Joleen Jernigan - 5/5 - The Austinot

TMBBQ Fest Brings the Heat and the Meat to Austin

November 1, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan 2 Comments

Table full of samples at TMBBQ Fest

Texas Monthly invited 27 BBQ purveyors to participate in the 7th annual TMBBQ Fest at the Long Center on Oct. 30, 2016. Austin pitmasters represented our city well, claiming five of the coveted spots at the festival and sharing the stage with others from among the top 50 pitmasters in Texas.

The pitmasters, crews and volunteers brought in their smokers early to set up for the meat-tasting extravaganza of the year. A hungry horde of roughly 3,500 eaters put on their game faces and lined up for grub. Some families planned their tasting strategy ahead of time, employing a divide and conquer strategy. Others meandered about, going where the day and their noses led them.

The five Austin participants included Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue, Freedmen’s, Stiles Switch and Lambert’s. Here’s what you missed. [Read more…]

The SEED Redefines ESL Classes in Austin With Input From Students

October 28, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Open discussion at The SEED class at Houston Elementary School in Austin (Credit: The SEED)

The SEED offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to adults in Austin, emphasizing participation and community building. Learners are engaged community members and participants in their own educational experience. They give input on various aspects of the classes, including what they want to learn, what type of outreach or fundraising they want to do, and how much time they want to spend on a given task. [Read more…]

5 Grown-up Austin Wine Venues With Tasty Food Options

October 13, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan 4 Comments

Lenoir’s sun-dappled wine garden also offers savory dishes and desserts

Find your wine-soaked bliss paired with delicious food at these classy Austin wine locales. All these places will satisfy your cravings for delicious wine and food, and won’t break the bank if you plan ahead. [Read more…]

Breathing New Life Into Historic Scoot Inn’s Funky Old Bones

September 23, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Historic Scoot Inn has spruced up the front patio in celebration of 145 years

Why do dive bars capture our hearts so much? Historic Scoot Inn has tenaciously hung in there as one of the most popular dive bars in Austin. And now this east side venue has swept out the cobwebs with a facelift for its 145th birthday.

That’s right: this beloved East 4th Street location has served as some type of local business since 1871. While Historic Scoot Inn still possesses a tattered, endearing charm, it’s less tattered now. The owners just completed a remodel, gently nudging this East Austin icon into the modern era. [Read more…]

ALL ATX Showcase and CD to Support Austin Musicians

September 16, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Todd Rundgren and other performing musicians thanking the crowd at the 2015 ALL ATX benefit concert
(Credit: ALL ATX)

ALL ATX advocates for and nurtures Austin’s musicians, and strives to aid Austin in keeping musicians here and cared for. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ALL ATX is adding new beneficiaries this year to best meet the needs of local musicians, needs highlighted in the 2015 Austin Music Census Report.

The proceeds from the Sept. 29ALL ATX 2016 Showcase and accompanying CD, both titled “Low Down Violet Crown: Austin Rocks the Blues,” will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, Black Fret and Austin Music Foundation, four organizations that give direct support to Austin musicians. [Read more…]

GenWaller Brings Young Professionals Together for Austin Conservancy

September 14, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Waller Creek Clean-up (Credit: Vincent Colvin)

Austin boasts a vibrant outdoor culture. This is part of our charm. The Waller Creek Conservancy is bringing us more park space in which to recreate and Generation Waller, known as GenWaller, offers a myriad of ways to get involved.

GenWaller provides young professionals a way to become involved in the Waller Creek Conservancy initiative. The Waller Creek Conservancy is creating a large, multipurpose green space in the heart of Austin. GenWaller holds events focused on networking, education, physical involvement and inspiration. Some recent events have included park clean-up, happy hours, kayak tours, concerts, kickball tournaments and removal of invasive plant species. The organization is recruiting new members from among Austin professionals. This is a great group to join! [Read more…]

3 New South Austin Hangouts That Capture the Classic Vibe

August 11, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan 8 Comments

Enjoying the outdoor seating at South Austin’s The Little Darlin’

Guest article by Joleen Jernigan

If the one constant in life is change (to loosely paraphrase Heraclitus), then Austin is as constant as they come, changing monthly to accommodate rapid growth. So it’s a genuine pleasure to find three shiny, new South Austin hangouts that honor the laid-back feel of old Austin. At least in this case, change is good. [Read more…]