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Documents link former LISD Athletic Director, Mike Bridges, to closed property theft case Leander Police drop investigation at school district’s request By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News Although Leander Independent School District staffers will not address personnel issues with the media, Four Points News, under the Texas Public Information Act, filed for the release of signed documents which shed some light on the recent sudden resignation of long time Athletic Director Mike Bridges.
The documents show that Bridges was placed on Administrative Leave on January 6, 2012, and tendered his Letter of Resignation to LISD on February 8. On January 6, the same day that Bridges was placed on leave, the Leander Police Department opened their own investigation involving an incident of LISD employee theft of an all-terrain vehicle valued at $7500 and over $600 in cash. LISD Communications Director Veronica Sopher stated that the district had completed its investigation on February 8, 2012, the same date that Bridges resigned from his
position. The police department closed their investigation at the request of the school district which no longer wanted to prosecute the incident, said Detective Allan Jones of the Leander Police Department. On February 9, 2012, the District accepted Bridges’ resignation and entered into a Resignation and Severance Agreement with the former AD. Bridges will continue to receive his salary and benefits but is not allowed to set foot on school district property until his resignation is effective on April 30. The agreement
Thursday, April 19, 2012 • 50 cents
New LISD Athletic Director named
provides that the documents related to Bridges and the reason for his resignation are placed in a confidential file and won’t be released except “as required by law.” In exchange, Bridges agreed to not sue LISD for any matter pertaining to his employment or resignation, documents state. The basis for any potential legal action by Bridges is not addressed by these documents. Other documents show that Bridges’ resignation was again accepted on February 14, 2012, by LISD Superintendent Bret Champion.
Community challenges Austin Energy rate hike
Chris Ross, athletic coordinator and head football coach at Cedar Park High School, was named Leander ISD Athletic Director last week. “On behalf of LISD, we are excited to welcome Chris as the district’s director of athletics. His holistic approach to education, which encompasses a deep commitment to students’ personal and academic growth, supports the culture and goals of LISD,” said Leander ISD superintendent Bret Champion. Ross earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. During his 18year career, Ross has led teams to numerous championships, served as President of the Central Texas Coaches Association
By RICH KEITH Four Points News
By LYNETTE HAALAND Four Points News
More than 125 Four Points and Lakeway residents attended a special meeting at Lakeway City Hall on Saturday to weigh in on Austin Energy’s proposed rate increases. It was standing-room special session called by the Austin City Council with all of the Council members present including Mayor Lee Leffingwell. The City of Lakeway hosted the session, and the Austin City Council absorbed discussion and public comment regarding the proposed Austin Energy rate increase as it pertains to ratepayers who reside or are located outside the city limits of Austin. The first to speak was Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weis. He described the financial structure of the utility and how it is tied to the City of Austin’s general fund, and included a defense of the proposed rate increase. But most at the meeting challenged the proposed rates including members of two advocacy groups: Homeowners United for Rate Fairness or HURF, which supports suburban or out-of-city ratepayers, and Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association or SRNA, which was formed earlier this year to represent local neighborhoods. Local residents who spoke oppose the transfer to the City of Austin of $150 million in Austin Energy revenues for non-utility purposes. They also oppose the proposed “five tier” rate structure.
The Vandegrift High School Varsity Boy’s Soccer team became District 4A Regional Quarterfinal Champs and Region Semi-Finalists over the past week. “They ended up one of the Top 16 teams in the state,” said Chad Aldrich, VHS Head Boys Soccer Coach. 4A has 208 boy’s soccer teams that make the playoffs and 336 overall teams that compete, he said. This is the farthest a Viper team sport has gone in the playoffs. Individual VHS student athletes have gone farther in swimming, tennis and cross country. “I’m really proud of the
Mother’s Day Contest Read all about it on page 10. Inside
School......................................3 Opinion...................................4 Classifieds...............................5 Sports.................................. 8-9 Find us on Facebook Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has blessed my vision! Sam Houston
Rob Carruthers
Steiner Ranch’s Mark Farrar is Executive Director of HURF and he critiqued Austin Energy’s proposed “progressive” rate structure, which has five tiers. Austin Energy proposes raising rates for its 400,000 customers. Large homes that use an average of 6,269 kilowatt-hours a month over a year would see rates rise about $154 a month.
Austin’s 22nd traffic fatality of 2012 happens in Four Points Officers responded to a crash involving a silver 2003 Toyota Camry at FM 2222 near Ribelin Ranch Drive at 2:22 a. m. on Monday, April 9, according to Austin Police Department reports. The vehicle was traveling northbound on FM 2222 when it left the roadway, struck a culvert and rolled over, killing 22-yearold Alesondra Norwalk. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt. Police are asking that anyone with information regarding this incident to contact APD Vehicular Homicide Unit detectives at 512-974-4724.
ligent by not increasing rates incrementally. HURF Member Emilio Nicolas stated that AE’s transfer of millions in revenues to Austin’s general fund at 15 percent is far higher than the industry norm of 6 percent. HURF Board member Dick Brown pointed out that AE adds a 15 percent undisclosed surcharge to the bills of suburban ratepayers, which are used to pay for services specifically for Austin residents. On average, Brown said, “every suburban household pays $400 in surcharges to AE.” He opposes the argument that suburban ratepayers should pay a surcharge because they “owe” Austin for providing the streets and other services used by outof-city customers when they
visit Austin. Some 238,000 Travis County residents live outside the City and they, too, use Austin’s services, “so why shouldn’t all of them pay a 15 percent surcharge - instead of singling out the 55,000 out-of-city suburban customers of Austin Energy,” Brown asked. HURF Legal Counsel Roger Borgelt said the proposed rate increase is excessive because it is based on unjustifiable costs assumed by AE. If the issues raised by HURF are not addressed by the City Council, there will be a Texas Public Utility Commission appeal. “We have the petitions drafted, and we will be ready to file the appeal,” he said. Travis Commissioner candiENERGY, 6
in 2010 and was named Coach of the Year in 2006, 2009 and 2010. Ross came to CPHS from Wichita Falls in 2005. He led Cedar Park to a 57-25 record in his seven seasons with the Timberwolves. Cedar Park reached the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A, Division I playoffs in each of the past two seasons. “As Athletic Director, we are confident that Chris’ proven leadership and passion for athletics will build upon our excellent programs and positively benefit the students, parents, staff and community of LISD,” Champion said. Ross replaces Mike Bridges, who resigned.
Boy’s Soccer goes farther than any Viper team sport
Special session drew more than 100
HURF Executive Director Mark Farrar critiqued AE’s proposed “progressive” rate structure, which has five tiers. “The structure would punish large families and the owners of large homes, even if they made energy efficiency improvements,” he said, noting that a similar rate structure was abandoned by a major electric utility in California because it was too complex and unfair. SRNA chairman and HURF Member Brian Thompto said the proposed five tier progressive rate structure “would not achieve any of the goals claimed by AE, and that upper rate tiers would simply subsidize the lower tiers.” SRNA member Brian Clifton said that Austin Energy was neg-
Roopal Bhatt, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
whole team and I’m especially proud of the seniors, to do something that’s never been done here,” said Drew Sanders, VHS Athletic Coordinator. “The boys finished with five championships in their third year program,” Aldrich said. This season’s titles: District Champs (beat Cedar Park 2-1) Bi-District Champs (beat Austin Travis 1-0) Area Champs (beat Lehman 4-3) Sectional Champs (beat Vista Ridge 4-0) Regional Quarterfinal Champs (beat last year’s state champion Boerne Champion 3-1) Region Semi-Finalist (lost to Valley View 0-3)
Les Stobart
The victorious Vipers come to the sideline to salute their fans after their fourth round win against Boerne Champion. Read more about the game on page 8.
River Place MUD Board looks to experts for nature trail advice Board closes entire Nature Trail extension during survey By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News Last week, visitors to the River Place Nature Trail extension were greeted by yellow caution tape and signage stating that the entire upper trail was temporarily closed. The Four Points News reported on March 29, that the City of Austin recently closed a portion of the trail extension as encroaching on Balcones Canyonland Preserve, property it was entrusted to maintain on behalf of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. According to River Place Municipal Utility District (MUD) Board Secretary Art Jistal, Leslee Bassman this new development stems from the Board wanting to “appease Mr. (William) Conrad As a result of a controversy between the City of Austin and River Place MUD over the trail’s TRAIL, 6
encroachment onto preserve property, Board leaders chose to close the entire extension while a survey is conducted to determine its impact on endangered species of birds living in the preserve.
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CMYK Page 2 • Four Points News, Thursday, April 19, 2012
Viper Art Star of the Week Sarah Balman, Vandegrift High School senior art student, is in advanced drawing and painting classes. “My favorite part about being involved is the direction and guidance I receive. Before every project the class is shown examples by well-known artists and from our teacher. We are also given requirements to
help us stay focused on the new style we are learning. I myself have benefitted from by discovering new ways to use my creativity,” Balman said. Her artwork is titled “Velociraptor” and was made with pen and ink on white paper, using scribbles and text to shade in the figure.
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Lines were long on Saturday at the new Four Points Schlotzsky's at the Trails at 620. Promotions said that the first 100 people to buy Cinnabon 6-pack would get a free Schlotzsky's sandwich each week for one year. Photos by Ray Freer
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Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union held its Four Points Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday at its first in-store location in Randalls at Quinlan Crossing in Steiner Ranch. Established in 1952 to serve personnel at Randolph Air Force Base, Randolph-Brooks has expanded to include more than 1,900 select groups and individuals today. The credit union has assets exceeding $4.9 billion and serves more than 385,000 members from 40 branches in Texas. This local branch is RBFCU's 13th in Greater Austin. “By offering an in-store branch (in Steiner), we’re making financial management even easier for our members,” said Mark Matthews, business development director for RBFCU. “Local residents can stop in to the store, then walk out with both their groceries and with savings on their financial products and services.” The credit union staff will provide a full slate of financial products as services, and will focus on building relationships with members who frequent the store.
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hursday Four PToints News April 19, 2012 • Page 3 www.FourPointsNews.com
LISD’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs are building future leaders Last week I attended Vista Ridge High School’s Navy Junior ROTC “Pass-In-Review” for their Annual Military Inspection. As I, along with VRHS Principal Paul Johnson and other members of the campus community, proudly watched students march in unison while executing precise maneuvers, I was reminded of the phenomenal role that Leander ISD’s two JROTC programs play in helping build our students into this country’s future leaders. Even though the Navy JROTC program is fairly new to LISD, only having begun at VRHS during the 2009-2010 school year with 55 students, it has made a distinctive mark on the campus. Those involved in the program are known to be men and women of character and discipline. This year, the program is home to 136 cadets, nine of whom are seniors. One student, Cadet Lieutenant Jason Sherwood, received an appointment to the Naval Academy (worth over $400,000), and a
number of others are bound for various branches of the Armed Services. The mission of the NJROTC program is “to instill in students the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” This mission is carried out by developing informed and responsible citizens and growing their leadership potential; instilling their respect for and an understanding of the need for constituted authority in a democratic society; and promoting patriotism and habits of orderliness and precision. It isn’t easy to be a cadet in the NJROTC program. The curriculum focuses on citizenship and leadership development, our nation’s maritime heritage, the significance of sea power and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. In addition, students are expected to participate in extracurricu-
lar activities, such as academic, world for surpassing Air Force athletic, drill and orienteering and school district expectations. competitions, field meets, flights, The mission of the AFJROTC marksmanship program is to sports training “develop citiand physical zens of characfitness training. ter dedicated Just down the to serving their road at Leander nation and High School, c o m m u n i t y,” our Air Force and is carried BRET CHAMPION out through the JROTC unit has 105 cadets active in the program. education and training of stuSince the program first began in dents in citizenship and life skills, LISD at LHS 12 years ago, it has promoting community service, become known for transforming instilling a sense of responsibilhigh school students into pillars ity, character and self-discipline of service and honor. This year through education and instruc14 seniors will graduate from tion and the Air Force’s core valthe unit, nine of whom are col- ues: Integrity First, Service Before lege bound, including David Self and Excellence In All We Do. Ferry who was accepted to the Students in the AFJROTC proMerchant Marine Academy, and gram study aerospace science, five who are enlisting in various leadership education and physibranches of the Armed Services. cal fitness for life training. ClassAdditionally, the unit has been room study includes heritage of recognized as a Distinguished flight, development of aerospace Unit seven times, a distinction power, contemporary aviation, given to top units around the aerospace environment, human
requirements of flight, aerospace vehicles, principles of aircraft flight and navigation, space programs, space technology, rocketry, propulsion and aerospace industry. Students also compete in academic bowls, leadership symposiums and marching drills. The NJROTC and AFJROTC programs heavily incorporate community service into their activities. Our units support the Ronald McDonald House, hold canned food drives, contribute to the Capital Area Food Bank, visit residents in nursing homes and perform numerous other acts of stewardship. All totaled, LISD’s 241 cadets have spent 5,719 hours of their time serving our community. Our cadets are 21st Century learners who are academically successful; exercise personal and social responsibility; practice teamwork, ethics and communication; and appreciate diversity. Clearly, students in these programs demonstrate the ideals
noted in LISD’s Graduate Profile and 10 Ethical Principles, while maintaining a clear and consistent focus on student learning. In light of all of these qualities, it should come as no surprise that the VRHS NJROTC program passed their Annual Military Inspection last week with flying colors. Of the 158 inspection items, six were marked “Average” and all others were marked “Above Average” or “Outstanding.” Congratulations to this outstanding group of students! We are exceedingly proud of all of our cadets, NJROTC instructors Chief Warrant Officer Rocky Hulse and Master Chief RL Turner, and AFJROTC instructors Major Terry Neidecker and Master Sgt. Ed Perez. The students these instructors guide are leaders of tomorrow and represent the best of what LISD has to offer.
LISD School Board Update : Junior ROTC programs applauded, C2 organization publishing anti-bullying book, and new trademark licensing does not apply to elementary schools By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News Leander ISD seniors Kristin Young of Rouse High School and Tawni Myers of Cedar Park High School carry themselves with a confidence and calmness which escapes many Austin teenagers. Their futures are already planned with Young entering Baylor University’s business and marketing program and Myers destined for the Air Force following her studies at Texas Christian University this fall. The two young ladies donned their Air Force Junior ROTC uniforms and joined Vista Ridge’s equally impressive Navy Junior ROTC Cadets Matthew Altman and Andrew Bartlik to present their programs’ yearly reviews at the April 5 LISD board meeting.
Statistics revealed that enrollment in both of the district’s Junior ROTC programs are on the upswing and, historically, the two outfits continue to receive national accolades. LISD’s Air Force JROTC has been recognized as a “Distinguished Unit” for the past seven years. According to Young and Myers, the program is 95% student led, planned and executed, with the teens owning any mistakes. Finally, the course environment is among the best in the State, with two classrooms, four offices, conference room and a logistics room. Altman and Bartlik stated that members of the district’s Navy JROTC program worked tirelessly for the Central Texas community this past year, amassing over 2,600 service and volunteer hours as well as raising funds for
the Federation for Suicide Prevention and leading a canned food drive. Their Color Guard won the Texas High School Basketball Tournament this season and the Bottle Rocketry team received “Best in Show” at the Bowie High School competition. Five of last year’s seniors received college scholarships and many of the district’s members plan to attend Leadership Camp and Leadership Basic Training this summer. “We want them (high school students) to know there’s something else out there,” said Altman of his ROTC program. Currently, LISD’s JROTC courses are scheduled at Leander and Vista Ridge High Schools with transportation available from other district schools. Coalition of Clubs (C2) set to
hit Amazon Booksellers website with “Riding Shotgun” With the sponsorship of Leander High School staffers, Sarah Ambrus and Christine Simpson, a program which initially started as an anti-bullying campaign with only nine students has flourished to 16 LISD campuses as well as a published book slated to be available on www.amazon. com later this month. The LISD school board welcomed Ambrus and Simpson, along with Leander High School contributing authors and C2 members, to discuss the group’s successes at this month’s planning meeting. “We wanted to share our story and our journey,” said Emily Roberts of C2’s book, “Riding Shotgun”. Ambrus stated that the book’s
name stems from a comparison of guiding a group of students to a teen driving a car for the first time. “They’re taking a risk but you have to guide them,” Ambrus said. “C2 is student-led; that’s why the (book’s) dedication is to them.” Recently, Ambrus and Simpson have been contacted by schools outside of LISD for information on how to form a similar organization. “This conversation about bullying is happening a lot,” said LISD Board President Bret Champion. Its nationally recognized and this is something the community is continuing to work on, he added. LISD is planning to devote three sessions of its upcoming ‘Connecting U’ program to bul-
lying as well as sponsoring an anti-bullying mini-conference in May. LISD trademark program update Veronica Sopher, LISD Communications Director, has received numerous calls and contacts about the district’s planned trademark program application to elementary schools. “Based off feedback of visiting with PTA volunteers over a year ago, the elementary schools don’t sell retail logo items,” Sopher said. Sopher confirmed that the new trademark licensing program will not apply to the district’s elementary schools. For more information on this program, please go to http:// www.leanderisd.org/default. aspx?name=trademarking.
Above Right: Leander ISD seniors Kristin Young of Rouse High School and Tawni Myers of Cedar Park High School are part of the successful LISD ROTC program. They joined two other cadets to present their programs’ yearly reviews at the April 5 LISD board meeting. Above Left: With the sponsorship of Leander High School staffers, Sarah Ambrus and Christine Simpson, a program which initially started as an anti-bullying campaign with only nine students has flourished to 16 LISD campuses as well as a published book slated to be available on www.amazon.com later this month. The LISD school board welcomed Ambrus and Simpson, along with Leander High School contributing authors and C2 members, to discuss the group’s successes at this month’s planning meeting. Left: C2 t-shirt Right: Vista Ridge High School’s Navy Junior ROTC Cadets Matthew Altman and Andrew Bartlik presented their programs’ yearly reviews at the April 5 LISD board meeting.
Photos by Leslee Bassman
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Opinion
Thursday
Page 4 • April 19, 2012
Publisher’s Point of View
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Four Points of View
What does Earth Day mean to you?
Earth Day, Earth Week, Earth Month
LYNETTE HAALAND Earth Day is on Sunday but many have already been celebrating Earth Week and even Earth Month. Steiner Ranch Elementary School hosted an e-recycling project last week preparing for Earth Week where electronics of all sorts were dropped off. The electronic waste was collected by Global Environmental Services, a company owned by Steiner resident Kent Landry. GES believes in the maximum recovery process meaning their first goal is always to re-use a whole unit. If that is not feasible, due to the condition or age of the equipment, they look to reuse parts from that unit. As a last resort, GES breaks down every item and returns the original parts back to the manufacturing stream via their BAN e-Stewards approved downstream diligence. GES is a zero landfill recycler, which means anything you drop off will not end up in a landfill. (www.gesrecycles.com) Yay for a locally-owned company with a core business that stretches Earth Day into Earth Year. Earth Day was first observed in 1970. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology, according to Wikipedia. United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, an environmental activist, took a leading role in organizing Earth Day after taking a trip to Santa Barbara in 1969 to see the results of an oil spill off the coast. For decades now, Earth Day has carried the same meaning: to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment. Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. One of the Austin celebrations will be the
Austin Earth Day Festival held on April 22 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Mueller Development. The one-day festival is set to inform, inspire and celebrate Austin as “The City of Green Ideas”. In celebration of Earth Month, we’ve been picking up trash on the Steiner Ranch trails. A few weeks ago, before my youngest broke her arm, we hit the trails with gloves on and bags to fill. We found lots of trash, especially near street drainage outlet areas. We recycled 23 plastic bottles after our short hike. Everyone can do their part to take care of the beautiful Texas Hill Country we share.
By KAREN HUBER Travis County Commissioner Guest Columnist April 17th is the one-year anniversary of the Pinnacle Fire in Oak Hill. This fire destroyed homes, displaced families, impacted many lives and scared central Texas into awareness of the very real threat of wildfires. The Labor Day Fires in Steiner Ranch, Spicewood, Pflugerville and Bastrop put exclamation points on this fear. Hopefully, the Labor Day fires were a worst-case scenario but wildfires will occur again, with no regard for time or place. Travis County, along with the City of Austin, has declared April “Wildfire Awareness Month.” April is the start of the annual wildfire season across the state, and the Texas Forest Service each year declares the second
Gavin Gurrola Grandview Hills
Breyanna Weekly Pflugerville
Earth Day reminds me to It means a day to cel- Earth Day helps raise be thankful for all of the ebrate and to learn about awareness on how the protecting the earth. earth needs help, about nature around me. pollution and stuff.
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In celebration of Earth Day Erin Seitzler helped her family pick up trash on some of the Steiner Ranch trails a few weeks ago. In a short time they gathered a large bag full included 23 plastic bottles.
April is Wildfire Awareness Month Are you ready?
Ashton Gurrola Grandview Hills
Megan Marks Steiner Ranch
week of April, ‘wildfire awareness week’ with due cause. Texas is one of the most wildfire prone states in the country, ranking alongside California and Arizona in the number of wildfires. According to the Texas Interagency Coordinating Council, during fiscal year 2011 there were more than 30,000 fires in Texas that burned more than 3.9 million acres. These are not just statistics. We know these fires impact many people, properties and livelihoods – and remind us all of our own vulnerability. Out of the ashes and devastation last year, came an unprecedented sense of unity and cooperation to manage the recoveries and prepare for the future. In October, under my leadership, the County formed a Wildfire Preparedness Task Force to embrace the task of increasing wildfire preparedness, prevention, response and recovery at all levels. This AWARENESS, 7
Better way to calculate home sales data Dear Editor, I always look forward to receiving the Four Points News (FPN) and, especially, enjoy articles related to our Four Points community. You are providing very positive links for our community. With that background, I would like to point out a couple things in the April 12th edition of FPN.
disparities between Selling Prices. Thankfully, you included "Median Price" - which is a much better indicator for general trends. Here is the figure I'd quote as an indicator of how things are going for Real Estate in Four Points based on the figures you provided (thank you very much) to readers:
Pets & Snakes: ...don't mix. Thanks for this valuable article. I've also killed a Rat Snake while it was in the middle of engorging a huge frog in our backyard - while our smaller dogs watched in confusion. Let me add that it would help for residents to understand that their tidiness - or lack thereof - can certainly impact their neighbors and the safety of their neighbors' pets. This is true regarding snakes, mosquitoes, etc. Let me add that I also have to keep after our own tidiness when it comes to snakes & mosquitoes.
Median $ Sales Price: Avg Sq Ft Median $ / Av Sq Ft
Q1 2011 453,500 3,747 121
Q1 2012 447,500 3,385 132
Average $ Sales Price Avg Sq Ft Avg $ / Avg Sq Ft
573,598 3,747 153
505,396 3,385 149
Re: "Home sales, prices drop in Four Points in first quarter": My career background is Operational Analysis / Corp Financial Analysis. Thanks for the reporting, but your inclusion of that chart allowed me to make a better conclusion for myself. It is misleading - when quoting Real Estate figures to quote "average" as an indicator when there are huge
The best way to calculate the Median $ / Sq Ft would be to use the Median Sales Price (provided in article's Goldwasser Real Estate chart) and divide it by whatever the Median Square Footage of all home sales (which wasn't in the chart). Therefore, I used Average Sq Ft as the next-best. Conclusion: Four Points is doing fine.
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Local students can log community service hours this weekend in Steiner Ranch. The Steiner Ranch Firewise committee has organized a brush cleanup in a greenbelt area close to location of the burned homes in Steiner Ranch. As is becoming well known, the dead, dry brush in the greenbelt acts as fuel during a wildfire. Firewise has shown that their process of clearing and removing brush can prevent the spread of fires. Local Firewise volunteers will be on site to help and direct the activity. The job is to haul the dry brush to the dumpster located on the adjacent street.
April 19 Four Points Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. Steve Zbranek, Speaker & Owner of Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes at River Place Country Club from 11:30 - 1pm
April 20 Leander ISD’s Fourth Annual Connecting U Conference at Hill Country Bible Church, 12124 RR 620, Austin - Northwest Entrance from 8 a.m. 2:15 p.m.
River Place Garden Club is hosting a Beautification Celebration fundraiser on Thursday, April 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the corner of Treasure Island Drive and River Place Blvd. Tickets are $10 and include wine and cheese appetizers plus the chance to bid at the event’s silent auction. For more information, contact club president Becky Wolfe at rwolfe210@austin.rr.com.
Greenbelt Fuel Reduction Workday McNelly Trail from 9am-2pm
April 22
FPMS musical production of “Grease: School Edition” set for May 4 - 6
Mighty Mini March Minis and Friends’ first annual charity walk at John Simpson Park from Noon until 3:00 p.m.
April 23 - 27 Steiner Spring Yard Waste Pick Up
Break out your poodle skirts and hair gel! Four Points Middle School’s Fine Arts Department is thrilled to bring its musical, “Grease: School Edition” to the Vandegrift High School stage on May 4-6. The production,written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, is sure to delight audience and critics
April 26 Promesa Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House
April 28 Steiner Ranch Garage Sale
May 5
John Simpson Park and Community Center hosts inaugural family and pets charity walk. Tagged the “Mighty Mini March” by event organizers, John Simpson Park is the perfect setting for local non-profit Minis and Friends’ first annual charity walk benefitting the miniature equine guided interactions therapy group which serves Austin area residents with special needs. Community members who come out for the festivities from noon until 3:00 p.m. on April 22 will be treated to a Pet Costume
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alike with shows slated for 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. Reservations can be made by calling Mrs. Morton at 512-570-3700 ext.13755. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
During your normal trash day, you are allowed to place a maximum of 20 leaf bags or brush bundles at your curb, along with your normal trash can. Each bag should not weigh more than 30 lbs.
When ‘man’s best friend’ needs a little help On April 22, local dog walking service, Gusto Dogs, is hosting a group walk on the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail to benefit Austin Pets Alive! shelter organization. The event starts at 10:00 a.m. and is the first in a series of community activities which will aid the nonprofit pet rescue group as well as provide an opportunity for all of Austin’s residents, human and canine, to meet and explore the city’s
Parade, silent auction, resource fair, food vendor booths and, of course, a herd of adorable miniature therapy horses! The 2K (1.2 miles) walk starts at 1:00 p.m. and participant fees are $20 for adults 13 years and up, $15 for youth ages five to 12 years old. The Pet Costume Parade is free. Register at http://tinyurl. com/MightyMiniMarch. For more information, go to www. MinisAndFriends.org/mightyminimarch
Austin’s annual Arthritis Walk® is scheduled for May 5 to coincide with National Arthritis Month and highlight the need for research funding of the disease, health education and government advocacy initiatives. The event is the main fundraising program for the Arthritis Foundation of Central Texas. “As a River Place resident, I am especially honored to be the medical spokesperson for the event this year,” said Texas Orthopedics’ Rheumatologist
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Help needed: assist in hauling dry brush from greenbelt to dumpsters at street.
Attire: Proper coverage, feet completely covered (boots would be best,no sandals or flip flops), long slacks and sleeves, work gloves. Contact: Amanda Marks, (512) 2668414 Directions: Enter Steiner Ranch at Quinlan Park Road, turn right at traffic light at Steiner Ranch Boulevard. Go through stop sign at Latimer, turn right at Epperson. Top of McNelly at right. There will be no parking on McNelly; instead park on Epperson and walk in on McNelly. Check in at Volunteer Station in middle of street.
dog-friendly side. Future events include scenic trail hikes and a pooch paddle. “Once I started volunteering for Austin Pets Alive!, I recognized how many lives they save and how much support they need in order to do it,” said Kristen West, Gusto Dogs owner and Austin Pets Alive! volunteer. “I thought this might be a fun way to continue to raise money and awareness for them
while getting out and about in dog-crazy Austin”. According to West, all admission fees for the event, $10 for individuals or $20 for families, will be donated to Austin Pets Alive!. To learn more about Gusto Dogs’ community events and register for the walk, visit www. gustodogs.com and click on “Community Gusto” or call 512940-1926.
Concordia hosts Sunday concert benefitting two charities, April 22 On Sunday, April 22, Concordia University Texas will host “Ben and I Play for Peace,” an instrumental concert in the classical and jazz styles featuring guest musician Ben Werdegar, a 14-year-old guitar prodigy from San Francisco, California. To date, Werdeger has raised more than $28,000 to provide wheelchairs for disabled and injured children in Iraq through CNN Hero and Texan Brad Blauser’s organization, “Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids”. This year’s event will benefit both “Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids” and the “Wounded Warrior Project”. “Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids”, was created in 2005 at the request of United States enlisted
service members stationed in Mosul who observed children pulling themselves along the ground because their legs did not work. Due to the dire situation in Iraq, there are no programs to help these children with their disabilities. Joining Werdegar in concert will be Concordia Adjunct Music Professor Kim Perlak, the “I” in “Ben & I Play Peace”, and her colleagues on the Concordia instrumental performance faculty. Benjamin Verdery, critically acclaimed guitarist, composer and Yale School of Music faculty member, will also play with Werdegar during the concert. The McCallum Fine Arts Academy Guitar Ensemble as well as
guitarists from Concordia University, Austin Community College, and the University of Texas Butler School of Music will be featured. The program begins at 3:00 p.m. at Concordia University Texas, Building A Auditorium,11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, Texas. Suggested donations for this event are $20 for general admission and $10 for students. Tickets may be reserved in advance by visiting www.kimperlak.comand and clicking on the “Ben & I Play for Peace” tab. For more information, please visit www.concordia.edu.
Concordia to host 2012 Austin Arthritis Walk, May 5
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avoid poison ivy and scratches. Must be at least 13 years old. Date: Saturday, April 21 Time: 9am-2pm What: McNelly Trail Greenbelt Fuel Reduction Workday Where: McNelly Trail, Steiner Ranch
Now that Spring is here and you've prunned your trees and shrubs, the Steiner Ranch HOA has arranged to have TDS come by for a Spring Yard Waste Pick up next week: April 23rd - 27th
Mighty Mini March in Steiner on Sunday
Austin Arthritis Walk, Concordia University Texas, 11400 Concordia University Drive. Registration 8 AM, Walk 9 AM
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Students involved in Vandegrift High School athletics, band, scouts, National Honor Society, Key Club, and many others can get credit for the hours they help. Sign in at the volunteer table so that your organization can be notified of your involvement. Students are not required to sign up before the event. They just need to come properly attired to
River Place Beautification Steiner Spring Yard Waste Pick Up next week Celebration this week
April 21
Tree trimming, Mowing Flower beds, Cleanup Stone work, Water falls Rock borders Concrete work All kinds of stone
April 19, 2012 • Page 5
Firewise community service opportunity for students this Sat.
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Dr. Robert Koval. Participants may run the three-mile or walk the one-mile course in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Event registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on May 5 with the walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. Concordia University is located at 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, TX 78726. For more information, please see http://www. kintera.org/FAF/home/default.asp?ievent=995517
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Page 6 • April 19, 2012
The Queens of the Court are pictured here doing one of the pre-race accomplishments of getting a photo taken with a Travis County Sheriff’s Office officer.
TRAIL, FROM 1 because he was saying people are still walking on the trail close to Balcones Canyonland Preserve property”. Conrad currently serves as Manager of the Austin Water Utility’s Wildland Conservation Division. Additionally, Jistal acknowledged that the Board recently hired Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. to study the closed 2.5 mile section of the trail and determine if the path has an impact on the habitat of the endangered species of birds residing in the preserve. Depending on the results of the survey, the Board may hire an attorney to take their case to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, owners of the preserve property. Jistal is hopeful that the Board will have a successful argument. “They’re (Horizon) saying that the trail is so narrow and so close to the golf course that it has little or no impact,” said Jistal, who won’t receive the results of the six-week study for some time. “We’re hoping we can get everything done in the next two months.”
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Cyclists to ride in the BP MS 150 this weekend
Ready, Set, Taste! The Queens of the Court team is ready to race in the Amazing Four Points Race to the Taste on June 9 starting and finishing at the Four Points Home Depot. Here the Queens are doing one of the pre-race accomplishments standing at the Four Points intersection with a sign for more than 10 minutes. The Queens could be eligible for one of the recently announced prizes for the Amazing Four Points Race to the Taste: 1st Prize: iPad 3’s to each of the Team members 2nd Prize: Android Tablets to each of the Team members 3rd Prize: $100 Dinner/ Movie Gift cards to each of the members
Four Points News
River Place MUD Board Treasurer Lee Wretlind stated that the survey and report costs about $4,000 to complete. Originally, construction costs of the entire 2010 trail extension totalled $150,000. Should the River Place MUD Board be denied access to the existing extension, additional costs including fees to repair the encroaching trail section back to its natural state and building out a new, legal trail section will accrue. In this month’s edition of “Your Pipeline”, the River Place MUD’s newsletter, board President Jim Casey states that the district is planning to relocate the 1600 linear foot section of the trail which is at issue but must wait for the end of the golden-cheeked warblers’ mating season in August. Casey stated to the Four Points News that he is unaware of how much the cost to move the trail will be. The first section of the nature trail remains open. The next meeting of the River Place MUD Board is on Tuesday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the River Place Country Club.
Many local cyclists will be a part of the estimated 13,000 who will participate in the 28th Annual BP MS 150 on April 21 – 22. The two-day, 180-mile journey from Houston to Austin, supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in its quest to create a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS). This year’s goal is to raise $17 million to support MS research, programs and services. Jeff Johnson, who lives in the Canyon Creek area, will make the trek for the 7th time. He started riding as just something fun, but didn’t realize the extent of the benefits of the ride could bring to the 56,000 Texans affected by MS until he became related to someone who struggles with the
debilitating disease every day. His son recently married into a family where the mother, Phyllis, has battled with MS for more than 20 years. Because the disease hits close to home for his son, the ride has become more personal to him. Johnson is humbled by all the new people who are challenged with the disease in some shape or form, and he is happy to endure pain for two days on a bike in hopes of helping so many people who deal with MS every day. He will be riding on Team Wheels of Love this year, and can’t wait to see the love from the crowd of people holding up signs thanking him and the other riders for their efforts this year.
First Foundations Lemonade Project Daniel Dorr raised about $30 with his lemonade stand recently to help raise money for his First Foundations Preschool class project. The class of 5 and 6 year olds are raising money to benefit Wheels For The World, a charity associated with Joni and Friends. His class originally had the goal to raise $150 or one wheelchair, however they are now up to over $1500 and 10 wheelchairs. The preschoolers are so excited about the money they have raised and the people who will be getting
the wheelchairs. Dorr has also raised additional money helping with lawn work, taking in neighbor's trash cans, moving their morning newspaper to their front door and contributing some of his own money. His teacher, Deana Boggess, has put a butterfly on the school hall wall for every dollar the students have raised which makes their hallway look like the migration of the monarch butterflies to Mexico, said Melissa Dorr, Daniel's mom.
ENERGY, FROM 1 date Gerald Daugherty was also at the meeting and suggested the city and suburban ratepayers work together to resolve their differences without going to the Texas Public Utility Commission. If they are not resolved, and should AE’s new rates be appealed to the PUC, “The City’s general fund transfers could be jeopardized,” he warned. A number of suburban water utilities were represented at the meeting. WCID 17 Representatives spoke to raise awareness of the significant impact of AE's electric rates on water bills. WCID requested that suburban utilities be given special consideration similar to that given to school districts, or that they be allowed to get their electric power from other
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sources. In closing the meeting, the Austin City Council thanked the audience for their input and promised to consider suburban r a t e p a y e r s’ concerns in their upcoming rate-making decisions. A video recording of the special session can be found at http://austintx.swagit.com/ play/04142012-501
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Jeff Johnson, who lives in the Canyon Creek area, will ride with an estimated 13,000 who will participate in the 28th Annual BP MS 150 on April 21 – 22. The two-day, 180-mile journey from Houston to Austin, supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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National Autism Awareness Month brings focus to autism spectrum disorders Next week hear from autistic students in Four Points By LYNETTE HAALAND Four Points News April is National Autism Awareness Month and research is showing how more diagnoses are being made. Earlier this month, Autism Research Group launched its pioneer non-profit organization highlighting its mission of placing individuals on the autism spectrum and their families first. ARG is founded on the principal of using science to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) as well as their families and caregivers. Individuals with ASD have the right to live life to the fullest and this right tran-
scends social, cultural, and economic barriers. “Our organization does research that matters to families of children with autism and our mission is to share the results with the world. ARG’s research findings will allow more families to access effective treatment,” said ARG Executive Director Jonathan Tarbox, PhD, BCBA-D. This launch coincides with the newly-released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing one in every 88 children in America has an autism spectrum disorder; a 78 percent increase since the study first began in 2002. The latest figure reconfirms that autism is more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer, and pediatric AIDS combined. ASD is a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by social impair-
ments, communication challenges, and restricted, repetitive, or stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autistic disorder is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include milder forms known as Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. “Our first step in reaching out to families affected by autism is our Parent-Generated Research Initiative. It’s designed to give parents a voice on what matters most to them” said Tarbox. Parents can complete a 10-question survey at www.autismresearchgroup.org and ARG will use the input to design research programs that directly address the needs and preferences of families affected by autism.
April 19, 2012 • Page 7
Vipers ready for first Project Graduation June 3 Organizers need community support By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News As with so many inaugural events at Vandegrift High School, the Four Points community is banding together once more to support the first senior class’ Project Graduation event scheduled for June 3, 2012, at Northwest Austin’s Dave and Buster’s following the ceremony. The national program was started to provide graduating seniors with a fun, safe place to celebrate their last night together as high school students. The chaperoned all-night drug and alcohol free party is usually sup-
TABC recognizes April as Alcohol Awareness Month In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has been posting messages and information related to the consequences of underage drinking and Zero Tolerance Laws on its Facebook page. The postings will highlight information for minors, parents and community members related to underage drinking and promote new campaigns to assist
Thursday
communities in enforcing the alcoholic beverage laws. TABC encourages those interested in education and prevention efforts to "Like" the page to learn more about research, enforcement efforts and efforts by TABC to prevent violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Code. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD), reducing underage
drinking is critical to securing a healthy future for America's youth and requires a cooperative effort from parents, schools, community organizations, business leaders, government agencies, the entertainment industry, alcohol manufacturers/retailers and young people. Annually, about 5,000 people under age 21 die from alcohol-related incidents and many more are injured.
"We can't afford to ignore this public safety issue," said TABC Education Division Director Mindy Carroll. "The youth of today are our future and we must do everything we can to keep them alcohol-free until they are 21." The TABC can be found on Facebook at www.facebook. com/txabc.
and others have community outreach educational programs for their respective jurisdictions. Enhanced wildfire training programs have been expanded and the Task Force continues to develop a variety of programs and actions for education and mitigation for wildland/urban interface challenges. Partnerships have been formed to move many of these efforts along faster and in more cost effective ways. Communications: Enhanced early communications for both responders and the public are now in place. These include improved communications between responders and early triggers for joint efforts that get those emergency communications systems
implemented. STAR Flight provides GPS tracking of fire lines for responders on the ground that helps improve the response in areas that are difficult to access. Detailed fire information is available on Travis County’s website and many others and one of the most comprehensive is that of the Travis County Fire Marshall at www.co.travis.tx.us/fire_marshal. Travis County has hired an Emergency Services Public Information Officer and Facebook and Twitter are used daily as well as during wildfire emergencies. I encourage each of you to consider your own wildfire preparedness during this month. Obtain your copy of “Ready, Set, Go!” and assess your risks for fire.
Use this beautiful month of April, before the summer heat sets in, to become fire ready. Get your neighborhood involved in the being a “Fire Wise” neighborhood. Contact your local fire department for their guidance. We all have a role in our safety and preparedness so let’s take advantage of the tools available to us during this “Wildfire Awareness Month.” Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber
ported through local fundraising efforts and donations. “We are trying to promote the message that celebrating without alcohol and drugs is the smart choice for our kids,” said Vandegrift High School Project Graduation’s Suz Cox. “ The students get to take part in a night of fun events with music, games, food and prizes.” “Because this is our first graduating class at Vandegrift and our first Project Graduation we have a lot of work to do to get ready. This event is put together and paid for 100% by donations and fundraising efforts. We are looking to our community for their support with our inaugural Project Graduation.”
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AWARENESS, FROM 4 els. This multi-departmental and multi-organizational effort included representatives from Travis County departments, City of Austin (COA) departments, Emergency Services Districts, Austin Fire Department and other local and state agencies. A sample of the notable outcomes from this group includes the following. Preparedness: The brochure “Ready, Set, Go!” was recreated for Central Texas and is available in printed form at fire stations and also can be downloaded from the Travis County website. Many Emergency Services Districts, including Lake Travis Fire & Rescue, ESD 4, Oak Hill Fire Department, Westlake Fire Department
Planners for Project Graduation are soliciting friends and neighbors for door prizes to be handed out during the event, including gift cards from local establishments such as Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy and Walmart, as well as in-kind goodies of ipods, ipads, idocks, televisions and other items which would be useful for college freshmen. If you are able to donate for the program, please contact Suz Cox at vandegriftprojectgrad@ yahoo.com. All donations are tax deductible. For more information regarding Vandegrift’s Project Graduation, please go to http://vandegrift.my-pta.org/ content.asp?PageID=13.
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Stars of the Week
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Page 8 • April 19, 2012
Will Emerick -
L A C R S S E
Sophomore
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Lacrosse: I enjoy playing lacrosse with my friends. It is a fast paced full contact sport. I also like how the coaches push us to become better as a team. I am really looking forward to the playoffs this season.
Harrison Field -
G O L F
Sophomore
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Golf: My favorite part of participating in Viper Golf is improving my golf game and going to tournaments.
Xavier Doxie -
T R A C K
Junior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Track: I love to run!
DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN LEADERS
11400 Concordia University Drive Off FM 620, just north of RR 2222
512-313-3000 www.concordia.edu
Nikki Keys -
www.RFIMasters.com
Alex Kotlarz -
In the Spring of 2011, Boerne Champion High School entered their third year of existence with their first ever senior class. Ten of those seniors were on the men’s soccer team and the Chargers ended their third year as the state 4A Men’s Soccer Champions. Flash forward to the Spring of 2012. Another school, the Vandegrift High School Vipers are completing their third year of existence and also have their first senior class. Last week on April 10 in New Braunfels, the two teams with on nearly parallel tracks faced one another in the fourth round of the playoffs. Vandegrift, wearing their home whites, started fast against the Chargers. In minute six, junior Grant Wilburn sent a ball soaring past the outstretched hands of the Chargers goalie and into the upper left of the net. After only a few more minutes, thanks to the right foot of Jeff Willoughby, the Vipers found themselves up 2-0 against the defending state champs. Shortly before halftime, Vandegrift gave
one back and as the first half ended, Coach Chad Aldrich’s Vipers were up 2-1. Despite the Chargers spirited finish in the first, the second half belonged entirely to the Vipers. Vandegrift started the second half quickly and consistently showcased what’s driven their deep playoff run: pinpoint passing and extremely stingy defense. Led by the defense of senior Andrew LoCascio in the back, the Vipers thwarted the Chargers in second half and continuously prevented meaningful penetrations or shots. On the other end of the field, the Vipers wore down the Charger defense by seemingly maneuvering the ball at will and earning multiple shots on goal. Late in the second, another one of those shots hit home again. This time, freshman Ryan Porch buried the ball into the back of the net and for all intents and purposes, ended the playoff run for the Chargers. As the clock ticked towards zero, the Vandegrift fans counted down the anxious seconds and watched as their Vipers, defeated the defending state champs.
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Track: Getting to throw the discus and competing against different people across the state.
Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts The Shops at Steiner Ranch 2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd. Suite 260
512.266.3339 www.wcwmaaustin.com www.facebook.com/wcwmaaustin
Vipers vanquish 4th round playoff foe on the road to become 4A Regional quarterfinal soccer champs By LES STOBART Contributor
Freshman
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Track: My favorite part about track is the adrenaline rush I get every time I race and the feeling I get when I get my best time!
T R A C K
Office: (512) 807-9594 Mobile: (512) 565-7369
Junior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Tennis: I love how close we are and the good memories we make together.
T R A C K
Ray Freer Agent/Broker
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There is something special about being a third year school ending up in the 4A State playoffs. Vandegrift played April 13 in Corpus Christi as part of the Sweet 16 of the Men’s State Soccer Tournament. They ended their season with a 3 - 0 loss in the 4A regional tournament to Valley View.
The Vandegrift boys lost to Valley View Friday night 3-0 but not before claiming the title 4A Regional quarterfinal champs. The Vipers made it into the state's top 16 teams. Left: Ryan Porch. Above Right: Drew Golden. Right Below: Brett Koster Photos by Glenn Golden
Viper Track and Field girls take podium at District Meet Vandegrift High School’s Girls Track and Field team posted winning results at the District 25-4A Championship meet held April 11-12 at Mustang Stadium and Leonel Manzano Track. Nikki Keys took top honors in both the 1600-Meter Run, finishing in 5 minutes, 23.76 seconds, and 3200-Meter Run (1,11:40.10), with Gretta Smith winning silver in the 1600 (2, 5:24.37) and bronze in the 3200 (3, 11:48.82). Aspen Andrew’s impressive 5-02 in the Women High Jump earned a bronze medal in the event. Keys, Smith and Andrew will advance to the upcoming regional competition. Top ten scoring varsity Lady Vipers included Caroline Zanot in the 800-Meter Run (7, 2:30.21), Brittany Brown in the 100-Meter Hurdles (6, 17.44) and Pole Vault (4, 8-00.00) and Andrews in the Discus Throw (5, 9608). Top ten scoring junior varsity Lady Vipers included Patricia Nintcheu in the 100-Meter Dash (3, 13.82) and Julia Franklin in the Pole Vault (2, 7-06.00) and 300-Meter Hurdles (6, 52.51). Nintcheu topped the podium as District Champion in the Shot Put (1, 32-09.00) and Discus Throw (1, 104-05). Vandegrift’s JV Girls relay teams scored fifth place wins with the Girls 4x200 Meter Relay finish of 2:03.66 (Jasmine Blackmon, Kriston Guerra, Tatum Joines, Madeline Sabel) and the Girls 4x400 Meter Relay’s fast 4:57.97 (Julia Franklin, Kayla Olsen, Emery Galbrieth, Sydney Sabel).
Viper Girls Golf takes 3rd at district Right: (pictured from lrft to right) Dani Siek, Coach Matt Wernecke, Chandler Thomas, Emily Garbutt, Mia Chiarelli, Megan Rue, Erin Fahey, Holly Huddleston Above left: Emily Garbutt, Below left: Chandler Thomas.
Photos by Robin Garbutt
CMYK
Sports - Signing Day
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Thursday
April 19, 2012 • Page 9
Four more Vipers commit to college athletic programs By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News Vandegrift High School seniors Katy Gallien, James Gonzales, Cameron Harris and Topher Jensen signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers at the university level on April 10. Gallien will travel out of state to play basketball for Arkansas’ Hendrix College and Jensen committed to run track for the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. Both Gonzales and Harris will be playing football in Abilene, Texas, with Gonzales at Abilene Christian Academy and Harris committing to Viper Football Head Coach Drew Sanders’ alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University.
The
AMAZING
Saturday
FOUR POINTS
RACE TASTE
June 9, 2012
to the
Form a Team with 2 to 4 schoolmates, neighbors or co-workers. Register at www.RaceToTheTaste.com. Donate or Raise $250 to benefit the SELF 30 Program of Leander ISD and Concordia University Texas.
Team Prizes include: 1st Prize: 2nd Prize: 3rd Prize:
iPad 3’s to each Team member Android Tablets to each Team members $100 Dinner/ Movie Gift Cards to each Team member
Above: (front row, from left) Cindy Gallien, Katy Gallien; (back row, from left) Matt Gallien, Hunter Gallien.
12 - 5pm @ the Four Points Home Depot On Race Day, teams track down clues and perform challenges in pursuit of the WINNER’S Circle located at the Four Points Home Depot.
Middle Right: (front row, from left) Cynthia Harris, Cameron Harris; (back row) Tarrence Harris.
The Four Points Home Depot (aka Race Central) will be filled with Food, Beverage, Business and Entertainment booths featuring the Tastes of Four Points! Register your TEAM or your VENDOR BOOTH today!
Above Right: (front row, from left) James Gonzales, James Gonzales II; (back row, from left) Naomi Miller, Trinity Gonzales, Roxanne Gonzales; also in attendance Sylvia and Fernando Padilla.
Bottom Right: (front row, from left) Stephanie Jensen, Christopher Jensen; (back row) Emily Jensen.
Photos by Leslee Bassman
Organized by:
www.FourPointsChamber.com
wanted! Sports PHOTOS
Please help us cover Viper Sports by emailing shots of recent games! Thank you April Dang, John Lichtenberger and Mike Batek for your submissions this season.
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CMYK Page 10 • Four Points News, Thursday, April 19, 2012
River Place ‘Dads in the Hood’ relaxed, not taxed, on April 15 By LESLEE BASSMAN Four Points News Whereas many Four Points residents spent Sunday, April 15, working furiously on their 2011 tax returns, River Place dads busied themselves in the outdoors during the neighborhood’s annual ‘Dads in the Hood’ campout. This year, the development’s volunteers hosted almost 400 participants and over 150 families, including some ‘ex-Pats’ from Steiner Ranch, during the two-day affair held in Sun Tree Park. Event Chairman Brian Scaff organized a slew of activities including bungee jumping, petting zoo, tie-dye station, Capture the Flag game and a hamburger dinner catered by River Place Country Club as well as breakfast on Sunday morning. As coordinator of the event for a fourth year, Scaff added a photo booth, complete with costumes, and music by River Place’s Taco and the Enchiladas. “We’re having to deal a little with the wind (this year) but everyone’s having a great time,” said Scaff. “This is not a night for a good night’s sleep but for good times.”
Above: River Place dads and family enjoy the cool breezes at their campsite on Saturday. From left: Mark Chase, Gary Nunes, Dave O’Connell, Fred Nunes (“Paw Paw”), David Nunes.
Above: Showing off at the photo booth are (from left) Noah Morales, Brianne Morales, Lillie Morales, Charlie Morman, Justin Yu and Alex Morman. Right: Steiner Ranch resident Marc Harrison sets up camp with daughter Paige at River Place’ Sun Tree Park. “That’s what’ so cool about this,” said Harrison. “They allow everybody to participate in this.”
Above: River Place brothers Cristian (left) and Javi (right) Tellez meet a goat from Fry’s Fun Farm at the neighborhood’s annual ‘Dads in the Hood’ campout.
THE BEST-LOVED SPA, FOR THE BEST-LOVED MOMS. original
Send the mothers in your life to one of America’s best-loved spas, with a gift certificate to the LakeHouse Spa at Lake Austin Spa Resort. Order online at lakeaustin.com, over the phone at 512.372.7345, or in person. 12611 RIVERBEND RD., AUSTIN, TX 78732
Mother’s Day Drawing Contest Win a BIG prize for mom! Four Points News is hosting a Mother’s Day Contest! Win a LakeHouse Half Day Away Condé Nast package for TRAVELER mom from Lake Austin Spa Resort! ($365 value) TOP DESTINATION TOP DESTINATION Draw a picture of your mom SPA SPA and tell us why she is so special in a few sentences. The winner will be picked randomly and featured in the paper as well as runner ups. Please scan and email your TOP DESTINATION SPA entry by May 1. Open to kids in the Four Points area. “May the odds be ever in your favor!” Email: Lynette.FourPoints@ | 800-847-5637 LAKEAUSTIN.COM gmail.com 2
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Below: Six-year-old Kirsten Tjelmeland gets a little air during the recent ‘Dads in the Hood’ camp out in Sun Tree Park. Bottom Right: River Place residents and guests enjoy a tie dye session during the ‘Dads in the Hood’ campout. Photos by: Leslee Bassman