America Recycles Day

In keeping up with the Opportunity Green conference at UCLA this weekend I was reminded that Sunday, November 15th is America Recycles Day. Begun in 1997, America Recycles Day promotes recycling and the buying of recycled products. To kick off the weekend, Austin is having a Green City Festival on Saturday, November 14th from 10-3 at City Hall.

The Green City Festival has something for everyone. Hear Mayor Lee Leffingwell's welcome at 11:00 then chose your event. From tips on various types of recycling, to cooking locally (hosted by the Sustainable Food Center), composting and bird watching.

Learn how to make a rainbarrel and how to have a green yard. There is a Green Kids Corner, music, and at the end of the day you can participate in a guided bike tour hosted by Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop.

For more information on free locked biking (courtesy of Bicycle Sport Shop), pedicabs, bus routes or free parking go to the website (below).

And don't forget to stop by the Austin Farmers Market at Republic Square Park (4th & Guadalupe) between 8a.m. and noon. http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M6376

For more information on the Green City Festival http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greencityfest/gcfestival2009.htm

And if you are moving or need to buy/dispose of boxes, don't forget to use EcoBox. http://www.ecobox.com/

This is Why I live in Austin.

It's November 1st, the sun is shining and it's 73 degrees outside. This morning I went for a 4.5 mile walk on the hike and bike trail. For those of you not from Austin, this is a beautiful trail that borders Lady Bird Lake. You can walk, run or bike for 2, 4, 10+ miles. There are all sorts of people along the trail. This morning I saw families, couples, serious runners, joggers, singles and bikers. But my favorite visitors to the trail are the dogs. They come in all sizes and shapes. I take my dogs, German shepherd mixes, and they love to visit in the "off leash" part of the trail, although getting in the water is not their favorite thing. They know the routine and it's hard to get them back in the car to leave. Then home via my neighborhood Starbucks, where they say hi to their favorite barista's and have a bowl of water.

This afternoon I met a friend at Mighty Cone on South Congress. It's been there quite a while & this was my first visit. It's great, I had a hot and spicy avocado cone. It's a hot and spicy cabbage mix with fried (this is Texas) avocado in a tortilla.

Then off to the Texas Book Festival at The Capitol. Since this was a spur of the moment decision, we didn't have an agenda, and didn't have the schedule of the speakers so we skipped the lectures. Instead we perused the vendors up and down Colorado Street. What an interesting mix of exhibitors, from the Harry Ransom Center to the New York Times Newspaper to Poetic Earth Handmade Journal to the Junior League of Texas. Not enough time to see everything, but had a great time. Next year I will be sure to schedule some lectures.

On the way home I stopped at the new Sprouts Farmers Market in neighborhood. Everything looked great, had trouble deciding what to buy. Fabulous fruits, vegetables and meats.

Now home to wash the dogs, cook, take down the Halloween decorations and get ready for another fabulous week selling homes in Austin.