Want to know what’s going on around our county. Find out here on the Bastrop News page! Visit throughout the day to get your updated local news headlines. In addition, you can also find out about local happenings.If you know of an event, such as a city picnic, local high school graduation or a wedding, post it here to let all of us know! Be sure to keep yourself informed by checking this page frequently! |
- Rumble a Wicked or DWI/DUI Attorney in Dream of Island Fresh YorkPosted on: 2009-11-06New here... Found this site for searching for criminal/dwi/dui attorneys on Long Island, New York. My cousin came accross the one he hired here and was very pleased with the outcome.
The site is 'http://www.licriminalattorney.com'
Again that address is that is www.licriminalattorney.com
I Hope this is accommodating intelligence to all.Email:info@516attorneys.com - Let's Support Our Troops - Care Package DonationsPosted on: 2008-06-25
- Westin Hotel planned for downtown Warehouse DistrictPosted on: 2008-02-19By American Statesman staff | Monday, February 18, 2008, 02:21 PM
A 300-room Westin Hotel is planned for downtown Austin’s Warehouse District, as a San Antonio development firm goes ahead with long-delayed plans.
The 18-story hotel will replace the former Bitter End Restaurant and parking lot at West Third and Colorado streets, said John Beauchamp, vice president of acquisitions and development for Hixon Properties of San Antonio.
Hixon, which bought the land several years ago, is teaming up with Hines, a Houston-based developer, on the project. Hines also is the developer of another new downtown project, a 30-story office tower to be built at West Fourth and Guadalupe streets. That project will include the new home of the Austin Museum of Arts.
The developers hired Lake/Flato Architects, a renowned San Antonio firm, to design the Westin Austin Hotel. It will include a restaurant on the street level and a pool deck and bar on the third floor overlooking Third Street.
The firm’s Austin work includes the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas and the Hotel San Jose on South Congress.
Lake/Flato won a national competition to design the hotel.
The competition sought designs that would be “uniquely Austin,” Beauchamp said.
Additionally, the developers will seek national green building certification for the project.
Demolition will start soon on the Bitter End, a longtime popular restaurant that closed after a 2005 fire.
Beauchamp said the developers tried to incorporate the Bitter End building into their plans, but it was not feasible. He said the restaurant’s brick will be salvaged and reused inside the hotel.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts will manage the hotel. It’s one of at least four planned for downtown, including a 1,000-room Marriott Hotel at Congress and second street; a W Hotel at Second and Lavaca that will include condominiums and entertainment venues; and a Kimpton Hotel near the Rainey Street neighborhood on downtown’s eastern edge.
Westin also plans a hotel at the Domain development in North Austin.
- Best and Worst Places to Buy a HousePosted on: 2008-02-19By: Danielle Babb
Whether you're looking for an investment property or a place to live, here's a look at the cities you should seek out and avoid in 2008.
The housing crunch and the excessive inventory -- exceeding 10 months on resale homes -- continues to take its toll on housing prices. But over the long term, housing is still a good investment. In fact, it's more than an investment; it's a home. Plus, you're not really saving anything by renting, as the costs of renting and owning are about equal (well, owning may be a little more). The tax benefits of home ownership far outweigh renting, too. With good housing prices in many great areas, this may indeed be the time to buy.
So now that I've convinced you this is a good time to buy a home, the next question is, Where do you buy one? No matter where you look, you should check out some basic economic fundamentals before buying. Is job growth stable in the area? Is income keeping up with inflation? Is crime above the national average? Is there a higher-than-average rate of foreclosures? These issues and others play a factor when deciding where to buy a house.
As a real estate investor and analyst, it's my job to provide buyers with qualified information on where to buy -- and where to stay away from. Here are my thoughts for 2008 based on the indicators noted above.
The Top Places to Buy
Whether you're an investor like me or you're looking to purchase that next move up, here are my picks for the best areas to buy a home:
Killeen, Round Rock, Austin, Texas: Killeen has the lowest average home price in any market in the nation while still maintaining quality. Round Rock and Austin have seen incredible job growth and very stable home prices despite the downturn nationwide. Jobs continue to grow here -- a factor for keeping inventory low and prices stable.
Mission Viejo, California: Mission Viejo has the lowest crime statistics in the nation. With no murders in 2007 and a low rate of violent crime, this is a good place to raise a family. Prices are relatively stable, and the job market in the nearby cities of Irvine and San Diego means there is consistent demand from job seekers.
Palm Beach, Florida: I'm taking a risk here because this area has been pummeled by foreclosures in 2007. But there are also a lot of boomers retiring, and Palm Beach is looking mighty attractive. If you don't like this high of a risk (which translates to great prices), check out Tampa or Clearwater in the same state.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Yes, Las Vegas has been hit hard by incoming investors, who watched their home values disappear and then left those homes empty. Las Vegas comes in quite high on the national foreclosure list, almost always within the top three metro areas. But there's an upside -- a very strong job market. In 2007, Las Vegas experienced a 12 percent increase in population, partly driven by retirees looking for Sunbelt states to move to. Coupled with low prices, we could see inventories reduced here, which would also stabilize prices. Be careful what you buy, but I like it.
Places to Avoid
And now for the places you definitely want to avoid:
Detroit, Michigan: The job market is in chaos. People are getting laid off left and right. National statistics seem to point to a significant problem with job loss and job income not keeping up with inflation. As a result, many nice neighborhoods are now abandoned due to people leaving their homes. Inventories exceed one year (under six months is what we want to see), and the foreclosure problem hit Detroit hard. With fewer jobs to support home purchases, I don't see Detroit turning around anytime soon.
Miami, Florida: Palm Beach is different than Miami, which sits in its gorgeous aqua water with half-built and abandoned condos, a shrinking job market, a tough time getting insurance against hurricanes and a job problem. Yes, you can get a good deal, but do this only if you don't need the appreciation from the home in the next decade.
Riverside/San Bernardino, California: Even those lucky homeowners that bought before the boom are feeling it now. Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California consistently lead California in foreclosures and rank in the top three metro areas nationally. The prices have plummeted, and jobs in the area are scarce. People moved there due to lack of affordability in Orange and Los Angeles counties (where their jobs were), so it's a commuter's area. Now that prices in the two counties have dropped, people can live close to their jobs. Although I grew up in Riverside County, I could never recommend it to anyone looking to buy a home.
- Austin, Texas #1Posted on: 2008-02-19
Projected total GMP growth, 2007-2012: 32.05%
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.
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Operation Interdependence Supports Military PersonnelPosted on: 2007-09-04THANK YOU LAKEWAY VOLUNTEERS FOR DONATING YOUR VALUABLE TIME
FOR THE PACKING PARTIES FOR OPERATION INTERDEPENDENCE. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS!
The names of the volunteers pictured for the Lakeway packing activity in Lakeway are: Shirley Miller, Mary Ann Greisman, Judy Hazen, Victoria Pollock, and Gerald Davis
Operation Interdependence
Operation Interdependence Supports Military Personnel
Operation Interdependence is a civilian to military delivery system that supports deployed members of the U.S. military. Contributions to the organization, handwritten notes, products and financial donations are greatly appreciated. A list of products that are appropriate for donation is located at www.oidelivers.org/
Each month, the organization sends 25 boxes of Austin-area donations. Each box reaches 50 military personnel. Donations may be made at Prosperity Bank, The Hills Country Club, World of Tennis and the Lakeway City Hall. Additionally, you can donate your time during packing parties that are held on the first Saturday of each month at the Lakeway Church from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Janet Wright at 261-4217. Thank you in advance for your support
