the grapevine grapevine the… · donna, carl, linda, carlos, reyna, cathy, harry, brenda, amy,...
TRANSCRIPT
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Grapevine - December 2010 1
The Grapevine
December 2010, Volume 4, Issue 12 Official Publication of Sonoma Homeowners Association
TheGrapevineTheGrapevineSONOMA
SOCIAL EVENT CALENDAR Every year the social committee puts
together a fantastic social calendar. The last event of the year is
DECEMBER 11th at 11-1pm Santa will be coming to Barefoot Pool
As always, volunteers are needed contact Cyndi at [email protected] . Sign up for the E-Blast for more details and event reminders.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS!A huge thank you to everyone who sent
their proxy or came to the annual meeting, elections were able to take place.
We have a few new Board Members, Carlos Villalobos and Charles King.The new officers and titles are:
Donna Kohn - PresidentCarl Anderson - Vice-PresidentRobert Nusbaum - TreasurerCarlos Villalobos - SecretaryCharles King - Member at Large
Mrs. Kohn has served on the Board previously as the Secretary and Chair of Landscape.
Mr. Anderson has also served on the Board in several different capacities.
Mr. Nusbaum is a returning Board member and has served as our Treasurer last year.
Mr. King is new to the Board but has been actively coming to the HOA meetings.
Mr. Villalobos is also new to the Board but has been active with volunteering in our community.
•••••
SONOMA’S 1ST ANNUALHALLOWEEN PARTY
There was a costume contest and a petting zoo. A special thanks to Cyndi Wassaboher who organized the event, and don’t forget the volenteers that make it happen Cyndi , Jack, Jerry, Donna, Carl, Linda, Carlos, Reyna, Cathy, Harry, Brenda, Amy, Marie and Jeff...
The next event is DECEMBER 11th at 11-1pm Santa will be coming to Barefoot Pool. Sign up for the E-Blast for more details and reminders.
TRASH AND RECYCLING INFORMATION
Below is a link for general information about the new recycling program which is scheduled to begin in January 2011. A recycle calendar is also included for easy reference. Please share this information with other residents in your neighborhood.
The City of Round Rock is starting a new solid waste and recycling program starting January 4th. With this new program residents will receive 1 garbage container and 1 recycling container. The containers will be delivered starting mid-November. Please start using the GARBAGE containers as they are delivered. Keep in mind the RECYCLING program will not start until January.
www.roundrocktexas.gov/docs/recycling_schedule_tuesday.pdf
OVER 300 KIDS AND PARENTS HAD A
HAUNTINGLY GOOD TIME!
2 The Grapevine - December 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
The Grapevine
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NEWSLETTER INFO
PRESIDENT Donna Kohn .......................... [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT Carl [email protected]
SECRETARY Carlos Villalobos ................................................................ TREASURER Robert Nusbaum [email protected]
MEMBER AT LARGE Charles King ...................................................................... POOL CHAIR
COMMITTEES Candice Nusbaum [email protected] CHAIR Donna Kohn [email protected]
SOCIAL COMMITTEE CHAIR ..................................................Cyndi@HoaSonoma.com
NEWSLETTER Amy Smith .................................. [email protected]
WEBSITE ................................. http://son.goodwintx.comGoodwin Management Company
Property Manager: Earline Wakefield
MANAGEMENT CO.
11149 Research Blvd. Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759-5227Voicemail: 512-502-7526
Cell: 512-470-5104Fax: 512-346-4873
E-mail: [email protected]
NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER Peel, Inc. ..................................................... 512-263-9181 Article Submissions [email protected] Advertising............................... [email protected]
IMPORTANT NUMBERSEmergency ......................................................................911Fire Department ................................................... 218-5590Poison Control .............................................. 800-764-7661 Police Department ............................................... 218-5500Round Rock Hospital ........................................... 341-1000Williamson County Sheriff’s Department ............. 246-1155 Post Office- 2250 Double Creek Road ........... 800-275-8777 Blackland Praire Elementry School ........................ 424-8600 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/bkldprairie/Ridgeview Middle School ...................................... 424-8400 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/ridgeview/Stony Point High School ....................................... 428-7000 http://schools.roundrockisd.org/stonypoint/City of Round Rock Website ....................................... http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/
Go GreenGo PaperlessSign up to receive The Grapevine in your inbox.Visit PEELinc.com for details.
Professional Petsitting Company
Insured/Bonded6 Years Experience
Pet First-Aid CertifiedMember of PSI
Marlena Windisch-Johnson512.925.9335
Until We Meet Again...
Happy Tails To You!
”“
“ ”
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Grapevine - December 2010 �
The Grapevine
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Its not just my slogan, but something I strongly believe in! What matters to you is my top priority!
I have lived in this wonderful area since 1996 and watched it explode into this amazing ‘gem’! This is where I choose to live, work and play!
I would love to be your realtor, and I’m here to help with all your real estate needs. Call me TODAY for more information!
Marci Wagner, Realtor ®
Office: (512) 691-6927
Mobile: (512) 496-4980
We never stop moving.
*license to practice in the state of Texas
EERF
GNIGATS
TLUSNOC
gnitsilynahtiw*
AUSTIN CURRENTSTexans Pay More In Property Taxes
Submitted by Rich Keith
The average Texas homeowner pays more in property taxes than the national average, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data conducted by the Tax Foundation. The Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group ranked Texas third in the nation for its tax burden relative to home value.
The median annual property tax payment in Texas last year was $2,275 – 14th highest in the nation and above the national average of $1,917. When calculated as a percent of home value, Texans paid 1.81 percent of their home’s value in property taxes – the third highest burden in the country, behind New Jersey and Connecticut.
For Travis County, the median property tax payment was $3,985 or 1.85% percent of home value. The total property tax bill ranked Travis County 65th among all counties surveyed, but as a percent of home value paid, the county came in at 88th.
On average, property tax burdens were highest in Northeastern states, largely New Jersey and New York, while Southern states generally had the lowest property tax burdens, according to the Tax Foundation’s analysis of American Community Survey data.
Louisiana has the lowest property tax burden, where homeowners payer $180 on every $100,000 in value.
Visit http://www.mytaxburden.org/propertytax/ to use an interactive property tax comparison tool created by the Tax Foundation. Detailed tables of property tax burdens by state and county can be downloaded on the foundation’s website. Source: A r t i c l e b y Melissa Castro, Dal las Business Journal. For more information contact [email protected] Rich Keith, (512) 632-0162.
� The Grapevine - December 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
The Grapevine
Be-GreenPO Box #496
Round Rock, Texas 78680Web: www.begreen2day.com
LandscapeLandscape Services:• Design & Install• Trees & Shrubs• Sod• Updating or Adding to your Existing Landscapes• Rock Work• Fountains
Landscape Management Services:• Mow• Edge curbs, walks and driveways
Other services available:• Apply mulch to beds• Trim shrubs• Trim low hanging tree limbs• Clean beds (weeds & trash)• Annual color change outs• Replace shrubs & beds• Commercial & Residential!
Lighting Services:• After Dark Demo Package• On Site Planning & Design• All Fixtures, Bulbs, Transformers & Wire• Installation of all Materials• After Dark Lighting Adjustments• Warranty!• Yearly maintenance contracts for systems we installed & for systems we didn’t install
If you’re interested in increasing the safety,value and beauty of your home, landscape,or business, call or email us today to seewhat type of landscape lighting packageBe-Green can do for you!
Lighting
(512) 538-5209
Be - Green“Lighting & Landscape”
Call about Holiday Lighting!
512-538-5209or
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
BUSINESS FORMSNEWSLETTERS
FLYERSENVELOPES
LETTERHEADSNCR SNAP APART
FORMSRUBBER STAMPSBUSINESS CARDS
1-888-687-6444 ext. 24Solving all your printing needs.
TACKLE HUNGER IN TExAS with the Souper Bowl of Caring!
What would happen if every American that celebrates the Big Football Game donated one can of food or $1 to fight hunger and poverty in their local community?
The result would be an astounding $90 million in cash and cans to help feed the hungry, provide shelter to the homeless and help our neighbors in need.
With all eyes on North Texas this year as they host the Big Game, you can join the Souper Bowl of Caring and help make this vision a reality! For more than 20 years, groups all over the country have joined forces to demonstrate the power of caring. To date, more than $71 million in cash and cans has been collected and 100% was donated in communities throughout the U.S. Every penny stays local and every collection matters!
Last year, 1,900 schools, churches, businesses and grocery stores in Texas collected more than $4.5 million for local charities that fight hunger and poverty. The need is growing and we need your help!
JOIN THE TEAM. GET STARTED TODAY!1. REGISTER your school, church or business at tacklehunger.
org and designate an organizer for your Souper Bowl of Caring event. You’ll receive a free Resource Kit!
2. COLLECT money and/or canned foods anytime January 17-February 6, 2011. Super Bowl Sunday is February 6, 2011.
3. REPORT the amount of your collection to the Souper Bowl of Caring so it can be added to the national tally.
4. DONATE 100% of your collection to the charity of your choice in your own community.
Learn more at tacklehunger.org.
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Grapevine - December 2010 �
The Grapevine
2201 Double Creek dr. #3001Double Creek Office Condos across from Post Office
238-0077 or 745-7605www.RoundRockMusic.com
Piano, guitar, drums, voice, bass, & classical strings. We also carry a “convenience store” size selection of common
music books, accessories & instruments.
Music School & Mini-Store“Your neighborhood
convenience store for music”
Sign up for music lessons by Jan. 31, 2011 and pay $49 for your first full month. That’s 45%
off the regular $89 tuition! New customers only. Must bring newsletter to receive discount.
Round RockMusic
45% Off Music
Lessons!
FINANCIAL FOCUSStill Time for Year-end Financial Moves
The holiday season is always a busy time of year, so you’re probably pretty busy. But it is important to take some time now to evaluate year-end financial moves that may be beneficial in preparing for your financial future. Which year-end moves should you consider? You will want to talk to your financial advisor and tax and legal professionals first, but here are a few ideas to get you started:• Boost your IRA contributions. You have until April 15, 2011, to
fully fund your IRA for the 2010 tax year, but the sooner you finish with your 2010 contribution, the quicker you can get started on your 2011 contribution — and the earlier in the year you fund your IRA, the more time you give your account the opportunity to grow.
• Put more money into college savings plans. If you have a 529 college savings plan for yourself or someone else, consider putting more money in before year-end. You can gift up to $13,000 ($26,000 per married couple) per person per year without gift tax consequences. However, this must be accomplished by year-end.
• Be generous. If you’ve been thinking of making charitable gifts,
don’t put them off any longer. As long as you make a donation to a qualified charity before the year ends, you can claim a deduction on your 2010 tax return. For example, if you donate $100 to a charitable group [either a religious organization or one that has received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service], and you’re in the 25% tax bracket, you can deduct $100 (with a tax benefit of $25) when you file your taxes for 2010, providing, of course, that you itemize. If you donate stocks or other types of assets, you may also be able to save on capital gains taxes, because it will be the charity, not you, that eventually sells those assets.
• Sell your “losers.” If you own investments that have lost value since you purchased them, you can sell them before 2010 ends and then use the tax loss to offset capital gains you may have earned in other investments. If you don’t have any capital gains, you can use up to $3,000 of your tax losses to offset other ordinary income. If your loss is greater than $3,000, you can “carry over” the excess and deduct it from your taxes in future years. However, if you then want to repurchase the investment you sold, you’ll need to wait at
(Continued on Page 7)
� The Grapevine - December 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
The Grapevine
twitter.com/austintelcoFollow Us
Home Equity Loans
As
low
as 4.29%*
Commercial Real Estate
As
low
as 5.25%**
Auto Loans
As
low
as2.75%*
Call for details.302.5555, x7194
commercial real estate loans with a loan to value of 80% or less; construction/development loan rates/terms may be different. No prepayment penalty. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. This credit union is federally insured to at least $250,000 per member by the National Credit Union Administration.
20 Metro LocationsFree Checking250+ Free ATMs
LAKEWAY
TAYLORNOW OPEN
302.5555WWW.ATFCU.ORG
Money Market Account
$75,000 to $124,9990.85%***
$125,000 and Above0.95%***
12 Months (Minimum Deposit of $95,000)
1.10%***24 Months (Minimum Deposit of $95,000)
1.51%***
San Marcos Branch Opening December 9
Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc. The Grapevine - December 2010 �
The Grapevine
WATCH LIVE services Sunday morningsor view any time at www.ghbc.org
Sunday Morning Schedule9:30 - Blended Worship
11:00 - Contemporary Worship9:30 & 11:00 - Bible Life Groups (all ages)
GGreat Hills Baptist Churchwww.ghbc.org
10500 Jollyville Road . Austin, Texas 78759 | 512.343.7763
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.
At no time will any source be allowed to use The Grapevine 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 Sonoma Homeowner's Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Sonoma Homeowner's Association residents only.
least 31 days to avoid violating the IRS’ “wash sale” rules. • Take capital gains. In 2011, the tax rate on long-term capital
gains is scheduled to increase to 20% for most investors, up from the 15% rate it’s been the last several years. If you have stocks or other appreciated assets that you were thinking of selling in the near future, you might want to do so before the year comes to a close. However, it’s generally not a good idea to make investment decisions strictly because of tax consequences. If your appreciated assets are still a part of your overall financial strategy, you may be better off holding them for the long term, even with a higher capital gains rate.
Considering these moves before the year ends may help you better prepare to address you financial picture in 2011.
Financial Focus - (Continued from Page 5)
Advertising Information Please support the businesses that advertise in The Grapevine. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Sonoma residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. No homeowners association funds are used to produce or mail the newsletters. 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 each month for the following month's newsletter.
� The Grapevine - December 2010 Copyright © 2010 Peel, Inc.
The Grapevine PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPEEL, INC.
SE
ThankYou
to all the businesses who advertised with us in 2010 and made this newsletter possible.
Merry Christmas!