Sunday Speedlinks 1-20-08
Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 11:22 pm 
By Ryan BrownIt’s been awhile so here’s another long list of links. Happy reading!
Featured Listing
If you haven’t yet done so, please checkout my new listing at 1101 Canyon Edge. It’s an amazing home designed by Tom Hurt, featured on the 2006 AIA Homes Tour.
Austin News
- There has been a decent amount of coverage about a new Downtown Austin plan based on input from ROMA Design Group and HR&A Advisors (consultants). News8Austin has a high level overview of a recent public discussion - News 8 Austin: Downtown plan sets goals for the future. For all of the details check out City of Austin: Downtown Redevelopment
- In other development news, Villa Muse developers want to avoid City of Austin jurisdiction - Statesman: Proposed studio complex’s developers want to build outside Austin’s controls
- I recently covered Austin’s Greenest Home For Sale. Unfortunately Austin’s Greenest Home hasn’t sold. Statesman: Solar house draws interest but no bids yet
- In McMansion news, the City Council decided that further restrictions on East Austin lots was not the answer. Statesman: Austin council rejects more home limits
- A national study found Austin had more job openings advertised than most other large metro areas. Austin Business Journal: Need a job? Austin’s got plenty, report says
- Austin regularly receives national recognition for job growth (see above), green building, farmers markets, etc. Here’s a new one - Esquire Magazine rated The Mohawk as the best bar in America. Pretty cool!Esquire: Best Bars
Green News
- In green power news, Austin Energy has more ‘Greenchoice’ capacity available - Austinist: Austin Energy’s GreenChoice Program - It’s Back!
- Further wind power capacity will be coming to Texas thanks to GE - Statesman: GE to invest in $350 million Texas wind farm
- In Nevada, the largest solar array in North America has just started generating electricity - MetaEfficient: North America’s Largest Solar-Electric Plant Switched On
- It’s good news that many industries are working to make their products more energy and resource efficient. Electronic House covers how this trend was on display in the consumer electronics industry’s largest showcase - Electronic House: CES 2008 Goes Green
- Compact Flourescent bulbs are widely considered an easy step towards making our homes more efficient. Some detractors point out the higher mercury content as a critical flaw. Could CFL’s also cause migraines? Read for yourself - Switched: Energy-Saving Bulbs Causing Migraine Headaches
- Here’s an interesting article about how to invest in socially responsible (and fiscally sound) companies - Wisebread: Socially Responsible Investing Goes Green
Misc
- This may be the only time I mention the 2008 Presidential Election, so pay attention. Check out some of the candidates personal residences - Newsweek: The Candidates’ Homes
- A weak dollar can make US real estate prices a bargain for those overseas. Case in point - Overseas Property Mall: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Condo
Stay Warm!
