NEWS

Traveling over the holidays? Checking bags full of Christmas gifts or pets? Well now you can rest assured that your precious cargo will be given a voice during their time away from you! Bag Sentry has created a way for you to monitor your luggage all the way through your trip by producing a powerful and rugged sensor that will notify you via phone app if your bag is thrown around too much or if light is detected, meaning someone opened your bag.

If your bag was opened and you're missing items or wondering how your pet's travel went, you now have the ability to share this information with the airlines as proof that your bag was tampered with. The sensor itself should serve as a deterrent to baggage handlers who lack integrity.

You can learn more about this new technology at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/152269417/prove-if-your-luggage-was-mishandled-by-the-airlin.

Safe travels from Masters Touch Custom Homes!

So you're in the Austin area and you want to experience a bit of old Texas charm? Put on your dancing shoes and head to at lease one of these fine establishments to experience an evening of dancing and it'll feel like 50 years ago!

On the top of this list is:

The Broken Spoke: Hidden in between modern condo units on South Lamar is a gem of a dance hall. Austin's finest I think. You'll find real cowboys who know how to 2-step and swing. It's actually a 50 year old dance hall that attracts all types of Austinites. The live music is amazing and the people watching fabulous!

Guerne Hall: It's a bit of drive from Austin, but well worth it. Dubbed the oldest dance hall in Texas, this venue holds very coveted stage for bands. Built in 1887, not much has changed with this dance hall and it's a magical experience to go there and feel like you're in that era. 1930's signs add to the ambiance of the hall. Get your honky tonk on!!

Don's Dept: This dive bar on 5th street boasts live music everynight and the dance hall is full of local regulars. Make sure you meet Don and his wife who frequent the establishment. There's a black jack table in the corner if you care to play some cards. If you are a female, make sure to check out the ladies bathroom and climb up top for a sneak peak at the entire bar.

The White Horse: An east side honky-tonk bar with the most eclectic dance crowd. You'll see millennial with tattoos to real cowboys in their 60's tearing up the dance floor. One thing's for sure...wear your best wranglers and you're sure to get asked to dance more than anyone else in the room!

After living in Austin for 10 years, I've discovered the best that the city has to offer for annual Christmas events. Here are a few that you don't want to miss...

Zilker Park's Trail of Lights: This amazing light exhibit began in 1965 as a Yule Fest and has grown since. There were 400,000 people that came to this event in 2014 and more expected this year so beware of traffic! Shuttles to this illuminating event are available at the Burger Center and the Republic Square. For more information on the Trail of Lights event visit www.austintrailofligts.org. The trail opens Dec 4.

Little Bethlehem-Burnet: Driving out to Burnet and waiting in line for a few hours may not sound appealing, but trust me, it's well worth the drive and wait. The First Baptist Church of Burnet puts on an amazing recreation of Bethlehem. A replica city is created in the downtown area and refreshments of cookies and hot chocolate are served. 6p-9p Dec 4-6 And Dec 11-13. http://www.fbcburnet.org/ministries/main-street-bethlehem/

The Four Season's Teddy Bear Tea: Bring an unwrapped teddybear as a donation to the Dell Children's Hospital and you will hear Santa himself read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' in front of a crackling fireplace. Call for reservations.

Ballet Austin's Nutcracker: This amazing ballet is full of wonderful surprises and extremely talented local dancers that will bring your heart warmth and joy this holiday season. Long Center of Austin Dec 5-23.

https://balletaustin.org/company-performances/the-nutcracker

From Masters Touch Custom Homes we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for our clients, our health and our family. We are grateful for the trust our clients give to us and that we are able to pursue our passion-building and deisigning cutting-edge homes.

What are you thankful for? We encourage you to take some time on Thanksgiving Day to reflect in gratitude for all that you are thankful for. An attitude of gratitude can change the world!

Blessings,

The Masters Touch Team

TINY HOUSE - COMMUNITY FIRST VILLAGE AUSTIN, TX

Builders in Austin TX are joining together to build small homes for the homeless. Each roof proves that there is no ceiling on goodness in the town! Architects provided amazing designs and many Austin builders showed up to give their time, expertise and sweat. This 27 acre, low income housing will provide support, housing and community for previously homeless folks of Austin.

You can get involved through Austin's Mobile Loaves and Fishes organization and give to the cause or volunteer your time. What an amazing opportunity to help make Austin a better place for all.

To Donate: https://www.donate.mlf.org/bynah/ Our company is among 22 builders who are donating their labor to build Tiny Houses in this Village outside Austin TX that is seeking to end Homelessness in our town. 

For more information on this project by Mobile Loaves & Fishes check this link: http://mlf.org/community-first If you are a builder or remodeling contractor I'd highly recommend you check out McCoys Building Supply!

We are honored to announce that Master's Touch Custom Homes has been selected for the 2015 Best of Lakeway Award in the Custom Home Builder category by the Lakeway Award Program.

Each year, the Lakeway Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Lakeway area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 Lakeway Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Lakeway Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Lakeway Award Program

The Lakeway Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Lakeway area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Lakeway Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Lakeway Award Program