Last night, May 16, 2012, Tumlinson Park was subjected to major vandalism resulting in several thousand dollars of damage.

Residents who may have information or who may have been a witness are being asked to come forward. A $200 reward is being offered for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the responsible person(s).

Please help minimize the impact to taxpayers and send the message that the Block House Creek community will not tolerate criminal behavior—turn in the individual(s) who so ruthlessly destroyed property in the park all Block House Creek residents enjoy.

If you can be of assistance, please, do contact Gary Spoonts at Crossroads Utility Services by email, gspoonts@crossroadus.com, or by phone, 512-246-1400. All information will remain confidential.

Your help will be very much appreciated.

Provided for you below is the Agenda.

BLOCK HOUSE CREEK OWNERS ASSOCIATION

May 17, 2012

TO:

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BLOCK HOUSE CREEK OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS:

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of Block House Creek Owners Association will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., at the Walker House, 2600 Block House Drive, Leander, Texas.

Administrative Matters:

1. Receive citizen communications.
2. Discuss, consider approval of the April 10, 2012 meeting minutes.
3. Discuss, consider, and take action on budget items.
4. Discuss, consider, and take action on collections.
5. Architecture Committee report.
6. Recreation Committee report.
7. Publicity Committee report.
8. Discuss Block Watch Program and Safety Awareness Campaign.
9. Discuss issues relevant to Scottsdale patrol concerns.
10. Discuss, consider communications related to community-wide alerts via Facebook, e-blasts, and www.blockhousecreek.org.
11. Discuss, consider matters relevant to Municipal Utility District.
12. Discuss, consider, and take action on matters related to lawn maintenance.
13. Update from Nomination Committee for 2012 Board elections.
14. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding Board vacancy.
15. Discuss and consider taking action, including approval of litigation, related to 1263 Pine Portage Loop.
16. Discuss, consider, and take action on other matters as they may come before the Board.

Be watching your website for updated information as these events near.

June 19th—Music on the Green, the Pavilion, 5 PM to 9 PM (Music from 6 PM to 8 PM by The Mighty Landshark)

June 23rd—Triathlon, Apache Pool, 7 AM to Noon

July 4th—4th of July Event, Tumlinson Park and Pavilion, 3 PM to 9 PM

July 21st—Music on the Green, the Pavilion, 5 PM to 9 PM (Music from 6 PM to 8 PM by The Denny Herrin Band)

August 18th—Music on the Green, the Pavilion, 5 PM to 9 PM (Music from 6 PM to 8 PM. Band TBA)

September 22nd—Music on the Green, the Pavilion, 5 PM to 9 PM (Music from 6 PM to 8 PM by Lost Element)

Thanks to Lone Star Barbecue Society and their use of a double-blind judging system, the identity of our Cook-Off winners and those who placed remained totally anonymous until the very end!

This year’s cooks were all incredible! Special THANKS to all—to each and every team, to Lone Star for their leadership in the judges tent, to our fantastic team of volunteer judges, and to the many volunteers who contributed to making this year’s Cook-Off a tremendous success!

Join us in congratulating our 2012 BBQ Cook-Off Winners!

PINTO BEANS!

1. Burnt to Perfection—Gideon Cofty (L)
2. CCQ BBQ—Don Logan (C)
3. Smokin’ Bones—Barry Childress (R)
4. Fire in the Hole—Jessee Delmas
5. Vitamin “Q”—Richard Castro
6. SBMK Cooking—Bryan Kenney
7. Smokin’ Pitts—Zachary Pitts
8. C ‘n D Smokers—Chris Pratt

CHICKEN!

1. C n’ D Smokers—Chris Pratt (R)
2. LooseKnot BBQ—Jeremy Chapman (C)
3. CCQ BBQ—Don Logan (L)
4. Big Baby Smokers—Hoss Walters
5. YeahRightWhatever—Duane Debakey
6. Basty Boys—Bobby Brown
7. High Country Smokers—James Foster
8. Burnt to Perfection—Gideon Cofty
9. Smoking Bones BBQ—Barry Childress
10. SBMK Cooking—Bryan Kenney

BRISKET!

1. Vitamin “Q”—Richard Castro (R)
2. CCQ BBQ—Don Logan (C)
3. Burnt to Perfection—Gideon Cofty (L)
4. Smokin’ Pitts—Zach Pitts
5. LooseKnot BBQ—Jeremy Chapman
6. YeahRightWhatever—Duane Debakey
7. Fire in the Hole—Jesse Delmas
8. SBMK Cooking—Bryan Kenney
9. High Country Smokers—James Foster
10. Big Baby Smokers—Hoss Walters

PORK SPARE RIBS!

1. CCQ BBQ—Don Logan (L)
2. LooseKnot BBQ—Jeremy Chapman (C)
3. Fire in the Hole—Jesse Delmas (R)
4. Vitamin “Q”—Richard Castro
5. C n’ D Smokers—Chris Pratt
6. SBMK Cooking—Bryan Kenney
7. YeahRightWhatever—Duane Debakey
8. High Country Smokers—James Foster
9. Smokin’ Pitts—Zach Pitts
10. Burnt to Perfection—Gideon Cofty

COOK’S CHOICE

1. C ‘n D Smokers—Chris Pratt (C)
2. Big Baby Smokers—Hoss Walters (R)
3. CCQ BBQ—Don Logan (R)
4. LooseKnot BBQ—Jeremy Chapman
5. Fire in the Hole—Jesse Delmas
6. Smoking Bones BBQ—Barry Childress
7. Basty Boys—Bobby Brown
8. Vitamin “Q”—Richard Castro
9. SBMK Cooking—Bryan Kenney
10. Smokin’ Pitts—Zach Pitts

JALAPENO EATING CONTEST!

Winner! Rebecca Gibbs!

LI’L SMOKEY AWARD!

Winner! Basty Boys!

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION!

LOOSEKNOT BBQ—JEREMY CHAPMAN!

GRAND CHAMPION!

CCQ BBQ—DON LOGAN!

Kids ages 11 to 15 who want to be fantastic babysitters, mark this date: May 19th! BHC OA will be sponsoring it’s third Red Cross Certified Babysitting Clinic, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Jumano Park, to be led by Laurie Connally, a favorite instructor of kids who have participated in the past.

The Babysitting Clinic is specifically designed to help participants gain the following skills:

• Care for children and infants;
• Be a good leader and role model;
• Make good decisions and solve problems;
• Keep both the children being babysat and the babysitter safe;
• Handle emergencies such as injuries, illnesses, and household accidents;
• Write resumes and interview for jobs;
• And much, much more!

Class participants will enjoy a breakfast of fresh fruit at 9:00 AM, and, come lunch, Jason’s Deli boxed lunches. Do remember to bring a beverage or bottled water.

Moms and Dads, if you are ready to sign up your child, it’s quick and easy. By visiting this website, http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3517515985, you can register and remit the registration fee ($10 for children of BHC OA members; $15 for children of Non-OA residents) in just minutes. The registration deadline is May 18th, 5:00 PM, but, you’ll want to hurry and sign on as class size is limited to eight registrants.

2012 Easter Egg Hunt Album (79)

First Quarter Newsletter (62)

Bobcats eat a variety of animal species—mice, rats, squirrels, wild birds, feral cats, rabbits. They will also go after free-roaming cats and dogs left outside unattended and pet food left outside. Do be on the lookout. Do warn your kids that a bobcat is not like the kitties they are accustomed to petting and to never attempt to touch or handle a bobcat.

Some tips on protecting your pets:

• Always walk your dog on a leash.
• Always keep pets vaccinated as some wildlife are susceptible to diseases transmissible to dogs and cats, i.e. feline panleukopenia (feline parvo), canine distemper, and rabies.
• Take steps to ensure you are not attracting predators to your yard – clean up brushy areas or woodpiles, and remove any food sources.
• Do not allow cats to roam free outdoors. Cats prey on many wildlife species, i.e. songbirds, face many dangers outside, and can attract predatory wildlife to your yard, as well.
• Avoid bushy areas or paths near abandoned properties.
• If you notice a bobcat in your area, never let it go by without scaring it.  Yell or clap loudly; carry something with you to make noise, i.e. an air horn, or something to throw, like a rock or baseball. In the long run it’s much safer for us, our pets, and the wildlife as well if they remain fearful of humans.
• Never encourage or allow your pet to interact or “play” with wildlife.
• Make sure your fence is in good repair.
• Do not leave pets unattended outdoors.
• Remove food sources, i.e. fallen fruit, food refuse, pet food.

Thanks, Cara, for the heads up.

NOTE: The bobcat shown in the photo below is NOT the bobcat observed in Block House Creek. This is a generic shot inserted only to give residents who may have never seen a bobcat an idea of what they look like.

•  Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
• Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
• Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
• Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
• If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
• If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
• A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom—and your jewelry.
  It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
• It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door— understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
• I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. Don’t take me up on it.
• Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
• Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
• You’re right. I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
• A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.
  If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. Find it at www.faketv.com.
• Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
• The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
• I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
• I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
• I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
• Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
• To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
• If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

In response to questions about pepper spray, police officers recommend a can of wasp spray instead. Wasp spray can shoot up to twenty feet away and is much more accurate. With pepper spray, the intruder must get too close and could be overpowering. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until the attacker is able to receive an antidote.

Additional tips include putting your keys beside your bed at night. Should you hear a noise outside your home or sounds that suggest break-in, press the panic button on your keys. The horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. Also remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. If you are suspicious of a person or an activity, press that panic button.