Vol. 29 • APRIL 2018 Vol. 1 • SEP 2006 Annual Egg Hunt attracts Crowd n March 30th, dozens of kids lined up to search for hidden eggs, play games, Oand meet the Easter bunny. Barbara Smith, the HOA Onsite Director, the Social Committee members led by Jennifer Gardner, as well as some of the voting representatives, hid more than 10,000 eggs! Four separate areas were set up based on age groups, and everyone left with eggs in their basket. The eggs were gone in less than 15 minutes! Those who were lucky found golden eggs which had a ticket for a basket provided by our sponsors. Several tubs were set up to collect any unwanted plastic eggs, and residents stayed to play games and collect prizes. The weather was beautiful, and both kids and parents had a great time! Join us in thanking our sponsors listed on page 15. Preparations for Pool Season Begin Summer will be here before you know it. lifeguards are only at the “bucket” pool at If you already have an amenity key, you Quarry Park. Teens will need a picture ID can verify it is working by testing it at the with proof of age to enter the pools alone. grotto pool during pool hours. If your fam- Residents will notice improvements at ily doesn’t have a key yet, you can drop by both pools this year—both amenity the HOA office at 901 Crystal Falls Pkwy centers have AED devices, both pool and complete the form to obtain access. decks will have improved surfaces and Our swimming pools are open every Lifeguards are only present at the the grotto pool will have new plaster. In day from 10 AM to dusk, except Mon. and “Bucket” pool at Quarry Park. addition, there are shiny new water foun- Thurs. when they open at noon due to maintenance. Pool tains at Quarry Park. Visit our HOA community website at rules are posted at the pools, on the HOA website, and www.CrystalFallsHOA.com for information about all of are available at the HOA office. Parents are reminded that our amenities. The View Governing Documents of Crystal Falls Star Gazers Insist on Enforcement of Dark Sky Requirements, No String Lights The deed restrictions for most of Crystal Falls states that exterior lighting is to be minimized to avoid light pollu- tion. Any exterior lights installed must be “designed to conceal the source of the light. No bare lamps shall be visible from any street or from adjoining neighbors.” Owners are directed to visit www.darksky.org for more information. The HOA is receiving complaints from residents whose neighbors are not complying with this section of the governing documents. Please check your exterior lighting to ensure there are no visible bulbs and that all bulbs are low lumens (200-300) in brightness. Recent complaints about backyard string lights have prompted voting representatives to approve a special night time drive to make a list of those who are in viola- Remove string lights and cover bare bulbs to be tion of the CCRs. If you have installed string lights on considerate of stargazing neighbors. your property, please be aware they have bare bulbs and do not meet the criteria for compliance. They should be removed immediately based on the current deed restric- tions as written. This motion sensor light bulb available from Amazon is just one of many ways to comply with the outdoor lighting requirement. Description: Motion Sensor Light Bulb 7W (60W Equivalent) Radar Smart Bulb Dusk to Dawn LED Motion Sensor Light Bulbs E26 Base Indoor Sensor Night Lights Soft White 6500K Outdoor Motion Sensor Bulb Auto On/Off - Amazon.com How does it work? It does not light up in the It will light up very sensitive It lights up when you enter It turns off after 30 seconds, daylight. in the dark. the sensor area. when you walk out of the sensor area. 2 | SUBMIT COMMENTS & QUESTIONS TO [email protected] Vol. 29 • SPRING 2018 The View Snaketh Demonstration Enlightens Residents More than 50 residents came to hear Tim Cole of Austin yellow and black banding is a coral snake. A spray with the Reptile Service give a fascinating presentation on snakes garden hose is often enough to encourage snakes to leave found in the Central Texas area. Tim has been working with the yard. snakes for over 40 years, and had some interesting details Tim explained that many snakes are helpful in con- to share. Several myths previously trolling rodents and other unwanted thought to be true were dispelled, and species, and if you see them on your residents had an opportunity to safely property it is likely because they have see snakes up close. The most com- followed the trail of a mouse or other mon snake in our area is the non- prey to the area. Some of them, such poisonous Texas Rat Snake. It can as the rat snake, will kill rattlesnakes climb trees, walls and buildings, and and other poisonous snakes. While can vibrate its tail to mimic a rattle. Tim carried his snakes through the There are only three poisonous crowd for close observation, he noted snakes to be aware of in our area— that he has had them for more than six the Diamondback Rattlesnake, Coral years and snakes in the wild should Snake and Copperhead. The Western not be handled as their first defense is Cottonmouth has not been recorded in to flee but if cornered the secondary Williamson Co. and is rare in Travis defense of some is to strike. County. The copperhead is the least venomous of the three The popularity of this event will likely lead to another but has a powerful bite. The Mexican Milksnake, the coral similar seminar in the spring of next year, as this time of snake look alike, is not in this area so Tim warns to forget year is when the snakes begin to come out. If you missed the popular rhyme “Red on Yellow kill a fellow, Red on the seminar, Austin Reptile Service also does birthday par- Black a friend to Jack” and beware any combination of red, ties and other events. The three poisonous snakes in our area are: (left to right) the Diamondback Rattlesnake, Texas Coral Snake and Copperhead. Contact Tim Cole and learn more about identifying snakes at 512-837-6253 or [email protected]. Visit www.AustinReptileService.net to view his snake gallery and learn surprising places you might see the Texas Rat Snake. Vol. 29 • SPRING 2018 FOR ADVERTISING CALL 512-260-7886 | 3 The View Goodwin Explains Violation Notice Process There have been some questions recently regarding the will be proof of delivery or attempt to deliver in the event violation process and why some notifications are sent further legal action is taken. Along with these advantages via certified mail. The Texas Property Code requires that comes the disadvantage of a $15 fee to cover the cost of notification of impending fines be sent to HOA members the certified mail postage and the administrative cost to in violation of the deed restrictions. The CFHOA govern- complete the form and get it in the mail. To clarify, this ing documents require that a courtesy letter be sent to is not a fine – it is postage and admin cost of mailing the members before any certified letter fee or violation fine be notification. added to the account. The HOA strongly urges members to contact the driver Goodwin sends notifications by certified mail to -en (whose information is included in the letter) immediately sure that if the regular mail is lost, incorrectly delivered, to discuss and resolve the issue so that a second letter need or delayed there will be an opportunity for the member not be sent. This will prevent future letters and fines and, if to receive the letter using a more dependable method of there are extenuating circumstances, the driver may even delivery. This method protects all HOA members as there be able to remove the violation if it is not recurring. Find and “Like us” at www.facebook.com/CrystalFallsHOA Crystal Falls HOA for the latest updates in Crystal Falls, and to join the con- versation. Be sure to “Share us” with neighbors, friends and family, and submit a photo for our Timeline cover. Contact DROP OFF, MAIL,[email protected] EMAIL OR FAX COMPLETED ENTRY FOR toM TlearnO THE Cmore.FHOA OFFICE The HOA uses the Facebook page as part of the CFHOA Member Communications network. Photo restrictions apply. 4 | SUBMIT COMMENTS & QUESTIONS TO [email protected] Vol. 29 • SPRING 2018 The View Community-wide Landscaping HOA Sponsors Second Clean Up Day, June 23 On June 23, the CFHOA landscape team will pick up branches/small limbs to assist residents with cleaning up dead brush and clippings. Members should email [email protected] to be added to the pick-up list. All brush must be on the curb (not in the street) by 8 AM , and only those who are on the list will be picked up. Take advantage of this opportunity! Winter Freeze Damage Brings Spring Clean Up If your palm was adversely affected by the winter freeze, please either remove it or trim the dead fronds. Motorized Vehicles Prohibited on the Bloody Hollow Trail Residents living near the Bloody Hollow trail, particularly in the areas be- tween Brave Face and Dream Catcher, have noticed an in- crease in vehi- cles, 4-wheelers, and golf carts on the trail recently. The trails are designed for pedestrian traffic and bicycles only, and motorized vehicles are not permitted for safety reasons.