Good News Austin: Breakfast Dives & Weekend Fun

One of my favorite things to do when the kids were little was to load them up in the car on a Saturday morning ~ still in their pj’s ~ and head out to get hot delicious donuts at ‘historic’ Round Rock Donuts. Click & listen:

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Love Austin: Frank

Have you had a chance to ‘meet the team?‘ Kate is posting images of Austin: The people, places and locales that just say, ‘Austin.’  This week, it’s Frank/ATX

I stumbled up on this beautiful sign on my way to a happy hour with friends and the word ‘coffee’ immediately caught my eye. I love the type and colors– white brick and creamy orange.

Maybe make it next week’s dinner or coffee stop? I’m okay with combining waffle fries and coffee.

written and captured by kate

Austin Fires: How to Help

Austin ~ the city I love. Texas ~ the state I adore: Faced with a challenge. Fires. Breaking out all over the central Texas area. Most recently, in Austin at Steiner Ranch. In Leander. In Cedar Creek. In Spicewood. In Smithville. In Bastrop.

In Bastrop alone, the fire spread to more than 25,000 acres. And destroyed 500 homes. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated.

Closer to home the fire dominated Steiner Ranch, where many of our church members and staff live. Families evacuated late Sunday night in a panic ~ and are still not able to return to see the condition of their homes. The fire destroyed at least 24 homes and damaged 30 others.

Unsettling news. And the winds still blow ~ threatening more Texas towns and neighborhoods.

In times like these caring people ask: What can I do? How can I help?

You do the only thing you can do.

You do what you can …

For my girls, it meant singing songs for weary people in need of encouragement at a Red Cross evacuee center.

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Love Austin: Sno Beach

Have you had a chance to ‘meet the team?‘ Kate will be posting images of Austin: The people, places and locales that just say, ‘Austin.’

Summer and Sno Beach on Barton Springs Road … two sweet sisters.

My favorite combo is coconut ~ watermelon. And of course, the friendly bees.

written and captured by kate

 

Good News Austin: Ballet Austin

Ballet Austin: Founded back in 1956 by Barbara Carson (read all about her here). Ballet Austin is not only one of the largest ballet schools in the US but they are also the talented folks that put on the The Nutcracker every Christmas (Ticket info here. If you’ve never seen it, you simply must!)

Well, not only is Ballet Austin an icon full to the brim with talented ballerinas but they also teach lots of different kinds of dance. And if you used to take dance or you’ve always wanted to try dance, I’ve got good news!

This weekend, Ballet Austin is inviting all of us to Come Dance! And it’s free!

The details are here. Take a listen:

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To see the schedule, click here.

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Hear Good New Austin live on Spirit 105.9 FM

 

Good News Austin: Bat Fest

It was my dad that taught me not to fear bats. He loves bats.

He served on the board at Bat Conservation International for years. My dad was the one that took our whole family to Bracken Cave (not too far from Austin) ~ to watch the bats literally swirl out of the ground. (Watch the dramatic video here.).

Why, my dad even managed to drag my mom on some international trip somewhere to see the bats in the jungle. They stayed in huts. Slept in hammocks. To see the bats in their natural environment. Not joking. Explains why we call him … well, just take a listen: [Read more...]

Good News Austin: Top Notch

Top Notch, the brave 70′s stand-out on Burnet Road, is having an extravaganza you’ll want to take advantage of … we’re talking live music, food specials, completely Austintacious. Details here:

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Though I wonder if the event might be a little bittersweet because recently, Top Notch founder Frances Stanish, lost her battle to cancer.  [Read more...]

Love: Austin

Austin, Texas. It’s my home. I was born and raised here. And I think it’s a pretty special place. Matter of fact, in all the years I’ve lived here I’ve never heard anyone say this …

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I could go on and on about Austin. Talking about the people, places and passions that make Austin so fabulously weird and wonderful.

If you don’t have the pleasure of living here, I’d like to invite you for a visit. I promise we’ll make you feel at home. And I guarantee, Austin will make you smile … it might even make you want to do the happy dance. It’s kind of infectious like that.

Why this little hippie chick jumped in Lake Austin and couldn’t help doing the happy dance.

I know all this talk kind of confirms the fact that I’m a self-appointed Austin ambassador … along with about six to seven hundred thousand other great folks that call Austin home.

That’s some serious love …

Whether you live in Austin or you come for a visit in the near future ~ I’d like for you to feel the love so I’ve corralled a few other ‘Austin ambassadors’ to help spread the good news about Austin.

Roxanne’s going to dish about delicious Austin restaurants (she yelps gut-level honest reviews ~ gracious!) and fantastic happy hours. Kate’s going to share some gorgeous Austin photos that highlight the weird, wonderful and the spectacular in this city we call home. And I’ll still be sharing the ‘Good News’ that I find hidden all over town ~ cause there’s plenty of it!

If you live here, give a shout out and let me know why you love Austin.

And if you don’t … road trip baby! C’mon! We can’t wait for y’all to get here. :)

{Check our more good news on the radio in Austin  …}

Good News Austin: Ice Cream Festival

Last night, I experienced a guilty pleasure and there’s only one thing that I can think of that would have made it better …

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Be an ice cream hero! Gather your friends, get the kids and head on down to Waterloo Park.

It’s super easy to find … [Read more...]

Good News Austin: Open Arms

If you’re like me, your kids bring home loads of t-shirts … so many that you don’t know what in the world to do with them.

Well, I’ve got Good News! There are some fabulous somebodies right here in Austin that are utilizing and re-purposing all those extra t-shirts into chic clothing items. And they’re doing it with refugee/designers from all over the world.

Flourish Gray Skirt from The Open Arms Shop

You’ll love this one …

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Learn more, get involved and hear the stories at Open Arms.

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