Northwest Austin Impacts — February 2008

Northwest Austin Impacts — February 2008

Written by Staff Thursday, 07 February 2008

1 - Arboretum gets new sushi bar

New Arboretum tenant Kenobi Restaurant and Sushi Bar held its grand opening Jan. 28. Located at the former site of Dan McClusky’s steak house at 10000 Research Blvd., Ste. A, the spot has been transformed into a high-end restaurant with a full bar in the front. For more information, call 241-0119 or visit www.kenobiaustin.com.

2 - Connally moves up

The Pflugerville school district’s Connally High School was elevated from 4A to 5A during the University Interscholastic League’s biennial redistricting in January. This puts Connally into the same 25-5A category as last year’s division II football state championship finalists, Pflugerville High School.

3 - All you can eat

Houston-based Greek chain Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet will open a new restaurant in the former location of La Fiesta at 12636 Research Blvd. The owners do not yet have a firm date on when the restaurant will open, but the buffet will feature the family’s award-winning recipes. For more information, visit www.dimassisbuffet.com.

School Volunteers

Austin Partners in Education is focusing on the expansion of its Study Group Program, which brings volunteers into the classroom to create small learning communities. Trained volunteers lead groups of two to four students in structured activities to help them with reading fluency, reading comprehension or math concepts. For more information on volunteering through Austin Partners in Education, visit www.austinpartners.org.

4 - Ninth Riata Village planned

A multi-family residential area called Clearwater has been proposed on 17 acres of land at 5701-5725 Diehl Trail by Legacy Partners. A maximum of 288 one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments are planned with a 25-foot vegetative buffer along the property line near single-family homes. Legacy Partners is waiting for approval from the city to go ahead with the development.

5 - China House

China House Restaurant is open at 9505 Burnet Road. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday 4-10 p.m. For more information, call 834-0788.

License to drive

Texans voted online for a new general-issue license plate. The winning license plate was “Lone Star Texas” displaying a white lone star in the left-hand corner with wide brushes of red and blue across a Texas sky, with the bottom half of the plate a low-lying mountain range designed by the Texas Department of Transportation. In early 2009, the state will change to a seven-character, alpha-numeric plate pattern. By law, the Texas Transportation Commission must give final approval to the new general-issue plate design.

6 - Nino’s Pizza

Nino’s Pizza, 13776 Research Blvd., Ste. 142, opened Feb. 2 in the Anderson Mill Shopping Center. Nino’s offers thin New York-style pizza and deep dish Sicilian-style pies. For more information, call 432-5997 or visit www.ninosnypizza.com.

7 - Live music

Nuno’s on Sixth, a live music venue, opened a second Nuno’s location at Parmer and MoPac Feb. 15. The venue has an outdoor stage for live music. For more information, call 833-5133.

8 - Award-winning class begins

New to Austin, the five-in-one class ¡StepsCinco! (Speech, Theatre, Etiquette, Poise, Self-esteem) helps kids and teens with self-expression, building confidence and self-esteem and developing courtesy and grace. All ages participate in poetry, speaking, acting, improvising, throwing a tea party and learning social skills. Winter and spring classes are held at 12701 Research Blvd., Ste. 311. For more information, call 386-9844 or visit www.StepsCinco.com

9 - Challenge grant renewed

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has renewed its Challenge Grant for 2008, which matches every new donation and most increased donations dollar-for-dollar. For more information about the Austin United Jewish Community Campaign, contact Liza Levine at 795-9937, ext. 14, liza.levine@shalomaustin.org, or visit www.shalomaustin.org/campaign.

10 - Pub goes green

Opal Divine’s Austin Grill, 12709 N. MoPac, signed up for Austin Energy’s GreenChoice, the nation’s most successful utility-sponsored green power program. Opal’s also switched all to-go packaging to BioMass packaging and is exploring ways to recycle more of their byproducts. For more information, call 733-5353 or visit www.opaldivines.com/green.html.

11 - Specialty store cruises into Gateway

Cruise Holidays of Northwest Austin, a cruise specialty store independently owned and operated by Don and Diana Whiteside, will open March 1 at 9002 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. #220 in the Gateway Shopping Center. Cruise Holidays is the oldest and largest cruise-specialty retail franchise in North America, with stores in both the United States and Canada. Cruise Holidays of Northwest Austin will specialize in personally-planned cruise vacations. For information on Cruise Holidays, call 338-8880.

Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship Entries

Applications are now being accepted for the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship, the annual student scholarship awarded by the Association for Women in Communications Austin. This is the 19th year for the chapter to present the award. This year, AWC Austin will award a $3,500 scholarship to a full-time college sophomore or junior who demonstrates excellence in the study of communications and is attending a university in Central Texas. The scholarship can apply toward the recipient’s tuition, books or other academic needs. The application must be submitted by March 7. Scholarships will be awarded at AWC Austin’s Annual Banner Brunch on May 10. For more information, or to receive an application, contact Julie Garcia at 312-5668 or pastpresident@awicaustin.org.

12 - Home Depot cleared for Target

The old Home Depot location, 10107 Research Blvd. at the corner of Great Hills Trail, has been leveled to make way for Target, which is planned to open in October. Home Depot moved to the Arbor Walk Shopping Center at 10515 MoPac last year.

13 - Quattro Gallery

Quattro Gallery, 12971 Pond Springs Rd., and the Austin Police Department will present an art exhibit of 19 painters, photographers and sculptors, many of whom are police officers and family members. The exhibit will be held on March 1 from 7-10 p.m. and benefits the Greater Austin Crime Commission. For reservations, e-mail David.Sackmary@quattrogallery.com.

14 - St. David’s adds care

St. David’s North Austin Medical Center has a new helipad, allowing St. David’s to provide better medical assistance. St. David’s is also adding a 377,000 sq. ft. women’s facility, scheduled to open in April 2009.