A September Calendar Reminder: - Old Gruene Market Days                              September 15-16 (2012) Over 100 vendors, unique gifts, Texas homemade foods, a place to Stop and Shop. This is the great Gruene Market Days month, time to start buying gifts for Christmas. CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER! Admission is FREE! Come spend the day Saturday, September 15-16, 2012. Just north of New Braunfels. Many other shops like the Antique Mall or visit the Green Mansion Inn (awesome B&B). Picture of the Gruene Dance Hall (above) the oldest dance hall in Texas. Information: gruenemarketdays Looking for a Home or Property Inspection Company? Call Complete Inspection Service, Carl Winters, 830-660-0131. We live and work in The Texas Hill Country. We also offer New-Home Phase Inspections, Warranty I... 09/07/2012

  A great way to present your business to the community. Meet, greet and exhibit your business to the community.                24th Exhibit Annual New Braunfels Chamber Business Trade Show scheduled for September 11-12  - 2012 at New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center.   To schedule your space contact: Allison Humphries. If you have a businesses and interested in participating contact the Chamber office at (830) 625-2385.   Space is limited - call Allison ASAP to make arrangements for your Exhabit Booth, pricing details and information.    375 S. Castell Ave. New Braunfels Texas   Website:  New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce   www.nbcham.org/            ------------------------------------------ Home Inspections by Carl Winters Localism Information Blog July 14, 2012 Featuring New Braunf... 07/14/2012

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark is the world's largest Waterpark and features more than 100 slides and attractions along with 169 overnight accommodations. Seventy acres of Fun, and Sun.Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark has been voted the world's best Waterpark for 14 consecutive years by the readers of Amusement Today industry magazine, is ranked as the most popular summertime water park in the United States and has been rated the number one water park in the world by the Travel Channel.  There are several surprises this summer with the introduction of new rides. Get Wet & Wild this summer at Schlitterbahn N.B. TX. Definitely a place for the entire family. Our grandson that attends Southwest Texas State will be working at Schlitterbahn this summer. If anyone is looking for a ... 04/26/2012

Never know where and when you will encounter. Be sure to get medical treatment immediately. This has been going around the internet; if you haven't read this please do so.   With the coming of Spring, as we all head to the outdoors and start to work in our gardens,Brown Recluse Spider. .          Brown  Recluse Spider      At this time of  year, this is worth seeing.   Show these  pictures to your spouse, your kids, grand kids, family, and  friends. It could save their lives. Remember what this Spider  looks like and be careful while cleaning, as told  below. It's  almost  summertime  and  cleanup is going on.  Be careful where you put your hands. They like dark spaces and  woodpiles. Also cool areas in  the attic...   This  guy was bitten by a Brown Recluse spider.  The following illus... 04/22/2012

The Enclave at Westpointe Village The Enclave at Westpointe Village is a gated, 55+ active adult community that offers custom homes. Located in the historic city of New Baunfels just outside of San Antonio this neighborhood is convenient to everything the city has to offer and is within walking distance to a new HEB and many other shops, salons, restaurants, an urgent care facility and more. The town of New Baunfels offers a wealth of history, entertainment, golf courses, tennis facilities and antique shopping. The Enclave at Westpointe Village is made up of 132 home sites with minimum maintenance and comfortably-sized custom homes and a state-of-the art clubhouse. View Larger MapHomes in The Enclave at Westpointe Village There are over a half dozen single-story floor plans to choose fr... 03/23/2012

                                                                                   'Tis the Season for Sneez'n  If you live in The Texas Hill Country you will notice the spring-like weather. This means the dreaded "allergies" word. You may think you have a spring cold. Your nose is running, your eyes are watering, you have a headache and a cough. However, chances are it's allergies. A few things you can do to help avoid allergies: Try to stay inside on days when pollen is bad. Clean your house often to keep allergens under control. Shower often and change your clothes after being outside.  Wash your hair Change your bedding often Try over-the-counter medications If the symptoms linger and all else fails go to your doctor. Happy Spring to all our friends in The Texas Hill Country. Just e... 03/15/2012

44th (2012) Comal County Junior Livestock Show - New Braunfels, Texas COMAL COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW When: Feb. 29 through March 3 (2012)   Where: Comal County Fairgrounds   Hope everyone will come out and support our Comal County youngsters. This is a great time for them to show-off their animals they have raised. The 4-H and Ag. students work hard to take care of their animals, feed and groom and learn the importance of responsibility. It takes a family and sometimes friends to help these youngsters.      Mission Statement The mission of the Comal County Jr. Livestock Show Association is to promote the agricultural life by providing the youth of Comal County with a venue to show and sell their livestock projects. Through this experience the young people develop life skills: respon... 02/21/2012

Rockwall Ranch ~ Market Snapshot ~ brought to you by Kristin Moran   Rockwall Ranch is a magnificent area of the Texas Hill Country. The deer outnumber the people that live there, there are an abundance of trees & you get a feel for true county living but close to everything.                         Rockwall Ranch has a community pool & playground for the kids, walking trails & views to die for.                Beautiful homes, on large lots are what you will find in Rockwall Ranch which is located in New Braunfels, Texas in Comal County.  Know what that means?  NO CITY TAXES! If you are convinced Rockwall Ranch is the place for you & your family to call home, below are the available homes: Interested in more info on the beautiful Rockwall Ranch? I'm happy to help!     02/03/2012

The New Braunfels, Texas Farmers Market ~ Have you been? All of this activity has been going on right under my nose! It was our first visit to The New Braunfels, Texas Farmers Market this past Saturday.  What a treat! And just like their website say's, they had it all: Locally Grown Fruits & Vegetables Fresh & Dried Flowers  Dairy Goods & Cheeses Baked Goods Select Meats  Handmade Items Plants & Garden Items  Fresh & Dried Herbs  Entertainment  The New Braunfels, Texas Farmers Market is open EVERY Saturday, rain or shine from 9-1pm.  You can literally get everything on your grocery list there.  If it consists of healthy, farm raised items.  Items like eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, grass fed meats, cheese, organic honey, etc.  Awesome stuff!                         Take a stroll down the aisl... 01/23/2012

        San Antonio / Schertz / Wimberly / Converse / Selma / Boerne/  Canyon Lake / New Braunfels When was the last time you figured up how much you spend on home services, yearly and monthly; along with other items. Let's do a comparison.  _____________________________________________________________                                     My Thought Provoker Question  You do the math and a comparison of cost. Your home inspection cost and fee for service to the inspector is a one time charge.  This alone should give you peace of mind when you are spending thousands of dollars for your new home. ______________________________________________________________ Now jot down what you pay for monthly and yearly services. (a few examples)   1. Maid service     ________ 2. Swimming pool cleaning ... 01/13/2012

Have you ever thought if your home was built on a shaky foundation what would happen? In my #4 Thought Provoker blog series I wanted to get your attention referencing this important issue. Drainage and Foundations are two important items you need to know about your home. Living in San Antonio we have had TV coverage recently with home owners having distinct problems with their home from soil movement. End result foundation issues. Some areas in and around San Antonio have had problems for a number of years with soil movement causing cracks in the home, doors sticking, retainer walls not built correctly and falling.  Some of this movement can be caused from the drought and dry soil. One step further, type of soil and soil preparation. Back when I was growing up we had no problems where ... 01/10/2012

Inventory Time (Your Home Inventory List)   Watching the news over the weekend I saw some home fires in our area. What if you were to meet with a home disaster; would you be prepared?   You will need to replace any damaged or lost items. By having the appropriate information and I suggest with photos, it will make the process a little easier.   Take thirty minutes and do an Inventory of your home. It may take longer  the first time if you don't have a list. Always make January, in this case January 2012, to add or delete items off your Home Inventory List.   By updating your list each January it will  prompt you for details you might otherwise forget. Each item you record you can include a cost, purchase date and location, along with model and serial numbers. You can even include photos... 01/03/2012

Jimmy Jacobs is well known for building award-winning homes offering unique options for customization. The Enclave at Westpointe Village in New Braunfels, Texas is a brand new Jimmy Jacobs community planned for just 132 single-family style homes. Interested home buyers can select from seven floor plans ranging in size from 1,714 to 2,621 square feet all set on home sites of various shapes and sizes. Jimmy Jacobs also offers the unique option to build a custom home to meet any special requests. All of the base floor plans feature at least two bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. The homes feature beautiful exteriors with combinations of stucco, stone and composition shingles as well as charming front porches and relaxing rear patios. Some of the interior features include ten-foot ce... 12/31/2011

  No real tree this year. We decided to use and decorate our Retro Tree. This was our first tree that we purchased back in 1962.                                                                                         Merry Christmas from Carl & Ceil Winters Thank you to all friends with Active Rain Real Estate Network, friends and family in our area of The Texas Hill Country. May each of you have a wonderful and safe Christmas.                                          12/15/2011

                                       Is it really necessary? Shopping in New Braunfels today we saw the police bringing someone out in handcuffs for shoplifting. So when I came home I decided to write a blog.  I saw this article on Yahoo. According to statistics shoplifting is up six percent this year, retailers stand to lose a whopping $119 billion of merchandise to shoplifters in 2011. I guess it's the economy. What do you think? The first item really got to me. Exactly what are people stealing? According to Add Week the TOP 10 most shoplifted items of 2011 are: 1. Filet Mignon    So many people are tucking choice cuts of meats under their jackets that supermarkets are now considered the stores with the most theft.  (we are having hamburgers tonight...can't afford Filet Mignon. 2. J... 12/03/2011

New Braunfels Texas Wassailfest! December 1, 2011 The New Braunfels downtown merchants to thank customers for their patronage. What better way to highlight the beauty of downtown New Braunfels to bring in the holidays with a Wassail-fest. Help Celebrate Wassail-fest! ...With a traditional toast to kick off Wassail-fest at 6 p.m. December 1st in the Main Plaza. Afterward, downtown merchants open their doors and serve their specialty batches of wassail. “It’s fun, family-oriented event with lots to see, eat and drink. Mark your calendars and come a-wassailing! Come listen to some wondererful Christmas carols. Enjoy the nativity scene in front of the Gazebo. Indulge in some wonderful season snacks. Sip up to 30 different wassails. Leisurely walk the closed off streets in downtown New Brau... 11/30/2011

  Main Plaza downtown New Braunfels Texas. Yes indeed, Main Plaza is glowing with lights and decorations. Seems we have it all in little old New Braufnels TX. Now its time to dress up Main Plaza and enjoy all the planned festivities of the season. If you haven't been down to Main Plaza be sure to put it on your list of things to do. You can walk, sit or drive around and around and around in circles. New Braunfels is such a lovely quaint city for locals and tourist that flock to the area for every occasion. Happy Holidays to all our friends and neighbors in The New Braunfels TX area.      Enjoy the Season! Localism Blog November 20, 2011 Complete Inspection Service for your next property inspection. Carl and Ceil Winters          11/20/2011

Don't shelve the ....  Sunscreen in Winter? Yes indeed; its just as important during winter as it is any other time of the year. Just because its cold don't think you can go without sunscreen.. Actually, you need it more. This is what my dermatologist reminded me today.  In the winter, the sun is closer to the earth and its rays can be damaging, says my dermatologist. You might think winters the right time to lay off the sunscreen and bundle up rather than slather up, but you’re wrong. Whether you are sitting at a sports event or out showing homes you are still exposed. Or if your fortunate to go snow skiing. Something that we can't do here in The Texas Hill Country. 1. You can sunburn on top of mountain. Nice sunny day, all bundled up and you're surprised that evening to find your face... 11/10/2011

New Braunfels, TX (30 min North of San Antonio) is hosting its annual Wurzfest from November 4th to November 13th.  This is the 50th Anniversary for the festival!  During this 10 day festival you will find a variety of entertainment, food, and fun on the Wurzfest grounds in Landa Park.  Hours- Wurzfest opens on weekdays at 5 pm and Saturdays and Sunday at 11 AM.  Closing times will vary by day. Admissions- The admission charge is $8 for adults at the gate, $6 in advance and group rates are available.  This fee provides access to all entertainment areas, including the Wursthalle.  Children 12 and under are admitted free.  Food And Drink- Food and drinks are sold throughout the grounds.  For more information and schedule of special events please visit www.wurzfest.com We hope you and your... 11/08/2011

It’s here!   Open from November 4, 2011 – November 13, 2011  Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas   It’s the biggest salute to sausage that I have ever seen.  Ten days of eating, dancing and drinking German beer! Every year when the weather turns, Wurstfest shows up.  This is a spectacular event for families (during the day) and the “others” in the evening.  On the grounds there are huge tents with different types of music and dancing.  Inside there is food galore.   From yes, you figured it out, sausage on a stick, sausage with sauerkraut or any other way that you like it, funnel cake, fried pickles, you name it they have it.   Just get out and enjoy responsibly.   For more information www.Wurstfest.com   Photo courtesy of Wurstfest   11/04/2011