West Lake Hills - October 2015

Copyright © 2015 Peel, Inc. West Lake Hills Echo - October 2015 1

The Echo

Volume 4, Issue 10 October 2015

THE WEST LAKE HILLS

ECHOANewsletter

for the Residents ofWest Lake HillsThe West Lake Hills Echo is

a monthly newsletter mailed to all West Lake Hills residents. Each newsletter is filled with valuable information about the community, local area activities, school information, and more.

If you are involved with a school group, play group, scouts, sports team, social group, etc., and would like to submit an article for the newsletter, you can do so online at www.PEELinc.com. Personal news (announcements, accolades/ honors/ celebrations, etc.) are also welcome as long as they are from area residents.

GO GREEN! Subscribe via Peelinc.com to have an email sent to you with a link to a PDF of the newsletter, or have an email sent to you instead of having a newsletter mailed to you!

(Continued on Page 3)

TIPS FOR REMODELING YOUR HOME and Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Submitted by Sean Kubicek and Claudia ScottHome remodel or home improvement projects are a fun but also cost-and time intensive undertaking.

Whether you’re planning a big remodel project, or just want to make a few updates to your home, below are a few tips for hiring a remodeling contractor as well as some thoughts on which home improvement projects add the most value to your home should you decide to sell your home. Before committing to any one contractor, get at least three estimates. This will educate you about the scope of work to be done and ask the right questions.

Check references if possible and possibly even look at completed projects.Contact the Austin Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. Angie’s List and

neighborhood groups can also be a valuable reference.When you select a contractor, ensure that your scope and the contractor’s understanding of your scope of

work is clearly stated in writing. Also, discuss how change orders will be handled.Disburse payments in increments as work is completed.Ensure the contractor files necessary permits, licenses and is insured. (Make sure all permits are closed out

after completion).Ask what sub-contractors might be involved in the project and also check their references.Make sure that the contract specifies that the contractor will clean up after the job is completed.Educate yourself about the materials used, the different specifications and grades.Ask the contractor to indemnify you if the work does not meet local building codes or regulations.According to MSN, homeowners can generally recoup 80-90% of the money they spend on home

improvements. If done correctly, a homeowner can enjoy the benefits of a remodel and make it a financially sensible undertaking as well. Below is an overview of which projects provide the biggest return on your investment:

Paint: Keep it neutral and avoid taste-specific colors. For example, some popular paint colors right now are Sherwin Williams Agreeable Grey and Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. There’s also a trend towards white - we recommend Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or China White.

Flooring: Engineered wood flooring or wood-look tile is very popular. Hardwood Bargains is a local Austin distributor that carries several affordable types from contemporary to traditional tones. If you update the carpet, stick to a neutral palette. Carpet pad can add up in cost, but can be money well-spent. For most applications, a mid-grade carpet and upgraded pad represent a good value.

Bathroom: updates don’t always return 100% of every dollar spent. A professional paint job or stain on your existing bathroom and kitchen cabinets can add to the overall aesthetic. Adding new counters can bring a bathroom up to date. Once again, stick to neutrals and timeless colors and materials. While the entry-level

2 West Lake Hills Echo - October 2015 Copyright © 2015 Peel, Inc.

The Echo

EMERGENCY NUMBERSEMERGENCY ...............................................................911Fire ...................................................................................... 911Ambulance .......................................................................... 911Police Department ..............................................512-327-1195Sheriff – Non-Emergency ....................................512-974-0845Fire Department Administration .........................512-539-3400Travis County Animal Control ............................512-972-6060

SCHOOLSEanes ISD ...........................................................512-732-9000Westlke High School ...........................................512-732-9280Ninth Grade Center ............................................512-732-9260West Ridge Middle School ..................................512-732-9240Hill Country Middle School ...............................512-732-9220Valley View Elementary .......................................512-732-9140Forest Trail Elementary ........................................512-732-9160Eanes Elementary ................................................512-732-9100Cedar Creek Elementary .....................................512-732-9120Bridge Point Elementary .....................................512-732-9200Barton Creek Elementary ....................................512-732-9100

UTILITIESWater District 10 ................................................512-327-2230Wastewater Crossroads Utility Service 24 Hour Number ....512-246-1400 New Accounts .................................................512-402-1990Austin Energy .....................................................512-322-9100 Texas Gas Service Custom Service .............................................1-800-700-2443 Emergencies .....................................................512-370-8609 Call Before You Dig .........................................512-472-2822AT&T New Service ..................................................1-800-464-7928 Repair ...........................................................1-800-246-8464 Billing ...........................................................1-800-858-7928Time Warner Cable Customer Service .............................................512-485-5555 Repairs.............................................................512-485-5080Austin/Travis County Hazardous Waste ..............512-974-4343

OTHER NUMBERSCity Administration ............................................512-327-3628Municipal Court .................................................512-327-1863Property Tax ........................................................512-854-9473Appraisal District ................................................512-834-9317Chamber of Commerce .......................................512-306-0023City of West Lake Hills .......................... www.westlakehills.org

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHERPeel, Inc. .............................................................512-263-9181Editor ............................................... [email protected] ..........................................advertising@peelinc.com

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

ADVERTISING INFO Please support the advertisers that make the West Lake Hills Echo possible. If you are interested in advertising, please contact our sales office at 512-263-9181 or [email protected]. The advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue.

ARTICLE INFO The West Lake Hills Echo is mailed monthly to all West Lake Hills residents. Residents, community groups, churches, etc. are welcome to include information about their organizations in the newsletter. Personal news for the Stork Report, Teenage Job Seekers, recipes, special celebrations, and birthday announcements are also welcome.

To submit an article for the West Lake Hills Echo please email it to [email protected]. The deadline is the 15th of the month prior to the issue.

Description: The position includes marketing our community newsletters to local and area businesses. It is a flexible position that allows you to work from home and set your own hours.

Roles: Stimulate new advertising accounts in our community newsletters. Maintain current accounts assigned to you by Sales Manager. Service your accounts by assisting them from ad design to final proof approval.

Skills: Excellent communication through email and phone, with high level presentation and relationship-building skills. Strong prospecting and business development skills are a must. Previous sales experience preferred but not required.

Benefits: Commission Based Apply by sending resume to [email protected]

NOW HIRING

Advertising Sales Representative


The Echo

October 23, 20156:30 - 8 P. M.

ANNUALFALLFESTIVAL

The Children's Center of Austinis hosting their Fall Festival

Come join us forLIVE MUSIC,

COSTUME CONTEST,SILENT AUCTION.We will have Foodand tons of FUN!!

WESTLAKE 8100 Bee Caves Rd Austin, TX 78746 512.329.6633

NORTHWEST AUSTIN 6507 Jester Boulevard

Building 2 Austin, TX 78750 512.795.8300

www.childrenscenterofaustin.com

The Children’s Center of Austin is hosting their Fall Festival

October 23, 2015 6:30 - 8 PM

COME JOIN US FOR LIVE MUSIC, COSTUME CONTEST, SILENT AUCTION. WE WILL HAVE

FOOD AND TONS OF FUN!

(Continued from Cover)STEVE’S PLUMBINGREPAIR• Water Pressure Problems• Sewer & Drain Service• Fiber Optic Drain Line Inspections• Free Estimates• Satisfaction Guaranteed

Steve Brougher2605 Buell Ave

Master License: M-39722

512.276.7476satisfaction guaranteedfree estimates

water pressure problems�ber optic drain line inspectionssewer & drain service

Steve Brougher276-7476 ∙ 2605 Buell Ave

STEVE’SPLUMBING

REPAIRMaster License:

M-39722

satisfaction guaranteedfree estimates

water pressure problems�ber optic drain line inspectionssewer & drain service

Steve Brougher276-7476 ∙ 2605 Buell Ave

STEVE’SPLUMBING

REPAIRMaster License:

M-39722

granite has become very affordable, Quartz counters and undermount or farmhouse sinks create more of a “wow” factor in kitchens and baths.

Kitchen: With the trend towards spending more entertaining and family time in the kitchen, a good kitchen remodel can pay dividends when it comes time to sell. Stained or painted cabinets and perhaps replacing old cabinet doors and hinges rather than the entire cabinets can be a a way to stay within budget.

Style: Keep it consistent - if you are going with a traditional style, go traditional throughout. If you love an eclectic or modern style, maintain consistency throughout the entire home. When remodeling, even though you’re doing it for yourself, always have a possible sell in mind and understand your target audience and their taste preferences - who is predominantly purchasing in your neighborhood? While many homeowners can cultivate their style on Houzz or Pinterest, hire a professional and spend a few hours talking with a designer or style consultant. DIY and weekend-warrior homeowner remodels tend to not look professional enough.

Sean Kubicek is a Realtor with Moreland Properties. He specializes in single-family and portfolio residential investment and development. He thinks a personal home is a great investment opportunity as well. Sean can be reached at: [email protected]. Claudia Scott is a Realtor with Moreland Properties. She appreciates great design and specializes in finding and marketing homes with potential. She draws from her background in Europe and appreciates quality over quantity.


The Echo

www.ClimateMechanical.com

8312 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Tx 78745

512-440-0123Contact us Today!

Wizzie Brown

Clothes moths can cause considerable damage to materials containing wool, fur or other animal-derived products. There are two common clothes moths, case making clothes moths and webbing clothes moths. The names describe the larval (caterpillar) stage of the moth. Case-making clothes moths spin silken cases that they drag along with them while they feed. Webbing clothes moths feed within silken burrows that they spin over the surface of fabric.

Adults are small, tan moths about 3/8 an inch long. They are weak fliers and avoid light. Larvae like to feed in protected areas, such as folded clothing, and they rarely leave their food source.

To reduce or avoid clothes moth problems, the following tips may be helpful:

o Locate and remove any infested items; look in drawers and closets; on the floor; on or under furniture; on or in walls, ceilings and attics

• Launder or dry clean clothing• Periodically shake and air out items such as rugs and clothing• Use heat and/ or cold to kill insects in infested items• Thoroughly clean storage areas• Store clothing in tightly sealed containerso Cedar is not very effective in repelling clothes moths.

CLOTHES MOTHSo Cedar must be freshly cut or chipped for vapors to be effective,

vapors lose potency quickly.• Mothballs (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) can be used

to repel insectso Read and follow all label instructionso Use only in sealed areas or closed containerso Note that the fumes from these products may soften or melt

some plastics• Insecticide sprays can be used to supplement sanitation techniqueso Remove all items from the area before treating with an insecticideo Allow area to completely dry before returning itemsFor more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie

Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out the blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas AgriLife Research is implied. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.


The Echo

Tim Whitten Board Certified Family Law Attorney

25 Years Experience812 San Antonio Street, Suite 401

Austin, TX [email protected]

512.478.1011

Practice Areas:Adoption | Grandparent and Non-parental Rights | Collaborative Law

High-Asset Divorce | Modifications of Custody, Possession, and Support

Divorce can be unexpected. If it cannot be avoided, then we want to help you protect your interests, whether they are family relationships that will survive the divorce or your property interests. We want to try and help you reduce the emotional financial stress of the process, while also protecting your interests. We will try and help you settle your case amicably, but if that is not possible, we have experience and will pursue ethical litigation. We have attorneys of different experience levels and different billing rates. We offer a variety of options, including full scope and limited scope representation. We want to give you some choices.

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.

The West Lake Hills Echo is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use the West Lake Hills Echo 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 newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.

Westlake Chamber of CommerceBusiness Builder Breakfast at Waterloo

Strengthen your networking skills with this intensive networking session. Informal networking will begin at 7:15 a.m., with formal networking starting at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served at the meeting. The cost is $12.00 which allows participants a choice of 3- 4 breakfast menus. All meeting fees must be paid in cash at the door.

Seating is limited. Reserve your spot with Greg Morrison at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: October 06, 2015Time: 7:15 AM - 9:00 AM

Website: http://www.WestlakeChamber.comLocation: Waterloo 360

6203 N. Capital of Texas HighwayAustin, TX 78731

Contact: Greg MorrisonEmail: [email protected]

Date/Time Details: Tuesday, October 1, 20137:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Fees/Admission: $12 at the DoorCash Only


The Echo

Rock on and play hard for a good cause this fall at the second Battle of the Youth Bands and Family Fun Fest on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at The Rusty Mule, 9201 Hwy 290 in Austin. Produced by Hope4Minds with Strait Music and Austin School of Music, the Battle of the Youth Bands and Family Fun Fest is a high octane day of live music, a silent auction and activities including gyroscope, rock wall, food trucks, face painting, redneck games knockdown, carnival games and much more. Youth bands will compete before and during the event to raise money. Proceeds benefit Hope4Minds, a 501 3(c) public charity that’s fostering hope and enriching the lives of Texas children with an acquired brain injury. For more information or to donate, visit www.hope4minds.org.

Bands are competing both on and off stage by raising money for Hope4Minds, with two winners earning a gig at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q on Dec. 6, 2015. In addition to their Stubb’s show, the first place winner will receive six hours of recording time at Austin School of Music.

Brianna, an 8 year old singer in one of the participating duos, suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was 12 months old and has physical disabilities as a result of her injury. Brianna said, “I want to help other kids get help like I did so they can get better.”

Ronda Johnson, executive director for Hope4Minds, is especially impressed by the bands’ enthusiasm to support other kids. “These young musicians from all over Austin are coming together to support

Hope4Minds’ Second “Battle of the Youth Bands” Lets Kids Sling Their Six-Strings and Raise Money for Hope4Minds, Offering Hope and

Support to Kids with an Acquired Brain Injury

HOPE4MINDS’BATTLE OF THE YOUTH BANDS

our kids and families, and there’s something really special about that.”Admission is $5 a person with free admission for children 2 or

under. Tickets are available online at Hope4Minds.org and at the event. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs/blankets due to limited seating.

2015 Battle of the Youth Bands sponsors represent community-minded businesses from across Austin including Dell Children’s Medical Center, Engel & Volkers; On Call Emergency Center; Premier Family Physicians; Community Impact; Covert Buick; Peel Inc. ; Big Sky Pediatric Therapy; AR Signs; Kim Burke of Sotheby’s International Realty; Peter King Design; Massage Envy; European Wax Center; Moreland Properties; Sonrisas Therapies; Escarpment Village; Core Health Care; Stubbs Bar B Q; Maggie Ruiz of Realty Austin; Critter Ridder; Home Source Mortgage; Mercedes-Benz of Austin; William Talbot-Allstate; V & V Liquors; Therapy Center of Buda; Neuro Performance Austin; Anytime Fitness; Momentum Public Relations; Hill Country Sun; Victor Thompson Insurance Agency - Farmers Insurance Group; Curious Chords; OpenLabs; Wilson AC and Appliance; Mike and Cari Coble & Family; Protecting Texas Kids; Chris AT Liquor; Big Village IT; and Texas Music Water. Sponsorships are still available at:

www.hope4minds.org


The Echo

T R L T

R e s e r v e A t L a k e T r a v i s . c o m • 8 0 0 . 2 1 4 . 3 1 4 21 9 9 2 6 T H U R M A N B E N D R D . , S P I C E W O O D , T X 7 8 6 6 9

We are closing out the most successful Villa & Cottage project on Lake Travis!

The developer is offering the best pricing ever on the last 3 remaining Alura Pointe Villas and 2 completed Cliffside Cottages, ready for immediate enjoyment! Waterfront resort homes range from 3 to 4 bedrooms, with impeccable quality, and are within a stone’s throw of the award winning Reserve at Lake Travis pool and marina! Hurry, these won’t last!

CALL NICK OR JAMES FOR AVAILABILITY & PRICING

GOING... GOING... GONE!

RLT-8177 - October Peel FP.indd 1 9/9/15 4:47 PM


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West Lake Hills - October 2015