Austin highest-rated recovery in U.S.

According to the Brookings Institution, Austin was ranked as having the 26th best economic recovery worldwide, the highest rank of all U.S. cities!

To read more visit:

Austin Business Journal_ Austin highest-rated recovery in U.S.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN AUSTIN!

Now-12/23: 48th Annual “The Nutcracker” @ The Long Center:
http://www.balletaustin.org/

Now-12/26: Rockin Christmas Party @ Zach Theater:
http://www.zachtheatre.org/

Now-12/24: 35th Annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar @ Palmer Event Center:
http://www.armadillobazaar.com/

Now-12/24: Blue Genie Art Bazaar @ Marchesa Hall & Theatre:
http://bluegenieartbazaar.com/

12/17-12/31: Radio City Christmas Spectacular @ Bass Concert Hall:
http://www.texasperformingarts.org/

12/31: First Night Austin @ Downtown:
http://www.firstnightaustin.org/

Austin Real Estate Continues to Hold Value Despite Slower Sales Volume in October

According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the Austin real estate market continues to hold its value despite a slowdown in sales.

The volume of Austin area home sales in October 2010 was 1,221, down 31 percent from the same month in 2009. Sales volume year-to-date was down five percent from the same period in 2009 with 15,228 homes sold. Homes spent an average of 92 days on the market in October 2010, up 26 percent from the same month in 2009.

The median price of single-family homes in October 2010 was $198,500, up 10 percent from October 2009. Year-to-date, the median home price was $194,990, up three percent from the same period in 2009. Sales activity in the higher prices ranges continued to increase on a year-to-date basis in October with homes priced at $500,000 and above experiencing double-digit sales increases.

According to John Horton, Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, “Higher priced homes have continued to sell well over the last few months. This trend has been a driver in the steady increases in the median and average prices the market has experienced during the same period.”

Chairman Horton explained, “It has been a unique year in evaluating trends in the real estate market due to the impact of the expired homebuyer tax credits. Monthly comparisons are still being skewed by the artificial stimulus the tax credits provided.”

Horton added, “The market is still providing exceptional opportunities for buyers as we approach the end of the year. Increased active listings throughout the month provide buyers with a good selection of homes to choose from. This, combined with stable home prices and historically low interest rates, makes it a great time for those looking to purchase.”

Austin ranks high on safest cities list!

Click here to see the article...

http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-Round-Rock-rank-high-on-safest-cities-list-110235794.html

Useful Financial Websites

Many of my clients have asked about good financial websites. Here are a few that I think you may find useful:

1. www.mortgagecalculator.org: easy to use mortgage calculator.

2. www.bankrate.com: has a variety of useful resources including information on more lucrative savings account rates, mortgage rates, and credit card information.

3. www.dinkytown.com: provides access to a over 350 financial calculators for things like mortgage, auto, tax, budgeting, credit cards, retirement, and investment and savings.

New Lows for Long-Term Mortgages

Long-term mortgage rates hit new lows this week, on signs inflation remains in check.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the week ending Oct. 7 was 4.27 percent, down from 4.32 percent last week. A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to an average of 3.72 percent, down from 3.75 percent last week.

Both are the lowest long-term rates have been since Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) began keeping track.Read more: New lows for long-term mortgages - Austin Business Journal

Read more...

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/10/04/daily60.html

Get Ready for ACL this weekend!

http://www.aclfestival.com/

Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Tx

October 1-3, 2010

OKTOBERFEST is a colorful, festive celebration of Fredericksburg, Texas' German heritage. Oktoberfest has become an annual tradition around the world. Oktoberfest is a community event of family entertainment featuring two stages and two tents with continuous oompah music, art & crafts, Children's fun area ~ Kinder Park, a German Bier Tent, and Oktoberfest Vineyard area, plus delicious food and drink ... all weekend long!

http://www.oktoberfestinfbg.com/

Texas Wine Month-Fall Events

October 1-31: Texas Wine Month Wine Trail, Hill Country

About 20 area wineries offer a variety of events.

www.texaswinetrail.com

October 8-10: 6th Annual Texas Fall Fest & Wine Auction

Texas Fall Fest & Wine Auction is pleased to continue its tradition as a major

fundraiser for Texas wine research. The festival is hosted over a fall weekend at the

Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The weekend offers

seminars, lunches, winery tours and a gala dinner and wine auction with celebrity

guest chefs and Texas wine and food experts.

www.texasfallfest.com

October 7: Tour de Vin - Whole Foods Market • 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas & Whole Foods Market invite you to get your

passport stamped at Tour de Vin, a world tour of the finest international wine and

cuisine to be found in Central Texas. Join us on the rooftop plaza of Whole Foods

Market on October 8th for a truly world-class tasting, silent auction and live music

under the stars.

www.winefoodfoundation.org

October 7-10: Gruene Music & Wine Festival, Gruene, Texas

For the 24th year, the Gruene Music & Wine Fest is an event featuring the best in live Texas

music, Texas food and of course, Texas wine. What's more, proceeds from each event benefit

The United Way of Comal County.

www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org

October 10: Kiepersol Estates Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp

Plan to be at the 10th annual Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp in the vineyard. Great family fun

and music in the vineyard. Old World Grape Stomping, Fabulous Wine, Sangria and Wine-a-Ritas,

Festive Music, Children's Activities, Great Food and Unique Vendors.

http://www.kiepersol.com/winery/harvest_fest.shtml

October 14: 21st Annual La Dolce Vita, Austin, Texas

Experience this annual food & wine festival on the grounds of Austin's beloved lakeside oasis: Laguna

Gloria. Sample fare provided by over 50 of Austin's most prestigious chefs, and linger over fine wines. This

highly anticipated event supports the exhibition and education programs at the Austin Museum of Art.

Support AMOA and experience for yourself why Austin voted it the "Best Food Event".

www.amoa.org/ladolcevita

October 23: 20th Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival, Fredericksburg

Held in downtown Fredericksburg, Texas, on Marktplatz (the 100 block of West Main Street). It is a

full-course celebration of Texas food, wine, music, specialty booths, food court, and fun for all.

www.fbgfoodandwinefest.com

Austin City Limits Festival

Date:October 8-10, 2010

Location: Zilker Park

http://www.aclfestival.com/

Austin City Limits Music Festival fans can support recycling projects and other environmental initiatives across the state through the purchase of the commemorative ACL Festival green bag.

H-E-B was among the first major retailers to introduce reusable shopping bags, and established the Green Bag Grants program on Earth Day 2008. The idea behind the program was to reward Texans for buying and using the bags. Since then, H-E-B has given back $0.05 from the purchase of each reusable H-E-B bag to support the statewide grant program with up to $50,000 per year.

To date, non-profit organizations have received over $150,000 to improve and protect the natural beauty of Texas through this program. Look for these commemorative ACLMF bags at select H-E-B stores.

Austin Jazz Festival

Day: October 2, 2010

Location: Zilker Hillside Theater

The lineup and schedule for the 2010 Jazz Festival in Austin is as follows:

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – John Mills Times Ten

6:15pm -7:15pm – Afrofreque

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Leah and the Moonlighters

8:45 pm – 10:00 pm – The Austin Jazz All-Stars – Butch Miles Ephraim Owens, Jon Blondell, Elias Haslanger, Dr. James Polk, Mitch Watkins, Chris Maresh

10 Markets Most Likely to Appreciate

Forbes magazine turned to real estate research firm Local Market Monitor to figure out which markets have the greatest likelihood of price appreciation because they offer a mix of jobs weighted toward growth industries.

These are the top markets, the research company concludes:

1. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.
2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
3. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.
5. San Antonio, Texas
6. Colorado Springs, Colo.
7. Albuquerque, N.M.
8. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo.
9. Springfield, Mo.
10. Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (09/13/2010)

Top 10 Live Music Venues in Austin

From Emily Starbuck Gerson, former About.com Guide

1. Stubb's Bar-B-Q

801 Red River St.

(512) 480-8341

Stubb's Bar-B-Q is one of the best-loved music venues in Austin. It is a delicious barbecue restaurant that features a small indoor music stage and a large outdoor stage. The outdoor stage is standing only, but the ground slopes downward toward the stage, giving those in the back a bit of a lift. They predominantly present indie and alternative rock, with past performances from Imogen Heap, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cake, and Ratatat. They showcase artists in other genres, such as The Indigo Girls and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. The crowds are great, though it can get really packed up front for some shows. Best of all, if you get hungry, you can just go inside and order some barbecue!

2. Antone's

213 W. 5th St.

(512) 320-8424

Antone's is another top-notch live music venue in Austin. It opened in 1975 as the first club on 6th Street, though it later moved to 5th Street. It began as a blues club and featured performances from B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Pinetop Perkins, and other blues greats. It now also features country and rock music. It is open to all ages and claims to have helped launch the career of many local musicians. Many major acts have graced the stage since the blues era, such as Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, and Bono and The Edge (of U2). The venue is open and gives you enough room to breathe, and the crowds tend to be laid-back.

3. Emo's

603 Red River St.

(512) 477-3667

Emo’s is a small, downtown music venue with an outdoor stage and a smaller indoor stage. There is also an outdoor beer garden for those who don’t like to be in the middle of the crowd. Emo's primarily features alternative music, such as indie rock, hardcore, punk, alt-country and metal. You can find both small local acts and major national acts here. It is generally considered a hangout for the tattooed and pierced crowd, though the crowds depend greatly on which type of act is playing that night. Be warned that for some intense shows on the larger stage, mosh pits tend to form.

4. Continental Club

1315 S. Congress Ave.

(512) 441-0202

This music club has been a staple in Austin's music scene since 1957. It began as a hip, private supper club and grew into Austin's first burlesque club in the '60s. It continued to book great acts over the decades (including Stevie Ray Vaughan), and in the late '80s, the new owner designed the club to look like it did in the '50s. The Continental Club usually features swing, rockabilly, country, and retro roots music, but it attracts and welcomes all types. Many great local acts perform here.

5. The Parish Room

214 E. 6th St.

(512) 479-0474

This hip music venue in downtown Austin features beautiful hardwood floors and a great selection of beer at the bar. It is a very clean and well-kept venue with fantastic acoustics and lighting. The Parish Room chooses to be non-genre specific, though many of the artists who play here can be classified as some form of rock (many indie rock).

6. Momo's

618 W. 6th St. #200

(512) 479-8848

Momo’s is an intimate lounge and music club in the West Sixth Street area and features live music every night. Depending on the night you go, you will hear anything from R&B to Western swing to folk to pop rock. It is on the second floor, above Katz’s Deli. Sit at the bar or in front by the stage, where you can be just feet from the local musicians. Or, sit out on the deck and have a drink while you enjoy the beautiful downtown skyline.

7. Lucky Lounge

209 W. 5th St.

(512) 479-7700

Located in the downtown Warehouse District, this '60s-inspired club has a very chic feel. There is a large variety of seating options; you can sit at the bar stools, or you can sit in the lounge chairs and seats right in front of the stage. You can stand in the general open area near the stage or you can take the stairs and sit in the loft area that overlooks the rest of the club below. The bar features a unique standing area slightly above and behind it, which provides a great view of the stage. There are also pool tables up front. This club features a huge variety of local music, and I have yet to see a band there that I don't like!

8. La Zona Rosa

612 W. 4th St.

(512) 472-2293

This downtown concert spot is one of the few live music venues in town that allows entry for all ages. It feels somewhat like a warehouse and features many local bands in addition to internationally known acts such as Franz Ferdinand, The Crystal Method, and The Black Eyed Peas. Expect to find everything from rock to jazz to Latin music. There is one small stage and then a larger stage for the big acts, in addition to a full bar.

9. Bass Concert Hall

23rd St. & Robert Dedman Dr.

(512) 471-1444

The Bass Concert Hall is on the University of Texas Campus and is its flagship arts performance venue. It is an enormous concert hall and features symphonies and dance performances, but it also presents concerts from major music acts such as James Taylor, Sigur Ros, Seal, and Bonnie Raitt. It operates like a traditional theater, so it is all seated and your ticket is for a specific seat.

10. Cactus Café

2247 Guadalupe St.

(512) 475-6515

This small and charming venue located in the University of Texas student union but is open to the pubic. Around since 1979, it features only acoustic music. There is also a full bar. Local, national, and international acts perform here. Some major names who have played here include Lucinda Williams, Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss, The Dixie Chicks, and Townes Van Zandt.

Unplugged at the Grove

Thursday Nights

Shady Grove Restaurant

http://www.theshadygrove.com/unplug.html

"Unplugged At the Grove", presented by 93.3 KGSR,will showcase some of the best of Austin's diverse musical community each Thursday, weather permitting, under the stars on Shady Grove's tree-shaded patio.

Austin Museum Day

September 19, 2010
25+ Local Museums - Visit For Free
you can enjoy exhibitions and activities at 25 participating museums for free. No tickets are required for Austin Museum Day.

Diez y Seis Celebrations

September 11-12, 2010
Fiesta Gardens
Commemorating Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1810, Fiestas Patrias of Austin invites the Austin community to the Diez y Seis fiesta to celebrate and recognize the national holiday of Mexican Independence Day. This year marks the bicentennial anniversary of fight for independence that began on September 15, 1810.

How to have a happy, healthy Dog

WebMD states that Dogs can be like young children. If you don’t give them something constructive to do with their energy, they’ll find something to do on their own-and you may not like it! Some of the most common behavior problems seen in dogs who don’t get enough exercise and play are:

• Destructive chewing, digging or scratching
• Investigative behaviors, like garbage raiding
• Hyperactivity, excitability and night-time activity
• Unruliness, knocking over furniture and jumping up on people
• Excessive predatory and social play
• Play biting and rough play
• Attention-getting behaviors like barking and whining

Benefits of Exercise and Play

The good news is that keeping your dog healthy, happy and out of trouble with daily exercise is a lot of fun and provides many benefits, including:

• Helps to reduce or eliminate the common behavior problems listed above, such as digging, excessive barking, chewing and hyperactivity
• Helps to keep dogs healthy, agile and limber
• Helps to reduce digestive problems and constipation
• Helps timid or fearful dogs build confidence and trust
• Helps dogs feel sleepy, rather than restless, at bedtime or when you’re relaxing
• Helps to keep dogs’ weight under control

Top 11 Reasons to Buy a Home Now!

1. Selection – Homes are available in every area and at all price

ranges. The quantity of houses on the market allows you to pick and

choose the qualities you want to find just the home you want. It

wasn’t so long ago that buyers were jumping on new listings as soon

as they came onto the market, that is no longer a concern for buyers

in this economy.

2. It’s a buyer ’s market – The best time to buy is when most

people want to sell. If you buy now you can get a lot more house for

your money, and you have a lot more negotiating power.

3. Homes are more affordable - Real estate, which was over-

priced during the housing bubble, has returned to earth. That's espe-

cially good news for first-time home buyers who were priced out of

the market 4 or 5 years ago.

4. Interest rates are low – Mortgage interest rates are at their

lowest point in the last several years. This means your mortgage pay-

ment takes you a lot farther than it did before. We’re not that far off

of the all time lows we hit several years back. It is smart to take ad-

vantage of the low mortgage rates while they are still available.

5. Tax savings – Buying a home is one of the best ways to save

money on taxes. Your mortgage interest, real estate taxes and in

many cases mortgage insurance are all tax deductible. If you are a

first time home buyer this means that after-tax, you can pay a lot less

for a mortgage payment than you pay for rent.

6. Appreciation – This might not seem like the best reason to

buy, with prices stagnating and falling in some areas, but in the long

run, home prices always move up. There is a lot of pessimism in the

real estate market today, but even the most pessimistic are bullish in

the long run.

7. Equity build up – As you pay down your mortgage you

build up equity in your home. Most people don’t even think of this

because it is so gradual, but every mortgage payment (as long as it

is an amortizing loan) pays a little less interest and a little more

principal. In a way owning a home is a form of forced savings.

8. Rising rents – Buyi ng a home means you can f i x your

mort gage payment , at l east t he pri nci pal and i nt erest port i on.

Rents are proj ected to rise this year and over time.

9. Lots of homes are Move-In Ready - In order to sell a home

in a tough buyer ’s market, sellers have to put their best foot forward.

This means sel lers wi ll paint, landscape, and do any necessary

repairs to make their homes look the best as compared to their

competition. For a buyer this means, you are getting a nice looking

home with no maintenance issues to take care of.

10. Incentives - Buying in a buyer ’s market gives the buyer the

upper hand. As a buyer, you may ask the seller to s ell you their

washing machine, refrigerator or pool table. In addition to material

things, you can ask the seller for a homeowner ’s warranty, lawn or

maid service for six months to a year, etc.

11. First Time Homebuyer Program - provides below

market interest rate mortgage loans through a network of participating

lenders to eligible families and individuals who are purchasing their

first home or who have not owned a home in the past three years.

The combination of low interest rates and decreased housing prices represents a great investment opportunity.

Servicing Travis, Williamson, Bastrop and Hays Counties

Luxury Living by the Lake

Facebook Marks Fourth Win for Austin Chamber Economic Development Efforts in 2010

Last week, the Austin City Council approved economic incentives paving the way for Facebook to officially move forward with plans to develop operations in Austin. In their first major U.S. expansion out of current headquarters Palo Alto, CA, Facebook plans to create 200 jobs for Central Texans with the location of an online sales and operations office.

“We are delighted to formally announce that Facebook will open an online sales and operations office in Austin,” said Grady Burnett, Director of Global Online Sales and Operations at Facebook. “The area’s world-class educational system and talented workforce give us the means to quickly establish a strong outfit. We also want Facebook employees to have a high quality-of-life by being part of a vibrant, dynamic environment and Austin offers all of that and more. We look forward to building our team here in Austin and enjoying all the wonderful things the city has to offer.”

The Austin Chamber worked confidentially with Facebook during their search to find a location for their expansion, encouraging the diversification of the Austin metro economy. Opportunity Austin, the Austin Chamber’s economic development initiative to expand efforts to attract businesses in industries that complement the area’s workforce, such as clean energy, life sciences and digital media, has remained an important factor in Austin’s success with economic growth and development initiatives.

Source: Austin Chamber of Commerce

6 Tips on Keeping Austin Green:

Tip #1

Swapping incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents saves energy and money.

Tip #2
Use a Reusable Bag. Each reusable bag eliminates the need for 1,000 plastic bags, or 500 paper bags over its lifetime.

Tip #3
Use a Reusable Mug. By using a reusable mug instead of disposable containers for coffee, tea and other beverages, you are a saving about 22.75 pounds of waste per year.

Tip #4
Try Free Solar Power. Open blinds or drapes to let in the sun’s heat on cold days, then close them at sunset. You can reduce your heating bills by up to 10 percent.

Tip #5
Having a Party? Save paper on invitations. Call, text, send evites, or invite people in person.

Tip #6
Use non-disposable flatware, glasses and dishes to help reduce waste. Then use the diswasher. Doing a full load in your Energy Star dishwasher is far more efficient than washing the same number of dishes by hand.

Exquisite Estate in Exclusive Lake Austin Neighborhood

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Sunset Valley

Date: August 28,2010

Time: 9:00 AM

Location: Barnes & Noble Booksellers Sunset Valley-Sunset Valley Village

5601 Brodie Lane Suite 300

Austin, TX 78745

512-892-3493

Educators, back-to-school just got a whole lot more fun with our new Barnes & Noble @ School section.

Join us for a special Educator Open House featuring a section overview and tour, refreshments, raffle prizes

and more from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Austin Fall Home & Garden Show

August 27-29, 2010

Whether you’re building a new home or sprucing up the one you have, the Austin Spring Home & Garden Show will feature the city’s largest showcase of home & garden products & services. There's something for everyone all under one roof. (http://www.showtechnology.com/)

Austin Fashion Week

August 14-21, 2010

Austin Fashion Week is set up as a series of events hosted primarily at participating retail and salon locations dotted throughout the city. Designers from the state of Texas will set up showcases within each participating retail and salon location. These designers will work through a vetting process to determine the best and brightest the state has to offer. The vetting committee looks for established designers, up and comers, and those just launching their first lines. We are interested in clothing, accessories, jewelry, even home accessories and furniture. In 2009, approximately 150 events occurred during Austin Fashion Week inside the participating retail and salon locations.

Hill Country Living At Its Best!

Batfest

saturday, august 21, 2020

Arts, Crafts, Music, Food, Bat Watching, Children’s Activities, and Educational Displays. All professional Artists and Craftspeople are invited to participate in Batfest... Approximately 150 Booths will be set up in the Festival Area located on the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin. This is an outdoor show.

4th Annual Ice Cream Festival

saturday, august 14, 2010

Waterloo Park at 14th and Trinity Street. Admission $5.00 --- 12 and under free with an adult. Do you scream for ice cream? If you do, bring yourself, your friends, your family and even your dog to the 3rd Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival. This yummy event will include lot’s of games, activities, contests and live entertainment as well as what we all scream for…ICE CREAM ! (http://www.icecreamfestival.org/mission.html)

Single-Family Building Permits Up Slightly, Remodels Up Substantially in Austin Year-to-Date

From the HBA Government Relations newsletter
The City of Austin released its June housing and development tracking data. Year-to-date, new construction applications have increased 25%; remodels/additions have jumped 37%. Single-family building permits have inched up 4%. For the development process, the city received six new submittals in June as well as 14 updated submittals

Sales of foreclosed homes drop in Austin

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/06/28/daily24.html?ana=e_du_pap

Gorgeous Villa with Breathtaking Views!

Foreclosures: A look across the country

Across the nation, the number of foreclosure filings of all types fell during the first half of 2010. Of all the foreclosures posted, only 40% on average actually get foreclosed on. Austin, Travis County and Texas are seeing some of the lowest foreclosure rates in the country.

Foreclosure Postings on Average
Source: RealtyTrac
June 2010
Nevada: 1 in 87 homes
Florida: 1 in 170 homes
Arizona: 1 in 188 homes
California: 1 in 193 homes
Georgia: 1 in 334 homes
Texas: 1 in 788 homes
Travis County: 1 in 858 homes

Making the Top Ten List yet again

Round Rock Ranks 6 in Family Circle's 2010 National Ranking of the Ten Best Places for Families

Round Rock, Texas
Population: 88,519
Median Income: $80,576
Median Home Price: $162,052
Households with Children: 48%
Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Great Schools Rating: 7
Located 20 miles outside Austin, this town calls itself the sports capital of Texas. And as Norma and Gene Saldivar can tell you, Round Rock really delivers. Old Settlers Park—just one of 34 here—covers 570 acres, with dozens of baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and tennis courts, plus miles of walking and biking trails.

For the full article: http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/money/10-best-towns-for-families-2010/?page=6

Austin Region Likely to See Shortage of New Homes with Continued Population Growth on the Horizon

From the HBA newsletter, presented at last weeks Midyear Economic Forecast
"Buyers who may be “on the fence” are encouraged to buy now. If interest rates were to tick up just 1%, the price of a home would have to decline by 10% to make up the difference. Home prices are already on the rise in the greater Austin region. Expected population growth coupled with the lack of new home starts that will keep up with the region’s growth will likely cause prices to rise further."

For the full article : http://hbaaustin.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=611#fphousingforecastpr

Live Concerts at Stubbs Bar-B-Q

http://www.stubbsaustin.com/music_home.html

Austin Texas 2010 Market Report

http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/AustinRRock.pdf

AquaPalooza Starts This Weekend!!!

http://www.aquapalooza.com/page.aspx/pageid/28511/page.aspx

New Metro Rail in Austin Texas!

http://www.capmetro.org/metrorail/

Austins Rankings

July 4th Parades in Austin

Lago Vista Celebrates the 4th
Saturday, July 3 - 6:30am
Bar K Park, Lago Vista, TX
www.lagovistajuly4.org It is a time to remember those who have served toprotect us all, to celebrate our freedom, and to enjoy each other's company. It starts off with the Firecracker 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run. This is an opportunity to give your children the same type of memories you had of parades, barbecues, music, and paddling around in the local swimming hole.

Lakeway 4th of July Celebration
Saturday, July 3 - 8:30am
City Park, Lakeway,TX www.cityof lakeway.comFourth of July all day event starting with a fanciful sponsored parade/floats that make their way down Lakeway Drive. Locals then head to the park for a picnic, games for kids, music and the announcment of the float award winners. The rest of the afternoon is usually filled with games, food, drinks and many more surprises. The day is rounded out with fireworks set to music at night.

Sertoma 4th of July in the Park
Sunday, July 4 - 11:00am
San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, TX www.georgetownsertoma.org/4thofjuly.htmWith more than 80 booths, a petting zoo, parade, live entertainment, train rides, fireworks and more (all located on the beautiful San Gabriel River) there's only one place you should be this 4th of July.

July 4th Events in Austin

H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks:
The "official" and largest 4th of July event in Austin will be held at Auditorium Shores at The Long Center. More than 100,000 Austinites will gather to see the Austin Symphony perform patriotic music, including the 1812 Overture, with the shooting of cannons by the Texas National Guard Salute Battery. Fireworks will be shot over Lady Bird Lake from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The orchestra will begin playing at 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Alcohol and glass containers are not permitted, but concessions will be sold.
Volente Beach 4th of July Fireworks:
Volente Beach Waterpark, which is on Lake Travis, offers another wonderful way to celebrate July 4th in Austin. There will be live music and a firework show that starts at dusk. The event is free to guests who purchased park admission prior to 8 p.m., and costs $5 for guests entering the park after 8.
July 4th Celebration in Lakeway:
The city of Lakeway, which lies on the outskirts of Austin, has its own Independence Day celebration. At 8:30 a.m., there will be a 4th of July parade down Lakeway Drive. The Pageant at the Lakeway Activity Center for the Grand Marshal Speech begins at 10:30 am.. Starting at 6 p.m., attendees will enjoy food, live entertainment, and fireworks. The events will end at 10:00 p.m.
Carlos 'N Charlies Fireworks Extravaganza:
The infamous restaurant and bar on Lake Travis hosts its firework extravaganza the night of July 3rd. On July 4th, they are not having fireworks but instead a night of live music with Lance Keltner and guests. Gates open at 6 p.m. and entry at the gates costs $15.

Exquisite Estate in Exclusive Lake Austin Neighborhood

IMAX Movies at Bob Bullock Museum

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin, Texas, tells the “Story of Texas” with three floors of interactive exhibits, the special effects show, and Austin's only IMAX theatre. The Museum also has a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating and a Museum store with something for the Texan in everyone.

http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/showtimes/showtimes.html

93.3 KGSR’s Blues on the Green returns to Zilker Park

Bring your friends and family out every other Wednesday evening between June 9th and August 18th to enjoy six big nights of Austin’s longest running FREE music series. Patrons can enjoy food and non-alcoholic beverages from local restaurants, and stop by our local charity area for volunteer and donation information. Blankets, lawn chairs, dogs on leashes, children are all welcome. Be sure to bring sun block!

http://www.kgsr.com/other/blues/

HOMES SALES SOAR IN APRIL, FUELED BY TAX CREDIT

AUSTIN (Austin American-Statesman) - Central Texas home sales skyrocketed nearly 31 percent in April and pending sales were up almost 47 percent from a year ago, as buyers rushed to beat the April 30 deadline for a federal income-tax credit, the Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) reported.

ABOR reported that real estate agents sold 2,043 homes in April compared with 1,561 in April 2009. The median sale price was unchanged at $190,700.

From January through April, sales are up 17 percent.

The amount of time homes were on the market fell 13 percent, to an average of 69 days vs. 79 a year ago. The number of homes on the market in April — 10,749 active listings — amounted to a 6.5-month's supply, which represents a balanced market.

Sales of condominiums and townhouses also were strong in April, with the 213 sales amounting to a 63 percent increase from a year ago. Pending sales for condos and townhouses rose 70 percent.