Cedar Park Life

Cedar Park City Council Seat Filled

2009-11-09T01:24:00.004-06:00

The vacant seat left by former Council Member Stephen Thomas was filled this week. Local businessman Tony Dale is now the Place 5 Council Member for Cedar Park.

Read more details here.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

2009-11-09T01:21:00.002-06:00

President Obama signed H.R. 3548 on Friday, which extended the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit into 2010. Read more details and find out who will qualify here.

Suggestions Wanted: Photo Shoot Locations

2009-08-17T16:03:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine is a photographer in Austin, and he's planning photo shoot sessions for a few clients in and around Cedar Park. What's your favorite location? Share your ideas here.

City Orders Mandatory Water Conservation

2009-08-17T15:56:00.002-05:00

Cedar Park rolled out mandatory water conservation practices this week, including an official schedule for residential watering. Read the details on the City's website.

Rec Center Now Open, Event Center Job Fair Planned

2009-07-17T16:18:00.003-05:00

Rather than double posting items here and on CedarParkTex.com, I'll just include links to a couple of recent posts for anyone interested.

First off, if you haven't been there yet, the Cedar Park Rec Center is now open. Cedar Park families can use the center for $25/month or $240 a year.

If you know someone interested in working at the new Cedar Park Center, send them to the job fair this Saturday, July 18th. Cedar Park Center and the Texas Stars organization will be interviewing applicants at the ACC campus on Cypress Creek.

Pool-A-Palooza at Veterans Memorial Pool

2009-05-25T10:05:00.003-05:00

Looking for a fun family activity on Memorial Day? Check out Pool-A-Palooza at Veterans Memorial Pool.

Pool-A-Palooza will feature live music, art projects, CD toss, concessions, a Cannon Ball Contest at 3pm, and an Air Guitar Contest at 5:30pm. Then at sundown, The Parks and Recreation Department will show the movie “Ratatouille”. Standard pool fees apply.

Pool-A-Palooza
Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day)
Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Pool
2525 W. New Hope Drive

Reagan Elementary Meet & Greet Thursday

2009-04-22T16:51:00.001-05:00

If your children will be headed to Reagan Elementary this fall, you may want to attend a Meet & Greet with their principal, Kim Adcock, on Thursday evening at Rutledge.

Reagan Elementary Meet & Greet
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Rutledge Elementary School Cafeteria
11501 Staked Plains Drive
Austin, TX

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic Saturday April 11th

2009-04-10T17:23:00.002-05:00

Head over to Saturday's Build and Grow clinic, where your kids can build a birdhouse of their own.

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Bird House
Saturday April 11th, 2009
10:00 AM - 11:00
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

Home Depot Kids Workshop - Saturday, Mar 7

2009-03-04T02:46:00.004-06:00

Seems that with the nicer weather comes a wealth of new activities to fill up our weekends. If you're looking for one that's kid friendly this Saturday, head to Home Depot for their Kids Workshop.

Home Depot Kids Workshop
HD Raceway
Saturday, March 7th, 2009
9 AM – noon
Get more information the Home Depot Website.

Tell a Friend: Open House Saturday

2009-02-13T16:21:00.009-06:00

Know someone looking for a home in Cedar Park? Bring them by an open house this Saturday from 1 to 4 PM.

[Frequent Cedar Park Life readers may know that in addition to being a writer, I'm also a Realtor. This is my listing in the Silverado Ranch neighborhood off Vista Ridge Blvd., between Brushy Creek and 1431.]

Feel free to stop by Saturday to check it out, and pass the word along!

See more information about the house here:
Silverado Ranch House for Sale: 517 Tyree Road

OPEN HOUSE
517 Tyree Road (Silverado Ranch)
UPDATED: Saturday, March 7th
1 - 4 PM
Contact: Sara at (512) 497-4965 or sara@realtyaustin.com

Adopt a Pet for Less This Weekend

2009-02-12T17:02:00.003-06:00

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter will join PetSmart Charities in hosting a “Second Chance for Love Weekend” from February 13 to 15.

Adoption fees will be reduced to $60, and animals will be available for adoption at the PetSmart in the Wolf Ranch Town Center, IH-35 and US 29 in Georgetown, on these days.

Adoption fees will continue to be reduced during the Presidents Day Pet Sale from February 17 to 22 in honor of President’s Day.

The shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 1855 S.E. Inner Loop in Georgetown.

Lowe's Build & Grow Jewelry Box Clinic - Sat, 2/14

2009-02-11T15:27:00.004-06:00

Join your child for some Valentine's Day-themed craft time at Lowe's this weekend.

Participants in Saturday's Build and Grow clinic will construct a Valentine's Day jewelry box - great as a gift for Mom or a friend, or just to keep for special items of their own.

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Valentine's Jewelry Box
Saturday February 14th, 2009
10:00 AM - 11:00
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

Home Depot Trinket Box Workshop - Sat, Feb 7

2009-02-02T19:31:00.002-06:00

Home Depot will hold its monthly Kids Workshop on Saturday from 9:00 AM to noon.

This week's project is a Trinket Box, the perfect Valentine's Day gift for Mom.

Kids Workshops are free "How-to Clinics" designed for children ages 5-12, offered the first Saturday of each month.

Home Depot Kids Workshop
Trinket Box
Saturday, February 7th
9:00 AM to Noon
Get more information the Home Depot Website.

Leander ISD Schools Delay Start by 2 Hours

2009-01-28T09:33:00.001-06:00

LISD Schools will start 2 hours later than normal today due to weather.

From the LISD Insider:

Classes Will Dismiss at Usual Time

The adverse weather conditions in Central Texas forced some changes in Leander ISD School schedules today, Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

All LISD classes are beginning two hours later than normal. Leander ISD buses are running two hours late this morning.

Morning PreK has been cancelled, but afternoon PreK will be conducted as normally scheduled.

And all Leander ISD schools will dismiss at their usual time.

Be sure to check the Leander ISD website for the latest information.

For information about other local closings and postponements, see the Statesment website here.

Name New LISD Stadium

2009-01-20T20:57:00.004-06:00

Leander ISD is looking for suggested names for the new regional stadium set to open in 2009-10 on the south side of Park Street. It will be located between Vista Ridge High School and LISD’s new Ronald Reagan Elementary, which opens in the fall of 2009.

Click here for more information.

Way Off Broadway Production - Steel Magnolias

2009-01-20T20:11:00.002-06:00

If you're looking for a night at the theater this weekend, there's a production of Steel Magnolias underway in the Cedar Park/Leander area.

Way Off Broadway Community Players opened its current production January 16th. It will run through January 31st, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00 PM.

Way Off Broadway Community Players
10960 E. Crystal Falls Pkwy
Leander, TX
Visit http://www.wobcp.org/ for more information.

MLK Holiday Monday

2009-01-16T14:52:00.003-06:00

City of Cedar Park offices will be closed on Monday, January 19th, in observance of the Martin Luther King Holiday.

For information about celebrations that day, visit the Impact News or Statesman websites.

City Offers Christmas Tree Recycling

2009-01-02T00:27:00.004-06:00

If you haven't already taken your Christmas tree to PEC, you can bring it to the City Hall parking lot at 600 N. Bell Blvd. Tree mulch from recycled trees will be used for city landscaping.

You can also receive a free seedling (while they last) for recycling your holiday tree, compliments of the City of Cedar Park.

Please remove all decorations, ornaments and stands from your tree.

City of Cedar Park Tree Recycling
Saturday, January 3, 2009 [Note: this post is from 2009. Click here for 2010 info]
9:00 AM – noon
City Hall
600 N. Bell Blvd.

Trash Pick-ups Delayed 1 Day

2009-01-02T00:21:00.002-06:00

Red River Waste Solutions was closed yesterday for New Year’s Day, which will delay trash pick up by one day.

According to the city's website, if your normal pick up is Thursday, it will be moved to Friday. Friday pick up will be moved to Saturday.

See the city website for more information:
http://www.cedarparktx.us/cp/ub_services.aspx

New Quiet Zone for Cedar Park Trains

2009-01-01T00:43:00.004-06:00

Starting January 1st, trains traveling through Cedar Park will no longer be required to sound horns as they approach crossings at Block House Drive, New Hope Drive, RM 1431, Discovery Boulevard, Park Street, and Brushy Creek Road.

From Impact News:

Capital Metro has installed quad gate technology, which prevents vehicles from driving around safety gates, at many railroad crossings along the 32-mile MetroRail line between Leander and central Austin. Red Line service along that route is scheduled to begin March 30.

Trains will still sound horns in Quiet Zones any time they accelerate from a stopped position and in emergency situations such as when a pedestrian or vehicle is on the tracks.

Read the full article: New Year Brings Quiet Zone.

Give a Pint, Get a Pint at the Blood Center

2008-12-28T21:39:00.004-06:00

The Blood Center of Central Texas typically experiences a drop in blood donation during the holidays as people busy themselves with shopping and travel. But, the necessity of a steady supply of blood never takes a holiday.

That's why the Center is hosting the Amy's Ice Cream Give a Pint Get a Pint Holiday Drive. Each blood donor will be thanked with a FREE pint of Amy's Ice Cream.

Cedar Park Community Blood Center
920 N Vista Ridge Blvd
(at FM 1431)

For more information, visit the Blood Center website at: http://www.inyourhands.org/

Recycle Your Christmas Tree at PEC

2008-12-26T16:37:00.006-06:00

Happy Holidays! Now, if you've had your fill of Christmas decorations and you're ready to get rid of the tree, don't just throw it out. Pedernales Electric Cooperative is recycling Christmas trees again this year.

Starting today, you can drop off your natural, undecorated tree during regular business hours at PEC's office in Cedar Park. The last day to participate in the recycling program is Jan. 5, 2009.

As part of its Green Works initiative and ongoing conservation efforts, PEC will mulch donated trees and distribute the chips to enhance and beautify playgrounds and parks in its service area.

For more information or directions, call PEC toll-free at 1-888-554-4732, or visit their web site, www.pec.coop.

Pedernales Electric
1949 West Whitestone Boulevard
Cedar Park, TX 78630
Mon-Fri: 8 to 5
Sat 8 to noon
View Map

Vista Ridge Hires Vincent as Head Football Coach

2008-12-19T12:34:00.002-06:00

Vista Ridge High School just announced that Coach Rodney Vincent has been named Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator.

From the Vista Ridge Insider:

Coach Vincent has maintained outstanding academic and athletic programs during his coaching career. In his most recent position as Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach at Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, his teams have been to the 5A Football Playoffs three years, while his student athletes have maintained an impressive 98.7% passing rate.

“Coach Vincent truly reflects the values of Vista Ridge High School and LISD,” said Paul Johnson, VRHS Principal Paul Johnson said.

Report Criticizes Former PEC Leaders' Practices

2008-12-16T14:10:00.007-06:00

According to the Statesman, Navigant Consulting just released its report on the practices of former Pedernales Electric co-op management:

"The explosive 390-page report documents in exhaustive detail [former general manager] Fuelberg's authoritarian management style, a complacent board that rubber-stamped his decisions and a lack of budget controls. It also details a systemic pattern of questionable payments, transactions and business ventures that drained the co-op of tens of millions of dollars with little to no transparency and put the co-op at risk, Navigant said.

The report is the result of Navigant's eight-month probe zeroing in on ten years' worth of practices and expenditures at Pedernales from 1998 to 2007. The probe encompassed interviews with 80 witnesses and the review of more than 1.3 million pages of co-op documents. Navigant said the co-op's staff, now under the direction of general manager Juan Garza, cooperated fully."

Read the full story: Report on PEC: Documents destroyed, $510,000 in payments unexplained.

Check Out Santa's Workshop Saturday

2008-12-12T17:30:00.004-06:00

Head over to Santa’s Workshop Saturday and enjoy music, games, a yule fire, arts & crafts, and, of course, Santa Claus. This event is free and open to the public, and offers a variety of festive, family-friendly activities.

Santa's Workshop
Location: Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway
Date: December 13, 2008
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Hot cocoa will be available for $1 and you can have your picture taken with Santa for $1. Bring an unwrapped toy for Blue Santa and receive a free cup of hot cocoa.

For more information, visit the City of Cedar Park website.