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Bastrop, Texas

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:44:25 +0000

Once again I have received The Bastrop ISD Community Education Newsletter. I really look forward to seeing what new classes are being offered or which old favorites will be offered again. There are classes for beginners and a few for the experienced, ranging from technology, physical activities, creativity or just curiosity. The classes are offered at various Bastrop and Cedar Creek schools so that everyone can take advantage of at least a couple of classes. There are other locations for a few of the classes. Most classes are for a few weeks at a time and the cost is reasonable. There are classes for adults and children. There is a parent’s night out and classes at the Senior Center. This is a great way to learn about a subject without a lot of expense or long time contracts, in a safe environment, probably with some of your neighbors. What better way to meet others in your community. Take at look at the Bastrop ISD website to find out more information. Anyone can take advantage of these classes. I do not live in the district but I enjoy the convenience of driving to Cedar Creek or Bastrop rather than driving back to Austin.

Cedar Creek, Texas

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:53:00 +0000

Cedar Creek Park is official. The first Bastrop County Park was officially dedicated on December 5^th. This is the first county owned and operated park for Bastrop County. I and a few others had already begun using the trails and playgrounds for quite some time now. There is a nice concrete trail for walking, bike riding and skateboarding. There is also a nature trail, but the weeds had gotten a little high back in the summer and now it gets dark too early for me to use comfortably. There are fields for baseball and/or softball, looks like a field for soccer and maybe football too. I noticed a small covered pavilion, a few picnic tables scattered about and a playground area. There are also some port-a-pots, not great, but when kids gotta go, they gotta go. The Cedar Creek Park cost approximately $1 million dollars with funds received from a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant of $500,000 and contributions from Cedar Creek native and philanthropist James Voss. Bastrop ISD made the 44 acre park land available which is bordered by Cedar Creek Elementary and Cedar Creek itself. This is a great asset to an area that is already growing with more and more families. The park has been faced with plenty of controversy, skepticism and doubts since it was first proposed by a former Pct. 1 commissioner a decade ago. I for one am glad to see it officially opened and look forward to using it more.

Bastrop, Texas

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:45:03 +0000

I love a bargain. So I am always looking for a thrift store or garage sale when I drive around Austin or the surrounding communities. Even when I travel out of Central Texas one of my favorite things to do is find a thrift store in whatever town I’m in. I had heard talk that there was going to be a Goodwill Store opening in Bastrop, so I have been watching. I just saw it Saturday afternoon. I did not have time to stop this time but I will on my next trip to Bastrop or maybe that will be my trip. This new Goodwill occupies roughly 11,000 square foot of space at its new location on HWY. 71 and FM 304 intersection. I have found great items at many Goodwill Stores and other second hand shops. They offer everything, clothing, jewelry, furniture, books and household items. Now they also have a computer store. Goodwill Industries is a great program for people helping people and with all of the talk about the cleaning up the environment WHAT BETTER WAY TO REDUCE,REUSE, AND RECYCLE? The city of Bastrop is no longer just a small town outside of Austin. It is growing , with more and more larger franchise stores and restaurants moving in. But even with all of the growth Bastrop still retains a small town atmosphere.