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Speed limits will be changing Steiner apartments will before Year’s end on RM 2222 replicate Santa Barbara style By LESLEE BASSMAN LBassman@austin.rr.com Speed limits are going down in Four Points and new roadway signs will be posted before year’s end, possibly by Christmas. On Nov. 10, Austin City Council members passed an ordinance modifying existing speed limits on RM 2222, with significant changes made to the roadway stretching from RR 620 to Loop 360. Four Points’ area motorists will need to yield to the following three different speed zones within the well-travelled roadway: • RM 2222 from RM 620 to Sitio Del Rio
- 50 MPH Speed Limit; • RM 2222 from Sitio Del Rio to McNeil Drive - 55 MPH Speed Limit; • RM 2222 from McNeil Drive to SL 360 - 60 MPH Speed Limit. Previously, the speed limit on all of the above highway sections was 60 MPH. The Austin Transportation Department made the recommendations to Council based on a recent traffic study of the area conducted by the Traffic Division of Texas Department of Transportation. According to TxDOT Engineer Scott Cunningham, the changes resulted from his agency’s study
1, 2 and 3 bedroom units
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Lynette.FourPoints@gmail.com
Developers of the Steiner Ranch apartment project, which does not yet have an official name, expect to close on the property within weeks and start construction in January. “We’ll live up to our commit-
ment and do a quality job. We want to be good neighbors,” said Walter Eeds, CEO with Greystone Development. He gave an overview of their Steiner Ranch apartment project at the Nov. 9 Community Meeting on Steiner Ranch Commercial Development. Pending approvals, Greystone
SPEED LIMITS, 9
plans to build 26 apartment buildings with 298 units on a portion of the 52 acres at 4800 Steiner Ranch Blvd. They will be Santa Barbara style with some attached, some detached garages and balcones. There will be about 45 units of the 298 that will be 3-bedroom, of the remainder, roughly 60 APARTMENT, 9
Thanksgiving Feast
Over 50 volunteers came together from Rudy’s, Austin Christian Fellowship, and other Four Points businesses to create a better playground for children at Armadillo RV Park. Top photo: Buzz Hempel, Rodrigo Sanchez, Steven Smith and Jay Andruk all assemble the donated tree house from McDonald’s. Bottom photo: Kristin Chaumont, Crystal Blick, Dan Peabody and others work to haul wheelbarrels full of dirt and sand during the two-day project.
Grandview Hills Elementary featured a Thanksgiving feast last week and invited parents and grandparents to share in the festivities. Above: Dani Lugo, GVH student, and Zia Heard enjoyed turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie. Below: Kylie Guerrero and dad See more photos on page 7.
Read full article on page 6.
Inside
School......................................3 Opinion...................................4 Community......................... 6-7 Classifieds...............................6 Sports.................................. 8-9 Find us on Facebook We wish you a warm holiday season with family and friends.
Ice skating in Four Points for the first time Oasis Texas Holiday on Ice opened a 1,760-square-foot ice skating rink a few days ago offering Four Points a neighborhood rink for the first time. “This is the first of what’s to become a holiday tradition at Oasis Texas,” said Robert Axelson, President of Isis Investments L.P,
partner in the development. Oasis Texas, 6550 Comanche Trail, will have its Holiday on Ice rink open until Jan. 1. The ice rink, installed and managed by Ice Rink Events of Houston, will be an annual holiday addition providing a festive winter village ambiance.
Urgent Care ~ Now Open! We are now open Sunday afternoons for sick visits by appointment only. You can call our office directly at 512-241-1370 between the hours of 1PM and 5PM to schedule an appointment with our nurse practitioner, Pat Budd, RN, CPNP. The phones turn on at 1PM.
6618 Sitio Del Rio #A101 I Austin, TX 78730 512-241-1370 I www.hillcountrypediatrics.com
Admission is $10.00 which includes skate rental. A discount is offered for groups of 15 or more as well as to military, police and fire department employees. Private and group lessons are available by reservation. Find more details on Facebook or email: icekateoasistexas@yahoo.com
Choirs or bands interested in performing during the holidays should contact talent@OASISTX. com. Oasis Texas is expanding into a village of Austin-based retailers: currently five restaurants, four retail shops, including the new Blue Genie Art Store, entertain-
ment outlets and office space. Many more retail shops are in the works. “With the various dining options, Austin-centric shopping and entertainment, not to mention the view, this is a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike,” Axelson said.
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hursday Four PToints News
November 24, 2011 • Page 3 www.FourPointsNews.com
Middle School #8 to Open Next Fall About this time last year, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees voted to delay the opening of our newest middle school, as yet unnamed, due to the impending budget crisis that Texas school districts experienced last spring. Naturally, this decision was not ideal, but it was estimated to save the district about $1.6 million during a critical time when every cost-saving measure had to be thoroughly considered. Henry Middle School has taken the weight of this decision, and with more than 1,500 students enrolled, this year it has been cozy on that campus. While we knew that HMS would have to accommodate more students this year since MS #8 would not open in 2011 as planned, we also had the utmost confidence that
its quality of educational and extracurricular services would not be compromised. I am very proud that the staff at HMS rose to the challenge and have provided an optimal learning environment for every single student who has walked through their doors. As one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas, our practice has been to review the population studies of experts and use this scientifically gathered data as the basis for our long-range planning. Accordingly, our building schedules and future school sites depend largely on our annual demographer’s report. Population and Survey Analysts (PASA), a demographic firm used by numerous school districts in Texas, presented the
most recent demography report tion would reach roughly 57,000 to the Board on October 20. students by 2019, while our 2011 (You can find their report and report reflects that LISD will pre s e nt at i on have approxion our website mately 46,000 at www.leanstudents that derisd.org.) same year. It is The 2011 hard to fathom report showed the impact the interesting slow economy trends in develis expected to opment, both have down the BRET CHAMPION road — two for single and mu lt i - f am i ly studies, done unit housing, and among other three years apart, show the data points, compared rates of same point in time differentikindergarten and fifth-grade ated by about 11,000 students. student enrollment. But do not misunderstand me, It comes as no surprise that our growth has not stopped. If our growth has slowed due to the population of our school the economic downturn. Our district grows as is expected, we 2009 demographic report indi- will continue to add about 1,000 cated that our student popula- students each year for the fore-
seeable future. Looking ahead to next year, PASA reviewed the expected student populations at our middle schools and, last month, recommended to the Board that LISD move forward with opening MS #8 in the fall of 2012, yet keep Elementary #24 closed for an additional year. Last Thursday, the Board passed this recommendation and also the recommendation to institute the boundary rezoning plan that was presented last year by the community attendance boundary committee. Next year, without a doubt, MS #8 will be a center for academic excellence. Like all LISD schools, through the achievements of its students and staff, it will further enhance the stellar reputation of our district. We
are excited to finally prepare this beautiful building for the hundreds of eager learners who will begin a new chapter in the learning journey within its halls. To view the entire demography report and the school boundaries for 2012, please visit www.leanderisd.org. Have a great day!
State of the District:
The LISD community will have an opportunity to learn more about the achievements and challenges that face LISD, including our continued growth, at the annual “State of the District” report on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cedar Park High School library. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to cathy.arnold@leanderisd.org.
Local robotics teams grab many honors Four Points area robotics teams did very well in the first weekend of Central Texas FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournaments on Nov. 12. Six of the nine teams that received invitations to move onto the Central Texas Invitational
tournament in January came from Four Points schools. Some teams also received awards. • Four Points Middle School "Spectrum" – Judge's Choice Award & 1st Place Robot Performance Award • Four Points Middle School
"Expired Food Safety Patrol" – 1st Place Research Project Award • Four Points Middle School "Robo Frogs" – 1st Place Core Values Award • River Place Elementary "River Place Robots" – 2nd Place Core
Values Award • Steiner Ranch Elementary "Lego Brick 51" – 2nd Place Research Project Award, 6th Place Robot Performance • River Ridge Elementary "Bacterminators" – Invitation to advance
Above Left: Lego Nuts: Stefano Bonilla, Nicholas Chan, Andy Hernandez, William Fontana, Gabriel Diaz, Connor Hathaway, Kyler Kochendorfer, Trenton Van Orden Below: River Place Robots: Tim Tersigni, Ryan Radloff, Justin Williamson, Kunal Gupta, Cole Smith, Cameron Brighton, Varun Gorti
Grandview Hills Elementary students participate in Ribbons of Thanks. This Ribbon of Thanks project, modeled after Tanabata, the Japanese custom of adorning bamboo trees with message filled ribbons. "Demonstrating their IB attitudes, our students reflected on their own lives and talked about what they are thankful for as we enter the holiday season. Each student wrote a note of thanks on colorful ribbons that are being shared with our community on display along the fence our campus entrance," said Brenda Cruz, Grandview Principal.
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Opinion
Thursday
Page 4 • November 24, 2011
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Four Points of View
Publisher’s Point of View
What is your favorite food on the Thanksgiving table?
Thanksgiving - a time to laugh at turkey poetry, and be grateful Four Points elementary schools got into the Thanksgiving spirit early this year. It was fun walking through the halls to see the cute pilgrim hats, Indian headdresses and colorful turkeys on display. Many students recited poems about the holiday including this gem from my oldest daughter:
colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast in present-day Massachusetts. That was one of the first Thanksgivings. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. The holiday reminds me how grateful I am to be in our Four My turkey wears a tutu Points community. but he cannot dance at all. In Sunday school over LYNETTE the weekend we learned more He wears a frilly tutu that’s a size or two too small. HAALAND about the importance of being grateful. In fact in our second My turkey thinks he’s handsome grade classroom we practiced ‘cause so many people stare. turning to our neighbors and saying He’ll even wear his tutu “thank you” and being grateful for a vain tomorrow’s county fair. riety of things. One girl was thankful for her eczema medicine, another for her My turkey loves the county fairs dog, others for family, friends and food. we go to two or three, At one point during the lesson, the and my turkey wears his tutu whole class turned and said “thank ‘cause he dresses just like me! you” to me for being their teacher. I was touched by their smiling faces. It is amazThe kids really set the holiday in mo- ing how two little words can make your tion, and so did the school cafeteria staffs day. who created the traditional Thanksgiving Share the gratefulness all around and feast for thousands of local students and enjoy your family, friends and loved ones families this past week. this Thanksgiving! (Thank you for read Our celebrations stem from a tradi- ing Four Points News too!) tion started in 1621 when the Plymouth
Matt Ruka Steiner Ranch
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At Thanksgiving, I like the turkey.
Anything with sugar, apple pie, pumpkin pie, etc.
I like that cranberry jello stuff my mom makes and when my whole family comes in from Kansas.
I like my grandmother’s mashed potatoes.
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Canyon Ridge’s “To the Book Fair… and Beyond” was a big success! Students enjoyed browsing and buying books. The most popular items were Rick Riordan’s new book, Son of Neptune and Angry Bird posters. CRMS Library will use the proceeds from the Book Fair to buy more audio books. Thanks to all our great volunteers who helped with the Book Fair.
Letters to the Editor: Four Points News welcomes all Letters to the Editor. All letters must be signed and include phone number for verification. Deadline is Friday before publication. Four Points News reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and for libelous or objectionable statements. Letters containing more than 400 words will be edited for length. Four Points News • 3129 Rippling Creek Ct. Austin, Texas 78732 Email: lynette.fourpoints@gmail.com
Random act of kindness in Four Points Dear Editor, With Thanksgiving week upon us, I wanted to share a story about three people and their random act of kindness who I’m thankful for. My two daughters each needed a full-size mattress for their new bedroom sets. They’d been so patient with me, sleeping in odd places, while I researched to find the best prices on mattresses. I finally bought them at Sam’s Club, and when they presented me with delivery options, it seemed like such a pain (I’d been receiving many deliveries lately, and if I had to endure one more two-hour window…), and I really wanted those mattresses for the girls right away. So I decided to just strap them to the top of my SUV and bring them home that day. Sam’s informed me that they could load them up on my car, but they could not tie them down for liability reasons. I thought that policy stunk, but oh well. I can do this! I’m sure you can see where this story is going... I didn’t get one mile away from Sam’s before both of the mattresses blew off my car and onto HWY. 360, into plenty of traffic. The Good Lord was watching over me and my fellow motorists that day, and luckily those mattresses didn’t hit a car or cause an accident. As I was dragging the mattresses off 360, I realized I was stranded. My husband was in
an important “cell phones off ” meeting, and to make matters more urgent, I needed to get up to Steiner Ranch Elementary to pick up my kids and volunteer for the State Fair and Silent Auction! Then suddenly, a truck pulled up with three men in it. They asked me if I could use some help. I told them I was headed to Steiner Ranch which was pretty far away. They said it was no problem and loaded my mattresses in their truck and strapped them down tightly. I thought, these are either the nicest men or they’re going to steal my mattresses! Needless to say, they followed me all the way home and even unloaded my mattresses for me. It’s random acts of kindness like this that restore my faith in the goodness of people. I am inspired and humbled by them. As it turns out, the driver of the truck, Jorge, owns Hill Country Tacos, the taco stand at 2222 and 620 by Jack Brown Cleaners. If you get a chance, please stop by and enjoy some delicious food at Hill Country Tacos. Then tell Jorge, “Thank you for helping our neighbor with her mattresses!” SincerelyJanice Panoff
Shown in the picture are Madelinne Deitrick, Katie Gillespey, Clara Petit, and Elise Sanchez
Holiday spending tips, plan ahead By Jon Fletcher Guest Contributor Shopping, travel plans, parties and school concerts will fill our schedules over the next few weeks. On top of that, December can be a source of unexpected financial strain. Fortunately the solution may be as simple as planning ahead. Keep these tips in mind. Budget - If you don’t have a guide for spending, you are much more likely to buy items on impulse and spend more than you can afford. Once you decide your budget, make a list of the people you would like to give presents. Divvy different shares of the budget to family and friends or coworkers. Set your limits - Paying for holiday gifts should end before the holiday season does. Remember that gifts are gifts, not necessities, and that no one on your gift list wants you to run up a credit card balance in order to buy them something ex-
pensive. Also try to avoid the postholiday sales. Chances are this year’s hot product won’t have the same appeal when the next holiday season comes around. Shop during the lulls - If you’re serious about saving money this holiday season, treat Black Friday for what it is: a social event designed to promote extra spending. After watching the frenzy on the news, head out during one of the first few weeks after Thanksgiving, when store inventories are more stable. Better yet, do your shopping a few weeks in advance when prices aren’t yet inflated. Many stores will also offer price adjustments if you’ve purchased items at a higher price within 14 days. Do your homework - Research before you spend. You may be better off doing most of your shopping online. Multiple trips to the mall don’t just take time and gas money, they can also take the edge off your discipline to spend wisely. When we
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dine out for convenience, buy on impulse because a price is marked down, or choose gifts based on media hype, we risk spending more than we intended. Cut out convenience - Pulling off a well-researched, soundlybudgeted and creative set of gifts takes time and energy in a season where both are limited. While it’s fine to give yourself a break by eating out or paying more for a gift at one store to save the trip to another, don’t spoil your careful planning by spending too much on incidentals. None of these strategies are easy. But your discipline during the runup will make the relaxation and indulgence of the holidays even sweeter.
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Food Argentina food and culture hursday FourNovember PToints News 24, 2011 • Page 5
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
By CHEF CARLOS CRUSCO Roughly 10 years since seeing my family and friends in Argentina, the anticipation to return was at an all-time high. This time though, it was both a vacation as well as a business trip. A new future aspect of my business will be culinary and wine tours of Argentina. Before taking clients from the United States, some research needed to be done. My tour of the country started in Buenos Aires, then to Rosario (where my family lives), followed by a couple of days in Cordoba and finally to Mendoza, the famous wine country at the foothills of the Andes mountains. One can still find the historic parillas where you can get great Malbec wine and the best beef in the world. The bodegons (local cantina style restaurants) are still alive and well serving incredible sandwiches de miga (English tea-like sandwiches), milanesa (breaded beef cutlet), as well as other traditional recipes. However, Buenos Aires is also opening up to more foreign foods
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like Chinese. les (a rep from the There is an actourism company I tual Chinatown have been working in the neighwith to set up my borhood of tours), was kind Belgrano with enough to invite thousands of me. All you need Chinese immito know is that this grants speak- CARLOS CRUSCO is THE place for ing Spanish! new modern ArThe internationally famous Su- gentine food with a heavy Italian shi club chain has also made influence. The owner, Mariano a splash with the well-heeled Akman, is enthusiastic about his Portenos (people from Buenos establishment and rightly so. He Aires). Thanks to the interna- takes care of his guests as if they tionally famous chef couple As- are family eating at his home. trid y Gaston, Peruvian food has My 7 course degustation (tastalso made its way into the city’s ing menu) was just phenomfood scene. enal. Explained below (in detail) However, one of the new- is what was enjoyed on a cold est food trends is based more rainy night in a small restaurant on quality than the quantity of in Buenos Aires: food. This runs counter to the Course 1: Tasting spoon of a country’s famous parilla res- warm eggplant mousse, boccotaurants where dinners include ncini (mozzarella balls), sun beef, breads, salads, more beef, dried tomatoes, and pea tendrils. potatoes, wine, more beef, and Smooth, creamy and sweet – all then desserts to top it all off. One packed in one bite! place that is part of this change Course 2: Carpaccio of is the restaurant Doppio Zero, shrimp cooked in a lime vinailocated in the new Las Canitas grette, cilantro, and little purple area of Buenos Aires. My gra- elder flowers. This fresh and cious host, Analia de los Ange- clean dish was a creative take on
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By George Jennings Guest Contributor Are you looking forward to this holiday season but not looking forward to the inevitable weight gain that normally takes place? Well have no fear! Follow these effective but simple (we promise!) tips for avoiding weight gain this holiday season. Eat real whole foods. Think
all calories are equal? Not so. New research has shown that your body metabolizes and deals more effectively with calories from real whole foods versus pre-prepared and processed foods. So this year pass on the packaged stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes and frozen desserts and prepare these items from scratch using real whole foods. Sounds like too much trouble? Then
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Course 7: A small cortadito (espresso topped with a small amount of steamed milk) served with a gelato of sabayon loaded with chunks of dried fig. Only a few ingredients and yet the dish exploded in flavor thus representing the mantra of Italian cuisine: Use minimal yet high quality ingredients. As you can see the food was at a whole new level of culinary prowess. It is owners like Mari-
ano and small restaurants like Doppio Zero that are changing the food scene in Buenos Aires and the country as a whole. Next month’s article will be about Mendoza, Argentina’s famous wine country! If you would like more information about the culture of Buenos Aires, my Argentine culinary and wine tours or my chef services, please visit my website at www.chefcrusco.com for contact information.
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the well-known beef carpaccio. Course 3: Braised endive filled with a gorgonzola dulce (blue cheese) and mozzarella cream that was then broiled so the cheeses melted to perfection. This dish was one of my favorites! Course 4: A spinach flavored pasta roll filled with a seafood, tomato and herb mixture. Imagine 2 inch slices laid flat in a wide bowl filled with a seafood and tomato broth. This dish was not only delicious but aesthetically beautiful too. Course 5: What else can I say but Ossobucco – Braised veal shank! The sauce was so dark that it almost took on a caramel like consistency tremendously rich in flavor. Course 6: Ridiculous! My favorite dish of the night! Imagine a very cold and small champagne flute filled with an orange, strawberry and passion fruit flavored cream. Then, imagine a couple of chocolate truffle cake cubes dotting the drink. The combination between the fruit flavored creamsicle like liquid and the chocolate was dessert heaven!
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don’t hesitate to delegate food preparation (and cleanup) tasks to family and house guests. Don’t starve yourself. Many of us will starve ourselves prior to going to a holiday outing or prior to the big feast. All this does is slow our metabolism and cause us to eat too much later. Snack on healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables and nuts before sitting down to eat the holiday meal. Don’t worry, you will still enjoy it as much but you won’t consume as many calories. Eat with your non-dominate hand. Studies have shown that folks that eat those appetizers and snacks with their non-dominate hand actually consume fewer calories than those that use their dominant hand. Try it! Eat mindfully. In other words, make sure it is worth it. Do you really find those Christmas tree sugar cookies tasty? Researchers have discovered that folks will eat food that is stale and intentionally made unappetizing while in a social environment. This year actually mindfully taste the food before eating it. If you find it delicious, by all means enjoy. If not, why eat it? Which leads us to our next tip… Don’t be afraid to say no. We all know those family members and/or hosts that will always want to push more food on you. Once you are pleasantly full (not stuffed!) then just say no. No need to be rude. A “I just couldn’t eat another bite. It was all so wonderful.” should do the trick. Stay moving. Often we de-
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cide to “take a break” from our normal exercise routine during the holidays or think we just don’t have the time during this busy season. Don’t! Yes, you may not be able to squeeze in your normal workout time but researchers have learned that it is actually healthier to be active throughout the day than to go to the gym for an hour and then sit for the rest of the day. Don’t beat yourself up. And finally, remember what Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day.” So let’s say you do plow through half of that pumpkin pie. Don’t beat yourself up about it but just reset your goals and priorities and move on. And guess what? It is impossible to gain five pounds over night regardless of what the scale reports. To gain five pounds overnight you would have to consume 17,500 calories (and not burn any) in one day, which is humanly impossible (I know, I’ve tried). Most of that weight gain is water retention due do consuming too much salt. So don’t freak out, drink a lot of water and be amazed by how much weight you can lose overnight. We wish you a healthy and happy holiday season. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Contributed by George Jennings - Corporate Health and Wellness Consultant, Certified Personal Trainer, Operations Manager for Steiner Ranch Yoga and a Black Belt Instructor for Villari’s Martial Arts of Texas. George may be reached at george@steinerranchyoga.com.
Let us Help! The Four Points News reaches nearly every single family home in Steiner Ranch, River Place, and Grandview Hills. Austin’s most affluent neighborhoods! We can show you how to reach these potential customers.
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Four Points News
Community
Thursday
Page 6 • November 24, 2011
Community Events Nov. 28-30 Coats for Kids drop off Four Points H-E-B, Jack Brown Cleaners
Nov. 30 Coats for Kids collection Bluebonnet Montessori School of Lakeway John Simpson Park 3 - 5 p.m.
Dec. 1 Four Points Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Holiday Party Steiner Ranch Steakhouse 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 3 Firefighter’s Breakfast Fundraiser Towne Square Community Center Steiner Ranch 9 - 11am
Dec. 3 & 4 Holiday Home Tour Benefiting Steiner Ranch Elementary Sendero Homes at 12402 Cedar St. Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 5 Concordia University Texas Bastrop Wildfire Benefit Concert Building A Auditorium 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 The Nutcracker VHS Legacies & Dancers Workshop VHS’s Performing Arts Center 3 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Have an event you would like to share? Submit it!
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Four Points dancers featured in The Nutcracker on Dec. 10 The Vandegrift High School Legacies and Dancers Workshop will present 2 performances of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Ovation, a youth ballet company in residency at Dancers Workshop will perform the full length ballet at VHS’s Performing Arts Center on Dec.10 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. This performance of The Nutcracker will include a cast of 58 dancers ranging from 2nd grade through high school along with professional guest performers. The ballet includes dancing party guests, menacing rats, soldiers brandishing candy canes, graceful snowflakes, the handsome Nutcracker Prince and, the most famous holiday favorite, the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Legacies will open the show by performing two works including a holiday high kick to Bette Midler’s Cool Yule. Legacies team members performing in the production include Delaney Bull, who will grace the stage as the Snow Queen and will also per-
form in the French Mints divertissement in Act II, and Merritt McCall, who will perform multiple roles including Rat, Snow Flake and French Mints. Barclay Bull, student at Four Points Middle School, will dance the role of Clara, the little girl who receives the nutcracker as a gift and dreams all of the excitement and beauty of the ballet. Other residents of the Four Points area that will be performing in this production are Madison Benkovic, Carly Blaine and Hannah Smith, all from Vandegrift High School; Sarah Carpenter, Four Points Middle School; Rachel Bode, Steiner Ranch Elementary; Abi Lyons, Grandview Hills Elementary; and Avery McCall, Hyde Park. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/children and are available at Dancers Workshop or at the door. Seating is general admission. Premium seating of reserved seats is also available at $20. For more information, call Dancers Workshop at 349-7197.
Firefighter Equipment Benefit Breakfast Dec. 3 A Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 3 at Steiner Ranch Town Square Center will raise funds for firefighter equipment that needs to be replaced after the recent community fires. While breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is free, donations to the firefighters are encouraged.
A Home for Art and Cups & Cones teamed up for the Austin Empty Bowl project. The Austin Empty Bowl provides more than just food, it provides an opportunity for everyone to make a contribution, said Emily McElmurry, who runs A Home for Art. Over several weeks groups like girl scouts came to design bowls and make an impact in the Austin community. After glazing, the bowls were donated to the 15th annual Empty Bowl Project for its fundraising and awareness event last weekend. It is estimated that one in five adults and one in four children are at risk of hunger, and that 41 percent of The Capital Area Food Bank’s clients are children.
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, NOBODY PROTECTS YOU LIKE ALLSTATE.
United Heritage Credit Union is a few days away from opening its 13th location at River Place Boulevard and RR 2222. United Heritage is a member of the Four Points Chamber of Commerce and has already been a supporter of Vandegrift High School, even before opening doors on Dec. 5. The latest United Heritage branch will be a full-service facility with 3,627 square feet of space to include state-of-the-art technology, three drive-thru lanes including one for commercial use, a drive-up ATM, 180 safety deposit boxes in four sizes, a free lobby coin machine, refreshment area with a free cappuccino machine, concierge and plasma lobby displays. The design is traditional Texas Hill Country with extensive use of stone throughout.
How about hosting a tapas dessert party?
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Lynette.FourPoints@gmail.com
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Montessori An “education for life”… starts at School in the Hills Call 512.266.6160 to schedule a tour of the school to see our amazing children in action. Let us demonstrate why Montessori and School in the Hills is the right choice for your child. Discover why Montessori education has amazed parents and inspired children for over 100 years. Enroll and watch your child grow to love learning while developing life skills such as: Self Confidence, Independence, Curiosity and Creativity. Are you on the waitlist? Call today!
Phone 512.266.6160 schoolinthehills.com
Armadillo RV Park gets new playground thanks to Four Points neighbors
Girl Scouts from troops 1786 and 374 made bowls recently for the Empty Bowl event. Showing off their designs are Sydney Suthar, Sarah Whitworth, Madison Geller, Brooke D'Andrade, Jasmine Bui and Katherine Whitworth.
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Over 40 kids who live in Armadillo RV Park have new playground equipment this Thanksgiving thanks to local businesses and Austin Christian Fellowship who provided supplies, funds and volunteers. “We wanted to give them something they could really enjoy,” said Dan Peabody, General Manager of Rudy's at RR 620. He hauled many wheelbarrels full of dirt and sand during the two-day project. “It is just incredible to see this come together. This is a special project,” Peabody said. Over 50 volunteers made a difference at the Armadillo RV Park, located off of Hudson Bend Road. The eight businesses and ACF came together to give back to the community earlier this month. K&N Management, owner of local Rudy’s and Mighty Fine Burgers restaurants, donated $1,000 for project supplies and
over 30 of the volunteers. One of the company’s employees lives in the park. ACF also donated $1,000 and volunteers. They moved and repainted a dollhouse, reinforced and painted an existing fort, and tore down the old swing set and built a new one. They also installed a large tree house and refurbished 10 picnic tables. Four Points Home Depot donated cement, trash bags and cement mixer. Mesa Rosa restaurants donated the sand for the playground, McDonald’s in Round Rock the tree house, and PS Landscaping six yards of dirt. John King Construction helped secure the tree house, poured the foundation for it and supplied a bobcat. Keep Austin Beautiful donated working gloves and Four Points H-E-B soft drinks. Volunteers also helped a single mom and her four young children who live at the park with cleaning up their yard.
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IBC BANK JOB FAIR River Place 11405 FM 2222 Austin, TX 78730 (Across the street from 3M) Tuesday, November 29th 10 am to Noon *** Now hiring Sales Associates at the River Place location. *** Successful candidates will be sales oriented and goal driven! *** You will receive paid training, insurance, vacation & 401(k)! *** Come to the job fair prepared to interview! (Professional dress required.) *** Must pass credit & background check prior to hiring. *** For more information call 512-397-4557.
Community
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Thursday
November 24, 2011 • Page 7
The Furry Friends Event on Nov. 13 raised $1,083 for the Spicewood Fire Victims. Several police offices and firefighters came out to get their dogs vaccinated. Plus many other dogs in the neighborhood came out. Dr. Roush with Stay at Home Mobile Vet organized the event.
Steiner Firewise Workday clears truckloads of brush
Families enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal at Grandview Hills Elementery last Thursday. Most area schools featured the traditional fare for their students and families. Top: Mia Hanlon and family Above: Alamgari family Left: Coleman family
Dear Neighbor, I would like to invite you to visit my studio off of 620 in Hudson Bend. I have been a salon owner for many years and now work by myself in a quiet, private studio, overlooking the lake. Having been in the beauty industry for over 28 years working in 5-star salons and spas, I know the high prices that come with upkeep for women and men. I have built a reputation through repeated quality and consistency with my clients. I offer the same products, service, and results at a fraction of the price.
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The first Firewise Workday was held recently in Steiner Ranch with a great turnout. About 40 residents plus another 15 volunteers including Vandegrift High School football players and National Honor Society students worked together on Nov. 12. Lake Travis Fire Rescue and Travis County officials manned the chipper. “With so many people we were able to pull out more brush than we expected. We filled 2.5 trucks full of mulch before the daylight and chipper gave out on us and still had about 1.5 trucks worth of brush left,” said Nathasha Collmann All in all it was a great collaborative effort between the residents, HOA, Travis County and LTFR. “Residents left feeling great about what we accomplished and eager to plan and execute another workday where we hope to be allowed to do some actual trimming and thinning in the
Preserve to establish a firebreak,” Collmann said. Dec. 1 is the next meeting to follow up on the workday and plan the next steps. Collmann is also working on compiling a list of names and contact info from people all over Steiner who are interested in serving on the Firewise Committee. “We hope to have representa-
Local businesses, schools and groups are collecting Coats for Kids. For the third year running, HE-B grocery located at RM 2222 and RR 620 will be hosting a coat donation drop of from Nov. 28 - Nov. 30. Jack Brown Cleaners also is a drop off location. Last year’s drive collected more than 200 coats in just three days. To encourage donor participation, Starbucks will donate
free coffee to all who stop by to donate. H-E-B is also providing hot cocoa. Bluebonnet Montessori School of Lakeway is also participating in Coats for Kids. The school will host a final collection drive at John Simpson Park in Steiner Ranch on Nov. 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Last year, Bluebonnet was able to collect 248 coats and raised $1,010 in cash donations. This
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year, the school is working with its students, their families and many local businesses in the area to surpass last year’s benchmark. The collection runs through Nov. 30. New and gently used coats for young people of all ages will be accepted, as well as monetary donations. They will have coat collection boxes throughout the Austin and Lakeway area including 620 Dance Centre, Lakeway Tae Kwon Do, The Hills Country Club, Yaupon Golf Course, World of Tennis, Temple Beth Shalom and Heartsong Music. There will also be cash donation collection boxes at over 15 other local businesses. It takes about $15 to purchase a new coat for a needy recipient. Last year, Coats for Kids distributed 35,157 new and gently used coats to young people in Central Texas. The coats will be distributed on Dec. 10 at the Palmer Events Center.
Time to Winterize
My passion is to provide high quality sessions specifically designed around each individuals needs ranging from massage for relaxation to injury rehabilitation. - Shannon
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One of the first tasks will be to draft the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) which will establish guidelines for Firewise practices in the community.
Coats for Kids drives being held locally
for All Ages
OFF
tives from each section of SR. We will gather this group to start discussions on how to implement Firewise throughout the whole neighborhood,” she said.
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Don’t let it happen again this year. Winterize your sprinkler system to prevent the damage that occurred last year - especially if you live in WCID 17.
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Stars of the Week
Thursday
Page 8 • November 24, 2011
B A S K E T B A L L
Ryan Brewster -
Marshall Wilson -
Emily Sears -
Matt Dehne -
Karina Batek -
Senior
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Game, set, success: VHS Tennis Tourney
Birdies for Bikes benefit inspired by Steiner fifth grader
By SHAUNA SMITH Guest Contributor
Twin Creeks Country Club was the site recently for “Birdies for Bikes”, a tournament for young golfers ranging in age from 7 to 17. The tournament on Oct. 29 was the inspiration of a Steiner Ranch fifth grader and junior golfer, Hailey Derrickson. She heard about the JB & Sandy of Mix 94.7 adult golf tournament to benefit Bikes for Kids and decided that she and her friends could do the same to help finance bikes for underprivileged children. Hailey arranged for the golfers to solicit donations and pledges for each birdie and par that the golfer scored. Local businesses donated prizes for the junior golfers that collected the most money for the charity and for closest-to-the-pin competitions. In total, the young golfers collected more than $3,000 which will go toward bikes, helmets and bike locks for underprivileged Austin area children this holiday season. Four of the Birdies for Bikes participants: Jordan Jalufka, Jensen Jalufka, Hailey Derrickson and Kaylee Vesely.
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Wrestling: I like wrestling because you get out of it what you put into it. The only difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The Shops at Steiner Ranch 2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd. Suite 260
Open everyday 11am - 9pm, Sat. & Fri. until 10pm
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Deric Jech -
W R E S T L I N G
Junior
Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts
El Señor Mexican Cuisine
Junior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Soccer: My favorite thing about Lady Viper soccer is how we can all mesh together as a team and become successful on the field.
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Swimming: The fun environment of the swim team and going to meets is one of my favorites things about swim. Also, seeing myself improve, because it makes me feel like all the days of practice are worth it!
Go Vipers!
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Basketball: FRIENDS!
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Soccer: The things I enjoy most about playing soccer for the Vipers are my teammates and our team dynamic. They are a great group of guys and we all work well together.
S W I M M I N G
www.FourPointsNews.com
Sophomore
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Basketball: I like representing the school and playing on a team where we can share all of our accomplishments.
S O C C E R
Four Points News
William Martinez, sophomore at Vandegrift High School, captured a win at Falconhead as he battled the strong winds on Nov. 12 to finish ahead of Westlake’s Stratton Nolen and Matthew Perrine with rounds of 73,75. Vandegrift, which hosted the event, and Cedar Park tied for 4th place. There were close to 90 players in the field.
Viper Football Head Coach Drew Sanders weekly comments Vs. Tivy, Nov. 18: I was extremely pleased how we played this past week. While it was dissappointing to lose, I was not disappointed in our level of play. We have shown time and time again that we are an up and coming program and our
The Vandegrift Tennis Booster Club hosted its inaugural community tennis tournament Nov. 19. Vandegrift tennis coach, James Larremore said, "the tremendous support from the community was very humbling. The team is very fortunate to be a part of the Viper community." There were 128 players comprising 64 doubles teams registered and played fun but competitive matches throughout the day at the VHS courts and River Place Country Club tennis courts. Teams came in a wide variety of partnerships; tennis team players and their parents, broth-
ers and sisters, husbands and wives and seasoned league players with longtime partnerships. No matter what the skill level, everyone had the opportunity to play at least three or four matches in a round robin format. Tournament director Melinda Floyd said: “the skill level of players ranged from 6.0 to 9.5 combos and included a mix of both tennis team members and community participants, a testament to the strong tennis community in our area.” The tournament was a fundraiser for the Vandegrift tennis team that promises to be a force to be reckoned with. This year the team advanced to regionals and enjoys a top ten state ranking.
kids will never give up. While we may have finished 5 yards short of the third round of the state playoffs, I know we made the entire Four Points community proud. Hats off to our first senior class for setting the standard. It was a season I’ll always remember.
Record-setting season for Concordia’s women’s soccer Concordia University Texas women's soccer team set a school record for overall wins for the third straight season under the direction of third-year head coach Corey Holton. The squad recorded 14 victories in 2011 after winning 10 in 2010 and five in 2009 during Holton’s first season. Concordia lost to Texas-Dallas on Nov. 5 at the ASC Tour-
nament, 2-0, but ended their record-setting season with many accolades. Seniors Lauren Browning, Hilary Wagner and Kiera Ruck, who were each four-year starters, will graduate as the program's all-time winningest class with 33 victories. Seniors Lauren Browning and Kendall Williams were named Sunday to the American
Southwest Conference Women's Soccer Championship's All-Tournament team. They were among 11 players from the six participating schools to make the squad as well as the first two players in program history to garner the honor after leading the Tornados to their first-ever postseason victory and semifinal appearance.
Concordia University Texas soccer players Lauren Browning (left) and Dalaine Whitlock (right) were both named to the American Southwest Conference Women's Soccer Championship's All-Tournament team. Team photo courtesy Will Brasel.
CMYK SPEED ZONE, FROM 1 of the “free flow speed” of traffic on RM 2222; that is, the limits represent the speed in which 85 percent of the population feels comfortable driving on a specific section of roadway during non-conflict (rush hour) times. Cunningham explained that traffic engineers used a radar gun to measure the speed of 125 cars every quarter-mile on the roadway. Then, placing the speeds from slowest to fastest, the TxDOT employees calculated the 85th percentile for the section and the map shown was based on this report. “That’s what people really
are driving it [RM 2222],” said Cunningham. “There’s a myth out there that slower is safer. It’s true, you can stop sooner at slower speeds but you don’t just pick some number and post it. Artificially lowering speed limits too much may cause a crash.” Cunningham stated that his department is permitted to deviate 12 MPH on either side of the findings, faster or slower, but did not do so in this case. “You have the curve and a lot of business development where it’s [speed] posted at 50,” Cunningham said. “Going downhill, there’s no development on
either side of the road so that measured higher. More development in the area causes more conflict for drivers so the speed limit goes down.” Responding to recent reports of accidents in the area, Cunningham replied that “Accidents don’t mean it’s [roadway] hazardous; it depends on the nature of the accidents”. “We place higher value on serious crashes, fatality or Life Flight,” Cunningham said. Cunningham estimates that new roadway signs will be posted possibly by Christmas.
Four Points News, Thursday, November 24, 2011 • Page 9
Viper hoops begin The Lady Viper basketball team is early into its 2011 season with several games under their belt now. They continue to build a strong team. According to Head Girls Basketball Coach, Jody Hormann, Lady Viper's 2010 record, overall and in district play:17-18, 4-8. The Viper boys basketball team is also building its program at the start of the 2011 season. Last year their 2010 record, overall and in district play: 10-23, 1-11, according to Head Boys Basketball Coach Cliff Ellis. For complete game schedules go to: vandegriftvipers.com
DATE: December 4th, 2011 TIME: 1pm to 5pm John Lichtenberger
Above: Jasmine Mobley, Senior
HOLIDAY
Left: Tyler Eyre Junior
TOUR of
HOMES PRESENTED BY THE
VANDEGRIFT LEGACIES
4 Gorgeous Homes in Steiner Ranch and River Place Decked out for the holidays!
April Dang
APARTMENTS, FROM 1 percent will be 1-bedroom and 40 percent 2-bedroom. Square footage will range from about 925 square feet to a maximum of 1,300 square feet, Eeds said. The developers expect to attract a combination of young couples, old couples, retirees, singles and young families to live in the apartments. The community will have a large recreation area,
pool, clubhouse, gym, billiards room and business center. They plan to have roaming security services. Greystone plans to relocate one of the Steiner trails that goes through their land. The company has developed over 75 apartment communities across the country in Houston, California, Colorado and Florida.
$10 - All Proceeds Support the VHS Legacies Dance Team
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