KEEP LAGO VISTA BEAUTIFUL
Keep Texas Beautiful Gold Star Affiliate 2021
TEXAS GCAA AWARD WINNER 2020
KLVB'S NEXT MEETING
Thursday August 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
In the Lago Vista Library meeting room.
Email Denise at sellersdk@gmail.com for info and agenda
WORKDAYS
Contact Denise at the email above for current opportunities to volunteer.
Workdays always subject to change.
We always welcome new members!
Anyone wishing to join KLVB or volunteer to participate in a workday, please contact
Denise Sellers, President at 512-467-4582 or sellersdk@gmail.com
KLVB NEWS
Keep Lago Vista Beautiful Recognized as Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful
70 Texas Communities Honored for their Exceptional Community Improvement Efforts
Lago Vista, TX - Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, recently named Keep Lago Vista Beautiful a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation granted to 70 affiliates of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognition is the membership recognition highest status any community affiliate can achieve.
In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To remain in good standing with KTB, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually.
To achieve Gold Star status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, or participate in the Beautify Texas Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community. KTB formally recognized KLVB along with other Gold Star communities during its 54th Annual Conference in June.
“Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization. We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” says Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community and so much more.”
In 2020 alone, KTB affiliates engaged 20,917 volunteers who contributed 37,857 hours to collect 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. KLVB successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local citizens, and beautify and enhance the local community.
In spite of the tragedy of the national pandemic, Keep Lago Vista Beautiful volunteers safely continued their volunteerism in the community. Although the traditional April trash-off had to be cancelled, a Fall Trash Off was well attended, filling 20 roll-off containers with residents’ discarded items. Litter removal continued apace - during the year, 200 large bags of litter were removed in total. In fact, in September 2020, the largest ever group of KLVB volunteers, over 20 participants, picked up 37 extra-large bags of trash in a single day from City streets. A new program, proper disposal of American Flags, was well received in November of 2020. KLVB members assisted the Lago Vista Independent School District in beautifying a problem area at the Middle School. Grants from the Lago Vista Women’s Club, and the Native Plant Society of Texas helped the club continue their beautification efforts in several of the Club’s 15 Adopt-a-Spot locations around the City. All these good works have resulted in increased visibility for KLVB, increased membership, and a Gold Star for the organization.
KLVB President Denise Sellers stated: “Once again I want to give a great big cheer to the Keep Lago Vista Volunteers. This is the first time in our history that we have received the Gold Star Affiliation from Keep Texas Beautiful, and it’s the highest honor an affiliate can achieve.”
70 Texas Communities Honored for their Exceptional Community Improvement Efforts
Lago Vista, TX - Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, recently named Keep Lago Vista Beautiful a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation granted to 70 affiliates of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognition is the membership recognition highest status any community affiliate can achieve.
In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To remain in good standing with KTB, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually.
To achieve Gold Star status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, or participate in the Beautify Texas Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community. KTB formally recognized KLVB along with other Gold Star communities during its 54th Annual Conference in June.
“Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization. We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” says Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community and so much more.”
In 2020 alone, KTB affiliates engaged 20,917 volunteers who contributed 37,857 hours to collect 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. KLVB successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local citizens, and beautify and enhance the local community.
In spite of the tragedy of the national pandemic, Keep Lago Vista Beautiful volunteers safely continued their volunteerism in the community. Although the traditional April trash-off had to be cancelled, a Fall Trash Off was well attended, filling 20 roll-off containers with residents’ discarded items. Litter removal continued apace - during the year, 200 large bags of litter were removed in total. In fact, in September 2020, the largest ever group of KLVB volunteers, over 20 participants, picked up 37 extra-large bags of trash in a single day from City streets. A new program, proper disposal of American Flags, was well received in November of 2020. KLVB members assisted the Lago Vista Independent School District in beautifying a problem area at the Middle School. Grants from the Lago Vista Women’s Club, and the Native Plant Society of Texas helped the club continue their beautification efforts in several of the Club’s 15 Adopt-a-Spot locations around the City. All these good works have resulted in increased visibility for KLVB, increased membership, and a Gold Star for the organization.
KLVB President Denise Sellers stated: “Once again I want to give a great big cheer to the Keep Lago Vista Volunteers. This is the first time in our history that we have received the Gold Star Affiliation from Keep Texas Beautiful, and it’s the highest honor an affiliate can achieve.”
KLVB Volunteers
are WINNERS!!
Cheer Group Photo
May 14, 2021
From KLVB President Denise Sellers: “Once again I want to give a great big Cheer to the Keep Lago Vista Beautiful volunteers. This is the first time in our history that our organization has received the Gold Affiliation from Keep Texas Beautiful. It is the highest honor a group can win. This great group will be honored with the other winners of the Gold at the Keep Texas Beautiful Convention in June.
Also, this is the first time in the History of KLVB that we have our very own Logo. In past years we used the City Logo. Thanks to Clay Crow, member of KLVB and graphic artist who designed our beautiful logo.”
Also, this is the first time in the History of KLVB that we have our very own Logo. In past years we used the City Logo. Thanks to Clay Crow, member of KLVB and graphic artist who designed our beautiful logo.”
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Happy Earth Day 2021!
April 22, 2021 Happy volunteers celebrate Earth Day by planting a Mexican White Oak at Veteran's Park outside City Hall. Pictured are hardworking KLVB members and some special guests who participated in the planting. The guests included Pat Kopychak and Becci McClain, who donated the tree in honor of the care and concern expressed by Trish and Bruce Burdett, also pictured. The Burdetts assisted Pat and Becci by shopping for them during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, when folks (of a certain age) were advised to isolate in their homes. So it was not only Earth Day, but Grateful Day, commemorated on April 22, 2021.
WHAT'S GOING ON AT DAWN POINT?
Chris Williams of the Lago Vista Parks and Recreation Department installs the artistic rendering of the sculpture coming to Dawn Point.
Update May 29 2021 Unfortunately the pandemic has caused some shortages in necessary supplies for the art, but we are hopeful that the art installation will happen by the end of June. Water is soon to be brought to the location so that landscaping can be started along the front section of Dawn and Lohman Ford.
April 12, 2021 Many of you pass by the intersection of Dawn Drive and Lohman Ford Road every day. Recently you may have noticed activity there…so, you’re probably wondering, what’s up?
The area now known as Dawn Point has seen many changes over the years. When erected decades ago, the standing column was an advertisement for developers before the city’s incorporation in 1984. In the 1990’s KLVB built wayfinding signs because folks got lost on our endless roadways. Meanwhile, city services migrated to Dawn Drive. City Hall, and the City Library opened up, then the Police Department and Lago Vista Property Owner’s Association relocated here. With increasing traffic came the need for a traffic light. More recently the green space between City Hall and the Library has become a park, center of the Farmer’s Market and seasonal events. Dawn Drive is beginning to fulfill its mission as the main street of Lago Vista. And Dawn Point is now the gateway to the Town Center of Lago Vista.
Although KLVB has been maintaining the Point for many years, it became evident that the existing vegetation was old and overgrown. The standing column no longer served a purpose, nor did the wayfinding signs since the advent of GPS. Complete renovation seemed in order, and would open up the spot for an art installation. This would also provide balance with the Wind Spiral that was erected by KLVB at the opposite end of Dawn Drive in 2018.
About 3 years ago, the concept of revitalizing Dawn Point as the welcome to Lago Vista’s Town Center was born. KLVB members consulted with local landscapers and artists to begin conceptualizing how this small plot of land could best achieve its potential. Teacher Sheryl Standiford’s Lago Vista High School landscape class was invited to submit concept plans for the plot.
In 2019, Dan Sellers of KLVB met with then City Manager Josh Ray to discuss the project. Support from the city was almost spontaneous. Discussions ensued about each entities’ responsibility. Jointly, the City and KLVB would collaborate on the plan including plants and art. KLVB would interface with the artist and do the hand labor including ground prep and planting. The City would use its heavy equipment for the clearing and demolition. Gradually the plan took shape. All that was needed was the art.
In early 2020 City Manager Ray convened a citizen’s committee to explore options of art for the project. After much consideration, it was decided that an iron sculpture was best suited to the plot. Using local talent was important to the project team. Mark Ansler of IronWaves Custom Iron Art in Jonestown was commissioned. Originally conceived with water as an element, this idea was discarded for several reasons, including our cycles of drought. This decision made; it was time to get to work. In the fall of 2020, Chris Mobley, Lago Vista’s Parks and Recreation Director, was appointed lead for the City’s participation, and the project took off!
The sculpture is an elevated basin with three curved towers. Each tower has multiple strands of metal from top to bottom resembling falling water. The material is scored stainless steel, some of a blue color to simulate water, while the basin contains blue glass to interpret a pool of water. The overall sculpture will be approximately 12 feet in height. Surrounding the sculpture will be 70 drought-resistant native and adapted native plants providing a splash of color never before seen at this location. The entire planted area will be hardwood mulched for water conservation, with some hardscape of river rock. KLVB is using recycled plastic landscape edging, and will install water-saving drip irrigation.
The target is to have the sculpture installed by late spring with the landscaping finished in early summer. The current shortage of plants at local nurseries may impact this plan, but the plants must be installed before summer temperatures get too high. So, look forward to more activity at Dawn Point!
April 12, 2021 Many of you pass by the intersection of Dawn Drive and Lohman Ford Road every day. Recently you may have noticed activity there…so, you’re probably wondering, what’s up?
The area now known as Dawn Point has seen many changes over the years. When erected decades ago, the standing column was an advertisement for developers before the city’s incorporation in 1984. In the 1990’s KLVB built wayfinding signs because folks got lost on our endless roadways. Meanwhile, city services migrated to Dawn Drive. City Hall, and the City Library opened up, then the Police Department and Lago Vista Property Owner’s Association relocated here. With increasing traffic came the need for a traffic light. More recently the green space between City Hall and the Library has become a park, center of the Farmer’s Market and seasonal events. Dawn Drive is beginning to fulfill its mission as the main street of Lago Vista. And Dawn Point is now the gateway to the Town Center of Lago Vista.
Although KLVB has been maintaining the Point for many years, it became evident that the existing vegetation was old and overgrown. The standing column no longer served a purpose, nor did the wayfinding signs since the advent of GPS. Complete renovation seemed in order, and would open up the spot for an art installation. This would also provide balance with the Wind Spiral that was erected by KLVB at the opposite end of Dawn Drive in 2018.
About 3 years ago, the concept of revitalizing Dawn Point as the welcome to Lago Vista’s Town Center was born. KLVB members consulted with local landscapers and artists to begin conceptualizing how this small plot of land could best achieve its potential. Teacher Sheryl Standiford’s Lago Vista High School landscape class was invited to submit concept plans for the plot.
In 2019, Dan Sellers of KLVB met with then City Manager Josh Ray to discuss the project. Support from the city was almost spontaneous. Discussions ensued about each entities’ responsibility. Jointly, the City and KLVB would collaborate on the plan including plants and art. KLVB would interface with the artist and do the hand labor including ground prep and planting. The City would use its heavy equipment for the clearing and demolition. Gradually the plan took shape. All that was needed was the art.
In early 2020 City Manager Ray convened a citizen’s committee to explore options of art for the project. After much consideration, it was decided that an iron sculpture was best suited to the plot. Using local talent was important to the project team. Mark Ansler of IronWaves Custom Iron Art in Jonestown was commissioned. Originally conceived with water as an element, this idea was discarded for several reasons, including our cycles of drought. This decision made; it was time to get to work. In the fall of 2020, Chris Mobley, Lago Vista’s Parks and Recreation Director, was appointed lead for the City’s participation, and the project took off!
The sculpture is an elevated basin with three curved towers. Each tower has multiple strands of metal from top to bottom resembling falling water. The material is scored stainless steel, some of a blue color to simulate water, while the basin contains blue glass to interpret a pool of water. The overall sculpture will be approximately 12 feet in height. Surrounding the sculpture will be 70 drought-resistant native and adapted native plants providing a splash of color never before seen at this location. The entire planted area will be hardwood mulched for water conservation, with some hardscape of river rock. KLVB is using recycled plastic landscape edging, and will install water-saving drip irrigation.
The target is to have the sculpture installed by late spring with the landscaping finished in early summer. The current shortage of plants at local nurseries may impact this plan, but the plants must be installed before summer temperatures get too high. So, look forward to more activity at Dawn Point!
