Leah Nyfeler - The Austinot

Arts, Athleticism Shine with Blue Lapis Light Performances

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Blue Lapis Light performance (Credit: Earl McGehee)

For some, hitting the dance floor can be challenging. Imagine executing those same moves while hanging in air. Now, take that scenario to the side of a downtown building, underneath the I-35 bridge, or suspended from 25-foot high scaffolding.

Welcome to the world of Austin’s Blue Lapis Light.

Blue Lapis Light is a site-specific dance company that combines the art of dance and music, athleticism, aerial silks and the drama of Austin’s skyline into unique yearly shows. Their current performance, Edge of Grace, serves additional functions. It gives the public a look at Blue Lapis Light’s new south Austin studio location, while celebrating 10 years of creative performance and educational outreach. [Read more…]

Local Businesses Support Mind and Body on Airport Blvd

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Austin is full of hidden treasures. Advertised primarily by word of mouth and catering to a devoted clientele, the cluster of businesses on the corner of E 38 1/2 St and Airport Blvd is one such treasure. With a holistic synergy, these locally owned services offer one-stop shopping to nourish the body and mind.

Here’s a look at six businesses that make up this unique community. [Read more…]

Step by Step Guide to Austin’s Long Anticipated Violet Crown Trail

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

A large part of the beauty of Violet Crown Trail is its varied landscape – While some sections are smooth and shady, like this, others are rockier and hilly (Credit: Hanna Cofer)

How’d you like to hike, run and bike your way across 30 miles of pathway connecting central Austin to Hays County? Thanks to Violet Crown Trail, local nature lovers will soon be able to do just that. [Read more…]

Love the Outdoors? Want to Meet People? Try EPIC

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Outdoor lifestyle on Lady Bird Lake (Credit: Hill Country Conservancy)

One of the best ways to make connections in any city is to find folks who share your passion. If you love Austin’s outdoor lifestyle, meeting up with EPIC may be the path to finding a new circle of friends.

They’ll also guide you to Austin’s newest trail. [Read more…]

Dane’s Body Shop Is New Fitness Stop on Manor Road

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Dane's Body Shop opens on Manor Road in Austin

The new homegrown gym on Manor Road is right across from local market in.gredients

Austin is known for its good food, live music and hopping bar scene, and existing establishments on Manor Road check each of these boxes.

But there’s another important facet to life in Austin: fitness. Thanks to local boutique gym Dane’s Body Shop’s expansion to 2701 Manor Road, this up and coming eastside city artery will soon have it all. [Read more…]

Little Free Library Makes Books Accessible Along Austin Roadsides

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Little Free Library mounted on fence in front yard

Libraries need to be easy to access, like this one in West Austin mounted on a fence

Perhaps you’ve seen one — a small case in a neighbor’s front yard filled with books. A sign attached encourages passers-by to “take a book, return a book.”

Curious? These Little Free Libraries combine social good with signature Austin weirdness to encourage reading in the community.

I first discovered these unique lending libraries while walking in my East Austin neighborhood. One morning, I noticed a clever little case fashioned from a tree stump in a neighbor’s front yard. Sometime later, I realized my regular Friday morning group run through West Austin passed another little library, this one built into a fence. Once aware of their existence, I started spotting little libraries all over town.

[Read more…]

You’re in for Big Air and High Speed at X Games Austin 2015

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

X Games Austin 2014 downtown (Credit: JTpics.com)

In 2014, more than 160,000 fans poured into Circuit of The Americas for Austin’s inaugural X Games. Though ESPN doesn’t release numbers, Tim Reed, Vice President of ESPN X Games, labeled the event a success: “Austin was a great fit–music, culture, lifestyle–for action sports.” And now X Games is back in town for its second year, and these upcoming four days will be epic. As Reed reminded reporters, “X Games never does anything twice.” [Read more…]

9 Lap Swimming Spots Around Austin

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

At Deep Eddy, one pool serves both recreational and lap swimmers (Credit: City of Austin PARD, Aquatics Office)

Visiting Austin and need a watery workout? Love to swim laps but hate paying for a club or committing to group lessons? Austin has several great pools for those who like to drop in and bliss out to the lane’s black stripe.

Here are nine Austin area pools that have drop-in lap swimming. Check individual websites for fees, which vary according to age, residency and pass discounts. [Read more…]

Is the Greenbelt Open? Reliable Answers to Common Questions

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Flooded Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue in Austin

Stevie Ray Vaughan surveys a flooded city (Credit: Holp Photography)

When bad weather strikes, it’s important to get accurate information about conditions before heading out onto Austin’s trails and waterways. Here are several common questions with reliable resources to quickly answer whether the time is right to enjoy Austin’s many outdoor recreational areas. [Read more…]

Hill Country Day Trip Guide: Elgin, TX

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Elgin offers a taste of what the old days in Texas were like (Credit: The Second Shooter)

Have you ever stopped in Elgin? I’m not talking about gassing up on a trip or pulling over to grab a sausage (or two) at Meyer’s Texas BBQ or Southside Market. Downtown Elgin lies off the beaten path of US Hwy 290 and offers unique charms. To get a taste of small town Texas from yesteryears, make the short trip east for some weekend fun. [Read more…]

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