Lone Wolf Tree Clearing Update

The H.O.W. Foundation began clearing dead oaks and debris from 208 Lone Wolf Ct on Wednesday, June 22, and the project is now expected to continue through Sunday, June 26. In the meantime, there are felled trees and debris throughout the lot. The Hidden Springs Ranch Board asks parents to remind their kids to stay clear of the lot while the project is underway.

Hallelujah, It RAINED!

 Hallelujah! RAIN! At our various family abodes across Dripping Springs we got between 1/2 and 6/10 inches. Two of the abodes are on rainwater collection so double hallelujah!

Courtesy of DS Babble.

Major Tree Clearing Project on Lone Wolf Ct

Beginning Wednesday, June 22, a major tree clearing project will get underway at 208 Lone Wolf Court. The H.O.W. Foundation, headquartered in San Antonio, is expected to have 5 full crews working to clear dead trees and debris. Work will be on the west side of the creek bed, from Lone Wolf Court north to the edge of the neighborhood ball fields. As many as 30 trees will be felled and removed from the lot, and many more dead branches and debris will be removed at the same time.

While the H.O.W. Foundation hopes to have the work complete on Wednesday, it may continue through Thursday, June 23. The Hidden Springs Ranch Board asks parents to keep their children clear of the creek area until this hazardous activity is complete.

Questions about this post can be forwarded to the HOA Board at bod@dshiddenspringsranch.com.

Residents Invited to Hays Parks Planning Meeting

Hays County has scheduled the last of five scheduled public meetings to gather input from residents about the future of parks and open space development.  The meeting will take place Thursday, June 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hays County Extension Office, 1253 Civic Center Loop, San Marcos.

At the final meeting, the process used to create the Parks, Open Space & Natural Areas Master Plan will be reviewed, along with discussion of the final recommendations gathered through public input. The public will have the opportunity to provide comment on those projects determined through the planning process to be priorities for future consideration and development.

“Hays County has held four public meetings in various locations throughout the county and offered an online survey for residents to use to provide ideas and concerns about what they’d like to see happen in Hays County regarding parks, open space and natural areas,” Hays County Grants Administrator Jeff Hauff said. “We’ll soon be finalizing the plan, which incorporates a lot of public input, and presenting it to the Commissioners Court for approval.” Hauff noted that the Hays County Parks & Open Space Advisory Board, appointed by the Commissioners Court, helped to provide direction for the planning process.

More information about the plan, the planning process and the results of previous public meetings is available at www.co.hays.tx.us/ParksMasterPlan. Questions should be directed to Jeff Hauff at Jeff.Hauff@co.hays.tx.us or 512.393.2209.

Weekend Events

The Dripping Springs Farmers Market holds court from 9am - Noon at The Triangle (RR12 @ 290).

The Hillside Concert Series continues on Saturday on the grassy knoll at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. Kids are welcome to run and dance as the music plays and parents kick back. Bring a picnic, wine, chairs, or roll out a blanket. Free concert by Libby Lock starts at 6:30pm.

Enjoy the cool blues, country, and western swing sounds of Homer Whisenant under the cooling misters at The Barber Shop brewpub (207 Mercer) on Saturday from 7pm-10pm.

Austin YFALS Cornhole Challenge Day is Saturday from 11am-6pm at Jester King Brewery. Event organized by the Young Faces of ALS to raise awareness and funds for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Austin food trucks, hours of live blue grass music, raffle prizes and a cornhole tournament (bean bag toss). Entry to the cornhole tournament is $40 per person, $20 per person for spectators, kids 12 and under are free. Learn more and register at yfals.com by clicking on the Austin link on the lower right hand side of the page. Lots more information on the dedicated Facebook page here.

The 4th Annual Father's Day Car Show at Dripping Springs United Methodist Church is Sunday from 8am-12:30pm on the 2nd tier of their parking lot. Bring your classic car, cycle or truck by for a chance to win $50, $75, or $100 for the Christian charity of your choice (plus an awesome trophy).

Events courtesy of Dripping Springs Babble

Brush Fire on Bell Springs Rd

Firefighters have a brush fire in North Hays County near the 800 block of Bell Springs Road (near Hamilton Pool Road) 85 percent contained as of 3:15 pm Friday.

The fire has been burning since about noon Friday. Though it started in Hays County, it burned north into Travis County.

Twenty units and one StarFlight helicopter responded.

Seven houses and barns were threatened, and livestock and residents evacuated. However, none of the structures burned, and no animals or people were hurt.

There is no word on what started the fire.

Governor Extends Hays County Fireworks Ban

On Thursday, Texas Governor Rick Perry approved Hays County’s request to extend a restriction on the sale and use of fireworks through 7 am July 5.  Hays County Judge Bert Cobb made the request Wednesday after issuing a 60-hour ban earlier this week. For a local declaration to be in effect longer, a county must request an extension from the governor.

 “While it is unfortunate that we can’t celebrate our independence on July 4th with fireworks, the risk is too high,” Hays County Fire Marshal Mark Chambers said. “Drought has made fire danger of paramount concern, and we have to take the safety of our citizens and their property into consideration. All residents of Hays County should take the fire risk we face seriously and adhere to the fireworks ban, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 for violators.”

The fire marshal noted that if conditions prior to July 4 change significantly enough to warrant it, the ban would be reconsidered.

New Legislation Changes Association Rules and Procedures

The state legislature passed several new bills affecting property owner and association rights and responsibilities in 2011. House Bills 8, 362, 1228, 1737, 1821, 2761 and 3391, and Senate Bills 101 and 472 affect everything from rain barrels to assessment collection procedures and meeting requirements. The Board is currently evaluating how these changes will affect HOA operations and by-laws.

As the new legislation becomes effective before the next annual meeting, the board will call a special meeting to discuss any by-laws changes before they are enacted.

Members who have questions, or wish to participate in the review process, can contact the Board.

Hays County Bans Fireworks

Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, MD, today declared a local state of disaster exists in Hays County due to drought. The disaster declaration bans the sale and use of all fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Hays County for 60 hours, beginning at 1 p.m. today.

Because local authority for a declaration extends only for two-and-a-half days, Judge Cobb also sent a letter to Governor Rick Perry asking that he extend the restrictions imposed by the declaration until drought conditions ease. Conditions are not expected to improve through the July 4^th holiday.

The full text of this post can be read at: http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/living-and-visiting/recent-news/hays-county-bans-sale-and-use-of-fireworks/.

More information, and the current status of the Hays County burn and fireworks ban, can be found at: http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/law-enforcement/fire-marshal/.