Quite by accident I came across the website for Riven Rock Ranch Resort on the Boerne Chamber of Commerce website. The ranch resort is located near Boerne and Comfort in Kendall County. I was totally unaware of it's existence. This looks like a great place for locals to visit, especially for an Easter brunch/dinner. Maybe I can talk my husband into going. :-) It would also be a great place for tourists visiting San Antonio and the Hill Country.
1 comment • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 09 2008 12:42PMValero Energy is one of San Antonio's largest and best employers. An interesting and little known fact is that the company is named after the Alamo (the Mission San Antonio de Valero.) Valero offers employment from engineering to clerical to intern opportunities.
As the largest independent oil refiner in the U.S., Valero refines low-cost residual oil and heavy crude into cleaner-burning, higher-margin products, including low-sulfur diesels. It operates 17 refineries with a total production capacity of more than 3.1 million barrels per day. These plants are located in California, Delaware, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and in Aruba and Canada. It also has a network of some 5,800 retail gas stations and wholesale outlets bearing the Corner Store, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, Valero, Stop N Go, and Beacon names in 44 US states, Canada, and the Caribbean. Valero has long been recognized throughout the industry as a leader in the production of premium, environmentally clean products, such as reformulated gasoline, California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase II gasoline, low-sulfur diesel and oxygenates.
1 comment • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 09 2008 10:54AM
Comfort, Texas was established by German settlers 1854. Wearied by their journey from New Braunfels, Texas, the small group was so pleased by this picturesque site and pure water that they named it Camp Comfort. With its abundance of vintage structures, much of the midtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, Comfort, Texas is a popular tourist area with numerous camps along the Guadalupe River operated by various civic organizations. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and camping during summer months. Hunting is popular during the fall and winter. Visitors find Comfort Shopping interesting year round.
Comfort, Texas is a beautiful 17 mile drive to Kerrville, Texas, a popular toursit area. Bandera, Texas, the Cowboy Capital of the World, is a short scenic drive from Comfort. Boerne, Texas, a great place to visit, is also nearby. Comfort, Texas is a short drive to Fredericksburg, Texas, known for its many festivals and unique shops.
B&B/Guest Houses are offered in many of the historic buildings.
MARCH EVENTS IN COMFORT, TX |
| Canto Chamber Choir Concert at Riven Rock |
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| Comfort Investigation & Analysis Committee Community Meetings |
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| Girls Long Day Out! |
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| Riven Rock - Wild Game Dinner |
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| Annual Hermann Sons Retirement Home Chili Cook off |
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| Ribbon Cutting for Rosebud Antiques & Collectibles |
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| First Insurance Ribbon Cutting at NEW Location! |
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| Easter Walk-Volksmarch |
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1 comment • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 08 2008 11:21AMThe land on which the settlement stood was eventually bought by Gustav Theissen and John James, who platted the town in 1851. As businesses grew and stagecoach routes began to appear in the area, Boerne itself began to develop as well. A post office and stage stop was opened by August Staffel in 1856. William Dietert established Boerne's first business, a gristmill and sawmill on the Cibolo Creek. Soon the town was in possession of a blacksmith shop, a livery stable, a butcher shop, a saloon and a general store. Professor Karl Dienger even created a private school in the 1860's.
In 1887, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad began daily treks to Boerne from San Antonio, replacing the use of the stagecoach. The railroad brought mail and newspapers from San Antonio daily and cut travel time between the two cities to three hours. Tourism expanded, and Boerne grew considerably larger.
Not long after the turn of the century, Boerne acquired electricity, telephone capacity and telegraphs. An opera house was built to house cultural events and was the site of the first Kendall County Fair in 1906. Agriculture was thriving, with crops such as cotton, corn, wheat, rye, Irish potatoes and tobacco reigning in the area. Shortly after the opera house opened, automobiles began to arrive. The town was incorporated in 1909. William John Wilke served as the town's first mayor and taxes were set at 25 cents per $100.
The entire community felt the heartache and loss brought home by the deaths of family and friends in World War I. A monument was erected and dedicated in 1923 to honor the deceased. Still standing in Veteran's Park (Military Plaza), that monument now includes memorials to those who fought and died in all subsequent wars.
The Great Depression was perhaps the biggest shock to the town since its founding. After the stock market crashed, tourism slowed considerably and the cotton crop was all but destroyed by the boll weevil.
Many of the soldiers who returned home from World War II in the 1940's found that Boerne had changed significantly and moved on to bigger cities, but the area continued to expand. Boerne Utilities Company was established, as well as a sewer plant. Boerne City Lake was made to prevent flooding and a dam was built on the Cibolo Creek. The population nearly doubled in size from 1940 to 1970 and the city was prosperous.
Today, Boerne is a popular place for tourists to scavenge for antiques, view historic buildings and relax in the comfort of a small town. Several community activities take place throughout the seasons and Boerne can now boast that it has more than 8,000 citizens who are proud to call this town home.
8 - 9 Mar 2008, Take beautiful small-town surroundings, dozens of vendors from all over Texas, arts and crafts, antiques, collectibles, unusual items and great food, and you have Market Days! Main Plaza. 8 Mar 2008, On Second Satudays, the galleries of Boerne host joint openings from 5 to 8. Come out and enjoy a glass of wine and the latest offerings on the Boerne Art Scene.
Authentic Custom Homes Open House
8 Mar 2008, March 8,2008 Authentic Custom Homes is having an open house from 10:00 to 7:00 of it's newest project, The Townhomes of Village Park. Village Park is located at 1041 Blanco here in Boerne Texas.Guided Tour - Honey Creek State National Area
8 Mar 2008, Meet at Rust House at Guadalupe River State Park at 9 a.m. for a guided interpretive tour of Honey Creek State Natural Area, emphasizing the history, geology, flora and fauna or the Natural Area.Kiss The Cook Teaching Kitchen
13 Mar 2008, "Spring into Great Cuisine"Guided Tour - Honey Creek State National Area
15 Mar 2008, Meet at the Rust House at Guadalupe River State Park for a tour emphasizing the history, geology, flora and fauna of the Natural Area. This is truly an amzing look at the hill countryGuided Tour - Honey Creek State National Area
22 Mar 2008, Meet at the Rust House at Guadalupe River State Park for a tour emphasizing the history, geology, flora and fauna of the Natural Area. This is truly an amazing look at this Hill Country treasure. 22 Mar 2008, The Rainbow Center Directors Dinner Dance is an annual fund raiser.Acoustic music concert on Sat, Mar 22 7pm
22 Mar 2008, Eric Taylor singer, songwriter, and philosopher extraordinaire will perform an acoustic guitar and vocals concert at Alamo Fiesta RV Resort. Eric is a national treasure, tours worldwide, and among the very best living singer/songwriters.Kiss the Cook Teaching Kitchen
27 Mar 2008, "Desperate Housewives Dining Delights"Guided Tour - Honey Creek State National Area
29 Mar 2008, Meet at the Rust House at Guadalupe River State Park for a tour emphasizing the history, geology, flora and fauna of the Natural Area. This is truly an amazing look at the hill country.Sixth Annual Art Auction Gala! - Scholarship Fundr
29 Mar 2008, Saturday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. at the Boerne Community Center, 820 Adler Street. An adult evening of Art! Complimentary Wine & Cheese, highlighting artists for the Hill Country and San Antonio
0 comments • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 08 2008 10:27AMThe National Association of REALTORS recently conducted a survey of "What Buyers Want" and real estate columnist Mark Nash annually posts his opinions on "what's in and what's out with homebuyers in 2008". Combining the best of both (some are realistic - some are far-fetched) - the opinions show....
~ buyers want oversized garages, updated kitchens, baths, pristine conditions and a perception of value
~ they want destination bathrooms that have evolved into a home getaway with several task areas, throne bathtubs, wireless internet access, multiple flatscreen tv's and even outfitted with serving bars for wine coolers, espresso machines and snacks;
~ pet showers are "in" for 2008. No longer will the kitchen or work sink do. Dedicated dog showers are an emerging trend - featuring a 3'X 3' shower base, surrounded by ceramic tile 4 feet up the wall.
~ Outdoor living spaces that look like the interior - including "statement" fireplaces, entertaining kitchens and finishes that can withstand the weather.
~ Monitoring and controlling with hand-held devices ... that close the blinds, turn on and off lights and turn the air conditioning up or down.
And last, but not least ... what's out for 2008 according to the survey:
~ formal living rooms (the "great" room has replaced the living room). Informal spaces for eating, cooking and living have conquered the forced museum space of the living room.
~ McMansions (size does not matter if it's not well finished). In 2008, the survey shows that buyers want quality - not quantity.
~ Huge ceiling heights: Buyers now prefer ceilings between 9 and 11 feet. If you can't add a loft in a soaring room, "downsize me" - height-wise.
~ Also on the "out" list are ... mosaic tile and Adjustable Rate Mortgages.
7 comments • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 07 2008 09:08PMIt's a Wonderful Life at Cordillera Ranch
A master planned community in the hill country at Bergheim near both Boerne and San Antonio, Texas. As you wind along a hilltop road, just past the private gate, the gorgeous Texas Hill Country unfolds before you and the sensation hits you: This place is truly something special. Is it the abundant native whitetail deer and wild turkey that visit daily? Is it the sweeping vistas and towering limestone canyon walls? Is it simply the wide open and incredibly beautiful surroundings?
Nature: The abundance of wildlife. The expansive sense of space and privacy. The preserved nature of the land. All make falling in love with Cordillera Ranch simply natural.
Guadalupe River: The soothing sound of water running over the river rocks. The majestic beauty of century old cypress trees. An invigorating float down stream. Our nearly 5 miles of Guadalupe River make living at Cordillera Ranch simply irresistible.
The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch: Is it The Golf Club with it's Jack Nicklaus Signature Course? Is it the Social Club with it's more than 30,000 square-foot clubhouse? Is it the Spa & Athletic Club, the Tennis & Swim Club, The River Club, The Rod & Gun Club, or The Equestrian Club? No matter which is your favorite, with The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, life is simply incomparable.
The Cordillera Ranch Difference: It's not just the understated elegance. It's not just the sense of freedom and peace. It's not just the resort-style activities. It's the whole lifestyle that makes Cordillera Ranch simply unique. You connect with nature, but you are just a stone's throw from the amenities of San Antonio, like shopping, The Riverwalk, top rated medical facilities and the airport-and even closer is the quaint town of Boerne with it's chic boutiques, cafes and galleries. See for yourself. One visit and you won't just be calling it heaven. You'll be calling it "home."
~ The Cordellia Ranch Website
http://www.cordillerasocialclub.com/
http://www.cordilleraranch.com/
Cordillera Ranch Named "Best New Course" in Texas By The Dallas Morning News.
http://www.cordilleraranch.com/news/crbestnewgolf.asp
To search for home listings in San Antonio go to www.shirleyparks.com or call me at 210-414-0966.
1 comment • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 03 2008 10:05PM|
Fabulous features, his-and-her rooms, lots of kitchens... If you work with upscale buyers, have builder clients who turn to you for advice on amenities to include in their new product, or have sellers who need to update to maximize value, you need to know what's currently in demand (and adds value) in the luxury home market. Today's luxury homes are packed with amenities and offer his-and-her features that luxury homeowners of a decade ago never even dreamed about. One for him, one for her His-and-her sinks in the bathroom have morphed into his-and-her bathrooms. Separate closets, dual dressing rooms, separate garages (she's near the kitchen), and his-and-her living areas are also increasingly common features in million dollar properties. In short, gender-specific rooms are all the rage with affluent homeowners. She may enjoy a yoga room while he has a cigar room/gentleman's retreat. He spends time on his backyard putting green while she entertains friends in her sitting/reading room. His closet boasts quality paneling while hers has climate controlled fur storage and a ball gown section. Alas, they may have to share the suitcase/packing room and the media room. And, of course, they each have a home office with broadband Internet access. In addition, luxury homebuyers are asking for a room (usually adjacent to the kitchen) to use as a computer/home management center. It's a place where kids can do homework, the whole family can surf the Internet, and personal business can be managed. Four kitchens? Another trend in upscale homes is multiple kitchens. In addition to a main kitchen, top of the line homes often have special catering kitchens and mini-master bedroom kitchens. In climates conducive to outside living, complete outdoor kitchens (most likely his) are gaining popularity. These cooking spaces often include everything from the outdoor kitchen sink to refrigerators, ovens, icemakers, and an elaborate grill. The main gourmet kitchen has also been updated. Granite countertops are increasingly popular. Corian, concrete, and new quartz-based counter tops are on some buyers' preference lists. Freestanding furniture-style cabinetry (on legs) teamed with metallic finish appliances highlight up-to-date kitchens. For those who remember harvest gold and avocado green appliances, guess what? Colored appliances are back. Today's colors are navy blue and yellow, perhaps with touches of red. Translucent glass tiles, in lieu of ceramic tiles, complete cutting edge kitchen decor. Showers are hot The stress relief bath is also an important amenity in luxury properties. Roomy, multiple-head steam or rain showers are gaining popularity while the newest bathtubs are bright with LED lights. These chromotherapy tubs let you change light color according to your mood. Luminous glass tiles in a variety of colors are also showing up in the bath, so is the "fixture as furniture" look. The addition of upholstered furniture -- from chaise lounges to recliners -- is making bathrooms more like home spas. What else might you expect your buyers to request in their new million plus property? More square footage. Million dollar homes most likely measure-in at least 4000 square feet and pricier properties on the market today may be 45,000 square feet or more in the main house. Guest cottages, pool houses, courtyards, porches, elevators, even ballrooms are common features in luxury properties for sale across the country. A butler's pantry is a must. From cocooning to blooming Don't forget the out-of-doors. Affluent homeowners have given up cocooning, stepped outside and rediscovered gardening. Multiple gardens, potting sheds, garden accessories and garden art are more important than ever, as illustrated by the growing sales of garden catalog companies and garden emporiums. Luxury homes are also blooming with the latest colors. Did you know that representatives of home product companies from wall paints to linens meet regularly to agree on the next color palette? That's why disparate products from differing manufacturers are color coordinated. According to the Color Marketing Group, the past few years homes have featured colors such as rich reds, innocent pinks, soft greens and blues, lots of white, with bright yellow and navy often used for accents. Purples, oranges (from tangerine and apricot to hot, bright orange) and warm browns. Lots of metallic and mirrored finishes have recently been seen in luxury properties. Staying in tune with the features and amenities most in demand is just one more way you can add to your product knowledge, build your expertise in the luxury home niche, and deliver even better service to your upscale clients. From The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing --by Laurie Moore-Moore
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0 comments • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 03 2008 09:42PMIf your clients are planning on selling their home, they may be considering some renovations before putting it on the market. Following are numbers showing what Texas sellers do before listing their house.
Source: Texas 2007 Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers, Texas Realtor
0 comments • Shirley Parks, REALTOR® - SRES • March 03 2008 06:34PMContent © 2009 'Frequent Contributors'. Design © 2009 ActiveRain Corp.
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