Austin Transportation Guide

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking a leisurely trip on the Austin Capital Metro Light Rail with a few wonderful friends.  My journey began at the Downtown Station located E 4th directly behind the Austin Convention Center.  I traveled from Downtown, meandered through East and North Austin ending at the Lakeline Station.  The light rail continues onto Leander (one more stop) completing approximately a 32 mile journey that takes about an hour due to various station stops.

Austin's light rail has been functioning for over a year now, but I've never had the need to travel from to and from Downtown to East or North Austin or even Leander since I live in Southwest Austin.  After hearing several friends who live north of Austin comment about their daily journey, I thought I was about time I experienced the trip so I could tell out of town clients about the experience.

One way tickets vary from $.50 to $2.75 depending on your preferred distance of travel, membership level and if you are able to take advantage of the reduced fare criteria.  Tickets are purchased either online, at a retail outlet or at a kiosk (shown above) at one of the light rail stations.

Taking the trip during the middle of the day allowed me to take in the scenery (that you often don't get to enjoy traveling 70 mph on the highway) on a quiet train ride.  The cars were clean and wifi is free for those looking to work while commuting to and from work.  The conductor was polite enough to wait for us to snatch our tickets out of the kiosk so wouldn't have to wait 20 minutes for the next train.  Overall, it was great experience.  Now I'm just waiting for the day I can catch the train in Southwest Austin and mosey into downtown.

Thanks to two great friends for joining me on this journey and Independence Title for creating this handy Austin Transportation Guide, which also discusses Austin's other form of transportation, the Car2Go program.

City of Austin - Stage 2 Watering Restrictions

Beginning Tuesday September 6th, Stage 2 Watering Restrictions take effect for City of Austin customers. 

If you are a residential customer, the revised watering days fall on Saturday (odd ending addresses) and Sunday (even ending addresses).  If you have a multi-family residence or a commercial space, your new watering days are fall on Tuesday (odd ending addresses) and Friday (even ending addresses).  

The new watering restriction prohibits the following:

• automatic irrigation systems operating anytime after 10 a.m. on your specified watering day.  
• vehicle washing at your residence between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.  
• charity car washes unless a waterless system is utilized, automatic fill valves for pools or ponds, running of outdoor fountains except to provide aeration for aquatic life, washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas or any other paved areas and EVEN water to be served at restaurants unless it is requested.  

Now that I'm done with the laundry list of do not dos, the only non-restricted items is hand watering which can be done anytime of the day and on any day of the week.  To learn more the heightened restriction visit the Stage 2 Watering Restrictions FAQ.  

Be sure educate yourself about the new watering restrictions.  The City of Austin will begin handing out official warnings beginning Tuesday, September 6th.  If the violation is not corrected, a citation will be issued in Municipal Court with fines set to start at $475.  Ouch!  

The Austin Food Truck Guide

Several years ago, food trucks in Austin were few and far between.  Today, you cannot drive an inch without spotting a new food truck or food trailer tucked away into a vacant spot with a crowd of folks camped out in front, either patiently waiting to order or seated enjoying their exotic fare.

My two local favorites are

Torchy's Tacos (food truck located 1st and Elizabeth) but you can dine at a traditional restaurant as well if you'd prefer.  You can never go wrong with a fried avocado taco or a crossroads taco with a side of green chili queso and a side of chips.  Everything on their menu is just delicious, but be sure to try the monthly special!

Odd Duck Farm to Trailer located 1200 South Lamar directly across from the Alamo Drafthouse.  Bryce Gilmore (son of Jack Allen Gilmore) is the genius behind this hot spot.  All ingredients are purchased locally and the menu is centered around those fresh ingredients. The last time I dined there it was 32 degrees and my husband and I snuggled next to open fire while enjoying several tasty treats on the rolling menu.  The menu changes often so you will always be in for a surprise.

For a more expansive list of food trucks or food trailers check out one of these two guides - the Austin Food Truck Guide or the Austin Food Trailers.  

Westlake Development: Tarlton 360

I've often driven by the old abandoned Cinemark Theatre on Walsh Tarleton near Barton Creek Mall wondered if someone will eventually convert the space into something useful rather than just letting it linger into further disarray.  It was music to my ears when I stumbled upon an The Austin Chronicle article featuring Tarlton 360, a new town home community. 

The project is the first under the 2007 redevelopment ordinance, which establishes rules for old or abandoned building sites in the Barton Creek Watershed 

Did You Reject a Tenant due to his Credit?

Have you rejected a tenant due to his/her credit since July 21, 2011?  Even if you haven't but will be running a prospective tenants credit in the future you should become quite familiar with the most recent change within the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  The change details exactly what property managers and landlords have to disclose regarding credit to their applicants.  Previously the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) required landlords to provide applicants with a notice of any adverse action (or an Adverse Action Notice) based on the information obtained from the applicants consumer report.  The amendment now goes a step further requiring all property managers and landlords to disclose the applicants credit score when the adverse action is in who or in part of the applicants credit score.

How to comply?

• Disclose the numerical credit score used in making the credit decision.
• Disclose the range of possible credit scores under the model used.
• Disclose the top four key factors that adversely affected the applicants credit score.
• Disclose the date on which the credit score was created.
• Disclose the name of the person or entity that provided the credit score.

The definition of Adverse Action in the eyes of the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies when any action taken that is unfavorable to the application.  Examples include denying an applicant based on credit or requiring a higher security deposit.  If you do not utilize the applicants credit score as a determining factor to base your approval decision, you will not be subject to the credit score disclosure requirement.  However, you do still need to provide an Adverse Action Notice.

Austin Hot Sauce Festival at Waterloo Park

Have you ever been told you REALLY make yummy hot sauce? 

or

Are you just a LOVER of hot sauce?

Either way you'll have an opportunity to tickle your fancy in just a few weeks.  Pick up a copy of the Austin Chronicle at your favorite hot spot around town and locate their Austin Hot Sauce Festival information page (usually located within the food section) or visit Austin Chronicle's Hot Sauce Festival webpage for more details, including a Hot Sauce Contest Entry Form.  In both places you'll find the specific contest details if you're interested in whipping up a batch of your spicy goodness.  Be sure to read the rules, including the sauce needing to be prepared in a commercial kitchen (which one is being provided FREE of charge to contestants).





Don't forget to mark your calendar with the following information.

Austin Chronicle's 21st Annual Hot Sauce Festival

Sunday, August 28th

11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

at Waterloo Park (12th @ Trinity)

FREE Admission*

*Admission is FREE with a donation of three non-perishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.  

Austin Ice Cream Festival in Waterloo Park

Are you searching for an event to enjoy with friends or family, are you an out of town guest and not sure how to spend the day or are you just on the prowl for an activity that would keep you cool this weekend?

Check out the Austin Ice Cream Festival being held Saturday, August 13 at Waterloo Park.  Swing by anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.  Admission is $10 (kids 8 and under are FREE).  Be sure to enter into one of the three ice cream contests as they look quite fun. 

Enjoy live music from the Biscuit Brothers and The Flying Balalaika Brothers or if music isn't up your alley, check out the magicians, juggles and many other performers.  See below for a map to Waterloo Park