Since becoming a first-time father in February, I've found myself keenly interested in things that the me of a few years ago would have never thought important. Things like the varying absorbency of diaper brands, how to retain some dignity while wearing a Baby Bjorn in public, or which restaurant's patrons will likely tolerate a melt-down from a 6 month old. And then there's the subject of schools - what once was a far-flung thought in my childless mind has now been firmly placed on my 5 year radar (yes, I now plan years in advance...and say things like "my 5 year radar.") So I was especially interested on both a professional and personal level when last week the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released the latest campus accountability ratings for Austin's public schools. Professionally, in that as a Realtor my clients seem appreciate it when I can speak intelligently on the quality of the public schools in any given neighborhood. Personally, in that I was really curious how's Eliot's future elementary school, Dawson, stacked up against the competition. Low & behold, Dawson Elementary climbed the charts and was rated Exemplary - TEA's highest possible rating. But the good news was a bit tarnished when I read about the state's Texas Projection Measure (TPM) which according to the AISD website "provides a means of measuring student progress over time, and predicts whether a student is likely to pass the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills) at a future high-stakes grade level (e.g. grade 5, 8, or 11.)" So they are basically able to award higher ratings based on projected performance, not necessarily current performance. I don't know believe this is the case for Dawson, but it's certainly been used to pull Garcia, Pearce, & Mendez Middle Schools from Academcially Unacceptable to Acceptable. It will be interesting to see if these ratings are really a measure of education quality or just a superficial title used to demonstrate progress to the public. I figure I've got 5 years to really get to the bottom of this, so you've not heard the last from me on this subject. But you've probably heard the last from me about retaining dignity while wearing a Baby Bjorn - because I've learned the hard way that it's impossible. Rob Albertson is a part-time musician, full-time Realtor, and proud South Austinite for over 10 years. He specializes in South Austin homes for Austin Fine Properties, a Private Label Realty Company, and can be reached day or night (thanks to his newborn son's fickle sleeping habits) at 512.653.8939 or rob@austinfineproperties.com.
So those who know me best may know my ultimate guilty pleasure is NASCAR. Perhaps it can be traced to growing up in the Carolina's (both North & South.) Or maybe it's a throwback to my bootlegging great uncle from middle Tennessee. Whatever the reason, I had more than a passing interest with the news of Formula One coming to my adopted hometown of Austin, TX. Yes, I know Formula One is quite a bit different from NASCAR - Martinsville is not Monte Carlo, nor is Daytona quite Dubai.
But it's car racing, and I have to say I'm pumped...if not a touch confused. I mean, Formula One in Austin? It'll be the only stop in the United States and immediately compared with such exotic locales as Singapore, Sao Paulo, Budapest, Valencia,Istanbul (not Constantinople), and so on. Maybe it's just the South Austin in me, but I'm not too sure about this. I mean, I still have my Christmas lights up from 2008. Why do I feel the sudden need to shower...and iron my snap shirt?
So I waited and wondered where they'd stage such a race in Austin. Perhaps if they snaked it down 2nd St (excuse, meWillie Nelson Blvd), winding past the Warehouse district, or hell, maybe even throw in the Domain we'd at least be able to fool the world for a week that Austin was cosmopolitan enough to host such an event.
But that hope faded with Tuesday's big announcement - Formula One is coming to Elroy. Yes, Elroy, TX. Wow. Nothing against Elroy & the fine folks who live there, but I think in namesake alone it's more fitting for a track of the aforementioned NASCAR. Sure, race organizers are already touting the proximity to the airport, the toll road, & 15 short minutes to downtown Austin - but I cringe at the thought of someone giving Fernando Alonso directions to the track which conclude with "hang a left on Farm Road 812."
That all being said, perhaps I love Austin so much because it continues to surprise me. Formula One? Sure, why not? It's Austin. Now there's really something for everyone here, and I look forward to leaving my Christmas lights on to welcome the world in 2012.
Rob Albertson is a part-time musician, full-time Realtor, and proud South Austinite for over 10 years. He specializes in South Austin homes for Austin Fine Properties, a Private Label Realty Company, and can be reached day or night (thanks to his newborn son's fickle sleeping habits) at 512.653.8939 or rob@austinfineproperties.com.
In my quest to help explain the different South Austin neighborhoods of 78704, I thought I'd start at home - Galindo. I've lived in Galindo for 10 years now, and I'm surprised how many people are, well, surprised they've never heard of/driven through/experienced Galindo for themselves. "So close, yet so far out" seems fitting, I suppose.
So where exactly is Galindo within 78704? For those of you speeding down Oltorf, we're you're neighbor to the south, boxed in by the railroad tracks to the west, bordered by Ben White (okay 71/290), and finally our eastern divide line is the hipper-by-the-minute S 1st. Our crown jewel and neighborhood anchor is the 11 acre South Austin Park which includes the South Austin Tennis Center, the only city-owned tennis center south of the river. But most of us in Galindo use the park as a social outlet for our beloved dogs. For those seeking more active pursuits, the Town Lake Hike & Bike trail is only a 1.5 mile bike ride down S 5th.
While not as commercially attractive as our more famous neighbors to the north (Bouldin), what we lack in quantity we make up in quality. Buenos Aires Cafe opened in 2005 and has been a local and critical hit, though we're happy its diminutive size has largely kept the masses away. And then there's the G&S Lounge...it's a dive bar in its truest sense with a fantastic beer selection and air hockey tables to boot. And you may even catch a Flight of the Conchords sighting. Galindo is also a crosswalk away from such South Austin staples as Torchy's Tacos, new fine-dining favorite Olivia, and burger mecca Black Sheep Lodge.
So for those interested in living in Galindo (and really, who wouldn't?), you'll find most houses built in the 1950's & 60's in either the ranch or bungalow style. What's most appealing to buyers is that you'll find some of the most affordable South Austin homes in Galindo (for 78704, this is.) Prices have been known to reach the mid 100's for an extreme fixer-upper, while most of the housing stock is in the $250-$350k category. For those do-it-yourself types, you can search on your own for South Austin homes or contact me to learn about the best listings for you. I'd be more than proud to parade you around the neighborhood...maybe I'll even show you the best place to watch the 4th of July fireworks without fighting the downtown or Barton Creek Mall crowd (it'll be our little secret.)
Rob Albertson is a part-time musician, full-time Realtor, and proud South Austinite for over 10 years. He works for Austin Fine Properties, a Private Label Realty Company, and can be reached day or night (thanks to his newborn son's fickle sleeping habits) at 512.653.8939 or rob@austinfineproperties.com.
Rob Albertson is full time Realtor, a part time musician, and an expert in all things Austin. He has been helping clients buy, build, and invest in Austin for over 10 years.
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