Sunday, January 1st, 2012, the start of a new week and a new year all in one day! Are you one of the estimated 44% that make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you have a plan to make them happen, or will you then become part of the estimated 80% that fail or quit?   Here is a list of the Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions:   1. Eat healthier 2. Get a better job 3. Spend more time with family and friends 4. Get fit / Work out more 5. Get out of debt 6. Recycle 7. Save money 8. Volunteer 9. Quit smoking 10. Lose weight   We must be optimistic if we plan to succeed!  Start preparing now, do some research if you need to on what you need to do to make a plan and outline your steps for your goals.  You should always write them down and make them public.  In our technology world, it is easy to get suppor... 12/30/2011

There will be plenty of holiday events in Amarillo, TX this Christmas season. So, clear your calendars, gather your family & friends, and come out to enjoy some of these holiday traditions in Amarillo. Holiday Harrington House Tours:  Tuesdays and Thursdays, every half hour from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Free tours are limited to four people, ages 14 and up.  The Harrington House is located at 1600 South Polk Street.  For more information you can contact them directly at 806-374-5490 or visit them online at http://www.harringtonhousehistorichome.org/tours/ Tour Information Tours must be arranged in advance and there is no charge for admission.  The tour includes three floors of the home and lasts around 50 minutes.  Trained volunteers will be conducting the tours.  Visitors may also stroll... 12/19/2011

    Are you looking for something to do this weekend in Amarillo Texas?  Spend the evening at Amarillo Botanical Gardens for their second annual Christmas in the Garden. Enjoy caroling from different local groups each night from 6:45 - 7:15 PM. This is a free event with donations appreciated. Take your family on a stroll through the lighted gardens and have a hot beverage. The event is from 6 – 8 PM. Amarillo Botanical Gardens are located at 1400 Streit Drive.  Call them at 352-6513 for more details!   www.amarillobotanicalgardens.org   This information is presented by:   Connie Taylor Keller Williams ConnieTaylor@KW.com www.AmarilloDreamHomes.com   Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.     12/09/2011

Many changes are coming to some of Amarillo's most popular venues.  The biggest change to come is an addtion.  Oscar Soto will be opening a new restaurant called Oscar's Mexican Grill and Cantina.  The Soto family closed a longtime Amarillo establishment once known as Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant to open the popular Oscar's Burritos, which is located at Southwest 45th Avenue and Western Street.   The menu for Oscar's new restaurant will include a little bit of everything, and there will be a full bar.  A new part of the operation to Oscar's Mexican Grill and Cantina will include a Mexican Bakery, which will turn out the freshest pastries and empanadas of squash, pineapple and other delicious flavors.  You can order at the counter between 6am and 3pm Monday through Friday for breakfast ... 12/05/2011

To get a big taste of Texas, the perfect place is Amarillo, even for a short stay around the holidays.From canyons to giant steaks, the city is an Old Western enthusiast’s dream.  And best of all, you can enjoy the splendor in the scenery here for your holiday getaway. There is so much to see and do in Amarillo.  You can go to the Livestock Auction and mingle with real cowboys as they buy and sell cattle, or visit the city museum and beautiful gardens to see how they are decked out with holiday flare.  The whole family will be in awe over the rock formations at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, which is a great place to see any time of year. Amarillo can be visited most any month of the year.  However, there are times that are more comfortable weather-wise than others and the holiday season... 11/28/2011

If you’re thinking about helping out the local Texas Panhandle families this holiday season, you should know that the Amarillo Globe News’ Empty Stocking Fund is now in its 39th year of helping families fulfill their needs during the holiday season.  Over the past years in this endeavor, there have been more than $2.6 million donated.  Last year’s total reached $107,842.58 in donations to give 250 individuals and families as well as 950 nursing home residents to have a wonderful holiday season.  The Salvation Army even helped receive funds to help provide shoes and socks for homeless children.  Funds also went to several agencies that provide for teenagers and seniors.  Recipients can apply for assistance through social service agencies and nursing homes. Each recipient is then reviewed... 11/21/2011

Great news for residents and visitors of Amarillo, Texas; the Working Ranch Cowboy’s Rodeo is here to stay for 2012.  Negotiations have recently begun to keep the Working Ranch Cowboys Association’s signature event here in 2013, but rest assured for now; the broncos will buck again in Amarillo in 2012 for sure.Last week marked the starting date for the WRCA’s 16th Championship Rodeo.  This event is one that fills the Amarillo Civic Center with a trade show and daytime events.  By night it’s the rodeo round’s that will keep you captivated.  This event will also be hosted here in Amarillo through 2012.    The Amarillo based WRCA has been in Amarillo from the beginning and its leaders have been happy at the Civic Center.  Last year attracted an around 40,000 local people and about $2 milli... 11/14/2011

Now is the perfect time to relocate to Amarillo.  Millions of dollars will be brought to the Amarillo region through wind power.  Cielo Wind Power is trying to beat a deadline to construct the Spinning Spur Wind Ranch, which is expected to reach $70 million in contracts to regional businesses.  The needs include communication tower construction, heavy earth moving, safety equipment, and information technology.  More work opportunities will include turbine and tower cleaning prior to assembly as well.  A dirty turbine is a bad one; therefore, it’s a unique housekeeping chore that must be done.  This is a $190-millon project set for 20,000 acres on the edge of the Caprock. And, the start date is targeted for December 1st.  One company, Southwestern Public Service, already has a contract ... 10/31/2011

  Many cities have a hard time keeping up with technology. However, Amarillo is keeping up with the times and technology for all citizens and soon-to-be citizens.  It’s one great place to live when you want or need resources for the local community.  Therefore, the City of Amarillo has added the Citizen Action Center to their website.  There are now even more benefits to visiting their website for local community information.  Here are some of the resources you can find in Amarillo’s Citizen Action Center:   * Community Connection: In this section you can find FAQ’s, report problems, register complaints, ask questions, view commission meeting videos, view agendas for upcoming commission meetings, view board agenda’s and signup for email notifications.   * Court: This section contains i... 10/24/2011

Amarillo, TX has made the 2011 list in the American Cowboy magazine’s two best places to live in the West.  The April/May issue of American Cowboy has the featured list which you can also see it on their web site at www.americancowboy.com.  The ideal Western life is all about a place where the free spirit of the Western version of the American Dream can take place.  Picture a place where you can experience cowboy culture, beautiful scenery, true history and a great steak, and you have Amarillo, TX. The cities on the list are all good places to hang your hat for good or for a nice long stay.   Amarillo can boast about their wide open spaces, the night skies filled with stars that seem close enough to touch, four seasons of outdoor fun, lots of clean air, affordable housing, low unemploy... 10/10/2011

Why choose Downtown Amarillo, TX?  Well, the most obvious answer is the fact that the downtown area has more than 800 single-family residences, which includes the Plemons Eakle neighborhood; a prestigious Historic District.  The entire area is diverse and has homes dating back to the early 1900s.  Another good reason is because back in 2008 a Strategic Action Plan was adopted by the City of Amarillo to outline a vision for the downtown urban area where people could live, play and work.  The plan sets goals for the financial, business, and entertainment sectors of downtown.  There are also plans to attract urban living.    Here are some of the key goals in the plan:   * Maintain Downtown Amarillo and the Panhandle as the financial, government and civic center for both areas.    * Attrac... 10/03/2011

It’s that time of year for the Scouts, once again, to sell delicious popcorn all around Amarillo, TX.  The girls may have cookies of many flavors, but the boys have their popcorn with just as many flavors. And this year the Scouts are looking forward to new packaging, new products, new prizes and a new partnership with area attractions.  The popcorn sales will run through October 27th.   This fall the Popcorn sale will build on last year’s successful sale.  Not only is the popcorn delicious, but this official fundraiser for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Venture Scout will benefit all of these groups, with 70% of all sales going back to local Scouting.  You can purchase popcorn today from your local Amarillo Scouts or by calling the Golden Spread Council at 806-358-6500.   ... 09/26/2011

Everybody’s concerned about saving the planet today. After all, this is the only one we have to live. At least, today and the next half of a century we’re sure of that –Earth is the only planet for human kind. As the tide of ecological alertness sweeps on to mankind, building owners pitch in to save Mother Nature by attempting to make their structure LEED certified. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is granted to a building if it passes the LEED Green Building Rating System. The building is rated in four levels - LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, and LEED Platinum. Austin, Texas, has been the first to call for LEED certification in the United States. Dallas follows the Texas’ capital’s lead by issuing a resolution that all buildings owned by the ci... 09/21/2011

On the REBAC Hotsheet this week, an interesting tip list from Intersections Inc. on how to avoid having your important paperwork and numbers get into the wrong hands. This got me to searching for more helpful tips for all, and HireAHelper.com has a blog about good Moving Advice on how to avoid being the victim of any type of theft, including ID theft. Moving is stressful enough, as is selling or buying your home. Taking steps before the end rush will help you and your family avoid having to deal with theft and ID theft! This information is presented by: Connie Taylor Keller Williams ConnieTaylor@KW.com www.AmarilloDreamHomes.com Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. 07/15/2011

When looking for a real estate professional, there are several things you should look for to see if they meet your criteria.  Therefore, I would like to share with you why a Keller Williams Agent is different from other real estate agents. The Keller Williams Difference: We offer a superior level of services you need to sell your Amarillo home in today's economy.  The market is tough and we make it easier for you. Keller Williams agents are skilled at pricing and marketing your Amarillo home.  We provide listings in the MLS and advertise your home locally.  Your home will also be marketed to buyers nationally and locally through listing websites. A Keller Williams agent will find buyers, work within your time frame and negotiate with potential buyers. We will make it known that your hom... 07/11/2011

With the long weekend ahead of us, I thought I’d do a quick post of July 4th Trivia! You can be sure that these facts will be interesting tidbits to pepper your conversations with this weekend! May yours be fun filled and safe!http://www.chiff.com/a/fun-facts-fourth.htm – This list is trivia about the current celebration of the 4th, like who exports the most beef in the US (Texas), how many times have patriotic names (53 altogether), and other neat facts.http://www.oldeducator.com/july4factsandtrivia.htm – This is trivia about more the history of the 4th, such as who all signed the Declaration of Independence, American flag etiquette, and a lot more interesting history.http://www.teachervision.fen.com/fourth-of-july/printable/26546.html – For those with 4th to 8th graders, this is an ex... 07/01/2011

As with any summer, people are getting ready to move – sometimes as close as next door, and sometimes all the way on the other side of the globe. No matter how far the move, having a timeline to help prepare you, check lists of what you should look out for, and tips for some of the trickier parts of moving such as with children and pets, are always good things! Google is a powerful tool in the search for tips and lists, but to help save you some time, I’ve collected several of the better websites I found! www.MoveAdvocate.com – A great resource for moves, focusing slightly more on long distance moves. http://www.flylady.net/pages/Flying_MovingTips.asp – More focused on women, but still a great source of information on how to not be overwhelmed in a move. http://interiordec.about.com/od/... 06/24/2011

‘Tis the season for love to grow! In celebration of my daughter’s wedding, I wanted to share some green wedding tips for those of you planning (or helping to plan!) a wedding this summer! Below I’ll just pick up a few of my favorite tips, but the article is full of a lot of great ideas. You can start with the ring – of course check with your fiancé if she’d mind going a different route, but there are some great sustainable choices if you’re both willing to think outside the box! Recycled and recyclable invitations – or even purely electronic invitations – are also a great way to save a few trees. Even reducing the amount of paper in your paper ones to a single page (without the envelope in an envelope) can make an impact, not only on the environment but also the budget! Choosing sustain... 06/20/2011

Amarillo schools and community library have some great news this summer.  In Canyon, Texas, educators are encouraging kids to keep up their reading during the summer months.  Studies show students who read during the summer months return for a new school year at the same level or above and they are more prepared for the new school year ahead of them.  Students who don’t keep up good reading habits tend to regress and fall behind. Lakeview Elementary is having its first summer reading program in their library.  The school was chosen because of its central location to the Amarillo and Canyon Libraries.  Some students don’t have transportation to get to those locations for their book programs.  Therefore, this school program is exciting a lot of people in the Amarillo and Canyon communiti... 06/13/2011

It’s events like this that make living in Amarillo all the better.  The kids were not really tortured but they did have a lot of fun.  Enthusiastic children by the dozens took to the short race track inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park for the fifth annual 24 Hour Bike Run in the Canyon. This year’s race featured a special track for the event's youngest cyclists.  Over 100 children participated this year before the adults took to the track for a 24 hour ride for charity.  This year was expected to raise more than $150,000 for cancer patients.  All but 10% of the funds will go to the Don & Sybil Harrington Cancer Center and the rest will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. All the children were required to wear helmets.  Those who didn’t have a helmet were provided one free by “Hard Hat... 06/06/2011