Editor’s Note, August 26, 2013: We were originally excited about the new Austin Aquarium and looking forward to its opening this year. But as news about the Covinos’ questionable business practices continues to come to light, we feel the need to protect our community and our reputation by officially stating that we do not endorse the Austin Aquarium. Please stay informed as news continues to unfold, and we will do the same.

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Our city already has a zoo and, with the opening of Austin Aquarium before the end of 2013, Austinites will be able to experience another facet of wildlife fun and education.

Austin Aquarium is owned by Vince Covino and his brother Ammon, creators of the aquariums in Portland, OR and Boise, ID. Having experienced success in the northwest U.S., the Covinos moved their families to Austin and launched construction on a new aquarium on Highway 183 near Anderson Mill, in northwest Austin. [Read more…]

Dogs and Austinites go hand in paw. We love our four-legged friends so much that we take them everywhere we can. Though we’re used to taking our dogs jogging, swimming, hiking, and even to work sometimes, you may not know some of the more unusual dog friendly activities in Austin that you can enjoy with your furry friend.

Shopping at The Domain

To many Austinites, The Domain seems like a little slice of Dallas that has been planted in the Capitol City. The place has a lot of glitz and glam. With all of the high-end retail stores and restaurants at The Domain, you might expect to find very strict no-dogs-allowed policies here. [Read more…]

This guest blog post is by Hunter Stanford.

To only say that the Wells Branch Disc Golf Course got its engine re-tweaked for high performance leaves out the aesthetic changes. But to say that the course got itself an expensive facelift ignores what’s under the hood.

With 18 baskets as opposed to the previous nine, full concrete tee pads and benches, and detailed color signage to boot, the only term for this is a full system upgrade. The bugs have been tweaked and the kinks have been smoothed out. If the beta version didn’t have you convinced, then the alpha version has something to prove. Wells Branch 2.0, welcome home. [Read more…]

Moving Difference is back for a second year, and its official kick-off corresponds with the first day of summer: this Friday, June 21st.

For those who missed last year’s coverage, Moving Difference is a loose – but vigorous – movement that encourages individuals to invest one hour of each week during summer into making their community better. Founded here in Austin by Jeny Crouch, Moving Difference went worldwide in its first year. Approximately 62,000 volunteer hours were logged in 2012. The original goal was 1,000.

There aren’t any set rules about how you use your volunteer hour each week from June 21st to September 21st. You can pick up trash, teach a CPR class, bake for a sick neighbor, help a busy friend with childcare, or walk a homeless dog through Austin Pets Alive. It’s as easy as following your passion and doing what you can to make a difference. [Read more…]

We all want Father’s Day to be special for our dads, but visiting different community calendars and tracking down activities to choose from can take a lot of time. We’ve done the research for you and compiled it into one grand list of things to do on Father’s Day 2013 in Austin!

Live Concerts

[Read more…]

This guest blog post is by Matt Champion.

It’s only June and we’re already sweating bullets. With temperatures quickly heading toward every day triple-digits, we’re all going to need our summertime havens.

Austinites have a tendency to be claustrophobic. We love the outdoors and won’t let anything, even the scorching sun, keep us stuck inside all day to mindlessly fiddle with the thermostat.

We all know the standards: Barton Springs, Blues on the Green, the Greenbelt, and the list goes on. But I know we’re getting antsy, so here are some ways to beat the heat in Austin, in addition to our wonderful local traditions.

Pull your head out of your freezer and smile because you live in one of the greatest cities in the nation, regardless of whether or not the summer sun gives you the ability to bake cookies on the dashboard of your car.

“Swimmin’ Hole!”

[Read more…]