Nestled under a canopy of mature cedars and live oaks, just past the downtown skyscrapers, on the flat network of pleasant sidewalks and inviting front porches is a favorite Austin neighborhood, Hyde Park. The first self-sufficient Austin suburb, Hyde Park is a place where neighbors unite to celebrate their heritage and to protect the structures and landscape that have played part in the evolution and cultivation of, not only the neighborhood, but also the city of Austin. The community, propelled by ‘movers and shakers,’ is an active group of individuals that are as colorful and unique as the homes they live in. The history of Hyde Park is one that they are proud to share.

Colonel Monroe M. Shipe established Hyde Park as one of Austin’s first suburbs in 1891. Lorre Weildlich, the Local Historic District Chair of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, explained, “Colonel Shipe’s vision for his suburb made Hyde Park what it is today.” The general layout of the homes gives a pedestrian feel that promotes a sense of community. Early on residents could walk to small stores scattered throughout the area such as Avenue B Grocery, Austin’s oldest grocery store, or to the main business district on Guadalupe, which had barbershops, cafes, a drug store, and other shops. Shipe built gravel streets, and a streetcar system that looped around the neighborhood and provided access to downtown Austin (about two miles south). He also donated land for the first church, built a school, and personally paid the teacher’s first years salary to ensure its success. Located on the west boundary of the neighborhood, The State Insane Asylum grounds were often enjoyed by the early dwellers as a place to take long walks, rides in the buggy, or boats on the pond. (It’s a running punch line in the community that its proximity to the neighborhood is no coincidence, usually not discounting their own contribution to the axiom.) By 1910, Hyde Park had become a town of its own, with a distinctive section in the newspaper.

In conjunction with the time of the Hyde Park’s early development, German sculptor, Elisabet Ney, introduced to the area by a powerful friend, former Governor Oran M. Roberts, built her studio, Formosa, on seven acres of land south of Waller Creek in 1892. Today, “The Elisabet Ney Museum is the jewel in the crown of Hyde Park. It is a unique structure that grew out of the unique personality of Elisabet Ney, an artist of international stature. It combines the romantic and the classical, the conventional and the iconoclastic and is recognized on the national, state, and local levels,” Weildlich explained. In 1895, Shipe played part in ensuring another historic fixture of the neighborhood’s success. The Moonlight Tower is one of only 17 left from an original group of 31. Weildlich said, “The towers are intimately connected to the history of Austin: they used electricity from Austin’s first power plant on the Colorado River. The tower in Hyde Park was the first one installed. When the Hyde Park Addition opened in 1891, the electrical generators at the dam were not complete. Hyde Park founder Colonel Monroe Shipe powered the Hyde Park Moonlight Tower with electricity from his own generator. Austin is the only city in the world in which a moonlight tower system still operates.”

If you stroll the walkways along the system of numbered streets and lettered avenues, you will observe the variations in architectural styles and sizes of homes. Weildlich noted, “Because Hyde Park was originally developed for upper-income buyers, it has a number of outstanding Victorians like the Sears-King house and the Badger houses. Because it was later marketed to middle-income buyers, it has blocks of bungalows that evoke the look and feel of the 1920s and ‘30s.” The Colonel Monroe M. Shipe House completed in 1892 is a two-story home that uses a Stick style form, Queen Anne decorations, and a flat concrete roof that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the subdivision he named ‘Shadowlawn.’

With a united front, the community today is dedicated to maintaining the neighborhood Shipe developed. For the past 35 years, the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association has fought for zoning laws, historical landmarks, and restoration and preservation projects. Behind it is a long list of dedicated citizen activists that have ensured its success. One of the more notable acts was in 1969 when Dorothy Ritchers, the unofficial Mayor for Life of Hyde Park, saved the fire station from closure, and a revived spirit in the neighborhood induced a need for the HPNA to organize community efforts. A neighborhood newspaper, The Pecan Press, and monthly association meetings where established. Now the HPNA has over 15 committees dedicated to the various concerns including a Steering Committee and a Development Review Committee. (There is a saying in Hyde Park that whenever you see three or more neighbors standing outside talking—usually in the street or maybe in their cars while passing each other—it constitutes an official neighborhood meeting.)

While the HPNA has had a dominant role in the success of the historic preservation, the acts of the members of the neighborhoods speak for themselves. One by one the houses in the neighborhood are being restored. Despite pressure from developers, the community took out all stops in their quest to preserve a particular house – 311 West 41st Street. According to Wanda Penn, current owner and someone who previously spent 30 years renovating her derelict 1893 Victorian home in the Shadowlawn subdivision, “Due to Austin’s somewhat convoluted zoning and building code structure, the demo permit for the home took on a life of its own. Neighbors soon realized that if the house was to be saved, we would have to put our money where our mouth was. Restore Hyde Park was formed, and a dozen neighbors put up money to purchase and restore the house. I was in charge of the actual day-to-day work and much of the decision-making. It was a blast.” With the project complete, one of the house’s most notable elements is the 100 year old, original, metal shingle roof, and the only one known to remain in Hyde Park.

An overall appreciation for the neighborhood’s historical significance and a sincere desire to get to know, support and respect each other has united this community and motivated their success. Many have influenced and played part in the fabric of the neighborhood, and like their predecessors, they are not only dedicated to preserving their beloved neighborhood, but also to making it a better place. Filled with civic pride, the neighbors of Hyde Park have much to celebrate. The community and friends join together each year for the Fire Station Festival, a Historical Home Tour, Frontera Fest, and varied holiday celebrations to raise funds for and celebrate their efforts. (Don’t forget to check out the 37th Street lights this December!) We feature some of the Hyde Park ‘movers and shakers’ – highlighted above – as well as some of the businesses they frequent – on the following page.

If you haven’t been out to Mueller, the 700-acre city within a city located on the site of Austin’s former airport, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Mueller is taking shape and springing to life with all of the elements that were promised.

A diverse mixed-use community with housing prices ranging from $120,000 to one million plus, upon completion, Mueller will feature 4,600 single-family and multi-family homes. The master plan also includes 140 acres of parks and green space, a hike and bike trail, an elementary school, commuter rail station, and a retail center with a theater. The Dell Children’s Medical Center and the Austin Film Studios anchor the development. Mueller will also soon welcome the Austin Children’s Shelter campus and the Austin Children’s Museum. Forward looking and ultra-green, Mueller seemed the logical spot for the 2009 Parade of Homes.

In case you missed the 2009 Parade, held May 23 to June 7, we thought we would give you, our readers, an insider’s tour of these ultra-green, ultra-urban homes custom built and designed by a group of Austin’s most exclusive home builders, architects, and interior designers. With prices starting at $1 million, the homes ranged from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet and were the first in Central Texas to earn three energy efficiency ratings. Our tour includes the award winners and some editor’s picks. We highlight the features that make each house unique and impressive. We show you the latest trends in architecture, interior design and products that made the 2009 Parade of Homes innovative and inspiring, including: retractable walls and outdoor living rooms; an acoustically perfect media room; spa-like master baths; the most modern kitchens; a rare Concetto countertop created from semi-precious geodes; an in-home refueling station to fill the tank of your energy-efficient natural gas automobile; and waterfalls, meditation spots and open-air sunset balconies with killer downtown views.

Finally we went to the ultimate experts, the builders themselves, with the question: What was the vision for your home featured in the HBA Parade of Homes, and how did you achieve your intentions? Their answers will both surprise and enlighten you taking you inside the home building and design process for conception to completion.

4229 Camacho Street
Marshall Durrett, President
Durrett Interests, LLC

We set out to create a parade home that was both noticeably livable and extremely sustainable, not just a “flash in the pan” for the parade event. Quality of execution and durability of construction were very important in our project programming, providing our homeowner with a functioning building system for years to come. From the very beginning, with site selection, we insisted on a north-facing home site that would allow for the best quality day lighting from the large front windows of the home. Our home site also allowed for the inclusion of a three-kilowatt array of solar panels on the southeast roof plane, which has already offset our electricity usage by 25%. Not only did we achieve the same 5-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building as the other parade homes, but also ours was the only home to be rated for LEED Platinum. From an interior design perspective, the most rewarding feedback we received on our home from parade-goers was constantly and consistently that it “felt like home” or “was very comfortable” right when they walked across our front door threshold. We hope our home proved that contemporary design could still be very inviting, not just minimalist.

4225 Comacho
Alan Muskin, President
The Muskin Company

Our vision was to build a sustainable mid-century modern home that took advantage of our site overlooking 30 acre Lake Park. We accomplished this by using many natural and durable materials, such as polished concrete floors, limestone counters and Douglas-fir ceilings.

Our seamless corner windows frame a beautiful view of Lake Park. A 14′ retractable door opens the family room to our steel trellised yard, bringing the outdoors in. Features of our Northeast facing yard include native landscaping and an herb garden. Our efforts were recognized by the City of Austin’s Green Building Program 5-star rating and Gold Level LEED rating.

Our inspiration for the home in the Parade was to create a warm, inviting, fun atmosphere, that had a modern feel and included the latest technology. Along with Audio Video Designs, we decided to use the automated projection screen with the hidden HD Front Projection System to incorporate that technology into a space that could serve not only as a media room, but also as a multi-purpose space. By containing all of the components for the Media Room, the whole house audio system, and the televisions around the home in the component closet of the Media Room, we were able to eliminate unsightly boxes, cables, and wires typically associated with home theater and television systems. We also installed California Audio Technology in wall speakers in the Media Room, and covered the entire wall with acoustical fabric to complete the totally hidden appearance. By installing the Crestron Control Panels and utilizing the Crestron remote controls, the end user will have access to whatever sources they deem appropriate for their viewing and listening needs throughout the house, as well as the covered patio and the Garden Roof. The Crestron Control panels have the ability to control lighting, window treatments, and HVAC in the Media Room and throughout the home. The garden roof is the most unusual feature included in this home, and I think in the entire Parade of Homes. The inspiration was to utilize rooftop space to create a living, growing garden that would serve as get-away from everyday issues. It not only creates a place for the homeowner to garden in a subdivision that offers little space in the yards below, but also serves as a space to read a book, drink a glass of wine, or gaze at the stars. The rooftop garden eliminates heat transfer from the roof, and acts as an insulator for the garage located below.

4217 Camacho Street
Streetman Homes
Ryan Jackson,
Director of Sales and Marketing

We wanted to build a home that took advantage of the beautiful views available from this home site. That, coupled with the overall “Mueller Concept” of a walkable traditional neighborhood helped our decision to capture those views from outdoor living spaces. There are three outdoor living spaces on the front of the home, one large sitting porch on the first level, one large porch off the owners suite and flex room on the second floor, and a covered open air “Sunset” breezeway on the third floor. The Sunset room features 300-degree views of Mueller Lake Park, the Robert Mueller Airport former control tower and the downtown Austin skyline. In addition to the incredible outdoor living spaces already mentioned, we were able to include a living vegetable garden with a lime tree, tomato plant, and spices. In this space we were also able to include a full cooking island with GE Monogram Grill, sink and mini-fridge. If the views and outdoor cooking weren’t enough, how about bringing the outside in? Our family room combines with a courtyard via 16’ sliding doors. This courtyard features a waterfall cascading from one of two-second floor balconies. The home far exceeded our expectations in terms of design. The Parade of Homes Judges agreed awarding our home with Best Outdoor Living Space and Front Elevation.

4213 Comacho Street
Cool River Custom Homes
Glenn Reynolds, President

Our vision was to create an energy efficient Home that would accomplish 3 additional goals. The first goal was to make the home feel as inviting and warm as possible while providing a layout that was functional for everyday use. We then wanted to create a work at home space separate from the main house which will allow the homeowner to separate their work life from home life without having to commute. Last, but not least, we wanted to create a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces. The front porch has space to accommodate neighborhood street parties and features an outdoor fireplace and tv. An outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining area overlooking a courtyard and fountain off the back of the home. We added additional cedar roll up doors off the courtyard area leading into the garage to accommodate the need for extra covered space when entertaining. This area is good for setting up a pool table, table tennis or foosball. As a bonus we added a guest cottage above the garage which includes a kitchen, bathroom, closet, living area and stackable washer and dryer. With just under 3600 square feet of indoor living space, 1200 square feet of outdoor living space, a detached office, guest cottage, 2 indoor kitchens, an outdoor kitchen and incredible views of downtown from the Master bedroom and balcony, I think we achieved everything we set out to accomplish.

Make sure to check out our issue for a much more extensive photo collection of these awesome homes.

Whether you are going for the Cowboys or the Packers, the Gators or the Sooners, you will probably agree that if you have ever experienced the game in HD, there is no substitute…with the right set, it can be the next best thing to actually being at the game. These televisions bring all the excitement of the game…the sights and sounds of the stadium up close and personal, putting you in the game. It may be a guy thing, but in my world, on game day there is nothing more important than my remote and a big screen with all the action…no matter what the final score.

Get Ready :

January 5 @ 8 p.m. – FOX
Ohio State vs. Texas, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

February 1 @ 6 p.m. – NBC
Super Bowl will be held at Ramond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

January 8 @ 8 p.m. – FOX
Florida vs. Oklahoma, Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla.

Did You Know?
— Super Bowl XLII was the most-watched Super Bowl ever, and the second-most watched broadcast in television history.

—The number one televised event with more viewers was the M*A*S*H finale. Super Bowl XLII had 97.5 million. The M*A*S*H finale had 106 million viewers.

-The Super Bowl will be held on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay, Florida. The NFL distributes approximately 1% of the tickets to fans through an annual Super Bowl random drawing.

-This is the NFL’s only method of distributing tickets to the general public. The NFL does not sell tickets to travel or ticket agents.

Golf, cycling, hiking, boating and waterskiing are popular past times as the area includes the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and Lake Austin as well as three private golf clubs. An easy downtown commute and excellent schools make this area a popular residence for professionals and families with school-aged children.

There is a heavy emphasis on education with strong community involvement and support for the Eanes Independent School District. The district serves approximately 7,100 students in grades K-12 in six elementary schools, two middle schools and Westlake High School. All schools in the district have earned an exemplary rating—the state’s highest academic designation. Westlake High School has been recognized as a United States Blue Ribbon School, having the best AP physics program in the world by the College Board in 2005, and was #37 on Newsweek magazine’s list of the nation’s top schools. There is also a heavy emphasis on sports and extracurricular activities. The chaps have won 26 state titles in nine different sports since opening in 1969. The Westlake football team holds the national record of 72 consecutive district victories, including this year’s district championship win.

Families typically move to the Westlake area for the excellent schools, the welcoming social climate and strong community spirit.

The family of Westlake Chaparrals’ senior kicker, Kolton Lye, have been Westlake residents for 28 years. Making their home at Rob Roy on the Creek, the Lye children—Travis now 25, Whitney, 22, Kolton, 18 and Rogan, 15—have all attended Eanes schools from Forest Trail Elementary through Westridge Middle School and Westlake High School.

Karen and Tom Lye are owners of Touchless carwash systems. Of life in Westlake, Karen says, “As far as living in Westlake, there are so many things we love about it. The schools are what first attracted us to this area but it goes so much further than that. What keeps people here long after their last child has graduated from Westlake High School are the people. Everyone is so supportive of each other. It is truly a caring community.”

Shopping in Westlake is convenient with most shops located in three retail areas—along Bee Caves Road, in Davenport Village and Barton Creek Mall.

One of the latest and most unique shopping hot spots is Sanctuary, the creation of Westlake entrepreneur, Hanna Curran. A former science teacher, Hanna felt the need to express the ‘artsy shopkeeper’ side of her. “I wanted to fill a niche that I thought was missing in Westlake. I had a vision for a shop with unique items for home décor so I set out to buy things that I wanted for myself. Gradually I have responded to the needs and wants of my clients and added gift items, jewelry, some clothing, linens, stationery and cosmetics. I have a lot of independent artisans and jewelry makers, mostly local as well as national lines that you don’t find at other places in Austin. I think of Sanctuary as high-end and luxurious, but I think people are surprised to find many items under $50.”

Curran has recently added a partner, Westlake mom, Jennifer Mazuelos. Mazuelos’ shop, Izzy and Ash, (named for her children), is located within Sanctuary and features unique designs for children from infant to size 12. Special emphasis is on fashion forward clothing for boys and girls in the 7- to 14-year-old age range. “I have lived in Westlake for over 20 years and I love this area. I have been online for three years and my clients have been begging me to have a retail presence. This location is a natural for me.”

Westlake offers a wide variety of dining choices from the bar-b-que of County Line to the upscale Mexican food of Maudie’s Milagro and Las Palomas to Asian favorites the Thai Kitchen, Chinatown and Bistro 88.

After moving to Westlake two years ago, contractor Beth Lesita recognized a need for a neighborhood bar, so she partnered with Reed Clemons (formerly of Mezaluna, Reed’s Supper Club and the Granite Café) to create The Grove. Westlake’s upscale version of Cheers, this wine bar and restaurant quickly became the hot spot to meet after work, a round of golf, a concert at One World Theatre or a girl’s night out.

Owner Beth Lesita says, “From the get-go our goal was to provide a comfortable, casual place to hang-out and experience some first-class wines. Our wine list starts at $5.50 a glass, and featues over 250 bottles with 50 available by the glass and 10 wine flights. We also have a full kitchen with food that complements the wines or vice versa. In any case, we wanted The Grove to be a place where you could come relax and laugh with your friends and loved ones.”

Judging by the menu—pastas, panini, pizza, bruschetta, mussels—and the crowded bar, patio and restaurant, The Grove is set to celebrate mission accomplished after their first year in operation.

Bound by tradition, social ties and schools, Westlake residents have an intense pride in their beautiful natural surroundings. Close in proximity to downtown Austin, Westlake has a small town feel with a big city attitude. Most residents love the area and
say they wouldn’t live in any other part of the city; a sentiment echoed by a long time resident, “Its a few square miles of heaven.”

During his undergraduate tenure at Indiana, Patterson got the opportunity to stage manage a production for the Nashville Opera and he jumped at the chance. His professor, Jim Lucas, retired from the Metropolitan Opera, received a call that the stage manager of the company had passed away and they needed someone in Nashville as soon as possible. Patterson accompanied Lucas to stage the show and along the way met a young conductor, Richard Buckley. As fate would have it, Buckley is now Patterson’s principal conductor for the Austin Lyric Opera. “We always stayed in touch and through the years we worked together in Chicago and Pittsburgh. When the job came open in Austin, Richard contacted me. From him I first learned about the great reputation of ALO and got an idea of the support it has in this city. When I was offered the interview Dana and I talked and I knew that we would be moving to Austin. I was meant to be here.”

Also at Indiana University, as Patterson’s life libretto would unfold, a pretty pianist entered his story. Serving as the accompanist for his voice lessons with baritone Walter Cassel of Metropolitan Opera fame, Dana would provide a distraction for Patterson. “I was so busy looking at her that I never really learned how to sing. We dated all through school and were actually engaged. She was a farm girl from Indiana and didn’t see herself living the life I was planning, moving about pursuing a career in opera so she dumped me.” Patterson’s woebegone heart never forgot the talented pianist and ten years later when he returned to Indianapolis to work on his M.B.A., the pair reconnected and have been happily married since 2001. With daughter Janelle rounding out the family, Kevin and Dana have made their home in north Austin. Dana teaches music at Double File Trail Elementary in the Round Rock System where she incorporates the music and stories of opera into her classes. While a love of all things musical serves as a common bond for Kevin and Dana, “Dana has an opportunity to do something she loves and feels good about. We both believe that music and the arts should be an integral and important part of the curriculum. Yes, science and math are important, but you have to educate the whole child.”

A passion for the art form of opera and the opportunity to educate the community about opera was the deciding factor in Patterson’s decision to make Austin his home. “Dana and I loved Pittsburgh. There I ran both the production and the artistic side. She was teaching and very happy. If this were just another opera company I would have stayed in Pittsburgh. The Austin Lyric Opera allows me to integrate the opera into the community in a way that I am not sure can be done anywhere else in the United States. It is the fabric of this city that makes Austin and the opera company unique.”

I was not interested in becoming the General Director of an opera company where I would go out and raise a ton of money and put on three traditional operas. When I got to Austin I realized that this was an opportunity to integrate the art form into a community whose theme was ‘Keep Austin Weird’ and the people were serious about maintaining that out of the box identity. Beyond the fact that Joe McClain had a reputation for producing varied seasons-adding American operas, original operas and non-traditional staging of the classics, the ALO had also reached into the community through its music school embedded into the company’s mission and the diverse community groups—La Noche de Opera, the Bravo Club, Triangle on Stage. What was interesting to me was the idea that opera should be accessible to anyone regardless of their race, their gender or orientation, their age, their talent level. This opera company is a true reflection of the entire community. Here in Austin I had the opportunity to build a season that was balanced and had something for everyone. The Austin Lyric Opera allows me to integrate the opera into the community in a way that I am not sure can be done anywhere else in the United States. It is the fabric of this city that makes Austin and the opera company unique.”

Patterson has embraced the ‘unique’ character of Austin. In programming this season, he opened with a non-traditional take on Cinderella, setting the familiar story in Hollywood of the 1930’s. Opening on January 31st, father-daughter issues will take center stage in the classic version of Rigoletto followed by The Dialogues of the Carmelites in April. “Mainly opera companies are seen as an elitist art form for well-heeled people. I want everyone to be exposed to this wonderful art form. Rigoletto will appeal to traditional opera fans and I am bringing a wonderful young Russian singer, Lyubov Petrova, to Austin in the role of Gilda. She stole the show last year at the Houston Grand Opera and on January 12th, in conjunction with the Austin Film Society we are screening Kenneth Branagh’s The Magic Flute at the Alamo Draft House South. Lyubov stars as the Queen of the night in the $20 million dollar production and she will attend the screening. The film premiered at the Toronto Film festival in 2006, but has not been distributed in the U.S. Lyubov will attend and speak at the screening. It will be a real treat for Austin audiences.”

Although Austin Audiences are not familiar with the Dialogues of the Carmelites, Patterson believes the opera is particularly relevant for today. “In essence among the gorgeous melodies and beautiful story, the opera asks the question of the audience, ‘What do you believe…do you hold those beliefs so close that you would be willing to die for them?’ It will give the community something to think about and may begin a community dialogue of its own.”

Patterson also participates in KMFA’s Inside the Opera Studio, a radio program with Diane Donavan as host which invites students and opera patrons into a discussion with artists about life as an opera singer. “It is another way to make ALO accessible to Austin. The show airs on the Monday night between the Sunday and Wednesday opera performances. It’s a James Lipton type take on the industry.”

Lest you think Patterson is all work and no play, both Kevin and Dana love to travel and are looking forward to exploring Austin and Texas. Of Austin, Dana said, “I immediately felt welcome here. Everyone is so friendly and nice. They are really helpful and will strike up a conversation. We want to learn everything about Austin and Texas and see what makes Austin so unique even in Texas.” Patterson’s other passions include baseball and running. Having faced a health issue and lost 40 pounds, Patterson runs 20 to 25 miles a week and is training for the half-marathon. He has encouraged the opera staff to join him and most recently his daughter, Janelle joined her dad for her first run in the Keep Austin Weird tradition at the annual Turkey Trot. Patterson is also wild about baseball, looking forward to the Express’ season. “I love baseball. I will watch it anytime and anywhere. To me baseball is America. I took Janelle to see her first opera at 6 months old, but when she was only 3 months old I propped her up on my lap and we watched baseball. She loves to watch with me.”

Baseball may have served as a reference for the Lyric Opera’s twist on this year’s fundraising efforts, The Curveball Campaign, which replaces the traditional ALO Gala (see page 38 in Lifestyle). Keeping with Patterson’s goal of being accessible and responsive to the community he said, “This is a tough economic climate currently. As such we felt strongly that asking our patrons to support a lavish ball at this time was both a poor financial decision and sent the wrong message about what ALO stands for with respect to our mission. Every dollar should be focused on the mission to produce opera of the highest artistic caliber and to provide music education to the Austin community. We are the community’s opera company and we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the money that we receive.”

For an art form noted for twists of fate, resilient and creative characters from all walks of life, Kevin Patterson seems perfectly positioned to lead the Austin Lyric Opera to a new level of accessibility and community participation. Lucky for Austin and for the Austin Lyric Opera in particular, a young man turned down a scholarship to study bassoon and was introduced to the two loves of his life: opera and a young pianist that continues to make his heart sing while supporting his passion. In making Austin their home the couple has embraced all things that make Austin unique. Patterson has approached his new home with the eye and heart of a stage manager, mindful of the twists and turns that provide the quirky setting for the first-class productions he intends to become his signature pieces…a life libretto with a happy ending.
Written by Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
Photos by Andrew Sterling

Aries
March 21 – April 20
Go outside the box and cultivate some new and maybe odd friendships. Volunteer or political work is very satisfying. You may go wild with high hopes. Don’t be erratic. Be innovative.

Taurus
April 21 – May 20
Aim high in your career or create a new one. You usually like to take your time, but surprising events may push you off your duff . Grab the once in a 12 year cycle brass ring! You can star as a team motivator.

Gemini
May 21 – June 21
Get out of Dodge! Travel and interface with other cultures will stimulate your ideals. A new study could broaden your horizons, or you may start teaching some classes of your own. You will be spouting wisdom.

Cancer
June 22 – July 22
Detach from emotional messes. Release your fears and forgive your past. New forms of intimacy will fill the vacuum. Find a community that empowers you.

Leo
July 23 – August 22
Share your life. Revitalize your marriage by reaching for new goals and spicing-up your activities. If you are single, go boldly where no man has gone before. A friend may seem more and more attractive as a mate.

Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Act out of character at work. Ideas that seem bizarre to you could really impress people. Also, break your usual routines and find fun new ways to care for your body.

Libra
September 23 – October 22
This is a great year for flirting and no one does that better than you do! Schedule lots of play and take time for artistic activities. Children can really inspire you.

Scorpio
October 23 – November 22
Go home and move at least 12 objects to a different spot. Re-arranging your space can bring changes of heart and open you to believe that more people care about you than you could imagine.

Sagittarius
November 23 – December 21
Pique your curiosity with new magazines, websites, TV shows and films. A neighbor could become a great networking connection. Your usual great sense of humor will be exaggerated this year, you silver tongue, you.

Capricorn
December 22 – January 20
Reboot and explore new sources of income. Abundance is yours for the taking. Adapt your leadership style to embrace more input from your foot- soldiers.

Aquarius
January 21 – February 19
Enter the race! Your vibration is electrified. You love new alliances. Get out there and save the world. Your ingenuity is amplified.

Pisces
February 20-March 20
Take your compassion into some direct service work. You love the unde-r dog. Go out and mingle with them. You are more clairvoyant than usual. Let go of things that have happened since 1997 and let your imagination soar.

Laura Waldman has been a consulting Astrologer since 1982. She offers clarity, validation, and optimum timing for any aspect of your life process. She offers natal, predictive, relationship, geographic relocation, and spiritual mentoring readings. Access her expertise in times of transition. Learn more at her website: www.LauraWaldmanAstrology.com or call her at 512-291-8299.

The winner will be chosen at random and receive either a Small Paul backpack from Izzy and Ash, located in Austin at 3663 Bee Caves Rd. or a full weekend getaway at the beautiful Robin’s nest on Lake Travis.

With its irresistible combination of stunning lake vistas, evergreen rolling hills, outdoor recreation opportunities and close proximity to Austin’s hot urban center, the Lake Travis area is drawing in people from all over the world to enjoy an incomparable way of life. The area, comprised of the city of Bee Cave, the Village of Briarcliff, the Village of the Hills,the city of Lakeway, Apache Shores, Comanche Trail, Hudson Bend, and Spicewood, offers the best of both worlds: the charm of small town living and access to all the major amenities of urban living.

A huge development boom, fueled by the influx of residents eager to enjoy a hip community among a verdant landscape, has resulted in thousands of new homes and eclectic shopping, dining and outdoor recreation.

Epitomizing this development is the Hill Country Galleria, a 1.3-million-square-foot lifestyle center situated on 152 acres that represents an evolving way of life. With its blend of residential, retail and office space, it seeks to meet and exceed the desires of Austin’s growing metropolis. Best of all, it is doing it in a way that embraces and protects the natural beauty of its surroundings. The parks, outdoor amphitheatres and hike-and-bike trails that surround the development encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the nature pressure cloaked with wildflowers, native trees and rocky streams.

Of course, the chief attraction to the area is beautiful Lake Travis with its countless adventures for outdoor enthusiasts, not to mention some of the prettiest sunsets this side of the Brazos. Offering remarkably clear waters and more than 270 miles of shoreline, Lake Travis is an ideal retreat for boating, windsurfing, scuba diving, camping, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming and sunbathing.

Numerous marinas with covered docks, open slips and boat and trailer storage facilities make the lake a boat owner’s dream, and there are countless rental dealers to add excitement to the day. Whether you are looking for water skis, jet skis, a pontoon boat, or a party boat, Lake Travis vendors will provide all you need!

For more information, please contact the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce at 512.263.5833 or visit www.laketravischamber.com.

How much have costs risen on the college horizon? Consider that in 1997, average tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate student at a private, four-year college was $13,785 and at a public four-year school, a mere $3,111 annually.* Ten years later, the average cost has jumped to $23,712 and $6,185 respectively. These costs do not include what students must pay for room and board, books and transportation to attend school, which easily can run to $10,000 or more annually. The College Board reports that average room and board charges increased $7,280 between 1997-98 and 2007-08, while corresponding grant aid and tax benefits during that same time period rose only $4,940.

Interestingly, there appears to be some regional differences in the cost of higher education. Average tuition and fees at public two- and four-year public institutions in Vermont and New Hampshire, for instance, tend to be much higher than these same fees for schools in California, where the state provides generous financial support to post-secondary schools. The cost of attending private fouryear colleges and universities also varies widely in different parts of the country. However, fluctuations may be more related to the prestige of the school and its faculty as well as the cost of living in the surrounding community, which influences professor salaries.

While the elite private universities may seem too pricey, data shows these schools are more likely to have generous endowments that enable them to help more students through grants and scholarships. Just this fall, Harvard, the pinnacle of the Ivy League, pledged that parents who earn under $40,000 will not be required to pay one cent for their child’s tuition, and also extended significant discounts to parents earning up to $120,000 annually. Few schools will be able to match this offer, but comparable big name schools with equally large endowments may follow suit.

The trends show that while college costs are rising across all institutions, tuition and fees at public four-year colleges appear to be rising at a faster rate. Plus, less money is available from state coffers for grants as education dollars shrink within state budgets. The more affordable route of attending a public university, while still less expensive, is not as affordable as it used to be.

More students are enrolled full time at fouryear institutions compared to ten years ago, creating more competition for admission into coveted schools. At the same time, state and local appropriations per student declined.

On the bright side, a good percentage of students did not pay the full sticker price for their college tuition. Federal and state grants and institutional and private scholarships help to reduce the overall cost of students attending college. Unfortunately, many middle-income families may not qualify for federal Pell grants because of low income thresholds. These same parents may qualify for federally subsidized (or unsubsidized) loans. However, when the cost of financing $20,000 or more per year is factored into the equation — and interest rates for college loans (if you can get one) are steadily inching upward — the cost of college is even more daunting.

If college costs cause you to doubt the value of a college education, think again. The statistics show a very strong correlation between future earning power and the presence of college degree, suggesting that it does matter in the long run. According to the Census Bureau, individuals with a bachelor’s degree will, on average, earn almost twice as much over the course of their lifetime as an individual who only holds a high school degree. ** What the Ivy League and other pricey schools may not tell you is that you may be able to get as much mileage out of a degree from a state university as one from a more expensive private school.

Whether your child is planning to attend college in the near or distant future, it helps to think about your options for footing the bill for tuition, fees, room and board, books and more as far in advance as possible. A financial advisor can help you assess your financial situation and plan for future college expenses. Think about your education goals for your children and start saving now to lessen the financial burden of college down the road.

*Source: Trends in College Pricing, data from Annual Survey of Colleges, The College Board, New York, NY, weighted by full-time undergraduate enrollment.

**Source: The Value of a College Degree, Porter, Kathleen, ERIC Digest.

This column is for informational purposes only. The information may not be suitable for every situation and should not be relied on without the advice of your tax, legal and/or financial advisors. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its financial advisors provide tax or legal advice. Consult with qualified tax and legal advisors about your tax and legal situation. This column was prepared by Ameriprise Financial.

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