Leah Nyfeler - The Austinot

X Games, ROT Rally Provide Flat-Track Racing Fix

June 6, 2016 by Leah Nyfeler 1 Comment

Crowd of motorcycles X Games Austin Flat Track Racing

Austin, TX – June 2, 2016 – Circuit of The Americas: Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing during X Games Austin 2016 (Credit: Gabriel Christus/ESPN Images)

The gate drops and 24 twin-engine motorcycles leap forward in screaming unison. The elbow-to-elbow pack surges, speeding ahead on the flat track at more than 100 miles per hour. In seconds, they’ve reached the first turn; riders lean sharply in a horse-powered ballet. As one steel-toed booted foot skims the packed soil, each jockeys for position.

The crowd roars, thirsty for more.

Welcome to the world of Flat-Track Racing.

Like what you saw at X Games? Austin fans are in luck; we’ve got another chance to watch Flat-Track Racing this coming weekend. And Austin riders, you can go to school with X Games athlete and American Motorcyclist Association Pro champion Brad “The Bullet” Baker. [Read more…]

X Games and Austin Share a Sweet Goodbye

June 2, 2016 by Leah Nyfeler 2 Comments

Doc’s Motorworks celebrates X Games Austin (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Since 2014, ESPN X Games and Austin have been a committed couple. But every relationship, no matter how sweet, eventually comes to an end, and so ESPN recently announced its search for a new 2017–2018 host city. While X Games Vice President Tim Reed said he “wouldn’t rule out” a return, he stated that a later summer date would mean the Austin venue was just too darn hot for spectators and athletes.

As a final farewell, X Games has made a few additions and subtractions, changes designed to leave athletes and Austin’s action sports fans separating on the best of terms. [Read more…]

Austin Trails and Parks Revealed With Indepth Interactive Map

May 12, 2016 by Leah Nyfeler 9 Comments

Have you ever stumbled across a website that made your jaw drop? That caused you to wonder, “How have I never found this before?”

Thanks to City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Allison Hardy, I discovered a wonderful resource that every outdoor enthusiast in Austin should have bookmarked.

How Long Is the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail?

Alexander Banach and Hendrix end their walk at the Zilker trailhead. The 0 marker does double duty. It’s for the Violet Crown Trail (shown) as well as the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail (the map and sign are located on the side facing Banach). (Credit: Leah Nyfeler)

Quick answer: Point-to-point, the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail is 7.5 miles, but the total amount of Austin Parks and Recreation Department-maintained trail totals 12.68 miles. [Read more…]

SXSW Interactive 2016 Spans Sports, Style and Everything Between

March 16, 2016 by Leah Nyfeler 1 Comment

Shorthand, it’s “SXSW,” but Austin’s incredible 30-year-old celebration is fully titled “SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals.” If movies and music are the only festival images you mentally conjure, you’ve missed out on perhaps the richest and most diverse component: SXSW Interactive.

SXSW Interactive features an incredible array of programming. Throughout its lifespan, it has evolved beyond technology and gaming. Now, convergence tracks, which are open to multiple badges, include SXsports, SX Health & MedTech, SouthBites, SXgood, SXstyle, and Online Harassment Summit.

This is an incomplete [Read more…]

Pack Like a Local for SXSW in Austin

March 7, 2016 by Leah Nyfeler 2 Comments

“Greetings from Austin,” considered by some to be the grandfather of Austin street art

You’ve been poring over the SXSW schedule for days, mapping seminars, meet-ups and events. While the great team at SXSW has provided tons of festival details, you’re still not sure what to pack. Here are helpful suggestions for what you’ll need to experience SXSW like a local. [Read more…]

Free Workout Day With Musical Performances to Support Local Students

February 16, 2016 by Leah Nyfeler 4 Comments

Can you sit still when good music fills the air? I can’t.

HEAT Bootcamp is hoping you’ll want to pair a good workout with some awesome tunes. On Feb. 20, Austinites can work up a good sweat and meet the young musicians whose lives are directly touched by their charitable donations at HEAT Bootcamp’s free community fundraiser for local nonprofit Anthropos Arts. [Read more…]

Waller Creek Conservancy Lights Up Downtown Austin

November 13, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 1 Comment

Light installation created by Clark Richardson Architects for Creek Show 2015

“The Natural Unnatural” created by Clark Richardson Architects, located near 8th Street. (Credit: Waller Creek Conservancy)

Back for its second year, the Waller Creek Conservancy’s Creek Show 2015 celebrates downtown’s bright future. Despite last year’s cold weather, more than 5,000 people turned out to stroll along Waller Creek amid creative, site-specific light installations.

The event has been expanded this year. From Nov. 12-21, 2015, Austinites can explore the beauty waiting beneath Austin’s city streets. [Read more…]

Austin’s Artists Open Doors for Annual East Austin Studio Tour

October 28, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 2 Comments

Crowd at Canopy art center during 2014 EAST

Canopy, an eastside art center, houses several studios, including Keith Kreeger’s. (Credit: Big Medium)

Sprouting signs for East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) are a sure sign that fall is here. The 14th annual EAST neighborhood event has artists of all mediums throughout east Austin sprucing up studios and putting finishing touches on art pieces for another wonderful community celebration of creativity. [Read more…]

Texas Conference for Women Takes the Town This Week

October 13, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 3 Comments

Thousands of women will be in Austin on Thursday, Oct. 15, for the 2015 Texas Conference for Women. For more than 16 years, this one-day gathering has provided a platform for women from all walks of life to network, find inspiration and hone professional skills.

Hundreds of speakers are scheduled, including nationally-known figures such as actress Patricia Arquette, television anchor Robin Roberts, community advocate Connie Chang and businessman Bert Jacobs. There’s an incredible array of local talent (see the list at the end of this article). The day is full of roundtable discussions, breakout sessions, book signings, exhibitions and even musical performances.

With so much going on, the day might seem overwhelming. The most challenging aspect may be deciding where to spend your time. Here’s just one of the successful local women lending her voice and experience to creating a memorable day at the 2015 Texas Conference for Women. [Read more…]

Success for Benjamin Soap Co. Is So Fresh, So Clean

September 30, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler Leave a Comment

Could you create a successful business with funds found in your closet? How about turn the laundry room into a production facility? What about solve a child’s health problem and find your passion all in one bubbling pot? [Read more…]

How Long Is the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail?

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