Betina Foreman-Serving Lake Travis area and the greater Austin area!

Sometimes when the summer heat or long Realtor hours get me down I will head for the spa for a little pampering. There are several great day spas in Austin and the surrounding area. I thought some of you newcomers might like to know where to get pampered. Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order. ( I try not to play favorites) My first favorite is Bath England. Ok they don't really offer any spa treatments any longer, but it is a neat tour and you can learn a lot. Its construction and Roman architecture is amazing!

Aziz Salon and Day Spa is located in Downtown Austin and they offer everything from mani-pedi combos, facials, waxing. My favorite colorist is Ron Shadman, he is a coloring genius and wickedly wonderful stylist. There are three Aziz locations, I must admit I prefer the one downtown.

Lake Austin Spa and Resort is located in Lakeway at the refurbished Lakeway Inn. They have just about everything you could want; massages, facials, mani-pedi's etc. If you are too relaxed to drive home you can always get a room and watch the sun come up on the lake. They also have "Live at the Lake" live music is performed at the lakeside pool. The last time I went I saw local celebrity Bob Schneider.

The Spa at the Four Seasons downtown is fabulous. They have a "Daycation", for $150. which includes: breakfast or lunch in the updated cafe Trio, and you get your choice of body treatment or facial or massage AND you have access to the pool, steam rooms, lounge and fitness facilities.

If you feel like a little drive, try out the Watermark Spa in San Antonio on the Riverwalk. They are a four star resort property. Con de Nast rated them in the top ten spas in 2006. They have specials that vary through the year so check out their website or call ahead. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Now go forth and pamper yourself!

Cheers!

Betina

Some of you may recall during Jimmy Carter's administration he had solar panels installed on the White House to provide hot water. This saved taxpayer dollars and conserved valuable resources. However this great act was short lived, because Reagan soon had them removed in1980. Thankfully they were not thrown away. They were either sold or given to the Unity College in Maine, where they are still functioning perfectly today. Reagan also did away with the tax credits that people used to receive for installing solar panels on their homes. In turn this almost killed solar power movement because so many solar companies went out of business.

We are lucky that cooler and wiser heads have prevailed and now solar energy is becoming more common place every day around the globe. There are several national companies and Austin has a few local solar companies that will design and install a photovoltaic system on your home. This will allow you to capture the suns rays to power your home. Meridan Solar and Solar Community.net, and Texas Solar Power to name a few of the local providers. Sustainable Waves is a more specialized solar company that helps bands go solar for their amplification needs.

I hope this post made you smile or made you consider going solar! The sun's energy is out there, all we have to do is capture and use it!

My favorite Austin Restauraunts (edit/delete)

As a 20 year Austinite I have had the opportunity to dine out at variety of great restaurants. They run the gamut from fine dining to burgers and shakes. If you give me a minute I may be able to help you find some of the best meals in Austin.

While my all time favorite the Texicalli Grill is no longer around, it will always be numero uno in my book. It was owned by my friend Danny Young, the unofficial Mayor of SouthAustin. Alas it seems only the good die young as both Danny and the Texicalli are no longer of this earth. Danny is now in heaven giving hugs and serving up delicious waffle fries and huge icy cold milkshakes with tabasco infused "Dixie Red Hots".

Evangeline Cafe - 8106 Brodie Lane- This is a great family place and the owner Curtis is almost always there. He makes a point of greeting people and making sure they have a great time. The food is authentic cajun and the portions are plentiful. Make sure you have a crawfish pistolette, it is one of his signature dishes and totally DIVINE! The price is reasonable and the atmosphere is fun. Every day is Mardis Gras and the party on Fat Tuesday spills into the parking lot!!

Stubb's BBQ - 801 Red River- This place has both great history and the best BBQ I have eaten. The building is historic and the founder was the nicest man alive. Mr. Stubb has passed on but his legacy of great food lives on. The beer is ice cold and the music is LIVE most nights.

Satay- 3202 West Anderson Lane - The owner Foo Swazdee is a 20 year restaurateur and nationally recognized food scientist. Her recipes will delight your taste-buds! Several of her sauces are available for purchase in the local stores as well as at Satay. This has been voted the best Thai food according to the Austin Chronicle for several years.

Tino's Greek Cafe - 9901 Brodie Lane *There are multiple locations, but this one is my favorite. They are very reasonably priced and the food is divine! The dinner plate will easily serve two for $9. The hummus is home made and delicious!

Louie's 106 - 106 East 6th Street - My favorite upscale dinning establishment since the City Grill closed a few years ago. Louie's, makes you feel like a star with deep red velvet drapes and uber attentive service. The food here is five star the carpaccio is the best! Want to impress your in-laws or a date, this is the place!

Dona Emilia's - 101 San Jacinto- Its just across from the Four Seasons and it has fantastic South American/Brazilian fare. Hearty portions of delightful exotic food. Fried plantains with goat cheese, coffee-crusted beef tenderloin. They also make a killer mojito!! The room upstairs is great for parties I have reserved it several times for an event.

Las Manitas - On Congress Avenue- Great Mexican food downtown at a great price. Its not fancy, but its famous. While dining here once I saw David Byrne. This place draws celebrities because the food is that good. We are talking about really great and very authentic Mexican food.

Estancia Churrascaria- 4894 HWY 290 West - The name is impossible to pronounce, but the food is unbelievable. The cheesy bread melts in your mouth, the salad and veggie bar is outstanding, but don't fill up there! Nothing compares to the waiters delivering the hot succulent meat on a skewer to your table. The deserts are worth saving room for, or just carry it home in a doggie bag. The food is just that good and the service exceptional. Warning the place is tiny so there may be a wait.

Chuy's - 1728 Barton Springs Road *Multiple locations all over Austin - It looks like when Elvis died he came to Chuy's as his picture is everywhere in Chuy's. The food is amazing and if you like hot stuff try the Jalapeno Ranch on a salad on chips or just your finger it rocks! Prepare to wait for lunch if you are not there by 11:30 yes I said 11:30. They fill up fast!

Truluck's - 400 Colorado - Simply some of the best seafood you will ever eat.Food is served within 24 hours of being harvested. Its all fresh and fabulous! If you don't like seafood they also grill a mean steak. The desert tray is a diet killer, but worth every bite!

Things to know before you buy a property with a Septic System

Some people find it odd in this day and age to have homes that rely on septic systems for wastewater removal. However a septic system is really the only way to be fully responsible for your own waste-water and water usage. Instead of paying someone else (the water utility) to remove the waste-water and process and store it, you are doing it all yourself. It sounds like a big job, but its really not. If you can remember a few key points it is very easy.

1. The average life of a septic system is 25-35 years. However I have seen a 40 year old system that was still in great working order. The key is proper management & maintenance!

2. Instead of putting food waste in the garbage disposal put the meat scraps in the trash and the vegetables in the composter.

3. Always use biodegradable soaps and shampoo.

4. Use toilet paper that easily bio-degrades. Avoid Charmin, it has too many oils and won't break down. Don't flush feminine products down the toilet as these items won't break down, but they will kill your septic.

5. When contemplating purchasing a home with a septic system, make sure to have it inspected by a professional. This can save you from buying a home that is in need of septic repairs or replacement.

6. Get your tank pumped out every 3-5 years. It costs about $200 for your average tank.

7. If possible divert your washing machine and dishwasher waste water (gray-water) into a sunny spot in your yard. Your gray-water should never leave your property. This will also save money on watering your lawn!

8. Maintain the grass on your disposal field. Keep it healthy and mow it regularly. Do not plant any trees within the drain field, as the roots will grow into the drain lines and cause problems. This may force you to replace the drain field if it becomes damaged by tree roots.

9.Do not place any impervious cover (driveways, portable buildings, sidewalks, or decks) over your tanks or drain field.

10. Keep any heavy livestock or vehicles off the drain field area. They may cause the pipes to be crushed and fail.

11. Never dispose of cooking grease or oil into your sink, this will harm your septic. Always collect this in a can or jar and dispose of with your garbage.

12. Do not install a lawn sprinkler system over a drain field. This will cause the field to become saturated and reduce the capacity of the field.

13. Before building any home additions, you must contact the county to ensure your systems capacity is sufficient to handle the increased load.

14. Install low flow toilets and showerheads in all bathrooms. Conserve water whenever possible. Don't leave the faucet running while you brush your teeth. Don't run the faucet to get the water good and cold for a drink. When you turn on hot water use a bucket or pot to collect the warming water and use it for watering house plants or pets. Bathe the dog in the yard instead of the bathtub.

15. Keep clear detailed records of the system maintenance and a map of the location of the tank and drain fields, and any service contracts for the system. This information is critical to have when listing your house for sale.

If you are in the market for a new home and are not presently working with a Realtor call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying a home. I specialize as a Buyers Agent and I have a network of experts to make the process simple and easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina

Betina Foreman, Realtor - Keller Williams - 512-771-6318

Realtor_Austin@yahoo.com www.BetinaForeman.com

Wurstfest has been going strong for 48 years and 2008 is going to be great! Due to the extensive German heritage of many of the Texas 'natives', Wurstfest began as a way to show off the local sausage makers skills. Now it has grown into ten days of family fun, music, great food and dancing!

Please join us for some good old fashioned fun at Wurstfest 2008!

October 31st through November 9, 2008 in the German heritage center of Texas, NEW BRAUNFELS

For more details and tickets please call: 830/625-9167 or 1-800-221-4369.