Community Conversations

Time to vote - Board Elections The Round Rock Baseball League

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:18:00 GMT

It's time for elections, and both OSE and RRYB are bringing the voting to you! At your closing ceremony, held at the ball fields, you'll be able to cast your ballot.

RRYB Closing Ceremonies will be on Saturday, May 17 at 12:45 pm. with elections from 1 pm - 3 pm.

OSE Closing Ceremonies will be on Friday, May 30 at 6:30 pm with elections open from 7 pm - 9 pm.

If you have any questions, please call Rusty Charleton at 658-5887.

Applicants:
Phillip Bailey
Brian Birdsell
Naomi Esquivel
Roberta Garcia
Jeff Himmelright
Gail Johansen
Elsa Orozco
Gregory Parker
Fred Ramirez
Carolyn Ramos
Joe Ramos
Bobby Sieferman
Daniel Spells
Jule Vasquez-Martinez
Mike Whelan
Heath Wooley
Kelly Wooley

I Am Not Making This Up

Linda Sappenfield — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:01:00 GMT

Years ago, we moved to a large Midwestern city, and I went job-hunting to fund the necessities and my husband's grad school expenses. My brief resume earned me the chance to interview with the owner of an established business firm. He took one look and told me kindly that the interview wouldn't be necessary--I appeared to be too young. Customers expected the main office to exude tradition and credibility, an image this applicant didn't fit. At least I remembered my manners and rose and said something about appreciating his time, etc. My accent must have registered, because from halfway down the hall came, "Wait, don't go--you're from Texas!" Long story short: this gentleman had been stationed in Texas during World War II. He said that the kindness of Texans helped him through an otherwise miserable experience, and he pronounced Texans to be "the best people in the world". He also gave my resume another look. I was hired, bills were paid, and the job proved to be a great fit on both sides.

That's one of my favorite perks about being a Texan--praise by association. This year's Round Rock Reads! selection--Texas in Her Own Words--helps to explain why we Texans generally have stories such as this one to share. Tweed Scott's compilation of anecdotes and musings from all sorts of Texans appeals to both natives and those wishing to figure out what that mystique (Tweed calls it the "T chromosome") is all about. And the author undoubtedly has tales of his own to tell, some of them having to do with the eye-opening experience of creating and publishing a book.

You'll have an opportunity to talk to Tweed Scott on Thursday, April 24, at the La Frontera Barnes & Noble, 2701 Parker Road. This final program of 2008 Round Rock Reads! is one we've been especially looking forward to--a chance to take library programming "on the road" and enjoy Barnes & Noble's hospitality while interacting with a real, live author. Bring your questions, stories, and curiosity on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. See you there!

What's in a Name?

Linda Sappenfield — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:25:00 GMT

Gambler, cowboy, racehorse owner, gold miner, entrepreneur, outlaw--Sam Bass was many things. No one ever accused him of civic mindedness, however. Yet, Sam Bass Road, Sam Bass Youth Baseball, Sam Bass Community Theatre, and the Annual Frontier Days re-enactment of his final shootout attest to our fascination with his career. How is it that the calculating bank robber and killer morphed into a colorful local legend? Are we sentimental about his death on his 27th birthday? No matter--the city of Round Rock has gained a bit of western glamour by association with Mr. Bass. In a way, he has given back to the community from which he intended to take quite a lot.

Speaking of names that figure prominently in Round Rock geography and architecture: haven't you wondered about the McConicos of McConico Building fame? How about the Carlins? They're everywhere and have been for about five generations, and the same is true of the Mercers. Joanne Land, who served as city secretary for over 30 years, is the daughter of Williamson County sheriff Henry Matysek, commemorated by a portrait bust on the courthouse grounds.

The first time I navigated out to La Frontera by way of Hester's Crossing, I knew there must be a story behind that street name. Hank Hester knows it, and he'll be on hand at Round Rock in Her Own Words Thursday, April 17 at Round Rock Public Library. Other panelists with history to share include Patsy McConico Anderson, Delfino Bryan, David Carlin, Jesse Mercer Carson, Robert Organ, and Joanne Land. Come at 7:00 for the ice cream social (with free Blue Bell ice cream!), then enjoy the presenters and an open mic for the audience, which will include descendants of Swedish settlers. Take an opportunity to meet and chat with Tweed Scott, author of this year's Round Rock Reads! selection, Texas in Her Own Words.

Dale Ricklefs, Round Rock Public Library director, and Chris Dyer, Williamson County Historical Museum director, will facilitate this evening of Round Rock memories and answers to those "I always wondered..." questions that occur to you as you drive around the city. Round Rock in Her Own Words will be video and audio recorded, but you'll want to experience this event in person.

Authentic Round Rock

Linda Sappenfield — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:11:00 GMT

First, a note of thanks to SOS (Save Our Springs Alliance) executive director Bill Bunch and author Tweed Scott: they shared in last night's screening of The Unforeseen and responded to some thoughtful questions and comments from the audience. The classy, comfortable theater facility lent to us by Round Rock Higher Education Center enhanced my appreciation of that wonderful film.

Afterward, driving home from the new RRHEC building, by way of IKEA, the outlet mall, and a few other this-could-be-anywhere suburban amenities, my husband and I passed by the Round Rock. It has witnessed much during the area's rapid growth from the sleepy town of 2700 (in 1970) to the busy city of 96,000 today. Many who were here in 1970 have moved on, but a number of the families who were part of the early heritage remain. Like the rock, they testify that the city retains its unique core identity, hidden under a few layers of modernity.

Dale Ricklefs, director of Round Rock Public Library, has witnessed close to three decades of the city's transformation. And, as she recruited panelists for Round Rock in Her Own Words, she learned even more from citizens linked to the town's past. Dale was told, for example, that Round Rock has almost always been a fairly diverse city. Of course, we've read about the segregated schools, but did you know that the Hispanic school merged with the white school in 1948?

Consider setting aside an opportunity--Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 PM--to enjoy free Blue Bell ice cream and get the scoop on Round Rock's past. Some of the historic goings-on, from the advent of the early Swedish settlers through the turbulent 20th century, might surprise you!

"In the early 1980s, the library captured the voices of individuals now passed on, such as C.D. Fulkes and Noel Grisham. Twenty-five years later, we will capture the voices and images of those who 'lived' Round Rock in the 1940s to early 1960s, before IH-35 split the city in half, the water crisis of the late 1970s, and today's traffic gridlock." - Dale Ricklefs

Robert Redford Slept Here

Linda Sappenfield — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:53:00 GMT

Am I the only local Robert Redford fan who just learned that Redford spent time in Austin during his formative years--and that he learned to swim at Barton Springs pool? A number of film reviews for The Unforeseen allude to this, along with the fact that the actor/director cites that experience as having "awakened him to the natural world."

As co-producer (along with Terrence Malick) of the film, Mr. Redford intends for another awakening to occur--one in which we realize that the outcome of the approximately 30-year battle over land usage in the Barton Springs watershed affects all of us. Certainly, Central Texans can already appreciate that, as a result of political moves that overturned Austin's anti-growth ordinance, Barton Springs is now (according to Kevin Kelly's Sundance review) "practically a beaker full of evidence" against land overdevelopment. However, as underwater views of Barton Springs from 1996 contrast with recent ones, evidence warns that this is more than a before-and-after account; it's a this-could-happen-to-you tale. Sequels to this drama could be set anywhere in the world.

The Round Rock Reads! free screening of director Laura Dunn's The Unforeseen is set for Monday, April 7 (7:00 PM) at the Round Rock Higher Education Center. The documentary offers more than a compelling true story. Called "poetic and gorgeous" (reviewer Natalie McMenemy), The Unforeseen demonstrates the influence that personal agendas and business interests can exert to devalue the environment--our ultimate long-term investment.

The Round Rock Baseball League Board of Directors

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:56:00 GMT

OSE Baseball and Round Rock Youth Baseball become Round Rock Baseball League at the completion of this Spring/Summer Season. The current step is the process of forming the Board of Directors for the new, combined league and you’re invited to participate!

Sign up to help with the following: Executive Committee (President, Secretary, Treasurer, VPs), Umpire in Charge, Equipment, Facilities, Tournaments, Concessions, Uniforms/Awards, Registrar, Web, Team/Parent Coordinator, Public Relations, Sponsors, Insurance/Safety, Scheduler, Commissioners (4-6, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18).

Board Of Directors/ Volunteer Form

For more information call Debbie Davila 341-3354.

Do You Feel Lucky?

Linda Sappenfield — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:03:00 GMT

Jan Triplett observes that picking up a rock in Texas provokes one of two likely consequences: "there is going to be a snake under it" or "oil is gonna gush out from under it" (Texas in Her Own Words, p. 166). Acknowledging extremes of good and bad fortune, we may concede that the harsh, tragic, reptile-producing end of the spectrum is what ultimately molded the Texan character.

Clint Lynch, Director of Research for Texas State Cemetery, concurs: "I always thought Texas was founded in failure" (p. 170). He lists Houston's alcoholism, Travis' marital troubles and debt, Crockett's lost re-election bid, and Bowie's land fraud charges as proof of the alchemy that has often wrought dignity out of disaster. Sarah Guerra (p. 161) offers a more recent example. Recalling earlier times when she was denied service in restaurants and segregated from Anglo children at school, she reflects, "That love that I didn't get from white people when we were growing up, that probably gave me the courage to love everybody."

Consider this ongoing character-building opportunity: the controversy over Austin's Barton Springs. The first program in Round Rock Reads! 2008 series, a screening of The Unforeseen, showcases the conflict between real estate developers and advocates for the environment. Director Laura Dunn's award-winning film not only chronicles the battle between land investors' interests and the Save Our Springs alliance but also foreshadows the aftermath of unimpeded development.

Film critic Kenneth Turan labels this 2007 Sundance Film Festival selection a "whodunit, with the Earth itself being the victim of the crime." Mark your calendar for 7:00 P.M., Monday, April 7, when Round Rock Higher Education Center will host this special presentation of The Unforeseen. Could the lessons of Barton Springs produce yet another Texas triumph over impending failure? Watch and decide for yourself.

Sweet 16

Will Hampton — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:21:00 GMT

It’s been almost a couple of months since our last Downtown Master Plan update. We’ll cover two topics today. First, the long-range plan development. Second, we’ll review some short-term improvements the City is considering for downtown.

Here’s the latest on the master plan process.

The City received 16 responses to our Request for Qualifications on the downtown plan. They range from large, national, multi-disciplined firms to smaller companies that specialize in urban redevelopment and planning. We were really excited to have so many quality submissions. Here’s the list (PDF) of responders.

We received responses from firms as far away as Toronto and Los Angeles. Some are Texas-based or have offices in the state. All but one met our minimum qualifications, so we’ve got our work cut out for us in reviewing the 15 contenders.

Our plan is to score the 15 on a range of criteria, such as experience, qualifications of staff, approach to providing services, technical competence, references, etc. We’ll then ask the 3-4 responders with the highest scores to come to Round Rock for interviews. We’ll refine the scores based on the interviews, and begin negotiations with the responder with the highest score.

Our goal is to have a contract ready for City Council approval in May. We expect to complete the planning process in approximately 12 months.

But we’re not going to wait until the plan is complete to make some short-term improvements to the historic downtown area.

As part of the City’s purchase of the office building next to City Hall, we are preparing to make improvements to the parking garage. Specifically, we’re considering improving the lighting inside the garage, painting the interior walls a bright color, and adding some tile to the pedestrian entrance at the northeast stairwell.
In the mid-term, we are considering shading the top floor of the parking garage, to make it more appealing to park there – especially in the summer. We are also considering improvements to the southwest stairwell to make it more appealing – adding lights and maybe windows.

The Parks and Recreation Department recently added a new street lamp on Lampasas to help illuminate the sidewalk near Bella Notte. PARD is also having six “up lights” installed next to the sidewalk under the crepe myrtles along the east side of Lampasas, south of Main Street. (Up lights, as the name implies, are installed on the ground and point up to illuminate the space nearby.) This should help nighttime patrons of restaurants downtown feel safer walking to the parking garage. Those lights should be operational by Friday, March 28. (We’re getting a quote to see what it would cost to do the same thing on the west side of Lampasas.)

The Christmas lights have been reinstalled on the trees in the center islands along Main Street. We will also put up Christmas lights along Lampasas. All these improvements should improve the visibility in the downtown area – with the Christmas lights perhaps adding a festive feel.

What do you think? Are there any other short-term improvements downtown you would like the City to consider?

Round Rock the Boat Regatta

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:32:00 GMT

The City is hosting the Round Rock the Boat Regatta- Cardboard Boat Float on May 17.

Does your cardboard boat float? Are you not sure? Well don't sink out- participate in a free workshop at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center on Saturday, March 29 from 9 am - noon on how to make a cardboard boat.

Contestants will make boats out of cardboard and tape and attempt to float across the lake. For more information on the boat regatta visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/rocktheboat.

Why Great-Grandpa Went to Texas

Linda Sappenfield — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:18:00 GMT

Any discussion of what makes Texans Texans should include David Crockett. Perishing at the Alamo just a few weeks after his arrival, this newcomer martyred himself for Texas independence. However--loyalty and sacrifice aside--Crockett's actions upon leaving Tennessee already signaled his suitability for Texan-hood. Having lost re-election for Congress, Crockett reportedly declared, "You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas."

I don't mean to suggest that contentiousness is the defining Texan characteristic (some would argue), but the desire for re-invention probably is. Many of Tweed Scott's interviews in Texas in Her Own Words note the allure of the second chance. Mike Harris observes, "Even Davy Crockett was looking for a new start" (pg. 15). Paul Andrew Hutton agrees that one of Texas' greatest charms is that "you have the possibility of becoming something new" (pg. 10).

Many of us claim Texas ancestors who required fresh starts--and right away, too--following illegal duels, horse-trading incidents with fatal outcomes, or other such events occurring in more settled areas of the nation. These hurried transplants, along with others chasing adventure or prosperity, would likely have supported Vonceia Reece's judgment that "To be a native Texan means you are adaptable" (pg. 52).

In April, Round Rock Reads! will sponsor three events: a film, a panel discussion/ice cream social, and a book discussion. These features were chosen to portray the history of the Texan identity. Come join us in an exploration of the past, the personalities of the Lone Star State, and a bit of modern controversy. You'll see why the late Marge Mueller, mayor Luckenbach, reflected, "I agree that with opportunity comes the struggle. This is Texas" (pg. 152).

City's Parks and Recreation Survey now online for Strategic Master Plan Input

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:38:00 GMT

The City of Round Rock hosted a series of open houses in February for citizen input on the Parks and Recreation Department's Strategic Master Plan which sets priorities for parks and recreation programs and facilities for the next 5-10 years.

"Now is a crucial time for us to obtain citizen feedback because we are planning the direction for the parks and recreation department for the next several years," Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said. "We need that input to ensure we're adding parks and amenities that our customers desire."

Now customers can provide Input on amenities for city parks and programming online at www.roundrocktexas.gov/parksandrec Click on survey link.

For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540

Hippity Hoppity- Its Egg Hunt Time

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:37:00 GMT

Flashlight Egg Hunt March 20 / Traditional Egg Hunt March 22

The City of Round Rock will host two egg hunts. The Flashlight Egg Hunt on March 20 and the traditional egg hunt on March 22.

Flashlight Egg Hunt:
Grab a flashlight and come out to Old Settlers Park on March 20 at 7 pm for the Flashlight Egg Hunt.

Children bring their flashlight and egg basket to hunt for eggs filed with candy, prizes and glow toys. Children are divided by age and released into the fenced in hunt area.
Families who pre-register are entered into a raffle for a special shopping spree. The event is $4 through 5 pm March 20 and $5 at the event. Families are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes before their child's scheduled hunt time to allow time to park and check in. For safety reasons, children missing their egg hunt will not be allowed to hunt with older age groups.

Flashlight Egg hunt Ages and Times:
7 pm for ages 3 - 4 years
7:30 pm for ages 5 - 6 years
8:30 pm for ages 7 - 9 years
9 pm for ages 10+ years
Fee: $4 pre-register January 2 - March 20 at 5 pm Register online at www.roundrockrecreation.com
$5 on-site registration (cash and checks only)

Egg Hunt March 22
For those interested in a traditional egg hunt, the City of Round Rock will host the free annual egg hunt at 9 am at Old Settlers Park with the Easter Bunny and plenty of candy to hunt.

Schedule:
9 am 0-4 year olds
9:30 am 5-7 year olds
10 am 8-9 year olds
10:30 am 10-12 year olds

Please leave the family pet at home.

Questions call Emily Ingalls at 512-218-3217.

I Confess...

Linda Sappenfield — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:24:00 GMT

...that when up-and-coming Round Rock Public Library staffer Eric T. nominated Texas in Her Own Words for this year's Round Rock Reads! ballot, I joined in the chorus of committee approval, all the while asserting confidently, "Of course, it'll never win." Oh, but I wanted it to! A fourth-generation native Texan, I was obliged to live in other states for many years due to my husband's career. He was the only person who regretted that development more than I. A fifth-generation native, he describes himself as "a Texan of American descent". And now, nearly three years after finally achieving Texas repatriation, we still can't view a bluebonnet or the capitol dome without getting misty.

We claim zero objectivity where Texas is concerned.This was the issue-the assumption that recently transplanted Round Rock folks who cherish their own loyalties wouldn't choose to read a book apparently tailor-made for people like us. As it happens, I was wrong twice. Area residents voted decisively for Texas in Her Own Words, and the book has much to offer anyone who has noticed (and who hasn't?) that Texas is a unique sociological and political phenomenon. Author Tweed Scott collected more than sixty interviews attesting to Texas' vivid, romantic past and continuing influence. We hope you'll pick up a copy at the bookstore-or check out one from the library-and join us in (these words are Kinky Friedman's) "searching for the soul of Texas".

Thank you all open house participants

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:58:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come and provide feedback to the Parks and Recreation Department at our Strategic Master Plan open houses throughout the month of February. We received more than 325 surveys and when you combine that to the 600 phone surveys = we have almost 1000 citizens providing feedback on this project.

We'll hold focus group meetings next and analyze survey results to develop the needs assessment for the parks and recreation system. Stay tuned for more updates!

Attend a Parks and Recreation Strategic Master Plan Open House

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:22:00 GMT

The City of Round Rock is hosting a series of open houses in February for input on the Parks and Recreation Department's Strategic Master Plan which sets priorities for parks and recreation programs and facilities for the next 5-10 years.

During the open houses, attendees will get an overview of the parks and recreation programs and amenities in Round Rock and receive the opportunity to provide input on amenities for city parks and programming. In a short survey, attendees will indicate if they want more trails in Round Rock, a BMX park, nature preserves, art and cultural centers, among many other possibilities.

"Now is a crucial time for us to obtain citizen feedback because we are planning the direction for the parks and recreation department for the next several years," Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said. "We need that input to ensure we're adding parks and amenities that our customers desire."

Open houses begin on Wednesday, Feb. 6 and continue on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the month of February at various City facilities and schools.

All open houses are from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Tuesday, Feb. 19 Old Town Elementary 2200 Chaparral *6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 20 Allen R Baca Center, 301 W Bagdad
• Tuesday, Feb. 26 Clay Madsen Recreation Center, 1600 Gattis School Rd

The project began with a phone survey to 400 households in November and individual discussions with Round Rock City Council members about parks and recreation issues. In addition, the project will include focus group meetings with homeowner associations and citizen groups.

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 218-5540.

Groundbreaking 2007

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:52:00 GMT

Pictures from the groundbreaking of the Sports Capital Improvement Project are on the City's Flickr page! You can find pictures of all types of events and happenings http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofroundrock/sets/

Texas in her Own Words is the winner!

Sarah Samson — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:34:00 GMT

Thanks to everyone who showed up at Tuesday night's kickoff celebration of Round Rock Reads! A special thanks to City Council Member Carlos Salinas for announcing the winning book and to author Tweed Scott for his entertaining talk. We'd also like to thank Starbucks for providing coffee and yummy pastries and for Barnes and Noble selling copies of all of the nominated books that evening.

Now it's time to read the book! You can check out the book at the library, or purchase the book at Barnes and Noble. Then in April, we'll show the film The Unforeseen at the Round Rock Higher Education Center (April 7th), have a panel discussion of Round Rock's origins (April 17th), and hold a book discussion with author Tweed Scott at Barnes and Noble (April 24th). You won't want to miss any of these great events!

And The Winner Is....

Sarah Samson — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:48:00 GMT

You'll find out if you come to the Round Rock Reads kickoff celebration this Tuesday night at the library! At 7 PM, City Council Member Carlos Salinas will announce the book that we will read as a community in the coming months. Author Tweed Scott will talk to us about what a real Texan is, we'll have yummy snacks, and Barnes & Noble will be there selling all all six of the nominated books. And, we'll give away raffle prizes of the winning book to three lucky people.

See ya there!

Get Ready

Will Hampton — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:29:00 GMT

The Downtown Master Plan Scoping Report is now available to download (PDF) from the City of Round Rock web site. The report includes input received in November during a series of interviews with City Councilmembers, downtown business and property owners, and City staff, as well as at a public meeting at the Baca Center. The report lays out the scope of work necessary to achieve our vision for downtown Round Rock.

Based on the input received during the scoping process, City staff drafted a vision statement for downtown Round Rock:

Our vision for downtown is a thriving town center, beyond the two-block historic area, that features a viable mix of residential, commercial, retail, dining, entertainment and public space uses in a walkable environment that enhances Round Rock’s economy, quality of life, and sense of place.

The document was reviewed at the Thursday, Feb. 7, City Council work session/retreat at the United Heritage Conference Center. The City Council gave the go-ahead to start the formal planning process.

Here’s the schedule:
• Feb. 14 – Issue and advertise a Request for Qualifications to planning firms nationwide (the Scoping Report is included in the RFQ)
• March 12 – Deadline for responses
• March 13-April 11 – City staff to review submissions, select firm, negotiate contract
• May 8 – City Council to award contract

We anticipate it will take approximately 12 months to complete the Downtown Master Plan.

Thanks for your interest in this exciting project. Your comments on the document and process are always welcome.

Baseball league name

Terri Waggoner — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:17:00 GMT

The new organization expects to be in place in time for the Fall 2008 league registration. Currently, the bylaws have been drafted and the team of league representatives has submitted Round Rock Baseball League as the name. We’re waiting approval from the Secretary of States office on the name. Once the league name is finalized, the organization will be officially incorporated. The league representatives that have put the bylaws together agreed to create a five person executive committee to oversee the running of elections for board positions in March. The new board will be in place in time to take registrations for Fall 2008.

Round Rock Baseball

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:16:00 GMT

On Wednesday, January 16, a name was given to the new unified baseball league. Keeping it simple and easily searchable for someone wanting to find out about baseball in our town, the league representatives unanimously agreed that "Round Rock Baseball" would be the best name going forward. Congratulations to Felix Lopez who was the first person to submit this name to the blog and is winner of the naming contest.

The league representatives worked with Barry Silverberg on compiling the data needed for the 501c3 non-profit status requirements on Wednesday and further discussed the election process to get officers for Round Rock Baseball in place.

The current plan is to nominate 2 people from OSE, 2 people from RRYB and 1 from Sam Bass to run the elections for the board in the interim and get the new organization up and running with full elections in the Spring. The team has worked very hard to get this far and progress is definitely taking place!

Also, don’t forget the groundbreaking for the Sports Capital Improvement Project is Friday, January 25 at 4 pm at the location for the new girls' softball complex. We hope to see you there!

Groundbreaking for Sports Complex Improvement Project Jan 25

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Join the City of Round Rock, Mayor Nyle Maxwell and the sports community as we celebrate the Groundbreaking for the Sports Complex Improvement Project on January 25 from 4 pm - 5 pm at the North East Complex.

Athletes are encouraged to come and help us as we break ground on this project which includes many renovations to our current ball fields and a softball complex.

Project Highlights
4 lit batting cages at each complex
Drainage detention pond to help with runoff
Championship field – warming track, terraced bleachers, bull pen (all but SE complex)
Playgrounds
"Tailgate Islands"

As previously promised, here is the current timeline for the sports complex improvements. Since it is a phased construction schedule, different parts of the complex will re-open at different times.

In mid-January – start Girls Softball Complex which will open in Fall of 2008.
NW and SW complex close in January 2008 to be complete June 2008.
Everything is open from June –Sept to cover summer tournaments and play.
Sept 2008-Feb 2009 the SE complex closes.

Please see the map below for further clarification.

For more information, call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 218-5540.

It's name time

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:29:00 GMT

Well, we received more than 140 name submittals for the new organization through this blog. If you scroll through all the comments below, you'll see that we had a lot of creative ideas coming in.

As 2008 gets into full swing, the baseball representative's meetings will reconvene next Wednesday night and they will begin the process of selecting a winner of the contest. If you submitted to the contest, hang tight and we'll let you know the final results when a winner is chosen!

It's time to vote!

Sarah Samson — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:00:00 GMT

I know, I know...it's not the easiest time of year; the holidays are over, time to take down the Christmas decorations, time to start working on those New Year's resolutions. What's there to look forward to, you ask?

Round Rock Reads!

You get to vote, starting TODAY! What book should our city read during the months of February and March? You have six choices, and I promise you, any one of these titles promises a great read.

So, without further ado, here is the link to the online ballot. We'll announce the winning book on Friday, February 8th at a library extravaganza!

VOTE!

RRPL Exclusive! Live Report From The Gaming Tourney!

Candy Moseley — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:36:00 GMT

Ahh the day has finally come... The 2-6 Teen Gaming Tournament is here!

I'll be reporting as stuff happens, just make like it's happening live as you read.

The prizes look pretty good, and the eye-hand cordination here is INSANE, should be a good binary brawl...

Currently it's 12:45, registration for the wildcard spots have begun. There's a Mario Bros. Melle battling away to my left (go Link!), and ther is a bit of a pile up at the DDR. Must grab some snacks...

It's 1:20, just pulled the 8 wild cards for competion. Man guess who had to pull out the tickets? (X[). Tourney begins soon, the battle for total game ownage is begining to heat up...

Excellent, Mario Double Dash (MDD) is starting up, and I've got, crud, the 5th best view :p (wassup with that? I should have the best view).

1:25, Right we are doing the qualifyers, nothing to significant. AMAZING gaming skills being displayed here...

1:30, Yeah raffle! Ah man, I didn't get anything? Pretty cool games and and MDD RC cars as prizes.

2:05, FINAL RACE! Man, these guys really know there stuff. I'm fairly competent at MDD, but the level of skill at which these guys are racing... is simply phenominal. Amazing things happen when gaming morphs into an art...

Jacob H WINS!

Final placings are:

1st: Jacob H

2nd: Jared H

3rd: Marcus R

4th: Damian B

Man, 1st place got a $100 Games Stop gift card, and 2nd-4th got $25 Game Stop gift cards. The level of gaming skill and sportsmanship being displayed here are exponentionally amazing.

Well, that's a wrap on that, looks like we've got some cleaning to do... Nah time for me to Melle!