Want to know what’s going on around our neighborhood? Find out here on the Community News page! Visit throughout the day to get your updated local news headlines. In addition, you can also find out about local happenings.If you know of an event, such as a city picnic, local high school graduation or a wedding, post it here to let all of us know! Be sure to keep yourself informed by checking this page frequently! |
- Austin Real Estate SummaryPosted on: 2006-09-25Austin Real Estate Market Summary as provided by Austin Board of Realtors. (ABOR) as of Aug. 2006
All Single Family Home Sales
2006 Sold 2805 Home Sales are UP 6%
2005 vs. 2634
All Single Family Home Listings
2006 8137 Listings are DOWN by 2%
2005 8302
Single Family Median Home Price
2006 $182,500 Avg. Home Price UP 8%
2005 $169,400
Single Family Pending Sales
2006 2891 Pending Sales UP 13%
2005 2549
- LTEF Crystal BallPosted on: 2007-01-02The Crystal Ball presented by the Lake Travis Education Foundation takes place on Saturday, February !7th from 6pm until midnght. The event will be held at the Austin Hilton and benefits the schools of the Lake Travis ISD. For tickets and sponsorship information you can check the LTEF website.
- Attorney General Presentation on Internet Safety for Parents,Posted on: 2007-02-02On Febraury 26th at 7 p.m., Todd Radford from the Attorney's General's office will be at the LTMS auditorium to present internet safety advice to parents. He is an expert of sites like 'MySpace' and will also address issues related to cell phones. This seminar should be useful to all parents.
- Falconhead Christmas Party and Cookie ContestPosted on: 2007-01-02Thanks to Lori Baez, Sherry English, Talaya Frazier and all who helped with the wonderful sleighride and Christmas Party. There are pictures of this event under neighborhood pictures.
The winner of the 'Best Cookie' was Talaya Fraizier for her Peanut Butter Surprises. The 'Best Dressed Cookie' went to Julia Lowcher for Rudolph's No-Bake Magic Drops. Thanks to all who participated. The entries were all delicious.
- Friends of the Bee Cave Public Library MeetingPosted on: 2006-11-28Join us next Thursday, (Dec. 7th), at the library next to city hall. Meeting starts at 1:30pm and should be quick. We're organizing our chapter and discussing plans for an upcoming book sale. If you are interested but cannot come this month, please email me so you can be added to our lists of contacts. Thanks!
- Help Bee Cave Library While Shopping at Barnes and NoblePosted on: 2006-12-05As you shop for the reader on your Christmas list or just a special Christmas story for your little one, why not go to Barnes and Noble at Capital of Texas Highway and help Bee Cave Library while you are at it. From December 4 – 10 when you purchase a book from Barnes and Nobel at 360, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the Bee Cave Public Library!
Be sure to pick up a voucher at the Library or at checkout, and get your holiday shopping done early. A wish list of items for the Library will be on display as well. Additional information is available about the library when you click on the Bee Cave Library tab. - Santa is Coming to Bee Caves and FalconheadPosted on: 2006-12-05Santa is planning two stops in our community prior to his annual Christmas visit. You can catch him at The City of Bee Cave Open House and holiday party on December 11th at Bee Cave City Hall from 4 to 7pm. Enjoy the famous 'Bee Cookies' and visit with Santa. Please bring a contribution for the Capital Area Food Bank.
On Sunday, December 17th Santa will be on Alpomado Falcon from 5 to 8pm for the Falconhead holiday party. The party will include hot chocolate, sleigh rides and cookie contests. Call 243-7262 to RSVP and for more details.
Both these events are listed on the Community Calendar. The invitations will be posted by December 8th.
Click Here for More Information - LTYA Brings Lacrosse to Lake TravisPosted on: 2006-12-05LTYA is beginning a Lacrosse program starting in 2007. This program is open to boys in 2nd through 8th grade. While there is not currently a girls program, it is the goal of LTYA to expand the program to include girls in the future. Registration opens December 15, 2006 and continues through January 15,2007. You may register on-line at the following link.
- NEW COMMUNITY WEBSITEPosted on: 2006-08-23Welcome to a new website which has launched today for the use of the Falconhead Community. This website was actually owned by Countrywide Mortgage and never promoted or used in the past two years. They have been gracious enough to be a co-sponsor and I have acquired it from them.
This website is the only interactive website built specifically for neighborhoods that I have ever seen. Residents can actually post news items, want adds, add events to the community calender and more. Please feel free to play with it. All posted items are filtered for content through a Michigan based firm called Connecting Neighbors. Kids can post pictures of their pets, friends and play games.
I think this is pretty cool and I hope all will use and enjoy the site.
Don Fry,
Neighbor
- LTYA Inaugral Golf Tournament At FalconheadPosted on: 2006-10-03On October 15th, LTYA is holding its Inaugral Golf Tournament at our Falconhead Golf Course. The proceeds will benefit youth sports programs sponsored by the Lake Travis Youth Assocation. To sign up to play or to be a sponsor click on the LTYA website link or go to the School/LTYA tab for a link.Website:www.ltya.org
- Lake Travis Girls soccer team wins at Labor Day TournamentPosted on: 2006-09-05The Lake Travis '93 Girls soccer team won their division in the championship game yesterday, to take the title at the Labor Day Cup Tournament 2006. The team which has 3 Falconhead residents on its team, played 5 games, and won all 5 games with shutouts, not having a single goal scored against them the entire tournament. They go on to start their regular season next weekend. Congratulations to those U14 girls.
- Classified Ads Section EditsPosted on: 2006-09-07Please use the Classified Ads to sell your stuff... If you want to make changes, maybe you left something out or forgot to put a price like I did, send me and email or call me and I can correct it right away. Hm: 263-7979
DonEmail:dfry@sellstate.com - City of Bee CavePosted on: 2006-09-07For information on construction updates around the area of Hwy. 71 and RR 620 , click on the Bee Cave link.
- Neighborhood Garage SalePosted on: 2006-09-09There will be a neighborhhod garage sale and bake sale at the Falconhead playground/park on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 8 to 1. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Central Texas chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Items for the sale may be donated beginning Sunday, Sept 10 through the week. Bake sale items may be dropped off on Friday afternoon. The fundraiser is in honor of our son Russell, who was diagnosed with Leukemia last summer and is undergoing three years of chemotherapy treatments.
Please e-mail if you are interested in donating or volunteering for the sale.
Thanks!
Bonny BakerEmail:bonnyandjeff@aol.com - FOUND LAB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Posted on: 2006-09-17A young lab was found in the park Saturday morning during the garage sale. Susan Van Winkle was kind enough to take her home for the weekend. Since Susan does not have a fenced yard the dog is now boarding at the Fry's home while she is searching for her owners.
She appears to be about 6-8 months old and has a bandana and collar. Please call to claim her 263-7979 - Lost lab reunited with her ownerPosted on: 2006-09-20Thanks to Susan Van Winkle the lab puppy from Falconhead park was able to be reunited with her Lakeway owner after 2 days. This just reinforces that it is a good idea to put an ID tag with phone number on our pets.
- Bee Cave P.D. looking for speeders!!Posted on: 2006-09-20The Village of Bee Cave Police wants to inform all residents that they will be on Spillman Ranch Road near the park in the morning ( wednesday 20th ) to watch and ticket speeders, so be careful and do the limit .
- Weekend Events Supporting Good CausesPosted on: 2006-09-21Looking for something to do this weekend and enjoy the benefits of helping a good cause. There are two such events available to you in the Bee Cave/Lake Travis Area.
The first is 'Blast-A-Thon' on Friday, September 22nd from 6pm to 9pm. This event hosted by the Lake Travis High School Cavalier band will be held at the Lake Travis Upper Stadium on the high school campus. Admission is Free. Concessions and merchandise will be available for purchase. A silent auction will also take place at this event, Come out and support the Cavalier Band.
On Saturday, September 24th, the Bee Cave Oktoberfest will take place from 4pm to 11pm. Featuring food and music, this event will take place at the Bee Cave Farmers Market on Highway 71 about 1/2 mile west of RM 620. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Bee Cave Library.
So go out and have some fun this weekend, while supporting some local organizations. - 'Fore' The Kids on September 27thPosted on: 2006-09-22Calling all golfers and duffers. The Lake Travis
Education Foundation 4th Annual 'Fore' the Kids Golf Tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27th at The Hills County Club's Flintrock Falls Golf Course. Registration begins at noon with a shotgun start at 1pm. Golf is followed by an awards banquet. All proceeds benefit the students and faculty of Lake Travis ISD.
Register at www.LakeTravisEducationFoundation.org or click on the school link to the left and the LTEF link in that category for direct access.
- What is Lake Travis Education Foundation?Posted on: 2006-09-22Lake Travis Education Foundation is holding an infomation hour on October 5th at 10am. Learn more about this organization, its mission and how you can help. Go to the website under school links for details or call 533-6095.
- LTMS Newcomers CoffeePosted on: 2006-09-27Lake Travis Middle School PTA is hosting a newcomer coffee this Friday ,September 28th at the Lakeway Activity Center on Cross Creek off Lohman's Crossing at 9:00 am. Due to privacy issues at LTMS, the committee is not able to obtain the email and telephone numbers of parents new to LTISD and LTMS, in particular. If you could spread the word, the committee would really appreciate it. They hope to have a big turnout and anticipate including fun events at these meetings each month. If they leahmetzler@aol.com have any questions, please call Leah Metzler at 264-0772 or email her at leahmetzler@aol.com
Website:leahmetzler@aol.com - Bee Cave Library UpdatePosted on: 2006-10-03The new Bee Cave Library offers a variety of community events, including storytime and social events, in addition to being a resource for homework and reading needs. So the next time you are looking for a book , stop by the library and borrow a book. You may even run into Lori Baez, as she leads the children in Storytime. For the October calendar of events and hours click on the Bee Cave Library tab.
The library is also looking for volunteers. If you have the time and the interest contact the library or go to the Village Website for an application. - Safety Tip - Walk with a LightPosted on: 2006-10-03As fall approaches, along with the switch to Daylight Savings Time, a good habit to establish is to carry a flashlight and wear light or reflective clothing when walking through the neighborhood in the evenings. The community does not have lights or houses in all areas. After dark, walkers, joggers, strollers and cyclists are difficult for drivers to see, even when using their brights. SO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY CARRY A FLASHLIGHT ON YOUR EVENING WALK.
- $7 Million Parks Bond Proposition Vote November 7thPosted on: 2006-11-02Registered Bee Cave Voters will be asked to consider a $7 million bond for the purpose of paying a portion of the total costs associated with developing over 75 acres of parks in 3 areas of our City. You can vote at Randall's through November 3rd. Election Day voting takes place at Lake Pointe Elementary for registered voters from Falconhead. Voting takes place from 7am to 7pm.
The Bee Cave Board plans to repay these bonds with money generated by a larger sales tax base and limit payment from property taxes to the same 2 cents per $100 of appraised value that is currently assessed.
- $7 Million Parks Bond PassesPosted on: 2006-11-08Bee Cave's $7 million Bond for Parks and Open Space Passed 77% to 23% (414 to 121).
- Luggage for Foster ChildrenPosted on: 2006-11-08As we all count our blessings and realize how much we have to be thankful for at this time of year, we often look for ways to help others. The LTMS NJHS will be hosting a used luggage drive for foster children so that they don't have to take their belongings around in trash bags. Any unwanted/used luggage will be greatly appreciated. Please bring all bags to Miss Meaders’ room in the 6th grade hall (room 204) at LTMS.
- Need A Web Designer!!Posted on: 2006-11-07I am looking for someone to design and assist with hosting a website. Please call Sondra @ 402-1020Email:lazyboutpost@aol.com
- What's Happening In Bee CavesPosted on: 2006-11-06The Village of Bee Caves has been growing along with our community. It has started a police department, opened a Library and will be celebrating the Groundbreaking of the new City Hall on November 14th at noon. More information on events at the Bee Cave Library such as story time can be obtained by clicking on the Bee Cave Library Tab. The Community Calendar has information regarding the Bee Cave Ground Breaking and will be updated for events like the annual Village Holiday Open House featuring visits with Santa Claus when more information becomes available.
The Village of Bee Caves is about to draft an ordinance to become the City of Bee Caves. Construction continues on the new Galleria and the Highway. You can keep up to date on this and other events by clicking on the Village of Bee Caves link and visiting the new village website which features weekly traffic updates and recent actions taken by the Planning and Zoning and the Board of Alderman. - Bee Cave Election Material: Early Voting Starts Monday(April 30)Posted on: 2007-04-30Uplands & Falconhead Neighbors
We have two well qualified city council candidates running from our neighborhoods this year that need your support and vote. I encourage you to join me and vote Early to help insure stable leadership for our city.
Zelda Auslander (Uplands), our Mayor-pro-tem, is seeking her fourth term. Steve Braasch (Falconhead), former Alderman and current Planning & Zoning commissioner, is running to return to the city council after a seven year hiatus. Their experience, judgment and knowledge of Bee Cave development issues and history are critically needed on the council.
Please Vote: Auslander & Braasch
Early voting for the Bee Cave City Council elections begins Monday, April 30th and continues on weekdays through Tuesday, May 8th. Voting hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (except lunch, 12-1 p.m.) at the City Hall, 13333A Hwy 71 West, Phone # 767-6600. Extended voting hours, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. will be available on Tuesday, May 8. Election Day is Saturday, May 12.
You can also early vote in the LTISD School Board Election at the Bee Cave City Hall. On election day you will have to go to the Lake Pointe Elementary School to vote. I ask your support for:
Place 3 Susan Tolles
Place 4 Jason Buddin
Place 5 Alan Williams
Mike Murphy, captmurf@aol.com, 512-263-8469
Bee Cave City Council
Economic Development Board Vice-President - Concerts at The Backyard Affect Bee Cave TrafficPosted on: 2007-03-06Concerts at The Backyard will be causing traffic delays at RR 620 and Highway 71. The list below is of some of the upcoming concerts which may affect traffic in the area. Please plan accordingly.
Wednesday March 07
The Shins
Doors open at 6:00PM
Sunday March 11
Annual Backyard Open House
Doors open at 2:00PM
Friday March 16 (Sold Out)
The Last of the Breed Tour with
Willie, Merle, Ray Price and Asleep at the Wheel
Doors Open at 6:30PM, show starts at 8:00PM
Saturday March 17 (Sold Out)
The Last of the Breed Tour with
Willie, Merle, Ray Price and Asleep at the Wheel
Doors Open at 6:30PM, show starts at 8:00PM
Saturday April 14 (Sold Out)
ZZ TOP
Doors open at 6:30PM, show starts at 8:00PM
- Lake Travis '93 Girls Win State Cup Soccer TournamentPosted on: 2006-12-11The Lake Travis '93 Girls soccer team won the State Cup Soccer tournament for the Super II division in Houston this last weekend. They won the first two games and drew the third game to take them through as State Champions. There are at least 3 girls from the team that live in Falconhead and Falconhead apartments. They had a fantastic season and this is a great way for them to end the Fall season. For more information you can visit the Lake Travis Youth Association website at www.ltya.org and click on soccer.
- Falconhead to Attend Lakeway Elementary GrandfatheringPosted on: 2007-01-29LTISD has adopted new zoning boundaries. Thezoning has Falcohnead students attending Lakeway Elementary and Lake Travis Middle School. Grandfathering of students is available for 4th grade students. The deadline to select grandfathering is Friday, March 30th. For more information go to the LTISD web link.
- Falcohead Supper ClubPosted on: 2007-02-06Falconhead Supper Club, formerly the Gourmet Couples, will be holding their next dinner in April. For more information please contact Eileen Friesz at 402-1160.
- Public Hearing - Annexation of Ladera RanchPosted on: 2007-02-06Ladera Ranch is a parcel of land adjacent to the 12th hole of the Falconhead Golf Course. The plan for the parcel is the development of residential lots and townhomes. The initial concept included 97 units on 50 by 100 foot lots along the golf course, 116 alley loaded units and 235 townhomes. The concept is currently bring revised to address the City's concerns regarding density, impervious coverage ratios and secondary access. The public hearing process provides the residents of Falconhead an opportunity to address any concerns they may have regarding this development.
Two public hearings will be held by the City Council of the City of Bee Cave at the City Hall at 13333-A Highway 71 West, Bee Cave, Texas 78738. The dates and times of the public hearings are:
February 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
February 20, 2007 at 6:00 p.m - LTISD Board of Trustees Candidate Applications Filing Begins February 12thPosted on: 2007-02-06Three positions on the Lake Travis ISD Board of Trustees are up for election this May and those interested in running for election can file beginning Monday, Frebruary 12th.
An election for places 3, 4 and 5 for the Lake Travis ISD Board of Trustees will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007.
The Board of Trustees consists of seven board members elected to serve, without compensation, overlapping terms. Trustees are elected for rotating three-year terms. Although candidates run for specific places, they do not represent specific geographical areas. Rather, each represents Lake Travis ISD at-large. Following the annual election, the Board elects a president, vice-president and secretary to serve one-year terms.
Information for Potential Candidates
Filing begins on Monday, February 12. The deadline to file is Monday, March 12. Filing packets must be picked up in person from Kathy Johnson in the LTISD business office, 3322 Ranch Road 620 South.
The election is on Saturday, May 12. Elected candidates are seated as Board members on Monday, May 21.
Candidate qualifications include residence in the area or school district.
Resources for Potential Candidates
Region 13 is sponsoring a Potential Candidate Workshop on Tuesday, March 6.
The Texas Association of School Boards provides additional resources and information for potential candidates on its Web site.
For more information contact Kathy Johnson in LTISDs business office at (512) 533-6013 or johnsonk@ltisdschools.org
Website:www.ltisdschools.org - Bee Cave Elections May 2007- Run for AldermanPosted on: 2007-02-06The City of Bee Cave will be conducting elections for three positions on the City Council this May. These positions are at large positions and the three candidates with the highest number of votes will be elected to the positions. The positions up for election are those of Mayor Pro Tem Auslander, Ald. Coker and Ald. Goodwin Residents of Falconhead and Bee Cave interested in running need to apply by March 12, 2007. As of February 21st there have been no applications supmitted. Candidates may file for a place on the ballot from February 10 to March 12, 2007. Candidate Packets may be picked up in the City Secretary's office during regular office hours. Additional election information is available by calling City Secretary Sherry Mashburn at 512-767-6641.
- Kindergarten Registration at Bee Cave ElementaryPosted on: 2007-02-28Kindergarten registration is for children who will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2007
Bee Cave Elementary
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
3:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the school's cafeteria
Requirements
To register, parents must bring the following documents:
Picture ID of parent or guardian who is registering the student (drivers license)
Proof of residency (examples: lease agreement, property deed, sales contract, property tax statement for homestead)
Birth certificate: the original county or state issued certificate, not a copy. Click here to see how to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate.
Social Security Number (preferred, but optional): If you do not furnish your child’s Social Security Number, the child will be assigned a state ID number.
Immunization record including:
Four doses of polio vaccine (unless 3rd dose was received on or after 4th birthday)*
Five doses DTP/DTaP vaccine (unless 4th dose was received on or after 4th birthday)*
One dose MMR vaccine received on or after 1st birthday and
One dose of measles vaccine (dose may be part of a second MMR)
Three doses hepatitis B vaccine
One dose of varicella vaccine received on or after 1st birthday
*DTP/DTaP/DT/Td and Polio series must include a dose on or after the fourth birthday to be complete. Receipt of a dose up to (and including) four days before the birthday will satisfy the school entry immunization requirements. Serologic confirmation of immunity or documentation of previous illness may substitute for vaccination.
- Ald. Murphy's Bee Cave UpdatePosted on: 2007-02-28Bee Cave Update (02/26/2007)
It has been a while since I have sent out an update on the happenings in Bee Cave. I had hoped the road issues would have resolved themselves by now, but, such is not the case. If you have specific question, drop me an email & phone number at Captmurf@aol.com.
1. Hwy 71 / Bee Cave Parkway: These are totally intertwined. Utility and right-of-way problems with Hwy 71 caused the TxDoT contractor to leave the site until all issues restricting the project were resolved. Bee Cave provided the leadership to resolve those issues, but the state contractor has yet to remobilize. The Mayor has had numerous meetings with TxDoT and politicos in a position to get the state to finish the project now. Only TxDoT can construct Hwy 71 and/or connect the Parkway to RR620 and Bee Caves Rd. We have requested TxDoT to at least allow the Galleria contractor (Rodman) to connect the Parkway to the state roads so we can get it open and usable. So, though I fume and fuss, I hope for good news soon.
2. Hamilton Pool Extension: Survey work to bring Hamilton Pool Rd from Hwy 71 to RR620 has begun. It connects to the Bee Cave Parkway. Financing is being finalized and will be paid for by our 4B (economic development) sales tax. This road will improve traffic flow in Bee Cave and provide the primary entrance to the 50+ acre city park
3. Parks: The 4B Board is working with a design company to finalize plans for our central park. The 50 acres have been augmented by about 10 acres of adjoining land purchased by the city (50 acres and monies provided by the Galleria agreement). We expect the plan to be sent to the city council this summer and for construction to begin thereafter. Design of the Galleria park area (between The Galleria and Lake Pointe) and improvements to the pond area near the current city hall will follow.
4. Ladera Ranch: An 82 acre development (Morgan horse ranch) behind Home Depot and south of Falconhead is coming before the Council for its second public hearing on Tuesday (2/27 @ 6 p.m.). It is a single family / townhouse project located in the Bee Cave extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). It is not subject to most of our development ordinances. They seek annexation. Talks have reduced the density of the project by 25%.
5. Bee Cave Election: Three city council positions will be up for election in May. To my knowledge, no candidates have formally filed as of yet, but I know of two that have committed to run: Falconhead resident (formerly Uplands) Steve Braasch and Mayor-pro-tem Zelda Auslander. Steve is a former councilman, former P&Z Chair, and current P& Z member. Zelda is a proponent of quality development seeking her fourth term. Both Steve & Zelda have my full support. Seats up for election are currently held by Zelda, Bill Goodwin, and Jonathan Coker.
6. Hill Country Galleria: Dillard’s will open in September. Opus West (developer) will be before the Council again Tuesday to discuss architecture and exterior finishes of the project. Second major anchor (east end of the project) is still not specified but we still expect a high-end grocery. Unofficial tenant lists abound, but Opus West has not released an official list. Cinemark, Barnes & Noble, Talbot’s, Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Zale’s, Banana Republic, Ethan Allen, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Bath & Body Works, Holister, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, and many more are on various lists.
7. New City Hall & Library: Expect the metal superstructure to go up late this week. It is the building behind the oak trees at the center (new) entrance off 71. Once completed the current city hall will become our police and court building.
8. Old School House: The old Bee Cave school house sitting next to the current city hall will be restored soon. It will be used for various civic functions and/or meeting space.
9. Falconhead Hotel: Concept plan has been approved and we await construction.
10. Morningside: Located next to Falconhead on RR 620. It had been linked to Falconhead’s plan in the recent past, but concepts for a retail center connecting to Home Depot /Target have dissipated. Originally an office/condo/retail project, the landowner is rethinking options. We should see something more on this in the next few months
Mike Murphy (Captmurf@aol.com)
Bee Cave City Council; Bee Cave Economic Development Board VP
- 4th Annual Capital City ShootoutPosted on: 2007-03-08
Click Here For Complete Info! - Bee Cave Elections May 12th - Support Zelda Auslander and Steve BraaschPosted on: 2007-04-03When you vote for alderman this spring, please consider supporting Zelda Auslander and fellow Falconhead resident, Steve Braasch for alderman. There are four candidates running for three positions. The three with the highest vote totals will be elected to the City Council. Both Zelda and Steve are positive people with high levels of integrity and an history of working hard for the City of Bee Cave.
For more informtion on each candidate please click on the links under the Elections Tab.
Let's elect Zelda and Steve.
-
MISSING CATPosted on: 2007-03-13Please be on the lookout for a black & white cat who is MIA from the Bat Falcon area. 'BOB' is a male cat and is declawed and belongs to the Hunts at 4505 Bat Falcon. Please contact Dana @dmhunt@austin.rr.com if he should come meowing at your home!! - Are You Registered to Vote? Deadline April 12thPosted on: 2007-03-29With so many new residents in Falconhead since our last election last May, you may want to check to see if you are registered in Bee Cave for the Bee Cave City Elections and the LTISD School Board Elections. You must register by April 12th to vote in the May 12th election. The accompanying link will take you to the Texas voter registration.
- Falconhead Communtiy Coffee - April 10thPosted on: 2007-04-03The quarterly coffee will be held on Tuesday, April 10th at 10 am at the home of Amy Davis. The co-hostesses are Mary Lehtonen and Sharon Quincy. The Davis home is at 3905 Coopers Hawk. RSVP 402-9030. Hope to see you there!
- Lake Travis Select Soccer tryouts and information meetingPosted on: 2007-04-23Lake Travis Select Soccer would like to invite all interested U9 & U10 parents to attend the LT Select Informational Meeting at 7:15pm on Wednesday, May 2 at the red hut at the Field of Dreams Complex.
Select soccer tryouts for all select playesr will be held in May..
Visit the website at www.ltsoccer.com for more informationWebsite:www.ltsoccer.comEmail:tim@ltsoccer.com - Real Estate Tax Amendment on the BallotPosted on: 2007-05-01
If you are a Texas property owner you needsto be aware of a constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot at the May election.
It is an amendment to correct an error made by the lawmakers when they voted for a reduction in school
property taxes in 2005. When the law-makers voted for a one-third reduction of school property taxes beginning in
2006 and to be completed this year,they forgot about the homestead exemption for senior citizens and
people with disabilities. The state constitution caps school property taxes for homeowners 65 years or older
and those who are disabled. However,they DID NOT get the same reduction when the property tax cut for schools
was voted on two years ago. So an amendment is on the May ballot tocorrect this error.
The problem is that most voters who are younger than 65 or not disabled probably not aware of notice the amendment.
PLEASE get out and vote for this amendment ... if not for yourself, then for your parents, grandparents, aunts, unclesand friends. We would really appreciate
your getting the word out to all yourfriends and families to vote for this amendment.
Please pass the word and vote FOR the constitutional amendment.
- Benefit for the Coffelt Family - June 13 Lakehouse CafePosted on: 2007-06-05Many of you know Ken Coffelt, a wonderful father and great BCE volunteer. He is afflicted with stage 4 cancer and your help is needed.
Talaya Frazier has spoken with Bryan and Deborah Ezzell, owners of Lakehouse Cafe. The following is from a recent email she has sent out to members of the BCE family and broader community. The Ezzells 'have generously offered to open up their restaurant to host a FAMILY FUN NIGHT dinner with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the COFFELT family. We are going to host this NEXT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th. 5:30-8:30. We will be selling the tickets at the door --- ADULTS $15 and CHILDREN $5. Buffet and Live Music. This is being put together ASAP as we feel the family could use the money ASAP and before the heat of summer kicks in. This is just a MARK your calendars email and we hope to have the evite out tomorrow. We NEED people to RSVP # of adults and children by Sunday so that the Ezzels can prepare accordingly. This is not a night they are usually open and so they must have staff/food preparations just for this event. RSVP: info@lakehousecafe.com or call 512-264-7040.
We also talked about having a raffle at the event. IF you are interested or know anyone/business interested in donating, please let me know. We are doing the best we can to make this as profitable as possible. Forward this email along with the evite you should be receiving tomorrow to as many as possible. Let's flood this family with blessings, as they are a blessing to all of us.
Also, LISA SCHLATEGER with WHAT'S YOUR SIGN has generously offered to make signs to post. One will be posted in FALCONHEAD neighborhood and the other 2 possible at the corner or 620/71 and at 71/Hamilton Pool. If we have problems with these areas, we might need other suggestions.
AGAIN thank you for making this night spectacular!!
Talaya Frazier
979-574-5707'
- The 24th annual 'National Night Out'Posted on: 2007-06-11
- New Student Registration for LTISDPosted on: 2007-07-31If you are new to the neighborhood, advanced registration for new students will be taking place as follows:
Lake Travis High School
New Student Registration: For Appointments Call 533-6113
August 14th 1:30-3:30
August 15th 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-3:30
August 16th 8:30-11:30
August 22nd 8:30-11:30 (Makeup Day)
Lake Travis Middle School
New student registration will be held
August 7th - August 20th.
Please call 533-6213 to make an appointment.
Bee Cave Elementary
August 14 1:00-7:00
Website:www.ltisdschools.org - Back to School EventsPosted on: 2007-07-31Each of the schools have back to school events schedule for the week before school starts. The events are as follows:
Lake Travis High School
August 20th
Senior Roundup
1-3PM
August 21st
Junior Roundup
8:30-11:30
August 22
Sophomore Grade Roundup
8:30-11:30
August 24
Freshman Round Up
8:30-11:30
Lake Travis Middle School
LTMS Round-up - August 22nd
Come pick up your schedule, books and school supplies for the 2007-2008 school year.
8th Grade 9am - 11am
7th Grade 1pm - 3pm
6th Grade 4pm - 6pm
Bee Cave Elementary
Welcome Back to Excellence Night
August 23rd
K-2 5:30p.m. to 6:15p.m.
3-5 6:30p.m. to 7:15p.m
Website:www.ltisdschools.org - Safety Concerns Related to Highway 71Posted on: 2007-07-31Over the past few months, many have had concerns about the safety of Highway 71. Currently a group of concerned citizens is forming to prepare petitions and take the issue to the approriate government bodies. To that end we are forming a group to gather online petitions and set forth an action plan to better guide our efforts. A public meeting open to all will be set very soon to discuss action. Already senators have agreed to meet with representatives of this group. Stay tuned to find out the public meeting time and place.
Should you be interested in becoming part of this group please contact Lindamaealdrich@yahoo.com.
Additionally, please consider contacting the various government officials regarding your concerns. Repectfully, the issue should be limited to the safety of Highway 71 and not a means to promote other agendas. Highway 71 is a major connection between Lake Travis and the communities of Briarcliff, Marble Falls, Fredericksburg and others. Many of us have friends who must travel this road daily. Once school begins students from Bee Cave, LTMS and LTHS will travel this road to get to and from school. Your support of this cause will be appreciated. - Concerns About Highway 71 Reponse from Judge Briscoe's OfficePosted on: 2007-07-31The following is a response to many who have written the County Comissioners concerning the Safety of Highway 71.
To those of you who emailed Judge Biscoe regarding Highway 71, the following are his comments.
Thank you,
Josie Zavala
Administrative Assistant
Thank you for your recent comments regarding the need for safety improvements on Hwy 71. During a CAMPO Board Work Session earlier today, I spoke with Bob Daigh, Regional Director of TxDOT. He advised that he and his staff are working feverishly to brainstorm and design improvements that will make Hwy. 71 safer. Here are the specific actions he plans to take:
1. Divide recommended steps into two categories: those for which additional right-of-way is needed; those for which TxDOT already owns appropriate right-of-way already. Existing ROW allows much more expeditious implementation.
2. TxDOT will construct middle turn lanes to make certain sections safer.
3. TxDOT will build or expand shoulders to make certain sections safer.
4. The improvements in #2 and #3 above will be designed immediately in anticipation of approval of funding. Funding must be formally approved by the Commission, which will take a few months.
5. TxDOT will conduct skid analyses and determine whether pavement surface techniques will improve safety at certain locations.
6. Permanent solutions, including build added capacity will take much longer. However, I will exert maximum effort immediately to get long term Hwy 71 improvements included in the CAMPO Plan.
I will continue to talk with TxDOT to keep these issues on the radar. I am committed to getting Travis County to partner with TxDOT in order to get these safety problems addressed immediately. Residents have made additional recommendations, which I will discuss with TxDOT. Additionally, I will get our county engineers to get with TxDOT engineers to address outstanding Hwy 71 safety issues and fix them.
Finally, for those who contend that we should delay approval of the RGK Subdivision until Hwy 71 has been improved, our lawyers tell us that we may not legally do so. However, we will require that RGK install turn lanes and wider shoulders at points where RGK residents acess Hwy 71.
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Local Food Family Brings International, Affordable Gourmet Option to LakewayPosted on: 2009-03-19The Buonocore family is at it again. Ever since husband and wife team Jessica and Rodolfo moved to the Austin area to start a family, they’ve been offering the incredible cuisine they perfected in California and Argentina to central Texas residents.
After growing up surrounded by great food (Jessica’s mother is acclaimed California cookbook author Amelia Saltsman; Rodolfo worked in his father’s Buenos Aires bakeries and pastry shops for years), Jessica truly honed her food service and business skills under the mentorship of Nancy Silverton, working with Silverton at Campanile and La Brea Bakery in Los Angeles for several years. Armed with their experience, the couple moved to Austin and almost immediately began “The Daily” – a gourmet sandwich delivery business for local corporations.
As “the Daily” sandwiches became known and loved around town, the Buonocores were asked to cater both corporate and social events, and grew their business accordingly. But now with an infant daughter in tow, they strove to develop a food business that was convenient and practical for a young family. Within a year, “The Daily” matured into “Ate Foods,” which offered home delivery of gourmet meals for the whole family.
For 18 months, “Ate Foods” has been delivering three courses of three meals (for a family of three or four) every Monday, varying the menu widely with recipes that incorporate a rich Argentine and Mediterranean heritage and a generations-old history of experimenting with simple but delicious dishes.
Now, along with the continued “Ate Foods” dinner delivery service, the Ate team is offering Lakeway residents and visitors ate.cafe, a casual eat-in or takeout restaurant offering everything from gourmet sandwiches, empanadas, savory tarts and seasonal salads to decadent desserts and pastries, marrying the addictive food the Buonocores have offered for years with a what-you-want, when-you-want-it convenience that they have not been set up to give their followers until now.
“Our family has always dreamed of bringing our passion for food to a café somewhere in central Texas,” explains Jessica. “When the Lakeway opportunity arose, it was perfect for us. We’re thrilled to become a part of the Lakeway community and offer everyone who lives or visits a convenient and tasty alternative to the stress and monotony of getting meals on the table themselves.”
Ate Café opened in the Lakeway Town Center Phase II shopping center at Lohman’s Crossing and 620 on March 4. Hours for takeout and dining in are from 7:30AM to 4PM Monday through Saturday, 9AM to 2PM on Sunday. The menu is available on the www.atefoods.com website, along with other helpful information about both the café and the delivery service, or call 512-300-4252 for more information.Website:www.atefoods.comEmail:jessica@atefoods.com - AUSTIN REAL ESTATE BUCKS NATIONAL TRENDPosted on: 2007-05-21PRESS RELEASE: Boost in Austin Real Estate Market for April, Austin Board of Real Estate. ABOR
Though a continued slump in home sales throughout the nation persists, Austin has maintained its strong level of sales. According to a report from the Austin Board of REALTORS®, April experienced a refreshing burst in number of homes sold.
Single-family home sales, which totaled 2,313, increased a total of six percent in April. The total aggregate sales for the month contributed $578,846,754 to the local economy, a 14 percent jump from numbers in 2006. Single-family home sales also earned a median price of $185,000, reflecting a six percent increase from last year. The Austin area median price remains affordable compared to the national median price, which, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, averaged $212,300 in the first quarter.
Townhouse and condominium sales continue to be an Austin-area real estate strong point, pulling in $49,615,118 for the local economy, nine percent more than in 2006. The 266 townhouse/condominium properties sold represent a two percent increase in sales from one year ago.
April 2007—Single-family Homes
• 2,313 homes sold, up six percent from last April
• $185,000 was the median price, a six percent
increase from 2006
• $578,846,754 was the total dollar volume of properties sold, a 14 percent increase from a year ago
Email:dfry@sellstate.com - Lost Pet PreventionPosted on: 2006-09-15There are many ways to tag your pet in case it gets lost but also think about taking a good photo of FIDO and saving it on your hard drive or memory stick. In the event your pet comes up ( MIA ) missing in action please call me and we can post a photo on the community news right away just in case someone finds your loved one.
Just a thought... Don 263-7979 - BEE CAVE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS UPDATEPosted on: 2007-03-08Can you give us a completion date for the Galleria road improvements?
TXDOT is not even giving us an opening date for Bee Cave Parkway, much less Hwy.71. It is a very frustrating situation that reminds me of the highway leading to the airport that seems finished to most rational people but remains unopened long after that. I am reassured knowing that the Galleria cannot open as scheduled in September or October without completion of the roads unless Bee Cave lets them (and that, Bee Cave does control). The question is whether this is fair if it's no fault of the Developer!?! I am hoping it does not come to this fork on the road. TXDOT is dragging its feet because it can. It doesn't want to finish the connections to the parkway at 620 and at 2244 because it contracted to do all the work simultaneously with Hwy.71. That, in turn, is held up by interfering utility lines expected to be buried (now mostly resolved) and obtaining additional right of way for road expansion from McDonald's. Both were time consuming fiasco's involving life-size corporate egos and power trips (McDonalds, AT&T, SWBell, Time Warner, TXDOT). These are now mostly resolved by agreement but the work is still in progress.
What does TXDOT pay for and what does the City pay for?
TXDOT pays for nothing; they are simply a party to the construction contract since they own 71, 620 & 2244. Bee Cave is not a party to the contracts. The Developer (Opus West) is paying ALL money up front for ALL road improvements per our agreement and Bee Cave is paying them back between $18-$21 million over 20 years via a portion of sales tax rebates (50-55%). This rebate also pays for $3.5m of City Hall construction plus the land beneath it, the $2.5 million in money to buy additional mitigating land (which we mostly have spent on about 9 acres adjacent to central park), all roadwork, burying the utility lines on the North side of 71, additional right of way to expand 71. In addition, Robert Baldwin (the original landowner at the Galleria) donated 50 acres for a Bee Cave Central Park that is currently in the design stage. Not bad really, if you consider this was done with no debt to our taxpayers and no increase in property taxes to the tune of what I believe has a higher market value even today than what we'll end up paying.
Did TXDOT in some way go back on promises made thus causing this major change of plan?
Not really. TXDOT's contracts read the way they read and we could not have changed a thing, even with this hindsight. They don't incentivise for quicker construction completion AND they allow the contractor to walk out if they're ready to work and the project isn't (their standard contract even says they must pay the contractor in this situation even if he does not return). Let's remember, it's not TXDOT's money! In this case, it's OPUS's money and this may be why they're trying to value engineer the aesthetics and who knows what else! The delays due to the utility lines and McD's could have been handled long ago as they knew this was coming down quickly but they have not put on the necessary pressure they could have (especially with the utilities).
What about McDonald's?
The local franchisee is a good and reasonable person simply trying to protect their interests, which I understand, especially with regard to their ingress/egress and signage. They solicited the help of their attorneys and McDonald's Corporate (reasonable standard procedure & probably required by McD's) and that is where things slow down tremendously. The taking of additional right of way for the road will require their sign to relocate and their detention pond to disappear (their water quality requirements will be combined with the Galleria). The beautiful tree next to the sign will be relocated within the Galleria project.
Will the traffic lights be turned on upon the opening of Bee Cave Parkway?
Once again, this is up to TXDOT. The lights at the intersections are also delayed because TXDOT will not install them without doing their own warrant study to justify their presence. Of course, they could have done this long ago, but they're seemingly never in a hurry (with other people's money). Our plan was always to open Bee Cave Parkway prior to destroying Hwy. 71, but it fell dead on its tracks due to no fault or control of our own. Our Staff and the Mayor have met with TXDOT repeatedly, even with Senator Watson, Representative Bolton, and Commissioner Daugherty. This is simply the way TXDOT state bureaucracy works and we're in the eye of that at this time. Bee Cave is working and paying to dramatically improve the roadway system at this hyper-growth end of Travis County, and we can't even get this expedited or even on time completion to mitigate congestion and safety concerns. I feel like we're trying to push a big fat elephant uphill quickly to get away from the fire.
I feel better knowing that this will eventually finish this year, but I no longer feel comfortable giving a date. Thank you for your patience and understanding if at all possible.
ZELDA AUSLANDER
Mayor Pro Tem
zeldabeecave@aol.com
767-6600
- AUSTIN REAL ESTATE REMAINS STRONGPosted on: 2007-03-19Interestingly Enough:
1) Unique Homes magazine listed Austin as #5 of 25 in luxury housing markets for 2007. Austin beat out places like Beverly Hills and Manhatten which ranked 7th and 10th respectively.
2) Median home prices in Austin rose 6% to $174,500 in 2006. Only San Antonio had a bigger increase to 7% with $141,900 as average home price. Houston was 5.4% at $149,610 and Dallas was 2% to $148,000. Nationally the median home price declined to 1.2% to $224,900 last year.
3) The housing market in the Austin area ended the year with record sales of 26,958 units a 10% increase from 2005.
4) Single family homes were in the market for an average of 63 days for the the year, the shortest length in four years. Some say a sellers market?
5) The number of active listings shrank 4% to 7830 the number of resale units on the market. This is the smallest number since 2001.
6) Numbers indicate that nearly 60% of all new home starts in the Lake Travis sub-market have been priced at above $400,000 for the last 3 years.
As the numbers indicate we are in a strong real estate market which is driven by job growth, climate, schools, affordable housing and generally fair weather.
As a resident Realtor of Falconhead, I am available to discuss your real estate needs if you are buying or selling or interested in investing in the Austin area market.
Don Fry GRI
Neighborhood Realtor
Website:www.DonSellsAustin.comEmail:dfry@sellstate.com - '60 Minutes' Bad Information!!Posted on: 2007-05-21NAR Responds to 60 Minutes' May 13, 2007 Segment
CBS News Magazine Show Misses the Mark
May 14, 2007 -- In the world of political campaigns, it's a standard ploy to set the stage with an empty chair when one candidate refuses to debate his opponents.
The CBS show 60 Minutes gave the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® the empty chair treatment in a May 13 segment that examined the impact of online brokerages on the real estate industry. The show featured interviews with a representative from the now-defunct eRealty and the president and CEO of Redfin, but no one from NAR, even though NAR twice offered and prepared Association spokespersons for interviews with Leslie Stahl. It was CBS that made the decision it would rather interview our opponents and let them make unanswered -- and inaccurate and unfair -- accusations about REALTORS® and NAR policies.
The one-sided journalism and egregious errors served no one well, especially the once-vaunted news magazine show. NAR staff spent nearly a year working with CBS, briefing producers on the issues involved. The producers attended the REALTORS® Conference in New Orleans and met with NAR's legal counsel for half a day in Chicago. Yet, still the segment was full of major errors.
NAR is in communication with 60 Minutes about its unbalanced reporting and presentation of misinformation and will be sending the CBS network a letter demanding an opportunity to correct these errors and misrepresentations.
Here are some examples of the misinformation:
Error: The six percent commission is 'sacrosanct.'
Fact: All commissions are negotiable. The average commission rate is not 6 percent, but 5.1 percent, according to Real Trends.
Error: NAR is the industry's 'governing body.'
Fact: NAR is a trade association. It does not govern the industry.
Error: In 2003, NAR issued new rules of its own that threatened to block Internet discounters' access to the MLS.
Fact: The Virtual Office Website policy did not block access to MLSs for discounters or any other brokers who are members of the MLS.
Error: The MLS is the database that lists virtually every home for sale in the country.
Fact: There is no single national MLS. Rather, there are more than 900 local and regional multiple listing services. These are not simply 'databases' but private exchange of offers of cooperation and compensation between real estate brokers.
Error: Eight states have 'minimum service laws' that require REALTORS® to provide a level of service many Internet discounters can't afford.
Fact: 'REALTOR®' is a trademarked term and should never be used synonymously with 'real estate agent.' The intent of minimum service laws is to ensure consumers receive a minimal level of service from licensees.
Error: The brokerage industry has a powerful lobby. Eleven states flatly prohibit rebates.
Fact: The intent of anti-rebate laws is to prevent kickbacks in real estate transactions, not to limit brokers' incentives to attract customers. The brokerage industry does not lobby for anti-rebate laws.
Other key points 60 Minutes misrepresented or overlooked:
· NAR supports all business models and favors none. Our 1.3 million members include REALTORS® who work on a full-service basis, as well as those who consider themselves to be limited service, fee-for-service, minimum service, and discounters. We think it's great that consumers have a choice today.
· The real estate industry has harnessed technology for the benefit of consumers and will continue to do so. Real estate is both high-tech and high-touch, so can be enhanced by both electronic and personal interaction.
· There is no such thing as a 'standard commission.' Commissions are negotiable and prices vary. The fact is that commission rates have decreased 16 percent from 1991 to 2004 (source: Real Trends).
· The real estate business is unique in that competitors must also cooperate with each other to ensure a successful transaction, and MLS systems facilitate that cooperation. The first MLS was created more than 100 years ago as way for brokers to share their listing agreements with each another in hopes of procuring buyers for their properties more quickly and efficiently than they could on their own.
· The MLS is a tool to help listing brokers find cooperative buyer brokers to help sell their clients' homes. Without the collaborative incentive of the existing MLS, brokers would create their own separate systems, fragmenting rather than consolidating property information.
- Hamilton Pool For A Summer AdventurePosted on: 2007-06-05If you are looking for something to do now that school is out for the summer, a trip to Hamilton Pool may be in order. Considered by many to be the best swimming hole in Texas Hamilton Pool is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round. The park does not allow pets, glass or cooking fires. If you are interested in swimming , you may want to call in advance to be sure that swimming is allowed. The telephone number is (512)264-2740. Entry is $8 per vehicle, $3 per pedestrian or bicycle. Annual permits are available for $75. Discounts are available for those 65 or older.
