Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog: August 2008

The Boulders at Canyon Springs, developed by Gehan Homes, is located in Canyon Springs Golf Club area north of Stone Oak in San Antonio. This beautiful neighborhood offers relaxed living in a serene setting and great views of the countryside.  Amenities include: Olympic pool, playground, tennis courts, tennis courts, and trails.  There are no city taxes and shopping is a short drive away.    In addition, this community has no city taxes and is located in the Comal ISD. Gehan Homes at the Boulders at Canyon Springs offers 6 great floor plans from appx. 2300 to 3475 square feet.  Prices range from the $260's - the 300's and are subject to change.   Comal ISD

To visit this community take Hwy. 281 north, turn left on Stone Oak Parkway, right on Canyon Golf Road.  Tour the model at 1023 Boulder Canyon Drive Monday - Saturday 10 - 7 and on Sunday noon - 7.

 

 

 

If you are interested in viewing these homes or any listings currently for sale in San Antonio, please contact Shirley at 210-414-0966 or visit my website at www.shirley.parks.remax.net. Here you can search every neighborhood in San Antonio and surrounding areas and see photos, maps, and find other helpful information.

Here are a few new home listings in the Stone Oak area with the street name, square footage, and price.

Cardigan Chase - 2432 sf at $259,300

Bighorn Canyon - 2832 sf at $294,867

Palo Duro Canyon - 2736 sf at $295,559

Cardigan Chase - 3403 sf at $303,700

Volterra - 3000 sf at $409,650

Honey Mesquite - 3463 sf at $430,368

 

 

If you are interested in seeing any of these listings or any listings currently for sale in San Antonio, please contact Shirley at 210-414-0966 or visit my website at www.shirleyparks.com.  Here you can search every neighborhood in San Antonio and surrounding areas and see photos, maps, and find other helpful information. 

Whether you live in San Antonio or are just visiting, this is one place (besides the Alamo) you should put on your "must see" list.

San Fernando Cathedral was founded on March 9, 1731 by a group of 15 families who emigrated from the Canary Islands at the request, or invitation, of King Phillip V of Spain. They came soon after the founding of the missions.  The mission chapels were being used to educate the Indian population.  San Fernando was constructed as the parish home of the Canary Islanders since their homes were located near this spot. The cornerstone was laid in 1738 and the building was not open for worship until 1749. The first communion class was confirmed by the Bishop of Guadalajara in 1758.

From the beginning the church has been the geographical center of San Antonio.  There is a white marble circle inscribed with a cross on the floor behind the main altar which measures all distances from San Antonio.  The cathedral is located on the west side of Main Plaza (La Plaza de las Islas) and is America's oldest continuous parish.

The name, San Fernando, honors Saint Ferdinand, or Ferdinand III, King of Castile, who died in 1252 and was canonized in 1671. An old statue of the saint is on display inside the cathedral.  The building is constructed of white stone with a beautiful rose window over the main front door.  The cathedral has been remodeled and renovated through the years. The original church was smaller with one tower located on the north side which was used both as a bell tower and as a lookout when needed. The appearance of the facade was changed when the second tower was added in 1890.

In 1868, a French architect and engineer, Francois Giraud, influenced by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, developed a French Gothic Revival style within the building.  The soaring ceilings are modeled after those in European Gothic churches.  The work was completed in 1873.  During one of the renovations stained glass windows were added.  These beautiful, exquisite windows can only be seen from inside the cathedral.  They are covered on the outside for reasons of protection.

Many interesting events have taken place here:  James Bowie married Ursula de Vermendi on april 25, 1831; Mexican General Lopez Antonio de Santa Anna's troops camped outside on the cathedral grounds and raised their flag on top of the bell tower; Pope John Paul said a mass here during his visit in 1987.  Every year on March 9 a solemn requiem is held to honor the memory of the Canary Island founders.  Inside the cathedral near the main entrance is a white marble crypt where the ashes of the Alamo heroes are laid to rest. Some historians argue that it seems unlikely that non-Catholics, as many of the Alamo defenders were, would have been laid to rest in a Catholic Church. However, I don't know of any Protestant churches that were in existence in the area at that time.

The San Fernando Cathedral continues to celebrate the most important feast days in the Latin American calendar, including el Dia de los Muertos (the day of the dead), the Posada, or pilgrimage of the Holy Family in search of an inn, Diez y Seis, the feast of San Antonio de Padua, and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Every Good Friday before Easter a passion play, a beautiful, moving re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ, is staged in front of the cathedral, and attended by 25,000 people.  And a beautiful Midnight Mass is held every Christmas Eve. Thousands still attend weekend Masses at the cathedral each week and there are hundreds of baptisms, weddings, funeral and other services performed each year.  Special events such as symphonies, concerts, and even television specials are held in the cathedral.  Masses are held daily and doors are open for people to pray, light a candle, or visit.

San Fernando Cathedral is located at 115 Main Plaza, between East Commerce and Dolorosa, just between the River Walk and Market Square areas.

All are welcome.

 

 

There is always something fun to do in the Texas Hill Country and it is easy to find something that appeals to everyone.  Here is a long list of fun events for the month of August:

August 1, 6, 8, 13, 15-CONCAN: Sunset Hayride Go to places of historic interest in the park on this narrated hayride and wind up at the river for refreshments. Begins at 6:45 p.m. Reservations required. Garner State Park. 830/232-6132 Hill Country

August 1, 8, 15, 22-BANDERA: Twin Elm Ranch Rodeo Begins at 8 p.m. Includes calf scramble and mutton busting for kids. Hwy. 470. 830/796-3628 Hill Country

August 2-BANDERA: Market Day This is an arts & crafts vendor fair. Bandera Courthouse Square. E-mail: growthresource@indian-creek.net 830/796-4447 Hill Country

August 2-D'HANIS: Holy Cross Church Celebration Enjoy games, food and family fun. 310 FM 2200 S. E-mail: holycross@swtexas.net 830/363-7269 Hill Country

August 2-KYLE: Market Day Includes local artists and craftspeople, farmers market, live music and tour of downtown Kyle. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 100 N. Front St. City of Kyle 512/262-3939 Hill Country

 August 2-WIMBERLEY: Market Day More than 450 vendors sell arts & crafts, antiques, collectibles and more. Lions Field, 910 CR 2325. Shop Market Days 512/847-2201 Hill Country

August 2, 7, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23-24, 28, 30-31-BURNET: Devil's Waterhole Canoe Tour Take a guided canoe tour and see many of the unique geological and natural features. Reservations required. Inks Lake State Park. 512/793-2223 Hill Country

 August 2, 9, 16, 23-BANDERA: BR Lightning Ranch Rodeo Begins at 8 p.m. Hwy. 1283. E-mail: billrivers@hughes.net • 830/535-4979 Hill Country

 August 2, 16-BLANCO: Civilian Conservation Corps Walk Learn about the history of the CCC in the park. Begins at 9 a.m. Blanco State Park. 830/833-4333 Hill Country

 August 2-30-NEW BRAUNFELS: Unframed Contemporary Show New Braunfels Art League Gallery, 239 W. San Antonio. 830/629-8022 Hill Country

 August 5, 7, 12, 14-CONCAN: Cowboy Sunset Serenade/Hayride A tractor-drawn trailer winds up the old Park Entrance Road to a scenic overlook. Then relive the Old West with cowboy song, poetry and storytelling. Reservations required. Garner State Park. 830/232-6132 Hill Country

 August 7-17-NEW BRAUNFELS: Twelve Angry Men Begins at 7:30 p.m. Brauntex Theatre. 830/620-9655 Hill Country

 August 7-31-KERRVILLE: Ancient Roots Features artworks by Barbara Loyd, Jackie Heupel, Beth Hughes, Marion Loucks, Suzanne Morhart and Liz Napier. Kerr Arts & Cultural Center. 830/895-2911 Hill Country

 August 8- CASTROVILLE: Friday Night Fever Enjoy classic, vintage race cars along with motorcycles, '50s music, food and more. Paris Street and Houston Square. 830/538-3142 Hill Country

 August 8-9-JUNCTION: Summer Classic Rodeo & Parade Includes rodeo, dance and parade. Fairgrounds and Main Street. 325/446-3190
Hill Country

 August 8-9- SONORA: Sonora Outlaw Pro Rodeo & Sutton County Days Includes a parade, entertainment, arts & crafts booths, dancing and more. Jake Hooker and the Outsiders will entertain at the dance on Saturday night. 325/387-2880 Hill Country

 August 8-10-MARBLE FALLS: LakeFest Drag Boat Race Watch more than 100 boats, racing at speeds up to 200 mph, on a liquid quarter mile. Lakeside Park & Johnson Park. 800/759-8178 or 830/693-2815 Hill Country

 August 8-23-INGRAM: Steel Magnolias Six Louisiana women share laughter and sorrow at Truvy's Beauty Salon. Point Outdoor Theatre. 830/367-5120 Hill Country

 August 9-BURNET: It's the Second Saturday Bluegrass Show Inks Lake State Park. 512/793-2223 Hill Country

 August 9-CASTROVILLE: Market Trail Day Local craftspeople display arts & crafts, plants, woodworking and much more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Houston Square. 830/931-2161 or 830/538-2316 Hill Country

August 9-GEORGETOWN: Market Day Features arts & crafts, antiques, collectibles and festive foods. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Historic Downtown Georgetown. 512/868-8675 Hill Country

 August 9-JUNCTION: Cowboy Arts Show Features Western arts & crafts. Coke Stevenson Center, 440 N. Hwy. 83. 325/446-3621 Hill Country

August 9-JUNCTION: Martin Memorial Open Antique Car Show Courthouse Square. E-mail: junctiontx@cebridge.net • 325/446-2955 Hill Country

August 9-KERRVILLE: Second Saturday Art Trail Visit 12 galleries between Kerrville and Ingram. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Maps provided at participating galleries. Begins at Rivers Edge Gallery, 832 Water St. 830/895-5184 Hill Country

August 9- LAMPASAS: Indian Artifact Show Provides the opportunity for vendors and exhibitors from all over Texas to showcase their archeological collections. 512/556-5172 or 866/556-5172 Hill Country

 August 9-MASON: Mason County Museums Day This is a sesquicentennial event featuring the Mason County Historical Museum and the Mason Square Museum. 325/347-5758 Hill Country

 August 9-10-BOERNE: Includes birthday cake, wreath-laying ceremony, Texas White House Office tour, old-time family fun games and more. LBJ State and National Parks. 830/644-2252 Hill Country

August 28-MASON: Country Opry Features Fiddlin' Frenchy Burke at 7:30 p.m. Odeon Theater. 325/247-5354 Hill Country

August 29-31-ROCKSPRINGS: Camp Eagle Classic Mountain Bike Festival Includes a family fun adventure race, trials competition, rock climbing competition, Bike Texas Kids Kup, mountain bike trials, races and more. Camp Eagle. E-mail: hillbike@ktc.com 830/896-6864 Hill Country

August 30-BRADY: World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off More than 150 cooking teams compete. Includes arts & crafts fair, games for children, horseshoe and washer-pitching tournaments, and live music. Richards Park. 325/597-3491 Hill Country

August 30-31-AUSTIN: Bat Fest Features a "bat wing" eating contest, bat watching, bat education, carnival rides, bridge bungee jumping and more. Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. Roadway Events 512/441-9015 Hill Country

August 30-31-BANDERA: Inter-tribal Pow Wow. HILL COUNTRY

August 30-31-UVALDE: Cactus Jack Days 830/278-5359 Hill Country

August 31-CEDAR PARK,: SplashJam Enjoy poolside music by Common Thread, swimming, washer tournament, fireworks and more. Elizabeth Milburn Park. Hill Country

A Neighborhood Success!

On Saturday, July 26, the Green Spring Valley Homeowner Association held a neighborhood fundraiser for our Children's Playground project of installing a new play structure.  The event coordinater just stopped by to inform us that we surpassed our goal of raising $3500 for the $30,000 play structure.  This amount was raised in just three hours.

Our fundraiser featured yummy barbeque plates, cupcakes, slushees, tea, beer, pink lemonade; pony rides, a spinner game, temporary tatoos, a moon bounce, and a silent auction.  The residents of Green Spring Valley supported and participated in the event to make it the success it was.

All of these items  and the items for the auction were donated by our sponsors: County Line Barbeque, One Day Signs and Banners,  Party Hut Rentals & Supplies, Vintage Wine & Spirits, HEB, Home Depot, McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, Butter Krust, WalMart, WaMu, Shelby Lane Portraits, Joe Caruso Golf Academy, The Boardwalk Bistro, Lawn Ranger BBQ Tools, Rainbow Gardens, Little Italy Restaurant, Joe Saglimbeni Fine Wines, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Earl Abel's Restaurant, Extreme Sports Apparel, Clay Casa, Frida's, Pit Pro's, Chez Denis Salon, Six Flags - Fiesta Texas, Phantasy Tattoo, Shirley Parks with Re/max Realty Advantage, The Laskowski's,  Clary's,  Meier's,  Smith's, Street of Winter Mist,  Kerri & Bob Kern, Tina Joe Chambers, Bea Delgado, Marie Mason, Vanessa Groom.

~An awesome job by the fundraiser committee and the volunteers~   

 

 

The acidic properties of plain white vinegar make it a perfect green substitute for household cleaning products containing chemicals.  Here are a few ideas for using vinegar for cleaning your home.

Bathroom grout can be whitened by applying vinegar full strength, letting it stand, and then scrubbing with a toothbrush or other small brush dipped in vinegar.  Soap scum can be removed using two-thirds vinegar and one-third water.  For hard water stains on fixtures, tiles, shower doors and porcelain use full strength undiluted vinegar.  Hard water can be problematic in the San Antonio area if you don't have a water softener.

In the kitchen full strength vinegar can cut grease and clean the coffee maker. To disinfect wood cutting boards, use one- third water to two-thirds vinegar. Appliances can be cleaned and shined using a spray bottle of half vinegar and half water. On wood or tile floors use one cup of vinegar with a gallon of water.

Keep a spray bottle of a vinegar and water solution handy for quick use in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas.  

 

 

This recipe is good for Christmas or any time of year.

Rum Cake

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (if desired)
1 (18 1/2 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix (best quality)
1 (3 3/4 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water (or milk - I use water)
1/2 cup Wesson oil
1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum (80 proof)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 12 cup Bundt cake pan. Sprinkle nuts in the bottom of pan. Mix all ingredients together and pour over nuts. Bake 1 hour and then allow to cool. Invert on serving plate  and prick the top with a fork so the glaze can penetrate into the cake. Drizzle the glaze evenly over top and sides. Allow cake to absorb glaze. Repeat until all glaze is used.

GLAZE:

1/4 lb. butter
1/4 c. water
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. Bacardi dark rum

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum. 

Serve with your favorite fruit, whipped cream, or just serve it plain.

As of today the cheapest single family home for sale on the San Antonio MLS is $10,000 but since it is located in Dilley, I am not counting it.  So the cheapest listing in the metro area is $17,750.  It has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom and 808 square feet.  It is 63 years old and sits on a .09 acre lot.  It is being sold "as is" and has been on the market for 13 days. 

The most expensive listing on our MLS is $13,500,000 but since it is located on 202 acres, I am not counting it.  So the most expensive single family home on our MLS is $6,490,000.  It has 3 bedrooms (that doesn't sound right), 5.5 bathrooms, and a 6 car garage.  It has 8700 square feet and sits on a .94 acre lot.  It is a brand new home, taking 3 years to build, and has been on the market for 31 days.

To search for home listings in San Antonio go to www.shirleyparks.com or call me at 210-414-0966.

Bulverde Gardens is a community of pretty garden homes located in north/northeast San Antonio on Bulverde Road just outside Loop 1604.

There are currently six homes for sale on MLS in Bulverde Gardens ranging from 2100 to 2830 square feet and priced from $289,900 to $351,040.  Average $/sf is $126. Average days on market as of today is 110.

In addition there are four homes in Pending status ranging from 2225 square feet to 2830 square feet and priced from $249,900 to $348,790.  Average $/sf is $118. Average days on market for these four homes is 239.

Bulverde Gardens is located in the North East Independent School District. 

To search for home listings in San Antonio go to www.shirleyparks.com or call me at 210-414-0966.