By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Having been a patient of the medical aesthetic industry herself, Dr. Claudia Legere, a family practice physician in Four Points, says she began to realize there was a need for care that could be done in-home and could accommodate busy schedules.

Local family doctor, Claudia Legere, starts her own practice in the aesthetics industry called Door to Door Med Spa. The Long Canyon, mother of two, wanted to make treatments easier so she makes house calls.

The aesthetics industry, which includes anti-aging treatments, has continued to grow in popularity. As the mom of two young children, Legere said it was hard to find the time to schedule appointments, and she didn’t like having to wait in the doctor’s office before and after treatments.

Because of this, Legere decided to start her own business, Door to Door Med Spa, which opened in June. Prior to opening her business, Legere worked as a family practice physician at Steiner Ranch Primary Care for five years.

Door to Door Med Spa offers a variety of anti-aging treatments as well as acne treatments, spider vein removal and weight loss assistance, all in the comfort of the patient’s home and with the flexibility to work around busy schedules.

“I thought this would be a novel approach to providing something patients would like to have but to provide it in their own home,” Legere said. Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Local medical professionals say they are seeing an increase in the number of concussion injuries in both high school and middle school-aged students.

Stephanie Keiningham, concussion coordinator for Texas Family Physicians in Four Points, said there are several reasons for the increase in the number of cases. While more and more is being understood about concussions and more cases are being reported, she said it’s also due to the increase in popularity of club sports among younger athletes and the increasing intensity of sports for older students.

“As their level of activity has increased, we are seeing more incidents of concussion,” Keiningham said.  “Our kids are bigger and stronger and hit harder and play harder. The intensity of activity has increased.”

credit: Gaylord Specialty Healthcare

Cases

While the majority of concussions she sees are from football, she also sees a high number of cases from sports such as soccer and cheerleading. She said she is seeing an increase in concussions among younger athletes.

“A lot of studies are saying that the 10-14 ages are having the harder time recovering,” she said. “Their brain is still developing so it takes longer for them to recover.”

A concussion occurs when the head is jostled or receives a direct blow, causing the brain to shift inside the skull. Keiningham said so much more is known today about concussions than when she first started in the field 20 years ago.

Despite the risks, she said she never discourages parents from getting their kids involved in athletics.

“I love athletics,” she said. “I believe these sports teach our kids so much. I don’t ever think you should withhold from sports because of the possibility (of injury).” Continue reading →

River Place Country Club is upgrading its golf course with $750,000 worth of new greens and bunker improvements, this on the heels of a $2 million clubhouse renovation which included the new 19th Hole bar.

“We are ecstatic about the response from the community and our members to our recent clubhouse renovations. It is the enthusiasm and support of our members which enabled us to make the commitment to this upgrade to our golf course,” said Steven Held, CEO and president of the Dominion Golf Group, owners and operators of RPCC.

Austin’s own Tom Kite, current Champions Tour professional and World Golf Hall of Fame member, designed the course with help from renown local golf course architect, Roy Bechtol. Both Kite and Bechtol recently visited the course and have been consulted on upcoming improvements.

“Having new greens and bunkers to complement the great conditions of our fairways, and our fun, scenic layout, will help make River Place the club that Tom Kite and Roy Bechtol always envisioned,” Held said.

RPCC is replacing the turf on all 20 greens including 18 on-course greens and two practice greens, with the ultra-dwarf hybrid, TifEagle. It will also expand the size of each green.

Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

A local preschool teacher and River Place resident has published her first book, entitled “Marshmallows Ain’t Got No Feet,” a collection of funny and heartwarming stories from the young kids she has taught over the years.

Author Allison Gaskins, 45, has taught preschool for the last 12 years at First Foundations Preschool in Austin. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten in Georgia and North Carolina.

“I enjoy working with very little children,” Gaskins said. “Every day is an adventure at that age.”

Gaskins comes from a long line of educators, including both her mother and father. Her mother helped motivate her to write the book.

“She always said she wished she had taken the time to write down the funny things her students said,” Gaskins said. “When I became a teacher, she suggested I do it.”

Continue reading →