Well, it's official... Marion Elementary attendance boundaries in Lost Creek Ranch WILL NOT CHANGE!
I just posted the high points of the story on the LCR HOA website, but here they are again:

After a storied battle by Allen, TX Residents to make their voices heard, one which included televised news coverage, Lost Creek Ranch Residents were victorious today. The AISD School Board voted 7-1 in favor of the school boundaries proposal that will keep ALL of Lost Creek Ranch attending the school named "Marion Elementary at Lost Creek Ranch". A great BIG thank you went out to the committee and all of the other volunteers that made sure that the Lost Creek Residents' voices were heard on this issue which would have affected so many of our children (and, quite possibly, some neighborhood property values). There is little doubt that the committee's hard work preparing alternative boundary solutions, and rallying Resident attendance for Board meetings and at hearings (I was at several), provided the visibility needed to help keep all of Lost Creek Ranch at Marion Elementary. Click here to see the new maps on the AISD web site showing the 2009 and 2010 school attendance areas. Hurray for LCR! Rising up to support one another, even those who would not have been affected by the changes, is there any better definition of community?

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com

See brief news coverage of the victory here. The students mentioned, who will continue to be able to walk to school, are the Residents of Lost Creek Ranch:

There are lots of Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in Allen. Each HOA has it's own purpose, but most are formed to keep common areas, yards, homes and neighborhood amenities in good order. For the purposes of this comparison, we'll be looking at those HOAs that at least have community pools (some HOAs have no common areas to maintain). These HOAs tend to have annual dues ranging anywhere from a few hundred dollars a year to almost $1,000 per household. There are various factors, but HOA dues tend to be greater in communities with more amenities. While the average HOA dues in Allen are around $450 per year, the average HOA doesn't have much more than a community pool in terms of amenities (plus maybe one other like a park, pond or jogging trail). Luckily for the Residents of Lost Creek Ranch, we have very average dues (at around $436 per year), but our amenities are anything but average. Just look at the above-average list of amenities we have to be proud of for our very average dues:
- Community pool
- Community playground (next to pool)
- Private park (on Prairie View Drive)
- Not just one, but three ponds with fountains
- Not just one, but two jogging trails (one along creek and one around the ponds and fountains)
- Community events like the Fall Festival, Spring Carnival, Holiday light & décor contests, etc. 

I sell a LOT of homes in MANY of different communities all over Allen and even in McKinney, Plano, Frisco and beyond. However, when I'm asked about great communities with great amenities, Lost Creek Ranch has always been at the top of my list. That's one of the reasons I chose to make LCR my home and why I've always been so involved here. Most communities with the same amenities are paying at least $500-$600 per year. Our large number of homeowners, and budget-conscious board, have keep our dues very reasonable in comparison.

September 2007 sales for Lost Creek Ranch

*Note that the Sales Price often does not refelect Seller contributions. For example, the Sales Price may show $220,000 when, in actuality, the Seller contributed $7,500 towards Buyer closing costs; thus netting the Seller $212,500. I can research this and get more accurate information pertaining to specific homes like yours.

Call Ryan Cave, The "Caveman" for more details and property-specific adjustments at 214-789-9366.

Residential
RES	Pool		Living Areas	Stories			Map	Beds	Baths	Garage/CarPort/ Total Cov. Parking	Sales Price*
1							DA*/0460*/Z	3	2	2/0/2	$ 155,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,734	YrBlt: 2002		Original List Price:	$159,900
2							DA*/0460*/V	3	2	2/0/2	$ 168,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,843	YrBlt: 2002		Original List Price:	$169,900
3							DA*/0461*/Z	3	2	2/0/2	$ 175,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,890	YrBlt: 2003		Original List Price:	$174,900
4							DA*/0460*/V	3	2.1	2/0/2	$ 196,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 1			SqFt: 2,486	YrBlt: 2001		Original List Price:	$205,000
5							DA*/0460*/V	4	3	2/0/2	$ 220,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 2			SqFt: 2,818	YrBlt: 2005		Original List Price:	$215,500
6							DA*/0460*/V	4	2	2/0/2	$ 214,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 2,509	YrBlt: 2003		Original List Price:	$249,800
7							DA/0461/S	4	2.1	2/0/2	$ 232,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 2			SqFt: 2,953	YrBlt: 2003		Original List Price:	$239,900
8							CG/0461*/S	4	2	2/0/2	$ 160,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,987	YrBlt: 2001		Original List Price:	$180,900

Prepared By: Ryan Cave / Keller Williams Realty Allen

----- Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. -----.

LOST CREEK RANCH FALL FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 7, 2007

Residents of Lost Creek Ranch: Be sure to mark October 7th on your calendars for the Lost Creek Ranch Fall Festival from 2pm-5pm at the park on Charleston Dr. and Xavier Dr. You and your family won't want to miss it as there will be bounce houses, trackless train rides, a canned food drive/prize raffel, a Halloween costume contest, a cake/cookie walk, vendor booths and a Chili Cook off with a great prize for first place (open to all residents). There will be fun for all ages so plan to attend! If you would like to set up a vendor booth (Lost Creek residents only), volunteer to help, or just get general information (or more on the Chili Cook off) you can call Ryan Cave, The "Caveman" at 214-789-9366.
If rained out, the rain date is October 14th, same time, same location.

*** We need more chili cookoff teams step up and cook/compete for the big prize! ***

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com

A community yard sale can be a great way to clear out our garage, and home, of unwanted clutter. Get rid of that old desk, that extra coffee maker, or that exercise equipment that is serving as a clothes rack. The advantages of a community yard sale vs. going it alone:

• Many homeowners can pool together and buy an ad or two local newspapers.
• Only one set of signs is generally needed around the exterior of the neighborhood.
• Homeowner Associations will sometimes help advertise.
• More yard sale participants usually means more shoppers.

Lost Creek Ranch is having our annual community yard sale 9/15/07 at 8am. We try not to use garages unless they are front-entry to avoid traffic jams in the alleys. So what are you waiting for? Pick a date and get organizing (while the weather is still nice)!

LCR HOA ANNUAL YARD SALE SEPTEMBER 15, 2007

It is time to start cleaning out your garage again! Our Neighborhood, Annual Yard sale will be held Saturday, September 15, 2007 starting at 8 am. The Lost Creek Ranch HOA will provide all signage and advertising We advertise in the Dallas Morning News, Collin County Community pages (Allen American), and Allen Online. They will follow all city guidelines and put up signs in and around the neighborhood. Unless you have a front entry garage, they request that you hold your sale in your front yard. The traffic to our sale grows each year and the congestion in the alleys would be horrendous if the sales were held in the back. Thank You for your cooperation and participation.

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com