WOBCP looks for a permanent home

From Hill Country News, August 6, 2008...

After years of looking and even a $65,000 grant opportunity for a facility in Cedar Park, The Way Off Broadway Community Players (WOBCP) still has not found a permanent home. But, that doesn’t keep them from continuing to look.

Phil Duprey, treasurer of the WOBCP said the theater’s current location on Crystal Falls Parkway in Leander is acceptable, but they need a place that is cheaper.

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Major Leander intersection closed this weekend

From Hill Country News, August 6, 2008...

The railroad crossing at Crystal Falls Parkway and US Highway 183 in Leander will be closed for construction the weekend of Aug. 9 and 10. Traffic will be detoured away from the crossing.

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Without Waiver From TEA, Leander Schools Would Be Rated Academically Unacceptable

From statesman.com, August 2, 2008...

More Texas schools received top ratings under the state's school accountability system this year than last year, according to preliminary ratings released today. But for the second year in a row, the Texas Education Agency gave school districts a pass on dropout rates, sparing five Central Texas districts from earning the state's lowest rating.

Without that waiver, the Round Rock, Leander, Bastrop, Lockhart and Elgin school districts would be rated academically unacceptable. All five districts instead were rated acceptable, as were most districts in Central Texas, including Austin.

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National Night Out Has Been Postponed

Terri sent an email today explaining that we were going to have to cancel and possibly reschedule the National Night Out celebration due to the liklihood of severe weather being spawned from Tropical Storm Edouard.

A tough call had to be made by noon today in order to cancel our liability for the food ordered from Smokey Mo's BBQ. Rather than gamble that the storms would arrive after the gathering, Terri opted for fiscal prudence. Stay tuned for information about rescheduling this event.

LISD Opens Four New Schools This Fall

From Hill Country News, August 5, 2008...

The 2008-09 school year will be marked by a couple of important milestones. First, LISD will open four new campuses, the most the district has ever opened at once. Second, the district will open the first elementary campuses based its new design - based on “neighborhoods,” rather than the traditional hallways-and-square-classrooms design.

“The workmen are on the job seven days a week right now,” said LISD spokesman Dick Ellis.

Campuses opening for the first time on Aug. 25 will be Rouse High School (next to Wiley Middle School in Leander), Westside Elementary (off Lime Creek Road in Cedar Park), Parkside Elementary (in the Parkside at Mayfield Ranch subdivision) and Grandview Hills Elementary (in the Grandview Hills neighborhood).

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Restaurant looks to call Leander its new home

From Hill Country News, August 5, 2008...

Maid-Rite, known for its seasoned, fresh ground beef sandwiches, has targeted Leander as a priority city for its 2008 Development Growth Plan.The franchise, which was founded in 1926 in Muscatine, Ia., is currently seeking a franchisee to open a Maid-Rite diner in the Cedar Park and Leander area.

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Leander ISD board considers rebuilding Bible Stadium

From News 8 Austin, July 29, 2008...

The 61-year-old stadium has its share of problems.

An uneven field, lead primer in the stadium paint and tiny ticket booths are some of the problems plaguing 61-year-old A.C. Bible Jr. Memorial Stadium in Leander.

Dennis Farris is a member of the athletic boosters for Leander Independent School District.

"It's pretty sad. It's pretty sad. This place is in bad shape," Farris said.

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Mulch ado about composting

From News 8 Austin, August 1, 2008...

Saying that gardeners call compost brown gold is not off the mark, considering it's like money in the bank for their plants.

And considering a lot of what’s in our landfills doesn’t need to be there, it's becoming increasingly important to find alternative methods to limit your carbon footprint.

In fact, the waste in landfills could be somewhere else, doing some good like making soil richer or serving as a medium to grow plants.

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National Night Out, August 5th

Terri sent out a reminder yesterday:

Howdy Neighbors,

Here is some information about this year’s National Night Out event.

When: Tuesday, August 5 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Where: The cul-de-sac by Jon & Jill’s house.

Jon & Jill have also graciously offered the shade of their backyard and the playscape for the kids. There is no babysitter assigned, so please watch your kids.

Food: We’ll be ordering Smokey Mo ’s BBQ again. This will include meats, side dishes and iced tea.

What to bring with you:

- Lawn chairs
- Additional drinks – it’ll be hot and we want to stay hydrated
- Kids should wear “play clothes” that can get dirty
- Your helpfulness :-) Jill will be leading kids activities, Tracy will be taking pictures, Jim will be drawing a neighborhood map on a driveway, Terri will be greeting visitors and directing. We would greatly appreciate help with these activities. Also, afterwards, help with cleaning up would be greatly appreciated.

Planned Activities - starting at 7:00pm

- Kids will be using hand paints to create a group “Thank you” poster for our police and fire departments

- Adults will be drawing a neighborhood map on the driveway and we’ll have a “put a face to the address” activity

- Balloon relay

- We will be taking pictures of you and your family for some upcoming activities

We look forward to seeing you!!
Terri, Jim, Tracy, Jill

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Don't forget to periodically check the Overlook Estates Calendar for upcoming events. -- Rusty

The Wing's the Thing!

Two new chicken wing restaurants are coming...

I drove by 1890 Ranch yesterday and noticed that the free-standing building that has been taking shape over the last 6 weeks now has an identifying paint job. I had hoped that it was going to take shape as Chik-Fil-A (which is also slated to open at 1890 Ranch) but it's going to be a Buffalo Wild Wings.

Also...

From Franchising.com, July 31, 2008...

Wingstop, awarded Best Overall Company by the American Business Awards, has landed in the city of Cedar Park. Chandler Wiley of Austin Wingco, Inc. just opened a new location at 401 W. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. B100.

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