Hold My Beer: Mug Muscles Start-Up Launches Exercise Beer Mug

May 15, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Mug Muscles Early Prototype

An earlier prototype of Mug Muscles

This guest blog post is by George Hillhouse.

Growing up in Alabama, one of my favorite sayings was, “Hold my beer and watch this.” In fact, if that’s not the State Motto, it ought to be. Beer, or the consumption thereof, has inspired many otherwise rational people to do things they would never have thought possible. Sometimes subsequent hospital trips confirm they were right in the first place.

But do we demonize beer after one of these episodes? Hardly. Beer gets a pass, a get out of jail free card, even when we know we won’t get out of jail free for things we did on a beer binge. Beer may be unique in this regard. No one says, “Hold my meth pipe and watch this!” thinking that subsequent events will be explained away and forgiven. It takes a beer, or two, to get that kind of a pass. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink, Food & Drink, Local Business ·

Ease Into Your Sundays at South Austin Brewing Company

May 14, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Groovy Sunday at South Austin Brewing Company

Raising a glass to Groovy Sunday at South Austin Brewing Company

This guest blog post is by Edgar Barguiarena.

Sometimes Friday and Saturday don’t give you enough time to take full advantage of the weekend. You’re left wanting more for your Sunday, but you want to try something different. After you go to brunch and get started with a few mimosas, you want to enjoy the last few hours of freedom you have left. If you’re still jonesing for live music and great beer, South Austin Brewing Company has your solution.

South Austin Brewing Company got their start in late 2010 with two signature brews that are still selling strong today: the Belgian Style Golden Ale and their Saison D’Austin. Each brew is featured in a hand-corked 750-ml bottle that looks almost as good as it tastes. Sound familiar? You may have seen these beers at your local grocery store or liquor shop.

South Austin Brewing has done an impressive [Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Entertainment, Events, Food & Drink, Recent Posts ·

Attendance Explodes at Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival 2013

May 7, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival The Parish

Moontower attendees wait for a show outside The Parish

This guest blog post is by Kelly Love.

The Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival - yes, another festival in Austin! – premiered last year at main stage presenter Paramount Theatre. In its second year, the festival brought over 100 talented funny people here from April 24-27 2013.

This year’s fest saw a rise in attendance and badge sales, along with the introduction of midnight headliner performances at the Paramount. As with most festivals, it’s impossible to be everywhere at once. But since Bill Hader of SNL fame was one of this year’s headliners, I’ll give you a summary as Hader’s popular NYC club-hopping character Stefon (who made an appearance during his show) would put it (it helps to read the following in Stefon’s voice): [Read more...]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events ·

Start the Month Off Right: First Saturday at Independence Brewing Co.

May 2, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Independence Brewing Co LogoThis guest blog post is by David Thomas.

As the typical male, when I first became a beer drinker I went for the cheap stuff first: malt liquor.

Gradually, I developed taste buds and grew a taste for dark beers. Ambers, bocks and stouts have this flavor that I dig.

I have a buddy named Jim who’s also a beer fan. He recommended a beer called Bootlegger Brown by Independence Brewing Co. here in Austin. I gave it a shot and immediately became a fan. Jim also told me about First Saturday, an event that Independence Brewing Co. hosts once a month. Four years later, I finally decided to go.

First Saturday

Getting to the brewery is easy. It’s located in a business park on Todd Lane, just south of Hwy 71. Normally I might’ve had difficulty finding it. But on First Saturday, the throngs of people waiting to get in were a dead giveaway.

First Saturday at Independence Brewing Co

With a line like this, First Saturday must be awesome

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Entertainment, Events, Food & Drink ·

Carry the Load – Austin: Bringing Meaning Back to Memorial Day

May 1, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet

Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet

This guest post is by Vol Montgomery.

Ask your neighbors what Memorial Day means to them. Is it a three-day weekend? A barbecue? A mattress sale? What do you think Memorial Day should mean?

Carry the Load – Austin will help bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day. This one-day, non-profit event honors veterans and active duty service members, law enforcement officers, firefighters and their families. It raises funds to support the meaningful work of four local charities: The Comfort Crew for Military Kids, Heroes on the Water, Folds of Honor Foundation and Serve Who Serve.

Carry the Load – Austin will take place on May 25, 2013 at Reveille Peak Ranch, a 1,300-acre outdoor adventure and event center just outside of Burnet, one hour from Austin. Founded three years ago in Dallas by Clint Bruce, a former Navy Seal, Carry the Load is coming to the Central Texas area for the first time. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events · Tagged:

Make Way for Austin Mini Maker Faire: Creativity Gone Wild

April 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
R2-D2 at Austin Mini Maker Faire

R2-D2 at the Austin Mini Maker Faire

This guest blog post is by Lizzy Newsome.

Do you like shiny things? Does the smell of hot glue make your pulse race? Do you truly believe that 3D printing is the wave of the future?

Then it’s time to have a little conversation about Austin Mini Maker Faire! This one-day gathering at the Palmer Events Center on Sunday, May 5th, brings together the city’s most dedicated crafters and tinkerers, with exhibits covering the complete spectrum of handmade, from Arduino to Zoo (Robot Petting Zoo, that is).

Also featured: Tinkering Workshop, 3D printers, an inflatable planetarium, and a special exhibit from the Austin Bike Zoo (two zoos!). [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Events ·

Fight for Air Climb: Can You Scale 31 Flights of Stairs?

April 18, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Fight for Air Climb at Frost Bank Tower

Participants wait their turn to scale the Frost Bank Tower!

This guest blog post is by David Thomas.

Remember when your parents would scream at you to not run up the stairs? Guess what? The American Lung Association is telling you it’s okay: on April 27, 2013 this well-respected non-profit is having their 4th Annual Fight for Air Climb fundraiser event at the Frost Bank Tower.

Participating Austinites have the opportunity to climb roughly 31 flights of stairs!

In all seriousness, many of us know someone who is affected by lung disease and Jessica Vess isn’t any different. “My brother has asthma, my in-laws have struggled to stop smoking, and my husband’s grandfather suffered from [Read more...]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events ·

DIY or Drop Off: Dirty Dog Grooming and Self-Serve Dog Wash

April 16, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Dirty Dog Austin Dog Wash

Dirty Dog’s Mesa location, one of six in the Austin area

This guest blog post is by Kelly Love Johnson.

Let me start by saying that I’ve been a regular at Dirty Dog’s Mesa location for about three years now, beginning a few months after I moved to Austin in January of 2010.

My Pomeranian, Lulu, was just a year old and no longer small enough to bathe in the kitchen sink, so I had been torturing both of us with bend-over-the-tub baths and 45 minutes of blow drying (with my not-professional blow dryer).

There was also the issue of her toenails.

Her vet clipped them for me before I moved. My one attempt to trim them myself resulted in one of us bleeding (dog) and the other in tears (me). [Read more...]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business ·

Mike Milligan and the Altar Boyz: Talent and Attitude Weekly on 6th

April 15, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Mike MilliganThis guest blog post is by Kyle Bailey.

Mike Milligan has a great smile.  It’s toothy, wide and communicates his warm and approachable personality. When he walks on stage, though, all of that vanishes. Once he grabs that microphone and takes center stage, Mike Milligan is six feet two inches of energy, growl and talent. A consummate frontman, he grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until he and his band are done with you.

Mike Milligan and the Altar Boyz have been performing “Texas Blues with Louisiana Attitude” in Austin and around the country for more than eight years, rolling out a unique blend of music that is equal parts blues, rock, bayou and pure energy. Powered by Mike’s amazing four and a half octave vocal range and unique vocal tone, you find yourself being impressed with the band as a whole and with Mike himself as a frontman. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music ·

Have a Perfect Day in Driftwood: The Salt Lick & Duchman Family Winery

April 11, 2013 by · 7 Comments
The Salt Lick in Driftwood

Entrance to The Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX | Credit: Cris Mueller

This guest blog post is by Cris Mueller.

Just thirty minutes southwest of Austin is our coy, neighboring hill country town of Driftwood that offers a posh day-trip, worthy to share.

Don’t be fooled by its peaceful nature. Rather, open your palette to experience a day chock full of infamous Texas cuisine and wineries on the Texas Wine Trail.

It’s the greatest time of year to pack up the car, take out your camera and venture off to Driftwood for wide open Texas skies, colorful wildflowers and foodie pics to make mouths water. Although there are many ways to wander the beautiful outdoors of Driftwood, I recommend you include two stops: a lunch of traditional Texas BBQ and a picturesque family vineyard. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries ·

Bearded Brothers Wholesome Snack Food Company Is All Natural

April 10, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Bearded Brothers Energy BarsThis guest blog post is by Troy Herman.

Austin, Texas is known for many things worldwide: outstanding educational environments, LIVE music venues, an eclectic and accepting culture, sports and activities for everyone, and the birth of technology trends and startups.

On top of all that, this city contains a growing population of health-conscience individuals. So there’s no better place for Bearded Brothers to make energy bars that fuel the active Austin lifestyle in an 100% natural, raw, vegan friendly, gluten- and soy-free way. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business ·

Burnet Bluebonnet Festival: Parades, Pets, Races & Small Town Charm

April 4, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Texas Bluebonnets

Credit: Jeff Cohen

This guest blog post is by Tracey Louis.

Austin and Burnet contrast greatly from one another. Funky, urban-yet-outdoorsy Austin is only an hour away from quaint, traditional Burnet.

Yet they share some commonalities, including a love of reveling in springtime’s natural beauty, and fabulous hospitality inclusive of our beloved pets.

One of my favorite festivals is the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival, precisely because it does such a good job of showcasing Burnet’s small town charms, sharing the beauty of springtime wildflowers that paint the roadways and hillsides, and including our animal companions in the fun. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries · Tagged: ,

Home Sweet Hostel at Firehouse Hostel and Lounge

March 28, 2013 by · 6 Comments
Firehouse Hostel and Lounge Exterior

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge in the West Sixth District of Austin

This guest post is by Cris Mueller.

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge is a morsel of Austin history sitting quietly amongst the hustle of our fondly regarded West Sixth district and the bustle of our downtown office high-rises.

Business partners Kent Roth and Collin Ballard have tastefully occupied the legendary Washington Fire Engine Co. No. 1 with a boutique style hostel that offers seasoned backpackers and first time hostel goers a unique Austin experience.

Firehouse Lounge Cocktail

Already have a place to sleep tonight? Even locals love Firehouse Lounge

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink, Food & Drink, Local Business ·

What Is Human Trafficking and Why Should Austin Care?

March 26, 2013 by · 3 Comments

Children Behind Bars Human TraffickingThis guest blog post is by Kyle Bailey.

When you hear “human trafficking,” what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, it’s probably the image of Liam Neeson, his voice rasping out threats against his daughter’s captors in the 2008 movie Taken.

In a couple of ways, this image embodies the misconceptions around the evil that is human trafficking. The first misconception is that it’s “over there” (international, outside the United States). The second misconception is that human trafficking always involves shipping humans from one point to another.

Human trafficking is oppressive, evil and pervasive. It’s also here in Austin, right under our noses.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Et Cetera ·

Wells Branch Disc Golf Course Eventually Wows

March 20, 2013 by · 8 Comments

Straight Forward Wells Branch Disc Golf CourseThis guest blog post is by Hunter Stanford.

Wells Branch is a course your grandfather would approve of. No bells, no whistles and it isn’t here to prove anything. Rather, one might consider this disc golf course to be a straight-shooter.

Maybe you’re still scratching your head. My grandfather doesn’t even know what disc golf is. To be clear, the Wells Branch disc golf course is as standard of a course as they come. There’s nothing incredibly hard, easy, varied or zany. Whether that’s a bad thing or not is really up to you and your expectations. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries · Tagged:
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