Austin Neighborhoods – Clarksville
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Austin Neighborhoods – Clarksville
This historic section of Austin has a beautiful and rich history. During slavery the area was the location of the Pease Plantation, and the quarters for the slaves. In 1865, after slavery was made illegal, Pease gave some of the land to his slaves and sold some to even more of them. These newly freed individuals made the place their home.
The area is named after a former slave, Charles Clark, who moved to the area in 1871 and established the community with the same name. Clark envisioned a community where former slaves could be together and direct their own lives. The area at that time was far outside Austin and densely wooded. The early residents built simple homes, hunted and fished in the area and built a community for themselves.
Early residents included Elias Mays, state legislator, Reverend Jacob Fontaine, one of the founders of the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church and founder of Austin’s first Black newspaper. Most of the original homes are long gone now, but the area has held onto it’s unique cultural, architectural and historic identity. It has the title of a National Register Historic District.
Now Clarksville is an eclectic urban hub in the heart of Austin. It is populated with young professionals and students. Clarksville is known as a very creative area with many art galleries.
If you enjoy outdoors there’s plenty for you here, you’ll enjoy walking through the hilly streets, there are two small parks with wading pools, Clarksville Park and West Austin Park. Zilker Park is close by to the south and to the northeast there’s the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail. There’s also a community garden.
There’s a Whole Food’s closeby and a Fresh Plus store, along with a garden center. You’ll find some wonderful dining in the area, Nau’s drugstore still makes milkshakes the old fashioned way. There’s Jeffrey’s for game and seafood and the Cosmic Cafe for vegetarian fare. You’ll also enjoy the Sweetish Hill Bakery, Portabla, and Wiggy Liquors for wine and cigars.
This beautiful and historic rich neighborhood is just west of downtown and has become very sought after and more expensive in the last several years. It is very lovely and a little older than most Austin neighborhoods. With lots of hills and overgrown trees it could be your next home.
Check out more Austin Neighborhoods.
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Published in categories: Austin Neighborhoods
Texas Independence Day Celebration March 2, 2013
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The Texas Independence Day Celebration March 2, 2013 commemorates the end of the Texas Revolution. This was the military conflict between the government of Mexico and Texas colonists.
Open warfare began in Texas on October 2, 1835 (after the Siete Leyes (Seven Laws) of 1835 were approved by Texas leaders) with the Battle of Gonzales. The struggle continued in several cities until the war ended at the Battle of San Jacinto, where the Texan army under General Sam Houston routed the Mexican forces with a surprise attack.
In August 1837 Texas requested annexation to the United States, they were declined, but in 1845, the United States of America annexed the Republic of Texas and admitted it to the Union as the 28th state.
To celebrate Texas independence there are some events you might enjoy, or you might just have a drink or meal to celebrate your love of our great state.
Jay L. Johnson Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament – 2013
March 4th
Falconhead Golf Club
15201 Falconhead Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78738
12Noon Check-In
1pm Shotgun Start
Cost: $200 per person
There will be great prizes and great food.
Texas Independence Day Parade – 2013
Saturday, March 2nd
Congress Avenue Bridge
Austin, Texas
Staging begins at 8:30am
Parade begins at 9:30am
To learn more about the history of Texas check out these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Annexation
For more information and registration for the Parade and Golf Tournament go to http://www.celebratetexas.org/index.html
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Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Austin Jugglefest – Cool Things To Do In Austin
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Austin Jugglefest – Cool Things To Do In Austin
This may very well be the most family friendly show in Austin this month! This February the Texas Juggling Society presents Austin Jugglefest.
This will be the 20th year for the three day event, featuring workshops, games, demonstrations and shows featuring juggling, unicycling and related circus arts! It will be so much fun and everyone is welcome. You may want to take a workshop to pick up some basic juggling or if you are already a juggler you can learn some new tricks. There’s sure to be lots of crazy people to meet and lots to see.
The festival lasts through the weekend and you can expect games, door prizes, trick trading, vendors, a silent auction and more! On Friday night they will have the Renegade show, if you sign up you can share your tricks on the open stage. The Public Show happens on Saturday night, they’ll be showcasing performers from all over the world demonstrating their skills in the circus arts! What could be more fun than yo-yo’s diabolos, poi and juggling?
Where
Texas School for the Deaf
1102 South Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78704
(512) 462-5353
They have a great gym, plenty of parking spots, and is close to a ton of delicious restaurants.
When
February 22, 23, and 24, 2013
About the Texas Juggling Society…
“The Texas Juggling Society is devoted to furthering the practice, study and appreciation of juggling and related manipulative arts and equilibristic disciplines. Such skills and activities may include the random or patterned throwing, catching, bouncing, swinging, jumping, twirling, spinning, dropping, rolling, dodging, replacing, mounting, or balancing of an object or series of objects, which may include sticks, stones, balls, clubs, scarves, bags, rings, diabolos, torches, unicycles, or other such items that may appeal to one’s innate sense of Juggleness.”
Check out the Texas Juggling Society Website for more.
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Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Tree Talk Winter Walk 2013 at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
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This month is free admission at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and on January 26th you can come out and enjoy the Tree Talk Winter Walk 2013.
This year’s walk features the new Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum…
“Developed as a classic arboretum, this is an interpreted collection where visitors can learn about the diversity of Texas trees in a relatively compact area. The ground plane is maintained in simple sweeps of native grasses and wildflowers, and pathways connect different groupings of trees. A major emphasis will be placed on Texas oaks, but many other woody species are included. The arboretum serves as a resource for tree-identification, field trips, and outdoor classes, and is the centerpiece of the Wildflower Center’s tree-related educational programs and events.”
Besides enjoying the new arboretum you can learn the benefits of planting native trees and shrubs and how to identify them, and plant them. As our recent drought brings to the forefront, one of the greatest benefits of cultivating native trees and shrubs in our yards is that they can tolerate our climate. And this just makes life easier!
Also during the Tree Talk Winter Walk is the Tree and Shrub Sale. This is a great opportunity to purchase native trees and shrubs from the experts. Winter is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in our area so now’s the time to replace anything lost during the drought.
Bring the family and enjoy guided walks and talks by experts. And there will be activities for the children like Kids Tree Climb, Build a Fort, Marshmallow Roast, Swing in the Cathedral of Oaks and a Tree Scavenger Hunt.
Tree Talk Winter Walk at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave.
Austin, Texas 78739
512.232.0100
Saturday, January 26, 2013
9am to 5pm
Free Admission
Visit their website for more here http://www.wildflower.org/
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Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Austin Lyric Opera – 2013
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Do you love opera? Well then, you are in for a real treat, we have our very own internationally known Opera Company right here in Austin, the Austin Lyric Opera – 2013!
The homegrown and nationally acclaimed company was founded in 1986 by Joseph McClain and Dr. Walter Ducloux the Austin Lyric Opera has become know for producing outstanding opera. As the company grew through the the 80’s and 90’s it became a cultural touchstone, bringing enrichment, entertainment and education to our community…
“The company developed a reputation in the opera industry as an innovator and a showcase for new American talent. From farce to tragedy, classic to contemporary, Austin Lyric Opera is committed to producing outstanding opera and extraordinary experiences. The company’s stellar productions fused with major international artists, directors, and designers garnered international acclaim. Past productions include standouts such as Andre Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire, Terrence McNally and Jake Heggie’s triumphant Dead Man Walking, Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in honor of the birth centennial of Dmitri Shostakovich, an Austin-inspired production of Strauss’s The Bat, and the American premiere of Philip Glass’ Waiting for the Barbarians.”
Location and Parking
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 West Riverside Drive (at the corner of S. 1st Street)
Austin, Texas 78704
Parking is available in The Palmer Events Center Parking Garage located between Riverside Drive, South First Street and Barton Springs Road just south of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin (cost: $7.00 per car, fee paid at booths upon entering garage).
The 2013 Schedule
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro – In this single “day of madness,” Mozart takes us on a laugh-out-loud ride filled with schemes, masquerades and mistaken identities.
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 2, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 3, 2013 – 3 p.m.
Gounod’s Faust – Faust, an aging scholar, wants another chance at youth and love, and forges a malevolent pact with Méphistophélès to seduce the beautiful and innocent Marguerite.
Thursday, April 25, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 2013 – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 28, 2013 – 3 p.m.
Tickets
Ticket Prices Vary – Please contact the ticket office
Call (512) 472-5992
or visit 701 W. Riverside Dr.
Box Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm
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Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Austin Home And Garden Show – 2013
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Find new ideas, new technology and new inspiration for making your home and garden dreams a reality at the Austin Home and Garden Show – 2013. At the Palmer Event Center with thousands of square feet of exhibits there’s something for everybody. This year’s celebrity speaker is Jason Cameron, you may have seen him on DIY TV. Jason will discuss his experiences as a licensed contractor and his hit shows “Desperate Landscapes” and “Man Caves”.
Other speakers will present topics such as “Affordable Energy Efficiency Secrets for New Homes”, “Getting What You Want From Your Landscape”, “A Sensible Approach to Green Home Building & Remodeling” and “Birds of Prey Demonstration”.
This show is touted as the biggest home and garden show in Austin and will include the latest in products and services for builders, contractors, materials, decks, pools, spas, entertainment systems, storage, plants, landscape displays/materials, kitchenware, and much more.
Show Dates and Times
Friday Jan. 11 – 2pm – 7pm
Saturday Jan. 12 – 10am – 7pm
Sunday Jan. 13 – 11am – 5pm
Admission
Adults 17+ – $8.50
16 and under – Free
Retired Military ID – $6.00
Active Military ID – Free
Senior 65+ $6.00
Location
The Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs Rd.
Parking is available at the Palmer Parking Garage, adjacent to the facility with two entrances (from Barton Springs Road or Riverside Drive).
Parking is $7 for most events; special event rates will be as posted.
Overnight parking is not available in the Palmer parking garage.
Find out more about the Austin Home and Garden Show 2013
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Published in categories: Austin Attractions, Cool Things To Do In Austin
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center – Cool Things To Do In Austin
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All month during January enjoy free admission to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center! Enjoy the beautiful gardens, woodlands and sweeping meadows displaying the native plants of the Central Texas Hill Country, South and West Texas.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center exists to introduce people to the beauty and diversity of wildflowers and other native plants. In 2006 the center became an Organization Research Unit of the University of Texas at Austin.
“Decades ago, Mrs. Johnson recognized that our country was losing its natural landscapes and its natural beauty. As much as 30 percent of the world’s native flora is at risk of extinction. The Wildflower Center was intended to help preserve and restore that beauty and the biological richness of North America. Since then, the Center has become one of the country’s most credible research institutions and effective advocates for native plants….The Native Plant Information Network is a database of more than 7,200 native species available online.”
The Center offers educational programs teaching children and adults about their natural surroundings and how to grow native plants in their own backyards.
What can you expect to be in season right now?
Chile pequin
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Yaupon
Ilex vomitoria
Dwarf palmetto
Sabal minor
Rock penstemon
Penstemon baccharifolius
Blackfoot daisy
Melampodium leucanthum
Mountain sage
Salvia regla
Bushy bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus
Inland sea oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Autumn sage
Salvia greggii
Carolina jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
Flame acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Evergreen sumac
Rhus virens
Coralberry
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Possumhaw
Ilex decidua
Gregg dalea
Dalea greggii
Heartleaf skullcap
Scutellaria ovata
Wright’s skullcap
Scutellaria wrightii
Bald cypress
Taxodium distichum
Shumard oak
Quercus shumardii
Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera
Doctorbush
Plumbago scandens
Alamo vine
Merremia dissecta
Acerola
Malpighia glabra
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave.
Austin, Texas 78739
512.232.0100
Free Admission for the month of January
Regular Hours
Wildflower Center grounds:
9am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday
Noon to 5pm Sunday
Closed for holiday from Saturday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 1
Visitors Gallery, 9am to 4pm, Sunday noon to 4pm
The Store, 9am to 5pm, Sunday noon to 4pm
Wildflower Café, 10am to 4pm, Sunday noon to 4pm
Closed July 4 and Thanksgiving day.
Admissoin Rates other than January
$9 Adults
$7 Seniors 65 years and older
$7 Students 13 years and older
$3 Children 5 through 12
Free for Members and Children 4 years and under
Visit their website for more here http://www.wildflower.org/
“My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order and disorder of the flowering earth.” Ladybird Johnson
“My special cause, the one that alerts my interest and quickens the pace of my life, is to preserve the wildflowers and native plants that define the regions of our land-to encourage and promote their use in appropriate areas and thus help pass on to generation in waiting the quiet joys and satisfactions I have known since my childhood ” Ladybird Johnson.
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Published in categories: Cool Things To Do In Austin
Barton Springs Polar Bear Splash – 2013
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Come on out this Tuesday, January 1st, for the annual Barton Springs Polar Bear Splash – 2013. If you’re the adventurous type who’s willing to brave the the 68 degree water on a cold winters day then this is for you.
Come to the back gate from the south side off Robert E. Lee Road. The trail is steep in places and not ADA-compliant. The entire north side of the pool grounds will be closed, including the bath house. The nature trail on the south side and the sidewalk over the downstream dam will also be closed. The water will most likely be warmer than the air on Tuesday but be sure to bring a towel.
This year marks the 33rd year! There will be coffee and donuts and 2013 Polar Bear Club t-shirts for sale.
When: Tuesday January 1st, 2013
Time: 9:30am – 2pm
The plunge is at 10am
Cost: Free
Location:
Barton Springs Pool
2101 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas 78704
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Published in categories: Cool Things To Do In Austin
Round Rock Real Estate Update – November 2012
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‘Round Our Town’ – Round Rock Real Estate Update – November 2012
I’m sensing a promising trend in Round Rock real estate…
It’s not sales price or inventory figures that have my feathers ruffled, although those are profound indicators, as well.
The big number is actually the smallest number I talk about each month: Days on market – In other words, the length of time a home spends on the market before receiving an accepted offer.
Most notably, days on market dropped a whopping 15.7% since November, 2011. Additionally, we’re still witnessing month-over-month decreases; case in point – October’s figure was 57 days, while November boasted 54, a 5.5% slide.
What does all this mean? A “balanced” market typically falls between 30 and 90 days on the market, meaning we are healthy and happy, right here in Round Rock!
As the holiday season ensued, many sellers withdrew their homes from the market, and the November stats reflected this – inventory of single family detached homes fell from 559 in October to 530 just one month later.
Closed home sales continued to be vigorous, and Round Rock witnessed a 37.7% increase from 186 last November, to 208 during the same period in 2012.
Our neighbors in Austin (of which our homes sales statistics contribute to) experienced a 5-year high, leading Leonard Guerrero, Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS® to say this: “The Thanksgiving holiday did not slow down the Austin real estate market. This is the strongest November housing market we’ve seen since the recession.”*
Now, that’s just good stuff, all the way ‘round our town. May 2013 bring you and your family much love, laughter and prosperity.
What makes Lora and the GoodLife Team different? Register for a limited-availability ‘Round Our Town Elite Buyer or Seller Consultation today by registering at http://texaslora.com/round-our-town/ (or emailing lora@goodlifeteam.com) and mentioning this blog. Find out how we change customer service to a five-star customer experience.
Lora Tucker Kaasch, Realtor®
The GoodLife Team
lora@goodlifeteam.com
512.539.7547
*Quote from Austin Board of Realtors
**This report uses Round Rock home sales data based on transactions that closed in November, 2012, and compares it to closings that took place during the same period last year (unless otherwise indicated). Information from the “Local Market Update – November, 2012” by the Austin Board of Realtors®
More Information on Austin Real Estate Market and Cedar Park Leander Real Estate Markets.
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Published in categories: Round Rock Real Estate News
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our friends and family. May we all know the peace and joy of the season this year and for many more to come. Please enjoy this Holiday Classic….
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the luster of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes–how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Published in categories: Community Service
