Column by SUSAN ARANT, Four Points News Contributor

Spring has sprung! For some, spring officially began on March 20. For some, spring begins when the first flowers begin to bloom. For a few of us, spring begins as soon the new color palettes are introduced. Whenever you choose to celebrate spring, it is a time for us to renew, refresh and rejuvenate – be it in our closet, our gardens or our homes.

Home style and fashion continually influence one another. Some feel overwhelmed when decorating their home, yet you can find home inspiration anywhere, including your favorite fashion trends. From flowing skirts to duvet patterns, and bejeweled tops to sequined pillows, simply understanding your preferences is the first step in finding your “younique” style.

Susan Arant

Here are a few of my favorite trends for 2014:

• Floral prints – especially on a white background, very feminine,

• Blues – in all shades – turquoise, teal, cobalt and navy – multiple shades are being used at once,

• Metallics – brass and copper are making a big comeback in various finishes,

• Soft black and whites – not the harsh contrasting type but playing off the various shades of gray that have been so popular the past few years.

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During the Hill Country Education Foundation’s Giddy Up Gala last month, Legacy International’s President and CEO Philip Jalufka presented a $1,000 check to HCEF for Leander ISD’s virtual library called OverDrive.

“We are honored to help enhance our educational system and make the great schools in our community even better,” said Jalufka, who donated to OverDrive last year as well.

“LISD’s digital online library gives us an opportunity to make a direct benefit to our students as they take advantage of today’s technology while at the same time focusing on fundamentals like reading,” Jalufka said.

At Hill Country Education Foundation’s 2014 Giddy Up Gala, Legacy International presented a $1,000 check for Leander ISD’s digital library. From left: Kai Lamb, president of HCEF; Chris and Philip Jalufka, president and CEO of Legacy International; Pam Waggoner, LISD board president; Don Hisle, LISD board member; Dr. Bret Champion, LISD superintendent; and Will Streit, LISD board member.
Martha Moring Photography

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By VAL OLIVAS, Four Points News

School in the Hills in Steiner Ranch has a new student,—of the four-legged variety.

Page

Page is an 8-month-old Golden Retriever and her primary responsibility is to dutifully listen to children read books.

Since Page’s first day of school in November, “We have already seen results in motivating children to read an entire set of books,” said Alicia Marker, head of school and co-owner with husband,  Daniel.

“If the student has lost focus, Page gives him drive. A dog doesn’t correct the reader or make an interruption,” she said.

Page lies at the front door and greets the children each morning, and about 90 percent of the nearly 170 students stop and pet her, Marker said.

Page reading with a School in the Hills student.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Construction crews have begun clearing trees and building the access road in Steiner Ranch near Vista Ridge shopping center and the Real Estate Welcome Center and Canyon Glen Circle. This will be for tract MU-1B that will provide access to the the Quinlan Crossing shopping center.

Construction is underway for a new access road between the Vista Ridge and Quinlan Crossing shopping centers in Steiner Ranch. Crews will include some additional turning lanes coming out of Quinlan Crossing. The project should be finished around August. Photo by Lynette Haaland

 “We had an obligation to build a road to provide access to that tract,” said Adib Khoury, vice president of land resources for Taylor Woodrow Communities, Steiner Ranch Ltd., Steiner’s developer.

“That’s the construction that’s going on right now. It’s the access road to provide access back to the tract, to the welcome center area,” Khoury said.

Steiner tract MU-1B consists of three parcels of land. The parcel that sits closest to Quinlan Crossing and the Randalls commercial development is under contract for a proposed 246-unit apartment complex.

The other two parcels of MU-1B that are closer to the Canyon Glen neighborhood are still for sale, Khoury said.

“There are no contracts pending,” Khoury said. “There’s nothing going on with those lots right now.”

Construction has not yet begun on the apartment complex and Khoury said he does not know when it would begin.

The new access road should be finished around August. Crews will include some additional turning lanes coming out of Quinlan Crossing.

 As part of a long-term plan, a traffic light will also be installed at the intersection of North Quinlan Park Road and the entrance to the Vista Ridge commercial area.

“They probably will not put that in until there’s some development back there,” Khoury said.

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Steiner Ranch residents Jeff and Tabatha Conarko both knew they were tired of corporate America. Having traveled frequently to Europe, the couple ​—​ who were Dell Inc. employees ​—​ loved the Mediterranean diet and dreamed about opening their own specialty olive oil shop.

It was an illness that gave them the motivation they needed to make their dream a reality, as soon after they were married, Jeff was diagnosed with leukemia.

“It was devastating,” said Tabatha. “But we’re very lucky because the medication worked for him. We’re so thankful.”

Now in remission, Jeff still takes daily medication and travels to M.D. Anderson once a year, but that has not stopped the couple from opening Con Olio Oils & Vinegars.

Tabatha Conarko, owner of Con Olio Oils & Vinegars, opened their first store in 2009 in the Arboretum. Today the husband and wife team run three stores including the two other locations in the Second Street District and Bee Cave.
Photo by Cassie McKee

The Conarkos opened their first store in the Arboretum in November 2009. Jeff ran the business the first couple of years while Tabatha kept working at Dell. Then two years ago, she gave up her corporate job to focus on the business full-time.

They added two more locations, one in the Second Street District in downtown Austin and the other in Bee Cave. Tabatha said they never imagined having multiple stores.

“That wasn’t our intention,” she said. “Our intention was to work for ourselves, alleviate the stress in our lives, live a healthier lifestyle and spend more time with our children.”

Con Olio customers can sample the different varieties of olive oil before they buy one. There are robust to mild flavors as well as oils infused with such flavors as chipotle, wild mushroom or green chili.

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