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Newsletter e-mail: rspivey@tmrs.com

March 23

Swim Team Registration

(story below)

March 24

Easter Egg Hunt

(story below)

April 13

BWC Work Day

April 20

Swim Team Garage Sale

(story below)

April 23

Davis Elem. Kindergarten Round Up

(story below)

Trash cans out for three days. Boats and trailers blocking the street. Unfortunately, some homeowners and renters in BW don’t follow the deed restrictions and covenants. Many times, it’s simply because they aren’t familiar with the rules.

Last year, only one volunteer shouldered the burden of enforcing the rules. "But, the task is too important and too big to be shouldered by one volunteer." says Board Chairman Kelly Folts. "People have to be willing to participate to make this neighborhood work. Without volunteers, the board is having to consider finding a contractor to equally and fairly enforce our Deeds and Covenants." A preliminary study shows it will cost us $9600 to hire a private firm to handle the duty. While the Board is seeking other bids, you could help offset this cost by volunteering your time.

Alan Heinzke has already volunteered to coordinate as the Committee Chair for Deeds and Covenants; all we need are several volunteers to help him to save this money. If you would like to help, contact Alan at aheinzke@hotmail.com or Kelly Folts at kfolts@austin.rr.com.

You can receive this newsletter in e-mail form and save yourself money. Your neighborhood fees pay for printing and mailing. It’s easy to get BW news faster—just e-mail us at rspivey@TMRS.com. Please list your name and address, tell us you want your newsletter sent by e-mail, and say good-by to snail mail!

Go directly to the Balcones Woods Group Page.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/balconeswoods

Once you get to the BWC’s group page you can sign-in or subscribe.

Who are the operating committee and board members? What do they do? Are there Neighborhood clubs? What’s up with the swim team? Where’s my cat?

Been online lately? You can get all kinds of neighborhood information and updates at www.balconeswoods.org. We also need your comments and suggestions. webmaster@balconeswoods.org

By Kelly Folts

For those of you who don’t know me, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Kelly Folts. The Balcones Woods Board of Directors recently elected me as Chairman of the Board. I have served Balcones Woods as Secretary, Social Committee chair, Sports Courts chair, President of the Operating Committee, and most recently as a Member at Large on the Board of Directors.

I’m pleased to introduce you to a great group of people who will help run our neighborhood this year. Your Neighborhood Operating Committee members are:

President - Grant Hennig 

Vice President - Doug/Annette Bohne

Secretary - Brian Anthony

Treasurer - John Schexnayder

Directory - Jeff Reed and Jan Crofcheck

Pool Management:

    Maintenance - David Zern

    Personnel - Cindy Gilmer

Newsletter - Ray Spivey

Swim Team - Karol Korte

Overall Maintenance - Ray Kohler

Security - Terry Nygaard

Park Maintenance - Lori White/Jane Buergner

Sports Courts - Nancy Reed

Social Committee - Jodi Schrobilgen

Welcoming Committee - Nikki Zern

Covenants - Alan Heinzke

Web Site - Nikki Zern

Most of the people have been active in the neighborhood for years and volunteer for numerous activities for Balcones Woods throughout the year. However, this year’s President, Grant Hennig, came to us because he was concerned about deed restrictions. He participated in the Feb.12 BWC Board meeting and impressed the Board with his willingness to help. When Grant learned that we did not have a President, he volunteered on the spot. Grant has seven years of experience as Vice President of his old neighborhood. We can all learn something from his eagerness to volunteer. It’s people like this that make Balcones Woods a great place to live. The board has the utmost confidence in Grant and welcomes him along with all the other members of the Operating Committee. Thank you all so much!

I’m also pleased to announce the members of the 2002 Board of Directors. Again, most names you’ll recognize as people who continually volunteer their time:

Kelly Folts - Chairman of the Board

Michael Tolbert – Member at Large

Dottie McClain – Member at Large

Sandra Walker – Member at Large

Chris Grunska – Member at Large

Board Members from the Operating Committee

Finally, I would like to say something about the out-going Chairman, Tom Terry. Tom, who served on the BWC Board for the past three years, deserves everyone’s appreciation for his countless hours of dedication to the neighborhood. I, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with him during his tenure, will sorely miss his leadership and enthusiasm.

So, that’s about it. I look forward to 2002 as an exciting year in Balcones Woods. As we work through the year, if you have suggestions or comments please feel free to contact me at kfolts@austin.rr.com.

Contact: Terry Nygaard at 346-7512 or tnygaard@flash.net. Please do NOT prop open a gate - doing so automatically de-activates the last electronic key that was used and totally compromises the security system. If you have guests, meet them at the common area and go in together.

Contact Jeff Reed at 338-4110 or nellie@austin.rr.com to get in the BWC Directory. The form is also available online www.balconeswoods.org  .

The City of Austin is continuing tree trimming in BW. The plan is to lessen the chances of tree limbs knocking out power during high winds and storms. If you receive a city tree trimming notice and you have questions, please contact the number on the notice immediately.

Construction work continues on the Hyde Park Baptist Church property--the Quarries. Bordering BW, the Quarries is monitored by five neighborhood associations. Our rep. on the committee is Tom Terry, tomkterry@hotmail.com.

At the January BW Annual Membership meeting, Tom and Pamela Villars (Mesa Park rep.) told the audience that some trees were already cleared from the property. Bids are out for roads and infrastructure, and a replacement maintenance building will be built soon. This first building is not the new Christian Life Building discussed in the Quarries plans. Driveway construction is starting along the railroad track. At least a six-feet tall privacy fence will be added along the driveway, which will exit northbound Mopac into the turnaround. History on the project is available at www.main.org/mpna.

Swim team registration for the 2002 BLUE WAVE SWIM TEAM will be held Saturday, March 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the pool. Any Balcones Woods resident who will be younger than 19 on June 1, 2002 is eligible to join. The only requirements are the ability to do the American Crawl, no fear of the water or separation difficulties, and a desire to join in a very fun activity with all your friends and neighbors! (The first two weeks of practice is probationary for beginning swimmers. Coaches will have final determination of a swimmer's readiness.)

Last year’s swimmers will receive a registration packet in the mail. Please fill it out and bring it to registration or mail it to Karol Korte at 4414 Malaga Drive.

NEW SWIMMERS (we love new swimmers!) can pick up a registration form from Karol or just fill one out at the pool on March 23. Call Karol at 346-3372 for more information.

Registration fees will be $85 for the first child and $80 for each additional child. Registration includes a new team swimsuit, t-shirt, picture, trophy, UT championship meet, pep-rallies, parties, and over 40 hours of excellent swimming instruction! (Swimmers under age 7 receive over 20 hours of excellent swimming instruction.)

The good news is Coaches Huddie, Carol, and Meghen are coming back for another awesome season! The uncertain news is we haven’t yet hired a new Head Coach. That means we are unable to set the exact practice times. Here is what we do know…

May 1 - May 23

Monday – Friday

Some time between 3:30 and 6:00 p.m.

(1/2 hour for ages 6&under, full hour all others)

May 24 – June 21

Monday – Friday

Some time between 8:00 a.m. and noon

(1/2 hour for ages 6& under, full hour all others)

We will have four dual meets again this year beginning on Saturday, May 25. The season will end with the championship meet at U.T. on Saturday, June 22 followed by an end-of-season party that evening at our pool. Additionally, a trip to Schlitterbahn for all interested swimmers and families will happen Monday, June 25.

Our neighborhood garage sale sponsored by the Blue Wave Swim Team is scheduled for Saturday April 20. Watch for details on the marquis.

SEE YOU AT THE POOL! Karol Korte 346-3372

The BWC Board of Directors meets next on March 12 and May 14.

The Operating Committee is tentatively scheduled to meet March 20 and April 10.

These open meetings are held 7:00 P. M. at Seton NW Hospital on the Third Floor, Conf, Room A.

Check www.balconeswoods.org  for updates or call 338-4971.

When: Sunday, March 24; starts at 2:00 p.m. sharp!

How: No reservations needed; just show up.

Where: Balcones Woods Neighborhood Park (next to the pool)

For: Children ages 10 and under. Bring your baskets, gather eggs, and meet the Easter Bunny.

Sponsored by the Balcones Woods Women's Club. Mkinsey136@earthlink.net

April 23, April 30, and May 7

Call 414-2580 to make a reservation for your child.

We are saddened at the loss of Chuck Knesel, a longtime BWC resident. Chuck, a former Olympic judge, was a founder of the BW swim team and will be missed by his family and many friends.

It’s not too late to join Women’s Club. We still have three meetings left before we break for summer. Did you know that Women’s Club puts together our annual Easter Egg Hunt, Fourth of July Parade, Fall Garage Sale, and Santa in the Park? We can’t do it without them. Come meet some great women, win a door prize, learn something new, and see what you’ve been missing. Hope to see you soon! If you have questions, please call Nikki at 502-8726.

Need a change of scenery for you and the kids? Every Friday from 9:30 to11:30, the Balcones Woods Preschool Playgroup meets either at the park or at one of our homes. We have a bunch of GREAT kids-- from just a few weeks to four years old. Check us out at www.balconeswoods.org  to see where we’ll be this Friday. We’d love to have you! For info, call Nikki, 502-8726.

With the number of homes being sold or leased it is sometimes hard to keep up with who’s new. We don’t want anyone to go unnoticed! Please, if you have a new neighbor or have noticed a SOLD sign pop up, contact the welcoming committee so our new neighbors are sure to be greeted and welcomed with a BWC care package.

Contact Nikki with any "leads" you have, 502-8726.

Sing a cappella harmony with a beat.  The Texas Star Chorus invites you to a Guest Night on Tuesday April 16 beginning at 7:00 PM

Parmer Lane Baptist Church - 12424 Scofield Farms Dr Austin 78758

for more information call Gail at 339-8893

Or visit our Web site at www.texasstarchorus.org

Benefit the hospital, play golf, and win great prizes! The Seton NW Hospital Auxiliary will host a golf tournament on April 8, 8:00 a.m. registration. Corporate and individual sponsorships are available. Contact Dixie Lynch, 338-5050, for information.