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Austin Public Library Carver Branch
Summer is behind us, football season is in front of us, and somewhere in between are books for studying. Labor Day not only marks the time when wearing white is “not permitted,” it also unofficially marks the start of school. But studying doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Whether you’re a Longhorn, Hilltopper or frequent the ACC, here are five unique study spots to get you through the semester. [Read more…]
Credit: Van Sutherland via Flickr CC
Guest article by Adam Rosenfield
When you think Austin, you think of the outdoors. You remember walking from show to show at SXSW or standing for three days straight listening to bands at ACL. You think Barton Springs, and you think of the Whole Foods on Lamar. But do you think of walking to those places?
No matter what anyone says, Austin is like most other Texas cities, in that residents are very car-dependent. Live on Riverside, but work at the Arboretum? Heck, most residents think they can commute there in 10-15 minutes barring traffic.
Are you familiar with a transportation service called Capital Metro? Did you even know there were buses in Austin? Did you know there are vehicles in Austin other than buses that will A) Preserve the environment, but also B) Get you to your destination without wasting gas?
I’m here to demonstrate the litany of ways to get around Austin without a car, and discuss the most walkable neighborhoods in Austin. [Read more…]
James Turrell, Interior of The Color Inside, 2013. Photo by Florian Holzherr. Courtesy of Landmarks, the public art program of The University of Texas at Austin.
When a bird flew inches above our oval cutout, some of us gasped and then laughed at our response. Our slowly changing focal point had shifted suddenly and shot us out of a relaxed, contemplative state and back to the reality that we were staring at something ever-changing, yet accessible: the sky.
If you haven’t visited James Turrell’s Skyspace titled The Color Inside, you may not understand the full thrill of the bird sighting. Turrell’s art piece is an incredible permanent space located on the rooftop of the Student Activity Center on UT’s campus. The Color Inside was commissioned by Landmarks, UT’s public art program, and describing the piece isn’t an easy task. [Read more…]
Being an extra in Austin takes perseverance, but it can also be extremely rewarding
If you’re an egoist, this could be a cure for you.
If you’re shy, this could be a cure for you.
If you don’t like people, this is not for you.
If you like people, do it now. Be an extra. Or, as some insist, a background artist.
It’s okay if you’ve never acted. It’s okay if you were the bumblecat without lines in the third grade play The Nonsense Man.
Don’t worry if you’re plain or ugly. Don’t worry if you’re obese or emaciated. Don’t worry if you have a bump on your nose, funny hair or a scar on your face. Those characteristics make you unique.
In fact, sometimes, beauty can hinder you. On one set that was using a few extras for the day’s shot, the director decided not to [Read more…]
This guest article is by Rachel Powell.
Austin is home to extreme activities that offer players and participants the chance to experience hidden gems that make even the local-est of locals exclaim, “I never knew that was there!”
These activities are more than just satiation for the adrenaline junkie. Almost unanimously, they speak to deeper needs of the soul, showing people they are capable of more than they ever thought.
Fly boarding on Lake Austin (Credit: Fly Lake Austin)
If you’ve been on Lake Austin and seen something that Marty McFly might use to get around in the future, stop rubbing your eyes – you’re not mistaken. The device is called a fly board, and it’s quite literally taking off right here in Austin. [Read more…]
New pizza recipes and a larger salad bar are part of the revitalization (Credit: Austin Park N Pizza)
Austin Park N Pizza is passionate about their brand and reputation. They’ve recently made some big changes to drive that point home.
Sean Milberger recently took the reigns as general manager of Austin Park N Pizza, and he’s made bold moves to update the menu and attractions. I recently had the opportunity to visit Austin Park N Pizza and see the changes myself. [Read more…]
Date ideas abound in Austin if you know where to look (Credit: Hunter Pontious)
This guest blog article is by Callie Musick.
Austin is known for being one of the best cities for singles, making it a city full of first dates and hopefully many others afterward.
Beyond the singles dating scene, anyone in a relationship has probably experienced how easy it is to get caught in a routine of go-to date night spots. Whether you’re craving something new with your current SO (significant other) or looking for an impressive first date idea, here are a few local suggestions that break the typical dinner-and-drinks mold. [Read more…]
Let the Sunday Funday begin! (Credit: Bryan Pelz via Flickr CC)
This guest blog article is by Dawn Sarnecky.
As a transplant from Michigan, my typical weekend always started on Friday and continued through Saturday. I would potentially spend my Sunday nursing the after effects of those previous two days combined.
Little did I know that here in the ATX, Sunday is when all the cool kids go out, just as if it were a regular ol’ Saturday night.
Adapting to my adopted city, I set out to find the perfect formula for what many Austinites refer to as Sunday Funday. I quickly discovered I could happily spend the entire day in one neighborhood. Sunday Funday destination: Rainey Street. [Read more…]
Cottage at Mayfield Park
eeeeYAH eeeYAH eeeeYAH! That’s the best way I can describe the peacock chorus greeting I received when I walked into Mayfield Park. This gorgeous estate located in West Austin features these beautiful birds, trail systems, gardens, and a historical home.
Purchased in 1909 by Texas Secretary of State and Texas Railroad Commission chairman Allison Mayfield, the property was meant to be a summer getaway home for his family. In 1922, Mayfield’s daughter, Mary, and her husband, Dr. Milton Gutsch, moved into the home and set beautiful changes into motion. [Read more…]
Lab time at Game Worlds (Credit: Alicia Andrew)
When I was a kid, video games like Nintendo and Atari were thought of as time wasters and brain drainers. Since then, they have developed into amazing pieces of creative art.
What hasn’t changed are parents wanting their kids to do something in the summer besides playing video games.
If a compromise can’t be made, or you want to focus your child’s interest towards something productive, I recommend Game Worlds. [Read more…]