Cathy Hale

Lake Travis Area 6th Grader Kaylynn Kolinek Takes Pet Philanthropy to Heart

Written by Cathy Hale | March 27, 2019

It’s not the typical story about a girl and her rescue dog. There’s a dash of community with a big sprinkle of heart.

Twelve-year-old Kaylynn Kolinek, a Lake Pointe resident and Lake Travis ISD student, had been asking her parents for a family dog for years. She’s always a had a big heart for animals. As Kaylynn’s mom Traci explains, “It’s as if she feels their emotions.”

The Kolinek family happens to be friends with another Lake Travis family who fosters dogs, the McClanahans. Lisa McClanahan usually has at least four dogs in her home and has fostered over 150. (If you’re friends with Lisa on Facebook, you know her dedication to saving animals is just in her DNA.)

Over the years, when Kaylynn spent time at Lisa’s house, she always bonded with the dogs, so when the Kolineks decided it was time to find a new four-legged family member, they called Lisa for help.

Enter Bubbles.

3 Things To Know About Wildfire Prevention in Lake Travis

Written by Cathy Hale | March 20, 2019

Smokey Bear nailed it back in 1947 with “Remember…Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires.” And again in 2001, when his slogan changed to “Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires.” The reality is, out here in the Lake Travis area, it is up to us to prevent wildfires.

You’ve seen the horrifying footage of the California fires – surreal and beyond devastating. The thought of fires like that sweeping through our slice of the Texas Hill Country is just too scary.

For many of the lake and Hill Country communities, there’s one way in and one way out. As we discovered during the fires in Steiner Ranch in September 2011, being vulnerable is terrifying. Evacuation plans are critical for everyone’s safety.

As a result, initiatives have been implemented locally, and more are in the works. Here’s a look at what you need to know and more importantly, what you can do about it.

A Luxury Getaway in Your Backyard at Miraval Austin

Written by Cathy Hale | March 13, 2019

It’s a luxury hotel with a twist of health retreat, a sprinkle of a sanctuary and a big splash of wellbeing. Welcome to Miraval Austin nestled in the hillside overlooking Lake Travis.

I mean, how awesome does it feel to know a fancy-schmancy resort that attracts vacationers from around the globe is right here in your backyard. If you live in the Lake Travis area, that’s just a totes normal day. You don’t have to go anywhere for a Texas Hill Country experience. Just open your door and whoomp – there it is.

For those of you that have lived in the Lake Travis area for a while, the beautiful new Miraval was formerly Travaasa. Now it’s an exclusive Hyatt property on 220 acres, and it is the epitome of a spa retreat. The views are truly spectacular, but you already know that. What differentiates this resort from other luxury hotels is it’s all about wellness, and Miraval weaves that concept through every detail.

Cathy Hale

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