August 2010
Biltmore Hillside Villas 3008 Sq. Ft.| 3 Bed | 3 Bath $889,000 Come experience this exceptionally beautiful three-bedroom home with a separate Casita within one of the best locations in the Valley. The single-story property features a gorgeous and inviting open floor plan. Travertine and granite throughout the home. Great backyard with heated pebble-tech pool and spa, built-in gas BBQ and fire pit. Enjoy the spacious three-car garage, and cul de sac lot backing to Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Fantastic views of Piestawa Peak and downtown Phoenix round out this special home. Call David Reimold at 602.571.0680 or Phil Tibi at 602.692.0780 to schedule a private showing or to obtain more info.
Your Home’s Latest Luxury
Green Homes
Good for Your Health, Your Wallet, Our World
Comfort Food Goes Gourmet
Roaring Fork’s Huckleberry Bread Pudding Austin’s
All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Statistics represent single-family and patio homes. Information gathered from ARMLS. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.
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Real Estate Report
Outdoor kitchens have become so popular that many high-end homebuilders now offer them as a standard feature to entice buyers, ranging from built-in grills with brick or stone enclosures to full-service kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and sinks.
Taking the Indoors Out
Featuring Roaring Fork 512.583.0000 | eddiev.com
Many homeowners are searching for ways to create the ultimate in backyard living. While an oversized flat-screen TV, swim-up pool bar, rock speakers with surround sound and putting green have become common in luxury homes, so has the outdoor kitchen. The possibilities in your outdoor kitchen amenities have grown from a simple built-in grill to an entire space dedicated to the gourmet chef in the household. Built-in wine storage, under-cabinet beer kegs with built-in taps, ice makers, rotisserie spits, woks and even a wood-burning pizza oven are options.
HUCKLEBERRY BREAD PUDDING INGREDIENTS: 1 quart heavy cream 9 eggs 2 1/4 cups sugar 4 oz. sugar 1 oz. vanilla 2 loaves bread 3 cups huckleberries PREPARATION: 1. Cut bread into one-inch-by-one-inch cubes. 2. Whisk together the eggs, heavy cream and vanilla. 3. Toss in bread, then huckleberries carefully to coat and allow to soak for 30 minutes. 4. Place mixture in buttered 8 oz. ramekin bowls, filling two inches over the top. 5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. 6. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. 7. Optional, top with vanilla ice cream and berry sauce. Yield: 12 portions
An Island Paradise
The hottest trend in kitchen design is right in your own backyard. Outdoor kitchens today are fully-functional cooking areas, ideal for entertaining your friends and family. As a seamless extension of your indoor living area, they provide additional space for relaxation, cooking and dining. Outdoor kitchens bring the entertainment experience to the outside of the home. Some of the popular items people request to complete their outdoor kitchen are high-performance grills, warming units, weather-tight cabinetry with storage drawers, and refrigerators.
The Benefits of a Green Home There are many very real benefits to living in a green home, and every day, more and more Americans are discovering those benefits. That’s why green homes are expected to make up 10% of new home construction by 2010, up from 2% in 2005, according to the 2006 McGraw-Hill Construction Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report. Owning or renting a green home is good for your health, your wallet and our environment. A HEALTHIER HOME • Green homes’ use of toxin-free building materials helps combat indoor air pollution, which can be much worse than outdoor pollution. Unhealthy air inside can pose serious health risks for residents. • Natural ventilation in green homes, as well as use of mechanical ventilation systems to filter and bring fresh air inside and vent stale air outside, keep residents breathing easy. A COST-EFFICIENT HOME • The net cost of owning a green home is comparable to – or even cheaper than – owning a standard home. If upfront costs are higher, it is often because many architects, homebuilders, engineers, plumbers and other industry professionals just don’t have the knowledge and experience to cost-effectively plan, design and build a green home. Finding a professional familiar with green-building techniques will save you money and ensure you’re getting the best-quality work possible. • Month to month, people who live in green homes save money by consuming less energy and less water than standard homes. Over the years, that adds up to big savings. • A healthier home can mean fewer expensive doctor’s visits and fewer days of missed work. • Soon, it will cost less to insure a green home than a standard home. An increasing number of insurance companies are offering discounts on policies covering green homes. Similarly, several mortgage companies offer discounted loan rates for homebuyers buying green. • A green home is often more durable than most standard homes because of its high-quality building materials and construction processes, requiring fewer repairs. • The value of a green home is often higher than that of a comparable standard home, and the market demand for green homes continues to rise. The Solaire, a green residential high-rise in New York City, brings in rents 10% to 15% higher than market rates, and in Rocklin, Calif., the LEED-certified homes in the Carsten Crossings development outsold the competition 2-to-1.
The grill is often the focal point of the outdoor kitchen. Today’s high-end grills offer a host of well-engineered features to make cooking on them as consistent and convenient as cooking on an indoor range or in an oven, such as large grilling surfaces, multi-zoned burners and convenient side burners. You can choose a freestanding grill or one built into an island. Grilling islands come in two forms: permanently installed custom-built masonry islands and semi-custom prefabricated units. Permanent islands are customized to meet your needs and afford the most flexibility in terms of design and materials. You can use the same stone or brick as your patio or house exterior for the island base. Prefabricated islands cost considerably less than custom islands and don’t require a building permit. They can be delivered, hooked up and ready to go in a day. With this information in mind, you can start planning your outdoor kitchen design. Some grill and grilling island manufacturers offer design plans, or you can work with a contractor or appliance distributor to create you own custom design. As our summer is in full swing, it’s time to really get cooking!
• Local, state and federal governments are increasingly offering tax breaks and other incentives for building LEED homes or adding green features to your home. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOME • Residential cooling and heating alone make up 20% of the United States’ yearly energy use. Throw in household lighting, appliances and other electronic equipment, and homes are clearly a major source of energy consumption. Most of that energy comes from greenhouse gas producers like oil and coal, contributing to global climate change. Green homes use 40% less energy than comparable standard homes. • Some green homes further reduce our dependence on conventional energy sources as they generate some or all of their energy needs through alternative energy sources like the sun, wind, geothermal energy and biomass. • Efficient plumbing and bathing fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping and water-conserving irrigation systems help green homes use less water than standard homes. • Far fewer natural resources are used in the construction of a green home. Many green building materials have significant recycled content. Some companies, for example, now make carpets and floor tiles from recycled tires and bottles. Green homes can also be constructed with salvaged materials from demolished buildings. Green homes use materials made from rapidly renewable materials, like bamboo, hemp, agrifibers and soybean-based products. And the use of wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council helps promote socially and environmentally beneficial forestry practices. • Building a standard 2,500-square-foot home creates approximately 2 tons of construction waste that ends up in landfills. Construction of a green home, however, should generate less waste – often much less. Source: US Green Building Council www.greenhomeguide.com
AUGUST 2010 Shen Yun Long Center for Performing Arts, August 7th 512.457.5100 | thelongcenter.org Touring over 100 cities, this magical production is making its way to Austin for one night only. Unlike any performance you’ve ever seen, this show dazzles with brilliant costumes, remarkable choreography and elegant classical Chinese dance. Raved as the world’s “most stunning stage production,” this one-of-a-kind experience features groundbreaking music by a live orchestra. Cindy Lauper Paramount Theatre, August 10th 512.472.5470 | austintheatre.org As an iconic figure in music, Cyndi Lauper has emphatically put her mark on pop culture. More than 20 years later, Lauper still knows how to have fun. Jam along as she entertains the crowd with old favorites such as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time along with some new hits you are sure to download to your iPod. Austin Ice Cream Festival Waterloo Park, August 14th 512.480.5966 | austinicecreamfestival.com Bring out the family, including man’s best friend, to the 4th annual Ice Cream Festival. Enjoy plenty of games, activities, contests and live entertainment at this delicious event. Of course who can forget the main reason you’ll come – for the ice cream! This festival raises funds for great local organizations including the Austin Children’s Shelter. We all scream for ice cream! The Ice Ball Hilton Hotel, August 14th 512.634.7958 | austiniceball.org Be the belle of the ball at this heart-warming evening in support of Austin’s youth. Enjoy an amazing night featuring a gourmet meal, dancing and, of course, ice sculptures. The live auction includes a week in Bali, a Mini Cooper and an exotic Nigai hunt. With proceeds benefitting the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, let’s top last year’s $60,000 funds raised for this great cause. Fashion Show Austin Museum of Art, August 15th 512.495.9224 | amoa.org One man’s trash is another man’s treasure during this unique fashion show. Be amazed by how local designers take everyday materials such as plastic bags, cables and vinyl banners and transform them into beautiful garments. This event is officially part of Austin Fashion Week and is co-sponsored by Keep Austin Beautiful. The World Is Your Oyster Central Market, August 25th 512.206.1014 | centralmarket.com Has preparing oysters always been a mystery to you? Learn how to feel comfortable preparing and cooking nature’s aphrodisiac during this three-hour course. Scot Lorac, the evening’s instructor, will teach the class to correctly select oysters, shuck and prepare delicious dishes incorporating the oysters including Caesar salad with crispy fried oysters – sure to impress any dinner guest.
Outdoor kitchens have become so popular that many high-end homebuilders now offer them as a standard feature to entice buyers, ranging from built-in grills with brick or stone enclosures to full-service kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and sinks.
Taking the Indoors Out
Featuring Roaring Fork 512.583.0000 | eddiev.com
Many homeowners are searching for ways to create the ultimate in backyard living. While an oversized flat-screen TV, swim-up pool bar, rock speakers with surround sound and putting green have become common in luxury homes, so has the outdoor kitchen. The possibilities in your outdoor kitchen amenities have grown from a simple built-in grill to an entire space dedicated to the gourmet chef in the household. Built-in wine storage, under-cabinet beer kegs with built-in taps, ice makers, rotisserie spits, woks and even a wood-burning pizza oven are options.
HUCKLEBERRY BREAD PUDDING INGREDIENTS: 1 quart heavy cream 9 eggs 2 1/4 cups sugar 4 oz. sugar 1 oz. vanilla 2 loaves bread 3 cups huckleberries PREPARATION: 1. Cut bread into one-inch-by-one-inch cubes. 2. Whisk together the eggs, heavy cream and vanilla. 3. Toss in bread, then huckleberries carefully to coat and allow to soak for 30 minutes. 4. Place mixture in buttered 8 oz. ramekin bowls, filling two inches over the top. 5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. 6. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. 7. Optional, top with vanilla ice cream and berry sauce. Yield: 12 portions
An Island Paradise
The hottest trend in kitchen design is right in your own backyard. Outdoor kitchens today are fully-functional cooking areas, ideal for entertaining your friends and family. As a seamless extension of your indoor living area, they provide additional space for relaxation, cooking and dining. Outdoor kitchens bring the entertainment experience to the outside of the home. Some of the popular items people request to complete their outdoor kitchen are high-performance grills, warming units, weather-tight cabinetry with storage drawers, and refrigerators.
The Benefits of a Green Home There are many very real benefits to living in a green home, and every day, more and more Americans are discovering those benefits. That’s why green homes are expected to make up 10% of new home construction by 2010, up from 2% in 2005, according to the 2006 McGraw-Hill Construction Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report. Owning or renting a green home is good for your health, your wallet and our environment. A HEALTHIER HOME • Green homes’ use of toxin-free building materials helps combat indoor air pollution, which can be much worse than outdoor pollution. Unhealthy air inside can pose serious health risks for residents. • Natural ventilation in green homes, as well as use of mechanical ventilation systems to filter and bring fresh air inside and vent stale air outside, keep residents breathing easy. A COST-EFFICIENT HOME • The net cost of owning a green home is comparable to – or even cheaper than – owning a standard home. If upfront costs are higher, it is often because many architects, homebuilders, engineers, plumbers and other industry professionals just don’t have the knowledge and experience to cost-effectively plan, design and build a green home. Finding a professional familiar with green-building techniques will save you money and ensure you’re getting the best-quality work possible. • Month to month, people who live in green homes save money by consuming less energy and less water than standard homes. Over the years, that adds up to big savings. • A healthier home can mean fewer expensive doctor’s visits and fewer days of missed work. • Soon, it will cost less to insure a green home than a standard home. An increasing number of insurance companies are offering discounts on policies covering green homes. Similarly, several mortgage companies offer discounted loan rates for homebuyers buying green. • A green home is often more durable than most standard homes because of its high-quality building materials and construction processes, requiring fewer repairs. • The value of a green home is often higher than that of a comparable standard home, and the market demand for green homes continues to rise. The Solaire, a green residential high-rise in New York City, brings in rents 10% to 15% higher than market rates, and in Rocklin, Calif., the LEED-certified homes in the Carsten Crossings development outsold the competition 2-to-1.
The grill is often the focal point of the outdoor kitchen. Today’s high-end grills offer a host of well-engineered features to make cooking on them as consistent and convenient as cooking on an indoor range or in an oven, such as large grilling surfaces, multi-zoned burners and convenient side burners. You can choose a freestanding grill or one built into an island. Grilling islands come in two forms: permanently installed custom-built masonry islands and semi-custom prefabricated units. Permanent islands are customized to meet your needs and afford the most flexibility in terms of design and materials. You can use the same stone or brick as your patio or house exterior for the island base. Prefabricated islands cost considerably less than custom islands and don’t require a building permit. They can be delivered, hooked up and ready to go in a day. With this information in mind, you can start planning your outdoor kitchen design. Some grill and grilling island manufacturers offer design plans, or you can work with a contractor or appliance distributor to create you own custom design. As our summer is in full swing, it’s time to really get cooking!
• Local, state and federal governments are increasingly offering tax breaks and other incentives for building LEED homes or adding green features to your home. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOME • Residential cooling and heating alone make up 20% of the United States’ yearly energy use. Throw in household lighting, appliances and other electronic equipment, and homes are clearly a major source of energy consumption. Most of that energy comes from greenhouse gas producers like oil and coal, contributing to global climate change. Green homes use 40% less energy than comparable standard homes. • Some green homes further reduce our dependence on conventional energy sources as they generate some or all of their energy needs through alternative energy sources like the sun, wind, geothermal energy and biomass. • Efficient plumbing and bathing fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping and water-conserving irrigation systems help green homes use less water than standard homes. • Far fewer natural resources are used in the construction of a green home. Many green building materials have significant recycled content. Some companies, for example, now make carpets and floor tiles from recycled tires and bottles. Green homes can also be constructed with salvaged materials from demolished buildings. Green homes use materials made from rapidly renewable materials, like bamboo, hemp, agrifibers and soybean-based products. And the use of wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council helps promote socially and environmentally beneficial forestry practices. • Building a standard 2,500-square-foot home creates approximately 2 tons of construction waste that ends up in landfills. Construction of a green home, however, should generate less waste – often much less. Source: US Green Building Council www.greenhomeguide.com
AUGUST 2010 Shen Yun Long Center for Performing Arts, August 7th 512.457.5100 | thelongcenter.org Touring over 100 cities, this magical production is making its way to Austin for one night only. Unlike any performance you’ve ever seen, this show dazzles with brilliant costumes, remarkable choreography and elegant classical Chinese dance. Raved as the world’s “most stunning stage production,” this one-of-a-kind experience features groundbreaking music by a live orchestra. Cindy Lauper Paramount Theatre, August 10th 512.472.5470 | austintheatre.org As an iconic figure in music, Cyndi Lauper has emphatically put her mark on pop culture. More than 20 years later, Lauper still knows how to have fun. Jam along as she entertains the crowd with old favorites such as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time along with some new hits you are sure to download to your iPod. Austin Ice Cream Festival Waterloo Park, August 14th 512.480.5966 | austinicecreamfestival.com Bring out the family, including man’s best friend, to the 4th annual Ice Cream Festival. Enjoy plenty of games, activities, contests and live entertainment at this delicious event. Of course who can forget the main reason you’ll come – for the ice cream! This festival raises funds for great local organizations including the Austin Children’s Shelter. We all scream for ice cream! The Ice Ball Hilton Hotel, August 14th 512.634.7958 | austiniceball.org Be the belle of the ball at this heart-warming evening in support of Austin’s youth. Enjoy an amazing night featuring a gourmet meal, dancing and, of course, ice sculptures. The live auction includes a week in Bali, a Mini Cooper and an exotic Nigai hunt. With proceeds benefitting the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, let’s top last year’s $60,000 funds raised for this great cause. Fashion Show Austin Museum of Art, August 15th 512.495.9224 | amoa.org One man’s trash is another man’s treasure during this unique fashion show. Be amazed by how local designers take everyday materials such as plastic bags, cables and vinyl banners and transform them into beautiful garments. This event is officially part of Austin Fashion Week and is co-sponsored by Keep Austin Beautiful. The World Is Your Oyster Central Market, August 25th 512.206.1014 | centralmarket.com Has preparing oysters always been a mystery to you? Learn how to feel comfortable preparing and cooking nature’s aphrodisiac during this three-hour course. Scot Lorac, the evening’s instructor, will teach the class to correctly select oysters, shuck and prepare delicious dishes incorporating the oysters including Caesar salad with crispy fried oysters – sure to impress any dinner guest.