Angela Sparks

Gift cards have become a great gift giving idea over the past several years and the National Retailers Federation estimates that a total of $97 billion in gift cards – $26.3 billion during the holidays alone – were purchased in the US last year. However, this year, if you are planning to give a gift card, it is important to be aware of some retail stores closing or going out of business.

Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankruptcy Planning’.

Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.

Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor 117 stores nationwide closing
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty store
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear closing all stores (also owned by Talbots)
Wickes Furniture closing all stores
Levitz closing remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Wilson Leather closing all stores
Sharper Image closing all stores

For expanded list of store closings, visit www.RealTexasAgents.com.

The Single Stream recycling program allows customers to mix recyclable paper, plastic and glass in one bin, plus residents can recycle MORE and more types of items.

The program rolls out the beginning October 2008, extending through the end of the year. Small blue bins will no longer be used and crews will deliver new blue, 90-gallon recycling carts to City of Austin Solid Waste Services residential customers. Recycling collection will occur every other week. Single Stream Recycling instructions and a calendar showing collection schedules will be delivered with the new recycling carts.

Items that can be recycled include:

Paper: (newspaper, office paper, junk mail, cereal and soft drink boxes, corrugated cardboard) Aluminum and metal cans: food cans (labels left on OK), soda cans Glass: Jars and bottles Rigid plastics: # 1 through # 7, including yogurt and margarine tubs

Items that cannot be recycled:

Plastic bags, Styrofoam (cups, egg cartons, take-out containers)

Questions on the new recycling program can be directed to Solid Waste Services at 974-1945.

To read more about green living in Austin, visit www.LiveGreenInAustin.com

The seven acre Barr Mansion, which hosts weddings, events, and galas for up to 800, is a unique family owned operation with a mission to be environmentally responsible in their events. The beauty of it, is they are able to uphold this mission while still creating amazing celebrations. The property consists of the mansion, the garden, and the artisan ballroom.

The Garden has a tropical feel with bamboos, gingers, and hostas. Apple trees also addorn the property and all gardening is done organically. A path of stunning flagstones leads the way to a life-sized Zen garden at the entrance to the Artisan Ballroom.

The Artisan Ballroom, soaring 40 feet high, is framed with rough-hewn timbers from an ancient barn built in the 1770's. An indoor waterfall and grotto accent the glass wing of the ballroom, creating the perfect location for an indoor ceremony.

Not only is the Barr Mansion an amazing location for celebrations of all varieties, they are USDA certified organic! All gardening is done organically, they serve all organic cuisine, recycle, compost, and use 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper for brochures/menus. The Mansion has a 75-year concrete roof and the ballroom has a 75-year thatched roof.

For more history and a list of the additional organic and sustainable features at the Barr Mansion, visit www.LiveGreenInAustin.com.

I am proud to announce I have successfully completed my EcoBroker® certification!

What significance does this hold? Well, allow me to explain.

By earning the EcoBroker Certified® designation, I have successfully completed a unique training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. This allows me to help my clients benefit from the comfort and cost savings of energy-efficiency, as well as the “green” and healthier features of homes and buildings.

Whether the transaction involves an energy efficient mortgage, differentiating a home for sale, or the opportunity to reduce utility bills, I am in a position to help.

Seller Advantages: Working with an EcoBroker® helps sellers differentiate their home and market the property to the growing number of green-minded consumers.

Buyer Advantages: EcoBrokers® have an understanding of energy efficiency and the costs or savings associated with insulation, windows, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and other features of your home that affect your monthly bottom line.

Austin is a hotbed of everything green and I have always been a proponent of green living myself, so it just made sense to tie it all in with my real estate services.

Laugh, Love, Live Green!
Angela

Promoting Healthier, Cost-Effective, and Green Practices in Real Estate.

www.LiveGreenInAustin.com

The Austin Cool House Tour 2008 will take place on Sunday, June 22nd from noon to 6 p.m.

On this self-guided tour, you can visit open houses featuring energy efficient and environmentally sound construction and design homes. You will see that energy efficient houses can be very cool!

Talk to the owners, builders, architects, and installers and preview homes ranging from the affordable to high-end luxury.

Some of the green features of these homes include:
-Solar electricity (PV)
-Climate responsive design, for comfort and energy efficiency
-Green building materials and concepts
-Pleasing conservational landscapes
-Rainwater collection systems

For cost and ticket information, visit: www.livegreeninaustin.com