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Christmas Lights in Austin Area – Best Holiday Lights 2021

November 29, 2021 by Joleen Jernigan 5 Comments

Bastrop Holiday Lights Trail
Christmas Lights in Austin, Texas: Bastrop is aglow with the warmth and twinkly lights of the season (Credit: Colin Guerra)

Are you looking for Christmas Lights in Austin area? Read on to find out the best places to enjoy holiday displays with your family in and around the Hill Country.

Hear, hear, the sparkly season is near! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around.

We love love love the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, yet if you want to set forth on an illuminated adventure beyond Austin’s most famous light trail, follow these shining beacons signaling from across Texas Hill Country.

These holiday light trails go above and beyond for those of us beguiled by the night and mesmerized by shiny objects. Yeah, I’m waaay into it. If you crave holiday glitz and are up for a quick road trip, then these nine Hill Country destinations will satisfy your quest to shine on.

One exciting new trend I’ve noticed this year is that some of these light trails have added even more events, attractions, and/or lights, and most of them are open longer than before. This gives you extra time to make the short road trip to experience these twinkly trails.

Note: I’ve added the distances to each trail from the Texas State Capitol this year to better help you plan your trip. Happy lights-gazing!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: Bastrop, christmas, johnson city, marble falls, new braunfels, san antonio, san saba, wimberley

How Austin Musicians Are Riding Out the Pandemic with Creativity

December 10, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan 2 Comments

Ms. Mack and the Daddies spent time apart so they could do a short livestream together last month.
Ms. Mack & the Daddies spent time apart so they could do a short livestream together last month (credit: Ms. Mack & the Daddies).

2020 has beaten us all up. Most of us are exhausted, struggling in one way or another, physically, mentally, or financially, and Austin musicians are no different.

Without live music shows or venues to play in, how have our local musicians made do? How have they stayed afloat and on their fans’ minds? How have they dealt with releasing long-awaited albums without a tour to support it? How have they flexed their creative muscle?

I’ve asked a few of my musician friends these same questions. Hopefully, their answers can inspire all of us or introduce you to some fabulous new music and performers that shone brightly in 2020, despite the all-too-familiar obstacles that this year has placed in their way.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Music Tagged With: austin musicians

The Ultimate Guide to Texas Wines for the Holiday Season

November 22, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan 2 Comments

Texas wines for the holidays

Why not support our Texas Hill Country wineries and impress your friends and family at the same time with the wide variety and high quality of Texas wines?

I’ve asked a handful of knowledgeable, wine-loving local friends how to make the holidays more festive with Texas wine. Now I know I need to try more Texas wine!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink

At Home Series: Con’ Olio Moves Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar 101 Class Online

October 21, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Tabatha Conarko is leading the online Con’ Olio classes

If you are into local restaurants, wineries, and farmer’s markets at all, you’ve likely sampled or bought Con’ Olio’s Ultra Premium olive oil or balsamic vinegar. They are offering their popular Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar class online.

That’s right, now we can experience this virtual burst of knowledge and flavor comfortably in our own homes. Con’ Olio is one of those places in town with a reputation that precedes it. I’ve long heard great things about their Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar 101 classes from foodie friends.

Simple, high quality ingredients and traceable sources make Con’ Olio’s flavors stand out

This Austin business has been on my radar for some time now, ever since I met owner Tabatha Conarko at a wine tasting and class at the outstanding El Gaucho Winery. I am so looking forward to this!

Disclosure: Con’ Olio invited me to join in a Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar 101 class. Look for social media coverage on Oct. 22, when I actually participate.

What to Expect

Con’ Olio virtual classes show you the best ways to bring out the flavors of their balsamic vinegars and EVOOs

Con’ Olio’s classes are about so much more than olive oil and balsamic vinegar, although those ingredients are the core components of the class. The classes include an educational aspect and pairings with complementary flavors. I’m really looking forward to trying out their new classes, scheduled once weekly through mid-November.

Current dates for the Con’ Olio Virtual Class: Olive Oil + Balsamic 101 are October 22 and 27, and November 5 and 12. The classes are $40 per person, plus tax.

All About Upcoming Con’ Olio’s Virtual Classes

Here is the lowdown from the class description and press release.

Con’ Olio Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar classes are now online

Conarko will lead the class, guiding attendees through a variety of flavors: intense and robust, mild and buttery Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs), and light and dark balsamic vinegars. She’ll go over when and how to use each one. In the Con’ Olio class, Conarko will also pair these EVOOs and balsamics with lots of tasty goodies, like Antonelli’s cheese and prosciutto, apples, caprese salad, artisan bread, and Amy’s Ice Creams.

In the class, Conarko will go over the myths and truths of the Mediterranean diet and its health benefits. She’ll also talk about how the fine Con’ Olio EVOOs and balsamic vinegars are produced and will teach participants how to detect the freshest olive oil and when they have gone bad or are low quality.

Salad deconstructed with Con’ Olio EVOOs and balsamic vinegar

Guests will be asked to pick up their plates via contactless curbside pickup at the Con’ Olio Arboretum location, from 1-4pm the day of the class. That same day, participants will receive an email with a Zoom link to the class. Classes should run about 45 minutes, with a 10-15 minute Q&A at the end. 

Loving This Trend

This looks like a fun pairing Con’ Olio’s Conarko has concocted

I’m getting excited to see how many long-established Austin eateries are finding their online groove with these classes. Like many of you, I’m still staying home more often than not and avoiding crowds in an effort to socially distance myself safely for as long as necessary.

These virtual classes, cooking kits, and tastings help bring people together. Even while we are physically apart, the need for human connection is real. We also want to support our local businesses and enjoy the excellent food and drinks these Austin eateries have to offer.

I’m grateful to Con’ Olio for adding this fun – and tasty – class to the growing number of ways to virtually experience Austin’s best at home. If you sign up, let me know what you think!

10000 Research Blvd, #130 – Con’ Olio Virtual Classes


@theAustinot wants to know:

What is your favorite Austin local online class or tasting you’ve tried in 2020?

Filed Under: Discoveries, Food, Local Business Tagged With: virtual

At Home Series: Cooking with El Alma’s Chef Alma

October 17, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Chef Alma holding a bowl
Chef Alma regales the Zoom audience with tales of her childhood and the history of internal Mexican cuisine. (credit: Erica Wilkins)

No more boring dinners! If you have run through your repertoire of go-to recipes, and can’t stand the thought of looking at that sourdough starter mess again, El Alma is here to help!

Now you can sign up for an absolutely genius El Alma At Home monthly membership program. They have considered a wide range of budgets and perks, so that everyone can join if they’d like. El Alma At Home membership tiers start at $5 and go up to the VIP membership at $75.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Food, Food & Drink, Local Business Tagged With: cooking, mexican, virtual

At Home Series: Buenos Aires Café DIY Empanada Kit or Amaro Tasting

October 13, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Buenos Aires Café's make-at-home empanada dinner
Treat yourself to a make-at-home Argentinian empanada dinner (credit: Buenos Aires Café)

Want to channel your inner Argentinian? Buenos Aires Café is here to make it easy! Besides dancing the tango and tossing back some Malbec, the make-at-home empanada kit from Buenos Aires Café is a fun way to show off your South American style.

Their take-home Amaro tastings and date night kits from their Milonga Room speakeasy are also excellent ways to do so for drinkers with a sophisticated or adventurous palate. Another way to celebrate Argentinian flair is to enjoy an upcoming cooking class with Chef Reina Morris and Paola Guerrero-Smith. Or you can try a date night with Guerrero-Smith and her husband.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink, Food, Food & Drink, Local Business Tagged With: virtual

Whiskey Lovers Need This Milam & Greene Distillery Edition Straight Bourbon

August 26, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Milam and Greene has created a perfect Texas whiskey
Milam & Greene has created a perfect Texas whiskey

Breaking Texas whiskey news! Our friends at Milam & Greene have just launched their super limited, grain-to-glass, Distillery Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Three years in the making, it’s a show stopper, a true culmination of years of brewing, distilling, and blending. Starting August 22, 2020, you can secure your reservation for a bottle on their website for pickup at their Blanco Distillery.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink, Food & Drink Tagged With: cocktails, distillery, texas whiskey

Beerburg Brewing Puts the “Wild” in Wildcraft Beer and Serves Up Deliciousness

August 8, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Beerburg Brewing golden beer at sunset
The golden hour and a golden beer go together at Beerburg (Credit: Beerburg Brewing)

You need to go to Beerburg Brewing. Like, yesterday. I mean it. Read this, then drive on over. Or make plans to. You’ll be happy you did! This is my new favorite place, and here are the many reasons why….

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Drink, Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: beer, craft beer, tacos

Save Austin Businesses with Online Experiences

June 30, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Two sushi chefs standing in a clean shiny restaurant kitchen
Make your own sushi at home with Uroko’s online sushi class.

Looking for a way to spice up your quarantine routine and support small Austin businesses during the pandemic? Lift Austin businesses up in their time of need with virtual experiences.

Editor’s note: This article previously featured the BeenThere Locals online platform; however, BeenThere is no longer hosting online classes/tastings. But, there are still a lot of great online experiences being offered by Austin businesses, as listed below.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business

Austin’s Service Industry Pandemic Survival Guide 2020

April 29, 2020 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Jester King Brewery country store during COVID-19 Pandemic in Central Texas
Jester King Brewery opened up a country store for the duration of the crisis (Credit: Dawn the Gourmand)

The way to Austin’s heart is through its belly, am I right? We’re so lucky to live in a town with endless tantalizing tastes. But how will restaurants survive this unprecedented time? Will our favorite eateries still be there when the dust settles? I genuinely hope so, like most of us do.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business

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