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July 2008

Jul. 31, 2008 - Farmer's Markets in Austin

With the recent push towards local, sustainable eating, Austin residents are lucky to claim quite a few local farms. Many of these farmers bring their freshly harvested produce in to town periodically as part of one of the farmer's markets located throughout the city. Not just produce, Austin's farmers markets also feature locally made products such as cheese, tamales, breads, jams, soaps, and other handicrafts. With live music, entertainment for the kiddos, and an air of celebration, these bi-weekly events provide sustenance for the spirit as well as the body.

Austin Farmer's Market: With two locations, this aptly named market is held on Wednesdays from 4PM to 8PM, and Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM, year-round, rain or shine. A growers-only market, all of their produce and products are grown or produced within a 150 mile radius of Austin, and produce farmers make up at least 51% of their vendors. An offshoot o f the Sustainable Food Center, a local 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, the market is an important extension of their mission, to improve access to local, healthy and affordable food for children and adults in Central Texas. A unique feature of this group is their Chefs' Circle - a group of well known local chefs who periodically present cooking demonstrations at the Market. (Triangle Park, 4600 Guadalupe - 46th Street between Lamar and Guadalupe, AND Republic Square Park - 4th and Guadalupe)

Sunset Valley Farmer's Market: Claiming "The Spirit of the Farm in an Urban Setting" this weekly market is festival-like in atmosphere. With farmers, artisans, bakeries and restaurants all hawking their wares, shoppers are just as likely to get lunch as they are to get their weekly produce. Live music, face painting and inflatable slides and jumping structures make this an attractive destination for families. Held in the parking lot of the Toney Burger Center just east of Brodie off of Ben White, this weekly market is held on Saturdays from 9 to 1:00, year round, rain or shine. (3200 Jones Rd, Sunset Valley, TX, 78745)

Boggy Creek Farm: Although this market is held at, and features produce only from one of Austin's premier organic farms, it merits inclusion in this list due to its expansive offerings of things other than produce. Boggy Creek Farm provides local, organic produce to many local restaurants, and at their Wednesday and Saturday morning market, also offers local cheeses, breads, and other carefully selected products to the general public. The eggs from their free-roaming chickens go early, but the chickens remain strolling about to delight the kids, who can also take advantage of a small play area with farm-oriented toys. (3414 Lyons Road, Austin TX 78702)

South Austin Farmers Market: This small but tenacious market features local produce, and occasionally local products may be offered as well. Held on Saturdays, year round from 8AM to 1PM, they are located in the parking lot of El Gallo Restaurant on South Congress Avenue, across the street from St. Edwards University. (2910 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704)

Escapeso Realty is a small company in Austin. The provide a free search of the Austin MLS along with updated information on the Austin real estate market. Their site also provides updated mortgage interest rates for potential home buyers.
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Jul. 31, 2008 - Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum of Art is a part of the College of Fine arts in The University of Texas at Austin, with a permanent collection of substantial range and depth. It is the principal art museum in Austin, with collections and exhibits on a par with art museums throughout the country. Positioning itself as a gateway between the University community and the general public in Austin, the Blanton is committed to building the finest collections possible, being a vital resource for teaching in a broad variety of disciplines, and to making their offering available to art lovers of all ages.

Originally known as the University Art Museum, the Blanton dates back to 1963, when a new building for the art department designated some gallery space. The Blaton Museum began collecting in earnest throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and gained a large group of important paintings from a private donation from the acclaimed author James Michener. The Blanton took an early leadership role in the promotion and preservation of Latin American art, founded on the donation of some two hundred paintings and 1,200 drawings from the collection of John and Barbara Duncan. Other permanent holdings include the C. R. Smith Collection of Paintings of the American West, and nearly one thousand contemporary prints donated by Charles Clark of McAllen, Texas. Now, the museum has over 17,000 works in its permanent collection.

The museum also offers a great number of traveling exhibitions, with topics that range from cultural to political art. Whether featuring the sculpture of New York's Park Place Gallery Cooperative, the performance-installation work of Michael Smith and Joshua White, woodcuts and engravings by Albrecht Dürer, or Rembrandt's etchings, the rotating exhibitions are world-class.

The public programs available at the Blanton are diverse and exciting. They offer public tours of the museum, guided by knowledgeable docents who can answer questions about the collections and exhibits. Each month, they host an art party known as "B-Scene," featuring live music by Austin bands, gallery tours, art-making activities, light snacks, and a cash bar featuring their signature cocktail, the Blantini. The last Tuesday of the month brings the Bach Cantata project, a choral performance held in the majestic atrium of the museum. Hot Art Hip Kids is a program for children, and for adults, they also offer educational lectures on their exhibitions, as well as Third Thursday, a themed event held in the evenings. Classes and workshops on many different subjects are also available.

With the opening of the new Blanton in April 2006-following a 2 1/2 year building project—the museum was for the first time able to house all of its collections under one roof, becoming the premier art museum in Central Texas. In its new home, with its rich and versatile collections, magnificent galleries, fun and diverse programming, and an enthusiastic and committed group of staff and volunteers, the museum continues its mission to promote the arts in Austin to the students attending the University of Texas of Austin and the general public.

Ki lives in Austin Texas and works as realtor helping people interested in Austin real estate. His website provides current statistics on his Austin real estate blog along with a search of the Austin MLS.
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Jul. 29, 2008 - Mortgage Rates Jump up to Highest Level Seen in 2008

After falling for most of the month of July Mortgage interest rates jumped up. And not only did they move up they jumped to the highest levels we have seen in 2008. 30 Year rates jumped from 6.26 to 6.63 last week. To put that in perspective for the entire month of May mortgage rates fluctuated between 5.98 to 6.08. The increases were not confined to 30 Year rates, 15 year rates went from 5.78 to 6.18, 5 Year Arms went from 5.80 to 6.16 and 1 Year Arms went from 5.10 to 5.49. The interest rates we saw this week for all the major 4 mortgage products were the highest numbers we have seen for all of 2008. When was the last time we saw mortgage rates this high? I looked back through 2007 to find the last time we saw rates this high for the different mortgage products.

30 year - August 2 , 2007
15 Year - August 16, 2007
5 Year - September 20, 2007
1 Year - December 27, 2008

Below are mortgage rates for the last few weeks.

July 24,2008
30-yr 6.63 15-yr 6.18 5-yr ARM 6.16 1-yr ARM 5.49

July 17,2008
30-yr 6.26 15-yr 5.78 5-yr ARM 5.80 1-yr ARM 5.10

July 10,2008
30-yr 6.37 15-yr 5.91 5-yr ARM 5.82 1-yr ARM 5.17

July 3,2008
30-yr 6.35 15-yr 5.92 5-yr ARM 5.78 1-yr ARM 5.17

June 26,2008
30-yr 6.45 15-yr 6.04 5-yr ARM 5.99 1-yr ARM 5.27

Ok so mortgage rates are one thing. But what does this mean for an actual mortgage. using our free mortgage calculator and pulling a number out of a hat we looked at how these rate increases would affect a 200k mortgage.

July 24th
30-yr $1281.28
15-yr $1707.22
5-yr ARM $1219.75
1-yr ARM $1134.32

July 17th
30-yr $1232.73
15-yr $1664.03
5-yr ARM $1173.5
1-yr ARM $1085.89

So starting off the monthly payment on a 200k mortgage with 30 Year loan would be $48.55 more this week compared to last (1232.73 to 1281.28). A 15 Year mortgage would have increased $43.19, a 5 year mortgage increased $46.25, and a 1 year mortgage would have increased $48.43.

So why have rates risen so dramatically. A few bank closures have probably caused some uncertainty in the market. Additionally the FED spent the early part of the year trying to keep rates down and basically ignoring the risk of inflation. That has changed as inflation signs have started to crop up. So now the FED is worried more about the risk of inflation.

So usually when one mortgage product rises I advise potential home buyers to look at the other mortgage products. But this week all the mortgage products rose more or less equally. Therefore my advice would be to start looking at putting down more cash. With interest rates moving up near 7 it might be a good idea to evaluate other investments and consider putting a large down payment on a house. If you are thinking of buying a house in the next few months its probably a good idea to start paying more attention to savings.

So what is going to happen next week? Usually after we see a sudden large increase or decrease the next week we see rates move a little bit in the opposite direction. But what happens with mortgage interest rates over the next week and the next few months to a large extent is going to be based on what happens with the banks and the mortgage industry and at this point with all the turmoil in the markets its a little hard to predict what is going to happen next.

Ki provides updated information on mortgage interest rates along with a mortgage interest rates widget. His site also provides a free mortgage calculator.
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Jul. 29, 2008 - Hula Hut

Austinites are known for enjoying the local flavor that thrives in Austin. With a plethora of cool local restaurants in Austin the food scene can at times seem to rival Austin's music scene. Hula Hut located in in central Austin is one of the restaurants that contributes to this. It has been an Austin favorite since it opened in 1993. With bamboo walls, tiki torches, grass-thatched bars, thousands of colored lights, and great music, Hula Hut already has a somewhat cheesy but extremely enjoyable atmosphere, but the best aspect is that it is located right over Lake Austin.

Not only does it have an awesome atmosphere that is great to just hang out with family or friends or even to impress those clients that came into town, but it also has spectacular food. It is a menu derived from both Tex-Mex and Hawaiian traditions, and, although the combination sounds somewhat bizarre, they have perfected to it pure, tastebud exciting enjoyment. In addition to the wonderful flavors, the portions are usually generous enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day. What's better than a great, relaxing dinner that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and getting to enjoy it again the next day?

Although on the best of nights there is usually somewhat of a long wait, it is definitely worth it. It's a huge place and has tons of tables, so they are usually pretty good about seating as quickly as possible. If there happens to be a wait, you can relax on the benches or hang out by the Palapa bar with a cold drink and some, free chips and salsa, and if you get there at the right time, the sun setting over the water of Lake Austin is a gorgeous view.

Not only does the lakeside location provide a spectacular view over Austin's Town Lake, but also some convenience for those who have been hanging out on the lake, or just don't feel like driving their car over. Hula Hut provides a boat dock that can hold approximately 10 boats. So if you're hanging out on the lake and want a bite to eat for lunch or dinner, just pull in, enjoy the atmosphere, have some great food, and head back out on the water.

While the food is wonderful and the drinks even better, Hula Hut is most definitely popular because of the wonderful atmosphere. If you're looking for a relaxing place to hang out with friends or family, somewhere comfortable for that first date, or something impressive to show off Austin to some clients that came into town, Hula Hut is the place to go.

Ki helps investors interested in Austin real estate. His site allows visitors to search for Austin homes and Austin condos.
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Jul. 23, 2008 - Mortgage Rates Fall Again

For the second week in a row mortgage rates have fallen. For those that don't read my updates regularly I wanted to give a short background on what rates have been doing. From the end of April to the beginning of June 30 year mortgage rates hovered around 6 percent. Then during the month of June 30 year mortgage interest rates rose peaking out at 6.45 at the end of June. But since then rates have fallen through the month of July ot 6.26. So we are not down to 6 but rates have come down quite a bit from their recent high. Its also interesting rates have fallen although the FED has cut the Fed Funds rate or the discount rate since April 30th. Below are mortage interest rates for the major mortgage products for the last 5 weeks.

July 17,2008
30-yr 6.26 15-yr 5.78 5-yr ARM 5.80 1-yr ARM 5.10

July 10,2008
30-yr 6.37 15-yr 5.91 5-yr ARM 5.82 1-yr ARM 5.17

July 3,2008
30-yr 6.35 15-yr 5.92 5-yr ARM 5.78 1-yr ARM 5.17

June 26,2008
30-yr 6.45 15-yr 6.04 5-yr ARM 5.99 1-yr ARM 5.27

June 19,2008
30-yr 6.42 15-yr 6.02 5-yr ARM 5.89 1-yr ARM 5.19

Mortgage rates are nice to look at but what do these mortgage rates flucatuations mean for a mortgage. Using our free mortgage calculator we can run the numbers and see how these mortgage rate changes would affect the mortgage on a 200k loan.

July 17th
30-yr $1232.73
15-yr $1664.03
5-yr ARM $1173.5
1-yr ARM $1085.89

June 26th
30-yr $1257.56
15-yr $1692.03
5-yr ARM $1197.81
1-yr ARM $1106.88

June 5th
30-yr $1210.69
15-yr $1650.11
5-yr ARM $1136.83
1-yr ARM $1080.98

For a 30 Year mortgage on June 5th the monthly mortgage payment would have been $1210.69. Three week later on June 26th a mortgage on the same amount would have risen 4% to $1257.56. Now another 3 weeks the mortgage payment has fallen 2% to $1232.73

The other major change occuring with mortgages is that banks are becoming more selective in giving out mortgages. We have noticed over the last month that more restrictions from lenders have been coming into play. So although mortgage rates are relatively low it has become more difficult to get a loan. Over the last few years lenders would give a loan to anyone that could walk in the door this has changed over the last year. This is why potential home buyers should start paying more attention to their credit scores. Also lenders are expecting larger downpayments. Lenders are also cracking down on investment loans. The biggest change has been that most lenders are not allowing borrowers to get more than 4 investment loans. This has essentially stopped many investors from purchasing new properties.

So what do we expect to happen in the future. The general feeling among mortgage brokers is that lenders are unlikely to return to the free wheeling style we saw in 2006. But at the same time its likely that the current extreme restrictions in lending might ease up some over the next six months.

Ki is a real estate agent in Austin. His website has current information on mortgage interest rates. Along with a free mortgage calculator and information on historical mortgage interest rates
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Jul. 23, 2008 - The Bat Fest in Austin Texas

Austin's love affair with those delightful little bug-eaters is epic, and is celebrated every year with a bat-tastic festival held right on the Congress Street Bridge, while the honorees sleep below. Bat Fest, although relatively new, has become one of the River City's most noted and well-attended events.

Bat Fest is usually held in late August or early September, when the bat population is at its highest - the females have given birth and the pups are starting to venture out on their own. The bridge is closed to traffic, allowing for the 40,000+ attendees to walk among the tents and kiosks set up on the asphalt. Beginning late, at 2PM, the festival is meant to encourage people to enjoy the festivities during the day, and to enjoy the spectacular emergence of all those bats into the night air at dusk. The revelry continues on until midnight on Saturday, 10PM on Sunday.

On Sunday, early-bats can partake of the Bat Breakfast, when Austin's finest chefs whip up delectable breakfast treats. The savvy participants of this satellite event are treated to the flip side of the celebrated evening launch - they get to view the return of the bats after a night of foraging, to their roosts under the bridge.

Keeping with Austin's other main love, the festival mounts two stages, and bands play throughout the entire festival - up to thirty of the best the Live Music Capitol of the World has to offer can be seen in one weekend. Bob Schneider, Soulhat, Breedlove, and Grady have all appeared, along with many other big names in many different genres of music.

In addition to the Bat Breakfast, food vendors offer savory and sweet treats for sale all day and throughout the evening, and beverages of all kind are available as well. Over 100 of Austin's finest artisans and craftspeople present their wares, including pottery, jewelry, fine art, woodwork, stained glass, metal sculpture, mosaics, dicrylic, photography and much more.

The entrance fee for this exciting and unique event is a paltry $5.00, and the proceeds go to local charities including Bat Conservation International. BCI is already a regular presence on the "Bat Bridge" providing information and selling bat-centric souvenirs, as well as promoting their efforts to educate the public about bats, and to protect the bat population here and throughout the world. They amplify their offering for the festival, presenting educational displays and activities for all ages. The kids will find a wealth of fun in store, including carnival rides, games, interactive exhibits, face painting, and more.

With the beauty of Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) as a back drop, the Bat Fest is a great celebration of one of Austin's greatest treasures. Done in Austin's inimitable style, the music, crafts, food and fun make this an affordable, one-of-a-kind celebration, the likes of which you won't likely find anywhere else.

Ki is a realtor helping individuals looking for Austin real estate. His site provides information on his Austin real estate blog along with a search of the Austin MLS.
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Jul. 23, 2008 - Mexic-Arte Museum

The Mexic-Arte Museum is the Official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Art Museum of Texas, as designated by the state legislature. Although focused primarily on the arts from Mexico, their scope includes Latin America as well as Latino arts, both contemporary and ancient, as well as Chicano art. Its diverse and eclectic collections, exhibits and programs reflect the heritage of the area, which was once Mexico. The population of Texas remains heavily Hispanic, and the Mexic-Arte museum celebrates this culture.

Located in the heart of historic downtown, the Mexic-Arte Museum offers a modern, contemporary space through which over 75,000 visitors a year travel. The main gallery is normally used by traveling exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art from Mexico and other Latin American countries as well as for national, local and regional Chicano and Latino artists. One of the few museums to support fresh talent, their back gallery provides space for emerging artists to exhibit their works.

The museum's Permanent Collection has developed with the intent of showcasing the rich and diverse art and culture of our unique region. The collections include prints from the Taller de la Grafica Popular/Workshop of Popular Graphics, a collection of etchings, linocuts, lithographs and silkscreens created by prominent artists as part of a populist art movement in Mexico. The Ernest De Soto Collection was named for the first Mexican American Master Printer, and consists of contemporary Latin American and American lithographs, fine prints, and etchings by renowned artists. One of the most colorful and attractive exhibits is the Masks from the State of Guerrero, a collection of traditional ritual masks made by Nahua Indians. Over 200 silkscreen prints by regional artists comprise the Serie Print Project.

Traveling exhibitions have included Retablos: Miracles from the Border, Embracing Chaos by young Latino artists, and La Caja Museo Contemporáneo de Arte / The Box Contemporary Museum of Art. The diversity of the arts is clear when exhibitions include Aztec mummy movies as well as The Aztec and Maya Revival exhibition, which illustrates a fusion of Pre-Columbian visual patterns with modern Mexican material culture.

The museum's flagship event for over a quarter of a century, and one of Austin’s favorite celebrations, falls every year near Halloween. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is traditionally the day when Mexicans remember their loved ones who have passed on. The Mexic-Arte Museum celebrates with music, entertainment, and food in downtown Austin on 5th Street, between Congress and Brazos. Altars adorned with traditional offerings including candles, flowers, and images of calaveras (skulls) are on display, as a lively procession of people dressed in skeleton and Frida Kahlo costumes join other revelers for dancing and fun.

Educational outreach is paramount at the Mexic-Arte, which offers after school classes, free guided tours, and an entire program in anticipation of the Dia de los Muertos celebration. A corner of the museum is designated an Interactive Family area, and they host highly regarded scholars in a gallery lecture series. The Mexic-Arte Museum is located at 419 Congress Avenue in Austin Texas.

Escapeso Austin Real Estate is a small company working in central Austin. They run a website with information about Austin real estate. Their site also has information on Austin foreclosures and a search of the Austin MLS.
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Jul. 19, 2008 - Allandale Neighborhood

Allandale is the name of a lovely neighborhood in central Austin, although the area was originally considered to be northwest Austin, before Austin’s expansion into a large metropolitan area. Allandale recently celebrated its 35th anniversary as an active central Austin community, and the Allandale Neighborhood Association has been a presence in the neighborhood since 1973. Currently, Allandale is home to over 21,000 residents, and two of the boundaries of the neighborhood are the MoPac Expressway and Burnet Road, which form the western and eastern perimeters, respectively.

Typical residences in Allandale are three to four bedroom single family homes, most within the $250,000 to $300,000 price range, although more and less expensive housing can be found too. The students in Allendale attend Austin Independent School District schools, and there is an elementary school named Gullet Elementary, as well as a middle school named Lamar and a high school named McAllen High School. Allandale has the 28th largest neighborhood association in Austin, and there is an activity center named the Northwest Recreation Center which is ideal for indoor as well as outdoor sporting activities. The Allandale Neighborhood’s other borders are generally considered to be Anderson Lane and Hancock Drive, as well as Shoal Creek, and the neighborhood is chock full of restaurants, shopping, and various types of dwellings.

The roots of the Allandale neighborhood go back to the 1930s, and at that time, it was considered to be a suburb outside of Austin proper. George Davis was the original owner of most of the land in the neighborhood, and he obtained the land from the President of the Republic of Texas in 1841. A grant of over 3,100 acres was given to him in exchange for his service in the battle of San Jacinto, and some of his descendants still live in the neighborhood today. The Davis family also has a family cemetery on Vine Street to this day.

Housing is slightly more expensive in the neighborhood than in some areas of Austin, and the vintage homes from the 1940s and 1950s frequently boast mature landscaping with large yards, a perfect setting for families with children. There are fixer-uppers to be found in the neighborhood too, along with apartments and duplexes, among other choices. Since Shoal Creek, with its numerous parks and hike and bike trails, runs along the Allandale neighborhood, there is plenty to do from a standpoint of recreation as well.

Some of the eateries in the Allandale area include Phil's Icehouse, Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon, and Amy's Ice Cream, all local hotspots, as well as many popular family restaurants, including the Hang Town Grill, and the Frisco, which occupied the same location on Burnet for years until it recently closed. A popular park in the neighborhood is named Beverly Sheffield Park, and the park is adjacent to Shoal Creek, and has a beautiful duck pond as well as an Olympic sized swimming pool. The park also includes picnic sites, barbecue pits, ball fields, tennis courts, and a fishing pier, and is a home away from home for the children of the area.

Escapeso helps buyers and investors looking for Austin real estate. Their website provides a map based search of the Austin MLS and updated market statistics on their Austin real estate blog.
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Jul. 19, 2008 - Central Texas Profiles : Elgin Texas

Elgin is a small city which is located 23 miles east of Austin and 17 miles north of Bastrop, and Elgin is also known as the Sausage Capital of Texas! Elgin covers an area of 4.7 square miles, and in the census of 2000, the city reported a population of 5,700 inhabitants. There were 1869 households reported, and 1349 families living in the Elgin area at the time of the census of 2000. The population density was 1214 people per square mile. 36% of the population reported family members being under the age of 18, and 51% were married couples living together. The average family size was 3.5 members, and there was a slightly higher percentage of women than men at the time of the census. There was a median income of around $38,000 during the 2000 census, and the per capita income for the city was around $17,000.

The students of Elgin attend the Elgin Independent School District Schools, and the city holds two annual events: the Hogeye Festival and the Western Days Festival. Part of Elgin is situated in Travis County and part in Bastrop County, and by the year 2005, the population had grown to around 8700 inhabitants.

Elgin was settled in 1872 and was named for Robert Morris Elgin, who was the railroad commissioner at the time. Elgin was settled around the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, and the train depot was originally in the center of the small community. The city was formed after Colorado River flooded in 1869, and the city was first intended to be built 10 miles east, but due to the flood, the land was unusable at the time.

Elgin has grown in recent years, and there are numerous churches, schools and restaurants, among other attractions. Some of the churches include the First Baptist Church, the First United Methodist Church, the Family Worship Center, and the Central Christian Church. Lodging can be found in and near Elgin for visitors, including the new Hyatt Regency Resort in Lost Pines near Bastrop, as well as the Sunset Lodge Motel and a few R.V. parks. Restaurants in or near Elgin include the Meyers Elgin Smokehouse and the Morelia Mexican Cafe, as well as numerous fast food joints, a coffee shop and a few other local eateries.

Some of the prominent employers in Elgin include the school district, the H.E.B. grocery store, Acme Brick Company, and the Southside Market, as well as Beall's Department Store and the City of Elgin. Elgin is a historic city, and a museum was built at the site of the original railroad depot called the Elgin Depot Museum, and Heritage Walking Tours are offered throughout the city, including historic Main Street. Elgin is also considered the Brick Capital of the Southwest, and there are numerous historic brick homes to display their many uses in homebuilding. A watermelon festival is held in nearby McDade every year, and musical events are regularly scheduled by the city, as well as sports events, including little league baseball. Elgin is also proud of their barbecue, and the Southside Market and Meyer's Smokehouse have both been in business for over 100 years. Meyer's Smokehouse was named one of the 14 top barbecue spots in the state of Texas in 2003, and the Southside Market, run by the Bracewell family, was founded in 1882 and has been in business since.

The Elgin Courier is the local source of news for the occupants of Elgin, and since the city is located east of Austin, it is reasonably accessible to Houston by Highway 290 as well as San Antonio, which is southwest via Interstate 35 through Austin. There are many parks in Elgin, including the Elgin Memorial Park on Highway 95, as well as the Morris Memorial Park, the Thomas Park, and the Veteran's Park.

Elgin is a great place to consider if rural living appeals to you, yet its proximity to metropolitan areas allows the advantages of the big city. When traveling to central Texas, be sure to visit Elgin, try some barbecue, and visit with the friendly citizens!

Escapeso Austin real estate is a small realty company in Austin Texas. Their site has information on Austin homes along with updated market statistics on their Austin real estate blog.
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Jul. 17, 2008 - An Inside Look at Five of Austin's Top Museums

Austin, Texas, is well known for its nightlife, but there is plenty to do during daylight hours, too. With a wide variety of museums and cultural centers catering to most every interest, Austin provides visitors and residents alike with countless options for cultural outings. Here is a closer look at five of Austin's best.

1)Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum
Dedicated in 1971, the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library and museum houses the single greatest collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the life and presidency of our nation's 36th president, including documents, photographs, clothing and automobiles. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also houses traveling exhibits on American culture and lifestyle. Located on the edge of the University of Texas campus, the museum is open daily (except Christmas day) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and admission is free.

2)Austin Children's Museum
The Austin Children's Museum, located downtown at the Dell Discover Center, was founded in the early 1980s by a grassroots coalition of parents and educators striving to equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers. With more than 12,000 square feet of museum space, the Austin Children's Museum houses a wealth of interactive, thought-provoking displays and exhibits designed to get kids working together and thinking outside the box. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also offers rotating exhibits and community programs to further engage young and old visitors alike—some of these include Discovery Time, Science Sunday and various on-site Spring Break and summer camps. Museum hours and admission prices vary.

3)Pioneer Farm
Located in North East Austin, Pioneer Farm is Austin's one and only outdoor living history museum. With historically accurate clothing, tools, architecture, livestock, crops and furnishings, the Pioneer farm and its costumed interpreters portray the realities of rural Central Texas life in the 1880s. Pioneer Farm operates on a seasonal schedule, and admission fees vary.

4)Blanton Museum of Art
One of Austin's premier art museums, the Blanton Museum of Art (or simply the Blanton, as it's often called) is renowned for its modern and contemporary American works, Latin American art, European Old Master paintings and an extensive collection of prints and drawings. Affiliated with the University of Texas, the Blanton is in fact the largest university art museum in the country, and the largest museum in Texas. The Blanton offers a wide range of community and educational programs year round, including an artist-in-residence program. Museum hours and admission prices vary.

5)Austin Nature and Science Center
Located in Zilker Park, one of Austin's most popular outdoor attractions, the Austin Nature and Science Center is a hands-on eco-exploration of the city's natural habitat. With more than 50 unique native mammal and bird species housed in its various wildlife habitats and a wealth of ancient fossils, visitors to the Austin Nature and Science Center can experience first-hand the richness and diversity of the central Texas ecosystem, both past and present. Center hours vary, and admission fees entail a suggested donation of $2.

Ki helps buyers in the Austin area. His site has a search of the Austin MLS and provides general information on Austin real estate and mortgage interest rates.
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Jul. 13, 2008 - Current Mortgage News

So what has been going on in the world of finance and mortgages? Certainly the biggest news was the fall of IndyMac. Last week we heard that IndyMac had stopped giving out new mortgage loans and was going to concentrate on simply servicing the existing loans in its portfolio. Apparently this was due to the fact that regulators felt that IndyMac was not adequately capitalized.

Many experts speculated that the days of IndyMac were numbered and might not last the year. They were right and not only did they not make it through the year they didn't even survive the rest of the week. On Friday it was announced that IndyMac was seized by US banking regulators. This was preceded by a rush on the bank by panicked depositors. The insurance fund currently has around 53 billion so the failure of IndyMac should be a significant drain of the insurance fund. The failure of the bank should cost the government insurance fund between 4 to 8 billion.

Moving on what is going on with mortgage rates this month. After rates rose through the month of June rates have fallen off in the first 2 weeks of July. This is good news because the rates feel in spite of the FED choosing not to lower rates at their last meeting. Rates on all the major mortgage products (30 Year, 15 Year, 5 Year and 1 Year) from the week of June 26 to July 3. Then rates for the most part held steady from July 3rd to July 10th. Rates fell the most on 5 Year Arms.

Its interesting to note that the spread between 5 Year Arms and 30 Year fixed notes has increased over the last month making 5 Year Arms more attractive. Below are the rates for the major mortgage products for the last few weeks.

July 10, 2008
30-yr 6.37 15-yr 5.91 5-yr ARM 5.82 1-yr ARM 5.17

July 3,2008
30-yr 6.35 15-yr 5.92 5-yr ARM 5.78 1-yr ARM 5.17

June 26,2008
30-yr 6.45 15-yr 6.04 5-yr ARM 5.99 1-yr ARM 5.27

June 19,2008
30-yr 6.42 15-yr 6.02 5-yr ARM 5.89 1-yr ARM 5.19

June 12,2008
30-yr 6.32 15-yr 5.93 5-yr ARM 5.70 1-yr ARM 5.09

June 5,2008
30-yr 6.09 15-yr 5.65 5-yr ARM 5.51 1-yr ARM 5.06

Moving on lets look at mortgage payments. I like to translate mortgage interest rates into how they would affect a mortgage payment because at the end of the day that is what we are dealing with. So breaking out our free mortgage calculator lets see what these rates mean for a mortgage on a 200k house.

July 10th
30-yr $1247.08
15-yr $1678
5-yr ARM $1176.05
1-yr ARM $1094.51

July 3rd
30-yr $1244.47
15-yr $1679.08
5-yr ARM $1170.96
1-yr ARM $1094.51

June 5th
30-yr $1210.69
15-yr $1650.11
5-yr ARM $1136.83
1-yr ARM $1080.98

So what do we see happening over the next few months. At the beginning of the summer we felt rates would rise because the FED decided to stop cutting rates. Rates rose for a month and then recently have held steady and then felt a bit. Moving forward I don’t have a clear idea what will happen with rates. I would have thought rates might fallen but with the fall of IndyMac the mortgage industry does not seem to be stabilizing so its uncertain what will happen with rates over the next month.

Ki works in Austin. His site is filled with information about mortgage interest rates along with providing a free mortgage rates widget and a free mortgage calculator.
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Jul. 13, 2008 - How To Minimize The Stress Of Moving

Regardless of whether it's across the country or across town, moving is a stressful, expensive and time-consuming event. It requires extensive planning, organization, and a lot of physical activity. While there is no easy way to move house, there are several things you can do to simplify the process and reduce the amount of stress on yourself.

First things first: identify a target moving date. You'll want to take a variety of factors into consideration when determining your moving timeframe, such as work schedules if you're changing employment, school schedules for your kids, housing considerations such as rent or lease terms, and even the weather. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a two-to-three week window to complete your entire move, from packing and cleaning your current residence, to moving itself, to unpacking and organizing in your new home.

Summer is always a peak moving time—particularly for families, as it provides for minimal interruption in kids' school schedules—but it’s also typically the hottest and least physically comfortable time of year to be doing all that heavy lifting. While unpleasant, blistering heat is not likely to be a deal breaker, but it is worth taking into consideration (scheduling your move for late May as opposed to mid-July, for example, could make a significant difference).

Once you've worked out a timeframe for your move, it's time to take inventory of your home. The most important part of this process is identifying what to keep, and what to get rid of before the move—there is no sense in moving items you don't plan on keeping long-term. A good way to determine what to keep and what to lose is to divide your household into three categories: 'Must Keep,' 'May Keep,' and 'Don't Need.' Once you’ve gotten rid of the 'Don't Need' items, go back through the 'May Keep' piles and eliminate everything you can.

If you're having trouble knowing when to let go of something, apply the six-month test: If it hasn't been used in the past six-months, you don’t need it (the exception here, of course, would be season items like winter coats, box fans, etc., that aren't intended for use year-round). Tip: Don’t automatically throw things you no longer need away—there are plenty of charity organizations that are constantly accepting donations of all kinds to help others in the community, and they would be happy to have your unwanted items. Plus, you can write off the donations for a nice tax break next April.

Now that your household is organized and you've done a thorough inventory of everything that will be making the move with you, it's time to start thinking about the logistics of actually moving it all. The easiest way to do it (but also the most expensive) is to hire a full-service moving company (*Note: Be sure to shop around for the best rate, and check out customer reviews online to make sure you choose a reputable company that won’t rip you off). They’ll come to your house, pack everything up, ship it off for you, and unpack at your new home. The next option—a bit more time consuming and work-intensive on your part, but certainly less expensive—is to pack and unpack yourself, but hire movers for the heavy lifting and physical transportation part of the process. All you have to pay for is the time they spend physically moving your possessions.

A third option would be to rent a truck and pack, lift and move everything yourself. There are plenty of truck rental services designed just for these kinds of projects, and their rates are typically very reasonable (although rising gas prices may make this option slightly less appealing). Finally, if you're determined to spend as little as possible, get a group of kind-hearted friends—and their cars—together and make moving a group activity. You can typically get away with a small payment to each helper, or the cost of dinner for the group. This is certainly the most labor-intensive option, but it won't cost you much at all.

Once you've chosen the right moving method for you, get everything planned out and scheduled at least 4-6 weeks in advance. Also, it's a good idea to begin the organization and overall move-out process as early as possible, so as to avoid having to cram it all—packing, cleaning, moving—into a few days or a weekend. Hit your local grocery or wholesale store to pick up empty boxes for free and pack up seasonal items and other things you don't use on a daily basis early on—fancy china, extra bedding, etc. While prolonging the moving process isn't exactly fun, spacing the massive task out will significantly reduce your stress level and help you feel more relaxed, prepared and in control of the process.

No matter how well you prepare, moving is always at least somewhat stressful, so do what you can to reduce that stress ahead of time, breathe deeply, and remember: it will be over before you know it.

Ki provides information on Austin real estate for buyers and sellers investigating the Austin market. His site has a search of the Austin MLS and information on Austin area neighborhoods.
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Jul. 13, 2008 - Coworking In Austin

There is a cafe and coffee shop circuit in every city that serves as the office for many freelancers, entrepreneurs and off-site workers. You’ve seen them. They are typing away at their laptops with the focused precision of a brain surgeon. When they come up for air they often are ready for their third or fourth round of espresso or a little chat with their neighboring typist. Then, they are desperately searching for an outlet for their rapidly dying battery. What are these people doing? How can they work to the sounds of frothing cappuccinos and pumping music?

These are the people who fall in between. Cubicle city does not work for them. Nine to five makes them squirm. Yet holing away in their lonely home office is about as appealing as the four meeting workday. Excruciating.

When one is an unofficial member of the café circuit one sees many of the same people over and over again. Often, due to deadlines, time constraints or other variables, they tend to keep to themselves even though they desire to be around people. Collaborating is not often the focus.

Finding the perfect balance of atmosphere that they crave with the practical aspects like being able to place or take a phone call is tricky. There is a virtuoso’s set of criteria that must be in place for something productive to come out of this environment.

That internal struggle and overwhelming desire to be motivated if not inspired by one’s working environment and be round people has created a new business model that is being replicated all over the nation.

Coworking is its name. Coworking has an additional benefit that takes it to another level. Collaboration. Coworking is not only about the perfect space to work in but it is about the alchemy of combined entrepreneurial pursuits benefiting from open communication with each other. This is an aspect not easily achieved in a hit-or-miss atmosphere like a coffee shop. There are three coworking spaces slated to open in Austin in 2008.

Launchpad Coworking and Café has a crew of dedicated and passionate people designing an environment that may suit a person desiringa well planned and professionally managed community. They are opening in September in downtown Austin.

Conjunctured is a coworking company that focuses on collaborating in a well thought out but slightly less formal space than Launchpad. They are located in Central East Austin in an older bungalow adapted for its use. It maintains an environment more similar to the quirkiness associated with working in a coffee shop. They opened on the first day of July.

Soma Vida strives to be a coworking space with wellness in mind. It is an integrated community that focuses on nurturing and support for each other. It is the only coworking space that offers on site childcare. The coworking space opened also on July 1st. It is located in Central East Austin. Their childcare and yoga facilities are set to open on July 15th.

Ki is a real estate agent in Austin. His site is focused on Austin Texas real estate and provides a search for Austin homes. His blog is updated monthly and provides statistics on the Austin real estate market.
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Jul. 11, 2008 - Austin Real Estate Market Steady

After a rather neutral start in 2008, the real estate market for residential homes in Austin has increased its inventory of homes for sale, according to statistics from the Austin MLS. This is happening despite a continuation of one of the highest metropolitan growth rates in the country and a strong and growing local economy.

According to different Austin real estate agents, bad economic news from other parts of the country are causing prospective buyers to hold off as they wait and see what the economy might do. Some of them may be hoping that prices will fall even more before they buy, even though buying prospects are strong right now. Current mortgage rates are the lowest they have been in 35 years. The last time rates were this low during a buyer’s market was in 1973.

This wait-and-see approach has caused a slight drop in prices in some areas, but most area properties are holding steady in value. The market is slow right now, but is not depressed like it is in some other areas of the country.

Statistics from the U.S. Census bureau and compiled by the Texas A&M Real Estate Center and published on July 3 this year in the Texas Real Estate Market Reports show that the population in the Austin/Round Rock metropolitan area has increased by about 43% since 1997. Almost 1,600,000 people now live in the area. The city of Austin expects this growth trend to continue as far ahead as 2020, according to the report.

Experts also expect an increase in jobs and a low unemployment rate to continue during the next ten years. Austin and the Texas Hill Country will continue to be one of the fastest growing areas of the nation and is expected to enjoy one of the healthiest economies as well.

Some experts have pointed out that the rise in real estate values in Austin has remained steady over the years. The area has not seen increases in property value of 200% to 2000% as has been seen in some areas of California and Florida, for example. This, coupled with an equally consistent growth in jobs and a high rate of population increase, has worked to protect real estate from attaining overly inflated values which make it vulnerable to bubble bursting in times of economic difficulty.

The Texas Real Estate Market Report shows that Austin/Round Rock led the state in population growth between 1997 and 2007. The area consistently ranks in national top 10 lists for growth. For example, from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007, Austin was the 5th fastest growing metropolitan area in the US, according to Census Bureau population estimates.

All these new people moving into the city and its outlying areas(more than 65,000 of them from 2006 to 2007) need a place to live. Many will buy homes. It is this kind of growth that is helping to keep Austin real estate values from falling as much as they are in other parts of the country.

However, ironically, it may be that Austin's tech recession in the early 2000's that is helping to bolster the market today. According to a report published by the demographics department of the city of Austin, "We never had a housing bubble here because of the lingering effects of the tech recession, and ironically it was the depth of our local recession that then gave us protection from the ruinous fallout from a bursting bubble in residential real estate that has dramatically altered the economic landscapes of Florida, California, Arizona, New England and the Midwest."

One thing seems certain; the Austin real estate market remains one of the surest and safest in any of the metropolitan areas in the country. That coupled with the nationally recognized quality of life that the city offers makes Austin one of the "sexiest" urban areas in the country.

Ki helps homes buyers and investors interested in Austin real estate. His site has market statistics on his Austin real estate blog along with a search of the Austin MLS.
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Jul. 11, 2008 - Outdoor Fun In Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, is known for a lot of things. It's the Live Music Capital of the World, the home of the UT Longhorns, and the capitol seat of the Lone Star State. To those who live and play here full time, it's also widely regarded as one of the most active cities in the country. From hiking and biking to swimming, boating or just soaking up the hot Texas sunshine, Austin offers residents and visitors alike a seemingly endless array of options for fun in the sun. Here are just a few to get you started:

Lady Bird Lake
Formerly called Town Lake, this man-made lake in the heart of downtown Austin is a Mecca for the city's outdoor enthusiasts. The rowing dock rents canoes, paddle boats and kayaks out by the hour, and the temperate lake waters provide a welcome respite from the mid-day heat. If boating isn't your thing, check out the Hike and Bike Trail, which circles the lake in a three-to-four mile loop (depending on the route you choose). Day and night, all year long, you'll see Austinites of all ages and fitness levels working their way around the trail--pushing baby strollers, walking their dogs, or just catching up with friends.

Zilker Park
A stone's throw from Lady Bird Lake lies one of the nation's largest inner-city parks--at 351 acres, Zilker Park is Austin's grassy playground, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and even a miniature train, the Zilker Zephyr. The park offers several cultural attractions as well, including the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and the Austin Nature and Science Center not to mention the famous Austin City Limits music festival each September. What started as a 35-acre deed in 1918 has evolved into one of the true treasures of Austin. Regardless of the time of year, visitors to Zilker Park will likely see lively soccer, kickball and ultimate frisbee games, colorful kites flying, and drowsy folks napping under shade trees.

The Veloway
If cycling or skating is your activity of choice, The Veloway is one Austin attraction you won't want to miss. Off-limits to runners or cars, this 3.1 mile loop of paved, winding road through South Austin's hill country provides a safe haven for cyclists and skaters alike.

Barton Springs Pool
Austin boasts a wealth of lakes, rivers and swimming holes, but none is quite as beloved and well known as Barton Springs Pool. Surrounded by Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool is a spring-fed, 900-foot oasis in the hot summer sun. The chilly, 68 degree water is a cherished refuge from the 100-plus degree heat June through September, but the pool is open year-round. In addition to man-made aspects like diving boards, Barton Springs Pool is perhaps most famous for its natural rock bottom. While entrance to the pool costs about $3 per person during the day, you can swim for free after 9:00 p.m. highlight of many Austinites' summer evenings.

Everyone knows Austin is a great place to let loose after hours and dance the night away, but locals know the city offers residents and visitors alike just as many options for daytime diversions. No matter what kind of outdoor activity strikes your fancy, Austin truly offers something for everyone.

Ki is a realtor / broker in Austin Texas. His site has a search of of the Austin MLS along with information about Austin Homes and neighborhoods. He also provides updated statistics on his blog covering Austin Texas real estate.
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Jul. 11, 2008 - Austin Area Festivals: Music and More

What do music, chili peppers, bamboo, wine, watermelon, ice cream and Eeyore the donkey from Winnie the Pooh have in common?

They all have festivals devoted to them in Austin or nearby towns. In fact, there are so many festivals of all kinds in the Austin area that it is difficult to keep track of them. The Austin American-Statesman apparently gave up trying to keep count back in 2004, judging by a recent visit to the festivals page on their current website a quick count there reveals there were more than 50 festivals in existence then, and the compilers of the list noted that those were just some of the festivals.

Other festivals have appeared since then. The first-ever Pachanga Latino Music Festival, for instance, was held on May 31st of this year. The second annual Ice Cream Festival will take place on August 9.

Of course, everyone knows about the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals. Those events feature what Austin has become known for around the world; great live music. Tens of thousands of music lovers flock to these events to see the international, national and regional acts that they showcase. These events bring in huge amounts of money to the Austin economy. In fact, SXSW is Austin's highest money-making public event, as reported by Wikipedia.

There are many more music festivals in the Austin area as well. The Old Settler's Reunion in nearby Driftwood, Texas attracts some of the premier national bluegrass and Americana acts, as well as many of the best regional Texas music groups and songwriters. This festival happens every April and attracts thousands of music fans to the beautiful grounds at the Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch.

The Reggae Festival, also in April, and the Austin Celtic Festival in November are just two more of the events held in Austin that feature music as their main raison d'etre. Of course, many other festivals include music in their programs as well. Some of these include Viva Cinco de Mayo in late April/early May, the Austin Fine Arts Festival, at the beginning of April, and the Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival in late September.

This latter event began more than 30 years ago to provide family friendly, free admission venue to collect arts and crafts from local and national artists and artisans, experience live music, theater plays, comedy, magic, poetry, film, parades, and take part of a long standing Austin tradition. More than 300,000 people attend this event every year, and festival promoters estimate it generates more than $43 million for the local economy.

Another long-standing, grass-roots festival is Eeyore's Birthday Party which occurs every year in late April at Pease Park. According to Austin American-Statesman writer Anita Powell. The party has grown considerably since its inception in 1963 by a group of University of Texas students. The free-spirited celebration usually features Maypole dancing, costume contests, a hippie queen pageant, food, birthday cake and entertainment by local bands. This festival, perhaps more than any other, reflects the spirit that Austin is famous (or infamous) for and that inspired the unofficial slogan for the city: "keep Austin weird".

What about bamboo, wine, watermelon and chili peppers? The Bamboo Festival is presented at Zilker Botanical Gardens in late August every year and features "all things bamboo". There are at least two important wine festivals in the area: the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival in early April and the Austin Wine Festival in late May. The Chili Pepper Fiesta is held in the town of Elgin, just east of Austin, on the second Saturday in September. The Luling Watermelon Thump in June garners national attention every year with its watermelon seed spitting contest.

All these festivals reflect what the city of Austin has been about through most of its history. It fosters and encourages creativity, diversity, freedom of expression and the celebration of the hard work and enterprise of its citizens.

If you are looking for a home in the Austin real estate market Escapeso Realty can help. Their site provides information on mortgage rates along with a search of the Austin Texas MLS.
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Jul. 7, 2008 - Southeast Austin - 78741

Charming pockets of single family homes are studded throughout this hidden gem of a neighborhood, and although certain parts of the area are given over to apartment complexes, duplexes and fourplexes, this is an overlooked area with enormous potential. Bounded by I35 to the west, Ben White to the south, Riverside to the north, and Montopolis to the east, this rising star offers a wide range of restaurants, a big park with loads of amenities, an ACC campus, and the promise of an area on the way up.

Both Burleson and Parker streets, two of the main north-south arteries between Oltorf and Ben White/Riverside, have many smaller streets branching off, and these streets hold mature trees, a wide array of single family homes, and a feeling of being in a secret oasis. Prices are still extremely reasonable here, and there is easy access to central Austin, as well as Ben White and I35. Following Oltorf east past Pleasant Valley, the homes are newer, with manicured lawns and a more suburban feel.

Both Oltorf and Riverside offer an abundance of restaurants, from Vietnamese at Hai Ky, Indonesian at Java Noodles, Middle Eastern at Jerusalem, Italian at Aljohn’s, or the many great Mexican places in the area, including La Tapatia, Taqueria Vallarta, El Regio, and many more. Rapidly becoming the cultural center of the area is Café Ventana, an expansive coffee shop with a wide range of offerings and a large area for relaxing, meeting, or working on your computer.

Mabel Davis District Park, recently reopened after major renovations, provides a wonderful outdoor sanctuary in this urban setting. Close to 50 acres, including 30 acres of open green space, provide room for sports, picnics, and other activities. The park also has a basketball court, an olympic-size swimming pool, a great playscape, and a good sized picnic area with shade. To the great delight of teen aged boys, the first skate park in Austin was opened here in 2005, featuring a skate bowl, streetscape elements and lawn for nervous parents to observe.

Also on the horizon is the Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park, in the northeast corner of the area. Work is schedule to begin on this undeveloped tract, and the master plan includes trails, a large playscape, and as much acreage as Zilker Park, providing lots of open space. Also located in the neighborhood are the Riverside Golf Course, and the Krieg Field Softball complex.

This area provides both an urban feel, with the shopping, restaurants and businesses located on Riverside and Oltorf, and an idyllic, quiet, residential feel, with winding streets and hills tucked away from the hustle and bustle. With businesses looking more and more to Southeast Austin for development opportunities, this area is on the verge of becoming one of the hot-spots in town.

Escapeso Austin real estate operates in Austin Texas. Their website has information for buyers interested in Austin about Austin homes and Austin neighborhoods.
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Jul. 7, 2008 - Labor Day Weekend in Austin

Labor Day weekend in Austin this year promises every imaginable kind of activity, with something for everyone, young and old, in the works. Some choices for end of summer fun locally include Texas Longhorn events, the Austin Bat Fest, and a day of yoga, among other celebrations. If you’re a sports fan, the Texas Longhorns are playing a home game the Saturday before Labor Day, and the game will be held in Darrel K. Royal Memorial Stadium, as usual. The beginning of Longhorn football season in Austin is always a day filled with excitement and anticipation, and this year is no different from any other, so get out your burnt orange and white clothing and head to the U.T. campus for a day of competition and rivalry.

Another popular event is being organized for its fourth year this year, the 4th Annual Austin Bat Fest, which will be held on and around the Ann Richards Bridge Saturday and Sunday prior to Labor Day. This event promises various activities, musical performances, a diverse choice of food and drink, and many other family-oriented arts, crafts, educational displays, and other bat-related festivities. The estimated attendance for BatFest is about 40,000 spectators and participants, so come early to see and hear thirty different musical acts perform on two different stages and watch as over 1.5 million Mexican free tail bats soar over the clear waters of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline. This event partially supports the bats and their colony under the downtown bridge and admittance is just $5.00, so come out and see what all is being offered at the 150 different booths which will be set up in the festival area, on the Congress Avenue Bridge, which was recently renamed to honor former Texas Governor Ann Richards. While there, you can sample the different cuisines or enjoy shopping among the numerous offerings of stained glass, pottery, art objects, photography, jewelry, fine art, and other eclectic goods being sold at the festival. The event will remain open until midnight Saturday night and ten p.m. Sunday night, so there will be plenty of time to shop and celebrate during this event.

Another sporting event being held over the Labor Day weekend in the Austin area is the 7th annual Labor Day Cup, which is a soccer tournament for children which serves as a kind of practice for the coming season, and this event is being sponsored by Nike this year and promises fun for all. The games are being played at fields throughout the Austin area and the tournament is being organized by the Lonestar Soccer Club. In addition to the soccer tournament, a tennis tournament is also being held over Labor Day weekend in the Austin area, and those interested in participating may sign up online for both the soccer tournament and the tennis tournament, which is affiliated with the U.S. Tennis Association.

A free day of Yoga is being held again this year on Labor Day too, as it has been since 1999, and this event is the perfect opportunity to learn the different styles of yoga as well as become familiar with different teachers and studios, at an inviting price: free! The classes are being held at studios across town, and some individual studios are offering food and drinks after the classes as well, and participants are invited to stay, relax and enjoy the day.

Many water-related parties are also on tap, and one of these events is the Splash Days event which celebrates the gay community and includes an “adult swim” party with D.J.s and a dance. Some of the related activities will be held at a downtown hotel and a schedule is available online for this event too.

There are many other smaller events being held, and many celebrations on and around Lake Travis as well as Lake Austin, with cookouts being planned in local parks and other facilities. However, it is important to remember that motorized water c rafts are prohibited on some area lakes during the holiday, and the waters of Lake Travis are very low this year, so boaters are being advised to use caution when boating in area lakes at this time. There are many other choices of activities in the Austin area, and since the Labor Day weekend marks the end of the lazy days of summer and a return to school for the kids, use your time wisely and enjoy the day relaxing, celebrating, and having fun, since you won’t get another chance until next year!

Ki is a real estate broker in Austin. His maintains a site focused on Austin real estate which provides a graphical search of the Austin MLS. In addition he provides market updates on his Austin real estate blog.
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Jul. 7, 2008 - French Legation Museum

802 San Marcos Street, Austin, TX 78702 // (512) 472-8180 The French Legation Museum provides a uniquely historic experience. Both a historic site and a house museum, the story behind the establishment of the museum is fascinating, and helps to illuminate a way of life experienced by the residents of old Austin – before Texas was a state. Visiting the house and grounds, with its carefully chosen artifacts, brings the story to life. With many cultural events, educational programs, and supplementary information on their web site, the museum preserves and perpetuates a unique piece of Austin’s colorful heritage. The French Legation is located in central Austin just south of French Place.

The word "legation" originally referred to a diplomatic representative office just below the status of embassy. Sent by the French Legation of Washington D.C. in 1840, Monsieur Jean Pierre Isidore Dubois de Saligny intended to establish the French Legation of the fledgling Republic of Texas. Renting quarters on Pecan (now Sixth) Street at the corner of Guadalupe, de Saligny was appalled with Austin’s lack of urban sophistication, evidenced most egregiously by the pigs a local farmer allowed to run free in his yard. He determined to build a home and office worthy of a French diplomat.

De Saligny found himself at odds with the locals, both culturally and politically, and he was soon recalled from his post, leaving his servants behind in the building he had designed. A short time later, when the seat of the government was moved from Austin, the building was abandoned. When Texas was annexed as a state, the structure and its surrounding grounds were sold, eventually being purchased by John and Lydia Lee Robertson, who raised their eleven children in the house. When the last of those children died, in 1940, the property was placed under the custodianship of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who have operated the site as the French Legation Museum since 1949.

Restoration of the property began in 1953, with an effort be faithful to the period in which it was built. Although only three pieces of furniture currently on view belonged to de Saligny, many pieces remain from the Robertson family's ownership of the home. Gardens and outdoor landscaping, although not authentic to the bare dirt yards of early Texas, provide a refreshing oasis of green in a busy city, and make this one of the premier locations for weddings and other formal functions.

The French Legation Museum is committed to education, providing guided tours in addition to having curriculum supplements for elementary and middle school teachers available on their web site. During the summer, the museum often hosts a history-based summer camp, allowing children to immerse themselves in 1880's Austin. They offer different cultural events as well, including a twice monthly tournament of the traditional French game petanque on the lawn, and evening concerts under their beautiful old oak trees. Their annual Bastille Day celebration features French music and food, and their association with the Alliance Française d'Austin helps perpetuate a unique piece of Central Texas heritage.

Ki looks with buyers interested in Austin Texas real estate. Buyers can search for homes online using a Austin Texas MLS search or read updates on the market on his blog covering Austin real estate.
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Jul. 3, 2008 - Happy Hours in Austin

Austin is a great restaurant town, and one of the best ways to explore all the different possibilities is to take advantage of the many great happy hours. Some of the city's finest establishments offer drink specials, discounted appetizers, and a great atmosphere to sample their fare without committing to a meal. Here are some of the best happy hour deals out there:

Manuel's: With two locations, one downtown, and one in the Arboretum, Manuel's is famous for their high quality Tex-Mex in fun and festive atmosphere. Their half-price appetizers include some of the best ceviche in town, chicken mole, sautéed mushrooms, guacamole, and more. (310 Congress and 10201 Jollyville, Austin // HH 4-6 daily)

Eddie V's: Also with a downtown and an Arboretum location, Eddie V’s focus on fresh fish is evident, even in their happy hour specials. Oysters always shine here, whether on the half shell or broiled, and their crab cake is justifiably famous. Tuna tartare and lobster bisque are among the other happy hour items. (301 East 5th Street Austin, TX 78701 // HH 4:30 – 6)

McCormick & Schmick: Although this is a chain, their Austin outpost is a popular downtown destination, and their happy hour is legendary. Oyster shooters, steamed mussels and ceviche are offered at insanely low prices, and the ½ lb cheeseburger is one of the best deals around. Spinach and artichoke dip, chicken satay and hot wings are also available, although the menu changes periodically. (401 Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701 // HH 5-7)

Kyoto: One of the better and more popular sushi deals in town, Kyoto’s happy hour is brief, but incredible. With 2-piece orders of salmon, shrimp, conch, eel, and escolar running less than $3.00, diners may overlook the other delights, including savory yakitori and dumplings. (315 Congress Ave Suite 200 Austin, TX 78701 // HH M-S 6-6:45)

Austin Land & Cattle: This venerable Austin institution has a unique and steak-centric happy hour. With half price appetizers, carnivores can indulge in the steak sampler – 2 oz tasting portions of their rib eye, sirloin, and filet mignon. They also offer an upscale take on frito pie, as well as some incredible popcorn shrimp. (1205 North Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas 78703 // HH M-F 5-7)

Uchi: Although you will most likely need a reservation, the early evening deals at Uchi are always fantastic, and at great prices. Mussels in lemongrass coconut milk broth are heaven, "tako pops" are tender little octopus grilled with a trio of seasonings, and they always feature one of their creative sushi rolls. Try a cold unfiltered sake, and enjoy. (801 South Lamar - Austin, Texas 78704 // HH 5-6:30)

Wink: The wine bar just adjacent to the main restaurant is a sophisticated yet warm room, with a friendly bartender and fantastic deals on appetizers. Wine flights are available, and one of the highlights of the bar menu is the trio of mini-burgers with either brie or foie gras. (1014 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78703 // HH M-F 5-7)

Escapeso real estate is a small company in Austin. Their site has a graphical search of the Austin MLS along with information on Austin real estate and Austin condos.
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A general blog about real estate with random tips and observations.

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