In Case You Missed It: Business Facilities Magazine Names Texas Best Business Climate in the Nation; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Names Texas a Leader in Job Creation

Monday, July 23, 2012  •  Austin, Texas  •  Press Release

Office of the Governor Rick Perry

Texas' strong jobs climate and economic pillars continue to receive national recognition, most recently from Business Facilities magazine, which has ranked Texas's business climate best in the nation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-National Chamber Foundation, whose Enterprising States study named Texas a leader in job growth and one of the states most likely to grow.

"These rankings echo what employers from across the country and around the world have long known - that Texas' strong

The Town That Was – And the Hardware Store That Is

by Celia Hayes

Lately, we've taken to getting to New Braunfels by following Nacogdoches road all the way up to where it intersects with FM 482. Just around that intersection we have been intrigued by a range of old buildings – two of them side by side, weathered gray boards, with a false front and a veranda across the front, looking like something on the set of a Western movie. Around the bend in Old Nacogdoches Road, there is an industrial-looking building of yellow buff brick with a tall chimney. The fourth building – the only one still whole and in use is a little way down FM 842 – a charming and totally random brick church; the Catholic Church of St. Joseph. From the evidence of the storefronts, the

Our Midsummer San Antonio Garden Reveal

by Celia Hayes

At this point, we have about filled the back yard of my San Antonio home and the narrow strip running along the side of the house with just about everything it can hold; plants in the ground and plants in pots, or hanging from baskets from the edge of the back porch. Now my daughter has begun looking speculatively at the front of the house ... which admittedly has begun to look a little neglected. Well, those parts not covered with enthusiastic plants are looking neglected. Five or six years ago, I planted one side of the driveway with mostly xeriscape plants, and things which I recall from Greece. There's a small olive tree in the middle of it, with a fig tree, and two grapevines growing on

Happy Birthday America

Happy Fourth of July

by Randy Watson

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. This year is the 200th aniversary of the War on 1812, the inspiration to Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Ft. McHenry by the British Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Ft McHenry in the War of 1812. 

Madison Rising, a conservative rock band, has recorded a version of the Star-Spangled Banner that is one of the most beautiful versions I have ever heard. Madison Rising is on a mission to not only make great music, but also send a message that American culture is alive and well. Madison Rising, named in honor of

5 Benefits of Using a Gun to Protect Your Home

 By Ryan Avila

The same as you always carry a spare tire, or keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, a self-defense firearm should be part of your home standard equipment. If you know how, and when, to use the gun then you will have substantial benefits when it is needed. As part of your preparation it is vitally important that you know and understand the Texas laws pertaining to self-defense and the home.

As of 2007, Texas passed a "castle doctrine" law which allows homeowners to use deadly force against illegal intruders without the necessity of retreating. However, like many laws, there are important aspects to it that can trip you up and cause significant legal problems if you are not aware of

Sizzling Summer Vegetarian Supper with Tomatos from Our San Antonio Garden

by Celia Hayes

The first of the tomatoes from the garden are coming along slowly – but this week we had a good double-handful of small cherry tomatoes, in all colors; the usual red, but some lemon-yellow ones, and some of them so-called ‘black’ which were actually a kind of pale purple. Having a couple of ears of fresh corn in the refrigerator, I decided to make a summer corn and tomato relish out of them. This recipe was pulled from Cuisine at Home, issue #52, August 2005.

Whisk together ¼ cup cider vinegar and 1 TBsp sugar, until sugar is dissolved. Combine with 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of fresh corn kernels, (From two ears of corn), ½ cup thinly sliced red

Today's Mortgage Rates 6/21/12

(Supplied by Bill Rapp)

Conforming Conventional:            
 
Today’s Conventional 5/1 ARM: 2.625; 2.740% APR
Today’s Conventional Fixed 30 Year: 3.500; 3.670% APR
Today’s Conventional Fixed 15 Year: 2.875; 3.062% APR

Non-Conforming Conventional (JUMBO)
Today’s Jumbo Conventional 7/1 ARM:  3.625%; 3.718% APR
Today’s Jumbo Conventional Fixed 30 Year: 4.375; 4.472% APR
Today’s Jumbo Conventional 15 Year Fixed:  4.250%; 4.420% APR

Government:
Today’s FHA and VA 5/1 ARM: 2.750; 3.629% APR
Today’s FHA and VA Rate 30 Year Fixed:  3.750%; 4.680% APR
Today’s FHA and VA Rate 15 Year Fixed:  2.750%; 3.385% APR

USDA Rural 100% Loan (Purchase Only):
Today’s USDA Rate 30 Year Fixed:  3.750%; 4.172% APR
NICHE Loan: FHA Full 203K (Unlimited

10 Home Staging Tips for a Quicker Sale

by Joe Eitel

When it comes to selling your home fast, staging it correctly is probably the most effective strategy. In fact, studies conducted by the staging experts at StagedHomes.com showed that 94-percent of staged homes sold in 29 days or less compared to 145 days for homes that weren't staged.

So, what exactly is staging? In short, staging is preparing your home to be sold by cleaning, arranging and optimizing the space. According to published national surveys, real estate professionals rank cleaning/decluttering, lighting and electrical/plumbing as the top three most important areas to address when staging a home. There are several other important staging tips to consider as well. Here are 10 of the

Battleship Texas Closing for Repairs

News Release
Media Contact: Mike Cox, 512-389-8046, mike.cox@tpwd.state.tx.us

June 15, 2012

HOUSTON — The Battleship Texas, which has been stabilized since the historic vessel sprang a significant leak a week ago, will be closed to the public starting Monday until repairs can be completed.

"The closure will be for the duration of the salvage company and dive team repairs, a process we hope will take no more than a week," said Andy Smith, Battleship Texas State Historical Site superintendent.

Currently, the ship is stable with a 1- to 2-degree list to the port and an estimated water inflow rate of less than 100 gallons per minutes. Earlier this week, the rate was 850 gpm, Smith said.

Clean-up of

Gov. Rick Perry released a statement regarding the Obama Administration's immigration announcement:

"The Obama Administration's election-year tactic to bypass Congress and arbitrarily grant amnesty to potentially millions of illegal immigrants is another example of its blatant disregard for our Constitution, our rule of law and our democratic process. The laws of this nation are not open to selective, convenient or political interpretation; they are the very foundation of our freedom, and the protections they guarantee make our nation strong and attractive to immigrants around the world - millions of whom abide by our laws and processes and seek legal entry. These are decisions that should be