CMYK Steiner Ranch Orthodontics
FOUR POINTS
Treatment for Children, Teens & Adults Call for your Complimentary Exam
512-266-8585 www.BracesAustin.com Central Austin
Volume 7, Issue 48 • 10 pages
Steiner Ranch
Bastrop
All Insurances
DERMATOLOGY
478-3376 (4PT-DERM) I
www.FourPointsDermatology.com
Give yourself the gift of Peace of Mind this Holiday Season. Schedule your skin exam. Visit our website for our December
Specials.
Medical • Surgical • Cosmetic • Adult • Pediatric
Serving Steiner Ranch, River Place, Volente, Grandview Hills, Westminster Glen and Lake Travis
Roopal Bhatt, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Thursday, December 8, 2011 • 50 cents
Travis County is improving emergency management New Facebook page, evacuation plans in place By LYNETTE HAALAND
Lynette.FourPoints@gmail.com
The Travis County Office of Emergency Management released a report based on the Labor Day weekend fires. The findings show areas to improve during an emergency including communications through social media and adding staff to handle evacuations. Travis County battled six large fires on Sept. 4, with the Steiner Ranch fire being the largest, destroying 23 homes. It took nearly three months to compile the After Action Report which includes individual responses from 70 emergency responders who worked on the three, largest county fires. “We had a fire day many firefighters had never seen before. We dealt with them with what resources we had and we did the best we could with no outside resources (from the state) available to use,” said Pete Baldwin, Travis County's Emergency Management Coordinator. But there were areas that did not work during the emergency and now Travis County is taking steps to improve emergency response.
Communication from the field and communication to residents were among the biggest issues. Travis County has set up a Travis County Emergency Services Facebook page. “It is created but we’re not posting to it right now. We are go through policies on what will be posted and can be posted,” Baldwin said. The county is also looking at getting linked into Twitter to disseminate information to the public in real time. During the Steiner Ranch fires and evacuation, there was a lot of misinformation out there. Travis County wants to be the trusted source residents can turn to. “Part of the problem we had from an emergency operation standpoint was getting information from the field,” Baldwin said. It was an all-hands-on-deck situation fighting the fires and the public information officers were not available to feed information back to the media and then public. The After Action Report report calls for the county to train additional public information officers to better communicate with the media.
This week the county is sending 24 public information officers for training. He said fire departments across the county also are training firefighters to work as public information officers so they can help smaller departments communicate in emergency situations. Evacuation bottlenecks were also a big issue, especially during the Steiner evacuation. “We are looking at evacuation routes to see what we can do better if it ever happens again,” Baldwin said. “There are not a whole lot of options. We’re not going to build another 620 somewhere,” he said. But Travis County can better manage traffic flow by managing the major intersections better and by adding law enforcement staff to get people out quicker. The report also pointed out a possible different approach to handling all of the county fires. “If we would have recognized how big this thing really was earlier, we probably would have moved into an area-wide command. That helps in managing resources differently,” Baldwin said. Initially Travis County fire EMERGENCY, 2
Ground breaking expected in weeks on River Place hotel, medical offices By LYNETTE HAALAND Lynette.FourPoints@gmail.com
A 120-room Marriott Residence Inn and nearly 40,000 square foot River Place Medical and Professional Center are expected to break ground within weeks in River Place. “This is fantastic,” said Jim Gallegos, Head of Entitlements at Aquilla Commercial, the brokerage listing River Place Pointe. The Marriot Residence Inn will be located behind the new United Heritage Credit Union that opened this week. Between the credit union and the hotel will be three office buildings, the
River Place Medical and Professional Center. The anchor tenant of the office buildings will be a family medical practice and urgent care clinic headed by Dr. Michael Vik, who has two other locations in Lakeway and Bee Cave. Vik closed on his construction loan several days ago and ground breaking is expected in the next couple weeks, Gallegos said. Operating River Place is developing this part of the site which will consist of two 14,000-square-foot buildings and an 11,000-square-foot building. The center will have space available for purchase and lease
for medical specialists, dentists and other health care professionals. Developers believe the growing population in Four Points and the nearby schools will bring in the traffic they need. Pacifica Cos., which owns and operates hotels under the Marriott name, bought the lot at the back of the property to build a 120-room Marriott Residence Inn. It’s expected to break ground soon, Gallegos said. He thinks both the medical offices and hotel will be a good fit for Four Points residents and businesses. “We have the rooftops out there I think to support
By LYNETTE HAALAND
Jim Gallegos, Head of Entitlements at Aquilla Commercial
United Heritage opens after nearly a year of construction Inside
School......................................3 Opinion...................................4 Honor Roll...............................5 Classifieds...............................6 Sports......................................8 Find us on Facebook We wish you a warm holiday season with family and friends.
“We had our first drive thru member early in the morning and as soon as the lobby doors opened at 9 a.m. we were busy,” said Martin Fogarty, Branch Manager at RM 2222 and River Place Boulevard. “It's going to be a very successful opening as we've heard from a lot of residents that they've been waiting for us to open and are happy to have a mega bank alternative,” said Jenny Laudadio, Director of Marketing. River Place resident Chuck Higdon has been a member of United Heritage for more than 20 years and is glad this branch
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
The newly formed Austin Energy Rate Protest group is adding to its numbers in hopes of blocking the proposed rate hikes - which could be more than 20 percent - for electricity. “We have gotten our website launched and are actively gathering emails of folks interested in joining our protest,” said Mark Farrar, group organizer. More than 32,000 local Four Points area Austin Energy customers may be subject to rate hikes as early as spring of 2012. For the past year, Austin Energy has been considering four residential rate increase proposals and one proposal for commercial customers. These proposals range between a 16 and 40 percent rate increase and average a 22 percent increase, said Ed Clark, Communications Director at Austin Energy. Austin Energy will make its recommendation next week on
Dec. 14 at the Council Work Session. On Dec. 15 Austin City Council will set the date for the first of at least two public hearings. These public hearings tentatively will be held Jan. 12 and Jan. 26. For more information go to www.rate@austinenergy.com The main reason for the hikes is that Austin Energy needs to collect more revenues to support day to day operations, Clark said. Austin Energy Rate Protest thinks the proposed hikes are too high. Its website, www. aerateprotest.com, shows several things including analysis of Austin Energy's proposed rates versus rates charged by competitive suppliers in Round Rock. The group picked Round Rock because there is more than one utility provider there, said Farrar, who is also a program manager for an information technology company. According to research, Austin Energy customers will be paying at least 33 percent more than residents in Round Rock if a 23 percent hike is approved, he said. Austin Energy’s Clark said: “We have some of the lowest rates in the state right now. Our residential bills remain in the ENERGY, 7
Steiner Ranch Liquor moving to Quinlan Crossing in March
River Place resident Chuck Higdon (holding a Hey Cupcake) stopped by United Heritage Credit Union on opening day. The newest branch on RR 2222 and River Place Boulevard has give-aways all week long. Higdon has been a member of United Heritage Credit Union for more than 20 years and his wife Karyn said: "We've been UNITED, 7 waiting for this to open ever since we saw the sign go up."
Urgent Care ~ Now Open!
Austin Energy making its rate recommendation next week Lynette.FourPoints@gmail.com
GROUND BREAKING,2
The cold weather Monday did not keep droves of people from the United Heritage Credit Union’s opening day. The 13th branch in River Place is one of the first new buildings opened in a couple of years in Four Points.
Austin Energy Rate Protest adds to its numbers
Find our half-page ad in today’s paper for a chance to win a FREE Hey Cupcake! or Thundercloud Subs gift card!
Steiner Ranch Wine and Liquor is moving to Quinlan Crossing in March. Danny Omar opened the store in 2007 in the Shops at Steiner
Ranch and will move to Quinlan Crossing around the first day of spring in March. “I’m really excited about the move,” Omar said.
NOW OPEN! River Place Blvd & 2222
512.435.4545 800.531.2328 WWW.UHCU.ORG
CMYK
Page 2 • Four Points News, Thursday, December 8, 2011
RIVER PLACE, FROM 1 this,” he said. The facade will maintain the Hill Country Roadway Look with native stone and non reflective glass and roof tops. At this point River Place Pointe LP owns about half of the
Give yourself the gift of time!
23-acre site. The site was purchased more than five years ago. After $1.5 million was spent on infrastructure for the mixed-use development, the economy slowed and so did development. Lending has
The holidays can be hectic. Shopping, parties, visits from out-of-town guests…Finding safe, reliable childcare during the holiday season can be an additional stress. Treat yourself and your children to help from a College Nanny.
College Nannies Hourly Childcare Service allows you: • Time to shop without children in tow • Time to attend all your holiday events • Time to get away from it all
been tight over the past couple years on construction projects. Gallegos said the site has momentum now because more users are getting financing to do their projects. River Place Pointe is in talks with a couple of potential purchasers for the restaurant site. Gallegos said the River Place neighborhood indicated that it wants a sit-down restaurant. Also there are seven to eight acres left at the lot the farthest away from River Place and there are a couple interested parties and they are not retail, he said. “We’ll probably see these other two tracts sell hopefully by the third quarter next year,” Gallegos said. “We’ll wrap up hopefully by the end of the year next year or early 2013.” EMERGENCY, FROM 1 departments treated these fires as typical and threw a lot of resources into fighting them to try to contain them quickly. They did not know the magnitude of the fires until later, Baldwin said. The high winds and dry fuels caused the departments to move from a direct attack mode into a defensive mode of protecting residences. “In Steiner, the chief put heavy emphasis on protecting residences,” Baldwin said. Saving hundreds of homes was one of the biggest successes of the emergency event, he said. Support from STAR Flight helicopters and the Austin Fire Department were also “invaluable,” he added.
women’s boutique • clothing • jewelry • gifts • home decor
Wishing you Merry Christmas! Shop local for unique fashion and fabulous finds!
(512)
372.8385
Lakeway’s
collegenannies.com
best kept secret!
512-263-1400
2127 Lohmans Crossing Rd. Ste. 301, Lakeway
Free On-Call Enrollment with this code: Four Points
www.adornaustin.com
Mortgage Loans
River Place Blvd & 2222
starting at
CELEBRATE WITH US TODAY ONLY! Bring in this ad to claim a coupon for a free Hey Cupcake! cupcake or a Thundercloud Subs $5 gift card.
APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Limited time offer. APR applies to well qualified borrowers and may increase depending on applicable finance charges. Maximum loan to value (LTV) allowed is 95%. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) may be required. Normal closing costs apply. United Heritage lending policies apply. Membership required. Applies to loan balances up to $417,000. For each $10,000 borrowed at 3.49% APR for 15 years, the monthly principal and interest payment is $71.44; at 3.99% APR for 30 years, the monthly principal and interest payment is $47.68.
(One per person while supplies last and no copies, please)
EnTER foR A CHAnCE To WIn! 16GB Apple iPad2 with Wifi
FriDAY, December 9 4p
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
SATurDAY, December 10 9a-2p Bring the kids by to spin the Prize Wheel for great prizes and local gift cards. 10a-1p Protect Yourself: Participate in our Shred Day! Bring a maximum of two boxes containing personal and confidential information to have shredded on the spot at no charge.
Drawings open through January 14. Must be at least 18 years old to enter. One entry per person. Employee, Employee household and Board Member accounts are not eligible. Chance of winning based on number of entries received. Each entry is eligible for one prize.
River Place
SweeT TreATS (While they last!) THurSDAY 9-11a 1-2:30p 9a-6p
Goodies from Rise & Shine Bakery Free cupcake from Hey Cupcake! Cold ice cream and hot cappuccino in the lobby
FriDAY 9-11a 3:30-5p 9a-6p
Goodies from Rise & Shine Bakery Free cupcake from Hey Cupcake! Cold ice cream and hot cappuccino in the lobby
SATurDAY 9-11a 12-1:30p 9a-2p
Goodies from Rise & Shine Bakery Free cupcake from Hey Cupcake! Cold ice cream and hot cappuccino in the lobby
10815 Ranch Rd 2222 Austin, TX 78730 Lobby M-F 9AM - 6PM Sat 9AM - 2PM
starting at
(Shred services provided by Iron Mountain. Boxes must be no larger than approximately 10 x 12 x 15".)
Dinner & Shopping valued at $500: An Evening of Food, Drink & Entertainment provided by Steiner Ranch Steakhouse & $200 UT Golf Club Pro Shop Gift Card
Automobile Loans
Contact a united Heritage loan expert at 512.435.4444 or loans@uhcu.org.
Mobile Banking
with two convenient and secure options
Mobile Web (m.uhcu.org) and App
Drive-Thru M-F 7AM - 7PM Sat 9AM - 2PM
Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell or Hays county.
be Smart. bank Smart. 512.435.4545 www.uHCu.oRg 800.531.2328
MoBile Banking & aPP
APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Limited time offer. United Heritage lending policies and some restrictions apply. APR applies to well-qualified borrowers. Offer not eligible on existing United Heritage auto loans. For each $1,000 borrowed at 2.49% APR with a repayment term of 36 months, the payment is $28.86; at 2.69% APR for 60 months, the payment is $17.85.
Safe DePoSiT BoxeS
gReaT RaTeS
fRee CaPPuCCino!
School Making kindness contagious hursday Four PToints News
Four Points News
December 8, 2011 • Page 3 www.FourPointsNews.com
www.FourPointsNews.com
We talk a lot in Leander ISD about sustaining campus cultures where students feel safe, supported and encouraged to learn. To reach this goal, LISD campuses are working to help break down social barriers and ensure all students feel welcomed. One such program that we’ve adopted is uniquely “LISD.” C2, or Coalition of Clubs, is a group that unites students from different campus-based organizations to encourage a culture of kindness, while also taking a stand against bullying. The C2 program began at Leander High School in May of 2010 with nine students. In about a year and a half, C2 has grown to include 16 LISD campuses, including elementary, middle and high schools, and involves hundreds of students across the district in third through twelfth grades. It has even caught the at-
tention of other school districts and some colleges. Wearing the distinctly yellow smiley-face shirts with “C2urious?” written on the back, students involved in C2 stand out as leaders and positive role models on their campuses. During lunch, C2 students get out of their comfort zones to sit and talk with students they don’t know to help all students feel included. As they walk through the halls and engage in classroom discussions, C2 students make it a point to compliment their peers and lend a hand when they see others struggling. When interacting with others, C2 students help to bring awareness to differences that make individuals special and valued. Ultimately, C2 students go above and beyond to create a culture of kindness on their campuses. In October, LHS hosted a C2
fall forum and invited partici- schools, it unifies students of all pating LISD campuses to come ages from one end of the district together to to the other. discuss how Christine Simpthey can proson, assistant mote acts of principal and C2 caring. The fosponsor at LHS, rum focused said, “It’s so neat on educating to see an elestudents about mentary student how they can identify with BRET CHAMPION a high school work together to transform student, to sort their schools of connect like and have open dialogues about they are equals because they are how to stop bullying. Students both members of C2. It creates walked away with action plans common ground.” The LISD high that they created to take back to schools that are involved with C2 their schools to help foster a cul- work with their feeder schools to ture of kindness. To sustain the give students a sense of familiarimomentum, a second forum is ty and belonging as they get older planned for this spring at Cedar and are promoted to subsequent Park High School. schools. Because C2 involves students This year, the C2 students of in elementary, middle and high LHS have a goal to see that one-
third of the students at the high school are members of the club. That’s 700 students. As Ms. Simpson put it, “The C2 program has brought together a very diverse and talented group of students at LHS who believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. If their goal is 700 students, they will meet it, without a doubt.” Another program some LISD schools are participating in this week to promote a culture of caring is Inclusive Schools Week (ISW), December 5 – 9. ISW celebrates students of all backgrounds and abilities, including students with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This week, our campuses have been participating in activities such as “unity day” by wearing school spirit shirts, “unique day” by wearing
crazy socks, “mobility day” by wearing tennis shoes, “warm-upto-a-new-friend day” by wearing warm ups, and “blue-tiful day” by wearing the color blue. While these gestures may seem insignificant, they are not so different from the efforts of C2. ISW brings awareness to the fact that all students are different and therefore learn differently. Regardless, all students should be treated with dignity and respect. That’s what promoting a culture of kindness is all about. C2 and ISW are two programs LISD is proud to support in our efforts to promote a culture of kindness. To learn more about C2 or ISW, and to view public service announcements recorded by members of C2, please visit www. leanderisd.org.
“Balancing the scales of justice in your favor”
Marie E. McGrath, JD, MBA
Attorney and Counselor at Law Personal Injury • Divorce • Fertility • Immigration
Call your local Steiner Ranch attorney today!
512-696-6575
106 East 6th St., Suite 640 mariemcgrath@mmcg-law.com • www.mcgrathaustinlawyer.com Phillip Ahern and Drayton Whiteside, NJHS students at Canyon Ridge Middle School, started a campaign to help abused children have an opportunity to participate in sports. They collected gently used sporting equipment and clothing and are making a delivery to "Safe Place", a facility for abused women and children. The boys want other kids to have a chance to play sports and have fun. If anyone would like to donate supplies, please contact Nancy Minter at CRMS.
New Salon in Steiner
Contemporary Orthodontics
My passion is to provide high quality sessions specifically designed around each individuals needs ranging from massage for relaxation to injury rehabilitation. - Shannon
James R. Waters, DDS, MSD, PA Board Certified Orthodontist
Complete Orthodontic Care From 6 years to 66 years Specializing in Early Interceptive Treatments
Pre-treatment - Age 8
Call today for your complimentary new patient exam
266-8585
Post-treatment - Age 11
Located in Steiner Ranch! 4302 Quinlan Park Road • www.bracesaustin.com
Massage Therapist packages available. Great holiday Gifts!
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10am - 7pm Sat. 10am - 5pm
266-9225
2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd. (in the Shops at Steiner Ranch)
www.salonhueaustin.com
re:consider the season re:Christmas | A special series weekends in December .............................................................................................................................................................................................
Christmas Eve Services 2 3:30 5 and 7P No services Christmas Day
Shannon LaVinka Nationally Certified Clinical Massage Therapist & Reiki Practitoner
Treatments available: • Swedish • Deep Tissue • Trigger Point • Myofascial Work • Pregnancy • Lomi Lomi • Lymphatic Drainage • Reiki • Sports Massage • Chair Massage
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.
Contact Hollie Kenney 410.258.1412
fourpointsnews@austin.rr.com
or
512.380.1405
FourPointsNews.edit@gmail.com
Austin Christian Fellowship 6401 River Place Blvd., Austin, TX 78730
AustinChristianFellowship.org
Four Points News
Opinion
Thursday
Page 4 • December 8, 2011
www.FourPointsNews.com
Four Points of View
Publisher’s Point of View
What does Four Points need?
New local business supports other local businesses It is an approach I’ve not seen before done to this level. United Heritage Credit Union wants Four Points to celebrate with them during their opening week. They opened their 13th local branch on Monday, marking the first time in a long time in Four Points where a company built from the ground up. On Monday they opened their doors in River Place after more than a year of planning and construction. Their staff is cheerful and their prizes amazing - and with a local focus. “It’s a big thing to support local,” said Martin Fogarty, Branch Manager. “It is important to us, as a Credit Union, to give back to our area communities. The credit union philosophy is ‘People Helping People’ and we strive to work by that standard,” said Jenny Laudadio, Director of Marketing. “When we hold branch events our preference is to use local businesses as it is a mutually beneficial opportunity and simply makes everyone involved feel good.” Treats from Rise & Shine Bakery, Hey Cupcake! and Blue Bell Creameries are being doled out all week long. On Thursday with the Four Points News ad, there is a free lunch card for Thundercloud Subs. (That’s even getting coverage in the Austin American-Statesman.) Friday along with the treats and hot cap-
Four Points News
puccinos is the Four Points Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting. Saturday United Heritage is hosting a free Iron Mountain Shred Day to get rid of confidential papers. There are hundreds of dollars in prizes during opening week including: a University of Texas Golf Club Pro Shop gift card and Steiner Ranch Steakhouse dinner package. Go put your name in the drawing! United Heritage began its community focus months ago. In the fall it ordered 2,000 footballs with its name and logo to be tossed out at the Viper games. It is impressive what they are doing and the generosity they are showing. All of this has caused me to consider switching banks. I did check into a few things including ATM availability (which they have a network of hundreds of free ATMS) and how are their funds are insured. Looks like they are insured through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, the credit union equivalent to FDIC. Not sure if I’ll make the switch but I do know one thing, their community spirit is contagious. Martin said it clearly to me months ago: “We want to grow with the Four Points community.”
LYNETTE HAALAND
Maggie Mc Elmurry Steiner Ranch
Adam Kristoff Steiner Ranch
In-N-Out Burger.
We need Authentic Austin eateries. I’m glad we’re getting Torchy’s Tacos.
Four Points News Your Community Newspaper
PERSONNEL
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
Austin Energy rate hike impact on churches Dear Editor, I read with interest the letter several weeks ago by Mark L. Farrar, alerting the residents of Four Points to the complex issues surrounding the significant increases in electricity rates proposed by Austin Energy. He raises serious concerns that should be carefully evaluated and understood. Customers of Austin Energy have every right to be alarmed that the average residential customer will see rates increase 22% or more. Other classes of Austin Energy customers face even more severe increases. If Austin Energy's proposed new rate structure is implemented in its current form, many Austin congregations will experience a doubling of their electric bills over the next three years. While the exact increase will vary for each congregation, worship facilities as a group would experience an average increase of 80 percent, far greater than the planned increases for most of Austin Energy's other customer classes. Houses of worship make up a tiny fraction of Austin Energy's customer base: Altogether, their 621 congregations account for roughly $5 million - just 1/2 of 1% of Austin Energy's $1.03 billion in annual revenue. Clearly, everyone needs to bear some share of the burden for rising energy costsbut an 80% increase in rates on one small customer class is an unacceptable burden.
I appreciate your coverage of the recent vandalism at John Simpson Park. While the imagery in the graffiti is possibly shocking to some, noone should be shocked at the vandalism itself. I live right across the street and have been seeing this issue developing for years now. Chairs have been tossed in the pool, large piles of broken glass left on the concrete pathways and dog feces smeared over the playscapes. That was a real treat – my 3 year old getting all excited to go to the park only to have to tell him he can’t play on it due to some moron doing something so pointless and stupid. This is on top of the usual trail of cigarette butts, empty dip cans and even an open pocket knife I once found just sitting on the
Background Austin Energy is proposing its first rate structure revision in 17 years. In proposing a new rate structure, the utility is looking to achieve a laundry list of objectives: • reclassifying customers into "appropriate" categories • ensuring that the utility is covering the cost of service • contingency planning for future demand spikes like we had last summer meeting the City's revenue transfer requirement maintaining prudent reserves Because Austin Energy is a municipally owned utility, the Austin City Council must approve any changes to the utility's rate structure. Austin Energy staff members have stated that it is the role of
2300 Lohmans Spur, Ste 121 Lakeway chucksaxon@allstate.com
Savings based on national customer-reported data for new policies in 2009. Actual savings vary. Allstate Fire And Casualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Company
3129 RIPPLING CREEK CT. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78732 TELEPHONE: 512-380-1405 FAX: 512-355-1774 E-MAIL: FOURPOINTSNEWS.EDIT@GMAIL.COM
ground next to the swings. To compound the issue, the high schoolers who frequent the park late at night are blissfully ignorant to the homeowners in the area. I had to walk out just last weekend and break up a game of football that was going on at 10:45 at night. My message was simple, have fun, enjoy yourselves, but be respectful of the homeowners around the neighborhood. About a year ago my wife had to go out and break up a sizable party in the parking lot and the kids only agreed to leave when she threatened to call the police. One particular girl had some choice words for her, which, fortunately, my wife overlooked. To be honest, I likely did a lot of the same things these kids are doing and I think most rightly take most
of this with a grain of salt as a result. But there are lines that have been crossed. And while many are possibly looking at the H.O.A. to remedy this, the truth is most of this lies on the parents. If my teenage son were involved with any of this, trust me, he’d never do it again. To get ahead of this, I sat him down and made it clear to him how stupid and lowrent this would make him look as well as how severe the consequences would be. If you haven’t talked with your kid already, please do. Otherwise, you are as responsible for all of this as they are. James Lanyon
the City Council to mediate "community conflicts" portant. If implemented, whatever those funds such as disproportionate impacts on worship facil- are used for, it will require houses of worship to ities, and they have encouraged congregations to stop doing some very important things we do as take their concerns directly to City Council. City churches to pay for the increase. It has the potenCouncil is expected to make final decisions about tial to undermine and even cripple the impact of the proposed rate structure very early in 2012. The congregations of all sizes. Council could approve the proposed structure; ap- We need to let the Mayor and Austin City Counprove it with modifications; or reject it and send cil hear from us. Austin can continue to be a leader Austin Energy back to the drawing board. in clean, affordable energy without disproportion Churches depend upon the offerings of their ately burdening one class of customer. Together, members. A congregation can't pass on increased we can arrive at a solution that protects worship costs to its customers in the form a price in- facilities from unfair increases. crease. A congregation can't take less profit, give its shareholders less of a return, or even go out to David Procter eat less often. When a congregation incurs a sudExecutive Pastor, Austin Baptist Church den and significant financial obligation, offerings must increase (a challenge in this economic environment), or ministries must be eliminated or Let Our Family curtailed, or staff must be laid Take Care of Your Family off. One question is "Why?" • Free Estimates • Lot Clearing It would be understandable if a rate increase is needed to cov- • Tree Trimming • Chipping/Mulching er an increase in actual cost of Contact your local Steiner Ranch arborist today! service. However, it seems this Russell Crawford increase is to generate funds for 512.689.2747 use on some special project(s) tlctree@hotmail.com someone, or group, within the www.happiertrees.com chain of command deems imCrawford has worked on trees at over 1,000 Four Points homes!
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, NOBODY PROTECTS YOU LIKE ALLSTATE.
Chuck Saxon Jr (512) 339-8494
A drive thru coffee shop, especially since I have a three year old and a seven month old.
Published weekly in Four Points, Texas by Four Points News LLC. For subscription information, email inquiries to fourpointsnews.bookkeeping@gmail.com
There are options available to the utility that would prevent the disproportionate burdening of the faith community. Minimal changes to the rate design would give individual congregations flexibility to choose their rate class. Alternatively, the utility could scale back its economic development spending or reduce its extremely generous reserve requirements, either of which would permit a reduction in rate increases - not only for worship facilities but across every class of customer.
I can help you save money now. If you could pay less for insurance, but still get more protection, why wouldn’t you? Drivers who switched to Allstate saved an average of $348 a year. Don’t wait! Call me today.
Jenny Laudadio Four Points
Editor & Publisher...........................................................................LYNETTE HAALAND Advertising Sales Representative....................................................HOLLIE KENNEY Circulation....................................................................................................FRED FRANCO Reporter.................................................................................................LESLEE BASSMAN Creative Services..............................................................................JENNIFER ROBERTS Contributer...................................................................BRET CHAMPION, RICH KEITH
Dear Editor,
Letters to the Editor:
Angela Doran Cedar Park Trader Joe’s because it has an awesome feel to it and so many options like all natural food, and it is inexpensive.
Arborist Services – Lic # TX 3623A
Montessori An “education for life”… starts at School in the Hills
3 Question to ask before you hire a tree service company: 1. Do you have the proper equipment? 2. Do you have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff? 3. Do you carry the proper Insurance?
We are Proud of our Credentials & Awards
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?
Holiday alled Lighting Inst
For Quality results and a free estimate call: 512-322-0662
Call today!
Email: tree@texastreetamers.com
50
Save $ (Valid with ad only. Expires 12/31/11
On Tree Pruning Services
2900 N. Quinlan Park Austin, TX 78732
Phone 512.266.6160 schoolinthehills.com
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Honor Roll
hursday FourDecember PToints News 8, 2011 • Page 5 www.FourPointsNews.com
LISD ALL “A” HONOR ROLL - 2ND 6 WEEKS Canyon Ridge Middle School Sixth Grade: Rehaan Adhikary, Megan Ahern, Kartik Akkihal, Haley AlfaroKim, Sabah Ali, Evan Andre, Grace Andres, Hannah Aune, Shruthi Balasubramanian, Hannah Barnard, Kathryn Bartlett, Lauren Barton, Katiana Battiste, Travis Beck, Ava Bell, Abigail Bergey, Chase Binner, Nicholas Brocklesby, William Bryan, Rachel Campbell, Lydia Carriere, Michael Carvalho, Clay Coffman, Christopher Conner, Madison Conner, Grace Conroy, Alexandra Cook, Adriana Cordova, Erica Corinaldi, Tyler Cronin, Haley Crossman, Kendall Cuddy, Joshua Decaro, Antonia Denison, Winston Djonli, Weston Dopson, Benson Drablos, McKenna Dubose, Haley Dulak, Riley Durbin, Nathaniel Edelheit-Rice, Caden Edwards, Audrey Elliott, Dylan Essad, Tyler Fambrough, Sabina Federlin, Ysela Fernandez, William Fisher, Anna Fletcher, Cole Foster, Carlin Fox, Avie Fuqua, Maxwell Galyen, Jonathan Gamble, Madison Gaynor, Caroline Gehring, Jillian Gibson, Vyshali Gondi, Meredith Goodman, Anup Guggari, George Gullett, Trisha Guptasarma, Torie Hagin, Brianna Hale, Lauren Hallonquist, Myles Hammon, Rachel Han, Cassandra Harmon, Kaitlyn Harmon, Chad Herrera, Brandon Hoff, Jacqueline Holliday, Rachel Honts, Madison Hoopes, Mark Huff, Ansley Huffman, Nicholas Hughes, Madison Hurta, Osorachukwu Ifesinachukwu, Rusama Islam, Renee Jacops, Rayhan Jhanji, Anna Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, Naomi Johnson, Reagan Jones, Viswanath Kasireddy, Gillian Kerr, Christian Keys, William Kirby, Victor Lai, Jacob Lang, Alaina Laplace, Agathe Lasnier, Victor Le, Sydney Levine, Connor Logeman, Francesca Loiodice, Autumn Lucas-Marinelli, Alex Maatz, Zachary MacDonald, Robert Magruder, Katelin Mastrodicasa, Citlalli Mendoza, Chase Miranda, Liam Monahan, Isabel Moring, John Morris, Kaylee Morris, Leeann Morris, Dylan Morrissey, Samiksha Mulpuri, Cole Nauert, Adam Newman, Khoa Nguyen, Bryn Olsen, Sophia Palmer, Nicole Parmelee, William Parrish, Michelle Patanella, Sonesh Patel, Coston Pendleton, Emily Perez, Jordan Phelps, Andrew Pickard, Simone Priebe, Hannah Proffitt, Megan Raftelis, Zachary Rangel, Jenna Recker, Amanda Reeder, Emma Richardson, Grant Riddle, Caroline Rinn, Emma Robertson, Samantha Rondini, Nick Rosas, Jack Rosenblatt, Alexis Sabel, Daniel Sacasa, Grace Saia, Paige Schneider, Benjamin Schroeder, Nicole Schuller, Luc Schwent, Sean Sloan, Rylan Smith, Alexander Stadthaus, Jane Stevens, Kasi Steward, Brooklynn Stone, Ryan Sze, Carson Taylor, Addison Threet, Whitney Tran, Megan Varghese, Cindy Wang, Jeffrey Wang, Nicholas Wasser, Evan Welliver, Connor Whitehurst, Ashlyn Whiteside, Megan Whiting, Katherine Williams, Katie Wokoek, Zachary Wong, Chas Wright, Morgan Wright, Vincent Zambito, Robert Zentgraf, Ryan Zermeno Seventh Grade: Garrett Abeel, Alina Ali, Quinlan Apel, Morris Aranda, Lauren Begnaud, Anne-Sophie Bergeron, Leah Birrell, Jackson Bischoping, Ryan Boles, Benjamin Borer, Jared Bouloy, Catherine Bunch, Callie Burch, Sara Campbell, Matthew Cao, Jacob Chase, Hannah Claflin, Lindsey Cohn, Joshua Collmann, Sarah Cronin, Jordan Daniels, Rachel Dean, Kylie Degilio, Patricio Dieck, Claire Duffield, Colin Evans, Mary Farrell, Simone Feroce, Madison Finfrock, Maxwell Fink, Rachel Frith, Dmitriy Gabrieliants, Ryan Galligher, Katherine Gillespey, Shelby Guthrie, Shelby Hansen, Cory Hofmeister, Laura Huang, Hunter Husband, Riley Jacops, Madison Jaeger, Lisa Joe, Grant Johnson, Anupriya Jose, Spoorthi Kamepalli, Afrah Khan, Daniel Klassen, Brady Kunkel, Abigail Leafblad, John Magruder, Sarah Mahosky, Daniel Martinez, Linnea May, Jack McGee, Cameron McAfee, Emily McCollum, Ethan McCosky, Katelyn Morse, Justin Murphy, Ericka Myers, Morgan Nanez, Ann Nguyen, Ellen Pasquarette, Hannah Patrick, Christine Pegany, Yilong Peng, Dillon Piegat, Kelsey Piegat, Jessica Pikoff, Rhiannon Pomerantz, Ashneen Rahman, Malavika Ramaswamy, Zoey Rasch, Daryl Remley, Kate Robbins, Bethany Rossi, Elise Sanchez, Riya Saxena, Spencer Sharp, Greta Shields, William Smith, Ankith Sripathi, Joshua Stelling, Charles Stevens, Bailey Stone, Chloe Stringer, Arvind Sundar, Ryan Tamez, Jonathan Walker, Kellie Walker, Hope Waters, Brittany Whiting, Alexis Woelffer Eighth Grade: Luke Amundson, Savannah Andres, Max Askari, Alexander Boley, Jessica Bowman, Logan Bruner, Zachary Burky, Dillon Busker, Mariana Caldas, Jonathan Carruthers, Elliot Charland, Patricia Chesnutt, Marisa Collmann, Antonio Cordova, Temple Davies, Joseph Dean, Grace Dixon, Cooper Dossey, Samuel Drablos, Ethan Earp, Brogan Edwards, Miles Eldred, Jack Elliott, Jade Federlin, Korynn Fink, Kaitlin Fuqua, Nicholas Gallarda, Reagan Gibson, Hagen Goeters, Emily Gruner, Sandeep Guggari, Lauren Haley, Elise Harais, Kelsey Hewett, Sarah Hickey, Rhiannon Himelfarb, Brittany Hofemann, Christina Hofemann, Brendan Hollaway, Lauren Holtzclaw, Maile Hooten, Alexander Jiang, Chloe Johnson-Gomez, Tabitha Joines, Peyton Jones, Adeline Kao, Alec Laplace, Thomas Lea, Benjamin Martinez, Aidan McGonagle, Rachel Menajovsky, Brady Meyer, Linzy Meyer, Danielle Miller, Kimberly Morris, Renee Morton, Megan Mowad, Elizabeth Nelson, Kameron Noorbakhsh, Shivani Pandya, Vrinda Patel, Malavika Perinchery, Riley Phillips, Jessica Pronga, Sydney Prucha, Lila Ross, Danielle Salcedo, Amanda Sanders, Anne Santerre, Anna Schaal, Taylor Schmuelgen, Jacob Schuller, Samantha Skavdahl, Amelia Skelton, Shahyar Sotoudehnia, Emily Tallman, Alayna Thomas, Carley Thornhill, Karina Tovar, Rachel Tovar, Michael Trinh, Jeremy Wasser, Drayton Whiteside, Amanda Wolf
Cedar Park Middle School Sixth Grade: Alexander Ackerson, Sydney Adair, Amber Adkins, Pierce Affleck, Miho Akai, Alexandra Allen, Grace Allen, Sameer Alzer, Erika Anglin, Hogan Armstrong, Lucas Bardshar, Avery Barrett, Tyler Battle, Christopher Bauman, William Benson, Ashwini Bhat, Kathryn Bonsall, Sachin Bose, Ilina Bozhkova, Connor Brack, Aubrey Brown, Ryan Brown, Caitlyn Bruckner, John-Nathanael Caesar, Annie Callahan, Nicholas Candido, Liana Cannon, Aaron Celis Aguirre, Lauren Cepeda, Alexis Cheatum, Madison Cheek, Ashley Chen, Katherine Clinch, Isaac Cloward, Kevin Corey, Ryan Cormia, Cheryl Cruz, Jacob Curtis, Benjamin Dunne, Allison Ediger, Rachel Elenniss, Gunnar Fandrich, Tabatha Farr, Lauren Fogle, Emily Fry, Branton Fugitt, Katelyn Gaus, Ethan Gillmore, Lucas Gilpin, Jacob Glass, Broderic Gonzalez, Alexander Grabill, Audrey Graham, Sebastian Granada Cohen, Carson Grett, Allen Grones, Veronica Gutierrez, William Hare, Carter Hawks, Dalton Hayek, Sarah Heinze, Colin Helmers, Mallory Hoffman, Claire Holcomb, Abigail Holtfort, Payton Hoover, Kimberly Hopson, Ashley Howard, Hunter Howe, Eileen Hrusecky, Alec Hubacher, Brandon Hubacher, Alexander Huff, Chandler Hughes, Sean Huynh, Katelynn Jancha, Michaelah Janszen, Preslee Jennings, Ashley Jensen, Nicolas Jopio, Daphne Joubarne, Rebecca Kaminski, Rose Kantor, Alena Kellerman-Pitts, Jonathan Kelly, Mina Kim, Alexis Kollatschny, Meghana Krish, Muskaan Lakhani, Angela Lamari, Nicholas Lannan, Erica Laxton, Hailey Leff, Jay Lenner, Vanessa Leung, Chenoweth Lim, Hannah Loera, Erika Longford, Miranda Louviere, Bradly Lovell, Jared Lucero, Maura Mangum, Kyra Martinez, Nicole Massaro, Mallory Matthys, Drew McDaniel, Gideon McFarland, Kylie McFarland, Morgan McKeon, Michael McKinstry, Arnav Mehrotra, Cienna Mellon, Jessica Mick, Amber Moore, Kathryn Motz, Parker Muck, Cathy Nguyen, Keegan Nichols, Taylor Nunez, Cristina O’Hanlon, Christopher Orth, Dominic Ortiz, Collan Parker, Madison Pearce, Maria Pham, Madeleine Phipps, Megan Prechel, Tanner Radke, Morgan Randel, Kristen Richardson, Ethan Robbins, Ricardo Rosario, Carlos Ruiz Caro, Kailei Rundberg, Calvin Rupert, Rithvik Saravanan, Bailey Scherer, Makenzie Sexton, Austin Siemankowski, Kendall Smith, Makenzie Smith, Maizer Sparkman, Christine Stein, Cailin Sylvester, Zachary Taylor, Michaela Thai, Annalise Thompson, Meghan Thompson, Tyra Thompson, Zoe Tikhonski, Noah Torr, Nhi Tran, Mitchell Venincasa, Caden Walsh, Jack Weiland, Sydney Weiss, Brady Welch, Katherine Wells, Macall Wells, Ravinn Wentworth, Mahlon White, Sierra Wiggers, Abigail Williams, Daniel Williamson, Karol Wojtyla, Kyla Woods, Natalie Young Seventh Grade: Luci Albertson, Yasmin Ali, Mahesh Allada, Ciara Alpert, Omar Alzer, Lenah Ansari, Sara Baldazo, Alyse Balderrama, Brittany Ballou, Angelique Bartlett, Kaylea Bastion, Gage Baumli, Jake Baumli, Samuel Berry, Nolan Bitner, Davis Blair, Davis Blake, Audrey Blount, Zachary Burleson, Brandon Castillo, Megan Cera, Joshua Cloward, Jordan Cockrell, Aaron Conn, Jonathan Corley, India Cresswell, Erin Dalrymple, Benjamin Dattilo, Bella Davis, Mitchell De Volder, Avery Deen, Kara Diclemente, Abraham Doan, Emma Dooher, Jeremy Estes, Courtney Fielding, Elisabeth Ford, Hunter Foster, Maya Fuller, Julia Fusilier, Alana Geymer, Jacob Goodman, Mitchell Gregg, Jolee Griffin, Lakeisha Grimm, Morgan Grosch, Shannon Hazard, Nicholas Hedges, Ana Julia Hernandez Gasca, Brianna Holcomb, Jamie Holliday, Zachery Hormann, Bracken Hoyt, Robert Hrusecky, Mikayla Hunter, Deena Ismail, Ashley Itliong, Joel James, Amy Janszen, Madison Jaster, Easton Jenkins, Taylor Jerman, Layne Johnson, Sagar Kansara, Constance Kelley, Gabrielle Kester, Hana Kim, Alyssa King, Kristopher Knight, Maggie Knight, Christopher Knox,
Bradley Krakar, Cody Kretzler, Tyler Lavine, Alexander Leaf, Brandon Lee, Eunice Lee, Sin Young Lee, Sophia Lynch, Jared Martin, Camryn Martinez, Adelina Martinez Elias, Sofia MartinezMartinez, Hannah McQueen, Luke McDaniel, Wynne McDonald, Alexzandra McFarland, Joseph Menna, Carlie Morgan, Roxana Mota, Morgan Muir, David Murti, Kelsey Nelson, Kate Nesbitt, Calvin Nguyen, Alek Nybro, Ryan Olsen, Cynthia Orr, Taylor Orr, Kolby Osborn, Mathew Overstreet, Joshua Paramo, Allison Paules, Kristen Perron, Madeleine Phillips, Sarah Pia, Grace Pierce, Miranda Primm, Anna Radosavljevic, Ryleigh Ramirez, Sarah Ray, Emily Reed, Benjamin Reichert, Joaquin Revel, Shelby Rhoden, Thomas Rima, Audrey Roe, Carly Rosendahl, Erin Ryan, Victoria Sananikone, Emma Schenck, Taylor Schneider, Jeongwon Seo, Connor Sheehan, Austin Silguero, Nathan Smith, Madison Snead, Seth Sparks, Sterling Stagner, Alison Stallings, Cailyn Stewart, Jennifer Stroh, Akash Thakkar, Jacey Thomas, Viraj Tiwari, Nika Torabi, Dean Torkelson, Kaylee Umberhocker, Zoe ValenzuelaFlores, Hunter Valk, Miranda Van Doren, Samuel Walter, Jonathan Washington, Kimberly Webb, Jack Wegesin, Reyden Weis, Bryce Wetzel, Luke Williamson, Hana Witter, Dominic Wright Eighth Grade: Ayah Alomari, Troy Amato, Jacob Baker, Kathleen Bandanza, Miguel Barcenas Solis, Shaun Barnett, Rachel Battle, Natalie Bonorden, Anish Bose, Alejandra Briseno, Regan Brittain, Davis Brock, Dustin Brown, Jillian Brown, Jessi Cai, Solana Campbell, Claire Cantrell, Madison Carley, Nataniel Carrasquillo Medina, Sydney Carrico, Austen Castberg, Rachel Cernosek, Shelby Clem, Eric Clinch, Brandon Collins, Christian Thomas Contreras, Sarah Cottle, Cami Cox, Haley Davis, John Dodge, Kelli Dyer, Jose Esparza Munoz, Mabel Espinoza, Colin Falk, Tate Farmer, Michael Ferony, Kathryn Fitzgerald, Ryan Franklin, Jacob Garza, Riley Goerner, Steven Gouraud, Brianna Grabill, Zackary Groppe, Lauren Hanson, Elizabeth Harper, Jonathan Hawes, Allison Head, Bailey Hefner, Maximilien Hein, Jakob Heins, Elizabeth Herold, Marian Herring, Chelsey Hieger, Whitney Hoermann, Harrison Howe, Emily Huffman, Ena Huskic, Sarah Ingram, Elena Ivanova, Ramsey Jenschke, Coral Johnson, Reese Johnson, Carson Kennedy, Whitney King, Tiffany Klopper, Nikhil Kothari, Tristan Kuhn, Thomas Lavine, Mackenzie Lawrence, Trang Le, Alexandra Lee, Andrew Lee, Michael Leung, Jenna Lipscomb, Rebecca Lo, Erin Longford, Isabelle Lopez, Justin Lovelace, Alexis Lytle, Kerry Madden, Joelle Marchiani, Ty Marwitz, Chelsea Matthews, Ann Maynard, Rayna Mazumdar, Meredith McQueen, Hayley Meier, Matthew Nadler, Kim Nguyen, Crystal Onwukaife, Marie Pearce, Bailey Penberg, Aaron Richter, William Richter, Drew Robinson, Jason Ruffcorn, Travis Schwartz, Maya Scott, Matthew Seaton, Rohan Shetty, Amber Smith, Brenden Solete, Jennifer Stallings, John Stuckemeyer, Drew Summers, Maria Tangarova, Sierra Taylor, Jordan Teliha, Jessica Thiemann, Katey Todd, Mai Tran, Carlos Valenzuela-Flores, Madeleine Vinella, Alexander Vu, Helene Walsh, Brandon Weyer, Brooke Wilcox, Autumn Wilder, Caroline Woodall, Victor Wu, Joseph Xia, Garrett Yero, Emily Zhao, Bailey Zimmerman,
Four Points Middle School Sixth Grade: Alexa Adrian, Reem Ahmad, Sarah Barstow, Carson Broe, Barclay Bull, Ashley Burton, Taylor Byrne, Jewel Carpenter, Rebecca Castrillon, Kailey Chase, Connor Cole, Samantha Craig, Brian Dehne, Nicole Dow, Erik Engles, Erin Frye, Raymond Galasso, Trent Gamel, Alex Garza, Matthew Graff, Anna Gressett, Andrew Harris, Regan Hightower, James Hofstadler, Georgia Holmes, Katherine Holsinger, Alexis Howard, Garrett Kim, Kendall Likosar, Madison McCauley, Tadhg McDaid, Caitlin McKeand, Joseph McShane, Austin Meiteen, Dominique Mobley, Caleb Monticone, Brianna Mullins, McKinley Parker, Madison Poljan, Riley Priddy, Taylor Racht, Gemma Richmond, Alyssa Roach, Cole Roberts, Natalie Root, Jonathan Roth, Philip Sarkis, Keaton Scott, Kristin Scott, Savannah Searels, Griffin Shimkus, Liberty Stewart, Rivers Stewart, Jordyn Torres, Savanna Ullmann, Madeline Wallace, Madeline Ward, Evan Williard, Isaiah Wood, Angelique Young, Cierra Yudell Seventh Grade: Lucas Bakker, Annabel Benoit, Bradford Borman, Sarah Bostic, Lauren Burrow, Madison Byrne, Sarah Carpenter, Emma Claypool, Robertson Cook, Zachary Corder, Natalie Eichorn, Grace Erdman, Dana Faist, Emily Fashenpour, Sophia Froehlich, Mackenzie Gamel, Loren Goddard, Natalie Goddard, Natiel Gomez, Taylor Grikis, Haleigh Heath, Joshua Johnson, Aiden Kanuck, Zainab Khan, Heather Kosumsuppamala, Daniel Kulick, Jocelyn Lackey, Steven Lo, Olivia Lukas, Tucker Mathis, Jennifer Maunder, Christopher McKenzie, Taylor McDonnell, Christopher Miller, Erica Munoz, Thomas O’Donnell, Dylan Page, Nidhi Pandya, Carmella Quintos, Garrett Reiter, Jesse Riedel, Michael Riley, Isabella Roberts, Ryan Sanfratello, Christopher Schwartz, Kathryn Scott, Adrian Sherwood, Jordan Silvers, Grace Speaks, Holly Streber, Kayla Streber, Connor Swanson, Sara Tabash, Payton Torres, Rachel Williams, Kellis Williard, Jonathan Zachem, Alicia Zon Eighth Grade: Taylor Abbott, Emily Banks, Bethany Becker, Rachel Berke, Travis Brannan, Peyton Brewster, Julianne Broe, Cassidy Cavanaugh, Tiffany Do, James Dunlap, Victoria Edwards, Sarah Engen, Ariana Engles, Alaina Galasso, Julianne Glover, Grayson Goolsby, Holly Hodge, Thomas Hofstadler, Alexandra Hutchinson, Chloe Jobin, Amanda Keck, Jacqueline Kotlarz, Belinda Le, James Legg, Laine Leitao, Lindsey Liu, John Christopher Lowrie, Matthew Marshall, Caroline McKenzie, Allison Michel, Ryan Murphy, Megha Murthy, James Nguyen, Jacob Osborne, Hannah Parrott, Paxton Segina, Gaelen Shimkus, Eleanor Simpson, Edward Sumner, Rebecca Wagner, Mary Wallace, Maxwell Weedman, Darby Wright
Cedar Park High School Ninth Grade: Amir Alzer, Tyler Ashcraft, McGregor Bailey, Maria Barcenas Solis, Rachel Bardshar, Bradi Bedell, Christopher Best, Claire Bohrer, David Bonsall, Landon Brack, Tyler Brandys, Laurel Brown, Lauren Burgett, Cassandra Bush, Lauren Campbell, Tyler Campbell, Christopher Carty, Max Castillo, Alyssa Cepeda, Reid Claassen, Erin Clevlen, Matthew Cloward, Benjamin Coers, Sabrina Cone, Kirstyn Conwell, Samantha Corey, Anne Dattilo, Robin Davies, Jacqueline De Muynck, Mauricio De Gregori, Sarah Doles, Mackenzie Dunnehoo, Brian Edwards, Mycaela Erben, Heather Etherton, Brielle Ferdinand, Megan Fowler, Ian Garner, Samantha Geesin, Joseph Gerules, Alexis Green, Monica Harkins, Sara Havener, Jessica Hinderliter, Annie Hooper, Rylie Hoover, Chase Hoppe, Robert Houdashelt, Nina Hoyt, Jonathan Huang, Kathryn Huff, Emily Ismail, Carianne Johnson, Jocelyn Loren Jopio, Haley Kehoe, Caroline Kessler, Jacqueline King, Nicole Kiszkiel, Heidi Klein, Curtis Knight, Madeleine Kress, Lauren Kriss, Se Young Kwon, Louis Lachowsky, Megan Lamonica, Christina Land, Patrick Lannan, Christina Lanzoni, Olivia Larkin, Sabrina Lee, Arianna Louviere, Hunter Love, Reya Martinez, Taylor Matheny, Molly McDougal, Katherine McQuaid, Alexandra Medina, Lillian Meroff, Caroline Metcalf, Erin Monroe, Payton Morris, Alexandria Moulton, Chaitra Murthy, Kayla Najjar, Quynh Nguyen, Griffin Northcutt, Keller Northcutt, Julia O’Hanlon, Sarah Orth, Jake Pokorney, Rachel Pokorney, Nathaniel Possis, Logan Prosise, Makenzie Radke, Neha Ravi, Brianna Ray, Jacqueline Reichert, Blake Rice, Evyn Robertson, Lisa Ruffcorn, Sara Samani, Rafael Santos Macias, Kaitlyn Saucedo, Heather Sieger, Alexander Smith, Kaitlyn Spohrer, Shawn Spradling, Elizabeth Stein, Rebecca Stewart, Rebekah Storke, Amanda Suggs, Nathan Talburt, Alina Tang, Lauren Taylor, Mia Trautz, Sydney Trenholm, Nathan Vu, Christina Walker, Conner Walsh, Kendall Ward, Christopher Washington, Katie Weatherly, Kaleigh Welch, Kya Wenz, Autumn Whaley, Madison White, Joshua Wiggers, Taylor Williams, Hannah Williamson Tenth Grade: Elizabeth Aldape, James Allred, Zane Andrews, Benjamin Baldazo, Paris Bennett, Leslie Bonorden, Savannah Burchfiel, Nicole Burgett, Chloe Busick, Rachel Cai, Katherine Cano, Bailey Carlisle, Brian Castelli, Austin Cernosek, Maria Cervantes, Brandon Chan, Kan Chen, Claire Christensen, Jade Clinton, Christina Colletti, Corey Cox, Alexandria Curtis, Sabrina Dagher-Arevalo, Maximilian Doan, Asaf Drizlikh, Jasmine Etienne, Brandon Fitzgerald, Justin Fogle, Gabrielle Ford, Nicolas Gardiner, Kamryn Gerner-Mauro, Sabella Greenwell, Diego Gutierrez, Wyatt Hahn, Landon Hall, Gabriel Haro, Nicolas Hawes, David Hawks, Kathryn Hill, Jacqueline Hilton, Jamison Holt, Kassi Hormuth, Chenyi Huang, Nadia Husain, Emily Janak, Lauren Janak, Isaac Jochimsen, Jocelyn Johnson, Shane Kelly, Alexis Kennedy, Michael Kiszkiel, Amanda Krakar, Rachel Landoll, Hoo-Won Lee, Suzanne Lee, Dalis Leyendecker, Christina Loera, Amanda Lorenz, Tyler Lovelace, Chandler Lyle, Matthew Marshall, Blake Maupin, Kyle Maupin, Lisa McKinley, Miranda McEntire, Lindsey Miano, Kara Moore, James Moorhead, Brooklynne Palmer, Megan Peek, Alyssa Phillips, Alexa Price, Caleb Price, Cohl Prosise, Philip Raschke, James Richardson,
Steiner Ranch’s Local Dentist “Smiles are our Specialty”
Dr. Randal L. Watson D.D.S., P.A. & Family
Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Cerac Crowns complete in one visit!
FREE
1 Teeth whitening with new patient exam Some conditions may apply. Expires 12-31-11
Call for an appointment today
266-3600
Vista Ridge Dental 4300 Quinlan Park Rd., Ste. 230 • Austin, Texas 78732 Visit our website at www.rwatsondds.com
Emily Roblee, Samuel Simpson, Corey Slaughter, Andrew Smith, Lorenzo Sorrells, Lindsey Stawowy, Brooke Swift, Shawn Taylor, Sydney Tran, Christopher Twombly, Max Vargas, Malikye Wallace, Emma Wallbrown, Christian Walsh, Robert Wang, Sheena Wang, Anna Wessels, Tiffany Wong, Nicholas Woodyard, Amanda Wu, Amira Yamaguchi-Shelton, Jackson Zamora, Connie Zhao Eleventh Grade: Jacob Adair, Laith Al-Hamidi, Mackenzie Bailey, Walker Bailey, Kristina Beall, Prisilla Benitez, Natasha Bower, Kayla Brown, Katherine Brunt, Bridget Burris, Ryan Butcher, Adrien Castberg, Darshil Choksi, Rebecca Church, Dana Clary, Aleksej Demjanski, Jason Devlin, Lynda Dillard, Jackson Dobravolsky, Robin Duffee, Wadih Eljuri, Eric Eschenbrenner, Caitlin Etherton, Hannah Fay, Douglas Franklin, Jacob Geesin, Chloe Gillmar, Leora Gisser, Sophie Goodstein, Jacob Gregory, Megan Groves, Natalie Haecker, Zoe Halbert, Nathan Harwell, Zachary Hawks, Alexandra High, Sarah Hines, Hayley Honeycutt, Charles Hoyt, Jamie Jackson, Chante Jefferson, Bryce Jenkins, Zoe Kaiser, Nicholas Kantor, Chase Kavcak, Megan Kehoe, Alexander Kelley, Darby Kendall, Ryan Knight, Rahul Kothari, Jordyn Ledyard, Hoo-Jung Lee, Savannah Lee, Tyler Lehmberg, Henry Lindgren, Andrew Lo, Huanyu Lu, Ethan Lundgaard, Kristian Lundgaard, Jason Maddox, Marissa Mann, Zachary Mayrgundter, Courtney McCarthy, Patrick Meier, Elizabeth Meroff, Zackary Misso, Christopher Mulverhill, Taylor Nicholas, Stephanie Nordmeyer, Courtney Norris, Blake Nybro, Katherine Pia, Nicholas Possis, Naga Amulya Pratapa, Meghna Ravi, Jessica Richter, Sarah Salzman, Sophia Sanchez, Devon Sattler, Jisoo Seo, Jacob Smith, Jennifer Snodgrass, Trevor Spohrer, Linda Steinhardt, Gabrielle Storke, Brianna Tasset, Garret Thiltgen, Trevor Thompson, Bailey Todd, Chidy Udoye, Kenna Vielleux, Angel Villalpando Gonzalez, Kevin Vu, Ryan Weirich, Roger Welch, Brooke Wilkinson, Lydia Williamson, Jacob Wood, Jamie Xia, Maria Yanguas, Jenny Zheng Twelfth Grade: Tatianna Allada, Samuel Baldazo, Bailey Barton, Alexander Batten, Allyson Bond, Emma Bradford, Anna Brahce, Alexandra Burks, Kaitlin Bush, Noelle Buttery, Cody Callender, Cole Carey, Siobhan Casey, Jorge Chong, Reid Coleman, Arizona Dabrusin, Suzanne Dailey, Michael Dameron, Dominica Doan, Amanda Doran, Jonathon Funnell, Herbert Gutierrez, Morgan Halstead, Courtney Hattingh, Abbigail Havens, Leah Havens, Brian Hogan, Zachary Horne, Alexandra Hutchison, Alexander Huynh, ChanJoong Kim, Katie Labaume, Amelia Lanzoni, Victoria Leal Tellez, Mackenzie Liddiard, Nicole Lohrstorfer, Erin Lukow, Sara Lutz, Tarek Makawi, Laura Matas, Katlyn Maupin, Kendall McCulloch, Caleb Mehalic, Mathilde Moeller, Kyle Needles, Quan Nguyen, Timothy Nichol, Nathan Nichols, Michelle Petersen, Kaitlin Phillips, Arta Rahmani, Travis Reim, Juan Salazar, Ellen Schryver, Lauren Schuhmann, Michael Schwartz, Anna Shaw, Christopher Sheahan, Rebecca Sims, Joseph Sirrianni, Nathan Smith, Denise Starnes, Lily Streiff, Jake Stuckey, Tara Vanderpoel, Guillermo Vargas, Jeffrey Walker, Nicholas Weddell, Davis Wilkinson, Austin Williamson n, Devin Roffman, Ilonnah Salazar, Ryan Schubert, Aspen Shariff-Bey, Angela Suryakusuma, Arwa Umar, Nadia Urrea, Jordan Vanaman, Garrett Venner, Jacob Voss, Andrea Ward, Alexander Westerfield, Kathryn Wheeler, Catherine White, Tara Wieckowski, William Winsor, Candace Wood, Amelia Yambrick, Dillon Young Twelfth Grade: Karen Angulo, Tatiana Azzani, Mikayla Beebe, Emma Berkel, Cheyanne Bird, Ellen Birrell, Matthew Broussard, Caitlin Brown, Michelle Brucato, Coia Caldwell, Griffin Chodacki, Alejandro Cisneros, Matyndia Cisse, Mallory Cormack, Aimee Costarell, Ashley Cox, Brandon Cox, Casey Cox, Mary Cronin, Jacqueline Dieguez, Gregorio Flores, Bryan Gilbert, David Guerrero, Trey Harper, Elizabeth Hinderer, Keaton Hoelscher, Rachel Holliman, Sarah How, Jasmine Hurst, Elsa Johnson, Timothy Jones, Kelsey Kliebert, Natalie Lecher, Amber Logologo, Thomas Longoria, Kevin Luu, Elliot Maldonado, Mitchell Malone, Lucas Martinez, Rebecca Mason, Jordan McConkey, Ashley McGowan, Bonnie Miller, Nicole Mitchler, London Morrogh, Katherine Myers, Harlie Nichols, Cierra Nino De Guzman, Isabella Olesch, Jessica Olson, Jessie Ostrander, Rachel Owen, Dana Patek, Kaitlin Pickett, John Poole, Jennifer Rudd, Jessica Russell, Lydia Samson, Jillian Shaw, Stephanie Shu, Haleigh Smith, Jessica Stauber, Hailey Stevenson, Joshua Stiedle, John Strange, Morgan Thelen, Samuel Tuchenhagen, Alyssa Turner, Lindsey Ulin, Matthew Union, Jessica Vanaman, Miranda Wancewicz, Ayana Williams, Tanesha Williams, Joshua Wills, Micaela Wright, Alan Ygueravide, Xiangqiang Yuan
Vandegrift High School Ninth Grade: Jennifer Abbarno, Mark Banta, Callaway Barr, Ariel Barraza, Nikita Batra, Sara Beim, Madison Benkovic, Emma Bergman, Nicolas Birk, Taylor Boles, Dana Brannon, Abby Brossette, Hanna Brown, Jessica Brown, Gloria Bui, Markus Cardenas, Matthew Carpenter, Nora Chestney, Prahan Chetlur, Madison Claflin, Taara Clarke, Marcus Codrescu, Lauren Conroy, Rachel Cook, Carley Crossman, Alexandra Dake, Aaron Daniels, Brack Davies, Corinne Delius, Ariana Derderian, Christopher Dieck, Manasa Dutta, Conner Eskelsen, Yesenia Espino-Guerrero, Landry Everett, Erin Fahey, Siobhan Fahy, Gabriella Fatke, Emily Finfrock, Sean Flaherty, Davis Florence, Eric Floyd, Evelyn Frederic, Mariana Gama, Allison Gamble, Christopher Gardner, Taylor Gaskins, Hope Gilbert, Taylor Goodman, Andrew Graff, Austin Gray, Adley Greear, Kennedy Grimes, Cole Groom, Vishal Gupta, Greta Handing, Jonathan Hanna, Marie Hargan, Cassandra Heath, Dallas Holstine, Kelly Honts, Alyina Hossain, Kyndal Howard, Holly Huddleston, James Hudson, Ryan Huntington, Caitlyn Hyde, Iqra Imam, McKenna Jasek, Andrei Jaume, Nicole Jaynes, Emily Jensen, Catherine Kellogg, Nicolette Keys, Eman Khan, Abigail Knowles, Emily Krause, Maria Krychniak, Sean Kupec, Jonathan Lackey, Madeleine Leboeuf, Huylar Lee, Brian
Li, Colin Lineberger, Alexander Lutz, Katelin Maatz, Prathyusha Mahasamudram, Nicole Massamillo, Matthew Mastrodicasa, Ryan McGee, Emily McShane, David Meeks, Sahil Mehta, Ruchika Mitbander, Darryl Mobley, Kylie Morse, Lauren Murphy, Jacob Nanez, Caroline Naples, Kristina Nguyen, Viet Nguyen, Claire Nissen, Sarah Norell, Seena Ounsinegad, Parth Patel, Madison Peacock, David Pedersen, Rose Peterman, Justin Piegat, Jackson Pierce, Lauren Poole, Shwetha Prabakar, Maria Priebe, Nicole Principe, Sondra Rahmeh, Naomi Rapier, Sahar Rashed, Brynnan Recker, Bhargava Reddy, Maclane Regan, Bret Reinking, Jordan Reyes, Andrew Rhea, Jacob Riedel, Marshall Rigney, Mackenzie Roach, Emani Roberts, Kelly Rosenblatt, Sydney Sabel, Sydney Sanders, Farhan Sanouri, Leticia Santillana Fernandez, Delaney Saragusa, John Scherer, Olivia Schmitz, Valerie Schroeder, Robert Scott, Taylor Searels, Cody Shelton, Mikalai Shlapkou, Arham Siddiqui, Emily Smith, Hannah Smith, Madison Smith, Radhika Sood, William Spellmann-Saenz, Austin Stelling, Sessen Stephanos, Govind Vikram Sundaram, Margaret Talbot, Nicholas Tallman, Kayla Tate, Lindsey Thompson, Keith Tran, Jean-Luc Valle, Zameer Vaswani, Paige Welch, Megan Welliver, Kate Wong, Evan Yu, Hannah Zabalaoui, Alicia Zhou Tenth Grade: Rhea Adhikary, Hisham Ali, Cameron Allen, Carolyn Andrade, Amulya Angajala, Hannah Bell, Ryan Brewster, Avery Brillante, Delaney Bull, Caley Butler, Elliott Byrd, Makenna Callen, Colter Castleman, Devon Castoe, Savannah Cavanaugh, Sabrina Cheshire, Mia Chiarelli, Damian Cho, Taylor Christensen, Sydney Cohen, Haley Conroy, Kimberly Corser, Tyler Davis, Zane El-Zein, Mason Everett, Christopher Fernandes, Harrison Field, Nicholas Fionda, Jordan Freeze, Kaitlin Frierson, Michael Galvin, Emily Garbutt, Calvin Geng, Leila Ghasemi, Jeffrey Gillespey, Laurel Glover, Brooke Golden, Rachel Graham, Carson Harais, Roslyn Harold, Zachary Hartman, Yannick Heard, Michelle Hoang, Addison Holmes, Dylan Hoover, Jared Hopson, Allyson Hunter, Cray Jaeger, Jennifer James, Marion Jaume, Chandler Jaynes, Abby Jimmerson, Tatum Joines, Sydney Jordan, Janet Karpenske, Lauren Keith, Rachael Landry, Robert Launius, Veronica Long, Alexis Lopez, Megan Marks, William Martinez, William Mastrodicasa, Merritt McCall, Naomi Miller, Joshua Minor, Zachary Moring, Sri Moturu, Neha Mulpuri, Lienne Ng, Keyana Noorbakhsh, Natalie Nouri, Sarah Nouri, Emma Oldham, Alexis Pederson, Megan Pharr, Bailey Phillips, Chase Phillips, Tracey Powell, Pamela Quintanilla, Kayleigh Rago, Deepti Rao, Luke Richard, Kyle Richardson, Hayley Richburg, Bryn Robertson, Nicole Rossi, Melanie Ruiz Esparza Kohrs, Katelyn Santerre, Patrick Sarman, Jacob Schmidt, Jakob Schnell, Megan Sekiya, Emmaline Shields, Hailey Shuster, McKenna Shuster, John Siroin, Nishith Sripathi, Matthew Stipek, Carley Tauras, Olivia Von Oldenburg, Li Wan, Jeffrey Willoughby, Paige Youngren, Justin Yu, Jill Zambito, Marguerite Zamora, Kelsey Zaroff, Jonathan Zhang, Quinn Zulkowski Eleventh Grade: Taylor Allen, Zachary Amundson, Hayden Anz, Emily Arterbury, Brooke Asher, Mollie Bailey, Karina Batek, Piyushi Bishnoi, Weston Blynn, Clarissa Branca, Blake Brannan, Sarah Bristow, Denise Bui, Nicole Cacho, Allison Carruthers, Joseph Cinclair, Chandler Colbeck, Danielle Cooley, Kyle Daugherty, Catherine Dehne, Natasha Desai, Nathan Do, Lucy Donaghy, Haley Driskill, Sophia Duffield, John Elder, Marshall Eldred, Andrew Engen, Danielle Esteban, Everett Fitzpatrick, Abbygale Flickinger, Conor Flynn, Ethan Frederic, Laura Gama, Devon Gerstenhaber, Mark Giles, Kay-Lea Gordon Weightman, Kaanti Gowru, Lindsey Graff, Sara Gravely, Emily Hanna, Mason Hargreaves, Sarah Hassall, Skyler Hayes, Brook Heitman, Dustin Hoang, Dylan Hosek, Chad Howland, Mattie Isturiz, Kaitlyn Johnson, Alexandra Jones, Lindsey Keels, Harlan Kind, Kendall King, Lindsey Langford, Dillon Launius, Brittany Le, Leticia Lee, Christopher Lick, Zoe Lopez, Evan Luza, Brandon Maas, Priyunka Maheshwari, Haley Martin, Nicole Martinez, Alec Masterson, Nicholas McClurg, Mitchell McShane, Conor Mitchell, Nathan Munoz, Lan Nguyen, Thomas O’Brien, Tristen Paffe, Megha Pandya, John Park, Morgan Patterson, Antoinette Perez, Grant Phifer, Keegan Pitts, Nicole Quick, Alexander Quintos, Jonathan Ramlow, Alexandra Rayas, Erica Reichman, Jake Reynolds, Tailor Richardson, Eric Riewski, Megan Rondini, Mary Rovenstine, Madeline Sabel, Tara Schmidt, Emily Schmitz, Kelly Schriner, Jordan Sekiya, Jasmine Smith, Sarah Smith, Jordan Sonnier, Hadley Sorsby-Jones, Melanie Stamps, Tyler Stec, Megan Steichen, Madeline Stich, Conor Stuart, Keith Taylor, Maria Taylor, Shiyu Teo, Travis Terry, Chandler Thomas, Steven Thompson, Forrest Threadgill, Andrea Torres Riojas, Richard Tucker, Christopher Umino, Isabella Voelkl, Audra Volk, Brittany Von Oldenburg, Hannah Von Oldenburg, Sarah Von Oldenburg, Keith Waggoner, Hayley Walz, Caitlin Weaver, Sydney Wilson, Craig Wolf, Ashley Zaroff, James Zuraski Twelfth Grade: Kristen Abbarno, Jacob Banks, Brandon Brown, Zachary Brown, Sarah Brusseau, Madeline Castleman, Brigitte Chapman, Moises Chavez-Avera, Cameron Corinaldi, Cody Cox, Matthew Dang, Lauren Daniels, Courtney Davis, Jenna Diven, Danielle Docherty, Nicholas Florence, Sophie Grossman, John Hardy, Randell Harold, Luke Hartman, Robert Hernandez, Paige Holstine, Deric Jech, Christopher Jensen, Kolton Joines, Lauren Kamp, Brandon Keys, Gillian Lewis, Paige Lichtenberger, Andrew Locascio, Marshall Long, Michael Lundy, Sarah Martinez, George McClure, Lyricia McDermott, Rebecca Menajovsky, Jasmine Mobley, Catherine Mueller, Ashley Munoz, Jordan Ng, Max Nowak, Eric Nukulkarn, Adelaid Oun, Mas Owen, Greta Peterson, Sandy Pham, Christopher Pleshek, Dakota Prukop, Christopher Rahmeh, Ross Raven, Emily Rigney, Kevin Rutkowski, Tressa Sagullo, Emily Sears, Hannah Simpson, Kathryn Skinn, Gretta Smith, Lauren Smith, Jordan Speir, Brian Stewart, Mitchel Stipek, Collin Stobart, Andrew Toungate, Christina Tran, Brittany Vanderloop, Matthias Voelkl, Anna Walls, Marshall Wilson, Anna Zanot
Community
Thursday
Page 6 • December 8, 2011
Travis County Burn Ban lifted with rains Travis County Commissioners Court continued to lift its order banning outdoor burning for unincorporated Travis County at its Dec. 6 meeting. Recent rainfall has created conditions which prompted Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee to recommend that the ban be lifted for some time. This comes after two weeks of the ban already being lifted. Outdoor fireplaces and chimineas can now be used. They were banned from usage because of the open flame. Lee has seen over the years instances where a fire started on a wood deck after the use of a chiminea. Outdoor grills have always been allowed during the burn ban as long as they were in a completely enclosed container that would not allow flames or sparks to get into the air. Depending on the amount of rain received and severity of the drought, the possibility of a burn ban will be brought back up for consideration in upcoming Commissioners Court voting sessions.
Four Points News www.FourPointsNews.com
Viper Band helps Operation Blue Santa By RICH KEITH The Vandegrift High School Viper Band transformed into “wrap artists” as they volunteered at Operation Blue Santa last week. In a spotless warehouse in South Austin, almost 70 band members came together to wrap hundreds of presents for needy children. Band Director Jeremy Spicer introduced the students to Sharon Cannon and her crew at Operation Blue Santa and they got the project underway by staffing the different stations. The students were assigned to collecting toys from bins and bagging them. Then three to six toys were taped in bundles. These bundles were wrapped in blue paper and placed in boxes donated by Dell. The boxes were placed on pallets and wrapped with plastic by the students, before warehouse staff picked up the pallets using a forklift. Well over 500 gift-bundle wraps were completed by the band. Ms Cannon later said, “Seeing all these kids to help - to me it's a relief! They will do anything we need them to do. I love it!” Viper Band students had plenty of fun making blue ribbons and blue moustaches as the evening came to a close. Operation Blue Santa is a non-profit organized by the Austin Police Department, with support from the Texas National Guard, the Austin Fire Department, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Energy. Each year they provide families in need with a full holiday meal and wrapped Christmas gifts for each child under age 14. Blue Santa began in 1972 serving about 20 families. This year they will easily serve over 3,500 families. See www.bluesanta.org for more information.
Above: Suah Cheong, Alex Buslawski, Conor Stuart and Austin Isburgh wrap presents Below: The VHS Viper Band volunteers at Operation Blue Santa Top Right: Jordan Ng and Matthew Szostak at Operation Blue Santa Bottom Right: Sophie Grossman, Sessen Stephanos and Jenni Abbarno at Operation Blue Santa
Beautiful Smiles
Minis and Friends made a stop at Longhorn Village recently to encourage residents.
restorative, cosmetic & implant dentistry Complimentary Exam and X-Rays with New Patient Cleaning Expires12-31-11
Left: Margaret Robertson could not love on Snickers enough. Right: Vandegrift High School student Audrey Pyle is part of Minis and Friends, a group dedicated to bringing its mobile herd of trained miniature horses to visit and interact with people of all ages.
(512) 249-8488 200 S. Bell Blvd., Suite E2 • Cedar Park w w w. k a re n n a p l e s. c o m
Annie Fojtik
Robin R. Smith
11625 N FM Austin, TX 78750
• Alterations & Tailoring • Home Decor • Pillows & Bedding • Custom Window Treatments • T-shirt & Memory Quilts & Pillows
Seamstress & Textile Artist
Home Mortgage Consultant
Office: 512-344-7887 Cell: 512-633-2883
“My purpose is to not only fulfill my patients’ needs, but exceed their expectations while rejuvenating their smile”
Julia C. Hawthorne, DDS
512.638.2803
Cosmetics and Family Dentistry
512-266-9585
2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd. #160 Austin, TX. 78732
NMLSR ID 408833
Home of the Week
SERVICES • SERVICES • SERVICES • SERVICES GEOSCAPES OF TEXAS, INC. Landscape Services
$779,000
11708 Eagles Glen Dr
(512) 418-1435 www.TopKWGroup.com
robinstitches@gmail.com
Services: Sprinkler System Installation Total Landscape Maintenance Landscape Design/Installation Sod and Tree Installation Tree Care and Removal
Phone: 512-259-5296 Fax: 512-259-0380 P.O. Box 1922 Leander, TX 78646 LI-0007203
777-2774 774-2774 CEDAR PARK PARK HANDYMAN HANDYMAN CEDAR NoJob Job Too Too Small No Small or or Too TooBig Big
Rotten Board Replacement - Decks - Fences Doors Installed - Windows - Painting - Staining Pressure Washing - Pergollas - Trellas Electrical Repairs - Plumbing Repairs Drywall Repairs - Tile Flooring - Siding CALL TODAY - FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED & INSURED
www.CedarParkHandyman.com www.CedarParkHandyman.com
Absolute Remodeling & Handyman Services “Absolute Quality” Insured
Kitchen Bathroom Painting
Sheetrock Windows Flooring
Lee Stark
Doors Tile
512-422-5262
Email: ARHS@Austin.rr.com
I SURVIVED A FIRE BUT MY HOME DIDN’T Over 40 years home building experience Member of HBA (home builders association greater Austin)
CUSTOM HOMES • FIRE RESTORATION REMODELING • ADDITIONS
OAK CONSTRUCTION Call Mike Flanagan for FREE estimates.
mikeflanagan23@yahoo.com
512-608-2700
Follow us on
Four Points News, Thursday, December 8, 2011 • Page 7
Precinct 2 redistricting allows for new spot on the board Travis County Emergency Services District #2, which covers River Place and Steiner Ranch, is accepting applications for one appointment to the
Board of Commissioners. “The new appointments in 78732 and 78730 are a result of redistricting. Boards are made up of 5 commissioners. We
How about hosting a tapas dessert party? • Private dinners • Hor d’oeuvre parties • Private/Group cooking classes • Meal delivery packages • Company & Corporate events
Call now to plan your party! Carlos Crusco - Personal Chef
512.970.2200
carloscrusco@hotmail.com
are recruiting for applicants amongst the Commissioner's constituency,” said Loretta Farb, Office Director to Precinct #2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt. Applications will be accepted up until 5 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 9 for the term beginning Jan. 1, 2012. Redistricting was completed and approved by the Commissioners Court earlier this year changing Precinct 2's boundaries. (Grandview Hills and areas
UNITED, FROM 1 is opening in his neighborhood. He and his wife Karyn brought their four kids out on opening day, Samantha, Shannon, Charlie and Mara to enjoy all of the treats and to meet the staff. "We've been waiting for this to open ever since we saw the sign go up," Karyn said. The latest United Heritage branch is a full-service facility with 3,627 square feet of space, three drive-thru lanes, a drive-up ATM, 366 (more than doubled its original plan) safety deposit boxes in four sizes, a free lobby coin machine, refreshment area with a free cappuccino machine, concierge and plasma lobby displays.
with zip codes 78726 and 78641 are in Precinct 3.) ESDs are entrusted with providing emergency medical and fire services to many unincorporated areas of the state. Because ESDs are political subdivisions of the State of Texas, they are required to comply with all of the open government laws in addition to the health codes and regulations of emergency services providers. An ESD is governed by a
Board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Commissioners Court for two-year staggered terms. There are many statutes and regulations governing Texas ESDs, perhaps the most important of which is Chapter 775 of the Health and Safety Code. Commissioners should be well-versed in these statutes to avoid potential problems, Farb said. Currently, ESD #2's Board meets monthly on the second
Thursday. In addition to the regular monthly meetings, special meetings may be called as needed. Those interested in becoming an ESD Commissioner must: be at least 18 years of age, be a resident citizen of the state; and be a qualified voter within the ESD or an owner of land subject to taxation in the ESD. For more information contact Loretta Farb loretta.farb@ co.travis.tx.us .
Student to Represent CRMS at Regional Spelling Bee Malavika Perinchery will represent Canyon Ridge Middle School at the Regional Spelling Bee after winning the school’s competition by spelling “inveterate.”
We bring the showroom to you! ENERGY, FROM 1
Time is your greatest asset?
simple styles…
Hundreds of Flooring Choices
intricate designs… deesign
What are you waiting for? Whether retirement is a long way away or just around the corner, a financial plan can help you put a confident retirement MORE WITHIN REACH®.
Call me today at (512)691-7032 for a complimentary review of your financial plan and investment strategy.
and everything in between
Jon Fletcher, CRPC
Wood • Tile • Laminate • Carpet • Vinyl •Vinyl Custom Tile • Vinyl Plank Shutters • Blinds • Honeycomb Shades Services include.... Backsplash • Bathroom wall tile • Fireplaces • Grout sealing Refinish wood floors • Carpet cleaning • Tile floor cleaning • Sealing natural stone
AUSTIN FLOOR& WINDOW
COVERINGS
512-336-0900
www.AustinFloorsandWindows.com
®
Financial Advisor Ameriprise Financial Arboretum Plaza One, Ste 800 9442 N. Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, Tx 78759 (512)691-7032 jon.m.fletcher@ampf.com
We carry hundreds of different styes of...
ameripriseadvisors.com/jon.m.fletcher
Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations.
lower 50 percent of comparable utilities in Texas.” He said he could not comment specifically about Round Rock’s example without analysis. A Rate Protest member, Dick Brown, has appeared before the boards of six MUDs and water districts in AE’s service area and pointed out that the AE rate increase will increase both their own operating costs and the electric rates of their residents. For hard-strapped districts, water rates will have to be increased to pay higher electricity costs, Farrar said. “Brown received favorable responses from all six districts and believes that they will be actively involved in our petition drive,” Farrar said. Austin Energy Rate Protest is planning to circulate a petition and gather at least 2,500 signa-
Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.
Time to Winterize
123965MR0911
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.
Austin’s Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation Specialist Locally owned, Steiner resident servicing the Four Points and surrounding areas.
Want to know what homes have sold for in your neighborhood recently? Contact me!
Rhonda Durrill, Realtor 512-994-8400 rhonda@avalaraustin.com • www.rhondadurrill.com
452-7246 (RAIN)
State Licensed 16009
Anthony@signaturesprinkler.com
www.signaturesprinkler.com
Smart phone users scan here.
Ask me about my program that donates to your favorite charity. God, Family, Business.
tures to trigger a Public Utility Commission review. But it cannot start gathering signatures until the Austin City Council passes a final rate proposal. “What we are trying to do now is get the word out, and establishing an email list so we can mobilize people to sign a petition when the time comes. Once the rates are approved, we have only 45 days,” Farrar said. Only one signature per household, and only from households that are in the Austin Energy service area, but are outside Austin City limits, he added. “We expect other groups like ours to emerge from some of the other affected areas of the suburbs,” Farrar said. Austin Energy Rate Protest is against the rate increases for several reasons including the Austin City Council sets Austin Energy’s rates. But Four Points is outside of Austin and Four Points residents cannot vote on the city council members who set those rates. Additionally about 15 percent of every dollar the outside-city customers pay Austin Energy is spent on Austin services including fire, police, parks and other city services that do not benefit Four Points and similar communities. Austin Energy’s argument is that basic rates have not increased for residents and small business since 1994. It does not charge ‘cost to serve’ now and the goal is to charge customers as close to ‘cost to serve’ as it can. Austin Energy has gone into its savings to cover costs in recent years. This year it had a $20 million deficit, last year an $80 million deficit and the year before that a $70 million deficit, Clark said. In January, the Austin City Council will vote on the issue and decide what they think is reasonable. If the vote is to increase rates, it will take about 90 days to input the new rates into the system.
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.
To schedule an appointment or consultation call 266-3019
Mention this ad and receive complementary facial wax included on your first visit.
We’d love to hear from you! Call us, email us, send a photo or share a story. All submissions are welcome.
Stars of the Week
Thursday
Page 8 • December 8, 2011
B A S K E T B A L L
S O C C E R
S W I M M i N G
Zach Hartman -
Brook Heitman -
Junior
Sophomore
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Swimming and diving: Patrick Sarman Sophomore Favorite part about being involved in Viper Swim and Dive: The Vandegrift Swim Team is like one big family. The team bonding makes it feel like I am a part of something exciting. I was thrilled when I made the team.
Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts
512.266.3339
Open everyday 11am - 9pm, Sat. & Fri. until 10pm
512.372.9700 Located in the Shops at Riverplace
Colby Zugg -
W R E S T L I N G
DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN LEADERS
11400 Concordia University Drive Off FM 620, just north of RR 2222
www.wcwmaaustin.com
512-313-3000 www.concordia.edu
www.facebook.com/wcwmaaustin
Vandegrift High School Boys Basketball played Westwood High School Nov. 29
Full service insurance broker to meet your health, dental, life and supplemental insurance needs. Ray Freer Agent/Broker Office: (512) 807-9594 Mobile: (512) 565-7369
www.RFIMasters.com
St. Andrew’s Crusaders win SPC Cross Country Championship fourth year in a row
Westwood 74, Vandegrift 67
April Dang
April Dang
Above: Tyler Eyre, Junior, #23 Bottom: JT Graham, senior ,#35 gets the tip off
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Wrestling: Wrestling is a very physically demanding sport. Being a captain on this team motivates me to push myself and the team even harder.
The Shops at Steiner Ranch 2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd. Suite 260
Mexican Cuisine
Junior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Soccer: I love Vandegrift Soccer because as a Junior, I have seen this talented team progress since day one. It’s so exciting to see this team rise to the top after being seen as the underdogs in the beginning. All of us have become so close over these last few years and I can’t wait to see the accomplishments we are going to make this year.
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Soccer: Even in the worst weather conditions, nothing takes us away from practicing and playing together as team. We just enjoy doing it.
El Señor
Senior
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Basketball: I love the competitive nature of the game and pushing myself to improve each day.
Favorite part about being involved in Viper Basketball: The great basketball family and the feeling you get after the team wins a game.
Patrick Sarman -
www.FourPointsNews.com
Paige Lichtenberger -
Sophomore
Ryan Ibrahim -
Four Points News
The St. Andrew's Crusaders’ boys cross-country team won the Southwest Preparatory Conference championship on Nov. 4, for the fourth consecutive year. This was the first time in SPC history that a team has won four consecutive championships, and Crusaders’ 25 points was the second lowest total in SPC history. Evan Wineland paced St. Andrew’s Episcopal with a 15:57.63 to come in third overall. He was followed in order by teammates Sam Andrews, Austin Brown (a Westminster Glen Estates resident), Jack Moody and Daniel Frishman in places four through seven. The Crusaders’ team score of 25 outdistanced runner-up Dallas St. Mark’s by 63 points, also noteworthy because St. Mark’s has three times the number of boys as St. Andrew’s. Gilbert Tuhabonye and Reed Clemons have coached the St. Andrew’s teams for the last four championships. Head coach Gilbert Tuhabonye was confident entering the race, but placing five runners in the top seven was even more than he had hoped. “I felt going into the championship that we were going to win, but I didn’t expect the dominance,” said Tuhabonye. “Our
performance peaked at the right time. We had a great workout before the championship and our fifth boy (Frishman) finished right with our fourth runner, so we knew it was going to be awesome.” Tuhabonye said the Crusaders were careful not to overtrain in the earlier stages of the season, yet still run against top-notch competition. That approach built confidence and allowed his runners to post their fastest times at the end of the season when it mattered most. “It comes down to training, Sam Andrews, Evan Wineland, Austin Brown, Jack Moody, and Daniel discipline and organizing and Frishman win for St. Andrew’s preparing the kids well. We’ve applied those things at St. Andrew’s,” said Tuhabonye. “At the start of the season, we had a plan and that was to make sure the kids don’t burn out at the beginning. We wanted to use those races as confidence builders. I let the kids run against the big schools here in Austin. It’s very competitive so they can shake out that fear and go into the championship as just a normal race. It worked.” St. Andrews is an independent Episcopal 1st-12th grade school located at 1112 West 31st St.
St. Andrew’s boys cross country team wins trophy for 4th year in a row.
Lady Vipers against McNeil HS, Round Rock HS McNeil won over Vandegrift, 43-58; Round Rock won over Vandegrift, 33-43
John Lichtenberger
Left: Paige Lichtenberger (#11) senior, and Sophia Duffield (#3) junior, playing defense against McNeil Right: Sophia Duffield (#3) junior, shooting a jump shot over a Round Rock defender
John Lichtenberger
Grandview Hills fourth grade student, Owen Daugherty, came in first place in the fourth grade San Antonio ING KIDS ROCK 1 mile race with a time of 6:25. Over 300 4th graders participated in the race. The photo shows him breaking the tape at the finish line. Daugherty also competed in regional USATF and AAU Cross Country events, Qualified for National Championships in both. He runs in the Bantam Group, 3km distance. He'll compete in the USATF Championships in Myrtle Beach on Dec. 10, 11. Daugherty runs for the Cedar Park Rogue Running Club coached by Jeff Brown.
CMYK
Health & Fitness
Ho Ho Ho... Oh No!! By Dance Institute Staff
The Holiday Season is here and everyone is busy with parties and family gatherings. Great food, delicious sweets and holiday beverages, can test any one’s resistance. One can easily gain up to 10 pounds during holiday season giving rise to New Year's resolutions, diets and new exercise programs! Keep those Holiday pounds off by staying with your exercise program or starting a new program. There are great fun classes everywhere. Increases in caloric intake and weight gain can only be fought by increased activity to prevent those unwanted pounds from showing up. So
move, move, move... walk, dance, try a Dance Fit, Zumba or Pilates Class. December is a great month to take advantage of Fitness Specials for yourself or gifting dance classes, fitness class cards and programs, or even talking a friend in to joining an exercise program with you. DI's professional staff is ready to help you put together a great fun program of cardio, strength and flexibility to keep you in top shape during the Holidays, to give as the perfect gift, or start your New Year's resolution. Dance Institute is offering Fitness Specials through December 22nd. Stop by now for great Gift Ideas. Dance Institute 6612 Sitio Del Rio Blvd.
Yoga for weight loss? By MELINDA JENNINGS Guest Contributor
We've all heard the formula for weight loss. Just "burn more calories than you take in." But if weight loss is so simple, how come so many of us have a hard time with it? If we all know what to do, how come we're not doing it? There are many factors to weight loss, and there's a big gap between knowledge and action. It's a lot more than calories in, calories out. In between the "I know what I should be doing," and "how come I'm not doing that?" is a pause (and sometimes frustration). This 'pause' is where yoga can help. Being aware of your actions what you're eating, when you’re eating it and why, are keys to weight loss success. Tuning in to your inner voice and actually hearing your body's signals is difficult. Diets fail a great deal of the time. What if you were able to smooth out your brain waves, so that you could notice the moment of choice? Yoga for weight loss? Maybe you've thought in the past that only heavy-duty cardio would do the trick, and the pounds would magically melt away. But if you are successful at this heavy-duty huffing and puffing, how come
Your body
the pounds come back, and the change isn't permanent? It may surprise you to know that a recent study at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that an ongoing yoga practice correlates nicely with a healthy weight - and not only because of the calorie burn. (Excerpts from Natural Health, “The New Weight-Loss Math,” by Hillari Dowdle). Yoga practitioners were found to be "more aware of what they were eating and better able to stop when they were full," characteristics that the study attributes to mindfulness. In yoga, postures are practiced slowly, which is counter-intuitive to what the mind wants. We want to burn calories, and lose weight this instant, so we think we have to move fast. But, by practicing the postures slowly, we allow our minds to catch up with our bodies. We use the breath to actually feel what our muscles are doing. And this introspection, this reflection, will bring about an awareness. An awareness of choice. "Smoothing out the brain waves and calming down the nervous system give you an opportunity to notice the moment of choice," explains Ashley Turner, M.A. "You get to ask yourself, 'Do I really want to eat more?' Most of us never even encounter that mo-
ment," she adds. Yoga can help you develop that awareness. And, it can also help you remove toxins from your body. New studies indicate that toxins in the body suppress thyroid function, slowing metabolism. "Scientists now believe that the obesity epidemic is going hand in hand with an increase in environmental toxins," says Gaetano Morello, N.D. from British Columbia. And fasting only slows your metabolism and causes more toxins to be released from your fat stores. Yoga can help remove these toxins. You will get more benefits from yoga than you could ever imagine. And over time, it gets easier and more fun. No, it will not be a quick "fix" overnight. But what if you could develop the awareness to be more mindful of what you were eating, and better able to stop when you were full? These are all characteristics of mindfulness, which is practiced in every yoga class. Hope to see you in class soon! Melinda Jennings is Owner of Steiner Ranch Yoga, Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance, Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant, Certified Personal Trainer. Melinda may be reached at melinda@steinerranchyoga.com.
TRANSFORMED TOTAL
WELLNESS
BASIC TRAINING Save up to $900!
at Wild Basin Fitness
Save up to $1,000!
Transform your body, transform your life with this Total Wellness Package! Boot Camp, Training, Rx Skincare, Genesis Pure, & MORE!
Only $599!
Kick-up your fitness with training & boot camp!
Only $399!
GETTING STARTED Save up to $500!
Start 2012 right! Free Boot Camp included.
Only $199!
Special Bonus!
Add your whole family to any plan for just $100! HURRY! Offers expire soon. Call 266-6161 or come by today. www.WildBasinFitness.com
Four Points News, Thursday, December 8, 2011 • Page 9
JANUARY FOR
FREE! Offer Expires 1/31/12 Four Points 6911 N FM 620, Suite B100 620 & 2222 Behind Walgreens 512.992.2524 anytimefitness.com See club for details.
CMYK
Page 10 • Four Points News, Thursday, December 8, 2011
Leslee Bassman
Leslee Bassman
Leslee Bassman
Steiner Ranch Yoga
Oasis Texas
“Quieting the Monkey Mind”
Holidays on Ice
www.steinerranchyoga.com | 512-243-7441
The Summer motorcycle camp for kids!
Christmas Special
Chill out this holiday season on our new ice skating rink! Lessons Available • Group Discounts Military/Fire/Police Discounts $10 per hour includes skate rental Private function rentals available
Free ride day and gift with camp week. Expires Dec 19th
Register now! 512-917-5733
IronHorseCountry.com
Oasis Texas, 6550 Comanche Trail
Middle: RPCC Yuletide Treasures vendors Allison Finchum (left) and Angela Misenheimer (right), Little Leaping Lizards, enjoy a well-deserved break during Friday’s RPCC Yuletide Treasure shopping bazaar.
Call 512-761-5302 or email IceSkateOasisTexas@yahoo.com
SATURDAY, January 28 PALMER EVENTS CENTER 900 Barton Springs Rd. 10 am - 5 pm
Donna
Eat. Shop. Wander Reg. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4:00 pm-10:00 pm Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am-11 pm Sunday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Holiday: Christmas Eve: 11:00 am - 7 pm Christmas Day: 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm New Year’s Eve: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm New Year’s Day: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm For more information, please visit oasistx.com or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/OasisTexas. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and receive $1 off of your ice skating ticket.
With over 45 vendors, River Place Country Club’s annual Yuletide Treasures provided Four Points’ residents with a onestop shopping venue for holiday goodies and fun. Last week’s event featured goods from local sellers as well as artisans from Abilene, Dallas and Houston. “Every year we’ve been a little bit bigger,” said Leah Bottoms, RPCC Director of Member Relations. “It’s becoming a tradition now.” Top: Paige King Jewelry’s Paige Koenig (left) and Silpada vendor Heather Bicke (right) treated customers to an early shopping holiday during last week’s Yuletide Treasures event at River Place Country Club.
Come see us at ..
November 17, 2011-January 1, 2012
Holiday shopping at River Place CC Yuletide Treasures
Iron Horse 2x5 • cmyk • r • 2x5
Bottom: Shoppers at last week’s Yuletide Treasures left the River Place Country Club venue with a bit of sparkle from Christmas Tree Designer Barbie G. Mozejko of the Wee Little Christmas Tree Company.
Specialty Market & Delicatessen
Holiday Party? The Market is your place for Full Catering, Wine, Holiday Gift Baskets and more.
Wine & Food Party Friday, December 16 at 5:00
4300 Quinlan Park Rd. 512-266-8808
“Taste the Difference”