Recent News

Cities provide infrastructure and accessibility in midst of construction

By Mandy Hobby Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

The Round Rock Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the City of Round Rock this past spring to help local businesses hurting because of recent construction and growth and began an ‘open roads’ project.

“We knew the SH 45 interchange at IH 35 would affect businesses because of closures,” Charley Ayres, Round Rock Chamber Director of Business Retention and Expantion said. “Retailers are concerned about access to their businesses.”

One way Ayres and the city acted on the concerns was by working with Texas Department of Transportation to reopen a connector road joining the Boardwalk Shopping Center, home of Wal-Mart and PetsMart, to Round Rock Crossing, home of Target, off Louis Henna Blvd. and the future SH 45. This connector road will allow residents to travel from one center to another without getting on the highway. The project is already underway and will be finished next month.

Small businesses affected in Boardwalk include Zorba Greek Restaurant, Mattress Firm and CD Warehouse and in Round Rock Crossing, Vino 100, Hannah D’s and Keva Juice.

“We have had customers walk in and say how important it is to have that road connecting the two centers,” Dimas Diaz, Vino 100 owner said. “Our biggest concern is accessibility and with that road it is easier to get around the intersection.”

Highway Alternatives

Another project initiated by the Chamber and the city, along with TxDOT, is a cut-through road from Greenlawn to the Boardwalk center on Dell Way to allow a way for residents to shop locally without using the highway.

“This is a big win for the community,” Ayres said. “It really shows significance when the community rallies around small businesses.”

A route also being constructed and paid for by the city is a road connecting A.W. Grimes to FM 1460 at US 79 that will be completed next May.

“Infrastructure is a big part in being the right place for businesses,” Ayres said. “This is a huge north-south access residents can use besides IH 35 or SH 45.”

Ayres attributes the ability to improve and create the needed infrastructure to the half cent sales tax Round Rock voters committed to in 1997.

“The residents really made a huge commitment to infrastructure when they passed the sales tax,” Ayres said. “It has been great to see how much the community has come together.”

TxDOT will be closing four ramps at the end of the year because of weaving traffic that will occur when SH 45 is completed this fall. The city responded to business owner’s concerns, procuring funds to widen the Hester’s Crossing bridge to four lanes at IH 35 and construct a turnaround for southbound IH 35 travelers.

“We know there has been a great deal of frustration for business owners and residents in that area,” Ayres said. “But retailers will see a major difference once completed late next year.”

University Blvd. Construction

The city has also been working on road improvements at University Blvd. to prepare for the opening of IKEA this fall and the Round Rock Premium Outlets that opened this weekend.

According to Tom Martin, Round Rock transportation director, the city has put in a traffic signal at University Blvd. and Oakmont which should help with the foreseen traffic.

“The work we are doing should be a vast improvement,” Martin said. “It is a real positive thing and should reduce congestion for travelers.”

According to the City’s transportation master plan, University Blvd. will eventually become six lanes and its west portion, FM 1431, will become eight lanes.

Other improvements made to prepare for the opening of the Premium Outlets included reversing and constructing entrance and exit ramps.

“We are moving full force and have everything in place to accommodate the Outlet’s opening,” Martin said.

Construction of a collector/distributer and a turnaround structure, as well as widening the overpass to six lanes and adding acceleration and deceleration lanes to improve traffic flow will be completed next May. The roughly $10 million project is being managed by TxDOT and paid for by the state and the City of Round Rock.

Pflugerville Road Work

Charles Simon, Pflugerville’s assistant city manager, was recently named as the city’s new economic development director and is busy working with TxDOT to ensure residents will have access to SH 130 and surrounding roads.

“Since the initial planning of 130 and 45, we were concerned about the frontage roads – where would all the ramps be and would Pflugerville have good access to those roads?” Simon said. “At first TxDOT announced they would not be including frontage roads and ramps in their plans. The city worked closely with them and we’re happy to say that they did include frontage roads and access ramps.”

Simon said the city is also making sure there is good connectivity to the toll roads through three main roads: extending Pecan Street from FM 685 to SH 130. Funding has been received and construction should begin early 2007. Pflugerville Pkwy. east from FM 685 to SH 130 is in design stages and an extension of Heatherwilde is in discussion.

Round Rock Road Connection

“We knew that the SH 45 interchange at IH 35 would affect businesses because of closures. Retailers are concerned about access to their businesses.”

Charley Ayres, Round Rock Chamber Director of Business Retention and Expansion

 

Pflugerville Road Connection

“The city worked closely with TxDOT and at this time we’re happy to say that they did include frontage roads and access ramps. We feel like there is good access to Pflugerville now.”

Charles Simon, new Pflugerville Economic Development Director

A look inside IKEA’s big blue box

By Kathy Lesko Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

Allure of affordable furniture draws shoppers to new store

IKEA fans and transplants from large cities where IKEA stores are located are well aware of the allure of the store. However, Texas’ third IKEA store opening this fall in Round Rock remains a mystery to most Central Texas residents.

The store, located on 21.5 acres at the southeastern corner of IH 35 and University Blvd., will include three model homes, each with a living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom.

The layout of the models leads shoppers through decorated showrooms to address every function of the home. This design allows customers to encounter products they might not have thought to look for, and with 10,000 exclusively-designed IKEA products, there are plenty of opportunities for impulse purchases.

IKEA Philosophy

Joseph Roth, director of public affairs for IKEA Property, Inc. explains the philosophy behind the IKEA shopping experience.

“From the time the customer enters the lobby, we try to take away every impediment so they can enjoy their visit,” he said.

The restrooms located in the lobby area, are equipped with baby changing stations. In addition, small lockers for rent allow shoppers to store personal items.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of the lobby area is a complimentary children’s supervised playscape called Smáland. The area replicates the look of a typical farmhouse and forest in Sweden. Children between 37 and 54 inches tall may climb and play on make-believe rock walls, pine trees, a wooden shoe, and participate in other interactive activities.

[Reporter’s note: This free refuge was the perfect “rainy day spot” for me and my children on rainy days in New Jersey when we were forced to stay inside. They played in a safe, stimulating environment while I was able to do some quick shopping and even enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend in IKEA’s Bistro.]

IKEA’s family-friendly approach can be found throughout the store as well. Children are allowed, and even encouraged, to experience the toys and furniture in the

The true fun begins once the shopper is armed with the appropriate IKEA “tools” – a paper tape measure, a small clipboard with shopping list and pencil, and a map of the store, complete with an explanation on the reverse side of how to read IKEA’s pricing/inventory tags.

Shoppers then stroll through almost 50 room settings furnished with IKEA products. Roth explains the price tags indicate where you can find the item in the store; a red tag represents a self-serve item that can be found in the Marketplace or self-serve bins and a yellow tag means it’s a larger item that requires an associate’s assistance.

By this point in the shopping adventure, most customers have worked up an appetite, so a visit to IKEA’s 250-seat restaurant may be in order. Visitors can enjoy Swedish cuisine including meatballs, salmon, herring, and lingonberries, in addition to more traditional fare such as hot dogs, cinnamon buns and even baby food.

In some of its North American stores, IKEA has expanded the restaurant menu to include local favorites. The Atlanta, Georgia store even has grits! Roth cautions Central Texans not to expect brisket on opening day, but does concede that the menu will most likely evolve during the store’s first year of operation.

Marketplace

Once refueled, shoppers enter the Marketplace, the area of IKEA where all accessory items are found. A surprise within the area is a section dedicated to fresh plants, something not typically expected when shopping in a big box store.

Then it’s on to the self-serve warehouse. Flatbed carts are located to the left of the entrance area and shoppers match up item numbers on their lists to various aisles of products. This self-serve concept and ready-to-assemble products that come equipped with global pictorial assembly directions (and the all-important Allen wrench) allow IKEA customers to take their purchases home, and assemble and enjoy them all in the same day.

Before arriving at the checkout area, there is one more stop, especially for the thrifty shopper looking for the all-important bargain. IKEA’s “as is” area includes returned, slightly damaged and previously showcased products that are sold at reduced, but nonreturnable, prices.

After checking out, shoppers can make one final stop at the Café Bistro to grab a soft drink or bring home Swedish treats and candies.

IKEA’s Impact on Round Rock

While delighted by the anticipated surge in sales tax revenue – IKEA is expected to produce $31 million annually – the accompanying increase in traffic congestion around the store is something that is already being addressed by the city and IKEA.

Roth says there have already been many discussions about ensuring a smooth and fun-filled day during grand opening weekend and subsequent weeks. He says representatives from Round Rock attended the opening of the Frisco, TX store to determine the best way to approach the deluge of visitors expected.

“Our greatest challenge is going to be moving people from the public roadways into the parking lot,” says Roth. He notes that the additional entrance from the IH-35 frontage road will help to ease congestion.

Approximately 250 to 300 people will join the IKEA workforce that is 90,000 strong worldwide.

Roth hopes with the schedule moving as quickly as it is in Round Rock that IKEA’s free catalog, with 160 million copies printed in 52 editions and 25 different languages, will reach local households before the doors actually open, giving shoppers a sneak peek of what to expect. For more information, visit www.ikea.com.

IKEA FACTS:

• 252,000 square foot store
• 21.5 acres of land
• Nearly 10,000 exclusively designed home furnishing items
• 50 room settings
• 3 model homes
• More than 1,100 parking spaces
• Approximately 300 full and part-time jobs
• 250-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties

Rooms at a Glance & on a Budget

The following rooms were designed using IKEA products:

COLLEGE STUDENT BEDROOM

• • ANEBODA queen bed frame $149
  • SULTAN FAGERAS foam mattress $129
  • ALVINE STRA full/queen quilt cover set $39.99
  • MINNEN wall/reading lamp $6.99
  • ANEBODA bed storage box $49.99
  • ANEBODA 3-drawer chest $69.99
  • ANEBODA bedside table $39.99
• TOTAL $484.95

HOME OFFICE

• • GUSTAV desk $299
  • GUSTAV drawer unit $179
  • VERKSAM swivel chair $199
  • JARINGE table lamp $29.99
  • BILLY bookcase combination $179.99
  • BENJAMIN stool/side table $19.99
  • INEZ hand-tufted rug $99.99
• TOTAL $1,006.96

BATHROOM

• • STENSKAR drawer unit $149
  • STENSKAR sink stand $249
  • STENSKAR mirror with shelf $49.99
  • STENSKAR wall cabinet $79.99
  • STENSKAR high cabinet $199
  • FARTYG wall spotlight $29.99
• TOTAL $756.97

Publisher's Note - August, 2006

By John Garrett Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

Toll road costs breakdown gives anticipated answers

There has been much debate over the toll roads. Some say that toll roads are unfair and others can’t wait to get their TxTags. One thing is certain: toll roads are coming and they will impact the way we travel and do business.

The tolls that these roads will charge are beginning to come to light. We wanted to give you the information you need to determine how you can use the toll roads, and what they will cost to use.

With gas prices surging, drivers will spend time analyzing whether the cost of the toll outweighs the frustration of sitting in traffic. No such cost-benefit analysis can be started without knowing the rates, so we are pleased to bring you the SH 45 Toll, Loop 1 Toll and SH 130 rates.

The Community Impact Newspaper staff would also like to thank our loyal readers and advertisers for helping us complete a successful first year. For each issue our team considers the average taxpayer and small business owner and tries to write relevant, useful stories. We still very much appreciate your feedback and are always open to hearing a good story idea.

If you missed any of our first 12 issues, visit www.impactnews.com – our Web site will allow you to download any of our issues as a PDF right onto your screen!

John P. Garrett, Publisher

Paw Bakery

By Michelle Davis Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

Wagging tails and loving licks reward dog treat baker

Dogs are known as man’s best friend, providing companionship and love. But how do their owners return the love? They give treats, of course. Jasmine Lee, owner of Paw Bakery, has been baking cakes and treats for the past five years that look good enough for human consumption, but are only tasty for the canines in our lives.

Upon graduating from college almost eight years ago, Lee gave herself a present named Pepper, a cocker spaniel who eventually led her to the creation of Paw Bakery.

“I had always wanted a dog, but couldn’t get one in college,” Lee said. “So after I graduated, got a job and was stable enough to afford to feed him and myself, I got Pepper and he’s been the best gift.”

Lee purchased treats for Pepper all the time before a friend from Singapore gave her a recipe for dog treats. As a project manager for a telecommunications company in Arkansas, she began baking for Pepper as well as friends’ and coworkers’ dogs in her spare time.

“It started out as a hobby and then I started making more and more,” Lee said. “I worked with a nonprofit organization in Little Rock donating my profits and treats for dogs at the shelter.”

Lee moved to Round Rock two years ago and decided to make this her full time occupation.

“It’s better working for dogs rather than a boss, and it’s very rewarding,” Lee said. “I don’t get bonuses, but I get paid in bones, a lot of wagging tails and kind licks from dogs and that’s the best!”

Lee does research and keeps up to date on what is nutritious and good for dogs through pet product magazines. She insists on using fresh ingredients with no artificial flavors or dyes.

“Quality is really important to me, I want the best for Pepper and I know that what I make needs to be really good,” Lee said. “I like to add a special touch to everything I do, so it’s not just like everything else out there.”

Lee does the baking from her home and sells to wholesale vendors, to orders placed on her Web site and to shoppers at the Austin Farmers Market every Saturday.

“Because I don’t have a shop, it’s really hard. The farmers market is my shop,” Lee said. “It’s challenging at times but I’m very flexible and willing to meet people to bring them their cakes or to the market. Maybe someday I will be able to get my own shop, but for now this works.”

Paw Bakery Treats sold at these locations:

• Austin Farmers Market on 4th and Guadalupe
• Bee Cave Farmers Market on Hwy 71
• First Thursday every month on South Congress
• Austin Gift Company on South Lamar
• Austin Canine Central on Brentwood
• Bark ‘N Purr on Burnet
• Dog Boys in Pflugerville
• Dog Camp in Driftwood
• K9 Lives in Barton Creek, Highland, and Hulen Malls

Paw Bakery, P.O. Box 5374, Round Rock, TX 78683 • 512-825-9596 www.pawbakery.com

Impact Round Rock - August 2006

Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

1. Chicago Stuffed Pizza

The sixth Mangia Pizza is now open in Round Rock at 1700 East Palm Valley, Ste. 300, next to HEB Plus. Mangia specializes in Chicago stuffed and thin crust pizzas and offers dine-in, carry-out, delivery, and catering. Mangia is the only Texas restaurant to ever receive the “National Independent

Pizza Company of the Year” award by Pizza Today magazine. It is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visit www.mangiapizza.com or call 238-6300 for more information.

2. New Montessori School

Sunrise Montessori of Round Rock, 104 Northwest Dr., is holding their grand opening Aug. 14. They provide a dynamic, hands-on learning environment and are enrolling students 2 ½ to 6 years old. Contact Laura Dodson, 341-2883 or visit www.sunrise-montessori.com.

3. 5K for Clay

5K for Clay is a fun run/walk for the whole family, Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center at 1600 Gattis School Road. This benefit is held to help make the recreation center a safe place where leadership and sportsmanship qualities are promoted. The fee for children (17 and under) $10 until Aug. 19, $20 on race day; adults (18+) $15 until Aug. 19, $25 on race day; all Round Rock Fit Participants pay $15. Contact Emily Schulembrect at 218-3217 for more information. To register, visit www.5kforclay.com or call 218-3214.

4. Center opens eight new businesses

Park West Plaza at 602 McNeil Road has opened eight new businesses since February. Jimmy Joseph Real Estate along with Triple J Financial bought the center and moved into two of the office spaces. Eddy Flores opened two stores, TacoMadre restaurant and Mina’s Salon. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 to 3:00, but plans to expand soon and add a dinner menu and full bar. Distinct Vision and Dr. Julia Emery moved their eyecare office from La Frontera and One Stop Auto Insurance opened as well. Gepetto’s Pizza, a takeout pizza parlor, 244-7000 is opened Fri. – Sun. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Mon – Thurs 4 to 9 p.m. The Dance Spot, a dance studio owned by Quinton Weathers opens Aug. 14. Visit thedancespotx.com for more information.

5. Safe Beacon in Round Rock

Independent insurance agent, Helen Bartholomew, opened her business Safe Beacon Insurance Agency at 1901 E. Palm Valley Blvd, across from the new HEB Plus. Bartholomew is a certified insurance counselor with more than 15 years experience in the insurance business in Central Texas. Call 535-1918 for more information.

6. Communication Solutions

Cricket Communications, 300 Mays Crossing, Ste. 200, next to Pluckers opened one of its four Texas stores in August. Cricket is a customer-focused company providing innovative communications solutions for the mass consumer market. It lets customers make unlimited calls over their local service area and receive calls from anywhere at a low price. Visit www.mycrickettexas.com or call 1-800-CRICKET for more information.

7. Charity Event

Spa Aloha hosted its grand opening party June 14, at 1201 South IH 35 in the Mays Crossing Shopping Center. The event raised more than $2,000 for STARRY, a charity organization that helps support children, youth and parents in crisis. The full-service spa offers more than 50 tropical results-oriented massage and skin treatments, including specialized services for men, teens and expecting mothers, plus a spa bath sanctuary. Call 255-6775 or visit www.spaaloha.com for more information.

News or questions about Round Rock? E-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Simon Lee Bakery

By Michelle Davis Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

Partners build business one layer at a time

It’s hard to imagine beginning your busiest workday on a Saturday at 2 a.m., working for 17 hours straight, and actually enjoying your career. For Jad Simon and Judy Lee, this is a typical summer Saturday, creating beautiful wedding cakes, and owning Simon Lee Bakery.

“I love the art and creation of wedding cakes,” Lee said. “I’ve always loved doing things with my hands, and I’m good at it.”

Lee grew up in Vietnam where she learned to bake from her mother. She moved to America when she was 20, and later attended the University of Texas, earning a degree in finance and management, but continued to bake in her spare time.

It was the planning of her wedding that gave Lee the idea of becoming more involved with weddings.

“I planned everything from A-Z. I booked the vendors, I wrote the invitations with calligraphy, I made my own floral arrangements, sewed my own gown, veil, everything, but the cake. It was after that I thought I wanted to be a wedding consultant,” Lee said. “I realize now that I like being hands-on the product and interacting one-on-one with people. I like things to be perfect so it’s easier for me to focus on one thing.”

In 1992, a family friend introduced Lee to Simon who was a pastry chef from Lebanon. They opened a business as a traditional bakery with cookies, pastries and breakfast items. After a year of establishing themselves through retail and wholesale they decided to pursue wedding cakes.

“The only two that touch the cakes are me and Simon,” Lee said. “We can ensure and maintain the quality of our product that way.”

The bakery dedicates a small part of the business for walk-in customers and the number of cookies offered for walk-ins increases during the holidays.

“Beginning in November for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day, all of our display cases are full of cookies and pastries,” Lee said. “But, for the most part we like to stick to wedding cakes and special orders. We can do most special ordered birthday cakes within 24 hours.”

Simon and Lee have more than 30 years of combined experience and the business will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Oct. 6.

“The secret to our cakes is that we use fresh ingredients and make everything from scratch,” Lee said. “If we’re making a carrot cake, we shred fresh carrots; if we are making a lemon cake, we squeeze fresh lemons.”

What you need to know about wedding cakes

• What are the most popular flavors?
  • White cake w/ cream cheese icing
  • White cake w/ fresh sliced strawberries and Grand Maurnier icing
  • Belguim chocolate and chocolate mousse icing
• How long does a typical wedding cake take to prepare?
  • 4 to 5 hours
• How much do wedding cakes cost?
  • $3.95 per serving; anywhere between $300-800

Simon Lee Bakery, 2700 W. Pecan St., Ste. #790 Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-990-4888, www.simonleebakery.com

Impact Pflugerville - August 2006

Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

1. Boot Scootin’ Gala

Pflugerville Circle of Pfriends is hosting the 2006 Boot Scootin’ Gala benefiting the new Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. It will be Sept. 16, from 6:30 to

11:30 p.m. at Pfluger Hall, 203 E. Pecan Street. There is a $40 donation fee per person to enjoy a BBQ buffet, beer and wine, along with silent and live auctions. Dance until your feet hurt to music by the Doug Moreland Show Band. Contact Glenda Spoonemore at 251-4790 for more information.

2. Pizza, Wings, Subs & Burgers

Pflugerville Pizza & Wings Factory is opening its doors this month in the previous location of Round Rock Donuts at the Pflugerville Office Park, 1202 FM 685, Suites B5 and B6. It will offer Chicago style pizza, wings, subs and burgers. Call 689-8998 for more information.

3. Golf Tournament

The 6th Annual Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament will be Saturday Aug. 26, at 9 a.m. at the Blackhawk Golf Course. The format is a Four Man Scramble with a fee of $65 per player, which includes range balls, cart and green fees, food and drink. The tournament will benefit local charities including the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and the Pflugerville Christmas Parade. Contact Pete Otero at 771-6781 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

4. Pface Pflugerville

Residents will have an opportunity to Pface Pflugerville Aug. 15, from 6 -7 p.m. They can discuss issues and the direction the city is headed with Mayor Cat Callen and council members. It will be at 100 East Main Street, Ste. 500. Call 990-4363 for more information.

5. New IT Company

Thin-nology, a company specializing in catastrophic data recovery, outsourced information technology and Thin Client technology, relocated from Round Rock to Pflugerville at 15901 Central Commerce, Ste. 402. It provides powerful servers, around-the-clock IT support, duplicated data drives, and secure e-mail as well as your own web server and access to your system from anywhere. Call 670-3930 or visit www.Thin-nology.com for more information.

Chamber Membership Grows by 33%

The Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce held a membership event that added 153 new members to the organization. “This was a marvelous example of a community coming together working as a team,” Chamber Chairman Gregg Miller said. “This event will produce results for the community for years to come. Mayor Callen really stepped up, got involved, and led the community in an increase of Chamber membership of 50%. This increase will now allow us to provide better programs. Anyone who missed can still get in, and I see nothing but us growing and prospering in the coming year.” For more information on the Chamber, call 251-7799.

6. New Automotive Shop

Motion Dynamics, 1203 First St., moved from Leander to Pflugerville a few months ago and held their grand opening in May. They offer a range of services from general automotive upkeep to restoring cars. They specialize in automotive performance upgrades including suspension, power adders and custom engine building. Visit www.motion-dynamics.net or call 670-2271.

News or questions about Pflugerville? E-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Robert Spoonemore

By Kathy Lesko Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

Robert Spoonemore says that he didn’t have to go anywhere else to become superintendent of a larger school district. He just stayed in Pflugerville after being hired in 1981 when the district included two elementary schools, one middle school and one 2A high school with about 350 students.

“By the time I left [in 1999], it was a 9A district,” he said laughing. “Pflugerville High School was a 5A school with 2300 students and Connally was a 4A with 1800.”

Spoonemore moved to Pflugerville after serving nine years as superintendent of schools in Ralls, TX near Lubbock. He explains that he and his wife Glenda whom he met while a student at West Texas State University had always enjoyed the Austin area and saw some possibilities of growth in the schools here.

“The students were easy to teach when we moved here,” Spoonemore said, “and Pflugerville already had a reputation of good schools. But as an administrator there were other problems. The district was made up of either bedroom or farming communities with a high tax base.”

He remembers the traditional school board, comprised of mainly German men, who always wanted to do what was right for the students, but who were also extremely economical.

“They taught me good fiscal habits,” Spoonemore said.

One of the first goals he and the board made was to make the district a more attractive place to work.

“We noticed that Austin and Round Rock were both stealing away some of our good teachers,” he said.

So the board began making it more attractive by raising salaries even if that meant giving up other things in order to pay people better.

“We knew that just as in business,” he said, “you have to get good people to get good results.”

The school board also saw growth coming on, so they made it a goal to keep building new facilities, trying to avoid using portable buildings as much as possible.

“In my 18 years as superintendent, I had more bond issues passed than any other superintendent in the state,” he said.

By the time Spoonemoore retired, the school system had grown to 17 campuses serving more than 12,000 students. His staff of teachers exploded from 150 to 1,000.

“I used to be able to have meetings and call them all by name,” he said, “but toward the end, I honestly couldn’t.”

His efforts were recognized in 1995 when he was named Central Texas Superintendent of the Year.

“But the thing I was most proud of,” Spoonemore said, “was the next year in ’96, our school board was named Honor Board of the State.”

Since retiring, he and his wife have visited more than 40 countries. However, he remains involved with education when not traveling. He has worked part-time for Texas’ Education Service Center and on behalf of the State has provided his expertise in monitoring schools who need help.

“I may not have always been the most popular,” Spoonemore reflects on his legacy as the superintendent serving the longest in Pflugerville’s history, “but they all knew I could get the job done.”

Business Sense

“Our success [as Texas Outstanding School Board] was largely due to Bob Spoonemore’s keen business sense. He responded to the needs of the district providing buildings, procuring property and keeping the district fiscally responsible.” Dr. Jeff Burnett, DDS, President of PISD school board, 1990-1998

Editor’s note: Bob Spoonemore was probably the first person I met in Pflugerville in 1988 when my husband and I interviewed for teaching positions. I remember coming out of our interview excited about this district. It was obvious that he was proud of its accomplishments and its promise.

“No One Can Take Away From You What You Know”

By Pamela Stephenson Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

Born to a former slave with no formal education, Mrs. Fannie Mae Caldwell learned from her father the value of knowledge. Her father, James Tyson, told his children, “No one can take away from you what you know.”

Tyson learned to read and write with help from anyone who was willing, including his children. Daughter Fannie Mae earned her teaching certificate from Samuel Huston College, now Huston-Tillotson University, in Austin. Fannie Mae taught school in Pflugerville for more than 20 years.

Caldwell emphasized the importance of education to her 13 children as well. Daughter’s Dorothy Ates of Austin and Betty Dixon of Pflugerville, remember their mother making up games to teach them reading and math. To practice reading, each read until they mispronounced a word or failed to emphasize the punctuation of a sentence, passing the turn to the next child. They learned multiplication tables by replacing a number with a word each time that number appeared, including those divisible by that number.

The Caldwell children attended the Pflugerville Colored School located near the present day St. Mary’s Baptist Church on FM 1825. Two teachers taught four grades each in the two-room schoolhouse.

“A lot of children were not as fortunate as we were that had parents at home that …could help them,” recalled Dixon.

After completing eighth grade, the highest grade offered at the school, children left Pflugerville if they wanted to continue their education. Some lived with relatives in Austin or Fort Worth, while others rode a bus from Three Points to Round Rock to attend Hopewell School.

Caldwell worked tirelessly for the rights of African-American children. She advocated integration of the schools so that they might receive quality education. Thanks to her perseverance, buses were provided for the children to travel to segregated high schools by the late 1950s until the Pflugerville schools were integrated in 1965.

At the age of 101, Caldwell attended the 2001 dedication of Fannie Mae Caldwell Elementary School. Her daughters say that the naming was important to their mother, especially knowing the “struggle she had to get educated and how important it was in her life… and her father’s life.”

Earliest business sweeps into town

By compiled by Jim Dawson Monday, 07 August 2006 00:00

One of the earliest businesses, located in a building at the corner of Main and Mays Streets, was originally owned by the IG&N railroad. The native limestone building was built in 1876, and the Oatts Broom Company began operations in that space in 1877. In 1890 the business was sold, and the new owners mechanized the operation by installing gasoline-powered equipment.

Raw materials, especially broom corn (a type of sorghum), and handles were purchased on buying trips as far away as Oklahoma and south Texas. These items were purchased in large quantities and shipped via the railroads.

The broom corns were hung from the rafters on the first floor of the building until they were needed, then placed in the sorting room where experienced sorters discarded the brittle and defective straws. The culled broom corns were then cleaned and chemically treated to make them pliable.

Next the soaked corns were placed over the end of the rotating broom handle and secured by wire. Different grades of corn were added in layers with the heavier corns in the center. The brooms were placed in a fan-shaped sewing machine where five or six rows of colored stitches were added to hold the broom corns in place.

The ends of the broom were then chopped off to make an even sweeping surface and the brooms were labeled and placed 12 to a carton for shipping.

C.U. Landrum was in charge of marketing for the Broom Company, traveling by train or horse and buggy, carrying his sample case containing every style of broom the company made – with the long broom handles cut off for easier packing. At one time it was the largest broom factory in Texas.

Broom maker Harry William Chambers produced a broom that won a gold medal at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. The company honored that feat by naming a broom the Gold Medal.

The Round Rock broom company operated in this location until 1912. Today, Energy Systems Associates, Inc. owns the building which is a Texas historical landmark. Their offices are on the second floor and K2 Systems Group is on the first floor.