july 2016 volume 4, number 7 president's message… · with mosquito dunks, remove leaves on...

Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc. Cat Mountain View - July 2016 1

CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW

JULY 2016 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 7

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGEHappy Independence Day! I hope your celebration is spent

surrounded by family and friends! We have many reasons to celebrate our independence, but mostly to celebrate the freedom that we have as a result of forming this great country.

I have been asked by a few residents who frequent the pool if we have sprayed for mosquitoes recently. It seems to be a big concern this year with all the publicity surrounding the Zika virus. We have had conversations with pest control services and our first line of defense will be to take steps to remove any areas that support mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, can’t handle flying in any breeze and don’t like sun or heat, so they hide in the shade and along the bushes, breed in standing water or wet leaves. If we remove the elements that attract or provide cover for them, we can effectively remove the threat much more than spraying toxic chemicals that are effective for a few hours. We will continue monitoring and adjusting our plan to deal with the areas around the pool and clubhouse all summer. I’ve included information from the CDC and City of Austin in this newsletter for reference.

It is important that you take responsibility for the environment around your own property. Begin by taking steps to eliminate standing water. Trim low bushes to create airspace which will help to dry things out, empty flower pots, treat birdbaths, rainwater collection barrels or anything that holds water for more than a day with Mosquito Dunks, remove leaves on the ground. Finally, clean leaves and debris out of your rain gutters, this is the most commonly overlooked area around the home that supports the breeding of mosquitoes. These simple steps can reduce the potential habitats for mosquitoes and provide a much more comfortable environment for you and your family.

As always, when you go out and plan to spend time in the yard, cover as much skin as possible with long sleeves and pants. Use a lotion or spray repellent on your exposed skin. There are many options regarding repellents, those containing DEET or all natural. I urge you to investigate and make your choice based on what you

are comfortable with.We have had a flurry of landscape and exterior home modifications

recently where homeowners have failed to file their projects with the ECC for approval. I ask you to please take 10 minutes and file your plans with the ECC before you begin your project. Your neighbors are entitled by their deeds to be appraised of any construction or changes you might be planning. We would also ask you to be careful in choosing a contractor. More than one resident has found that a project that drags out or is not finished becomes really expensive to finish using other contractors.

Finally, it is now safe to prune oaks. The beetle has come and gone for the season and the risk of Oak Wilt disease being transmitted is greatly reduced. Our large brush pickup is also scheduled for the week of July 11 and it is a perfect time to save the cost and hassle of disposing of tree trimmings.

Also, I would like to remind everyone that the end of summer BBQ is scheduled for August! Check out the events page for more information.

Have a safe and Happy Fourth!Bryan HarterCat Mountain HOA | President

2 Cat Mountain View - July 2016 Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.

CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW

Richard Schley · Broker, President512.983.0021 · [email protected]

Living in and Selling the Neighborhood with Extraordinary Results!

90 Market AnalysisACTIVE

ADDRESS # S # Bd # Bth # G/P # POOL YB ACRES SQ.FT. LIST PRICE

6008 Twin Valley M 3 2/1 2/0 No 1984 .432 2,398 $589,900

4501 Autumnleaf 2 3 2/1 2/0 No 1985 .053 2,403 $649,500

SOLD

ADDRESS # S # Bd # Bth # G/P # POOL YB ACRES SQ.FT. LIST PRICE

6106 Twin Ledge 1 3 2/0 2/0 No 1980 .077 1,662 $470,000

4800 Twin Valley 3 3 2/1 2/0 No 1979 .115 2,666 $635,000

5906 Mount Bonnell 2 4 2/1 2/0 No 1991 .162 2,699 $639,900

5830 Westslope 2 4 3/1 2/0 No 2015 .230 3,070 $1,049,990


CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW

Owner’s Dues:We’ve seen a dramatic rise in late payment of dues in the community.HOA dues are due on the 1st of each month.Late payments results in an increase cost of doing business for the associationIf you pay online, please check your payment status with your bank and make any adjustments as needed.Swimming Pool: The pool is open and in great shape!Please remember to:• Treat the area with respect and do not bring glass anywhere inside

the fence.• Refrain from eating and drinking in the pool, it will keep it clean

for all to use.• Have any children in diapers or not potty trained please use a swim

diaper and take measures to avoid any accidents.• Do not remove or move umbrellasIf you see anything in the neighborhood that needs attention or maintenance, please contact Jesse. Pool keys are also available from the manager for a $10 deposit.Social Media:Stay up to date on happenings in the neighborhood via our

JULY 2016 HOA MANAGER’S REPORT“Cat Mountain Community” FaceBook Page or by joining our neighborhood on NEXTDOOR.com. There is good local information as well as police related information available to you on the site.Exterior Improvement, Modification, and Repairs:When homeowners are planning on making any exterior improvements to their properties, either repairs or modifications to the structure or landscape, there is a requirement to fill out the *Environmental Control Committee's (ECC) Project Approval Form and send the form to the Association's office for the ECC to review. •Neighborswithin200feetwillbenotified. •TheECCwillreviewandeitherapproveorrejecttheproposalwithin 30 days.*The ECC form is on the Association's website at www.catmountainhoa.com or can be obtained from the Manager at the Association's office.Dogs:Please remember to scoop the poop. Leaving animal feces on any property but your own is a violation of the City of Austin ordinance and can lead to fines of $500.

NOBODY IS DROWNPROOFWATCH KIDS AROUND WATER

COLIN HOLST

PREVENT drowningwww.colinshope.org/quiz

TAKE the Water Safety Quiz

LEARN more at www.colinshope.org

BECOME a Water Guardian for your child

THESE WATER SAFETY TIPS CAN SAVE LIVESDROWNING IS PREVENTABLE

37 Texas children have already fatally drowned in 2016

WATCH KIDS & KEEP IN ARM’S REACH

LEARN TO SWIM

WEAR LIFE JACKETS

MULTIPLE BARRIERS AROUND WATER

KEEP YOUR HOME SAFER

CHECK WATER SOURCES FIRST

PRACTICE DRAIN SAFETY

BE SAFER IN OPEN WATER

LEARN CPR


CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW

The Austin Code Department is reminding residents to eliminate stagnant water and tall weeds and grass to prevent mosquito bites that could lead to the Zika and West Nile viruses, as well as increase pest and rodent infestation and create other health problems.

Mosquitoes only need a teaspoon of water to breed. During warmer months, mosquitoes can develop in as little as three days. City disease detectives are tracking mosquito activity and posting the latest alerts, guidance and information here:

https://www.austintexas.gov/zika.For questions or more information about ways to reduce

mosquitoes around your property, or to report stagnant water or tall weeds and grass, please call 3-1-1.

Educational videos and flyers in English and Spanish, instructing residents how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and biting, are now available:

http://www.austintexas.gov/news/fight-bite-day-night.Contact: Austin Code Department, Public Information Office,

medialine(512)974-9222,afterhoursphone(512)674-5493Mosquito Repellents That Best Protect Against ZikaConsumer Reports shares its exclusive Ratings of the sprays that

can help keep you safeThe World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of

the Zika virus—which has been linked to serious birth defects and is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes—an international public health emergency. In response to this growing threat, Consumer Reports is releasing free to the public its exclusive test results and Ratings of mosquito repellents—including those that will protect you best against Aedes mosquitoes, the type that carry Zika.

The Zika virus can make anyone sick for up to a week with fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, and other symptoms. But it's especially dangerous for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy because it increases the risk of babies born with microcephaly, a condition marked by an abnormally small head and incomplete brain development.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease or drug to treat it, making it essential that people avoid mosquito bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC emphasizes that avoiding mosquito bites requires multiple strategies, such as wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts when outdoors. But it says that mosquito repellents are essential, too.

“Using an insect repellent is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from Zika and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes," says Harry Savage, chief of ecology and entomology activity at the CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.

And Consumer Reports' tests showed that some repellents worked much better than others at protecting against the type of mosquitoes that transmit Zika.

The CDC has urged pregnant women against travel to countries where Zika has been reported, mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

FIGHT THE BITEWhile no cases have yet been traced to mosquito bites received

on the U.S. mainland, experts predict some spread of the disease in the U.S. as the weather warms up, particularly in Florida, Texas, and other Southern states where the Aedes mosquitoes that carry the disease are most prevalent.

The Most Effective Insect RepellentsTo find the most effective mosquito repellents, we tested products

containing a variety of ingredients, including deet, picaridin, oil oflemoneucalyptus,chemicalscalledIR3535and2-undecanone,as well as a variety of plant oils, such as cedar, citronella, geraniol, lemongrass, and rosemary.

The most effective products against Aedes mosquitoes were Sawyer Picaridin andNatrapel 8Hour,which each contain 20 percentpicaridin, andOff!DeepwoodsVIII,which contains 25percentdeet. They kept the mosquitoes from biting for about 8 hours. (The Sawyer product was our top insect repellent overall. It was the only one that also kept Culex mosquitoes, which can spread West Nile disease, and deer ticks, which can spread Lyme disease, away for at least 8 hours.)

Ben's 30% DEET Tick & Insect Wilderness Formula kept Aedes mosquitoes away for 7.5 hours andRepel LemonEucalyptus,containing30percentlemoneucalyptus,stoppedthemfor7hours.

The IR3535 products didn’t make our list of recommended sprays. Neitherdidrepellentswith2-Undecananoneorthosethatcontained7percentdeetorlessthan20percentpicaridin.

We advise skipping most products made with natural plant oils, such as California Baby Natural Bug Blend (a blend of citronella, lemongrass oil, cedar oil, and other ingredients) and EcoSmart Organic, (which includes geraniol, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, and lemongrass oil). They did not last for more than 1 hour against Aedes mosquitoes, and some failed almost immediately.

In addition, those products are not registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates skin-applied repellents and evaluates them for safety and effectiveness. Most plant-oil products are exempt from scrutiny by the EPA because the agency considers them to be a minimum risk to human health.

Instead, the CDC recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents. To see if a mosquito repellent is registered by the EPA, look for its registration number ("EPA Reg.") on the back of the label.


CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW

Please join us at the clubhouse for an afternoon full of food, family, friends & FUN!

Sunday, August 14, 20164:00 – 7:00 PM

Food & drinks will be provided for all residents!We will also host our annual dessert contest with an award for the

best adult and youth submission.For planning purposes please RSVP to Jesse at cmhoa@sbcglobal.

netIf you would like to volunteer to help coordinate, cook or clean

up please email [email protected]

Yoga GroupOur resident certified yogi, Charley Devany, has moved his yoga

class indoors for the month of July!Please join him at the clubhouse on the following dates & times:

Tuesday,July5 6:45-7:45PMTuesday,July12 6:45-7:45PMTuesday,July26 6:45-7:45PM** All ages & abilities are invited **If you have any questions feel free to email him at [email protected] or check out his instagram “yogichas”.

A toast to the HOST!Thank you the MOST!

Thank you to Marty & Cyrene Wright (left) for hosting the Sunset Wine Social in April that showcased their stunning home with an amazing view.

Thank you to Annie Prasad & Anand Kruttiventi (below) for hosting the June Wine Social in their beautiful newly remodeled home that reflected their travels around the world. Welcome to the

JULY 2016SOCIAL COMMITTEE NEWS & EVENTS

Neighborhood!It was so much fun to meet & socialize

with other Cat Mountain residentsOver a glass of wine and great

conversation!We look forward to planning another

wine social after the summer when the weather cools down.

If you are interested in hosting a future event please contact Charlene at [email protected]

This is Ken’s second stint on the CMHOA Board of Directors, having previously served from 1998-2005.Why is heback? He’s not sure, but he does find it gratifying to assist CMHOA in maintaining its values, both property and social.

Ken spent his formative years in the inner city of Boston. As a youth, he enjoyed all manner of sports on the asphalt jungle of schoolyards.Hemanagedtoexcelinschoolandgraduated9thinhis class from Boston Public Latin School, the oldest public school inthecountry(1635).Oneofhisbadgesofhonoristhateveryonefrom1-17wentontostudyatHarvard–exceptKen.Becauseofhisnon-traditional nature, he didn’t apply. Instead, he decided to make hismarkatBrandeisUniversity,foundedonly16yearsearlier,andgraduated with a B.A. in Economics. Why Economics? Well, he had to major in something and always assumed he would specialize in grad school. Fortunately, other things got in the way, and he made one of the wisest decisions of his life.

He joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Malaysia, spending two years in a little fishing village on the edge of the jungle. There, he taught every course imaginable to theequivalentofour9-11grade students and made lasting friendships. When he complains to his old Brandeis buddies about not having an advanced degree, they remind him that Peace Corps was his grad school and ask if he would trade that experience. His answer is, of course, no (or maybe

HELL NO). After his original two year stint, Ken re-upped and spent a third year in Malaysia computerizing the federal government payroll at the Accountant General’s Office in Kuala Lumpur. You see, he was one of the few volunteers at that time who had taken computer science courses. Ken revisits Malaysia every few years to

Meet Our New HOA Board Member

Ken Nirenberg, Treasurer

(Continued on Page 6)


CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW(Continued from Page 5)

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 Cat Mountain View Newsletter 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 Cat Mountain View Newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.

Explore Texas!Summer Camp 2016

see his old teacher colleagues and his former students, who are also now old. While in Kuala Lumpur, he married a Malaysian woman. That marriage lasted 18 years and resulted in three, now adult, children. Ken and his second wife, Carol Noble, have now beenmarried 23 years ago

andhavemanagedtosuccessfullyraisehis3kidsandher2.Youoldtimers may remember them. Somehow, they have all succeeded in becoming decent human beings.

As for work life, after returning to the States, Ken latched on with a small computer c o m p a n y, C h a r t e r In fo rmat ion Corp, in Arlington MA and worked his way up from Junior Programmer to President. Charter was sold in 2000, andKen then worked for the successor companies (CBS Employer Services & Intuit) until he retired in 2007. He enjoyedhis working life, but really thrived on some of the extracurricular activities. He served as a representative to the National Payroll Reporting Consortium and on IRSAC, the IRS Advisory Council, for many years. Between those two endeavors, he managed to find his way out of the office and into DC about seven times a year.

Outside of work, Ken’s passions have been playing pool and promoting clean energy. He’s been playing pool semi-seriously for about12years,butrecentlystoppedplayingcompetitively.Itseemshe’d rather play with his solar panels and Tesla car. He purchased the Tesla a little over two years ago and wonders how he could survive without it. Shortly after the Tesla arrived, the solar panels went up. He and Carol haven’t paid an electric bill in nearly two years. Anyone interested in either should contact him (or if you’re interested in a game of pool).


CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW

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Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes & Diseases They Carry

For help with mosquito control call 3-1-1 www.austintexas.gov/healthAustin/Travis County Health& Human Services Department

Use full screens on

open windows or use air

conditioning.

Keep yards and

shrubs trimmed.

Clean clogged roof gutters and

drain flat roofs. Dress in

light colored, long-sleeved, loose fitting

clothes.

Limit outdoor

activities when mosquitoes are active.

Use an EPA-approved

mosquito repellent and

follow directions.

Empty items that hold

water such as flower pots,

toys, tires and birdbaths.

Fix outdoor

pipes and leaky

faucets.


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july 2016 volume 4, number 7 president's message… · with mosquito dunks, remove leaves on...

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