1606 Wilshire Boulevard

If you’re looking for a classic, spacious home in Central Austin, you’ve GOT TO SEE this beautifully remodeled home in Wilshire Wood.  Located in the 78722 zip code that is sandwiched between IH35 and the new Mueller development, Wilshire Wood was trumpeted as the “Tarrytown of the East Side” when it was designed in the early 1950s.  Winding streets, spacious lots and tree-shaded streets are what come to mind when you think of this delightful neighborhood.

Features for 1606 Wilshire Boulevard include 2,200+ square feet of living space in a convenient one-story floor plan.  Restored hardwood floors and ceramic tile are in every room of the home.  Enjoy sitting around with friends and family at either of the two full dining areas or gather around the island in the kitchen which has room for six!  With four bedrooms and three full baths, there’s plenty of room for family and guest.

Pool and spa at 1606 Wilshire

If lounging around the back yard or splashing around in the pool is your idea of keeping cool in the Texas summers, then you’ll love the salt-cell chlorinated custom pool in the back yard!  Surrounded by lush landscaping, the pool is practically maintenance free and you can either float to your hearts content or wind down after a long day in the heated spa!

Priced at $429,900 this is a fabulous home!  Come see for yourself or call Rebecca Kohout, Broker Associate, Sky Realty at 415-9876 for a private showing.  MLS #2874345.

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If you’d like a private showing, please contact me at 415-9876. Let a Cherrywood resident show you what we have to offer!

1. 1606 Wilshire Boulevard: Spacious Wilshire Wood beauty with incredible custom pool and spa. Remodeled kitchen with island and super master bath! Gotta see this one! 4 beds, 3 baths, 2 living, 2 dining; 2,200 Sq Ft; Rebecca Kohout, broker associate, Sky Realty, 415-9876. Priced at $469,900. Open 2 to 5.

2. 1216 Norwood Road: Retro bungalow in Delwood II. Super cute with Saltillo tile, stainless appliances and lots of light. 4 beds, 2 baths, 2 living, 2 dining; 1,704 Sq Ft.;Terry Miller, agent, Stanberry & Associates. 431-4663. Priced at $299,975. Open 2 to 4.

3. 3009 Breeze Terrace: Oversized, treed lot, gorgeous wood floors under carpet. Ample storage and many built-ins 3 beds, 2 baths, 2 living, 2 dining; 1,648 Sq Ft;. Jody Lockshin, agent, Habitat Hunters. 587-5824. Priced at $350,000. Open 1 to 5.

4. 3212 Breeze Terrace; Charming brick cottage with wood floors, large kitchen and spacious patio in a lush garden setting. 2 beds, 1 bath, 2 living, 2 dining; 1,204 Sq Ft.;Lyon Gegenheimer, broker, Lyon Real Estate, 499-0499. Priced at $300,000. Open 2 to 5.

5. 1713 East 38 ½ Street; Great location for those who want to be close to downtown and UT. Owner says MUST SELL! 2 beds, 1 bath, 1 living, 1 dining. Brian Childress, agent, Sky Realty, 922-6425. Priced at $199,000. Open 1 to 5.

6. 3703 Grayson; Fantastic investment opportunity! Vintage block construction, wood floors, and almost ¼ acre! 2 beds, 1 bath, 2 living, 1 dining. 1,030 Sq Ft., Cynthia Lyon, agent, Experience Austin Realty, 633-2183. Priced at $182,000. Hosted by Melco Miranda, Open 1 to 4.

7. 3212 Larry Lane; Completely remodeled home with sexy kitchen. Silestone counters, island, ceramic tile and hardwood flooring, large treed lot and move-in ready. 2 beds, 2 baths, 2 living, 1,344 Sq Ft; Rebecca Kohout, broker associate, Sky Realty, 415-9876. Priced at $245,000. Hosted by Brenda Starr, Open 1 to 4.

8. 3313 Werner Avenue; High ceiling, open spaces, oak wood floors, atrium doors and private backyard. Fixer upper ready for major renewal. 2 beds, 1 bath, 1 living, 1 dining. 890 Sq Ft.; Sara Madera, agent, Turnquist Partners, Realtors, 750-5536. Priced at $220,000. Open 2 to 4.

9. 4200 Bradwood Road; Charming 1940s remodeled home. Kitchen features granite counter, stainless appliances and tile floors. Spacious family room opens up to sun room with stone floors and lots of windows! 3 beds, 2 baths, 3 living, 2 dining, 2,245 Sq Ft; Kathleen Bucher, broker associate, Keller Williams Realty, 784-7169. Priced at $324,900. Hosted by Allison Curlee, Open 2 to 5.

Sparky Park in North University

If you haven’t lived in Austin for several decades, you may not remember the area that was once Sparky Park. Home of a former Austin electric substation that was notorious for sending sparks flying during our spring thunderstorms, Sparky Park is now a tranquil half acre of grass and trees with a field for letting your dog run lease free and chase balls.

The park is located on Grooms Street between 35^th and 38^th streets in North University neighborhood. When Austin Energy removed the huge towers and transformers that had existed for decades, the area was left with a small brick building and a great place for a pocket park. Neighbors took it upon themselves to turn this once frightful terrain into one of Austin’s most quirky assets and best of all, a local sculptor Berthold Haas, gave the neighborhood the gift of a fantastical wall of wonder!

Scallop Tree in Sparky Park North University

The Austin Chronicle has now bestowed upon Sparky Park their Critic’s Pick Award and named it the “Best New Pocket of Green: Sparky Park”. One visit and you’ll know why this tiny slice of joy is so beloved by the local residents. Made of limestones pierced with holes, large chunks of cobalt glass, petrified wood, scallop sea shells, and other donated artifacts from its days as an electrical substation, the art wall is whimsical, wonderful, and weird!

The park was officially opened with a dedication ceremony in March 2009, and has garnered attention from neighborhoods thoughout Austin. Without the full support of neighbors, this charming salute to the human spirit to transform a previous eye-sore in Central Austin would not have come to fruition. A small army of volunteers worked for years to complete plans for “Sparky” and have suceeded in every way to create something so unique. Many thanks to Bethold and his vision. It’s a true gift to future generations!

Sparky Park in North University

* Safe, walkable streets
* Neighborhood-oriented and neighborhood-friendly businesses and services
* Preserve and promote public and private greet space
* Respect, recognize and maintain ethnic, family, socio-economic and cultural diversity
* Managing growth while ensuring livable density, a diversity of architectural styles and a well-maintained neighborhood
* Achieving a sense of community and security by encouraging responsibility, involvement and pride among all resident and owners
* Healthy and active relationships with other neighborhood groups, civic organizations and government agencies
* A built environment compatible with the above goals.

Since the time that of the initial vision planning, the Cherrywood Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Committee met and developed the Design Standards described here. They outline those characteristics that relate to the physical development of the neighborhood while they try to offer more practical examples and suggestions for applying the Standards in the design of improvements and new construction.

It is important to note that the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association is a residents’ association and there is no enforcement authority. The CNA simply tries to discover and promote consensual community interest. However, occasionally CNA’s approval for a construction permit to the City of Austin may be critical. When a property owner petitions the Board of Adjustment for a variance, or otherwise seeks City approval, CNA may play a formal role. If so, CNA’s Planning & Zoning Committee will support a petition if the applicant agrees to meet the Design Guidelines and if neighbors register no strong objections.

DESIGN STANDARDS

Fire Safety. Fire walls or nonflammable construction materials should be used where homes are built close to one another to prevent blazes from spreading easily.
Security against Intruders. Placement of landscaping, fences, and new construction should maximize visibility for Police patrols.
Eyes on the Street. Architectural features should be incorporated to facilitate neighborliness and make it easier for neighbors to look out for one another. Examples: lighting, street window, front porches.
Subdued Parking. Provide sufficient off-street parking.
Pedestrian Safety. Planting would not overhang the street where branches may impede pedestrians, bicyclists or drivers.
Neighborhood Scale and Character. For residential streets, windowless walls, tall fences, storage of vehicles or supplies, unkempt appearance or any similarly incongruous non-residential features visible from the street should be avoided.
Sustainable Design and Construction. Promote GREEN building programs such as rainwater harvesting, used of recycled materials, provision of shad, and other features friendly to the environment.
Intended Use. Rental units, home offices, home businesses, studios, etc. are encourage to locate in residential blocks as long as they are residential in character, generate no more traffic than a normal residence, and produce no excessive noise.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

Entry Doors. Make the entryway visible from the street. Provide vision glass in the door or adjacent window. Protect visitors from the elements. Make the house number easily visible. Provide a place other than your Mailbox to leave newsletters, notes, and notices.
Porches. Shield a porch fro the sun and rain. Make it wide and deep enough to protect visitor from the elements and provide sitting space.
Windows. Position windows and glass in the entry door to make the street visible from the residence.
Fences. Avoid privacy fencing in the front yard.
Lighting. Consider neighbors’ interest and comfort when choosing and installing exterior lighting. Choose exterior lighting with no visible lamp bulb.
Landscaping. Avoid shrubbery that lowers visibility of the street, oncoming traffic intersections, and blocks pedestrian right-of-way. Plant shrubbery away from buildings. Locate new trees away from utility lines. Preserve existing tree. Use native plants.
Environmental facilities. Follow Austin’s Green Building Program. Follow Austin Energy’s home energy tips. Maximize pervious cover.
Parking. Locate garage or open-air parking in the rear of the property. Pave parking spaces and driveway with semi-pervious ribbon drives or pavers where practical.
Setbacks. Only seek a variance from City Code where the result will be: fewer cars parked both on street and in the front setback area AND construction of a porch in the front setback area, but which always result in other Guidelines not being compromised.

If you are considering purchasing a home in Cherrywood or French Place neighborhoods, or you want to remodel a property that you already own in the area, it is strongly advised that you familiarize yourself with the above Guildelines before you petition for a variance or hire an architect to assist you. It would also be advisable that you contact architects who are familiar with the above Design Guildelines before you plan any exterior alterations to your property. For a copy of the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association Design Standards and Guildelines, please contact Rebecca Kohout at 512-415-9876 or email me at Rebecca@texperthomes.com.

Lucky J's in West Campus

The first food trailer to sign up for the new location is Lucky J’s Chicken and Waffles…yummm! Lucky J’s currently has a trailer at 6^th and Waller in East Austin and they’ve had a steady clientele for the past two years. The owner, Jason Umlas, is excited to take the plunge and be the first vendor to sign up for the new location stating that he loves the way Austinites like to cheer on the little guy. Try “The Deal”… $7.99 for four pieces of dark, crispy chicken and two sweet, cinnamonny waffles. The waffles are just dense enough to soak up syrup and any chicken juice, while the crispy, fried chicken is oozing with herbs and spices… perfection!! And if you don’t have a friend to share this order, go for the “Short Stack”…. a breast and a waffle for $5.99.

With the phenomenal success of the Food Trailer Court on South Congress, other courts have been popping up all over town…north, south, and east. Now Central Austin and the UT Campus area can add another economical dining spot for students and neighbors alike. I can’t wait to see what other trailers will fill the lot at this convenient location…so watch for me there… I’ll be the one with the big smile and a handful of chicken!

Snow in Austin

You see, I’m from North Central Texas, on a latitude equal to Fort Worth and Dallas, but closer to Lubbock…. so snow and winter sweaters were something that I grew up with. We had snow almost every Christmas, and plenty of times during the winter…and I loved making snowmen, having snowball fights and, my favorite, eating snow ice cream! If you haven’t had snow ice cream…you haven’t really enjoyed the full benefits of a fresh fallen snow event.

I was out showing homes during the height of the falling snow and while my friend who was along for the home search had her doubts about braving the weather, I found it to be so exciting; it was like being back in my childhood. The flakes were so huge they looked more like snowballs falling from the sky! Seriously, the falling globs were the size of half-dollars and seemed to land on the ground with a tiny splat. Children stood outside on the sidewalks catching snow on their tongues, and adults stood by with cameras and helped make snowmen.

Austin snowman

If you’re new to Austin, you may not understand the excitement and pleasure we all derive from these infrequent events. Those of us who have lived here many years recount past snowfalls by the decade… the snow of 1984, or the big storm of 1989. There was even a snowfall in 1971 that I still remember. I was in college and during the very early morning hours when everyone was still sleeping and Austin was a much smaller city, my friends and I got in our cars and drove to Lamar Boulevard between 24^th and 29^th Streets and made snow doughnuts in the street. We’d get a little speed, throw on the brakes and squeal as the car did doughnuts in the early morning silence. The cars would spiral down the street and we’d laugh until it hurt. Of course, we weren’t going fast enough to jump a curb, so it was pretty harmless, but the police may have had a different idea if they’d happened by. I can tell this story now because I’m sure that the statute of limitations has long expired. In the past 20 years, there have been few snows to trigger any long term recollections…. We just don’t get that much….and this one probably won’t make the memory books. But we’ll take what we can get, and love every minute of it!

Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Tarrytown

Inherit Austin, a membership arm of the Heritage Society of Austin, is holding its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of the historic Laguna Gloria at the Austin Museum of Art. The beautiful grounds of Laguna Gloria, located deep in the heart of West Austin at 3809 West 35^th Street, have been the site of numerous and well-loved festivals for decades, and this event is sure to please the entire family! Bring the kids and the camera to Laguna Gloria on April 3^rd at 9:30 a.m. for egg hunts, train rides, clowns and photos with the Easter Bunny! Admission is $10 per child, adults are free and the event will be held rain or shine.

For over 50 years, the Heritage Society has been the grandmother of all things historic for Austinites. Featured events throughout the year include the annual Heritage Homes Tour, support of Pioneer Farms, the Preservation Awards Ceremony, and a number of classes and events to increase participation and education regarding the heritage and historic treasures in Austin. If you love preserving history, studying architecture, or just like to visit historic homes in Austin, membership in the Society might just be the thing for you.

Founded by the Heritage Society with the purpose of grooming the next generation of preservationists, Inherit Austin is a group of younger Austinites who hold their own events at local historic landmarks in an effort to increase awareness of our history, unique architecture and preservation issues. If you think you might be a little past the ‘young’ generation, why not consider being a member of the Heritage Society of Austin? Meet neighbors, have fun and make a difference in your home town….whether you just moved to Austin, or you’ve lived here all your life….the Heritage Society offers something for the entire family.

Old West Austin Home

And while we’re on the subject of the Heritage Society events, I’d like to remind everyone that the 18^th Annual Heritage Homes Tour is coming May 22, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mark your calendars! Last year’s event was so spectacular, I wish everyone could have been there. Focused on the Old West Austin/Clarksville neighborhood just west of Lamar between West 6^th and Enfield Road, the event showcased the Jewels of Castle Hill. That area is a glorious one for historic homes in Clarksville and if you haven’t driven though there, you can’t envision the stately Victorian mansions that cluster around 9^th, 10^th and Blanco streets. If you’d like to see photos, check out my Clarksville page on my web site. I lived in Clarksville for the first five years of my life in Austin in the early 1970s and it’s wonderful to see how the neighborhood has continued to take such great care of their historic homes. This years’ tour location hasn’t been announced, but I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I hear more.

Cherrywood Green in East Austin

The logistics of the garage sale are as follows. We will be accepting donations, and donors will receive a tax deductable receipt from CHULA, similar to what one would get at Goodwill. We will accept clothes/small appliances/furniture/electronics, etc.. We will not accept mattresses, sofas, televisions-computer monitors, or large appliances (stove, refrigerator, etc..). Ideally we wish donors to drop off their items between 7-9 am Saturday morning at the Green. For larger items or if a person is unable to drop them off, me and I will arrange pick up between 6-8pm on Friday April 16th. It is requested that donors separate their items (adult or children’s clothing/appliances/other) and are encouraged to price the items accordingly.

Garage sale will start at 9am until 5pm on Saturday. This should be a very social event, so everyone is encouraged to come and hang out and meet your Cherrywood neighbors! We plan to have water, coffee, hot dogs and soft drinks available for purchase and possibly a bake sale, so bring your sweet tooth.

If you are interested in volunteering on Saturday, your help will be appreciated. This fund raiser is a “work in progress”, its success will be determined on how many volunteers we have and the effort they provide. A lot of jobs do not require a lot of work, only a commitment to be there on Saturday, other jobs can be done before Saturday if you can’t make it on Saturday. This is the ONLY way we have now to raise funds for the Green so everyone’s participate is necessary to help us create a fund for the yearly maintenance plus build a reserve which is required for many grant applications.. I hope everyone can do some small part, so the entire event will be big and successful! Feel free to email me if you’d like to participate, or just come on over to Cherrywood Road and East 34^th Street on April 17^th!

Franklin BBQ in Cherrywood East Austin

Okay, I’ll admit that writing about your favorite dining trailer is a mixed bag. Do you want to keep it a secret so the lines aren’t long and there’s plenty for yourself, or do you want to let everyone know about what many folks in Austin are now calling the Best BBQ in Austin City Limits? Well, this genie is so far out of the bottle that keeping it a secret doesn’t make sense anymore, so I’m here to tell you about what I think is the best dining trailer in town and its right here in my Cherrywood neighborhood in East Austin!

Franklin BBQ, at 3421 N. IH 35, is located on the side of Owl Tree Roasting (a great coffee roasting shop in its own right!) and the place is always hosting a line of hungry diners from the minute it opens until the food runs out! Just drive by with the windows rolled down on your car and you’ll know why people can’t stay away. The smell of BBQ perfume is so sweet and delicious that you’ll want to keep your smoky shirt around for days just to remind you of the incredible ribs and other tasty delights from your lunch.

Al fresco dining in Cherrywood East Austin

The place is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., but don’t let that fool you. The lines start forming before 11:00 and the food runs out well before 4:00, so get a head start if you want to dine here. With a couple of trailers (one for taking food orders and one for the BBQ pit) and a hand full of picnic tables, Franklin BBQ is getting buzz from all over town. In fact, rumor had it that Anthony Bourdain was slated to eat here on his recent visit. While he didn’t make it on this trip, he’s coming back in a few months to cruise Austin Dining Trailers and do another television show on the topic that is Austin’s newest craze. And there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be featuring this latest Hot Spot on the food scene.

Now I just have to take a minute and mention the actual food. While you can read all about it on yelp.com and urbanspoon.com, I have to say that the finest BBQ sauce I’ve ever had is their Espresso BBQ sauce….and it’s to die for…and the Sweet sauce and Hot & Pork (vinegar) are also great. The ribs have a crispy crust and are falling off the bone, the brisket is moist with a perfect smoke ring and the pulled pork sandwiches are juicy and meaty to perfection. You can get the 3 usual sides: potato salad, cole slaw and beans…all good…and perfect pickle accompaniment.

I’m not sure how much longer this little BBQ mecca will be able to hold out as a dining trailer. The lines grow as word spreads and even though the place has only been open since early December 2009, folks are already pushing the threshold on capacity. With food running out around 2:00, you shouldn’t wait to get over and try this place out! Just don’t tell them I sent you. I don’t want to be responsible for the longer lines! And while you’re in East Austin, take a look at the rest of the neighborhood and see if you don’t want to make your home in East Austin. Heck, just being close to Franklin’s BBQ is reason enough to move to the neighborhood!

3212 Larry Lane

3212 Larry Lane

DON’T WAIT ANOTHER DAY to see this Cherrywood beauty! This charming remodeled home at 3212 Larry Lane is ready for you now….and at the best price for anything comparable on the market. Features include recent roof, water heater, and a sexy kitchen with island and granite countertops; hard wood, ceramic tile and wood laminates for the flooring; two full baths with spacious dressing area and interior washer/dryer; all appliances; flex room for office or guest room; large treed lot; and all for the HOT PRICE of $245,000. It’s a great deal and the owners are ready pass this home on to YOU!

Call me immediately for a private showing…Rebecca Kohout, agent, Sky Realty, Inc. 512-415-9876.

Beautifully remodeled kitchen with islandLiving Room