News
2009 Austin Boat Show Set for Jan. 15-18 at Austin Convention Center
November 20, 2008
The 2009 Austin Boat Show is set to return to the Austin Convention Center on January 15-18, featuring over 600 different types of watercraft spanning 250,000 sq. ft.
Set in the heart of the annual boat-buying season, will include cruisers, sailboats, fishing boats, wakeboard boats, ski boats, runabouts and personal watercraft. More than 10,000 visitors are expected to this year's event, which will include Boater Education Classes and more activities than ever before specifically for children.
The cost of admission is $8 for adults, $4 for seniors (65+) and children ages 7-12, and free for children under age 7.
The dates of the event include:
Thursday, Jan. 15 - 12 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 - 12 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 - 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18 - 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
With more square miles of inland water than any other state, Texas currently ranks sixth in the U.S. for the most registered boats. As of September 2008, there were 594,698 registered boat owners in Texas, ranking behind only California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
For more information on the 2009 Austin Boat Show, visit www.AustinBoatShow.com.
Haythem Dawlett & Legend Communities Contribute Office Space and Funds to Operation Green Santa
November 03, 2008
Developer Haythem Dawlett of Lakeway-based Legend Communities has long supported the mission of the Green Santa non-profit organization in helping ensure that less privileged children in the Lake Travis area receive gifts and food for the holiday season. This year, Dawlett's involvement will include the contribution of office space as well as additional funding to ensure that more youth than ever before are positively impacted by the group?s worthy mission.
Green Santa, sponsored by the Hudson Bend Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, will receive over 3,700 square feet of office and common area space in Dawlett?s Grant Building at 2101 Lakeway Blvd. at no charge. The space will serve as headquarters for this year's Operation Green Santa program, where volunteers will receive and package gifts and food contributions that are donated by individuals and businesses at various food drives and fundraising events in the community.
Additionally, Green Santa has received a $1,000 contribution from Rough Hollow Lakeway, the lakefront community and yacht club on the south shores of Lake Travis being developed by Dawlett. The funds will be used to purchase gift cards for the parents and beneficiaries that received the gift and food baskets.
"The work of Green Santa holds a special place in my heart, and I am greatly appreciative for the organization?s continued commitment to the youth of Lake Travis," said Dawlett. "This contribution is our way of expressing appreciation to the organization and giving its director, Jeanne Jarvis, the greatest support possible toward her group?s charitable endeavors."
EnCana Donates Funds to Red River Communications District for Emergency Response System
October 27, 2008
The Red River Communications District, which is currently developing a comprehensive E-911 emergency response system for the growing Louisiana parish, recently received funding from EnCana Oil & Gas USA that will help increase efficiency by first responders in managing emergency situations.
The $7,500 grant from EnCana, a leading North American natural gas company with offices in Coushatta, will go toward the purchase of 225 new reflective road signs to be placed at intersections throughout the parish, as well as a new high performance printers for each of the Red River-area fire stations and ambulance stations.
The goal of these tools is to help first responders reach the site of emergencies as quickly as possible with accurate coordinates and street indicators, while also having access to hard copies of all details relating to the 911 call before arrival.
"The progress that has been made thus far by Red River Communications District is commendable, and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the development of this new emergency response system for the parish," said Ron Stark, Group Lead, Louisiana Field Operations for EnCana?s Mid-Continent Business Unit.
Attending the check presentation were Stefanie Scruggs of EnCana, Daniel Simpson of the Communications District and Red River Sheriff Johnny Ray Norman.
Eric Carter & Melissa Buhl Win Jeep 48STRAIGHT Season Championships in Cali.
October 25, 2008
The men's Championship Heat of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT Mountain Bike Series grand finale in San Luis Obispo, Calif., featured two of the most acclaimed racers in the history of the sport - Eric Carter of Temecula and Brian Lopes of Laguna Beach - with over 60 years of experience between them. Lopes, with four World Championships and nine National Championships ended up outlasting his friend and rival to win the individual event title, but Carter, with a World Championship, two National Championships and over 30 career victories under his belt, earned the season championship based on this race and previous stops in New Jersey and Utah.
In what was labeled one of the deepest fields in the history of Jeep mountain bike racing, Carter would need every ounce of experience accrued during his career to maneuver through a bracket loaded with the world's top-ranked riders. And as one of the longest tenured Jeep racers, having competed in just about every race over the past six years, Carter knew it would take clean runs, some good breaks and the ability to avoid injury to capture the prize that had eluded him for so long.
In the women's competition, Chandler, Ariz.'s Melissa Buhl put an exclamation point on a brilliant Jeep season that saw her finish second in New Jersey and first in Utah, not to mention earning the U.S. National Championship and the World Championship. Her second place finish in San Luis Obispo earned her the season championship, and further solidified her standing as one of the most dominant racers in the sport.
The final San Luis Obispo podium standings include:
Men
1. Brian Lopes - Laguna Beach, Calif.
2. Eric Carter - Temecula, Calif.
3. Greg Minnaar - South Africa
Women
1. Fionn Griffiths - Great Britain
2. Melissa Buhl - Chandler, Ariz.
3. Kathy Pruitt - Santa Cruz, Calif.
The Jeep 48STRAIGHT event from San Luis Obispo will air on CBS Sports on November 1.
Lake Travis In-the-Water Boat Show at Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina Results in Favorable Sales and Attendance
October 07, 2008
For boat dealers, homebuilders and outdoor enthusiasts alike, the Lake Travis In-the-Water Boat Show held last weekend at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina at the exclusive Rough Hollow Lakeway waterfront community was a tremendous success.
The annual three-day event hosted by the Austin Boat Show marks the traditional end of the boating season and the beginning of the boat-buying season for watercraft owners and dealers alike. This year's In-the-Water Boat Show included over 55 of the top sailboats, sport and motor yachts, cruisers, runabouts, wakeboard boats and other performance boats from Central Texas' most acclaimed boat dealers. An additional feature for event-goers was live music by Paula Nelson, AJ Vallejo and Zack Baker.
Attendance at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club & Marina topped 4,000 guests, thus surpassing last year's totals, and boat dealers have reported over $5 million in sales thus far, including several of the largest cruisers on display.
In addition, many guests expressed interest in the stunning homes throughout the Rough Hollow Lakeway community, developed by Haythem Dawlett of Legend Communities and Crescent Communities of Texas. The 1,787-acre lakefront community features five actively selling neighborhoods including custom home sites, luxury villas and homes from the $300's to over $3 million. In addition to the Yacht Club & Marina, residents take advantage of numerous nearby recreational venues including championship golf, tennis, hiking and biking trails and scuba diving.
EnCana Contributes Funds for Red River Livestock Show in Louisiana
September 29, 2008
The Red River Livestock Show will soon get underway on Sept. 30, with hundreds of 4-H and FFA students from Red River and other parishes across Louisiana presenting numerous species of livestock to earn awards and funds toward their college education.
Organizers of the event received a welcomed surprise recently when EnCana Oil & Gas USA, a leading North American natural gas and oil company with offices in Coushatta, contributed $6,000 to the Red River Livestock Supporters Club to help offset event costs.
"The success of the Red River Livestock Show each year can be credited to the time, hard work and dedication of our show exhibitors, volunteer leaders and sponsors," said Nancy Nettles, Treasurer of the Red River Livestock Supporters Club. "EnCana's involvement will allow us to focus our funds on what?s most important ? awarding scholarships to our graduating seniors."
EnCana's contribution will pay for premiums, champion's awards, judging, ribbons and rosettes in each of the Livestock Auction?s beef, chicken, dairy, goat, horse, pig, rabbit and sheep categories.
This is the 77th year that the Red River Livestock Show has taken place. In addition to local and parish-wide exhibitors, the event has drawn visitors from up to 30 parishes in Louisiana and four surrounding states. For the past eight years, the Red River Livestock Supporters Club has awarded scholarships to area graduating seniors in addition to the recognition earned at the year-round events. The organization anticipates awarding four new scholarships in spring 2009.
Fuddruckers Recognizes Franchise Owners with National Awards at Annual Conference
September 26, 2008
Austin, Texas-based Fuddruckers, known for its "World's Greatest Hamburgers" since 1980, announced today the recipients of its National Franchise Achievement of the Year awards. The awards recognize Fuddruckers franchise owners for a number of esteemed achievements including impeccable customer service, community involvement, record sales, and team leadership.
The National Franchise Achievement of the Year awards were presented to the franchise owners during Fuddruckers' annual franchise conference, which was held this year at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. The recipients represented franchises throughout North America, including the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
The breakout of the award winners includes:
Franchise Owner of the Year
Marcelo and Berny Montalvan - Florida
Founders Award
George and Rebecca Almeida - California, Idaho and Oregon
Franchise Partner Rookie of the Year
Kevin and Lisa Bidlack - California (Modesto)
Back to the Future Award
Dave Futrell and Ernest Crawford - Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth)
Top 10 Sales Award
Marcelo and Berny Montalvan - Florida
Foxwoods Group - Connecticut
Peter Golf - Canada
Jeff and Audrey Fleming - New Mexico
Ralph and Lauren Flannery - Minnesota
Dave Futrell and Ernest Crawford - Texas
Jim Boland - Massachusetts
George and Rebecca Almeida - California
Carlos Olivera - Florida
Kevin and Cindy Cummings - New Mexico
