Northwest Austin Impacts — July 2008

Northwest Austin Impacts — July 2008

Friday, 25 July 2008

1. Baked goods

Tiff’s Treats Cookie Delivery service is opening a new store in late summer or early fall at 11011 Research Blvd. Along with lower delivery fees for Northwest Austin customers, the store provides a second location for customers to pick up freshly baked goods. Call 473-2600 or visit www.cookiedelivery.com/austin.

2. Authentic Indian store

Gandhi Bazar Indian Supermarket opened its second location recently on 12809 N. FM 620. Gandhi Bazar sells Indian groceries including rice, beans, dals, spices and drinks. Call 249-7600 or visit www.gandhibazar.com.

3. New ADC location

Austin Diagnostic Clinic Family Practice and Pediatrics Center is opening a new office July 28 at 2400 Cedar Bend Drive. The center will have new offices, exam rooms and treatment areas. Call 901-1111 or visit www.adclinic.com.

4. Save energy

M.T.H. Greenhomes, a company focused on helping properties go “green,” opened recently at 11740 Jollyville Road, Ste. 100. M.T.H. Greenhomes provides audits of residential, commercial and other properties to determine how much energy is used and how it can be stored or generated. Call 284-9045 or visit www.mthgreenhomes.com.

5. It’s a sign

Sign Tech International, 9129 Metric Blvd., recently landed a $1.2 million contract to create the exterior signage for the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. Sign Tech International creates aluminum and neon signs for businesses to achieve brand recognition. Visit www.stisigns.com.

6. A new addition

Country Home Learning Center, 13120 US 183 North, added a third building to its center, which includes a new gymnasium and computer lab. Country Home Learning Center offers full-time day care for infants through kindergarteners and after-school day care with pick up from area schools and summer camp for children from kindergarten age to 13 years old. Call 331-1441 or visit www.countryhomelearningcenter.com.

7. Rail station

The Austin City Council approved an ordinance confirming the location of a Capital Metro commuter rail station at Howard Lane and MoPac. Construction is expected to begin this summer. Capital Metro is working with the City of Austin and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to acquire construction permits, but it remains a possibility this station will not be open when passenger rail service begins this fall. The station will include a Park & Ride with 200 spaces, and a glass canopy is to be constructed. Visit allsystemsgo.capmetro.org.

8. New officers

The Austin-Lakeline Rotary Club announced new club officers for the 2008-09 board of directors. They include Doug DeVine-President, Eric Poppa-Immediate Past President, Sheryl Petiton-President-elect, Danny Davila III-Treasurer, Michael Re-Club Secretary, Bill Perrin-Sergeant at Arms, Tiesa Hollaway-Public Relations, Marilyn Johnson-Club Administration, Duane Johnson-Foundation Chair and Damien Martinez-Fundraising Chair. Lakeline Rotary Club meets weekly Tuesdays 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Texas Land & Cattle, 14010 N. US 183. Call 775-8391.

9. TOBY award

Seton Northwest Health Plaza, 11113 Research Blvd., has won the highest honor given for excellence in building management: the Building Owners and Managers Association International’s The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award in the Medical Office Buildings category. Seton Northwest was the only Texas property to be honored this year by BOMA International as the highest-quality and best-managed medical office building.

10. Underwater fun

Scubaland Adventures, a snorkel, swim and dive gear store, recently opened at 11416 FM 620. Scubaland Adventures offers swim and scuba training and has an on-site travel agency. Visit www.scubaland.com.

11. Closing down

Linens ’n Things has hired DJM Realty to handle the disposition of 120 stores nationwide, including the store at Tech Ridge Crossing at Parmer Lane and IH 35. Linens ’n Things said the decision to file bankruptcy was driven largely by effects of the economic downturn on sales. The store will close at the end of July. Visit www.djmrealty.com or www.lnt.com.

12. Dance lessons

The Austin Conservatory of the Arts opens a new location Aug. 1 at 10700 Anderson Mill Road. The conservatory provides instruction in ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop and musical theater. Call 989-3363 or visit www.austin-conservatory-arts.com.

13. Raceway crossing

Stream Realty Partners LP, Thackeray Partners and Chief Partners are developing Raceway Crossing, a three-part warehouse project on Bratton Lane, west of IH 35. The development will have one 51,200 sq. ft. building and two 99,200 sq. ft. buildings. A former racetrack in the 1970s, the facility will be a million sq. ft. among three buildings. Call 481-3000 or e-mail dblackbird@streamrealty.com.

14. Sports store expansion

Academy Sports and Outdoors is expanding its store on 12250 Research Blvd. Expected completion is December 2008. Call 506-6000 or visit www.academy.com

15. Law firm

Lee & Hayes, PPLC, a Washington-based law firm, is opening a new office at 13809 Research Blvd., Ste. 908. The firm provides counsel to global companies and specializes in software and electronics intellectual property. Call 505-8162 or visit www.leehayes.com.

16. New gym

Planet Fitness is opening its first Austin location at 7950 Research Blvd. Aug. 4. Planet Fitness® strives to promote health in a respectful atmosphere and calls their gym “the Judgment Free Zone.” Call 206-0022 or visit www.planetfitness.com.

17. Kerbey Lane moving

Kerbey Lane Cafe - NorthWest is relocating to 13435 US 183 on Aug. 21. The old location at 12602 Research Blvd. will shut down Aug. 18. Call 258-7757 or visit www.kerbeylanecafe.com.

18. New hair salon

Too Hotties Hair Cuts has a new location at 12809 FM 620. TooHotties specializes in mens’ haircuts and offers complimentary hot cream razor neck shaves and hot towel treatments. A wide-screen plasma tv, pool table and broadband internet are available for customer entertainment at the salon. Call 250-2HOT or visit www.toohotties.com.

19. Open house

Holiday Inn NW/Arboretum, 8901 Business Park Drive, has completed a multi-million-dollar renovation and will host an open house for clients on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 3 to 7 p.m. Call 343-0888 or visit www.hotelaustin.com.

Party rentals

Inflatable outdoor movie screens are available for rental from the recently opened Fun Flicks of Central Texas. Screens range in price from $300 to $700 and in size from 15-28 feet and are available for films, video games and corporate presentations. A projector and outdoor sound system as well as an optional antique popcorn cart are provided. Call 496-8485 or visit www.funflicks.com.

Get creative

The City of Austin Cultural Arts Division is launching a new summer workshop series, “Taking it to the Next Level: Business and Professional Development Workshops for Creatives.” The series runs between July and October and features workshops for all types, including individual artists, nonprofit arts and culture organizations, for-profit creative industries businesses and public art enthusiasts. Call 974-7860 or visit www.cityofaustin.org/redevelopment/cad.htm.

Garden workshops

Green Garden by Design is hosting a two-day training workshop where home-owners can learn how to install and design an Earth-wise landscape. “Design 101,” “Irrigation Planning” and “Rainwater Harvesting” will be taught on Aug. 5 and “Plant Choices,” “Wildlife Habitats” and “Installation Techniques” will be taught Aug. 7. Classes will be at Zilker Botantical Gardens, 2020 Barton Springs Road, from 8:30 a.m. to noon each day. Preregistration of $15 is required, and you must register for both days. Call 974-3032.

Save the earth

Seeking to meet the goal of informing and engaging Austinites in the quest to reduce the carbon footprint of this community, the City of Austin has launched the Austin Climate Protection Plan website. The site is a one-stop resource for information on events and initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and includes ways the public can be involved in climate change efforts. Visit www.coolaustin.org.

Pipe up

In preparation for the World Championships in Scotland, the Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums corps is raising money for its trip through a fund-raiser and performance at Opal Divine’s Penn Field, 3601 S. Congress Ave., on July 19 at 7:30 p.m. Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums is a non-profit educational and cultural organization based in Austin for more than 30 years. It is dedicated to promoting the historically renowned Scottish Highland bagpiping and Scottish-style drumming through its educational component, youth program, traditional performances and competitive status. Visit Silverthistle.org.