Ladybird Lake Lake Austin Lake Travis Lake Marble Falls Lake LBJ Lake Buchanan
Fall 2012
L
DREAMING BIG IN AUSTIN
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Lake Travis Sales Expert 15103 Barrie Dr-Austin
11528 Overlook Pass-Austin
$499,000 MLS # 7390445 Short drive to Lake Travis 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 din, 3 liv Wonderful upgrades Courtyard w / waterfall ¼ Acres w / rock wall/trees TX hill country views
$1,275,000 MLS # 7958012 Spanish Oaks – Gated 3-4 bed, 3.5 bath, 3 liv Pool, spa, patio, roof deck 1.5 private acres w/meadow Panoramic canyon views Constant gentle breeze
3901 Lake Park-Lago Vista
24418 Lois Lane-Spicewood
$325,000 MLS # 6751867 Private waterfont in cove 5 bed, 4 bath, 1 din, 2 liv Furnished, sleeps 21, 3 floors Stocked game room, 3 decks Covered dock, trapeze swing Lake/hill country views
$339,000 MLS # 4498371 On the Pedernales River 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 din, 1 liv Pool, multi-level decks 1.5 heavily wooded acres River & hill country views 15 min to the Galleria
me
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216 Rightwater-Driftwood
108 Bisset Court–Austin
$99,950 MLS # 4714796 Cul-de-sac street, 4 lots total Last build-others have houses 2.55 Acres of pasture / woods Backs to South Onion Creek Wonderful canyon views 10 min to Dripping Springs
$925,000 MLS # 4585188 Rough Hollow – Lake Travis 5 bed, 5 bath, 1 din, 3 liv Under construction–Fall 2012 Hill / Lake Travis views 2 Resort amenity areas 10 min to Galleria
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Waterways Magazine
Fall 2012
604 Peterson Lane; Lakeway, TX 78734 waterwaysmag@gmail.com www.waterwaysmagazine.com Editor/Publisher: Cathie Parssinen 512.785.6313 Designer: Sheila Parr waterwaysdesign@gmail.com Contributors Editorial: Linda Holland, Keija Parssinen, Luke Metzger Photography: Brandi Nellis Photography, Jen Davis, Elena Reid Photography, Paul Elledge, Shelia Parodi, Nadine Photography, Dana Purswell Design: Allison Newsum Cover shot by Brandi Nellis
ABOUT THE COVER Bill and Shelia Parodi have created an outdoor playground on their 7+ acre property that captures all the pleasures of outdoor living in the Hill Country. Sheltered by magnificent trophy oaks, the feature of their al fresco paradise begins on page 10. Shelia’s hair by Maribel Gothard at Bellezza Salon & Boutique; Jewelry by Oh Yeah!
48
10 PARODI PLAYGROUND 16 KARINA MACHNACKI AND SUSAN G. KOMEN
26
20 MICHELLE ZOGAS AND LTLOV 24 MAKE A WISH FOR ABBEY 26 LTISD’S ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN 28 SAN CASCIANO 30 SAIL & SKI’S TURN KEY BOAT CLUB 32 CENTRAL TEXAS WATER COALITION
36
34 BUSINESS PROFILES 36 WEISINGER-LEATHAM WEDDING 40 REALTY AUSTIN GRAND OPENING 42 BRITISH MOTORING ON HAMILTON POOL ROAD 44 EVO GRAND OPENING 46 GALVESTON 48 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? SHAW LASH
46 10
20
50 BREAKING BREAD AT WHOLE FOODS 52 RUN FOR THE ROSES 54 DANCE INSTITUTE HOSTS BAD BOYS
50
Fall 2012 | Waterways
9
Hanging day bed by myporchrocks.com
Parodi pool built by Pool Pro
Parodi Playground STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN PHOTOS BY SHELIA PARODI AND BRANDI NELLIS
O
UTDOOR living means different things to different people. Some love a lavish garden and a magnificent pool but find they enjoy it best as a tableau, viewed from behind a wall of windows in the comfort of an air-conditioned home. They don’t dirty their hands in the garden, and they wouldn’t dream of swimming in the pool. They appreciate the “outdoors” as a place to send the kids to play! And then there are those like Bill and Shelia Parodi who are addicted to outdoor living and who extract every iota of value from the 7.75 acres of rolling meadows that surround their home in the hill country near Bee Cave. Don Purswell of Solara Ridge Homes built the Parodi’s home in 2005, and they had such a great experience with the project that they turned to Don again to build parts of the outdoor paradise featured on these pages. The stone and stucco cabana, with open arches on two sides, captures cross breezes and has become the family’s elegant al fresco hangout. The invitation to curl up on the hanging day bed, created by Dana Purswell of My Porch Rocks, is difficult to resist!
10 Waterways | Fall 2012
Top Individual Producer for Capital City Sotheby’s International Realty, 2011
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Trees: Ty Hamilton, Bayne Bentley, Cade Langston | Back row, speakers: Brandon Quinterro, H.S. Varsity football player; Zachary Stewart, H.S. Varsity football player. Speaker; Jeff Woods, Organizer; Coach Clint Baty, Head H.S. Basketball Coach | Back row: Ryan Wilkinson, Josh Embry, Walker Karnstadt, Noah Woods, Kyle Blankenship, Jackson Hall, Alec Fuentes, Kyle Cox, David McBride, Luke Hamilton, Reed McClain, Jack Walsh, Justin Platt, Bret Baty | Middle row: Cole Weidenbach, Brady Grant, Ethan Tighe, Bryce Weisinger, David Greenwell, Cooper Holt, Jackson Robertson, Reid Bacon, Preston Roe, Landon Watkins | Kneeling: Ryan Mosley, Keith Mitchhart, Jake Foster, Caleb Roe, Bryce Murphy, Gray Litowitz, Garrett Wilbanks, Cade Connors, Hudson Dees, Nathan Parodi, Blake Helton
One might call it the “Parodi Playground” for it is often filled with friends of the Parodi’s two sons, Devon, who will start 9th grade at LT High School in the fall, and Nathan, who will enter 7th at LT Middle School. With lots of land to get lost in, a skyscraper treehouse, a gorgeous, oversized pool and a custom-built basketball court, it is a magnet for both kids and adults who love “playing” outside. Bill’s friends drop by a couple of evenings a week to play basketball, and the boys have their own games with friends. Pictured here, kids enjoy the beginning of summer at an end-of-school party the Parodis threw in June. This coming year, the Parodi family will also host meetings of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for middle schools boys at Lake Travis Middle School and Hudson Bend Middle School. 40 boys attended the first meeting, also held in June. Organized by Jeff Woods, the meeting was a huge success. The boys enjoyed an afternoon of games, pizza and snacks and visited with two LTHS football players. Both Jeff Woods and Coach Clint Baty, the head basketball coach, spoke to the boys.
Nathan and Devon chill down with a “froyo” from Fresh & Fruiti Frozen Yogurt.
12 Waterways | Fall 2012
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The Parodis selected this very unique stone with an unusual “leathered” finish from the AG&M showroom on W Hwy 71. “Having this phenomenal showroom with stone from all over the world practically in my backyard made it so easy. Jesse Bogan, who consulted with me, was so knowledgable and really helped in directing my search.” (Shelia Parodi)
r
Sweet Tea Spritze
Bill owns and operates an internet transaction processing company, as well as other e-commerce businesses and, in his free time, has a passion for tinkering with his collection of American-made muscle cars. His favorites are Mopars (Dodge and Plymouth) and Pontiacs from the 1969 to 1973 model year era. He recently traveled to Bangor, ME to buy a rare 1973 Super Duty Trans Am, one of only 72 produced and still in the hands of the original owner! Shelia keeps occupied with all the busy pleasures and obligations of home and family and, in addition, she recently agreed to contribute her photographic talents to Waterways. Look for a debut of her work for us in features throughout this issue! Both Bill and Shelia are part of a large army of parents who enrich the community by giving their time and their gifts to programs that benefit our children. Bill has been a youth football and basketball coach since Nathan was five and has helped to put camps together and to coordinate youth sporting events. Shelia has served as a room mom for both her boys since they were in KG. She acted as 6th Grade Liaison for the PTO when Devon was in 6th Grade. This past year, she mentored two 7th grade girls once a week and routinely volunteers to help with dances and parties. For the coming academic year, the PTO has asked her to serve as LT Middle School parent liaison working with the Olweus Anti-Bullying campaign. (See p. 26 ) Rewarding themselves with a Sweet Tea Spritzer in the cabana seems entirely well-deserved! P.S. Did I mention Bill is also grounds keeper and poolboy?
of the South, consider ne wi e us ho e th is a te “ If iced !” —Southern Living this your tangy sangria eet tea-flavored nberry juice, 1 cup sw cra ps cu 2 er th ge to ir St pitcher. Stir in 5 sh lemon juice in a large fre p cu 2 1/ d an a, dk vo on-lime soft drink. with 1 (12-oz) can lem p to d an s, be cu ice ps cu vings. diately. Makes 4-6 ser me im rve Se r. sti ly nt Ge
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14 Waterways | Fall 2012
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ON THE FRONT LINES STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN PHOTOS BY SHELIA PARODI AND ELENA REID PHOTOGRAPHY
Terminal illness, hunger, homelessness, child abuse, poverty, injustice, natural disasters and environmental depredation are just a few of the endemic problems that bedevil communities both locally and globally. For many people, the response to stories of suffering is often a shake of the head and a shrug of the shoulders, accompanied by a sense of resignation and helplessness. But for the impassioned activist, the bad news is a call to arms and a call to action. They are fighters, inspired by a generous sense of compassion for others
and an acutely empathetic world view to dedicate themselves to service. They believe in the possibility of making a difference. This issue introduces a series that will explore the stories of some community members who are highly involved in the nonprofit world. They spent hours of their time in activities designed to nurture others, so we decided to photograph them in their kitchens, a sacred space for most families, where the magic of nurturing the body and soul of the family centers around food and companionship.
Karina Machnacki and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
A
s Karina explained, “I have been involved with the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® since I participated in my first Race for the Cure 13 years ago. I was blown away by the experience and knew I needed to continue to take part in this event. Through the years it became more than
just a Race. I was involved to honor my friends and family battling the disease and to remember those we lost. I couldn›t stand by while so many women in my life were being diagnosed. I
Busy Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cake
knew I needed to continue to support this fight.” “Last year, my daughter and 7 of her friends participated in a photo shoot to show the Lake Travis community the real impact of the 1 in 8 statistic.” This dramatic photograph that graphically shows how the disease will affect
ix 1 Box of yellow cake m pudding lla ni 1 Small instant va ate pudding 1 Small instant chocol 5 Eggs 1 ½ cups water ½ cup cooking oil ips 1 Package chocolate ch m. Bake at 350° Spray bundt pan with Pa for 50–60 minutes.
our children had a sobering impact on Karina. “I would love for our daughters to NEVER have to worry about breast cancer in their lifetimes. This picture inspired 50
Photo by Elena Reid Photography
One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
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people to join our Lake Travis Race team last year, and we raised nearly $5,000 for the cause. Although I am grateful for the impact we made, it still wasn’t enough. So when the Komen Austin Affiliate announced their plans for a signature Spring event, I knew that’s where I could make the largest impact. I served on the planning committee for the inaugural Perfectly Pink Party that was held on May 5 at Shoal Crossing. The event was attended by 250 people and netted over $120,000. The Affiliate’s largest fundraiser, the Komen Austin Race for the Cure, is set for November 4, 2012. 75 percent of the funds raised by our community stay right here in Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Bastrop and Hays counties, funding breast health service providers. The remaining 25% goes to breast cancer research. The 2nd annual Perfectly Pink Party is scheduled for May 4, 2013. If you would like join the Lake Travis Race for the Cure team, registration is now open at komenaustin.org. Look for Lake Travis Troop-Lake Travis Pink Ladies under the “Join Existing Team” tab! Contact www.KomenAustin.Org for volunteer opportunities or call 512-473-0900 Taste test by Chase Machnacki!
18 Waterways | Fall 2012
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Michelle Zogas &L
M
Labor of Love
STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN | PHOTOS BY SHELIA PARODI
ichelle Zogas was thumbing through the on-board magazine on a trip to California when she stumbled across an article on Giving Circles. For some time, she had been trying to figure out what she could do to help those in the Lake Travis community who struggle
with serious financial challenges. As she explained, there are many organizations
in our area that already do a very good job at what they do, so she didn’t want to recreate the wheel by establishing a competing organization. What she really wanted to do was to build a powerful fundraising vehicle to give more money to existing groups that need more income to accomplish their goals. Michelle’s
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ces (something tender) possible) Lettuce in bite-size pie egrown from a friend if om (h d pe op ch ely ars Tomatoes, co gthwise & thin Yellow pepper, sliced len d is perfect) s, quartered (the jar kin art he e ok ich art ted na your deli) Mari s (from the olive bar in les ed /se ole wh s, ve oli Kalamata ch pieces) block, slice in quarter in Feta cheese (buy a small sprinkle with garlic toss in garlic olive oil, Toasted orzo (parboil, er for crispiness) salt, lightly toast in broil Olive oil (good quality) d pepper to taste Sea salt & freshly groun p for a Sprinkle the orzo on to . up ild bu & ce tu let e pepper Start with th olive oil & add salt & th wi te tas to le izz Dr little crunch. joy! just before serving. En
Cabinets by Greystone Farm Custom Cabinetry at Lakeshore Home Gallery 20 Waterways | Fall 2012
decisive, outgoing nature lends a certain forcefulness to her personality that defies her physically diminutive stature. She makes friends easily and, over the 25 years she and her family have lived in Lake Travis, she has built a vibrant network of friends with members of her church, parents at her sons’ schools and soccer moms and dads. (Pete Zogas was LTYA Soccer Commissioner in the early years and coached soccer from 1993-2002. Michelle also coached her youngest son’s soccer teams!) With no sense of false pride, Michelle instinctively recognized how well-positioned she was to establish an effective giving circle. And that is exactly what she did.
Y
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Your dream. My passion. Karen Michalik R E ALTO R
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Michelle’s sense of design reflects the same nurturing qualities that led her to establish LTlov. The design and décor of this charming lake cabin on Lake Marble Falls in Kingsland repeats echoes of welcome with an abundance of warm colors and inviting corners to settle into.
OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner fro m Faraday’s Kitchen Store
22 Waterways | Fall 2012
Michelle and a small group of founding members established LTlov, the Lake Travis Labor of Love, in October, 2007. The group has steadily gained visibility in the Lake Travis community, increasing its affiliation with individuals and businesses that support its goals with donations of time and money. For the 2012 giving season, the Annual Grants Funding Report documented community investments totaling $37,855.00.
2012 Funding Recipients Austin School for the Performing & Visual Arts Boy Scout Troop 786 Center for Child Protection Dream a Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Helping Hand of Spicewood LTHS Project Graduation Lake Travis Crisis Ministries
Lake Travis Lunch Truck LTlov Kid’s Dental Day Care Partners in Hope Skiin’ With the Galilean Spicewood Wildfire Long Term Recovery Scholarships to LTHS graduating seniors (3) LTHS Teen Parenting Program to learn more visit www.ltlov.org
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The new school room!
Ruth Cummings, LTISD physical therapy; Melissa Keller, Diana Davidson, LTISD Director of Special Education; Sharon Halloran, LT Elementary special education teacher; Lisa Blankenship, Serene Hills Elementary speech therapist
Travis Keller and Abbey
Make-A-Wish Schoolroom for Abbey
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CATHIE PARSSINEN
F
RIENDS, FAMILY and supporters gathered at the home of Melissa and Travis Keller for the unveiling of a new room makeover for four-year old Abbey Keller. Abbey suffers from a rare mitochondrial disorder that requires homeschooling, so having a room designed to accommodate her social and educational interactions with her teachers is especially important. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas and the Lake Travis Powerboat Association teamed with Wish grantors Rachel Guest of Red Earth Designs and Meredith Snyder of Haworth to create this special room for Abbey and her teachers. All of Abbey’s teachers from the Lake Travis Independent School District Happy Birthday Abbey! were on hand for the anticipated “reveal.” As these photos show, Abbey is exceptionally responsive to her caregivers and to her environment. Melissa Keller spoke with great emotion about the care and kindness they have received from Dell Children’s Hospital and from LTISD. Seven specialists from the district work with Abbey every week. Make-A-Wish, with the help of generous donors and volunteers, gives hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions by helping them experience the magic of a wish come true. For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit www.cstx.wish.org. Wish grantor, Meredith Snyder of Haworth, Melissa Keller, Wish grantor Rachel Guest of Red Earth Designs
Volunteers Tom Piegat and Kelsy Piegat; Scott Crews, Director of Development for Make A Wish, Central Texas; Make A Wish staff member, Lauren Bremer; Volunteers Mike Kelley and Wade Cohn Melissa and Abbey Keller with Rose Blanchard with Early Childhood Intervention
Sharon Halloran with Abbey
24 Waterways | Fall 2012
Travis and Abbey Keller
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Chris Alvarado, Lake Travis Elementary student; Stephanie Cardarella, Gifted and Talented teacher at Serene Hills Elementary School at the LTISD FitSmart Expo in February
LTISD’s Anti-Bullying Campaign STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN | PHOTOS COMPLIMENTS OF LTISD
N
ATIONWIDE, the highly publicized suicides of several young people attributed to bullying and the 2011 release of the film Bully have resulted in heightened pubic alarm among parents about the pervasiveness of the problem. This year, the Lake Travis Independent School District will implement a specific anti-bullying program called Olweus (pronounced ‘Ol-vay-us’) at both district middle schools. Kathleen Hassenfratz, LTISD’s Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator, believes this new program will provide a valuable asset that will supplement the character education programming that is already in place at all campuses throughout the district. The Healthy Lifestyles program has utilized a framework of 40 character traits or building blocks that lead to successful outcomes for students over a spectrum of components or measures of health. This framework has guided a multiplicity of programs throughout the district’s campuses, from character counseling at the ele-
26 Waterways | Fall 2012
mentary schools to the No Place for Hate initiative developed by the AntiDefamation League and embraced at both LTISD middle schools and at Serene Hills Elementary. “Our character programming has emphasized building and strengthening protective factors that a child will need to ward off bullying, such as choosing the right friends, learning how to set boundaries, developing good decision-making skills, choosing healthy academic and health behaviors,” explained Hassenfratz. “We were impressed with the background of data Olweus provided concerning the effectiveness of their program and are excited to implement it at our middle schools as a means to continue to build a climate characterized by trust and confidence.” In the late spring, students at both middle schools took the comprehensive Olweus survey asking them about bullying on their campus. “Do you see bullying on the campus? What does it look like? Is it teasing in the hallway, shoving, pushing? Where do you see it? Is it in the bathrooms, lunchroom? Is cyber bullying a problem?” The results from the survey should provide target points to identify whatever bullying is present on the campuses. In August, teams of trainees from both middle schools that included classroom teachers, office staff, counselors, administrators and two parents attended a two-day Olweus training program. The Olweus trainees made a presentation to the faculty at large, once all teachers returned to campus, to share what they learned from the survey data and from the training. “We have great structures in place and, as a district, we will utilize the baseline surveys completed by the students at both middle schools in May 2012 to guide our prevention and intervention activities,” added Hassenfratz. “ We are pleased to have our entire district on board with the Olweus Program and will be training staff at all 8 campuses over the course of the year. We hope to have full implementation districtwide by the fall of 2013.”
I would love to help you with your real estate needs.
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San Casciano at North Lakeway Village STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN | PHOTOS COMPLIMENTS OF SAN CASCIANO David Mandy, Developer/Builder Marina at your doorstep!
P
RODUCTION BUILDERSÂ are mining a rich vein in the greater Lakeway/Bee Cave area, capitalizing on robust interest in new homes priced from $260,000 to $330,000+. North Lakeway Village, the back part of Rough Hollow, Falconhead, Ladera, Sweetwater and West Cyprus Hills have about a dozen production builders between them who are building and selling to homebuyers eager to live in the Lake Travis community and to send their children to LTISD schools.
A BOUTIQUE NEIGHBORHOOD For those who are less than thrilled by the production model, San Casciano in North Lakeway Village presents something at the polar opposite end of the spectrum, offering the discriminating homebuyer a boutique neighborhood with homes priced from $800,000 to $2 million. Located just off FM 620 South on both sides of Clara Van, this microcommunity offers twelve +/- acre estate home Parr residence features big block sites that back up to 25 acres of hiking trails limestone construction and 1800 and a spring-fed creek on a pristine slice of century french country design. Texas hill country. Because this beautiful land that borders San Casciano is City of Lakeway parkland, its scenic canyon and Lake Travis views cannot be spoiled by further development. San Casciano is within walking distance of Hurst Harbor Marina and all the pleasures of easy water access, depending upon variable lake levels. Many communities in this area (Falconhead, Lake Pointe, and Rough Hollow) have interior sections that are remotely situated far from major thoroughfares, adding significant time to daily commutes. San Casciano, by contrast, is minutes from FM 620 South, with easy access to shopping, schools, restaurants, medical facilities and entertainment, including outstanding golf.
28 Waterways | Fall 2012
Lake Travis
ABOUT THE DEVELOPER’S VISION Builder/developer David Mandy lives in an original old historic home on Bull Creek in the Spicewood Springs area of Austin. A lifetime Austinite with 28 years of experience in construction and development and Austin real estate, he combines a passionate appreciation for the Texas Hill Country with a love of old world architecture. David’s work with a builder whose masterful restorations and reproductions of old German farmhouses, popular in the Fredericksburg area, was partially responsible for the emergence of his concept for San Casciano. His vision was to create a unique neighborhood of 12 distinctive homes featuring historic designs inspired by European classical architecture. Each set of two neighboring homes will share a common entrance that will divide into separately gated estates. In Mandy’s words, “I wanted to create a picturesque scene that would make people passing by think they were someplace different, someplace far away.”
Hurst Harbor Marina
THE LAND AND THE SAN CASCIANO FOOTPRINT San Casciano is ideally situated along a naturally terraced ridge. Home sites have been specially located to provide ideally level building sites that will allow retention of the natural terrain and topography with minimal alteration during construction. As opposed to the 25% standard for typical subdivisions, San Casciano will have only 17% impervious cover. What does that mean? It means fewer homes and larger home sites. It also means responsible development that is more aesthetically pleasing with a footprint that is environmentally friendly and will use less water, fertilizers and pesticides and retain more natural habitat for plants and animals. Can you picture yourself at San Casciano? To learn more about San Casciano visit www.4laketravisliving.com or call 512.789.7195
SAN CASCIANO @North Lakeway
Spring fed creek in 25-acre greenbelt
Fall 2012 | Waterways 29
Introducing Sail & Ski’s Turn Key Boat Club STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN | PHOTOS COMPLIMENTS OF SAIL & SKI
T
HE SAIL & SKI Center has been recognized as the number #1 boat dealership in North America by making boating easy for its customers. Sail & Ski has built its business by selling and servicing the finest new and used boats to those who want to own their own boat, retain full control over it and have it available at all times. Sail & Ski is now proud to introduce its Turn Key Boat Club at its marina, the Sail & Ski Yacht Club on Lake Travis. “Boat Clubs are appealing to people who do not want to own a boat, but still want to have access to the boating lifestyle, whether to create family memories, go on a romantic cruise or take the staff on an ultimate retreat. Boat Clubs also are very consistent with our goal to make boating easy. The monthly membership dues include boat use, maintenance, boat slip and insurance. The members simply schedule their outing online, and then, when they are done, pay for the gas they use. We take care of the rest,” explained Buzz Watkins, Vice President of Sail & Ski. “It soon became apparent to us that we are ideally situated to take on this corollary business. That’s because boat clubs are generally marina tenants. Not only do we own our own marina, but as a boat dealership, we’re in the business of buying boats. And with our award winning service department, we can assure that these boats are kept in flawless condition,” explained Buzz Watkins of Sail & Ski. “We made a decision to purchase high quality upscale boats from Sea Ray, Nautique and Harris FloteBote Pontoons for our club. Since our club is new, all of our boats are new 2012 models. We also benefit from the fact that the Sail & Ski Yacht Club has the most convenient location on the south side of the lake, with the closest distance from Hwy 620 to the boat slip that you can find in the region. It was obvious to us, that if there is a boat club to be done, Sail & Ski is in the best position to do it…and to do it well,” Buzz noted. There are also many people who have thought about buying a boat but are unsure what kind of boat they want. With a unique option that allows Turn Key members to apply their boat club initiation fees to the purchase of any boat, new or used, in their inventory, Sail & Ski provides a great way to help this group figure out a path to boat ownership. They become Turn Key members, get started boating, receive full safety training and hands-on instruction on an assortment of different kinds of boats and, if and when they are ever ready for a boat of their own, they can switch their initiation fee over to the purchase of the boat. Sail & Ski requires only the introductory initiation fee with a 12-month minimum commitment. After that, memberships continue with monthly use costs on a month-to-month basis but with no renewal fees. Turn Key Memberships start from only $299/month. “Synergistically, introducing our own boat club is going to complement our boat business. The underlying principle that drives our business has always been to make boating easy. That might be by selling boats or by offering a top-of-the-line boat club,” explained Buzz Watkins. For more information go to: www.sailandski.com/turnkey or call 512-219-2731.
30 Waterways | Fall 2012
I
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The Reserve at Lake Travis’ newest offering is an enclave of lake homes nestled on the northeast tip of the community. All 28 of these casually elegant homes provide views of Lake Travis and overlook our awardwinning marina.
19926 Thurman Bend Rd. | Spicewood, TX 78669
RESERVEATLAKETRAVIS.COM
Artist renderings and plans for The Reserve at Lake Travis are under development. Hal Jones Development reserves the right to make changes without notice. No guarantee is made that the proposed features will be constructed, or that if constructed, will be of the number and type described. These materials shall not constitute an offer in any state where prior registration is required. Void where prohibited by law. For unimproved lots at The Reserve at Lake Travis, obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of these properties. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING.
Janey Richardson, CTWC Board Member Dorothy Taylor
Chris Frandsen, Democratic candidate for District 47 of the Texas House of Representatives; Craig Nazor, Conservation Committee, Austin Sierra Club
Tom Francese, Carla Lott, Sentor Kirk Watson, Wayne Lott, Ann Francese
Water: A Call for New Priorities STORY BY LUKE METZGER, DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENT TEXAS PHOTOS BY CATHIE PARSSINEN
O
N JULY 24, standing beside a floating pig emblazoned with the message “Stop Water Hogs,” Environment Texas spoke at a rally on the steps of the Capitol, calling on the Texas Legislature to adopt tough, mandatory Jo Karr Tedder, Central Texas water conservation standards in order to meet the water needs for people and the environment today and in to Water Coalition President the future. “Nobody should be allowed to waste water,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “But even after the worst drought in history, water hogs are busy wasting our water and jeopardizing our future. We need the Legislature to adopt tough standards to save water and fund critical water conservation programs.” The 2011 drought was the worst in Texas history, with rivers and lakes running dry and as many as 500 million trees dying. Tourism and recreation businesses suffered from low lake levels and river flows. Some communities even ran out of water and had to have it trucked in. Today, 71 percent of the state remains in drought, and Lakes Travis and Buchanan are half-empty. Water is a precious commodity in Texas, yet the state’s rate of water consumption is outstripping the natural supply. Rapid population growth, excessive water consumption, and years of drought have depleted natural water reserves and put Texas at greater risk of a water crisis. Without a dramatic change from business as usual, Texas’ water scarcity problem will only get worse. “The only means of balancing demands with availability, particularly during times of drought, is to make substantial improvements in the efficiency of water use for our biggest users, including agricultural and residential irrigation,” said Dr. Danny Reible, Senator Kirk Watson Director of the Center for Research in Water Resources at the University of Texas. “Business as usual for agricultural irrigation is not sustainable.” According to the state water plan, about one third of all future water needs will be met by Will Wilchar, Hannah Wilchar conservation and reuse. In order to achieve this goal, Environment Texas calls on the Legislature to do the following: •R educe water waste in agriculture (which comprises 56 percent of state water consumption) by requiring metering on irrigated land. According to Texas A&M researchers, metering alone could provide water savings of 10 to 20 percent because it allows producers to determine best management practices by measuring water use. • Require oil and gas companies to recycle water used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Gas companies used an estimated 25 billion gallons of water in Texas last year, the vast majority of which was injected deep underground, removed forever from the hydrological cycle. • Establish water efficiency standards for cooling power plants. Water shortages last summer caused ERCOT, the electric grid operator for most of Texas, to warn of potential blackouts. • Prioritize conservation projects—generally the cheapest and most environmentally responsible way to meet our water needs—for state funding and ensure that at least one-third of water funding goes towards conservation and re-use. Assistant City Attorney for the City of Austin, Ross Crow, Lumi Crow
Jonestown Mayor Deane Armstrong; Manuel De La Rosa, Jonestown City Administrator; Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber; Jacob Cottingham, Policy Director for County Commissioner Karen Huber
32 Waterways | Fall 2012
Pictured here: Concerned citizens and public officials met at an event sponsored by The Central Texas Water Coalition (CTWC) at Villa Antonia on the North Shore at the end of June. CTWC is trying to raise money to counter an anticipated fight by the powerful and well-funded lobby for the rice corporations who oppose the terms of the LCRA’s new Water Management Plan that proposes new limitations on their water use. The Water Management Plan is currently in the hands of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality where it will undergo a process of lengthy review prior to approval. Vested interests are mobilizing to try to impact the outcome. Rice farmers are pushing for a 200,000 acre foot increase (65.17 billion gals.) in their annual water allotment. They pay $6 per acre foot as opposed to the standard rate for other users of $151/acre foot, a subsidy that has drawn criticism from many quarters.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Thrives in Lake Travis BUSINESS PROFILES BY CATHIE PARSSINEN
AUSTIN ESTATE GATE
SAMMY P SALON
Anthony Bruno was the Western Regional Sales Manager for a manufacturing company that made gate operator equipment for nearly a decade before moving to Austin from Southern California in 2005. On Dec. 14, 2007, he was laid off out of the blue as of Jan 1st 2008. It would be an understatement to say that he was caught off-guard by this life changing event. He was told that the “greatest gifts sometimes come in deceiving packages.” Rome was not built in a day, and neither is any legitimate business. Austin Estate Gate started with the gate system Anthony installed at his own home in 2005, which is pictured in the Austin Estate Gate advertisement in this issue. Anthony had referred a neighbor who wanted to install a gate to one of his installer clients back in 2005, but that project never came to fruition.
The new owner of Sammy P Salon, at the entrance to Falconhead, is no stranger to the salon industry. Samantha Phong, or Sam as she prefers to be called, has been in the salon business for over 16 years. A California native, she and her husband John Nguyen moved to Austin a year ago from San Juan Capistrano. With three children (15 year-old Chelsea, 8 year-old Colin, and 5 year-old Cayden), Sammy and John were looking for a quality of life upgrade, a thriving climate for small business and, most importantly, an excellent school system for their three children. John has years of experience in the motorsport industry, specializing in custom motorcycles, and
After he was laid off, Anthony went back to his neighbor and asked him if he still wanted him to install a gate. At the time, Anthony thought he might pick up a few more of these projects while he was looking for another corporate sales job. Four and a half years later, Anthony Bruno is the owner and president of Estate Gate Incorporated, a dynamic company that has built an expanding list of customers that has doubled every year since it was established in 2008. “My experience working at the manufacturing level gave me a thorough understanding of all the different product lines in this industry and how to save money by setting up distribution. I have two installation companies called Austin Estate Gate and Lake Travis Fence,” Anthony notes. “I answer this cellphone 24-7. If your gate won’t open at midnight on a Sunday during a monsoon, I will still answer your call and send someone out to help you if needed. I take my responsibilities very seriously because we have a cusAnthony Bruno tomer base depending on us for their perimeter security and safety,” Anthony explains. Anthony Bruno is truly thankful for forced growth and now has perspective on that analogy about gifts coming in deceiving packages. “I love being in business for myself. I don’t hate my boss or have to travel anymore and won’t ever be laid off again right before the Holidays.” 512-296-2671 www.austinestategate.com
feels that the impending introduction of Formula 1 will transform Austin in ways that will benefit the new motorsport business he intends to establish. With the children well-settled in Lake Travis schools, Sammy began to look for just the right space to establish her salon. She was considering space at the new Randall’s shopping center at Steiner Ranch when her Realtor called with news of a salon space near the entrance to Falconhead that had just become available. “It couldn’t have been more perfect. I wanted to start right away and finding a place that was already built-out as a salon was ideal. The permitting process to get city approvals for a new build-out can often be slow, and I was eager to open as soon as possible. My husband and I also purchased the nail salon next door. My original plan was to transform that space into a med spa, and we may still do that. We are waiting to see what legal changes may affect the med spa business.” Sammy’s long experience in the salon industry has taught her that nothing is more important than personal service. In fact, the beauty industry is personal, period. She made it a top priority to hire outstanding stylists and a great staff. “I want to bring new happy energy here.” She feels that having talented, happy employees has an enormous multiplier impact in the beauty business. “Attitude is more important than experience. You can gain experience, you can acquire new skills and the latest training, but you can’t change your attitude. I believe in karma, and I feel so lucky because I have found a great space and some great people to work with me.” 512-263-1726 www.sammypsalon.com
34 Waterways | Fall 2012
®
back row: King Gerron, Vanessa Hahn, Sammy Phong, Michelle Vietri, James Shaw; seated in front: Kendra Anderson, Laura Debs
WANDERID The Department of Defense has the most advanced technology in the world, but you probably didn’t know a local startup is adapting that same technology to help keep vulnerable populations safe. WanderID is an identification service based on biometric technology currently in use by warfighters in the Middle East. The service uses computerized face matching—to identify unknown people if they are unconscious or unable to communicate, and then get them home safely. Created by Mary Haskett and Dr. Alex Kilpatrick, this simple face matching smartphone app is now in use by Lakeway police and other area emergency responders. Mary and Alex created WanderID based on their extensive experience in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan, realizing that complex military technology could be used to protect young children, children with special needs such as autism and Down syndrome, and memory impaired seniors here at home. “If you or a loved one were in an accident, would any of the emergency responders know who to contact?” said Mary. ”Surprisingly, when the police find someone they can’t identify, they have to wait for someone to call them. “With WanderID, you are just clicks away from protecting your child or senior family member,” said Mary. “On our website, you can upload a loved one’s photograph, input your contact info, and in minutes, you have created a powerful identification system for your young or special needs child, or a memory impaired senior.” Available for a small monthly fee for caregivers, the WanderID search app is free to police and emergency responders. They use WanderID as a community safety tool to identify lost persons simply by using a smartphone. “It was important to us to make it very simple for police to use our product,” said Dr. Kilpatrick. “We’ve spent a lot of time making the technology easy to use—people can use our app, or a digital camera to search for a lost person in our database.” Once Lake Travis residents enroll their loved one in WanderID, the technology can quickly match the first responder’s search photo with the photos the caregiver has uploaded on the WanderID website. The first responder receives notification of the facial match on their phone; WanderID is alerted and connects with the caregiver to arrange for safe return of the child or senior. No personal information is released—the parent or guardian is in control of how their data is used at all times. When Mary and Alex had small kids, smart phones and the internet didn’t exist, so there was always a worry about what would happen if their kids were lost. With this revolutionary technology, parents can caregivers can have the peace of mind to know their loved ones can be identified. 855-4WAY-HOME (855-492-9466) www.wanderid.com Mary Haskett and Dr. Alex Kilpatrick
SEAN J. HAMMOND Branch Manager
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ERIC SILVAS Branch Manager
esilvas@envoymtg.com
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With Love I Thee Wed PHOTOS BY NADINE PHOTOGRAPHY, NADINESTUDIO.COM Ashley Lauren Weisinger, daughter of Randy and Leigh Weisinger of Waco and granddaughter of Ray and Margaret Kilgo of Lakeway, to George Taylor Leatham, son of George and Mary Leatham of Big Spring, Texas The bride and groom exchanged vows on Saturday, the thirtieth of June at seven o’clock in the evening at The Hills Country Club at 26 Club Estates Parkway. Dinner and dancing followed the ceremony. Both bride and groom are graduates of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. After a honeymoon at Atlantis Resort at Paradise Island, Bahamas, the couple returned to the Waco area where the bride is a second grade teacher at Castleman Creek Elementary School in the Midway Independent School District and the groom works in banking and finance.
Morgan Kilgo, Reid Kilgo, Jack Kilgo, Kelsey Weisinger, Ray and Margaret Kilgo, Taylor Leatham, Ashley Weisinger Leatham, Leigh and Randy Weisinger, Kyle Kilgo , Elizabeth and Rusty Kilgo
Back: Adam Johnson, Cody McCann, Reed Mayfield, George Leatham, Taylor Leatham, Colin Matthews, Michael Maxfield, Nathan Clements, Clayton Weaver  Front: Jack Kilgo, Reid Kilgo, Kyle Kilgo
36 Waterways | Fall 2012
Samantha DeRogatis, Morgan Kilgo, Jessica Shaver, Kelsey Weisinger, Ashley Weisinger Leatham, Mintara Maxfield, Christin Russell, Providence Dickson, Sydney Dickson
Fine Diamonds and Exquisite Custom Jewelry
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“I have a very old ring that belonged to my husband’s great aunt, so I’m very careful WHO I let work on it when it needs repairing. I felt so safe and comfortable letting Robert work on it. He did such a beautiful job and was able to save all of the filigree on the band. Now it looks like a New Old ring – really good !!!”
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eVo is proud to bring you the most innovative aesthetic and wellness therapies available. Our staff is specially trained to meet your needs, offering a variety of integrative treatments to help you restore your well-being! Judy and Robert Harrison, Jody Berry
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Back: Zareen Jameel, Amanda Slaughter, Ashley Szulim-Sabean, Denise Gordon, Ashley Walker; Front: Laura Gregson, Bobbi Frels, Rachel Hailey (Not shown: Shannon Wilson, Marie Pierre Pappalardo)
Need a new look for Fall? Let us help you love your hair! in the Lakeway Commons shopping Center
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aesthetic center and wellness spa Located in the Oak Grove Plaza, across from Sears 1603 RR 620 N, Lakeway, TX 78734
512.730.3988
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38 Waterways | Fall 2012
Did you know rates are at all time lows even if you refinanced 18 to 24 mos. ago. In some cases it’s possible to reduce your rate again with Zero closing costs.
For a free consultation call LANE THOMPSON your Lake Area Lender.
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Signature Bridal Salon is central Texas’ premiere full service bridal experience offering the latest in designer wedding gowns, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, formal social wear and bridal accessories. Serving Lakeway,
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The Realty Austin Team: Jen Davis, Co-owners Jonathan and Yvette Boatwright, Lake Travis Office Manager Jolene Weinstein, Brittanie Flegle, Carrie Mechura, Molly McClurg
Michael Reilly of Reilly Realtors, Jonathan Boatwright
Realty Austin Grand Opening STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN | PHOTOS BY JEN DAVIS Pam Longton, Sherry Ellenbogen, Elaine Garner, Kathy Anglin , Joni Langle
T
HE RED CARPET celebrations presented by Realty Austin on the occasion of the opening of a new office in the heart of Lakeway were everything one might expect from a leading luxury brokerage. A luncheon catered by Santa Caterina followed the ribbon cutting by the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce before a large crowd of well-wishers. An evening reception catered by Cho Sushi, exclusively for area Realtors , capped off the day commemorating the addition of Realty Austin’s new home in Lakeway. New, ultra-modern offices located at 620 and Lohman’s Crossing will fulfill the needs of its growing customer base in the community and crown Realty Austin’s strong presence in the region that includes the #2 position in the Lake Travis South market share. It may be a new office, but some of the faces among Realty Austin’s Lake Travis agents will be familiar to old timers in the area. Owners Jonathan and Yvette Boatwright credit Realty Austin’s ability to attract top Realtors to its innovative technologies that not only generate leads but also manage contacts, automate marketing and increase collaboration among agents. Key among these tools is a powerful website that records more than 10,000 visits a day. The brokerage Yvette and Jonathan established in 2004 has experienced steady growth and now has three offices, 135 full-time agents and 15 support staff. ®
®
Yvette Boatwright
Nina Grossman, Jenny Cokins
Gene Arant, Todd Grossman
Great crowd
Bob Stubb, LTCC Chairman of the Board, Lakeway Mayor David DeOme, Owners Jonathan and Yvette Boatwright, Office Manager Jolene Weinstein, Agent Sherry Ellenbogen, LTCC Chairman of the Board Elect, Steve Zbranek
40 Waterways | Fall 2012
Presenting The 3rd Annual
Dancing With The Stars! A Gala Fundraiser for the Lake Travis Community Library
Sunday, October 7, 2012 Starlight Terrace at The OASIS on Lake Travis 6pm - 10 pm
Dottie Stevenson & Mike Topel, 2011 Grand Champions
joe connors
c o m m e r c i a l r e a l e s tat e t e n a n t a n d l a n d lo r d r e p r e s e n tat i o n b u y i n g a n d s e l l i n g r e p r e s e n tat i o n
512.563.5360
s p e c i a l i z i n g i n l a k e way a n d b e e c av e
Come watch your favorite Lake Travis celebrities as they dance for the Library! For ticket and sponsorship information visit http://www.laketravislibrary.org/gala.htm
GET BACK TO u $28 Shampoo/ Blowdry/Treatment Thurs-Sat from 3–8pm $25 of any service over $50. New clients only
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Cathie Parssinen and John Eagle European’s Jeffrey Kahn and the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne
British Motoring on Hamilton Pool Road STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN PHOTOS BY SHELIA PARODI
I
’VE TAKEN pictures of many of John Eagle European’s legendary nameplates since the dealership opened in 2010 but I’ve never actually driven one. So when Sonny Morgan called me up and offered me the chance to drive the Bentley Mulsanne, I was nearly paralyzed with excitement! JEE’s Jeffrey Kahn made arrangements for a trucking service to deliver the car to the home of Bill and Sheila Parodi, where we had just wrapped up the cover shoot for this issue. The sumptuous interiors surpassed every expectation, but it was sitting in the driver’s seat as Jeffrey and I headed out on Hamilton Pool Road that I found so intoxicating. Critical performance information about the Bentley Mulsanne, compiled by drivers at Road and Track and Car and Driver magazines over the last three years, has been overwhelming positive, if not raving with enthusiasm. According to both journals, the car cruises along in virtual silence. According to Car and Driver, the absence of noise from the motor is absolute until the twin-turbocharged V-8 kicks into action. It then responds with what Road and Track called “a torrent of torque” and a serious growl that signifies some impressive get up and go. According to Car and Driver, the Mulsanne’s 752 pound feet of torque puts a heavy duty truck to shame. With an 8-speed transmission, the turbo V-8 can propel the hefty car as if it’s a sports sedan. The Bentley claim of 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds went unchallenged, an amazing feat for such a large car. I, however, did not test that feature out for myself! We are only half way through 2012, and John Eagle European has already sold four Mulsannes here in Austin. Call Jeffrey at 512.413.7533 if you’d like to be number five!
42 Waterways | Fall 2012
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Tammi Land, Rene Bennani, Dr. Ryan Smith, Spa Manager Amy Blalock, Erin Falcone, R.N., Medical Director, Evelyn Ding, M.D.
Evo Aesthetic Center and Wellness Spa STORY BY CATHIE PARSSINEN | PHOTOS BY SHELIA PARODI
W
The Hydrotherapy Spa Capsule
ITH THE grand opening of Evo in early summer, Dr. Ryan Smith, owner of 620 Chiropractic and Wellness Center at Oak Grove Plaza, has expanded the scope of services he offers with addition of a stateof-the-art aesthetic center and wellness spa. The approach to care will incorporate a variety of integrative treatments across a broad spectrum of complementary therapies. A comprehensive list of body Visia™ System for multi-spectral imaging therapies, including massage and acupressure treatments, join a menu of skin services that include facials, chemical exfoliations, laser treatments, injectables, waxing and bronzing. These, in turn, are supplemented by weight loss programs and nutritional counseling with an emphasis on balanced wellness. Evo offers some of the most innovative technologies in spa treatments, such as the Visia™ System that uses multi-spectral imaging to capture a unique, multi-dimensional portrait of the skin’s condition, both topically and subsurface. This analysis allows skin specialists to design a program of treatment for rejuvenation that is client specific. The hydrotherapy spa capsule allows clients to experience a fragrant aroma steam bath or a steam shower sauna. The sauna increases circulation and detoxifies, opens pores and contributes to weight loss. Featured here, guests enjoy a tour at Evo’s Grand Opening. For more information visit www.evoaustin.com or call 512.730.3988
R.N. Erin Falcone discusses treatment options with guest
44 Waterways | Fall 2012
DI
The Ruins of Us
Debut novel of Lake Travis High School graduate Keija Parssinen PUBLISHED THIS YEAR IN THE U.S. BY HARPER PERENNIAL AND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY FABER AND FABER
“The Ruins of Us is an arresting story of family and country. Parssinen’s characters are richly conceived, and her evocative petrol universe of wealth, privilege, and intrigue is unforgettable. Powerful storytelling that is refreshing and entertaining.” —Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead “While she portrays the physical and social landscapes with the precision of an impassioned expat, Parssinen also limns—with a wisdom that belies her age—the culture-transcending contours of the human heart. —National Geographic Traveler “An intelligent, complex story of interfaith marriage. . . . that balances nailbiting tension with lyrical intent.” —The Guardian “Absorbing. . . . A testament to Parssinen’s literary talent, this woven narrative moves seamlessly, chapter by chapter, as the suspenseful story escalates.” —The Boston Globe AVAILABLE AT BARNES & NOBLE, BOOK PEOPLE AND AMAZON
Galveston: City of Oleanders
The carriage house
STORY BY KEIJA PARSSINEN | PHOTOS BY CATHIE PARSSINEN
F
ORGETTING that it was peak hurricane season for towns along the Gulf of Mexico, I booked a two-week June stay in a carriage house apartment near the historic Kempner Park neighborhood of Galveston Island. I wanted peace and solitude in order to finish the rough draft of a novel I’m working on, and with the exception of a brief tropical storm threat early in the trip, I found both in spades at the cozy carriage house. On the property of a 1920s Craftsman bungalow, the apartment is made private by a lush garden filled with Birds of Paradise, oleander, palm trees, lime trees and hibiscus. In the mornings, I would wake and spend a few hours writing, frequently staring out the window for glimpses of the living world: the green Anole lizard puffing up his bright red throat along the railing of the deck, the locals and tourists coasting by on their one-speed cruisers, the laughing gulls throwing themselves into a strong breeze off the Gulf. In the afternoon, I would drive five minutes to the nearby downtown for lunch at one of the restaurants lining the historic streets—the Sunflower Café, with its delicious migas and gigantic salads with fresh seafood; the Oasis, a natural foods store that doubles as a breakfast and lunch spot and serves excellent smoothies; Mod Coffee and Tea House, where they serve an inexpensive homemade daily special such as pad thai or Historic Galveston
On the Bolivar Ferry from Galveston to Port Bolivar
46 Waterways | Fall 2012
Swampland in Orange, TX
gazpacho. Afterward, I would write a few more hours at one of Mod’s long wooden work tables, this time pausing to watch hipster gallery workers saunter in to flirt with the baristas or businessmen beating the heat in shorts and polo shirts, sipping iced coffee beneath the shady arbor outside. In the evenings after dinner, I would walk the two blocks from the apartment to a quiet stretch of beach north of 38th Street, far from the bustle of the Pleasure Pier amusement park, where I could park my lounge chair at the water’s edge and read until sunset, with nothing but the occasional diving brown pelican or strolling couple to break the peace. Midway through my stay on the island, I took a day trip further east to the bayous and swamplands along the Texas-Louisiana border, where my new novel is set. There, I took a swamp tour out of Orange, ate crawfish étoufée at Al-T’s Cajun restaurant in Winnie, and visited the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur. Among the gators and the lacey pines of the swamps, I felt as if I’d been transported to another world, and so I took copious notes and hundreds of photos to help recall to me the strange and forbidding landscape once I was back on Galveston. The range and quality of the Galveston restaurants surprised and delighted me. In many beach towns, food is mediocre and expensive, giving you a great view but not much else. But both downtown and along the sea wall, the food I enjoyed during my stay was consistently great and reasonably priced. At The Spot, a bustling place a block from my apartment, you can opt for a shrimp po boy and fries at the family-friendly downstairs restaurant, where my mother and I sat undisturbed for hours, talking and watching the water, or you can venture into one of several theme bars on the property, like the open air RumShack, where the drinks are tropical and the tostadas marvelous, the meat perfectly seasoned and topped with queso fresco. For dinner, try The Original Mexican Café, which sits on a corner between blocks of candy-colored Victorian homes. There, you’ll see policemen eating alongside sunburned tourists, and the cheese enchiladas are served with a smoky jalapeno sauce. For a taste of Galveston’s high life, my mother and I treated ourselves to aperitifs at the grand Tremont House Hotel in the Strand Historic District, where a jazz singer serenaded us in the airy and elegant lobby while we sipped our drinks and people-watched. Next, we headed to dinner at Rudy and Paco. Despite the steep prices and lingering recession, the place was packed with stylish couples and groups of friends, lending the restaurant a festive atmosphere as we tried the empanadas mixta appetizer with cilantro cream sauce and the house specialty, Gulf red snapper, which is prepared several different ways, including with creole sauce, with lump crab meat, or with raspberry chipotle sauce. While Galveston retains some of the carnival atmosphere left over from when it was a rowdy haven for gamblers and bootleggers, it has mellowed into a fun, inexpensive getaway for families. And as I discovered, it also has plenty to offer the solitary skeptics in search of waterfront tranquility and a dash of culture.
Pleasure Pier, Galveston
Fall 2012 | Waterways 47
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Shaw Lash in the kitchen at Rick Bayless’ XOCO, in Chicago
Shaw Lash, 1998 Graduate of Lake Travis High School INTERVIEW BY CATHIE PARSSINEN PHOTOS BY PAUL ELLEDGE
Shaw with Diana Kennedy while she was in Chicago last winter promoting her book, Oaxaca al Gusto
48 Waterways | Fall 2012
B
OTH SHAW LASH and her younger brother, Sam, attended LTISD schools from kindergarten through high school, although, to be truthful, Shaw skipped kindergarten and marched straight into first grade without batting an eye. That might have been a harbinger of things to come. Shaw graduated from Lake Travis High School in 1998, and her postgraduate path started out squeaky clean and certainly not atypical. She went to the University of Texas at Austin, majored in American Studies and Spanish, and graduated in 2002. After graduating, she worked for a year with the Texas office of U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett. Her job there coincided with the tumultuous departure from Texas of 50 state Democrats from the Texas House, who retreated to Ardmore, Oklahoma, in an effort to thwart a GOP redistricting plan. She left her job with Doggett’s office to work for The St. David’s Foundation Theo Project, a publicprivate nonprofit that provides dental services to thousands of uninsured children in AISD. It was what she was doing off the job, however, that was building a foundation for radical change. She discovered that she loved to cook!...and she found herself spending every free moment cooking for friends and for family, helping out with weddings and organizing parties. And then Shaw embraced her “wild child.” She quit her job and began a two-year travel odyssey in Central and South America. With surfboard in hand, she traveled through Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica, punctuating her travels south of the border with large chunks of time during winter months snowboarding at Lake Tahoe. “Eventually,” she explained, “I got the travel bug out of my system, but I didn’t want to settle back in Austin quite yet. On a whim, I moved to Mexico, to San Miguel de Allende, a small town in the highlands of Guanajuato with a big international community.” Shaw originally intended to be a mountain bike guide but, with guide jobs few and far between, she shifted her focus again and began to get serious about
food. She started a small food company, The Dinner Goddess, and took bookings for small, private dinner parties, taught cooking classes and guided market tours. She wrote a food column for the local, bilingual newspaper and did some freelance work in Mexico City. She was eventually promoted to managing editor of the newspaper but still maintained her food column and The Dinner Goddess. From this special vantage point, Shaw was presented with the amazing opportunity to work with some of the most renowned Mexican chefs on the planet. Foodies will know their names…Diana Kennedy, Rick Bayless and Roberto Santibanez. How did this happen? Essentially, Shaw became the go-to girl or the “fixer”… the one these illustrious food stars would call whenever they were in the area. For more than 20 years, America’s most renowned master of Mexican cooking has been Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago. Bayless is also the creator of Frontera gourmet foods, cookbook author and television host of Mexico – One Plate at a Time. Diana Kennedy, in her late eighties, is originally from Britain, but she moved to Mexico in 1957 and has been referred to as the Julia Child of Mexico. Since the late 1950’s, she has canvassed Mexico in search of recipes and new dishes. She was acknowledged as a leading expert on authentic Mexican cooking after the publication of her book, The Cuisines of Mexico in 1972. Her latest cookbook, Oaxaca al Gusto, published in 2010, not only provides a wealth of recipes divided up into every geographical region of Oaxaca but also offers anthropological insight into culture and history explored through the state’s food. Oaxaca al Gusto won the James Beard Cookbook of the Year in 2011. The government of Mexico has awarded The Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest decoration awarded to foreigners for service given to Mexico, to both Rick Bayless and Diana Kennedy. Shaw Lash found herself in some heady company! Shaw had worked with Rick Bayless on several projects in Mexico and was asked to move to Chicago to join his team at Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. She began as Frontera’s cook for private events. In 2009, Bayless opened XOCO, his first new project in 22 years, and Shaw was promoted to sous chef for XOCO. After a little over a year in XOCO, she moved to support licensed projects and research. She is now the Research and Development Chef for Bayless’ company, working on books, the TV show and editorial assignments and traveling with him to assist in a variety of projects. “Chicago suits me! It’s chilly, but the restaurant community is very supportive, and my inclusion in the Frontera family has been an incredible learning and growth opportunity for me.” Felicitaciones!
At XOCO, Chicago Rick Bayless with Shaw in Ixtapa for the 1st Annual Istapa Food and Wine Festival in 2011
At XOCO, Chicago
Shaw on a farm visit in Fennville, Michigan in 2011
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Mark Dixon, President, Southwest Region
Rick Findlay and Nona Griesman, Vice-Presidents, Whole Foods Market Southwest Region; Steve Kramer, Store Team Leader, Oklahoma City; Mark Dixon, President, Southwest Region; Wade Taylor, Store Team Leader, Bee Cave; Mari Soto, Prepared Foods Team Leader; Heather Salzgeber, Whole Body Team Leader; Steph Steele, Store Team Leader, Arbor Trails; Jaime Martinez, Meat and Seafood Team Leader; Jason Lowry, Store Team Leader, Parklane, Dallas
Wade Taylor, Store Team Leader, Bee Cave
Breaking Bread at Whole Foods STORY AND PHOTOS BY CATHIE PARSSINEN
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RUM ROLL, PLEASE! Plenty of fanfare Plenty of fanfare accompanied the unveiling of Whole Foods Market at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave in May. A 7:30 am performance by the Lake Travis High School Drum Line preceded a traditional Bread Breaking Ceremony by company and store representatives (in lieu of a ribbon cutting) to celebrate the first opening of the doors to customers. Five local nonprofits (Lake Travis Education Foundation, Friends of the Bee Cave Library, Bee Cave Arts Foundations, KDRP Public Radio and Red Arena) received a portion of proceeds from sales during the first five days following the opening. “We’ve also entered into a long-term partnership with the Bee Cave Library that included not only a donation of historical Bee Cave photos that we’ve had professionally reprinted, but also the potential for future reading days and healthy eating education,” said Rachel Malish, marketing team leader at the Bee Cave Store.
Wade Taylor, Caroline Murphy, Mayor of Bee Cave
Lake Travis HS Drum Line: Peyton White, Rinn Rucker, Skye Hernandez, Angel Acosta, Christian Beard, Parker Alexander, Blake Biehle, Chris Giuffrida, Garrett Rhodes, Morgan Kilgo, Bradley Barrow, Emma Willis, Emmy Coffey
50 Waterways | Fall 2012
Rebecca Scofield, Austin Media and Community Relations; Rachel Malish, Marketing and Community Outreach, Bee Cave
It was in Austin that the development of the Whole Foods juggernaut germinated. Since its establishment in 1980, Whole Foods has become a recognized world leader in the sale of the highest quality natural and organic foods, with more than 310 stores in North America and the United Kingdom and 62,000+ team members. Despite ongoing global expansion, the Bee Cave store is the first brand new store to open in the Austin metro area since 1986. Yet another new store will open at Arbor Trails in June. “Austin is Whole Foods Market’s hometown, and it’s important to us to grow alongside the city. Our guests have told us they’d like to see more stores in their neighborhoods, so we’re working hard to make that happen,” explains Mark Dixon, southwest region president for Whole Foods Market. Without the economies of scale enjoyed by commercial farming, many scientists predict that organic farming will not be able to produce enough food to sustain the enormous growth in the planetary population. The organic movement has nonetheless gained credibility and momentum, especially in affluent communities as the environmental and health consequences of commercial farming have become clearer. Pesticides and nitrates from fertilizers and manure pollute groundwater and penetrate the oceans while, at the same time, commercially grown foods are shown to contain detectable levels of pesticides and antibiotics, with potentially harmful health impacts. So Whole Foods, with its commitment to organic farming and sustainable agriculture, offers its customers food that is healthier and also helps protect the planet because of the way it has been produced. Popular culture’s current love affair with food and its preparation, and with cooking shows and celebrity chefs simply increases interest in the contributions Whole Foods can make to the art of healthy eating, and Lake Travis benefits with Whole Foods now in the neighborhood. Rebecca Scofield, Austin Media and Community Relations
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Paula and Alan Tye
Alicia and Robert Subkay
Gretchen Nearburg
The Run for the Roses STORY AND PHOTOS BY CATHIE PARSSINEN Bob and Jody Berry
Betty Wall, Nancy Clayton, Dottie Stevenson
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OUR LUCKY Lakeway couples watched the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchhill Downs sitting in the catbird’s seat in one of the Owners Boxes. Pictured in the top row of the photo just below are Ron Landry, Ed Anderson, Doug Reid and Bob Ryan. Seated in front of their husbands are Wida Landry, Judi Anderson, Beverly Reid and Cindy Ryan. To the right of Bob Ryan is J. Paul Reddam, the owner of “I’ll Have Another,” the horse that won the Kentucky Derby and two weeks later won the Preakness Stakes. It has been 34 years since a horse won the Triple Crown, and the decision to withdraw “I’ll back: Ron Landry, Ed Anderson, Doug Reid, Bob Have Another” from Ryan; far right: J. Paul Reddam, Owner of winning horse, I’ll Have Another; front: Wida Landry, Judi the Belmont Stakes Anderson, Beverly Reid, Cindy Ryan due to injury was a disappointing blow to a racing world eager to crown another great
Jimmy and Joann Anderson
Sharon and Tim Gilmore
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champion. During their conversations with Reddam, the group learned that, contrary to popular assumptions, the reference in the name “I’ll Have Another” has nothing to do with liquor. It was Reddam’s childhood response whenever his mother passed around a plate of her home-baked cookies! Although they weren’t in the Bluegrass State, a large contingent, dressed to the nines in Derby attire, enjoyed cocktails, a buffet and the race on the large screen at a party at the Lakeway Activity Center. The hat parade rocked the house . . . check out the dudes! Barbara and Ward Beebe, Barbara and Tom Bembrey, Bobbie Calderelli, Julianne and Ken DeBower, Mary Ann Funk, Sharon and Connie January, Cindy and Don Kotrady, Donna and Sanjeev Kumar, Jackie Lloyd, and Sharon and Tom Rogers hosted the fun event.
Nick and Judy Renneker
Mary Ann Funk, Tom Rogers, Ward Beebe, Sharon Rogers, Julianne DeBower, Barbara Beebe, Donna Kumar, Barbara Bembrey, Cindy Kotrady, Sharon January, Don Kotrady
Larry and Jackie Elliott
Ward Beebe, Barbara Bembrey, Donna Kumar, Dottie Stevenson
Dorothy Boddeker, Karen Decker, Janice Armstrong
Dottie Stevenson gets her payoff from bookie Ken DeBower
Jack and Gwen Holcroft
Dee Ann Burns-Farrell, Loyd and Shelley Smith
Judy and Dennis Wallace Donna Kumar, Barbara Bembrey
Leanne and Dennis Dupay
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Bad Boys Rock Austin STORY BY LINDA HOLLAND
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N A PERFORMANCE presented by Dance Institute July 28th, Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance took the stage at Westlake Performing Arts Center. The show consisted of six Bad Boys and one Pretty Girl. The high energy show demonstrated the versatility and talent of these amazing dancers pushing the bounds of dance today Tim Olson with athletic jumps, endless turns and endearing individuality. The BBD show was sexy entertaining and fun! BAD BOYS OF DANCE was founded by dance superstar Rasta Thomas in 2007. BBD debuted at the 75th anniversary season of the world renowned American Dance Festival “Jacob’s Pillow”. Today the company brings their magic to the masses, giving over 150 shows a year and has performed for over 500,000 fans worldwide. The Bad Boys are a hit with every crowd, whether it be dancing on the catwalk at New York Fashion Week for designer Richie Rich or appearing on the famous Swiss TV show “Benissimo”. BBD dancers have performed on Broadway, been in feature films, and have been adored by millions on hit TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars”. In 2010 they performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC with Sir Elton John for a Rainforest charity event also starring Lady Gaga, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and more. They also had the distinct honor of performing at the opening ceremonies of the USA International Ballet Competition. In 2011 they made a special guest performance on FOX TV’s “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” and are currently touring the world with their hit shows “ROCK the Ballet” & “Tap Stars”. The BBD show in Austin was the culmination of Dance Institute’s The Works Dance Convention and So You Think You Can Dance’s National Dance Day. Bad Boys Hall of Famers Michael Keefe and Franco Nieto with BBD Director of Operations Brandon Perry-Russell instructed the DI students five hours daily for the two weeks prior to the show. Seven students from the convention were invited to perform in the BBD show finale, “Bad”. “The kids were so excited to be able to rehearse and share the stage with these phenomenal dancers. What a great experience and opportunity for our local dancers.” For information about Dance Institute’s up coming events and classes, visit Danceinstitute.com. Joey Arrigo
Alexei Geronimo
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6612 Sitio del Rio Blvd. Austin, Texas 78730 512.346.6612 danceinstitute.com
Bad Girls of DI - Reagan, Kelsey, Danielle, Sydney, Ashley, Alexis, & Jessica with Bad Boys Michael, Brandon & Franco
James Boyd
Henry Rivera
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