Activities Archives - Page 23 Of 28

Round Rock Express Hit Off 15th Season of Baseball

April 16, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

America’s favorite pastime lends simple beauty to the Texas sky (Photo credit: Cris Mueller)

The flood of lights spotlight the pristine manicure of the outfield. The chatty man behind home plate calls out to each movement of the men standing before him, while they master their familiar navigation from one base to the next.

Among the stands, the night air is busy greeting the comforting conversations of fans as they’re welcomed back for another season. Although it looks and sounds very much the same each year, a true fan does not miss this, the opening day. Our very own Round Rock Express took the bases at the Dell Diamond, located at 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd. in Round Rock, for their 15th season opener on April 4, 2014.

The 2014 Round Rock Express (Photo credit: Chuck Murphy – Chuck Murphy Photography)

[Read more…]

Austin B-cycle Brings Bikesharing to Austin

April 7, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena 1 Comment

Ideal location for B-cycle, across from la Barbecue. Bike in, BBQ out.

Ah, springtime in Austin. It’s a magical time of year. Lady Bird Lake is overflowing with all manner of water craft, bar and restaurant patios all around the city have a one-hour wait, and bikes reclaim their status as a viable form of transport around town.

About five weeks later, the brutal heat starts smoldering our fair city, but what a glorious five weeks! The Austinot has written several articles on how to beat the heat, and even a few others on how to get around town. But this spring and summer, Austinites will have another option to add to the list. In characteristic Austin fashion, it’s a thinking “outside the box” kind of approach.

Want to get around town quickly and cheaply, but don’t own a bike? No problem! Austin’s new B-cycle program, part of a nationwide network spread around over 20 cities, quietly launched late last year. They have just completed their initial 40 station roll-out and are more than ready for the inevitable onslaught of new riders. [Read more…]

Austin Helicopter Tours: Fresh Perspective Without the Traffic

March 27, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Austin Helicopter Tours pilot Justin Little stands in front of the Bell Long Ranger (Photo credit: David Thomas)

With over 138 people moving to our fair city every day, a guy has to wonder, what’s the best way to see our city and the surrounding area? Surely being jammed between a diesel 4×4 truck and a Prius isn’t the most desirable option. Have no fear, loyal reader, Austin has helicopter tours.

How It Began

In June 2012, Randy and Stacy Riggs expanded their San Antonio-based Alamo Helicopter Tours to Austin and opened Austin Helicopter Tours. Randy and Stacy are old hands in the helicopter business – Randy has 42 years of helicopter flying experience. Their current team consists of seven pilots who are FAA certified in a variety of helicopter designs.

I had the privilege to speak to Justin Little, one of the pilots for Austin Helicopter Tours. A little over five years ago, Justin wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter (it’s taking everything in my power to not call them choppers). Three months into the self-paced course, he earned his private pilot’s license. A year and a half later, he walked away an instrument-rated commercial pilot, and a certified flight instructor.

Helping People Experience Flight

Justin gave me a nice nickel tour of the Austin Helicopter Tours facilities. There are several helicopters for different purposes. Their largest is a Bell Long Ranger. This helicopter, built by the company who produced the famous UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, is capable of seating seven people and [Read more…]

Pure Austin Fitness Launches Rail Training Option at 410 Speed Shop

March 11, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

The new 410 Speed Shop at 410 Pressler Street

This guest blog article is by Michal Ann Morrison.

Pure Austin Fitness has been a leading figure in the Austin fitness industry since 1999. Their most recent contribution to keeping Austin athletes and fitness junkies at the top of their game is Rail Training, a fitness program that focuses on sports performance-inspired training.

You’ll find Rail Training at 410 Speed Shop, new home to Pure Austin and Rogue Running.

Rail Training is unique in that it combines the concepts of a personal trainer and a group fitness class. Walking into the refurbished auto shop, you get the attention of a personal trainer without the heavy financial cost, with the monthly membership costing less than two average personal training sessions. [Read more…]

How to Do SXSW Like a Local

February 28, 2014 by Jessica Pino 5 Comments

Photo credit: nickmickolas via Flickr CC)

If this is your first SX, don’t stress! This time of year, cases of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) are on the rise.

Let’s start your education now. You must first get the lingo down…it’s just “South by” (SX). If you hear someone uttering all four syllables, South by Southwest, you’ll know they are one of the 30,000+ out-of-town-ers.

Most locals don’t have the pleasure of directly participating in the conference, but we do like to take advantage of the byproducts this massive 27 year old conference produces. The music portion of SX is what typically gets the most attention, and for a good reason. With over 1,700+ performances over a 10-day span, there is something for everyone. [Read more…]

Three Stories of Graffiti for HOPE on Castle Hill

February 11, 2014 by Jessica Pino 15 Comments

A graffiti artist at work on Castle Hill

Editor’s Note: The HOPE Outdoor Gallery closed on Jan. 2, 2019. A new location will open later in the year.

There are a few mainstays in Austin I like to take visitors to when they visit. My list includes the impressive Capitol Building, which is taller than the U.S. Capitol Building in D.C., Whole Foods headquarters, where you can get a $5 smoothie, Zilker Park to fly a kite, and anything on South Congress. But there’s one place that embodies the true spirit and weirdness of our city, and every resident and visitor must experience it: the graffiti wall at Castle Hill.

Tucked away on Baylor and 11th near Whole Foods, this is one of my favorite places in Austin because it has a great energy and amazing art. When I say graffiti wall, I don’t mean just one wall like the “i love you so much” graffiti at Jo’s Coffee Shop or the Austin Postcard at Roadhouse Relics. I’m talking about a three-story playground for artists. [Read more…]

Dart Bowl, Your Neighborhood Bowling Alley for 56 Years

February 4, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

You can see Dart Bowl’s sign on Grover St. across from McCallum High School

Nestled away in the nooks and crannies of our fair city are tidbits of iconic Austin culture. One of those tidbits is quietly tucked away on Grover St., across the street from McCallum High School in North Austin. Dart Bowl is more than a bowling alley. It’s an Austin icon.

Dart Bowl’s Long History of Community Involvement

In 1958, Jerry and Betty Ray opened Dart Bowl in a shopping center near Anderson and Burnet Rd. (now a Bassett furniture store). They happily remained there for the next 38 years until 1996, when they took over the old Capitol Bowl on Grover St.

Along the way, the Rays also opened Highland Lanes at Burnet Rd. and 183, and Westgate Lanes on William Cannon Dr.

To be in business for 56 years is no small feat. Part of that success has got to be chalked up to Dart Bowl’s involvement with [Read more…]

Miracoco by Architects of Air Has Returned to The Long Center

January 27, 2014 by David Thomas 2 Comments

Architects of Air Miracoco at The Long Center

It doesn’t take much for a vivid imagination to run wild inside Miracoco

When I first moved to Austin, back when Emo’s was on 6th St., there was this dude who would sit out on the sidewalk of 6th St. and spray paint these crazy designs on canvas. He’d then light the canvas on fire and the end result was a beautiful alien landscape. That guy is no longer around, but Austin hasn’t stopped being an inviting environment for creativity.

What Is Architects of Air?

Until February 2nd, The Long Center will be hosting an extremely unique and interactive art exhibit called Architects of Air: Miracoco Luminarium. Created by Alan Parkinson, luminarium are unique, one-of-a-kind sculptures made of custom designed inflatables. Yes, you read correctly. These are surreal, labyrinthine inflatable structures that take advantage of a plethora of design elements and natural lighting. [Read more…]

Austin Modern Home Tour 2014 Coming February 1st

January 22, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

4902 Tortuga Pl., exterior by Paul Bardagjy (Photo credit: Austin Modern Home Tour)

As cities grow up and start to develop their own personalities and distinct characteristics, their citizens begin to get creative with the homes they choose to settle down in. Often times, homes reflect the charm that makes each city unique.

Enough of these homes get built and we start to get curious about how our neighbors are setting up their kitchen, or what’s up with that unique lawn landscape down the street? How did they get that garden on the roof? If you have asked yourself questions like these and are looking for answers, the 7th Annual Austin Modern Home Tour was made just for you. [Read more…]

Last Minute Things to Do on Christmas Eve in Austin

December 24, 2013 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be out scrambling for gifts today and won’t have time for many of the things on this list. But if your Christmas errands are complete and you find yourself and the extended family with some free time, you may want to have a look. Below are a few ways to make the most out of your Christmas Eve in Austin.

Hit the Bazaars

I put this one first for my fellow shopping procrastinators because I know they’ll be scanning with sparse free time.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Vintage Ware Booth at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (Photo credit: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar)

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is open until 11 PM tonight and they have gift-wrapping on-site. Entrance is $7 for adults and kids are free. They offer a variety of unique gifts from local artists, plus live music from local artists (Jitterbug Vipers go on at 3:30 PM today and they are fantastic). And, of course, beer. [Read more…]