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F-Stop Models How to Transform Lawn Into Urban Farm in Austin

October 25, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger 1 Comment

Ryan Farnau F-Stop Farm Austin

Ryan Farnau at F-Stop Farm (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)

What started as a gardening hobby turned into Ryan Farnau farming nearly all the available space in both his front and back yards, with another 6,000-square-feet soon to be tilled and seeded. With a handful of local restaurants sourcing from Farnau’s farm–hardly more than a third of an acre–F-Stop is quickly joining the ranks of Austin’s more well-known urban farms, like Springdale, Rain Lily, Boggy Creek, and HausBar to the east, and La Flaca to the south.

The sustainable agriculture movement is gaining momentum here in Central Texas, thanks in part to these urban farms, the restaurants that purchase their produce, and the patrons who support the restaurants and farmers’ markets around the city. Through the use of small-scale organic growing practices, these farms operate in direct opposition to big agriculture, fast food, and the industrialized food system. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business Tagged With: farm

Everything’s Coming Up Roses for Woman-owned Business, Petals, Ink.

June 20, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Petals, Ink. Founder Gretchen O'Neil

Gretchen O’Neil, Petals, Ink. farmer and founder (Credit: Petals, Ink.)

Gretchen O’Neil’s love affair with flowers began as a child, enamored by the confetti-colored tulips that sprawled across her grandfather’s yard. Flower growing became more than just a family pastime for O’Neil in 2002, when she started working on a small farm in the mountains of Vermont. After moving to Austin in 2003, it took the native New Englander about five years to acclimate to the sweltering heat before she could even begin to consider growing cut flowers in the Central Texas climate.

You see, many of the flowers O’Neil remembers from her youth simply won’t grow here. She gradually embraced a new genre of gardening that included sun-worshipping plants like agave, and concepts such as “xeriscaping.” Eventually, she discovered that–with enough planning–her fantasy of growing an abundance of blooms could be actualized. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business Tagged With: farm

Farmgrass Raises Emergency Medical Funds for Central Texas Farmers

June 6, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Whiskey Shivers Performs at Farmgrass Fest

The main stage at Farmgrass Fest 2017, located at Simmons Family Farm in Lockhart, TX
(Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)

Organic farming is undoubtedly a labor of love and we’re lucky to live in a region where this love exists in abundance, in comparison to other parts of the country. Austinites have embraced the fact that local, organic fruits and vegetables, and grass-fed, pastured-raised meat, eggs, and dairy purchased from any of the city’s numerous farmers’ markets are superior to many of the products found on supermarket shelves.

Even so, of the 240,000 farms located in Texas, only 178 are certified organic. With the departure of a generation of retirement-age farmers and increasing barriers faced by a new generation, that number is unlikely to increase anytime soon. Economic challenges faced by organic farmers are greater than those faced by farmers of larger, conventional farms who receive government subsidies, and this often means going without access to adequate and affordable healthcare.

Farmgrass, a local Austin nonprofit organization, is raising funds to provide assistance to Central Texas organic farmers when they find their health, and the health of their farms, in a state of emergency. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Et Cetera, Non-Profits Tagged With: farm

Highlights From Aaron Franklin’s First Hot Luck Festival

May 22, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Aaron Franklin Hot Luck Festival

Aaron Franklin helped Rebecca Masson of Houston’s Fluff Bake Bar serve “Thurston S’moores” during The Thurston Moore Group’s performance at The Mohawk (Credit: Daniel Cavazos)

Hot Luck founder Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, along with partners James Moody of The Mohawk and Michael Thelin of Feast Portland, just wrapped up a successful four-day food and music festival that featured more than 50 celebrated chefs from around the country, over half of whom reside right here in Austin.

The concept was inspired by intimate and informal gatherings–drawing on the nostalgia of foods that comfort, and then are reimagined for a new generation. Hot Luck was for anyone who could appreciate a thoughtfully curated sensory experience, minus any pretension. (Note: you’ll find the words “hoedown” and “hootenanny” used to describe the event on the festival’s website. Boots were optional, koozies were required.)

Humble in presentation, but certainly not lacking in creativity and innovation, samplings were designed to be utensil-free and enjoyed in a picnic atmosphere. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: bbq

Barton Springs Bathhouse Marks 70 Years With Community Plunge

May 10, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Barton Springs Bathhouse Dedication in 1947

1947 Barton Springs Bathhouse dedication ceremony (Credit: Barton Springs Conservancy)

Located within Zilker Park’s 358 acres is Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre, underground fed spring that has been referred to as the “Heart and Soul” and “Crown Jewel” of Austin. If you’ve been there, you understand why. In 1947, Barton Springs Bathhouse opened its doors for the first time, welcoming swimmers from all walks of life who sought fun, relaxation, and healing in the water beyond its walls.

This year marks 70 years that the historic Barton Springs Bathhouse has been open. On May 13, Austinites can celebrate this anniversary during the 70th Birthday Splash: Parade and Plunge. The event is hosted by Barton Springs Conservancy, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor, preserve, and enhance the Barton Springs experience through education and facility improvements. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Culture, Entertainment, Events, History Tagged With: barton springs

Mattie’s Serves Local Fare With Global Flair Inside Iconic South Austin Home

May 2, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Mattie's Austin Main Dining Room

Mattie’s main dining room (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)

Mattie’s Southern charm is evident before you even walk through its doors. Upon entering the gates surrounding the Green Pastures estate, located off South First Street, I was immediately taken aback by the impressive 120-year-old Victorian home with wrap-around veranda and giant Live Oak trees, under which peacocks freely roam. Yes, you read that right: peacocks.

As I walked through the front doors into a foyer with a dramatic staircase opening up to the second floor, warmly-lit gathering spaces on either side of me, it felt more like I had arrived for dinner at a celebrity’s home than a public restaurant. The space is undeniably cozy and dripping with Southern hospitality. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink

Austin ISD Reinvents Urban School Meals With Health-based Food Trucks

April 13, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Nacho Average Food Truck School Meals in Austin

Austin ISD’s second Nacho Average Food Truck (Credit: Life Time Foundation)

We now know that we are what we eat, literally. The nutrients in our food provide the foundation for the structure, function, and integrity of every cell in our body.

Today’s students within Austin Independent School District (AISD) are more sweet potato quesadilla with carrot and tomato escabeche than they are frozen chicken nuggets and tater tots of my school lunch past. Think more farmers’ market and less corner bodega, with a staff that includes a buyer, dietitian, and professional chef. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: aisd

Breaking Ground on 37 Acres of Connected Green Space in Downtown Austin

March 30, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Palm Park Revitalization Austin

A historically important park with strong connections to East Austin communities, Palm Park will be revitalized as a major entrance to the creek trail and a central gathering place. The redesigned park will host a variety of community programs including movie nights, open-air markets and outdoor exhibitions. (Rendering courtesy of Waller Creek Conservancy)

The city of Austin is home to more than 300 parks, but there’s always room for more, especially when we’re talking about accessible green space in the highly urbanized and rapidly growing downtown area. Waller Creek is a one and a half mile riparian ecosystem that begins at Waterloo Park and travels south along the eastern edge of downtown Austin to converge with Lady Bird Lake.

In partnership with the City of Austin and thanks to a $15 million grant from the Moody Foundation–the largest amount for parks and public open space ever gifted in the city of Austin–Waller Creek Conservancy will break ground on Phase 1 of its revitalization project later this year, beginning with Waterloo Park. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Austinot Loves, Discoveries, Et Cetera, Non-Profits Tagged With: downtown, waller creek

8 of Austin’s Most Dog-Friendly Patios

March 16, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger 2 Comments

Most Dog-friendly Patios in Austin

Prudence lusts after my turkey leg during the 2016 Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more dog-friendly place than Austin, since humanity’s best friends are allowed in the majority of our city’s outdoor spaces. In a place that frequently makes it onto Top 10 lists for dog-friendliness, Austin has no shortage of dog parks, off-leash hiking trails and swimming holes where both you and your pup can cool off. Our Capital City is also home to more than 35 pet photographers, a doggie yoga studio, and Yard Bar–a restaurant/bar and dog park rolled into one.

While most restaurant and bar patios welcome the four-legged variety, there happen to be a few I enjoy more than others when I have my beloved rescue pup, Prudence, in tow. From dive bars to diners, ranch-to-table restaurants to beer gardens, this list has something for every dog (and owner). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business Tagged With: dogs

Amplify Austin Celebrates 5 Years and Over $25M Raised for Local Nonprofits

February 28, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger Leave a Comment

Amplify Austin 2016 at I Live Here, I Give Here

During Amplify Austin Day 2016 at the offices of I Live Here, I Give Here

On March 2 starting at 6 p.m., Amplify Austin Day will be in full swing with a goal of raising $9 million in 24 hours. Last year $8.5 million was raised, with 40 percent of donations attributed to first-time donors and 31 percent of site users being millennials.

Editor’s Note: Amplify Austin ended up raising over $9.8 million in 2017! This was their most successful fundraising event to date. There were more than 64,500 individual donations supporting about 700 nonprofits in Central Texas. Thank you to all of our neighbors who contributed!

The nonprofit organization I Live Here, I Give Here created Amplify Austin Day in 2012. Five years later, Amplify Austin has raised over $25 million for more than 600 local nonprofits. Austinites can now visit one place to support 700 mission-driven organizations of their choice that are providing real, tangible solutions within our community. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Et Cetera, Non-Profits Tagged With: amplify austin

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Things to do

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend | Sustainable Food Center

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 27, 2023 include Sustainable Food Center Market, Cinderella at the Zach Theatre, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 27, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Sustainable Food Center Market, Cinderella at the Zach Theatre, Shrek the Musical Jr., and more! […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend of January 27 | Eastside Pop-Up + Handcrafted + Vintage Market

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Things to do in Austin this week Jan 23 | Karen's Diner Austin

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 23, 2023 include Karen’s Diner Austin, Pink Martini Concert, and more!

Our top choices for things to do in Austin this Week of January 23, 2023, include Karen’s Diner Austin, Pink Martini, Cinderella at the Zach Theatre, and more! Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are […]

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Are you ready to say goodbye to 2022? What better way to ring in the New Year than with fireworks at Austin’s biggest and official New Year party! This beloved, annual Austin event draws thousands of people including locals as well as visitors from neighboring towns in the Central Texas area. If you are googling […]

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Come one, come all to celebrate the Johnson City Lights Spectacular 33rd Season! Johnson City is an area close to Fredericksburg, TX. Every Christmas holiday for the last 33 years, Johnson City transforms from a slow-paced, presidential hometown nestled on the banks of the Pedernales River, into a bright beacon of light — like a […]

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