WHAT A GREAT 4th!!
I’d like to take a moment to reflect back on our 4th of July celebration. In a era of “United States Bashing” where complaining about all that is wrong with our country seems to be acceptable at all levels, it’s great to be part of a community that celebrates all that is good in our world.
Our July 4th Celebration gave us cause to do just that! Who can’t revel in the wonderful feelings engendered by watching “our chil-dren”-collectively ours– parade down West-view Trail on their decked out bikes, wagons and trikes? It was great to see families, neighbors, community members (including our wonderful fire and EMT folks) all gather-ing to “break bread”-something that always signifies community in any language.
What a wonderful elixir for all that we worry about. When folks come together to celebrate what they all have in common instead of wor-rying about or fearing their differences...well just look what happens. There was laughter, joy, smiles and acceptance. Sure, we have our differences...someone tells us that every day. It’s nice to have a day where we are only in-terested in what’s right with our way of life!
Thanks to all who participated and to all who helped. For those of us, whose children have grown, it’s great to be with all of our children as they enjoy the 4th. My very favorite thing is watching Dads, who may not get enough quality time with their children, being together with no other agenda then to just enjoy the day! Like our rat snake friend to the right: It’s a very good thing! |
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An Exceptional Spring
This has been an exceptional spring at Goldenwood West and all over the Hill Country. The above picture was snapped by Davide Dickson (see page 4...Meet your Neighbors) back in April. Because we’ve suffered through the last few years of drought we’ve been rewarded with this ex-ceptional spring and summer. The amount of rain earlier this year has kept the ground wet and cool enough so that in July, almost August, we still haven’t hit 100 degree days. (Remember last year...we were well on our way to a record of 100 degree days in a row by now.)
The amount of rain has not just kept our temperatures modulated, it gave us the most beautiful ar-ray of wildflowers in quite some years. How many of us wondered why folks had pulled off the road on 1826 or 45, only to realize someone had pulled over to get another incredible picture like the one Davide snapped above.
And then there are the lawns, trees, bushes and plants we all thought were dead. I was sure my palms had gone the way of the dead and there they were, sprouting new greenery from the top. A pear tree we thought we’d have to pull has started giving us pears. Those of us with fruit trees are getting bumper crops! Case in point, Davide’s fig tree. When she’s in residence she’s harvesting every day. We’ve already put up a dozen jars of chutney and two dozen jars of jam. I hope every-one else is enjoying their bounty.
And plants along the driveway have come back completely! Ah, Hill Country Spring-Summer!
READ PLEASE
Even if you didn’t send your family census form back there will be another opportunity. Census Bureau hiring assistants to pick up more forms.
Census 2010: What is in it for US?
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by law direct." - Article I, Section 2, U S Constitution
The first Census enumeration began on Monday, August 2, 1790, little more than a year after the inauguration of President Washington and shortly before the end of the second session of the first Congress. It showed that 3,929,326 people were living in the United States of which 697,681 were slaves. The largest cities were New York City with 33,000 inhabitants and Philadelphia, with 28,000.
The 2000 Census found that since 1790 the United States popula-tion has increased 75 fold to more than 281 million people. The federal government uses Census data to determine congressional district bounda-ries and allocate more than 400 billion dollars to communities for roads, hospitals, schools, senior centers, emergency services, etc. Census offi-cials estimate that each person counted is worth about $1,300 in federal dollars. As we know, Hays County is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and it is likely that we were undercounted in the 2000 census. By participating, each resident ensures that we have better roads, fire and emergency services, and adequate schools.
Making sure you are counted is easy, it's safe and it's important. In mid-March the U S Census Bureau will send out a short, ten-question sur-vey to every address in the nation that should be mailed back by April 1. The Census Bureau is essentially taking a snapshot of where people are on April 1, 2010 so students and others who may not consider themselves per-manent residents of Hays County should complete the census form for the address where they reside on April 1. For addresses where no response has been received, screened and trained census workers will knock on doors in an attempt to ensure that everyone is counted. Census forms are available in 59 languages, large print and Braille. Survey results are strictly confidential and may not be shared with any government agency.
If you do not receive a census form they will be available at any city or county office or by calling 866-872-6868. More information about the census may be obtained at <www.census.gov>.
Call for Assistance:
I need help. Actually, I need a roving reporter. Are you interested and do you have the time to attend meetings that happen at Goldenwood West on a monthly and bi-monthly basis? My duties as a working clergy keep me from attending such meetings. Perhaps there is a tag team out there that would like to share this duty of attending the meetings and giving me a very short summary of the meet-ings for the newsletter. Give me a call (512) 829-4950 or (201) 463-6435. Thanks.
Meet your neighbor: Cindy Brandt
I am Cindy Brandt, and I live at 8000 Coyote Ridge. We bought land here in 1984 and moved in after our house was built in 1988. I am a retired math teacher, and my husband Phil is an Air Force retiree who has also worked at IBM. When we moved in, Phil was on the POA, and a petition was circulated in the neighborhood to impeach him! I felt that surely no one would want to impeach him if they just knew us, so I wrote an introduction telling about us and went throughout the neighborhood meeting people. Phil went on to become president of the POA and also served on the APC. I still like to get to know my neighbors, and I enjoy meeting you at the pool when I am there with grandchildren. My pastimes these days are drawing pet portraits in charcoal and pastel, tutoring math, being a grandma, church activities at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, gardening, traveling.... I drew the map of the neighborhood you see on the bulletin board at the mailstation, and I helped organize our annual block party for our street. I treasure our neighborhood because I feel we have a unique and desirable combination here of friendly people, affordable homes, and spacious lots, close to Austin but not IN Austin.
(Editor: Thanks Cindy, for sharing with us and for reminding us why so many of us love it out here. I always tell people I live on the last block in Austin. While that may not be technically true...it’s pretty close!)
Long Commute: Your Neighbor Davide Dickson
Hi! I’m Davide Dickson. I live at 16706 Westview Trail with my Mom, the Editor! I commute between here and E. 88th Street in NYC. I am an Aggie and I love the “ranch” particularly the pool and my fig tree.
I am a medical writer and a professional pastry chef. And when I am here on Westview Trail my one bedroom apartment in NYC is available for your renting pleasure. Contact me at (512-829-5037). Remind me that you’re a neighbor and enjoy a great location, great rates and my NYC! |
