Cap Metro savings still dropping

Reserves could be down to $10 million by fall, and services may be cut.

By Ben Wear
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Capital Metro's shrinking savings could be down to $10 million by the end of September, agency officials said Monday, bringing the transit agency's operating reserves to no more than a few days' cushion.

It's a predicament that had Capital Metro's chief talking Monday about what amounts to overdraft protection and board members saying service cuts might be necessary.

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USA holidays: Saddle up and go steer crazy in tremendous Texas

Austin, Texas. A city of water - after all, the mighty Colorado river flows through town. A city of bats - by day millions of them roost under the modern Congress Avenue Bridge before emerging at dusk to go hunting. And a city of green spaces - the largest being Zilker Park, where they hold the annual South by Southwest music and film festival, and where the Rolling Stones once played.

I went to Zilker Park with veteran piano player Pinetop Perkins, who is 94 and witnessed the boogie boom of the Thirties. Astonishingly, Pinetop still plays gigs. I told my brother that he has some way to go to keep up with Pinetop's schedule as he played twice in two days while I was there.

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De Niro Collection opens in Austin

April 27, 2009 THR.com

The Robert De Niro Collection of film-related materials has opened to researchers and the public at the Harry Ransom Center, a humanities research library and museum at the University of Texas at Austin.

Donated by De Niro in 2006, the collection, including more than 1,300 boxes of papers, film, movie props and costumes, documents his professional career from the 1960s through 2005.

Filling more than 300 archival boxes, the paper portion of the collection includes De Niro's heavily annotated scripts and correspondence, makeup and wardrobe photographs, wardrobe continuity books, costume designs and posters and extensive production, publicity and research material.

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Texas APME recognizes excellence in journalism

The Associated Press
April 26, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas — The Dallas Morning News was named the Newspaper of The Year and the Austin American-Statesman was named the best online newspaper among the state's largest metropolitan dailies at the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors' annual meeting over the weekend.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times won Newspaper of The Year and the Wichita Falls Times-Record News won best online paper among newspapers with circulations of 30,000 to 124,999. The San Angelo Standard-Times won both top honors among newspapers of 10,000 to 29,999 in circulation. In the small newspaper division, the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel was named Newspaper of The Year and the Plainview Daily Herald was cited as the best online paper.

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February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent

March 23, 2009
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON – Sales of previously occupied homes jumped unexpectedly in February by the largest amount in nearly six years as first-time buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures and other distressed properties.

Economists said sales, while still at levels not seen since 1997, may finally be coming back to life after declining sharply following the stock market plunge last autumn.

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Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales

By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK – Wall Street is getting the good news it wants on the economy's biggest problems: banks and housing.

Investors reignited a two-week rally Monday after hearing the government's plan to help banks remove as much as $1 trillion in bad assets from their books and home sales showed a surprise increase. Major stock indexes jumped as much as 4 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which rose nearly 300 points.

The Treasury Department said its plan would rely on the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as well as private investors.

Full Story March 23, 2009

Lake Travis Homes Austin, TX

Lake Travis is one of the cleanest, most beautiful lakes in all of Texas as evident by its crystal clear water. Located in the City of Lakeway and Austin, Texas, Lake Travis spans nearly 20,000 acres and is 20 miles long. This Texas lake has 270 miles of shoreline around its diameter where you will find numerous homes, restaurants, beaches and marinas. Lake Travis offers a world of recreation in swimming, sunbathing, fishing, boating, water skiing, and parasailing. Lake Travis is surrounded by pristine luxury neighborhoods for the utmost in vacation, retirement or everyday living.

We are your guides for finding the best properties in Austin Texas. We specialize in the Austin area and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Westlake, Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and Lago Vista. If you're interested in calling Austin Texas your home, allow us to be your guide to the area.

• Homes for Sale in Austin
• About Austin, TX
• Austin Neighborhoods
• Austin Area Schools

Brentwood, Austin Texas

"What is now known as the Brentwood neighborhood in Austin, Texas, was once just a pretty cotton farm. Then, in the late 1940s, the City of Austin annexed the farm, which was north of then city limits. The farm was next to Brentwood Elementary and the city used the land to establish the Brentwood neighborhood park and to open the school by 1951. Today, few would know Brentwood's rural past without reading up about it, because today the neighborhood is thoroughly modern. In fact, Brentwood has become one of the most bustling and hip neighborhoods in Austin." - Articlebase

Neighborhood Features

• quiet, tree-lined streets and charming homes
• native, old-fashioned hamburger diners and bars
• Arroyo Seco and the Brentwood Park and Pool for hikers and bicyclists
• The Violet Crown Festival held every May to celebrate local music
• Great schools such as the McCallum High School, Brentwood Elementary and the Petite Ecole Internationale
• Near to Texas' high-tech companies

South by Southwest Festival Helps Fuel Austin Economy

The South by Southwest festival that starts at the Austin Convention Center generates $110 million, but no single group reaps all of the rewards.

Vanessa Vaughn of Hostel International Austin said she sees enough of it to get her youth hostel over the hump each March which is a great news for the Austin Texas real estate market.

The 10-day festival rakes in $18 million in food and drink, $12 million in hotels and $7 million in transportation.

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Circle C Ranch - Austin Texas Neighborhood

Circle C Ranch is a pristine area convenient to downtown Austin, located next to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and situated on Circle C Ranch Golf Course in southwest Austin.

This Austin Neighborhood has much to offer:

• Scenic views of the Austin hills


• Near The Veloway (Hiking & Biking Trails)


• Olympic Size Swimming Pool (snorkeling, scuba & swimming lessons)


• Lush landscaping with towering trees


• Circle C Golf Course


• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center


• Circle C Child Care Center


• Convenient to nearby shopping & restaurants


• Affordable Homes & New Homes

Circle C Ranch - Austin Realtor Blog

Senna Hills - Austin TX Neighorhoods

Senna Hills is an exclusive Austin Texas neighborhood located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. This Austin Neighborhood showcases two exclusive Austin home builders - Drees Custom Homes and Taylor Woodrow. Homes are priced from the $500,000s and come with outstanding Hill Country views.

Neighborhood Features:

Senna Hills is 20 minutes from downtown Austin

Senna Hills is 10 minutes away from Barton Creek Mall

Senna Hills is in Eanes ISD

Senna Hills offers a Community center - playgrounds, pools, picnic areas.

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Round Rock

Arboles Terrace - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Arboles Terrace is a luxury hilltop neighborhood located in the heart of Austin. With median prices at $297k for 1150 square feet, Arboles Terrace has some of the best valued new homes in Austin.
Neighborhood Features:

Downtown skyline views

Town Lake Trail

In Austin ISD

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Round Rock

Sierra Vista - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Sierra Vista is a new private luxury town-home community in the Hill Country in southwest Austin. Priced in the high $200s, these town-homes are some of the best values for new homes in Austin
Neighborhood Features:

Surrounded by a wildlife management area

Close to Lake Travis and Lake Austin

Within two miles of two of the area's most prestigious private schools.

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Lakeway

Enclave At Kollymeyer Springs - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Enclave at Kollmeyer Springs is an exclusive Austin, Texas neighborhood located on the south shore of Lake Travis and will contain 16 of the most exclusive new homes in Austin. Sale prices run from $300k to over $1 million.
Neighborhood Features:

16 exclusive estate homes

Lot size 1 to 2 acres

Lake Travis ISD schools

Gated access to neighborhood

Master-planned community

Lake privileges

Hill country views

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Texas

Preserve at Barton Creek - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

The Preserve at Barton Creek is a neighborhood in Austin containing homes built by exclusive Austin home builders. Home prices range from $1 million to over $9 million.
Neighborhood Features:

Home to three championship courses

Close to LakeTravis.

Gated golf-course community

European-style spa

Tennis center

Private pool

Kids Club

Located in the Austin Independent School District

Four private schools

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Westlake

Northwest Hills at Lakeview - Austin Neighborhoods

Northwest Hills at Lakeview is a neighborhood in Austin, Texas containing homes built by some of the best new home builders in Austin. The median home price is $519k for 3245 square feet.

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Round Rock

Brown Herman - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Brown Herman is a luxury neighborhood in Austin containing homes built by quality Austin home builders. Homes in Brown Herman have a median price of $654k for 3062 square feet.

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Lakeway

Westminster Glen - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Westminster Glen Estates is a master-planned luxury community located west of HWY 360 off FM 222. Westminster Glen contains some of the most exclusive new homes in Austin, with prices from $500k to $2.7 million.
Neighborhood Features:

Gated, master-planned community

Lots are one acre or more in size

Just 15 minutes from downtown Austin

Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country

Views of Lake Austin and the Texas Hill Country

Part of Leander ISD.

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Texas

Lake Pointe - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Lake Pointe is an Austin, TX neighborhood established in 1995 in the hills between Austin and Bee Cave . There are 3 sections in Lake Pointe: Lake Pointe, Vista Pointe and The Pointe, and all homes are built by reputable new home builders in Austin. New homes start at $215k and go to over $1 million.
Neighborhood Features:

Near Lake Austin and Lake Travis

20 to 25 minute drive to downtown

Galleria mall complex

Lake Travis Independent School District

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Westlake

Forest at Westlake - Austin Luxury Neighborhoods

Forest at Westlake Hills is a relatively new community in Westlake Hills built by of some of the finest new home builders in Austin. This community is located just outside of Austin between 3300 Bee Cave Road and Loop 360. The median home price is $857k for 4346 square feet.
Neighborhood Features:
Rural environment
Close to outstanding golf courses
Close to Lake Travis/Lake Austin
In outstanding school district - Eanes ISD

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Round Rrock