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.