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

The Hardeman's House of Hellfire Chili Cook-Off is rockin the house and raising money for the Blue Dog Rescue!

Allow me to start at the beginning. It all started at a campsite in a park far, far away on the Frio River. There were campers grilling dinner after a long day on the cool river. One of these campers had a huge steak marinated in some special sauce and it was sizzling away on the fire. There were several campers that brought their dogs to this weekend of outdoor fun and games. Apparently one of the dogs snatched this steak and ran off with it. Alas our poor friend was going to go hungry this evening and I could not let that happen. So I asked if he liked hot/spicy food. He said of course I do, why what do you have? I said Habenaro and Mango marinated chicken breasts. He replied are you sure there is enough? I said of course there are plenty; you can have two if you like. He did have two and enjoyed them immensely. In fact after the second bite he timidly asked "So do you make chili?" I said "of course any native Texan worth their salt makes their own chili." I refuse to eat the stuff out of a can as that is sacrilege. At that point he invited me to participate in the Hardeman's House of Hellfire Chili cook-off a few months into the future. I put the date in my blackberry and the rest as they say is history.

I went to cook in my first chili cook-off with no expectations. I brought a little table, a couple of collapsible camp chairs, the camping cook-stove and my biggest gumbo/chili pot and one medium cooler for chili ingredients, snacks and one big cooler for sodas, waters and beers. I had a few friends join me in this all day competition. The set up was at 10:00am and cooking started at noon, judging at 6:00 or so, winners announced at 9:00. The rules are all chili is made onsite and there are absolutely No Beans anywhere near the cook-off period. Ok to be fair I made a small pot of re-fried beans to use in the "OMG that's too hot emergency". A good cook knows that if something is too hot/spicy a spoonful of beans will lower the white hot heat felt on your tongue. Being Texas it was already hot outside (101 degrees) and standing over a 4 gallon pot of bubbling hot chili was very very hot. I tried the ice cold beer infusion method of cooling but it only worked a little bit. We are now considering the baby pool filled with water and a few bags of ice for the cook's immersion therapy in between stirring the chili.

There were lots of music and some UT football and lots of chatting with friends on this day. After the judges took the bowls to be judged, all the attendees got to taste the contenders. If they like your chili they can vote by placing a dollar in your doghouse. The owner of the doghouse with the most money wins the People's Choice category. Wait, did I forget to mention this cook-off is held every year to raise money for The Blue Dog Rescue? Blue Dog is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, as they save so many dogs that need forever homes. Each year they bring a few dogs to the cook-off and they bring a book with all of the dogs that need to be adopted. To attend the cook-off you only need to bring a donation for Blue Dog Rescue: bags of dog food, food bowls, leashes, collars, toys, treats, dog-beds, or plain cold hard cash.

This all day and well into the night event is more fun than most folks can stand. It is a kid friendly event, but the late night portion after the judging may be too late for the little ones. During the day the children have a big silver AirStream full of games and videos all to themselves. At night the lights in the trees illuminate the musicians and the cooks cleaning up their mobile kitchens and then relaxing under the trees with a cold one while the judges do their thing. The last three years we have been lucky enough to have local food critic Rob Balon as our celebrity judge.

In my first year competing "Betina's Radioactive Amazon Red Chili" took second place, and won the People's Choice Award. It has been three years now that I have been cooking in this competition and every year I have won the People's Choice Award. I could not have done it without the support of my friends that keep me hydrated and entertained during this arduous and did I mention hot cook-off. So here's a big shout out Thank you to Laura Coe, Colleen OHeren and Terri Sheets. These girls are the best friends a girl could have. Every year Colleen brings the big blue shade, Terri brings the killer Mexican margaritas and Laura brings the tunes and plenty of beer. Thank you and hugs to all my friends and remember Blue Dog Rescue needs your donations 365 days a year!

Barton Creek Greenbelt was created many years ago to provide Austinites with a multitude of trails to walk, hike and bike around Austin. Since the beginning there have been a few people cutting out rogue trails in the park at the southwest corner of HWY360 and South MOPAC. Right now there are about 65 miles of trails and about 63% of them are not legal or not created by the parks department. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department maintains all of the authorized trails in the Austin parks.

For many years they have tried to protect the unauthorized trails from use by roping off those areas. However some person just comes and cuts the rope and brings a chainsaw or hacksaw to cut new trails without regard to the native habitat they are destroying. It is difficult to catch the rogue trail cutters red-handed, but many people have been seen with saws in hand leaving or entering the trail area. Now I don't want to live in a "1984" type state of constant observation and control, but something needs to be done to protect our wild areas and parks. Our wilderness and inner city green spaces are a huge part of what attracts people to Austin. Therefore we need to protect that like our life depends on it, because in a way it does. Our natural areas and parks bring millions of dollars from tourism each year. It also brings people relocating to Austin because they want to live in a beautiful "green city" not some concrete jungle.

The first residents of the area are being driven out. For example this park area is home to the Golden Cheeked Warbler. There was a study in 2003 that showed the nesting success was 50% lower in areas of biking areas of the trails. Several biologists warn that this type of trail creation and constant use are driving away the very wildlife this park was created to preserve. I know that a part of Austin's new culture exists on two wheels, however we have to remember the wildlife was here first and we need to be responsible stewards of the land. There has to be a happy middle ground between the bikers and the preservationists. We need to find a way to maintain the existing trails an prevent the New Trail Bandits from robbing Austin of the nature we so desperately work to maintain.

The fifth annual Moonlight Margarita 5K Run and Gala is August 6th starting at eight o'clock. The 5-K Run and Gala will benefit the Trail Foundation. the races starting line is at Veterans Drive under Mopac/Loop One. There will be walk-up registration from 5:00-8:00pm for those that did not pre-register on-line.the course will follow Town Lake (AKA Lake Ladybird) to the east all the way to San Antonio Street and loop back past the Town Lake Animal Center and around to Veterans Drive. Once the 5-K race is complete the party starts at the grounds of the American Legion Hall just behind the Mopac Run-Tex location. Fair warning Steven F. Austin Drive & Veterans Drive, the streets by Austin High School will be closed from 5-10 to all through traffic for the race. This event is sure to be fun for kids of all ages, provided it's not past their bed time!

How can you prevent Historic Homes from being destroyed in Austin Texas? Step up and volunteer to help draft the proposal to create another Historic District in Austin Texas. At the moment the JHNA Historic Committees is asking for comments to draft the new proposal. Please consider volunteering and helping to determine the criteria for inclusion in the Local Historic District.

The first home on Austin's Judges Hill was built by Elijah Sterling Clark in 1851 by the corner of San Gabriel and 18th Street. Sadly it was demolished in 1966, because it was unprotected. The West Hill District has lost numerous homes to "re-development" in the last fifty years. Right now many other neighborhoods with significant historical value that are also in danger: Tarrytown, Travis Heights, Zilker and Barton Hills to name a few. There are many homes built by historical Austin icons and significant architects in Austin that should be saved. A.D. Stenger's homes in west Austin and Barton Hills are much sought after, by potential home owners and developers looking for homes with larger lots to re-develop. Many residents want to maintain the character of these neighborhoods, it has been a difficult goal. Austin City Council has recently passed an ordinance allowing the creation of "Local Historic Districts"(LHD's). These LHD's are thriving in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and some other Texas cities.

The basic requirements to be classed as a Local Historic District are:

1. Within the boundaries of the LHD at least 51% of the homes should be a contributing structure. Contributing structures are defined as: A. At least 50 years old. B. Built in the period of interest. C. Not been radically altered from the original design.

2. Owners of at least 60% of the land area in the proposed area must sign a petition of support. Signers do NOT have to own structures of contributing support.

3. The proposed boundaries of the LHD must be coherent. The minimum size of LHD is one block "face".

Benefits of a Local Historic District

1.The LHD will protect your investment as an owner and as residents of historic properties.

2. LHD's encourage better quality home design in new structuresthat must be in keeping with the current design standards set by the LHD.

3. Historic Districts create a real link to a citys past which adds value to current residents.

4.There can be tax advantages to homes within a LHD's. Many building structures in a LHD are considered protected from being demolished and will appreciate in value over time.

5. LHD's tend to foster a sense of civic pride and create a real close knit community, as well as fulfill the human desire to live and work in a place of beauty.

How can you help?

1. If you live in a Historic Home consider applying for Historic Landmark status for your home. There are tax benefits to historical status.

2. Participate in the city council meetings, write letters, and support the candidates that support saving our historical neighborhoods and buildings.

3. Contact the Austin Heritage Society and become a volunteer. You may reach them at 512-474-5498. If your interested in joining the Heritage Society the next meeting will be held on August 27th from 5:30-7:00pm at the Imperia Restaurant located at 310 Colorado Street. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Please note I am not affiliated with the Heritage Society, and I am not paid to promote this event or their agenda. I am simply trying to get the word out because I love exceptional architecture, good design and historic buildings.

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Betina@KW.com 512-771-6318 www.ZilkerParkHomes.com

The Town Lake Animal Center in Austin Texas saves dogs and cats every day. They are open for adoption Monday through Friday 11:30-7:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30-5:00pm. The facility is located at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez on the north side of Town Lake (AKA Lake Ladybird) and is just west of South Lamar Boulevard. They are dedicated to the humane treatment of animals and they are advocates of spaying and neutering pets and educating pet owners. The facility is operated by the City of Austin and Travis County. They provide care and shelter to over 22,000 animals every year and provide Animal Protection and Control services to Travis County and the city of Austin.

TLAC provides assistance to stray and injured animals as well as providing education about spay and neuter programs. If you wish to report animal cruelty you need to contact the Austin Police Department, as TLAC does not handle this type of event.

A big part of TLAC's mission is pet adoption. At anytime they have a number of dogs and cats available for adoption. The process is simple and they make it very easy. They even provide a list of questions to help you decide if now is a good time to adopt a pet into your family. Here are a few of the things to consider before adopting a pet: Do you have sufficient finances to provide care of the animal? Will you have plenty of time to spend with the pet? Are you capable of training the pet and providing adequate veterinary care for the animal? Does everyone in your household agree to get a pet?

The Pet Adoption process:

1. Fill out the application and speak with an adoption counselor.

2. Read and sign a "Pet Care Agreement" with the counselor

3. Provide a photo ID proving you are over 18 years old. If you rent you must show proof your landlord accepts pets. If you already have pets you must prove they are cared for by a vet and have documentation to back that statement up. If you live in the Austin city limits you must have your pets registered with the city.

4. The adoption fee is only $75 per pet. This fee covers the basic vaccines and a health check, and a microchip-(so your pet can be found and reclaimed if they get lost), the spay/neuter surgery if the pet is healthy and over three pounds, rabies vaccination and registration with the city of Austin. They also test pets for heart-worms in dogs and FIV and FELV in cats.

** Once you complete these steps your application remains active for two months which gives you plenty of time to find the right pet for you! You may even search for your next pet online and hold it on line as well.

The approval process can be as short as 20 minutes for pets that are ready to be adopted. If the animal you want is a stray it can take up to 10 days. This way if the animal is simply lost, its owner may have a chance to reclaim the pet.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Town Lake Animal Center send an email to TLAC.Volunteers@ci.austin.tx.us. They will perform a background investigation and you will need to attend a volunteer orientation before you can start.

TLAC also accepts donations. They need: food bowls, dog food, pet toys, pet treats, collars, and leashes, and towels and blankets. If you read the newspaper, you may donate the used and unsoiled newspapers to be used as bedding in the puppy and kitten cages. Personally I have donated my newspaper for the last 14 years. I save it and drop it off once a month in the area TLAC provides. It is easy to do and it really helps TLAC!

If you need more information please visit their website: www.ci.tx.us/health/animal_services_adoption.htm.

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

Betina Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-771-6318 BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com Betina@KW.com www.ZilkerParkHomes.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, ActiveRain, Trulia-Top Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.