Blue Skies Here | Central Texas

Austin Metro Fastest Growing City

For those of us who live here...we have seen the growth from the 1990s bust.  Great to see our fine area touted!  http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/27/11430472-bigger-in-texas-state-has-many-of-us-fastest-growing-cities

Chicken Ordinance

Yep....you read that right.  This has to be my favorite headline of the day.  Just goes to show - GT hasn't gotten too uppity.  We're still talking turkey...I mean, chicken.

http://impactnews.com/articles/georgetown-city-staff-directed-to-draft-chicken-ordinance

New Development in GTW

Looks like we'll be seeing some more development along Williams Drive..  Housing, retail, possible grocery and assisted living.  Check it out - http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/morning_call/2012/03/new-housing-shopping-development.html

Trader Joes Coming to Austin?

For anyone who's been to California and Trader Joe's, this is good news:

http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/austin/blog/morning_call/2012/01/grocery-chain-trader-joes-coming-to.html?ed=2012-01-14&s=article_du&ana=e_du_wknd

Ideas on what to GIVE this holiday season?

I received an email this morning about this subject - and thought the sentiment was worth passing along. Why not put money in the pockets of folks in your community vs. big outfits/chains/businesses?

While it's likely impossible for most of us to completely avoid the Big Box chains and all of their imported wares from overseas...I'd imagine that by being creative we could give LOCAL. There are so many folks close to home who could use this money - it's a great idea all around. Think about it:

* Almost everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

* What about a gym membership to a locally-run gym?

* Gift certificates to locally-run restaurants?

* Car detail or oil change gift certificate from local auto detail or car wash facility?

* House cleaning services from local cleaning company/individual?

* Lawn-mowing services from local landscaping company? H

Happy Giving!

 

Where to Invest? TEXAS!!!

If you've been trying to determine a good place to put your money - look in the Lone Star State. The latest edition of the Texas Real Estate Center's Tierra Grande has nine great reasons why you should look here. Check it out:

http://recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/1976.pdf

Get OUTSIDE this weekend. Visit a new Central Texas Park!

We've all been under house-heatwave-arrest since May. Now we can finally get outside enjoy our gorgeous area. I thought you might be interested in finding a new park - if so - check out this link to all that Central Texas as to offer:

http://www.gracytitle.com/eflyer/8x8/ParksandOutdoorRecreation/CentralTexasParksandOutdoorRecreation.pdf

October and Halloween Events - Austin Metro Area

Thought you'd appreciate a consolidated list of what's happening this month in the Austin Area - lot of good Halloween and Octoberfest activities coming up!

* September 24 - November 12 (Varying times, check site) - Harvest Fall Fun at Sweet Berry Farms - www.sweetberryfarm.com

* October 1 - 16 Fridays/Saturdays 8pm; October 22-27 Everyday 8pm; October 28-31 7:30; 8:00; 8:30 - Austin Ghost Tours - www.austinghosttours.com

* October 13 - La Dolce Vita Food and Wine Festival - www.AMOA.org

* October 13-16 - Kyle Fair and Music Festival - www.kylechamber.org/eventcalendar.php

* October 14 (nightly - begins - runs through the 29th, times and dates vary) - Boo at the Austin Zoo - www.austinzoo.org/category/zoo-news/boo-at-the-zoo-2011

* October 20 - 27 - Austin Film Festival - www.austinfilmfestival.com

* October 22 - Concert in the Park (Cedar Park) - Don't Tell Debbie Band - www.cedarpartktx.us/cp/pr_events_movies.aspx

* October 22-23 - Buda Fine Arts Festival - www.budafineartsfestival.com

* October 22-23 - Austin Record Convention - www.austinrecords.com

* October 22 - noon - 7pm - Food and Wine Festival, Fredericksburg - www.fbgfoodandwinefest.com

* October 22 - 2 - 10pm - Dia de los Muertos - www.mesic-artemuseum.org

* October 23 - Halloween Children's Concert - Michael and Susan Dell Hall - www.austinsymphony.org/events/halloween-childrens-concert

* October 24 - Goblins in the Garden - Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - www.wildflower.org/goblins

* October 27 - 6-8pm - 9th Annual Boo-da Halloween - http://ci.buda.tx.us/buda-events/

* October 29 - Halloween Whodunit on the Hill Country Flyer - www.austinsteamtrain.org/rides.php#gmm

* October 30 - 12-4pm - Halloween Carnival - Kyle - www.cityofkyle.com/parks/Halloween.htm

* October 31 - Halloween on 6th Street

* October 31 - Hall Fun Festival - Round Rock - 9-11:30am - www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=1385

Georgetown, Round Rock, Brushy Creek Water Restrictions

In spite of this weekend's rains, Georgetown, Round Rock and Brushy Creek areas are still under emergency water restrictions. No outside watering, landscaping, car washes, etc. Click below for more details from ABJ:

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/morning_call/2011/10/austin-area-water-restrictions-still.html?s=newsletter&ed=2011-10-10&ana=e_aus_rdup

Troublesome Round Rock Roads Getting Fixed

If you've ever dealt with traffic on 620 or the stand off at Mays, you'll be happy to read this - from Community Impact, outlining the plans to solve some major traffic/road issues:

http://impactnews.com/round-rock-pflugerville/146-news/15102-round-rock-traffic-plan-looks-forward-five-years