Lago Vista, TX

Well, Christmas is well behind us now and that turkey is finally gone. Are we all starting our diets now or anyone fancy a pizza?

I just had to share with you details of a fantastic little pizza place in my area.

The Jonestown Take 'N Bake has been doing a roaring trade since it opened last year and may I suggest you try the Lake Travis Special next time you are in the area.

Please say hi to Joe from me!

Hometown Take & Bake Pizza - 18601 FM 1431 - Jonestown TX 78645 - 512-428-4814

AUSTIN
College Baseball - Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June. Baylor Bears, Texas Longhorns, Texas State Bobcats

Annual Tenant Show - At the Guadalupe Arts Center, the Annual Tenant Show -- running mid-January through mid-February -- features work from photography and sculpture to jewelry, all $500 or less, more than 40 artists. (512) 473-3775

Westlake Farmers Market - Every Saturday, rain or shine, the Westlake Farmers Market at Westlake High School offers produce, organic coffee, baked goods, handmade jewelry, stained glass, soap, flowers, plants and more. (512) 280-1976

Zach Scott Theater - www.zachtheatre.org
Jan 16th - Zach's First Annual Texas Hold Em Poker Event, 5 pm at Sullivan's Steakhouse Ringside Bar
Jan. 23 - Feb. 6 - Everything About a Day (Almost)
Jan. 28 - (opening) - The Flaming Idiots
Feb. 27 - Red, Hot & Soul Party


CEDAR PARK
Austin Shrine Circus - Cedar Park Center. A True 3-Ring Circus that provides Fun, Family Entertainment for Children of ALL Ages!
Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 11:30am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 1:30pm and 5:30pm
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1:00pm
www.cedarparkcenter.com

Jason Aldean - Cedar Park Center. Country rocker Jason Aldean is running full throttle into 2010 on the momentum of the release of his third album, Wide Open.. Thursday January 28, 2010, 7:30 PM. Tickets on Sale Now. www.cedarparkcenter.com

FEBRUARY EVENTS IN AUSTIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Carnival Brasileiro - early February, a colorful extravaganza of samba music and merriment culminating in one of the largest Brazilian parties outside of Brazil. www.sambaparty.com

Austin Marathon - 2.14.2010, taking in downtown Austin and Town Lake this is the perfect chance to tour the city and some of its best sights if you're a runner. www.youraustinmarathon.com

Ballet Austin - Truth & Beauty/The Bach Project, At the Long Center February 12 - 14. www.balletaustin.org

Sesame Street Live- 1,2,3 Imagine with Elmo and Friends - At the Frank Erwin Center. February 18-21. Get Tickets(link)

CEDAR PARK
Austin Toros Basketball - Austin Toros vs. Reno Bighorns on February 2 - 3, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
www.cedarparkcenter.com

Cirque Du Soleil "Alegría" - FEBRUARY 17 - 21, 2010, Cedar Park Center. Alegría is a mood, a state of mind. Kings' fools, minstrels, beggars, old aristocrats and children make up its universe, along with the clowns, who alone are able to resist the passing of time and the social transformations that accompany it. www.cedarparkcenter.com

MARCH EVENTS IN AUSTIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo - mid-March, plenty of rodeo and cowboy activity in this two-week, western-style event. www.rodeoaustin.com

South by Southwest (SXSW) - mid to late March, Austin's biggest calendar event sees over one thousand acts perform in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators from around the world. sxsw.com

John Mayer "Battle Studies" World Tour - Frank Erwin Center, March 8th, 7pm. www.uterwincenter.com

APRIL EVENTS IN AUSTIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Zilker Garden Festival - early April, held at the Zilker Botanical Gardens, Austin's number one flower festival also features plenty of food and music, arts and crafts, and children's games. www.zilkergarden.org/about/events/ZGF2010/zgf.html

Old Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival - late April, an extravaganza of arts and crafts vendors and music on bustling Sixth Street

On Thursday December 3rd a nationwide online survey was launched to determine the "Most Recognizable Franchise Brand in Real Estate."

With real estate agents being independent contractors and fiercely loyal to their respective brand, the vote quickly garnished huge attention. It went viral through various social media networks, blogs and emails encouraging agents to vote.

In the end an astonishing 11,355 agents voted, casting just over 390,000 votes for 33 different real estate franchise brands making this - according to knowledge - the largest survey of its kind in the industry. The survey required real estate professionals to vote for a franchise on a scale from 0 - 5; starting from "Never heard of the brand" all the way up to "Excellent brand." The brand's scores in all categories were taken into consideration to determine the overall rankings. In the end there was a significant difference in the vote count between most of the top 10, thereby solidifying the placement of the brands.

The Top 4 real estate franchises, most recognized by the real estate industry as quality national brands are:-

1) Keller Williams Realty

2) Coldwell Banker Real Estate

3) RE/MAX International

4) Century 21 Real Estate

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Eclectic gift items combine with area entertainment to fill the Austin Music Hall with an aura of old Austin. Call (512) 447-1605 for more information.

Cedar Park Tree Lighting Ceremony

Over 50,000 lights will illuminate one of the largest Live Oaks in Cedar Park. Enjoy caroling, carriage rides, and the Yule fire. Heritage Oak Park. Call (512) 401-5500 for more information.

Santa's Workshop

Enjoy music, games, the Yule fire, arts & crafts, hot cocoa and of course, Santa Claus. Bring the whole family for what promises to be a festive evening. Heritage Oak Park. Call (512) 401-5500 for more information.

Christmas at the LBJ Library and Museum

A Presidential Christmas is celebrated at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum (open daily except Christmas), with presidential holiday memorabilia and tax-free holiday shopping in the Museum Store. Admission is free. Call (512) 721-0200 for more information.

Last Chance Arts & Crafts Bazaar

The Palmer Events Center provides opportunity to wrap up holiday shopping amid arts / crafts booths, carnival rides, face painters, Santa and more. Call (512) 441-9015 for more information.

Trails of Lights and Zilker Christmas Tree

Starting after Thanksgiving , this month-long festival opens with lighting of the Zilker Tree, with a pedestrian Trail of Lights transforming a mile-long stretch of Zilker Park into a lighted fairyland. Call (512) 974-6700 for more information.

Main Street Artisan Stroll

On the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 3pm visit the charming shops, taste food from local eateries, and enjoy the rich sounds of a variety of musical styles as you stroll through the beautiful downtown area. Across from the library on Main Street in historic downtown Round Rock. Call 512-535-5761 for more information.

Appleseed Marksmanship Clinic

Rifle marksmanship and heritage presentation. Learn rifle safety and marksmanship. Consistently strike a 20 inch target at 500 yards. Beneficial to everyone from the novice to the experienced shooter. December 26 - 27. Adams Ranches, Davilla, TX.

First Night Austin

The New Year is celebrated with art and festivities in downtown Austin, between 4th Street and Auditorium Shores, on New Year's Eve. Call (512) 391-1551 for more information.