Update:

Del Sol Martial Arts and Fitness just turned in their updated schedule for August in case you're following them. I posted them in the events list to the right.

If anyone else has anything they'd like to post, just let me know. New neighbors? Someone's birthday? New baby or grandbaby? Keep in touch with your neighbors - send me an email and I'll post on the blog.

terrib6215@aol.com

Water Days

Jack Breese shared these thoughts and I think they are very necessary at this time:

Everyone is aware that Central Texas is in extreme drought conditions. Recently I had a field trip as part of my Texas Master Naturalist class to Aquarena Springs in San Marcos. Amazingly it sometimes takes years for water from rainfalls in the Hill Country to wind its way through the limestone aquifers to emerge from the springs in San Marcos. In 2007 with all the rain we had, 250 million gallons a day was being pumped out of the springs. What is disturbing is that last year the rate had declined to 180 million gallons a day and this year it is down to 80 million gallons.

If you haven't noticed the recent newsletter from Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation or the articles in the paper, we have been asked to curtail watering our lawns to Thursday an Sunday for even numbered addresses and odd number addresses to water on Tuesday and Saturday.

Homeowners are concerned about their grass dying, but with the minimal watering requested, the grass will continue to grow and if it does seem to brown, it is merely going dormant until it receives greater rainfall. I have buffalo grass planted in some parts of my backyard and have not watered it once this summer. It was as dry as straw until we received some rain 10 days ago and it has come back green. Granted buffalo grass is developed t be a hardy grass, but zoisia and St. Augustine will get along fine until we can afford to water with increased frequency.

Folks, we need to work together to protect and conserve our natural resources. I would like to see everyone in The Preserve try to do their part . . . even the ones who have private wells.

Jack Breese

Thanks Jack, this is more important than many of us realize. Also, Jack promised me we would have sufficient rain over the next few months to make our lawns happy.

Another reminder: if you are watering in the heat of the day you are "cooking" your grass and losing a larger amount of water to evaporation than if you water during the evening hours, or early morning. I know we have been guilty of not making enough effort to control our watering - as our water bill shows. My excuse - the darn water system won't do what I tell it to do. So that's another idea there - have your sprinkler system checked and set. When we lived in Austin the water utility would send out someone to regulate for us - they checked pressure, adjusted the sprinklers, etc. There are exceptions - for instance, we need to water the veggie garden at least every other day but the grass can live just fine with 2 waterings a week.

Wildlife by Dart

woodpecker

Owl - look they are holding it in their hand!!

Bird at the birdfeeder

Baby deer that the Dart's almost stepped on - later they saw it running with it's mom

Baby birds begging for food

Deanie Dart shared these pictures she took in her backyard - I'm amazed at the variety of wildlife we have here in the Preserve.

thanks Deanie - we sometimes forget just how beautiful nature is.

Sounds like there  is going to be a fun party/cook out at the Leonard's cove this July 4th.  Please let the know if you're coming - email at cleonard@apartmentfinder.com   They're planning games, a bike parade, food and more food, and sparklers to celebrate the day.  

Help Boy Scouts Help Others

This weekend is the annual Scouting for Food.   Dripping Springs Troop 101 will collect canned goods to benefit the Helping Hands Food Pantry here in Dripping Springs Saturday morning.  As a reminder, the boys will be placing fliers on doorknobs Thursday evening.  If you would like to participate, please put donations curbside on Saturday morning.  The scouts will collect the donations then and deliver them to the Helping Hands Food Pantry.  If you have questions, call Stephanie Heinchon at 736-0455

Fragrant and Fun

June is the month for the Annual Blanco Lavender Festival.  Friday June 12 - Sunday June 14 we can enjoy Lavender Days  including a farm tour on Friday from 10-4, and a market AND farm tours on Sat. and Sun.  Hours are 9-6.  If you've ever wanted to really get to know lavender now is the time.  They are offering  classes, demonstrations, art and craft booths, music, Texas wine, Texas specialty foods,  local beer tasting, and you can even cut your own lavender.   Find out more by clicking here.

NOTE:

Ron Kelly asked me to post the following:

There will be a census taker in the neighborhood today.  Ron has verified his ID.  He shouldn't need to talk to any residents, but is here only to verify addresses.

So, if you see a strange person around the block, don't be to worried.  He's official.