A Love Affair with Austin, Texas

The 6th Street Singer

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:37:41 +0000

Another reason I love this city is because we have very talented homeless people. I’m currently sitting in my office at the corner of 6th and Congress in the Littlefiled building and I can hear the musical stylings of the 6th Street or Bus Stop singer. This man is approximately 6 feet tall, 50+ years old and obviously homeless, but that doesn’t stop him from using his melodious baritone voice to sing everything from “Amazing Grace” to “It’s Too Late to Turn Back Now”. He begins his shift at around 11:30am each day and ends around 2pm. I guess his strategy is to grab the lunch rush and I assume that he does really well because I have personally given him money and have had to resist the urge to sit next to him and harmonize on my lunch break. I truly appreciate that our city is versatile enough to accept the homeless and under served. GREAT JOB AUSTIN!!!

Happy New Year…Life=Change!!!

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:21:41 +0000

As 2011 begins, I reluctantly look back at the happenings of 2010. There were floods and famine, war and peace, and we most certainly experienced both happiness and sadness; AND the one thing that we can always count on in this world is CHANGE. A local Austin artist said it best. The picture below was taken from the South Lamar pedestrian bridge in Austin, TX. I’m not sure if the artwork was commissioned by the city or if someone climbed onto the railroad bridge and painted the mural in an effort to express themselves. Well, whatever the case may be…I got the message LOUD AND CLEAR!!! This is definitely one of the ways we “Keep Austin Weird”.

Your Austin Ambassador!

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

Who Says Being Different Isn’t Cool?

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:30:44 +0000

A few weeks ago while running around our amazing Town Lake/Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX…I noticed that there were a few “swans-a-swimmimg” and one of them was a black swan. I’ve never seen a black swan up close and personal so I took out my handy HTC Evo and snapped a few pictures. I think she knew I was watching her because she posed for the picture. Austin’s winters are beautiful and so is the wildlife! This is a super short post, but I wanted to get this on paper while I was thinking about it!!!

Always,

Your Austin Ambassador!

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

What Makes Austin Lovable? Great Local Businesses (Part 1)

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:03:35 +0000

Okay…it’s been a while since I last updated my blog…I apologize for that!

Soooooo…what prompted me to update my blog today…the short answer BYD/Bikram Yoga???

WELL…one of the best features about our great city is the marvelous entrepreneurial spirit. We are home to Dell Computers, Whole Foods, Austin Java, and many such companies. Today I had a wonderful experience, I attended my first “hot yoga” class. I didn’t know where to go at first, so one of my friends suggested BYD/Bikram Yoga close to my office. Now let’s set the record straight…I’ve attended yoga classes before, but never one like this. BYD/Bikram Yoga’s Downtown location is located at 507 Pressler near West Lynn and 5th street. I HAD AN INCREDIBLE TIME!!!

This class was a cross between the traditional classes I’ve attended in the past amped up on 20 shots of CHAI TEA in a 105 degree room!!! Oh my goodness, the class was awesome. I guess it’s evident by my GLOWING response that I’m now a “hot yoga” convert. Austin is a great place to start a new company because as a community we not only encourage entrepreneurship we CELEBRATE IT!!! We have companies who specialize in everything from cello repair shops to yoga studios and everything in between. I invite you to try BYD/Bikram Yoga, you’ll feel great!

Next time we’ll discuss the mobile food industry…think AIRSTREAM!!!

Your Austin Ambassador,

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

What Makes Austin Liveable? Caring Corporations (Part 3)

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:39:58 +0000

My last and final profile on Caring Corporations is the non-profit Foundation Communities. Foundation Communities’ slogan is…”Creating housing where families succeed!” , visit their website at www.foundcom.org or www.foundationcommunities.com.

I’ve worked in Austin as a Realtor since 1993 and have always wonder who truly offers ”affordable housing” in Austin, Texas? I first discovered Foundation Communities when my cousin and his family moved here from Atlanta and needed my help finding them a home. Because they were both PHD students at the time, their funds were limited. Since most of our family lives in Houston and Dallas, I was really excited to have a relative moving to Austin. We looked for at least two days and the prospects were very slim. When helping clients I always ask myself the question, “Would I feel comfortable visiting them here?” And this time is was truly a challenging prospect.

At the end of the second day, we stumbled into the leasing office of Foundation Communities Buckingham Estates duplexes and we all fell in love. Not only were my cousins able to get a great two bedroom, two bath duplex thru Foundation Communities, but they there were able to save enough money to buy a new home a few years later. As a result of that wonderful experience, I have become very involved with Foundation Communities as a board member. In my opinion, they are incredible!!! And thus, the reason I consider Foundation Communities one of Austin’s Caring Corporations!

Your Austin Ambassador,

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

What Makes Austin Liveable? Caring Corporations (Part 2)

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:30:48 +0000

Another reason Austin is the best city in Texas is because of our next “Caring Corporation”, Amy’s Ice Cream.

Amy’s Ice Cream is a locally owned company that makes incredible ice cream right here in Austin, TX. Amy’s Ice Cream was founded by Amy Simmons in 1987 when she wrote a “hot check” to start the flag-ship store located at 3500 Guadalupe. Amy’s Ice Cream’s website will give you way more information about the company that I will, visit www.amysicecreams.com for more info.

Amy’s is best known for are their “ kookie” hats and great tasting ice cream. They have flavor’s like “White Lightning” (which has real grain alcohol in it!) and their Belgian Chocolate (with heath bar and pecan toppings) is to die for! AND that say’s a lot coming from a person who is severely “LACTOSE INTOLERANT”, but I always make an exception for Amy’s Ice Cream. The flavors change constantly and there are non-dairy items on the menu too, but I’d suggest splurging on the original Mexican Vanilla, Belgian Chocolate or any other choice, they’re awesome!

Anyway…what makes Amy’s Ice Cream a “Caring Corporation” is because they support the Austin, TX community in a big way. Amy Simmons has a huge heart and supports most of our non-profits in the Austin area with donations, fundraisers and FREE ICE CREAM!!! The latest fundraiser on Dec 16th held at their Burnet location, benefitted the Austin’s Children’s Shelter. This is an example of a corporation putting their money where their mouth is! Amy’s Ice Cream gives, gives, and then gives some more!!!

Thank you Amy Simmons for all that you give to the Austin, TX community and the ice cream ain’t so bad either! Yum…Yum!!!

P.S. Even though it’s almost freezing in Austin today almost 35 degrees, I’m headed to get my favorite Belgian Chocolate with heath bar and pecan toppings. It’s never too cold for Amy’s Ice Cream!

Your Austin Ambassador,

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

What Makes Austin Liveable? Caring Corporations (Part 1)

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:50:03 +0000

One of the reasons Austin is such an incredible place to live is because we are surrounded by entrepreneurs and corporations who actually care about human beings. Case and point RunTex Corporation, flagship location 422 W. Riverside Drive, CEO Paul Carrozza, www.RunTex.com . The company’s mission is to make Austin, Tx the “fittest city in America”!

RunTex is a company that specializes in running shoes and apparel, that’s what you see from the outside; but what you don’t see is that the founder Paul Carozza is an activist and author who likes to run and wants everyone in the city to live a healthier life by exercising. I first discovered RunTex in the summer 0f 1999 when I decided to run a marathon. Until that point, I hadn’t trained for a race since I was a little girl when I got my first pair of Adidas and challenged my father to a race.

Anyway, the thought of running a marathon had always been in my mind, but I had no idea how I’d achieve this goal. One day while driving to work, I heard a radio ad which asked, “Wanna run a marathon? Join Austinfit this Saturday, call RunTex for more information!” I was amazed my prayers had been answered. That following Saturday morning at 7am, I met Paul Carozza and thousands of other people at the Riverside RunTex which is located right next to Town Lake/Lady Bird Lake’s hike and bike trails. The location’s proximity to the hike and bike trails is perfect because we’d be forced to do our first training run that day or be embarrassed in front of thousands of Austinites.

After my training run, I signed up for the marathon’s 6 month training program and completed my first marathon with the help of RunTex, AustinFit and Paul Carozza, but that not what makes RunTex such a caring corporation. What I discovered by training with AustinFit and buying my shoes thru RunTex is that for each pair of old shoes returned to RunTex, they will clean and donate these shoes to the homeless people of Austin, that’s what makes RunTex a ”Caring Corporation”! Thanks Paul for all that you do for our community!

Your Austin Ambassador!

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

Question: Why Austin? Answer: Location, Location, Location

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:45:12 +0000

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Location, Location, Location…this is the first rule in real estate, anything can be overcome if it’s located in the right place and Austin scores triple digits in this category.

Austin is located in the middle of what is fondly called the Tech Triangle…but since everything is bigger in Texas, the sides of the triangle are VERY LONG. The sides of the triangle are, San Antonio (65 miles South of Austin, 1 hr drive time), Dallas (215 Miles North of Austin, 3 hr drive time) and Houston (150 miles Southwest of Austin, 2 hr drive time). These four cities have everything a person could ever want or need. The industries represented in the Austin Metro Area include everything from high-tech companies, oil and gas companies, state government and major universities.

What makes Austin unique excluding it’s natural beauty and the live music scene, is the people. The profile of the average Austinite is a someone between 34-45, college educated, with 1.5 children working in the high-tech industry or state government. Most people here have moved from some place else, so we all decided to migrate to Austin. Most of us realized how awesome this city is and we moved here as quickly as we could!!! I invite you to visit our great city and learn to love it as much as I do!

You Austin Ambassador,

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

2009 Fall Foliage in Austin, Incredible Colors!

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:06:48 +0000

Hello,

As most of you know, our normal fall foliage colors go from green to not so green to brown to GONE, but we have had some beautiful colors this year. I think it’s due to the rains we received a few months ago. I’ve noticed tremendous yellows, reds, oranges and purples throughout the city ranging from far SW Austin/Shady Hollow to Central Austin/Hyde Park and all the way to Round Rock. This year’s fall foliage will probably go on record in my mind as one of the most incredible showings I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve included a few pictures of the phenomenal colors…enjoy!

Your Austin Ambassador,

Socar Chatmon-Thomas

Ho Ho Ho…and a Happy New Year!

Socar Chatmon-Thomas — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:49:53 +0000

Greetings from my hometown of Houston, TX!

I really love visiting my family during the holiday season. I love the pecan pies, cornbread dressing, and giblet gravy…oh yeah of course the SMOKED TURKEY. I’m mostly pescatarian (fruits, veggies and fish), but I make a huge exception for holidays and eat lots of Smoked Turkey. My friend Erika always has a great smoked turkey from Tyler, TX. It’s one of Oprah’s favorite, called A Greenburg Smoked Turkey and it tastes goooooooood!

Don’t have much time to talk about Austin today ’cause I’m in Houston, but I must admit I do miss the rollings hills and limestone bluffs that populate Austin. It’s okay though, ’cause I’m distracted by fabulous food, a fun family and phenomenal shopping! I’ll continue my wonderful posts about Austin tomorrow!

Oh yeah…hope you’re having a great holiday season, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Your Austin Ambassador,

Socar Chatmon-Thomas