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lake pointe

Lake Pointe

August 2009

Volume 2, Issue 8

MESSENGER

A Newsletter for the Residents of Lake Pointe on Lake Austin

Where Are We Going? By Connie Ripley

Docks in Cypress Creek vied for the last drops of water. They all lost! Anchor barrels lie beside docks they used to hold in place. The last public access to Lake Travis, Mansfield Park Ramp, will close around Aug. 15. Are you worried about the lake economy? You should be! These low lake levels are costing the lake businesses millions! Should you be worried about getting water from your kitchen faucet? Maybe… depending on where you are and how low we go! Wells are filling with air. Coves are dry. It’s time to ask how low your water provider has their intake, if it is in Lake Travis. Could this drought be worse than the Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.

worst drought LCRA has experienced--in 1951? In July, 1950, Lake Travis was at 643.88. In July, 1951, Lake Travis was at 615.29! In July, 2009, Lake Travis is around 641 and falling. See a pattern? Is LCRA preparing for worse than it has ever seen? Mark Jordan, LCRA River Management, explains he would be unsurprised to see us surpass the drought of the 1950’s. “This drought is significant and it’s serious,” he said. Mark Rose, LCRA meteorologist, suggests “near normal to slightly below normal rainfall” for late summer and fall. This forecast will not

save our lakes—or our economy. LCRA explains that it has enough water for critical needs. According to LCRA, no more water will be released in a critical drought than was released back in 1951, regardless of the population. Maybe you will have some water from your kitchen faucet, if your supplier’s intake is deep enough. Will you pay higher water rates for the supplier to lower their intake? LCRA should learn from Lakes Powell and Mead on the other Colorado River. Their plight is irreversible. We have time to reverse our problems. LCRA should have been able to learn from others, but here we go again! How did LCRA let this happen again? They had a lot of help from little to no rainfall and drastically hot temperatures. The rice farmers are taking most of the water. Lakes Travis and Buchanan were slightly above the LCRA possible irrigation curtailment level in January, so LCRA is supplying the rice farmers with 300,000 acre feet this year—twice the entire municipal usage per year out of Lake Travis. Something needs to change. Too late for this year! (Rice farmers plant their second crop in July and harvest in October. With our current weather pattern, lake levels will continue to drop rapidly.) (Continued on Page 3) Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009 

Lake Pointe Important Numbers Travis County Sheriff Emergency........................................................................911 Non-Emergency...................................................... 974-0845 After Hours............................................................. 854-4316

Not Available Online

Newsletter Info Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc........................ www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Article Submissions............................. [email protected] [email protected], 512-263-9181 Advertising Information Please support the businesses that advertise in the Lake Pointe Messenger. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Lake Pointe 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 512-263-9181 or [email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter. Serving Lakeway, The Hills, Flintrock, Alta Vista, Bee Cave and Steiner Ranch.

Don’t want to wait for the mail? View the current issue of the Lake Pointe Messenger on the 1st day of each month at www.PEELinc.com

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lake pointe Where Are We Going?- (Continued from Cover Page) Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock (Williamson County cities in the Brazos River Basin), who have formed Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA), want more cheap water from Lake Travis. In spite of public protests from DELTA (Don’t Empty Lake Travis Association), the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) funded $181 million of your money on July 7 for BCRUA to begin their enormous project. DELTA’s common sense could not combat the Legislative pressures on TWDB State employees and Board members to dump your money that the Senate gave them. Without meaningful conservation or reuse, these cities will dump Lake Travis into Brushy Creek that feeds the Brazos River. LCRA’s “must sell to anyone that asks” Board Policy and their loose “straddling basins” interpretation of a one-liner in the 1997 Senate Bill 1 has our basin now providing Williamson County with water. The 3 cities are going deeper into an over-promised, drought-prone supply that everybody uses instead of going to a second source of water in the prolific, virtually untapped Simsboro Aquifer in their own basin. (The Simsboro has 8 times the water in all the reservoirs in the state combined!) LCRA can require additional conservation measures to all the entities it services. If LCRA will not, or cannot, tighten its standards, you need to step in.

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Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock (Williamson County cities in the Brazos River Basin), who have formed Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA), want more cheap water from Lake Travis. In spite of public protests from DELTA (Don’t Empty Lake Travis Association), the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) funded $181 million of your money on July 7 for BCRUA to begin their enormous project. DELTA’s common sense could not combat the Legislative pressures on TWDB State employees and Board members to dump your money that the Senate gave them. Without meaningful conservation or reuse, these cities will dump Lake Travis into Brushy Creek that feeds the Brazos River. LCRA’s “must sell to anyone that asks” Board Policy and their loose “straddling basins” interpretation of a one-liner in the 1997 Senate Bill 1 has our basin now providing Williamson County with water. The 3 cities are going deeper into an over-promised, drought-prone supply that everybody uses instead of going to a second source of water in the prolific, virtually untapped Simsboro Aquifer in their own basin. (The Simsboro has 8 times the water in all the reservoirs in the state combined!) LCRA can require additional conservation measures to all the entities it services. If LCRA will not, or cannot, tighten its standards, (Continued on Page 4)

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Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009 

Lake Pointe Where Are We Going?- (Continued from Page 3) Put pressure on your water provider to use Graduated Block Rate Pricing. The top water users pay more per gallon for their water. This in turn provides additional money for a low-flush toilet rebate program, low use shower heads, outdoor irrigation audits, etc. (An acre of toilets uses more water per year than an acre of lawn.) Cheap water could mean little to no water in your immediate future. Finding and fixing water leaks is a must. What is your water provider’s water loss? Hope it is around 10% to 12%. Think how much of Lake Travis that a crack in a huge water line underground loses. Do you have a running commode or a dripping faucet? Each drip is Lake Travis going down. YOU are responsible for cutting your water usage. Water your lawn ¼ to ½ inch every 5 days. More will just water the rocks under your soil. Plant drought-tolerant grasses and plants. Water only from 7 p.m. till 10 a.m. Sidewalks do not grow. Set your sprinklers for your grass, not your driveway. Do not water in the wind—water evaporates! Your car can be a little dirty. When you have to wash it, use only carwashes that provide recycled water. Inside your home, take quick showers rather than baths. Install low-flush commodes (even if your water provider refuses to support a rebate program). Turn off the water while you brush your teeth

and wash your hands. Wash only full loads in the washer and dishwasher—better yet, install a low use washer and dryer. Almost all our electricity generation requires water to cool the power plants. Set your thermostats as high as you can stand. Use ceiling fans for the room you are in. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Keep windows covered especially those facing the west. Unplug appliances when not in use. Air conditioner condensate is an excellent source of pure water—get creative! Nothing can be done about the rice farmers getting their water this year. You can do nothing about Mother Nature. Our only hope for keeping water in the lake is to lower our own usage. Every drop of water you use comes out of Lake Travis! According to Jordan, lakes could reach 900,000 acre feet by August. LCRA will ask their firm water customers to implement their mandatory water restrictions under their drought contingency plans and not all are equal. What will your water provider do? At 600,000 acre feet in Lakes Travis and Buchanan combined, LCRA will do the curtailing reducing usage on a pro-rata share. Let’s stop the drain! Things need to change before we reach the “point of no return”. Save Water. Save Lake Travis! For more information, go to www.drainingLakeTravis.org.

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609 Castle Ridge Road • Suite 440 • Austin TX 78746 C: (512) 590.1670 • D: (512) 328.8200 • F: (512) 732.9824 [email protected] • www.CBUnited.com  Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009

Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.

lake pointe August Events at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Sign up for the Fall Session of Go Native U Learn about garden design, plant selection, installation, maintenance and pest management starting in September. For information and registration, check www.wildflower.org The Origami Diva - Through October 4 Joan Son’s intricate installation of origami, “Natural Rhythm”  features birds and plants.  In the McDermott Learning Center Held over—Texas Society of Sculptors Exhibit  - Through August 31 This popular exhibit features additional sculptures in the gardens. August is Butterfly Month! - Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2 A 15 percent discount on butterfly books, gift or apparel. Pre-Fall Seed Sale - Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16 Save 20 percent on all wildflower seed purchases this weekend in the store. Sales Tax Free Days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 21 through 23 At the store--no tax on apparel purchases up to $100. 

Now OPEN at the Hill Country Galleria 12800 Hill Country Blvd. • Bee Cave, TX 78738 512-263-1176

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Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009 

Lake Pointe Your Home’s Air Conditioning Efficiency

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Submitted by Robert Lee Over the previous six months there has been more discussion on Air Conditioning efficiency and home efficiency than any other time in recent years! Since manufacturers, local utilities and the Federal Government are offering rebates people have a better understanding of SEER and EER (efficiency ratings) of air conditioners. Overall this is a good thing, but it only addresses half of the problem! The air distribution system (air ducts) are the other half of the equation and have nothing to do with the published SEER or EER ratings! The only way to know if your system is even close to running at capacity is to test it after it is installed so that the entire system, including the ductwork, is tested. Have you spent good money on a new system but still have hot spots, cold spots or uncomfortable rooms; or maybe you haven’t seen your energy bills reduced? Are you thinking about taking advantage of the Federal Rebate by purchasing new high efficient equipment? If your answer is yes to any of these questions then please think about the whole system! Efficient new equipment on old, inefficient ducts is a recipe for discomfort, or worse, failure! Call to have a certified professional test your entire system today; stop throwing money away every month and have a more comfortable, and efficient, home.

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 Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009

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lake pointe Travel Tips

Submitted by Marina Byrum If you plan to travel this year, you should be able to take advantage of the many bargains that are available.  With the stock market wavering and the economy slowing, most cruise lines, tour operators and hoteliers are feeling the pinch as travelers cut back on vacation spending.   The good news is that this is a great time to travel, as prices for almost everything are being slashed by as much as 75% off normal pricing.   Many sevennight cruises are available for about $1,000.00 per couple, based on an inside cabin (no window or porthole). Hotels are cutting their rates also; with some offering 4th and 5th nights free;  or discounts as high as 60% off the normal rack rates.   Whereas cruise lines have always offered discounts to those who book six months or more ahead; now they are

discounting even more.  Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, now offers an Early Saver Fare that offers about a 45% discount; with the caveat that your deposit is non-refundable.  They also offer an optional insurance policy that would recover your deposit if you need to cancel for any covered reason; i.e., accident, illness or death in the immediate family.   Planning a vacation has never been easier; and it’s doubtful we will ever see it cheaper.  That is, unless the economy continues to slide.  As we enter the month of July, there is still plenty of availability for the rest of the summer;  something that has not been true in summers past.   So take advantage of the deep discounts if you can; and remember that no matter where you go, just take care to enjoy the journey.  Have a fun, safe summer.

Your Realtor has NEW WHEELS! As a resident of Lake Pointe for more than six years I would like to help you, your family and friends, sell or buy a home! Email me at [email protected] or call me at (512) 983-5407 for a free Comparable Market Analysis of your home!

Chris Meengs (512) 983-5407 Copyright © 2009 Peel, Inc.

Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009 

Lake Pointe The Science of Grocery Shopping Submitted by Kelly Bruneman, Certified Nutrition Specialist

The grocery store can be a scary place! All those isles filled with grocery goodness! What is healthy and what isn’t? How do you know where to start and what to buy? Follow these simple rules to ensure that you get the most out of your grocery shopping experience: • STAY TO THE OUTSIDE - Most everything you need is on the perimeter of the store. Your produce, meats, and dairy cases are all on the outside. The isles are where the boxed and processed foods reside. • ORGANIC…IS IT WORTH IT? - Not all things are necessary to buy organic. The following produce list is often referred to as the “Dirty Dozen” because they contain the highest levels of pesticides.  THE DIRTY DOZEN: Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Pears, Grapes (Imported), Spinach, Lettuce, Potatoes.  THE LEAST CONTIMATED: Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn (Frozen), Pineapples, Mango, Asparagus, Sweet Peas (Frozen), Kiwi Fruit, Bananas, Cabbage, Broccoli, Papaya.

 Beef, Poultry, and Dairy are also worth the organic price because they are produced without growth hormones and antibiotics.  Currently the USDA has not developed organic certification standards for seafood.  REMEMBER: buying organic foods that aren’t good for you doesn’t make them healthy!! • BUY FROZEN - Frozen fruits and vegetables are often flash frozen locking in nutrients better than canned foods. - Frozen fish and chicken is also flash frozen at the source locking in nutrients and making them convenient alternatives to store in your freezer. • DON’T BE AN IMPULSE BUYER - Make a list according to how your grocery store is laid out and STICK TO IT! If ice cream isn’t on your list, don’t go down the ice cream aisle. - Don’t go to the grocery store when you are tired, hungry or irritable. This almost always leads to impulse buys. (Continued on Page 9)

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 Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009

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lake pointe The Science of Grocery Shopping- (Continued from Page 8) - If possible, don’t take the kids! Grocery stores target impulse buyers and almost all kids are impulse buyers! - Don’t get distracted at the checkout line. As you are waiting to check out grocery stores stock the racks with tempting candy bars and sodas. Don’t be fooled! If you think you might give in bring in water with you and pop a piece of sugar free gum! Or flip through the latest gossip magazine until it is your turn to pay. - If you don’t buy the junk food, you won’t have it in the house! • CHECK OUT THE LABEL - THE FDA requires that all ingredients be listed in descending order of predominance by weight. Try to pick foods that have a short ingredient list that don’t have many artificial ingredients. - Look for foods that have ingredients that you can pronounce - Choose foods that are “real”. Examples are 100% fruit juice or 100% whole-grain items with as little processing and as few additives as possible. If you want more salt or sugar, add it yourself. Finally, just take a deep breath and go for it! You are in control and remember if you don’t buy it; it won’t find its way into your house!

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Lake Pointe Messenger 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 Lake Pointe Messenger 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. 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.

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Support Your Neighborhood Newsletter. Advertise your business to your neighbors. Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009 

Lake Pointe Movie Review

By Kiko Martinez - San Antonio-based film critic/writer www.CineSnob.net

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Gambon star in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the sixth installment of the series. Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Jim Broadbent, Emma Watson Directed by: David Yates (”Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”) Written by: Steve Kloves (”Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) The popular boy wizard continues down the mysterious road of sorcery and wonderment that has entertained fans for the last eight years in the sixth installment of the J.K. Rowling’s fantasy franchise, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Who would have guessed that Harry’s most formidable adversary in the new film would be

puberty? Yes, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) has developed into a young man, and just in time. In “Half-Blood Prince,” there’s far more to fear than acne breakouts and raging hormones. The Dark Arts flourish as Harry and best friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue on their quest to stop the evil Lord Voldemort (seen in this film only as a gothic-looking young student). The story begins with Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) (Continued on Page 11)

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lake pointe Movie Review- (Continued from Page 10) interfering into Harry’s life outside of Hogwarts as he flirts with a café waitress and sets up an impromptu date. Harry, who now knows he is “the chosen one,” doesn’t have time to enjoy the Muggle world as much as he would like. Dumbledore whisks him off to visit retired professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) so they can try to persuade him to return to Hogwarts. There’s something Slughorn is suppressing in his memory that can help Harry understand how to defeat Voldemort. Along with Slughorn’s secrets, Harry must contend with a trio of smoky Death Eaters, who are terrorizing both the Muggle and Wizard worlds, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), who is coming into his own and doing so by following orders of the Dark Lord himself, and, of course, the romantic high jinks that seems contagious throughout the entire school. While romance continues to blossom occasionally between Harry and Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), Ron and Hermione’s ambiguous relationship halts for a moment when another girl (Jessie Cave) begins to show interest in Ron. There’s no need for too many doses of love potion in the high school-like melodrama that plays out in the halls of Hogwarts. With all the heartbreak, jealousy, infatuation, and pitter-patter of youthful hearts, it’s really a treat to see there’s actual blood pumping through these characters as the

story continues to unfold. Directed by David Yates, who was also behind “Order of the Phoenix,” “Half-Blood Prince” is the most dialogue-heavy of the entire series. Yates and his screenwriting team slow down the pace considerably to uncover more of the emotional elements of everyone involved. However, there are still highly entertaining scenes comprised of impressive special effects and sprightly editing (you can’t have a “Harry Potter” movie without a weather-beaten game of Quidditch). “Half-Blood Prince” is also the funniest of the bunch. While actual magic might be a secondary thought in Rowling’s text, “Half-Blood Prince” is a notable addition to the narrative as a whole. It all leads up nicely to the final installment, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows,” which will be released in two parts in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Grade: B

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For more information, check out our website at

www.colinshope.org Increasing water safety awareness and standards FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DROWNING DROWNING CAN STILL OCCUR EVEN IF YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children ages 1-4

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NO ONE is “drown proof” – no matter their level of swimming ability.

Falls, entrapments, and injuries lead to drowning regardless of swimming level.

A majority of people overestimate their own and their child’s ability to swim, especially in a panic event.

DROWNING WILL AFFECT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW

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Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death ages 1-14.

DROWNING IS QUICK AND SILENT 2min

Drowning occurs in as little as 2 minutes.

4min

Irreversible brain damage occurs in as little as 4 minutes.

5min

Most children are out of sight or missing for less than 5 minutes and usually in the presence of 1 or both parents.

6min

Most children die who are submerged for as little as 6-10

Children who drown do not scream, splash, or struggle. They silently slip beneath the water, even with adults & lifeguards present. 12 Lake Pointe Messenger - August 2009

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