The word came out today that this years Bluebonnet Music and Fine Arts Festival will be headlined by Pure Prairie League on March 28th.  Marble Falls' own John Martinez will open for them on Main Street.  The evening will wind up with a street dance with Cornell Hurd's Big Ol' Band closing things out.  The festival starts on March 27th and runs through the 29th.  Another one of our great family oriented gatherings that takes place annually here in Marble Falls.

It's time to get the bikes out and start riding the hills again.  April 4th is the kickoff of my season.  The Pedal Power Wild Flower Ride is that day, leaving from LBJ State Park in Stonewall.  Several routes are available to ride, ranging from 12 to 63 miles.  The longer ride includes a lap around the Willow City Loop and is absolutely gorgeous this time of year.  ALL proceeds from this ride go the the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center, it's a great cause!  I don't know what the entry fee is, but it's inexpensive and well worth every penny.  Register online at http://www.hccac.org/ and click on "10th Annual Pedal Power Wildflower Ride".

Staying loose is the key now, because the Hill Country Ride for Aids is the next ride on April 25th.  With rides from 10 to 100 miles (and a couple in between), this ride has gotten rave reviews from previous participants.  All the information you'd ever want can be found HERE.  If you've never taken your bike on one of these rides, do yourself a favor and give it a try.  Combine the thrill of completing one of these rides with the knowledge that you're helping people in need, and the result is often times overwhelming.  And you sleep good that night too!

Real estate in the Highland Lakes area of Texas is still alive and well.  We've seen a slowdown over the past several months, BUT  the phone is ringing and properties are selling.  Prices have had some minor adjustments, but all in all it hasn't been that unpleasant.  Our market normally cycles with the year (no pun intended), as much of the Texas Hill Country has become a prime vacation destination for people from throughout the country.  With interest rates down and property values holding steady, it's a prime time to purchase the vacation or retirement property you've been looking for.  If you'd like to take a look at the properties that we have available, you can Search the Highland Lakes MLS LIVE here.  I'm always available for questions about the area or real estate, just give me a call at 830.385.3760 or Email Me. 

Thanks for reading. . . Jem 

This is an amazing idea that was brought about by one of my favorite writers, Julie Roads.  Take a look, if you have time, and then download a copy for somebody you love.  Donations to Career Gear are optional.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I am enjoying it now. 

The LOVE ebook

February 10th, 2009

I'm delighted to present you with a fantastic new option for Valentine's Day. This one doesn't die or wilt (flowers), it doesn't harm trees (greeting cards) and it doesn't cause a sugar high, a sugar low or unsightly poundage (candy).

The LOVE ebook is your long-lasting, eco-friendly, calorie-free alternative, though I won't lie and tell you it's not full of sugar. Because it is - by way of many beautiful love-inspired poems, photos and works of art from a spirited group of writers and artists. The stunning design comes by way of Kyle Lacy of Brandswag.

The goal of The LOVE ebook? To spread happiness & positivity and to make a difference for people struggling with the recession.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!!!

We've all had one of those days when we sit down, turn on the TV, and there is our hometown on the local news . . . and then the national news.  We either swell with pride and start calling our friends and family, or bury our face in our hands, hoping this is the day that nobody else is watching.   The latter is the case here in Burnet, Texas.

It really wasn't that long ago, within the past month or so, when the news broke.  Andy's Landing, a popular local eatery made the lead story on the local and national news.  It seems that one of the cooks had a lapse in judgment and decided to express his ill will for the local police chief by doctoring his food in an unsavory way.  I won't bore you with the details, but the local joke involves buns, boogers, and a "big ass sandwich".  Not a happy thought.

The general reaction was of disgust and distain.  Mine too, eventually.  You see, Andy's is an outstanding restaurant that serves above average food and has incredible service.  Like many hometown restaurants (and Cheers), everybody knows your name and stops by to say hello when you're there.  They ask about your family and call your kids by name . . . you get the idea.  Just a great place that's filled with warmth and good friends.  This one act was the exception, not the rule.    It was the act of an individual that has taken on a life of its own and has now literally sucked the life out of Andy's Landing.

As I drove into the office this morning the sign out front read "CLOSED".  I had heard last week that the decision had been made.  The backlash was too great to overcome, people just quit coming.  There were regulars that showed their support and continued to come in for lunch and dinner, but not enough.  Kind of odd for a small town, but understandable.  Andy worked hard to create one of the better places to eat in the area.  His staff worked hard to make it a place that people loved to come and enjoy a good meal.  Tiffany managed the place and always had a big smile on her face and a good word when you walked in the door. . . and my glass of sweet tea that showed up at my table before I ever ordered anything, and the chocolate mousse pie when she knew I was trying to shed a few pounds.  I confess, I took a bite when she wasn't looking, it was her husband Brian's fault, he made me do it J

This is my tribute and expression of the happiness that will be missed.  Y'all did a great job and it's a shame that one act could destroy a place that we all enjoyed so much.  Thanks for everything and I look forward to the next time we meet. . .

What an amazing idea this is.  We've all met or known somebody who's been struck by this dreaded disease.  Please read this and then show your love. . . it doesn't cost you anything.  Thanks!

I came into work this morning, turned on the lights (I was the first one here), turned on the coffee pot, and settled in for a great day of work.  It was cold in my office, so back down the hall and turn up the thermostat, grab my 1^st cup of coffee, and back to my office.  Fire up the laptop and check my email . . . 2 clients canceling appointments until the market "stabilizes" and Congress makes up their mind regarding the bailout.  I'm good with that, not a problem.  The contract that I've been negotiating for the past several days is on life support . . . and I think that it just took its last breath.  Hmmmm, yep, it's not breathing anymore and I don't have any CPR left for this one.   This "great day" is starting to take a turn in the wrong direction.

On my second cup of coffee now and it's time to get serious.  Close my Outlook and put my phone on silent.  No distractions for the next couple of hours!  I'm ready to get everything back on track, but am still distracted by all of the business that I seemed to have lost overnight.  Hmmm, what now?  Concentrate, it's quiet, still nobody here . . . business has been so good, how can things turn so quickly?  I have sold over half my inventory over the past 2 months and haven't been responsible enough to take the time to replace what I've been so lucky to sell.  CONCENTRATE. . . when in doubt, always go back to the basics.

I reached into my "A List" file and started to renew some old connections.  But first, another cup of coffee.  I guess it's an excuse, but I'm the kind of guy who likes to walk while I talk on the phone.  Sitting in a chair just doesn't work as well for me.  Caffeine is good at this point (now there's an excuse).  Finally I get back on track.  5 calls and 5 contacts.  One of the conversations actually goes for almost 45 minutes.  Granted, most of it wasn't real estate related.  In fact, almost none of it was.  The outcome though was priceless.  I had renewed a contact with an old friend, he told me that I was his Realtor without my asking or prodding, and I got 2 leads off of the call.  Catching up with him was the best part though, and I'm the one who won the day. 

I've since watched the bailout vote on CNBC, made a few other calls and sent some much needed emails.  Written some cards to clients, and posted some ads.  All in all, I made my goal:  I did settle in and it has been a great day of work.

Have you ever just looked at the calander and wondered where the time went?  Kind of like looking at your watch and realizing that another day has passed by and you still have so much to do.  Life has been like that over the past few months.  I guess that's a good thing to say as far as business goes, but it's sad that I've neglected my AR blog.  I've kept watch from afar over that time period, and even had some comments on some of my past posts.  Just never took the time to sit down and put any of my thoughts on paper.  But here's the good news. . . I'm back (at least that's good news to me). 

So what kind of excuses can I come up with. . . My oldest Daughter, Shelbi, had her apendix rupture early Sunday morning about 4 weeks ago.  We spent several days at Dell Children's Hospital in Austin.  What a wonderful place for kids to go who need to be the hospital.  They were wonderful.  Shelbi is fine now and back to normal.  It was clear that she was completely over it when she and her little sister began fighting again!  School is out. . . writing contracts and then trying to keep them alive. . . the dog is still alive, although she's half blind and has selective hearing (I really believe that she can still hear, she just chooses not to listen).  If you don't understand the dog comment, see my past posts.

That's enough, just thought I'd say hello and let everybody know that I'm back to stay.  Hope to hear from everybody and how things are going with you.

Peace,

Jem

The Texas Hill Country is one of the most amazingly beautiful places that God has created.  Around every bend (and there are plenty of them) there are new and wonderful places to see and explore.  We're lucky enough to have it all . . . well almost all, and then some.  For example, we have the largest chain of lakes in the State of Texas, all here for your boating and fishing pleasures.  We have mind blowing caverns that are rich with history, the cowboys and Indians type that both young and old kids enjoy.  Wildflowers, wildlife, great places to eat, and most of all, we have wonderful people.  And then . . . There Is The Castle!

Roll through the hills as you cruise down Park Road 4, and out of nowhere, BAM!!!  There's an honest to goodness castle that pops up right before your eyes!  Seriously, it's the maiden in the tower type of place.  It sits atop one of the highest hills in Burnet County and has a magnificent 360 degree view that spans the hills and lakes as far as you can see. Built in the late 1990's, Falkenstein Castle is home to Terry and Kim Young.  The castle footprint encompasses roughly four acres and is the place they call home.  The Young's rent the "Palace" area of the grounds out for weddings throughout the year.  In fact, Falkenstein Castle is now rates as the #3 best wedding castle in the United States, only behind Belcort Castle and the Biltmore Estate!  Take a moment and check out their website, it's an absolutely beautiful place.  Best of all, it's right here in Burnet County, in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country!

As graduation rates go down, school ratings go up

A new study by researchers at Rice University and the University of Texas-Austin finds that Texas' public school accountability system, the model for the national No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), directly contributes to lower graduation rates. Each year Texas public high schools lose at least 135,000 youth prior to graduation -- a disproportionate number of whom are African-American, Latino and English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students. 

By analyzing data from more than 271,000 students, the study found that 60 percent of African-American students, 75 percent of Latino students and 80 percent of ESL students did not graduate within five years. The researchers found an overall graduation rate of only 33 percent. 

"High-stakes, test-based accountability doesn't lead to school improvement or equitable educational possibilities," said Linda McSpadden McNeil, director of the Center for Education at Rice University. "It leads to avoidable losses of students. Inherently the system creates a dilemma for principals: comply or educate. Unfortunately, we found that compliance means losing students."

The study shows as schools came under the accountability system, which uses student test scores to rate schools and reward or discipline principals, massive numbers of students left the school system. The exit of low-achieving students created the appearance of rising test scores and of a narrowing of the achievement gap between white and minority students, thus increasing the schools' ratings.

This study has serious implications for the nation's schools under the NCLB law. It finds that the higher the stakes and the longer such an accountability system governs schools, the more school personnel view students not as children to educate but as potential liabilities or assets for their school's performance indicators, their own careers or their school's funding.

The study shows a strong relationship between the increasing number of dropouts and school's rising accountability ratings, finding that:

• Losses of low-achieving students help raise school ratings under the accountability system.
• The accountability system allows principals to hold back students who are deemed at risk of reducing the school's scores; many students retained this way end up dropping out.
• The test scores grouped by race single out the low-achieving students in these subgroups as potential liabilities to the school ratings, increasing incentives for school administrators to allow those students to quietly exit the system.
• The accountability system's zero-tolerance rules for attendance and behavior, which put youth into the court system for minor offenses and absences, alienate students and increase the likelihood they will drop out.

The discrepancy between the official dropout rates, in the 2 to 3 percent range, and the actual rates can be attributed to the state's method of counting, which does not include students who drop out of school for reasons such as pregnancy or incarceration or declare intent to take the GED sometime in the future.

The study analyzes student-level data of 271,000 students in one of Texas' large urban districts over a seven-year period. It also includes analysis of the policy and its implementation, extensive observations in high schools in that district and interviews with students, teachers, administrators and students who left school without graduating.

The study has been published in the peer-reviewed policy journal "Educational Policy Analysis Archives" and is the first research to track the impact of high-stakes accountability on students, employing individual student-level data over a multiyear period. The executive summary is available at Rice University's Center for Education, http://centerforeducation.rice.edu/. The study can be viewed at http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v16n3/.

Republished with permission from the authors:

Avoidable Losses: High-Stakes Accountability and the Dropout Crisis

Linda McSpadden McNeil
Eileen Coppola
Judy Radigan
Rice University

Julian Vasquez Heilig
University of Texas-Austin

The National Wild Turkey Federation banquet for the Highland Lakes Chapter will be on March 7th in Burnet, TX at the Burnet Community Center.  This year we have a special treat, the event will be hosted by Bob Lender, President of the Texas Chapter of NWTF!  He recently moved to Marble Falls and now calls the Texas Hill Country home!  Money raised will go towards helping the Wild Turkey and Habitat Restoration in Texas.  The banquet is being catered by a group out of Fredricksburg and will feature Chicken Fried Steak, all the fixins, and all drinks are provided with your ticket.

Tickets are $50 and include your meal, a membership to NWTF (with magazine and news letters), door prizes, and a night of fun.  There will be several hunts and guns up for auction, as well as knives and other memorabilia.  Come and join us for a night of fun that you'll never forget!

If you'd like more information, please give me a call.  I can set you up with tickets too.  Sponsor tables are available and appropriate donations are being accepted (hunts, wildlife paintings, etc. . .)

Hope to see YOU there!