Steiner Ranch Information Blog

I found a deal online for Hill Country Pasta House at restaurant.com. You can get a 25 dollar dining certificate for 10 bucks, and at the end of the month they always have coupon codes that reduce it further. I got two certificates for six bucks total. I will inform you when it happens again.

So I heard good things about HCP from the comments, so we decided to check it out. My wife ordered one of the specials, seafood in cajun cream sauce. She loved the dish, it came with a salad and the meal. She liked the portions and the large amount of seafood that came with it. I ordered a pizza and was somewhat disappointed as it was “too cheesy”. It was the Serrano pizza but could not really taste any spice in it. I should have said less cheese. I like the Lakeside pizza’s better. I also liked the ambiance and wait staff, who were helpful in helping my wife pick a wine selection and in general. I would recommend going there to anyone for looking a few notches above Johnny Carino’s and that type of fare. We want to check out Siena next in our Italian restaurant tour.

Steiner Ranch residents Nathasha Collmann and Kirsten Mulligan are celebrating the start of summer this year in a different way… joining the Sense Corp Texas 4000 team in their fight against cancer. On Saturday, June 7, at 8:00 a.m. the Texas 4000 team will start their 4500-mile, 70-day cycling journey from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska-sharing hope, knowledge, and charity along their way. Texas 4000 is an organization consisting of over forty passionate, young individuals, the majority being University of Texas students, whose lives have been touched by cancer. The organization has donated over $1,060,578.00 to MD Anderson Cancer Center and The American Cancer Society in the last five years. Their goal is to raise over $350,000.00 this year alone.

Collmann and Mulligan (along with other area community members) are leading the planning committee for the ATLAS Ride-the first day of the Texas 4000-which rides the 70 miles from Cedar Park to Lampasas. “I am so humbled by these college students who will spend their summer cycling through the states, visiting hospitals and cancer centers, raising funds, and instilling hope that we will find a cure to cancer. I am so proud to share a tiny part of their journey,” says Mulligan.

Our goal as the ATLAS planning committee is to facilitate a “grassroots” community support for this amazing cause. Collmann says, “It feels good to be a part of something larger than myself. This is an opportunity for me to use my time and my talent to make a contribution…to make a difference in the world.”

Both say that they have been overwhelmed by the number of individuals and businesses who have supported them in this worthy cause. To find out more about Texas 4000 for Cancer’s ATLAS Ride or to ride, volunteer, or sponsor, Steiner Ranch residents can visit www.atlasride.org or www.texas4000.org.

I got an email from a tutor in Steiner Ranch

Steiner Ranch resident, Sylvia Farrar, has launched Two Lakes Tutoring - bringing her fourteen years experience in academic tutoring to Steiner Ranch, River Place, and Lakeway. The end of the school year is fast approaching – right now is the time to make sure those final grades turn out they way you want them to. Give us a call and we can discuss your child’s needs and devise a plan of action. We’ll also share with what our current and former clients had to say about our services.

High school junior year is notoriously the hardest and most stressful in a student’s academic career. You can help your child enjoy their junior year and get better results by taking advantage of summer break to prepare for the ACT or SAT tests. We help students achieve top results and gain admission to the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Make your plans now for ACT/SAT summer preparation and fall success! Upcoming test dates:

* ACT – June 14, Sept 13, Oct 25
* SAT – June 7, Oct 4, Nov 1

Call Two Lakes Tutoring at 512-828-7666, or email 2LakesTutoring@gmail.com

A reader asks if anyone knows if there is a farmers market closer to Steiner Ranch. I know of the one downtown and Sunset Valley. Any others?

It occurred this morning at 6:45 AM and seemed to be caused by lightning. The house in on Country Trails Lane in the gated community of River Heights Overlook. Links here, here, here and here. More information when I get it.

I got a question from a reader about the public library that residents should use. It is not the City of Austin library system as we do not pay taxes there, although we can use it for sixty dollars a year. I thought it was the Lakeway Library system but this map says it is not. Any ideas?

Today is Earth Day and I am not going to say we should plant trees or sell our cars and buy Prius’ but…

Here are some simple things I think we can do.

1. Tomorrow take all those HEB plastic bags and turn in five of them for a green reusable bag.
2. Start recycling if you don’t already. Here is a list of all things you can recycle with IESI our waste management provider. (IESI will collect and recycle aluminum and tin/steel cans, newsprint, #1 plastic & #2 milk/water jugs, and glass that only contained food or beverage. IESI will not accept glass soda bottles, glass milk jugs, pie plates, food trays, aluminum foil, aerosol cans, window glass, light bulbs, crystal, phone books, dishes, rubber bands, or plastic bags. )
3. Reduce the postal mail that you get. Follow the instructions in this link. Whatever mail you do get, try and keep it in one box and recycle it all at once.

I think these are a good start. Use the comments to think of more. One thing a reader mentioned to me in email was a paper recycling can at the mail boxes. I know I would use that to throw away all those credit card offers we seem to get. I am going to try and talk to the HOA and see if this can be done. Any other ideas?

I read this article in the statesman about property appraisals going up this year… I think with the recent mortgage crisis that started late last year, the values would be going down, but I guess not. Notices will be sent out this week, and you can find out for sure.

Last year I used a service that appealed my property value for me. They reduced my assessment about 10% and the main thing is that I did not have to do anything. I know some people will say its real easy to protest, but these guys just do it for you and if they do not reduce your home assessment value they don’t take anything and if they do reduce it they get 30% of the property tax benefit for that year and nothing ever again. They are Texas Protax Austin. Check it out.

Got this email from Bill the owner of Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club - Open House Member Preview

No Boat Required; No Experience Needed; Hassles not Included. The Boat is waiting.

Come visit us at our location in Steiner Ranch. We are located next to the Steiner Ranch Lake Club. You will get a chance to learn more about the club as well as see our fleet. In addition everyone that attends will be entered to win a 3-day pass to the club. Please RSVP to bmarquardt@freedomboatclub.com with LAKE AUSTIN RSVP in the subject line or just stop by. Food and refreshments will be served. Bring the whole family.

When: Saturday 4/19/08 from 10AM to 4PM.
Where: 12405 River Bnd, Austin, TX 78732
www.freedomboatclub.com
Bill Marquardt
Sales Manager
FREEDOM BOAT CLUB
Lake Travis & Lake Austin
T 512.834.BOAT (2628) ext 4
M 512.642-3756

Got an email from Tim about a new pet sitting service.

My wife, Chris Johnson, just started a pet sitting business geared specifically toward Steiner Ranch residents. As residents of Steiner over the past three years, it has been obvious that there are MANY, MANY pet lovers just like us in this wonderful neighborhood and this is a service that is drastically needed. There are certainly other companies that provide the service as well (although some charge extra to come to Steiner). Chris’s service will be another great alternative for the many pet owners in the area, who want personalized care for their animals, but would rather not put their pets in a kennel while they are out of town. As a Steiner resident she’ll be close by all the time.
Honestly, I can’t think of a better person to take care of anyone’s pets. She was a Vet Tech in Colorado and a “multiple-pet” and horse owner her entire life. She’s caring, compassionate, incredibly qualified and she ALWAYS puts the animals first! In her words, “It’s how we pay them back for there unconditional love”.

Daily “In-Home” Pet Care Package

$30 per day includes:

• Free Initial Consultation
• Administer meds as needed
• 2 Visits Per Day (am & pm)
• Newspaper pickup service
• Feeding, playtime and TLC
• Lights alternated if needed
• Scoop/Change Litter Box
• Light watering of houseplants

Additional Services: Additional daily visits, pet baths & private walks also available.

Call Chris at 567-5046 or email crittercarebycj@yahoo.com Limited spaces available – reserve your dates today