Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | November 2023

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Lake Travis Westlake Edition VOLUME 14, ISSUE 10 NOV. 18DEC. 18, 2023

Valley View to stay open

Though enrollment numbers at Valley View Elementary have seen a steady decline over the last several years, Eanes ISD has decided to keep the campus open for grades K5.

APRIL KELLEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Eanes ISD focuses on enrollment growth at Valley View Elementary to keep campus open

“Ultimately, what we determined was that the community wanted to stay together, and we felt like the school deserved another opportunity to try to refresh or rebuild its enrollment,” Arnett said.

Superintendent Je Arnett said. EISD will focus on growing the enrollment at the campus over the next four to six years by updating transfer policies and implementing a Spanish immersion program at the campus, Arnett said.

BY APRIL KELLEY

Eanes ISD ocials have decided to keep Valley View Elementary open as a traditional elementary school campus serving grades K-5, despite declin- ing enrollment over the last several years, EISD

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: New equestrian club opens in Spicewood (Page 6)

Government: Weigh in on Lakeway’s parks projects (Page 11)

Education: EISD and LTISD receive nancial ratings (Page 14)

Business: Green Acres creates a Christmas wonderland (Page 29)

Your power is unstoppable.

And with us cheering you on, there’s no limit to where it can take you.

BSWHealth.com/Lakeway

Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2023 Baylor Scott & White Health. 99-AUS-939956 GD

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Zara Flores Kameryn Griesser Sierra Martin Katy McAfee Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson

Lauren Itz General Manager

Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia Joseph Veloz Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace Publisher Travis Baker

April Kelley Editor

Jacqueline Harris Account Executive

Correction: Volume 14, Issue 9 On page 28, we incorrectly did not include a footnote on the map, explaining that the parkland acquisition areas were not exact.

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620

Impacts

LAKE TRAVIS

4 A Wink of Yellow A Wink of Yellow opened in October, offering curated collections of jewelry, fashion and home decor to Austin. • Opened Oct. 4 • www.awinkofyellow.com

2222

Lakeway

620

STEINER RANCH BLVD.

LAKEWAY BLVD.

UNIVERSITY CLUB DR.

Relocations

9 12

BEE CREEK RD.

EMMA LONG PARK

5 Edible Arrangements Local sweet treat artisans Nancy and Marco Rocha reopened their Edible Arrangements shop at a new location in Lakeway. The dessert chain offers specially designed fruit baskets, fruit smoothies, fruit parfaits and decorated doughnuts. • Relocated Sept. 8 6 The Platinum Group The Platinum Group, a residential real estate company, has relocated to Westlake. The owner, Krystle Copulos, said the move was necessary to better serve their clients in the Austin area. • Relocated Oct. 16 • 2500 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 200, Austin • www.compass.com/agents/platinum-group-austin • 107 RR 620 S., Ste. 111, Lakeway • www.ediblearrangements.com Zoltan David The jewelry gallery Zoltan David moved to a new, private atelier in Lake Travis, offering visits by appointment only. David hand-designs every piece alongside his wife, Patti, who shares his talent for goldsmithing. • Relocated Nov. 1 • www.zoltandavid.com

FALCON HEAD BLVD.

COMMONS FORD RANCH

N. CUERNAVACA DR.

360

LANDINGS WAY

421

Bee Cave

LOST CREEK BLVD.

410

BARTON CREEK HABITAT PRESERVE

W E

WILSON HEIGHTS DR.

404

WILLIAM CANNON DR. 13

413

THADDEUS COVE

MOPAC

TERRAVISTA DR.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

comprehensive chiropractic care, advanced soft tissue therapy and personalized rehabilitation programs. • Opened in September • 5004 Bee Creek Road, Ste. 600, Spicewood • www.kinetixatx.com 3 Kokoro Wellness Center The Kokoro Wellness Center opened its first West Lake Hills location, offering a variety of physical therapies and fitness activities. • Opened Aug. 1 • 5656 Bee Caves Road, Bldg. K, Ste. 100, West Lake Hills • www.kokorowestlake.com

Now open

1 The Good Chiropractor House of Healing KenGee Ehrlich, a chiropractor who has gone viral on social media, has opened a new Bee Cave practice, offering chiropractic care, such as adjustments and X-rays, as well as vibroacoustic therapy and trauma- informed healing services. • Opened Nov. 1 • 3500 RR 620 S., Bldg. F, Ste. 300, Bee Cave • https://thegoodchiropractor.mykajabi.com 2 Kinetix Sport + Spine Kinetix Sport + Spine is now open in Spicewood, offering

In the news

7 Moonacre Ranch Moonacre Ranch began as a vacation destination for yurt camping and has now expanded into a women-focused retreat center. The ranch is locally owned by Liz Bradford. • Opened Sept. 23 • 545 Co Rd 421, Spicewood • www.moonacre.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER & APRIL KELLEY

Now open

In the news

8 Corwin Hills Equestrian Club Corwin Hills Equestrian Club, a new horse boarding facility in Spicewood, celebrated its grand opening in October. The facility, owned by Katie Quinlan, Michelle Bassett and Stephanie Palmer, provides a range of services, including horse boarding, training, riding instruction and equine brokerage. Starting in November, they will also offer equine- assisted psychotherapy sessions. • Opened Oct. 1 • 923 CR 413, Spicewood • www.corwinhillsstables.com

11 Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists began offering services in Bee Cave in August. The veterinary hospital offers emergency care, surgery and oncology services for pets seven days a week. • Opened Aug. 21 • 14360 Falcon Head Blvd., Ste. 140, Bee Cave • www.violetcrownvet.com

14 University of Texas Golf Club The University of Texas Golf Club celebrated its 20th anniversary on Nov. 3. The private golf course, owned by Mike A. Myers and Bill Duvall, is the home course for UT men’s and women’s golf teams. • 2200 University Club Drive, Austin • www.utgolfclub.com

9 Pet Wants Pet Wants Austin West, a pet food and supply store owned by Alex and Shawnie Kombogiannis, celebrated

12 Cookie Dough Cowgirl Cookie Dough Cowgirl, owned by Leslie Perkins, celebrated one year of selling handmade treats Sept. 1. The store offers a variety of sweets, including edible raw cookie dough, baked cookies, brownies, gluten-free desserts and coffee beverages.

• 7415 Southwest Parkway, Bldg. 3, Ste. 300, Austin • www.cobaltbluesalon.com

its five-year anniversary Sept. 8. • 1310 RR 620 S., Ste. A7, Lakeway • www.petwantsaustinwest.com

Closings

15 The Wardrobe The Wardrobe, a home goods and apparel store in Bee Cave, permanently closed its doors in August after eight

• 1310 RR 620 S., Ste. A6, Lakeway • www.cookiedoughcowgirl.com

10 Clover and Bloom Counseling Clover and Bloom Counseling will celebrate its first anniversary in November. Owner Elizabeth Kirichenko, a licensed professional counselor, offers convenient telehealth counseling to clients throughout Texas.

years in business. • Closed Aug. 31

13 Cobalt Blue Salon The staff at Cobalt Blue Salon recently celebrated their 20-year anniversary Oct. 6. The salon has offered hair styling, coloring, waxing and makeup services since 2003 under owner Amy Sinclair.

• 3500 RM 620 S., Ste. 300F, Bee Cave • www.facebook.com/thewardrobeatx

• 12600 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.cloverandbloomcounseling.com

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Government

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

Lakeway home day care wins 2-year legal battle with city After an almost two-year struggle, Lakeway resi- dent Bianca King received a home business permit in August to run her day care, Rainbow’s Edge.

Home day care rules: Lakeway vs. The State’s laws While Texas has minimum standards for licensed and registered home child-care businesses, the City of Lakeway is able to further regulate business operations based on the location of the day care and the interests of the neighboring community.

King had previously been denied twice for a permit and filed a lawsuit with the city in 2022, claiming Lakeway’s home business ordinance was unreasonable and violated the state constitution. Later that year, several changes were made to Lakeway’s home business ordinance, including the reduction from 19 to 10 requirements, and the addition of home day care criteria. How we got here King, who is a sole income provider for her two children, established the day care during the pandemic after getting laid off from her job. In January 2021, it was registered with Texas Health and Human Services and later passed a voluntary state inspection that allowed her to care for up to four children in addition to her own. King’s home backs up to the tee box at the eighth hole of the Live Oak Golf Course. In August 2021, she received a notice from the city that her business required a special use permit to continue operation. The notice followed a complaint from three golfers, including former Mayor Joe Bain, according to court documents. “When you walk by, drive by, you can see the kids out playing, which is fine, but there is a noise issue there,” Bain said at King’s first public hearing with the zoning and planning commission. Throughout King’s legal battle with the city, several residents also voiced concerns about parking congestion and property devaluation. “With the original home occupation ordinance, your business had to be completely ‘undetectable.’

State

King’s permit

Substitute caregiver allowed as needed; no limit to days

Substitute caregiver allowed 20 days per year

Up to 12 children allowed, including in-residence children Could operate at any time during the day, including after school care

5 client children allowed in addition to in-residence children

Can only operate Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Drop off and pick up permitted at any protected parking area

Drop off and pick up only allowed on the owners property or their curb

SOURCE: TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION & THE INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

but now she is limited to 20 days per year. The future McClain said the changes made by City Council have made it easier for most home businesses in Lakeway to receive a permit; however, home day cares are now required to get the specifics of their business operations approved with City Council, which can introduce challenges. While King said she still wishes the state and city permits were aligned, she is nonetheless thankful for the work of the City Council. “This was an important first step for the city to help create awareness of the need for neighborhood home day cares and the changing demographics of the city,” King said.

You basically couldn’t have an inventory of goods or sell services,” said Jared McClain, King’s attor- ney with the Institute for Justice. “Lakeway had one of the most restrictive laws that we’ve seen across the country.” What changed? King said she attended 13 public hearings and revised her permit application several times to meet the requirements of the ordinance. On June 20, the city came to a unanimous agreement to give a one-year permit that would allow her to accommodate five “client children,” in addition to her own, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Before, King was allowed to contract a replacement care provider as needed,

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Government

BY KATY MCAFEE

Budget breakdown • 4% cost of living increase for city staff • $200,000 planned for street repairs • New digital ticket writers, body cameras and radios for police officers The budget will raise $361,669 more from property taxes than last year—a 13.96% year- over-year increase. New properties added to the tax roll will add $90,893 to this year’s property tax revenue, officials said. The tax rate increased from $0.1796 per $100 of valuation in FY 2022-23 to $0.1917 per $100 of valuation for FY 2023-24. Rollingwood budget prioritizes staff, roads Rollingwood City Council approved an increased tax rate for fiscal year 2023-24 on Sept. 28.

Weigh in on $28.7M park projects in Lakeway A $28.7 million plan to revamp Lakeway City Park, Lakeway Swim Center and major greenbelts is picking up speed at Lakeway City Council. The projects could appear on a May or Novem- ber bond election. City Council sought feedback from Lakeway residents on the park projects and other city amenities. The survey was open until Nov. 17. What’s next Going forward, Lakeway City Council members say they need to consider how they will mix and match different funding options—including calling a bond election, issuing certificates of obligation, applying for grants, pulling from capital reserves or using hotel occupancy tax—to fund the projects. At a Nov. 6 meeting, Mayor Thomas Kilgore said council will need to prioritize certain projects based on the results of the community survey.

Lakeway park projects

City Park: add activity center, kayak launch, community garden, bike and skate park for kids, basketball court, playscape, new restrooms, and new trails Swim Center: add surf simulator, lazy river, splash pad, obstacle course, shade structures, renovated office and lifeguard spaces, picnic tables, and yard games

Butler/ Rough Hollow Park: add playground

Lakeway Activity Center: add additional tennis courts, pickleball courts and parking spaces

Smith Greenbelt: improve trails, add open lawn space for outdoor exercise, add artwork under Lohmans Crossing Bridge

Hurst Creek Greenbelt: general improvements

North Lakeway Greenbelt: add signage, improve parking, construct boardwalk

SOURCE: CITY OF ROLLINGWOOD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: CITY OF LAKEWAY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Government

Learn about the WTCPUA from general manager Jennifer Riechers The West Travis County Public Utility Agency, or WTCPUA, services Bee Cave, the Lake Pointe Municipal Utility District and northern Hays County. WTCPUA General Manager Jennifer Riechers answered questions via email for Community Impact about water in the region. Responses may have been edited for length and clarity. How is the WTCPUA different from other water utility agencies? The WTCPUA is a nonprofit public utility agency. A public utility agency is set up differently than a municipal utility district, water supply corporation or water control and improvement district. The most important difference is that the WTCPUA does not collect property taxes. Our revenue is solely from our rates.

Who runs the WTCPUA? The WTCPUA was formed by three participating entities: city of Bee Cave, Hays County and West Travis County MUD No. 5—now Lake Pointe MUD. Board members are appointed by their respective member entity and serve four-year terms. Who regulates the WTCPUA? The WTCPUA is regulated by its five-member board of directors. Two representatives are from the city of Bee Cave, one from [Lake Pointe MUD] and two from Hays County. The WTCPUA is also regulated for water and wastewater environmental compliance by the Texas Commission on Environ- mental Quality, or TCEQ, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. How do droughts affect water supply for your customers? The drought affects the water supply because the lack of rainfall causes people to irrigate more, which affects our system’s capacity. We are required to follow the [Lower Colorado River Authority’s] Drought Restriction policies because we are a firm water customer of the LCRA. Firm water customers

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are entities that have a firm commitment of raw water as approved by the LCRA. All WTCPUA water is provided by the LCRA, and we have a commit- ment for that water. The lake levels directly impact the LCRA and their availability of water. How do you reach people if there is a water emergency? Historically, we have used alerts that customers can sign up for on our website. We have recently joined the Voyent Alert to send notifications regarding system outages, boil-water notices and emergency situations. Can you measure the amount of water each individual household or business is using during restrictions? If not, is that planned for the future? We cannot currently monitor individual house- hold usage in real time. Our meters do store usage data for six months, but we have to run individual reports from each meter, which is time consuming. We do plan to install Advanced Meter Infrastructure meters in the future.

WTCPUA service areas The WTCPUA provides water to Bee Cave, the Lake Pointe MUD and northern Hays County.

County line Service area

360

620

2244

Lake Pointe

3238

Bee Cave

290

MOPAC

45 TOLL

Travis County

290

Dripping Springs

Hays County

967

SOURCE: WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Education

EISD earns highest financial rating Eanes ISD received an “A” financial accountability rating, said Chris Scott, EISD chief financial officer, on Oct. 17. The overview The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, measures the quality of a school district’s financial management. The details Eanes failed to get the highest score on Indicator 8 and Indicator 13. • Indicator 8 evaluates if a district has enough short-term assets to cover short- term debt. • Indicator 13 scores a district based on the percentage of the budget that is spent on administration.

Lake Travis ISD receives ‘A’ financial rating Lake Travis ISD received the highest financial accountability rating for 2023, a district official announced at an Oct. 18 board of trustees meeting. What happened The district received 96 out of 100 points from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST. The ratings factor in 20 indicators to measure the district’s expenditures, accuracy of financial information and financial vulnerabilities, according to the Texas Education Agency. • LTISD received perfect scores in all but two categories. • LTISD received an 8 out of 10 for indicators 11 and 13. The details Indicator 11 compares the district’s assets to its long-term debt. A district automatically passes

“We’re not going to reduce our administrators as far as our instructional or general administration just because we are now into a new level.” PAM SANCHEZ, LTISD ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS SERVICES

this indicator if its enrollment grows 7% or more over five years as fast-growth districts incur addi- tional costs; however, LTISD only grew by 5.5%, according to district documents. Indicator 13 measures the percentage of the district’s budget that went toward administration costs based on its average daily attendance, or ADA, of students, Pam Sanchez, LTISD assistant superintendent for business services, said. She said the district staffs based on enrollment, which is higher than its ADA, and that the district’s ADA of 10,187 students this year put it in a new thresh- old of districts with 10,000 or more students.

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Leander ISD to open early childhood center Leander ISD will open its first early childhood center to prekindergarten students in 2025. Two-minute impact The board of trustees voted Oct. 26 to open an early childhood center using $60 million in 2023 bond funds. The board also approved an architec- ture firm to design the center, which will open for the 2025-26 school year. At a Sept. 21 meeting, the district’s Long-Range Planning Committee recommended opening an early childhood center to relieve capacity at ele- mentary schools in the northern part of the district. The center will provide pre-K to 3- and 4-year- olds currently offered at 18 of its elementary cam- puses. The district had over 1,000 pre-K students as of October, LISD Chief Communications Officer Crestina Hardie said. While pre-K enrollment is currently based

Lake Travis ISD shares legislative priorities Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Paul Norton spoke with Community Impact about the district’s legislative priorities. What you need to know Texas lawmakers convened Oct. 9 for a third special session concerning school choice legislation. The voucher-like program would allow parents to use taxpayer dollars to pay for pri- vate school or other educational expenses. The Texas Senate passed a bill Oct. 12 that would create a $500 million ESA program allocating $8,000 per child. LTISD is opposed to ESAs and vouchers because private schools are not held to the same accountability standards, Norton said. If passed, Norton said ESAs could divert money from the district to private schools.

upon eligibility, Hardie said the district may begin offering tuition-based pre-K if the center has capacity. The district may also include its Parents as Teachers program for parents of children ages 5 and under at the center, and it may consider offering additional programs during the design

phase, Hardie said. What they’re saying

“I’m just excited we are putting an emphasis on where learning starts,” board Vice President Anna Smith said.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY KATY MCAFEE

Crashes lead to a truck restriction on Hamilton Pool Road

A portion of Hamilton Pool Road just west of Hamilton Pool Preserve was closed o to regular and commercial trucks with six or more wheels, that are used primarily for the transport of prop- erty or material, due to safety concerns Oct. 16. The section of Hamilton Pool Road restricted from trucks is located approximately half a mile west and almost a quarter of a mile east of the Pedernales River crossing. The area remains open to motor vehicles with less than six wheels. How it happened The long-term closure comes after several signicant crashes and rollovers with trucks and trucks with trailers at the switchback curves near the Pedernales River crossing on Hamilton Pool Road, Travis County ocials said. The crashes caused hourslong lane closures in both directions along the road until the wrecks were cleared. Signs have been posted along Hamilton Pool Road and the roads leading up to it to warn drivers

of the closure. The Transportation and Natural Resources Department informed several digital mapping companies of the closure so they can provide route alternatives for trucks in the area, Travis County ocials said. Why it matters Truck drivers who violate the new policy could get hit with a $150 ne, ocials said, or $200 if the violation results in a collision or accident. Quote of note “The safety of our constituents on Travis County roads will always be a priority for me and my colleagues on the Commissioners Court,” said Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard in a news release. “I am hopeful this new safety measure to restrict truck access will help prevent tragic accidents and improve trac congestion at the same time.”

A section of Hamilton Pool Road has been restricted from trucks due to safety concerns.

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Bee Cave, Shops at the Galleria • FaradaysKitchenStore.com • 512 266-5666

LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION

Real estate

Number of homes sold

October 2022

October 2023

Residential market data

20 14

8 22 36 36 13 10

October home sales and median home prices were mixed in the Lake Travis-Westlake market, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors.

-30%

-23.08%

78669

78735

15 9

-40%

78732

78738

LAKE TRAVIS

3 3

+175%

78733

78746

620

28 44

+57.14%

78734

360

Median home sales price

MOPAC

2022

2023

2022

2023

78669 78732 78738 78735

78733 78746

78734

78669

78735

-15.1%

+44.47%

$829,807

$1,289,408

$977,923

$892,500

Homes sold in Lake Travis-Westlake area by price point

78732

78738

+8.48%

+6.76%

$895,000

$1,023,283

$825,000

$958,500

78733

78746

-60.8%

-37.69%

$695,000

$1,635,562

$1,773,000

$2,625,000

October 2023

$900,000+

78734

-13.35%

$719,200

$830,000

$700,000-$899,999

Average days on market

$500,000-$699,999

+71.7%

+2.56%

+48.33%

+141.94%

+57.89%

+25%

+81.82%

$300,000-$499,999

<$299,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM

78669

78732

78733

78734

78735

78738

78746

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981

BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260

NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse 22308 Hwy. 71, Spicewood www.poodies.net • Nov. 24: Steve Carter & Wheels on Fire, 8 p.m.; Mesquite Beans, 10:30 p.m. • Nov. 25: Luke Daniel, 6 p.m.; Jeska & The Vanity Project, 8 p.m.; Ruby Dice, 10:30 p.m. • Nov. 26: The Alibis, 4 p.m.; Michael Notarthomas, 7:30 p.m. • Nov. 28: The Troubadillos, 5 p.m.; Kim Meeks, 8 p.m. • Nov. 29: Dylan Robichaux, 8 p.m. • Nov. 30: Ryan Lawless, 6 p.m.; TG Express, 8 p.m.

Live music

Hill Country Galleria 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. T-100, Bee Cave www.hillcountrygalleria.com

• Nov. 25: Kaitlin Butts, 6:30 p.m. Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery

101 CR 409, Spicewood www.ironwolfranch.com • Nov. 25: Pauline Reese, 2 p.m. • Dec. 9: Garrett Jay Brown, 2 p.m.; Madam Radar, 7 p.m. • Dec. 16: Denny Herrin, 2 p.m. Patrizi’s 1705 Cuernavaca Drive N., Austin www.patrizis.com

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse 5424 Steiner Ranch Blvd., Austin www.steinersteakhouse.com • Nov. 23: Robert Wagner, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 24: Howlin’ Waters, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 25: The Chandler Trio, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 26: Mike Gonzales, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 27: Anders Drerup, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 28: Jukebox Heroes, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 29: James Parker, 6:30 p.m. • Nov. 30: Robert Wagner, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 1: Howlin’ Waters, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 2: The Chandler Trio, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 3: Mike Gonzales, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 4: Anders Drerup, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 5: Jukebox Heroes, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 6: James Parker, 6:30 p.m.

Lake Travis area residents have a variety of live music events to look forward to for November and December.

COURTESY TREVOR HELT

• Nov. 25: Beth Lee, 7 p.m. • Nov. 30: Bob Rose, 7 p.m. • Dec. 1: Matt Palmer, 7 p.m. • Dec. 2: Katie Cash & Loose Change, 7 p.m. • Dec. 7: Cece Yentzen, 7 p.m. • Dec. 8: Tony Garza, 7 p.m. • Dec. 9: Jane Rundquist & True Blue, 7 p.m. • Dec. 15: Miss Guilty, 7 p.m. • Dec. 16: Ukemi, 7 p.m.

• Dec. 7: Robert Wagner, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 8: Howlin’ Waters, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 9: The Chandler Trio, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 10: Mike Gonzales, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 11: Anders Drerup, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 12: Jukebox Heroes, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 13: James Parker, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 14: Robert Wagner, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 15: Howlin’ Waters, 6:30 p.m. • Dec. 16: The Chandler Trio, 6:30 p.m.

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LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION

From the cover

Eanes ISD focuses on enrollment growth at Valley View Elementary

Two-minute impact

Valley View Elementary enrollment Student enrollment at Valley View Elementary has seen a significant decline in enrollment since the 2017-18 school year.

Enrollment at Valley View Elementary has declined by almost half, with a student population of 279 for the 2023-24 school year, according to district documents. Arnett said one of the reasons for the decline is that the attendance area is not geographically contiguous with where the school is located. He said EISD will make Valley View Elementary the default—or first choice—campus for new transfers. The lack of a Spanish immersion program also contributed to the enrollment decline, Arnett said. David Page, a member of the Spanish Immersion Task Force, said at an Oct. 6 meeting that EISD could be losing out on additional state funding. According to the Texas Education Agency, public school districts receive $308 per student enrolled in a bilingual language program. EISD will add the Spanish immersion program to the campus next school year, Arnett said.

Percentage change over last 10 years: -45%

600

514

508

504

493

483

500

445 445

385

400

302

279

300

200

SOURCE: EANES ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Now through December 31st, save an extra $100 rebate on a new natural gas clothes dryer. That’s an extra $100 back on top of existing rebates, so you could save up to $325 on your new appliance!

For more details, scan the QR code or visit www.texasgasservice.com/ExtraRebates.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY APRIL KELLEY

Eanes ISD elementary campus enrollment

Zooming in

What’s next

Cost per student

Valley View Elementary is the only campus of the six elementary schools in the district facing the issue of low enrollment, Arnett said. The other campuses have student populations for the 2023-24 school year between 500-600 students, according to district documents. Due to fixed facility and operational costs and the low enrollment number at Valley View Elementary, the cost-per-student expenditures are higher than any other campus within the district. The cost-per-student expenditures at Valley View Elementary are $11,862, whereas the next most expensive campus, Eanes Elementary, is $9,099 per student, according to district documents. Valley View Elementary parent Kim Allen said at the Oct. 6 meeting that making these decisions about the campus would benefit everyone. “It feels like we have an opportunity to fix something,” Allen said. “It would be beneficial to everyone, even 70% of voters and taxpayers who don’t have students in the district.”

EISD hopes to grow the campus by about 25% each year and estimates it would take four to six years to double the enrollment. Arnett said EISD is creating a long-range planning committee to discuss long-term solutions for the school that may include options the district had previously discussed. Those options may include: Converting Valley View into a magnet campus, with specialized curricula Converting the campus into an early childhood center

Students enrolled

Capacity

Barton Creek Elementary

536 621

$7,678

Bridge Point Elementary

617 805

$7,983

Cedar Creek Elementary 513

616

$8,835

Eanes Elementary

544 638

$9,099

Forest Trail Elementary 543 Valley View Elementary 279

660

$8,343

Converting the campus into a K-2 school, with grades 3-5 at

Forest Trail Elementary Redrawing elementary attendance boundaries

660

$11, 862

0 200

400

600

800 1,000

SOURCE: EANES ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Events

Holiday Events Guide

2023

• $15 for Kids Dash, $20 for Jingle Bell 5K • 12801 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. C1-110, Bee Cave • www.beecavechamberofcommerce.com Lake Travis Lighted Boat Parade The annual lighted boat parade will start at Crosswater Yacht Club. Nonmembers are welcome to participate.

• Nov. 25, 5-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.hillcountrygalleria.com Community Tree Lighting Participants will witness the annual Westlake Community Tree Lighting and can donate new, unwrapped toys to the Westlake Fire Department.

November

Bee Cave on Ice Bee Cave on Ice’s second year has started with an open-air ice rink at the Hill Country Galleria. The City of Bee Cave also added a “chill zone” this year for friends and family to relax while watching skaters. The ice skating rink also will have lighting in the shape of honeycombs to go along with the city’s new logo. • Nov. 15-Jan. 15 • $15; $10 on Tuesdays for 60-minute sessions (ticket price includes skate rental) • Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.beecavetexas.gov Holiday Tree Lighting at Frontyard Brewing Frontyard Brewing will host a festive holiday celebration full of activities, including ornament making, a tree lighting ceremony and live music. Attendees can also watch “Elf” at 7 p.m. on the lawn. • Nov. 25, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. • Frontyard Brewing, 5414 Bob Wire Road, Spicewood • www.frontyardbrewing.com Small Works Holiday Show The Bee Cave Arts Foundation will host a Small Works Holiday Show this holiday season, featuring a wide variety of art, ornaments, jewelry, cards and more made by local artists. • Nov. 18-Jan. 25, Wed.-Sat. 1-5 p.m. • The Hive at the Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.beecavearts.foundation Light Up the Plaza The Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature live music from Gunnar Latham and country artist Kaitlin Butts, holiday market shopping, ice skating, giveaways and refreshments.

• Dec. 2, 6-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1505 Hurst Creek Road, Lake Travis • www.crosswateryachtclub.com

• Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1500 Solana Blvd., West Lake Hills • www.westlake-tx.org

Westlake Wonderfest Hosted by the Westlake Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature a visit from Santa, student performances, pony rides and more. • Dec. 3, 1-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • West Lake High School, 4100 Westbank Drive, West Lake Hills • www.westlakechamber.com Hotel Viata Christmas Tree Lighting Hotel Viata will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and offer photos with Santa, ornament decorating and a silent auction benefiting Community First Village. • Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 320 S. Capital of Texas Highway, West Lake Hills • www.hotelviata.com Lakeway Garden Club Holiday Member Mixer The mixer will include group discussions about winter gardening, holiday plants and opportunities for volunteering in local garden projects. • Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m.-noon • Free (admission), open to nonmembers • Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Lake Travis • www.lakewaygardenclub.com

December

Holiday Artisan Market Shoppers will enjoy a selection of art, gourmet foods, wellness products and live music performances. • Dec. 1, 4-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • Hill Country Galleria Central Plaza, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave • www.beecaveartisanmarket.com Merry Making Saturday Enjoy fun for the whole family with Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen” at Merry Making Saturday, featuring crafts, storytime and live music. • Dec. 2, 2-4 p.m. • Bee Cave Public Library, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave • https://library.beecavetexas.gov Jingle Bell 5K The 3rd Annual Jingle Bell 5K and Kids Dash will begin with festivities, music and food vendors before the races. • Dec. 2, 7-10 a.m.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED BEE CAVE ON ICE OPEN NOV. 10TH - JAN. 15TH AT HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

Lights On The Lights On event involves the first lighting of the Trail of Lights. Participants can decorate cookies, roast marshmallows, play games, enjoy live music and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. • Dec. 1, 6 p.m. • Free (admission) • Lakeway City Hall Parking Lot, 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway • www.lakeway-tx.gov

Lakeway's Sing Along Family Christmas Show

Holiday Celebration The Lake Travis Community Library will host a holiday celebration that will include crafts, Christmas carols and refreshments as well as a very special guest. • Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. • Free • Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing Road, Austin • www.laketravislibrary.org

Lakeway Sing Along will perform its 23rd annual Christmas show “What Christmas Means to Me” in support of the Green Santa Program, which provides gifts to children in the area. • Dec. 3, 2-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. • Free admission with an unwrapped children’s (under 17) gift donation • Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway • www.lakeway-tx.gov

Grinch Movie Party The Lakeway Activity Center will host a screening of “The Grinch,” complete with a visit from the Grinch. • Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway • www.lakeway-tx.gov

All Catalina Holiday This holiday party is for members of All Catalina Fleet 69 and members of Austin Yacht Club who own or have an interest in Catalina Sailboats.

Polar Bear Plunge Participants can take a brisk ride down the big slide and warm up with hot chocolate and snacks. The Lakeway Polar Bear will make a special appearance. • Dec. 29, 9-10 a.m. • Price for admission TBD • Lakeway Swim Center, 3103 Lakeway Blvd., Lakeway • www.lakeway-tx.gov

• Dec. 10, 6-11 p.m. • Free (admission) • 5906 Beacon Drive, Hudson Bend • www.austinyachtclub.net

PEACE ON EARTH & WELLNESS TO ALL

Lakeway 2300 Lohmans Spur • (512) 894-9649

Valid in-store only at listed location(s). Limit 1 per person. Cannot be combined with other offers. Intended for 18+ only. See store(s) for details.

LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

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