Hello Barton Hills neighbors,

It's time for THE Austin Parade!!!

Okay, everyone please hold strong thoughts for clear blue Texas skies!

The parade WILL GO ON, unless there is a "downpour of rain" at parade start. We've only been rained out once (?), and last year the rain waited until after our celebration. I'm sure there's no way it will "rain on our parade" on this special fun day!

Here's the plan:
EVERYONE who can HELP...PLEASE drop by the playground between 7:30 and 8:00 to help set up tables, blow up balloons and decorate the playground...it's a fun and a brief task when everyone pitches in! You'll be finished in time for the parade!

Art Stone is icing down the melons...if you need to contact him, dial 461-7960, and Lisa Fehrenkamp will need help cutting and setting out watermelons, she can be reached at 444-3211 and lisafehrenkamp@yahoo.com.

Cookies, brownies and watermelons...oh, my! MANY THANKS to all the individuals who have volunteered to bring cookies & brownies...and watermelons! It will be worth the parade just to enjoy all the fresh-baked goodies & tasty sweet watermelons after our march! If you've not already made arrangements with Lisa, please bring your sweets to the playground before the parade.

WATER
Many thanks to RunTex for providing 'worry-free' iced water! It's through their contribution we'll have plenty of water this year! And for four-legged critters too---look for several dog bowls for the pups!

PARADE MARCH
In addition to the 2 previous email blasts sent with parade updates, the parade line up will again feature the flags and color guards of our local scout troops: 11, 14 and 17. Please welcome these scouts and give them our support! ALSO, if you know scout troops and individuals who would like to participate, invite them, and please forward this email to them.

Following the scouts we'll have the sound truck and PA system playing all things John Phillip Sousa, driven again by long-time Barton Hills resident, Art Stone.

Besides all the wonderful vintage vehicles, which have become a part of our parade, along with decorated people, pets and paraphernalia, we're also fortunate to have talented neighbor and songwriter, Sarah Hickman, who will be singing from atop the Daemmrich float, where neighbors are invited to write their fond recollections of Barton Hills on one side of the billboard, and patriotic remembrances of the U.S.A. on the other. We anticipate sending these paper scrolls, along with BHNA parade photos, to our service men & women overseas.

Also, the firemen of Station #11 have been invited to the ceremonies, and park their fire truck along the curb at the playground for all to enjoy, if for a brief time. Please welcome them and offer some refreshments!

And just a reminder, Jim-Jim's Water Ice is again planning to set up at the playground, so bring your wallet!

PARADE FLOATS
If anyone is planning to drive a vehicle in the parade and haven't told me, please let me know, as I'm finalizing the line-up today! Yes, there really is an order to the march!

SPONSORS
Again, our thanks go to our sponsors for their support of Barton Hills! Without their financial support we would have to take money from our neighborhood fund to pay for this annual event, and we would not be able to provide the 'little things' that make our parade special. Please personally thank: RunTex, La Feria Restaurant, Wells Fargo Bank, Barton Hills Market and Rockin' Tomato for their contributions!

Thanks, Barton Hills, for your support and enthusiasm for this fun annual event! If you're not already involved in the PARADE ACTION...WHAT are you waiting for?!?

Questions? Please call (leave msg) or write me!

SEE YOU TOMORROW MORNING!!
Now, let's see...what patriotic HAT to wear tomorrow!?

Kay Killen
bhnaparade2007@yahoo.com
Parade Coordinator
512-447-4287

Hardy Greenbelt Guardians:

The weather forecasters have boldly predicted SUN by the week-end! Come on out to our work day at Gus Fruh trail and melt some of the mold out of your system. We¹ve got lots to do -­ the rains have supported vegetative overgrowth into the trails, and new stellar heights for the invasive species, and new erosion ruts on the trail.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Gus Fruh trail head, 2642 Barton Hills Dr., and will work until noon. We plan to have some nutritious breakfast tacos to start the day, and will have energy drinks to sustain us. We will have all of the tools and instructions for tasks at the trailhead.

Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes, and if you can manage it, long sleeves. It would help if you bring your own water bottle and work gloves. We have poison ivy protection lotion and mosquito repellant spray. Check the following website for exact directions: 2642 Barton Hills Drive

Please RSVP so we will have plenty of food and tools on site for everyone. You might want to plan to jump in the creek after we¹re done ­ an intrinsic reward for your hard work.

Thanks!

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator