San Gabriel's Horn - Wedding Ceremony/Reception Venue, Event Center, Guest Lodging, Vacation Rental

- Press Release -

2010-11-26T23:46:00.001-06:00

1201 Berry Lane

Georgetown, Texas 78626-3832
Management Phone: 512-917-1739

Click here to read the entire Press Release and Background Story...

Williamson County Residents Terminate Family Activity Site
Georgetown, TX – 11/26/2010

Last week 277th District Court Judge Ken Anderson ruled on a plaintiff's motion for summary judgment in a deed restrictions lawsuit related to a residential property in the Georgetown Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of Williamson County. Several neighbors had filed against the operation of San Gabriel’s Horn owned by Dennis Ray Palla (Ray) as a rental property for family events. The judge issued an order to shutdown the business within 60 days and granted the plaintiff's attorney fees and damages totaling some $50,000.00.

The ruling involves some 5 acres along the south side of the San Gabriel River near the new campus of Georgetown High School, TX Toll 130 and TX 29 (University Avenue). The court filing was headed-up individually by the elected officials of a newly formed North Berry Lane Homeowners’ Association: President, Dr. Murray Snook and his wife Rebecca; Vice-President, Mary Goertz and husband Ralph; and Secretary, Christopher Jenkins and wife Sara. This HOA was formed after Palla purchased his homestead property at 1201 Berry Lane in November of 2007. Other plaintiffs are Ruth Roberts and Don Snell (who operate a successful art gallery from their Berry Lane home) and Rick Dinsmore. All are residents of what is informally known as the North Berry Lane subdivision, which was formed in the early 1980s.

Defendant Palla had a solemn response to the court ruling: “As you may presume, I am very disappointed in the court decision. I'm especially disappointed that I was never even allowed to speak or present evidence that is supported by legal statutes as well as by past court judgments in similar cases. I'm also frustrated that a jury was not allowed to hear the case, as I still believe that the extenuating circumstances of how this property was sold to me and the fact that other businesses continue to be operating in the neighborhood are compelling evidence. Going forward, we're not certain about choices for appeal or retrial; however we are considering all of our options and will abide by the court ruling until those options are realized and/or placed before the court.”

San Gabriel’s Horn has enjoyed a mutually successful partnership and internet web link with the Georgetown Visitors Bureau, the City of Georgetown website, as well as many other businesses, tourist attractions, and institutions, and has played a positive role in the vital promotion of the community to our visitors and guests. SGH is a 2nd year accredited member of the Better Business Bureau and member of Nuptial Essentials – Association of Wedding Professionals. The Horn has been host to church groups, exchange students from Hong Kong China, an array of families and friends, and has helped tie-the-knot for many happy couples. Through its three-year operation the Horn has been proud and humbled to participate in so many diverse lives and pleased to add to the Williamson County tax roll, while bringing families of great values and vast distances together in Georgetown. We salute the local caterers, shops, markets, restaurants, hotels, motels, churches, parks, festivals, merchants and individuals who have served our patrons to satiate their palates as well as nurture their spirits for a quality life. It really is the great people that make Georgetown unique and distinct in the world. During our tenure we have cherished the excellent customer reviews and celebrate the fact that we have been fortunate to know each individual along the way. We will be honoring all of our reservations through January 8, 2011 and working closely with those currently booked after that date to return deposits and assist in finding suitable alternative venues and lodging. We regret the inconvenience this cessation of operation will impose on all of our old and new friends. We hope that we can somehow return again in the future.

Click here to read the entire Press Release and Background Story...

Nifty New TripWow Slideshow Tool

2010-09-22T14:53:00.005-05:00

Now on the Official Horn Blog webpage you can create your own travel adventure slideshow. Just look in the upper right corner for the link to TripWow and get started in seconds.

TripWow!

WHAT IS TRIPWOW?
It’s a jaw-dropping slideshow featuring your vacation pictures.
“Slideshow” hardly does TripWow justice; it’s more like a movie!

HOW DOES IT WORK?
In minutes, you can create an amazing slideshow using your own vacation pictures that you can easily share with family and friends. You provide the pictures. TripWow provides the “Wow!”

Step 1 Add your pictures,,, You can use pictures that are on your computer or the ones you've already uploaded to Facebook and other popular photo sharing sites.

Step 2 Tell us where you went... Location is what makes TripWow unique! It's easy to include the cities you visited on your trip so they can be featured in your slideshow.

Step 3 That’s it! TripWow will weave it all together, sprinkle in some stunning special effects, animate your trip on a map and make it easy for you to share it with friends and family!

Check out a travel slideshow from other TripWow travelers.
Create your own in minutes! It's FREE! TRY IT NOW...

The Horn - Named a Favorite Place on Google

2010-09-09T21:23:00.017-05:00

We are now listed as a 'Favorite Place' on Google. When you see the window cling on the entrance of the Horn, you'll know you're in the right place.

What's that bar code?
This unique bar code on the lower right of the sticker (known as a QR code) lets customers - and potential customers - instantly learn more about our business, by visiting a mobile version of the Horn's Place Page on any supported phone.

Here's more on how it works and what you can do with it:
1.Make sure your phone can scan a QR code with its camera, either with an application that you download or via software that's already installed on your phone. To find out what application to use for your phone, we recommend doing a Google search for the model of your phone along with "QR reader".
2.When you see a QR code, use your phone's application to scan it. If you're scanning a QR code on one of the window decals that we've sent to thousands of U.S. businesses, you'll quickly be taken to that business' mobile Place Page on Google, where you can:
◦Read reviews to see what other users think about the business
◦Find a coupon that the business has posted to their Place Page
◦Star the business to remember to check it out later, or to remember to visit again
◦Leave a review right after you leave the business. What's a better time to write what you think, than when you've just visited?

It's our understanding from Google that only a select few locations from each business type were chosen to receive the 'Favorite Places' designation and that makes us special on the internet... which makes us grin just a little. Wouldn't you?

New Consignment Art at the Horn

2010-09-03T13:56:00.024-05:00

We are pleased to now offer on consignment the Rustic Reproductions works-of-art made by Maxican Enterprises of Leander. Maxican Enterprises, 'ME' is a fully 'Green' compliant company that creates modern artworks from recycled materials. They boastfully believe that when it comes to our plant earth and as a general rule for life, "It's all about ME".

At San Gabriel's Horn, we have a variety of ME Rustic Reproductions, sports teams and symbol flags, on display around the property and we offer them as souvenirs, for sale to our guests for only $75.00 each. You can view more designs and even place an order for a custom work by visiting the Maxican Enterprises website at: MaxicanEnterprises.com

We are also very happy with our new on-site property signage, custom made to our unique 'special needs' specifications by Maxican Enterprises. The directional and informational signs are stately, weather-resistant, rugged, and allow for quick and easy changes to universal symbols or verbiage for special occasions or events.

Holiday Countdown

2010-07-18T19:12:00.013-05:00

Holiday booking time is here!

Reserve your dates now. Many of the prime dates book fast, like: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's;

But you well know that some of the greatest events and occassions occur during the days and nights in between the holiday weekends. For that perfect office party or secluded family retreat, let's work our calendars together... Just call us for our most recent availability or check on-line now: www.SanGabrielsHorn.com/reservations.htm...

Visit The Horn for the holidays!

Guest Lodging Accommodations Comparison

2010-01-20T19:32:00.027-06:00

Happy 2010! We've added a new feature to our website for the new year. We now have a detailed view of how San Gabriel's Horn compares to other area guest lodging options.

We've done the research for you! The results are in...

Save 30-60% off local hotel accommodations for large groups.
(Comparison based on: 20 persons, 10-rooms, double occupancy.)
We even provided links to the top three hotels in Georgetown so you can click and compare for yourself specific itinerary dates and preferences.

And think of how much more you can save by cooking-out on the deck or preparing family-style meals in our complete kitchen. Not to mention the fact that San Gabriel's Horn provides you the casual elegance of a secluded, private river retreat.

Take the comparison yourself at: SanGabrielsHorn.com/rate_compare.htm...

Georgetown Proud

2010-01-13T18:22:00.054-06:00

"We feel rewarded to be part of a fore-thinking and still historically minded Georgetown. When selecting our home, San Gabriel's Horn was a favored choice due to the general happiness of the town's people."

Georgetown is different than many communities in the region by virtue of its mindset according to the CEO of Horn Development Inc. "Historic yet contemporary... master-planned and still home-town comfortable, Georgetown is a conservatory for history and unique plant life and wildlife; a Mecca of modern recreation, dining, and shopping; host to a plethora of attractions, activities, and festivities; and exudes countless more subtle virtues like vitality and more importantly, a welcoming greeting."

"As stewards in the hospitality industry, we at the Horn find the genuine assets of Georgetown to be more plentiful than any possible dictate of necessity and more valuable than many other highly-prized trusts or tangibles."

We're proud to be featured on the Georgetown Visitors website: www.Visit.Georgetown.org...

2009 Houston Chinese Church Youth Retreat on the Horn

2009-10-09T17:47:00.029-05:00

With the 2009 event name "Laugh" = "LOVE", this year's Houston Chinese Church youth retreat came to San Gabriel's Horn... And laugh they did! Their two night, three day stay included unique activities, like stomping grapes for juice, pressing olives into oil and excursions along the river, among others. The lessons were to give the young adults a feel for how things were done in the days of the Biblical stories they were studying. The group was comprised of some 15 teenage foreign exchange students from Hong Kong, China.

Katherine Yan, the group organizer was such a gracious hostess, commenting, "Your place is an excellent choice for retreat purposes". Yan and her husband Henry Mui chaperoned the group with "the purpose to have a retreat for students... to provide them an environment to experience the nature in Texas and to have some quiet time".

"This is exactly why the Horn was built. It makes us proud to represent both the community of Georgetown and the State, while serving up Texas style hospitality to groups like these vibrant, attentive and wide-eyed future world leaders.

Thank you Houston Chinese Church, keep up the good work. YeeHa! Ya'll come back when ya can!" - San Gabriel's Horn, 2009

New Look and Feel, Feature Enhancements, Plus Two New Pages on the Horn Website

2009-08-31T21:21:00.021-05:00

The Horn website has two new additions to make the whole Horn experience even more fun and interactive. You can now view recipies of previous Horn guests and some of our own personal favorites on the 'RecipeShare' at SanGabrielsHorn.com. The embedded application complete with photos allows you to easily alter the quantities for more or fewer servings, and with a login print a grocery list and create as many recipes as you like. "This is a fun feature and adds a little more homeyness to a Horn stay" according to Horn guest, Betsy from WV. Feel free to share these with your friends and also let us know if you want to add some of your own favorite family recipes before your next stay here at The Horn and we'll help you get started cooking. Visit the link at: www.SanGabrielsHorn.com/recipes.htm...

In addition to a new look and feel for the entire site, the 'Attractions' page now includes a host of information for area parks and recreation, and we've complimented our 'Links' page so you can order pizza delivered to the Horn; or get local restaruant reviews, weather and more.

Also, we now have a page for those rainy days that sometimes come our way. Just for fun we've created the website page, "HornGames". HornGames is a custom set of computer board games for the whole family. Just click and play anytime, from anywhere. Play now at: www.SanGabrielsHorn.com/games.htm...

We had a lot of fun with these additions and hope you enjoy them, too. Over the last few weeks of summer, prepping for a big autumn season we've made quite a few updates to The Horn and the website. If you haven't visited lately, drop by and see the new face of the Horn: www.SanGabrielsHorn.com...

Photo Gallery Enhancements Online

2009-08-27T03:56:00.005-05:00

We now have a new mechanism for showing photos on the San Gabriel's Horn website, complete with RSS feeds. Additionally, we've embedded our Photo Gallery into our web blog. Users can view the photos in a clean looking slide-show interface that gives them the options to maximize and download their favorites.

Try it out at:
www.SanGabrielsHorn.com/photos.htm

"The ability to quickly update and share shots is fantastically superb technology" according to our viewers.

Cast Your Vote on the Horn Poll

2009-08-27T03:55:00.008-05:00

Your opinion counts. Let your voice be heard on regular new question topics like; "What are your favorite wedding colors?", "How many guests make for a managable wedding reception?" and more.

This weeks question: "On what occasions do you rent event space from somewhere other than a hotel?"

Cast your vote now on: The Official Horn Blog...

Long Awaited Berry Lane Road Improvements Completed

2009-08-16T23:29:00.018-05:00

The old road to the Horn has been in need of an overhaul for quite some time and this past week it was finally done. Klepzig Materials was the winner of the bid and did a great job of smoothing the road-base and topping our dear Berry Lane with a nice thick layer of milled asphalt. The new one mile trek is virtually dust free and aesthetically pleasing, while providing a much safer and smoother ride. When visiting the Horn you may now be tempted to drive much faster, however we suggest a 20 mph speed maximum on your drive to give you reaction time around the curves, time to soak in the natural beauty of this unique part of the county, and as a courtesy to other traffic and the neighborhood.

A special acknowledgement is due to several key players in the road improvement project. Particular accolades go to the Berry Lane land owners at the south end near TX 29, who along with Shell Oil Company funded the over $100K onging project and prevailed in lifting old neighborhood deed restrictions, granting them permission to become commercial properties. Local developers, Earl and Myrtle Watson were successful in negotiating the deal with Shell, who in the near future will be building a store and gas station at the corner of Berry, TX 29 and the new Toll Road 130 (just west of the new Georgetown High School). South end Berry Lane owner/contributors are: David and Sande Culbertson, Tommy and Karen Doerfler, Rick and Donna Pierce, and Sharif and Tammy Mezayek. We thank them and wish them good fortune in their future land uses and investments. Additionally, kudos acknowledgement is to be given to Pam Herrington who persisted in the Shell negotiations for the North Berry Lane property owners. Thanks to all.

Five Stars for The Horn

2009-08-10T15:31:00.021-05:00

Today San Gabriel's Horn was rated among the best in the industry by ProjectWedding.com. According to the national wedding website publishers, 'The Horn has received a perfect 5-star rating on Project Wedding! Horn clients love the impeccable quality and service that you provide, and we are excited to award you with this elite distinction.'

'This validates our efforts over the past year and a half' says Horn Events Director, Ray Palla. 'We are very pleased to provide a service to the community that in-turn is received with such welcoming arms and great customers. We expect to continue our growth and development in Georgetown and Williamson County and these types of acknowledgements make all the planning and sweat equity worth the while.'

San Gabriel's Horn is on Facebook

2009-07-17T08:33:00.027-05:00

You can now visit our page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Gabriels-Horn/117506649834

Features include RSS links to The Horn Blog, our Photo Gallery, and various links to our favorite spots on the web.

Don't be a stranger... Link in and post your comments!...

BBB Accreditation

2009-07-17T07:28:00.023-05:00

We're very pleased celebrate our second year of official approval from the Better Business Bureau. We believe this BBB "third-party" cross-certification while posted on our website and advertising materials, will give a heightened comfort level to our target audiences. This famous image of the BBB Torch, prominently posted on all Horn media will encourage buyers and provide a truly genuine sense of trust.

BBB Accredited Businesses must adhere to certain standards, a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and best practices representing trustworthiness in the marketplace. The standards call for building trust, embodying integrity, advertising honestly and telling the truth, being transparent, honoring promises, being responsive and safeguarding privacy.

You can see our BBB Rating/Review at: http://www.bbb.org/online/consumer/cks.aspx?id=109071615493...

New Playground Addition at the Horn

2009-07-14T08:18:00.019-05:00

In our ongoing process of implementing improvement to our unique venue, San Gabriel's Horn has added the first phase of our master planned playground area. Now your little kid guests, and grand parents too have a place to swing, play, explore, and imagine. They can escape to a world of their own in a lush tree shaded play land that is near enough to the main house to be a casual stroll, and yet away far enough from the event venue to be quiet and inviting. We've even added a swing for Mom to sit and watch the sunset.

As time goes on, check back to see more new play area features and other forthcoming Horn improvements.

Great DIY Wedding Venue Discovered - San Gabriel's Horn

2009-07-13T13:26:00.034-05:00

My wife and I planned our wedding ourselves and our biggest headache was the venue. Most places were asking exorbitant amounts of money for both rent and deposit and, in return, were offering us little flexibility or value. We stumbled on San Gabriel's Horn and, at first, were nervous. The pictures on the website were of this massive house that was under construction. We contacted one of the owners and he immediately set us up for a walk-through. What we saw sold us immediately. The house is large and stately, with plenty of room for our 80 guest wedding and reception. The pavilion area offered a beautiful backdrop for our ceremony and there was plenty of parking, despite our initial fears.

Ray was with us every step of the way, making sure we were satisfied, making sure we had what we needed. In fact, on our wedding day, when he thought we wouldn't have the chairs he had promised, he drove down to San Antonio to get them for us and set them up before anyone had arrived! He really went above and beyond and we are more than pleased.

D. Hayes/Austin, TX

Distinctly Williamson County

Visit The Horn Website at: SanGabrielsHorn.com...
or Call to Arrange a Tour: 512-917-1739