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Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
FI Austin - Circuit of The Aamericas
I have talked about this amazing venue recently and I wanted to share some additional photos of the tract with you.
Some photos of track and the crowds. never having been to an F1 race I do not have much to compare to except I know there was never a point in the day I did not know what was going on in the race!
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_of_the_Americas
During a break the track runs races with various types of cars besides FI cars. Gives the audience a lot to watch and the drivers and vehicles a much needed break in the action.
Some photos of track and the crowds. never having been to an F1 race I do not have much to compare to except I know there was never a point in the day I did not know what was going on in the race!
Observation Tower
Circuit of the Americas features a 251 feet (77 m) observation tower designed by Miró Rivera Architects and built by Patriot Erectors as a landmark for the venue. The structure of the tower consists of an elevator hoist-way surrounded by a double-helix staircase of 419 stairs, both of which lead to an observation platform 230 feet (70 m) above ground level. The platform provides a 360-degree panorama of the circuit, as well as views to downtown Austin, Texas. The observation platform, which is accessible to the public for an admission fee, can accommodate up to 70 visitors and features glass railings and a partial glass floor.[30] In addition, a "veil" consisting of 18 bright red steel tubes runs nearly the full height of the tower, acting as a canopy for both the observation platform and the stage below. The design of the observation tower was inspired by the visual imagery of sports cars and movement, and the red color was selected to mimic the streaks of lights trailing racecars at nightDuring a break the track runs races with various types of cars besides FI cars. Gives the audience a lot to watch and the drivers and vehicles a much needed break in the action.
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| All photos: Courtesy of Bob Kenney |
Ever wonder what it sounds like at an F! event - Here is a quick video from stands at Turn 12
Monday, February 17, 2014
A few photos from the amazing place I call home. Austin, Texas and surrounding Hill Country
You will se unique residences and boat houses that define the individuals living there. all of the "lakes" in the Austin area are the same dammed up river. from Lady Bird lake that meanders through Austin it self to Lake Austin, Lake Travis and then to the other 4 lakes that make up the Highland lakes: Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls.
Bob Kenney, Realtor
®
Reilly Realtors
Mobile/Text: 512-922-4922
Sunday, February 16, 2014
More on what to do while in Austin. 2 Amazing resources for the residents and visitors of Austin. If you have not been you need to go.
Photos : Bob Kenney
Source:http://www.veloway.com/
Developed in the area of Circle C just south of Slaughter Lane and East of MOPAC (1). Development at them time was controversial but many will agree that the additions of these 2 unique venues adds to the Austin appeal of outdoor activity and the beauty of Central Texas native plants and landscapes.
History of the Veloway
The Veloway has controversial roots.
One of Austin's prized natural features is a spring fed pool known as Barton Springs. Barton Springs is filled year round with almost unbearably cold water and has provided a much needed respite from our brutal summers for thousands of years. The watershed that feeds the aquifer that fills the Springs is a relatively attractive rolling land with small trees and brush.
Only sparsely developed in the early 80's, the land in southwest Austin above the aquifer became the target of development, some chaotic and some well-planned. One of the best planned developments created during the boom years of the 80's was Circle C. The mastermind behind Circle C is Gary Bradley, who is either the devil incarnate or the most forward thinking community creator to ever live in Texas.
Jeff Latimer of Gus' Bike shop in New Hampshire recently emailed this interesting background on the Veloway's founding:
"Back in the 80's I was a real estate broker working for First Austin Properties. I was am also cyclist and today I own a bike shop in New Hampshire. A friend of mine worked for Gary Bradley. She told me that Gary was interested in doing a bicycle project and wondered about building a velodrome on his new development, Circle C Ranch. I think the velodrome came up because another Austin developer (whose name escapes me at the moment) had formed a committee to make a bid for the Pan Am games to be in Austin. Anyway I pulled in Richard DeGarmo, who at that time was the director of the Tour of Texas. He was also president of the United States Cycling Federation, which later became USA Cycling. The Tour of Texas was a week long stage race held every March in Central Texas. Richard was years ahead of his time with the race, this was way before Lance. It brought in all the great teams of the time including 7-11 with Bob Roll, the big Raleigh team and several European junior teams. At that time the Tour was still going on and Circle C became one of the sponsors of the event. The Velodrome actually got some serious consideration, I remember going down to the Houston Velodrome to take a look at the one that had been built there. Richard and Gary thought a Veloway made more sense then the Velodrome as it could be used to hold the criteriums that were part of the Tour. They traditionally had been held on 6th street or on the big loop in Zilker Park. Sadly the Tour came to an end due to lack of sponsorship before a race could be held there, but the Veloway is indeed a jewel."
Circle C incorporated many unique features for its time, including a wonderful swimming facility, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the Veloway. Much to the consternation of the road cyclists of Austin, public money that had been earmarked for creation of urban bike lanes was diverted to help fund Gary Bradley's bike path way out in the middle of nowhere serving his subdivision's residents, who weren't even in the city limits at the time.Fast-forward 15 years and you'll find the Veloway becoming surrounded by development. The rapid loss of bike friendly roads makes its existence seem most fortunate, even to those who pooh/pooh the idea of riding a short 3 mile loop over and over again. A decision was made a while back to allow the rollerblades to legally use the facility ... they now comprise about half the users. The City of Austin repaved the Veloway in 2004. We are alarmed at the deterioration of the pavement surface, and hope the city will add a protective topping before the pavement becomes dangerous again.
source: http://www.wildflower.org/about/
Wildflower Center Mission
The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes.
Lady Bird Johnson, our former first lady, and actress Helen Hayes founded an organization in 1982 to protect and preserve North America's native plants and natural landscapes. First as the National Wildflower Research Center and later as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, this special place exists to introduce people to the beauty and diversity of wildflowers and other native plants. Every day, the Wildflower Center brings life to Mrs. Johnson's vision in its public gardens, its woodlands and sweeping meadows as well as in internationally influential research. In 2006, the Center became an Organized 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 Center’s gardens display the native plants of the Central Texas Hill Country, South and West Texas, while the Plant Conservation Program protects the ecological heritage of Texas by conserving its rare and endangered flora. The Native Plant Information Network is a database of more than 7,200 native species available online.
The Land Restoration Program applies knowledge of ecological processes to restoring damaged landscapes. The Center’s education programs for children and adults teach people about their natural surroundings and how to grow native plants in their own backyards.
Wildflower Center Chronology
Susan Rieff, Executive Director
2011-2012 Annual Report
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Texas swimming holes - A fun and amazing tradition in the Texas Hill country
The City of Wimberley and the group Friends of Blue hole http://www.friendsofbluehole.org/ have done an amazing job creating a fantastic experience to all visitor's to a great example of a Texas swimming hole!
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Thursday, February 13, 2014
About Reilly Realtors, Austin TX
Source: http://www.austinhomelistings.com/about-reilly-realtors.php
The Experts in Austin Real Estate
Founded in 2005, Reilly Realtors is a full service, Austin based real estate brokerage made up of expert agents who have demonstrated a commitment to outstanding customer service, personal integrity and sales success.Our Clients Come First
At Reilly Realtors, we promise to put you first. Whether you're buying or selling a home, you can trust our expert agents to listen, work hard and focus on helping you achieve your real estate goals. We hire only experienced agents who are committed to placing their client's best interests above their own.A Full Service Real Estate Company
Located in the west Austin area known as Bee Cave, in the beautiful Hill Country Galleria, our team of experienced agents serve buyers and sellers all over Austin and the surrounding areas. From East Austin to Lakeway, up to Round Rock and down to Buda, or right in middle of Central Austin and downtown, we've got you covered. When you are buying a home or selling a home, Reilly Realtors offers full service real estate solutions backed by 42 full-time, experienced agents dedicated to helping our clients achieve their real estate goals.
Buying a Home: Our expert buyer agents can help you find the perfect property, negotiate the best deal and oversee a smooth closing. We've successfully represented thousands of buyers all over the Austin area in every price range. Whether it's a starter home in a new suburban community or luxury estate on the lake, we have the local knowledge and experience to help you succeed.
Selling a Home: Our expert listing agents combine innovative internet marketing tools with timeless sales skills to help you sell your property quickly and for the highest possible price. With today's buyers doing their own online home searches, we employ best in class internet marketing techniques to ensure your property is found online and generates the highest turnout of potential buyers.
Reilly Realtors: Our History
When Michael and Shae Reilly started their own real estate brokerage in 2006, their vision was to create a company that provided unparalleled service to their clients. As part of that effort, Michael and Shae created one of Austin's first easy to use, map based Austin home search tools at AustinHomeListings.com. Along with the new map search, the original site also offered one of the first comprehensive reviews of all Austin areas and neighborhoods, known as the Austin Neighborhood Guide. The original site was one of the first local real estate websites designed to truly empower a consumer's online home search. In fact, early clients loved the powerful new site so much that they shared it with friends and family, causing the site, and the business, to take off in a way that Michael and Shae could have never imagined.Within a very short time, hundreds of new users were visiting AustinHomeListings.com every day. The immediate popularity and interest in the new website produced so many leads that it propelled Michael Reilly, who had been an agent since 2002, to immediately join the elite ranks of agents who sell more than $15 million each year. "It was a very exciting time and incredible way to start a new business - to be blessed with so many opportunities right out of the gate," said Michael Reilly. Since that time, Michael has continued to perform as a top agent with over $100 million in career sales.
As website visits continued to grow, Michael saw the need to add additional agents to help with the amazing overflow in leads, but he was wary of growth at the expense of great service.
Michael's goal was to find only experienced agents who would maintain the professionalism and integrity that Michael set out to achieve from the beginning. "We interviewed a lot of agents to find high quality professionals, and to this day, we still maintain one of the highest bars in the business as we evaluate candidates to join our firm," commented Shae Reilly.
Today, Reilly Realtors is made of 40+ top producing agents and 3 full-time employees and our website is still one of the top destinations online for searching homes and information about the Austin area. We make continual investments in training, technology and tools that help our agents better serve our clients and achieve success. We are fortunate to serve clients in a town that rewards our commitment to customer service. While we continue to grow, the vision for Reilly Realtors and AustinHomeListings.com is - and will remain - a steadfast focus on providing unparalleled service to our clients.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Did you know that Austin has a light rail service called MetroRail? or as some may call it Kiss and Ride!
Austin's Metrorail service (Kiss and Ride) connects some of it's northern and western neighborhoods with downtown. This is the 1st of many proposed lines that conceptually will tie in many of Austin's neighborhoods into a convenient Metrorail or light rail service that will help ease congestion on our roadways and make for safe convenient travel for Austin commuters.
MetroRail
MetroRail offers comfortable and reliable passenger service Monday through Friday between the City of Leander and downtown Austin, and from Lakeline to downtown on Saturday. We have nine convenient stations and three Park & Ride facilities, in addition to many MetroBus coordinated routes to make taking the train fun and easy! Whether you're commuting to work, heading to school, seeing the sights or just out for a night on the town, MetroRail can take you there.
Check the MetroRail schedules or plan a trip today.
MetroRail no longer operates with zoned fares. Find out more on fares and passes.
Source: http://www.capmetro.org/metrorail.aspx?id=53
Want to find out what is going on in Austin real estate market? give me a call and I will be glad to discuss particular areas with you and let you know the beat of the market place.
12 years experience representing buyers and sellers of Real estate in the Austin area.
Photos: Bob Kenney
Robert Kenney, Realtor
® Mobile/Text: 512-922-4922
Reilly Realtors
Check the MetroRail schedules or plan a trip today.
MetroRail no longer operates with zoned fares. Find out more on fares and passes.
Source: http://www.capmetro.org/metrorail.aspx?id=53
Want to find out what is going on in Austin real estate market? give me a call and I will be glad to discuss particular areas with you and let you know the beat of the market place.
12 years experience representing buyers and sellers of Real estate in the Austin area.
Robert Kenney, Realtor
® Mobile/Text: 512-922-4922
Reilly Realtors
13500 Galleria Circle, Suite U-115
Austin, TX 78738
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Ever wonder who was the Zilker in Zikler Park? and how it bacame a public park? Read on!
Andrew Jackson Zilker (1858–1934)[1] was a political figure and philanthropist in Austin, Texas, after whom Zilker Park was named. He was the last private owner of Barton Springs.
Andrew Zilker was born in New Albany, Indiana. In his youth he'd read Henderson King Yoakum's two-volume History of Texas,[2] and was inspired to head for its capital to make his fortune. In 1876, at the age of 18, he arrived in Austin with fifty cents in his pocket, immediately acquired work as a dishwasher, and doubled his money by shift's end. His next job would be on the construction of the Congress Avenue Bridge. But the real money to be made in the Texas heat, he discovered, was in the manufacture of ice, and he quickly climbed the ladder from new hire to foreman for one icemaker in a matter of months. He was quick to learn the value of business connections, joining Austin Lodge #201 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks shortly after its founding in 1891.
Soon he owned an ice plant of his own outright, and in 1901 began buying land between the Colorado River and Barton Creek. He had soon acquired 350 acres (1.4 km²) surrounding Barton Springs, including the Springs themselves from John Rabb, and used the land to pasture the horses and mules that pulled his ice wagons, and the clear, clean Barton Springs water to make the ice itself. There he also built a small concrete pool and amphitheater for members of his Elks Club organization at the site of one of the three springs.
Zilker also found the time to be a volunteer fireman, Director of the First National Bank, Water and Light Commissioner, and served both as alderman from the old Tenth Ward and president of the Travis County School Board. He would own a variety of businesses, including a brickyard (perhaps to spite his rival neighbor, and brickmaker, Michael Butler[3]), a wood and coal concern, the Austin electrical system, and the water supply systems in Llano and Taylor counties. He even became the first Coca-Cola bottler in Austin.
The year was 1917 when, in his role as head of the school board, he cut a curious deal giving Barton Springs, and, over the next seventeen years, the surrounding acres, to the Public Free Schools of Austin (i.e. the school district) to sell to the city, which in turn paid for a $100,000 school endowment with the proceeds. This trust fund still pays for what is known today as the school-to-work program. In 1950, nearly two decades after Zilker's death, the district opened Zilker Elementary in his honor. The area itself, of course, became Zilker Metropolitan Park.
He is also remembered for his disdain for Austin mayor A. P. Wooldridge, and for encouraging Tom Miller to enter municipal politics and run for mayor in 1933.[4] Nicknamed "the Colonel", Zilker's contribution to Austin was quite substantial.
Source: http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/pen-pals
Designed by noted Santa Fe sculptor Glenna Goodacre and put in place in the fall of 1994, the statue commemorates a trio of writers—J. Frank Dobie, Roy Bedichek, and Walter Prescott Webb—who did as much as any in Austin’s history to define the city’s special qualities. In the rich synergy that developed among the three men over many decades of public life and private friendship, they became the spiritual godfathers of Austin. The philosophers Rock
My kids spent hours and hours on the playscape with the Fire Truck and watching the little train The Zephyr (above) pull it's carloads of riders through the park.
Robert Kenney, Realtor
®Reilly Realtors
13500 Galleria Circle, Suite U-115
Austin, TX 78738
Source of all photos: Bob Kenney
Monday, February 10, 2014
Austin's Historic STATE Theater - downtown Austin
Photo: Bob Kenneysource: http://www.austintheatre.org/
State Theatre - History
"The State Theatre is a historical cornerstone to Austin's downtown arts district, so ensuring its soundness and longevity are key to the future fabric of our city. We want the community to understand the history of the State Theatre and to continue to enjoy its unique Austin setting for many, many more years." - Former Mayor Will Wynn
| This vintage movie house—built in 1935 by Interstate Circuit Inc.—stands next door to the Paramount Theatre and within sight of the State Capitol building. It was built on the site of the old Avenue Hotel, which stood until after the turn of the century. The State Theatre was the first theatre in Austin built specifically to show motion pictures and opened on Christmas Day of 1935 with The Bride Comes Home, featuring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Downtown movie houses were popular during the era; the theatre screened films along with many others like The Paramount, The Queen—which stood on the west side of Congress Avenue—and The Ritz, now an Alamo Drafthouse location on 6th Street. The State flourished under the helm of Louis Noovy, a general manager for Interstate's four Austin movie houses, which included the Paramount, Queen and Capitol theatres. Designed by W. Scott Dunn in the Art Deco style that was popular when it was built, the State lobby retains much of the charm of its past due to a major facelift in 1981 that returned it to its original Art Deco splendor. Vacant beginning in 1986, the City of Austin bought the structure and leased it to Live Oak Theatre. Live Oak, a local, producing theatre company, spurred the most notable renovations to the facility. Austin architect Sinclair Black and Live Oak’s director Don Toner embarked on a $3.5 million rehabilitation in 1998, transforming the interior into an inviting, open 320-seat space with backstage work areas, dressing rooms, a rehearsal hall, and a new lobby. Six months later, the company finalized its purchase of the State Theatre, moved into the building and continued its tradition of presenting quality work and supporting the growth of new plays. Embracing the spirit of its new permanent home, the company changed its name to The State Theatre Company. In 2000, the company merged with its next-door neighbor, The Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts, to form the Austin Theatre Alliance (ATA). An endeavor that began with two distinct operational and business models has combined the best of both to become one of Austin's most uniquely productive performing arts resources - a thriving organization that both presents and produces a broad range of drama, comedy, music, dance and spoken-word events of the highest caliber, in downtown Austin's most commanding venues. In June of 2006, the State Theatre, having just celebrated its 70th anniversary and in the middle of a successful run of the play Bunk Bed Brothers, suffered the effects of a city water main break that resulted in the flooding of the State’s stage and basement, ruining hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and forcing the cancellation of part of the theatre’s 2006-07 season. Some productions were moved to other venues—the State’s remount of the award-winning American Fiesta was moved to the University of Texas’ McCullough Theatre and Judith Ivey’s Women on Fire was performed at the Paramount. After approximately $300,000 worth of repairs were completed, the Austin Theatre Alliance was proud to celebrate the grand re-opening of the State Theatre on March 1st, 2011 with a private performance by Austin favorite, Bob Schneider. The venue is now available for both rental and additional presented performances. |
Robert Kenney. Realtor
®
Reilly Realtors
13500 Galleria Circle, Suite U-115
Austin, TX 78738
Top Austin Agent Joins Reilly Realtors
Posted by Michael Reilly on Monday, February 10th, 2014 at 8:20am.
Reilly Realtors agent Robert Kenney http://www.austinhomelistings.com/agents/robert-kenney/
We at Reilly Realtors would like to welcome Robert Kenney to our team of expert agents. Bob comes to Reilly Realtors with 12 years of experience as a Realtor and over $5 million in sales in 2013. He has consistently established himself as one of Austin’s top producers thanks to his diverse portfolio of not only real estate experience, but marketing, website development and management as well. Prior to his success in real estate, Bob was the principal in a textile commodity business, where he gained experience working with national as well as international clients from regions such as Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. Bob not only brings his in-depth knowledge of the real estate market with him to Reilly Realtors, but over five years of corporate relocation experience, as well. Having made a successful transfer to Austin himself 16 years ago, Bob knows what clients are looking for when they make the move to the Texas capital. Bob’s expertise isn’t just limited to relocation, but extends to all aspects of real estate and knowledge of the Austin area.
We're also excited to announce that Bob has been nominated for the Austin Business Journal’s 2014 Residential Real Estate Awards! These awards honor the top 50 residential real estate agents as well as master-planned communities and builders for custom, production and green homes. Bob was nominated as one of the top licensed agents in the Austin area with no licensed assistants. Nominees will be honored with a lunch and awards presentation at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Austin on Thursday, March 6th. This is not the first time Bob has been honored as a top agent in the Austin area. He was also a finalist for the Platinum Top 50 Realtors Awards Program in 2011, 2012 and 2013, which recognizes achievements in sales, civic leadership and education. When he's not working hard for his clients, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, which often involves coaching youth sports teams. He is also very active in the Austin community with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a charity that provides food and other goods to the Austin homeless.
Bob’s addition to the Reilly Realtors team makes us more confident than ever that we have all the experience and tools to help our clients reach their real estate goals. We now have over 40 top-producing agents that specialize in all areas of Austin real estate and focus on providing the best service to their clients. Bringing in top agents like Bob Kenney is just one of the exciting plans unfolding for Reilly Realtors in 2014. After bringing in about $120,000,000 in residential sales in 2013, we are focused on continuing to develop the best products and services to help our agents better serve their clients in 2014. You can look forward to many exciting changes to our easy-to-use search tools as well as other aspects of our popular website. If you’re interested in working with Robert Kenney or any of our other top agents, please contact us today.
Salt Lick BBQ - Drift wood/Austin Texas - If you come to Austin you really should plan time to have a meal here..
Photos: Bob Kenney, Realtor
Just after the Civil War in 1867, the Roberts family loaded their possessions onto a wagon and set out from Biloxi, Mississippi, eventually settling in Driftwood, Texas. On the trip, they barbequed meat by searing it and then slow-cooking it over coals on a pit made with rocks. An earthen berm was created to block the wind and hold in the smoke. Those original family recipes from the Southeast are the basis for what we do now.
Over the years, the recipes were “Texafied” taking on the local flavors of the land – like chili, cumin and cayenne. In 1967, one hundred years after the Roberts family settled in Driftwood, Thurman Roberts cleared an area on the family’s land and built a barbeque pit. The limestone used to make the pit was quarried from the land. (That pit is still in use today.) He would start cooking on Thursday night, sleep on a cot next to the pit, and sell the meat until it was all gone.
From those small beginnings, we now seat over 800 people and on an average Saturday we feed around 2000 people.
I have lived in Austin for 14 years. This is hands down one of the best places to go with family and friends. The addition of a wine tasting room that show cases Texas wines just adds to the uniqueness of the experience as you drive through the beautiful Hill country.
This area is halfway between Austin and Wimberley and the food is fantastic. Cash only policy so bring your $$$ (They do have ATM's)
If you are looking for real estate in the area there are several convenient areas to choose from. From Equestrian estates to vineyards to amazing communities. Do not hesitate to call me for a tour of the area.. and maybe a bite of BBQ you will not soon forget!
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