New City of Austin Solar Loan Program

Exciting new solar financing program through the City of Austin. With the recent demise of the Solar Rebate program, city leaders have come up with a new low interest loan program for residential solar installations.

Lower your solar heat gain with our Big Sky Shade Sails. Block over 95% of UV rays and lower temperatures (under the shade) by up to 30 degrees. Check out our online store here.

Texas Property Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans

Help me spread the word to eligible Texas veterans. The State of Texas is offering property tax relief to 100% disabled veterans and 100% disabled veterans due to unemployability. Here's the link to the Travis County Tax Office. After you follow this link to the press release, go on to the pdf information sheet. Once approved, Travis County will reduce your assessed value to zero in all categories leading to a zero tax bill. Travis County processed my application very quickly and they tend to take care of their disabled veterans very well. Many thanks to the Texas Legislature and to Governor Perry for passing this important legislation and for helping those who gave of themselves in defending this country.

Please check out our online store featuring UV-protective shades and shade sails here. Our products are proven to reduce harmful UV exposure and they are easy to put up.

Combat Veterans and Readjustment to the Real World

I just came across a very interesting article in the New York Times written by a fellow combat veteran. I thought I'd share it with you as he really knew how to capture the awkward homecoming that I also experienced. It is a shame that so many of us have experienced difficulty adapting ourselves to a "normal" life. link to store

Health Insurance, What Health Insurance?

If you want a real-world example of the need for health insurance reform - get this. My kids got sick today, so we went to our pediatrician. One had strep and one had both the flu and strep, not that big a deal. So I go to the pharmacy to fill their prescriptions and the pharmacist says "your insurance is expired." Now, I am painfully aware of the payments that we make to Blue Cross Blue Shield, since we are (or were) insured by UT's COBRA policy. It costs us over $350 to insure one adult and three kids every month.

So ... following many painful phone calls to Blue Cross Blue Shield and the University of Texas and lots of time on hold, this is what resulted. NOTHING. My policy was canceled for being six days late (thanks Bank of America online bill pay). Now we have joined the ranks of millions of uninsured Americans. Thanks Blue Cross Blue Shield for screwing my children out of their health insurance when they needed it most.

President Obama - please do something about the crooks who run these health insurance companies. If there is a public option or an opportunity to purchase the same health insurance that government employees buy, count me in!

The Benefits of Shade Sails

Hello everyone. I just got finished installing a Big Sky Shade Sail over my driveway. It took me about 3 hours to get all of the posts dug, anchored and concreted in. I used a small ratchet to stretch out the shade sail between its anchor points and then attached it with snap links and turn buckles. Once the Big Sky Shade Sail was properly tensioned by tightening the turn buckles, the project was done. Now my wife has a shady place to park her Honda and it cost me less than $350 to create an attractive, UV-protective car port.

Big Sky Shade Sails block over 90% of harmful UV radiation and offer a high degree of protection and cool shade. Another cool thing about Big Sky Shade Sails is that they also offer protection from hail. The tensioned shade causes hail to simply bounce off harmlessly.

To buy a Big Sky Shade Sail, simply follow this link to go directly to the store, or check us out at our main web page here.

Big Sky Shade is running a Fall Special with 10% off on any in-stock Big Sky Shade Sail. Ceck out our Google Coupon here.

If you have any questions on Shade Sails or need a consultation, just give me a call at 512.748.1424 or drop me an email: info(at)bigskyshade.com.

Austin Apartment Hunter's Resource

If you are looking for an apartment in Austin, you should contact Tsina, a licensed real estate agent at Apartment Experts. She is very knowledgeable and lives downtown - not in the suburbs - so she knows what she's talking about when it comes to downtown high rises, apartments and condos. Her services are free to you and she can really help you find the right apartment. Give her a call at 512.750.3421 or check out her web contact form here.

Blogger Buzz: Bloggers wanted!

Blogger Buzz: Bloggers wanted!

Great Burgers on North Lamar

I just got back from P Terry's Burger Stand on North Lamar. What a cool place. The burgers were great and the store had a great interior finish-out. If you live in Central Austin and want a great burger, you've got to check this place out.

For great UV shade ideas check out our website and store.

What? Another Austin Blog?!!!

Yes. Here's another Austin, TX blog - but with a twist. I will be exploring the joys of living in Central and Old West Austin. Our old neighborhoods are the real Austin. No cookie-cutter blah, blah houses here. I'll be talking about my interests: Mid-Century Modern homes, Arts & Crafts Homes, Sustainable Design and UV Protection in the form of Shade Sails and Canopies.

ACL is in town again. I am sure that this will be another great festival. I only hope that it provides some lasting stimulus to our local economy because there are still lots of folks out of work.

Need shade for your home or business? Clock here for shade sails from a local Austin company. Mention this blog and receive 10% off of your purchase!