www.stonecanyonoa.org March 2012 Volume 7, Issue 3
Official Publication of Stone Canyon Homeowners Association
Neighborhood Newsletter
Easter Egg HuntIt’s Easter Bunny time again! Join us Saturday, March
31st for the annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. We’ll meet at Fern Bluff Park at 10:00am. After the hunt we’ll enjoy a light lunch of Nathan’s hotdogs and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We’ll have bouncy rooms and face painters to entertain children. The Easter Bunny will also make a special appearance. If you’d like to volunteer, please email [email protected].
Hi Neighbors!By the time this article is in your hands, we will be just
a couple of weeks away from the pool opening for another fun-filled, action-packed swim season. As we have in the past, the pool will open on April 1st, 2012. Lifeguard and pool hours will be posted on the Stone Canyon web site. One modification to the pool hours that was requested later in the summer last year is that our pool key cards allow us into the pool at 5:00am for a before-work swim. We have decided to continue that this year.
We have our new pool contractor (Austin Pool Pros) hard at work making improvements to the filter and chlorine systems at the pool, as well as the deck and awnings. We are adding a liquid chlorine/muriatic acid automated injection system. This will keep the pool ph much more constant, greatly reducing the need for either chlorine or acid shock treatments. This should also lead to the pool water being much more comfortable to the eyes and skin. The pool awnings and deck are also scheduled to get a good pre-season power washing.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the pooland having another great swim season.
Greg Martinez and the Stone Canyon Pool Committee
Lawn Care It is obvious as one walks through the neighborhood that last summer
was very tough on our lawns. More than likely we will still be under water restrictions for the 2012 growing season. With a few tips maybe we can save our lawns from disappearing completely and being replaced by weeds.
Let’s start with the simple basics: watering & mowing.Make the most of once-a-week watering by dividing your sprinkling time into
2 shifts. Instead of each station running for 20-30 minutes at a time, set the timer to water for 10-15 minutes at each station and then go around a second time. This will allow the water to sink in before the second pass-through. Deep watering once a week is far more beneficial than sprinkling lightly several times a week. This encourages deeper roots & enables the lawn to better withstand drought conditions. Early morning is the best time to water as you will have less evaporation. Evening watering encourages fungus & mold.
Check the irrigation system for leaks andfaulty sprinkler heads to avoid wasting water.
When mowing; raise the height of the mower blade and don’t cut more than 1/3 of the grass height, as more will stress the grass. This will also allow you to leave the clippings on the lawn for nutrients. Taller grass blades shade the roots and weed seeds, preventing weeds from germinating. Most websites I checked say 3-3.5 inches in height.
Chemical fertilizers during a drought have to be usedvery carefully as it could do more harm than good.
There are several nurseries in the area that offer alternative products.Alternative fertilizers include compost for top-dressing the lawn to help
keep moisture in the soil and several lawn fertilizers such as liquid seaweed and fertilizer made from sterilized bio-solids along with bat guano. Though considered organic, these fertilizers still need to be used with care as listed in the directions for use. Organic fertilizers are often kinder to our environment.
I have used manure compost on thinning areasof the lawn (tree roots) with much success.
I’ve never been a big fan of the weed-and-feed products from the big box stores. I think the smell is nauseating and it makes me sneeze. A few weeds here and there are not a problem; they are green and blend in with the grass. This year, since the lawn is pretty stressed from the drought, I have more weeds than usual! I am going to try something that is new to me: horticultural cornmeal. It’s not what you buy in the grocery store. Horticultural cornmeal is also supposed to be good for brown patch, which I also see in the lawn. For more information, go to: www.dirtdoctor.com and search cornmeal.
For more lawn & garden information: www.learn2grow.com Here’s hoping our lawns survive another summer! Cathy Soukup
KEY CONTACTS In an attempt to make things easier to find, we have provided
some key contact information for various organizations that you might need to contact. If you have a suggestion for information to add, please contact the web committee.
HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION: Bob Nardo - Goodwin Management .............. 512-852-7965 .................. 11149 Research Blvd Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759 http://stc.goodwintx.com/ Payment Address: Stone Canyon / Goodwin Management, Inc. P.O. Box 203310 Austin, TX. 78720-331Governmental Agencies: Fern Bluff Mud .............................................512-238-0606 ............... 7320 Wyoming Springs, Round Rock, TX 78681 City of Round Rock .....................................512-218-5400 .............................. 221 East Main Street, Round Rock, TX Williamson County Commissioners Office ...512-248-3238 ........... 400 W. Main St., Ste. 216, Round Rock, TX 78664 Williamson County Constable (Robert Chody) 512-248-3239 ...................211 Commerce Cove, Round Rock, TX 78664 Williamson County Sheriff’s Office (Non-Emergency) .........................................512-943-1300 Williamson County EMS (Non-Emergency) .........................................512-943-1264 Round Rock ISD ......................... (512) 464-5000 ext 1311 ....................Round Rock Avenue, Round Rock, TX 78681Misc. Services: Gas Line Malfunction .... (Business Hours) 1-800-460-3030 ............................................(After Hours) 1-800-817-8090 Street Light Repair - TU Electric ...............1-800-242-9113 Texas Utilities (TXU).................................1-800-368-1398 Southwestern Bell ......................................1-888-294-8433 Time Warner Cable ......................................512-485-5555 Williamson County Road and Bridge ...........512-943-3330
Update from ACCIt almost feels like Spring in Texas and with that comes the urge
to plant flowers and grass. But we are still in a drought and under water restrictions. So, because there is a prolonged drought and water restrictions, the board voted at February’s meeting to instruct Bob Nardo at Goodwin Management to temporarily forgo violations for dead grass and bare spots. When water restrictions have been lifted the board will take another vote on when to begin sending violations again. Although violation notices are not being sent for dead grass and bare spots, all other deed restrictions are being enforced.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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YARD OF THE MONTHby Joanie Brown and Amelia Dansby
By the time you read this, our Texas Spring should have definitely sprung! Hopefully, recent rains provided enough moisture for all of us to get our gardens started and prep our lawns for the beginning of our Yard of the Month cycle. April’s newsletter will provide more info on the committee’s charter, guidelines and timelines.
We’re also looking for new committee members to replace parting ones. If you’re interested, please contact either Joanie or Amelia:
This “shout out” will be short this month. Our message remains the same as always—we need more volunteers to cover Stone Canyon’s neighborhoods. So far, 13 of our neighbors have signed on as Block Captains, which is a good start. Not only do we depend on info received from our county Sheriff’s office, word of mouth within our community is a tremendous means of bringing attention to and sharing information about safety issues. In many cases, law enforcement officers depend on community watchfulness to help solve crimes in the neighborhood.
Two specific incidents occurred in December: *10th… A Columbia Falls resident reported someone had broken into his car. *11th… A Glen Canyon resident reported someone had also broken into his car. If anyone knows anything about either or both of these incidents, please contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s department at (512) 943-1353. These are just two examples of what to watch out for and that our Neighborhood Watch network can alert each other about.
If you are interested, but are hesitating because you work outside your home, please reconsider. If you’re able to receive Neighborhood Watch bulletins at your office, it should take a minimum amount of time to forward those bulletins to those neighbors on your list.
Remember that the Neighborhood Watch network is a major weapon we residents can use against anyone who enters our neighborhoods with wrong intentions. It’s our way of staying aware and looking out for each other and our families. Please help by volunteering for this important program. Thank you.
BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDSRELAXMATTRESS Your fellow Round Rock neighbor has opened a NEW Mattress Store in Round Rock! Relax Mattress is located next to Gatti-land off I35 and Sam Bass Rd. Teacher, Military, EMS, Fire and Police discount! www.Relaxmattress.net - Call Ryan Christian @ 512-388-3000 Locally Owned and Operated.
Don't Skip Necessary Tests for Fear of Radiation RiskRadiation exposure from diagnostic medical imaging is low and
should not cause concern about any future harmful effects, said a radiologic scientist from Baylor College of Medicine. "People should not skip necessary medical imaging procedures, such as mammography, radiography (x-ray) and computed tomography (CT), because they are afraid the radiation exposure might cause cancer," said Dr. Stewart Bushong, professor of radiology at BCM. "There is no measurable increased risk when imaging procedures are administered appropriately." It is important to understand the different kinds of imaging procedures and the amount of radiation exposure, Bushong said. "When you look at the amount of radiation exposure in each, the doses are very low."
Radiation dose is measured in millisieverts, or mSv. Approximately 100 mSv would be an example of a dose of radiation which could cause concern, Bushong said. Aounts of radiation in some common procedures include: mammography, 0.1 mSv; radiography, 1 mSv; and CT scan, 10 mSv. Weight gain during pregnancy should fall within certain range
Maintaining a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and baby, according to an expert at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital. "It's important for expecting mothers to work closely with their physician and perhaps even a registered dietitian to achieve a healthy weight gain during pregnancy," said Dr. Nancy Butte, professor of pediatrics - nutrition at BCM. Because of the concerns related to the obesity epidemic in the United States, the Institute of Medicine issued new guidelines for healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
BUTTE SERVED ON THE PANELTHAT MADE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
• Pre-pregnancy BMI - Underweight• Total weight gain range (pounds)
28 to 40 Pre-pregnancy - BMI - Normal Weight• Total weight gain range (pounds)
25 to 35 Pre-pregnancy - BMI - Overweight• Total weight gain range (pounds)
15 to 25 Pre-pregnancy - BMI - Obese• Total weight gain range (pounds) 11 to 20
FAD DIETS MAY NOT LEADTO SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS
Fad diets come and go with the seasons, but according to a Baylor College of Medicine dietitian, they may do more harm than good. "Any diet that selectively eliminates whole groups of foods creates a
nutrient hole that's hard to fill," said Roberta Anding, a registered dietitian at BCM. Eliminating carbohydrates, for example, starves the body of essential "nutrient heroes" such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods contain invaluable phytonutrients.
Detoxification diets such as colon cleanses and juice fasts are trendy right now, Anding said, but they could have a negative effect on the body because they don't offer enough protein. Not all nutrition fads are harmful, however. A rising and healthy craze in the Houston area and elsewhere are meals-to-go restaurants such as My Fit Foods, Balance Meals to Go and several others. "It's a grownup version of fast food for people who don't know how to portion food or are too busy to cook and they want something healthy and fast," she said.
Another healthy way to lose weight is to follow the government's new MyPlate plan. The plan can be found at www.myplate.gov. The MyPlate plan recommends filling half your dinner plate with fruits and vegetables, along with a fourth of a plate of grains and a fourth of a plate of lean protein. Take steps to prevent, control heart disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
According to the Center for Disease Control, about every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event; about one every minute will die from one. Baylor College of Medicine physicians say it's important to know the risk factors, recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and live a healthy lifestyle. Risk Factors Medical conditions that affect your heart or increase your risk of death or disability from a coronary event include arrhythmia, heart failure and peripheral artery disease.
ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS INCLUDE• High cholesterol• High blood pressure• Obesity• Diabetes• Tobacco use & secondhand smoke
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the
center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as arms, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath.• Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Should you experience any of these signsit is important to call 9-1-1 immediately.
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ORAL HEALTH UPDATEIT MAY NOT BE “JUST A TOOTHACHE”.
Going to the dentist may not be on the top of your To Do list, but if you’re experiencing dental pain, a trip to the dentist may be just what you need. If you have a toothache that lasts more than one or two days, you notice swelling around a tooth, bleeding, or experience severe pain or fever, it’s time to make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. A thorough examination and diagnosis is important to prevent more serious complications to your teeth, jaw, and gums. Dental decay and gum disease are progressive in nature. Early diagnosis is essential to a quicker and easier treatment.
THERE ARE SEVERAL CAUSESOF DENTAL PAIN, INCLUDING:
• Tooth decay affecting the enamel and the dentin, or inner layer of the tooth
• Tooth abscess caused by severe tooth decay or a trauma causing an infection at the root
of the tooth or between the gum and tooth • Damage to existing fillings due to pressure
from chewing, grinding, or clenching• Teeth grinding that causes fracturing,
loosening, and excessive wear• A fractured tooth from a traumatic dental
injury • Infected gums as a result of gingivitis or
gum disease (periodontitis)
During your exam, your dentist will typically ask about the nature of your dental pain, when it started, and if anything makes it better or worse. Then, your dentist will conduct a physical examination of your mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, tongue, and throat. X-rays and other tests may be recommended, depending on what the dentist suspects is causing your toothache.
Once your dentist has determined the cause of your dental pain, you will be
presented with treatment options. If a cavity is causing your pain, a simple filling may do the trick. However, if there is an infection that has spread to the tooth’s nerve, a root canal may be necessary. An antibiotic may also be prescribed if you have swelling of the jaw or a fever.
DENTAL PAIN IS PREVENTABLE!Because most toothaches are caused by
decay, practicing good oral hygiene is the easiest way to prevent dental pain. This includes brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist for professional cleanings and checkups on the schedule determined by the Dental Hygienist. In addition, eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in sugar will not only help you prevent cavities but will improve your body’s overall health.
Please join us for the 4th annualColin’s Hope Classic charity golf tournament
and help prevent childhood drownings.
Colin’s Hope envisions a world where children do not drown
Honorary ChairsOlympic Swimmers:
Brendan Hansen and Garrett Weber-GaleCity of Lakeway Chief of Police: Todd Radford
Empowering Childrenthrough Meditation
LEARNING MINDFUL AWARENESS CANBENEFIT YOUR CHILDREN FOR A LIFETIME
By Suganda Jain
Parents, teachers and researchers are discovering how meditation can relax children and help them thrive in life and academics. Studies abound on the benefits of meditation for adults, and recent research is beginning to confirm that benefits extend to children as well.
Psychotherapist Gina Biegel has studied the impact of meditation on teenagers and found that it does in fact decrease anxiety and depression. Her eight-week study of over 100 teenagers even found improvements in sleep patterns and changes in medication use. “We tend to be going-going-going all the time,” says Beigel, who practices at Kaiser Santa Teresa Hospital in San Jose. “We need to take a moment and not feel the need to do-do-do all the time.”
The benefits of meditation go beyond stress-reduction. Meditation can help kids understand that feelings are okay, build confidence and establish closer relationships.
Nancy Brady has taught meditation to kids for the past seven years. She was able to use meditation to enable 8-year-old Joey to handle his grief after his grandmother passed away. Brady helped Joey “visit” his grandmother, and he was able to tell her that he missed her and loved her. Afterwards, he was no longer sad.
“It enriches my life to watch a child establish strong inner connections that strengthen his or her abilities in school and will continue to grow through life,” says Brady. “I like knowing that children have a more complete set of tools—beyond anger and frustration—to live the best life they can.”
SHARING MEDITATION TOGETHER When a parent and child experience meditation together, they
can enjoy the benefits while also creating a special bond with one another. Moms-to-be can even use yoga and meditation to bond with their unborn babies.
“You are connecting with the soul of your baby in utero. It’s a feeling of connection, of oneness with your child inside of you,” says Mallika Chopra, author of two inspirational books for moms, and daughter of spiritual guru Deepak Chopra. For her, meditating during pregnancy was a beautiful and magical experience.
Whether children experience meditation with a parent or on their own, the benefits can last a lifetime. “Meditation is a precious gift that your child(ren) will have for their entire lives,” says Chopra. “It’s something they will always have at moments of stress and frustration, and when they want to be at a (more balanced) place.” TRY IT!
