It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Leander, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care was there for me when I needed them. I was providing”
“I am so happy with Mr. Steven Coleman services. He has been very professional and”
“We had an excellent experience with Always Best Care Senior Services in Austin. They provided”
“Highly recommend using Always Best Care for all your senior service needs! Super helpful and”
“Kyle and his team are great.”
“I am a past client of this provider My siblings and I engaged Always Best Care”
“Kyle and his team rock ,really good communicators. I would refer them to people who”
“Always best care is ALWAYS the BEST care. No pun intended. Means a lot to”
“Always Best Care provided the perfect service we needed for our mom. Their caregivers”
“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my”
“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my”
“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff”
“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother”
“Owners Lori and Kyle are genuine, salt-of-the-earth folks who are super-dedicated to their clients. ”
“Lori & Kyle were very attentive and responded very quickly to our needs. They visited”
“Always Best came to the rescue when my mother needed immediate caregiver services while in”
“I’ve known Lori for years and have high confidence in her ability to provide care.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Lori Schrayer in a professional setting where she”
“I am a current client of this provider Lori and staff - What a sanity saver”
“Always Best Care of Austin, TX is the only place I trust to care for”
“Always Best Care was there for me when I needed them. I was providing hospice care for my mother in my home. I could not have done it without them. The caregivers are kind and dependable. The company was supportive in every aspect of my mother's care. I cannot thank them enough for their support during this difficult time.”
“I am so happy with Mr. Steven Coleman services. He has been very professional and helpful.”
“We had an excellent experience with Always Best Care Senior Services in Austin. They provided in home care when my mom got out of the hospital and, in parallel, helped us find an assisted living facility. I was calling them from the hospital and we didn't know when my mom would be discharged or what kind of care she would need and Always Best Care was responsive, flexible and provided guidance when we needed it most. This was a stressful time and they gave us peace of mind while providing the best care for my mom. The caregivers were on time, thoughtful and kind. I'd recommend Always Best Care to anyone trying to navigate the complexities of eldercare.”
“Highly recommend using Always Best Care for all your senior service needs! Super helpful and really takes care of patients to make them feel comfortable and safe!”
“Kyle and his team are great.”
“I am a past client of this provider My siblings and I engaged Always Best Care to help care for our mother, initially when she was still able to do a significant amount on her own. Over time she declined and needed different levels of care. At each stage, Lori, Kyle, and each member of the ABC team listened to our needs, and was warm, caring, attentive, patient, punctual, and flexible in accommodating Mom‘s abilities, needs, and wants. Caregivers often went above and beyond, and the teams’ communication with my siblings and me was terrific – – especially helpful since none of us lived in the area. I feel fortunate to have been connected with Lori and Kyle, and I highly recommend the ABC team.”
“Kyle and his team rock ,really good communicators. I would refer them to people who would need this service”
“Always best care is ALWAYS the BEST care. No pun intended. Means a lot to know my loved ones are in good hands ????”
“Always Best Care provided the perfect service we needed for our mom. Their caregivers were on time, professional, and did what mom/we asked of them and more. The owners, Lori & Kyle, listened to our needs and went above and beyond in their help and care. A few times when we had to take mom to the ER, Lori and/ or Kyle came to the house to be sure all of mom's needs were met. At the end of mom's life, their caregivers could not have been more attentive, kind, caring and professional. I would highly recommend ABC Care for your loved one.”
“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my husband up with very competent companions who were kind and dependable.”
“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my husband up with very competent companions who were kind and dependable.”
“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”
“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”
“Owners Lori and Kyle are genuine, salt-of-the-earth folks who are super-dedicated to their clients. I know I can trust them to make sure our Mom gets the care and help she needs. And caregiver Leah is so very kind -- she's the best!”
“Lori & Kyle were very attentive and responded very quickly to our needs. They visited us in person to introduce the new aide, to make sure instructions were done smoothy. ABC came thru in a very critical time for us. Forever grateful for their compassion & thoughtfulness to our health needs.”
“Always Best came to the rescue when my mother needed immediate caregiver services while in a skilled nursing facility and it continues to provide steady, reliable and helpful care now that she is at home. The owners are very kind and authentic and seem to really care about the people they are helping! My mother adores her caregiver. Would highly recommend.”
“I’ve known Lori for years and have high confidence in her ability to provide care. She’s caring, intelligent, dependable and friendly. She would be an excellent service provider!”
“I had the pleasure of working with Lori Schrayer in a professional setting where she was in a leadership role. I worked with her and her team on multiple projects as a liaison to the County Manager or head of the municipal organization. Lori is consistent in her treatment of peers, communication style, and commitment to her staff. I would be fortunate to work with Lori in the future and would provide her business if given the opportunity as I know they’d be in great hands.”
“I am a current client of this provider Lori and staff - What a sanity saver and great team. From day one we have felt that Mom’s well being is their first priority. We were extremely hesitant to turn over care to someone else. But those concerns vanished immediately— thanks to the team’s communication and compassion. It’s a great comfort knowing the entire staff are there for us and responsive to our need and requests.”
“Always Best Care of Austin, TX is the only place I trust to care for my elder loved ones. It's locally owned by a the kindest couple who treat every patient and employee like part of their family. Their caregivers are compassionate and give me a sense of comfort knowing my loved ones are in good hands when I cannot be with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Leander, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Leander, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Leander, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
After serving North Austin for nearly 30 years, this national burger and frozen custard chain is moving from its Braker Lane location to a spot in a suburb about 17 miles away.Culver's has four locations in Austin, but the one at 2240 W. Braker Lane, Austin, TX 78758 has been around for 26 years. It now appears to be closing right before Christmas, with its last day of service on December 21, according to a store ...
After serving North Austin for nearly 30 years, this national burger and frozen custard chain is moving from its Braker Lane location to a spot in a suburb about 17 miles away.
Culver's has four locations in Austin, but the one at 2240 W. Braker Lane, Austin, TX 78758 has been around for 26 years. It now appears to be closing right before Christmas, with its last day of service on December 21, according to a store sign posted in the r/austinfood subreddit. The Wisconsin-founded favorite is being pushed out by a 396-unit apartment complex planned by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate Group at the corner of Braker and Kramer Lanes.
That location is well-loved by the community, as shown by its four star Yelp rating and the people lamenting the move on the Reddit post.
"I liked that spot and it seemed like it was ran well. My favs were the sourdough melt and cheese curds," u/efe13 commented.
"One of the workers did my “curd”side delivery and we were chatting. He said the manager there was absolutely amazing and like 95% of the staff are moving to the new location bc they like working with the manager," u/Apprehensive-Lock751 commented.
"I’m legitimately heartbroken over this. I can’t believe I missed out on going by one last time. I grew up down the street, my mom use to take me there all the time, especially after a doctors visit if I got any shots or if I was sick with strep throat and needed custard. I’m 30 years old now, I live not too far away and have been taking my wife and son. We really enjoy going, checking the flavor of the day and I get to reminisce about my childhood," u/extranoodlesboi commented. "Now I find out, on Christmas, that I can never go again. That location was a little part of me."
Although the North Austin area will no longer have a Culver's, customers can still get their butterburger fill in Leander, where the new restaurant will open off of East Crystal Falls Parkway, according to Culver's website. It is still under construction, and it's not clear when the new space will open for business. MySA reached out to Culver's for comment.
Leander to jump to Phase 4 water conservationThe city of Leander is shifting to Phase 4 water conservation starting Dec. 30 in preparation for the BCRUA water treatment plant shutdown and upgrade next month.The BriefLEANDER, Texas - The City of Leander is preparing to jump from Phase 2 to Phase 4 water conservation starting Monday, Dec. 30.Phase 4 is the mos...
The city of Leander is shifting to Phase 4 water conservation starting Dec. 30 in preparation for the BCRUA water treatment plant shutdown and upgrade next month.
LEANDER, Texas - The City of Leander is preparing to jump from Phase 2 to Phase 4 water conservation starting Monday, Dec. 30.
Phase 4 is the most restrictive water conservation measure under the city's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan.
Under Phase 4, residents will be expected to strictly limit all nonessential water usage.
This is the second time this year that Leander has been under Phase 4. In February, the city went into Phase 4 restrictions while contractors replaced more than 1,000 feet of submerged pipeline to the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority Water Treatment Plant.
"It's getting us an ultimate, more robust infrastructure, the line won't break because it's a tunnel," Gina Ellison, executive director of Leander Public Works, said. "It's definitely moving us forward. I definitely understand their frustration in the past - issues that we've experienced with breaks."
The city says it should be the last shutdown for construction work.
"We're not anticipating any more shutdowns. Per contract, the contractor does have these shutdown windows every winter because winter is our lowest demand time. So they still have about two and a half years left of this contract. Technically speaking, they could have a couple more windows of opportunity, but there are no more anticipated activities that would result in the BCRUA plant going offline again for any of these construction activities," Ellison said.
The city says this shift is to support the planned BCRUA upgrades and shutdown.
The planned upgrades are scheduled to start January 13 and the BCRUA water treatment plant is expected to be offline for approximately one week.
However, while the plant is being upgraded, the city will be relying solely on the smaller city-owned Sandy Creek Water Treatment Plant, which reduces the city's water treatment capacity from 25 MGD to just 9 MGD.
Because of this, the city is starting Phase 4 two weeks before the shutdown, so residents have time to get their usage down below 9 MGD. This will help the city avoid low water pressure, boil water notices and water outages.
The city says water usage over this past weekend was above 9 MGD:
Leander's average water usage in December is 11.6 MGD and 8.6 MGD in January.
The plant upgrade is expected to be complete by the third week of January, at which time the city will return to Phase 2 water conservation.
Starting on Jan. 13, contractors will shut down the plant and start installing a 78-inch butterfly valve to the existing raw water pipeline at the end of Trails End Road.
This pipeline carries raw water from Lake Travis to the plant to be processed, thus the need for the shutdown.
Once this valve is installed, the connection from the Phase 2 Deep Water Intake can be made later to allow for the underground tunnel line to supply the raw water to the plant.
The city says this upgrade will allow for future plant expansion to provide Leander with an additional 12 MGD of water treatment capacity.
Phase 4 water conservation prohibits all outdoor watering, including handheld.
Leander water customers are asked to turn off irrigation systems completely and limit other nonessential uses as much as possible now until further notice.
Use of potable water from the City's water system to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, ornamental ponds, Jacuzzi-type pools, or similar during Phase 4 conservation is also prohibited.
Customers are also advised to check faucets, pipes, and appliances for potential water leaks and contact a licensed plumber to repair them immediately.
Everyday water uses like drinking, bathing, and washing clothes and dishes will still be allowed.
Luckily, this time of year, most people aren't using their irrigation systems.
"This time it's not going to affect us much because I think the weather is so good and already it's off," Leander resident Surajeet Dey said. "I think it's manageable for us. We have to understand their thing, it's for us, so I'm okay with that."
"With rain in the forecast, it's been kind of fine," Leander resident Sonia Collins said. "For us, we just follow the restrictions and we're just mindful of it."
Violations during Phase 4 conservation can be enforced through warnings, fines and even having water service disconnected.
Residential and commercial penalties for violating Phase 4 include:
Residents are advised to report water violations to the city's Code Enforcement division as soon as possible. The city says it will attempt to communicate Phase 4 measures with first-time violators before issuing citations.
The city says that due to the fact that Phase 3 provides an exception for handheld outdoor watering, it was deemed not restrictive enough to minimize water use during the upgrade.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the city of Leander.
Rachel Binder’s family had no idea they were Jewish.Her great-grandmother made sure of that. But when someone in the family discovered a menorah and Torah books hidden away in a closet in their great-grandmother’s home, they had questions. Rachel and her uncle did some digging and confirmed that her great-grandmother hid her Jewish identity.“I’m trying to teach my children the rituals, customs and culture of Judaism,” Binder told Lubavitch.com. “It’s important ...
Rachel Binder’s family had no idea they were Jewish.
Her great-grandmother made sure of that. But when someone in the family discovered a menorah and Torah books hidden away in a closet in their great-grandmother’s home, they had questions. Rachel and her uncle did some digging and confirmed that her great-grandmother hid her Jewish identity.
“I’m trying to teach my children the rituals, customs and culture of Judaism,” Binder told Lubavitch.com. “It’s important to me because it was kept from my family. We’re trying to do our best to raise our children and teach them.”
Rachel’s determination to bring Judaism into her children’s lives was challenging in Leander, Texas, a fast-growing suburb north of Austin. The location near Austin was great for her husband, who works in tech, and the suburban setting was great for her kids, who enjoy living in a home with a backyard. But when they first got to Leander in 2021, there was very little available in the way of Jewish resources, Rachel described.
“There was nothing here. Walmart and Target didn’t even have Hanukkah candles. When I asked for them, they’d confusedly send me to the birthday candles.” Rachel missed the public menorah lightings she had experienced in California, before moving to Leander. “It was heartbreaking not to see that for a while.”
Then, two years after moving to town, she heard that the city would be having its first-ever public menorah lighting, held by Rabbi Shmuly and Nechomele Levertov, who’d just moved to town to found Chabad of Leander.
Rabbi Shmuly grew up in nearby Austin, where his parents, Rabbi Yosef and Rochel Levertov direct Chabad of Austin. Growing up, Shmuly says, Leander had a much more rural feel than it does today. “We used to come to Leander to ride horses at a family friend’s ranch,” Levertov described. “But now, it’s being built up very quickly.” Indeed, Leander was the fastest-growing city in the US for a time, with many West Coast imports—like the Binders—moving in to work in tech in Austin.
More than 100 people, including the city’s mayor, attended that first menorah lighting at Robin Bledsoe Park. For Rachel Binder, it was a milestone not just for the city, but for her family. “To have the Levertovs come here, to host menorah lightings, to be able to expose my children and to give them an opportunity to be a part of it—it was wonderful,” she said. “They are so welcoming. They reach out to us weekly; they’re very accepting of my family, there’s so much warmth and kindness.”
The Levertovs have hosted holiday events and lots of family-friendly experiences, including a shofar factory, a sukkah-mobile, and next week, a menorah workshop.
“They treat everyone like family,” Binder said. “It’s so wonderful for our children, and we feel grateful and blessed that they came.”
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