Useful Information

The following is a list of links that Big Country residents may find useful. The BCNA has no affiliation to the linked entities.

Southwestern Bell: the most common provider of phone services in Big Country.
Birch telecom: an alternative provider of phone services
MCI and AT&T: popular providers of local toll and long-distance services
Texas Do-Not-Call lists: a state-sponsored initiative to better match telemarketers to interested parties, and reduce invasion of privacy to those who are not interested
National Do-Not-Call list: a national version of the state initiative
Pedernales Electric: the cooperative supplying electricity to Big Country, offering both traditional and 100% renewable energy generation options.
Texas Disposal Systems (TDS): one provider of waste disposal services to our neighborhood (includes recycling with restrictions)
IESI: another provider of waste disposal services
Hays County Recycling: Types of recycling services and dropoff locations in Hays County

KXAN: local news and weather
KDRP: the Dripping Springs radio station
Septic Tank and Drainfield Operation and Maintenance
Firewise Communities/USA : protection against wildland/urban interface fire
Star-friendly Lighting: how to have a security night light without generating light pollution
Oak Wilt: how to identify, prevent, and control Oak Wilt (from the USDA); additional information from the Oak Wilt Information Partnership

On-line safety tips for kids
On-line safety tips for adults
Directory of urban legends: a resource to check before you forward another chain mail to your friends, thinking you are passing along a helpful tip when, in fact, you are unwittingly propagating another myth
Phishing scams, and how to protect yourself
Free, disposable, temporary email addresses: for use when ordering on-line, so that you can get your receipt or invoice, but no further SPAM from a merchant