Et Cetera - 2/29 - The Austinot

Center for Social Innovation Propels Nonprofits With Intentional Ecosystem

January 30, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Team behind The Center for Social Innovation (L-R): Dan Graham, Matt McDonnell, Daryl Kunik, Michael Hsu

Guest article by Sarah Snyder

Going to a construction site is always intriguing, especially when hard hats are required. My behind-the-scenes look at The Center for Social Innovation, Springdale General’s current project, was especially fun considering the center’s purpose to serve the social impact community in Austin.

Wait until you read about all the nonprofits and social good companies planning to come together at this east Austin hub.

[Read more…]

9 Austin Bars With Winter Drinks to Try This Year

January 10, 2018 by Danielle Fritz 2 Comments

Imagine your ideal winter wonderland with a hot winter drink in hand (Credit: Sarah Jacober Spitzer for Geraldine’s)

Winter weather in Texas is consistent in one aspect: its inconsistency. Regardless of the weather outdoors, here are 9 Austin bars offering winter drinks for any type of weather. [Read more…]

Terminally Ill Patients Receive Gift of Music From Nonprofit Swan Songs

January 5, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Austin musician Ruthie Foster performs at 2017 Swan Song Serenade for the terminally ill
(Credit: Winker Withaneye)

Never underestimate the healing power of music, even if it only lasts for a brief moment. Songs can uplift our moods and move us through difficult times. The gift of music can be so powerful, it can transport us to a different place, entirely.

Music can also bring people together. It may also bring solace to friends and families of loved ones who are terminally ill. Swan Songs, a local nonprofit in Austin, is striving to accomplish just that, and the process is simpler than you might expect. [Read more…]

5 Free Ways to Bring in New Year’s in Austin

December 21, 2017 by Vi Chetan Leave a Comment

Fireworks over downtown Austin (Credit: Kumar Appaiah via Flickr CC)

2017 is almost over, guys! This year flew by in a heartbeat. Austin has inducted many new Austinites, welcomed new establishments, and said goodbye to some loved ones. With 2018 quickly approaching, we think it’s only fair to say so long to 2017 in style. Oh, and it gets better. What we have in mind is not only awesome, but also free to do!

Check out our list of free things to do on New Year’s Eve in Austin. [Read more…]

11 Austin Restaurants Open Christmas Day

December 20, 2017 by Samantha Saenz 3 Comments

The only thing harder than finding someone who was born and raised in Austin is finding a good restaurant that’s open past midnight on the weekends, or at all during the holidays. Over Christmas, Austin becomes much like a ghost town. If you find yourself in search of sustenance on Dec. 25, here’s a list of places where you can eat, drink, and be merry. [Read more…]

7 Days to Christmas, 7 Things to Do in Austin

December 18, 2017 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

7 Things to Do in Austin With 7 Days to Christmas

Credit: Christopher V. Sherman/Over Austin

Pull out your phone and take a peek. See the date? As of today, there are only seven days until Christmas! If that statement just plunged you into a minor panic, don’t fret. Whether you still need to check off the boxes on your shopping list, take the kids out for holiday fun, or treat yourself to a night on the town, here are seven Austin events for the last seven days of the Christmas season. [Read more…]

Enjoy Austin Ice Skating on Whole Foods Rooftop

December 18, 2017 by Brittany Highland 3 Comments

Bring your friends and family for fun on the ice (Credit: Whole Foods Market)

Ice skate on the rooftop of Whole Foods Market, now through Jan. 15, 2018!

Austin ice skating has returned to the rooftop plaza at Whole Foods Market’s flagship store for its 13th season. Enjoy this festive, wintry activity at the landmark location on North Lamar Boulevard between 5th and 6th Streets. It is real ice, so Austinites can [Read more…]

Pease Park Conservancy Works to Revitalize Beloved Green Space

December 15, 2017 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

The playground at Pease Park occupies a small part of the total 84 acres (Credit: Jim Allen via Flickr CC)

One of the city’s oldest and most iconic green spaces lies in the heart of Austin: Pease Park. It’s spread out over an astounding 84 acres between West 15th and West 31st Streets, along Lamar Boulevard. You may recognize the park as the location of the extremely fun and exciting Eeyore’s Birthday Party every spring.

If you haven’t been to the park on any other occasion, then you’re missing out. Pease Park is a perfect place to enjoy nature with happy picnics, birthday parties, peaceful nature walks, and other recreational activities. And Pease Park Conservancy promises even more with “Art at the Park” and development plans. [Read more…]

Activities, Shopping, and Dining on Christmas Eve in Austin

December 11, 2017 by Samantha Saenz 1 Comment

Spinning under the Zilker Tree is a memorable way to spend Christmas Eve in Austin (Credit: Over Austin)

While a good portion of the country is enjoying a white Christmas bundled up by the fire, sippin’ hot cocoa, some Austinites are still enjoying margaritas on patios.

While spending the holiday season this way may not put you in the Christmas spirit, it’s still the most wonderful time of the year. If you need a break from that 24-hour Christmas movie marathon or want to snag a last-minute gift, then head out on the town to partake in (mostly) family-friendly events with this ultimate guide to Christmas Eve in Austin. [Read more…]

Black Ball Awards $230,000 to Austin Musicians at Paramount Theatre

December 10, 2017 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Sixteen bands performed on the iconic Paramount Theatre stage Saturday night, as Austin nonprofit Black Fret awarded $230,000 in grants to 19 local bands at its annual Black Ball. For all the gowns and tuxedos in the audience, the atmosphere was informal and upbeat. Excited whoops and friendly heckling were directed towards the stage, and the few technical delays were shrugged off with a sense of humor.

We were there to celebrate. The first award winner of the night, Jackie Venson, told attendees she wasn’t going anywhere because of Austin’s vibrant support system for musicians. “There’s no HAAM in New York. There’s no SIMS [Foundation] in Chicago.”

With a fair amount of negativity directed towards Austin’s growth and subsequent affordability issues, one might assume the ecosystem for musicians is in decline. While we have work to do as a city, Black Ball showcased a vibrant community of musicians being propelled toward success through Black Fret grants. [Read more…]