Living the Good Life In Georgetown Texas: Mike Sparks Georgetown Area Real Estate (Sparks Realty)

The City of Georgetown's Public Library is an outstanding resource for Central Texas and a centerpiece of Georgetown's commitment to provide a quality lifestyle to it's citizens.  The new library building was dedicated in January 2007 and contains over 49,500 sq ft. It is located 2 blocks off Georgetown's historic downtown square at 408 E 8th Street.  The multi function building has wide open spaces, a two story atrium and serves as a community center as well as a library.  

One of the cool features is the Georgetown Library's serving as a showcase for local art and sculpture.  Currently on display in the courtyard is a large piece titled 'The Distortionist'.  

In fact, thoughout the courtyard and interior spaces you will find other sculptures and works of art displayed to be enjoyed by all. 

The Childrens Area is my favorite, probably because I'm a kid at heart. 

 With bright colors and areas set aside for kids to perch, corners to hide in, stages to perform, or just neat items like the full size Jeep to play on.  There are plenty of computers and lots of space for adults as well as kids to enjoy.

To encourage after school activity and participation, Teenagers have their own spaces set aside.  There are diner style booths to study or meet friends as well as comfy couches and chairs to quietly read a good book.

If you get the munchies while researching that homework paper, or just need a place to meet friends and enjoy a cup of coffee, the Library offers a Starbucks style coffee shop with snacks and more.  

Of course there are stacks of book, and more books, as well as magazines, dvd's and books on cd to check out.

Need to go online?  No problem, there are plenty of computer stations to use and a helpful staff to assist.

So, what's keeping you. there's plenty to check out at the Georgetown Public Library and plan on staying a while there's lots to do!

For information about Georgetown Texas, or the surrounding Williamson County cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, and Hutto. or if you'd like to search for homes in these areas be sure to visit my web site or blog for other entries. 

Today, March 2, is Texas Independence Day, celebrating the day 174 years ago when delegates to the Convention of 1836  met in Washinton on the Brazos and approved a Declaration of Independence from Mexico and began writing a Constitution and formed an interim government.  All this mind you, as reports were coming in from San Antonio that the Alamo was under siege by the army of General Santa Anna and his large army would soon be advancing toward Washington on the Brazos.  The brave men of the Alamo held the fortress inspite of overwhelming odds until March 6th when it fell, giving the Convention time to finish it's task. 

Today is also a day to Vote in the primary elections for various statewide offices including Governor.  If the brave delegates to the Convention and the Defenders of the Alamo could sacrifice so much so that we could be free and independent couldn't we at least exercise our Right To Vote and honor their sacrifice?

The City of Georgetown's Park Trail system has got to be one of the best advantages of living in Georgetown.  Designated a National Recreation Trail, it features almost 9 miles of scenic trails to enjoy. From San Gabriel Park it is possible to walk, hike, bike, stroll, jog, or just amble along the beautiful trails that mostly follow the San Gabriel river connecting untimately with the Corps of Engineer Lake Georgetown Overlook Park, and the Good Water Trail that circles Lake Georgetown.

A large portion of the trails are paved and are handicapped accessible.  They are lighted and patrolled by volunteers.  There is also water, benches and emergency stations along the trail system for your convenience. 

The trails cross the San Gabriel River several times and offer good views of the clear water.  The trails are not difficult and there are several places to park along the trails at the various parks that are adjacent. 

With Spring around the corner and plenty of trails to explore there is no excuse for not getting out and exercising and enjoying the beauty of Central Texas and Georgetown's Park system.

For more information about Georgetown, and the surrounding areas of Williamson County including cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Taylor be sure to visit my blog or my web site.  I'll be happy to share my knowledge and experience or even better, let's go hike the Trails!

Briarwood Subdivision in Georgetown Texas is a great new home subdivison located close in off Williams Drive and an easy commute to Austin.  Featuring homes starting from $170,000 to 250,000 this restrictricted neighborhood features 70' wide wooded lots, neighborhood park, walking distance to Frost Elementary and Benold Middle School. 

Homes are 100% masonry, include landscaping and are all architecturally unique.  No volume builders replicating the same plan over and over.  Buyers appreciate the attention to detail and the high quality construction.  Currently there are 4 new homes for sale

2 are complete and ready to occupy and 2 are under construction. 

For information about these homes and other New Homes in Georgetown, or to search for new homes in Georgetown Tx, visit my website or blog.  I'll be glad to show you these and any other homes in the area.  Come see why Georgetown should be your new home town!

Want to live in a countryside setting but want to remain close in?  Then take a look at Oakcrest Estates in Georgetown Texas.  

This close in neighborhood is bordered by the San Gabriel River, DB Wood Rd, and the Georgetown Country Club.  As you follow Country Club drive    

you notice the split rail fences, and the scenery gets rural, yet you are only a couple of minutes from Wolf Ranch and the Rivery shopping centers.  Cross the bridge and enjoy the serenity of this quiet enclave.

  Most of the homes were built in the late 1970's through 1990, and are ranch style ranging in size from 1500 to 3500 sq ft.

  The lots are large most from 1/2 acre to 1 acre.  Some areas are heavily  treed with Oaks being predominate.     And where you have a country setting, lots of tree cover you are going to have wildlife.  Deer abound!      Be sure and plant deer resistant landscaping and fence your garden, because these deer love snap beans, peas, lettuce, and most bedding plants.

Oak Crest is a perfect combination of city and country.  With paved streets and shady avenues and good neighbors    Yet you can walk 2 blocks and see cows grazing and listen to the windmill creak and groan as it pumps water.   Oak Crest is the best of both, rural and urban at the same time.  The neighborhood has an active voluntary homeowner's association that sponsors an annual pic nic and neighborhood garage sale.  If you would like information about this neighborhood or others in the Georgetown and Williamson County area contact me, I'd love to show you around.

It is said that one man's junk is another's treasure and no where is that statement more true than   Louis Miller's Mechanical Mart in Georgetown Texas.

I've always been fascinated by tractors and farm implements and well anything mechanical and this spot in the middle of a the historic area of Georgetown has always fascinated me.  Mr Miller has been pulling these relics of our agricultural past out of fields and barns for years and assembled one of the finest collections in the country.... All in the shadow of Southwestern University and the historic Georgetown Tx historic square.

Everything from huge steam driven tractors and combines to 1950's Farmall tractors are scattered around the yard.

 I like the flared fenders on this one.... racy don't you thing?  Notice the huge steam driven machine in the background.

This is one of my favorites, if you look someone has combined a Model T front chassis with an early horse drawn mechanical plow.  Now that's some early Aggie engineering!

 Surely, you rmember the Rumely Tractor?  I can just imagine how much this must have cost back in the day.  At least you didn't have to worry about the tires going flat.

 need traction?  just bolt on these iron spikes,, no problem.  You could also run a leather belt off the pulley and and run all kinds of equiptment even a portable sawmill. There are scores of these antique tractors on this private yard all owned by antique tractor collector Louis Miller who operates a repair yard at 806 E 8th Street in Georgetown Texas. 

If you are in the market for a Home or information about Georgetown Texas give me a call and I'll give you a tour of this and other interesting places in Georgetown and Williamson County Texas.

This morning at approximately 10 am, a small plane reported to be a Piper Cherokee crashed into the side of the Echelon I office building located at the intersection of Highway 183 and Mopac(Loop 1).  The 7 story building was engulfled in flames and smoke could be seen for miles.  The office complex included several buidlings including the headquarters for Keller Williams, howerver the KW offices are not believed to be located in the building that was hit by the plane.  You can follow the live feed from local station kxan.      photo from news report

Here we go again, just another day.  Had an inspection scheduled today for a house I have listed.  Actually it's a re-schedule, the house was a remodel and wasn't quite ready last week, so extended the option period another week to give the seller's contractor plenty of time to get the house ready.  You know the drill, always anticipate what can go wrong, so....... I spend an hour on my Sunday checking the house, find that the power isn't on , the HVAC thermostat isn't there, and not one, not ONE DAMN thing has been done all week.  Call seller, he calls contractor and excuse after excuse they promise that the house will be ready Monday afternoon.  Inspection is 3pm. 

Of course, I reschedule my Monday morning so I can check on the progress. Good sign, when I get there, there are 3 pickup trucks, a front end loader and 2 loads of dirt dumped in the driveway.  POWER IS ON! I check with contractor, everything will be done in plenty of time.  I bite my tongue and dont' comment on the fact that he had all week...

Come back an hour before inspection, trucks gone, dirt spread, so far so good.  Inside is a mess, but at least the 15 punchout items seem to be mostly done.  There's even a thermostat on the wall.  I notice it's off... turn it on... nothing.  Find manual.. try again... nothing.  Call contractor, he says he couldn't make it work either so he was gonna call manufactuer tomorrow!   I won't repeat my conversation at this point.

Call seller, tell him the situation, he's at work can't get away,, just take care of it he tells me.  No problemo, it's what we do.

So......I call the service company I normally use,. they rush over a HVAC tech, he fixes short in system caused by improper installation and I give my personal check to cover the bill.  I then call a makeready clean up team I've used, luck would have it they were finishing a job and could come over in 30 min.  

Inspector shows up just as HVAC is hooked up, cleaning is on going, and buyer is due to arrive in 30 min.  Sheesh....what we go through to get THE JOB DONE!

Georgetown's new transit station is a model of green building designed to leave a minimum carbon footprint and operate off the grid.  The new station scheduled to open in the spring of 2010 features solar panels, a rainwater collection system and an electric car charging station.

. 

A 60 ft wind turbine that generates electric power is visible from Interstate 35 .

The rainwater collection tank is artfully screened.  The station is part of the Capital Area Rural Transportation System or CARTS for short.

When the station opens this spring it will offer public transportation options that include bus, carpool, and van service to surrounding communities in the Austin Metro area.  For more information visit the CARTS web site

This Wednesday January 27 marks the 5th International Holocaust Rememberance Day as designated by the United Nations in 2005 to honor all the victims of the Nazi era.

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Archives

  On January 27th 1945 the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated by the Allies ending one of the darkest periods in the world's history.  Now 65 years later the Georgetown Library is presenting an exhbit titled ' A Reason to Remember' from Jan 17th thru Feb 13 2010 sponsored by the Congregation Havurah Shalom of Sun City.  This traveling exhibit of photos, artifacts, and documents from five Jewish familes in the 1930's and 40's in Germany portrays the stories of life in the rural German village of Roth and is a microcosm of  life across Nazi occupied Europe and how it affected the Jewish residents.  On January 27th at 2pm the library will have a free lecture by C.S. Ragsdale, auther of 'Living Longer Than Hate', the story of Holocaust survivor William Morgan who escaped the camp at age 16.  His entire family perished and he was the only inhabitant of his village to survive.  For more information visit the United Nations Holocaust site, or the Georgetown Public Library.