Here are some eye-opening statistics: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard trimmings and food waste account for 23 percent of the U.S. waste stream. That means things that break down quite well naturally, like grass clippings and apple cores, are sitting in landfills creating tons of methane gas. Why is that so bad? "Methane is a greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years. Methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (EPA)."

The EPA and many private companies are working on ways to turn methane and other landfill gases into renewable energy. But perhaps the best way to combat these harmful gases is to cut down on what creates them, which is something people can do in their own backyard. Composting is an easy and inexpensive way to help the environment, while improving your own garden.

Composting speeds up the natural process of the decomposition of organic matter by providing the perfect environment for bacteria to break things down. What results is a product that looks like dark, fertile garden soil that is full of nutrients to help plants grow. According the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, decomposing organisms--the bacteria--need four things to survive: nitrogen, carbon, moisture and oxygen. The key to good compost is to balance materials high in nitrogen, like fresh grass clippings, with materials high in carbon, like dried leaves. Ideally, the moisture is provided by rain, but that is a little hard to count on around here. A dousing from the garden hose may be necessary from time to time. Finally, the oxygen comes from turning and mixing the compost pile on a regular basis; the more often the materials are turned, the faster they break down.

Composting can be simple or elaborate, depending on how much yard waste you have, how quickly you want things to decompose and how much time you are willing to put into it. If there is little yard waste and no big need to use the compost for fertilizer, slow composting may be the way to go. This is simply using a small corner of the yard for piling compost materials, or putting them in a bin, and then letting nature takes its course, which may take as long as a year to produce good compost for fertilizer. If you are willing to put a little more effort in, it's possible to produce usable compost every few weeks.

Step one: Create a compost area, either directly on the ground with a layer of wood chips or in a bin. There are many styles of bins available at home improvement or hardware stores, but it is also easy to construct your own out of wire mesh or even using a large container you may have on hand. Make sure the area/container has good drainage, or you'll just end up with a smelly soup.

Step two: Start the pile with the following EPA recommended materials: grass and yard clippings, leaves, house plants, fruits and vegetables, coffee grinds and filters, egg shells, nut shells, dryer and vacuum lint, clean paper, cardboard rolls, cotton and wool rags, sawdust, shredded newspaper, fireplace ashes and hair and fur.

DO NOT use: Diseased/insect infested plants, chemically treated yard trimmings, pet waste, dairy products, meat and fish bones/scraps, oils or lards, coal or charcoal ashes.

Building the pile can be as high tech as alternating nitrogen-rich material with carbon materials or as low tech as putting things in the pile when they accumulate. Keep a small trash can under the kitchen sink for coffee grinds and appropriate food leftovers. Yard waste can be added directly to the pile.

Step 3: Keep the pile moist but not saturated.

Step 4: After the pile has had some time to accumulate, turn it on a regular basis to aid in the composting process. In a few weeks time you will have a nutrient-rich compost that can be added back into garden beds and even at the base of trees. Composting is a small act that has big rewards for gardens and the environment.


Ki went to school in Austin and never left. He works as an agent in the Austin real estate market. His site has a search of Austin homes for sale. His site also has information on Austin Texas real estate along with the neighborhood of West Lake Hills.

Imagine being able to save the environment and the car industry all in one fell swoop. Imagine being able to give that effort a catchy name and get it quickly through Congress, too. "Cash for Clunkers" is the latest inception from the Obama administration to help the struggling economy, the ailing auto industry and the future of the environment. That is an impressive Band-Aid.

But as CNNMoney points out, some caveats should come with that offer of help. This initiative is the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 passed in Congress earlier in June. The bill allows individuals and businesses to trade in older cars and trucks for new more fuel efficient models.

"New" is the operative word here. The government is offering refund vouchers of $3,500 or $4,500 in place of the ordinary trade-in value of a vehicle to go toward the purchase of a new, not used, vehicle. As CNNMoney pointed out, if you drive a clunker worth less than $4,500, maybe you shouldn't be enticed to buy a new car that is sure to include a monthly car payment.

Here's how it works: The plan runs from August to November 2009 and offers passenger car owners a $3,500 voucher if they trade in a car getting 18 miles per gallon or less for a car getting at least 22 miles per gallon. There is the same voucher amount for owners of pickups, minivans and SUVs who trade in vehicles getting 18 mpg or less for a vehicle getting at least 2 mpg more than their old vehicle. Not an impressive win for the environment.

The government ups the ante to a $4,500 voucher, however, if car owners purchase a new car that gets 10 mpg better than the trade-in. Owners of pickups, minivans and SUVs can get the $4,500 voucher if they purchase a new vehicle that gets at least 5 mpg better than the traded-in vehicle. To check the miles per gallon for any vehicle go to www.fueleconomy.gov.

Some of the fine print includes the fact that participating auto dealers must ensure that the traded in vehicles are rendered inoperable by crushing or demolishing them to keep them off the road. Trade-ins must be drivable vehicles of a model year 1984 or later, insured and registered to the same owner for the previous year.

Who it helps: This program is a benefit if someone is considering purchasing a new car anyway. It's important to know the trade-in value of a vehicle before heading out the door to car shop. There are several websites that offer this type of information, such as Edmonds or Kelley Blue Book. If a car is worth more than the $3,500 to $4,500 voucher, then the cash for clunkers is not a good financial move. Also, the voucher shouldn't be confused with other incentives auto dealers may be offering. As CNNMoney puts it: "Be sure to negotiate the purchase price just as you always would."


Ki developed a clearinghouse website of Austin MLS listings. On the site, Austin real estate buyers are able to do customizable searches it also has information and statistics on neighborhoods like West Lake Hills.

It may seem a little crazy to go hiking in the hot Texas summer, but if you can stand the heat the summer months can be a perfect time to visit an iconic Austin spot without any crowds. Even though it is 780 feet above sea level, the climb up to the top of Mount Bonnell is not a serious hike, especially with the stone steps along the way.

Mount Bonnell, like so many favorite Austin spots, is full of history as well as legends. The peak is named in honor of George W. Bonnell, a Texas publisher and Commissioner on Indian Affairs under Sam Houston. The peak and surrounding park land off FM 2222, which is actually called Covert Park, was donated to the city in 1939, one hundred years after Bonnell arrived in Austin. That's the history part; the legends and folklore are much more whimsical.

The legend goes that a young woman jumped off the peak to escape the Indians who had killed her finance, which is why Mount Bonnell is also known as "Antonette's Leap." Another legend has it that Golden Nell and her husband Beau leaped off the peak to avoid being captured and tortured.

Romance is often in the air at Mount Bonnell. It is said that if a couple climbs the long stairway to the top once they will fall in love, twice they will become engaged and if they make that climb a third time they will get married. Going at sunset or to see the stars above the city lights is a popular Austin date. It is a romantic spot that has seen many Austin couples get engaged.

A tourist attraction since the 1850s, Mount Bonnell has a pavilion at the top with picnic tables, making it a popular spot to pack a cooler and bring the camera for tourists and locals alike. The views of lakes, hills and cityscapes are amazing. The rugged Hill Country views to the west and the manicured lawns below the peak show the diversity of the Austin landscape at its best.

Hiking around the pavilion can allow visitors to take in different views, including the downtown skyline. For anyone wanting to show an out-of-towner just what Austin has to offer, this is the perfect spot.

If a someone is looking for a tougher hike, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area out towards Fredericksburg offers challenging hikes, along with a nice drive through the Hill Country. Shade is sparse on this granite dome, so hikers may want to wait until summer is over. McKinney Falls State Park is a little closer to Austin and offers climbs, as well as cool water for hikers more interested in nature than the view.



Ki worked on 6th street in college. Today he has a business focused on Austin Texas real estate in downtown Austin. He also has a website, which encourages buyers to search the Austin MLS. He also also had a blog with updates and news on Austin real estate.

While the Austin City Council is not giving home sellers a break this year, the federal government is coming through with some tax breaks for the energy-conscious homeowner. For 2009 only, homeowners can get certain tax credits for making energy efficient improvements on a primary residence.

What does this have to do with the Austin City Council? As of June 1 homes older than 10 years are required to get an energy audit and disclose the results to prospective buyers. So along with the new coat of paint and fresh flowers in the yard, homeowners have an added expense to get their homes sold.

The idea behind the city council ordinance is a noble one of keeping Austin green, but the timing is lousy with job losses and a slower housing market looming over the city. "There's never a good time to add fees to a transaction," City Council Member Mike Martinez said in the Austin-American Statesman, "but I think this requirement is a good thing. It allows the consumer to fully understand the purchase they're about to make. If you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on an investment, you would want to know how efficient that investment is going to be for you."

Fortunately recession-strapped homeowners are not required to make improvements as a result of the $200-500 audit, however the idea is to encourage sellers or buyers to make their houses more energy-efficient. An audit can help pinpoint exactly what needs to be done to make a home greener.

This is where the tax credits come in. Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, also known as the Obama stimulus package, Congress has provided two tax credits for homeowners making energy efficient improvements. There is a $500 lifetime credit, which gives a 10 percent credit for improvements such as new insulation, windows, skylights, energy-efficient roofing or exterior doors.

The other tax credit is a 30 percent-of-cost credit for energy improvements. This would include $50 for each advanced main air circulating fan; $150 for qualified furnaces, such as natural gas or propane; and $300 for qualifying energy-efficient heating and cooling systems or hot water heaters.

In a buyers market, sellers wanting an edge may go ahead and make some of the improvements indicated by an energy audit, which focuses on things like insulation and the condition of the heating and cooling systems. This year's tax credits may help offset some of those costs. Also, according to the Statesman, "Austin Energy offers rebates or zero percent loans for energy upgrades."

Of course, these tax credits and Austin Energy incentives aren't just for those wanting to sell their home. According to Austin Energy, in the past five years homeowners have made improvements that have collectively saved $3 million by reducing kilowatt-hours by 38 million.

It's a good idea to get the exact details on the tax breaks from a tax professional. The Austin Energy website also offers information on the audits, rebates and loans, along with energy saving tips.

Ki lives in Austin Texas. He created a site which has detailed information about Austin Texas real estate. It allows buyers to search for homes in the Austin MLS. He also maintains a blog with monthly statistics on Austin real estate.

Hidden in the midst of the hike and bike trails that lead through Zilker Park is an Austin jewel: the Austin Science and Nature Center. The nature center offers many educational and interesting features, including interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, science trails with recorded information at each stop, and a live wildlife collection.

The center also is home to the Discovery Labs, which include seven mini-labs that explore the study of mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, and geology, and there are collections of butterflies, bats, and bones along with the labs and other displays. There is also an authentic Texas cave to explore, and eco-detective kits for children and young adults to study and make conclusions based on evidence they obtain while on the trails regarding the different sciences and ecologies in and around the center, reinforcing the participant's learning abilities and critical thought processes while having fun.

There is also a Small Wonders exhibit with different insects, reptiles, bugs, and other small creatures, and the live wildlife exhibit features over fifty different types of wild animal life native to the central Texas area, including a large collection of owls, hawks, eagles, a red fox, a wolf, an alligator, and many other species, some with their young.

In the summer, there are many different camps held at the center for kids with emphasis on marine life, biology, and other scientific disciplines, and a breakfast with the birds series for younger children too. Currently, there is an interactive exhibit called the Naturalist Workshop and Trade Counter where children and young adults can study, view, experiment and trade among themselves the different rocks, bones, shells, fossils, and other interesting flora and fauna that they find, including microscopes and reference materials for their use, and staff members to assist and monitor them while they study.

An interesting feature which was fairly recently added to the center is the dino-pit where a simulated dinosaur environment has been set up for study of fossils, and other pre-historic finds, such as ancient bones, fossilized leaves and the like. Another very educational facility at the complex is the Beverly Sheffield Education Center which is housed in the old bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool, named for one of the first lifeguards at Barton Springs who went on to become the first director of the Austin Parks and Wildlife Department years later. Mr. Sheffield remained active at the center even after retiring from the city position, and he was commemorated for his many years of service and outstanding contributions to the Science and Nature Center and the Zilker Park area as well.

One of the most educational and interactive exhibits at the center studies the Barton springs ecology system along with the Edwards Aquifer and its many distinctive features, and the exhibit is called the Splash into the Edwards Aquifer. This exhibit also includes the study of conservation and the interactive exhibits include real life phenomena, live specimens, and working models so youngsters can study ways to contribute to the environment that relates to their community and lives.

The Austin Science and Nature Center is located at 301 Nature Center Drive, and the center is open most days until shortly after sunset, so if you want to see some really creepy crawly things, and find out how they work, where they live, and many other interesting bits of nature-related information, be sure to visit the center soon!

Ki graduated from UT, and stayed in Austin to work. He has a buyer focused website on Austin Texas real estate. There is a searchable database of the Austin MLS. He also writes a blog focusing on Austin real estate with statistics and market commentary.

These days a stroll through the Zilker Botanical Gardens could lead to an encounter with a small herd of Bambiraptors, dinosaurs with feathered wings similar to a turkey. The word "raptor" means thief and these little creatures, named after the Disney character, were known to steal the babies of other dinosaurs. The usually sedate gardens are full of all kinds of life-size dinosaurs, like the ferocious cousin to T- Rex, a Daspletosaur, standing at 33 feet tall. The 30 creatures from the DinoLand traveling exhibit will continue to have a temporary residence among the flora and fauna of the Botanical Gardens until November 30, 2008.

The scientifically-accurate exhibit, created by Lost World Studio founder Guy Darrough, is a terrific reason to visit one of Austin's great outdoor venues. The Zilker Botanical Gardens is a non-profit organization established in 1955, with the gardens making a home in Barton Hills since 1962.

It takes an average of eight months for one of the dinosaurs to be created out of wire, foam and wood frames covered with clay, silicone rubber, plastic and fiberglass. The result is an incredibly life-like creature, further enhanced by the outdoor display of plants, nests with eggs and large bones scattered about the exhibits. Little ones can stand in awe of the 30 feet tall Kritosaurus, a gentle plant-eating giant whose name means "Noble Lizard."

As visitors wander from one period of the Mesozoic Era to the next, they will also come across small wooden dinosaurs decorated by local elementary schools. There is the Hip-Hoposaurus complete with gold chain and sunglasses. These clever colorful creatures are a big hit with small children, as they are just their size and close to the trail.

Another attraction is the Zoo of Ferns, representing some of the more than 12,000 species of ferns that exist today. The origins of the fern can be traced back 450 million years, making it a perfect prehistoric companion to the DinoLand exhibit. Put together by members of the Garden Club of Austin known as the Fern Team, this exhibit gives kids an eye-level introduction into the world of ferns.

After seeing all the dinosaurs, visitors should take the time to explore the rest of the gardens, such as the Mabel Davis Rose Garden, Isamu Taniguchil Japanese Garden or the take a walk along the Butterfly Trail. It's worth a visit to the Chrysalis Gift Shop for all things dinosaur. The admission to the DinoLand exhibit is $5 for adults and $3 for children (3-13).

Escapeso Real Estate is a small company located in central Austin. Their site has information on Austin real estate along with providing a map search of the Austin MLS and stats on current mortgage interest rates.

It's been years since the red imported fire ant first made an appearance, and the situation is still not entirely under control. Now a new species has arrived. They are known as `crazy raspberry ants' and they are concentrated in 8 counties in and around Houston. The ants have been in Texas since 2002, but their growth has exploded in the past year, with three more counties added to the list of those already infested.

The ants are called "crazy" because they scurry about in a seemingly random pattern, and they're called `raspberry' not for their appearance, but for Tom Raspberry, the pest controller who first discovered them six years ago.

Unlike the much-reviled fire ant, the crazy raspberry ants don't sting and their bite is relatively inoffensive. But this doesn't mean these ants don't cause problems. What they lack in bite, they make up for in sheer numbers. When crazy raspberry ants infest a property, they tend do so in spectacular fashion. An infestation can number in the billions of ants, and once an infestation is established, property owners find them extremely difficult to control.

Usually the size of an ant colony is held in check by other colonies of the same species--all of them competing for the same resources. If an ant from one colony encounters an ant from another, they will start a fight, often to the death. Colonies may also mount massive raids against one another. No so with the Raspberry ants. Different colonies of raspberry ants are not hostile to each other, but instead treat one another as if they were nest mates. This means that Raspberry ants throughout Texas are just on big happy family, creating what is in effect a single, enormous, statewide "super colony." Without checks from other members of their species and without any natural predators, the Raspberry ants can achieve an almost total environmental control.

When the ants enter homes or industrial sites, they're often drawn to the warm buzz of electrical equipment. Their diminutive size, about 3 mm, means that when teeming masses of them crawl across a circuit board, they can fall between the spaces of electrical elements, closing the loop and shorting out connections. They have damaged pumping stations, fire alarms, and personal computers. They've even made an unsuccessful play for NASA's Johnson space center.

It's clear that the crazy raspberry ants are having an impact on the environment. They kill many other insects, including fire ants and snakes, which has earned them some friends. However, they have also been reported to overwhelm newly hatched birds and small mammals.

Still, much more research needs to be done to determine the lasting environmental consequences of their explosion. One of the basic problems of invasive species is that other species in the regions have not evolved to deal with them. So they can severely affect the numbers of resident species that live in the area. Still the ants seem to have fallen into a regulatory hole.

So what's being done to control these ants? Bryan Black from the Texas Department of Agriculture says that these ants can be controlled using Termidor, a pesticide used to control termites. Recently, at the request of Tom Raspberry, the TDA has expanded labeling of this product to allow pest controllers to use it in significantly larger quantities when combating raspberry ants.

Ki is a Austin real estate agent. His site has a search of the Austin MLS along with general information on the Austin real estate market along with current stats on mortgage rates.

Conserving resources electricity, water, money is an important step toward leading a sustainable lifestyle (both personally and environmentally). People strive daily to save money, and yet many do not make the connection between resources and finances forgetting that electric bills and water bills make up a significant portion of monthly expenses. But just because these resources and expenses are necessary, that doesn't mean they can't be cut back, or utilized more thoughtfully and effectively. Often times, we act in a wasteful manner, simply out of habit. But habits can be broken follow these tips to leave your water wasting habits behind.

1. Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth, clean dishes, or wash your car. Thousands of gallons of water are wasted each year, simply because people are too lazy to turn off the faucet when doing any number of daily tasks. When you brush your teeth, get in the habit of turning the water off after you've moistened the toothbrush, and don't turn it back on until you're done brushing and ready to rinse. When cleaning up after a meal, stack dishes next to the sink, and fill the sink halfway to two-thirds of the way with water, then ad soap. Then bring the dishes into the warm soapy water one at a time, and stack them to dry when you're done. This not only conserves a significant amount of water, it also keeps you from wasting soap, and from sloshing water all over the counter, floor, and yourself. Next time you wash the car, mix a soapy warm-water solution in a bucket, then turn the hose off until it's time to rinse.

2. Avoid washing a load of laundry or dishes until you have enough dirty items to fill the machine. Washing machines and dishwashers use an incredible amount of water. Next time you have just a few things that need washing, do it the old fashioned way and wash them by hand (utilizing the guidelines in tip #1, of course). And encourage family members and roommates to do the same you'll be helping the environment, while also lightening the financial load.

3. Be conscious of when you choose to water your lawn. Many cities and communities discourage residents from watering their lawns, gardens, and plants during the heat of the day particularly in the summer months. This is because, during the heat of the day, a larger percentage of the water will evaporate before it can soak into the soil. Whenever possible, avoid watering your lawn in direct sunlight. Instead, do your watering in the early morning or evening hours it's more efficient, and more effective.

Regardless of whether or not you're experiencing a shortage of water, it should always be treated as a valuable resource, worthy of conservation and care. Next time you're tempted to cut corners and waste water for sheer convenience, remember that it's one of humanity's most vital, non-renewable resources. Simple acts like those listed above can go a long way in cutting back on wasted water not to mention cutting back on your water bill.

Ki is a real estate broker in Austin. He maintains a website about Austin real estate. His site provides a map search of the Austin MLS along with a tool that graphs mortgage interest rates.

Austin is home to many things: live music, the University of Texas, the state capital; but many people don't realize Austin is also home to the nation's largest urban bat community-and it's right downtown. More than 750,000 Mexican Free-Tail bats make their home under the beams of the Congress Avenue bridge. Following renovations of the iconic bridge in 1980, the bat population took up shelter under the bridge, and it has been their home each summer since.

During the cooler months, the bats make their home in Mexico, but every year during March and April they make their way North to Austin to give birth and feed on the cities abundant bugs (coincidentally, the summer months are when Austin's cricket population reaches its height as well). And before the sun goes down, when they're resting up for their nightly romp around Austin, the bats spend their time under the Congress Avenue bridge. Each evening, just before nightfall, the bats leave their refuge en masse, in an incredible natural exodus-a massive swarm of hundreds of thousands of Mexican Free-Tail bats swirls its way up around the bridge, then dissipates as the bats head off in every direction to feast.

Apparently, the renovations made in 1980 left deep crevices in the bridge, which provide an ideal habitat for the bat colony. Many Austinites consider this an accidental blessing, as the bats are credited with greatly cutting back on the insect population both within the city and throughout the surrounding countryside. In fact, it's estimated that, as a group, the bats consume between 10,000 and 30,000 pounds of insects!

This incredible sight has become an integral part of summer in Austin, and draws hundreds of spectators nightly during the summer months, culminating in late August, when the colony is at its largest-averaging around 1.5 million bats. Austinites have come to treasure and even celebrate this unique natural phenomenon, with a summer celebration called BatFest. Held during the last weekend of August each year, BatFest brings together all of Austin's favorite things-live music, food, people and (you guessed it) the Mexican Free-Tail bats. The family-friendly event features educational displays, arts and crafts, and a whole host of activities centering around the Congress Avenue bridge bats-plus more than 30 bands rocking the weekend away from two different stages.

Austinites love a good reason to party-it's a trait the city is well known for. In fact, BatFast falls just a few weeks before Austin's biggest music festival, Austin City Limits, which draws thousands of visitors a year and brings the country's hottest bands to Austin, Texas, for one sweltering weekend each September. But, unlike ACL or South by Southwest-Austin's other major music festival, which also doubles as a film festival-BatFest is first and foremost about promoting the protection and appreciation of one of Austin's natural wonders.

In a city with such strong environmental pride, and wonderful resources like Barton Springs Pool and Edwards Aquifer, it's no wonder this incredible phenomenon would capture the imaginations-and hearts-of so many.

Ki lives in Austin the coolest city in the world :). He helps clients interested in Austin real estate. If you are interested in the Austin market you can search for homes using the Austin MLS are read about market trends on his Austin real estate blog.

It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household's energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now.

1.Turn Off the Lights
We've all heard this a million times, whether in the midst of an energy crisis or not. But that doesn't make it any less true. By turning off the lights when you leave a room, or simply using one light instead of several, you can save big bucks on your electric bill over time. Plus, you'll cut back on a lot of wasted energy by using it more sparingly. Also, installing lower wattage bulbs not only reduce energy use, they also typically last longer, meaning you'll save money on your shopping bills, too.

2.Check Your Insulation
Poor insulation can cost you big time in wasted energy. Year round, insulation works to keep your house cool or warm, depending on the season. If you have poor quality insulation, or if it's old and losing effectiveness, you could be wasting not only an incredible amount of energy, but you could also be significantly overspending on your electricity bills. Just like it doesn't make sense to leave the air conditioner on with the windows open, heating or cooling a house with poor insulation is both wasteful and ineffective (and frankly, kind of silly).

3.Fix Leaks
Drip, drip, drip. Leaky faucets are huge water wasters, particularly because people often think of a leak as a small problem how much water can really be wasted by a tiny drip? Well, you'd be surprised. Just plug the sink or tub for a day and see how quickly that drip, drip, drip fills it up. If you spot a leak, fix it as quickly as possible (you may even be able to do it yourself, if you catch it early enough). Not only is it the responsible thing to do for the environment, it's the responsible thing to do for your budget, too.

4.Consolidate Wash Loads
Washing machines and dishwashers use an incredible amount of water, so next time you're going to do a load of laundry or dishes, make sure you have enough things that need cleaning to fill the load and maximize your water and power usage. If there are only a few dirty plates or clothes, either wait until you have more to do, or simply wash what you need by hand.

5.Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle
Being conscientious about your household's waste is the first step toward a greater environmental awareness. There are lots of ways to cut back on waste: eat leftovers; use old rags for cleaning instead of paper towels; recycle bottles, cans and paper products the list goes on and on. And always donate unwanted items instead of throwing them away you'll not only be helping the environment, you'll also be helping someone in need.

Ki is a real estate broker working in the Austin real estate market. His site has a map based search of the Austin MLS along with a free mortgage calculator.

One of the most beautiful and unique attractions Austin has is Hamilton Pool Preserve, located just a half an hour out of the city, in the gorgeous Hill Country. The historic swimming area and its surrounding grounds were designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990, and this idyllic, untainted spot is like an oasis, offering an accessible get-away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With 232 acres of nature preserve, the emphasis is on preservation of natural habitats, and environmental education, but the crown jewel is the pool and grotto.

Formed from the collapse of an underground river thousands of years ago, and the natural erosion since, Hamilton pool is a classic swimming hole, with the added spectacle of a fifty-foot waterfall. Hamilton Creek causes the spill, over limestone outcroppings, to create the waterfall, streaming down to the pool. One of the nicest naturally occurring benefits of Hamilton pool is that it is covered by a half dome-shaped ledge below the falls, providing cool shade for a refreshing dip. The pool leads into a brook that eventually feeds into the Pedernales River. Although the waterfall can deplete in times of drought, the water level of the pool stays fairly constant, making this a year-round destination in the warm environs of Central Texas. Water quality is gauged, and swimming is permitted only when the water quality meets safety standards. Updated information is posted at the entrance booth and provided on the park's telephone recorder message (512-264-2740).

Nature lovers will appreciate the lush plant communities, the diversity of wildlife species, and the natural shelter that attracted the area's first inhabitants over 8,000 years ago. The hike from the parking lot to the pool is about .5-miles round-trip; the hike along the creek from the pool to the river is about .75 miles, or for those who don’t stop to swim, 1.25 miles round-trip from the parking lot. A great variety of birds can be viewed, including the Golden-Cheeked Warbler, and in addition to the juniper and oak savannah, and the variety of native grasses and wildflowers, several rare plant species including canyon mock-orange, red bay, and chatter box orchid have been spotted in the canyon areas along Hamilton Creek.

Because this is a preserve, care must be taken not to disturb the ecosystem unduly, and therefore, no pets are allowed. A maximum of 75 cars are admitted, and should the number of visitors exceed this amount, cars will be held at the gate, and as visitors leave, new ones will be admitted.

Although no camping is allowed, Hamilton Preserve is close enough to make a day trip easy, and offers enough to make return trips essential. Visitors are welcome to participate in nature study, picnicking and hiking their many trails, and groups can inquire about naturalist-led programs on environmental education and nature study.

Ki helps investors looking for properties in the Austin Texas real estate market. His site provides a free graphical search of the Austin MLS along with market updates on his blog about Austin real estate.

Austin is home to one of the best metropolitan parks in the state. With sand volleyball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, soccer and rugby fields, and two enormous multi-use fields for the sports enthusiasts, Zilker Park is also home to Barton Springs pool, the Zilker Zephyr train, botanical gardens, a huge play ground, miles of hike and bike trails, and with many other permanent amenities within its 350-plus acres. A regular destination for Austinites, the park is also home to some of the city’s most popular events, including the Trail of Lights, the Austin Kite Festival, and the Austin City Limits music festival.

Over three acres large, Barton Springs is Austin’s favorite swimming hole. Fed from underground springs, the pool maintains an average water temperature of 68 degrees year round – most find it bracing, and a welcome respite from the summer heat. With a separate area that welcomes dogs in addition to human swimmers, Barton Springs has drawn a diverse crowd of swimmers for more than a century. Zilker Park is located close to downtown in the historic Barton Hills Neighborhood. Barton hills homes were built in the 1940s and the neighborhood offer a quaint charm of tree lined streets surrounding the park.

Zilker Park’s playground is enormous, with plenty of action for toddler and bigger kids as well. Slides, swings, climbing structures and even an old-fashioned fire truck entice the kiddos, while benches and picnic tables are available for the less active. Adjacent to the playground is a snack bar, featuring cold drinks and a limited menu. Just across from the snack bar is the train depot for the Zilker Zephyr, a miniature train that takes visitors on about a 20 minute tour around the park. Alongside the creek, under a bridge, and past people waving hello, the train delights kids of all ages.

With eighteen acres of grounds to explore, the Zilker Botanical Garden is a beautiful and serene destination. Among its many horticultural attractions are a Japanese garden, xeriscape demonstration garden, rose garden, cactus garden, bedding displays, floral display garden, butterfly trail and garden, and an herb & fragrance garden. The dinosaur statue located in the Hartman Prehistoric Garden is always a hit with kids, and the interpretive center holds a wealth of information.

The Zilker Hillside Theatre is perfected situated to allow the audience to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and picnic while enjoying the different performances. Home to the annual Blues on the Green series, the theater also puts on concerts in many different genres of music in addition to hosting Austin’s Shakespeare in the Park.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum is another tranquil cultural offering in Zilker Park, focused primarily on the work of American sculptor Charles Umlauf. With over 130 sculptures, drawings & paintings located throughout its lush green grounds, they offer educational programs and tours in addition to their regular hours for public visits.

The Austin Nature and Science Center can also be found in Zilker Park, and is a fascinating and educational destination. With an interpretive center, education programs and summer camps, kids of all ages will delight in viewing their rescued animal exhibit, and can practice being junior archeologists in the dinosaur pit.

Ki lives and works in Austin Texas. His site provides information on Austin real estate with descriptions of Austin neighborhoods and a search of the Austin MLS.

Canopy. That’s a great word and a comforting thought when shade is what you need on a hot day. When it’s canopy provided by trees, the word and the comfort loom refreshingly larger in the mind of any summer sun-smitten shade seeker. No man made shade offers quite the appeal of the dark and dappled shade of a live oak tree on a sun-baked lawn.

Austin has a rich urban canopy and, although trees can cause problems with utility lines above ground and roots that break sewer and water lines below, their benefit to the community is undisputable. There are more than 100 species of Hill Country trees and they provide a satisfying and soothing aesthetic component to the urban landscape-basically by hiding it! They also provide significant savings to the city and its residents by reducing air pollution and storm water runoff and by saving electricity by shading homes and businesses which consequently use less power for cooling.

Austin’s urban forest and hilly terrain work together to provide city dwellers with a feeling that they are never far from the country. Many home and business owners in the city incorporate these environmental features into the design of their dwellings and buildings to preserve and accentuate the illusion of an out-of-city experience. Of course, the increased seclusion, privacy and noise reduction afforded by such natural barriers are far from illusory, and provide welcome relief from the expanses of concrete and asphalt that assail the senses in most other cities in Texas and, indeed, in some parts of Austin itself.

The thick woods, green hills and spring-fed streams that grace the area have attracted people to the area since way before the arrival of Europeans and their descendants. For hundreds of years, nomadic indigenous tribes such as the Tonkawa, Comanche and Kiowa Apaches visited the area, attracted by plentiful water, abundant game and reliable campsites along the creeks and streams. It’s easy to imagine that these people also appreciated the shade of the thickly forested hills.

The first European/American settlers founded a series of small towns along the banks of the Colorado River here. One was called Waterloo. Mirabeau B. Lamar, one of the presidents of the Republic of Texas discovered the area during a buffalo hunt and was so impressed by its beauty and its resources that he decided it should become the capital of the new republic. Despite stiff opposition from many people, including Sam Houston, Lamar prevailed and renamed Waterloo Austin, after Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas.

That beauty and those resources have attracted people to Austin ever since and have inspired its residents to preserve it so that it can continue to be enjoyed. The city has more than 16,000 acres of parkland in more than 200 parks, 12 preserves and 26 greenbelts. The Town Lake Corridor offers hiking and biking trails that draw thousands of residents daily to enjoy the natural beauty that the setting along the river bank affords.

Zilker park is another hugely popular green area that attracts tens of thousands of visitors, especially those who come in the summer to escape the heat in the ice cold waters of the Barton Springs pool.

The trees preserved in this extensive park system and in the older neighborhoods of Austin are important to the quality of life that this city has been recognized and honored for. As the city and private groups and foundations continue to support the preservation of old trees and the planting of new ones, its urban canopy will continue to grow and provide shade for generations to come.

Escapeso Realty operates in the Austin real estate market. Their site provides information about current mortgage interest rates along with a free search of the Austin MLS.

During Austin’s warm spring and summer months, Zilker park puts on a wide array of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Every year in March, the Zilker Kite Festival is held, bringing thousands of spectators with almost an equal number of kites, to the park. In 2008, the Zilker Kite Festival celebrated its 80th anniversary. The Exchange Club of Austin began the Zilker Kite Festival in 1929 as a way to promote creativity among Austin’s children. Today, while promoting family time, the Exchange Club of Austin also raises money through t-shirts sales and concessions as a fundraising measure to split among charities preventing child abuse and dolling out college scholarships.

The Zilker Kite Festival is free to the public, and anyone can join in the kite competition, which has a variety of categories like highest flying, most unusual, and strongest pulling. The only stipulation is the kite must be handmade. For those without kite making abilities, bringing a premade kite is acceptable, but one can also learn to make a kite at the kite making workshop.

Built on a sloping hill across from Barton Springs pool is the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater. Since 1959, Broadway musicals have been entertaining Austinites on warm summer nights, and the Zilker Summer Musical is now the longest running outdoor “pay-what-you-want” production in the U.S. Run by Zilker Theater Productions, the Zilker Summer Musical brings in about 40,000 audience members every year. The organization also hosts performances by the Austin Symphony and the Austin Civic Orchestra on their hillside theater, where spectators can spread out blankets, bring a picnic, and enjoy the show while being surrounded by 100 year old pecan trees.

The 4th of July will bring over 100,000 spectators to the park who will find a spot for their family along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. The Austin Symphony Orchestra, which plans and produces the entire event, will set up and play from the new Long Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra runs through a variety of patriotic songs, and during the 1812 Overture, cannon shots punctuate the music, and cue the fireworks to begin.

Blues on the Green is held at the huge outcropping of rock in the middle of Zilker park known as Rock Island. Another free event, Blues on the Green brings local acts to Austin’s music loving crowd, with genres ranging from pop to bluegrass, and country to blues (obviously).

Across the park from the Rock Island is the Zilker Botanical Garden. At the end of March, the Garden put on their 51st Annual Zilker Garden Festival. The festival brings in over 100 vendors from around the area selling a wide variety of plants, herbs, and garden related items. The Garden Council, which is made of 39 different clubs, runs the garden and recently teamed up with ACL Festival promoters C3, who brought in 12 different musical acts to entertain the garden shoppers. Throughout the summer months, the Zilker Botanical Garden will host many other events and seminars such as the Cactus and Succulent show, and Basics on How to Build a Pond.

Though Austin in the summer can be a taxing time to be outside, Zilker park has several reasons to get out and enjoy its wide open spaces.

Ki is a Austin realtor that helps buyers and sellers looking for Austin real estate. His site provides information on mortgage interest rates and a free search of the Austin MLS.

There is no shortage of beautiful scenery and greenbelts in the Austin area, where there seems to be a walking trail around every corner, and a park around every bend. One of the more unusual of these is Champion Park in Round Rock. It has a little of everything, from a kid-approved playground to a scenic trail by the creek. It’s a great place to spend a Saturday or a weekday afternoon. Just make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen, snacks and drinks because you’ll want to stay all day. Of course, a few extras like towels, sand shovels and buckets will come in handy, too.

The park is an immense 33 acres. With plenty of open space, it’s the perfect place to play a game of catch or tag, and then, if the weather is hot enough, to meander over to the play area where sprinklers shaped like whales spout cool water into the sky. When you cool down enough, you can head over to the rock climbing area for an invigorating romp on specially designed boulders, or the sandpit where concrete casts of massive dinosaur bones lay waiting for discovery. You can dig, build and bury in this huge covered sandpit for hours and never get enough. There’s plenty of shade, and don’t forget the nearby sprinklers, so a summer day will never get too hot.

The Brushy Creek Regional Trail passes right by the park, and the creek itself is only a few feet away, bringing with it a glimpse of nature right up close, and making this area both relaxing and scenic. A bridge across Brushy Creek connects to a fishing area for those who want to try their hand at catching lunch. For everyone else, there are many great places to have picnics and the park sports two pavilions with grills that can be rented separately or together.

After a nature hike down the beautiful Brushy Creek Trail, a hard day of digging and excavating in the sand, and hours of refreshing fun in the sprinklers, what more could you want? Restroom facilities—a very important factor when considering an outdoor outing—and free, available parking. With these final elements, the park is complete and a perfect place for your family to spend the day. Champion Park is located at 3900 Brushy Creek Road in Round Rock and is open from 7:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Admission is free, so come early and stay long.

Ki helps buyers interested in Austin real estate. His site provides information about mortgage interest rates along with updated market stats on his Austin real estate blog.

The headlines this month have been taken by the most insidious of America's vices: black gold. Oil futures are now projected to exceed $100 a barrel until 2016, and continue to sit comfortably near the $115-120 a barrel mark. Many different causes have been blamed for rising prices at the pump, ranging from massive speculation to supply instability in some oil-producing nations. However, one factor must surely be worrisome to most every American: oil companies haven't been getting enough of the stuff out of the ground.

Exxon Mobil's $11 billion quarterly profit disappointed Wall Street and investors alike, their shares falling 4 percent on May 1st. The largest oil company in the US has seen stagnant margins in most quarters since 2005 without being able to increase production. In fact, their overall production fell 10 percent. Demand in the US has also contracted 2 percent since the beginning of the credit crunch last summer, so Exxon's profits have been reaped in large part because of increasing price pressure on consumers, many of whom have looking to Congress for some relief. They may be looking for a while, as representatives have been less than forthcoming on bipartisan measures since they passed the economic stimulus package into law in February.

The two Democratic candidates running for President have sharply contrasted on how to address record oil inflation. Both Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain have endorsed the idea of temporarily removing the federal gas tax over the summer months. Their reasoning is that consumers will feel the pinch of driving costs most over the summer, which means some offset in price would be more appreciated. However, there is no guarantee that the tax break will reach consumer directly, as many other secondary industries besides the oil companies price their profits into gasoline. Senator Barack Obama has also criticized the two candidates, stating that they were "reading from the same political playbook." However, he hasn't offered forth an alternative.

It is therefore difficult to project how difficult it will be for hard-hit US consumers in the near term, much less come November. Ethanol conversion and use is another issue that will continue to influence price inflation, as greater demand for alternative fuels increases. Many economists already believe that the globe has reached peak oil, or the zenith of possible oil production. This means that energy will only become scarcer and more expensive, and the 18.5 cent federal gas tax will only be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to government intervention. Oil prices aren't going down by much even if such a tax break is implemented, primarily because demand from developing countries like China and India continues to grow. Indeed, their combined oil consumption outpaced that of the US for the first time in 2007. Some type of initiative between oil-producing nations will eventually have to be made to move towards more sustainable levels of consumption, but growing divisive political sentiments make it unlikely for anything major to happen until someone new is in the Oval Office.

Escapeso Real Estate helps investors looking for Austin real estate. Their site provides a free graphical search of the Austin MLS along with information on current mortgage interest rates.

This week, a storm of bad news gave markets cold feet, resulting in Friday's 250-point loss. While this pattern of volatility has been the status quo for stock exchanges worldwide for the better part of the year-to-date, another factor has caused at least as many difficulties for a much larger percentage of the global population: the recent skyrocketing prices in energy and food. Wheat and other cereal prices have more than doubled this year, causing widespread effects ranging from speculative overbuying, which exacerbates the problem, to food riots in many poor countries. Millions of children around the world are likely to suffer from malnutrition in coming years if prices stay at or near current levels, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates.

Part of this unfavorable price increase has been due to shifting ideas about energy consumption and the press towards the use of alternative sources of fuel other than gasoline: namely, the subsidies issued by many governments of developed countries to change over to ethanol and other plant-based hydrocarbons, such as that made from palm oil (a particularly environmentally destructive process for ecosystems). Since these subsidies and programs have been introduced, farmers are often able to make better returns by selling their crops to biodiesel companies than to food companies. Until economic incentives change, the supply end is unlikely to provide solutions. For many of these farmers, these developments mean they are able to make a decent living for the first time in years, and they desperately want to (even if it results in local food shortages sometimes).

While this widespread problem affects consumers all over the world, these micro effects are only half of the story for gas-sensitive American consumers. Energy prices have taken headlines this year due to speculation and supply concerns from OPEC and South American countries after hitting the psychologically important $100 a barrel mark for the first time in the third quarter of 2007. Crude prices remain stubbornly above historical trends, even as suppliers contend that output need not increase. Analysts have also projected US gasoline prices to climb above $4 a gallon during the summer, another equally unprecedented number that may be tough pill for consumers to swallow, after the one-two punch of a national housing slump and the global credit crunch.

Should oil suppliers continue to maintain current output levels, demand is eventually likely to contract. But they aren't the only links in this chain. If oil becomes a less attractive option to Americans, oil companies may eventually be priced out of the market. Many have been keeping an exceptionally low profile in recent months. Auto companies play a huge part in the process, but shrinking sales and looming layoffs will likely increase the pressure towards manufacturing lower-emission vehicles. But the single biggest mover and shaker will be the government, which has the ability to regulate both inflation (through the FEDs influence on mortgage interest rates) and the move towards more sustainable technologies. The next US president will have the ability to help determine how long the lone superpower continues to expose its Achilles heel, but at some point all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve if inflation once again rears its ugly head.

Ki works as a real estate agent in the Austin real estate market. His site provides a free Austin MLS search along with updates on the Austin market on his Austin real estate blog