiday criteria. (See criteria for holiday awards).

2. Winner must be in good standing with the HOA. !is will be verified thru the HOA Board/ Management Company in the absence of a Board. * Dues paid in full(not delinquent)* In compliance with the CC&R’s

3. Only the front yard/side yards as viewed from the street will be judged. Backyards will not be considered.

4. Each yard/home will be limited to winning the award only once in any calendar year. Holiday awards will be limited to winning only once every 3 years.

5. Judging will be done by the Lawn and Garden Committee who will determine and select a winner prior to the award being given. !e Committee’s decision is final.

6. Winners are selected by the 30th of the month prior. Yard of the Month signs will be placed in the winning yards on the 1st of the month, to remain the entire month. Signs will be placed by the committee. Example: July’s winner will be selected on June 30th.

7. Winner will be expected to maintain yard in same condition during the winning month.

8. Homeowners and Renters alike are eligible.(Continued on Page 4)


Vista Ridge ReporterDear Vista Ridge - (Continued from Page 3)

Saturday, September 24, 2010Join us for the 17th Annual Hairy Man Festival on Saturday,

September 24th from 11am to 6pm at Cat Hollow Park in Round Rock. Admission to the festival is two non-perishable food items or $2 per person to go to local food banks. !is event is sponsored by !e Brushy Creek Women’s Association and the Brushy Creek MUD.

!e family fun-centered events raises money for many local charities, and o#ers a full day of food, arts & crafts, children’s activities, and enjoy special performances and live music all day. !is year the proceeds will benefit Project Care Case.

Project Care Case provides new and age appropriate suitcases on wheels to each child in foster care. !e “care case” has their names permanently embedded on it and contains socks, underclothing, two changes of clothing, teddy bear, and a pillow/blanket of their own and a child friendly Bible.

For more information visit www.projectcarecase.org, Connie Bellows 512-852-9276. !e festival is located at Cat Hollow Park o# of RM 620 at 8600 O’Connor Drive. For more information please visit www.HairyManFestival.org or www.BrushyCreekWomen.org

Rogilyn Boggs, BCWAPR-Coordinator

HMF | 971-3906

YARD MAINTENANCEHealthy lawn, neatly mowed and edgedPruned and trimmed shrubs and trees to maintain shapeHealthy plants (No plastic or artificial plants)Minimum weeds in flower bedsYard free of debris and clutterBuildings, fences, porches/patios on property are in good condition

DESIGN AND LANDSCAPINGUse of color and/or textureCreative, unique, curb appealOverall aesthetic appeal, an inspiration to others in the neighborhoodBalance appropriate to house and lot size.Extra consideration may be given to properties that have invested extra effort through the use of attractive art pieces (e.g. pottery, ironwork) potted plants etc.

WALKWAYS & DRIVEWAYSClean and stain free; free from debris and dirt(Trash containers or yard products removed from view). Evening appearance – use of lighting to enhance appearanceHoliday Award will take into considerationOriginalityCreativityNeatnessPortrayal of the holiday spirit

WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:Specially designed “Yard of the Month” sign to be displayed during the winning monthA certificate of recognitionA gift card to a local retailer/home improvement storePhoto of winning lawn displayed on the Vista Ridge website

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Congrats Neighbor!

Yard of the Month winner for July is!e Coopers, at 1410 Shamitas Court.

Congratulations, your yard looks fantastic! Kevin and Gabe did a great job with the landscaping. You’ll be receiving a $50 gift card to a local home improvement store. !ank you for keeping our neighborhood looking great!


Vista Ridge ReporterIMPORTANT LINKS & INFORMATION

POOL HOURSTuesday - Sunday ................................................ 8am to 10pm .................................................. Closed Mondays for cleaning

Use of the Pool & Cabana is restricted toVista Ridge residents and their guests.

Lap time is available from 6am to 8am, Tues-Fri. To have your keycard programmed for entry during these times, please call Terri Hall at 259.6791. Reserve the Cabana for a party by contacting Tim Lehner, Pool Committee Chair. You may check dates that have already been reserved by looking at the neighborhood calendar that is on the Yahoo Group. Just click on Calendar and then Events List. !ree hour limit for reservations, please. NEW procedure for obtaining your Pool Key Card, “Go to PoolKey.com to eSign required forms - FASTEST WAY TO GET A KEY!!!”

Owners now have the option to access and eSign Pool Wavers at PoolKey.com. To submit a pool waiver on PoolKey.com the owner will follow these steps:1. Click on Association2. Obtain transaction code from DocuSign3. Paste transaction code from email into DocuSign form4. Complete the DocuSign transaction

LEANDERVISTA RIDGE HOA

11149 Research Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759-5227Voice (512) 502-7517 Fax (512) 346-4873

JULY 13, 2011

Dear Neighbor,Our next Home Owner’s Association meeting will take place

on Saturday, August 13, 2011. We will meet at 10am in the multi-purpose room of the Leander Public Library, located at 1011 South Bagdad Road. !e meeting’s agenda is as follows:

IntroductionsCommittee ReportsBudget discussed by Carl GambleQ & A

USEFUL WEB SITESwww.poolkey.com

http://lvr.goodwintx.comwww.leandervr.com.

To join the Vista Ridge Yahoo! Group message board,please email [email protected]

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AUGUST EVENTS - WHITESTONE ELEMENTARYAug. 11 .................................... New Family Orientation 6:30pAug. 18 ...........................Kinder & Pre K Camp 4:30p - 5:30pOpen House, Last Name A - M ......................... 5:30p - 6:15pLast Name N - Z ................................................. 6:15p - 7:00pAug 22 First Day of school; Dismissal at 2:35p all of first week.

School Supply Listhttp://schools.leanderisd.org/docs/31-Final%20Supply%20List%202012.pdf

LMS - SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST6th .........http://nse.leanderisd.org/docs/41-LMS6supply11.pdf7th .........http://nse.leanderisd.org/docs/41-LMS7supply11.pdf8th .........http://nse.leanderisd.org/docs/41-LMS8supply11.pdfTIGER CAMP is August 10 from 9:00 to 12:00. Kona Ice will be

there from 11:30 to around 1:00 helping raise money for the PTA.OPEN HOUSE

August 17 ............................................6th grade Open HouseAugust 31 ................................7th and 8th grade Open House

ROUSE HIGH SCHOOLRaider Camp - New Student Orientation

August 3, Wednesday ...........................................6-8pm (A-K)August 4, !ursday .............................................. 6-8pm (L-Z)

JOIN VISTA RIDGE YAHOO! GROUP MESSAGE BOARD!is message board is exclusive to residents of the Vista Ridge

neighborhood. To join the group, go to this link: uhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/VistaRidgeLeander/join or email us at [email protected]. !is VR Message Board is a great place to...

Keep up to date on upcoming eventsMeet new neighborsShare referrals for hair salons, babysitting, dentists, etc.Discuss neighborhood issuesOrganize playgroups, bunko night, cooking clubs, etc. Advertise your business services

Please join and help continue to makeour neighborhood a fun place to live!

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12 OUNCES OF SODA…& THE 60 MINUTES

THAT FOLLOWI used to be a soda drinker. I could not go a day without at least

one. Pepsi was my favorite, although Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, and root beer were at the top of my list too. I don’t drink soda at all anymore. It took a long time to break that addiction, but it was well worth it. Why? Well, here’s a breakdown of what happens in your body in the 60 minutes after you drink 12 ounces of regular, ca#einated soda paraphrased from Wade Meredith’s “What Happens To Your Body Within One Hour of Drinking a Coke”:

Minutes 1-10: 100% of your recommended daily sugar intake hits your bloodstream. You would normally want to vomit when you consume over 10 teaspoons of sugar in one sitting, but the phosphoric acid in the soda cuts the sweetness. Most likely this sugar is in the form of genetically modified high-fructose corn syrup.

Minutes 15-25: Your blood sugar spikes, causing a burst of insulin to be released from your pancreas. Your liver starts turning any sugar it can get into fat to help reduce the load on the pancreas.

Minute 40: Ca#eine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate and your blood pressure rises, which causes the liver to respond by dumping more sugar into your bloodstream. !e adrenaline receptors in your brain are now blocked, preventing drowsiness.

Minute 45: Your body increases dopamine production which stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain (physically the same way that heroin works).

Minutes 50-60: !e phosphoric acid in the soda binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine at the same time that the sugar is increasing the urinary excretion of calcium. In other words, the sugar and phosphoric acid are kidnapping vital minerals and getting ready to escort them out of your body. !e ca#eine’s diuretic properties come into play (making you have to pee). !e urine takes with it the calcium, magnesium and zinc bound by the phosphoric acid, as well as sodium, electrolytes and water.

Minute 60: As the party dies down you start your sugar crash. You might become irritable or sluggish. You have urinated away all of the water that was in the soda as well as many valuable nutrients that your body could have used for hydration or building bones and teeth.

Not mentioned in the timeline is how your body deals with the toxins delivered by the artificial flavors and colors. Antioxidant vitamins in your body do their best to eradicate or neutralize the toxins, and the rest are often stored in fat cells. If you’re trying to give up your beloved soda, perhaps thinking about this timeline might help you. Realize that when you drink a soda, you are washing nutrients out of your body, dehydrating yourself, taking one step closer to a diabetes diagnosis, and feeding an addiction.

Need an alternative? Try good ol’ fashioned water!!! Or for some variety have water with lemon or lime, sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice, herbal teas (iced or hot), or 100% fruit juice (fresh squeezed if possible).

- Suzi Simmons

GOING 100 PERCENTORGANIC NOT FEASIBLE?

By Melanie Dragger, M.Comm.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization specializing in research and advocacy related to public health and the environment, has released its 2011 updated “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticides. Topping this year’s list? Apples. !is begs the question, “Can eating an apple a day really keep the doctor away?”

!e answer may lie in where you get your apples. Although the EWG’s ranking was cited as an overestimate of the risk by the Alliance for Food & Farming, a non-profit organization with the stated mission of providing a voice for farmers to communicate their commitment to food safety, consuming organically grown products can reduce the amount of pesticides that enter your body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), long-term exposure to pesticides can lead to death or serious illness, including developmental and reproductive disorders, impaired nervous system function, and certain cancers. Further, the WHO has found children to be at higher risk from exposure than adults.

However, organically grown products are typically more expensive than conventionally grown products, and some organic products may be di"cult to find in some areas. If growing your own fruits and vegetables is not an option, and purchasing 100 percent of your produce in organic form is monetarily unfeasible, the EWG’s list o#ers a good starting point for consumers.

According to the EWG’s 2011 report, which is based on its analysis of tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the following 12 fruits and vegetables (the “Dirty Dozen”) consistently contained the highest amount of pesticides when conventionally grown, and should be consumed in organic form when possible:

1. Apples2. Celery3. Strawberries4. Peaches5. Spinach6. Nectarines (imported)

7. Grapes (imported)8. Sweet bell peppers9. Potatoes10. Blueberries (domestic)11. Lettuce12. Kale/collard greens

Alternatively, according to the EWG, the following 15 fruits and vegetables (the “Clean 15") consistently contained the least amount of pesticides, and by adhering to this list, individuals can get their recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables without incurring the expense of buying organic products in order to limit their exposure to pesticides:1. Onions2. Sweet Corn3. Pineapples4. Avocado5. Asparagus

6. Sweet peas7. Mangoes8. Eggplant9. Cantaloupe (domestic)10. Kiwi

11. Cabbage12. Watermelon13. Sweet potatoes14. Grapefruit15. Mushrooms

(Continued on Page 7)



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Underscoring the importance of the consumption of fruits and vegetables was the release of MyPlate, also in June, replacing the classic food pyramid. !e USDA’s new food icon is a simple, visual cue that advises individuals to “make half your plate fruits and vegetables,” graphically shrinking the role of meats and dairy products in the national diet.

More information on the EWG, as well as the full list of fruits and vegetables ranked, can be found at http://www.ewg.org. More information on the Alliance for Food and Farming can be found at http://www.foodandfarming.info. To learn more about the USDA’s MyPlate, visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov, and to discover more about the WHO, visit http://www.who.int/en.

Going 100 Percent Organic... - (Continued from Page 6)At no time will any source be allowed to use !e Vista Ridge Reporter's 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. !e information in the Vista Ridge Reporter is exclusively for the private use of the Vista Ridge HOA and Peel, Inc.

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. !e 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.* !e 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 e#ort 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.


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vista ridge - august 2011

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