Plan it! FRIDAY, Austin, McD's

(re-post)...

McDONALDS’S CENTRAL TEXAS JOINS FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

Local owner/operators host “Dine-In and Drive-Thru” fundraiser initiative to raise money for Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Central Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS (October 10, 2011) – For the third consecutive year, McDonald’s Central Texas will join the fight against cancer by holding its annual “Dine-in and Drive-Thru” fundraising initiative to raise money for the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) of Central Texas. Customers can visit any of the 68 Austin and surrounding area restaurants on Friday, October 14 between 11:00am – 2:00pm, and McDonald’s will donate 10 percent of all sales that will be equally divided between both organizations.



“The McDonald’s family is privileged to support the Komen Austin Affiliate and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Central Texas,” said Dan Kinney, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and president of the Central Texas McDonald’s Owner /Operator Advertising Co-op. “It’s through community efforts such as this that we’re able to do our part and help make a difference in the lives of children and adults battling cancer. One of our fellow McDonald’s owners is a breast cancer survivor so this is an especially important cause for us.”



One out of eight women will have to fight breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s why, since 1999, the Komen Austin Affiliate has been hard at work here in the Austin area raising money to provide breast cancer screening, education and medical services as well as financial and emotional support. In fact, more than 75 percent of the money raised each year is put to work right here in Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop and Caldwell counties to improve the lives of everyone affected by this deadly disease. The remaining funds go to national research to find a cure for breast cancer once and for all.



“The Dine-in or Drive-thru fundraiser at McDonald’s is a great way to increase awareness and reach new audiences in the fight against breast cancer,” said Christy Casey Moore, executive director for the Komen Austin Affiliate. “We are extremely appreciative of the local McDonald’s owner/operators for continuing to support our efforts in funding local breast cancer programs and research for the cure.”



LLS has also made a large impact in the fight against cancer as the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. According to LLS, approximately 43,050 people were expected to develop leukemia in 2010, while approximately 628,415 people were living with lymphoma or were in remission in the same year.



“Our mission at LLS is to cure and improve the quality of life of patients and their families,” said Deborah Barker, managing director of LLS. “And with the charitable participation of the Central Texas McDonald’s owner/operators, we are that much closer to reaching our goal.”



To find the nearest local McDonald’s restaurant, please visit www.mcdonalds.com.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women, including the more than 60 locations in and around Central Texas. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.



eMn

Saltgrass Steakhouse

Just above the River in San Marcos, alongside Texas State campus, I discovered the most perfect spot to listen to the water fall and enjoy an afternoon lunch.


I took this little girl, who loved the people watching as much as the food.






...And this little guy who snoozed under the trees,


...Allowing me the rare opportunity to indulge in enjoying some real food along with the idyllic view.


Never was there a more peaceful spot for a late afternoon Saturday lunch with children.
Wade in the water with older kids or enjoy the serenity of a baby subdued by natural white noise.


SALTGRASS Steakhouse is at 221 Sessoms Drive in San Marcos.

+ the Wild West interior is just right for entertaining out-of-towners!

eMn

Kyle McDonalds

Over the summer, we went indoors to play and I was pleased to discover that our McDonalds is really nice!



That is a rocking chair seated next to a comfy club chair, in front of a fireplace!



The updated lobby and restroom area feels more local café than fast food chain!

Ours is one of the locations that serves McCafé drinks, similar to a coffee shop, order your drink however you want it.  For example: Large Sugar-Free Vanilla Iced Coffee: $2.19


Here's Eden with the Mixed Berry Smoothie, I love this as a treat for her, it has 2/3 cup fruit in it and can be ordered with or without yogurt.



Recently, I met some local McDonalds owner/operators, at a Kitchen Tour for Austin Mommy Bloggers.  They took us behind the counter and through the back to show us how things work.  I was amazed at what a tight ship is run back there.  Super clean, ultra efficient use of space full of happy employees working together.

The tour took place on the same day that McDonalds announced the launch of the healthier happy meal!



Scheduled to arrive at Kyle McDonalds in early 2012, they will all automatically include a side of fruit and the fries are going to come in mini 100-calorie packs, so cute!

I have to say, I'd always wondered what the standards were on cleaning of the McDonalds playscapes. A local owner/operator of another McDonalds told me that it's up to each of the owner/operators to determine what is necessary for their playscapes.  But, for example, at hers, she contracted out the job to a company that comes once a month to sanitize it with steam. 

You know those change boxes that are in every McDonalds?  Here's something really neat that I didn't know:  the change that is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charity through those boxe, goes directly to the Ronald McDonald House in our community.  One full box of change can house a family in need for 2 days.

But the very best thing about the Kyle McDonalds. . .  is the happy people!



Thanks, Norman! ;)

CAR SEAT INSTALLATION

Get your Car Seats checked-up tomorrow!  Safe Riders is holding inspections by appointment at 7000 Ardath Street in Austin (78757)  Call 800-252-8255 For an appointment!

Free Local Car Seat Checkups:

Austin Safekids -- by appointment
Call 512-324-TOTS (8687)

Texans in Motion
512-336-3423

Safe Riders
1-800-252-8255

Register for Classes at Dance Unlimited

I was thrilled to discover Dance Unlimited's website.  

 Check out their schedule for Fall, they are offering every class imaginable, and if it's not on their schedule they take suggestions for new classes to add. Classes are available for ages 1½ through adult. 

Click over there, you can register online!

Must do:

(here in hays county, from everything austin's bucket list . . . )

Tubing down the Guadalupe (the party river but can get low when it doesn’t rain for a while) or Comal (more cops but can still be float-able in a drought)

Make a day trip to Lockhart to try all three of their world famous BBQ spots

Go Fourth & Celebrate!

PLUM CREEK PARADE

Starts at the corner of Witte & Negley

FIREWORKS

moved to new location

Due to limit space at Gregg-Clarke Park, the fireworks show this year has moved to the Plum Creek Golf Course's Practice/Driving Range.  Before it gets dark on July 4th, find a safe and secure location around the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center (PAC) or anywhere around the intersection of Kyle Parkway and Kohler's Crossing. The show can also be seen from the parking lots around H-E-B, Subway, What-A-Burger and Kohl's.

The fireworks are scheduled to begin around 9:30pm.

GOLF TOURNAMENT AT PLUM CREEK

This 2-person Better Ball with a Blind draw for teams will start at 1 pm. 

Gross and Net winners will receive pro shop credit and all will enjoy hors d'oeuvres after play. 

Sign-up individually or as a group, but remember teams are random! 

For more information or to register, call the Pro Shop at (512) 262-5555!

Entry Fee: $ 39.75 + tax per player

When: July 4th

Where: Plum Creek Golf Course

Time: 1:00 pm