Suzanne Gantner, GRI, E-Pro, SRES

I love a good story, maybe it isn't so funny but for some reason this cracked me up (get ready for alot of puns). For many years the City of Austin has had a rebate program that gives people an incentive to replace older toilets with new ones that use 63% less water. So in keeping with the "Keep Austin Weird" theme, the City decided not only will we give homeowners a break but we will offer the rebate program to apartments, hotels and businesses. Budget what budget? This sounds stinky to me.

Guess what? Now, they are over budget and need an additional 3 million dollars. HELLO any one with a brain working there? It has to be one of those defining moments when the dah-dupe who made this decision to share toilets, hits his forehead and goes what was I thinking? I think someone needs to be flushed out!!

Round Rock, Tx home to Dell, Round Rock Premier Outlets, Dell Diamond, the new Texas A & M Health Science Center, Seton Medical Center Williamson, Texas State University Center, Austin Community College, Scott and White Hospital Round Rock is soon to be graced with a proposed research center to assist in the development of medicines, scientific projects and technologies. This project is called the convergent technology center and will be located on a tract of land just east of the Medical facilities listed above.

According to a city-commissioned study this center would operate as an "accelerator" for businesses already in a middle or later phase of development whether it be products, medicines or technology and could open as soon as 2010. According to Mr. Avery (who donated the land), It's a combination of medical, bio-life science, physics, biology and chemistry to create a new form of science that merges all of these things together.

Some of the proposed facilities would include but not limited to are:

Wet Labs - chemicals and biological samples

Dry Labs - more of analyzation of data, storing materials and working with electronic components that all require a constant temperature

Clean room - which is strictly controlled atmosphere against any type of contamination

At this time, the powers at be are looking for different ways to fund this project. I must say Round Rock has come along way!!

If you like Bed and Breakfasts, this wonderful property called the Inn above Onion Creek is for sale. Located just outside of Kyle, Tx, this gorgeous property is nestled on 88 acres in the Texas Hill Country south of Austin. There are two main buildings along with guest cottages and a couple of additional houses. The property and the main buildings are so gorgeous with over-sized dining areas, antiques, fireplaces with stone facades, rooms with pale neutral colors and comfy beds and chairs.

Dinner is served every night at 6:00 by an Executive Chef who uses fresh vegetables and ingredients from the gardens and markets of surrounding farmers. The Inn has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, cover of Country Living, was featured in an Emeril Lagasse segment and was noted as one of the "most Romantic Valentine's Day Getaway." Asking price is $4.1 million.

As growth has expanded Round Rock, Tx, so has the need for more places of education from all the new public schools going in currently to private schools. I was eager to learn (maybe for my own curiosity) just how many there were right here locally.

1) Applegate Adventist Junior Academy has been open since 1986 (I didn't know that) takes PK - 8th grade.

2) Round Rock Christian Academy opened in 1975 PK - 12th

3) True Vine Christian School newly opened in 2001, K- 8th

Who'duve thunk it. We also have a bunch of Montessori Schools as well but I will get to that in another blog.

For all of you boot scooting country western dancers, I thought I would share a few of the new and old best places to go dancing or hear live music in the northern part of Travis and Williamson County, Tx

Dessau Hall - recently reopened with a new look and a presence. It is one of Austin's oldest clubs and brings back many memories of when I first moved to Austin. This month, bands like Peoples Choice and the Texas Unlimited Band brought the house down. It's a nice informal uncrowded place to hang out.

Hanovers Draught House in Pflugerville is also a great place to check out for fun. They had Radio Star, Commonwealth, Skyrocket and some Disco thrown one night. Don't know if you like karaoke but they used to have that also. In fact, I meet my husband there one night 9 years ago. He was so charmed by my Etta James rendition of At Last, he chased me down for my name and number and the rest is history. LOL.

If you have never been to a Texas Dance Hall well then the following are two destinations you must go to. Gruene Hall in Gruene, Tx (just down the road from Austin) is the best. Touted as the Oldest Dance Hall in Texas, maybe the world, I have seen Willie, Waylon and the boys there. You can see it in the movie "Michael" with John Travolta. It is where he dances to Chain, Chain, Chain of fools. It is awesome.

Next, you have to go to the Broken Spoke in South Austin. Talk about an institution OMG! If you like Ray Benson, music like the Texas Playboys, chicken fried steak and Willie Nelson, it is a must!! So hollar when you are going two stepping I will get my boots.