Should Austin switch to a 'strong-mayor' system?

Should Austin switch to a 'strong-mayor' system?

Austin woman says unwanted historic designation will cost her...

From the Statesman:  Austin woman says unwanted historic designation will cost her $475K...

Austin’s economy in 2015: Momentum likely to continue

From the Statesman: Austin’s economy in 2015: Momentum likely to continue

Elvis' Jets Up For Auction

Elvis' Jet, The Lisa Marie

First I find out that The Horseshoe Lounge is moving to a new location, and now there is news that  Elvis' two jets, The Lisa Marie and The Hound Dog II, are currently up for auction.  The will be sold together, and are expected to bring in $10-$15M.  Neither are airworthy.  The auction will also include the option to buy the land next to them, which is not owned Graceland.  

Tail Section of Lisa Marie

The Lisa Marie is a Convair 880.  The plane was built in 1960, and Elvis spent over $300K customizing the interior after he bought it in 1975 from Delta Airlines for a reported cost of $250K (leave it to Elvis to spend more on decor than an airframe and avionics).  Inside of The Lisa Marie, you'll find seating for friends/The Memphis Mafia, a bar, and a sleeping cabin for Elvis.  Elvis put a lot of thought into the decor, including having gold fixtures installed in one of the lavatories.  Elvis used the tail fin to showcase his personal logo:  TCB,  for Taking Care of Business.

Some of Elvis' legendary shenanigans took place on the Lisa Marie.  He was known to fly to Denver to buy his one of his favorite foods, the Fools' Gold sandwich.   At one point he bought 22, reputedly for Lisa Marie's birthday (though elsewhere I read he flew some friends to Denver and ordered 22 of the sandwiches in advance).

Interior of The Hound Dog II

The Hound Dog II is a Lockheed Jetstar, purchased by Elvis to use while the Lisa Marie was being prepared.  It subsequently became his back-up plane.  As you can see from interior photos, it has a very bright (Skittles-esque) color scheme.  It isn't quite as decadent as The Lisa Marie, which was outfitted explicitly to Elvis's less than modest specifications.

Front of The Hound Dog II

When I first read the news about the sale of the two jets, I was curious as to why.  I say that because when Sara and I went to Graceland in 2010, I thought The Lisa Marie was the highlight of the tour (Elvis' "Trophy Room" was a close 2nd).   Thus I was not sure why Graceland's owners, Elvis Presley Enterprises, would want to sell such an awesome tourist attraction.  After some reading I discovered that Memphis resident K.G. Coker owns the jets.   They have been on display at the tourist entrance to Graceland since 1985 (according to CNN, Vernon Presley sold the jets in 1978, but the Elvis estate negotiated the placement of them in 1984).   Since 1984, Coker has been getting a cut of the ticket sales to tour the planes (which I recall being about $4 on top of a $35 ticket).   The lease is up, with Coker and Elvis Presley Enterprises apparently unable to come to an agreement about renewal.  Thus, Coker has put the planes up for sale.

The auction ends on February 2, so if you want definitely to be able to see these jets for a low, low add-on price to your Graceland ticket then find a way to get to Memphis soon.  If you want in on the auction action, sealed bids are being taken now by Julien's Auctions.



All photos in the post by +Dave Floyd 

Creative Experience: Deus Ex Machina

The Long Center for the Performing Arts (photo by Dave Floyd)

Join The Creative Fund on Friday, January 9, for a Creative Experience at the Long Center's Rollins Theatre.  Here's the information from the Facebook event page:

Come join The Creative Fund as we attend the choose-your-own-adventure performance of Whirligig's Deus Ex Machina, written and directed by Austin's own Liz Fisher. This a one of kind production where the audience will choose the fate of the characters overhauled from the Greek trilogy The Oresteia.
And we encourage everyone to stay after the performance, where we'll host a talk-back with the cast and crew, allowing everyone to ask questions and share their impressions.
Can't wait to see everyone at this truly remarkable and unique performance.

You can buy tickets through The Long Center.   Please RSVP via the Facebook event page if you plan to join us.

+Dave Floyd is the President of The Creative Fund.

Austin considers improvements to Walsh Boat Landing

From the Statesman:  Austin considers improvements to Walsh Boat Landing

An Uber-important year in Austin transportation

From the Statesmen, a review of transportation developments in 2014:  An Uber-important year in Austin transportation

Floyd Real Estate Facebook Page

You can now follow Floyd Real Estate on Facebook.  The website is coming soon.  

Floyd Real Estate

I'm pleased to announce that Sara Foskitt and I have formed Floyd Real Estate, LLC.  The web address is FloydRE.com, and the website will be up soon along with additional information.

Early Voting in Austin Ends Today

The runoffs for mayor and city council are vitally important for the future of our city.  For more information on how and where to vote, click here.  If you need more information, search for various voter guides such as the one published by the League of Women Voters.

Lone Star Rail News Links

News on yesterday's Lone Star Rail vote, including explanation of how it will potentially be funded:

KXAN: Council Approves Funding For Commuter Rail Project

KVUE: Austin Considers Funding For Lone Star Rail

Statesman:  Austin Approves Toned Down Lone Star Rail Deal

Lone Star Rail News

I just heard on 590AM News that the Austin City Council voted to:

Approve a resolution authorizing the negotiation and execution of an amendment to the interlocal cooperation agreement between the City and Lone Star Rail District to set the City’s increment participation level for the Transportation Infrastructure Zone funding at 50% and extending the “Two Year Timeline” viability measure.

It's good to see some progress from the city on the Lone Star Rail project.   If you followed my city council campaign, then you probably read/heard me mention this project as the right way to approach rail transit in the greater Austin area.  It involves taking the Union Pacific tracks that run from Georgetown to San Antonio (i.e., the freight tracks that go down the middle of MoPac) and turning them into passenger lines for local and regional commuting.  

Travis County growth plan up for approval soon

Travis County growth plan up for approval soon

Curious about the MoPac toll project? Answers just ahead

Curious about the MoPac toll project? Answers just ahead

Dave Floyd: New Firm and New Business After City Council Campaign

Now that the election is over, I'm back in action as a lawyer and consultant.   I have joined my fiancee's law firm, The Foskitt Law Office, as an attorney and the Director of Business Development. I will continue to work with issues involving business and insurance law, as well as firm matters involving real estate law.  Furthermore, the firm is now a Fee Attorney for Capstone Title (i.e., a real estate closing office).

In addition to working with The Foskitt Law Office, I am also continuing to work with the fitness start-up Gritness.  If you haven't been to the site yet, check it out.

+Dave Floyd

Austin City Council approves $5,000 homestead property tax...

Austin City Council approves $5,000 homestead property tax...

Council sets December date to discuss rules for ‘Barking Springs’

Council sets December date to discuss rules for ‘Barking Springs’

Too few students graduate ready for college, Austin chamber says

Too few students graduate ready for college, Austin chamber says

Community Garden Bill

This seems like a bill (filed at the Texas Legislature) that would interest a few folks in Austin: H.B. 262 would limit liability for the owner, lessee, or occupant of land that allows land to be used as a community garden.

Creative Fund Holiday Party

From the Creative Fund's Facebook Page:

Celebrate the holidays with The Creative Fund!
Enjoy holiday themed concoctions, various festive kickshaws to nibble on, snickers & chuckles from Trouble Puppet Theater & special musical performance from the hardscrabble band of knaves known as The Misfit Toys. 
Other holiday diversions including a raffled white elephant gift exchange, mistletoe shenanigans & the opportunity to feed Santa or perhaps even sit on his lap! 
RSVP for free admission or consider a one time donation with your RSVP now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tcf-holiday-celebration-tickets-2072297297 
Special shout out to our friends at Salvage Vanguard Theater, Trouble Puppet Theatre, The Misfit Toys, Tito's Vodka, Apothic Wines and our amazing events team 

Keep an eye out for other upcoming Creative Fund events.  There may be a Creative Experience on 11/20.  I'll announce it here if so.

Last Day to Register to Vote

Do you need to register to vote or update your voter information? You can do it today and enjoy a delicious sandwich at the same time. Deputy voter registrars will be at area ThunderCloud Subs all day:http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/thundercloud-registration-deadline-day/

New FloydFor5 Site

The new FloydFor5.com site is up.  Check it out!

Reddit "Ask Me Anything"

Join me on August 18th from 3-4 on Reddit for an "Ask Me Anything" forum wherein I discuss my campaign for Austin City Council District 5.

#FloydFor5

Dave Floyd Official Campaign Site

The official FloydFor5.com site is up.  Please visit it and sign up for the campaign mailing list.

#FloydFor5

Creative Fund "3" Third Anniversary Party

Join The Creative Fund tomorrow night as it celebrates it's third anniversary with the "3" signature event.  We'll also be celebrating the fact that we've sponsored over 50 shows in the past 3 years, and that we're about to give away another round of Q Rental Subsidy Awards.

Buy your tickets now.

Gritness

I've been doing a lot of work with the start-up Gritness for the past year.   Gritness is a network which facilitates the creation and organization of cycling, running, yoga, and group fitness activities.  It's an Austin based start-up founded by two avid cyclists.  The project has come a long way, and I'm pleased to see this great article about Gritness and its founders in the Austin Business Journal.  Also, Gritness was just placed on a list of Top 10 New Android Apps Worth Checking Out.  Don't worry, fellow iPhone users, there is an app for you as well.

Austin City Council District 5

You can now follow/like the Dave Floyd for Austin City Council District 5 Facebook page.   An official campaign website will be up soon.

Austin City Council District 5

Yes, the rumors are true.  I am running for Austin City Council to represent District 5.  I filed the treasurer form with the Austin City Clerk this afternoon.  Nick Laurent, an attorney with McGinnis Lochridge and a Zilker neighborhood resident, is the treasurer of the #FloydFor5 campaign.  Monty Exter, a resident of Shady Hollow, has signed on to be Finance Chair.   Stay tuned for more information.  We'll have a website and Facebook page up soon.  You can follow me on Twitter at @wdfloyd and you can look for the hashtag #FloydFor5

Austin Poll

Check out the results of the Voices of the Austin Community Zandan Poll.  Not surprisingly, traffic/roads/transportation tops the list of concerns.

AYLA Retro Vegas Tickets Are Now on Sale

Tickets for the Austin Young Lawyers Association Retro Vegas Party are now on sale.