Circle C - September 2022 by Peel, Inc.

Important Dates for sept/oct:

The Circle C HOA Board of Directors meets the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm via ZOOM. Homeowners are provided a link to the meeting via our CCHOA Announcements email sent by our HOA manager, Karen Hibpshman. If you do not yet receive our emails and would like to, please reach out to Karen by emailing info@circlecranch.info or call 512-288-8663. Links to our HOA Board meetings are also provided on our CircleCRanch.com website under the “Stay Connected” tab. Questions for the HOA Board are welcome but must be submitted by homeowners by the close of business on the Monday prior to the meeting via email or a phone call to our manager. Answers will be provided at the end of the board Homeownersmeeting. wanting to speak during the Homeowners Forum must first email a written copy of their concerns to info@ circlecranch.info by close of business on the Wednesday before the meeting (one week prior). Once approved, the homeowner will be allotted 3 minutes to speak to the board about their concerns. The board will discuss the concern after the meeting and will send a response to the homeowner at a later date.

Thursday, September 8, 2022 World Literacy Day

CCHOA Board Meeting

Monday, Sept 5, 2022 Labor Day Holiday – HOA Offices Closed Pools Open for Holiday Hours

Celebrate by Donating to Our Little Free Libraries! Friday, September 9, 2022 Food Trailer Night Sunday, September 11, 2022 Grandparents Day

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 International Day of Peace

Wednesday, September 28, 2022 6:30pm CCHOA Online Board Meeting Monday, October 3, 2022 National Kevin Day! (Anyone seen him lately?)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 World Teachers Day Theme for 2022 is “Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery” september news & Announcements

Monday, October 10, 2022 World Mental Health Day – Help Spread Awareness & Support of Mental Health in an Unequal World Indigenous People’s Day (formerly Columbus Day) Thursday, October 20, 2022 Sloth Day Saturday, October 22, 2022 2nd Semi-Annual Community Wide Garage Sale Monday, October 24, 2022 Boo Bash at the Community Center Diwali – Celebrate the 5–Day Festival of Light Over Darkness

Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 6:30pm CCHOA Online Board Meeting Saturday, October 29, 2022

Holiday Times Market (See flyer in this edition) Monday, October 31, 2022 Halloween UPCOMING: Saturday/Sunday, November 5, 6, 12 & 13, 2022 Austin Studio Tour

• Mail a check to PO Box 163541 Austin, Texas 78716

We receive many complaints of residents either not picking up their dog’s poop or not properly disposing of bagged poop. Please do not toss bagged poop into our community landscaping. Instead, be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your dog, then deposit the bag into one of our community trash cans or in your own personal trash at home. We would also like to remind pet owners that the City of Austin’s leash ordinance requires pet owners to keep all dogs, no matter how well-behaved, under restraint except when in designated off-leash parks. Our Circle C Metropolitan Park is NOT an offleash park, so dogs are required to be leashed at all times. For a list of off-leash parks in Austin, visit https://www.austintexas.gov/ department/leash-areas. Another good resource with reviews https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/parks/city/austin_tx_us/.is:

• Use Bill Pay through your financial institution (Your account number is your property address)

droughtMidtexwatering-restrictionshttp://www.austintexas.gov/department/(SouthWestWaterCompany):https://swwc.com/texas/

NOTE:website. Payments will NOT be accepted at the HOA office or in the drop box outside the office. Please do not staple your check to your invoice or postdate your check. If you have a question regarding your assessment, please contact the financial office at 512-451-9901.

Watering

• Use the “on-line payment” option on the Circle C HOA

There are three available options available for paying dues:

Restrictions:

Please visit your water providers website to view current watering Cityrestrictions.ofAustin:

Scoop the Poop & Leash Laws

Copyright © 2022 Peel, Inc. Circle C Ranch Newsletter - September 2022 3 HOA Mgmt Office info@circlecranch.info or 512.288.8663 HOA Financial Office ............................. ..tgiles@mgilescpa.com or 512.451.9901 Aquatics Director director@ccswim.net or 512.363.5578 Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc. advertising@PEELinc.com or 512.263.9181 Circle C Amenities Circle C Avaña Pool 512.292.1518 Circle C Café 512.288.6058 Circle C CDC 512.288.9792 Circle C Swim Center .....................................................................512.363.5578 Circle C Community Center Pool 512.301.8259 Grey Rock Golf Course (City Owned/Operated) 512.288.4297 Grey Rock Tennis Club ...................................................................512.301.8685 Circle C Grey Rock Pool 512.291.8398 City of Austin Solid Waste 512.974.1945 Dead Animal Collection ...................................................512.974.2000 Abandoned Vehicle...........................................................512.974.8119 Pothole Complaints ..........................................................512.974.8750 Stop Signs 512.457.4885 Street Light Maintenance 311 Schools Clayton Elementary 512.841.9200 Kiker Elementary 512.414.2584 Mills Elementary 512.841.2400 Bear Creek Elementary .............................................512.414.0040 Cowan Elementary ...................................................512.841.2700 Bailey Middle ...........................................................512.414.4990 Gorzycki Middle School 512.841.8600 Bowie High School 512.414.5247 UTILITY PROVIDERS Electric Pedernales Elec. .................................................. 512.219.2602 City of Austin. .................................................................512.494.9400 Texas Gas Service ............................................................800.700.2443 Water City of Austin 512.972.1000 MidTex Water Company 866.654.7992 Solid Waste City of Austin 512.974.1945 Post Office Oak Hill Station 800.275.8777 Theresa Bastian President Stephen Bega ........................................................... Vice-President David La Chance Treasurer Trinh Bartlett .................................................................. Secretary Russ Hodes, Jason Bram, & Kimberly De La Garza ......... Board Members Contact the Board at: directors@circlecranch.info CIRCLE C GATED COMMUNITIES Enclave off Spruce Canyon Spectrum Management .................................... Krystal Fernandez, 512.834.3900 Enclave off of La Crosse Relevant Management Kim Todd, 512.580.4212 Fairways Estates Spectrum Management Krystal Fernandez, 512.834.3900 Park West Goodwin Management ..................................... Marilyn Childress 512.502.7509 Hillside Estates Real Manage Christine Gamache, 866.473.2573 Avana Estates Relevant Management Kim Todd, 512.580.4212 Muirfield Real Management Victoria Escamilla, 866.473.2573 Continued on Page 4 Announcements - Continued from Cover HOA Assessment Fees Were Due on August 1st Have you paid your assessment dues yet? They were due on August 1st. Remaining current with these dues allows residents access to the neighborhood amenities like the pools and Community IfCenter.youdid not receive an HOA statement in the mail or cannot find your copy, please contact the Financial Office at 512-4519901 or via email at tgiles@mgilescpa.com

Inclusivity:

Announcements - Continued from page 3

Circle C Community Wide Garage Sale Recycle/Shred/Donate at the Community Center!

The Circle C Homeowners Association (HOA) has partnered with Peel, Inc. to publish our monthly newsletter gratis for our residents. We target our content to keep homeowners updated on appropriate Circle C announcements and notices. In addition to the printed version, residents may find past newsletters on the Peel.com website with a search for “Circle C.” However, the most current news and announcements may be found at https:// PleaseCircleCRanch.com.notethat,inan effort not to interfere with our advertisers that fund this publication, we may not promote or mention businesses. We also do not publish letters or op-eds because we wish to keep our newsletter factual and neutral. Thank you for your understanding and for being a part of our community.

We are always interested in nominations of our wonderful residents for our recurring features below:

Around Circle C Food Trailer Night

Also on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 10am–2pm (or earlier if the trucks fill up) 3 trucks will be parked at the Community Center to provide the following services for the convenience of our residents: 1. R2 Resource Recycling will accept old electronics to recycle until the truck is full. 2. Intel Armor will shred paper on site 3. The Salvation Army will be available to take donations until the trucks are full.

• “Angels Among Us”—Also, if you know extraordinary residents that are changing lives in some way, please reach out to us for consideration in our “Angels Among Us” recurring feature.

Mark your calendars! On October 22, 2022, from 8am–5pm, the CCHOA will host our second community-wide garage sale of the year. Our HOA will advertise the event at https://gsalr. com/n/circle-c-hoa-austin-tx,and homeowners that would like to participate and sell items in their front yard or driveway are welcome to visit the website and add their individual addresses to the event.

Request for Nominations:

• “Notable Residents”—We would love to feature residents with unique and interesting pasts. Please feel free to reach out to us with nominations of residents whose stories might be of interest to our community. We especially love stories of our veterans.

Our Circle C HOA strives to be inclusive of all our residents. If there is an important cultural event or religious holiday that our homeowners wish to see on our newsletter calendar, please contact us at info@circlecranch.info with information about the event along with historical relevance so we may consider adding the event.

• “Spotlight on a Circle C Teen”—If you know impressive neighborhood teenagers that might be interested in being featured in an article showcasing their accomplishments, please feel free to reach out to us at the contact information below.

About our Newsletter:

Electronics Recycling, Paper Shredding, & Salvation Army

Join us Friday, September 9th from 5:30pm–8:30pm at the Community Center at Spruce Canyon and La Crosse for good food, fun activities, and great company. Please remember, glass is not permitted at this event. We encourage neighbors to walk or ride to the party but ask that scooters, bikes, skateboards, etc. not be ridden through the parking lot for the safety of those in attendance. More information about this event, including the food trailer lineup, will be posted on our website at www.circlecranch. com under the “Stay Connected” / “News & Announcements” tab.

With a 19-year history of working in public education, including 15 years of experience at AISD as a reading coach/specialist, Betsy is passionate about helping children learn to read. She hopes to help kids, especially ones with learning disabilities, to “turn reading from a frustrating struggle into something they can unlock and enjoy.”

4. A Circle C resident must agree to act as a steward for the little free library, continuously maintaining the integrity of both the structure and its contents.

5. If the steward moves out of the neighborhood, they must find another resident to take over the responsibility of steward or else the little free library will be uninstalled. Continued on

Currently, Betsy works as a certified Educational Diagnostician for Eanes ISD, helping to evaluate dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and she holds a masters degree in language and literacy education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Promoting literacy is an apparent calling for Betsy (she even met her husband in a bookstore!), so it seems logical that the LFL concept might pique her interest. After discovering the LFL at the Austin Nature and Science Center, Betsy grew more aware of others and began to notice a few throughout Austin. She wondered why we didn’t have any in our Circle C neighborhood. She asked around and was told by friends that our HOA board did not allow them on individual properties because it could be difficult to keep various new structures within the style of our neighborhood. Betsy emailed Karen Hibpshman, Circle C’s HOA manager, to verify this information and found it to be Later,true.Betsy heard of an LFL in Belterra neighborhood beside a neighborhood pool and this gave her an idea. If Circle C didn’t allow structures on individual properties, she reasoned, perhaps we could have one in a common area. That way, our board could approve the style and ensure that it always looks nice. Betsy was encouraged on her visit to Belterra’s LFL when she found it to be “packed with books and loved by the neighbors!” She turned to the Circle C Ranch Residents Facebook (FB) Page to ask for thoughts and support for an LFL by the Swim Center Pool and possibly others near our other pools. She received favorable feedback, so she made an appointment to speak at one of the HOA board meetings. Armed with her research, Betsy presented her idea to the HOA board. Circle C resident Erika Nowlin offered to assist Betsy and speak as another resident that would like to have LFLs in the neighborhood. The two women stated their case, and the HOA board approved the request. Soon after, HOA manager Karen Hibpshman and her staff worked to establish guidelines for installation and maintenance of LFLs within Circle C Ranch.

2. Designs for the structures must be submitted to and pre-approved by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC).

Little Free Libraries in Circle C

Around Circle C

In Honor of World Literacy Day on September 8, 2022, We Bring to You the Story Behind Our Little Free Libraries in Circle C

3. The structure must be built and delivered to the HOA and installed by the HOA management team.

1. All little free libraries and their locations must have prior approval from the HOA board or management team.

Guidelines for Little Free Libraries within Circle C Common Areas:

“I thought it was such a cool concept,” she explains. “Reading has always been a hugely important part of my life and I love sharing that with others!”

Meet Betsy Murray. Betsy is the Circle C resident responsible for starting our neighborhood’s various little free libraries that offer books for residents to share. Her journey with this venture began years ago when she visited the Austin Nature and Science Center with her young kids and noticed an elevated box supported by a pole. The box had a glass door showing a stack of books inside. She learned this structure was called a “Little Free Library (LFL),” and it provided free books for kids to take home to read at their leisure.

Page 7

“He agreed to build one for me (no business plan required), and we talked about where we could put one in our yard without upsetting the neighbors or HOA.” While in discussions about a location for her LFL, Karen noticed Betsy’s FB post asking for community support in getting the structures approved. “I immediately reached out to let her know I was interested,” Karen says. Continued

Betsy celebrated the opening day of Circle C’s first LFL at the Swim Center on the corner of La Crosse Avenue and Escarpment Boulevard. The date coincided with the last day of school for the 2016–2017 school year, and she brought a cooler full of popsicles to share with kids who visited the LFL that day to check it out.

Betsy agreed to the guidelines and started the process of collecting books for the library. However, she had a conundrum: she didn’t have a structure. “I had the idea, but don’t have the skills to build one,” she explains. Once again, Betsy turned to the Circle C Ranch Residents Facebook page seeking help. She received several responses, but one in particular stood out. Coincidentally, resident Mark Robinson had begun building one as a project but didn’t have a purpose for his project once it was completed. And just like that, in true Circle C fashion, a problem was solved. “He was happy to donate it to the neighborhood!”

on Page 8 Around Circle C

While on vacation one day, however, Karen noticed an LFL. She searched online to learn more about them and discovered they had a Facebook group. “I figured an LFL was the closest I’d ever come to a bookmobile,” so she promptly joined their online group. Then, she began to work on selling the idea to her husband. It turned out to be an easier sell than the bookmobile.

Continued from Page 6

Around this same time, another Circle C resident happened to also be investigating a way to steward her own LFL in the neighborhood. Karen Collier, a retired high-school English teacher who shares Betsy’s passion for books, explains her own connection with LFLs: “I lived in the country as a kid, so the visits from the Abilene public library bookmobile were my lifeline.”

Knowing the value and magic that books deliver to others, Karen had always dreamed of having her own bookmobile. “Every now and then I see one for sale, but Dave [her husband] always said I can’t buy a bookmobile until I make a business plan to show how I’ll pay for the upkeep and storage.”

C LFLs rely on our community for help in monitoring and providing books. Every once in a while, promotional or political materials will find their way into one of our LFLs. Please feel free to help our stewards clean those out. Also, defaced books or books not in good condition should be removed as well. Residents that would like to help our LFLs and the stewards can find more information on the Circle C Little Libraries Facebook page. Stewards will often ask for help with repairs or restocking books. Although donations, books, and offers to help are much appreciated, even a simple positive comment from a resident on the Circle C Little Libraries Facebook page can brighten the day for the stewards. “Comments posted there help me to realize that at least someone has appreciated a book,” says Karen. Also, feel free to send notes of thanks to our stewards or stop by and talk to them when they are tending to the LFLs. “I just love running in to people when I’m restocking/organizing the library who tell me how much they enjoy it,” says Betsy. “It has been such a joy all of these years to see individuals or parents and kids looking through the library, sitting on the bench with a book, and leaving books for others to share.”

Karen’s LFL is located in front of an entrance to the Circle C Community Center on Spruce Canyon and La Crosse Avenue. Her husband Dave, a bit of a perfectionist, built the structure out of Ipe wood (pronounced “Ee-pay”) because of its density and durability, particularly in exterior locations. Karen adds that she’s grateful that our HOA installs the poles for LFLs because “that takes concrete!” After Betsy and Karen began to steward their LFLs, others have stepped up to provide more to our community members. Stewards in Vintage Place and Wildflower sections of Circle C did their own fundraising to pay for LFLs purchased on Etsy. Today, we have 7 LFLs in Circle C. Betsy says she would love to see even more LFLs in our `hood, like in Circle C North for example.

Karen recalls a time a while back when she was restocking her LFL. “A dad came along with two little kids. They were going to the community center and the kids ran over to look at the books. The dad told them they couldn’t take a book because they hadn’t brought one to leave. I explained how it worked. . . that they didn’t need to leave anything. He let them take one book each. I like to think they come back regularly.”

And if, by chance, any of our residents discovered that one book that turned you or someone you know into a reader through one of our Circle C LFLs, please do reach out and let our stewards hear your story.

Continued from Page 7

Most of the LFLs contain books for both adults and kids. Karen emphasizes books for adults and young adults because “kids in our neighborhood have so much access, but too many people in adulthood lose interest in reading.” An avid reader, Karen puts all the books she or her husband reads into the LFL, “so if you’re looking for new releases of adult fiction and non-fiction, check there often. I also tend to buy many of the hot new YA releases for the StewardsLFL.”ofCircle

After the preliminary work Betsy had done to obtain approvals for LFLs in Circle C, Karen’s path to stewardship was much easier. “Betsy told me what I needed to do, so I submitted my plan to the HOA. They approved it pretty quickly and then Dave started building. I sent a message to all my friends asking for recommendations of their favorite books, and then I went to Half-Price Books.”

says WorldKaren.Literacy Day is on September 8, 2022, and National Read a Book Day is Sept.6, 2022. Either day would be a good one to take your family on a walk around our neighborhood to visit your local LFLs. Bring some good books to drop off and browse the little shelves for some books you can take home.

For residents interested in becoming a steward for an LFL, Karen has some advice. “Think carefully about the effects of heat, sun, and rain on the structure” when choosing materials. She recommends using Ipe wood when possible because “the maintenance is minimal, and we’ve never had a book get wet.” She also recommends visiting Recycled Reads to stock the libraries. Recycled Reads is the thrift shop for Austin Public Libraries and is located at 5335 Burnet Road. “I’ve walked out of there many times with a large box of books for only $20.”

These stewards of the Circle C LFLs volunteer many hours of their time to provide a service free of charge to our community members. A simple thank you or even better, a story of how one of their books made a difference is perhaps the best thanks they could receive. “What I loved most about teaching was helping to find that one book that could turn someone into a reader,”

Austin is currently in Stage 1 Drought Water Use. This means that we may utilize automatic irrigation only one day a week: Thursdays for even numbered residential addresses and Wednesdays for odd-numbered residential addresses. However, we may do so twice that same day: once in the morning between the hours of 12am–8am, and once in the evening from 7pm–12am

How to Help Our Stressed Lawns and Plants

In addition to automatic irrigation, residents are also allowed to water a second day of the week with a a hose-end sprinkler: Sundays for even-numbered residential addresses and Saturdays for odd-numbered residential addresses. Residents may water twice in the same day for the same hours given above. However, watering with a hose-end sprinkler in the morning only should be enough if the ground is allowed to saturate.

How do you know if the watering is deep enough or if the plant is receiving enough water? Your plant will tell you. If it is looking droopy or dry, or the leaves are dropping or turning brown, the plant is crying for help. Although the symptoms of underwatered plants are the same as those in overwatered plants, chances are that—with multiple-day stretches of triple-digit temperatures and water restrictions with no rain for months—plants are unlikely to be overwatered.

Why? Because organic gardening uses earth sources to provide nutrients, and the methods have been time-tested over centuries. Yes, synthetic products can sometimes green up a lawn quickly or extract bright blooms from a flowering plant, but their recovery is temporary and works in a similar way to how a Red Bull drink gives energy to its consumers–with a shock to the system. After

News You Can Use Continued on Page 15

Go Organic While quick fix options exist, the long-term solution to keep our landscaping healthy is to go organic with lawn and plant care.

This summer, with its intense heat and no rain, has given us all a beating, including our landscaping. Our plants are suffering. The current water restrictions do not help the situation. How can we help ensure our lawns and our exterior plants survive?

Water less frequently (allowing the ground to dry out in between) but for longer periods (allowing enough time for water to saturate deep into the ground). The moisture in surface soil evaporates quickly during the day—especially in Texas summers—whereas the temperature further into the ground remains cooler and soil therefore retains moisture much longer, so plants with longer roots can have access to water for more days.

Water Deeply Without enough water, plants (like humans) will die. Water is an essential nutrient for all of us. Up to 95% of a plant’s tissue is water and the water helps transport other nutrients throughout the plant. For plants to grow stronger root systems, they must be watered deeply. There are differing views on how deep a “deep watering” is, but in general, at least 8 inches into the soil is preferred for plants. (For an automatic irrigation system, roughly 20 minutes in each section will provide a deep watering.) For lawns, at least 2 inches deep will suffice but 4 inches would be better. Several types of tools exist that check moisture content in the ground, but it’s also easy to take a shovel and dig into an area to feel the dirt beneath and see how deep the moisture reaches (this also helps to aerate the soil). Make sure to water the area once the soil is placed back.

Thirsty roots learn how to seek moisture for survival, so when we allow the roots to get thirsty for a day or two, we are encouraging root growth. A plant with a larger root system is a healthier plant. This also helps train the plant to learn how to handle dry periods in preparation for more droughts in the foreseeable future.

In contrast, more frequent watering in shorter spurts allows roots to stay shallow, they don’t need to grow out further to seek more water. And shallow roots in plants and in lawns are weaker, more brittle, and more susceptible to diseases and pests.

• Grass clippings from mowed lawns provide nitrogen to the soil, so allow them to fall onto the ground when mowing.

Nature gives us everything we need to survive.

• Fallen leaves provide both shelter and food for microorganisms, who aerate the soil. They also cover the ground, offering some protection from extreme temperatures.

• Seaweed stimulates growth and enhances the immune system. In liquid form, it is readily absorbed into the plants’ roots and is a favorite among organic gardeners.

• Mycorrhizae is the current superstar in the gardening world, especially for stressed plants. When mycorrhizae (fungi) come in direct contact with the roots of plants, they invade and quickly connect to the roots. The fungi then send filaments (hyphae) out to search for phosphorus. The hyphae of mycorrhizae can reach as much as 200 times farther than the plant’s roots can. They bring back much needed phosphorus to the plants’ roots (giving a significant boost to its immune system) in exchange for taking glucose. The relationship is symbiotic, and gardeners will quickly notice healthier, happier plants with much stronger water retention. This only works when the mycorrhizae are alive, however, so purchasing online might be risky. Purchasing these from a reliable vendor is recommended. Also, the root must come into immediate contact with the fungi, so liquid form is better when distributing to an already established plant. FoxFarm has a liquid version called “Kangaroots,” which is recommended by the Natural Gardener.

Organic products, on the other hand, work to enhance the soil. When organic matter is used in gardening, the beneficial soil microorganisms (microbes) work to break down the material as they are fed. This provides a naturally slow release of nutrients over a longer time period. When the weather is warmer, the microbes are more active, releasing more nutrients into the soil, and in colder weather, the microbes are less active, so the release of nutrients slows. This naturally corresponds with the rate at which plants need nutrients. Thus, the results of using organic matter in gardening are slow and subtle, and may take a while to notice, but the wait is worth it. The soil continues to grow richer and more fertile as the entire ecosystem becomes happier. The texture of the soil improves, helping to strengthen the immune system of the plants. Richer soil also significantly increases water retention, helping in times of drought.

• Dried Molasses feeds microbes, providing vitamins, calcium, iron, and loads of carbohydrates. When granules are spread on top of the lawn or garden, the microbes will travel up to the surface to gobble them up, aerating the soil along the way. Microbes eat the carboyhdrates, increasing their energy so they become much more active, aerating the soil even more. Aerated soil allows water to reach deeper into the ground more easily, helping our lawn and plants, especially in a hot, dry climate. As a bonus: it smells good (a little like maple syrup) when spread on the lawn, although it may make you hungry for pancakes. Another bonus: fire ants don’t like molasses. In fact, they detest it. So, they will move away from your yard pretty quickly after applying it. It is best applied in April after the second mow but can be used effectively anytime during the growing season (spring and summer).

• Manure from chickens or cows, earthworm castings, and/or bat guano naturally fertilize the soil. Milorganite is an inexpensive, organic fertilizer made from treated sewage sludge in Milwaukee and is used by many golf courses.

How can we go organic?

Copyright © 2022 Peel, Inc. Circle C Ranch Newsletter - September 2022 15 Continued from Page 14 News You Can Use the boost is over, you are back to normal and if the process is repeated regularly over a period of time, you are likely left in a less-healthy position. So, used occasionally, gardening with synthetic products might not hurt the plant, but they are not recommended for long-term care.

At no time will any source be allowed to use the Circle C Ranch Newsletter's contents, or loan said contents, to others in any way, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the Circle C Ranch Newsletter is exclusively for the private use of the Circle C HOA and Peel, Inc.

DISCLAIMER: The Circle C (HOA) has partnered with Peel, Inc. to publish our monthly newsletter gratis for our residents. We target our content to keep homeowners updated on appropriate Circle C announcements and notices. In addition to the printed version, residents may find past newsletters on the Peel.com website with a search for “Circle C.” However, the most current news and announcements may be found at www.circlecranch.com.

Forsensationmore

Chiggers do not burrow into skin as many people believe, so “smothering” them with nail polish is useless. When chiggers feed, they inject a digestive enzyme that breaks down skin cells which are then eaten. Itching and redness is caused when our body reacts to the enzymes injected into our skin. Itching typically begins 3-6 hours after being bitten, peaks at 24 hours, and can last up to two weeks. The best way to avoid getting chiggers is to avoid infested areas.

Articles herein are intended to offer information that might be of use to our residents and to share current or historical events. We do not provide legal, medical, or expert advice but welcome input from our neighbors with expertise. We would love to hear from you! If any of our residents have an idea for an article or would like to nominate a neighborhood teenager or volunteer for a featured article, please feel free to reach out to our HOA manager at info@circlecranch. info or call 512-288-8663. Please note that, in an effort to not interfere with our advertisers that fund this publication, we may not promote or mention businesses. We also do not publish letters or op-eds because we wish to keep our newsletter factual and neutral. Thank you for being a part of our community.

• Tuck pant legs into socks and boots

•infectionOralantihistamines or topical anti-itch creams to relieve itching

Since this is not always possible, here are some other things to try:

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Do you know a teenager who would like to earn some extra money? Babysitting, house sitting, pet sitting, yard work, & tutoring are just a few of the tasks that teen job seekers have been requesting.

• Shower/ bathe after being in an infested area; scrub vigorously with a washcloth

For chigger bites:

To treat chigger infestations around the home, try the following:

• Maintain vegetation; do not allow weeds to grow up & keep brush cleared

• Remove & launder clothing ASAP after being in infested areas

• Use an insect repellent with DEET or picaridin before entering an infested area

• Wear protective clothing- tightly woven items that fit loosely; including long sleeves & pants; shoes or boots

Chiggers are the first stage out of the egg of a particular type of mite. They climb onto people and other animals walking through infested areas, crawl upwards, and wander around the body seeking a good site to settle down and feed. Feeding preference for these mites on humans is in areas where skin is thinnest (behind knees, armpits) or where clothing fits tightly, such as the ankles, waist, and the groin area.

• Avoid sitting on the ground

• Keep lawn trimmed

• Target infested areas with residual pesticide sprays

• Do not scratch pustules; opening pustule might lead to

information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only.

Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied.

Teenage Job Seekers!

If you or someone you know is interested in being added to the list, please submit their name, number, contact information, and job interests to reservations@circlecranch. info. The information is published in the printed, hard copy of the monthly newsletter and is never accessible in the online edition. For questions or to get further information, please contact the Community Coordinator at the email above or call 512-288-8663.

18 Circle C Ranch Newsletter - September 2022 Copyright © 2022 Peel, Inc. TEENAGE JOB SEEKERS Baby Pet House Yard Name Age Sit Sit Sit Work Phone Baby Pet House Yard Name Age Sit Sit Sit Work Phone OTHER SERVICES * -- CPR Training + -- Red Cross Certified ^ -- First Aid News You Can Use

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