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February 2008

Feb. 29, 2008 - Austin Profiles: Bookpeople

Since 1970, BookPeople has been offering a wide variety of literary works to magazine browsers and rare book collectors and all those in between. With a built-in coffee shop, and lots of comfortable seating nooks scattered throughout the store, BookPeople promotes a relaxed atmosphere that will invariably lead to a purchase or two. Located on the corner of 6th street and Lamar, BookPeople boasts a sprawling 28,000 square foot two-story store with over 150,000 titles from which to choose. If the book browser is unsure of what to buy, the very knowledgeable staff, made up of many well read UT students, is ready and willing to help. Possibly the most helpful tools in the store are the scads of “staff pick” cards located in every section, with a short description of the preferred book, and an explanation why it’s the cream of the crop. BookPeople offers a variety of other small treasures alongside their massive book collection, with a nice selection of greeting cards, locally made jewelry, soaps, and massage oils. Along the stairway to the upper level, shoppers can pick up novelty items for that certain someone who would look good with a fake mustache, or in need of a pig flashlight keychain. Current store owner, Steve Bercu, grew up in a family who owned independent toy stores (possibly leading to the aforementioned oddities available). Bercu became owner in 1999, after becoming a financial partner in 1993, and is known for his pragmatic business sense. He cofounded the Austin Independent Business Alliance, and is behind the “Keep Austin Weird” business campaign, making sure that Austin’s Independent businesses are kept viable and profitable. Bercu also spearheaded the campaign to keep Borders Books from opening a store across the street from BookPeople and Waterloo Records, another of Austin’s premiere independent establishments. Not only has BookPeople been voted as “Best Bookstore” for the last 15 years by Austin Chronicle voters, but it also won national recognition as “Bookstore of the Year” in 2005 by Publisher’s Weekly, after demonstrating their achievements in marketing, customer service, and community involvement. BookPeople schedules several events in the store weekly, and sometimes a few on the same day. They host book club meetings, trivia contests, literary movie nights (for those books lucky enough to make it to the silver screen), and many more activities. Many renowned authors have stopped by BookPeople for meet and greets and book signings such as Ray Bradbury, John Irving, and Chuck Palahniuk. For those who missed a book signing, they can join BookPeople’s “Signed First Club,” which offers signed first editions of books that could be of great value in the future. Children aren’t left out, with BookPeople’s “Storytime” event which happens almost every other day. Kids gather around to hear a classic story read aloud, which can by accompanied by story-inspired snacks or impromptu puppet shows. The store also offers Literary Day Camps, where young adults can experience a story through historical reenactments and fantasy retellings. A few years ago Bercu, with the Austin Independent Business Alliance, launched “Austin Unchained,” a push for those in Central Texas to shop local businesses for one day, instead of national chain stores; later the American Independent Business Alliance followed suit with “America Unchained.” Currently, AIBA is part of a group of organizations chosen for an economic study on the value of independent retailers, solidifying Austin and BookPeople as leaders in keeping independent shops valuable in the face of growing chain store monopolies. Ki is a realtor in Austin with a site that provides a guide to Austin Texas real estate. In addition to market analysis he provides a search of the Austin MLS. He also keeps a blog which covers the Austin real estate market.
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Feb. 29, 2008 - How to Fix a Hole in a Wall

Perhaps the most common home repair is fixing a hole in the wall. When I was young, my grandfather would baby sit my brothers and I while mom and dad were of earning a living. What our parents called child care, my grandfather interpreted as napping and most afternoons we had the run of the house. Now on more than one occasion, something was said and something was thrown, and some how we ended up with a hole in the wall. It happens to the best of us. Not wanting to risk losing our afternoons of freedom or our grandfather’s reputation, my brothers and I became experts at repairing holes in the wall. As and adult with kids of my own, I’ve found that the holes keep coming whether we want them to or not. The only thing we can do is know how to fix them properly. It is a very easy repair that can be performed in a few hours. I should also note that the directions below refer repairing fairly large holes. Small holes can often be painted over or repaired with a bit of patching plaster. There are two primary methods of hole repair that we will cover here. The first involves using a simple plaster patch. Begin by marking out a rectangle on the wall around the hole that you wish to repair. Using a small saw carefully cut out the rectangle. Next you will use the rectangle as a template to make an outline for a duplicate, replacement rectangle out of a piece of plaster board. After making your outline, use a ruler to extend the rectangle two inches larger on each side. Once you cut out your two-inch larger rectangle you will have created your patch. Remove the paper from the backside of your patch around the two inch overlap. Apply patching plaster to the overlap area and place the patch in the hole in the wall. Make sure to apply adequate pressure to the patch to make sure that it sets correctly. Finally, sand over the overlap area to ensure that it is flush with the wall and finish by painting over the area. The second method for repairing a hole in the wall involves using patching plaster instead of the patch. Begin by cutting out a piece of metal screening a little bit larger than the hole that you intend to repair. Insert a few wire ties through the screening and into the hole. Using the wire ties, affix a piece of dowel vertically across the outside of the hole, this will help hold the screen in place. Next, plaster over the entire area using your patching plaster. Let this coat dry and then remove the dowel and wire ties. You can now add a finishing coat of plaster over the area. All that is left is to sand the plaster patch and apply a fresh coat of paint. Knowing how to repair a hole in a wall may be one of the most valuable skills to learn in home repair. It is a fairly simple procedure that can be accomplished quickly and easily. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Austin real estate market Ki can help. His site provides information on Austin condos as well as a free search for Austin Homes.
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Feb. 27, 2008 - Austin Profiles: Amy's Ice Cream

Austin prides itself on many things, and having independent retailers around town would be one. Amy’s Ice Cream got its start in Austin back in 1984, and currently is one of Austin’s pride and joys. Amy Simmons got the ice cream bug while attending college at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. She was majoring in Pre-Med and working for Steve’s Ice Cream shop, and ended up putting off medical school to help the ice cream business grow. Steve’s ended up being bought out by another company, and Amy decided to start her own ice cream business, and chose Austin after reading about the high-tech boom in the Economist. She talked to a slew of local businesses, such as Chuy’s and Texas French Bread, and the decision was final. Amy moved to town, wrote a hot check for the lease of the original Amy’s Ice Cream location on Guadalupe, and a new Austin legacy was born. Though Amy’s Ice Cream started with one location, 24 years later, there are 14 stores, including one in Houston and one in San Antonio. In Amy’s first year of business, 125,000 servings of ice cream were sold, and today well over one million are sold, with gross sales topping $5 million. Amy’s has also reached out into the wholesale business, and supplies her frozen treats to over 50 restaurants around town. Since the business has grown so large recently, Amy Simmons built a new factory on Burnet Road, converting the old Allandale post office into energy-efficient new headquarters. The old factory made 200,000 gallons of ice cream a year, while this factory doubles that amount. Amy, along with Michael Hsu of Dick Clark Architecture, designed the new factory from scratch, and also transformed a neighboring 1940s Sinclair Gas Station into a new Amy’s location, and a casual dining restaurant called Phil’s Ice House. The residents of the Allandale neighborhood couldn’t be more excited about the new Amy’s factory and the transformation of their old neighborhood structures, which features a giant playground for kids, and shows movies outside on warm, Texas nights. One of Amy’s Ice Creams stand out features, besides their fabulous and daring flavors like Shiner Bock ice cream, is their employees. These creative souls seem to always be in a great mood, and have no fear flinging scoops of ice cream around the store, and catching them in cups balanced on their chins. Though some have moved on to more prosperous full-time careers, there are those employees that don’t want to leave Amy’s, and will do both. The new Phil’s Ice House is a memorial to Phillip Clay, who worked for Amy’s for 17 years, giving tours through the Amy’s factory to kids, before dying in a motorcycle accident. All potential employees fill out an application- a white paper bag that must be brought back with information about themselves, assuring only the most creative souls get a shot at scooping ice cream. Amy admits it wasn’t always this way, but she handed a sack to one girl when she’d run out of applications. The applicant floated the bag back into the store, suspended by a helium balloon with the sack stuffed full of items about herself. In 2004, when Amy’s had its 20 year anniversary, the company held a carnival open to the public to help benefit the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, and also handed out free ice cream to all customers at each Austin store for six and half hours on November 1st. Amy’s also donates gift certificates to any educational, non-profit, or children’s charity, and turns none away. Amy Simmons is not striving to become a mega company with many stores, and doesn’t plan on opening any outside of Texas, concentrating her tasty endeavors here in Austin. Ki Gray is a broker in Austin real estate. His website offers local information and statistics on the Austin real estate blog as well as a helpful Austin MLS search.
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Feb. 23, 2008 - Roller Derby in Austin

In 2001, what started as an idea at the smoky 6th street club Casino El Camino, quickly gained steam among like-minded women of Austin, and the roller derby was reborn. Though many of those who started up the comeback hadn’t skated for decades, the gung ho spirit spawned one of Austin’s favorite new events. The original roller derby league, under the name Bad Girl Good Woman (BGGW), had their first bout at Skate World in 2001 to 400 fans. By the end of the first season, they were skating to a fan base of 1300. BGGW was guided by four She-E-Os (derby talk for CEOs), but after one player had a serious injury in 2003, 80% of the BGGW broke off from the league to start their own. The new league, now known as the Texas Rollergirls, ran a democratic organization with each player having a say in decisions. The original Bad Girl Good Woman players regrouped as TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, resulting in Austin being the proud owner of two separate Roller Derby Leagues. Though the rules in each league vary slightly, both are based on the roller skating endurance race created by promoter Leo Seltzer in the 1930s. There are four 10 minute periods with two teams racing around the track with flashy outfits, tough-girl names, and tons of attitude and antics, which sometimes include impromptu pillow fights and spanking line penalties. In keeping with the punk attitude of the event, rock and roll bands play during every half time. The main difference between the two leagues is the track itself. The Texas Rollergirls race on flat tracks with audience members lined up inches away from the track, which can result in many rollergirl/audience member collisions. The TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls purchased an original roller derby banked track used in the 70s and 80s, making them the first all-girl league to ever skate on a banked track (the original roller derbies were coed.) The buzz of the roller derbies made for exciting news stories, and soon rollergirls were on the radio, television, and in local papers. A couple years later, Austin’s roller derbies became national news, and an article from the New York Times spawned interest among TV production companies who wanted to tell their story. In 2006, the Lonestar Rollergirls were featured in a 13 part series on A&E called “Rollergirls”, which followed team members and showcased the dichotomy between their roller skating personas, and their normal, every day lives. Local film company Crashcam Films also documented the rollergirls and released a movie titled “Hell On Wheels”, which has played at over 10 film festivals worldwide. Soon, women from around the country began to show interest in starting their own leagues, and contacted the Texas Rollergirls for guidance. The Austin women created a United League Committee to set the groundwork for a national flat-track league, and personally shared tips and ideas with budding leagues to help get them up to speed. In 2007, Austin hosted the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Championship Tournament. Three thousand skaters and fans came from all over the world to watch as eight U.S. teams battle it out on the track. Though the Kansas City Roller Warriors took home the prize, it made Austin’s Rollergirls proud. What was just a fun idea started by a group of friends had blossomed into a revived national goodtime sport. Escape Realty provides information on their website about Austin real estate. They post up to date analysis on their Austin real estate blog along with a Austin MLS search for home buyers.
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Feb. 23, 2008 - The '08 Election and Free Trade

The Presidential candidates for the 2008 election are setting records for primary voter turnout and, especially in the Democratic wing, trying hard to differentiate themselves to discouraged voters with a myriad of sound-byte barrages. Whether the Democratic candidate chosen to run for President is Illinois Senator Barack Obama or New York Senator Hillary Clinton, we have before us a race that has been characterized by clashes over issues ranging from Iraq to the faltering economy, with recent heavy emphasis on the latter. As early as two months ago, Americans were content to let the candidates duke it out on a variety of issues without undue pressure towards any particular topic. However, as the Republican race began to break down last month (and the Democratic candidates began to look more like a room of yes-men on many issues like health care and the Iraq war), the field has narrowed and so has the focus. A potent combination of plummeting consumer confidence, high commodity prices, and a continual influx of bad news from various financial sectors is partially responsible. But Americans have also realized that, in many respects, Obama and Clinton appear to have very similar economic platforms. And since both candidates limit their specific economic goals to sporadic attempts to win over blue-collar workers on the stump by accentuating populist sentiment, their promises about job protection for American workers are starting to sound less like the free-trade advocates they once were. Indeed, protectionism is on the rise, and deservedly so. While rising exports have offset gloom somewhat, the data is clear: Americans aren't competing. Outsourcing overseas has damaged wage growth in the US since the the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed, while of course providing an entrance into the global economy for many countries. In the boom of the 90's this seemed like an appropriate way to economize and help develop poorer nations. But without the strong job security of that heyday, there is less of an impetus to share the wealth. Ironically, the boom in consumer spending that preceded the recent downturn helped fuel the present fire because, while US consumers spent more than ever before during the late 90's and early 2000's, everyone else was saving (and investing that savings in American companies). Now that the bubble has collapsed, and politicians have been lax in using that time of prosperity to shore up safety nets for workers. Now that President Bush's tax rebate has been signed, by May some results should start to emerge on its potential effect, which is expected to boost shaky consumer confidence and spending temporarily. But sooner, in the months ahead, expect the presidential candidates (whoever they are) to begin talking more about job loss, wage caps, and other downsides to globalized industries. Polls show Americans as generally willing to pay more if they know it guarantees jobs. That alone is enough to warrant some change-ups on the stump, but whether it will materialize into changes in NAFTA or the breakdown of some of the gains (or inroads, depending on who you talk to) of globalization is up in the air for now. Voters won't let the candidates of the hook that easily. Escapeso Realty operates a website covering the Austin Texas real estate market. Its provides a free mortgage calculator for buyers to user along with a search for Austin Homes.
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Feb. 19, 2008 - Austin Radio Stations

In a time when even Clear Channel is being bought by another radio conglomerate, commercial radio is becoming less regionally distinct, with a handful of radio announcers beaming their voices across the country from one central location, and losing all local flavor in the process. Luckily for Austin, there are three different noncommercial radio stations to choose from:KVRX, KOOP, and KUT. KVRX is the only Austin-based radio station operated and managed solely by UT students. The station began in 1988 as KTSB, after a couple years of lobbying the university. Though KUT is also run by UT, it has very little student involvement. KTSB originally was only available via an audio feed through cable television, but in 1994 the station officially changed its call letters to KVRX, and purchased the last remaining FM band. As opposed to commercial stations, KVRX promotes diversity in musical genres, with their motto being, “None of the Hits, All of the Time.” The only programming stipulation the station requires is for the on-air staff to play a minimum of five different music genres and two Texas artists every hour. The station also works closely with many local clubs, promoting up and coming bands, and releases a series of annual CDs called “Local Live”, featuring artists the station captured playing live in their studios throughout the year. They have since dumped the awkward cable casting for web casting, so new DJ’s get their feet wet working over the internet before they hit the air waves. The same year KVRX went live on the last FM frequency, so did KOOP, Austin’s community radio station, which actually shares the same 91.7 frequency that KVRX uses, with KOOP mostly broadcasting during daytime hours, and KVRX during the evenings. Though KOOP has had its fair share of internal struggles, the programming is wildly diverse, with shows dedicated to different music genres, talk shows on many topics, and some Spanish speaking programs as well. Any member of the Austin community can apply for their own radio program. Many shows, such as the swanky Saturday morning favorite, “The Lounge Show” and the garage rock and power pop stalwart “Stronger Than Dirt”, have been on the air since the station’s inception over 13 years ago. Recently KOOP radio has had an unfortunate rash of fires, with the second one in February of 2006 taking out the entire downtown building that contained their offices. In January of this year, a disgruntled volunteer was charged with arson after he admitted starting a fire causing $300,000 worth of damage, from which KOOP is still recovering. KUT has been the radio station for the University of Texas since 1922. Today, it is Austin’s National Public Radio station, and also hosts several music programs throughout the day. John Aielli was hired on in 1965, and his show Eklektikos is one of the station’s most popular. Along with playing a wide array of musical styles, Aielli has many guests drop by the studio for an interview, from Carol Channing to Timothy Leary. The station has a live performance from local and touring acts drop in almost every day. In November of 2007, NPR chose KUT as one of twelve national stations to launch NPR Music, a new music discovery website. All partners will provide content including live concerts, studio sessions, features and reviews. Through this new site, KUT will be able to provide worldwide insight on Austin music, and help promote local acts in front of a much wider audience, something that seems harder and harder to find through local commercial radio. Ki is a real estate agent in Austin. His site has information about Austin real estate. His real estate blog has up to date analysis on Austin. He also provides a free search of the Austin MLS.
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Feb. 16, 2008 - Austin Dog Parks

Austin is a dog loving town. Along with the dog friendly restaurants, and dog related businesses, Austin is home to several dog parks. While San Antonio and Ft. Worth offer one dog park each, and Houston and Dallas have two, Austin boasts twelve official dog parks in the city limits. Just below the Tom Miller Dam on Red Bud Trail lies Red Bud Isle. It’s a beautiful wooded peninsula with open areas for dogs to run, secluded trails to hike, and several spots to access the water for dogs to swim, kayakers to launch, and fishermen to drop a line. Bull Creek District Park is another lovely leash-free dog park bisected by Bull Creek, one of two spring-fed water supply creeks in Austin. Dubbed “The Galapagos of Texas” due to the many species of animals that have evolved here, Bull Creek also hosts many dog “meet ups” for different dog groups, such as “Active Dogs” or “Great Dane Day.” Norwood Estate and The West Austin Dog Park are the only parks fully enclosed by fencing, a plus for those dog owners afraid of their unleashed canine running off towards busy thoroughfares. Norwood Estate is actually double-gated, and has a separate area dedicated for puppies. As if twelve official dog parks weren’t enough, several other areas in town have become unofficial dog parks as well, many of them located along the Barton Creek Greenbelt, including “Dog Beach,” just below Barton Springs pool. Dog owners take heed- having a dog off leash in an undesignated area can lead to fines up to $500. Dog parks bond a community of humans as well as their four-legged pets, though they might refer to each other by the dogs’ names- for instance, “You are Bingo’s owner, right?” According to the Austin Parks Foundation, the most popular dog parks are kept up by different volunteer community groups, such as Friends of Turkey Creek and Friends of Norwood Park. These groups maintain the parks by picking up waste, planting, and laying down fresh mulch, providing a fresh and clean area for all of Austin’s dog owners to enjoy. To start investigating the Austin market Ki's site is has information on Austin Texas real estate. Their site provides a free search of the Austin MLS along with market updates on his Austin real estate blog.
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Feb. 16, 2008 - A Globalized Recession

On February 14th, a manufactured day devoted to romantic love, Wall Street wasn't interested or feeling any good vibes: The Dow, as well as most of the other major stock markets around the world, finished down on recession fears. Why so spooked? For one, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke elected to announce that, despite recent encouraging news on the market floor, the sub-prime crisis has not remained contained as he had previously predicted, but had spread to other sectors of the economy, in particular consumer spending. The recent contraction in new jobs (a loss of 17,000, the first such loss since 2001, was reported for the last quarter of 2007), coupled with the deflated housing market, seemed a bit distant until the Fed's announcement. Fortunately, more rate cuts are sure to be on the way, but as news of rate cuts always implies that the economy is sicker than the average joe can tell, investors became more scared than reassured. Another factor behind the Valentine's Day losses was the continued bad news out of Wall Street, with UBS reporting over $11 billion in write-downs. Even though other markets finished down as well, most of the selling trades were related to the slowdown in America, which begs the question: How decoupled are emerging economies and other developed nations from this supposedly American downturn? In the banking world, the risk is spread so thoroughly because pf how easily US mortgage debt could be repackaged into seemingly safer securities and sold to other nations. Evidence can be seen in the recent government bailout of troubled German bank IKB and UBS's increasing writedowns. It can be concluded that rather than spreading risk more effectively, modern investment vehicles are making debt more difficult to track down (and thus more expensive), and most firms are loath to cooperate because of their accountability to shareholders. In other sectors, the weakened dollar makes it clear that US spending, if not growth, still wields considerable stopping power on emerging economies. The only things that stand in the way of the US slipping into recession are the weakened dollar and the recent economic stimulus tax break signed into law recently. This tax rebate, when combined with initiatives for small businesses to invest, has the potential to contain the drop in consumer spending. While it was signed into law in record time, it may still have been implemented too slowly to have maximum impact on the recession. It surely increases debt, and now only time will tell. Without some more effort on the part of central banks worldwide, some fallout is the best possible scenario for all concerned. At worst, a sharp slowdown is not remotely out of the picture. Many developing economies are already taking advantage of both the housing downturn and the dollar's fall by investing, often in the form of sovereign-wealth funds, so their turnover is directly linked to the shares in the troubled financial sector. This means that, for once, these economies are benefitting from other country's malaise for the first time. While it may be difficult to swallow, the US is poised to bounce back quickly with a little help from it's would-be friends. Ki helps buyers and sellers looking for Austin real estate. His site has up to date information on his Austin real estate blog along with a search for Austin homes for sale.
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Feb. 13, 2008 - A History Austin's Oldest Neighborhood Clarksville

One of Austin’s oldest areas is the Old West Austin neighborhood of Clarksville. Its central location, between Lady Bird Lake and Enfield, and Lamar and Mopac, makes it highly popular with those looking to live in town, without having to go the downtown condo route. Where Clarksville sits now was once part of the plantation owned by Texas governor Elisha M. Pease. At the end of the Civil war, it is said that Pease sectioned of a part of his land for his emancipated slaves, in hopes they would live nearby and continue working for him. Clarksville was founded in 1871 by freedman Charles Clark, who built a house on what is now West 10th street. Clark subdivided his land among other freedmen from the Pease plantation and elsewhere, and Clarksville became recognized in the National Register of Historic Places as being the first freedman’s town west of the Mississippi River. In the early 20th century, the city of Austin grew, and a city policy was constructed to concentrate African-Americans to the east side of the city, once the land Clarksville sat on became more valuable. The city services would only be available to African-Americans on the East side of town and as a result, many who stood their ground were denied city services: most houses still used kerosene lamps as a source of light through the 1930s, and many dirt roads still existed in the area as late as the 1970s. Many immigrants settled in Clarksville homes throughout the early 1900s resulting in a community that is still felt today. Anthony Colanetta settled in Clarksville and opened Anthony's Laundry & Cleaners at the corner of West 12th Street and West Lynn in 1950. Colanetta also built a drugstore that he leased to his friend Hylton Nau. Today both stores are still operating, and the soda fountain in Nau’s drugstore is a rare find. If Clarksville had a main street, it would be West Lynn. With many family-owned businesses, it would be easy to stay in the neighborhood without needing to venture more than a few blocks for all necessities. Sledd’s Nursery, with their high quality plants and organic philosophy, and Jeffrey’s high class, eclectic cuisine have been Clarksville staples since the mid 1970s. In 1979 Craig Weller and Mark Skiles opened Clarksville Natural Grocery, and a year later they joined forces with John Mackey to open the first Whole Foods. The Whole Foods grocery store and national office is now located at the corner of 6th and Lamar, within walking distance of Clarksville. Many of the historic homes from Clarksville’s past have been torn down since the average house size hovered around 850 square feet, and deemed too small for many modern-day homeowners. One of the few homes that have survived in Clarksville is the Haskell house, built by former Pease plantation slave Peter Tucker in 1875. Hezekiah Haskell, a former Union soldier, married into the Tucker family and moved into the house in 1885. Haskell’s son lived in the house until 1976, and it stands as the last home in Clarksville built in the Cumberland style, with two front doors and a symmetrical façade. This past year, the American Planning Association named the Clarksville area as one of the Great Neighborhoods in America, due to resident participation that keeps the neighborhood character intact, and keeps Clarksville thriving as one of the most popular areas to live in Austin. Ki is a realtor in Austin. His site covers different aspects of Austin real estate and provides users with a free Austin MLS search. He also talks about currents events related to real estate on his Austin real estate blog.
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Feb. 11, 2008 - Austin Art Galleries

Though Austin is known for being the live music capital of the world, and home to the Texas government, today Austin’s art scene is on the rise with different art collectives and galleries popping up around town. Many of these studios are manned by recent graduates of UT’s studio arts program, giving them a reason to stay in Austin after graduation. Downtown Austin has recently gained some very classy, upscale galleries. The Lora Reynolds gallery opened in 2005, with an Andy Warhol exhibition of trial proofs and unpublished prints, dating from 1974 to 1986. Recently, they featured a collection of paintings from young Eastern European artists, establishing the Lora Reynolds gallery as the first commercial gallery in Austin with an international program. Not far from the Reynolds gallery is 4 Walls fine art, which opened its doors in March of last year in the historic Heierman Building built in 1887. Michael Terrazas, the gallery’s founder, got assistance from Rick Black architecture to transform the building into a beautiful open space, with an upstairs studio loft available to traveling artists. Terrazas, who also owns Club Deville and SoCo eatery the Woodland, taps into his other businesses to ensure a deliciously catered reception to accompany their contemporary fine art shows. The east side of town has seen rapid growth in young, scrappy art complexes, which are using readily available, and affordable, warehouse spaces to show off their creative pieces. The artists who make up Okay Mountain embody the new, young face of the art world, with witty, laid back attitudes complimenting their professional gallery. Though many shows pull from talented local artists, Okay Mountain has also brought in artists from Argentina, Japan, and Egypt. Their open house parties are dramatically different from those downtown, with more of a beer keg party feel, and nearby neighbors, made up of artists and musicians, show up in throngs to add an extra charge to the atmosphere. Art Palace is within walking distance of Okay Mountain, in an old East Austin home. The Art Palace works differently from the majority of East Austin Studios, by emphasizing works of one of Austin’s emerging artists at a time. Six years ago, the buzz from the art community on the east side of Austin was so loud, the city of Austin, along with a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, helped fund the East Austin Studio Tour. Once a year, East Austin art studios hold open houses, and make an event out of visiting the various art complexes. The Arthouse, located on Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin, is the oldest visual art organization in the state. Arthouse was originally named the Texas Fine Arts Association in 1911, and was set up to promote art in the state of Texas. The non-profit group went on to establish the studio art department at UT, and found many of the state’s major art museums. In 2002, the Texas Fine Arts Association changed their name to Arthouse. Arthouse provides contemporary art programming year round, and is free to the public. They also help the local art community by providing affordable health insurance, banking opportunities, and discounts on art supplies. Biennially, the Arthouse gives away the Arthouse Texas Prize, a $30,000 prize given to an up and coming contemporary Texas artist. The Arthouse Texas Prize is the largest regional visual arts award for emerging artists in the United States, helping build homegrown talent. If you are looking to explore Austin and the Austin real estate market Ki can help. His site has information on his Austin real estate blog along with a free search for homes in the Austin MLS
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Feb. 10, 2008 - Austin Real Estate Statistics for December

The statistics are out for the Austin real estate market for December 2007. 

austin-stats


The basics are that the Austin market has been moving slower over the last few months.  Compared to last year we saw the number of active properties on the market increase by 21 percent.  Also when we break out the different submarkets of the Austin real estate market the suburbs are doing worse compared to central Austin.  This makes sense considering the laws of supply and demand.  The supply of homes in central Austin is fixed and the supply of homes in the suburbs is increasing. 

Ki lives in Austin and runs a site where people can search for homes in the Austin real estate market.  When he is not blogging here he is writing on his Austin real estate blog.

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Feb. 10, 2008 - Image Showing Central Austin Real Estate Appreciates Faster

For awhile I have been saying that homes in the Central Austin real estate tend to appreciate faster than the outlying areas of Austin. The below image does a good job of graphically illustrating this point.


http://www.escapesomewhere.com/blogim/mls-map.JPG

The areas in green are the mls areas of Austin that appreciated over 10 percent over the last year. Its pretty easy to see a pattern. The areas close to downtown Austin are mostly green. The areas farther out are mostly not green. When you consider buying a home in Austin this is a good thing to keep in mind.

Ki lives and works in Austin. He runs a site about Austin real estate which provides information for prospective home buyers such as a search for Austin Homes along with a Austin real estate blog.

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Feb. 8, 2008 - Cool Coffee Shops in Austin Texas

Austin has been known for its individuality for decades. Though the chain stores and restaurants are slowly creeping their way in from the edges of Austin’s sprawl, still many independently owned shops blanket the heart of the city. Coffee shops in Austin truly capture the essence of what the city is known for- a friendly, laid back atmosphere, where one can feel a sense of community by joining their friends or making some new ones. As Austin is a college town, coffee businesses thrive around the university, keeping students alert while cramming for upcoming exams. Though Quackenbush’s held court on the Drag directly across from UT, they relocated with a slight reincarnation in the heart of Hyde Park with Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery. Hyde Park is home to a large student population who enjoy not only the delightful coffee, but Quack’s large lineup of desserts and baked goods, which can be found distributed to other shops without an in-house bakery. Spider House also plays host to students from an old renovated house overlooking Hemphill park, just north of campus. Though the inside is very cozy, the large outside decks of the Spider House see a lot of action, especially in the evenings when live DJs and bands play nightly, and the cheap drinks and free movie screenings only add to their popularity. Though Little City just closed its campus location, its downtown location is going strong. Located on Congress Avenue, Little City is the obvious coffee shop choice for those who prefer a little local flavor to that of Starbucks (which is located directly across the street). Little City serves up a wide variety of coffee drinks, and over 15 whole bean blends from around the world, and if the diner is lucky, certain nights they serve up low priced entrée and wine combinations with some good people watching from inside the shop or a small sidewalk table. South of Little City, in the middle of the Second Street District, lies Austin Java’s third store location on the first floor of City Hall. Austin Java beat out 25 other local establishments vying for the slot, with its wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options- definitely a standout in the coffee shop business, when food options can be limited to a muffin or prepackaged breakfast taco. South Austin is the heart and soul of the coffee house community. Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse promotes togetherness and a place for community action and people watching, like their website says it was, “in the prefranchise days.” They offer an all vegetarian menu to accompany a cup of joe, and several nooks to gather or seclude, both inside and out, just off the banks of the creek. As the coffee shop of the swanky San Jose Hotel on South Congress, Jo’s Coffee offers more than the coffee drinks and sweets available from the open air stand. The Rock N Reel happens every Thursday evening, with a themed pairing of music and movies, and Sundays bring the Sinners’ Brunch with live music and South Austin Speedballs, a three dollar longneck beer and coffee combo. Further down South Congress lies Ruta Maya, possibly the king of the coffee houses. Housed in one of the repurposed World War I aviation buildings, Ruta Maya seems sprawling compared to other shops. The space is needed however, as Ruta Maya is upholding the old tradition of the coffee shop as the “Penny University”- a common area where, for the price of a cup of coffee, one could be educated by other customers with experienced backgrounds. Today, for the price of a cup of coffee (now more than a penny), Ruta Maya offers yoga, tai chi, environmental awareness classes, and a single parent resource network, allowing Austinites to come together, enjoy each others’ company, and keep the bonds of the community strong. Escapeso Realty is a small group of agents working in the Austin real estate market. If you are investigating the Austin market you can find information and statistics on their Austin real estate blog as well as using their site to search for homes in the Austin MLS.
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Feb. 7, 2008 - Austin Neighborhood : Bryker Woods

Just a few miles from downtown Austin, bordered by Westover on the south, 35th street on the north, Shoal Creek on the east and Mopac on the west, lies the old Austin neighborhood of Bryker Woods.

Though the neighborhood was named in the 1930s, the origins of the area go back as far as 1886, when the 14 lot William Thiele subdivision was platted within one block between 34th and 35th streets, which still exists today. In the early 1900s, other subdivisions popped up nearby, like Camp Mabry Heights, which named its streets with a patriotic theme, such as Pershing and Funston named after American generals, and Jefferson, Madison, and Harrison named for former U.S. presidents. Some of these street names have also stood the test of time. The first subdivision named Brkyer Woods came in 1936, using the first 3 letters of the developers’ last names, J.C. Bryant and McFall Kerbey.

The majority of Bryker Woods was developed between the 1930s and 1950s. Most of the homes built were bungalows, with some larger homes sprinkled among them. The area has an abundance of pecan, live oak, and elm trees, hence the “Woods” of Bryker Woods.

Unlike other centrally located neighborhoods in the Austin real estate market, Bryker Woods has remained relatively untouched by demolition teams ready to build newer, and larger, homes. One possible reason for this sustainability is the lot sizes of the neighborhood, which are radically smaller than the lots in the Crestview, Hyde Park and Pemberton Heights Austin neighborhoods, since Brkyer Woods was originally set up for single family cottages. Those moving to Bryker Woods today are happy with a simple addition to the original house if a little more room is needed, realizing the coziness of the neighborhood, the shady tree-lined streets, and its central location outweigh having more square footage.

Brkyer Woods has a certain ambiance that really builds a sense of community. The narrow streets, heavy with trees, encourages neighbors to get outside, go for a walk, and interact with other residents. Many of the area’s inhabitants have lived there since the subdivision’s inception, and are willing to reminisce with the new families - usually to boast about the price they paid for their homes 40 or 50 years ago.

There are many destinations for a stroll around Bryker Woods. The hike and bike trails of Pease Park are within walking distance, as are Seider's Springs Park and Bailey Park. Most families can walk their young children to the popular Bryker Woods elementary. You can find way more than a hammer and nails at mom and pop hardware store Breed and Co, who stock a variety of tropical plants, home décor, and gourmet food. They even have a bridal registry where the engaged can register for Waterford crystal they keep in stock. Locally owned Kerbey Lane Café, located on a street named after the Bryker Woods developer, has been in business for the past 28 years, serving up nutritious food from local vendors, 24 hours a day.

The standout home of the Bryker Woods neighborhood was built in 1938 for Hubert and Alice Bohn at 1301 West 29th Street. Built by architect Roy Thomas, who helped the Stacy Realty Company build more than 30 homes in Barton Hills, the Bohn house was inspired by the 1936 science fiction movie, Things To Come. Today its futuristic modern look still rings true, with its curving exterior walls, and multi-level layout painted bright white.

For those looking for that feel-good vibe of the old neighborhood they grew up in, Bryker Woods has quite a lot to offer, and does so from the heart of the city.

Ki specializes in helping home buyers interested in Austin Texas real estate. His site has a free Austin Homes along with a blog covering the Austin real estate market.
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Feb. 6, 2008 - Recession Risks: The Silver Lining

The US appears to poised on the very brink of recession. Investors are reacting as news of a contraction within the service sector for the first time in five years, an FBI investigation into predatory lending, and increasing unemployment statistics, has sent shock waves of panic through stock markets worldwide. Who wins out in a crisis of this magnitude? And how can an individual take advantage of such a difficult scenario? While volatility in recent months is hardly a comforting phenomenon, recognizing its continued presence (within relatively unstable areas of the economy such as the stock markets) is key to weathering such a crisis. Even though most areas of the US economy are contracting in some fashion, the saying that the US's sneeze makes the world catch cold is less true than ever before. As China and other Asian economies become increasingly decoupled from America, the tendancy of compensating mechanisms to come into play should increase. Someone will be able to profit from the US shoring up spending, even if it is only oil companies for some period of time. Most of these companies are reinvesting the money they make in stable companies like American financial institutions, thus tying their fate to that of the US without risk of takeover bids or boardroom posturing. While the transmission of wealth from the American middle class to wealthy overseas oil giants is gradually becoming a less attractive proposition to the average American (with increasing energy prices helping this along), the climate crisis may be able to facilitate a reduction in dependence on foreign oil that balances this feedback loop in the future. Americans are right to begin saving on a more realistic scale, if a bit slow to react. Most of America's weaknesses in this regard are only sustainable if nothing goes wrong, and the sub-prime crisis is destined to affect many other industries such as credit card companies. If a significant amount of consumer spending turns into savings, Americans will be hurting. But like an unpleasant vaccination, they will be safer in the long run. Perhaps a lesson or two in solubility and risk management has been learned. As far as an individual's best chances for taking advantage of these weakened sectors, buying a house couldn't be smarter now as the glut of unsold houses in many areas continues to drive down prices. Emerging economies will continue to grow even if America stagnates for some period of time, so investment in these regions is a safer bet than ever before. Global GDP will still grow, even if the rest of the world no longer wants to hold the West's hand while they cross the street. In fact, the complex financial instruments that have fueled the credit crunch were created in order to minimize risk. As we can see, they have only made it less obvious and harder to bring ontol a balance sheet, which costs much more. If layoffs begin to increase, government action on a larger scale is practically inevitable. The Federal Reserve is obviously prepared to drop interest rates considerably further, which means there is still some breathing room (even if it is shrinking). Ki works as a realtor helping people interested in Austin real estate mostly central. His site is filled with information such as profiles of the downtown Austin condos. He also has a blog devoted to Austin Texas real estate.
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Feb. 5, 2008 - Cabinet Installation - It's Easier Than You Think!

You've just moved into a wonderful new home and you cannot wait to start making it your own. One of the easiest home improvements the first time home owner may encounter is installing new cabinets. While the thought of such a major addition to a room may at first seem daunting to all of us who have never consider ourselves carpenters, installing a brand new set of cabinets is easy enough for almost anyone with a few tools to accomplish in a very short amount of time. You want to start out by making sure that you have all the tools you will need to complete this project. To install a basic set of cabinets all you need is a good level, a pencil, a tape measure, a stud finder and a drill. Depending on how high you are planning to install the cabinets, you may also want a small step ladder to reach higher places. The first tool you will need is your stud finder. Work your way along the wall until you find the studs that you will use to support the weight of your cabinets. For each stud you will want to mark both the left and right edge. Using your tape measure, make a mark on the center point of each stud. This will allow you to mount your cabinets on the sturdiest portion of your wall. Now that you have located the studs, you should decide exactly where you want the cabinets to be placed. Using your tape measure, determine the exact dimensions of your cabinets. You may find it helpful to lightly draw the outline of your cabinets directly onto the wall. You should also draw vertical lines through the center of your studs that extend at least six inches above and below where your cabinets will hang. This will allow you to find the studs once the cabinet is on the wall. Now you will want to attach a short term 1 x 3 support rail to the wall. The top of the support rail should be level and flush with the bottom of where you want your cabinets to sit. Using your drill, attach the support rail to the wall. This short term rail will aid in holding the weight and location of your cabinets while you get them in place. You are now ready to install your cabinets. With the help of a friend, lift the cabinets into place. Drill pilot holes through the cabinet back and into the wall studs. You should screw the cabinet into the wall using screws that are long enough to go at least 1 ½ inches into the studs. After setting your first set off screws, use your level to check that the cabinets are properly aligned. Make your way down the studs adding several more sets of studs to make sure that your cabinets are safe and secure. You are almost finished. After making sure that your cabinets are secure in the location that you want them, you can go ahead and remove the support rail from the wall. You should also erase any pencil marks that you have made that still show once the cabinets are in place. Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your new cabinets. Installing new cabinets is a super easy and inexpensive way to start improving your new space and making it into a home. Escapeso helps clients interested in research Austin real estate. They provide information on their website about Austin neighborhoods along with providing a free Austin MLS search.
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Feb. 4, 2008 - Austin Neighborhoods: French Place

Nestled in central Austin between Airport Boulevard and Manor Road lies the quiet yet vibrant neighborhood of French Place. Austin has always been renowned for its individual personality, and while its expansion continues to dilute that sentiment over the years, these quaint houses with ample yards exemplify the type of house considered a classic "Austin home." While other adjacent areas such as Hyde Park, Maplewood, Tarrytown, and all the property around the University of Texas have skyrocketed in price over the past several years, French Place has resisted this trend of the general austin real estate market and thus retains more spirit and spunk than some of the more gentrified areas.

While French Place's houses are generally no more than two to three bedrooms, many houses have interesting add-ons to enhance functionality without resorting to cookie-cutter remodels. Examples include converted garages and utility rooms with extra storage space, which make them perfect for extended families and roommates. Most of these Austin homes are designed for small nuclear families, which is makes sense considering that the vast majority were built during the years between 1940 and 1955. When you add an influx of the personalities of several generations of an eclectic and diverse population, the results can be difficult to predict.

Each home in a neighborhood is defined by the nearby businesses and institutions, and French Place is no exception. The University of Texas lies just to the southwest of this area, which has helped its personality, as well as its affordability. Though areas west of campus have inflated steadily for decades, resulting in massive apartment development and compartmentalization of living space. Since these houses are somewhat older larger lots (with the occasional white picket fence) are common and a valuable asset for social events and outdoor hobbies. Other features generally include lots of windows, larger kitchens and bathrooms, and wooden floors for easy cleaning. As far as the exterior and structure of French Place homes goes, most are pier-and-beam construction (and therefore moveable[!]) with wood much more common than stone. Houses tend to be one-story, with wide floor plans to compensate.

This Central Austin is a great neighborhood if you are interested in taking in what the city as to offer. The live music scene is quite active even on a very intimate level, with the neighborhood Quack's bakery hosting live music weekly and offering delivery service. East Side Pies has over 20 toppings and delivers awesome pizza to the French Place area with exceptional efficiency. French Place is also a ten-minute drive to downtown, the campus area, and is very close to the major interstate I-35. 6th street is an exceptional confluence of live music and alcohol consumption, which makes for good times year-round. In addition, the Cherrywood Art Fair is a neighborhood exhibit that showcases local artists, musicians, and more and has been for six years. Maplewood Elementary School is a well-recognized neighborhood school within walking distance of most of the neighborhood. All of these factors make French Place an attractive place to call home. But it also probably won't be this easy to find such a great place to live in Austin for long.

Ki is a realtor in Austin.  In addition to writing here he runs a Austin real estate blog.  Which covers various real estate related events in Austin.

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A general blog about real estate with random tips and observations.

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