08/28/2014

August 28, 2014

Volume 27 Issue 20

Back issues $1.00 for Subscribers; $15.00 for Non-Subscribers

Popcicles with Ms. Pena

New Highland Park Elementary Principal - Page 6

SECTIONS:

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEST AUSTIN NEWS:

COMMUNITY - SOCIAL SCENE EDITORIAL - CRIME REPORT REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE BACK TO SCHOOL

Call 512-459-4070 westaustinnews.com/subscribe OR stop by 5511 Parkcrest St. #105 Austin, Tx 78731

Like us on facebook facebook.com/westaustinnews

Welcome to our new subscribers!

Carol Engling Anne McKinnerney Lauren Price Sadi Sparks

SOCIAL SCENE 2

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com

Easter Seals joins the author luncheon lineup and enjoys success with their first offering O

n Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Easter Seals of Central Texas joined mainstays Caritas Words of Hope*, Hospice Beauty of Life and Helping Hand Home Champions for Children and brought to Austin another author luncheon offering called The Next Chapter Book Club. New York Times bestselling author Ron Suskind shared with 100 guests the story behind his book, “Life Animated, a Story of Sidekicks, Heroes and Autism.”

The Suskind family’s journey as they navigated the world of autism inspired him to write his latest book. Making their story unique, was the way in which they eventually were able to breakthrough and reach Owen, who at the age of 3, became lost to that world. Disney movies and characters were the key to communicating with their son and Mr. Suskind’s animated telling of this startling find, brought equal parts laughter and tears to the luncheon attendees.

Dena Jansen, Shannon Peterson

August 28, 2014

Taking last week’s luncheon a step further, Easter Seals of Central offers weekly meetings of the Next Chapter Book Club where adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities can gather together to discuss books, establish friendships and build a lifelong long love for literacy.

Many participants of the weekly book club were in attendance at the luncheon.

Easter Seals Central Texas provides patient centered services for children and adults with disabilities such as outpatient physical, occupational, audiological and speech therapy, as well as paid job training, an independent living program for people in 21 counties in Central Texas. *This year, the 7th annual Words of Hope will be a dinner held on September 25. Details at CaritasofAustin.org

Melinda McKenna, Deb Hebster

President and CEO for Easter Seals Central Texas Tod Marvin , Melody Chattell, Rachel Wortham, Judy Wortham

Tara Lopez, David Schneider

Susan Maxwell, Jennifer Miller

Lauren and James McGirr

Leonard and Ann Dolce

Mavett Riddle, Annette Caputo

FSM.WAN AUG2014_3colX4_Layout 1 7/28/14 9:54 AM Page 1

OPEN Labor Day 9 AM-3 PM Brunch Cooking 'til 10 PM Serving $7 Burgers

Happy Hour all day!

Reservations Accepted Call 512-454-2666 Walk Ins Welcome!

Celebrate

Best Desserts, - Austin Chronicle Best Brunch - Open Table

Bistro | Bar | Bakery | Banquets

5406 Balcones Dr. | Austin Texas | 512.454.2666 | chezzee.com

Keynote speaker Ron Suskind

Society Coverage by Stacey Harrell

stacey@staceyharrell.com

EDITORIAL

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com August 28, 2014

3

The Summer Food Series While I wouldn’t exactly call it a Carla M. Haskett summer vacation, our trip to the Orient via the closest Asian market has brought much flavor and delight to our kitchens and lives. The way I became acquainted with the joy of crosscontinent cuisine was through a need I have had my whole life but only discovered just over a year ago.

I’m intolerant. Wheat-intolerant, that is. A sensitivity to one of the grain’s proteins means intestinal misery and rumbling borborygmi for me. This staff of life, however, is uber-present in the American diet, in ways one who doesn’t eschew them will never be fully conscious of.

That’s where the Vietnamese, Korean or Chinese markets step in: delicious noodles, all kinds of noodles from pasta-like to the cellophane or glass variety popular in job chae and spring rolls.

This primer analyzes what is what among the anti-wheat-ites.

Green bean sheets – Called bean thread when made into noodle shapes, these are made with bean starch. This flat variety is Chinese and probably uses mung beans to make nearly indestructible sheets that, once reconstituted are good underneath a stir-fry, instead of rice. These also come as long sticks, also called crystal noodles, from most other countries.

Fine rice noodles – Reading from the package; “natural magenta leaves flavor and color.” Yes, Lá Câm noodles are purple, just like the leaves of the plant, and boy do they ever kick presentation up a notch. Vietnamese cuisine is fragrant, colorful, diverse in nutrients and appealing to all five senses, and if you serve an Asian cold salad without these, you have only yourself to blame.

DEEP ROOTS

Bánh hÓi noodles - Probably the most familiar to American cooks, this very thin noodle that ually turns to glass when reconstituted is the mainstay of pan-Asian spring rolls. They love to be slathered in tangy peanut sauce and eaten cold with shrimp and julienned veggies inside a stretchy wrapper and are the spectacle of the Vietnamese Bánh hÓi dish. Give them a cold rinse after only the quickest of boils. They can become a soggy mess when overcooked.

Vermicelli sticks – As in the rest of the world, these are round and a little thicker than spaghetti noodles, and they can do everything our favorite pasta can do. This one is a go-to noodle for serving with a simple olive oil vinaigrette, grilled chicken and tomatoes. Its use in Asian meals runs from pho, where it is presented in a watery, fishy, fragrant soup with fresh herbs and bean sprouts to Bún Chay (Vietnamese Vegetarian Noodle Salad), which melds it with tofu, greens and a tart citrus-focused sauce.

Rice sticks – Made with two ingredients, rice and water, this Bánh PhÓ is all about being square when evryone else is round. They are super long and slurpable, almost translucent when cooked. They lend themselves to a simple noodle dish, with soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, scallions, chopped garlic and gobs of heavenly scented sesame oil that’s an ideal summer dish, served hot or cold.

Soon, Labor Day will come, and we will put away our white pedal pushers in favor of the golds, coppers, bronzes and browns that mimic the falling leaves. But for one last taste of summer, join me next time for a fresh take on a seasonal favorite, the pavlova.

Carla M. Haskett is a recovering farmer and journalist who keeps a city garden in Seguin, Texas. Questions or comments? Tips or techniques?

Email spiegelhauerfarms@yahoo.com

(From the top, clockwise) Bean sheets, magenta-tinted noodle rectangles, cellophane noodles, vermicelli, and rice sticks (center) deserve a place in American cooking as much as they invite home cooks to dip a toe in the endless dishes Asian cuisine offers.

PHOTO BY CARLA M. HASKETT

Vote Margie for Austin City Council District 10

Simple Backpack

Our Performance Will Move You

STAINED GLASS Paige Alam

What are your kids taking to school in their backpacks?

If you don’t have children or they are grown, what is it you are carrying around with you today? Some mornings I can honestly say our daughters have loaded up joy, hope, and optimism. Other times they shove shame, anxiety, and negativity into that small backpack. Although I rarely carry a purse, I can still carry very unhealthy items in my head and heart. Then I try to let Him carry me. If God is taking over my gross stuff, then I am free to enjoy the gifts he gave us all. They are right there, waiting like unopened packages on Christmas morning.

The wave of nostalgia over our girls’ backpacks hit me this morning as the first full week of school begins. An argument and some unkind words meant one daughter left with more of a gray cloud over her head than a blessing. Another daughter took a little anxiety with her, although she packed the excitement of new friends and a fun teacher. Finally, our last drop off was for high school, and when I saw what our oldest daughter rolled away in her backpack, I had to pull over, cry, and have my “Our oldest is in high school!” moment.

We had prayed that morning on the drive to school, and she literally left her worries, fears, and challenges in the car. She also managed to take some of my concerns away. I become somewhat obsessive over the fact she left her phone at home. “How will I know when you are done and when you are coming home? It feels really weird since this school is much further than where you were last year,” I told her. Layne calmly grabbed my hand and said, “Mom, sometimes you worry about things that don’t matter. I’ll take the bus home and you can pick me up at the meeting place.”

Layne chose the simple backpack this morning, the one that lets God carry the big things and lets us handle what we can handle. For my friends who have gracefully and joyfully taken their kids to college to let them start their new adventures, know that you are role models to me in the way you are letting go. You know that the lessons and love they have from you are stored in their hearts, and they are now embarking on a new walk where they must rely more on God and themselves. As we all learn what is ours and what is not, I pray the load we all carry is lighter.

Wilson & Goldrick Realtors 512.328.0022 www.wilsongoldrick.com

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Isaiah 46:4 ISAIAH 46:4

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Save Tax Payers Hard Earned $$$’s • City homestead exemption • Tax apartments with lower rates • Zero line accounting for City Hall

Utility Fee Relief – Demand Transparency • Cut corporate utility subsidies • Incentives for homes & businesses to reclaim water • Eliminate non-utility items • Fix leaking infrastructure • Robust rebates for all residents

Go to www.margieforaustin.com to see Margie’s stand on all the issues Margie4Austin

August 28, 2014

Publisher/Editor Bart Stephens Assistant Managing Editor Laura McKissick

Support the West Austin News Advertisers Subscribe today

@margieforaustin

I AM YOUR TAX CUT LADY Political ad paid for by Margie for Austin, Mindy Montiford, Treasurer. P.O.Box 28366 Austin, TX 78755. This campaign has not agreed to comply with the contribution and expenditure limits of the Austin Fair Campaign Chapter.

Only $45/year!

Volume 27 Issue 20

HOW TO REACH US: Main Number: 512.459.4070 Fax Number: 512.206.0704 facebook.com/westaustinnews

Production Manager Kimberly Hancock

To Subscribe:

Office Manager, Ad Sales & Special Sections Lisa Higgins

News releases:

Copy Editor Martha Morgan Photographer/Writer Stacey Harrell SStaff Writers Mark Payne, Paige Alam, Carla Haskett, Randi McClanahan, Susan Cohen, Alana Mallard, Forrest Preece, Todd Hilliard West Austin News is published twice each month, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month of the year, by Verde Publishers, Inc., 5511 Parkcrest Dr. Ste. 105 Austin, TX 78731, (512) 459-4070. USPS publication number is 021-728 Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas.

Annual subscriptions: In-county, $45.00; Out-of-County, $55.00. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to West Austin News, 5511 Parkcrest Dr. Ste. 105 Austin, TX 78731. Contributions: Pictures, stories and news items of interest to the residents of West Austin should be e-mailed to our editor at news@westaustinnews. com. Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been previously published.

www.westaustinnews.com e-mail: news@westaustinnews.com

Ads:

e-mail: ads@westaustinnews.com

Ad Sales & Special Sections:

e-mail: accounts@westaustinnews.com

Event Coverage:

e-mail: stacey@staceyharrell.com

Advertising Acceptability: We will not knowingly accept any advertising that we consider potentially misleading, deceptive, offensive, discriminatory, that may infringe the rights of any person or entity. The West Austin News is not responsible for facts or omissions in advertisements, for failure to publish in a timely manner, or for any damages caused thereby. The sole remedy for failure to publish in a timely manner shall be refund.

SCHOOL

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com

4

August 28, 2014

Trinity Seventh Grader is Recognized

by Johns Hopkins University for Academic Excellence Trinity Episcopal used for years to spot School seventh gradacademic talent. er David Boyt was reSeventh and eighth cently honored as one graders take the SAT of the brightest young or ACT – the same students in the nation tests used for college at a regional awards admissions. Students ceremony for acain grades 2-8 can also demically advanced take the School and children sponsored College Ability Test by the Johns Hopkins (SCAT), and students University Center in grades 5-8 can take for Talented Youth the CTY Spatial Test (CTY).

Battery.

The Center honBoyt received high ored Boyt for his honors on the Spatial exceptional perforTest, which tests a stumance on a rigorous dent’s ability to underabove-grade-level test stand and remember given to academithe spatial relationcally talented secships among objects, ond-through-eighthmanipulate images in grade students. space, and visualize Boyt was one of how separate parts of more than 38,000 complex physical sysstudents from over tems interrelate.

120 countries who Trinity Episcopal School seventh grader David Boyt Boyt was one of participated in the only three students in CTY Talent Search, which offers advanced Texas to receive high honors on the test and young learners the opportunity to take several was the only 6th grader in the state to do so. different above-grade level tests that CTY has

Camp Ross Successful in Motivating West Austin Kids

By Paige Alam In memory of a favorite football coach who taught his two sons that “hard work beats talent”, the Camp Ross Combine succeeded in carrying on Ross Ehlinger’s legacy.

One hundred West Austin kids showed up for the second annual event on August 2 in Westlake, and six of the kids who attended were there on scholarship. One of Ross’s goals in life was to reach out to those in need to make sure they had opportunities to play and enjoy football.

Tanner Price, a former Westlake quarterback who plays for the American Professional League and is currently a free agent, spoke to the kids about teamwork and values. Ryan Swopes, a former Westlake wide receiver who was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals last year, but had to retire early because of concussion issues, also talked to the kids about keeping perspective about football and life.

Dozens of Westlake freshmen football players showed up to help train the younger boys on football drills for the

Saturday morning event. Sam Ehlinger, Ross’s oldest son and the starting sophomore quarterback for Westlake this year, showed up with his younger brother, Jake, an 8th grader who traveled to Austin for the day from Camp Lonehollow where he was attending overnight camp. Jena Ehlinger, Ross’s wife, helped organize volunteers for the event. Ross and Jena also have a daughter named Morgan, who is a 6th grader.

Ross Ehlinger passed away on March 3 of last year while swimming in the Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon. The Camp Ross Combine is a way to keep his memory alive.

Many people wore their “Live Like Ross” bracelets showing their dedication to helping

Jena, Sam, and Jake Ehlinger carry on the tradition of Ross Ehlinger, beloved husband, father, and coach, at the Camp Ross Combine.

others reach their full potential. Money raised from the event benefits the Ross Ehlinger Athletic Scholarship Fund and will provide opportunities for kids to participate in athletics.

Westlake freshman boys showed up at the Camp Ross Combine to honor Ross Ehlinger, who helped coach many of them when they played for the Pop Warner League.

Several West Austin motorists join exclusive club of repeat DWI offenders The week that was in crime, Sunday, August 10 – Saturday, August 23 78703 Sunday, July 27

12:11 a.m. – A 25-year-old female was arrested for assault after police responded to a call from a man in the 2200 block of Lake Austin Boulevard.

4:43 p.m. – A vehicle was burglarized near the intersection of West 10th Street and Maufrais Street.

9:30 p.m. – A 49-year-old male was arrested for public intoxication in the 1100 block of West 9th Street.

Monday, August 11

1:46 a.m. – Police responded to a call from a in the 2300 block of West 35th Street who claimed that he was assaulted.

8:59 a.m. – A 48-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 400 block of Atlanta Street. This was his second such offense.

6:42 p.m. – Police responded to a report of a dangerous animal in the 2800 block of Oakmont Boulevard.

Tuesday, August 12

2:44 a.m. – A 21-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 1200 block of West 6th Street.

Wednesday August 13

12:19 a.m. – A 48-year-old female was arrested after police responded to a family disturbance in the 1000 block of North Lamar.

12:48 p.m. – Someone vandalized a Redbox machine in the 2600 block of Lake Austin Boulevard.

10:00 p.m. – A vehicle was vandalized in the 3300 block of Meredith Street.

Thursday, August 14

10:15 a.m. – A 31-year-old female, a 27-year-old female and a 26-year-old male were arrested in the 1700 block of West 35th Street. Amongst the three of them, the charges included engaging in organized crime, forgery, use of fraudulent identification, evading arrest and aggravated assault- for which there were eleven victims listed on the police report. Wow. Friday, August 15

6:00 p.m. – Money was stolen from a residence in the 2100 block of Robin Hood Trail.

Saturday, August 16

2:44 a.m. – A 26-year-old female was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in

the 1100 block of West 6th Street. This was her second such offense.

2:55 a.m. – A 24-year-old male was arrested for public intoxication in the 900 block of West Cesar Chavez Street.

11:39 p.m. – A 21-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 1200 block of Reserve Road.

11:59 p.m. – A 23-year-old female was arrested for public intoxication in the 1600 block of West 6th Street.

Sunday, August 17

7:00 a.m. – A bicycle was stolen in the 1600 block of Waterston Avenue.

10:45 a.m. – The license plates were stolen from a vehicle in the 100 block of Sandra Muraida Way. Monday, August 18

8:00 a.m. – Computer equipment was stolen from a business in the 1800 block of West 6th Street.

7:09 p.m. – A vehicle was burglarized in the 300 block of North Lamar.

Tuesday, August 19

7:42 a.m. – A 24-year-old male was arrested for possession of a controlled substance in the 300 block of Bowie Street.

5:25 p.m. – A 39-year-old male was arrested for DWI in the 2800 block of Exposition Boulevard after a concerned citizen alerted police to his erratic driving.

Wednesday, August 20

12:21 a.m. – A vehicle was vandalized and had parts stolen from it in the 3400 block of Northwood Circle.

10:07 a.m. – A 51-year-old female was arrested on an outstanding warrant after being pulled over in the 2200 block of West 35th Street.

Thursday, August 21

1:45 a.m. – A 39-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 900 block of West Cesar Chavez Street.

1:50 a.m. – Five minutes later, a 41-year-old female was arrested for DWI seven blocks away, also on West Cesar Chavez Street. This was her second such offense.

3:41 a.m. – Ding ding ding! A DWI hat trick for Cesar Chavez! This time it was a 27-yearold male in the 1500 block.

7:30 p.m. – Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 500 block of West Avenue.

Friday, August 22

12:46 a.m. – A 26-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 2500 block of Lake Austin Boulevard.

2:17 a.m. – A 22-year-old female was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 1600 block of West 6th Street.

Saturday, August 23

5:28 p.m. – A vehicle was vandalized in the 900 block of North Lamar.

78731 Sunday, August 10

2:10 p.m. – A woman called police to report an attempted burglary at her residence in the 7800 block of Comfort Cove.

11:30 p.m. – Someone left the scene of an accident that occurred in the 5200 block of FM 2222.

Monday, August 11

12:00 a.m. – A gun was reported stolen after a vehicle was burglarized in the 7300 block of Wood Hollow Drive. Don’t leave guns in your car.

Tuesday, August 12

5:20 a.m. – A vehicle was burglarized in the 6700 block of Lakewood Drive.

10:33 a.m. – Police responded to a report of an abandoned motorcycle in the 5900 block of Highland Pass.

Wednesday August 13

2:30 a.m. – Someone broke into the Subway at 3710 Crawford Avenue. The report did not indicated what, if anything, was stolen- so we can not independently verify whether or not they ate fresh.

12:07 p.m. – A vehicle was burglarized in the 3400 block of Executive Center Drive.

Thursday, August 14

12:48 a.m. – A 33-year-old male was arrested after being pulled over in the northbound lanes of Mopac, near FM 2222.

The report indicates that another driving called police to alert them that he was excessively speeding and following too close.

Once he was pulled over, it was discovered that he was driving with an invalid license and had skipped bail following a previous arrest.

4:16 p.m. – Someone stole liquor from a liquor store in the 5500 block of Balcones Drive.

Friday, August 15

8:30 a.m. – A vehicle was burglarized in the 3500 block of Greystone Drive.

1:12 p.m. – Someone called police to the 4400 block of Crestway Drive to report that they had found drugs there.

2:10 p.m. – A 40-year-old male was arrested in the 5300 block of Balcones Drive on an outstanding warrant for writing bad checks.

10:01 p.m. – Police responded to a family disturbance in the 5900 block of Highland Hills Drive.

Saturday, August 16

4:30 a.m. – Police responded to a family disturbance in the 3500 block of Greystone Drive.

4:47 a.m. – A 24-year-old female was arrested for public intoxication in the 7200 block of Wood Hollow Drive.

10:28 a.m. – Someone called police to the 5100 block of Turnabout Lane to report that they had found a gun there.

Monday, August 18

9:47 a.m. – Someone left the scene of an accident that occurred near the intersection of Far West Boulevard and the Mopac service road.

Tuesday, August 19

6:40 p.m. – Someone stole alcohol from a convenience store in the 3300 block of Northland Drive.

11:22 p.m. – A 37-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over while travelling northbound on Mopac, near FM 2222.

Wednesday, August 20

6:58 p.m. – A 26-year-old male was arrested in the 6600 block of East Hill Drive after police responded to a call from a woman who was in the midst of a conflict with him.

His charges included assault, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and interfering with an emergency phone call. The kicker is that when police showed up, he was in a vehicle that had previously been reported as stolen.

Thursday, August 21

6:40 p.m. – A woman had money taken from her by someone in the parking lot of a grocery store in the 8000 block of Mesa Drive.

11:46 p.m. – A 32-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over while travelling north on Mopac, near Far West Boulevard. This was his second such

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: ““I’m in no condition to drive…wait! I shouldn’t listen to myself, I’m drunk!””

-Homer Simpson offense.

Friday, August 22

2:54 a.m. – Someone stole alcohol and food from an Asian restaurant in the 3400 block of Greystone Drive.

5:23 p.m. – A 60-year-old male was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the HEB on Village Center Drive.

Saturday, August 23

2:20 a.m. – A 28-year-old male was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 3400 block of Far West Boulevard.

4:09 a.m. – A 31-year-old male was arrested for assault after another man called police from the 3400 block of North Hills Drive.

78746 Sunday, August 10

7:32 p.m. – Someone left the scene of an accident that occurred in the parking lot at Barton Springs.

7:56 p.m. – A 32-year-old female was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the Sears located at Barton Creek Mall.

Monday, August 11

3:53 p.m. – A 35-year-old male was arrested for public intoxication at Zilker Park.

11:53 p.m. – Someone left the scene of an accident that occurred in the 2600 block of Bee Caves Road.

Tuesday, August 12

2:30 a.m. – A bicycle was stolen in the 2100 block of Barton Springs Road.

1:46 p.m. – A 30-year-old male was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the Sears located at Barton Creek Mall.

9:30 p.m. – A 19-year-old female was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the JC Penney located at Barton Creek Mall.

her second such offense.

6:45 p.m. – A vehicle was burglarized in the 2300 block of Stratford Drive.

Friday, August 15

7:15 a.m. – A man reported having several of his personal possessions stolen while he was swimming in Barton Springs.

1:30 p.m. – A bicycle was stolen at Barton Springs.

5:27 p.m. – Another bicycle was stolen at Barton Springs.

Saturday, August 16

11:57 a.m. – A vehicle was vandalized in the 3400 block of Redbud Trail.

3:00 p.m. – A 58-year-old female was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the JC Penney located at Barton Creek Mall.

Sunday, August 17

2:38 p.m. – A 36-year-old male was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the Sears located at Barton Creek Mall.

Tuesday, August 19

11:57 p.m. – A 40-year-old female was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the Nordstrom located at Barton Creek Mall.

Wednesday, August 20

7:48 a.m. – A 22-year-old male was arrested in the 2200 block of William Barton Dirve on several outstanding warrants.

5:33 p.m. – A 20-year-old female was arrested for shoplifting after police were called to the JC Penney located at Barton Creek Mall.

Thursday, August 21

7:52 p.m. – Someone left the scene of an accident that occurred on the northbound Mopac service road, near the Barton Creek greenbelt.

Friday, August 22

Wednesday August 13

10:30 a.m. – A vehicle was burglarized in the parking lot at Barton Creek Mall.

4:00 p.m. – An 18-year-old male was arrested for possession of marijuana at Zilker Park.

Thursday, August 14

12:29 a.m. – A 27-year-old female was arrested for DWI after being pulled over in the 1300 block of Spyglass Drive. This was

6:00 p.m. – A man and woman called police to report having had several personal items stolen while swimming at Barton Springs.

Saturday, August 23

9:30 a.m. – A vehicle was stolen in the parking lot of Barton Creek Mall.

Written by Todd Hilliard

SCHOOL

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com August 28, 2014

5

Popsicles with Ms. Pena

By Alana Moehring Mallard New Highland Park principal Katie Pena spent some time with kids this summer getting to know her students – and what better way than popsicles in the park. AISD appointed Pena principal at Highland Park in the spring while the kids were still at school Second grader Brooke Lonsdale visited shyly with Pena as kids played on the playground and moms visited in the shade of an oak tree.

“I haven’t met her before,” Brooke said. “She’s nice.”

“It’s been great,” said Pena of her short time at Highland

Brooke Lonsdale and Katie Pena enjoy popsicles this summer at a Popsicles with Ms. Pena event to get to know the new Highland Park Elementary principal.

Park. “I’m so thankful to be here. I’ve been having lunch and breakfast with the teachers to get to know them.”

Pena and the teachers were planning some team building work before school started, including a retreat – “a surprise field trip, wear sturdy shoes,” Pena said.

As school starts, Pena plans more opportunities to get to know the kids – some readalouds in the library, some after school fun.

Pena served as assistant principal at Doss Elementary before being appointed at Highland Park.

Middle School Alums Go Back to Their Roots When Austinites Nancy Harper and Lutie Butler drive by their old stomping grounds at O. Henry Middle School, they are proud to see signs from their businesses – Capitol Chevrolet and Frost Bank -- gracing the fence near the football field.

But for Nancy, the kicker is seeing her middle school graduation date at the bottom.

“It makes me smile to see that sign…to see those dates at the bottom,” said Harper who, with her two sons and brother, Chuck Nash, owns and runs Capitol Chevrolet in Austin.

“The thread of this community, this school, runs deep in my life and the life of my family. I am so thrilled to support this great school and do what I can now to help the teachers and the next generation of middle school students.”

Butler, with Frost Bank in Tarrytown, agreed.

“These big signs are a great way to show your business cares about kids and education here in Austin,” Butler said. “It’s even better for folks like me and Nancy, who have such a personal connection to this school and this community. It’s fun to be part of this school, and support the teachers and kids who are walking the same halls, sitting in the same lunchroom, that I did as a child.”

Harper and Butler aren’t the only alumni who give back to O.Henry. Other alumni who support the Round Up fundraiser include Jeff Kocurek and his brother, Kelly; Monte Ezell; David Putman; and Laurie Brown of Brown Distributing. Round Up is a major fundraising event sponsored by the O. Henry PTA.

This year, Round Up is set for Friday, Sept.

26 from 6 to 9pm on the school grounds. The evening event includes a dance, food and drink concessions, and lots activities. The most popular: the dunking booth, especially when Principal Pete Price is sitting in the hot seat.

Funds raised at Round Up go directly into the classroom for items teachers need to ensure their students have the best learning experience.

“This is a great opportunity to have an immediate impact on the classes and students at O. Henry,” said Monique Norman, O. Henry PTA President. “We meet all kinds of needs with this fundraiser: calculators for Algebra, dissection frogs and rockets for science, and yoga mats for enrichment classes, to name just a few.

“Some are for core classes, which are paramount, but every teacher gets something from their wish list that they need for day-to-day instruction or for use in the wide range of enrichment classes offered at O. Henry.”

Chairs for the 2014 event are: Kelley Mucci and Kristen Crosnoe with underwriting speared by Becky Melton.

Round Up supporters receive recognition throughout the school and event, and also can sponsor a coveted sign on the O. Henry field on Exposition for a year.

O. Henry Middle School is in the heart of Austin on 10th Street and Exposition Boulevard. It serves more than 1,000 students in grades 6, 7 and 8. For more information about O. Henry Round Up visit www.ohenrypta.org.

Lutie Butler and Nancy Harper with signs from their businesses displayed near the football field at O. Henry Middle School

COMMUNITY

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com

6

August 28, 2014

“Mary Ellen Poole is a well-trained leader and musician; she accepts the challenges of leadership of Butler School of Music with an open mind.”— Sarah Butler

Dr Mary Ellen Poole Westside Stories

Forrest Preece

I read a book review the other day stating the subject of a biography had “more hyphens in her resume than Barbra Streisand.”

You could certainly say that about Mary Ellen Poole, the newly-named director of the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas – to wit, “flutist-novelist- poet-academician-musicologist-program developer-administrator.”

Since so many West Austin News readers are involved with music and the arts in general, I decided to interview her and let you know something about this interesting woman who will be an important part of the Austin arts community.

Here’s the official word about her from UT. “As dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Mary Ellen Poole put up an extraordinary leadership record, turning a very good music school into a great one,” said College of Fine Arts Dean Doug Dempster. “That’s exactly her charge at The University of Texas, where we’re determined to make the Butler School of Music the finest public university music school in the country. We couldn’t have a better director for the job.”

So how did Mary Ellen put a remarkable career together and land the top post at one of the best music schools in the country?

To start, she comes from a musical family and she was an outstanding musician and student.

Her grandfather was a championship fiddler and he also crafted violins and guitars. He had a workshop across the street from his farmhouse where he worked – and evidently spent too much time in it, because Mary Ellen says

then quit when she started her family.

As for Mary Ellen’s involvement with music, she started taking piano from her mother when she was four.

“That parent-child teaching dynamic is always interesting, to say the least. It’s like having a parent teaching you how to drive.”

She says that back then, she wanted to compose after she read a book about Mozart, but she knew that she would have to learn to play piano to write music.

That piano teaching situation lasted until she hit puberty.

Then she had a moment of revelation when she was in the fifth grade.

“The local junior high jazz band came to play at my school and I was hooked by the sound of people playing together. I knew then and there I wanted to play a wind instrument so I picked the flute and became pretty serious about it.”

In high school, she started back on piano and was good enough on both instruments to get a college scholarship to Baylor.

“I also sang a lot, wrote poetry, short stories and novels when I was young. I had a hard time focusing.”

Mary Ellen says that some people can concentrate on one thing, but that wasn’t her way.

Things came together when she got to college.

At that point, she had decided that she wanted to be an opera director.

Recalling her community theatre experience in high school (and a little stagestruck), she realized that being in charge of a great production appealed to her.

Actually, she changed ma-

Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, she was drawn into campus politics.

She was on a lot of committees, did curriculum development, and when the music school director became dean, she moved into his post.

In 2003, after 18 years at Millikin, she took the post of Dean of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

“Now, instead of working on $8,000,000 building projects, I had an $80,000,000 one on my hands.”

Almost as soon as she took that post, Mary Ellen was charged with moving the school from the Sunset District on San Francisco’s western edge, where “nothing was going on,” to the Civic Center, near the symphony hall and the opera house.

It was a “revelatory” move for that school.

She says that it was as if the institution had basically been hiding under a rock and, now that it was turned over, they started “blinking in the sunlight and had to step it up.”

And that they did. She grew the enrollment by 50 percent, built a renowned faculty, and hired outstanding staff members who transformed areas such as student life and enrollment management.

“I was proud of the atmosphere of the place – it became a fertile ground for grassroots participation.”

Then last year, the administrators at UT started doing a nationwide search for a director of the Butler School of Music. Two top administrators they talked to mentioned Mary Ellen. Soon, she had flown down, talked to Dean Douglas Dempster, and started a dialogue.

“I had some other options,

Dr. Mary Ellen Poole, newly-named Director of the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas.

Mary Ellen demonstrates her photography skills with her iPhone.

len pointed to some programs like the String Project which has been allowing promising string players from Austin schools to train and learn with master teachers since 1949. “It is still evolving and improving,” she said.

They want to get instruments into the hands of kids who cannot afford them, for instance.

She underlined that if the UT programs are going to be viable in the 21st century, they must have community involvement. “We have to ask if we are giving our students what they need for the modern world.”

The evolution of the school will involve interaction with the community in a significant way. Experiential learn-

ing is going to be emphasized.

And there is so much going on at UT that priorities must be established to avoid doing nothing in depth and then possibly losing focus.

“We need to be strategic in selecting and planning our partnerships—but the possibilities are limitless.”

PHOTOS BY CARLIN MA

Mary Ellen’s unasked-for advice to young musicians:

Mary Ellen, at a San Francisco Conservatory of Music commencement ceremony.

that he was “a terrible farmer.”

“He was always in trouble with his wife, because he’d neglect things like when to harvest his crops.”

Her mother was a successful band director, who had 100 job offers when she graduated from college in World War II, since so many men were off fighting. She traveled around northern Louisiana for seventeen years, working in a number of good jobs but

jors five times when she was a freshman -- that wide range of interests and all -- finally choosing the flute as the subject of her passionate attention.

This lasted through two degrees until musicology came calling (only natural for someone who loved music and books and writing) in time for a PhD. As a young professor of music history and flute at

but I chose Texas. It was big step for me to come from a private school to a major university, but it’s one I wanted to make.”

She was taken with the energy, ambition, and momentum here.

“We have an amazing faculty, but no one is resting on their laurels. We all realize that you’re never done.”

As for engagement of the local community, Mary El-

1. Make sure that the skills—whether scales, long tones, languages, stick technique, solfège, or formal analysis—that enable you to practice your craft are razor-sharp, including the ability to practice with maximum efficiency. Mindlessly repeating something over and over is so nineteenthcentury, and it takes up time you could be using to add another skill to your toolkit.

2. Know who you are as an artist. What are you really, really good at? What can you do better than anyone else (OK, that’s a bit hyperbolic) to serve our art form?

3. Know the musical marketplace. What’s going on in Europe? In China? On YouTube? On the coasts? In major orchestras and traditional opera companies? Yes, it’s your job to shape the art form, but it’s also your responsibility to know what the art form has been up to while you’ve been in school.

4. Connect with other people. Find a mentor; find a tribe; find an audience.

Never stop networking, and be the world’s best colleague. That goofball sitting next to you in theory class might hire you someday. Our world is inherently collaborative, and that is its greatest strength.

5. Know that it’s ultimately up to you. Your degree can be prestigious, your instrument expensive, your teacher powerful, and you can live in the coolest city in the world—none of this will matter if you don’t take primary responsibility for #s 1-4 above.

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com August 28, 2014

SOCIAL SCENE 7

St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Dinner O

St. David’s Foundation hosted a celebratory dinner at the Four Seasons Austin on August 19, 2014. The purpose of which was to honor this year’s recipients of the Neal Kocurek Scholarship. 54 recipients, their families, Board members and Toast supporters took part in the evening’s festivities which included a presentation and a seated dinner.

This year’s class is made up of students from 26 high schools and are attending 26 universities, with 21 different majors. The scholars are from Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.

These students will join the 231 current recipients in more than 30 Texas colleges and universities who are studying healthcare. Kocurek Scholars receive up to $7,500 per year for up to eight years, including post graduate studies and medical school. Additionally they are matched with a mentor in the St. David’s HealthCare network who helps guide them through college.

Members of the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Committee: Mary Lou Adams Libby Malone Patrick Patterson Noah Bunker John R. Marietta Venus Strawn Patricia Ann Ellisor Earl Maxwell Ann Wilson Kelly Kocurek James R. Moffett Charlotte Winkelmann

Tobie Funte Flannery, Jennene and Ray Mashburn

Neal Kocurek Scholars from West Austin: Anderson High School

Franz Belz, Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

Caroline Beneke, Nursing, Baylor University

Ashley Ciosek, Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin

Samuel Eichner, Kinesiology, Southwestern University

Alayna Enos, Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin

Marisa Hudson, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University McNeil High School

Olivia Li, Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin Funds for the Neal Kocurek Scholarship are raised through Toast of the Town parties held over a six week period every spring and then matched two to one by St. David’s Foundation. The dinner was masterfully planned by April Reed of SDF along with their Community Affairs team. The Four Seasons Austin catered the dinner for 500.

Kocurek Scholar Anna DuBois, Carla and Robert DuBois

Bill Strawn, Jo Ann Christian, Venus Strawn

Paul and Coleen Enos, Kocurek Scholar Alayna Enos, Noah Lambert

Chris Hester, Cassandra Wiggins

Anne Coisek, Kocurek Scholar Ashley Coisek, Walt Coisek

Karla Hosick with Jerry Turner the Chair of the SDF 2014 Board of Trustees. Jerry Turner

Jim Rice, Joy Legan

Ernst-Ludwig Florin, Kocurek Scholar Franz Belz, Henrike Belz

Kocurek Scholar Caroline Beneke, Debbie Beneke

Jeff Kocurek, Mary McCarron, Kelly Kocurek

Kocurek Scholar Samuel Eichner, Erin Eichner, Alice Eichner

Cedric Dupont, M.D., SDF Chief Executive Officer Earl Maxwell

SOCIAL SCENE 8

West Austin News

www.westaustinnews.com August 28, 2014

Concordia Gala brings summer to a close and signals the start of the giving season in Austin T

he 8th annual Excellence in Leadership Gala, presented

by Concordia University Texas, this year honored Dr. Thomas Cedel, Concordia’s outgoing president on Friday, Aug. 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin.

“I am very humbled to receive this prestigious honor and to follow in the footsteps of an amazing group of central Texas Christian leaders. For the past 12 years, I have been committed to growing Concordia in every way—increasing student enrollment, deepening our Christian identity, adding more academic programs and degrees, and further developing our athletic programs—with the end goal of molding well-rounded future Christian leaders. This award is a testament to the entire staff at Concordia University Texas, and I am so glad I can share this with them.” — Dr. Thomas Cedel, Concordia’s outgoing president Under Dr. Cedel’s leadership, Concordia University Texas, a private, accredited liberal arts and sciences university, has seen tremendous growth in student enrollment. Since 2002, enrollment has more than doubled, and 10 times more students graduate from Concordia each year than before Dr. Cedel became president. His vision to move the campus provided significant growth opportunities, and it was a catalyst for the increasing student population since 2008.The Concordia University Texas campus site is now the largest in the Concordia University System, which consists of more than 10 schools in the United States.

Penny and Tom Cedel

“Dr. Cedel epitomizes the characteristics of Christian leadership. Concordia University Texas has seen the greatest and most positive changes in its 88-year history under the leadership of Dr. Cedel. It is hard to imagine a campus without the presence of Tom and Penny, but the environment they have created has positioned us for continued growth and success.”

— Don Adam, vice president of Concordia University Texas This year’s Excellence in Leadership Gala, originally conceived by Penny and now Concordia’s largest single fundraiser, was chaired by Meredith Allen, director of corporate relations for Concordia University. Over 500 guests enjoyed a seated dinner catered by the Four Seasons Hotel Austin and entertainment provided by DJ Intelligence and Tje Austin & The Argyles.

“Concordia University Texas benefits from having a relationship with all communities in Central Texas, including West Austin. We work to recruit students from across Central Texas and our outreach through service projects includes West Austin and other areas of Central Texas. Additionally, Concordia University Texas Excellence in Leadership Gala has honored three West Austinites in the past, including Lew Little, Tom Stacy and Texas Senator Kirk Watson for their strong, Christian leadership in the community.”—Meredith Allen, 2014 gala chair Dr Cedel’s biographical information obtained from the Concordia University’s website.

Society Coverage by Stacey Harrell stacey@staceyharrell.com

Arbor Car Wash & Lube Center

10401 Jollyville Rd. Austin, Texas 78759 Phone: 346-8050

Arbor Car Wash Guadalupe

3120 Guadalupe Austin, Texas 78705 Phone: 451-2696

$5 OFF ANY C ARWASH 00

Car Wash

Detail Services www.ArborCarWash.com

or OIL CHANGE Most Vehicles. One Coupon per customer per visit Not valid with other coupons.

Event chair Meredith Allen and Rev. Dr. Robert Preece

Danny Swafford, Al Doering

Scott Linke, Darci Weiser

Terri and Rev. Dr. Jerry Kieschnick

Natalie Johnson, Heather Leyva

Tina and Hank Hutcherson

Mary Doering, Matthew, Doering, Deanna Doering

Elizabeth Christian and The Honorable Bruce Todd

Carolyn and Ed Moerbe

Dewayne Mangan, John Griffin