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.

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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.”

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The River North area of Austin ​—​ including Steiner Ranch, River Place and Grandview Hills ​—​ continues to show strong growth and momentum for the first half of 2014.

“The median sales price for River North over the first six months of 2014 was $495,000, which is up approximately 8.6 percent from the same time last year,” said Julie Stephens, broker and owner of Nest Properties Austin, and a Steiner resident.

River North comprises of zip codes 78732, 78730, part of 78726, and Long Canyon as well as Lake Travis areas north of Mansfield Dam to Bullock Hollow. Steiner, River Place and Grandview Hills are in these zip codes respectively.

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