Crime Report

Ronnie Hill forwarded this report from the sheriff's department about crime in the area, reminding us that we all need to be careful, especially during the holidays when so many are traveling or visiting away from home.

Burglary:  8000 Blk Madrone Trl

12/12/09  between the hours of 7:30 am and 7:00 pm. Person(s) entered the residence without the owner's consent.  Suspects entered through the bathroom window by throwing a rock and shattering the window.  Suspects stole Macintosh desk top computer, .45 Baby Eagle hand gun, Misc jewelry, and prescription medication.

Burglary: 14500 Blk Friendswood Ln

Suspects threw a rock through the master bedroom window and entered the residence removing several electronic game systems and various games, along with 2 guitars.

Burglary: 16300 Blk Sweetwood Trl

Victim advised thy checked the area and saw damage to a window in a bedroom and numerous missing items.

Burglary:  1200 Blk Windy Hills Dr.

Between 12/11/08 and 12/14/08 unknown person(s) intentionally entered the residence and removed numerous items.

If you are interested in more recent area crimes you can contact the Hays County Sheriff's Office at 512-393-7373  or 512-393-7358

One of these address is off 290 between Sawyer Ranch Road and Nutty Brown.  The other three are off Camp Ben McCullough Road (just north of Salt Lick).  

Best Lighting Winners

Best Children's theme 

Best overall - the entire back yard was decorated in red and green!

Very well done and tasteful, this house took Best Holiday Spirit

It's hard to take pictures of houses in the dark -even well lit and decorated houses - but here's the best I got so far.  I hope everyone got a chance to drive around and look at the houses that decorated.  Next year maybe we'll have more.  I've heard a few comments that lead me to believe there will be stronger competition next time around.  

Congratulations to our Outdoor Decoration winners.  

As you drive through the neighborhood, see if you can find the homes with signs in front.  There's one on Drifting Wind, one on Leafdale, and one on Candleleaf Cove.

Adult Party At the Dart's

   

Sadly I didn't get pictures of the Adult party at the home of Dan and Deanie Dart.  If I had you would see how beautiful their home is - what the pictures could not show was the relaxed, enjoyable time everyone had there.  And after the family party, I for one was ready to relax!!  Those who attended sampled a selection of cheeses and wines, enjoyed desserts, and got a chance to visit.  What a perfect end to the day.  

More Party Fun

                                                

Santa visited with the kids at the family party - after which everyone loaded on the wagon for a fun hay ride to see the neighborhood lights.

The girls didn't mind hanging around for pictures - the boys were too busy playing.  

                                                      

And the Winner Is.........

                                                

                                                  

After a good contest with stiff competition, 

Jack Breese took home the trophy again this year - by one vote.

This development led to several vows to do better next year (by those who didn't win)

In all we had 6 entries - all of them good.  We even had a white chili 

- I need to get the recipe for that one.

Mostly, everyone had a good time and we got to know some new folks in the neighborhood.

Santa is waiting to visit with the kids

The Hayride will be loaded and ready

The Chili Cooks are hoping to take home a trophy

Now all we need is YOU.   

Bring your chili - maybe some cookies if you'd like - and come to the Bill's house (970 Drifting Wind Run) on Dec. 20th for the Preserve Annual Chili Cookoff/Christmas party.  We'll get started with food at 5:30 - follow up with a visit from Santa, and then top things off with a hayride through the neighborhood to see the decorations.

Remember, the outdoor lighting and decor contest 

will be judged that night so be sure to 

leave your lights on.

An adult only after  party will take place at the Dart home at 8pm.   

We can unwind and visit over 

fancy desserts, yummy wine, and interesting cheeses.  

If you are in the mood to give to the community, we will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items to restock depleted food banks at the family party.  Pet supplies and food is also welcome as there are pet shelters that are in need as well.

Congratulations new Grandparents!!

Nancy and Joe Thornton are proud to welcome a new grand baby into their family. Little Wyatt is the apple of his grandma's eye. Nancy thinks being a grandma is the best - but she isn't telling Marypat and I anything we don't know. Now we'll just have to argue about whose grand babies are the cutest......

Happy Holidays!

Are you ready for the Holidays?

I've heard from several who are excited about the outside lights/decor contest this year. Here's the latest. On December 20th we'll have a team of independent (outside the neighborhood) judges view our streets and choose the top three houses. Those will be rated #1, #2, and #3 and have signs in the yard announcing their place. This will be a fun contest and I'm looking forward to driving around the neighborhood and seeing all the decorations.

ALSO: It's time for Jack Breese to defend his title as Preserve Chili King.

December 20th, 5:30pm the annual chili cook-off/Christmas party will be held at the Bill's home again this year - 970 Drifting Wind Run - with hot dogs, chili, dessert, hot chocolate, games for the kids, and a visit from Santa himself. This year we're asking those who want to - please bring a food item, non- perishable, for either human or dog. Potatoes are OK, but no fresh veggies. Canned or dry dog or cat food is great. We'll donate the items to those in need.

During the party we'll have a wagon to take groups around to see the lights in the neighborhood and maybe even sing a few carols.

The adult party will start at 8pm at Dan and Deanie Dart's house. Let us know if you can come, and if you are willing to bring a favorite bottle of wine to share, or a favorite holiday dessert.

Who's in YOUR family tree?

Co Sponsored by the Austin Genealogical Society and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Roots Boots and Brisket is a free, open to everyone, day of learning and sharing genealogy.  

There are seminars available on 

•Family History

•Innovations for Genealogy, including Internet Resources

•Building a Web Page with PAF

•Personal History, Journals, Scrapbooking and Video History

•Family History Center demonstrations and Resources

plus displays on many genealogy subjects

  

Registration starts at 9:30 am.  Classes are from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.  

Come and go - stay for one class or the whole day.  

Come late, come early, Come when you can.  

At noon there will be a FREE brisket lunch for all attendees.

For more information you can email me or check out the the web sites

Austin Tx Gen Soc   or   roots boots and brisket page

Early Voting

Thanks to Brooke Robbins for the following:  She did the "legwork" for us all.

Here is the link to the dates and locations.  

Saturday Oct 25

Dripping ISD office  510 Mercer St  78620  10am to 4pm

Sunday Oct 26

Wimberley High School  100 Carney Ln  78676  10am to  4pm

Tuesday Oct 28

Dripping ISD office  510 Mercer  78620  10am to 4pm

Thursday Oct 30

Belterra Clubhouse

801 Belterra  78737  10am to 4pm

also

Wimberley Community Center

14068 RR 12  78676  10am to  4pm

Livestrong and Bike Rodeo

Look closely in the first one and you'll see that some people are REALLY having a good time.  We should have all joined Marge on the dance floor!

The neighborhood potluck and bike rodeo was a success in so many ways.  The music was wonderful, the kids were adorable, and the company was great - oh yea, and there was food!  What more can you ask for?  From the youngest rider sporting a John Deere, to the more mature rider - the kids (and others) threaded their way between cones to show their riding skill.  Wendy took a turn on her unicycle.

Just Heard This Joke:

Do you know what your dog is doing when he stops along his walk to sniff the ground?  

He's checking his P-mail.

You've got P!    

Some Like It HOT!

Andrea Larson forwarded this to me for her son:

Cole's Smokin' Hot Firewood

Smooth burning, aged Oak from the Hill Country.....Whether you are enjoying a peaceful fire with a loved one or curling up with a blanket to avoid costly heating bills.......Cole's Smokin' Hot Wood is there for you

Available in any amounts - the most common are:

The "I love a good fire"  half cord - $120 stacked

the "It's gonna be a long winter" Full Cord - $220 Stacked

Please call to arrange delivery   512-799-1724

Proudly Serving Dripping's Firewood Needs For Over One Year

Tai Chi

If you saw the article in the American Statesman this last week you may be interested to know that Rick Sparks, of Acupuncture of America, is starting Tai Chi classes in our area.  The classes are $150.00 for 12 weeks and are limited to 4-6 people per class.  I was only mildly interested in Tai Chi until I read about how it helps with movement, balance and ailments such as arthritis.  All at low impact to the body.  Even my husband was interested after reading that article!  

If you are interested in learning Tai Chi, Rick says he will work something our just for us.  Please email me if you want to learn more.  I admit, when I went to acupuncture it was just for fun - I certainly didn't expect much from it. I was amazed at the difference in my knees.  Maybe Tai Chi will do that same.

Recent Events

Nancy and Shari were the only ones able to make the trip to Round Top for antiques but I hear it was amazing.  Miles and miles - literally - of antique tents set up and some really yummy food as well.  

And, Julie's birthday got off to a good start with signs in the yard and an over the hill cake.  That was fun!  And Julie had a great sense of humor.  Just so you know,  Shari masterminded the birthday but she had the camera so we didn't get a picture of her.

The projected trip to Canton for the world's largest garage sale is in question.  Let me know if there is any interest.  

Dripping Springs Women's Club

At the monthly meeting of the Dripping Springs Women's Club we got the latest on what's happening in our area.  I've included some maps - click on the picture for a bigger view - to kind of show what is planned.  The speaker mentioned that our McDonalds will be very upscale - it's a prototype of what McD's can be - and that there just might be a golf course/resort in the works at the junction of 150 and 12.   We also discussed the upcoming HEB - as much as 2 years out - and a Sleep Inn over near Hays County Access road.    In addition, there is a plan in the forming stages about turning Mercer street into a walk zone and building walkways connecting other areas such as the Super S building area and the new shopping center where Great Nails is not locates - behind the McDonalds.   About that new center - watch for the upcoming Asian restaurant!  Flores restaurant will be open soon, on 290 toward Austin.  

Also reported, Home Depot says they are experiencing 33% higher profits than they projected, and the Ace Hardware owners claim that they closed down because of other reasons, not because of competition from Home Depot.  Dripping Springs Hardware building will soon be an antique store and office space.

Be careful out there.

Halloween in the neighborhood will be on your own this year - too hard to get us together with so much going on.   Enjoy the holiday on your own.  If you take great pictures, email me some and I'll be happy to post them here.  

Pot Luck, Unicycles, Bikes, and Music

Wendy Parnell has signed on to ride for the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong challenge. 

In support of Wendy, and the LiveStrong cause, we're having a 

NEIGHBORHOOD POT LUCK get together.  

 You know us - any excuse for a party!

To make this even more fun, we're holding a bike event for the young folks.  Fancy up those two, three and even four wheelers and come join the bike parade and rodeo.

Wendy will be riding her own one-wheeler.  Maybe you've see her around the neighborhood.  In fact, Wendy will be the very first Unicycle rider to participate in the Livestrong event!

LIVE MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY RobRoy Parnell 

Bring something to share (dessert, veggies, main course - you choose) and your chairs 

or blankets to sit on.   We'll have paper goods and drinks on non-alcohol drinks.  

If you want something stronger, bring it with you.  

We'll have a jug set up to collect your contributions toward Wendy's ride 

if you have the desire to donate.