Round Rock / Pflugerville Impacts — March 2008

Round Rock / Pflugerville Impacts — March 2008

Written by Staff Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Round Rock

1. Business travelers’ hotel

A new Hyatt Place hotel targeting business travelers will be built at the corner of La Frontera Boulevard and Sundance Parkway. The 132-room hotel is expected to open next spring. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.

Excellent education

Round Rock Independent School District was recently named one of five school districts in Texas to receive the H-E-B Excellence in Education district awards. RRISD receives $5,000 and is eligible to win a $100,000 grand prize when the winner is announced in May. For more information, visit www.roundrockisd.org.

City park program

People and Parks was founded by Sharon Prete, former Parks and Recreation Department director, as a “giving circle” to support the city’s park program. Donations ranging from $10 to $30 are being accepted through Sept. 30. Checks are payable to the Community Foundation, earmarked for People and Parks. For more information, visit www.rrcommunityfoundation.org

2. Girls’ night out

The second annual Dragons and Divas fundraiser benefitting the Clay Madsen Foundation will be held at 620 Café & Bakery, 910 Round Rock Ave., from 5 to 9 p.m. March 20. More than 35 local vendors will offer products and services tailored for women. A silent auction will be held, and free wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is $5. For more information, call Brandy Jones at 577-4272. To make a donation to the Clay Madsen Foundation, visit www.claymadsen.org.

3. Round Rock gets a lick

The Salt Lick, known in Austin for its smoked pork ribs and brisket, will open a new restaurant on the northeast corner of Palm Valley Boulevard and Harrell Parkway this June. Located on a large lot with shady oak trees, the restaurant will be a replica of The Salt Lick’s Driftwood restaurant with a large screened-in patio, wooden picnic tables and a 1,180 sq. ft. building. For more information, call 512-894-3117, e-mail saltlick@saltlickbbq.com or visit www.saltlickbbq.com.

4. Batter up

Round Rock Express will hold a free open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8 at Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd. Season and individual tickets will go on sale, and baseball fans can tour the locker rooms and clubhouse. The event will also hold a “Keep Austin Fed” food drive sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. The first home game is April 11. For more information, call 238-2212 or visit www.roundrockexpress.com.

5. Church expansion

St. William Catholic Church, 620 Round Rock West Drive, broke ground Feb. 24 to add religious education classrooms and administration hall buildings at the site of the new church. For more information, call 255-4473 or visit www.saintwilliams.org.

6. A new dentist in town

Marlene Schiller DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry opened a new office at 2000 Sam Bass Road., Ste. 108. The clinic relocated from Waco to Round Rock in December and offers gentle full-service dental care. For more information, call 341-3200 or visit www.schillerdental.com.

7. Flowers and gifts

Floral Elegance, a new florist offering flower arrangements and treat-filled gift baskets, opened in January at 16420 RM 620, Ste. 103. For more information, call John Barrientes at 671-8844 or e-mail floralelegance@sbcglobal.net.

Carpet cleaning

Steam It, a carpet and tile stain removal company, recently opened a home-based business. For more information, call 797-3509 or visit www.austinsteamit.com.

8. Smart cars

Smart Center Round Rock, a new and used car dealership specializing in economy-sized two-seaters, which consumers can customize and pre-order online, opened in January at Round Rock Plaza, 2132 N. Mays, Ste. 930. The brightly colored micro-compact cars, popular in Europe, get an estimated 41 highway miles per gallon. For more information, call 493-9000 or visit www.smartcenterroundrock.com.

9. Careers in healthcare

Healthcare Career Services, an independently owned nurse’s aid school, recently moved to Creekside Plaza, 900 Round Rock Ave., Ste. 307. The vocational school offers nurse’s aid program certification, morning and night classes, and will soon offer a medication aide program. For more information, call Andy Widrow at 246-6877.

10. Japanese-Asian fusion

Yama Sushi and Grill, a casual dining restaurant specializing in sushi and Japanese cuisines, opened Jan. 21 at 16420 RM 620, Ste. 101. For more information, call 671-4788.

Pflugerville

11. Vet clinic expands

To ensure quality medical care and convenience for pets and their owners, Central Texas Pet Hospital is adding two more exam rooms and separate entrances for dogs and cats. The animal hospital, currently 3,200 sq. ft., is expected to construct an additional 2,800 sq. ft. this spring. The clinic is located at 1200 Pecan St. For more information, call 251-2275 or visit www.ctah.biz.

12. Food drive

To support Immanuel Lutheran Church in its effort to feed those in the area who are in need, Jagged Edge Salon is collecting non-perishable food items until March 31. Those who donate five or more items can enter a raffle to win a Chi Flat Iron or a $20 Dazzle Coffee gift card. Food items can be dropped off at Jagged Edge Salon at 103 N. First St. For more information, call Meredith at 990-8477.

13. Screen printing

S & J Screen Printing, a custom silk screening shop specializing in T-shirts, uniforms and rally towels, recently opened at 1202 FM 685, Ste. C8. For more information, call 565-3964.

14. Greek food, live music and dancing

Greek Pita House, 15803 Windermere Drive, Ste. 204, recently remodeled to create an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere. The restaurant features Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes and live entertainment Saturday evenings. For more information, call 670-1000 or visit www.greekpitahouse.com.

15. Citizen’s Police Academy

The Pflugerville Justice Center, 1611 E. Pfennig, is offering Citizen’s Police Academy courses to provide knowledge of the police department’s policies and practices. Police officers, supervisors, special guests and civilian personnel will conduct 16 classes weekly beginning March 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. The classes are open to all Pflugerville and nearby residents. Participants must be at least 21 years old. For more information, call 670-5510 or e-mail jsmith@cityofpflugerville.com.

16. Machine shop

REF Machining, LLP., a machine shop that services avionic, oil field and technology industries, recently moved to 2201 Patterson Industrial Drive, Ste. 100. The machine shop, which has been in business for 10 years, moved from Austin to its 10,000 sq. ft. Pflugerville location to accommodate its rapid growth and need for more space. For more information, call Terry Bohm at 251-9954 or visit www.refmachining.com.