June 11, 2009

After a lengthy hearing that spanned two days last week, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig A. Gargotta approved the auction sale of Skywater Over Horseshoe Bay to the lone bidder, SW Ownership LLC. At the May 15 auction, SW Ownership bid $45 million to acquire the 1,600 acre master planned community and golf course development.

The white altar flowers in the Church of Horseshoe Bay marked both the March 6 date when Dianne Moore first met Captain Ken Jones and another March 6 seven years later, when, in a long pale blue dress, the pretty flight attendant married her tall, handsome pilot in a small Lutheran church in Annapolis, Maryland.

The Horseshoe Bay Fire Department and the Air Evac Lifeteam are partnering to co-host a public education and life safety promotion for the citizens of Horseshoe Bay. The purpose of this event is to familiarize residents with the emergency services the agencies provide, offer an opportunity to see a display of emergency equipment, and to promote life safety issues. These events will be held on two days: Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m.

Dr. Larry Canter was given special recognition at the 29th Annual International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) meeting held May 19 through 22 in Accra, Ghana. The IAIA presented Canter with the Rose-Hulman award designated for members who have made major contributions to the field of environmental impact assessment. Canter has taught over 130 courses to federal agencies, local and international organizations and governments.

Through June 5 of last year, Horseshoe Bay had seen five lakefront homes go under contract in the $1,000,000+ range according to the Highland Lakes Association of Realtors’ Multi-Listing Service records. Over the next 2¼ months, by mid-August, the number of such contracts had increased to 15, meaning HSB’s lakefront was on track to have its best year ever, with sales up 114% over the same period during 2007. On the other hand, Austin’s $1,000,000+ market was off 33% over the same period ...

On Friday, May 8, the annual Blue Lake – Deerhaven Ladies Luncheon was hosted at the lovely home of Sandi Becraft in Deerhaven.  The luncheon committee was chaired by Diane Dietert, Sandi Becraft and Gail Neas.  Fifty-three ladies enjoyed the luncheon catered by the Noon Spoon located in Marble Falls. The annual luncheon began about 35 years ago when permanent resident ladies of both subdivisions gathered for informal coffees.  These parties grew in attendance over the years and have now ...

Jordan Cook, the 15 year old grandson of Horseshoe Bay residents Art and Carol Hawkinson, excelled at the UIL state academic finals in Austin on May 26. He placed 4th in Mathematics among all high school students in 2A schools. Jordan received a gold medal in Biology for the second year, a gold medal in Chemistry, and a gold medal in Physics, resulting in a gold medal for Science overall and with 3 team members a gold medal for the school – 5 gold medals in all.

The Masons of Blazing Star Lodge #413 have selected Alice and Ross Johnson to receive the prestigious Community Builder Award for 2009. This award is given to a non-Mason who has exemplified service to mankind, community and church following Masonic principles. Both Alice and Ross have truly been life long Community Builders. The Masons will host a dinner and awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 23 at the Blazing Star Lodge, located at 319 Ave.

After surviving a week of Tennis Boot Camp, they celebrated with a Mexican buffet at the lakeside home of Linda Bonacci on Friday.

Eight year old Hayes Haydon played a 9-hole round of golf with Champions Tour player Tom Jenkins, during last Wednesday’s Charity Pro-Am benefiting the First Tee of Austin during the Triton Financial Classic at the Hills Country Club.

Most of us have passed through Blanco on Highway 281 going to San Antonio and maybe stopped at one of the many service stations that line the highway there. I visited Blanco last week and found the whole town abuzz with preparations for their 5th annual Lavender Festival, June 12 to 14.

Driving directions to Blanco from HSB: Take Highway 2147 east to Hwy. 71. Turn right on Hwy. 281, going south toward San Antonio. Blanco is about 40 miles from Horseshoe Bay. Festival Hours: Friday 3 to 8 Saturday and Sunday 9 to 6 Friday night 6 to 10-Street Dance on the Square www.blancolavenderfestival.com blancochamber.com or 830-833-5101 www.uptownblanco.com/art_center

Summer is almost here. And for many people, summer is synonymous with “vacation.” If you have children or grandchildren, they’re most likely on vacation from school, and if you’ve got the time and motivation, you may take a family vacation over the next few months. But there’s one part of your life that should never go on vacation — and that’s your investment portfolio. How can you keep your investments working for you in all seasons?

Saturday, June 13 Summer movie series begins at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - All movies are free and are shown on a giant outdoor screen.  For more information, call 830/868-7128 or go to www.nps.gov/lyjo. Tuesday, June 16 Trinity Episcopal Church in Marble Falls is hosting a roundtable discussion for small business owners from 9 a.m.