About Potter County, TX

The saying "the third time is always a charm", is very true in this case. After two other failed attempts to renovate and expand the 32-year-old Amarillo Library, things are finally underway.

This week, sidewalk work began. This is the first step in many to come. The $680,000 project will also include a change of the interior layout, new carpet and new paint.

After the project is finished, there will be twenty-four new computer workstations. That's double what it is now. And, the second floor will be available for research. The Bush-FitzSimon collection will then be available on the first floor, instead of its current, second floor, location. The Bush-FitzSomon collection is made up of text books of early Texas and Southwest history, along with other historical documents. The first floor will also hold the children's area, the computer area and popular literature.

The library is getting its funding from library bonds that were issued in 1999 and funds left over from other Amarillo Library's that have been renovated.

I am happy to see that our Amarillo Library is getting the makeover it needs. It shows that our community is growing by leaps and bounds.

The Amarillo Botanical Gardens is holding a contest inviting residents to name the whimsical frog musician statue that welcomes visitors to the garden. Our frog is also the mascot for the summertime Music in the Gardens series. All of Amarillo is welcome to submit their suggestions by August 20th, with the winner to be announced at the Music in the Gardens' final performance on August 25th. The winner will receive an annual membership for a family of four to the gardens. So, put on your thinking caps and name our toe-tapping amphibian friend. All entries must be in writing and should be sent to the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, C/O Name the Mascot Contest. For rules and more information, please visit the Amarillo Botanical Gardens' website. What a fun way to show your civic pride!

Located in the center of the Texas panhandle, Amarillo earns its name as "the yellow rose of Texas". The millions of acres of agricultural land surrounding the city gives it a wide open "home on the range" feel. But, Amarillo remains the Texas panhandle's commercial center.

Besides Amarillo's great public elementary school system, there are several wonderful institutions of higher learning set here. These include everything from Amarillo Community College, a campus of Wayland Baptist University and the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy to the word famous West Texas A&M.

With over 50 city-maintained parks within its city limits, outdoor recreation plays a large part in the Amarillo lifestyle. It also plays host to several events throughout the year to honor the American cowby, such as the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo and the World Championship Ranch Rodeo. Native Americans are honored at the Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum.

Not everything in Amarillo is about the Old West, though. The Amarillo Opera, Symphony and Lone Star Ballet call the Globe News Center for the Performing Arts their home. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy any one of the many museums and art galleries in Amarillo as well. For science buffs, the Don Harrington Discovery Center is an interactive museum that has over 60 hands-on exhibits for children of all ages to enjoy.

There are so many reasons Amarillo real estate should be put at the top of your list of places to live that I just can't name them all here. Give me a call or drop me a line and I'll show you for myself why I love Amarillo.