Guest Blogger - The Austinot

Austin’s Wild Monk Parakeets Search for New Home

February 26, 2016 by Guest Blogger 21 Comments

Austin’s monk parakeets lost their home when UT’s Intramural Fields were renovated last year
(Credit: Moonshine Images)

Guest article by Molly Morrow

It was a warm winter day in Austin, and the air carried strange avian and insect noises, the constant screeching and buzzing of a southern place. I looked up and saw a tree in the parking lot of Fiesta Mart off I-35, ablaze with parakeets. Dozens, possibly hundreds, of electric-green birds!

I stood in awe and watched them until the grocery bags started to slip out of my arms. I think it was then that I realized Austin had a big, beautiful problem with birds.

[Read more…]

The Sonic Experience of 80H Project

February 24, 2016 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

80H Project

Guest article by Lauren Lyman

Austin is a sonic hub that houses a huge variety of sounds. If you are looking for a powerhouse of sounds, I highly suggest listening to 80H Project. The band combines R&B, rock, jazz and Latin American beats in the instrumentation. Their flawless, three-part harmonies top this giant wave of resonance. [Read more…]

Expert Guitar Service in Austin From Luthier Danny Shoemaker

February 15, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Danny Shoemaker Owner of Straight Frets Austin

Danny Shoemaker, owner of Straight Frets in Austin

Guest article by Sam Small

A guitar is a complicated weapon of music-making. It has to be light enough to wear around your neck, but strong enough to bear the enormous string tension that can range from 70 to 150 pounds.

So, you masters of the zinging strings, how is your neck relief? Is your truss rod in good order? Is your action too high? Is your intonation accurate? Is your bridge at the right height? If you answered no to any of these questions, then you need guitar service in Austin.

[Read more…]

5 of Austin’s Musical Men Open Up About Love and Music

February 12, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Andi G. C.

What is love?

This is a question we’ve all asked ourselves at least once in our lives. Numerous authors have written on the matter; it is the theme of many movies; and a great number of musicians awaken our emotions when singing about the topic of love.

Since Austin is such a vibrant and energetic city, largely due to the abundant number of musicians who reside here, we thought it would be fun to shine light on several local male artists’ perception of love. This time it’s the guys’ turn to open up and share their feelings! [Read more…]

Vino Vino Is One of the Best First Date Spots in Central Austin

February 12, 2016 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Vino Vino’s Wisconsin cheese plate with butternut squash puree, honey and toasted pecans (Credit: Edwin Ochoa)

Vino Vino on Guadalupe Street

Guest article by Laurie Engle

It’s the first date. You want it to be casual, but not careless, low-key, but not boring. The first date should give you both a chance to converse and get to know one another, without competing with too many distractions. The right romantic setting helps set the tone. You want something calming and special.

As a single woman in our fair city of Austin, I’ve been on my share of first dates. In fact, I’m a bit of an expert. And my “go-to” when asked to suggest the place to meet? I’m a huge fan of Vino Vino. [Read more…]

You Can’t Miss Torchy’s Tacos Flagship Location on South Congress

February 10, 2016 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Torchy’s Tacos flagship location on South Congress (Credit: John Cabuena)

Guest article by Jonatan Contreras

I’m new to Austin, and I was (quite unreasonably) excited to find out it has a pretty big Mexican food scene. Let me back up.

I’m from El Paso, Texas, land of the border culture. In El Paso, every time a new Mexican restaurant pops up, we tend to wonder “Another one?” Needless to say, I know my way around a taco. Which, ironically, was the reason I was excited to try out Austin staple Torchy’s Tacos. Word in town was, a flagship location had just opened on South Congress Avenue, where Fran’s Hamburgers used to be.

Torchy’s Tacos, you did not disappoint. [Read more…]

Spend a Day Shopping Vintage in Austin’s North Loop Neighborhood

February 2, 2016 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Guest article by Laurie Engle

The thrill of sorting through decades of funky, silly, elegant fashion and home decor is one of my passions. Vintage clothing and furniture give sense of style a dash of eccentricity. When I buy vintage, I’m buying nostalgia, and I’m a nostalgia kinda girl.

On North Loop, just east of Guadalupe in North Austin, you’ll find a community of vintage shops away from the tourist crowds on South Congress. This is one of my favorite places to spend a day in Austin, and the one I go to satisfy my craving for that idiosyncratic fashion gem.

Keep reading for a guide to five of my favorite places for vintage shopping in the North Loop neighborhood.

[Read more…]

5 Reasons to Adopt a Greyhound in Austin

January 28, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

It's definitely not a "ruff" life for greyhounds in Austin (Credit: Inked Fingers)

You can rescue an Austin greyhound from a “ruff” life (Credit: Inked Fingers)

Guest article by Catelyn Silapachai

Here in Austin, adoptable greyhounds come from local racing greyhound breeders, other states where greyhounds race and Gulf Greyhound Park near Houston. This was the last race track in Texas to feature live racing, which ended at the beginning of this year.

As many hounds retire every month, there has never been a better time to consider adopting a greyhound. I adopted mine from Greyhound Pets of America-Central Texas (GPA-Central Texas) when I lived in an apartment, and discovered five reasons why this breed is absolutely perfect for life in our town.

[Read more…]

Hill Country Day Trip Guide to Comfort, Texas

January 18, 2016 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Spend an day in quiet Comfort, Texas

Guest article by Catelyn Silpachai

Around two hours from central Austin, Comfort, Texas is a bit further away than many well-known day trip getaways. But with the rolling hills and running streams of the Hill Country to keep you company, the drive will fly by.

Comfort is a historically German town, founded in 1854. It has a well-preserved town center, with many structures built in the 19th century still standing today. Since I sell antiques, I’m always scouting small Texas towns for gems. I recently headed out with a friend who also sells vintage, Leslie Torbett of Dalena Vintage, for a day of antiquing in Comfort.

Texas Hill Country creek on the drive to Comfort, Texas

We realized that, while Comfort does have a handful of antique stores, it’s the rest of the town’s attractions that really make it worth the drive. Here are a few of our favorites. [Read more…]

Foundation for the Homeless Works to Address and Prevent Homelessness in Austin

January 15, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Angela Bowers

Coffee + donuts = a great start to any day. While this wasn’t exactly their official motto, what is now a local non-profit called Foundation for the Homeless did in fact begin as a coffee and donuts ministry in downtown Austin.

At first, the organization was an ad hoc program by an interfaith women’s Bible study from West Lake Hills Presbyterian Church. The ministry transformed into coordinating others from the church to give rides to homeless individuals for a warm shower at the church. This sweet beginning grew into the variety of programs offered today. These include Feed My People, the Interfaith Hospitality Network and Best Single Source Plus.

[Read more…]

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