Life on Lake Travis

What's Your 'Buoy IQ?'

2008-07-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

The lake season is in full swing, so for your safety I thought I’d share this chart to refresh everyone on recognizing buoys and markers. It is sponsored by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Buoy / Marker Identification

How did you do? Were any of them new to you? If you’re a boat owner, you’re probably quite familiar with them, but it’s helpful for passengers to know how to identify buoy markers as well.

Have fun (safely) enjoying Lake Travis! See ya out on the lake!

For a larger (pdf) version of the chart for easier viewing, click here!

Fireworks!!

2008-06-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

The Fourth of July is almost here!! Get ready to see some great fireworks displays over Lake Travis!

Happy Independence Day!!

Not one, but three shows to tell you about!
Start out at Carlos’N Charlie’s on Thursday, July 3rd!
~Fireworks start at 30-60 min. after dark~
Music by several bands, including Rat Ranch, Meridian West, and Feeding 5000!
(See Carlos’N Charlie’s website for ticket pricing/info)

Then, catch the action at Johnny Fins on Friday, July 4th!
~Fireworks start just after dusk~
Afterward enjoy music by Porcelain!
(See Johnny Fins website for details)

OR

Check out the show in Lago Vista on Friday, July 4th!
~Fireworks start at dark~
Bring your blanket & see the show at Bar-K Park
A variety of food will be available for purchase.
Events planned all day ~ from 6:30am until midnight!
(See Lago Vista website for event schedule & details)

Claim your Boat Gasoline Tax Refund

2008-06-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

I know, it sounds too good to be true - but it's for real, and I got my refund!

It's a refund of part of the "highway use tax" that the state imposes on fuels. Many states apply the tax on marine fuel toward boating programs through the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. But in other states, the money does not get funneled into the marine community, and is instead put into the highway improvement fund. Since boats don't cause wear and tear on the highways that benefit from this fund, applying marine fuel tax toward highway improvement is unfair. To deal with this problem, several states have instituted procedures to refund at least part of that tax to recreational boaters who take the time to fill out required paperwork and keep receipts.

For boaters in Texas, here's what you do---
Keep your original boat gasoline receipts - receipts must show the name of the seller and purchaser, date of purchase, type of fuel, number of gallons and amount of fuel tax paid. I never really checked my receipts that closely, but hopefully they have all the required info. I usually gas up at Emerald Point Marina. (You do not need to mail receipts with the form, but are supposed to keep them for 4 years in case you're asked to produce them at a later date.)

You can pretty much ignore all of the other instructions you'll find on the Texas state government website as it all applies to business use and distribution of fuels, not personal boating use.

Print off a Texas Claim for Refund of Gasoline or Diesel Fuel Taxes (form 06-106).
Besides filling in your contact info, the only part of the form that applies to you is item #6- enter the total number of gallons purchased, and then enter that number again in the total (item #13). I know it'll feel like this isn't the right form for you to use for recreational gasoline use in a boat, but it is.

The form must be postmarked on or before one year from the first day of the calendar month following the purchase of the gasoline. Send the completed form to:
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Revenue Accounting Division, 111 E. 17th Street, Austin, Texas 78774-0100.

The refund is 20 cents per gallon (before factoring in a 2% distributor's tax and $1.50 filing fee). Maybe doesn't sound like a lot at first glance, but for me, it's about a $50 refund each time I fill the tanks!

You can thank me later- toss me a beer when you see me on the lake!

New Floodplain - Get Insurance NOW for Grandfathered Low Rates

2008-06-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

Well, it's finally here. After years of debate, the official 100-year floodplain for the Lake Travis area is changing. The new base flood elevation is 722 feet (above mean sea level), a change of 6 feet from the old 100-year floodplain of 716 feet.

The 100-year floodplain does not mean that a property in that area is likely to flood once every 100 years; it means that there's a 1% chance of a flood of that magnitude each year. There's about a 26% chance of being flooded at least once during the 30-year period of a typical mortgage. Any lender whose funds are backed by the federal government (which is virtually all mortgage companies) will require borrowers to have NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) flood insurance.

What does this mean to you? If you live in an area that is not currently in the 100-year floodplain, but will become so, you want to get flood insurance NOW- before August 11th. This locks in your insurance 45 days before the new floodplain maps become effective, and thus, grandfathers you in at a better/lower insurance rate. This will lower your flood insurance costs not only immediately, but in future years - and keeps that rate lower for future purchasers of your home, which could affect the market value of your home.

Kids - How About Sailing Camp?

2008-05-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Want a smart, safe and F-U-N summer activity for the kids? How about Sailing Camp? Help them enjoy Lake Travis to the fullest!

The Austin Yacht Club has classes throughout the summer. Check their website for full details on dates, times, cost, etc. KXAN recently ran an article about the Sailing Camp – you can read all about it below. To view the KXAN video on the Sailing Camp, Click Here!

Sailing Camp for Kids!

Summer is around the corner, and if your kid loves the water, there is a camp for them. The Austin Yacht Club offers a sailing camp on Lake Travis. Kids can learn how to rig a boat and set sail.

"They learn how to be comfortable and safe on a boat, and eventually, we'd like to see them out participating in some of the races that we hold out here," said Kelly Hawk, sailing camp director with the Austin Yacht Club.

The camp offers all types of boats from small Opties to FJs to learn on.

"We do a capsize drill first so they know what it feels like to tip over, and then they learn how to right the boat," said Hawk.

During the weeklong camp, you can even take up windsurfing.

"They're usually able to sail in one day on the windsurfers," said Hawk.

Since the yacht club is located in a cove, you don't have a lot of boat traffic getting in your way.

"We have our own fleet of coach boats, and the coaches are around the children, and we have an area where we sail that we don't really see a lot of motor traffic," said Hawk.
You just have a lot of fun learning how to sail.

If you would like to check out the Austin Yacht Club's summer camp, it's open to kids 8 to 16 years old, and the cost is $400 a week.

KXAN – May 9, 2008

Austin Water Ranks #2 in U.S.!

2008-05-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

Austin has long been known as having some of the most beautiful, celebrated and sought-after water with Lake Travis, Lake Austin and the Highland Lakes chain.

Now the Austin Business Journal reports that Austin also has some of the cleanest tap water in the nation! Read on for details from the Forbes.com report.

Austin Water Some of the Cleanest in the U.S.!

Who says bottled water is best?

Austin has some of the cleanest tap water in the nation, according to a new report from Forbes.com. The city's H2O actually comes in as the second best among metropolitan areas, right behind Des Moines, Iowa and just ahead of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Amid the national drive for increased sustainability and greener living, the bottled water industry is facing pushback. Recent media reports show consumers are increasingly looking to their faucet in lieu of the plastic bottle for hydration. But just how clean is the tap?

To come with this latest ranking, the list lovers at Forbes.com examined individual consumer confidence reports in the University of Cincinnati's 2006 "United States Drinking Water Quality Study Report." The rankings were based on cloudiness of water or turbidity, bacteria, haloacetic acids and lead.

According to Forbes.com, the Austin-San Marcos region showed some the lowest levels of lead, turbidity and haloacetic acid.

Making bottles to meet Americans' demand for bottled water each year requires the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil -- enough fuel for more than 1 million cars for a year, according to Think Outside the Bottle, a campaign of the Corporate Accountability International. And each year, more than 4 million pounds of PET plastic bottles end up in landfills or as roadside litter.

Austin Business Journal – May 20, 2008

Thanks for Partying With Us!!

2008-05-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 12, Crosswind Realty held our First Annual Crawfish Boil at Volente Beach…

THANKS to all of YOU it was a HUGE SUCCESS!!

What a blast! Over 600 guests showed up and rocked to live Zydeco music while feasting on pounds (and pounds) of shrimp and crawfish! Plenty of folks worked up a thirst dancing and feasting; the free beer was flowing - we floated 5 kegs!

Everyone had a great time. We had games and an Inflatable Wonderland for the kids, too! The kids loved making sandcastles on the beach and along with the fabulous food spread, the adults enjoyed great live music and conversation around the cozy beach bonfire at sunset.

The On-Water Boat Show courtesy of South Austin Marine was also a treat for everyone!

Many thanks again to all of our wonderful sponsors for helping to make it all happen.

This will definitely be an ANNUAL event, so if you missed it this year, CLICK HERE for pictures! and catch us again next April, when we ‘rock the beach’ all over again!

In the meantime, look forward to our annual Dock-toberfest Celebration in October!!

2008 Poker Run Schedule

2008-04-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here it is, folks!! The long awaited Poker Run Schedule!
…See ya on the lake!

Lake Travis Powerboat Association
2008 Poker Run Schedule


April 25th   Pre-Season Party at Johnny Fins
April 26th   Pre-Season Run
May 17th  South Austin Marine Run
June 21st  Johnny Fins Run
July 19th  Annual Carlos’ N Charlie’s Big Poker Run
August 23rd  Tito’s Vodka Run
Sept. 20th  The Pier Run and Year End Party

CLICK HERE for all the details, links to Poker Run Sponsors and more!
Hit the 'back' button on your browser to return to this page

Dock Safety Standards

2008-03-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

The LCRA adopted safety standards for all residential docks on Lake Travis and the Highland Lakes in February 2004. Does your dock measure up? Check out the article below and download both the Safety Standards and Safety Guidelines to find out. No further revisions have been made; the guidelines are current as of today. You can contact the LCRA with questions.

Boat Dock Standards for the Highland Lakes

In February 2004, LCRA adopted safety standards for all residential docks on the Highland Lakes. With more than 6,000 private docks now on the Highland Lakes, these standards were adopted to ensure pubic safety, navigation and water quality for all the users of the lakes.

The standards set requirements for dock flotation, lighting, anchoring, maximum distances from shore, plus specify enforcement and other details. LCRA does not assess any fees as part of the implementation of these standards.

Safety Standards for Residential Docks on the Highland Lakes
Residential Boat Dock Safety Guidelines: designed to help dock owners register, locate and maintain docks on the Highland Lakes.

These documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Get a free reader.

For a printed copy of the boat dock standards or for more information, contact Water Surface Management at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2309 or 2405.

Note on marinas and floating docksCommercial marinas on the Highland Lakes, including floating docks on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan that occupy more than 1,500 square feet of water surface area, are governed by a separate Highland Lakes Marina Ordinance. For a copy of the marina ordinance, contact Gabrielle Ramirez at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2309, or by mail (see mailing address).

Updated July 10, 2007, Lower Colorado River Authority

Where Does Austin Rank?

2008-03-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Where does Austin rank for Top City To Find A Job? Check out what ABC News posted yesterday to find out…

Take Control: Where Are The Hot Jobs?

Top 5 Cities to Find a Job:

1. Salt Lake City, Utah, tops the list in job growth with opportunities in nursing, education and banking.

2. Wichita, Kansas, where aircraft and petroleum industries have bounced back and looking to hire for their production lines. There are also plenty of opportunities for health care workers.

3. Austin, Texas, is a vibrant and young city with an entrepreneurial spirit, so a good place to think about opening a small business. Also a wide range of career choices in technology.

4. Atlanta, Georgia, is a hub for the financial and technology industries with positions in accounting, civil and electrical engineering and jobs at Fortune 500 companies like Coca Cola, UPS and Home Depot.

5. Fort Worth, Texas, with job opportunities in teaching, construction, even vision care products and air craft equipment.

ABC NEWS, March 12, 2008

Lake Resort Coming to Lake Travis

2008-02-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

Mahogany, A Lake Resort is a proposed resort-styled residential community planned for a 242-acre site on Lake Travis. Check out the details below.

Major Lake Travis Resort Project Sold

A 242-acre site on Lake Travis expected to become a resort-style residential community is in new hands.

Turnback Development LLC, part of the Tharaldson family of companies, has purchased the tract in Lago Vista from Dallas-based Winston Capital Corp. for an undisclosed price. Winston bought the property in 2006 and laid out a plan for 700 living units including condos and single-family homes in an amenity-rich development.

Dillon, Colo.-based Equilibrium Resorts will manage the development and operation of the property for Turnback. The tract with roughly 11,000 linear feet along the lake is southwest of the intersection of Lohman Ford Road and FM 1431.

The new owners have renamed the site -- previously known as Turnback Ranch – Mahogany, A Lake Resort. Equilibrium's concept for the project includes a Mediterranean style village, resort hotel, estate-size lakefront home sites, single-family home sites and townhomes. All told, there will be about 700 residential units.

Meanwhile, Winston Capital is already developing the Waterford on Lake Travis project, a 460-acre master-planned development just outside Lago Vista and south of the Mahogany site. The Waterford project includes more than 300 homes, as well as Waterstone, a 71-unit, luxury lakefront condominium project that is currently under construction and expected to be ready for occupancy by August 2008. The condo project is already 40 percent pre-sold.

Austin Business Journal – February 18, 2008

"The Office" has Expanded!!

2008-02-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Crosswind Realty Office Expansion & Relocation

“The Office” has expanded!! That’s right – we needed a bigger boat! Our new 43-foot office has officially brought us into the ‘yacht’ category! It is a Formula 40 PC. We just love it and so do Mick’s clients!

We’ve also dropped anchor at a new location! "The Office" has been moved North Shore Marina at The Hollows on Lake Travis (no longer at Emerald Point Marina). North Shore Marina was voted the Best Marina in Texas last year!

For those of you who may not know, when Mick Hooper asks you to meet him at "The Office", you're in for a treat. His 43-foot yacht, named "The Office", offers a hint at how Mick views his career of helping his real estate clients make the most of their opportunities. As Mick puts it, "I like to put the fun back into what most people consider a very serious business." And he delivers - with his unique ability to not only offer a local perspective, but valuable insider information that clients can only get from someone who knows - and lives - the dynamic Lake Travis lifestyle.

By the way, just say the word, and with the generator Mick & Tracy will fire up the margarita blender and you can enjoy one of ‘Mick’s Margarita’s’ (mean or mild) while touring the lake!

Guess Who is Ranked #1?

2008-02-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

The self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" is booming, thanks in large part to Austin's high-tech industry (key employers include Dell, IBM and Apple) and the University of Texas, which provides the area with a steady stream of engineering talent. In addition to music, the city also has a thriving film industry. Its projected gross domestic product growth by 2012 is second only to Mobile, Ala., and first among the largest 100 metro areas in the country. Metro area Austin's population is expected to grow nearly 15% by 2012.

FORBES Ranks Austin #1 Fastest-Growing Large Metro!

To compile our list, we looked at all of the country's 363 metropolitan areas, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau has a geographic region with a "core urban area" of at least 50,000 people. Because many small metro areas are high growth--and because we wanted to show growth in large cities as well--we split the group into two classes: the largest 100 metro areas (with at least 528,000 people) and everyone else. We use projections run for us by Moody's Economy.com to show growth in "gross metropolitan product (GMP)," between 2007-2012.

Of course, if one looks at economic growth in the country's largest 100 metros, the usual suspects jump to the top of the list. With an estimated 32% GMP growth from 2007-2012, Austin, Texas, is the winner for big metros. Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, Houston and San Jose, Calif., also appear high on the list. What do they all have in common? They're tech hubs with proximity to universities and a healthy increase in population. Austin's population, for example, is expected to increase by nearly 15% by 2012, according to Moody's Economy.com forecasts.

Bruce Katz, director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, says there are several factors to take into consideration when measuring the pulse of a metro area: innovation, human capital, infrastructure and the actual quality of a place.

"These assets drive everything," says Katz. Some ways to measure them: the number of patents a metro area produces (innovation), the number of college graduates that live there (human capital), the amount of passenger miles its residents travel (infrastructure) and the vibrancy of its downtown area (quality of place).

A glance at the country's most economically healthy large metro areas underscores his point. Computer manufacturer Dell (NASDAQ: DELL - news - people) and the University of Texas anchor Austin's tech community. San Jose receives an influx of grads from places like Stanford and UC-Berkeley who want to work in Silicon Valley. Atlanta, home to Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, is also the headquarters of UPS (NYSE: UPS - news - people), CNN and AT&T Mobility (NYSE: T - news - people), the largest cellular carrier in the United States.

To be sure, GMP is not the only method of measuring a metro area's economic vibrancy. Population growth, job growth, housing starts and personal income growth are all other factors to consider. However, we felt that an examination of the output of goods and services in a metro area was perhaps the purest method of determining how vibrant an economy will be several years down the road.

In the current economic climate, predictions for housing starts are open to the most uncertainty. Moody's forecasts take the current slowdown into consideration but do not account for a potential recession. A study compiled by Global Insight and released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in November found that the most significant losses in real GMP were concentrated in California, though every state has taken a hit.

FORBES, Brian Wingfield and William Pentland, 01-30-08

Spanking The Competition

2008-02-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

Way to go, Austin! Another number one ranking; Austin topped Forbes’ 2008 list of America’s Fastest Growing Metros! Check out the details below in this recent ABJ article…Beautiful Lake Travis is only minutes away from Metro Austin. You can have the best of both worlds, and enjoy living the Lake Travis lifestyle!

Austin Economy Spanks The Competition

High-tech, a booming film industry and the University of Texas all helped propel Austin to the top of Forbes' 2008 list of America's Fastest Growing Metros.

The magazine ranked Austin No. 1 among the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas. The list sorted cities by their anticipated gross domestic product growth between 2007 and 2012. Austin's GMP, or the value of goods and services produced in the area, is expected to climb 32 percent over the five-year period.

Forbes credits the local boom to high-tech employers like Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) as well as the University of Texas, which is producing ample engineering talent.

Other cities that ranked high on the list include Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, Houston and San Jose, Calif. The Forbes article points out that all of those cities share several key characteristics with Austin: They are tech hubs in close proximity to universities with growing population bases.

Forbes used GMP forecasts provided by Moody's Economy.com.

The regions of the country with the fastest growing metro areas overall are the Southeast and West. Forbes credits the lower costs of living and doing business in those areas for their higher anticipated performance.

Austin Business Journal – January 31, 2008

Looking For A Bargain?

2008-01-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

A recent newspaper report stated that Texas homes are some of the most undervalued in the nation! Here are the details…

Austin Housing Market A Bargain

Austin and other Texas housing markets are among the most undervalued in the nation, according to a new analysis of data by Global Insight Inc. and National City Corp.

The companies looked at prices in 333 metro areas in the third quarter of 2007. Such reports are considered important indicators of potential decline and growth in specific cities.

In calculating valuations, the companies used a complex statistical model that included prices, interest rates, household incomes, population density and any historical premiums or discounts for each market. The percentage of over- and under valuations is intended to reflect where a housing market's price should be.

In Austin, and in Texas overall, recent rapid increases in home prices never occurred, so the state has avoided the real estate bubble that has plagued coastal areas.

If a city's housing is over- or undervalued by up to 14 percent, it is still considered within a fair market range. Anything outside that range means a considerable over- or undervaluation.

For instance, Austin, at -9.1 percent, is in the fair market range, while Dallas, at -28.1 percent, is considered undervalued.

The writers of the report, "House Prices in America," caution about overinterpreting the data. For instance, though homes in Bend, Ore., are overvalued by 70 percent, which does not necessarily mean prices in that city are expected to fall that much in the near future.

Austin American Statesman – December 26, 2007 - Austin American Statesman Staff

The Boat Show is Coming!!

2008-01-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

The Austin Boat Show is coming!!! Here are the details…

2008 Austin Boat Show: January 17-20
Austin Convention Center

SHOW FEATURES:
The Austin Boat Show serves a seven-county area for the boating trades industry. Come check out the personal watercraft, boating accessories, products and services from over 200 exhibitors.
More boats, including luxury cruisers. See new model boats for cruising, skiing, sailing, wakeboarding, and fishing.
Boater education classes taught by Texas Parks & Wildlife. (Registration and $13.00 fee required for 2-day class for Certification)
200 Exhibitors and over 15 Local Area Boat Dealers
NEW! Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel makes his Austin debut.

Boat Show Hours:
Thursday, January 17- 12:00pm-10:00pm
Friday, January 18- 12:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday, January 19- 10:00am-10:00pm
Sunday, January 20- 10:00am-6:00pm

Admission:
Adults (ages 13 and over): $8
Children 7-12: $4
Seniors 65 and Over: $4
Children 6 & Under: FREE

For more details, CLICK HERE to check out the Austin Boat Show website!

CLICK HERE to download a Show Coupon for a discount off admission!

Bring the whole family and experience the boating lifestyle!

The Office wins Parade of Lights!

2007-12-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! "The Office" (my Formula 40 PC) took top honors at Carlos 'N Charlie's Parade of Lights 2007. The Griswald in me is SO proud!

The Crosswind Realty crew had The Office decked out with thousands of Christmas lights, including lighted palm trees and pink flamingos, for this year's Christmas regatta benefiting Brown Santa.

"The Office" took First Place in the Cruiser Division!

But maybe even better, in a true sweep of the awards show, we won the prize for Nuttiest Crew. (Not that I had any doubts, but I didn't even realize this was even a prize category.) Our pink lei-and-flamingo clad crew spontaneously erupted into a conga line (more than once) through the bar at Carlos 'N Charlies, drawing high-fives from the rest of the party-goers.

Click here for the pictures!
and Click here for the VIDEO!

Boat Parade & Fireworks!

2007-11-28T12:27:00.000-08:00

Now that you’ve already been stuffed with turkey, it’s time to…

Kick off the Holiday Season

Lake Travis Style!!

Come to Carlos’N Charlie’s for the Parade of Lights
Holiday Boat Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza!!

Time to dust off those decorations and ‘Deck out’ your boat!!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Parade starts at Starnes Island at 6 PM
For Registration Form, CLICK HERE
For More Details, CLICK HERE

Austin is 3rd in the Nation!

2007-11-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

Austin is third in the nation with 3 Texas cities in the top 10! To determine these areas, Forbes.com consulted Demographia, a St. Louis-based research company that compiles U.S. Census growth data from 2000 to 2006. Each metro was measured based on population increases as a percentage of overall population. See below for more information...

America’s Fastest Growing Cities

For some city dwellers, more people means more headaches. But economically, an increase in population is generally a good thing. It also helps to create a healthy housing market by introducing new buyers into the mix. Austin ranked third in the list of cities that have grown at accelerated rates – Las Vegas came in first, then Phoenix, then Austin.
Growing cities are more able to attract, retain and develop businesses by offering a robust workforce. And more people means more tax revenue.

In the housing market, the implications are obvious. Nationwide, the inventory glut has contributed to plummeting prices in cities around the country. But in areas experiencing growth, housing markets are relatively healthy. These include Austin; Charlotte, N.C.; Houston; and Dallas.

Economic stability in any market depends on growth, something cities are acutely aware of when it comes to augmenting their population.

Forbes.com – Matt Woolsey - October 31, 2007

Oasis Project

2007-10-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

The Oasis, a popular Austin restaurant, has long been known as one of the best places to enjoy spectacular Lake Travis sunsets! Soon the scenery immediately surrounding The Oasis will be changing…

Oasis Project Set to Begin Near Lake Travis

Site work is under way for the next set of million-dollar mansions, and construction should start early next year on a Mediterranean village-like retail center at the Comanche Canyon Ranch development above the eastern shore of Lake Travis.

Restaurateur-turned-developer Beau Theriot received approval in 2006 for a planned-unit development that could fill out 120 acres of the hilltops surrounding The Oasis, his popular, decades-old restaurant. The multiple phases of the more than $250 million Comanche Canyon Ranch include single-family homes, 40,000 square feet of office space, 24 condominiums, a 25,000-square-foot retail complex and a four-story parking garage.

Theriot calls his vision for the commercial development Oasis, Texas -- a destination for relaxation and having fun on the order of locales like Luckenbach.

"I wanted to create a place where people can bring their friends and family to show them what Texas really has to offer," he says.

Austin Business Journal – by A. J. Mistretta, October 19, 2007

Housing Market Update

2007-10-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

A news release from the National Association of Realtors has some good news about Austin real estate, amid all the national gloom and doom. The release follows:

Austin Housing Market

Conditions in the mortgage market are improving for consumers, which should help to release some pent-up demand in early 2008, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors.

Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, notes that widening credit availability will help turn around home sales. "Conforming loans are abundantly available at historically favorable mortgage rates. Pricing has steadily improved on jumbo mortgages since the August credit crunch, and FHA loans are replacing subprime mortgages," he said.

Yun said it's important to place the current housing market in perspective, and that 2007 will be the fifth highest year on record for existing-home sales. "Although sales are off from an unsustainable peak in 2005, there is a historically high level of home sales taking place this year - a lot of people are, in fact, buying homes," he said. "One out of 16 American households is buying a home this year. The speculative excesses have been removed from the market and home sales are returning to fundamentally healthy levels, while prices remain near record highs, reflecting favorable mortgage rates and positive job gains."

He emphasized all real estate is local with naturally large variations within a given area. "Markets like Austin, Salt Lake City and Raleigh have been outperforming recently and will continue to do well next year," Yun said. "Other areas like Denver and Wichita will likely move up in the price growth rankings due to very positive local economic developments."

Existing-home sales are expected to total 5.78 million in 2007 and then rise to 6.12 million next year, in contrast with 6.48 million in 2006. New-home sales are forecast at 804,000 this year and 752,000 in 2008, down from 1.05 million in 2006; a recovery for new homes will be delayed until next spring.

"A cutback in housing construction is a positive sign for the market because it will help lower inventory and firm up home prices," Yun said. Housing starts, including multifamily units, are likely to total 1.37 million in 2007 and 1.24 million next year, down from 1.80 million in 2006.

Realtors’ President Pat V. Combs, from Grand Rapids, Mich., and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt, said, "Housing is still a good long-term investment, and we'll be seeing a broad, modest improvement in home prices in 2008. With widely varying conditions, the best advice for consumers is to consult a Realtor in their area to learn about local market conditions because supply and demand can change from one neighborhood to the next."

Existing-home prices will probably slip 1.3 percent to a median of $219,000 in 2007 before rising 1.3 percent next year to $221,800. The median new-home price should drop 2.1 percent to $241,400 this year, and then increase 1.0 percent in 2008 to $243,900.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is expected to average 6.4 percent for the next two quarters and then edge up to the 6.6 percent range in the second half 2008. Additional cuts expected in the Fed funds rate will help to keep mortgage interest rates historically favorable.

Growth in the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at 2.0 percent this year, below the 2.9 percent growth rate in 2006; GDP is likely to grow 2.7 percent next year. The unemployment rate is forecast to average 4.6 percent this year, unchanged from 2006. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is expected to be 2.8 percent in 2007, compared with 3.2 percent last year. Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income will probably increase 3.6 percent in 2007, up from 3.1 percent last year.

Austin American Statesman - October 10, 2007

2007 In-the-Water Boat Show

2007-10-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the In-the-Water Boat Show October 11-14th!

2007 Lake Travis In-the-Water Boat & Brokerage Show to Deliver More Than Great Deals!

Central Texas consumers are invited to step aboard hundreds of 2008 model sport and motor yachts, sailing yachts and performance boats at the 2007 Lake Travis In-the-Water Boat & Brokerage Show. The region’s only “in the water” boat show will be held October 11 through 14 at Emerald Point Marina and Carlos’N Charlie’s located at 5973 Hiline Road Austin, Texas 78734.

Marking the end of the summer boating season and the beginning of the boat buying season for Central Texas boaters and dealers, the 2007 Lake Travis In-the-Water Boat & Brokerage Show will run Thursday through Saturday from noon to 7:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission is free.

Attendees will enjoy a preview of hundreds of sport and motor yachts, sailing yachts and performance boats ranging from 22 to 60 feet in length showcased by Central Texas’ most prestigious boat dealers. Those dealers are:

Austin Boats & Motors
Boat Town
Eriksen Marine
Lake LBJ Marineland
Sail & Ski
South Austin Marine
Texas Sailing
The Ski Dock

Unique to the 2007 Lake Travis In-the-Water Boat & Brokerage Show is a large selection of brokerage boats. For the first time ever, attendees to this show can select from previously-owned yachts and boats of all sizes.

With more square miles of inland water than any other state, Texas ranked sixth in the country for the most registered boats; according to Texas Parks and Wildlife approximately 595,000 boats were registered in Texas in 2005.

For up-to-the-minute details and links, Click Here. How about a Boat Show Coupon?

dBNews Austin - September 24, 2007

Austin Made The List!

2007-10-01T12:59:00.001-07:00

In the current issue of Boating Life Magazine there is an article on the 10 Best Places to Live and Boat… Austin made the list of course!!

Here’s how Mike Tyler introduced his article, and what he had to say about our great city of Austin:

Somewhere the grass is always greener and the water always bluer. The question: Don't such thoughts have more to do with fantasy than reality? Maybe not. We investigated boating communities throughout the country, looking for the variety of boating opportunities, boat-friendly regulations, water access, availability of waterfront homes, health of the local economy and overall lifestyle for boaters. Austin was included in the list of 10 locations where boaters might find that imagination meets reality. Here’s what they had to say about our great city:

AUSTIN, TEXAS
Starting in Austin and stretching 85 miles northwest of the city, the Highland Lakes region of Texas is a string of six lakes known for boating and fishing, and as a popular retirement area. But it's also a magnet for younger people because of the healthy economy (which is not dependent on just one industry) and the outdoor lifestyle. By far the most popular of the waterways are the two lakes closest to the city of Austin: Lake Austin and Lake Travis. Each has its distinct advantages.

"The environments are very different," says Marla Schwartz, assistant manager of Lake Austin Marina. "Lake Austin is a lot more focused on skiing and wakeboarding. Lake Travis has more big boats."

To put the general atmosphere in perspective, there are more than a dozen marinas on Lake Travis. And in an effort to keep up with the growing demand, lakefront communities - Lakeway, Briarcliff, Lago Vista and many others - have sprouted up on the water.

Scorecard (scale of 1-5)
Waterfront Availability: 5
Ease for Boaters: 4
Strong Boat-Related Business: 4
Number of Good Boating Days: 4

To read the complete article & see the other 9 cities on the list, CLICK HERE.

Waterstone is Underway!

2007-09-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

I was reading the Austin Business Journal Wednesday, and came across an article I wanted to share with you. It’s an update on the Waterstone condos to be built within the Waterford on Lake Travis community…

Ground Breaks on Lakefront Condos

Construction has begun on Waterstone, a $27 million previously announced condo project on Lake Travis.

The 71-unit development is within the master-planned Waterford on Lake Travis community off Lohman's Ford Road in Lago Vista. Dallas-based Winston Capital Corp. is leading development of the project with equity partner Realty Capital Partners.

Designed by the architectural firm of PageSoutherlandPage LLP, Waterstone will feature two- and three-bedroom condominium homes ranging in size from 1,400 to 1,800 square feet. The units are priced from $400,000 to $600,000.

"We are fortunate to be situated on one of the prime locations on Lake Travis," says Richard Barge, president of Winston Capital. He says the project will allow homeowners to experience lakeside living at a fraction of the cost of single-family homes in the area.

Austin Business Journal, 09-26-07

Get To Know Mick Hooper...

2007-09-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

The Hooper Family
Mick with wife Tracy Angelocci and daughter Chance.

The Lake Travis View recently interviewed Yours Truly for their ‘Lake Travis People’ section, with Charles McClure… Read on for a little insight into Mick Hooper, your Lake Travis Specialist!

Hooper Strives to Give Clients a ‘Day in the Life’ Experience!

Name: Mick Hooper

Family: My wife, Dr. Tracy Angelocci and our daughter, Chance - a 2-1/2 yr old who we adopted from China about 3 months ago. My mom lives in Cedar Park and I have 3 siblings scattered across the country.

Occupation: Real estate broker, owner of Crosswind Realty (specializing in Lake Travis real estate)

Previous jobs: I’ve been a construction superintendent (building apartment complexes), owned my own home remodeling company, and was a flight attendant and new-hire instructor for American Airlines

Education: Life experience! Business courses at the community college level, 900+ hours in real estate courses to achieve broker status

If you could give advice to those who are just starting their careers, what would you say? Follow something you’re passionate about, work for yourself, and go into your venture adequately funded. Get a business coach!

What are the best/worst parts of your job? The best part is spending the day with clients on the boat. I have a 40 ft Formula PC named “The Office” that I use to sell waterfront real estate. I give my clients a ‘day in the life’ experience – not just looking at property, but visiting lakefront restaurants, trolling through Devil’s Cove to people-watch, and firing up the blender for a pitcher of margaritas. The worst part of real estate is the mountains of paperwork – but, really, I have it good because I have licensed employees who manage that for me, and my wife is an expert at putting systems and processes in place to automate the business and free up my time to sell.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? “Just do SOMETHING, even if it’s wrong” – in other words, show initiative and don’t be fearful of failure

Who – fictional or real – most closely resembles your work ethic, values, etc.? Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines; Or at least his public persona – offer great service, have fun doing it, and create raving fans in both your clients and employees. (Should I mention that when I met him in person, though, he had a blonde under each arm, a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other?)

Whom would you choose to play you in a movie? Seriously? Well, fame is one of my goals, so I’d like to play myself! Please send scripts to....

Favorite television shows? I’ll veg to anything that’s on after the baby falls asleep! A lot of comedy in syndication.

Favorite books? Anything by Clive Cussler

Favorite movies? I have a 2 year old – I don’t get to see movies! But I would watch anything playing at Alamo Drafthouse – after a bucket of beer, does it matter what it is?

Favorite bands? Whoever is playing at Carlos ‘N Charlie’s when I’m down on the dock. The CD most played on the boat is Jimmy Buffet.

Favorite place to relax? Lake Travis, of course! Second favorite is the wine country in northern California. Third favorite is the beaches of the Mayan Riviera. I could go on....

If you didn’t have the job you have now, what would you be doing instead? Schlepping sombreros on the beaches of Cabo... I haven’t been able to find the down side to that job. Walk a little, talk to some people, take a siesta, make a sale, and go for a swim...

Lake Travis View – August 30, 2007

Performance Better Than Most...

2007-09-11T12:43:00.001-07:00

If you’re looking for a great place to settle down, or even just for investment purposes, Lake Travis and the Austin area Real Estate Market is a great choice for many reasons. This recent article from the Austin Business Journal gives you yet another reason – the strong Austin economy!

Austin Economy Performs Better Than Most

Austin leaders discussed job creation and business growth Friday morning at The Austin Chamber of Commerce's Education Roundtable: 2007 Regional Labor Market Forecast.

Brian Kelsey, assistant director of the Capital Area Council of Governments, presented an economic update and outlook on behalf of CAPCOG.

Regional job growth in the Austin-Round Rock area was above 2.5 percent during the past seven years, outpacing both state and national job growth rates during that same time period, says Kelsey.

The Austin area saw 1,275 new manufacturing jobs created last year. The computer programming sector added 64 new firms and 1,261 new jobs last year. Similarly, the computer systems design sector added 48 new firms and 440 new jobs in 2006. And wired telecommunications firms added 45 new businesses and 939 new employees, according to the CAPCOG presentation.

In Austin, wages are keeping pace with other comparable metropolitan markets and the area continues to attract new residents, according to Kelsey.

The chamber also presented an update of its five-year strategy plan {2004-2008} to create new jobs, attract corporate relocations, and diversify the city's economic base.

By 2008, the chamber hopes to generate 72,000 new jobs and reach its goal of attracting 100 new businesses to the area. So far in the past year there have been 33,100 jobs created in 2006 and 36 corporate relocations have been announced.

Austin Business Journal - September 7, 2007

Lago Vista is Getting Put on the Map!

2007-08-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

A Houston developer has snapped up about 900 acres around Lake Travis with the intention of putting Lago Vista on the map for the next wave of Central Texas residential development!

Houston Developer Targets Site Near Lago Vista

Hines Interests LP, an international real estate firm, now owns 875 acres in Lago Vista between FM 1431 and Lake Travis. The plan is to eventually turn the pristine property into an upscale residential development, says Lago Vista City Manager Bill Angelo.

Hines closed on the land, purchased from a group of families in the Rogers Ranch Group, within the past four months for an undisclosed price.

Angelo says right now the land is outside the Lago Vista city limits, and Hines and city officials are talking about a development agreement that could include annexation. While a firm land-use plan is about six months away, Angelo says, the project is slated to have about 2,000 upscale homes.

"It's a beautiful piece of land," says Mark Sprague, a partner with Residential Strategies who's working with Hines on the project. "It's perfectly terraced for a builder."

Sprague says the move by Hines, as well as the completion of U.S. 183A, will open up Lago Vista to interest from developers looking to capitalize on lakefront property and proximity to Central Texas employment hubs.

The city has already seen a sharp increase in proposed residential and mixed-use projects in the last several years, says Klee Lee, administrator with the Lago Vista Economic Development Foundation. If the proposed developments currently before the city come to fruition, Lago Vista could see an additional 4,000 homes in the works in coming years, Lee says.

"I think we have a rise in development just like Leander and Cedar Park," she says. "As Austin expands ... there's nowhere else to go."

Sprague says the price tag on lakefront acreage has gone up dramatically in the last two to three years. While an acre on Lake Travis might have cost around $50,000 three years ago, Sprague says the same land, especially on the south side of the lake, can now run for $100,000 to $500,000.

Austin Business Journal – August 17, 2007 by Kate Harrington, ABJ Staff

Wanna Know What's Up?

2007-08-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Austin Home Prices Up 5.6 Percent; National Trend Down

The cost of Austin-area homes has increased 5.6 percent in the last 12 months as prices on the national stage dropped 1.5 percent, a report released Wednesday shows.

The median price for a home in the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan market stood at $186,600 at the end of the second quarter, up from $176,700 in the second quarter of 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors' quarterly housing report.

Austin is among the 97 U.S. metropolitan markets out of the 149 examined that saw increases in median existing-single family home prices in the last year. Nine of those markets had double-digit gains. However, prices fell in 50 markets-- another telltale sign that last year's rosy U.S. homebuilding landscape is no more. Prices in two of the 149 markets remained unchanged.

"Although home prices are relatively flat, more metro areas are showing price gains with general improvement since bottoming out in the fourth quarter of 2006," says Lawrence Yun, a senior economist with NAR. "Recent mortgage disruptions will hold back sales temporarily, but the fundamental momentum clearly suggests stabilizing price trends in many local markets."

The national median existing single-family home price was $223,800 in the second quarter, down from the second quarter of 2006 when the median price was $227,100. The median is a typical market price where half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less, but NAR points out that there has been a downward skew in the national comparison since sales have declined in many high-cost areas while rising in some lower cost markets.

"Since all real estate is local, this report on metro area home prices is more meaningful than our monthly data on national prices because metro areas are less subject to price distortion that can result from geographic changes in the composition of sales," says Yun.

Austin Business Journal, Thursday August 16, 2007

Real Estate Strong in Texas!

2007-07-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

Thinking about purchasing real estate in Lake Travis, Austin, or the surrounding area? Buy with confidence! Lake Travis real estate is hot, the lake is full, and the views are just incredible!

Texas Surpasses National Home Appreciation Rate

According to recent figures from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, home prices in Texas increased 6.9 percent during first quarter 2007, well above the 4.3 percent national average.

“Despite the national slowdown, Texas is still strong,” said Dr. James Gaines, research economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. “There’s no reason prices shouldn't continue to rise despite the increase in foreclosures and the slowdown in transactions, construction and new home starts.”

By comparison, home appreciation slowed to 1.2 percent in California and 3 percent in New York. Nevada price increases virtually disappeared at just .6 percent. Even rapidly growing Florida and Arizona reported value increases of 4.3 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively.

Within Texas, there is a wide variation in appreciation rates in the 25 metropolitan areas. Combined with low interest rates, strong job growth and limited supply on new housing in many markets, Gaines says some of the appreciation rates are astounding.

“Among the state’s large metro areas, Austin and San Antonio are seeing the strongest rate increases at more than 10 percent,” he said. “With low levels of inventory and building permits off by over 20 percent in each community, it’s easy to see why these two markets are humming.”

News Release June 2007, Brian Pope, Associate Editor, The Real Estate Center

Fireworks!

2007-06-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

Don’t Miss The Fireworks…
Not one, but three shows to tell you about!
Start out at Carlos’N Charlie’s on
Tuesday, July 3rd!
~Fireworks start at 9:15pm~
Rock the Lake Show!
Music by several bands, including Vallejo!
(See Carlos’N Charlie’s website for ticket pricing/info)

Then, catch the action at Johnny Fins on
Wednesday, July 4th!
~Fireworks start just after dusk~
Afterward enjoy music by London Calling!
( See Johnny Fins website for details)
OR
Check out the show in Lago Vista on
Wednesday, July 4th!
~Fireworks start at dark~
Bring your blanket & see the show at Bar-K Park
A variety of food will be available for purchase.
Events planned all day ~ from 6:30am until midnight!
(See Lago Vista website for event schedule & details)

Lakefront Restaurant to Try...

2007-06-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

My wife Tracy & I recently checked out the new Café Blue lakefront restaurant... (Formerly Café Bleu)

It was closed and has now re-opened under new management through Carlos ‘N Charlie’s ~ great news for everyone!

Have You Been to the New Café Blue?

If you’ve never been there, to get there by land, you’ll find it at 8714 Lime Creek Road in Volente. To get there by boat, it’s located at the Sandy Creek Marina, up the Sandy Creek arm of Lake Travis, which is at Mile Marker 7, (near Starnes Island). Eventually they will have a map on their web site, but as of now the web site is still under construction. Contact them at (512) 996-8188 if you have any questions or need directions.

Café Blue has outdoor dining only, so they are only open during the spring and summer. They will be open from April through as late in the season as weather permits. Their current hours are:

Monday, OPEN 11 AM – 10 PM
Tuesday, CLOSED
Wednesday, CLOSED
Thursday, OPEN 11 AM – 10 PM
Friday, 11 AM – 11 PM
Saturday, 10 AM – 11 PM
Sunday, 10 AM – 10 PM

On Saturday and Sunday they serve brunch from 10 AM – 2 PM, with menu items like the Starnes Island Omelet – a delicious cheese omelet topped with shrimp and crawfish Cajun cream sauce – and Blue Corn Migas!

It’s all outdoor dining right on the water, on a large covered deck with misters and fans that keep you cool and comfortable. Tiki torches are lit at sundown. The food is decidedly upscale by lake standards. It’s the place to go on the north side if you’re older than the “20-something” crowd.

Here’s what we recommend off the menu: They have great homemade potato chips with roasted garlic dip, tacos Del Lago (blackened redfish and homemade coleslaw in corn tortillas), pepper crusted New York strip (topped with candied pecans, blue cheese and scallions) and the blue corn tortilla crusted redfish. Oh, and the Long Island Iced Tea packs a nice punch!

We’ll definitely be back! You should check it out sometime. Remember to bring your Secret Handshake Club Card with you!!! ~ This is one place you just might see me, and if you do, just show me your card and I’ll buy you a drink– if you’re not already a member of my Secret Handshake Club, or you want more information about joining, CLICK HERE. See ya on the lake!

Do You Know What Lago Vista is Getting?

2007-04-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

How about a $300 Million for a resort – style lakefront community? Check out the details released in the Austin Business Journal today…

Lago Vista gets $300M Project – Resort community to feature lakefront homes.

Returning to lay claim to another tract along the north shore of Lake Travis, a Dallas developer is drawing up plans for a $300 million resort-style community that will add fuel to a rapidly developing lakefront market.

Winston Capital Corp. bought 245 acres known as Turnback Ranch in Lago Vista last year. The tract with roughly 11,000 linear feet along the lake is southwest of the intersection of Lohman Ford Road and FM 1431. Winston is mapping out more than 700 living units, ranging from single-family homes to possible condominiums, in an amenity-rich community. The company plans to break ground later this year.

Austin Business Journal – April 27, 2007 A. J. Mistretta, ABJ Staff

Five Wonderful Words!

2007-04-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love the sound of those five wonderful words…Lake levels returning to normal – or better yet…The drought is finally over! Yes, Lake Travis is 82% full right now, at 662.36 feet above mean sea level. Check out this report from KVUE News just last night…

Lake Levels Returning to Normal

The drought is over and for several weeks now, the water levels have been back to near normal at most lakes. Only Lake Buchanan remains well below average. While some businesses have already cashed in, others are still waiting.

Even the soothing waters of Lake Travis may not calm what some hope will be a rush of sun seekers this weekend.

The owner of Johnny Fin’s Restaurant, Bryan Kelly, says with lake levels now back near normal, business at his restaurant the past week has been anything but.

”We’ve had nice weather and a full lake and we didn’t last year. We’ve been doing summer-type numbers,” he said.

Just four weeks ago, the concern was more than visible. Water levels stood 15-16 feet below where they are today. Some were wondering about how another dry summer could leave the lake experience a little empty.

Few were as relieved as John Watson, a captain at Daybreak Boat Rentals.

”As long as the lake stays where it is, all the islands that were dangerous are now far enough under water where people aren’t going to hit their propellers,” he said.

Watson says his season is just beginning and he expects a full weekend.

By Kevin Peters, KVUE News - 10:36 PM CDT Friday, April 20, 2007

Lake Travis is Rising

2007-03-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Great news!!
Thanks to recent rains, Lake Travis is filling up again.
Every drop counts, and more rain is on the way!

Lake Travis Recharged by Recent Rains

Lake Travis is now at its highest level since June of last year because of the heavy rains.

LCRA hydrologists are forecasting the lake to rise to an elevation of about 662 to 664 feet above sea level by this weekend.

That’s about 8-and-a-half to 10-and-a-half feet above where the lake’s level was when the rain started on Sunday.

"We passed that water on through Lake LBJ and into Lake Buchanan on down into Lake Travis. The reason for the floogates is so much rain fell so quickly that all that water rushed into the lake really quick. We wanted to keep the level of Lake LBJ from rising very fast,” LCRA meteorologist Bob Rose said.

Lake Travis is still 13 feet below its average elevation for March.

But LCRA says by the end of this round of storms, about 120,000 acre-feet of water will have been captured in lakes Buchanan and Travis combined.

That’s the equivalent of the amount of water used by the City of Austin alone in about a year.

News 8 Austin Staff: 03-27-07

Care to Take a Walk?

2007-03-20T17:02:00.001-07:00

If ‘walking is your kind of thing’ then ‘Austin is your kind of place’… Austin just scored second best city in the country for fitness and walking! Remember that folks also enjoy walking the scenic trails in our wonderful parks along Lake Travis and the surrounding areas too!

Austin Named One of Best Cities to Take a Walk

Austinites are getting some more national attention for getting off the couch. Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association have named Austin the second best city in the country for fitness and walking.

This is the second year in a row that Austin has topped the list of the top 12 American cities best suited for walking. According to Prevention, the elements that make a city "fitness walker friendly" include safe streets, beautiful places to walk, mild weather and good air quality.

Some of the specific criteria the publication used to rank cities on the list include the percentage of the population that walks for exercise, the use of mass transit, the number of parks per square mile, the points of interest per square mile, the average winter and summer temperatures and the percentage of athletic shoe buyers.

The survey studied 125 of the most populated American cities, and Austin came in at number 2, just behind Madison, Wis.

"While it's nice to receive accolades, in my opinion, we're nowhere near as pedestrian-friendly as we need to be," says Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "Fortunately, the continued revitalization and repopulation of downtown, as well as other developments like the Triangle and the old Mueller Airport, are big steps in the right direction."

The results of the walking list will appear in the April issue of Prevention.

Austin Business Journal - 10:32 AM CDT Tuesday, March 20, 2007

What? Shades Closes for Good?!

2007-03-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Shades, a popular floating restaurant on the North Shore of Lake Travis for 15 years, has closed its doors for good. Check out all the details in this article from the North Lake Travis LOG…

New PV Restaurant to Take Place of Shades

The Point Venture Property Owners’ Association voted February 18th to approve signing a new lease for a restaurant replacing Shades. By a 5-4 vote, Shades was required to leave its longtime floating location by March 1, with Point Venture Restaurant Group Inc. taking its place. The new restaurant will be open year round, and the ships store at the marina will become a convenience store.

There are also several new benefits to the PVPOA and its members. For one, the rent increases substantially. Under the old lease, Shades paid the PVPOA $14,513 a year. With the new lease, the new restaurant will be paying the POA 5% of its net profits, paid as a base rent of $46,000 per year. The new tenant will give a 10% discount to PVPO members and their guests on food, drinks and items purchased at the store. POA members will be allowed to purchase gas for boats at 50 cents over the tenants cost at the gas dock. Other plans include replacing and partially enclosing the seating area.

In an e-mail to nearly 100 people, Shades owner Larry Muske presented reasons why he could not sign the lease presented to him by the PVPOA. “I was presented with a lease that I felt was not economically feasible,” Muske wrote. He listed some of the items as: a complete line of groceries; absolute personal liability; bound to the lease for 15 years and unable to sell without being liable; live entertainment and late night bar hours; and being open 12 months a year. “The Board that brought me on 15 years ago instructed me to close at 10 p.m.; to keep the noise down; and to have a family friendly atmosphere, ”Muske wrote. “Your new Board wants live entertainment, noise, late bar hours, eggs, bread, milk and personal liability. I cannot do this. I am saddened beyond words to lose something that I’ve poured my heart and soul into for the past 15 years.” Muske wrote. “While I will miss my loyal customers and friends here, I am truly looking forward to moving on to a new and different adventure in my life.”

The new partners in the restaurant are Mike and Jan Walsh, and Todd Hynes. Mike Walsh was a former partner in The Pier on Lake Austin a managed it for 19 years. Hynes was also a partner in another Lake Travis waterfront restaurant.

PVPOA President Jim Hawkins explained that the POA board began planning for the expiration of the Shades lease months ago. A survey of members was conducted, and the PVPOA Board appointed a committee to determine what other benefits might be available to members of the community from the restaurant amenity. The committee put together a request for proposal that was advertised and distributed to the public. Two groups submitted proposals to the committee. According to Hawkins, both were very qualified, but the committee decided on the final group to submit its proposal for running the restaurant at Point Venture.

All of the “deal points” that were written into the new lease were ideas that the new lessee proposed and none of them were suggested or requested by the committee, Hawkins said. The lease agreement was given to Muske and he was given 30 days to agree to the terms. The board explained to Muske that under the right of first refusal it could negotiate the terms of the lease with him, but only if the changes he proposed represented a comparable or better benefit than the one that he wished to remove.

According to the board, Muske presented a list of 17 items he wanted negotiated out of or changed in the lease, but proposed no alternative benefits that the board considered to be in any way comparable or better than what he wished to remove. After negotiation and discussion, the board was not able to reach an agreement with Muske and he chose not to sign the lease that was agreed to by the third party. “The board truly regrets that Larry chose not to renew his lease with the POA…the board based our decision on what we felt was in the best interest of our membership,” Hawkins said.

As far as live entertainment, the board only gives its OK on a one or two person group, but no full bands. Hawkins said the sound from music will be lessened after the area is enclosed. Also, after a new wave break for Point Venture’s marina is completed, the live music, along with the restaurant, will move away from the shore. The PVPOA owns the kitchen building and the dock. The new owners are negotiating on buying the bar and the seating area from Muske. If the new restaurant gets the building, the new owners will remodel. If not, a new restaurant will be built. Hawkins said the new owners hope to have the restaurant open by April 1, but may take until May.

North Lake Travis LOG – February 22, 2007 By Staff Writer Kimberly Bates

Do You Love to Dive?

2007-03-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

If you love to dive, check out this new business that just started up last November, 2006. It’s called Buba Dives, and they offer a safe alternative to shore diving, providing divers the ability to dive numerous locations not accessible from shore. The owner, who is semi-retired, says he created the company for the sheer love of diving; everyone at Buba Dives loves the atmosphere and especially the people in the diving community! That’s a great combination for success – if you love what you do, you do it with passion and have fun with it - I know I do!

Buba Dives Specializes in Lake Travis Scuba Diving Trips

At Buba Dives, all business decisions are based on their philosophy of “Safety first and fun second!” You still have lots of fun – the smart way. Buba Dives says they feel the diving they provide is the safest way to dive on the lake. With a large dive vessel as a platform for your dives you have an experienced Captain / Diver watching from above the entire dive. They operate off of a 30 foot custom pontoon boat located at Keller Marina, taking up to 6 paying customers at a time. We will take our customers to any location on Lake Travis they want to dive as long as their previous dive experience allows for safe diving in that location. We also have a vast knowledge of the lake and can make recommendations based on skill level. We cater to all levels of divers from just open water to certified to technical divers – we go out of our way to cater to the needs of our customers.

Buba Dives does not provide any gear so you will need to bring your own or rent your gear from a local dive shop including your tanks. Buba Dives works with all local dive shops. Contact Buba Dives either by phone at (512) 809-3925 or by email at bubadives@yahoo.com and schedule your dive for the day and time that you want. Hurry! Their trips fill up quick and they operate on a first come, first served basis, so contact them as soon as possible. Have fun!

Ready for a Poker Run?

2007-02-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

Poker Runs! Poker Runs!

It's that time again, so fill 'er up, ante up, and come join the fun!

Here is the latest info I have as far as what's happening and where...

Lake Travis Powerboat Association

2007 Poker Run Schedule

April 27th: Kick-Off Party!!

April 28th: Pre-Season Run

May 19th

June 23rd

July 21st

August 18th

Sept. 15th: Last Run & Year End Party!!

If you come join the fun on a poker run, be sure to

bring your Secret Handshake Club Card!!

**Before you come out to play...

check out these LTPA Rules & Guidelines**

If Drought Continues...What's The Plan?

2007-02-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

We all love Lake Travis! Some of us already have homes on Lake Travis, some of us have real estate or homes for sale on Lake Travis, and some are building homes or buying new homes on Lake Travis. Every day, folks who don’t live on the lake or own property on Lake Travis come out, soak up the sun, enjoy all the fun and excitement of Lake Travis and taste the lake lifestyle for themselves. The drought affects all of us, and many others. The LCRA is taking the drought conditions very seriously, and they have a plan in place…

LCRA Outlines Water Management Plan If Drought Continues...

Citing record-low flows into the region's water supply reservoirs and the first-ever Lower Colorado River Authority curtailment of water sent to rice farmers, LCRA General Manager Joe Beal said the two-year drought still gripping Central Texas could trigger stricter conservation measures.

"LCRA is taking the drought conditions very seriously," Beal said. "We are following our state-approved water management plan to ensure that we can continue to provide water to our customers, we have asked our customers to conserve water, and for the first time ever, we have limited the amount of water we will send downstream for farmers."

Beal stood among representatives from various lake and river interest groups who came from as far up the river basin as Lake Buchanan to as far downstream as the coastal rice-growing region in Matagorda County. The representatives briefly discussed how the drought has affected them and could continue to affect them personally.

Last year was a record low for the amount of water flowing into these lakes - the lowest since 1942 when the two water supply reservoirs, lakes Buchanan and Travis, began operating in tandem.

So while the Austin area received heavy rain early in 2007, many Central Texans may not realize that the rain did not fall in the areas it was needed to recharge the region's water supply. Lakes Buchanan and Travis - the only two water supply reservoirs in the Highland Lakes chain - are 54 percent full. A repeat of last year's weather will drop the lake levels even more, and even if the Central Texas area receives its average amount of rainfall, the lake levels could still be lower by the end of this summer.

"If the drought persists or gets worse, then we will ask our customers to impose water-use restrictions, and we may even have to cut off our agricultural customers," Beal said. Those measures and others are part of LCRA's state-approved water management plan. "Consistent with our mission as a steward of the Colorado River, LCRA is prepared to implement these measures to make it through this drought," he said.

Business Wire – February 9, 2007

Something Fun for Golfers...

2007-02-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

There are many golf courses in Austin, Lake Travis and the surrounding area, and LOTS of golf enthusiasts (my wife and myself included)… A friend sent me this video, and I’d like to share it will all of you. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Video - Free Golf Instructions/Tips from a Pro – Improve Your Golf Swing Today!

Employment/Population Growth in Austin!

2007-01-31T10:24:00.000-08:00

Looking for a job? Consider Austin or Lake Travis! According to a recent report, Austin is expected to record the country’s 2nd highest employment growth rate in 2007! Check out this recent article from the Austin Business Journal…

Job Growth Will Bolster Rental Market

With Austin area employers set to grow their payrolls by 25,000 positions this year, a new report indicates increasing demand will put the squeeze on an already tight local rental market. Vacancy in the Austin apartment market fell to 7.1 percent in 2006 and is expected to decline even further in the coming year as new construction continues to fall short of increasing demand. That's according to Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Co.'s 2007 National Apartment Report.

Asking rents in the market are forecasted to rise 3.2 percent to $817 a month as effective rents jump 5.3 percent to $756 a month. On the supply front, developers are likely to bring roughly 2,800 new units to market in 2007, about the same as 2006. And investors will continue to look for value-add properties near Austin's core as the city continues its efforts to get more people living in and around downtown.

"The local economy and limited new construction will combine to push vacancy rates below 7 percent this year, down from the double-digit rates of three to four years ago," says Brad Bailey, regional manager of Marcus & Millichap's Austin office.

According to the report's findings, Austin is expected to record the second-highest employment growth rate in the country in 2007 along with the second-highest rate of population growth. The report's National Apartment Index, which ranks 42 major apartment markets on a series of indicators, puts Austin at No. 16, up seven places from last year.

Austin Business Journal – January 16, 2007

Multi Million Dollar Fishing Tournament in Lake Travis

2007-01-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

Lake Travis will be an ‘extra’ high-dollar fishing spot in mid-February! Check out this recent article from Yacht Vacations and Charters…We’ve had even more rain since this article came out January 18th!

$9.5 Million Wal-Mart FLW Tour to Visit Lake Travis
"Lake Travis is a deep, rocky and clear highland lake," said Kellogg's pro Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, who has amassed more than $1.2 million in career winnings. "There's lots of rock on the shoreline and very little wood cover. Right now visibility is around four to five feet. I've seen it a lot clearer than it is right now. But it's the lake's level that is going to determine how the tournament plays out."

"Lake Travis is a deep, rocky and clear highland lake," said Kellogg's pro Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, who has amassed more than $1.2 million in career winnings. "There's lots of rock on the shoreline and very little wood cover. Right now visibility is around four to five feet. I've seen it a lot clearer than it is right now. But it's the lake's level that is going to determine how the tournament plays out. We're getting a little more rain now, and the ground's wet, and there's a chance that with the right amount of rain, it could fill up pretty quickly," Wendlandt said. "If the water level really changes, it could add a whole new aspect to the tournament. If it comes up just a foot or two, it won't make a difference."

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 15-16, from Highland Lakes Marina located at 16120 Wharf Cove in Volente, Texas. Thursday and Friday's weigh-ins will also be held at Highland Lakes Marina beginning at 3 p.m. Capitol Chevrolet located at 6200 I-35 South in Austin will host Chevy Pro Night featuring Jimmy Houston, Larry Nixon, Luke Clausen, Kim Stricker, Dion Hibdon and David Fritts from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. These anglers, who together account for eight FLW Tour victories and more than $3 million in winnings, will visit with fans, sign autographs and pose for photos. Fans attending Chevy Pro Night at Capitol Chevrolet can also register to win fishing rods, fishing tackle, die cast Ranger boats and a trip for two to the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup championship and outdoor show in Hot Springs, Ark., where they could ultimately win a $47,000 Ranger Z20 powered by Yamaha.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18, from Travis County Mansfield Dam Park located at 14370 Mansfield Dam Road in Austin. Saturday and Sunday's weigh-ins will be held at the Austin Convention Center located at 500 East Cesar Chavez St. in Austin beginning at 4 p.m. Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW Outdoors will host a free Family Fun Zone and outdoor show at the Austin Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The Family Fun Zone is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers and review the latest products from Berkley, Lowrance, Ranger, Evinrude, Yamaha and other manufacturers while children are treated to fishing themed games and rides like the Ranger Boat simulator. The first 300 children 14 and under visiting the Family Fun Zone Saturday will also receive a free FLW Outdoors hat from KASE 101 FM. On Sunday, 98.1 KVET FM will give the first 300 children 14 and under visiting the Family Fun Zone a free rod and reel combo.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 400 anglers competes in the two-day opening round for one of 10 slots in Saturday's competition based on their two-day accumulated weight. Weights are cleared for day three, and co-angler competition concludes following Saturday's weigh-in. The top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.

The total purse for the Lake Travis tournament is $1 million, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division. This makes the event the most lucrative tour-level bass tournament hosted in Texas in 2007. Coverage of the tournament will be broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States on March 18 and 25 as part of the "FLW Outdoors" television program. "FLW Outdoors" airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern Time. "FLW Outdoors" is also broadcast internationally to approximately 350 million households in Europe, Africa and Asia, making it the most widely distributed weekly fishing program in the world. Additionally, FLW Outdoors is proud to provide tournament coverage to more than 800,000 service members stationed around the world in 177 countries and aboard Navy ships through broadcasts on the American Forces Network.

With a $9.5 million cash purse, including three $1 million qualifiers and three $1.5 million opens during the regular season, this is the most lucrative FLW Tour season to date. Each event leads up to the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by Castrol, which will be held Aug. 2-5 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Ark. The prestigious championship and outdoor show hosted by the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau will feature 81 pros, 81 co-anglers and bass fishing's largest cash award -- a potential $1 million first-place prize for the winning pro.

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 238 events in 2007.

Wal-Mart and many of America's largest and most-respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world's leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 18 - PRNewswire-FirstCall

A Rare Sight

2007-01-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

Here's an image from the big "Ice Storm of '07" (that being 2 days of ice and a few hours of snow flurries that shut the city down for a few days).

It sure was beautiful on the lake, though! Hope you can see the big fat snowflakes in this photo, taken on Jan 16, 2007. This location of this photo is in Lago Vista, taken from The Island, looking across Lake Travis.

Austin's A Good Bet!

2007-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

If you’re thinking about moving to Austin or Lake Travis, you’re making a wise investment; check out this recent article from the Austin Business Journal…

Real estate to stay strong in '07

A new report from a national real estate services firm is telling investors what many of them already know--Austin's a good bet in 2007.
The capital city's retail sector placed third in Integra Realty Resources' annual IRR-Viewpoint, which ranks U.S. markets with the greatest commercial real estate potential in the coming year. The report looks at the four main commercial property sectors: office, retail, industrial and multifamily. Austin's office and multifamily markets ranked fifth in their respective classes.

The booming city of Las Vegas ranked No. 1 in the office, retail and multifamily categories with Miami taking the lead in the industrial sector. Among other Texas cities, Fort Worth ranked No. 2 in the office category while Houston placed fourth in industrial.

Integra determined the rankings through a national survey and research that looked for markets with positive growth patterns, strong current conditions and enough absorption to accommodate current vacancy and planned projects.

Austin Business Journal – December 29, 2006

Check Out The Austin Boat Show!

2007-01-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

Remember that the Austin Boat Show starts this week!!
Here are the details…

2007 Austin Boat Show: January 11-14
Austin Convention Center

• SHOW FEATURES:
• Wakeboard Zone: New live Wakeboard Grind Competition this year!
• Crownline Interactive Semi-Trailer
• Honda Fishing Aquarium for the kids
• Free seminars on topics including wakeboarding, skiing and fishing
• 200 Exhibitors and 20 Local Area Boat Dealers

Boat Show Hours:
Thursday, January 11- 12:00pm-9:00pm
Friday, January 12- 12:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday, January 13- 10:00am-9:00pm
Sunday, January 14- 10:00am-6:00pm

Admission:
Adults: $8
Children 12 & Under: $4
Seniors 65 and Over: $4
Children 6 & Under: FREE

Bring the whole family and experience the boating lifestyle!
Download a Show Coupon here!!

Austin's One of the National Top Ten!

2006-12-22T14:05:00.000-08:00

If you’re ready to make a move, Lake Travis is the perfect choice! Austin is one of the top-10 fastest growing cities in the nation. Lake Travis living lets you ‘get away from it all’ while still enjoying the convenience of being only minutes away from the heart of Austin! Check out this article from the Austin Business Journal…

Single-family home sales in Austin jumped 6 percent last month compared with November 2005, according to the latest report from the Austin Board of Realtors.

The 1,902 sales set a record for the month of November. The median price for single-family homes is also on the rise, increasing 3 percent to $175,000 compared with last year. Meanwhile, the $455 million those sales generated for the local economy represents a 12 percent increase.

Active listings increased by 3 percent from last November to 7,354, while new listings decreased by 3 percent to 2,340. November homes spent an average of 68 days on the market, no change from a year ago.

"These numbers support reports that Austin is one of the top-10 fastest growing cities in the nation," says ABoR Chairman Charles Porter.

Austin Business Journal – December 20, 2006

Polar Bears in Lake Travis...

2006-12-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

2007 Polar Bear SwimMansfield Dam Park, Lake Travis, TX, USMonday, January 01, 2007Starts at 11:30 am
Who: A few brave men and women. (Adults: 18 & older. Youth: 15-17.)

What: A Splash (plunge into the cold water)
A Dash (200m open water swimming race)
A Double Crossing (Open water swimming race, less than a mile, across Lake Travis and back

Where: Mansfield Dam Park, Lake Travis, Texas.

When: Monday, January 1, 2007.
Check-in: 11:00-11:15 a.m.
Splash: 11:30 a.m.
Dash and Double Crossing: 11:32 a.m.

Why: To test your mettle, to greet and meet the challenges of 2007, to commit to health and fitness for the New Year, and for fun.

Rules: 2007 ASA Open Water Rules will govern this event. No fins, snorkels, heart monitors, wrist watches or any other artificial aids permitted. No wetsuits permitted.

Eligibility: Adults 18 and older, Youth 15-17. All entrants must be 2007 ASA members in good standing.

Membership: If you are not yet a 2007 ASA registered swimmer, include a completed ASA 2007 Swimmer Membership Application (found at http://www.AmericanSwimmingAssociation.com) and $20 fee for 2007 ASA membership.

Safety: Safety is our prime consideration. While there are no qualifying standards for this event, you should have previously completed a mile swim in 40 minutes or faster in order to swim the double crossing. You should be healthy and in reasonably fit swimming shape. This is not the time to test your open water swimming skills. You should not enter a swim if you doubt your ability to complete it. There will be a 45 minute time limit for the double crossing.

T-shirts: T-shirts for every on-time entrant swimming the Dash or Double Crossing.

Directions:
From Mopac or 360: Take FM 2222 west to RR 620. Go south (left) at 620, Travel 4.9 miles.Turn right onto Mansfield Dam Road, just after you cross Mansfield Dam. The park entrance is on your left.
From Hwy 71 & 620 intersection: Go North (right) on 620 approximately 9 miles (immediately before the dam). Turn left onto Mansfiled Dam Road. The Park entrance is on your left.

Parking: If you enter the park by land, there is a park entrance fee.

Entry Fee & Deadlines:
Splash: Free. Splash entrants may order a Polar Bear Swim t-shirt at $12 ($14 for XXL) by signing up prior to 5pm December 26th.
Dash or Double Crossing: $25 fee for all entries received by 5pm December 26th. After that add $15 late fee.
T-shirt not guaranteed for late entries.
Download Entry Form

Volunteers: Please contact Sandy Neilson if you are interested in volunteering (on land or on the water): 327-1280; sneils@austin.rr.com

Direct Questions & Comments to:
Dr. Keith Bell, Race Director; 327-2260

All information subject to change.

Contact Phone: (512) 327-2260
Event Site: Web site
Registration: Registration site

How Much Do '12 days of Christmas' cost?

2006-11-28T12:08:00.000-08:00

Talk about news of the weird... Someone actually tallied the cost of everything in the ’12 Days of Christmas’ song, and it was printed in the Austin Business Journal…
Here are the nitty gritty details for your shopping list!

'12 days of Christmas’ costs $18,920

A partridge and a pear tree will put a larger hole in your pocketbook this year, according to PNC Financial Services Group Inc.'s annual "Twelve Days of Christmas" survey.

According to the 22nd annual survey, the cost of the items from the well-known song is $18,920 in 2006, a 3.1 percent increase over last year. The change in gift prices mirrored the U.S. consumer price index.

Pear trees had the largest percentage price increase, up 44 percent from last year, from $89.99 to $129.99.

"The Christmas Price Index reflects trends in the broader economy," says Jeff Kleintop, chief investment strategist for PNC Wealth Management. "After years of stagnation, wages for skilled workers, including the song's dancers and musicians, have increased as the labor market has tightened."

The nine ladies dancing earned $4,759, 4 percent more, according to Philadanco, the Philadelphia Dance Co. The lords a-leaping got a 3 percent pay raise, while the drummers drumming and pipers piping earned 3.4 percent more. The seven swans a-swimming cost $4,200.

The partridge remained the cheapest purchase, at $15, according to Pittsburgh-based PNC (NYSE:PNC).
Austin Business Journal – November 27, 2006

"Best Little City in America"

2006-11-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

Check out this recent ABJ article…National Geographic (and a few others) have discovered how cool Austin is, and they’re spreading the word!

From National Geographic to Conde Nast, Magazines Lauding Austin

Some national press highlighting Austin is set to hit newsstands in November and December. Though Austin is growing at break-neck speed, some locals might be happy to learn that one publication considers Austin the "Best Little City in America".

In its November/December 2006 edition, National Geographic Traveler highlights Austin's diverse population, endless music, eclectic shopping and regional cuisine as defining factors.

"The glass isn't half full in Austin; it's spilling all over the table," writes Carl Hoffman. "Austin is not just the capital of Texas, but also a place where misfits fit and creativity is unbridled."

But National Geographic Traveler isn't the only national publication touting Austin's amenities. In the November issue of Travel + Leisure en Espanol, the magazine names Austin "the secret jewel." Journalist Analia Ferreyra writes that "Austin is the self-proclaimed Live Capital Music of the World, and the truth is: they are right. With more than 150 venues for live music and concerts in strange sites like supermarkets and the airport, I don't believe the town has any equal."

Additionally, Conde Nast Traveler will feature Austin in its December issue, thanks to Graham Boynton, a London-based editor for the magazine who arrived in the city during South by Southwest in March and immersed himself in the Austin experience.

And over the past month, the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau's communications department has hosted journalists from Germany, France, both the London Sunday Mail and the London Independent, and will welcome a group of Canadian travel writers to the city on Sunday.

Austin Business Journal – November 3, 2006

Best September Ever!

2006-11-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

Best September Ever for Austin Real Estate -
Steady demand for homes pushes prices higher!

Austin, Texas, home sales set another record in September as single-family transactions rose 2.7 percent over their year-ago level, the Austin Board of Realtors reported.

According to the latest Multiple Listing Service report, 2,341 single-family homes were sold last month, up from 2,280 sales in September 2005. Last month was the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains, according to statistics.

The median price of single-family properties gained 3 percent from a year ago to a September record of $167,000, up from $162,000 in September 2005.

The 8,203 active single-family listings in the MLS represent a 5 percent increase from September 2005, and were up from 8,137 in August. At an average of 58 days, the amount of time these listings sat on the market decreased by 15 percent, which is the shortest amount of time single-family listings have waited to sell since September 2001, when the average was 46 days.

"If you want proof that Austin is a real estate hot zone, all you have to do is look out your window," said ABoR Chairman John Rosshirt. "The construction cranes that have become fixtures around the skyline underscore the city's desirability. In North Austin, for example, the area around the Arboretum is the target of serious commercial development, and the home sales data complements that fact."

The 1N section of Austin, which encompasses ABoR's northwest Austin neighborhood, posted particularly noteworthy numbers in September. The area's single-family home sales increased 47 percent to 69 and earned a median price of $240,000, an 18 percent increase from last year. Averaging 38 days on the market, these properties sat for 40 percent less time than they did in September 2005.

The Austin Board of Realtors is a nonprofit, voluntary organization representing more than 8,500 licensed Realtors in Central Texas.

Inman News - Friday, October 27, 2006

The Travel Channel films Lake Travis!

2006-10-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Lake Travis Vacation Homes get National Exposure

Austin and Lake Travis will be in the national spotlight when The Travel Channel airs an episode of Vacation Home Search, featuring waterfront homes on Lake Travis. The Travel Channel chose Austin for its growing national reputation for a healthy economy, vibrant social scene and picturesque scenery, and cited Lake Travis as one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in Texas.

The 30-minute episode features Dr. Derek Tieken, a cosmetic dentist from Houston, and his family on their search for a vacation home on Lake Travis. The episode was filmed in late February, and airs on November 6, 2006.

Although prices are quickly rising and Lake Travis boasts many million-dollar-plus homes, the Travel Channel chose to focus on homes in the $500,000 to $600,000 range, which was a challenge for the Tieken’s Realtor, Mick Hooper. Three individual homes in Jonestown, Point Venture and Spicewood were filmed, along with a couple of popular waterfront restaurants.

The Travel Channel chose real estate broker Mick Hooper to host the film crew from Authentic Entertainment because of his expertise in Lake Travis real estate. Hooper, broker/owner of Crosswind Realty, routinely tours waterfront properties with clients in “The Office”, his 37 foot cabin cruiser. Hooper’s unique insider’s tour of the lake often includes cruising through Devil’s Cove and wraps up with dinner or cocktails at a boat-up restaurant. This unique aspect of Hooper’s real estate practice caught the attention of the Travel Channel.

The Lake Travis episode of Vacation Home Search will air on Monday, November 6 at 1:00 PM CST (and simulcast at 2:00 PM EST/PST). Locally, the Travel Channel is on Time Warner Cable, channel 33. You can also e-mail Mick for a copy of the show on DVD!

Groundbreaking Promises...

2006-10-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, this article was in the North Lake Travis LOG 09-21-06…

Groundbreaking promises new grocery store

New shovels dug into the dirt on the site of the new Super S Foods not far from backhoes and other heavy equipment digging up dirt and rock in preparation of the grocery store’s opening early next year.

“We are thrilled to be part of Lago Vista,” Alan Buxkemper, Super S Vice President of Human Resources, said.

Lago Vista’s first grocery store, near FM 1431 and Lohman Ford Road, hopes to have its doors open by March 1, 2007.

“I think it’s a very exciting day for Lago Vista, “Lago Vista Chamber of Commerce President Rita Parker said.

Land clearing for Super S’ fifty-first store started last month and Super S officials said laying the foundation will begin Monday.

Lago Vista’s Super S will be one of the largest with nearly 25,000 square feet. Its state-of-the-art building will include an extensive fresh meat department, farm-fresh produce, a large wine selection and specialty and organic foods.

Buxkemper thanked the City Council, Mayor Dennis Jones, the chamber of commerce, City Manager Bill Angelo, property developer Mark Currey and others.

Councilmen Bob Bradley, Hugh Farmer, Fred Harless, Randy Kruger and Mike Thornton were attendance, along with Mayor Dennis Jones.

As parts of Super S are finished, Ace Hardware will be constructed on the same site.
Ace Hardware plans on opening a month after Super S. A Domino’s Pizza will also be in the Town Center.

Super S, which gained Council approval in April, will have 25-30 full time jobs, and Ace Hardware will have 10.

Residents agree that a grocery store in Lago Vista is a long time coming. Some may recall when a Piggly Wiggly considered coming here 20 years ago or when a Super S store fell through three years ago. The store’s progress is reassurance that will not happen again.

by Kimberly Bates, Staff Writer, North Lake Travis LOG

Hot Market!

2006-10-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

Central Texas new home market stays hot!

Central Texas continues to buck signs of a cooling housing market seen elsewhere in the country. Area builders started 4,266 homes in the third quarter, up about 8 percent from the same quarter of 2005, and closed on 4,518: a record, according to Residential Strategies Inc., a Dallas-based firm that tracks new home activity.

In Sandy Springs, Ga., and most other places across the country, chilled housing markets are turning away both builders and buyers, but in Central Texas, no such letdown is in sight.

Thanks to strong job growth and moderating mortgage rates, Austin's housing market has been healthy all year. In contrast, markets are cooling rapidly in many other parts of the country.

"It seems to be the rest of the nation is doing poorly, and we tend to go against that," said Mark Sprague, Austin partner with Residential Strategies.

Over the past 12 months, Central Texas builders have cranked out 16,973 homes, up more than 20 percent from a year ago. The construction pace indicates that builders are confident that there are plenty of buyers either already here or moving in.

The median price in the quarter rose 8.5 percent, to $196,933, as builders shifted their emphasis to higher-priced homes, in part because of an influx of buyers from more expensive markets. For example, starts of homes costing more than $300,000 have risen 64 percent in the past year, triple the overall increase in starts, according to Residential Strategies.

Starts in the $151,000 to $200,000 price range rose 14.8 percent. The escalating price of construction materials also is driving up the cost of many new homes.

Although Sprague was upbeat about the state of the Austin housing market, he raised one caution about sales to investors, which can give a false sense of market demand. "The hope is that investor interest will subside in the coming year so as not to overhype the market, as has occurred elsewhere in the nation," he said.

Local real estate consultant Charles Heimsath agrees. "The market is inflated by investor demand, which doesn't actually put bodies into houses; it just turns a sale," Heimsath said. "Then, eventually, you create a bubble, and eventually the bubble will burst. I'm not saying that will happen in Austin, but it's something we need to carefully monitor."

Sprague said he thought the Austin market will remain strong through 2007, unless the job growth picture changes. The region has been adding jobs for 32 months in a row. In August, the local work force reached 714,000 jobs, up 2.8 percent from the same period a year ago.

NEW HOME SALES
Nation: Through August, sales were down 14 percent
Austin: On track for a record year

SUPPLY OF UNSOLD NEW HOMES
Nation: 6.6 months
Austin: Less than two months

AUGUST RESALES
Nation: Down 0.5 percent
Austin: Up 6 percent

By M.B. Taboada AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Lago Vista Welcomes 'The Falls'...

2006-09-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Lago Vista Development Planned for 510 Homes

Construction is expected to start within six months on The Falls at Lake Travis, a master-planned waterfront community that will eventually grow to 510 homes and townhomes.

WY Atlantis, a Dallas-based mixed-use development company, bought 315 acres in the Lago Vista area for the project. Homes are expected to range in price from the $300,000's to more than $1 million.

WY Atlantis recently bought land for two other residential master-planned communities in Fort Worth and Houston.

WY Atlantis is owned by Wyatt Henderson and Allen Jones, co-founders of Marlin Atlantis; Dallas-based Westmount Realty Capital LLC; and The Yucaipa Companies LLC, a Los Angeles private equity investment firm.

American Statesman Staff - Saturday, September 23, 2006

Marina Causing Waves!

2006-09-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

UPROAR OVER PROPOSED NEW MARINA!

For those of you who may not have heard, there is a huge uproar about a proposed new marina. Here are some of the nitty gritty details…

The LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) received a facility permit application in August from Harbor Ventures, Inc. The $53,299 permit is seeking construction of a marina off the bank of Graveyard Point at the end of Hurst Creek Road. This is in the extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the City of Lakeway, not in the city limits, which means Lakeway is very limited in what they can do to oppose it. If approved, in its first phase, the marina would cover 401 square feet of water with 262 slips along with a 131 car parking lot and two boat ramps – one at the end of Hurst Creek Road and the other at the end of Graveyard Point. The project would include floating septic tanks to hold sewage, public restrooms, two above ground fuel storage tanks with three fuel dispensers, a marine service station and ship’s store, according to a press release from Brooks Hollow HOA. Phase II is slated to be a floating yacht club and another 50 slips with parking ultimately for 250 cars.

Opponents say that two 10,000 gallon steel fuel storage tanks will rise roughly 35 feet into the air, disrupting views and disturbing habitat, adding that gas tanks could prove vulnerable during floods.

“While the application states ‘all tank openings shall be above the design flood elevation,’ the submitted drawings show the tanks at a height of 715 mls, seven feet lower than FEMA’s required flood plain elevation of 722 mls,” the release stated. (That’s also a full 34 feet higher than a full Lake Travis at 681 mls)

Opponents of the marina have voiced concerns about road and water traffic, as well as toxic hazards, noise and light pollution, and water quality degradation among its concerns. Other concerns include increased run off from the parking lot, as well as the preservation of the archeological site of Lohman’s Farm.

The LCRA is holding a public hearing on the matter Oct. 3rd from 6-7 p.m. at Vintage Villas, Sunset Room, 4209 Eck Lane.

Source: Excerpts from September 14th article in The Lake Travis View by Charles McClure, Editor

Travis County F.E.M.A. Map Information

2006-09-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

The Travis County F.E.M.A. maps will not become final for a while. They are in a 90-day appeal/protest period that ends in September. Then any appeals/protests will have to be resolved before the maps are determined final. The preliminary maps are available at http://www.tcrfc.org/tcfmp/travis.shtml. In the second paragraph there is a link to the PDF versions of the maps as well as a City of Austin GIS viewer. The current maps are available at www.msc.fema.gov. Even though the elevation at Lake Travis is still 716', many communities are advising their citizens to consider the risks demonstrated in the preliminary maps and acknowledge the 722' BFE.

Now is the time for anyone abutting Lake Travis in zone "X" or in zone "AE" to get their flood insurance policies in place. Rates are nominal and you can get up to $250,000 insurance on single family residences. Once the new maps go into effect, homes not having flood insurance in place will be subject to new rates. Typically the rates average $1,000 for every foot you are in the floodplain. I know this is probably the last thing on your mind while we’re in the middle of a drought, but this is very important for everyone to know!

Top Honors for Lake Travis ISD

2006-07-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Lake Travis school district was named a Gold Medal district by Expansion Management magazine, putting Lake Travis in the top 16% of the nation’s school districts.

The rankings are calculated on a weighted scale measuring 3 areas: student graduation rates, measurement of a community’s financial commitment to education, and a community’s adult education and income levels.

On a scale of 1 to 99, Lake Travis ISD received a composite score of 93.

Click here to check out their website for more details!

2005 Cost Vs. Value Remodeling Report

2006-07-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

Say you had a dated, 200 sq ft kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinets and countertops. A "minor" remodel would be to replace the cabinet door fronts, replace the laminate counters, install new stove and oven and new faucet, repaint and replace the vinyl floor. In the Southern US, the average cost of that job would be about $13,500. The cost recouped at resale is about 96% of your investment.

What about adding a deck? A 16x20 foot pressure-treated pine deck with concrete footings, built-in bench and planter would run you about $8,700. You'll get back about 82% of that cost when you resell.

Want more facts and figures? Check out the online edition of the annual "Cost vs. Value Report", published in Dec 2005, in conjunction with Remodeling magazine. Click this link to go to the overview, and then look for the red links along the right hand side for a list of specific remodeling projects.

7 Deadly Sins of Remodeling

2006-07-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Think a pool is a good idea? How about a home office - everyone wants one of those, right?...

Avoid improvements that are likely to cost you when it comes time to sell. The 'deadly sins' are summarized as:

overexpanding
making your home into something it's not
changing a room's functionality
doing it yourself - when you shouldn't
underbudgeting
making unncecessary renovations
neglecting regular maintenance

For details on what this all means, and what you should avoid, click this link for the full article.
Originally published by Amy Hoak, of MarketWatch

The Travel Channel Films Lake Travis for "Vacation Home Search"

2006-07-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

In February, I was chosen to host a film crew from Authentic Entertainment. They were hired by The Travel Channel, and were in Austin to film a 30-min episode of "Vacation Home Search" featuring Lake Travis.

They filmed my clients, Lori & Dr. Derek Tieken from Houston, as they searched for their perfect second home on Lake Travis.

The Travel Channel wanted to focus on homes in the $500Ks - a feat that's become hard to do with rising prices in the past 18 months. But we did film 3 homes - in Spicewood, Jonestown, and Point Venture. Sequences were also filmed at Lakeway Inn and Iguana Grill.

The Travel Channel has been airing the new episodes the past couple of months, but they've changed the date of the Lake Travis episode. As of the time of this post, they were shooting for 4th quarter 2006, but no definitive date has been set.

The Travel Channel did mail me a DVD of the episode, though. I will be having copies of the DVD made in the next week or two. If you'd like a copy when they're ready, drop me an email with your name and mailing address!

Weekend Brunch Idea

2006-07-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite restaurants on the lake is Lakehouse Cafe, in the Briarcliff Marina. I unfortunately don't get there as often as I'd like, since it's all the way up at lake mile marker 26, which is about 20 miles further up than where I hang out (and with gas at $4/gallon.....)

It's not your typical lake fare of greasy hamburgers and nachos. Relatively speaking, it's gourmet-level food - with a casual, laid back atmosphere. Go in your swimsuit - no dressing up here!

After closing this Spring for a remodel, they're back in business. They're open Friday thru Sunday, 9A-9P (later if there's a good crowd).
Go this weekend for brunch. Order Maggie's Migas and the Pappas Fritas - the best I've had anywhere!

By boat, they're at mile marker 26, in the Briarcliff Marina. There is boat parking.
By land, go west on Hwy 71. Turn right on FM 2322 (Pace Bend Rd). Go 2-1/2 miles and turn right on McDaniel Drive. The parking lot is straight ahead on the left.

Tell the owner, Brian Ezzell, that Mick sent you!

Count Your Marbles

2006-07-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I enjoy the laid-back lifestyle on Lake Travis is because I realize that life is unpredictable, and sometimes way too short. My wife and I try to live each day as if it could be our last. But the struggles of everyday life can sometimes lead even the most disciplined of us away from our 'life principles'. Sometimes, though, all it takes is a short story to re-focus your priorities. With that, allow me to share the following story that was passed along to me yesterday.........

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are the most enjoyable for me.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling around with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into a life changing event. When I turned on the radio to listen to a Saturday morning talk show, I heard the voice of an elderly-sounding man. He was talking about "a thousand marbles" to someone named Tom. Intrigued, I sat down to listen to what he had to say.

"Well Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well, but it's a a shame you have to be away from your family so much. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital. Tom, let me tell you something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of "a thousand marbles." "I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. So, I multiplied 75 times 52 and came up with 3900, which is the the number of Saturdays the average person has in their lifetime."

"It took me until I was 55 years old to come up with this idea, and by that time I had lived through over 2800 Saturdays. I thought that if I lived to be 75, I had only about 1000 of them left to enjoy. So I went to three different toy stores and bought every single marble they had in order to round up 1000 marbles. I put them inside a clear plastic container and every Saturday since then, I've taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life."

"Now let me tell you one more thing before I sign off and take my lovely wife to breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it to next Saturday, then I've been blessed with a little extra time to spend with my loved ones. It was nice to talk to you, Tom, and have a good morning."

Even the show's moderator was speechless for a moment. I had planned to do some work that morning, and then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and awoke my wife with a kiss. "C'mon, honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we've spent Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

July 4 Fireworks on Lake Travis

2006-07-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Party season on Lake Travis is here! This photo is from Devil's Cove on Memorial Day 2006. Devil's Cove ("the" party spot) was closed off this July 4th holiday, as the sheriff's dept. was unfortunately still looking for the missing body of a woman who drowned the week prior.

Carlos 'N Charlies hosted their awesome (as usual) fireworks display on July 3 with a concert by Bad Company. We were anchored out in front of C 'N C, with about another thousand boats. It's crazy when the fireworks end and the boats all begin to move in unison - almost chaos, but with a certain ryhthm to it. Like a floating highway. A bit scary if you're the boat owner, requiring hypervigilance (after a pitcher of margaritas!) to protect your boat from the swells, hoards of boats just a few feet from you, and my pet peeve, reckless rent-a-boat drivers.

The weather wasn't as nice on July 4, and we skirted black clouds and brief rain showers all day by moving from cove to cove. The fireworks at Johnny Fins on the 4th were much more sedate, with a cool rain falling. The lake was calm with no winds or waves - a nice break from the craziness of the day before. Even though Fin's display is not as impressive as C 'N C's, I always like it there because you get a 360-degree display with the fireworks in Lago Vista and hoards of pyro's that live along the banks of Hurst Creek and in Costa Bella and Vineyard Bay. We had rain the preceeding week, which led to lifting the ban on mortars, and they certainly took advantage of that. One group near Graveyard Point had an incredible display- the whole thing looked like a big bang finale- but it went on for almost a half hour.

No photos of the fireworks - in hauling all the food and drink to the boat, I forgot to grab the camera. I have an unwritten rule that I NEVER head to the boat without the camera, but it somehow escaped me that day. Serves me right - there was a brilliant full-arch rainbow over the Costa Bella side of Hurst cove in the twilight - totally saturated in color. Tried to get a pic with my camera phone, but I'm sure it didn't capture the moment the way I remember it.

Poker Run Schedule

2006-07-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Fill 'er up and ante up -- it's Poker Run season on Lake Travis!
There are still 3 runs left this summer - the complete schedule is posted below.

Lake Travis Powerboat Association 2006 Poker Run Schedule

April 21st: Kick-Off Party (Johnny Fins, 7-10 PM)
April 22nd: Pre Season Run (Johnny Fins to Carlos N Charlie’s)
May 13th
June 10th
July 15th
Aug 12th
Sept 16th