Tag: Kyle Texas

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Events

Hays County Brown Santa Program

The Hays County Brown Santa Program is a non-profit organization that provides food and toys to Hays County families in need during Christmas and the holidays. They have a variety of Hays County Brown Santa events to support the program that includes fundraisers, deadlines for donations, and volunteer days for sorting and delivering.

Brown Santa is located at 4200 IH 35, Suite #100, across from the outlet mall behind Hat Creek Burgers. If you’d like to help deliver, please email Lt. Gutierrez at dg1203@co.hays.tx.us and provide the type of vehicle you will drive, your cell number, and whether you have access to a trailer/horse trailer/box truck. (That’d be so great if you do!)

Want to help wrap presents? Please bring your own scissors and if you wish, a small table or a blanket to sit on. The building is a large open space and you may not be comfortable sitting on the bare floor. The organization has wrapping paper and tape.

Interested in donating already-wrapped toys, please put a sticky note on it containing the recipient’s age and gender. If you want to sign up for any of the fundraisers or you want to do your own fundraiser, contact Lt. Gutierrez at dg1203@co.hays.tx.us or call 512-393-7877. Thank you for your support!

Crosswinds is a big supporter of the program and looks forward to helping.

More Things to Do in Kyle

For more information about Crosswinds and things to do in Kyle, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. We wish you a wonderful holiday season!

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

What Can I Do on Thanksgiving in Kyle?

Looking for something to do to enjoy Thanksgiving in Kyle? Check out these great Thanksgiving events.

Kyle Thanksgiving Events

You have a couple of options for Turkey Trots. Cities all around Texas hold 5K fun run and walk to celebrate a special day that benefits a nonprofit. Join a long-standing tradition of starting your Thanksgiving morning with a little run or walk. It’s an opportunity to have fun with your family, make room for your delicious meal, give back to the community, and get in a good workout.

Buda Turkey Trot

Benefitting the Hays County Food Bank, the Buda Turkey Trot takes you through the heart of Buda, Texas. The race occurs on Thanksgiving at 8 am in the parking lot behind the Buda location of Cabella’s. They’ll have prizes for different age groups as well as individual and group costume awards. For more information and to register, visit Buda Turkey Trot.

San Marcos Turkey Trot

The Race4Relief Turkey Trot in San Marcos takes place at the Intramural Fields, 4 Aquarena Springs Drive, on November 23. It runs from 7:30 am to 1 pm. Race4Relief benefits many organizations such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Caritas of Austin. Some of the proceeds go to Hays County Good Bank and the remainder toward other Enactus projects. The race will feature bands, games, and prizes for the whole family.

Texas State Men’s Choir

Under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Babcock, the TXST Treble Chamber Choir and Men’s Choir will perform on Sunday, November 24 from 4 to 5 pm at Texas State University’s Evans Auditorium, 601 University Drive – Evans Auditorium, San Marcos, Texas 78666. The choir’s repertoire consists of many styles and covers a variety of choral music from small octavos to larger works.

Annual Wimberley Community Thanksgiving Dinner

For more than 30 years, the Wimberley Community Thanksgiving has served more than 500 neighbors. It takes place in the Wimberley Community Center (14068 Ranch Rd. 12, Wimberley, Texas 78676) on Thursday, November 28 from 11 am to 2 pm. The meal includes smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, gravy, and a dinner roll. Dessert is a choice of pecan cobbler and pumpkin pie.

They accept donations at the door or year-round at Ozona Bank. If you can’t join the festivities, you can contact them and they’ll see that you get a meal. They welcome volunteers. Visit the Wimberley Community Thanksgiving Dinner Facebook page for contact information.

How I Met Your Mother Slapsgiving

“Because later we’re going to eat turkey, and then I’m going to slap you in your face.” — Marshall on How I Met Your Mother.

Fans of the comedy who know exactly what happened will not want to miss this fun night. Here’s your chance to show off your knowledge of the show in five challenging rounds at the Growler USA Austin (609 W. 29th St., Austin, TX 78705) on Monday, November 25 from 7 to 9 pm. The best way to reserve your seat is to select a team captain who takes care of tickets for the entire team.

Santa’s Ranch

The best way to get in the holiday spirit is to visit one of the greatest light displays in all of Texas at Santa’s Ranch. You’re just a 30-minute drive to New Braunfels (9561 I-35 North, New Braunfels, TX 78130) where you’ll delight in seeing 1.5 million custom-made lights. The display runs from now until January 4, 2020. They welcome cars (no trailers, buses, limos, or RVs please) Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 10 pm; and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 11 pm. Hot cocoa, homemade kettle corn, and souvenirs await you!

Thank You from Crosswinds Kyle Community

Our Crosswinds Kyle team is grateful for our community and the wonderful people in it. If you’d like to learn more about things happening in our Kyle community, please connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun Lifestyle

Texas Monthly BBQ Fest

The best part about living in Kyle, Texas is that you’re close to some of the best BBQ in the country. And not only that, but you’re just 30 minutes away from two days of some of the best BBQ in one place! There will be — count ’em — 30 BBQ joints from across Texas at the fest!

texas bbq

What Is Texas Monthly BBQ Fest?

The tenth annual BBQ fest occurs on Nov. 2 and 3 in Austin. Texas Monthly invites the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas to the event. So, you will have the opportunity to try the best of the best BBQ without traveling all over the place!

A ticket gets you free samples of BBQ, sides, and desserts from all participating joints. Check out the BBQ fest lineup to see what BBQ you can sample. Be warned that it’s while supplies last – you may want to head there early for a chance to try it all.

What’s BBQ without cold drinks, desserts, and music? All that will be on hand. The Suffers and Austin’s own Al Dressen’s BBQ Playboys will provide the entertainment. Enjoy the sounds of western swing from Al Dressen’s BBQ Playboys. The band has been around since 1982 and will remind you of the Texas Playboys. The band will have you swingin’ in no time.

The Suffers are an award-winning eight-piece ensemble from Houston that specializes in Gulf Coast Soul. They’ve played more than 300 shows around North America and their first TV appearance was on Late Show With David Letterman. Since then, they’ve performed at The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Before You Go to Austin for the BBQ Fest

The first thing you want to know is that daylight saving time begins the night before the BBQ. Be sure to set your alarm back one hour to ensure you arrive on time. VIP doors open at noon and general admission at 1 pm. The event, held at the Long Center for Performing Arts (701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704), runs until 4 pm.

Beware that all bags are subject to search. Coolers, storage containers, and guns are not allowed on the property. Any food not purchased at the event cannot enter the building. You can park in the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage (900 Barton Springs Rd.). It’s open on a first-come, first-serve basis and costs $8 per vehicle. You’ll pay at the booth as you enter the garage.

Other parking spaces include One Texas Center Garage (505 Barton Springs Rd.) and Austin City Hall Parking Garage (301 W. 2nd St.). Accessible parking is available at the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage.

If it rains, the show will go on! Kids are welcome, but there are no kid-friendly activities. The only animals permitted are service animals.

All this talk of BBQ is making us hungry. What are your favorite BBQ joints near Dripping Springs? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Experience the Railhouse in Kyle, Texas

Country music fans in Kyle, Texas, get the best of country music right in their backyard at The Railhouse. They listen to live music, play games, and relish a cold brew all in one cool place. At least four nights a week, the Kyle music venue provides live music and DJs with bartenders serving your favorites in one of their five bars.

All that dancing and fun will build up an appetite. No problem. They serve breakfast, barbeque, and Tex Mex.

It’s a Playground Paradise

The Railhouse is family-friendly until 9 pm. Family members can enjoy Texas-sized checkers, sand volleyball courts, and cornhole and washers. The music venue has private party areas available.

Adults can play beer pong like nothing they’ve ever seen before because it’s Texas-sized! The venue has both an indoor and outdoor event stage.

They have theme nights. Here are some of the upcoming themes:

  • Monday Night Football with chicken fried steak and chicken
  • Texas Tuesday Drink specials and BBQ sampler
  • Karaoke and Whiskey Wednesdays are steak night
  • Thursday Night Football with half-price nachos
  • French Dip Friday
  • Half-price wings during UT game
  • Sunday brunch and Sunday Funday with DJ and friends

What makes The Railhouse special is that like experiencing multiple venues under one big roof. During the daytime, it’s family-friendly and has a coffee shop serving brunch. At night time, it’s an adult’s nirvana. The staff is friendly just like you expect of Texans and the food gets raves.

Listen to Popular Country Music in Kyle, Texas

The Railhouse offers indoor and outdoor areas included a few fire pits. One reviewer says to skip the drive to Lockhart because they serve scrumptious BBQ. It’s a place where you can bring a big group and not feel like it’s crowded.

One customer calls the place a gem and what makes it awesome is that there’s a train that goes by. Many bands like Suede with a big following play at the Railhouse. Check out their upcoming events to see who will play there soon.

When you live in the Crosswinds community in Kyle, you’re only a hop, skip, and a jump away from this big-city-like entertainment venue.

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Homebuilder

Find a New Home in Kyle, Texas in October

It may not quite feel like Fall yet considering this is Kyle, Texas. Typically, warm weather hangs around through the month of October. The upside is that the 90-plus to 100-degree days have gone on their merry way out of Texas. The other nice thing about moving in October is that you’ll settle into your new home in time to enjoy it for the holidays!

Get ready to discover what the Crosswinds Community master-planned community in Kyle has to offer with its diversity of homes. And, it’s just 20 miles south of Austin off I-35.

Highland Homes

The award-winning Highland Homes has been building homes in Texas since 1985. They offer 50-feet and 60-feet lots and 25 home plans. They have four move-in ready homes. Here’s one for your perusing.

263 Windswept Way

  • Available now
  • Southport plan
  • 2,373 square feet
  • 4 bedrooms
  • 3 full bathrooms
  • $284,990

Included upgrades are a master bath with a separate shower, extended outdoor living, and a gas drop on the patio. Check out the interactive listing that lets you to drag-n-drop furniture into each room and shows you the dimensions.

Pacesetter Homes

Offering 18 unique floor plans, QUALICO’s Pacesetter Homes has been building homes in Austin and the hill country since 2007. Moreover, Builder Magazine has recognized Pacesetter Homes as one of the top 10 fastest growing homebuilding companies in the U.S. Check out this house.

544 Nautical Loop

  • Available now
  • Compania plan
  • 2,124 square feet
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 3 full bathrooms
  • $279,900

The kitchen features white kitchen cabinets, quartz counters, and a large island. Filling the home are beautiful wood tiles and plenty of natural light. Enjoy entertaining? A private courtyard with a pergola fits the bill.

Gehan Homes

The newest builder on the block, Gehan has been building homes for one-quarter of a century. They’ve received awards for their floor plans, design, and customer service. Since they’re new to Crosswinds, their homes won’t be ready until December. Here’s a taste of what they offer.

842 Spinnaker Loop

  • Available December
  • Juniper plan
  • 2,170 square feet
  • 1 story
  • 4 bedrooms
  • 3 full bathrooms
  • $292,383

Check out the interactive floor plan in which you can move furniture onto the plan to see how it looks. Featured options include a covered patio, vented hood, and design upgrades.

A perfect home is waiting for you right here in Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Explore all things Crosswinds by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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Education

Home Maintenance: Just the Basics You Need to Know

The best thing about buying a new home in Kyle’s Crosswinds Community is that everything works and runs smoothly. You don’t have to wonder if the house started having problems under a previous owner. It’s a clean slate.

The joy of homeownership also requires doing basic home maintenance tasks. Spending a few minutes doing these tasks and learning the basics will stave off bigger, more expensive problems in the long-run. It also extends the life of your home and keeps utility bills as low as possible.

Here are the most important basics to know that will help your new home last for decades to come.

Electricity

The first thing to find is your circuit-breaker box and switches. It’s typically in the garage. Check the switches to see if they have labels showing you which controls what part of the house. If there are no labels, ask your home builder.

Knowing where the breaker box is and which switch to … well … switch comes in handy when the power goes out in one area of your home. It’s actually a good thing the power went off because something tripped the switch. The power turning off is a safety measure to prevent potential problems. Most of the time, flipping the switch fixes the problem.

You may notice outlets in the kitchen and bathroom that features red and black buttons. The black button is a test button. It deactivates the outlet. The red is the reset button.

Say you’re using the hairdryer and it suddenly stops working. You won’t need to go to the circuit-breaker box to fix this. Just press the red (reset) button and the hairdryer should work again.

Water

Just like you want to know the location of your circuit-breaker box and switches, you also want to locate your water valves in case you ever have to shut off the water. Typically, you can find valves under the sink or behind appliances. Or follow the hose to the valve.

This one tip will save you loads of money and headaches. When you spot a leak or a flood, turn the valve to the right (clockwise) to shut it off. The sooner you do it, the less water will get out and do damage.

After shutting off the water, drain the residual water where the valve feeds. Go about doing the repairs. As soon as you finish and verify everything works, turn the valve to the left (counter-clockwise) to restore the water supply. Open the faucet associated with the valve to let out any air.

Air

For new homes in Kyle, you’ll want to replace the air filter more frequently in the beginning. Things like drywall dust take time to settle. Right after moving in, change the filters every two weeks for a few months. Then, you can switch to replacing the filters every three months.

It makes a huge difference in the utility bill. The more filled the filter is, the harder your air conditioning unit will work and drive up the cost.

Toilets

You don’t need to have every tool under the sun as soon as you move into your new home. It’s fine to keep adding to your collection over time.

These are the first tools you want to have on hand:

  • Plunger
  • Auger
  • Bucket
  • Rubber gloves

It’s not a matter if, but a matter of when a clogged toilet will happen. And the plunger will do the trick most of the time. Sometimes the situation requires something stronger and that’s where the auger will come to the rescue.

Before you plunge, evaluate the water to determine its chances of overflowing. If it looks likely, turn off the valve near the toilet. Grab the plunger for this. Remove half of the water from the toilet, make a tight seal with the plunger, and plunge several times. If the water goes down, give it one more plunge. Turn on the valve and flush the toilet.

Still backed up? Time to bring in the auger. Insert it into the toilet and slowly crank it to the right (clockwise) until it’s tight. Turn the crank in reverse (counter-clockwise) for a little bit and then crank forward as far as you can. All good? Now, crank in reverse while pulling backward. This should solve the problem. Test it by flushing the toilet several times.

Bonus Home Maintenance Tip

Nowadays, you can download most manuals from the internet. This is the time to look up all your appliances and pick up the manuals for each. Store them together in a folder on your hard drive.

You may have some print manuals. Store them in one place where you know you will find them. These manuals prove useful when you run into a problem or need to replace a part. They let you know exactly what part you need to order.

If you encounter a problem not covered here, just do a search for home maintenance solutions and videos. You’ll find a how-to video for almost everything. Also, open your phone’s app store and search for home maintenance apps. Many nifty checklists and references are available to help you with home maintenance.

Now that you know where everything is located and bought the tools, treat yourself! Or maybe you’re thinking about looking at new homes in Kyle? Come explore the Crosswinds Community with its diversity of amenities.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Awesome Kyle Events Coming up in September

The hot temperatures may not have let up yet, but fall is right around the corner. And that means lots of fun and popular fall events are coming up in and near Kyle, Texas! A wide variety of events awaits you in September, everything from a festival to a BBQ fundraiser and sports to great food. People living in the Kyle master-planned Crosswinds community won’t have to go far for these adventures.

The events appear in the order of dates they take place.

Santa Cruz Holy Cross Festival
Sept. 6 and 7
1100 Main Street
Buda, TX 78610

Santa Cruz Holy Cross Festival is a large community festival where you can enjoy live music, food booths, carnival rides, auction, and raffle prizes. All proceeds benefit Santa Cruz Catholic Church and School’s mission to educate others to live a communal life of faith, hope, and charity that moves them to love and serve God and others. Michael Salgado and Grupo Solido will perform. Admission is $5 per person. It’s free for children ages 12 and under.

Festival Hours

  • 6: 6 – 11 pm
  • 7: 2 – 11 pm

Kyle Classic Golf Tournament
Sept. 13
Plum Creek Golf Course
4301 Benner
Kyle, TX 78640

Voted as one of the best golf tournaments in Hays County, attend the Kyle Classic for a memorable day of golfing, entertainment, and networking. More than 120 people will attend the event to promote their products and services. There will be food, beverages, giveaways, prizes, and more.

Schedule

  • 7 – 8 am: Sponsor Check-In
  • 7:30 – 8:30 am: Golfer Check-In
  • 9 am: Shotgun Start

9/11 Memorial BBQ Fundraiser
Sept. 11
Kyle VFW Auxiliary Post 12058
Performing Arts Center
979 Kohlers Crossing
Kyle, Texas 78640

At the 9/11 Memorial BBQ Fundraiser, Kyle VFW Auxiliary Post #12058 will honor and remember the lives of those heroes lost on September 11, 2001. The program includes a Color Guard, guest speaker, a special video of America the Beautiful followed, prayers, and TAPS.

The special guest speaker is retired Army SFC (E7) Larry “Scott” Teakell, a recipient of the Soldier’s Medal. Hear his story of heroism and his determination. The Kyle event starts at 7 pm.

Mermaid SPLASH Festival

This is a 15-day festival with many events. Visit Mermaid Society of SMTX for all festival events and locations. The San Marcos event kicks off with the Downtown Mermaid Parade and Aqua Faire on Sept. 21 from 10 am to 6 pm at the San Marcos Downtown Mermaid Promenade.

With the San Marcos River serving as the backdrop, the faire begins with the parade consisting of lots and lots of mermaids and more than 100 parade entries. The parade starts the corner of CM Allen and Cheatham Street with many viewing spots along the route.

The parade ends at San Marcos Plaza Park where the Mermaid Aqua Faire Celebration begins. Revel in live music, a juried art market, KIDzone, and food trucks. Don’t miss out on the SPLASH Royal Court and free fun!

Annual Fajita Fiesta and Cook-off
Canceled for 2019

The Fajita Fiesta and Cook-off is canceled because Buda’s city park is undergoing major renovations. Don’t fret! It’ll be back in September 2020!

For more Kyle events and tips, check these out!

Kyle, Texas and surrounding areas offer many wonderful opportunities to explore a beautiful part of Texas. If you’re looking for a home, you may want to explore the Crosswinds Community in Kyle. To learn more, contact Crosswinds today or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Categories
Homebuilder

Homebuilder Highlight: Gehan Homes

As you search for new homes in Kyle, you may want to explore the master-planned Crosswinds community located right off I-35 between Austin and San Marcos. Just 20 miles from Austin, residents appreciate its big-city resources and entertainment with all the joys of small-town living. Known as the Pie Capital of Texas, Kyle offers a slice of heaven literally and figuratively.

In planning the community, Crosswinds looked at many Kyle builders to select the right ones to bring the vision for this community to life. One of those is Gehan Homes, which Builder Magazine has ranked as the 14th largest private homebuilder in the U.S. For more than 25 years, Gehan has welcomed families to their new homes.

About Gehan Homes

Gehan Homes builds most of its homes in Texas. They know the locales well and design homes made to withstand Texas weather and optimize them for the different types of Texas soil.

Everything the Texas homebuilder does revolves around these four cornerstones:

  • Highest quality
  • Exceptional design
  • Personalization
  • Superior buying and customer experience

You can find them in Crosswinds at 231 Tailwind Drive Kyle, TX 78640. (The community is East of I-35 off of Windy Hill Road and Crosswinds Pkwy.) Their homes range from three to four bedrooms with two to three baths. Homes start in the $260s and range from 1,850 to 3,050 sq. ft. Explore Gehan floor plans in Crosswinds.

Gehan Home Achievements

The Kyle homebuilder has received the 2017 Texas Association of Builders STAR Award for Builder of the Year along with more than 20 STAR awards. TAB created the awards program to spotlight the exceptional work of home builders, architects, designers, remodelers, and other industry leaders.

Gehan Homes has also won several Houzz awards including one for customer service and another for product design. They’ve received many more awards. While they take pride in their awards, nothing is more valuable to them than their customer relationships.

BUILDER Online has recognized Gehan Homes as one of the “Top 25 Builders Killing It Via Social Media.” So, check them out on your favorite social network. It’s a great way to get to know them better.

The Crosswinds community features a pool, pavilion, parks, playgrounds, and trails. For more information about Gehan Homes, please call 512-965-9977 or email reicher@gehanhomes.com.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Best Restaurants in and Near Kyle

Kyle may offer small-town living, but you will find no shortage of delicious restaurants that are sure to make your taste buds do a little dance. Texas small towns typically serve comfort food like chicken fried steak, BBQ, and burgers. Yes, you’ll find those in Kyle. Still, it also has cuisine you won’t find in many small towns.

kyle restaurants

Check out these favorite Kyle restaurants.

Texas Pie Company
202 W Center St, Kyle, TX 78640
texaspiecompany.com

Lest you think this is a bakery, not a restaurant, it’s both. Texas Pie Company’s menu consists of pies, casseroles, quiches, salads, and sandwiches. Many of the recipes come from Chef Julie Albertson’s grandmother that have been handed down through generations of her Texas family. Of course, like the name, they’re best known for handmade pies.

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
575 E Fm 150, Kyle, TX 78640
garciassmtx.com

Founded in 1988, Curtis and Antonio Garcia’s family recipes have gained such a following that they have multiple locations including one in Kyle. Reviewers rave about their service and everything from cheese enchiladas and salsa to chili rellenos and breakfast tacos. That’s why it’s not surprising that people drive from other cities to this Mexican restaurant in Kyle.

Pho Thai Son Vietnamese Cuisine
5401 S. FM 1626 #370, Kyle, TX 78640
phothaison.com

You won’t believe what this Kyle restaurant serves: Vietnamese cuisine. Kyle residents can get their sushi and egg rolls fix from this authentic Vietnamese restaurant.

Thailai and Son Nguyen left Vietnam for greener pastures and worked in a tech company until they decided to start a business. That business is Pho Tai Son.

Milt’s Pit Barbecue
208 W Center St., Kyle, TX 78640
miltspitbbq.com

Texas is known for having some of the best BBQ in the U.S. with many being in Austin and nearby. For times you a gosh darn good brisket right in Kyle, Milt’s your place. With homemade sides and desserts, one reviewer says its BBQ heaven with its tender beef that melts in your mouth.

Customers laud its sweet tea, jalapeno sausage, pork ribs, and turkey at this quaint and homey place. The Kyle BBQ restaurant is also a stop at one visitor’s 10 days of Texas brisket in which he visited famous BBQ places. It’s definitely a hidden gem and it’s right in Kyle.

Ilario’s Italian Restaurant
5401 Fm 1626, Kyle, TX 78640-6038
ilarios.com

Here’s one place you don’t have to leave Texas for New York Style pizza. This Kyle Italian restaurant serves authentic fresh Italian cuisine with a Texas smile and large portions fitting for this great state. For those who eat a gluten-free diet, Ilario’s offers gluten-free pizza, pot roast, and spaghetti with meatballs.

Hays City Store and Ice House
8989 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
hayscitystoretx.com

Initially a gas station and convenience store, Hays City Store has morphed into a burgeoning full-service restaurant and bar. Featuring made-from-scratch Texas comfort food and hand-crafted cocktails, the restaurant has 40 beers on tap, five TVs for sports fans, and a wood-fired pizza oven.

Customers praise its chicken fried steak and you’ll find something for everyone with its house-ground burgers, hand-battered shrimp, fish tacos, and more. They even serve up hot towels for cleaning up after noshing on wings.

Sylver Spoon
6700 N I35, New Braunfels, TX 78130
sylverspoon.com

A trained culinary artist with foodservice experience, a theater artist with a restaurant background, and an actress as UT Austin directing graduate all have one thing in common. They’re sisters and proud founders of Sylver Spoon, the place for dinner and theater, or dinnertainment as they call it.

They’ve thought of everything. If you want to eat, but not see a show — you can do that. Need childcare? They offer it. Want to meet wine snobs with a five-course wine-pairing dinner? Ditto. They even have bingo and trivia.

Want more Kyle tips? Check these out!

Want to live in a community near all these restaurants that have you craving their food? Check out Crosswinds in Kyle with its swimming pool, playground, and planned nature trails at Windy Point amenity center.

Categories
Education

Six Tips to Get Ready for Back to School in Kyle, Texas

Parents and guardians of students attending Hays Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) will be celebrating on August 15 when school starts. No doubt, they will be a few sleepy kids dragging after changing their sleeping schedule for the summer.

Whether or not your family is excited about school, it’s always hard to change your routine and leave the dog days of summer behind. You can ease the transition and avoid scrambling at the last minute with these six tips.

  1. Check registration and related paperwork

You may already have already completed the required school district paperwork. The due dates vary based on district and schools. Ensure you register your child or contact the school.

Visit Hays CISD’s registration page for information about registration for new and returning students. Like most schools, HCISD requires proof of address, immunization records, and other documents.

If your student has medical needs, then contact the school nurse to ask about the process to make sure the child can receive treatment or medicine at school.

  1. Access online accounts

HCISD requires parents and guardians to register for the school year online as covered in No. 1. The district has a parent self-serve portal (PSS) for checking the student’s academics, contact information, attendance, and transportation information.

You can also sign up to receive notifications about missing assignments or absences and alerts from the principal, school, and district. Verify you can access your account and that all the information is current.

  1. Update your calendar

Review the Hays CISD calendar, so you can enter all the important dates into yours. If you haven’t already, you might create a family calendar that everyone can see every day. Better yet, set up a private online calendar that everyone in the family can access on their devices and computers.

  1. Pick up school supplies

If you haven’t shopped for supplies yet, you’re in luck! Texas Tax-Free Weekend is August 9 – 11. And many retailers hold sales on clothes and school supplies before, during, and after tax-free weekend. You might find more savings opportunities online at RetailMeNot, Rakuten (formerly Ebates), and Honey.

Some schools and PTAs sell school supplies where you just pay one fee for the entire packet. This can be cheaper than shopping because they get bulk discounts. Treat your kids to one cool or colorful school item of their choice to get them excited about school.

  1. Kick-start bedtime routines

The fact is that kids’ sleeping schedules fall off track in the summer. It takes three weeks to create a new habit. The first day of school will go better if students start their school bedtime routine at least a week before school starts.

Start small. Put them to bed 15 minutes earlier for a few days. Then move it back another 15 minutes until they return to their school bedtime. Do the same with wake-up time. Wake them 15 minutes earlier for a few days and so on.

  1. Designate a study space

Creating a study area to help the kids make it a habit to study in that area without any distractions. Stock the space with pens, pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, and other supplies. This prevents “I don’t have what I need” syndrome.

About Hays CISD for Kyle, Texas Residents

Students living in the Crosswinds community attend the following Hays CISD exemplary schools:

The district serves 18,000 students on 22 campuses. Residents have excellent post-secondary options in Austin Community College and its nearby ACC Hays Campus, Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin, St. Edwards University, Hutson-Tillotson University, San Antonio College, Trinity University, and University of Texas at San Antonio.

Be sure to take pictures on the first day of school. It’s amazing how much kids grow in a school year when you compare the first day and last day pictures. If you follow these tips, you’ll have a great first day of school in the growing Hays ISD in Kyle!

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