As I have mentioned in previous blogs, Austin is a city with a green living vision. I am proud to announce that both the Dell Children's' Medical Center and The Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Lone Star Austin campus have been awarded high honors by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) rating system.
Dell Chrildren's Medical Center was awarded the highly coveted platinum rating. The platinum rating is the highest award to be granted by the LEED rating system. The AMD - Lone Star campus located in Austin was awarded a gold rating, the second highest.
The platinum ratings make the Dell Children's Medical Center the greenest hospital in the world and the first hospital to be recognized for its design and implementation of green living standards. The gold award received by AMD - Lone Star Austin campus is makes it one of the greenest corporate centers in the world.
The LEED Green Building Rating System is the national and worldwide benchmark for environmentally friendly building standards which include design, construction and operation. LEED rates buildings on the materials which improve energy efficiency.
The Dell Children's Medical Center and the AMD - Lone Star Austin campus display not only their own commitment to sustainable living but to Austin 's vision of becoming a sustainable city.
The City of Austin has established a program in which homes in the city can be habitats for Austin 's wildlife.
There are no tax benefits or discounts to be had. As a matter of fact, there is a $15 application fee to be certified as a wildlife habitat but the benefits to your quality of life are priceless.
The City of Austin would like to be named by the National Wildlife Federation as a community wildlife habitat. There are already 900 homes that are participating in the program and have already been certified by the City of Austin as wildlife habitats. Schools and businesses are also eligible to become certified wildlife habitats.
A certifiable habitat must provide water and food supply as well as shelter for the little critters. In addition, you must follow sustainable garden principles. Sustainable gardening includes such things as 
water-wise plants, mulching and composting.
You do not have to own acreage or have a large yard to become a habitat for wildlife; almost any yard space will do. Most backyards already have the features required to become a certified wildlife habitat. Water saving plants, flowers, plants with berries, trees, bushes and even bird baths found in many yards can be the start of your own wildlife habitat.
A watering source can be a bird bath, a fountain, a pond or a small hole with rocks which fill-up with rainwater. Living spaces for wildlife can be shrubs, bird houses or a small brush pile (a great home for little foxes). Berry and pollen producing plants can be food sources.
Not only do you make a home for Austin 's little critters, you will also reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to Austin 's green living lifestyle. Maintaining a habitat is probably easier than a formal yard. They require less watering, mowing, pesticides and upkeep while bringing nature into your everyday life.
Rome wasn't built in a day and your habitat doesn't need to be either. By adding water-wise plants, a diversity of shrubs, bushes, flowers or trees, just one plant-at-a-time, will improve the quality of your yard.
Habitats allow you a simple way to return to simpler times in a busy and complicated world. You can enjoy the chirps of sparrows, view the glory of the cardinal, watch a owl teach her young to fly, hear the croak of a toad or see little creatures scurry all in your own little corner of the world.
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There are lots of "tree lots" in Austin where you can purchase beautiful Christmas trees but, for a real treat, you may want to visit one of the Christmas tree farms just outside the city limits.
ELGIN CHRISTMAS TREE FARM and Gift Shop: Elgin Farms is also going green and offering tree recycling; be sure to check out their website for details. Elgin Farms is located at 120 Nature's Way, off Roy Davis Rd., Elgin, TX. The Elgin Farm is open until December 22nd from 10 am - 5 pm. On Sunday they will be open from noon to 5:30 pm.
Even if you have already bought your Christmas tree, a visit to these farms will be sure to add to your holiday memories.
EVERGREEN FARMS CHRISTMAS TREES and Gift Shop: The farm also features a nature trail, farm animals and games such as bean bag toss and horseshoes. A visit to the farm could prove to be a fun and stress-free family day with roasting (free) marshmallows over the campfire while drinking hot cider or coffee. There is a nature trail, farm animals, games and pine cone painting for family fun. Evergreen Farms is located at 242 Monkey Road, Elgin, Texas. The farm will be open through Christmas Eve but will close at 3 pm on that day. Evergreen Farms also offer all the tools necessary for tree cutting.
LOMA ALTA CHRISTMAS TREE FARM is another great place for a family visit and finding that perfect tree. Loma Alta Farms offer fun-filled day rides and you can feed the ducks and geese by the pond. The farm also allows you to walk the trails and cut your own holly or gather pine cones. By the way, it is a great place to take pictures with family and friends. The Loma Alta Christmas Tree Farm is located at 214 Loma Alta Drive, Smithville, Texas, 78957. Loma Alta will only be open for a few more days. So, if you don't go this weekend, be sure to call them before making a trip to the farm. The phone number is (512) 360-2005. You can also email them at lomaalta@flash.net.
I hope that all of you have a perfectly wonderful and blessed Christmas with your family and friends. After all, that is really what Christmas is about: a time of sharing with your family and friends.
Here is a little Christmas gift from me to you.
Hope you enjoy: Christmas Greetings.
(I love this one. I posted it last year and wanted to share it again).
Austin is a happy place any time of year but the holidays are really special here. Below you will find some Happy Holiday happenings to brighten up your days:
Congress Avenue: The Holiday lights will be all ablaze along Congress Avenue on Saturday (December 6). The City of Austin is going green this year. All the lights on Congress Avenue are new eco-friendly LED lights. The new LED lights use about 85% less energy than the old incandescent lights of the past. The new lights have the added benefit of being able to glow in several colors with blinking and fading features. So that everyone can enjoy the lights special features without any obstruction, there will be no garland this 
year.
The Zilker Tree Lighting: The Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Zilker Park on Saturday (December 6) at 6 p.m. hosted by the Austin Energy and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The Zilker Tree stands 155 feet tall and is topped by an 10 foot star. It is quite a sight to behold. Be sure to look for the Blue Santa tent. Blue Santa will be there to visit with children and to accept donations of unwrapped toys for Austin 's needy children 12 years and under.
Candlelight Christmas Tours: (December 5 - 13) will be held at the Pioneer Farm. Here you can truly enjoy an old-fashioned (19th century style) Christmas. There will be entertainment, games, crafts and much more. You can hear stories around the fire at the German Immigrant's cabin, string popcorn at the kitchen table and sing Christmas carols in the Homestead Parlor. On December 13th, only you can experience an 1860's Christmas at the Commercial Cotton Farm. Special entertainment is scheduled on Saturday and Sunday evenings for the next three weekends.
Make You Own Holiday Ornaments at the Wells Branch Community Library on Sunday (1 p.m.). There is a fee of $11 and all children under 8 must have an adult with them. This is a great way to spend some quality family time as well as create some very special memories.
Hop n Shop: (December 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) You will be able to board (not ride) a Capital Metro light rail train car at the "Hop 'n Shop" being held at the Brush Square . A 'Dillo will be decked in Christmas garb and lights. This event will feature music and merchant booths to promote the Austin downtown area as a shopping alternative and to remind everyone of the changes to the Dill routes and schedules. It's also a great way to promote the new train service, Capital Metro, arriving soon.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar: (December 12 - 24) An Austin favorite is the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. It is a great place to find a unique gift or a piece of fine art for those on your shopping list. The bazaar also features live entertainment. The Armadillo Bazaar is held at the Austin Convention Center opening each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Trail of Lights: (December 14 - 23). The Austin 's famous Trail of Lights is recognized as one of the top ten holiday light displays in the nation. The trail features 41 lighted scenes. The display route is 1.25 miles long. As you walk along the trail, you can enjoy hot chocolate and yule log fires in two different locations. There will be a holiday train for those who prefer to ride the trail. The Trail of Lights also offers a wide variety of entertainment on two different stages. Train rides, food booths, entertainment and fabulous lights all in one place nightly from 7 - 10 p.m.
No holiday season would be complete without a performance of the Nutcracker, Texas ' longest running production now in its 46th year. Ballet Austin will be performing in the new Performing Arts Center December 6 - 23. Each performance will feature a very special Mother Ginger who will be played by a different local celebrity.
Rockin' Christmas Party is another Austin tradition and will be performed once again at the Zackary Scott Theatre . The Zachary Scott Theatre offers several holiday shows including the popular Holiday Heroes for children 7 years of age and younger.
The Biscuit Brother's will be performing a special holiday show at Pioneer Farms' Sprinkle Corner on Friday, December 19th. The Biscuit Brothers film their Emmy Award winning TV series for PBS at Pioneer Farms. In addition to the performance, there will be cookies, hot chocolate and hayrides.
The traditional favorites "A Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas" will be shown on the big screen at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, December 7 and 12. The Paramount will be hosting several other holiday performances as well.
Well, if your holiday calendar was not already full, it should be now. Have fun everyone and don't forget to spin! Spinning under the Zilker tree while looking up at the lights is a unique Austin tradition.
Shay
Voting in this election may prove to be one of the most vital ballots you will ever cast. No matter where you stand on the issues and the candidates Your Vote is powerful.
Early voting will begin on Monday in Travis County . An early vote may be cast between Monday, October 20 and Friday, October 31, 2008.
Early voting allows you to vote conveniently at a time that works best for your schedule. If any of the times and locations do not match your schedule, then be sure to clear your calendar and vote on November 4th!
Your vote counts not only in this very important presidential election, but also in matters affecting our state, county and local matters.
Most polling locations will be equipped with electronic voting machines. Personally, I think the new machines make voting easy. When casting a vote electronically, you may change your vote. However, this must be done before you select the "CAST BALLOT" button.
If you have any question about electronic voting, call the Travis County Clerk's Elections Division at 512-854-4996.
Voting Locations:
Early Voting Locations
Early Voting Mobile Locations
Tuesday, November 4 Voting Locations:
Election day polling places.
Quotes to Remember:
Lyndon B. Johnson:
"The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men."
John Quincy Adams:
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
Remax Realtor specializing in the sale of Homes, Condos, Luxury Homes, Investment Properties. Working extensively with with both local buyers, investors and buyers relocating to Austin, Texas.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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