Williamson County burn ban lifted

From Impact News, March 27, 2009...

County Judge Dan A. Gattis lifted the burn ban for all of Williamson County until further notice March 27.

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Shopper's guide to buying organic

From Impact News, March 27, 2009...

Buying organic typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than buying non-organic produce, but Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit Washington D.C.-based public health research and advocacy group, reports the steeper price may be worth it — particularly for those who may be more susceptible to the pesticides in produce such as pregnant women and young children. Even after being washed, some produce consistently carries higher levels of pesticide residue than others.

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Capital Metro Info

From Impact News, March 27, 2009...

Train safety and sounds

Capital Metro installed quad-gate technology, which prevent vehicles from driving around safety gates in an attempt to beat the train, at MetroRail crossings along the 32-mile MetroRail line between Leander and central Austin.

The safety measure aided Cedar Park and Leander in gaining approval from the Federal Railroad Administration for Quiet Zones around railroad crossings. Trains will not sound horns in the cities unless they are accelerating from a stopped position or there is an emergency such as a person or vehicle on the tracks.

The City of Austin has also applied for Quiet Zones around railroad crossings between McNeil Drive and Gracy Farms Lane and between US 183 and downtown Austin. The FRA requires trains to sound horns 20 seconds prior to reaching public crossings unless a Quiet Zone has been approved.

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Kerbey Lane Café

From Impact News, March 27, 2009...

One of the few eating places in northwest Austin open 24 hours a day, Kerbey Lane Café has a culture all to itself — a place with a slow pace and food with a great taste.

The original Kerbey Lane, which opened in 1980, can still be found off the street of the same name in central Austin. The new northwest location moved farther north to Anderson Arbor at US 183 and Anderson Mill Road about eight months ago from its previous home at US 183 near Spicewood Springs Road. While many miss the homey feel of the old spot, the new restaurant still has the same food Austinites have come to know and love.

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Cedar Park Center ready for final beam

From News 8 Austin, April 13, 2009...

The new Cedar Park Center is one beam closer to opening for sports fans.

The center held a "topping out" ceremony Thursday. Folks signed their names on the last beam to go in the building at the highest spot.

Besides being the home for the minor league Texas Stars hockey team, the center will also host live music, family shows and school graduations.

Officials said the center is scheduled to open this fall.

"We're working with all the family shows, the Shrine Circus, Walking with Dinosaurs – we've gotten some commitments from those folks," Rick McLaughlin, Cedar Park Center general manager, said. "We anticipate having 125 events in the first 12 months."

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Contract expands recycling options

From Impact News, April 10, 2009...

After more than two years of negotiations, the Williamson County Commissioners signed a new landfill contract with Waste Management March 3. Included in the contract is a directive for the company to take over operations of the Williamson County Landfill Recycle Center and implement new recycling programs. The center has been operated by Williamson County since opening in 2005.

“[The plan] is intended to include additional types of recycling processes or facilities that would go out there, as well as a timeline for construction and installation of those facilities,” Jacobs said. “We are already starting to work at that internally to develop a plan as to what other recycling processes we can add, and we will be working with the county to get that approved.”

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Legislation could impact pipeline

From Hill Country News, April 9, 2009...

Installing a deep water intake facility in the village of Volente might take a bit more bargaining if State Representative Donna Howard gets her way.

The proposed facility is part of a $354 million Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) infrastructure designed to increase the amount of water Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock can draw from Lake Travis.

House Bill 722, which is currently pending before the Committee on Urban Affairs, would require the BCRUA member cities to get the permission of the Volente City Council before building an industrial intake facility in a residential area. The committee held a hearing on Thursday, March 26, gathering input from supporters and opponents of HB 722.

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CPC in the clear on Hicks loan default

From Hill Country News, April 9, 2009...

The Cedar Park Center is still well under way to be completed in September and the Texas Stars will still be making their debut season in October despite the announcement that the Hicks Sports Group, which owns the Stars and has given $12 million toward the CPC, defaulted on loans.

Late last week, news hit that Tom Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team and Dallas Stars defaulted on $525 million in loans - an intentional move to help with bank negotiations. According to FINalternatives, Hicks failed to make the interest payments on a $350 million bank-term loan, $100 million second-lien loan and a $75 million revolving credit facility.

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Hicks Sports Group defaults on $525 million in loans

From Impact News, April 6, 2009...

Hicks Sports Group, which owns the Dallas Stars, the Texas Rangers and Cedar Park Center partner Hicks Sports Marketing, intentionally defaulted March 31 on $525 million in loans.

Owner Thomas Hicks told The Associated Press he made the move in an effort to negotiate with lenders.

The loans in question are related to the Stars and the Rangers. HSG stated in a press release that it is involved in negotiations with the lenders regarding debt terms and covenants.

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Mama Fu’s in Georgetown is open for business…and man, is it good!

From Hometown Georgetown, April 6, 2009...

Let’s start with facts, and then I’ll let myself rave at will. Mama Fu’s Asian House at Wolf Ranch Mall in Georgetown opens to the public today. At lunchtime, they’ll offer counter service so you can get in and out quickly. At dinner, a waiter or waitress will come to your table to take your order. The atmosphere is casual, so come as you are.

You can order for pickup or delivery online at http://www.mamafusonline.com/. Check out the Mama Fu’s menu. The online menu doesn’t show their prices, but they were pretty reasonable. Looks to me like there will be a $5 delivery charge, and don’t forget to tip your driver!

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