Landscaping continues Members of the Landscape Committee, along with family members and friends, met on Saturday, April 8, to complete the planting of smaller perennial native plants around the pavilion in GWW’s common area. Mexican bush sage, twisted-leaf yucca, gulf muhly, autumn sage, and creeping rosemary (not a native, but well adapted to our area) were added to the larger shrubs and trees to complete this phase of improvements to the area. These plants were selected for their deer and drought resistance, as well as ease of maintenance. Final tasks remaining include weeding and addition of the commemorative plaques acknowledging our special donors. Thanks to all who helped with this project.

The Committee is planning a weeding work date on Wednesday evening, June 7, at 7 pm, and welcomes any residents who’d like to visit with neighbors while helping to tidy the planting bed. • Editor

Neighborhood History: Reflections While Mowing

As I pushed my weed-eater-on-wheels round my yard last week, I reflected upon the passage of twelve years. It is obvious that the number of wildflower species has shrunk considerably, one of the main reasons being the exponential increase in the number of deer. It is obvious which plants they do not favor. These include the prickly pear cactus (the state plant of Texas), frostweed, and the milkweed known as antelope horns.

All milkweeds are host plants of the monarch butterfly. Their sap gives the caterpillars a lifelong bitter taste, which ensures their survival. When the horn-shaped seedpods of Asclepias asperula burst, their silky contents waft into the air. This was used for filling flotation devices when kapok was not readily available during WWII.

On their return journey to Mexico in the autumn, the monarch butterflies find frostweed, Verbesina virginica, an important nectar source. It is always exciting to see how frostweed comes by its name when the first frost of the winter occurs. The stems split, and the exuding sap freezes to form “icicles.”

One of the reasons we have to mow so often is to get rid of the seed heads of a tenacious alien invasive, K-R (King Ranch) bluestem. This grass was introduced in the 1920s into the USA as cattle fodder. It gets its name from the South Texas King Ranch where it soon became obvious it did not live up to expectations. The Highway Department has since used it to control erosion along the verges, facilitating its spread throughout Texas.

A particularly nasty uninvited immigrant is the ubiquitous red imported fire ant. It probably hitched a ride to Mobile, Alabama, in the 1930s on a freighter from its native South America. It is thought that the movement of garden-center supplies throughout the south facilitated the ant’s rapid spread. Within the last decade, it has expanded its horizons even further, to Australia. The State of Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries states that it is “the greatest ecological threat since the introduction of the rabbit and potentially worse than the cane toad.” It is taking aggressive measures to try to eradicate the ant.

The thunderstorms that have plagued us in the last few weeks have rejuvenated the landscape and begun to fill the long-dry creek beds. The downpours have produced a superabundance of beautiful rain lilies, Cooperia drummondii. So, let us enjoy this lushness while we can –the long hot summer is just around the corner! • 2006 J. Marie Bassett

Welcome Committee The newly-formed GWW Welcome Committee has put together a request letter for soliciting donations of goods, services and discount coupons from area merchants and service professionals. Residents who work for a business which might be approached to donate items for welcome baskets are encouraged to contact Dena Seligman at 858-1993 to obtain a copy of the request letter. Also, if you would like to inform our residents of goods or services which you provide that might be of interest to them, please let Dena know. The committee is working on a brief listing of such information to include in the welcome packets they’ll distribute to new residents. When looking for a source of goods or services, many folks would prefer to contact a neighbor if they know of anyone in their area who offers a service they need. • Editor

National Night Out As a Neighborhood Watch community, GWW is eligible to participate in the 23rd Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. The NNO official web site describes the event as follows:

“ [This] event will give neighbors a chance to get to know each other better. When neighbors know and care about each other, they feel more comfortable reporting crime and suspicious behavior to police. More people watching out for each other and calling 911 will make your block a safer place. And it all can start (or be recharged) with your NNO event! ”

Our local GWW chapter of Neighborhood Watch is soliciting input from residents about whether GWW should host a NNO party at the pavilion on August 1. The purpose would be to socialize, to help neighbors meet one another, and to familiarize folks with the Neighborhood Watch program. If we have a party, should it be a potluck, just drinks and snacks, or some other format? Please contact Rick Bondurant (rbond@iiat.org) or Margaret Paine (margaret@zpgraphic.com, 894-0903) to provide ideas and suggestions, or to volunteer to help organize the event.
• Editor

Neighborhood Watch All residents of GWW are encouraged to participate in our Neighborhood Watch program. To participate in the program, residents should take two steps: First, contact the GWW program coordinators, Rick Bondurant and Margaret Paine, to request addition of your address to the NW alert recipient list. Second, be consciously aware of your immediate vicinity, your property and your neighbors’. Any suspicious persons, vehicles or activities should be reported immediately to the sheriff’s office at 911. Participants receive occasional alerts via email from the sheriff’s office, informing them of any criminal activity in their area.

Fencepost repair Two of the posts in the older section of split rail fencing around the common area are in need of repair, and before hiring a fencing repair person the BOT is asking for volunteers from the community. Anyone willing to offer his or her time and skill to perform this minor repair for the neighborhood is asked to contact the Administrator at 894-0650. • Editor

Weather data for GWW Several residents expressed appreciation to Gary Kosut for providing the link to the City of Austin rain gauge data in the March newsletter. John Anderson reported that in February the GWW Water Board met at the new Driftwood Fire Department and Chuck Dixon gave members a tour of the facility. He showed them a weather station that is connected real time to KXAN and is available on line. Visit this additional weather information resource at: http://web.live.weatherbug.com/LiveObservations/1/BroadcasterObservations.aspx?zcode=z4505&stat=ASTGH&lid=DOM. • Editor

Water hardness Resident Ron Weise obtained water hardness information for our water supply system from Tim Williford at Eco Resources. The number that folks in GWW need to enter into the electronic brain of programmable water softeners was 33.6 grains as of April 27. Ron was told this number should not fluctuate much for the foreseeable future.

Board of Trustees News

Development in the meadow A POA member present at the May meeting of the Board requested information about the development taking place in the “greenbelt” area between Goldenwood West and Goldenwood. Members of the Board, along with the Administrator, reviewed our copy of the Meadow settlement and found that the deed restrictions from our settlement with the development company for “the meadow” say lots in the Emerald Meadow may not be less than eight acres. The subdivision plat for Emerald Meadow shows three lots but it is reported that the meadow property has been sold as two lots, one with approximately twenty acres and one with approximately ten acres, which meets the requirements of the agreement. Administrator agreed to find a plat at the courthouse for this subdivision to confirm that the development is in fact following the deed restrictions.

Pavilion repairs It was reported that the water fountain drain pipe is broken. The cause of the break is not known. Board president Mark Ruthenbeck volunteered to fix the damage. The Board respectfully asks all POA members to take responsibility for any damage which they cause, even if the damage is accidental.

News from the APC

Spring yard recognition The APC has selected the yard of Steven Johnson and Mary Mayfield, 17019 Westview Trail, for its annual Spring Yard recognition. Each spring the APC selects for recognition a yard which is particularly attractive and adds appeal to the community. The GWW community appreciates the contribution this yard makes to the beauty of our immediate surroundings.

Boats and trailers The Committee reminds residents that no recreational vehicles or boats are permitted to be parked or stored for more than a day in view of the street. The exception to this rule is that APC approval can be given for camping in recreational vehicles for periods not longer than a week. Request for approval forms may be obtained from the GWW web site (see Resident Resources [plus sign] page) or by contacting the Administrator at 894-0650.

New member Welcome to POA member Jake Bradley who was appointed by the BOT at its May meeting to serve as the newest member of the APC. Jake is filling a position made available upon the resignation of Charlie Seligman. The Committee and the BOT thank Charlie for the generous donation of his time in serving the GWW community.

The next two meetings of the APC will be on June 21 and on July 19 at 7 pm at the pavilion. Residents with questions for the APC are always welcome to attend the meetings. POA members and visitors may speak during the public forum at the beginning of the meeting.

News from the GWW Water Board

The next meetings of the GWW Water Board will be on June 15 and July 20. Meetings begin at 7:30 pm and are held at the pavilion.

Annual Meeting The Water Board reminds residents to cast their ballot for the two Board positions up for election, and to attend the annual meeting on June 15th.