By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

While Austin is often referred to as “the blue dot in the sea of red,” that trend may be changing somewhat, especially in certain areas of the city such as Four Points.

“Northwest Austin has always been a more conservative portion of Travis County,” said James Dickey, chairman of the Travis County Republican Party. “It’s part of why the 10-1 panel created District 6 the way that it did — so this area could have a voice that represented the previously unrepresented conservative viewpoint on the city council.”

Voters in District 6, which includes much of the Four Points area, elected conservative Don Zimmerman to the Austin City Council in November. Zimmerman received 51.21 percent of the votes over runner-up Jimmy Flannigan who took 48.79 percent of the votes. Continue reading →

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Texas Department of Transportation has begun construction at RM 2222 and McNeil Drive in an effort to ease heavy traffic congestion at the intersection.

“The $1.17-million project will lengthen the right-turn lane from westbound RM 2222 and create a dual left-turn lane from eastbound RM 2222 to help facilitate the flow of traffic through this area,” said Kelli Reyna, TxDOT spokesperson for the Austin District.

Work began recently on the new left-turn lanes at the intersection of RM 2222 and McNeil Drive. The first step has been to tear out a center divider on McNeil in order to construct dual left-turn lanes from McNeil to 2222.
Photo by Sarah Doolittle

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Lake Travis up to 671 feet above mean sea level and 85 percent full as of this week. The cooler, wetter weather has been part of a larger weather pattern called El Nino, which Central Texas is expected to be a part of through the end of the year, according to Bob Rose, chief meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority. He shared this message in May at the Four Points Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Rose said we are in an El Nino weather pattern, which typically brings more rain and cooler temperatures.

“We are in a wet pattern now,” Rose said. May, for example, was one of the top five wettest on record.

Bob Rose says expect a cooler, wetter forecast with El Nino. He is the chief meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority. Photo by Suzanne Covert

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By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Beth Webster loves stories about people who have the passion to make their dreams come true, and now she has a similar tale of her own.

On her 60th birthday last year, the River Place resident realized it was time to unabashedly pursue a long-held dream of having one of her written works produced. And so, it happened.

Webster’s play, “The King of Texas,” was staged as part of Austin’s Frontera Fest this year.

An Austin American Statesman reviewer said, “Webster wants us to get to know Sam Houston in a way that reading about him just can’t accomplish…. The King of Texas offers a charming glimpse into the character of a Texas legend.”

River Place playwright Beth Webster wrote “The King of Texas” and it was staged as part of Austin’s Frontera Fest earlier this year. After the performance, Ken Webster (director), Webster, Ken Bradley (Sam Houston) and Zac Thomas (Alphonse) gathered at an after party.

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By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

RedFin Seafood Kitchen opened Memorial Day weekend and is already averaging 225 customers a night, said Bill Rasch, co-owner with business partner Mike McCollum, of the new restaurant.

Located on RM 620 in The Trails at 620 shopping center, RedFin offers a menu featuring foods from the sea and land. “Asking which is your favorite dish is like asking who of your children is your favorite,” said Cameron Kalka, general manager.

Rasch and McCollum, both residents of Steiner Ranch, began talking about opening a restaurant four years ago. They eventually teamed up with Chef Mario Rodriguez, previously with the W Hotel in downtown Austin, and Kalka, former GM of Shady Grove and Guero’s, to open RedFin.

Cameron Kalka (left), general manager, and Mario Rodriguez, chef, run day-to-day operations at RedFin Seafood Kitchen in The Trails at 620 shopping center on RM 620 in Four Points. The restaurant offers meals from land and sea for lunch or dinner.

“So far, it has been awesome,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve opened several restaurants. I opened the W with an ‘army’. We have a lot less staff here, but I think we’ve done great. We’ve done a great job of adapting too. We’ve listened to comments from customers and already made adjustments.”

“We’re all excited, passionate, about what we’re doing here. I’ve never felt more sure and better about what we serve than I do here,” said Kalka. Continue reading →