And Better Than Ever! the Cat Hollow Fence Project Is Complete!

The Cat Hollow Owner’s Association is going GREEN!

In this issue The ROAR is back! And better than ever! The new version of the Cat Hollow ROAR will be distributed • Letter from the President ..... 2 electronically to reduce costs and be environmentally friendly. We’ve • Meet the Board ...... 2 eliminated paid advertising in lieu of more helpful articles to keep

• Fence Project ...... 3 you informed and help us to increase our sense of community.

• Landscape Report ………... 5 Many people contributed to this newsletter and the quality of the

• Call Before You Dig! …….. 5 articles is outstanding. We thank them all for their time and effort . With so many quality articles, we’re sure you’ll fine something • Landscape Tips …………... 6 useful, if not everything! • Wilco Pets Need Your Help …………...7 The Cat Hollow Fence Project is Complete! • Who Do I Call? ...... 7

• Home Maintenance Tip ...... 8 You may have noticed that the fence project is complete! After years of work, we finally have a clean, consistent fence bordering our • Deed Restrictions ...... 8 community. Though the project took a little longer than expected, it • The Opportunity still came in almost $10,000 under budget, at $506,955.13. read of Change ………………… 9 more

• Get Your Home Ready for the Summer Heat ...... 10 Updated Website

• Cat Hollow Web Site ...... 11 Have you visited our Cat Hollow website lately? If not, take at look • Be a Smart Insurance Consumer ...... 12 at www.cathollow.org . You’ll find a lot of useful information for those questions you have. And with our bigger projects under control • Classified Ads ...... 13 or done, we’re now focused on updating it more regularly. read more

Classified Ads We’ve eliminated commercial advertising with our electronic edition but feel it’s important to let neighbors share services and “stuff”. To that end, we’ve added a Classified Ads section. So if you want to include something, let us know… and look what’s out there now!

Letter from the President By Casey Kennedy, CHOA Board President

Happy New Year! I’d first like to thank the communications committee on their efforts to resurrect the Cat Hollow ROAR. As you may remember, the previous newsletters were filled with advertisements (mainly to cover the cost of printing and mailing). The “new and improved” version is green (no cost to print/mail) and promises to be full of good information about the neighborhood. With the passing of 2008, the CHOA completed two major projects. The first project was to restore the grass along the median of O’Connor. This was done last spring, and we hope that most of it comes back (despite the MUD turning off our water). The bigger project was the fence repairs and additions. You’ll notice that the fencing around the entire neighborhood is now uniform. I thank Director Kim Filiatrault for leading this project and seeing it to completion. In 2009, we have several committees pushing forth several projects. We hope to continue to beautify our wonderful neighborhood. As always, feel free to contact the Board about any CHOA issues. You can do so through Alliance (our property management group) by calling 347-2888. We also enjoy it when other homeowners (besides us on the Board) come to the Board meetings. It’s a great way to get involved with the community and to find out the latest of what’s going on.

Meet the Board

Name Position Expires Committees Casey Kennedy President 2009 ARC , Communication , Landscape Nathan Rakoff Vice President 2011 Communication , Fence David Crow Treasurer 2009 ARC Bonnie Bisher Secretary 2010 Landscape Maina Macharia Assistant Secretary 2010 Landscape , Parks & Rec Kim Filiatrault Director 2011 Communication , Fence , Landscape , Parks & Rec Stan Bowers Director 2011 Fence , ARC JR Richardson Director 2009 ARC, CCAC, Parks & Rec John Bernard Director 2010 Communication

ARC - is the Architectural Review Committee. CCAC - is the Community Center Advisory Committee.

Both the Parks and Rec and the CCAC are Brushy Creek UD (Municipal Utility District) committees with representatives from around the district, including the CHOA.

The Cat Hollow Fence Project is Complete! by Kim Filiatrault, Chairman, CHOA Fence Committee

After a long and somewhat difficult process, the Judy Scholl Way, Luckenwald Drive, Manheim Cat Hollow Fence Project is finished! Though and Tonkinese Drive. We had originally hoped to the project broke ground in June of this year, it include Bobcat and the Liberty Walk Connector actually started in May 2005 and was a primary Trail but these were excluded from the final scope. reason for me becoming a Member of the Cat The new construction started early June 2008 with Hollow Board of Directors. an expected completion before Christmas. We Shortly after joining the Board, the Fence didn’t quite make Christmas but finished in early Committee was formed consisting of Directors January; and we still came in almost $10,000 under Nathan Rakoff, Murali Balijepally, and myself. budget. We added 1,914 new sections of fence. We spent a lot of time coming up with plans, Each section was billed at 5 feet so we added 9,570 finding funding, adjusting the scale and scope of billable feet of fencing. The actual number is a the project, finding companies able to do this little less because some sections are shorter than 5 project, and negotiating and prioritizing this feet, but we still added around 9,500 feet of project with the Board. concrete fencing. On Sunday, May 4, 2008, three years after we Early in the project, we made a difficult decision to started, the Cat Hollow Owner's Association exclude gates. We hoped to allow them but had Board of Directors voted 7-1 to approve the strict requirements for longevity (they had to last Fence Project with some minor changes. The 30-40 years like the fence) and style (they had to lone "nay" vote was not against the fence match the look of the fence) but weren’t able to find project itself but against using a loan for the anything meeting our requirements. This affected a project. We chose Premiercrete out of Dallas as few homeowners but they understood the overall our vendor for the project. The contract included desire and worked with us. both new fencing and repairs to the existing We also had some tree issues which were mostly fencing. resolved by either removing limbs or, as needed, The fence project was a GO! entire trees. In a couple of cases we were able to The final scope of the project included Liberty adjust the fence line a few inches to allow a tree that Walk between O’Connor and Great Oaks, Great little extra room. Once again, understanding Oaks within Cat Hollow’s boundaries, Conchos neighbors made this whole process a lot easier and I Valley, and all the side inlets along these roads thank them so much for working with us. including Albacete Lane, Brienne Drive, … continued on next page Carrick Lane, East Dorman Drive, Evans Road,

Corner of Great Oaks and Conchos Valley

… Cat Hollow Fence Project continued One other change was the fence line along There are a lot of other people to thank: the original Conchos Valley. We wanted to remove as members of the fence committee, Directors Nathan many cut-ins as possible to provide a cleaner Rakoff and Murali Balijepally, who spent years fence line. We accomplished this and the result with the planning and coordinating; Director Stan looks much better overall. And again, thanks to Bowers who talked/negotiated with many a our neighbors for dealing with us in an open and neighbor with me; Christine Gamache with Alliance friendly manner. who managed phone call upon phone call for me; When the time came, we worked closely with Premiercrete for doing the work, especially Chente the Great Oaks Elementary School to close the who was the onsite crew foreman; all the neighbors sidewalk along Great Oaks to complete the we worked with to keep things rolling; and many fence between Liberty Walk and the others who helped in smaller but very important Community Park. In order to protect our ways. Without everyone’s help, we would not have children, we scheduled a specific start/end date had a successful project. Thank you all! for the work; the school provided additional Some interesting numbers: crossing guards; and Premiercrete spent extra time and effort to ensure we finished on ● Contract maximum amount: $516,402.57 schedule. A special thanks to all those involved ● Final contract amount: $506,955.13 during this time; our children are our future. ● Maximum footage: about 10,000 feet The Board of Directors and the many ● Number of new sections: 1,914 homeowners with whom I have spoken are very ● Billed footage (new fence): 9,570 happy with the overall result. I want to give We now have a clean, consistent looking fence special thanks to my wife Lori for allowing me around our community, which is expected to last to invest so much time into this community about 40 years with only minor maintenance project. But now I’m pretty sure she wants me needed. I’m happy with the result and glad to be to finish projects around our house. finished. This is the Fence Project signing off!

Landscape Report by Maina Macharia, Chairman, CHOA Landscape Committee

Hello fellow Cat Hollow residents, The landscape committee is pleased to provide you with our monthly report. You may be wondering what the Landscape committee does considering the drought we’ve had over the past year. Or “how can I get involved if I have comments or suggestions for improving Cat Hollow’s Landscape?” You can talk to any of us or call Alliance. We’re always open to new ideas; the current committee consists of Bonnie Bisher, Casey Kennedy, Kim Filiatrault, Lori Filiatrault, and me. Cat Hollow has landscape maintenance and improvements budgets. The landscape committee works with the Board to define these budgets based on our existing and future needs. We also work closely with our landscape contractor (Ecosystems) to ensure the maintenance of flower beds and trees, and irrigation/mowing services are up to agreed upon standards. Ecosystems also help us with recommendations about our landscaping. The landscape committee regrouped in December and committed to accelerate landscape activities in light of the completed Fence project. We agreed to:

a. Consider planting rye grass along Great Oaks Drive, the entrance of Liberty Walk, and Conchos Valley where the grass was torn up during Fence construction. We’re working on short and long-term solutions.

b. Meet at least once per month.

c. Compile ideas for a Landscape Master Plan and complete the report. The Master Plan will cover 5-10 years and would be implemented in phases. The committee is discussing numerous ideas to compliment the appearance of all areas in Cat Hollow.

Call Before You Dig!

One of the beauties of our neighborhood is that the utilities are underground and out of site. These buried utilities can be damaged if you dig a hole in the wrong place. If your home project involves any digging, call 1-800-DIG-TESS or 1-800-344-8377. Dig-TESS Center is a Damage Prevention Service to help anyone digging in Texas to identify buried utilities before digging. The service is free! It takes about two days for a mark out so make sure to call at least two working days prior to excavation. Respect the Marks and dig with CARE! There have been utility related accidents in the neighborhood area.

Landscape Tip of the Month By Rich Caldwell Vice President, ECO Systems Landscape Services

Spring is just around the corner. If you and debris in shrub beds in preparation for February can’t wait to get back in the garden, no pre-emergent herbicide applications If you are need to wait any longer. This is an ideal planning on having a landscape contractor doing time for many tasks that will help springtime renovations, call them now to get ensure success in your garden in the upcoming estimates before Spring rush starts in late February. season. If you do not have a preferred contractor, get two or three bids and look at their completed projects to Trees verify competence. This is the best time of the year for pruning of Oak After shrub beds are free of weeds and debris, apply trees to prevent possible spread of Oak wilt. pre-emergent herbicide to minimize weed seed Remove deadwood, crossing branches, and raise germination. Add enough new bark mulch to canopies as needed. Use pruning paint on all cuts maintain a 2” – 3” depth. (Note: If your property greater than 1” in diameter. Complete all tree has Live Oak Trees, you might wait until the trees pruning by the end of the month before trees come have finished shedding their old leaves to avoid out of dormancy. raking/blowing new mulch away). Fertilize smaller installed trees with fertilizer stakes. As temperatures warm up, fire ants, spider mites, Consider deep root feeding of large native trees aphids and other insects will become active. Be sure (Have this done by a professional!!!) to identify problematic insect and choose the least Ornamental Beds toxic product needed to provide acceptable control. Try to avoid “Broad Spectrum” insecticides; there Cut back perennials to about 2”- 4” above the ground after the second hard freeze of the year. are now many good organic/low toxicity products Removing dead wood from some perennials before on the market. the last freeze may remove the last line of defense Turf the plant has from lasting frost damage. Cut back Now is a perfect time to aerate and fertilize your ornamental grasses to 10” – 12” above ground. lawn. Core aeration machines can be rented for a Fertilize ornamental beds with balanced slow nominal fee from a local home improvement release fertilizer. Look for a warehouse. These machines essentially punch holes Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium ratio of 1-1-1. in the soil, preventing compaction and oxygenating Deadhead (Pinch blooms off) winter annuals such the root systems of the turf areas, also allowing for direct nutrient application and efficient water as Snapdragons, Pansies, Dianthus, and Cyclamen. Fertilize winter annuals with a high Phosphorus uptake. Used in conjunction with a balanced fertilizer (a 10 – 54 – 10 or similar ratio) to maintain conventional fertilizer, or an even application of organic compost, Core aeration may be the best heavy bloom set. thing you can do for your lawn in any season. Kill or hand pull broadleaf weeds such as Dandelion and Clover. February pre-emergent herbicides If you have any questions about this article or any applied in February will be more effective if the turf landscaping issue, contact Rich at 512-977-0052 or areas are free of weeds. Begin cleaning up leaves by E-mail at [email protected].

Wilco Pets Need You! By Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Birkman

Williamson County Regional Animal included as well as an electronic microchip which is Shelter (WCRAS) could use your used to help identify lost animals. assistance. There are several ways you or Volunteering at the shelter is another way you your organization/group can help out. can get involved. Volunteers are needed for a variety First of all, we need folks who are willing to adopt one of tasks including: walking and playing with dogs, of our pets. We have a wide variety of cats and dogs, socializing with cats, grooming or bathing animals, and even occasionally a rabbit or two, who are in need adoption screenings, special events and more. of a good home. The shelter is located at 1855 S. E. Volunteer orientation meetings are held on the first Inner Loop in Georgetown, which is about a 15 to 20 Thursday of each month and last about an hour. minute ride from Cat Hollow. You take IH 35 North Additionally, groups of volunteers are sometimes to the Inner Loop exit. Take a right and head east on needed. More info on volunteering is also on the the Inner Loop. Go past the intersection with FM website. 1460 and the shelter is a couple of miles down on the Lastly, if your pet gets lost in Cat Hollow and left. It is open Tuesday-Friday from noon to 6 p.m. is picked up by the animal control officers from the and on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, your pet will be shelter is closed on Mondays. You can visit the taken to the WCRAS. You can call the shelter at 943- shelter’s web site, www.wilcopets.org , for a preview 3332 to find out if your pet is there. of animals currently available for adoption and for a If you have questions about this or any other copy of the adoption application. The website also has county issue, please contact Lisa at info as to the adoption fees, how to choose a pet and [email protected] or 733-5380. more. When you adopt a pet, neuter/spay fees are

A Friendly Reminder Please remember that all pets must be on a leash when not in your fenced yard. We have had quite a few complaints about pets roaming free in the neighborhood. Please be neighborly and keep control of your pets!

Who Do I Call? Have you ever wondered who to call when you have an issue? Use the following list of local organizations and the items they are responsible for as a guide. Cat Hollow Owner’s Association (CHOA) • Approval for installation of pools, sprinkler (512) 347-2888 systems, and other plumbing. • Common area maintenance including mowing, landscaping, and sprinkler systems along O’Connor, Liberty Walk, Conchos Valley, and Williamson County • the entrances to neighborhood sections Sheriff’s Department - (512) 943-1300 • • Deed restriction enforcement Pre-construction mark-out - 1-800-DIG-TESS (800-344-8377) • Architecture Committee approval for all • improvements. Streets • Street signs Brushy Creek MUD - (512) 255-7871 • Stray animals • Common area maintenance along Great Oaks • Land records • Residential water service • Street lights See http://www.wilco.org/service.html for a • Parks and pools complete list of services and contact numbers.

Home Maintenance Tip By John Bernard, Professional Home Inspector #9955, AAA Home Inspection Services, LLC

Now that winter is here and most of the Why is water to overflowing your rain gutter? leaves have fallen it’s time to check If you notice water spilling over the back of your your gutters to be sure that they’re not rain gutter then it can be from debris in the gutter, clogged. Not only are they a pain to or it could be due to the gutter hanging brackets clean out, but the long term damage a clogged rain sagging on the fascia boards. You may even notice gutter can create is substantial. So, why is gutter that the brackets have fallen off which is causing cleaning so important and just what is the damage it the water to overflow. can cause if neglected? Here is a quick look. If you see water coming over the front of the gutter The main reason for cleaning gutters and making then it is usually due to clogging from leaves, sure they allow rainwater to flow smoothly to the sticks, roofing materials, or other debris. ground and away from your foundation is due to the damage that can occur to your home over time. As you can see, cleaning gutters is vitally important This damage can include: to the long term health of your home. Most home • experts agree that you should clean your gutters in Foundation problems - Continued water the spring and late fall in most parts of the country. leakage down the side of your home into your Depending on the number of trees that surround foundation may create cracks in the walls or your home it may be even 3-4 times per year. Be slab and maybe even leaks into your home. sure you don't neglect this important aspect and • Mold problems - Mold is a huge issue today you'll eliminate future problems before they can and this is yet another problem that clogged start. gutters can pose. • Siding problems - Water can cause fascia Home maintenance tasks aren’t for everyone, but boards to crack or rot, wood siding to bow or they still need to be done. If you need help become moldy over time. It can also cause checking or cleaning your gutters don’t hesitate to paint to streak or stain. call for help. Look in the Classified Ads below or • Landscape problems - Excessive water can on line for handymen or gutter cleaning services. If cause erosion, damage sidewalks, driveways, you have any questions about this, or any home exterior hardscape and even plantings. maintenance tips call John at 351-9981or send E- mail to [email protected].

Deed Restrictions

Please remember that we all agreed to comply with Deed Restrictions when we purchased our homes. The goal of these Deed Restrictions is to help maintain the quality and value of our community. These Deed Restrictions are strictly enforced. We understand that some of these Deed Restrictions can be confusing. Please contact the Association Managers at 347- 2888 or send an E-mail to [email protected] if you have any questions or need clarification on any issues. You can also visit our website ( www.cathollow.org ) to get a copy of the Architectural Request Form if you are planning home improvements or repairs. This form should be filled out completely before submitting it to the Board for review. You must also obtain approval from the Brushy Creek MUD for new pool.

The Opportunity of “CHANGE” By Nancy Moore GRI, ABR Keller Williams Realty Residential and Investment Real Estate

Times change. The markets change. I had always thought in order to control my destiny; Successful people change - continually, I’d have to get the timing right for specific things, such relentlessly, perpetually - either in as buying Real Estate. Some buyers are “sitting on the response to the markets or their own goals. fence” waiting to see when home and land prices will High achievers always alter and adjust. Successful fall to its lowest point. In hindsight, there is no people know they must adapt if they are going to stay “perfect timing” - the time we have right now is successful. They know life is too short to move slowly perfect. Interest rates are low, prices on Real Estate and too great to think small. They know there are ups have leveled and you can assuredly get more bang for and downs and that life is an ongoing challenge. your buck. NOW, is the time to step up to the plate and buy low. Years from now, in retrospective, you What separates the winners from the losers is their will be glad you did. ATTITUDE! Winners know that tough times happen, that there are “buyers and sellers markets”, that An old proverb says “A smooth sea never made a unemployment rises and falls, that interest rate and skillful mariner”. The good and the bad, the easy and inflation go out of whack, and that the dollar goes up the difficult all coincide together to shape the very and down in value. Suddenly, you find yourself in a person you’ve become. Looking back, whether we see downturn of circumstances; however the basic issues these times as arduous or full of opportunity, it will are the same. IT IS UP TO YOU! most likely turn out exactly as we choose. Our market has indeed fluctuated again, as it did in At the end of this economic change we will know what 1979 and again in 1987. Panic, fear and anxiety were it took to survive and thrive. Who will have taken this at high levels then, as they are now. The market is change as an opportunity as the law of equilibrium cyclical; supply and demand moves in and out of readjusts itself? balance. Although you don’t decide what the market This article was researched and inspired by: “Shift” will do, you can definitely decide what you will do. by Gary Keller, NAR magazine, Terre Grande Don’t fall into the attitude crisis. The trick in life is to Magazine . If you have any questions about this article, get up. A problem free market does not exist as there are always issues, however YOU can make the best of or any real estate issues, please contact Nancy at (512) 422-4767 or visit her website at any situation. Life is a series of challenges to work through, explore, learn and overcome. Take nothing www.MooreDreamHomes.NET . for granted.

Getting Your Home Ready for the Summer Heat By Mark Enloe, President of Accurate Construction, local provider of Green Home Energy Solutions

Well, here we are, deep in winter If you choose to take on duct sealing as a do-it- and spring is still awhile away. So yourself project start by sealing air leaks using why do we need to talk about mastic sealant or metal tape and insulating all the preparing our homes for the summer ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, heat? crawlspaces and garages). Never use duct tape, as it is not long-lasting. Also, make sure that the The short answer is that most homeowners connections at vents and registers are well-sealed probably need to fortify their homes against the where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. summer onslaught of heat, humidity, mold, These are common locations to find leaks and mildew and rising energy prices. We’ve all seen disconnected ductwork. the effect that rapid rising oil prices and their recent drop has had on our monthly budgets. Insulation History shows us that energy prices won’t stay at Heating and cooling can account for up to 70 their current price but will continue to rise. percent of the energy used in your home. Adding a The long answer is getting your home ready for little insulation can add to the savings. summer and even winter is much easier to do The first inch of insulation accounts for most of when weather temperatures are tolerable. If the energy savings. Added insulation increases this you’ve ever attempted to go in your attic in the savings but that first inch is a must. If there are heat of the summer where temperatures can areas that have missing or no insulation, this routinely climb above 160 degrees or attempted should be addressed quickly. If your insulation has any home improvements in the heat then I’m sure become compressed it has lost its R-Value and you can relate to difficulty of performing even additional insulation should be added. simple tasks during that time of the year. Clearing and Cleaning Soffit and Gable Vents New homes are being constructed to be more Insulation holds heat in your home in the winter. It energy efficient, but if your home is over seven has some benefit in the summer but in the summer years old then chances are your home isn’t up to it does what it is designed to do which is hold heat. current standards. So let’s talk about some simple Unfortunately it holds this heat right on top of and in most cases inexpensive things that most your ceiling acting as a large radiator raising your homeowners can do to make their homes greener, ceiling temperatures. This causes your air more comfortable and energy efficient. conditioning unit to cycle on and off sometimes Duct Sealing late in to the night. That’s why attic ventilation becomes so critical to allow heat that accumulated One of the most common sources of energy loss over the summer day to escape and lessen the for homes during the summer and winter months times you’re air conditioner has to run. are through our ductwork in the attic. Attics are subjected to the compounding effects of the suns Be sure attic soffit vents and gable vents are open impact on our roof. The heat buildup causes so air flows freely through them. Most ventilation deterioration of everything in our attics. vents on homes are inadequate. Universal building Unfortunately, this is where most of heating and code for vents requires one soffit vent every 8 feet cooling ducts are located. but we most often find on home energy assessments that the builder has paid little In houses with forced-air heating and cooling attention to the actual size or opening of the intake systems these ducts are used to distribute vents with some having no opening at all or blown conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical in insulation covering them. For a roof to properly house, however, about 20% of the air that moves ventilate and avoid heat gain and heat sink it must through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, draw cool air from eaves and gables and vent it out and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher through the exhaust openings on the roof. utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

Replacing the vent covers and properly cutting the air as a softball-size hole. You can further seal opening to the correct size will make a big holes by installing gaskets behind outlets and difference in allowing your attic to ventilate in the switch plates on exterior walls. Foam gaskets can summer months. Even if properly opened though be found in most home improvement stores. A grates can become clogged over time and should good source on how to locate and correct problem be cleaned and or replaced. It’s definitely a dirty areas can be found on the energy star web site at job, but one that will pay off handsomely in http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications lowered energy bills. /pubdocs/DIY_Guide_May_2008.pdf Roof Vents These are just a few of the things we can do easily to fix weaknesses in the thermal envelope that is Passive roof vents do little to move air out of the our home. Many of these things are quick and attic and are usually so overwhelmed by the Texas inexpensive to correct but result in big savings to heat that they are rendered useless. We have found homeowners. Often more serious problems can be that the most effective way to keep your attic a result of poorly performing windows or air space close to outside ambient air temperature is conditioning units, etc…. Contact a reputable with a solar attic ventilation system. Under load it professional if you believe your problems fall in to can pull 1275 cubic feet of hot air per minute out the latter category. Some local energy providers of your attic space. It last for years, virtually offer many of the services we’ve covered for free eliminates the potential for mold and mildew, to qualified homeowners or offer rebates to costs nothing to operate and qualifies for the customers who have contracted a professional to Federal Solar Investment Tax credit. Be sure to do perform them. Check with your local electrical your homework before deciding to purchase as all provider to see if you qualify. solar vents are not created equally. Two story homeowners will absolutely love the difference it It’s still winter outside but spring and summer makes in the comfort level of their upstairs rooms. will be here before we know it. Time spent on projects now will pay dividends later. Weather Stripping and Caulking If you have any questions about this article or any Weather stripping and caulking are two very green home energy solutions or roofing issues call simple and inexpensive ways to improve your our local Accurate Construction representative, home’s performance. Use these around windows Steve Orf at 965-7973 or visit and doors to prevent drafts and energy loss. A gap www.accurateconstructiontexas.com . of just one-quarter inch can let in or out as much

Cat Hollow Website Have you visited our Cat Hollow website at www.cathollow.org . It’s a great source of information for all Cat Hollow owners, residents and friends. You’ll find contact information for the Association's management company to report miscellaneous problems or just to get information, a calendar of CHOA events, and miscellaneous documents like Architectural Request Forms and the Architectural Guidelines used by our Association. You will also find community amenities, a list of board members, helpful links and even the weather. Our goal is to make the website a useful and fun place to visit. If you’d like to see other things added or changed, please send an E-mail to [email protected] . Contributions are welcome. If you have any news to share or a classified ad, please contact [email protected] .

Be a Smart Consumer Knowing your Auto Insurance Coverage May Save You Money By Jeanette Parker, Representative, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Purchasing the right amount of auto insurance at an Your driving record is a major factor in determining affordable price can be complex. There are three not only your insurability, but also the cost you will major factors that impact your cost of insurance – the pay. For instance, safe drivers can typically expect to coverage you purchase, your driver characteristics, and save as much as 20% annually depending on the state the discounts for which you qualify. Here is an in which they live. overview on how those may affect your premiums, and Many insurers offer an “accident forgiveness” plan, some tips on how to choose and understand your which prevents increases in insurance premiums after coverage a collision, for customers who are accident-free for Coverage – Full vs. Liability Only five years. Although most insurers typically offer this benefit to their customers of at least five years, Liberty There are two primary types of coverage: Mutual’s “Exceptional 5” accident forgiveness Comprehensive & Collision (also called “Physical program is available immediately to eligible new Damage”) which covers your vehicle for damage or customers. theft; and Liability , which covers injuries you cause to other people or damage to other property. Depending Installing an alarm system, having your car VIN- on the vehicle you’re insuring, you can choose to buy etched (professionally etching your vehicle full coverage or just Liability (in most states liability identification number discretely onto your car coverage is mandatory). For example, you may want windows makes it easier for police to trace and less to buy Liability-only coverage if the vehicle is older attractive to thieves) or using other anti-theft devices than 10 years and has little market value. You could may also lead to an additional discount depending on save as much as 50% on your premium by not buying the state in which you live. Physical Damage coverage on that vehicle. Finally, driving less can also lower your insurance Limits & Coverage Options costs. People with short commutes or who use public transit can typically lower their premiums by as much A common question is “how much Liability Coverage as 15% depending on the state in which they live. a person need?” Of course, that depends on the person Owners of specialty or “classic” cars may also take and their assets. Lawsuits are a real part of our advantage of this discount since these cars are society, and not having enough Liability coverage not typically driven less frequently. only jeopardizes your current assets, but your future earnings as well. You should talk to your insurance Duplication of Coverage representative about the appropriate amount of Check to see if you’re buying outside coverage or Liability coverage for you, but the general rule of services that might be more affordable through your thumb is: “buy as much as you can reasonably afford.” insurer. For example, see if your insurance policy If you have Comprehensive & Collision coverage on includes roadside assistance before joining an auto your vehicle, you should consider the highest club. Liberty Mutual customers who have purchased deductible you can reasonably afford. The higher the Towing and Labor coverage can have their towing deductible you choose, the greater the premium costs covered and, if a tow isn’t necessary, Liberty savings. The most commonly chosen deductible is Mutual will still pay for roadside assistance. typically between $250 - $500. You should consult with your insurance representative Discounts to see if you need first-party medical coverage (which covers injuries to you) because it is possible that your There are many types of insurance discounts – make health insurance plan might already cover these sure you ask your representative if you are taking expenses. advantage of everything that’s available to you. For example, as a member of various credit unions, alumni If you have any questions about this article, or would associations you are eligible for additional member like a free consultative review of your insurance needs, discounts on your auto and homeowners insurance please call Jeanette at (512) 217-7690. from Liberty Mutual. These may be as high as 20% depending on the state in which you live. Cat Hollow ROAR Green Volume 1 Issue 1 © Copyright 2009 Cat Hollow Owner’s Association, Inc. All rights reserved Page 12 of 13

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