Category Archives: Lake Travis

Majestics dance shines at FPMS

By KIMBERLY STRENK , Contributor

For the last five years, the Majestics have consistently produced a high-impact, award-winning dance team under the leadership of director Kelly Mabry at Four Points Middle School. This season, two dances are particularly noteworthy: the Ghoomar and Lifeboat.

Eighth grade Majestic, Anna Zavelson known for her budding recording and acting career, was given a challenge by Mabry to compose an original song for the entire team to perform during this year’s competition season. Zavelson wrote, produced and recorded a lyrical song, “Lifeboat” which tells the story of what being a part of the Majestics has meant to her. The dance, choreographed by her teammates, also won several best-in-class awards this season.

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Steiner controller resigned, Selman returns as interim director

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Another Steiner Ranch employee, Andrew Smullen, controller, resigned effective March 9 making the third upper management resignation of the small HOA staff in the last three months — the executive director and  community manager resigned over the past several months.

As of the Steiner homeowner’s website on Monday, Scott Selman was listed as interim director. Selman was one of the community’s previous directors.

“The community cares about this because eight people have left in the last six months,” said Bill Menzies, when addressing the Steiner Ranch Master Association board during the homeowner forum at the Feb. 27 board meeting. Menzies used to be the SRMA board president. “What is going on? This (the way things are now) is a huge mistake.”

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Local marinas take statewide awards

The Allen family of Volente — Steve, Jodi, Steven and Taylor as seen in this photo from 2011 — earn top honors for the two, Lake Travis marinas they own and operate with Steve’s mom, Janet Caylor.

Dual “Marina of the Year” honors

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Two, family-owned Lake Travis marinas were awarded top, Marina of the Year honors by the Marina Association of Texas, but the accolades have not come  without challenges.

The recognition comes after both local businesses have weathered and survived many storms and a historic drought.

“During the five-year drought, which was the worst in Lake Travis history, we had to move the marina docks further into the deeper areas of the lake and out of our protected cove home-base,” said Jodi Allen, manager of Lakeway Marina.

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Dog therapy helps students de-stress at Vandegrift

Two dog therapy teams from The Austin Dog Alliance helped create a stress-reducing experience at Vandegrift.

By JENNIFER WALKER, Vandegrift Voice

After 80 percent of Vandegrift students reported feeling “often or always stressed by schoolwork” on the Stanford Survey of Adolescent Experiences, VHS counselors knew they needed to find a way to combat this complicated issue. The solution? Furry friends. Dogs trained by The Dog Alliance and Hounds for Heroes visited students a few weeks ago during lunch breaks.

“This whole year is basically in response to the survey we did last year and trying to help our students find a little more balance,” counselor Amy Rodriguez said. “We’re also trying to provide tools for (students) to use to just feel like they have a chance to take a breath during the day, and so what better way than to pet a puppy and hug them.”

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