a newsletter for the residents of westminster glen… · and acting out this favorite disney movie...

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Gazette - February 2010 1

The GazeTTe

February 2010 Volume 2, Issue 2

The GazetteA Newsletter for the Residents of

Westminster Glen

CHEERS for Children A Pre-Valentine’s Day Wine

and Food TastingAre you looking for something fun or romantic to do with your

friends or partner to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but would rather not battle the crowds that night with the usual dinner out? Then here’s just the thing:

Northwest Aust in C i r c l e o f Fr i e n d s presents our 11th Annual CHEERS for Children event benefitting Dell Chi ldren’s Medica l Center of Central Texas. This exciting event, a premier wine, scotch, and food tasting, will be held Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6:30 to 9:00 pm at Twin Creeks Country Club (3201 Twin Creeks Club Drive), nestled in the lovely hill country setting between

northwest Austin and Cedar Park.Please join us for a delightful pre-Valentine’s Day celebration filled

with wonderful Italian wines, delicious foods, and fine single malt scotches, in addition to silent and live auctions with unique and tempting items. Get your Valentine the perfect gift he or she will love while enjoying the serenade of romantic live music. Tickets are $50 per person ($45 for Twin Creeks Country Club members). Repeat guests will receive a small token of appreciation upon check in. All proceeds directly benefit Dell Children’s Medical Center.

For more information or to purchase tickets online go to https://www.childrensaustin.org (listed under “upcoming events”) or contact Jana Lee Gondran* 512-826-8614* [email protected].

Mulan,Jr. By Maria Claypool

River Place Student Theatre proudly presents the musical production of Mulan, Jr., a Disney play by MTI. Based on the 1998 Disney film Mulan and the story Fa Mulan by Robert D. San Souci; Disney's Mulan, Jr. is a heart-warming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney’s Mulan. The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Mulan Jr. is an uplifting celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The score includes favorites like “Reflection,” “Honor to Us All” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as well as new songs. Don’t miss out on this great play, bring the whole family to enjoy elementary school students of all ages singing, dancing and acting out this favorite Disney movie adaptation.

Music and lyrics by Matthew Wilder, David Zippel, Stephen Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge, music adapted and arranged and additional music and lyrics by Bryan Louiselle and book adapted and additional lyrics by Patricia Cotter.

Performances are at The Church at Canyon Creek located at 9001 F.M. 620 North in Austin, Friday, February 19th at 7:00 PM and Saturday, February 20th at 7PM. You can purchase tickets online at www.RiverPlaceStudentTheatre.org or at the door for $10.00 adults and $5 for children.

For more information contact:Maria Claypool, Media Relations VolunteerRiver Place Student Theatre; [email protected]

2 The Gazette - February 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

The GazeTTe

Classified ads Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Westminster Glen residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail [email protected]. Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $50, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales Office at 512-263-9181 or [email protected].

NEwSlEttER INfoPuBlisher Peel, Inc. ...................... www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 [email protected], 512-263-9181

MISSIoN StatEMENtThe Gazette, For Westminster Glen

The mission of The Gazette is to provide the Westminster Glen Community with one source of local news content that is written by Westminster Glen residents. Our goal is to help build the community by connecting local businesses with residents and residents with relevant neighborhood information.

"Be the community."

advERtISINg INfo Please support the advertisers that make The Gazette possible. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512-263-9181 or [email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue.

Not available online

The GazetteStork ReportCongratulations!Let us help celebrate...email info on the arrivalof your little one [email protected].

Go GreenGo PaperlessSign up to receive The Gazette in your inbox. Visit PEELinc.com for details.

www.childrenscenterofaustin.com

Offering 3 ConvenientAustin Locations!

One Month’sTuition

Schedule a tour for details· please present coupon at time of enrollment

· one discount per family

Schedule a tour for details.· please present coupon at time of enrollment

· one discount per family

FREE

Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Gazette - February 2010 �

The GazeTTe

Please call Raquel Hebben, the Membership Director, if you would like to receive information regarding Membership, Fall Junior Programs, or our Open House Event at 512.346.1114x3903 or via email at [email protected].

4207 River Place Boulevard Austin, Texas 78730 | Phone: 512.346.1114 | Fax: 512.346.0527 | www.riverplaceclub.com

Junior Programs are offered after school every day from February through May.

Our programs include: Golf, Tennis, Tap,Tumbling, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Karate!

*Membership is Not Required to Trial After School Programs.

Learn about the great Summer Camp activities we offer! Our Summer includes Golf, Tennis, Sports Camp, Tot Camp, Swim

Lessons, Swim Team, Tap, Ballet, & Karate.

You are Invited...To our Camp Open House Event

Wednesday, March 10th from, 5pm - 8pm What are your KidsDoing after school?

Join the Fun �is Spring!

CerTified TO VOTe! New Blue Voter Cards Delivered!

Approximately 533,000 registered voters in Travis County will receive new voter certificates by mail starting today. The content of the new certificates look exactly like the old ones and includes the following:

1.Blue is the new color, replacing the current orange certificate that expires 12/31/09

2.a state-issued identification number, Vuid, appears in the upper left corner.

3.“date of birth” now appears as “year of birth”.

“Two years ago federal and state laws changed what voters see on their certificate,” said Travis County Tax Collector and Voter Registrar, Nelda Wells Spears. “In the upper left corner of the certificate, the state issues

the ’VUID’ number, which stands for Voter Unique Identification. When voters move within Texas, the state keeps track of where to add or cancel a record.”

Spears estimates 14% of the first-class mailed certificates (74,000) will be returned as undeliverable because the voter has moved

and did not update their address. If a voter moved and provided a forwarding address at the post office, a follow up letter goes out from the voter registration division requesting an address update. If the voter fails to respond, the record is placed in a suspense file. While this action does not prevent voting, it may cause a delay at the polling place on Election Day. Address updates can be made online if the voter has moved within the county. Find the link at www.traviscountytax.org .

Anyone who did not receive a voter certificate and needs to update address may download the form at www.traviscountytax.org or call 854-9473 to order by mail.

See http://www.traviscountytax.org/goNews.do#voters for voter registration statistics and a sample voter certificate.

� The Gazette - February 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.

The GazeTTe

· Start saving for retirement· Begin funding your child’s education· Possibly cut your life insurance cost

· Lower your monthy cash outlay· Take advantage of immediate

opportunities in sales marketing

WE WANT TO HELP YOUR FAMILY HAVE A BETTER FINANCIAL FUTURE!

Local Representative Rich Keith2900B N. Quinlan Park Rd., #331

Austin, Tx 78732 C: (512) 632-0162

Securities Offered By PFS Investments Inc.Home Office: 3120 Breckinridge Blvd. • Duluth, Georgia 30199

Regional Office: 174 S. Guadalupe St., Ste #200San Marcos, Tx 78666 • (512) 396-7371

NaTure WaTChA Bird That Prefers To Run

Spend any amount of time in Texas or the southwestern United States and you’ll undoubtedly spot the Greater Roadrunner, a long-legged, ground-dwelling member of the cuckoo family. It is regionally called ‘paisano’, meaning constant friend or compatriot. This large chicken-like bird, with its long tail and shaggy crest, is fully capable of flying, but usually runs instead, at speeds up to 18 miles per hour. True to its name, a group of these birds is known as a ‘marathon’ or a ‘race’ of roadrunners.

From a behavioral point of view, the roadrunner is a fascinating subject. This signature bird of the southwest slows its bodily functions at night, and conserves body heat by lowering its temperature and becoming lethargic. In the early morning, it can warm itself up without expending a lot of energy. Turning its back to the sun, it erects its feathers to expose an underlying patch of black skin between its wings that helps it quickly absorb more solar energy. When

running at top speed, it holds its head and tail flat and parallel to the ground.

The roadrunner is an opportunistic forager, and while it can catch small birds at feeders and nest boxes, more often it eats a variety of fruits, seeds, as well as venomous prey items, including large insects, spiders, scorpions, and even rattlesnakes. Surprisingly agile, two birds will frequently cooperate to kill a large snake, taking turns to distract it, pin its head with their heavy bill, and beat it against a rock or the ground. When alarmed or curious, the

roadrunner raises its crest and white-edged tail, and utters a series of coos or rapidly clatters its beak.

Living in dry, open habitats, the roadrunner has adapted by developing salt glands in front of its eyes to excrete excess salt from its blood. While these glands are more common in ocean-going birds that drink seawater, the roadrunner is able to go without drinking

Greater Roadrunner

(Continued on Page 5)


The GazeTTe

512.302.5555WWW.ATFCU.ORG

HOME EQUITY LOANS

4.79%*10 YEAR FIXED

5.09%*15 YEAR FIXED

5.59%*20 YEAR FIXED

PLUS NO CLOSING COSTS**COMM. REAL ESTATE LOANS

5.65%***5 YEAR FIXED



20 YR. AMORTIZATION/NO PRE-PMT. PENALTY

REG. CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT

1.61%****6 MONTHS

1.86%****12 MONTHS

2.17%****24 MONTHS

MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF $1,000 REQUIREDJUMBO CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT

1.71%****6 MONTHS

1.96%****12 MONTHS

2.27%****24 MONTHS

MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF $95,000 REQUIRED

AUTO LOANS

3.59%*60 MONTHS

3.69%*66 MONTHS

3.89%*72 MONTHS

NEW OR USEDMONEY MARKET ACCOUNT

1.26%****$25,000 TO $74,999

1.36%****$75,000 TO $124,999

1.51%****$125,000 AND ABOVE

MINIMUM DAILY BALANCE OF $2,000 REQUIRED

*ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE. ALL RATES ARE EXPRESSED “AS LOW AS”. ACTUAL RATE MAY VARY DEPENDING ON CREDIT QUALIFICATIONS.**AUSTIN TELCO WILL PAY ALL STANDARD CLOSING COSTS ON HOME EQUITY LOANS BELOW $100K. ADDITIONAL NON-STANDARDFEES WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEMBER. ***RATE APPLIES TO 1ST LIEN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS WITH A LOANTO VALUE OF 80% OR LESS; CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT LOAN RATES/TERMS MAY BE DIFFERENT. NO PRE-PAYMENT PENALTY.****ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD. PENALTIES FOR EARLY WITHDRAWAL MAY APPLY. 1REGULAR - A MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF $1000 ISREQUIRED. 2JUMBO - A MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF $95000 IS REQUIRED. ALL APRS, APYS AND TERMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUTNOTICE. PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS. THIS CREDIT UNION IS FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION.

FREE CHECKING250+ FREE ATMs

15 METRO LOCATIONS

Sign Up NOW for OurNEW Gymnastics Class !

Gain Fundamental Confidence On Bars, Beams, Floor & Rings

Call:512.345.8300 Email: [email protected] 6618 Sitio Del Rio Blvd, Austin, TX 78730

FUN KID’S NIGHT OUT Pizza , Games

Movies

MOMS DAYOUT

$50 off NEWSession

$25offCOOLEST

Birthday Party in Town!!!!

Rock Climb ZipLine

Games N More

Our unique programs create a fun learning

environment that helps parents fulfill their child’s

physical, social & personal potential.

TUMBLE IN TODAY

Sign Up NOW for OurNEW Gymnastics Class !

Gain Fundamental Confidence On Bars, Beams, Floor & Rings

Call:512.345.8300 Email: [email protected] Sitio Del Rio Blvd, Austin, TX 78730

FUN KID’S NIGHT OUT Pizza , Games

Movies

MOMS DAYOUT

$50 off NEWSession

$25offCOOLEST

Birthday Party in Town!!!!

Rock Climb ZipLine

Games N More

Our unique programs create a fun learning

environment that helps parents fulfill their child’s

physical, social & personal potential.

TUMBLE IN TODAY

water as long as it eats food with high moisture content, but will drink water if it is available. When courting, many male roadrunners attract a female with cooing calls and then offer her food, usually in the form of a dead lizard. If the female accepts, copulation occurs, during which the food is often exchanged.

In a small tree, scrubby bush, or a stand of cactus, both parents build a shallow platform of thorny sticks, line it with leaves, grass, feathers, and occasionally shed snake skins. Clutch size can vary from two to six eggs, depending on the food supply. If all the eggs do not hatch at roughly the same time (called asynchronous hatching), and the food supply declines during the breeding season, the parents may eat the younger chicks or feed them to their older siblings. In times of abundant food, roadrunners will double-brood, or raise a second family just as soon as the first is out of the nest.

Greater Roadrunner populations appear stable across their range, and are seen in central Texas year-round. However, like most species, they tend to disappear when their habitat is fragmented by development.

Send your nature-related questions to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer them. - Jim and lynne Weber

Nature Watch - (Continued from Page 4)


The GazeTTe

BUSINESS CARDS / BUSINESS CARD MAGNETS / MAGNETS

POST-IT® NOTES / CUBES & MEMO PADS / DECALS

BUMPER STICKERS / MEMBERSHIP CARDS & ID BADGES

PERSONALIZED WRITING INSTRUMENTS / CALENDARS

HEALTHCARE PROMOTIONS / DRINKWARE & KOOZIES®

NEWSLETTERS / BOOKLETS / FLYERS

ENVELOPES / LETTERHEADS / RUBBER STAMPS

BUSINESS FORMS / AND MUCH MORE....

1-888-687-6444 ext. 24

Promote Your Business

need an advertising sPecialitY item?

Experience MattersDoing business for

30+ years.

The GiVer By lOis lOWry“A Perfect World?”

The Giver by Lois Lowry won the 1994 Newbery

Medal. Considered a young adult book, I purchased it for my nephew, but wanted to preview it

before giving it to him. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book (it is intensely deep and invited more thought and examination than any other book I’ve read in a long time), I don’t think the content is appropriate for young adults. I’ll explain this in more detail, but in preparation for writing this review, I noticed that The Giver is on many middle school reading lists, but it is also on many banned book lists and appeared on the American Library Association’s list of the most challenged books of the 1990’s.

Although I didn’t give the book to my nephew, I think it is an excellent adult read. This book makes you really think. It describes a community that lives in what the author describes as a “perfect” world—one without pain, emotion (including love), color, decisions, surprises, memories, inconvenience and even temperature variations. While this is definitely not my idea of a perfect world, the people of this community of people live their daily lives in a very robotic and extremely organized way.

Each member of this community is assigned a specific role at the age of 12 and the main character, Jonas, is given the role of Giver. He is given all the memories of past generations where there was pain, love, hunger, the brilliance of color and he is responsible for holding all of these memories so no one else has to live through them. The way the Receiver transfers these memories to Jonas and the horrifically hard life that awaits Jonas is extremely interesting and creative.

When Jonas questions things—which he has never been permitted to do—he understands the very hard, but accepted way of life in his community. In particular, the “releasing” of the rule breakers, elders and anyone else who stands out or is an inconvenience to the group is heart wrenching—this is the part that is not for young adults.

The book is extremely creative; from the way the community and each family are structured to the unique role each person is assigned. It begs the question, “What would you give up to live in a more secure world?” and on the other hand, “What would you sacrifice to live life to the fullest?”

I definitely have Gathering Blue and Messenger on my reading list, two other books that are companion reads to The Giver.


The GazeTTe

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. The 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.* The 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 effort 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.

The Gazette 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 The Gazette 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.

G r e a t H i l l s B a p t i s t C h u r c h | w w w . g h b c . o r g1 0 5 0 0 J o l l y v i l l e R o a d . A u s t i n , T X . 7 8 7 5 9 | 5 1 2 . 3 4 3 . 7 7 6 3

The perfect churchfor people who aren’t.

The Purity Code Sundays 9:30 am (parents of students)Grief Share Sundays 11:00 am Soul Mates Sundays 11:00 am (seriously dating, engaged, newlywed)Home Alone Sundays 11:00 am (empty nesters)Family Walk Sundays 11:00 am (parents)Celebrate Recovery Mondays 7:00 pmEsther Beth Moore Wednesdays 9:15 am or 6:30 pm (women)

Ephesians Kay Arthur Wednesdays 9:15 am or 5:30 pm (women)

Sunday Morning Schedule9:30 . Blended Worship | 11:00 . Contemporary Worship | 9:30 & 11:00 . Bible Life Groups (all ages)

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


The GazeTTePeel, Inc.311 Ranch Road 620 S. Ste 200Lakeway, TX 78734-4775www.PEELinc.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPEEL, INC.

WST

real estate groupB A R T L E T T

Some of Your “4-Points” Neighbors We Sold in 2009

Each of ce is independently owned and operated.

www.TopKWGroup.com418-1435

329 Palto Alto 1620 Lakecliff Hills

3712 Lagood 4010 Michael Neill 4313 Inshore 4514 Autumn Leaf 5106 Gold Crest 5404 Ketch

9744 Big View9700 Big View9521 Big View

7708 Navajo

7616 Menler6003 Twin Valley

10108 Scull Creek10104 Inshore10053 Planters Woods1001 Dark Star9909 China Garden9904 China Garden

12100 Rayo De Luna11933 Portobella11608 Big Trail10808 Enclave Vista10705 Sun Tree10309 Arcana

12325 Hanging Valley 12828 Majestic Oaks 13101 Hallsell 13105 Hallsell

2705 Mingus 2710 Brindisi 2951 Lantana 3314 Far View

YOUR HOMEHERE!

a newsletter for the residents of westminster glen… · and acting out this favorite disney movie...

Documents