Steiner Ranch Information Blog

Do you think it helped or hurt? I think it has helped the overall traffic flow. I have not driven during the rush hour of school traffic, but getting in and out of Steiner has been much smoother. It takes the decision making process of “to go or not to go” out of the equation.

From Carol who is in touch with the situation:

The Bull Creek Bridge project has been funded, approved and in the schedule for years. It has been delayed because of a couple of bureaucratic hiccups between TxDOT and the City of Austin. The project was contracted in August and is now underway.

There are state rules and guidelines for bridges such as the one at RM 2222 and Bull Creek, and that bridge has been earmarked for replacement for some time. Remember that RM 2222 is a state highway and is therefore largely under the control of TxDOT. Under state rules, if the bridge is modified, it must be raised to be above the 100-year flood level. That means raising the bridge about 18 feet. This was not an arbitrary decision, it is state-mandated.

2222 CONA met with TxDOT in March of 2005 and requested a series of traffic and safety improvements be made to RM 2222. One of the concerns was the intersection of RM 2222 and Loop 360. As a result of our prodding, TxDOT is making several improvements to the intersection as part of the bridge replacement project. Most of the improvements will not be fully realized until the project is completed, but there will be some relief provided even during the project.

You may have noticed that TxDOT is working on the eastbound right-turn lane onto southbound Loop 360. Before one of the eastbound lanes is closed down next year, this additional right-turn lane will be in place, and queuing will begin farther west. This will help separate out the traffic which is turning onto southbound Loop 360.

Also, TxDOT is adding a second left-turn lane onto northbound Loop 360. Again, the queuing will begin farther west of the intersection, so that by the time the traffic is under the Loop 360 overpass, there will be 4 dedicated lanes, two turning north and two going straight.

As part of the bridge project, there will be a left-turn island at Lakewood Drive, which will help alleviate the back-ups in the left lane of eastbound RM 2222. There will be other improvements to the intersection for westbound traffic.

I realize we are in for two years of pain. I live in Long Canyon, and RM 2222 is the only outlet for our neighborhood. We don’t have any alternate way to get anywhere. I’m certainly not looking forward to the traffic snarls we will experience. But there is simply no way around it. We need the improvements to the intersection at RM 2222 and Loop 360, and TxDOT needs to replace the bridge. At least we will end up with some long-lasting improvements when the pain is over.

Smorgasbord Topic…

All three are coming or supposedly getting better… I got the U-Verse sales pitch and decided to not go with it. I think it costs more than my current setup and while some things about it were better (free long distance, caller-ID, four streams of TV to watch and record), I did not feel it was worth the price increase. Have people been switching away from Time Warner/Dish/DirectTV to U-Verse? They are bombarding us with calls and mails and wondering how it is.

Cell Service has gotten better for Sprint Customers (when I first moved to Steiner I get a lot of dropped calls and bad reception in rooms of my house. Now it is much better. How about AT&T? I am thinking about getting an IPhone soon and was wondering how reception is in Steiner.

Also what do you guys say to people knocking on your door on Saturday mornings trying to talk to you about religion. It has happened every other weekend for the past few months… and I have tried to be polite but I just don’t want to have that discussion with them anymore. Any ideas? Do you think it is ok for them to knock on doors? Doesn’t Steiner Ranch have a policy against solicitors?

I drive like maybe half of the people leaving Steiner down 2222 towards 360 and thanks to 2222/Lakewood this project. Details here and here. Picture below.

First a warning from Mark about more traffic cops

Just a warning – there has been an increase in traffic cops stationed on Steiner Ranch Blvd.  I drive it to and from work every day.  I was coming home late from a business trip about 3 weeks ago, and was pulled over and given a warning.  Not learning my lesson, I was ticketed one morning last week.  Last night, I was coming home late from work and saw another, but I was not speeding.  I’ve seen them out several times in the last month.  Most of the time they are either in the SELCO area or in the turn lane by the apartments.  Be careful!

Also, from what I’ve heard, there have been a lot of patrols in the evenings, looking for folks coming out of the Steakhouse or Fion areas.

Now about the 2222 situation, because of rain maybe twice a year causing flooding in that area they want to revamp the entire low water crossing and entrance into the Lakewood area. Now for the next 18 months (starting about a week ago) they have been moving utilities, maybe adding a lane to get onto 360 southbound which the latter has caused significant slowdowns because people don’t know how to drive normally when there are orange cones on the road. I am not sure what to do now… routinely the traffic is backed up on 2222 to where the tumbleweed hill ends around where the new light is before bell mountain. I think what people are starting to do is cut through River Place a lot more. I think the real nightmare will be when eastbound 2222 will be one lane after 360 and before County Line. Once that happens you can forget about getting through that in a reasonable time and getting to work. Another alternative is to go the other way around on Lakeway and then through Bee Caves to get downtown… might be longer but shorter.

Maggie has been with us for almost 9 years and she is getting grumpy in her old days. She’s in great shape and she doesn’t act old, but she is no longer fond of other dogs living in our home. She gets along great with other animals as long as they aren’t in “her home”. She would be excellent for any home with no other dogs…other pets are just fine. She would also be great with an elderly couple, although she loves to go for walks. Needs some leash training because she loves to run and tends to pull on a leash. She’s sharp as a tack…we think she’s smarter than us We have pics, just email me at heather@jawsnpaws.net and we’d be happy to send pics…we have tons!

Four Points Youth Wrestling Club
(aka Viper Wrestling Club)

Please join us for an informational session on the new Four Points Youth
Wrestling Club

Wrestling is a great sport for all kids. It is one of the fastest growing sports in central Texas. It is a great sport in itself and for those who want to cross train for other sports.

Wrestling develops kids physically and mentally, but more importantly, it instills great values such as confidence, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Join us as we explain the sport of wrestling. We will cover the logistics of the upcoming youth season including practice time, cost, coaching philosophy, and other questions you may have.

What:
A new wrestling club for boys and girls (pre-K – 8th grade) serving the Four Points area.

When:
Parent and Child Informational session:
Monday, Nov 2nd, 6:30 pm
(Season starts Mon, Nov. 9)

Where:
Four Points Middle School cafeteria
9700 McNeil Drive

Free ice cream from Cups and Cones for the kids

Why a new club:
We are eager to share our knowledge and love of the sport with kids in the Four Points area. Our club will offer an alternative to the Cedar Park Wrestling Club with a more convenient location for Steiner Ranch, River Place and other Four Points area residents. This program will
also serve to establish a strong future base for the Vandegrift High School Wrestling program.

What if I can’t make the meeting?
General information and registration information will be available on the Four Points Youth Wrestling Club website following the meeting at: http://fourpointswrestling.org. An optional informal registration / Q&A session will be held on Tuesday, Nov 3rd, 6:30 pm at the Four Points Middle School cafeteria. If you have any additional questions, you can also call 512-934-2375 or 512-470-0766 for more information.

STRONG MAMAS™,   THE #1 FITNESS PROGRAM

FOR MOMS AND KIDS

COMES TO Austin!

Austin, TX (November 3, 2009):   The Better Class of Austin is proud to announce that Strong Mamas – the #1 fitness Program for Moms and Kids – is coming to Austin on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 with a live launch event at the Steiner Ranch    Community Center and the Georgetown Recreational Center.

The program kicks off at 9:00am at the Steiner Ranch, and 11:30am at the Georgetown Recreational Center, with a free 30-minute Strong Mamas Class taught by founder Colleen Walsh, nutritional advice and Q&A, an opportunity to register for upcoming classes and workshops, refreshments, giveaways, and free kids entertainment.  Colleen will also be autographing copies of her “Strong Mamas/Fit Families” workout DVDs, with 25% of the proceeds benefitting local charities.

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Colleen developed Strong Mamas specifically for moms and kids to enjoy the benefits of exercise together; targeting those women looking for an innovative way to increase energy, lose weight, boost metabolism, decrease the risk of osteoporosis, burn calories and recover from a pregnancy.  As a mother to three boys, a triathlete, and “Personal Trainer of the Year” as named by New York Strength; Colleen has used her love of fitness and training to create the ultimate workout specifically designed to help moms with the challenge of balancing exercise while having small children in their lives.

The Steiner Ranch Community Center is located at 12550 Country Trails Lane, and the Georgetown Recreational Center is located at 1003 North Austin Avenue.  For more information, press inquiries, or to find out how you can become a certified Strong Mamas instructor, please contact Jennifer Dunbar at jen@strongmamas.com.

The Better Class brings like-minded, curious, and upwardly-mobile people together by combining aspects of social networking, self-improvement, and entertainment into a uniquely stimulating, interactive and exciting educational environment.  Our nationwide network of “Class Presidents” offers expertise and insight in a variety of subjects, both mainstream and eclectic, and allows The Better Class to create a groundbreaking learning experience that is enlightening, empowering, and enriching for all.  For more information on other offering from The Better Class, visit our website at www.thebetterclass.com and “Take a New Course in Life!”

Accepting New CSA Members

Join Johnson Backyard Garden CSA (Community Supported Agriculture program) and get your vegetables straight from a local organic farm.

● Eat healthfully all season with a box full of delicious vegetables, fruit, and herbs each week from Johnson’s Backyard Garden.

● Enjoy spring strawberries, summer melons, & heirloom tomatoes with exceptional homegrown taste.

● Try new recipes from our weekly newsletter, and read interesting stories and notes from your farmer.

● Support a small sustainable family farm.

● Pick up your produce at a drop off site near you.  Steiner Ranch drop off site begins in November.

● Come to fun farm events, where you can meet

your farmers, ask questions, and see where and how your food is grown.

www.johnsonsbackyardgarden.com

Science& Math Tutoring @ Steiner Ranch: • Small groups • One-on-One

by Highly qualified and Experienced Tutors (19 years)

College/High School: (General, AP,IB) Chemistry, Algebra 1& 2, Geometry, Physics, Calculus

Middle/Elementary School: Basic Math, Pre- Algebra, Math Enrichment

For details, contact Dr. Anjali Sharad @ 512 853 9624 or excel.science@gmail.com

If you are looking for an excellent tutor with over 15 yrs experience and that always goes the extra mile, please consider Sylvia Farrar Tutoring.
Sylvia is a Chemical Engineer with over 15 yrs in Education. She has helped 100’s of students in Algebra, Geometry, PreCalc and Calculus, Chemistry & Physics. She also teaches Spanish, French and German. Students may split their time among subjects, making tutoring efficient and cost effective. ACT,SAT,TAKS & GRE prep also available.
SylviaTutor@gmail.com or 512-745-1921