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Austin City Council ‘bags’ the bag, ‘sacks’ the sack Vandegrift HS prepares for What does it mean for Four Points? by LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News Austin City Council passed one of the broadest bag laws in the nation on Friday which will ban retailers from providing the thin, plastic bags as a courtesy to shoppers starting a year from now. The Single-Use Bag Ordinance will also limit the type of bags available at sales checkout counters at the local H-E-B, Randalls, The Market, Home Depot and Walgreens. Here is how it will affect consumers starting March 1, 2013: • Bring a reusable bag from home • Buy a thick plastic bag, with handles, at a price set by the store • Buy a paper bag made of recycled content, with handles, at a price set by the store • Buy another reusable bag at a price set by the store.
However, the old-style plastic and paper bags will still be around for carry-out foods, meat, fish, frozen foods, unwrapped prepared foods and bakery items, bulk foods, prescription drugs, dry cleaning, newspapers, garbage and pet waste (multiple bags sold in packages), yard waste, flowers, potted plants, local food pantries and nonprofits. Hardship cases can be granted an exemption from the new law but only under proven unique circumstances. Austin’s “goal is Zero Waste by the year 2040” and this new ordinance goes in line with that goal. The City will be spending $2 million on an education and outreach program to inform retailers and consumers of the law’s specific terms. Local reaction is mixed about the bag ban. (See Question of the Week this issue.) “I have mixed feelings about it,” said Steiner Ranch’s Adriana Fernandez, a Target shopper. “I usually have my green bags with me but, if you forget your bags, I think they should give you them. If I have to pay for them, I won’t shop here or I’ll go back home
and get my bags.” Mary Beth Weir is concerned that the added costs to area retailers for compliance with the ordinance will be passed along to consumers. “A lot of vendors are not set up to have bags,” said Weir of Steiner Ranch. “Take Walmart, for example, will they have to retrofit their [plastic bag] carousels because shoppers will be bringing their own bags?” “It will cost the vendor money which will cost us money. I guess, with everything, there’s a good and a bad,” Weir said. Four Points’ Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ray Freer believes that the ban will be tougher on the smaller retailers in the area. “Customers will have to change their behavior when shopping to think to bring a bag with them or the retailer will need to offer bags for purchase,” Freer said. “This is especially concerning for small items or glass items that are usually bagged at the store. We definitely want to protect our environment without hurting the small businesses opportunity. The BAGS, 5
Guys and Dolls Jr., a hit after six months of work The River Place Student Theatre performed Guys and Dolls Jr. over the weekend with 57 cast members and five backstage crew members. Thousands of hours of practice went into the performance. Twice a week rehearsals were in motion since last fall. The final cast was set based on auditions in August. Bootcamp in September is when all-cast dance numbers were learned. September was also a time for open competition among the cast for lead roles, and when newbies were introduced to the program, said Gene Fruge, River Place Student Theatre President and play Producer. He is also a Real Estate Agent with Re/Max 1. The volunteer hours put in by the board and key volunteers was, in most cases, more than 1,000 hours per person. "Big kudos to our board, leadership and parent volunteers for their hard work and dedication to making Guys and Dolls a huge success," Fruge said.
Around 130 people attended the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association first general meeting last week. “We are off to a great start with about 130 members of the SRNA signed up through our web site and at the kick-off meeting,” said SRNA Temporary Chairperson Brian Thompto.
Vandegrift High School Senior Derek Warren waited a month before he knew if his application to participate in the Shattered Dreams program would be accepted. Shattered Dreams brings a realistic crash to the VHS campus at 9500 McNeil Dr. during mid morning on March 8. Travis County Sheriff ’s Office, fire fighters, STAR Flight and EMS personnel will be part of the demonstration. There will be a DREAMS, 5
Vandegrift High School was chosen to host Shattered Dreams on Thurs. The mock, drunk driving accident program helps educate teens throughout the state in a realistic way. This helicopter was from a similar demonstration at Irving ISD.
Lana Smith helps 21-month old Lydia Vlass into a shopping cart at Target last week. Smith, who is in and out of Four Points’ area stores every day while caring for her granddaughter and stocking the pantry of a neighborhood church, is opposed to the city’s new bag ban. “It’s just a hassle carrying them [bags],” said Vlass. “Nothing fits in them and I can’t remember them half the time. Give us our plastic bags!”
Lake Travis too low to send water to downstream farmers Lakes Buchanan and Travis remain significantly low at only 42 percent full, and because of that the Lower Colorado River Authority will not provide Highland Lakes water to most downstream farmers this year. “This is the first time in history that downstream farmers will not receive all the water they need from LCRA,” General Manager Becky Motal said. “This was a difficult decision by LCRA and the stakeholders, but one that was made with the best interest of the entire basin in mind. This current drought is
one of the most severe on record, and the responses to the drought need to be on the same level.” The official decision was made on March 1 when the combined storage of the lakes was 847,324 acre-feet. Current levels fail to reach 850,000 acre-feet, the level agreed upon last September by LCRA and stakeholders throughout the basin, including downstream farmers, when they negotiated the emergency drought relief measures that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved. This means farmers in the Lakeside, Gulf Coast and Pierce Ranch irrigation operations will not receive any water from
the Highland Lakes this year. Farmers in the Garwood irrigation operation will still receive some water from the Highland Lakes this year, up to 19,000 or 20,000 acre-feet, because of their contract with LCRA. For comparison, downstream farmers diverted about 368,000 acre-feet of Highland Lakes water last year for a first and second crop. Lakes Buchanan and Travis are the region’s water supply reservoirs. They provide water for more than a million people in Central Texas, as well as industries throughout the Colorado River basin and farmers in Matagorda, Wharton and Colorado counties.
American bistro in the works to open in Steiner So far 12 nominations for the SRNA Board of Directors have been received for nine board positions. The meeting covered the basics of what a neighborhood association is, SRNA’s motivations and missions, and membership. Then it was open for questions. Some questions were asked about what stance SRNA would take on certain issues and how they would determine what
stance they come up with. “Members dictate what to advocate for,” Thompto said. There are more apartments being considered in Steiner in addition to the 298 announced being built this year. Development will impact the local schools and traffic and SRNA wants to have a position on those topics. “We want to shape the future SNRA, 4
Inside
School......................................3 Opinion...................................4 Classifieds...............................6 Sports.................................. 7-8 Find us on Facebook Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has blessed my vision! Sam Houston
By RICH KEITH Four Points News
By LYNETTE HAALAND Four Points News
New neighborhood association kick off meeting draws over 100 By LYNETTE HAALAND Four Points News
Shattered Dreams this week
Brian Thompto, Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association Temporary Chairperson, fielded questions at the kick off meeting on Feb. 29.
By LYNETTE HAALAND Four Points News A new restaurant - possibly to be called Zack’s American Bistro - could open by May first in Steiner Ranch at the former Suelo Nuevo site in the Vista Ridge shopping center. “We are looking at an American style bistro to serve good sandwiches, soups, healthy salads and wood-fire pizza and breakfast,” said Tracy Shinsel, a Steiner resident for over five years and restaurateur. Shinsel has been in the restaurant industry for the past 25 years including management and ownership in Las Vegas. He and a business partner have been working on the idea to open a local restaurant for the last four months. They created its concept and menu late last year and looked for the right place and timing. When Suelo Nuevo closed several weeks ago, they sought out
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that location with its kid-friendly atmosphere and visibility. “We live here in Steiner and the main reason (we want to open a restaurant) is the lack of restaurants in the area,” Shinsel said. If things go as planned, the lease will be signed next week and massive renovations will begin within the next two weeks. “We want an open kitchen and welcoming atmosphere,” Shinsel said. Day Cable, leasing agent with the Day Cable Co. and manager of Vista Ridge, said he could not disclose who he is working with on the vacant space yet. “We are getting close to an agreement. I hope to have lease signed in next 10 days,” he said on Monday. Shinsel is working with a few other local investors on the American bistro idea. “We are working with other Steiner Ranch investors at this time and getting financial investments finalized,” he said.
Steiner residents Bill Clark, founder of MicroVentures, and Paul O’Brien, founder of GroupCharger.com and creator of the Steiner Ranch Post, are partnering with Shinsel. “Bill and I... know how to build success startups, market in the most innovative of ways, and run a business,” O’Brien said. One idea Clark and O’Brien have is to raise a portion of the capital to fund the restaurant through “offering everyone the opportunity to contribute to the business in advance of our opening through the acquisition of gift certificates, fun sponsorships and merchandise,” O’Brien said. “In a sense we're asking, if you'd eat here anyway, kick in now so we can build something greater,” O’Brien said. There may be other investors who are not signed on yet, Shinsel said, but he is hoping by next week to have the lease signed and to get rolling on bringing an American bistro to Four Points.
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Page 2 • Four Points News, Thursday, March 8, 2012
Steiner Ranch Yoga
Volente acquires 637 acres of Austin ETJ lake land
“Quieting the Monkey Mind”
By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News In an effort to improve water service quality to Lake Travis, on March 1 the Austin City Council approved an interlocal agreement in which the City of Austin released to the Village of Volente approximately 637 acres of property contained within its extraterritorial jurisdiction (“ETJ”) and located beneath the lake waters. According to Annexation and ETJ Planning Senior Planner Jackie Chuter, the City of Austin cannot enforce public safety and health regulations in its ETJs. Council’s approval of the agreed-upon release provides a governing body, the Village of Volente, with jurisdiction to enforce regulations such as water quality standards, boat dock requirements and noise level restrictions on the territory. “Volente has better access to the area released,” said Chuter. “The area is underwater and not able to be developed and the territorial release allows Volente to regulate the area adjacent to its city limits. Austin couldn’t annex the property so it was in the best interest of everyone to release the territory.” In a related request, Council also agreed to a release of approximately 66 acres of land beneath Lake Travis to the City of Jonestown. The release area, totaling 703 acres, is located in Travis County on the north shore of Lake Travis, east of the northern Shore on Lake Travis Subdivision and west of the Village of Volente. Information attached to Thursday’s ruling stated that the City of Austin had previously released ETJ property to Jonestown and Volente.
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Last week, Austin City Council members approved an agreement to release 637 acres of ETJ property located beneath Lake Travis to the Village of Volente’s jurisdiction which will now be able to enforce public safety and health regulations in the area.
An ETJ is the unincorporated land within five miles of Austin’s full purpose city limit that is not within the city limits or ETJ of another city.
Body found in APD seeking help in tree trimming scam The Austin Police Depart- to the victims’ homes multiple 45th and Shoal Creek and not Lake Travis ment is seeking the public’s as- times for payment while doing as far west as Four Points. But sistance in locating elderly vic- minimal work. It is estimated the department is asking anytims of tree trimming scams. that the victims are overpaying body that might be a victim of identified A company has been ap- for this work by 3 to 5 times this scam to call 3-1-1 or (512) A summer of Science Discovery… starts at School in the Hills Join the Quest! All children ages 3 years old through 4th grade are welcome. School in the Hills will spend the summer observing, investigating and experimenting in a fun environment. Enroll your child in Discovery in the Hills for a single camp, several weeks or all summer. Primary Camps for children ages 3 – 6. Leadership Camps for children currently in 1st – 4th grade. Visit schoolinthehills.com/summer for more information. Call 512-266-6160 to schedule a tour or to reserve a spot for this summer.
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Friday the Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified the body found in Lake Travis a week ago as Eleanor Pearce. On Feb. 29, Travis County Sheriff ’s Deputies were called to the Lake Travis shoreline, near the 9800 Block of Trails End Rd, because a deceased person was in the water. Detectives responded to the scene along with the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office to start the investigation into the death. The cause and manner of death has not been determined at this time. The investigation is ongoing, said Roger Wade, Public Information Officer Travis County Sheriff 's Office. On Feb. 18 TCSO Detectives started looking for a missing woman who was last seen at her home earlier that day wearing a black windbreaker, blue jeans and brown hiking boots. Pearce, 59, lived in the Leander area.
FO U R P O I N T S
RACE TAST E
proaching elderly individuals at their homes to offer tree trimming services or other lawn care services. The subjects are returning
what is normally charged for these services. APD Detective Courtney Daniel said the tree trimming scam was reported closer to
By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News
Stephen Furbacher, in a discussion on the lessons each whistleblower took away from the Enron crisis. Dr. Donald Christian, Dean of Concordia’s College of Business, moderated the presentation which highlighted how Enron executives, under the helm of CEO Jeffrey Skilling, maintained a false picture of profitability and succumbed to the overwhelming pressure for increased corporate financial success. “We [Enron] were the place to work,” said Watkins of Enron’s environment in the 1990’s. According to Watkins, Enron hired the “best and brightest” and paid higher salaries than their competitors. The company used a bell curve to grade its employees for bonuses which, in Watkins’ arena, amounted to double her yearly pay. “The BMW and Mercedes
974-5750 to make a report. If you have any information about these scams please call the Region II Detectives at (512) 9745779.
Blue jeans and suits combine for leadership and ethics talk at Concordia Former corporate executives visited Four Points last week to share how taking a stand and exposing corrupt business practices was the right thing to do. Founded in 1985 and valued at approximately $65 billion in assets at its peak, Enron Corporation was tagged by Fortune Magazine as its most admired company for six years in a row. In 16 years, the Houston-based energy giant had grown by $55 billion; yet, over a span of only 24 days, the company was bankrupt. On March 1, Concordia’s Speaker Series, “View from the Top: Leadership and Ethics”, featured former Enron Vice President Sherron Watkins and former President and Chief Operating Officer of Dynegy,
Former top executives at Enron and Dynegy Corporations discuss how ethics and faith played a role in their decisions to ‘speak the truth’ about corporate wrongdoings.
Benz dealerships in Houston would know our bonus day because there were hundreds of us making that kind of money,” Watkins said. “So when the ENRON, 5
to the
Saturday, May 19, 2012 • 12 - 5pm Team Registration is OPEN! Form a Team now to join the Extreme Fun! Be one of the 25 Teams who will overcome roadblocks, detours and avoid elimination while traveling all over FOUR POINTS to track down CLUES and complete CHALLENGES in pursuit of the WINNER’S Circle. Form a Team with two to four family, friends, co-workers or workout buddies. Then, as a Team, donate or raise a minimum of $250 for the event charity to qualify! All racers get a T-shirt and goodie bag and the top THREE winning teams win some great PRIZES!
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hursday Four PToints News March 8, 2012 • Page 3 www.FourPointsNews.com
STAAR is rolling out soon, students and teachers are prepping The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exams have received a lot of attention lately. Students and teachers throughout the state, including Leander ISD, will get their first glimpse of the new testing system in just a few weeks. Over the last several months, our district has been hard at work educating students, parents and staff about STAAR and how it will impact students. Debbie Sommer, the LISD director of assessment and accountability, has held numerous Parent Information Nights over the last few weeks, most recently at Vandegrift High School on February 27. Parents of ninth-grade students will have another opportunity to learn about the STAAR on Mon-
day, March 19 at Leander High School at 6:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre. All parents of freshmen are invited to attend. As you know, STAAR is different from previous testing systems. In addition to its increased rigor, STAAR is designed to determine if a student is successful in the current grade level and prepared for the next grade level, and it is aligned to ensure students are college- and careerready. This is a new measure in our state assessments and one that we are excited to use in LISD. Under the STAAR tests’ more complex structures, even students in elementary grades will be measured on collegeand career-readiness standards. The exams will measure critical readiness standards and sup-
porting standards necessary for dard developed by the state on building a solid foundation for each EOC assessment to achieve college and life-long success. their graduation requirements, The high school piece of STA- an important difference between AR, the End of Course Exam STAAR and the previous TAKS (EOC), has exams. been a hot top What’s reic in the news ceived the most recently. A total attention is that, of 12 EOC asunder current sessments will law, EOCs will replace gradecount towards specific tests 15 percent for current of the course BRET CHAMPION grade. This new ninth-grade students (10th- and 11th-grade rule has caused a bit of a stir in students will continue to take the the education community and TAKS). These tests will have an many asked that current ninthimpact on the awarding of cred- graders be given a one-year its for the courses tested. Under reprieve as districts (students, the Texas Education Code, stu- teachers, administrators, curdents will be required to take riculum writers and other supand meet the performance stan- port staff) continue to transition
Local schools place at Austin Energy Regional Science Fair Students from Laura W. Bush Elementary, Canyon Ridge Middle School and Vandegrift High School earned numerous individual awards and achievements at the recent 2012 Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. Vista Ridge High School won Sweepstakes at the event held Feb. 22-25, announced Leander ISD. LISD will send 30 students, those who placed first, second or third in the Junior and Senior divisions, to the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair March 29 in San Antonio. Elementary division special awards From Bush Elementary: • Katherine Nissen, Austin Energy Best Use of Electricity Award, Handheld Solar Charger Junior Division Places From Canyon Ridge Middle School: • Jared Bouloy, first place, Which type of music affects perceived exertion?
• Patricio Dieck, first place, Create a new fruit by crosspollination • Ryan Galligher, first place, How does the composition of a fossil affect chemical weathering process over time? • John Magruder, second place, How does the shape of the roof affect the amount of vibration a structure can withstand? • Ellie Pasquarette, second place, How does age affect short-term memory? • Abbie Dunn, third place, How does the force of water affect erosion? • Mary Farrell, third place, How does age affect a person’s speed/accuracy on the Stroop Test? • Ethan McCosky, third place, The Secret Life of Pond Scum • Bethany Rossi, third place, How does the food group affect the amount of DNA? • Kathryn Russell, fourth
place, Inventing an iPhone App • Rachel Dean, fourth place, How does the type of berry affect the yield of DNA? • Kelsey Piegat, fourth place, How does the maturity of a plant affect its ability to recover from a fire? • Jordan Jalufka, fifth place, How does salinity affect cell size? Senior Division Places From Vandegrift High School: • Nathan Nissen, third place, Analysis of a Home Built Twin Shaft Gas Turbine Secondary division special awards From CRMS: • Jared Bouloy, Broadcom Masters SSP Award • Jordan Daniels, TAWWA/ WEAT Excellence in Water Second Place • Patricio Dieck, Broadcom Masters SSP Award • Ryan Galligher, Broadcom Masters SSP Award
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• John Magruder, Broadcom Masters SSP Award • Ellie Pasquarette, Broadcom Masters SSP Award From VHS: • Nathan Nissen, National Society of Professional Engineers and US Air Force Award The Austin Energy Regional Science Festival is one of Texas’ largest regional science fairs with more than 2,000 students from third through 12th grade. It encourages and rewards innovative student research and provides scientists, engineers and other professionals a chance to volunteer in the community.
to STAAR. It seems only reasonable. After all, our campus and district ratings will remain the same for two years because of the implementation of the new system. Just a couple of weeks ago, education leaders in the Senate told the Texas Education Agency that it could grant districts a deferment for the 15 percent requirement for this year. After listening to feedback from students, parents and staff, and updating the LISD Board of Trustees of the issue at the March 2 board meeting, we are recommending that the district submit a request to waive the implementation of the 15 percent grading requirement for this year. Many districts are doing the same. In order to submit the waiver, our Board of
Trustees will have to take formal action authorizing me to send a request for deferment. While I will not definitively know the outcome until the Board’s vote and the Commissioner’s approval, at this time I do anticipate that we will be requesting and receiving a waiver from TEA. Every time the state rolls out a new testing system, adjustments must be made to do what’s best for students. Should additional information about STAAR come our way in the coming weeks, I will share it with you. Be sure to check the LISD website www.leanderisd.org for a complete look at the STAAR. Thank you for your continued support for LISD. Have a great week and a safe spring break!
LISD Kindergarten registration March 22 Leander ISD’s Kindergarten registration for the 2012 2013 school year will be held on March 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at all elementary campuses. Parents must register their child at the campus he or she is zoned to attend next fall. To register their child for school, parents will need to bring their child’s birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, a photo ID of the parent/guardian and
proof of residency (i.e. electric or water bill, etc.). To be eligible for kindergarten, children must 1) Be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2012; AND 2) Be a resident of Leander ISD; AND 3) Meet the immunization requirements. Pre-Kindergarten registration will also open on March 22. For more details, go to www.leanderisd.org
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Opinion
Thursday
Page 4 • March 8, 2012
Publisher’s Point of View
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Four Points of View
What changes in your lifestyle will you make to get ready for the plastic and paper bag ban passed by Austin City Council on Friday?
Amazing Four Points Race to the Taste will unify Four Points in a fun way The Four Points Chamber of Commerce Teams are registering now. Queens of is launching a first-of-its-kind the Court, a group of four ladies, event that is sure to unify the enwas the latest team to register tire Four Points community: The this week. They are serious about Amazing Four Points Race to the competition and can’t wait to win Taste. the prizes. As the title suggests, it is merg About 20 teams will have ing two, very fun types of enterto overcome roadblocks, detours tainment into one large event on and avoid elimination while stopMay 19. at more than a dozen sites all LYNETTE ping The “Taste” part - deemed Race over Four Points. Central - will feature local food, HAALAND Teams will try to combeverage and business vendors pete for the grand prizes while showcasing what makes our community getting challenges and clues along the way. special. Forming a team is sure to build memo You will want to join the fun. Music, ries for a lifetime. Teams will consist of two games and family entertainment will be to four people who are age 12 and above. on tap all afternoon in addition to the best The entire Amazing Four Points Race food and beverages in Four Points. to the Taste is also benefiting charity. The Hundreds are expected to attend, ac- team cost to participate is $250 which can cording to the Chamber. There is still room be donated by team members or raised in for more vendors. the community with sponsorships. Pro Additionally, Race Central/Taste Central ceeds will be given to the event charity will be where we can cheer on our friends which will be unveiled soon. who are in the “Race” part of the event. I’m tempted to form a team, and assume Team updates and tallies will be given after the Diva Dash in April that this will be throughout the afternoon and the race fi- a walk in the park! But if I don’t find three nale will be at the site. brave friends to join me, at the very least The “Race” will be more for the adven- I will be a spectator at Race/Taste Central turous types and is patterned after simi- and help usher in the first of this sure-tolar races in other cities and on reality TV be-annual event! shows.
Jill Maeda Cedar Park
Grady Giffin Steiner Ranch
Jaclyn Mast Anderson Mill
I’ve already prepared and have all of my bags. I use an in-home grocery delivery which saves on bags and uses recyclable bins. I’m a tree hugger.
I always take my bags to I tend not to use plastic HEB and will be sure to bags when I can. Our fambring my bags to Target as ily has a lot of canvas growell. cery bags so it won’t really change much. Sometimes it’s a convenience for the store to have bags out but we have a ton already. We just have to remember to take them as well.
Four Points News Your Community Newspaper
PERSONNEL
Pia Lorenzana Mirasol at The Oasis I think being more conscientious, having my bags in my car, having a system in place to always have it with me even on last moment trips like this one. The moms in this area always kill time in Target waiting for our kids to get out of school so now they’ll have to do it with bags.
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Publisher & Editor...........................................................................LYNETTE HAALAND Associate Editor..................................................................................LESLEE BASSMAN Advertising Sales Representative....................................................HOLLIE KENNEY Creative Services..............................................................................JENNIFER ROBERTS Circulation....................................................................................................FRED FRANCO Reporter...............................................................................................................RICH KEITH Contributor............................................................................................ BRET CHAMPION
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Opposed to LISD’s new logo licensing which will raise prices on spirit wear, etc. Dear Editor,
Three Boy Scouts from Den 2, Pack 203 and a handful of siblings and friends visited Four Points News headquarters recently to learn how community papers are put together. Left to right: Joseph Mokry, Luke Jackson, Forbes Westbrook, Jules Mokry, Lauren Lightfoot and Gracie Stribling.
SRNA, FROM 1 direction. We want to keep a high quality of life for the entire area,” Thompto said. He added that there is a lot of commercial development left in Steiner. SRNA is registered at the City of Austin and will be notified on development and policy changes. Some have expressed confusion that SRNA is only for Steiner residents but that is not the case, Thompto said. SRNA includes seven or eight communities including Steiner and has boundaries of Lake Travis to Lake Austin, RM 620 and a stretch between Steiner and River Place. The membership drive continues.
“We are eager to reach a large cross-selection of area residents, and to get them involved and signed up as members of the SRNA,” Thompto said. Members will have one vote per household. The $50 voluntary membership fee will go toward communications, insurance and facility rentals. Voting will take place March 7-20 online, with members voting on nine Board positions. All members will receive an email with instructions on how to vote, and candidate profiles will be available on the website. The next general meeting will be March 28.
Putting aside the issues pertaining to "intellectual property" this might be the most absurd attempt at a money grab I've ever seen to date. Am I to understand that now PUBLIC SCHOOL logos are trademark protected?! So every private citizen and business pays taxes... nearly 75% of which goes to the LISD... and if we were to market a product baring the logo of a public school team, we would OWE royalties to the district??? But for our taxes, that school would not exist, much less their logos or their sports programs which demand them. Those logos belong to the residents within the LISD!!! The TEA shells out over $11,000 per student per year (while the average private school some how manages to run on $7k per year -- or homeschoolers run on nothing -- and both produce better results). Texas spends over $37 million per year to test our kids to confirm that they are in fact still as stupid as when they first entered their monopolistic system. And now because they still can't find any money, they want to stick it to private entities for using school logos?! Surly the school districts can find some money flowing through the clogged bureaucratic arteries of the TEA? Some loose change in the halls of that compound that serves no public good or purpose? Dare I ask
where this money is going, assuming this stunt doesn't totally bankrupt the private businesses tied to the production and sale of school logo products? My guess is, like all additional educational funding: NOT the classrooms! Of course, this is what you get when a bunch of public sector bureaucrats take a stab at private sector business management. It's a lot like me trying to take a stab at building a plane because I saw a kid flying a model plane once in the park. The principle of increasing revenues by increasing revenue streams is a good one. What the district has managed to do is mutate that principle by assuming that they can create multiple streams of income from one original stream of income. So, not only are they expecting to generate income from fundraising but they want to generate more income by charging for the use of a public logo. Why do that? Why hide the cost of a trademark royalty? The reality is, it is no different than simply hiking the price of the good. Same stream. The problem is, increasing the cost of goods could hinder sales because there is a point where people no longer feel they are getting the value in return for their money. So in actuality, their little plan to generate more revenues might be self-destructive! This is the same mentality behind the idea that raising taxes will proportionately
raise revenues. Too bad there is absolutely no historical or economic evidence to back it up. If the goal is to have more money for something school related, then they should be observing what a successful business does to accomplish the same thing. 1. Seek efficiencies within the company; 2. Find NEW and DIFFERENT sources of revenues. The district has summarily dismissed step one and ineffectively jumped to two. Attaching a compulsory fee to a voluntary and charitable sale is so typical of the state. What they should be doing is lowering the price of their goods and services and increase the amount of transactions. That would be a better experiment. Alternatively, they should be considering fund raising events that involve greater transactions at a lower price point. The irony in all this is that the district call upon the booster clubs and others who use the logos to either raise the price point OR have more fund raisers to make up the costs of the trademark royalties!!! So everyone else is meant to do the legwork while the district just manipulates ... rather cripples ... the revenue stream. Who allowed this to happen?! Kelly Diamond Steiner Ranch
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Community Events March 7 Concordia University Texas Fundraising Night at Four Points Whataburger 20% sales donated from 5 - 8pm
March 7 River Place Country Club Summer Camp Registration Night 5-8pm
March 8 Underage Drinking Prevention Parent Seminar Vandegrift HS Gym. from 7 to 8 pm
March 8 Precinct 2 Constituent Outreach on Emergency Services Steiner Ranch Towne Square Community Center 12550 Country Trails Lane. 6 to 8 pm
March 12-16 Leander ISD Spring Break!
March 15 Four Points Chamber luncheon River Place Country Club from 11 am - 1 pm
March 21 Randalls Four Points Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting
March 26 VHS Golf Scramble UT Golf Club 12:30 start
April 5 River Ridge Elementary Rattler Roundup Uncle Billy’s on Lake Travis. Music by Suede, food, live & silent auctions. Tickets now until March 23: $35 www.riverridge.my-pta.org 6:30-10:30pm
Emergency services issues addressed March 8 Steiner Ranch, River Place and Comanche Trail-area residents are invited to join Sarah Eckhardt, Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2, and Jerry Stein, Emergency Services District #6 Commissioner for a conversa-
tion about Emergency Services issues. The constituent outreach meeting will be Thurs., March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Steiner Ranch Towne Square Community Center 12550 Country Trails Lane.
March 8, 2012 • Page 5
River Place summer camp registration night Wed. The River Place Country Club will host Summer Camp registration night from from 5 to 8 p.m. on March 7. Kids eat free at the event. Camps are offered 10 weeks during the summer from June through August and club membership is not required to attend camps. RPCC
will give a complimentary week of Kid’s Summer Sports Camp if a family joins the club by April 30. For more information, go to www.riverplaceclub.com
ENRON, FROM 2
DREAMS, FROM 1 a mock car crash scene in which student victims will be treated and a drunk driver will be arrested. "I wanted to bring awareness of the problem of drunk driving to my school," Derek said. Only juniors and seniors are eligible to volunteer, after securing permission from their parents. The volunteers go through a lengthy process to participate. They are asked to agree or disagree on survey questions from the Sheriff 's office such as, "Graduating seniors have earned the right to drink" and, "Everyone should tell their friends not to drink and drive." More than 80 VHS students and their parents are involved in Shattered Dreams. Many of Derek's friends were also chosen to participate as well. But after hearing more about the Shattered Dreams process during confidential meetings held in December, and after judging the emotional intensity for participants, several students decided to not go through with the experience. The Shattered Dreams program is designed to educate the dangers associated with drinking and driving. This 2-day program involves the dramatization of an alcohol-related crash on or near a high school campus, complete with police and EMS response, emergency room treatment, family notifications, and the arrest and booking of the driver. This year's event at VHS promises to be a dramatic and serious teaching tool for the students. “Only one school per year in Tra-
Thursday
vis County is selected,” said Charlie Little, VHS Principal. In preparation for the event, an overnight camp, or lock-in, at an undisclosed location will prepare student volunteers, counselors, faculty and EMS for the event. "Throughout the process, school counselors will be right there to help if it becomes difficult emotionally for any of the students," Derek said. Some roles for students include being crash victims, or simply be one of "the dead." Derek has learned that "every 15 minutes someone in Texas is injured or killed as the result of drunk driving." So at VHS about 50 to 60 students will be pulled from class during the day, every 15 minutes on a signal. These students will change their appearance and behavior for the rest of the school day. “During the same day and evening Sheriff 's officers will visit pre-screened hospitals, morgues, parents' workplaces and students' homes, making videos of "notifications" that is, videos showing law officers telling a students' parents that their child has been killed in a drunk driving incident,” Little said. These videos will be shown in a school-wide assembly the day after the event. "It's going to have some tough moments, but Travis County wants it to be the best in order to avoid the senseless tragedies of young people dying from drunk driving," Derek said. All students will write essays on their experience of the event.
place you work pays you that kind of money, you think they ‘hung the moon’”. Watkins relied on her Lutheran upbringing for guidance when faced with revealing the questionable accounting practices she had discovered at Enron. “I saw stuff at Enron in 1996 that disturbed me,” Watkins said. “I complained about it and was reprimanded severely so I moved away from that department. In 2001, what I stumbled across was fraud and I knew it right away. Two weeks later, Skilling quit.” “I firmly did believe that God had my back when I went to talk to Kenneth Lay.” Watkins was ignored when she met with Lay on August 22, 2001, with proof of the company’s errant business practices. Not long after, Enron tumbled into bankruptcy. As top executive of Enron’s neighbor, Dynegy, Inc., Furbacher was privy to his competitor’s unethical practices and worked to sustain integrity in his own corporate realm. “What was [a decision] in the gray area becomes lighter in shade and when that [decision] works, the black becomes gray,” said Furbacher. “Soon what you were looking at which was once
black is now white”. Furbacher credits his sense of right from wrong to his Lutheran family, allowing him to understand where those boundaries lie. As a result of Enron’s unethical business practices, 14 of its executives received prison sentences. Skilling, a Harvard MBA graduate, was sent to the penitentiary for 24 years. After enduring a tumultuous period of congressional testimony and uncertain employment, Watkins landed on her feet, penning a successful book and undertaking speaking engagements based on her experiences in the corporate world. “When you take a risk for your faith, there are Biblical promises that get triggered,” said Watkins. “For me, life couldn’t be grander.” However, by her own admission, Watkins’ story of success after blowing the whistle on her colleagues and mentors is unique and not shared by many of her peers who acted on truth and faith. Furbacher is angry but stated that he has never “second guessed” his ethical decisions, even at financial expense. “It’s a fear that somehow what we have is who we are,” Furbacher said. “At the end of the day, it’s just a job”.
BAGS, FROM 1 longer term bag ban will cause customers to come prepared to shop and or pay the price to purchase a reusable bag at the store every time they shop.” The development is especially timely for Four Points’ newcomer, Randalls Grocery, which is set to open in Quinlan Crossing on March 21. “Randalls will most certainly comply with the ordinance, and first and foremost, try to make the transition as easy as possible for our customers,” said Connie Yates of Randalls Grocery Public Relations Department.
Target, as a corporation, has already taken measures to lessen its impact on our country’s landfills. Company spokesperson Jenna Reck reports that Target‘s green efforts include a five-cent discount per bag for guests who cart out purchases in their personal containers. “By rewarding guests each time they bring a reusable bag,” Reck said, “Target is helping guests save money and make a small difference every time they shop at our stores.” Additionally, the national chain’s various locations, includ-
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ing Four Points, boast recycling stations which collect shoppers’ plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans, small electronics and plastic shopping bags. For Lakeway homeowner Ronald Lien, the loss of available checkout bags is nothing new. “I lived like that up in Idaho,” said Lien who has already amassed duffel bags and boxes. “I was so poor that I had to go to a place that didn’t provide bags. You learn to adapt.” “I think we’ll adapt and do just fine,” Lien said.
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Taylor Abbott ranked in the Top Ten in US in swimming Taylor Abbott, 8th grader who attends Four Points Middle School, is currently ranked in the Top Ten in the USA for the 500 free, the 100 free, the 1650 free (mile), and the 200 fly, according to the USA Swimming website. Abbott is a competitive swimmer for Cedar Park Swimming. He has broken 24 team records since age 12, many more than once. Abbott also led Four Points Middle School to win districts in cross country last fall on top of an undefeated season.
Shawn Abbott
Lacrosse Clinic at Four Points MS A recent Vipers Lacrosse Clinic at Four Points Middle School hosted by Maverik Lacrosse featured professional lacrosse player Billy Bitter. Bitter discussed the game and gave tips to be better players.
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Softball: My favorite thing about being involved in the Vandegrift Softball program is being surrounded by people who share the same interests as me, and being a part of a big family.
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Favorite part about being involved in Viper Tennis: I like how supportive the team is. It makes matches much more fun when your team is behind you.
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Favorite part about being involved in Viper Theatre: Maria Taylor Junior Favorite part about being involved in Viper Theatre: I love Viper theatre because the department has become like a family to me and there are so many opportunities to be involved no matter what.
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Tennis: I really like the fun activities we do off the court as a team.
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Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Theatre: I love getting to participate in choir, theater and dance here at Vandergrift High School. I was so incredibly blessed to be able to be a part of Vandergrift High Schools very first musical. I can’t wait to see what will become of the fine arts department in the years to come! Go vipers!
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Viper Varsity Girls Track places 10th at March 3rd meet Vandegrift High School Varsity places 10th out of 18 teams at the Round Rock track meet on March 3. • Caroline Zanot-800 M Run-6th place-time 2:32 • Nikki Keys-1600-3rd place-time 5:15 • Nikki Keys-3200-2nd place-time 11:47 VHS Junior Varsity comes in 8th place out of 18 teams. • Patricia Nintcheu - Shot Put-1st place-distance 31’9 • Patricia Nintcheu - Discus-2nd place-distance 91 feet
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Viper Tennis posts strong results in Belton Waco Midway didn’t stand a chance against Vandegrift’s Shwetha Prabakar in Belton’s Big Red Tournament on March 2, 2012. Prabakar defeated Renatta Romera for a first place finish in the Girls Singles, B Draw, 6-0, 6-0. The Viper girls were on a roll with Doubles Team, A Draw, of Mikaela Pope and Alex Dial, taking top honors with a 6-0, 6-3 defeat over Corsicana. Nina Rodriguez (Girls Singles, A Draw) and Vandegrift’s doubles team of Loryn Johnston and Carley Crossman scored second place medals. Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, Boys Doubles partners Max Nowak and Randell Harold triumphed for a first place win over Waco Midway (7-6, 7-5) with Boys Singles players, brothers Dillion and Barrett Launius, each earning a runner-up finish in the tourney. Vandegrift’s Mixed Doubles, B Draw, team of Maria Giral and Chris Pleshak defeated Belton, 6-4, 6-2, for a first place win.
Lady Vipers Soccer first in district “We remain undefeated and first in district with a 16-0-2 record,” said Jenifer Hardy, Viper Girls Soccer Coach. “We play Lake Travis Thursday at their place.”
Robert Richardson
Mike Batek
Bottom left: Keyana Noorbakhsh attempts a goal at the Vista Ridge High School scoreless match on Friday night. Below: Megan Steichen is winning a 50/50 ball during the Vista Ridge game on Friday night. The score was 0 -0.
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Viper Tennis Spotlight
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Thursday
March 8, 2012 • Page 7
Giselle Suazo, Vandegrift Voice
Evan Wienck, Vandegrift Voice
Q& A with Tennis Coach James Larremore
1. Tell us about your season and what has to happen for your team to be successful? This is by far our most successful year to date, we finished 4th in the region and are currently ranked 12th in the state. 2. What is your biggest concern or challenge about this season? Our biggest challenge is staying to achieve our very best on a daily basis. 3. Who is Vandegrift’s biggest rival or biggest match to prepare for and why? Our biggest rival and the team we enjoy playing the most is Lake Travis. They are very well coached and have a great group of kids.
Giselle Suazo, Vandegrift Voice
Evan Wienck, Vandegrift Voice
4. Is there a hidden treasure on your team that is or could have a major impact on your season? Why? Our hidden treasure is a wonderful team chemistry, I mean it is something I think is very rare. 5. Do you have a story to share about a funny moment at practice, an interesting tid bit or a coaching habit or team habit that most don’t know about? I am OCD about being early, we often leave for a tournament WELL before the sun comes up…. although that may not be a very big secret. 6. What motivates you as a coach and why did you choose the sport you did? The kids are what motivates me, I am truly and completely blessed to get to work with this group of young adults. Last season’s overall record: 116, District 6-2 This season’s record so far: 12531 Returning stat leaders: Dillon Launius, John Jacop, Mikaela Pope, Alex Dial Newcomer: Shwetha Prabakar
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2011-2012 Vandegrift Tennis Roster Mikaela Pope (SR) Sofia Colorado (SR) Max Nowak (SR) Randell Harold (SR) Chris Pleshek (SR) Nina Rodriguez (JR) Alex Dial (JR) Maria Popov (JR) Kelsea Janak (JR) Dillon Launius (JR) Chad Howland (JR) Revanth Madina (JR) Nathan Do (JR) Ethan Frederic (JR) Maria Giral (SO) McKenna Shuster (SO) Loryn Johnson (SO) Barrett Launius (SO) John Jacob (SO) Josh Minor (SO) Johnny Zhang (SO) Shwetha Prabakar (FR) Carley Crossman (FR) Evelyn Frederic (FR) Jordyn Kanak (FR) Manager: Alyse Langford (JR)
2012 Vandegrift Tennis Schedule Date
Opponent
Site
Wed. 1/18 Thu. 1/19 Thu. 1/26 Fri. 1/27 Thu. 2/9 Fri. 2/10 Thu. 2/16 Fri. 2/17 Sat. 2/18 Fri. 2/24 Fri. 3/2 Tue. 3/6 Thu. 3/8 Thu. 3/22- Sat. 3/24 Tues. 3/27 Fri. 3/30 Tue. 4/3-Wed. 4/4 Tue. 4/10 Mon. 4/16-Thu. 4/19 Mon. 4/30-Tue. 5/1
Austin High School Austin High School Coppers Cove JV Tourn Georgetown Tourn Georgetown JV Tourn Lake Travis Tourn Westwood JV Tourn Westlake Tourn Wimberley JV Tourn Westwood Tourn Big Red Tourn Lake Travis Lake Travis (JV) Kemah Boardwalk Inv Vista Ridge (JV) Westwood Inv Varsity District Tourn JV District Tourn Varsity Regional Tourn State Tourn
Austin HS Vandegrift 4:00 PM Coppers Cove 8:00 AM Georgetown Georgetown 8:00 AM Lake Travis/WOT Westwood 8:00 AM Westlake Wimberley 8:00 AM Westwood Belton Vandegrift Lake Travis 4:00 PM Clear Springs Vista Ridge 4:00 PM Westwood TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
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Page 8 • Four Points News, Thursday, March 8, 2012
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HCEF’s Giddy Up Gala nets $47,000 By RICH KEITH Four Points News
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The Hill Country Education Foundation netted approximately $47,000 at the Giddy Up Gala on Saturday night. "We are continually impressed with the amount of support and generosity from the Four Points community," said Michelle Beck, HCEF board member. "(This) will allow us to continue furthering our mission to enhance the educational excellence for our students.” Nearly 250 attendees heard the welcome message from Pete Dwyer, HCEF board member. He announced that the HCEF-funded Vandegrift robotics team had taken first place in Houston the previous night and is now going to the “Super Bowl of robotics competitions” in St. Louis this spring. A community address was delivered by Bret Champion, LISD Superintendent who said, "It is easier to attract the best and brightest teachers by pointing to the community support and project funding offered by HCEF." A video was shown highlighting the Foundation's accomplishments which include the acquisition of Naviance, recognized widely as the premier college readiness application software. Drew Sanders, Vandegrift High School Athletic Coordinator, led the Heads & Tails game. "If a football coach is leading this game, you know it's going to be simple. But you have to pay attention," he said. Four Points resident Eric Fitzpatrick said he likes donating to the cause since the Hill Country Education Foundation "provides extras and incentives which would not be possible using only the resources of the district." The live auction with autographed sports memorabilia and week-long getaways was followed by the Weldon Henson band.
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