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MEN’S HEALTH, MALE FERTILITY, AND SEXUAL MEDICINE. WESTLAKE IVF
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PROVIDING CARE FOR MEN IN THE AREAS OF: • Vasectomy reversals (Mini-Incision Microsurgical and da Vinci Robot Assisted Vasectomy Reversals) • Male Infertility • Sperm Retrieval • Erectile Dysfunction • No-Scalpel Vasectomy • Peyronie’s Disease (abnormal curvature)
Specializes in providing care for men in the areas of infertility and sexual health The only physician in Austin with Specialty Fellowship training in Vasectomy Reversals and Reproductive Urology
• Low Testosterone • Premature Ejaculation • Adult Circumcision/repair of incomplete circumcision • Surgical treatment of testicular pain • Treatment of fluid around the testicle causing swelling and pain (hydroceles and spermatoceles) • Placement of penile prosthesis implants • Placement of testicular prosthesis
512.444.1414 | www.austinmenshealth.com SOUTH AUSTIN: 4303 James Casey, Suite B, Austin, TX 78745 WESTLAKE: 300 Beardsley Lane, Building B, Austin, TX 78746
It’s the little things in life that are worth TRYING for. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE: • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) • Ovulation Induction • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) • da Vinci robot-assisted Tubal Reversals & Myomectomies • Medical & Surgical Treatment of Infertility • Vasectomy Reversals • Male Infertility/Sperm Retrieval • Low Testosterone • Erectile Dysfunction • Peyronie’s Disease
Appointments available at two Austin locations: Westlake Location | 300 Beardsley Ln, Bldg B, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746 South Location | 4303 James Casey, Suites A & B, Austin, TX 78745
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4   ATX MAN summer 2012
atx man summer | contents
42 ➜
On the Cover: Evan Smith of The Texas Tribune
48
Feature:
Second Acts: Finding your calling later in life.
atx man summer | contents
The ultimate nine holes for any golf aficionado.
32
The "Xtreme 19th" hole at Legends Golf and Safari Resort in South Africa.
Mark Hamburger of the Round Rock Express sports seven summer looks.
style
12 The Buzz Roundup 14 On the Scene Photos 16 Austin Innovator: Kevin Benz 18 Siren Songs: Rockers of SXSW 20 You Should Know: Colin Pope
53 On the Town: Mark Hamburger of the
the good life
58 Health: The Benefits of Massage 60 Fitness: Boot Camp Basics 62 Family Man: Crazy Sports Dads 64 Finance: Alternative Assets 66 Legal: Prenup Advice 68 Opposite Sex: How Austin Men
22 Barkeep's Call: Moonshine 24 Trailer Treats: The Seedling Truck 26 Good Eats: Rock Star Paul Qui 28 Guilty Pleasure: Travaasa Massage 30 Philanthropy: The Shade Project 32 Golf Special: The Ultimate Nine Holes 36 Golf Special: Golfing with Willie 38 Golf Special: A Golfer's Library 40 Golf Special: Brian Jones'
Round Rock Express
54 Four Summer Looks for Any Occasion 56 Accessories: Summer Shades
in the know
Compare
70 Relationships: Financial Infidelity 72 Last Word from Roy Spence
Sports Report on the cover // evan smith:Photo by Cody Hamilton. Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, Rae Cosmetics, raecosmetics.com.
Bottom photo by Annie Ray.
53
the buzz
“Our mission is to provide you, our patients, with comprehensive, state-of-the-art VOLume 2, issue 1 Co-Founder and Publisher
Melinda Maine Garvey Co-Founder and Publisher
Christopher Garvey Executive Editor
Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Art Director
Victoria Millner ad designer
Jennifer Day marketing and operations director
Dustin Woodhead
dental care in a comfortable setting where you will be treated like part of our family.”
marketing and operations associate
Sadie Barton Account Executives
Katie Lesnick, Arielle Levy, Kimberly Sanderson, Charmie Stryker, 512.328.2421 associate editor
Molly McManus copy editor
Chantal Rice Contributors
Rudy Arocha, Sadie Barton, John T. Davis, Eric Doggett, Ayanna Estelle, Cody Hamilton, James W. Hamilton III, Tiffany Harelik, Ashley Hargrove, John A. Hay III, Christine Imperatore, Eric Leech, Molly McManus, Rachel Merriman, Ryan Nail, Clay Nichols, Russell Pawlowski, Annie Ray, Roy Spence, Chad Swiatecki, Erica Todd, Steve Uhler, Michelle Valles Interns
Hillary Broussard, Ayanna Estelle, Jane Field, Christine Imperatore, Mari Jamaleldine, Molly Keith, Brian Meller, Rachel Merriman, Erica Todd, Ashley Valenzuela
- B.J. Myers D.D.S.
Great Smiles Breed Success
atx man - austin man magazine is a free publication of AW Media, Inc. and is available at more than 650 locations throughout the greater Austin area.
submission requirements Visit atxman.com/contribute or contact ideas@ atxman.com. For copies of articles, call 512.328.2421.
AW MEDIA, INC. 1213 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756 512.328.2421 • Fax 512.328.8689 • awmediainc.com Copyright © 2012 by Aw Media inc. all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.
www.MyersDental.com 8430 Spicewood Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78759 512.506.9430
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PRESENTS A NIGHT OF TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER June 14
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deborah hamilton-lynne Executive Editor
Photo by Korey Howell.
o
ne year ago, we began an adventure, an adventure with a mission. Our mission was to provide a forum for the men of Austin, to feature the most interesting men in town, to report about their businesses, their philanthropic endeavors and the things that were on their minds. As a female editor in uncharted territory, I had no idea where the adventure would lead, but I am pleased to say that I have one word for the men of Austin: intriguing. By definition, that means you have aroused my curiosity or interest by unusual, new or otherwise fascinating qualities, as was the case with all of our cover men: Roy Spence, Brian Jones, Robert and Clint Strait, and Turk Pipkin. Intriguing men have compelling qualities; look no further than our Austin Innovators and Men to Know: Josh Frank, Roger Hazard, Russ Apfel, Tim Neece and Freddy Fletcher, JB Hagar and Paul Boukadakis, Richard Sorenson and David Dart. Intriguing men also captivate and are appealing: the Austin spirit makers, men of the arts, father-son duos and founders of the RISE Conference. I have eagerly awaited the Last Word from Roy Spence and was thrilled when he suggested that 2012 be the first Year of the Giving Man. In each issue, our columnists have intrigued me with their food alerts and with their advice on health, fitness, legal matters, finance and relationships. And the most intriguing thing is that we have barely scratched the surface! So, we begin our second year by renewing our commitment to excellence and to bringing you the best and the brightest this city has to offer. Although he swears that he is “the most boring man in Austin,” we begged to differ and were curious to learn what makes super politico and founder of The Texas Tribune, Evan Smith, tick. We were compelled to learn more about fellow communicators Kevin Benz of CultureMap and Colin Pope of the Austin Business Journal. We were captivated and delighted by Mark Hamburger of the Round Rock Express, who agreed to do our first man-about-town style shoot. We were fascinated by James Beard Award winner and top chef Paul Qui. We wanted to know more about men who found satisfying careers in their second acts of life, and the best no-holds-barred golf holes in the world. When our Latin beauty, Michelle Valles, left Austin for the bright lights of LA, we had to know how the men of Austin stacked up. It seems that Austin men and ATX Man have both “stacked up” very well. We are encouraged by the positive response and support we have received in one short year, and hope that we can continue to build upon your loyalty as readers. In another sense of the word, intrigue speaks to one of my favorite male icons: James Bond. Here’s looking at you for inspiration, 007, and hoping that the second year of ATX Man will be a more intriguing adventure than the last. So whether you like yours shaken or stirred, let us know how we can intrigue you. I am always looking for a great story.
contributors
Baldwin photo by Julie Soefer; Davis photo by Mary Keating Bruton; Ray photo by Jake Holt.
Annie Ray was born in Lewisville, TX. She grew up in an Italian-Jewish family and moved to Austin three years ago after graduating from the University of North Texas with a bachelor of fine arts in photography. Annie has always loved photographing people. One of her gifts as a photogratpher is her ability to capture a moment in someone's life in the images she produces. Some of her favorite things besides photography are her 20-pound cats, Christmas, gummy bears and astrology.
Selected as Austin Man Magazine’s Guilty Pleasure ~ December 2011
Come in, relax and enjoy a full service Men’s barbershop.
The managing editor of CultureMap Houston, Chris Baldwin spent a good portion of his life golfing throughout the world while at worldgolf.com. He likes to think he's the worst golfer to play many of the best courses in the world. He’s interviewed everyone from Reggie Jackson to Justin Timberlake on golf’s obsessive hold. He’s also covered four World Series, four NBA Finals, three Stanley Cup Finals and two Final Fours. Now at CultureMap, he’s helping lead the editorial coverage of a groundbreaking daily online magazine in the state he never wanted to visit, but quickly fell in love with.
Haircuts | Shaves | Color Treatments | Manicures | Waxing Ser vices | Facials | Chair
Lauren Lumsden is the director of operations and lead makeup artist for Rae Cosmetics, where she has worked for the past four years. She was personally trained as a professional makeup artist by the owner and creator, Rochelle Rae. Experienced in television, film, print, runway and bridal services, Lauren has gained a reputation as a premier makeup artist. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has been an Austinite since 2001.
Visit Finley’s online for a list of services, directions and specials @ finleysformen.com
John T. Davis has lived in Austin for more than three decades, writing about the music, personalities and the culture of Texas and the Southwest for a variety of regional, state and national publications. His byline has appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, the Austin Chronicle, Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, San Antonio magazine, Billboard, Newsday and Austin Monthly. Of his cover story in this issue of ATX Man, Davis says, “I never got the Wilco thing, but every magazine writer should have a chance to work with an editor like Evan Smith.”
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atxman.com find more exclusive content online
Play your bucket list Chris Baldwin picks nine holes you must play and they are all in Texas!
Men’s health imaging for all of you. Austin Radiological Association is committed to bringing you the whole spectrum of men’s medical imaging. And we have the advanced technology and expertise to ensure you get the best possible care. ARA offers complete services to help you and your doctor, including: prostate and testicular imaging, cardiac imaging, bone density exams, screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm and EVLT for varicose veins. With 15 locations, it’s easy to find ARA medical imaging services near you.
Sports Reports
b Brian Jones’ Sports Report features a preview of the 2012 Summer Olympics from Kristin Otto and Elijah Perez, with the emphasis on UT track and field stars and UT swimmers, and their chances to bring home the gold. b On The Scene: Dispatches and photos directly from the 2012 Olympics in London, care of our AW Media correspondents Trevor Richards and Julie Tereshchuk.
Foodie Alert
b Highlights from the first Austin Food & Wine Festival. b Bison chili and other gourmet recipes exclusively from High Country Bison.
Book Review
Media icon Dan Rather sets the record straight in his new memoir, Rather Outspoken.
More Golf
ATX Man Insider updates from the JDRF Golf Classic and the Brian Jones Celebrity Golf Classic.
Plus
Concert, film and book reviews. More ATX Man events, first anniversary party and On the Scene photos.
Schedule now at ausrad.com or 512.453.6100
the buzz
Concerts
Formula 1 Expo and Music & Arts Present: Band of the Year 2012 June 16, Moody Theater In order to gear up for the big race in November, Formula 1 has teamed up with Music & Arts for a partnership entirely appropriate for the Live Music Capital of the World. What better way to welcome Formula 1’s presence than with an event featuring some of Austin’s finest musicians? The first part of the evening of this official kick-off event for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix will feature finalists of the Band of the Year competition. The following performance includes an all-star Austin cast of musicians, spotlighting Guy Forsyth, Patrice Pike, John Pointer, Wendy Colonna and Ginger Leigh, backed by a stellar band that includes Nina Singh on drums and Jeff Botta on bass. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. For tickets, visit acl-live.com. Also coming up Foster the People with The Kooks and Kimbra, June 5, The Backyard
Snoop Dogg, June 7, Stubb’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil, June 15, Frank Erwin Center
Festivals Austin City Limits Wins Prestigious Peabody Award Long-running live-music television program ACL recently received a rare Institutional Peabody Award for excellence in television. ACL features Grammy winners as well as local artists, and with 37 past seasons, it is the world’s longestrunning live-music TV program. In 2011, ACL hosted concerts by Widespread Panic, Coldplay, Aretha Franklin and Randy Newman, to name a few.
12 ATX MAN summer 2012
Meat Loaf,
June 22, Moody Theater
Dwight Yoakam, July 12 and 13, Moody Theater 311 and Slightly Stoopid, July 13, Whitewater Amphitheater
Joe Cocker and Huey Lewis & the News, July 22, The Backyard
Crosby, Stills and Nash, Aug. 18, Moody Theater Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Fully Charged, Aug. 22 – 26, Frank Erwin Center
Keep Austin Weird Festival and 5K
The 22nd Annual Hot Sauce Festival
June 23, The Long Center
Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fiesta Gardens
Dudes, it’s that time of year again! It's finally time for the celebration of the great city of Austin with the 10th annual Keep Austin Weird Fest and 5K! Come check out firsthand the one-of-a-kind weirdness of Austin, ranging from psychedelic music to local artisans and even a 5K race that will be sure to leave you wondering why it's even called a race. Bands will be rockin', putting out the groovy vibes at the festival while we Austinites have the privilege of soaking it all in. The festival supports Austin Parks Foundation, the organization that keeps our beautiful parks clean and donates millions of dollars toward improving and maintaining the natural beauty of Austin. keepaustinweirdfest.com
What started as a friendly contest between Austin and San Antonio has become one of the largest hot sauce festivals and contests in the world. Free to the public (with a donation of three healthy, nonperishable food items or a cash donation to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas), the event draws upwards of 15,000 spectators and more than 350 entries each year. austineventsandfestivals.com
Republic of Texas Biker Rally June 7 – 10, Travis County Exposition Center
This festival is the biggest motorcycle rally in Texas and one of the largest motorcycle events in the United States. Enthusiasts come to enjoy the amazing motorcycles, live music, Austin nightlife and, of course, the beautiful Texas women. rotrally.com.
The One App: iGoToo
George Lopez
June 8 and 9, 8 p.m., Paramount Theatre
George Lopez has risen to become one of the premier comedic talents in the entertainment industry through his all-encompassing career on television, film and the stand-up stage. For two seasons, Lopez hosted Lopez Tonight, a latenight television talk show on TBS, which represented Lopez’s return to series television after co-creating, writing, producing and starring in Warner Bros. Television’s groundbreaking hit sitcom George Lopez, which ran for six seasons on ABC. An HBO Comedy favorite, Lopez is also known for multiple Grammy-nominated stand-up CDs. austintheatre.org
5 Free Outdoor Summer Events Blues on the Green
Text by Molly McManus; bottom photo by Turk Pipkin.
Every other Wednesday during the summer, Zilker Park will be filled with thousands of people, blankets and lawn chairs, families and music lovers. As Austin’s largest free concert series, KGSR's Blues on the Green is consistently ranked as a top annual entertainment event, and in its 22nd season, has become a staple of the Austin lifestyle and a very casual and comfortable experience. June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8.
Unplugged at the Grove Showcasing some of the best of Austin’s diverse musical community every Thursday, June through August, 8 p.m. at Shady Grove Restaurant.
Rolling Roadshow Free outdoor movies presented by Alamo Drafthouse. For dates, locations and movie info, visit drafthouse.com/austin/rolling_roadshow.
Lakeside Live Live music every Sunday this summer, 5 to 8 p.m. at Uncle Billy’s Rooftop on Lake Travis.
Ski Shores Café Family-friendly movie nights every Friday night. Live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Leading Austin-based app-development firm Rocksauce Studios has given back to its supporting community by highlighting it in the commercial for the iGoToo app the company developed. iGoToo is your travel companion and was created to answer the needs of the travel community, those who are tired of the same tourist traps and spots where everyone goes. With iGoToo, travelers can get the local flavor of any city they visit, even if it’s a first-time visit: the best places to eat, the best night spots, even the best spots to go on a romantic trip. Create custom tours of your favorite cities, showcasing the spots the typical tourist never finds. Add new and relevant spots to any tour you take and share photos, videos and stories along the way with your favorite social networks. iGoToo is the iPad travel app that every traveler needs by their side! rocksaucestudios.com.
Book: Be a Better Dad Today! By Gregory W. Slayton Written in an encouraging, fun-to-read style by bestselling author Gregory W. Slayton, Be a Better Dad Today! gives 10 tools every father needs for the prosperity of his family. It is designed to help every father become a better dad, a better husband and a better man.
Gadget: Phosphor World Time Sport A great gift for a dad or grad in your life, or even a present to yourself, the World Time Sport E Ink Watch debuts a button-less touch lens and the ability to select from 24 time zones for one display mode. It also allows you to optionally display a second time of your choice, featuring a curved, electronic ink display. It has a sporty, travel-friendly look and is sweat-resistant and water-resistant (up to 30 meters). MSRP: $99. phosphorwatches.com
Willie Nelson Statue
CD: Heroes, Willie Nelson
On April 20, the highly anticipated Willie Nelson statue was unveiled. Sculpted by Clete Shields, Nelson’s statue is located on the corner of Second and Lavaca streets in downtown Austin, appropriately placed outside the Moody Theater, where the Austin City Limits Studio is housed. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell accepted the statue on behalf of the city as a gift from the nonprofit Capital Area Statues. The unveilling of the 8-foot, 1-ton bronze statue occurred at 4:20 p.m., to honor Nelson’s openness about his marijuana use and advocacy for its legalization. Nelson was there, singing his new song, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, with interesting smells rising from a crowd of about 2,000. Stop by and pay homage to Willie. He’ll be waiting for you with his guitar, braids and a smile.
Car: Bentley Continental GTC V8 Convertible
Nelson’s new album dropped May 15, and features artists Merle Haggard, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson. Expect amazing new tracks from this legendary artist with that mellow country sound we’ve come to know and love. Available on Amazon or at willienelsonshop.com.
The perfect ride for the summer! Beautiful and sleek, the remarkable new Bentley V8 engine delivers maximum power, providing an exhilarating performance in the Bentley tradition. bentleymotors.com
atxman.com 1 3
the buzz
On The Scene Beth Coffey, Rich Coffey, Megan Berryman, John Hay & David Courreges.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Evan Smith and Jenifer Sarver
Banner Brunch Photo by Scott Van Osdol.
Russell Hayden, James Latimer, Christopher Garvey, Kyle Chandler, Mark Rook, Brad Leland, Bob Schneider
Beyond the Lights G olf Tournament
Hill Country Ride for AIDS
Photo by Dewy Brooks.
Paul Qui and Tyson Cole. Photo by Molly McManus.
Austin Food & Wine Festival 14   ATX MAN summer 2012
Giving Man Pledge Happy Hour
On The Scene Keri Bellacosa and Greg Walling. Photo courtesy MatthewLemke.com.
Julie & Garrett Hall and Justin & Gail Papermaster
JDRF Toast for a Cure Dustin Woodhead and Carol & Sherwin Field. Photo by Sadie Barton.
Lance and Tracey Gunn. Photo courtesy MatthewLemke.com.
JDRF Hope Ball Shawn Colvin. Photo by Svetlana Frolova.
ATX Man Spring L aunch Party Jack Ingram and Mack & Sally Brown.
The Nobelity Gala
Jame s Street/Mack Brown G olf Shoot-Out atxman.com 1 5
the buzz
Austin Innovator Communications trailblazer Kevin Benz celebrates everything Austin with CultureMap Austin’s one-year anniversary. By Chad Swiatecki, Photo by Rudy Arocha When Kevin Benz starts talking about the many twists, turns and loop-de-loops of his career, the one constant that emerges is that he loves to find new ways to tell people’s stories. It’s what led him from a string of successful television producing and editing jobs in Texas and beyond, to helping develop “the CNN of Austin” (24-hour news station YNN, created more than a decade ago as News 8 Austin), to the founding last year of the online lifestyle magazine CultureMap Austin. “I think I know this city pretty well, but what CultureMap has shown me, thanks to all the great people we have writing for us, is that there are so many great pockets and subcultures I was never a part of or aware of before,” says Benz, 50, a University of Texas graduate and longtime Austin resident. “The food culture here has become so important and dynamic, along with the cocktail culture, music and film scenes that are well-established,” Benz says. “We’re shining a light and celebrating these things that make Austin such an incredible place.” Launched last summer in the image of a sister site that preceded it in Houston, CultureMap Austin is a sleek, sharp and content-rich site that covers everything from entertainment to sports to fashion and the larger abstraction of culture, all from an Austincentric point of view. It’s a site that celebrates the people and places that make Austin one of the most desirable and livable cities in the country. On a recent weekday, its top selection of stories included a piece on the James Beard Award being given to Uchiko chef Paul Qui, a profile of Shearwater drummer Thor Harris and a consumer guide on the city’s best smoothie shops.
16 ATX MAN summer 2012
His role as editor of the site that features dozens of freelancers and a small paid staff finds Benz guiding both its editorial direction and its community presence, which he’s sought to burnish by partnering with major Austin festivals and sponsoring at least one community event per week. “We launched with a certain idea about what will work and what people will respond to and that was something that was nice and easy to read in a magazine style,” Benz says. “You never know until you put it out there, but we’ve been blown away with the response, which has far exceeded any expectations we had. I get two responses when I tell people what I do, and it’s either, ‘What’s CultureMap?’ since we haven’t been around very long, or it’s, ‘I love CultureMap!’ with very little in between.”
and entertained. One way has been partnering with the I Live Here, I Give Here campaign to profile local nonprofits and add donation widgets to those profiles to make it easy for readers to contribute via just a few clicks. While the results weren’t earth-shattering—the Candlelight Ranch charity for special-needs children received more than $1,000 via its profile links—Benz says the
“We’re shining a light and celebrating these things that make Austin such an incredible place.” —kevin benz
With readership growing at 200 to 300 percent each month since CultureMap’s founding, Benz has used the platform to help Austin, as well as keep readers informed
response shows CultureMap is answering a need by keeping Austinites informed about the best of everything that surrounds them. “We’re driving them to action, and that’s good,” he says. “If we help someone find out what’s going on, or appreciate or get involved with the place where they live, that’s dead on with our philosophy and why we do what we do.”
One of over 10,000 reasons why you should play golf on August 27th. A few more reasons: The Brian Jones Celebrity Classic, Twin Creeks Country Club, breakfast, lunch on the course, dinner, and tickets for a pre-tournament party held the evening before. And the best reason of all: all proceeds benefit the 10,000+ kids served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area. For sponsorship information or to reserve your team, call 444-7199 or visit www.bgcaustin.org
2012
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the buzz
Siren Songs The women who rocked the stage at SXSW. By Jane Field
Brittany Howard ➜ Brittany Howard’s voice cracks across a stage like the most heart-stopping sounds of Janis Joplin. Her movements on stage are unassuming, but maybe it’s best that way. When you get a glimpse of her face, you see the ecstasy in the minutiae of her expressions, and the realness that comes from those moments matches her music. Howard’s band is the Alabama Shakes, and while they are wonderful, they seem incidental to her voice. Give us more, Brittany Howard.
Natalie Bergman Natalie Bergman grew up in a family of musicians in Chicago, so she’s been playing music since age 6, and has been in and out of bands for years. But last year, her brother Elliot enlisted her vocal help while recording for his band, and while they were playing around in the studio, they realized their sounds worked together. The band, Wild Belle, is brand new and unbearably cool, and played Antone’s at South By Southwest this year. Bergman has a woozy, carefree appeal onstage, but it’s coupled with ambition. In an interview with Nylon Magazine she claimed, “We’re making good music. We want to share it with the world.”
18 ATX MAN summer 2012
Erika Wennerstrom When Erika Wennerstrom, the head of Heartless Bastards, was seeking her first record deal back in 2003, she sent a demo tape to Fat Possum Records with just a few words: “My name is Erika, and I was born to sing and play guitar.” She got the deal. Wennerstrom moved to Austin in 2008 to revamp her life and her band. The backup was all new, but Wennerstrom is undeniably the anchor. “She’s tough as nails,” said the head of Fat Possum in a profile of her in the New York Times. “Even though she cries a lot.”
Lydia Loveless
Lydia Loveless sings about alcohol and love and an imaginary stalker, Steve Earle. The 21-year-old just released her first album, Indestructible Machines. The styles of the songs run the gamut, from old-school country (think Loretta Lynn) on songs of heartbreak like How Many Women, to raucous, defiant songs like Can’t Change Me and Jesus was a Wino. Loveless grew up in Ohio, where she played in a band in Columbus with her sisters. She cites Britney Spears and Charles Bukowski as her influences, although her admiration of Spears is more for her unmitigated success than her singing. For songwriting inspiration, Loveless turns to Hank Williams’ “simple and depressing, no bulls**t lyrics.”
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the buzz You Should Know
Colin Pope ABJ editor has his finger on the pulse of the Austin business community. By Chad Swiatecki, Photo by Sadie Barton How many people are vying for Colin Pope’s attention on a daily basis? Enough that the editor of the Austin Business Journal considers himself “pretty well caught up” if he’s got less than 500 unread email messages on his desktop at any one time. By virtue of the job he’s held for four years, the longtime Austin resident can grab the ear of pretty much any top-level business, political or social powerbroker with a quick flip of the contact list on his iPhone. “This job has put me in a position to know CEOs, city leaders, business leaders, political leaders,” Pope, 37, said during a recent afternoon while editing the ABJ’s weekly print publication. “It does astonish me that I’ve got this CEO’s mobile number in my cell phone, or I’ve got the mayor’s mobile in my cell phone. Being at the nexus of just about everything, I like to say I’m not important, but the people I know are important. Given the nature of my job, it puts me in a position to know the most important people and things.” Pope gets that kind of access because leaders trust the balance and experience he’s built up from spending most of his adult life as a business reporter, save for brief stints in public relations and lobbying. While he clearly treasures the professional relation-
had to put some people that I know very well on page one for maybe getting sued or some other unflattering news, but that’s the job of a newspaper man.”
The son of a newspaperman himself and a graduate of the University of Texas’ journalism program, Pope says he was always called back to the profession because of the ability to know things first, and to give that information to C-level (CEOs, CFOs, etc.) readers that make —Colin pope up the bulk of the ABJ’s 40,000 weekly subscribers.
"When lots of things are up in the air, it gives my readers a chance to get in there and influence stuff and get involved.”
ships, if his position means putting the feet of his high-profile contacts in to the public fire, he makes no apologies. “I can’t pick and choose what goes on page one,” he says. “The standards of journalism dictate that. I’ve
20 ATX MAN summer 2012
“It’s kind of like I’ve got this crystal ball,” he says. “We write about what’s going to happen. Buildings springing up [downtown] right now, we knew six months before anyone else. When lots of things are up in the air, it gives my readers a chance to get in there and influence stuff and get involved.”
Big issues on the radar at the downtown office that holds 10 journalists include a coming wave of hotel and office building construction downtown, the fate of Brackenridge Hospital and UT’s coming medical school, and the effect of the Waller Creek tunnel project on downtown development. But it’s not all office work for Pope, a newly married father of one who says he spends roughly half of his work time being the face of the paper and staying in the know about where the money flows in Austin. “The fact that the week before last, I could be at the Formula 1 racetrack at a VIP ceremony and be able to approach and have conversations with people like [Paul Mitchell founder] John Paul DeJoria and [auto mogul] Red McCombs,” Pope says, “having back-to-back conversations with billionaires is kind of a neat thing to do.”
We are hosting a full schedule of free marketing We are hosting a full schedule of free marketing classes in Austin this spring, Come learn strategies to classes in Austin this summer. Come learn strategies to grow your business. Seating is limited. Learn more and grow your business. Seating is limited. Learn more and sign up to attend at constantcontact.com/texas sign up to attend at constantcontact.com/texas Topics Include: Topics Include: - The Power of Email Marketing - The Power of Email Marketing - Social Media Marketing Made Simple - Social Media Marketing Made Simple - Supercharge Your Facebook Page - Supercharge Your Facebook Page - The Power of Event Marketing - The Power of Event Marketing Julie Niehoff, Sr. Development Director
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good life
Barkeep's call
The Allure of Moonshine Leah Severe concocts the perfect summer cocktail with Waterloo Gin. By Molly McManus, Photos by Rudy Arocha It’s Friday night and Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill has an hour wait. Instead of leaving, you head to the Patio Bar to enjoy a beverage or two before dinner. With options galore—a well-thought-out wine menu, local beer by the bottle and a full bar— the decision becomes difficult. Tempted to order a glass of red wine that will complement the flat iron steak you’ll be ordering for dinner, you opt to start with one of Moonshine’s specialty cocktails, the Waterloo Compound, recommended by Bar Manager Leah Severe. OK, gin skeptics, listen up. Gin lovers, this applies to you too. try it Waterloo Gin, made by Austin’s Treaty Oak Distilling Co., is a Londonstyle gin with a roundness to its flavor, unlike other gin that gives you ➜ muddled cucumber that sharp burn at the back of your throat. ➜ 2 ounces Waterloo Gin Guys, think back to col➜ grapefruit juice lege. You know what I’m ➜ splash soda water talking about. The three main components that ➜ floater simple syrup give Waterloo Gin its Waterloo Gin can be distinguished flavor are found at Twin Liquors and native Texas grapefruit, Spec’s. pecans and lavender.
Waterloo Compound, $8
22 ATX MAN summer 2012
Treaty Oak’s desire to use Texas ingredients fits in line with Moonshine’s own inclination to support local food, drinks and companies. Buying local not only helps the environment and Austin’s economy, but it meets the demands of Austinites and outof-towners alike. “The No. 1 question we get is, ‘What’s local?’” Severe says. “When people visit Texas, they want something local, especially in Austin because it’s the capital. When we support local products, people want that more.” Moonshine recently teamed up with Waterloo Gin, and Severe makes the perfect summer cocktail with the local spirit. She’s constantly on the lookout for quality local products to bring on board. If you’ve been to Moonshine before, you may recall the corn dog shrimp or perhaps the green chile macaroni, but the real appeal of the restaurant is its rich and unique history. Located on the corner of Third and Red River streets, Moonshine has been in business since 2003. However, the building itself dates back to the early 1800s, making it the second-oldest commercial building in all of Austin. German settler Henry F. Hofheintz purchased the Waterloo Compound (the land Moonshine now encompasses) from the State of Texas for a mere $112 in 1854. Today, the restaurant makes millions of dollars each year. Hofheintz would either be proud or rolling over in his grave. Perhaps he is one of the ghosts that many staff members claim occupies the building. With Severe’s help, the Patio Bar, once a carriage house, was recently redesigned to carry more products and make better use of the space. “Instead of changing things prior, [the owners] worked with what they had, but I couldn’t do it. Visually, to me, it wasn’t working,” Severe explains. Moonshine gives the impression it’s been there
much longer than nine years. Owners Larry Perdido and Chuck Smith designed the restaurant to fit the space, a huge reason for the comfortable and relaxing experience. With its beautiful, original limestone, smiling staff and delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, you feel as though you’re walking into a home. You may need a stretcher, wagon or wheelbarrow on your departure from Moonshine. Or maybe just a taxicab. With libations flowing, portions that are out of control and food so good you won’t want to stop eating, Moonshine’s down-home cookin’ with a gourmet twist will leave you fully satisfied. You’ll be wondering why and how you ate so much, with fond (if not hazy) memories of that delicious Waterloo Compound. Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, 303 Red River St., moonshinegrill.com. Open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday for brunch, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Sunday evening, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
First
Anniversary Comment to win big with our Grill Skills Giveaway!
We’re giving away a grill from BBQ Outfitters. Go ahead, make your neighbors jealous. And hungry. The grill is a stainless steel, gas-propelled work of art valued at over $1,800. * Win this backyard beauty in 3 simple steps:
June 2012 atxman.com
June 20, 6-8 PM BMW of Austin To RSVP, visit conta.cc/atxlaunch.
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RSVP for the ATX Man 1st Anniversary Party.
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Visit us on Facebook (facebook.com/atxman) and check out our weekly “Got Grill Skills?” post.
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good life
guilty pleasure trailer treats
make it at home
Watermelon Feta Salad
Bringing the taste of summer to the streets of Austin. By Tiffany Harelik Summer crops bring tasty menu options for food truck chefs who are part of the farm-to-table movement. The Seedling Truck, founded by Royal Fig Catering owners, offers some of the most farm-fresh gourmet foods from area ranches and serves their masterpieces out of their food truck. Kristen Stacy and husband Dan Stacy started Royal Fig catering in May 2009. “We started Royal Fig because we were getting married and couldn’t find the food we wanted. So we saw a
24 ATX MAN summer 2012
es are popular with many folks because of the fact that The Seedling makes its own bacon. The lobster mac and cheese is another signature dish, and Kristen’s Cut watermelon into personal favorite is a cubes and toss with feta toss-up between the and olives. Add in sherry short rib pierogi and vinegar and olive oil, season with salt. Consider the pork belly nachos. topping with a little torn The truck roams mint for garnish. from farmers For additional recipes, markets to specific visit atxman.com. locations, and you can always find the travel schedule on the website, theseedlingtruck.com. “Our favorite place to bring the truck is probably the Draught House on Medical Parkway because that crowd totally fits our food. People are going there for craft beer and our style really fits that location,” Kristen says. In addition to catching The Seedling in action on the streets of Austin, you can also book this truck for special events and private parties.
❱❱ Stay tuned to all things food trailer throughout the year at trailerfooddiaries.com.
Photo by Eric Hegwer Photography.
The Seedling Truck
void in the market and we went for it,” Kristen shares. The couple moved to Austin four years ago from New York City, where Dan was working with Top Chef winner Harold Dieterle. Two years in to the catering business, in November 2011, The Seedling food truck was born. “Our whole mission is sustainability, with an emphasis on doing things as locally as possible,” Kristen explains. They have relationships with about 15 to 20 local farms, where they buy most of their food. But when they have to reach for something outside of Austin, their strategy is to source from an organic and sustainable ranch or farm within the United States. How do they get all that homegrown goodness from plow to plate? “Farm to Table is a sort of broker for restaurants like us who want locally grown food but don’t have the time to go to 10 different farms. Every Sunday, they email us a list of what they have and we make our order. We make a separate order from Johnson’s Backyard Garden and Windy Hill. As far as our cheeses, Antonelli’s does that for us, and of course, we do the farmers market with Salt and Thyme, and we use their sausages and hot dogs.” Because of the fresh products they use, the menu changes weekly. If Dan sees there is plenty of squash available when he gets his orders on Sunday, he’ll arrange for a menu that incorporates squash that week. The Seedling Truck has many delectable gourmet options, but is perhaps best known for its polenta cake, which comes with a poached egg and kale pesto (for only $5). The bacon cinnamon roll and bacon sandwich-
➜ 1 medium-sized watermelon ➜ 2/3 cup feta cheese ➜ 1/3 cup black olives, sliced ➜ 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ➜ 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar ➜ salt
good life
good eats
Rock-Star Chef Top chef Paul Qui wins James Beard Award, bringing it to Austin for a second consecutive year. By Russell Pawlowski Here is a recipe for a rock-star chef:
➋ Hob nob with celebrities, watch the ponies run, throw in a pinch of relaxation on Millionaire’s Row.
➌ Jump on a plane and head to New York City for the presentation of the James Beard Foundation Awards, the veritable Super Bowl of the culinary world.
➍ Win the James Beard Award. ➎ Breathe. ➏ Add heat. Hit New York City to celebrate with friends. ➐ Jump on a plane to Paris. ➑ Answer press requests with staccato-like efficiency via iPhone from the luxury of your Paris hotel suite. Simmer.
➒ Create a designer sushi-flavored breakfast cereal with Kanye West.
➓ Eventually return to Austin to a cornucopia of rumors about what is next. (OK, so number nine may be a slight fabrication for the time being, but I am sure that at some point in the future, phone numbers will be exchanged, text messages will fly, and the next thing you know, we will see a picture of Chef Qui smiling over a bowl of Louis Vuitton Breakfast Bites. You heard it here first. ) So anyone with a television set and basic cable knows what Top Chef is, right? It’s Bravo’s hit culinary competition that somehow always makes you believe that you have the ability to walk to your kitchen and create beef wellington out of tuna fish, orange juice and a few hot sauce packets from Taco Bell. Admittedly, the sole reason I initially watched was Padma Lakshmi (worth the time to Google), but I was
26 ATX MAN summer 2012
Paul Qui accepting the James Beard Award.
quickly drawn in, namely because season two contestant Frankie “The Bull” Terzoli was a drinking buddy of mine back in San Diego. Damn you, Frankie! If you only knew back then how to make that quiche on the beach in episode seven, I would have had the pleasure of enjoying the culinary creations of two Top Chef winners. I digest. Err, I mean digress. The show is great and, yes, there it is, a test of a chef’s skills. But think of it as more of a backyard Olympics filmed by your creepy uncle who has really great videoediting skills and knows the value of product placement. The James Beard Awards are very much the real deal. They are absolutely The Oscars of the culinary world, and the winners are voted on by 600 of their peers. How you look on camera has nothing to do with these awards, although I am sure that Tom Colicchio has one of those 600 votes. Qui’s response to which one he enjoyed winning more? “Both,” he says. “It’s impossible for me to compare the two experiences. I didn’t expect to win on a first-time nomination. I was just soaking up the moment of being around chefs that I admire.” A very diplomatic response, but rest assured, the James Beard Award provides our hometown sushi phenom with enough street cred to ensure that he will be around for years to come. Just ask the 2011 Southwest James Beard Award winner, Tyson Cole. Yep. Qui’s sensei in the sushi realm was the winner last year. Two James Beard winners out of Cole’s Uchi Kitchen? Beyond impressive. So what’s next? I pressured the jet-lagged Qui for the scoop on the
rumors of the a new restaurant, hoping he would crack under the lack of sleep. Unfortunately he did not. My gut instincts tells me to be on the lookout for the following: ➜ We are not losing him to Dallas or Houston. ➜ A bricks-and-mortar establishment to follow along the same menu as Qui’s very popular East Side Kings. If you’ve never enjoyed a couple of cold beers at Liberty Bar on the Eastside then wandered to the back of the beer garden to the ESK food trailer and ordered Tongue Buns—roasted beef tongue in steamed buns, homemade peanut-butter curry, fresh basil, cilantro, mint, onion and jalapeño—well darlin’, you have not experienced the joy that $7 can bring you in Austin. ➜ A lower-cost establishment. Uchiko is great, but the price point surpasses what many Austin residents can afford. I’m betting on a lower-cost option still showcasing Qui’s talents. My advice would be to grab a date and start camping out now for a reservation. Want to splurge on a night out and see just why Qui won both Top Chef and the 2012 James Beard Award? Head over to Uchiko for the chef’s omakase (literally translated from Japanese, it means “I’ll leave it to you.”) Sample everything without prejudice and enjoy. A recent trip yielded the following results: Kusshi oysters with green strawberry sorbet. The absolute flavor of the ocean with just the perfect amount of sweetness. I imagine this is what a peck on the cheek from a mermaid would feel like.
Hama chili photo by Rebecca Fondren; Qui photo courtesy of NBCUniversal.
➊ Depart Austin for the Kentucky Derby. Embrace the pageantry and take in a little Southern flair.
Hama chili: yellowtail, Thai chili, orange supremes
warms you through your lungs and in to your sinuses. Nasu nigiri: Japanese eggplant with lemon miso. I had no idea that it was actually eggplant. Vegans, here you go.
Mada nigiri: Japanese sea bream, shiso, Meyer lemon zest, olive oil. Japanese sea bream has the perfect consistency and mild flavor. It’s a favorite go-to staple for Qui. If you are new to sushi, please allow this to be your entry drug. Hama chili: yellowtail, Thai chili, orange supremes. Admittedly, I’ve eaten enough yellowtail in my life to make Nemo cringe. I was already looking forward to the next dishes. Sakana mushi: steamed loup de mer, galangal, kaffir lime, hon shimeji, tomato. Imagine the best Thai dish you’ve ever had: spicy, with a broth that
Brussels sprouts: crispy Brussels sprouts with lemon chili. The Brussels sprouts at Uchiko are second to none. I loathed eating this vegetable as a child. Now in my mid 30s, I am 87 percent sure that I would kill a man for a bowl of Uchiko’s lemon chili Brussels as I type this. Saba sashimi: Norwegian mackerel, tomato, cucumber, myoga. Leave this one to the professionals. Strong. Bold flavor. Pork jowl: Brussels-sprouts kimchee, preserved-lemon crème fraiche, romaine. Add the most delicate cut of pork to the vegetable that the restaurant knows best. Perhaps one of the best dishes of the tasting, and I guarantee that this is the direction Qui’s new restaurant will go. Sample now. Believe later.
Gyutan toro: grilled beef tongue toro with fish caramel. If you are a sushi lover, then you know that toro is the king of the menu. If you brave the market price, then you know that this cut of tuna really does melt in your mouth. Sample the gyutan toro and know the same feeling, only this time you’re on land. I guarantee you will never be afraid of this cut of meat again. Hungry yet? Between each course, cleanse your palate with a cold, crisp white wine or unfiltered sake. The variations of texture and flavor make the experience worth every penny. Take your time. Talk to your date. Converse. Criticize. Critique. Keep in mind you are walking through an art gallery. Each creation is a small work of art that the chef has prepared for you using the freshest ingredients. There will be some work that you are immediately drawn to, perhaps a love of yellowtail or Brussels sprouts. It’s OK not to like certain things. Recently, a friend noted the strong taste of the Norwegian mackerel. Invariably, this is a very oily fish that comes across with a bold flavor. The next course? Pork jowl with kimchee, the perfect punch of savory saltiness to whisk her away from her mackerel experience. Safe travels on your victory tour, Chef Qui. Hurry on back to Austin. We have no problem loaning you temporarily to the rest of the world, but much like the next course, we are eagerly waiting to see what you dish up next.
atxman.com 27
good life
guilty pleasure
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28 ATX MAN summer 2012
philanthropy
Bringing Shade to the Community Dr. Daniel Ladd’s nonprofit, The Shade Project, strives to educate on skin-cancer prevention. By Ayanna Estelle “I don’t even remember if sunscreen existed when I was a kid,” says Dr. Daniel Ladd, a practicing dermatologist. Since his youth, skincare practices have improved, and adults stay informed by reading about the harmful effects of the sun and protect themselves with sunscreen and light outside activity. The age group not normally targeted for skincare education is children. This is why Dr. Ladd, along with his wife, Lurleen, created The Shade Project, a nonprofit intended to educate children and the rest of Austin on skin-cancer prevention. Their goal is to spread the message that we do not have to be afraid of the sun, and that we can be active, but we also must be smart. By partnering with local organizations such as the Austin Parks Foundation, the Ladds build shades over community parks and school playgrounds so they can be better utilized. “You can have nice play areas, but if they get too hot to play on, then they can’t be used right,” Dr. Ladd says. The Shade Project recently built a shade structure at Lamar Middle School, but ran in to a construction problem. “Parks and schools don’t have structures built with shades in mind because they were planned more than 50 years ago,” Lurleen Ladd says. The nonprofit overcame this obstacle and there now stands a shade allowing children to use the area at any time of the day. In order to help erase skincare misconceptions, The Ladds target adults through their Saturday morning talk show on KQBT 96.3 FM, as well as with Dr. Ladd’s practice, Tru-Skin Dermatology. “If we can all teach the next generation, then hopefully we will see a change,” Dr. Ladd says. “The more awareness means the more good we can do.” Visit theshadeproject.org to give the Ladds feedback on your shade needs for the community.
30 ATX MAN summer 2012
ATX MAN Summer Sponsored Events Tenth-Annual Brian Jones Celebrity Golf Classic Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area Aug. 27, Twin Creeks Country Club Brian Jones has a special place in his heart for Boys & Girls Clubs, and 10 years ago, he decided to pay it forward, creating a celebrity golf tournament. The former University of Texas All-American and NFL linebacker gathers his friends and former sports icons for a scramble-style tournament. If you want to mingle with the likes of Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Hollywood Henderson, Billy Joe DuPree, K.C. Jones and Eric Metcalf, put together a team of three and pair with a celebrity to make a foursome, then head out to the Twin Creeks Country Club for a super round of golf with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, as well as prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin. There is also a mix-and-mingle pre-tournament celebration on Aug. 26. Each year, Jones also hosts a dinner for the kids of the Boys & Girls Club at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. “I want to give them opportunities to feel comfortable in situations they might not otherwise have the chance to experience. The Classic helps to provide Austin youth with safe spaces and compassionate mentors and participants with the opportunity to make a real difference and change lives,” Jones says. “It's amazing that we are embarking on the 10th-annual Brian Jones Golf Classic. If you witnessed the first tournament, you would have never anticipated the success we have enjoyed over the past nine years. Onward and upward!” The tournament sells out every year, so early registration is recommended. For more information, call 512.444.7199, or visit bgcaustin.org.
Vino y Virtuosos
Dr. Daniel Ladd’s Five Tips for a Safe-Skin Summer 1. Wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen before going outside and even for long-distance car rides. Just because you are in your car does not mean you are protected. 2. Men are not invincible. With men known for doing the most outside activity such as ranching and fishing, they are the most at risk for skin damage but the group Dr. Ladd sees the least. Find a sunscreen that suits you and get checked by a dermatologist. 3. Avoid outside activity from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the peak hours of the day. Save jogging for the early morning or evening. 4. Be aware of your body. If you see a mole changing or a suspicious mark, get it checked. 5. Get over the fear of going to the doctor. Dr. Ladd offers free screenings once a month, making checkups easier than ever.
June 7, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Austin Museum of Art Music and wine enthusiasts alike are sure to enjoy the entertainment, refreshments and prizes at this year’s event. Viva Trio will perform to help raise money for Hospice Austin while guests have a chance to win a wine-cellar starter kit. Sponsorships are available at hospiceaustin.org or by contacting Beth Karotkin at bkarotkin@hospiceaustin.org or 512.342.4791.
Tee Up to Cure Diabetes June 7, 11:30 a.m., Twin Creeks Country Club More than 130 golfers will meet up to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s effort to cure Type 1 diabetes. Individual golfers can register for $200, or as teams of four for $600 through JDRF.org.
Austin Young Chamber Poker Tournament June 14, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., The Parish The Austin Young Chamber of Commerce is committed to giving young professionals an opportunity to network and grow their careers or businesses. Their poker tournament will continue that mission with a fun, exciting atmosphere for networking and winning prizes. Individuals can sign up to play or just to watch. Sponsorships are also being accepted. Visit austinyc. org for more details.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ice Ball Gala Aug. 25, 7 p.m. to midnight, Hilton Austin This cocktail event has been supporting Austin’s youth for eight years now. Guests will enjoy gourmet food, drinks, dancing and a live auction. Tickets are $150 through austiniceball.org or $175 at the door. -Christine Imperatore
Photo by Carrie Moss Photography.
good life
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Golf
The Ultimate Round of Golf Nine holes for your bucket list. By Chris Baldwin If you’re the type of guy who dreams of undulating greens as much as you do Kate Upton, you have one. All golfers do. The fantasy list of all the great places you’d play if only you had what almost none of us have enough of: time, money and understanding non-golfer family and friends. But what if you could pick and choose holes from all those courses breathlessly detailed in the hottest golf porn of the day (otherwise known as Golf Digest and whatever other shiny glossy’s hanging around your dentist’s office) to put together your own dream nine? How would you ever cut it down? Faced with a chance to cull from the best of the best, what would cause you to pull the trigger and give a hole one of the coveted nine spots? It’s the perfect question for a spirited debate over a long 19th hole in a clubhouse bar. With an entire world of golf holes to select from, you need more than ordinary wows. Only truly extraordinary experiences need apply. For us, it’s simple. These nine need to go beyond the usual suspects. Anyone can rattle off the seventh at Pebble Beach, the 17th at the Old Course at St. Andrews, the 12th at Augusta National and the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. All are much too obvious. That’s like fixating on the luxury car everyone else has or only dating blonds. Much. Too. Predictable. You will not find any of those on this fantasy nine. Instead, you’ll get golf holes that deliver something a little extra, whether that happens to be a helicopter or the best fish taco in the world. It’s good to be remote. It’s even better to be compelling. This dream nine shows that length isn’t everything, something most self-respecting golfers already know. It takes us to six countries and isn’t dominated by any one style of course design or hole type. So tee it up. It’s time to start the round. Afterward, we’ll take a look at a dream Texas nine on atxman.com, a list that makes fantasies attainable.
32 ATX MAN summer 2012
1 The 17th hole at The Experience at
Koele on the Hawaiian island of Lanai
444-yard par 4 Leave the water postcards to the tourists. Instead, hop on the ferry from Maui and head to this tiny Hawaiian island (population 3,100) to get lost in the pine trees. On an island with only two golf courses, Koele is the one that breaks all the Hawaiian conventions. The back nine takes you 2,000 feet above sea level, deep in to a forest that makes you realize why golfers don’t need the beach. Standing on the high 17th green staring down at all those trees without another soul in sight is enough to make any hacker find golf religion. This is one time in your life when you really don’t need to rush. Heck, Charlie Sheen could stay still on this tee, for at least several moments.
2
The seventh hole at Pine Valley Golf Club in Southern New Jersey
➜
good life
580-yard par 5 If you could play golf anywhere in the world, would you ever even dream of playing it in New Jersey? You would if you could get in to the golf dream that’s Pine Valley. This no-frills, relentlessly ruthless course has been rated the No. 1 golf course in the world so many times that it’s become like Bill Russell, the one gold-standard champion that no one can argue against. And the seventh hole is where any questions—and many good rounds—die. How about trying to clear a sand trap that seems larger than nearby Delaware on your second shot on a nearly 600-yard par 5? Deliciously dubbed Hell’s Half Acre, this mammoth 95-yard-long sand monster completely dissects the fairway, cutting it in two. A bailout area? Please. That’s for Wall Street, not New Jersey golf.
3 The ninth hole at Royal County Down in Newcastle, Northern Ireland
483-yard par 4 You come to Ireland to play links golf and there’s no finer example of it in the world than this hole. It has you shooting down, over and up a rolling terrain with mountains and a sea mist. You’ll fight plenty of bearded bunkers (overhangs of fescue, heather and the likes that give a new definition to trap), but it’s the sand dunes that one never forgets. This is better than most of the British Open courses everyone watches on TV. Add in the charming little town tucked in by the Mountains of Mourne and it’s not easy to leave.
4
The ninth hole at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club in Alberta, Canada
5
The 18th hole at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington 604-yard par 5
6 The 15th hole at Kauri Cliffs in Northland, New Zealand
513-yard par 5
231-yard par 3 About time for a par 3, eh? Canadian golf courses still somehow remain almost criminally underrated once you get outside of Ontario. Jasper Park brings the mountains to you, especially on this par 3 with a backstory worthy of a Hollywood drama. Course designer Stanley Thompson dubbed this hole “Cleopatra” because he planned to shape it in to a female form. That gimmick didn’t go over well with the conservative owners and golf somehow ended up winning in the end, for, without forcing things, Thompson took better advantage of the natural terrain. Sometimes, it’s good to be a mountain man.
The 2015 U.S. Open will make Chambers Bay a household name. Even non-golfers will recognize the stunning open layout on Puget Sound once Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the NBC cameras arrive. But it’s worth trekking out to Seattle-Tacoma—hardly a regular golf-vacation stop—to play long before then. As a stand-alone course, Chambers Bay is better than any of the much more vaunted Bandon Dunes tracks. And not just because of the railroad tracks. Many are wowed by the first hole at Chambers, the long par 4 that plays toward the Sound. But 18, a punishing par five with the water at your back and a massive green with more levels than Angry Birds, is the real challenge. Turn and take one last look at the Sound before teeing off—and then gulp.
If you can play golf anywhere in the world, you might as well travel halfway around the world—and then some. Kauri Cliffs takes that maddeningly long flight to New Zealand and adds a five-hour drive through windy, lush, nearly deserted roads to the end of it. And it’s all worth it once you’re standing on the 15th tee, otherwise known as Cook’s Hook. Looking out at the Cavalli Islands, the South Pacific and one of the world’s most exclusive private beaches, you’ll want to freeze frame the scenery. Luckily, this par 5 gives you a chance to catch your breath. It’s a risk-reward hole that actually gives the average golfer a fighting chance. All that much sweeter.
atxman.com 33
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7
The “Xtreme” 19th hole at Legends Golf & Safari Resort in the Limpopo region of South Africa 630-yard par 3
the Bond Girls optional eye candy in Ian Fleming’s world. You’ll only be telling stories about playing the helicopter par 3 for the rest of your golfing life.
8 The 18th hole at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina
472-yard par 4 That’s no typo. This is a 630-yard par 3, and that’s the least interesting thing about this hole. You’ll need to take a helicopter—yes, a helicopter—to reach the tee box, which stands a mere 1,400 feet above a green shaped like the continent of Africa. The continent looks awfully tiny when you’re staring at it from this high up though.
Playing Harbour Town doesn’t just give one an excuse to visit Hilton Head, the land that time (if not traffic) forgot. You get to play this hole that looks like a 1950s postcard and attacks like something from True Blood.
It’s swing and hope your ball hits the green and not the caddie who is down there below waiting to mark your ball. From there, you hop back on the club’s helicopter. You’ll fly before you putt.
The iconic candy-striped lighthouse beckons prettily while you huff and puff your way through the evil mind of Pete Dye. The green seems to extend in to the blue of Calibogue Sound, but those swaying salt marsh grasses jutting in to view make getting there anything but a breeze.
Legends calls this an optional hole, which is akin to dubbing the Louvre an optional stop on a first trip to Paris or
If Tim Burton decided to paint in color, this is what it would look like.
34 ATX MAN summer 2012
9
The 17th hole at Cabo del Sol Ocean Course in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 213-yard par 3 You don’t expect to leave one of the best golf courses in the world raving about the fish tacos, but the free fish tacos provided at the turn of this Jack Nicklaus design are good enough to attract foodies. In a lifetime of playing golf, the genuine goodnatured service received at Cabo del Sol ranks as some of the best I’ve ever received. A 2010 revision made a course that hugs both the Sea of Cortez and the desert like a dress hugs Beyoncé even more of a water wonder. On 17, you shoot over a beach that often has waves crashing across it. Not a bad way to finish a fantasy round. But, who’d ever want to wake up?
The final stats on the Dream Nine:
4,230 yards par 36.
The 15th hole at Kauri Cliffs in Northland, New Zealand, 513-yard par 5.
atxman.com 35
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The Rules, According to Willie By Turk Pipkin and Willie Nelson
It’s been 30-something years since I teed my first ball at Pedernales Golf Club, Willie Nelson’s scrappy nine-hole course overlooking the Pedernales River. Willie and friends were watching as I choked down my nerves and managed to smack a drive down the fairway. That was the first of maybe a thousand rounds at Pedernales in which I’ve won and lost millions of pesos, lost and never found hundreds of golf balls, and heard and forgotten countless great jokes. Though few seem to know it, Willie’s course is open to the public and one of the best deals in town. Where else can you bring your own cooler and also have a chance of seeing the red-headed stranger make a long one-handed putt? Golf at Pedernales can be a wild ride. The fairways are rough and the greens are slow, but when I’m at Willie’s, I always feel like I’m playing the old-school game I learned as a kid, and I’m generally “When another is with my best and shooting, no player longest-standing friends. Last year’s should talk, whistle, drought was hard hum, clink coins or on the course, but pass gas.” Willie called me up –Willie’s Rules of Golf recently and said, “We’re working on the golf course to get it in the best shape we can, so spread the word and tell folks that Pedernales is open for business.”
36 ATX MAN summer 2012
I could tell you more, but thought Willie could do it better. So in Willie’s words, here are a few choice thoughts from the golf chapter in The Tao of Willie, a lovely little book Willie and I published awhile back. Take it away, Willie.
Pedernales Golf In Willie’s Words Willie Nelson, Turk Pipkin, Darrell K. Royal and Ray Benson.
Golf isn’t just a game—it’s an addiction. Think of it as the crack cocaine of sports. Like most addictions, doing it more doesn’t necessarily make you any better at it, it just makes you want more. My longest-running game has been at Pedernales Country Club, the nine-hole course I own in the hills outside of Austin. The course is a little rocky, but the greens roll true, and no one’s ever going to tell you to tuck in your shirttail at my course. I first saw Pedernales playing in a celebrity tournament in the mid-’70s, and a couple of years later, another guy and I bought it. For years, the standard game at Pedernales was somewhere between five and 15 of us in an equal number of carts, all of us racing from shot to shot claiming whatever ball we found as our own. The general philosophy was: May the man with the fastest cart win. Needless to say, I had a pretty fast cart. If you never have a bad lie, you never have to tell a bad lie. If you’re unhappy with your lie at Pedernales, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself. We have a local rule called the Pedernales Stroll, which lets you lift your ball from a rocky lie and stroll it someplace greener. Ireland would be a little far, but otherwise, I recommend that you drop the ball within one length of your arm. People want to know everything about the golf swing, but my golf pro Larry Trader always told me to “just hit the ball.” Little kids usually hit it great the first swing. Lots of people do. But when they start getting instruction, it all goes to hell.
It’s always better if you get a pro to tell you everything you’re doing wrong. You can still keep doing it, but at least you’ll know it’s wrong. Golf is the last thing you should get mad about. The way I see it, if I play well, I’ll have bested my opponent. If I want to play better, the way to do it is through positive thinking. Talk to yourself, be your own best friend, be the coach you always wanted in school. If I continue to play bad, then what the hell—maybe I’ll make my opponent feel better Pedernales about his game. Either Celebrity Golf way, we’ll be out under a Tournament beautiful sky, and my enEver dreamed of teeing joyment of the hole, the it up or putting out with game and the day is not Willie Nelson? On June going to be dictated by 30, Willie and friends something as haphazard will host a golf tourney at Pedernales benefiting as a golf swing. With that in mind, I’ll offer the two essential secrets of golf: ➜ Don’t lunge before you lurch. ➜ The game of golf is not that different than the game of life.
local charities, including the Pedernales Fire Department. For more info on how you can play or attend the postgolf festivities, call the Pedernales Golf Club, 512.264.1489.
Play to your strengths and try not to get too wrapped up in the outcome. Let things happen and someday you’ll make a hole in one. I’m the living proof of that. And like I always say, you can’t lose ’em all.
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Masters of the Links Celebrated Austin golfers share their love of the game. ❱❱ Austin is blessed with an abundance of beautiful and challenging golf courses, as well as several notable experts and professional golfers. Austin was especially lucky to have Harvey Penick, one of the greatest teachers and mentors the game of golf has ever known. ATX Man selected books from the cream of the crop, which will make excellent gifts for dads or grads. Read and learn from the masters of the game.
A Feel for the Game: A Master’s Memoir by Ben Crenshaw Ben Crenshaw doubled over and openly wept after holing out to win the 1995 Masters Tournament. His golf teacher since Crenshaw was seven years old, friend and father figure Harvey Penick had passed away shortly before the tourney. Crenshaw felt Penick was guiding him in the final rounds, and the emotions finally overtook him. Published in 2002, A Feel for the Game is Crenshaw’s warm tribute to golf and its traditions. With two Masters Championships, 19 career PGA victories, three NCAA Championships and millions in earnings, Crenshaw is one of the most successful golfers of the century. Captain of the 1999 Ryder Cup team, Crenshaw led the team to a thrilling victory and brought the cup back to American soil. This is a fascinating glimpse of golf history and a look into the mind of one of Austin’s favorite sons.
38 ATX MAN summer 2012
➜ Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book by Harvey Penick with Bud Shrake If you can only read one book about the basics of golf, this is the one. Published in 1992, it became an instant classic. Penick began his love of golf as a caddy at the Austin Country Club at the age of 8, and was in residence for 81 years. He coached Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls and Kathy Whitworth. Penick is one of the most revered teachers of all time, and the Teacher of the Year Award given by the Golf Teachers Association is named in his honor.
A Fairway to Heaven: My Lessons from Harvey Penick on Golf and Life by Tom Kite and Mickey Herskowitz
The Old Man and the Tee: How I Took Ten Strokes Off My Game and Learned to Love Golf All Over Again by Turk Pipkin
When Tom Kite was 13, he got “the break of his life” when Harvey Penick became his instructor. He remained his touchstone throughout his storied career as one of the all-time leading money winners on the PGA Tour. In this touching and insightful memoir, Kite pays tribute to the man whose devotion to the game of golf was absolute, and the life lessons he shared that were larger than the game. Kite also details his long friendship and rivalry with Penick’s other star pupil, Ben Crenshaw. Penick always told his students to take “dead aim before every shot,” and with this book, Kite scores a hole in one.
Life-changing events and yearly milestones often precipitate self-reflection and a quest. As a child, Turk Pipkin grew up caddying for his father and, upon his father’s death, with Pipkin facing his 50th birthday, he decided to return to the game he once loved. The quest was to take 10 strokes off his handicap in one year and break 80 at Pebble Beach. With teachers such as David Leadbetter, Dave Pelz, Ben Crenshaw and Byron Nelson, as well as spiritual gurus Willie Nelson and George Plimpton, Pipkin embarked on an epic journey and in the process learned a great deal about himself and life. This book is for anyone who has ever wanted to play one more round with his father.
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Brian Jones Sports report
The 2012 PGA Tour Who is hot, from seasoned pros to young guns. By Marshall Fields The professional golf tour has had a great start to its season. Bubba Watson, a beloved Georgia boy, posting his first major championship at the Masters, let tour fans know we were in for exciting times. The tour has welcomed its fair share of young guns who play with no fear and calculating demeanors. Notables include Rory Mcllroy, Luke Donald, Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, Kyle Stanley, Jason Dufner and, of course, Rickie Fowler, who has taken golf and its fashion to new extremes. You can’t miss a guy on tour who dons bright orange or lime-green attire that could blind any spectator if they look directly at it. And with Fowler winning in a three-way playoff against Mcllroy and D.A. Points at the Wells Fargo Championship, it was another win for the young guns. These young guys have added a lot of excitement and flair to the tour, which makes it hard, even for a person who doesn’t really watch golf, to not take notice of what has manifested on tour. Golf is a game for everyone, young and old, but as a sign of the times, competitors on the tour seem to be getting younger and more aggressive. Of course, you can’t count out the more experienced players such as Jim Furyk, Ernie Els Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia. The great thing about the tour is how it’s shaped itself in to an eclectic international field with so much competition to choose from and embrace. The PGA tour has been able to attract talent from everywhere and offers its fans a plethora of talent. The Masters, which is the first major championship of the season, had nearly every person in the world watching. The course never relented, and as fans, we saw the leader board change consistently from a Swede to another Swede, then an Englishman, then a South African, until finally, our beloved American emerged victorious. The final
40 ATX MAN summer 2012
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shot that came on the second playoff hole for Watson will forever be ingrained in the hearts and minds of every fan watching that magnificent hook shot that was struck out of the trees to 10 feet from the pin. The roar, along with Watson’s unfazed will to win, became apparent after that shot, which is a testament to the young and enthused talent we are seeing on tour. The young guns play with no fear and if they falter on one hole, they bring it back on the next. For instance, Stanley, a Clemson graduate, stormed on to the scene at the beginning of 2012 by tripling the last hole at Torrey Pines and giving the win to Brandt Snedeker, only to recover the following week to come back from an eightstroke deficit and win the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Mcllroy, faltering the lead at the 2011 Masters with that devastating shot (snap, pull, hook) on number 10 to then triple and knock himself out of contention, made his game stronger mentally and, as a result, he came back to win the U.S. Open at Congressional. These instances assert the fact that the veterans on tour have to respect the new talent that seems to become more crafty and savvy on golf ’s most elite stage. The amount of talent that exists on tour to date has made for an exciting 2012 season, and with the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco right around the corner (June 14 through 17), its time for players and fans to gear up and take notice of a field that will be gracing golf ’s most prestigious stage. Pristine manicured golf courses, along with the greatest players in the world, make for exciting times. Even if you’re not a fan of golf, you might at least be curious as to what apparel will be showcased at each tournament. Dufner’s win at the recent Zurich Classic of New Orleans in a wrenching playoff against Els, made for an exciting finish and earned Dufner his first win on tour. Again, we have a young gun going up against a serious veteran who doesn’t like to lose! The
AT&T Oaks Golf Course, hole 11
Tournament Players Championship, held in May at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, saw young guns Fowler, Kevin Na and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas giving the seasoned pros a run for their money. The Players Tournament, with the largest purse on tour—an estimated $9.5 million—rivals the majors and is considered one of the toughest tracks on tour. It boasts one of the hardest finishing holes in golf, and most PGA players have faltered the lead because of its history. In the end, all-around nice guy Matt Kuchar dropped a gimme putt and won his biggest title in 12 years on the tour. Players to watch in upcoming events will no doubt be the young guys, but you can never count out the veterans. Mickelson and Woods, along with Furyk and the “Big Easy” (Els) will be focused and ready for competition. The vets seem to acknowledge the new flair on tour, but it hasn’t fazed them because they possess the knowledge and the wisdom that every week on tour is a new week, and if your game is hot, young or old, you will have a good shot at taking on the field of immense talent. The fact is, at the PGA level, everyone has talent, so victory is anyone’s for the taking!
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42 ATX MAN summer 2012
The
Least Interesting Man in the World Or so says Evan Smith. But we beg to differ.
By John T. Davis Photography by Cody Hamilton Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, raecosmetics.com. Shot on location at Jo's Downtown.
Evan Smith has no secret life. He doesn’t masquerade at night as a costumed vigilante dispensing justice. He doesn’t have a second incarnation as an Elvis impersonator in Vegas. There’s no dark underbelly, no tortured soul within. In fact, he relates more to Clark Kent than Superman. Rats! ❱❱
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❱❱ Evan Smith, the CEO and editor-in-chief of the The Texas Tribune and former editor-inchief of Texas Monthly, is the very incarnation of the mild-mannered editor for a great metropolitan media outlet. When he’s not at the office, he drives his two kids to and from school, eats supper at home as often as he can manage it and falls asleep watching reruns of The Daily Show and The Colbert Re-
port because he has to get up at 5 in the morning to go for a run with his dog. He plays poker and tennis with the same small group of amigos he’s run with for years. And even though he is seemingly ubiquitous at social events and fundraisers throughout town, he says he doesn’t like parties—or even being around people other than his family—all that much. (The reporter listening to this pedestrian litany, in search of the kind of dish that sells magazines, sinks further in to a slough of despondency. “Dude,” he’s thinking, “work with me here.”) It’s no use. “The happiest time for me is the 20 minutes before the beginning of the movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, watching whatever nonsense they put up on the screen,” Smith says. “I’m drinking a beer. I’m powered down.” Really? “I’m the most open book you can imagine,” he adds. “There’s no dark side. It’s boring.” To hear Smith tell it, he is the antithesis of the pitchman for Dos Equis: The Least Interesting Man in the World.
And yet, for nearly 18 years, until 2009, he helped shape and then led Texas Monthly, one of the most compulsively readable magazines in the country, with the circulation figures and industry awards to prove it. After he left Texas Monthly at the top of his game, Smith co-founded and became editor-inchief of The Texas Tribune (texastribune.org), a cutting-edge, non-partisan online publication focusing on political issues and public policy in the state. He also hosts a nationally syndicated television interview series on PBS, Overheard With Evan Smith (formerly Texas Monthly Talks), during the course of which he’s gone head to head with personalities as colorful, diverse and memorable as rocker and firearms firebrand Ted Nugent, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, late governor Ann Richards and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. (Smith’s two children, Wyatt and Carson, are so over the fact that their dad’s on television, reported their mom). This is not the kind of company you’d expect a boring guy to keep. And, talking to him, it’s clear that, despite his best protests, he’s anything but.
Evan Smith Talks Trib ❱❱ It was not about politics; it was about public policy. We are absolutely not advocates. We don’t endorse candidates or take positions on issues. The only bias we have is in favor of Texas. It was about how we are going to educate people about what’s going on in the Capitol and in these big public policy fights. ❱❱ I was not trying to “save the news,” and it’s arrogant to say the news needed saving. It’s never about supplanting. It’s only about supplementing and augmenting. It’s not a binary choice, A or B. ❱❱ Are we benefiting from the misery of [failing newspapers]? Yeah, we probably are. But we didn’t cause the misery. We didn’t need to get in the business of hurting for-profit journalism. For-profit journalism is doing that perfectly well on its own. ❱❱ We were very arrogant in asserting without evidence that this was something Texas needed, and we were probably more right than not. ❱❱ What we’ve become, I hope, because of the strength of our work, is the source for this kind of reporting. And a lot of papers around the state have said, “We can take The Texas Tribune’s good, timely, creative, well-reported content for free. And all we have to do is credit the Tribune.” ❱❱ We’ve been running so fast and so far that we haven’t had time to do the sort of long-term strategic planning we would like. There isn’t a Big Plan. The need and the supply is there, we’re just the mechanism for getting whatever it is to people all over the state. ❱❱ Jesus Christ, Rick Perry was great for business. [More on The Texas Tribune: texastribune.org.]
44 ATX MAN summer 2012
“Yes, he’s boring,” says Julia, Smith’s wife. “If by that he means he falls asleep on the couch every night. But at the dinner table, he’s not boring. He lives in his head, and that’s the most interesting and funniest place to be, so I love getting to be in there and hang out with him.” On a late-April day, Smith is presiding over the sepruchrally quiet newsroom of Texas Tribune reporters from his second-floor corner office on Congress Avenue. A corner of the Capitol building is visible out his window. Heads are hunched over computer monitors, fingers typing, Googling, consulting notes and laying out the next day’s website. On this day, the breaking story is a federal judge’s ruling that Planned Parenthood was entitled to take part in a state-run women’s health program, a development that the state opposes. (The issue is expected to come to trial before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in early June.) The Tribune, which Smith co-founded with venture capitalist John Thornton and political reporter Ross Ramsey in November 2009, focuses on health and human services issues, along with energy, criminal justice, water, immigration and public education. According to its mission statement, the Tribune seeks to foster “civic engagement and discourse on public policy, government and other matters of statewide concern.” Content is —Evan Smith available for free to newspapers throughout the state. The website also has an ongoing partnership to supply stories to the New York Times. Oddly, for a journalistic lifer like Smith, it’s the first time he’s found himself in a breaking-news environment, let alone an all-digital format. “This is a huge transition,” he says, closing his office door on the newsroom. “I went in to this with the assumption that most of what I didn’t know about starting a breaking-news operation, I would figure out as we went. How hard could it be? “The funny thing about this hamster wheel we’re on is it’s a continuous stream. It’s like drinking from a news firehose. You’re never finished; you’re only on pause. It’s less about what we publish than being in this catlike state of readiness.”
Right photo by Sam Butler, courtesy of KLRU-TV.
“It’s less about what we publish than being in this catlike state of readiness.”
Evan Smith with Elie Wiesel.
That last, gently ironic phrase may be a key to understanding the inner Evan Smith. It is possible that he is one of the smartest, most witty, bestinformed, articulate (though some might say glib) people in any given room, but he doesn’t seem to let it go to his bespectacled head. “A gentleman magazine editor” is how he described himself before the onset of the Tribune. He came to town from his native New York in 1992 at the behest of Texas Monthly’s then editor Gregory Curtis to take on a vacant editor’s slot. In hindsight, it’s hard to know how the Lone Star-centric staff of TM viewed the arrival of the Jewish, urbane and passionate young hire. “Yankee carpetbagger” might perhaps have been one characterization. (Smith counters, “Texas has always been a place where people go to make their lives. It’s all about what you do with the opportunity.”) “We were terrified that Evan was going to come in and turn it in to Texas Entertainment Weekly,” says Michael Hall, TM senior editor. “But when he came on, he assured us that that wasn’t going to be the case. He said, yeah, we’re still going to be putting Matthew McConaughey on the cover, but we were still going to be doing long-form reporting. And his commitment to that only got stronger.” “I think people were suspicious, but welcoming,” Smith recalls. “I was all about getting here as fast as I could, but I wasn’t going to last eight seconds if I didn’t mind my manners, learn, listen and use that job as a gift and an opportunity. And treat everybody there with respect.” Hall has known Smith for decades, dating back to when Hall’s Austin band, the Wild Seeds, played at Hamilton College in 1987, where Smith was a college station DJ. In addition to work-
ing for Smith at the magazine, Hall is also one in a close circle Evan Smith on His of friends who’ve gathered for years for Most Memorable a weekly poker game. Television “He’s a pretty good Interviews: poker player,” Hall Ted Nugent: No discernreports of Smith. “He ible opinions. Kidding! An incan be very aggressive terview on autopilot, because and then lay off for a all I had to do was poke him while and then get agonce with a stick. Never have gressive again, so you I been more superfluous. can’t tell when he’s Debra Winger: Memobulls**tting.” rable, yes, in that she was He also rats out the toughest nut of all time Smith as the music to crack. Defensive and susnerd he is. picious of my motives from “He was a huge minute one. Occasionally, I Deadhead in college,” see her in my nightmares. Hall says. “And he’s Elie Wiesel: C’mon, he’s obsessed with Wilco. Elie Wiesel. He will do anything Francis Ford Coppola: for that band. If He didn’t much like all the [Wilco frontman] Jeff questions about The GodfaTweedy were to wink ther, but it’s my show. I was at him, I think he’d like a kid in a candy store. faint.” Walter Cronkite: Frail (When Smith and deaf as a post until snared Tweedy for an we started taping, then he Overheard With Evan snapped to with the energy Smith episode earand focus of a man half his lier this year, Smith’s age. A total pro. friends were in the audience, waiting to see if he’d lose it on camera. Smith, himself, made one hilarious and unprintable comment about trying to keep it
atxman.com 4 5
together in the presence of his idol.) Smith’s legacy at Texas Monthly was to burnish the magazine’s tradition as a place for serious, long-form journalism. Current TM editor Jake Silverstein (who Smith hired to replace him) says, “When Evan took over Texas Monthly, it was a great magazine but it had begun to coast a bit and he just immediately stomped on the gas. It’s difficult to overstate the significance of this. His vision and energy and confidence completely reinvigorated the pages and brought the magazine in to its next phase. And that was a very necessary thing.” Yes, McConaughey was on the cover (on a
46 ATX MAN summer 2012
recent issue, in fact), but Smith also committed to long, intricate, in-depth pieces that examined Texas’ seldom-seamless transition in to the 21st century. “There was a time in the ’90s when people said, ‘Write shorter, be funny. People don’t have the attention span.’ And of course, that’s wrong,” Smith maintains. “People always have the attention span for good, robust stuff. They’ll invest in you if you treat them with respect.” Hall, for his part, recalls that his longest story for the magazine, a 10,000-word piece about a young Texas convict caught in the grinding gears of the justice system, came under Smith’s stewardship.
“He found a way to sell magazines while still allowing us to do serious work,” Hall says. “He left a great magazine for Jake to inherit,” says Mike Levy, TM founder and former publisher. “He said he’d been reading our magazine ever since he was a kid. Evan was one of only four editors we’ve had. My feeling was always that anything that’s successful is ultimately the reflection of one person’s taste, vision, judgment and interests. And even though I owned the cookie store, it was always the editor’s magazine.” But then it wasn’t; at least not his. Smith began looking for an escape hatch from TM nearly three years before he left in 2009.
“Everybody’s got a sell-by date. As a magazine editor, I was always asking, ‘How can we be a part of the conversation?’” he says. The Texas Tribune was his way of answering that question. “I was trying to see how the priorities of the state could take place in a more robust and productive setting.” Smith tries to explain that mission to his kids by saying, “There’s a lot of ways to change the world. There's a lot of ways to be of service, and Evan’s 10 Favorite public-service Places in Austin journalism is a way to change Curra’s the world and a way to be of “Rice with bananas!” service to the community you G’Raj Mahal live in.” “Best Indian food in town, Even if the though I could grow and Tribune had not shave a beard in the time in materialized, takes to get my order.” he and Julia (who works for Yard Dog Corcoran & Co., “Most fun art openings a full-source anywhere.” development department for The trail around Lady hire) are Austin Bird Lake early on lifers. Saturday mornings Smith was charmed by the Jo’s downtown at lunch city during a Kerouac-style The “lobby” Starbucks cross-country (just off 15th Street) trek in the late 1980s. The bleachers at “I remember sitting at the Sammie Joseph Field Hole in the Wall, sipping The prepared-food tequila shots section of the flagship and watching Whole Foods the Yankees on television,” he The bar at Fino says. He’d been a longtime fan The Alamo Drafthouse of Texas Monthon South Lamar ly, and when “If I have to die somewhere.” an editor’s slot opened up, he jumped. “I didn’t even think twice. Load up the car and get down to Austin.” He arrived during the Christmas holiday in 1991. It was a great time to be here, he says, in spite of the fact that, “You couldn’t get a decent
slice of pizza or Wyatt, Evan, Julia and Italian food of any Carson Smith. kind. No Chinese food recognizable to people who’d lived elsewhere. The basic cultural things. If I wanted a suit from Barney’s, I had to drive to Dallas or Houston, but that was no big deal.” What there was, and what keeps Smith enamored of the city is the much-heralded quality of life. “It’s so great and can’t be replicated,” he says. “There’re so many interesting, smart people. I’m never bored here. I love the combination of the political, the cultural, the athletic and the intellectual. I love the weather and the food. I’m very emotionally connected to Austin.” But, as Satchel Paige observed, the social ramble ain’t restful. On the town, Smith seems ubiquitous, turning up at seemingly every A-list party, premiere, fundraiser and awards show. Most of that is a necessary part of his Tribune persona. But he could live without it. He’d rather be watching his kids play sports, filling an inside straight with his poker buddies or watching TV with Julia. “I’m not a lonely person, but I am anti-social,” he says, adding, “Those are two different things. Over the years, I’ve become very anti-social. I do not like being out among a lot of people. I feel uncomfortable in a crowd. I don’t like being with people particularly, and yet the job and life I’ve chosen are completely counter to that. It’s so much to do what I do and take on those things I happily take on, that when those things are not happening, I want to retreat.” The thing that has been most transformative in his life, he will tell you, is his family, and that’s what he tries to prioritize away from the Tribune. “Once you factor in the Tribune and the events he has to go to, I think he’s very protective of what little time remains,” Julia says. “I think that the energy it takes to be Evan is enormous. I see
it. So I completely recognize his need to be,” she bubbles with laughter at the thought, “boring.” There’s that word again. One of the couple’s favorite getaways is Portland, OR, walking the streets of the city, poking around bookshops, going for hikes, the usual. On a recent visit, says Julia, her husband was totally blown away by a tour of the Tillamook Cheese factory. God help him. “He had a blast!” she confides. “He said it was awesome!” Walk on the wild side, man. On the other hand, maybe the highly visible tightrope walk that is The Texas Tribune is wild enough. “This two and a half years has taught me something,” Smith says. “Before, I always had the luxury of existing in someone else’s structure. There was always a soft landing. But I’m out of soft landings for the time being. It’s a high-wire act to be running something and have people out there go for that high-wire walk with me. I’m aware every day when I walk into this office that there are people counting on me not to fail. We are all responsible for this success, but if it fails, it’s on me.” Duly noted. But are you really sure you wouldn’t also like to try a little nocturnal crime fighting on the side?
atxman.com 4 7
d Secon
Acts: e
su o pur t e t oo la ver t e on. n s passi It i your
By Uhler Steve
nal 2 (Fi 1 0 2 1, June p. 48
)
Draft
F. Scott Fitzgerald observed, “There is no second act to American lives.” But F. Scott Fitzgerald never lived in Texas.
Keith Moreland playing for the Chicago Cubs, 1985.
In these skittish economic times, with the job market shrinking like the polar icecaps, the single-career life is as obsolete as the milkman, cigarette girls and elevator operators. The iceman has gone-eth; we’re not likely to see his kind again. According to the United States Department of Labor, the average American (another disappearing species) now averages three to five careers during his or her lifespan. Mid-life career changes are like second marriages: Nobody really anticipates them, and sometimes they pan out, sometimes they don’t. ATX Man spoke with two markedly different adventurers who refused to go gently in to retirement, successfully reinventing themselves and pursuing rewarding second careers.
Act Two, Scene One:
Photos courtesy of Chicago Cubs/Stephen Green.
Keith Moreland: A Whole Different Ballgame In the golden summer of 1980, Keith Moreland was sitting on top of the world. The then 25-yearold catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies had just helped his team score a World Series pennant. The world was young and life was a banquet. A short decade later, things had changed. The disenfranchised player found himself out of the game, seemingly washed up at 35, with a wife and family to support, and no immediate prospects for the future. “When you’re an athlete, the hands of time catch up with you,” he reflects, some 23 years after playing his last game. “Your body can’t perform the things it did when you were 20. It’s not like when you become a doctor, and then you can be a doctor the rest of your life. An athlete can’t do that. They’ve got a short time span because your skills deteriorate.” Choosing his first career was not so much a decision as a natural instinct for the Carrollton-born Texas native.
“I dreamed of being a football player growing up,” he says. “I played two sports at UT and was fortunate enough to do that. I didn’t really think about becoming a baseball player until I got to college and found out I could play.” And the kid could play. Moreland led the Longhorns to a College World Series in each of his three seasons (1973 to 1975) and was one of the key components of Texas’ 1975 College World Series championship team before being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1978 to 1989, he was one of the most celebrated major-league ball players of his time, playing for such teams as the Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers. But for Moreland, as for countless other professional athletes, time was relative. When he finally hung up his jersey in 1990, he was facing a different playing field altogether. “I really didn’t know what I was going to do. For a lot of players, that’s the toughest time, that transition,” he says. “You go from being in the spotlight, and you may have made some money, but you’ve still got to do something else with your life. I don’t know how many times I asked myself, ‘What are you gonna do now?’”
Moreland after his transition to broadcasting, 2011.
John Russell during his years as a pilot for the U.S. Air Force, 1970.
What he did was return home to his alma matter. “The first and foremost thing I did—and one of the things I’m proudest of—I went back to the University of Texas and got my degree,” Moreland says. “Austin was home. I was drawn to coaching. I understood the game, so I went in that direction.” Moreland spent the next few years coaching at various schools, including UT and Texas State. In 1994, he received a game-changing call from friend Bill Schoening, the broadcast voice of the San Antonio Spurs. “He said, ‘Keith, I’ve heard you’ve done a little radio. How about doing a Longhorn baseball game?’” Moreland recalls. Thus began Moreland’s baptism by fire as an onair color analyst and commentator. “I did six or seven ball games,” he says. “I was not very good. In fact, I was horrible. I really didn’t understand the cadence and the mechanics of doing a broadcast. But Bill talked me in to coming back the next year, and I did 25 games in ’95. I enjoyed it.” The evolution from player to media commentator was not without its own learning curves. “There are so many things that go in to the
50 ATX MAN summer 2012
mechanics of radio,” Moreland relates. “When to talk, how to get in and out. You’ve got to pitch breaks, come out of breaks. Everything is on a time clock. One of the biggest things is you’ve got to be able to talk about something other than the game.” And it’s not always smooth sailing in the broadcast booth. “I can still butcher the English language, no doubt about it,” he confesses. “I still make up words sometimes.” Despite his shaky start, Moreland soon found his comfort zone, expanding his duties in to television while still covering UT Football, high-school football and college baseball. From 1996 onward, he became synonymous with Longhorns broadcasting, as ubiquitous as burnt orange in a downtown sports bar. In 2010, Ron Santo, the longtime radio voice for the Chicago Cubs, died, and Moreland found himself with an unanticipated opportunity. “I applied and got hired as color analyst for the Chicago Cubs,” he says. The new job fit like his old catcher’s glove, and he’s been at it ever since. These days, Moreland splits his time commuting between his Austin home and his broadcast duties in Chicago. “It’s really nice,” he says. “When you do college sports, you may be gone a day or two, but it’s not like professional sports, when you have to be on 10-day road trips. It’s totally different today than it was in 1990 when I finished playing.” Looking back, Moreland is grateful for the hand he’s been dealt, and is satisfied with how he’s played it. “I really didn’t know where this broadcasting thing was going, but it’s taken me to a whole different career, for which I’m very fortunate,” Moreland says. “I truly believe everybody should have some type of goal, something to strive for. If you’re not going for anything, you’re just standing in place.”
Act Two, Scene Two: John Russell: Grounded By Choice Unlike ex-ballplayer Keith Moreland, John Russell’s mid-life career change was voluntary. In the parlance of corporate retirement-speak, Russell wasn’t pushed from his job; he jumped—a risky thing to do for an airline pilot. As a young college grad and Air Force ROTC student in 1967 in the midst of the Vietnam War draft, Russell faced the first of a series of career choices. “I sort of wanted to go in to the Navy, but my older brother talked me in to going in to the Air Force instead,” he remembers. “He said I’d probably kill myself flying off an aircraft carrier, and, besides, Air Force bases had longer runways, bigger golf courses and nicer officers’ clubs.” Following three years as a fighter pilot in Southeast Asia and Europe, the now-seasoned flyer left the Air Force in 1973, heading for Dallas, the hub for several major airlines. He was promptly signed by American Airlines, but before the ink was dry, the Yom Kippur War erupted, plunging the economy in to a tailspin. “It was a really bad time,” Russell says. “I got a letter from American saying they were terminating everybody in the hiring process: ‘We’re firing 600 pilots, and we don’t know when we’ll be hiring again.’” Devastated but determined, Russell took on any flying gigs that came his way. “I had to keep flying if I was ever going to get a job with the airlines, so I took whatever work I could get: flight instructing, charter flying, anything I could to stay competitive,” he says. In June 1975, his perseverance paid off when he was offered a job at a new upstart airline called Southwest. “It was the luckiest break of my life,” he says. “Southwest had 47 pilots then. They were a great company, very generous. They shared the profits with their employees, and they were profitable every year I worked there.” With his then wife, Russell settled in Austin in 1995, a tolerable commute to Houston in those days. But after 25 years and 22,000 hours of flying time—“By then, I had pretty much figured out what all those switches in the cockpit were for,”
"And after 25 years of hanging out at airports, it really starts to get old. I just didn’t enjoy going to work anymore." —John Russell
he jokes—Russell found himself confronting the occupational bane of airline pilots: burnout. “Most airlines had restrictions on the amount of flying their pilots could do: no more than 70 hours a month,” he says. “But at Southwest, we averaged 100 hours a month. And after 25 years of hanging out at airports, it really starts to get old. I just didn’t enjoy going to work anymore.” He voluntarily walked away at 55, five years before the mandatory retirement age. Russell was luckier than most of his peers. Thanks to Southwest’s profit-sharing program, he had accumulated a good deal of money. He spent the next year leisurely swapping flying stories with his brother in Florida, playing golf and mulling over his next move. Having become enamored with Texas throughout the years, he purchased a small ranch near San Saba.
“I was thinking about what to do with it, and I had no interest in cattle,” Russell says. “But I’d always been interested in bison. I thought they were a majestic animal. They’d had such a rough time. It’s hard to believe that they’d been nearly wiped out. I’d always rooted for the underdog, so I decided to get in to the bison business.” In 2002, Russell bought his first bison at a bargain price—a coquettish red-haired heifer named Daisy—and christened his new business High Country Bison. As much as he loved Texas, Russell discovered the terrain was not conducive to raising bison. “There are problems raising bison in Texas,” he says. “There’s drought, sparse grassland, it’s hotter, they don’t put on weight and don’t grow as much as in a cooler climate.” After selling his San Saba ranch and relocating his growing herd to New Mexico, Russell bought
another ranch in Southern Colorado in 2008, an ideal environment for raising bison. High Country Bison now boasts more than 120 head, and last year, Russell won first and second prizes at the National Bison Association’s Gold Trophy Show. On top of that, he’s undertaking a new venture: selling bison burgers and hot dogs from a recently purchased food trailer. It may be an awfully long drive from his Austin home to his ranch in Colorado, but it’s a road trip Russell willingly takes several times a year. It is, after all, where the buffalo roam. “I’m working a lot harder now than when I was flying,” he says, calling from the road on his cell phone. “It makes me sort of wonder how I used to put on a fresh, clean shirt and pressed pants, tie and go to work. Now my entire wardrobe is Levi’s. I’m having fun at what I’m doing. That’s what counts.” His voice fading as he crosses over a ridge, he advises, “Do what you love. Go where your heart is.” And let the buffalo chips fall where they may.
Russell at his bison ranch, 2012.
atxman.com 5 1
First Texas Honda is moving!
Bur
net
Rd
To MoPac at Steck!
Style Summer Days Round Rock Express' Mark Hamburger sports the latest fashions to keep you looking and feeling cool. laid-back, casual feel. Growing up in Minnesota, skateboarding and snowboarding, Hamburger has the look of a California surfer. “I’m an accessory guy. I’ll wear a T-shirt and jeans but throw in a scarf or watch,” Hamburger says. The baby of the family, he credits his sister for his style savvy, as she used him as her fashion guinea pig. You can catch Hamburger at the Dell Diamond, eating at a downtown Austin food stand or cruising around on his longboard down South Lamar. -Molly McManus
Photographs by Annie Ray. Styling and text by Ashley Hargrove, dtkaustinstyling.com. Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, raecosmetics.com. Hair by JC Ramos, blomedry.com.
➜
It’s the bottom of the ninth. Two outs. Bases loaded. Full count. Mark Hamburger is on the mound. He winds up and delivers the pitch—steeeerike! Express wins! The high-stake situations of baseball are what drive this adrenaline junky to play the game. Hamburger, 25, is a pitcher for the Round Rock Express, making it to the “bigs” to play with the Texas Rangers for a month last season. He continues to work hard, attempting to get back to the big leagues. An area where he’s not striking out? His sense of style. Everything about Hamburger embodies a
Topman red striped crew shirt, $32, available at Stag, 1423 South Congress Ave., 512.373.7824. FCUK Nautical Mile shorts, $114, available at Co-Star,1708 S. Congress Ave., 512.912.7970. Reef leather sandals, $75, St. Bernard Sports Austin, 401 W. Third St., 512.320.1999. Shot on location at Guero's Taco Bar.
atxman.com 5 3
➜
4 Summer Looks
➜ Date Night
ACL Live Show
Dress to impress! This tailored look is sure to please your date and even some curious spectators. Still staying comfortable with a nice pair of dark jeans, throw on a button-up and blazer to create the perfect "date night" look.
This is a perfect look for a fun night out to see a live show at Moody Theater. Go sleek with a dress shirt and vest but still comfy and casual by wearing your favorite pair of jeans.
John Varvatos USA light blue button-down, $115, and Vineyard Vines Fishbone Tie, $75, and John Varvatos USA blazer, $398, available at St. Bernard Sports Austin, 401 W. Third St., 512.320.1999. Nixon watch and Diesel jeans, his own.
Thomas Dean check shirt, $109.95, and John Varvatos USA vest, $228, available at St. Bernard Sports Austin, 401 W. Third St., 512.320.1999. Red leather belt available at Co-Star, 1708 S. Congress Ave., 512.912.7970. Nixon watch, his own.
➜
➜
SoCo Lunch to the Lake
A Night Out with the Boys
Just because you are going to go play out on the lake doesn't mean you have to dress like a beach bum. Throw on a casual shortsleeve button-up with some khaki shorts and leather flip-flops and you are ready to go. Lake to lunch with only one look!
Forget the sport coats and dress shirts; this casual look is perfect for a night out with the guys. Whether hanging out at Alamo Drafthouse or Guero's, this look will keep you comfy yet super stylish.
Penguin woven shirt, $79, available at St. Bernard Sports Austin, 401 W. Third St., 512.320.1999. FCUK Nautical Mile Shorts, $114, available at Co-Star, 1708 S. Congress Ave., 512.912.7970.
54 ATX MAN summer 2012
➜
Style
RVCA Project RVCA II hoodie, $74, available at St. Bernard Sports Austin, 401 W. Third St., 512.320.1999, Ames Bros Metal Stock shirt, $30, Co-Star, 1708 S. Congress Ave., 512.912.7970. Diesel jeans and Nixon watch, his own.
➜ General Assembly navy blazer, $140, NESC Pink Pinpoint Oxford, $128, and Hitsman check tie, $78, available at Stag, 1423 S. Congress Ave., 512.373.7824.Diesel jeans, his own. Lucchese matte ostrich leg boot, $399, hat and Longhorn belt, available at Allen's Boots, 1522 S. Congress Ave., 512.447.1413. Shot on location at Allen's Boots.
atxman.com 5 5
Style
➜
Summer Shades
h Tom Ford tortoise shell glasses, $360, available at St. Bernard Sports.
a SALT gunmetal glasses, $425, available at St. Bernard Sports.
h Jolie Rouge longhorn glasses, $239, available at Filín.
g Thompson shades, $266, available at CoStar.
a TOMS Classic glasses, $140, available at Stag.
56 ATX MAN summer 2012
➜ Zanerobe Beech tank, $37, G-Star board shorts, $80, Adidas Toe Touch Lace, $60 and Beat shades, $288, available at Co-Star, 1708 S. Congress Ave., 512.912.7970. Shot on location at Amy's Ice Cream.
In the Know
➜
health
Rub It In Discovering the benefits and types of massage therapy. By Jill Case
Massage is not just a form of self-indulgence or a way to feel pampered. Massage therapy has been shown in many studies to provide health benefits, to help treat medical conditions and, in some cases, massage therapy is even covered by insurance as part of a treatment program. Some of the many proven benefits include stress reduction, pain reduction, relief from sports-related injuries and help with controlling blood pressure. According to webmd.com, there are more than 80 styles of massage and many types of practitioners. You can choose from licensed massage therapists or physical and occupational therapists. Each type of massage addresses different needs, and you may want to try more than one, finding the one that helps you the most. Here are some popular massage styles.
Swedish Massage This is the type of massage most people think of when you say, “I’m getting a massage.” Swedish massage promotes relaxation in a gentle, soothing way. The therapist uses oil or lotion, kneading and stroking the body with long, smooth strokes and circular motions. Muscle tension is also relieved with light tapping on the top layers of the skin. The therapist may also gently bend and move the joints. This type of massage is often performed in spas or by a massage therapist.
trained massage therapist or physical therapist, and it’s important to ask your therapist about their training and experience with this type of massage. Trigger points are caused by injuries or by overuse, and they occur in the fascia of the muscles. The therapist uses localized, sustained pressure on those points to help release the tissue, thus reducing the pain. You will probably need more than one session to help alleviate the problem.
as the body’s vital energy flow. Therapists use finger pressure to target each of the meridians of the body, which are thought to be the pathways along which energy circulates. You should tell your therapist if you would like them to focus on a particular problem area. Many people use Shiatsu massage as part of their preventative health programs, but it can also help with specific problems. After a Shiatsu massage, most people will not experience any soreness.
Deep-Tissue Massage
Hot-Stone Massage
Thai Massage
If you have chronic pain or an injury, this type of therapy may be perfect for you. It works especially well for sore neck and shoulders, and back pain. Therapists use firm, deep, slow strokes to target deeper layers of muscles, tendons and connective tissue. This type of therapy helps to break down adhesions in the muscles, and you may feel uncomfortable or sore during the treatment or afterward. It is important to let the therapist know how you are feeling. It’s also important to drink water after your treatment to help flush out lactic acid.
If you want a relaxing treatment that also allows the massage therapist to gently target your muscles, you might enjoy a hot-stone massage. Smooth stones are heated and then placed on particular parts of the body, warming the muscles. Oil or lotion may be applied to the body before the stones are placed. The therapist may also choose to use the stones to apply gentle pressure. After the stones have done their work warming and relaxing the muscles, the therapist will remove them and massage the muscles further.
Imagine doing yoga, but with someone helping you through it. That’s Thai massage. The therapist moves and stretches your body into different positions, poses and stretches. People find it energizing, as it relaxes muscles, reduces stress and improves flexibility. During the treatment, the therapist will also compress your muscles and mobilize your joints. Like Shiatsu massage, this technique also targets acupressure points.
Trigger Point Massage
Shiatsu Massage
Therapeutic in nature, this type of massage focuses on tender tight points in your muscles, or trigger points. This type of therapy needs to be done by a
This Japanese massage targets acupressure points, helping to relieve blockages at these points, believed to be important to the chi, which is defined
58 ATX MAN summer 2012
Sports Massage According to Michael McGillicuddy’s book Massage for Sports Performance, “sport massage is the specific application of massage techniques, hydrotherapy protocols, range of motion, flexibility procedures and strength-training principles on athletes to achieve
09.07.12
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a specific goal.” This type of massage is not just for pros; it’s also helpful for everyday athletes as a means of preventing injury or helping heal sportsrelated injuries.
TEN TH AN NIV ERS AR Y of
AUS TIN WO MA N
Similar to the traditional Swedish massage, the massage itself involves stroking and kneading the muscles, but it’s often done more quickly. Deeptissue massage is also used to target sore or injured muscles.
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A short (usually 10- to 15-minute) massage can be helpful prior to an event because it improves circulation and helps to relax stiff muscles, possibly preventing injury. After a sporting event, a massage can help with recovery by relaxing sore muscles, helping with cramps and muscle spasms. Athletes also use massage treatments between competitions to help them maintain muscle health and flexibility. Therapists can pay special attention to the muscle groups used in your sport.
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•
Reflexology It’s all about your feet, and sometimes your hands. The theory is that certain areas of the feet and hands correspond to different parts of the body, including organs and glands. Therapists use their hands and fingers to apply different ➜ Before You levels of pressure. This Start Massage technique promotes reTherapy: laxation and is especially comforting for people If you are seeking who are on their feet treatment for a medical for long periods of time. condition, you may want Generally, a reflexology to discuss the approprisession lasts about 45 ate type of therapy with minutes to an hour. a physician first. Describe your symptoms or what you are hoping to gain from the massage and find out what type of therapy the therapist recommends. Ask if your therapist is licensed, certified or registered. Find out if your therapist has experience with the type of massage you are requesting. Find out how long each session will last, what it costs and whether it is covered by insurance.
Massage therapy has become a valued addition to preventative health care, as well as a complement to traditional medicine. There is a type of massage available for virtually every kind of condition, want or need, so give it a try. It’s a worthwhile investment in your health. To find a massage therapist in your area or for more information about massage therapy, try visiting massageaustin.net and amtamassage.org.
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(512) 476-9149
w w w .R h o a d t o B e a u t y .c o m atxman.com 5 9
In the Know
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fitness
Boot Camp Basics
❱❱ Double-Arm Tricep Extension Double-arm tricep extensions build the main muscle in the triceps, giving you bigger arms. Don’t let your hand go lower than your ears and keep your low point at a 90-degree angle. Extend your arms all the way to the top. Always flex your abs before you drive up with the weight. This relieves pressure on your back. Do three sets of 12.
Ripped is in. By Ryan Nail, Photos by Rudy Arocha
❱❱ Upright Row
Big is out and ripped is in, and with the summer already here, taking your shirt off should give you confidence, not wishful thoughts of workouts you should have done. With these exercises, you will get just that. Every exercise covers the main muscles in the body to give a muscular build, and with the superset exercise, it creates power with that muscle group, along with burning major calories to give you the ultimate rip and tone to boot.
The upright row targets all three parts of the shoulder, which is great for filling out T-shirts for the summer, as it broadens your shoulders. Keep your shoulders back and flex your abs before you bring the bar up to your chin. Do 12 to 15 reps.
❱❱ Russian Twist
❱❱ Side Planks
The Russian twist slims down the waistline in a major way while creating lines in your abs. Lifting your feet in the air while you do this exercise engages your lower abs. If your back aches, bring your legs to the ground and stay within the ribcage while twisting to the sides. Do four sets of 25 reps on each side.
Side planks target the abdominals and are a great superset to the Russian twist. Go low to the ground through your hip, and then drive your hips higher than your ribcage, to the sky. Keep your hips forward and keep your elbow aligned with your shoulder. Do four sets of 25 reps on each side.
60 ATX MAN summer 2012
❱❱ Incline Bench Press A great way to build the chest fast is by doing the incline bench press. It also develops the line in the center of the chest. When alternating the dumbbells in an incline press, you promote power, balance and core strength in a more dynamic way than the popular bench press. Do four sets of 15 reps.
❱❱ Sit-Up Press The sit-up press works your shoulders while adding weight to your sit-ups, creating great abs. When doing sit-ups, keep an outward curve with your spine. Do high reps, up to 25.
❱❱ Sit-Up to Stand Immediately super set the sit-up presses with sit-ups to stands. You can do this with a partner or with a pair of weights. Gain momentum as you go into your sit-up, and then drive through your heels as you stand, working your entire body. Do three sets of 25 reps.
❱❱ burpees Follow the kettle-bell swings with burpees using a set of dumbbells. Start in a push-up position with the weights, jump up until both feet are right underneath your body, then arch your shoulders back until you have an inward curve with your spine. From there, curl the weights up and press them in the air as you jump for height, and then repeat. Again, do high reps of 15 to 20, and go with a weight of 15 pounds or less.
❱❱ Double-Arm Kettle-Bell Swings Double-arm kettle-bell swings work your legs and front delts, and with its fast pace, you will burn major calories as you sweat it out at a high rep of 15 to 20. Keep a straight back and catch the kettle bell in a deep squat. As you swing the kettle bell back up, drive through all four points of your feet and shift your pelvis forward as if you were jumping forward. Kettle-bell swings are great, but if you do not keep perfect form, you can get hurt.
RYAN NAIL Owner, CoreFit Training traincorefit.com
atxman.com 6 1
In the Know
➜
family man
Crazy Sports Dad Parents decimated by outbreak of YSID (YouthSports-Induced Dementia) By Clay Nichols As a young man, I declined to watch sports, an activity I judged a silly waste of time akin to watching people eat. Then, on my 30th birthday, as if some biochemical switch flipped in my brain, I found myself frozen in place thinking, “Hunh. The Masters. On TV.” Then I flopped on the sofa in front of the tube and fell fast asleep. Food Network, same result. Since then, I’ve been a spectator, not a rabid fan. I’m not a stat keeper or a draft watcher. Hell, I probably couldn’t name more than two or three players on the teams I follow. But I do enjoy the festivities of a live event, the drama of a close contest and even sometimes find inspiration in the stories of the dedication some athletes show. That said, I do wish more men would lead off casual conversations with, “How are your boys (and girls)?” instead of, “How ’bout them ’Boys?!” That’s why I’m more than a little concerned I’m becoming that guy. Crazy sports dad. The alarm bells went off this morning when I thought to myself in the shower, “If I can just make it through to 4:30, then I get to watch Wilson scrimmage.” Wait a minute. What? My work life has become something to “get through?” I absolutely love my job! And for a scrimmage? Not even a game? Time out. To the telestrator we go. There you see me on the sidelines of one of the kids’ games, casually slumped in my camp chair, sipping Starbucks, being relatively non-demonstrative, offering only general and encouraging cheers. Roll the tape back a little further, and there I am before the game saying the same thing I always do, “Have fun.” Roll forward to the post-game meeting, and I ask the customary, “Did you have fun?” If I have any feedback, it’s to praise effort. (I’m fortunate that I have zero experience in the sports my kids play, so I have no temptation to offer technical feedback. I never have.) Seems pretty good. But the telestrator doesn’t tell the whole story. Inside, my guts roil with every play. I zing from elation to despair with every shot or pass. My heart beats like it did in the home stretch of my first marathon as I watch 7-year-olds play soccer.
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When my wife and I finally make it out for a precious date night, what do we do? Enjoy a delicious meal while discussing politics or movies or even gossip about work? Nope. We endlessly dissect the latest of our daughter’s games. At home, after the kids clear the table and head off to play Wii, we talk team dynamics, fret about tryouts, whisper about strengths and liabilities on the field. My son had a minor toe injury and missed a game. I was despondent and irritable for days. I can honestly say there is no cultural event, no opening, no performance or concert or lecture or gala or inaugural or red-carpet premiere I would rather attend than one of my son’s lacrosse games. Even a scrimmage. Am I a victim of YSID? What’s next? Charging out of the stands to trade haymakers with some stockbroker father from the opposing lax team? So, I’m not berating my kids from the sidelines, neck veins bulging or drilling them in the backyard all night or ever really saying anything to them directly, but I know they must sense my stakes in their games. I’m not deluded enough to think I can hide my feelings. To find out if I’m nuts, I polled three coaches: a parenting coach, a hall of fame coach and my kids’ coach. Here’s what they had to say.
Carrie Contey, Ph.D., parenting coach (carriecontey.com) Well, I wouldn’t say “crazy,” more like “strongly enthusiastic.” And that’s a good thing. If you are concerned you might slip over to the dark side, keep these three things in mind:
1. Let your kids own the experience. It’s not yours. They don’t need you getting too in the mix. 2. Honor their needs and wishes. If they want you at the game, great. If not, don’t go. It’s not personal. 3. Don’t scream too loud (it’s embarrassing), and no brawling with the other parents. If you follow these simple guidelines, you should be good to go. I see many games in your future, dear papa.
Jeff Moore, hall of fame University of Texas tennis coach, leadership consultant (mooreleadership.com) The bad news: Your condition has progressed beyond crazy sports dad. You are actually suffering from early onset business plan dad. The good news: Because you’re in the early stages of the disease, it’s treatable! When you become despondent, say to yourself, “My job as a parent is to restrain myself from acting on these thoughts so that my child is ready for day one of job one, the first moment in her life when she will actually have to be internally driven. I must resist falling in to the trap of trying to keep up with the Joneses. If I go down that path, high (test-prep-fueled) test scores and sterling (inflated) grades from ‘prestigious’ schools combined with oodles of self(ish)-esteem will position her to arrive at a plum first job. But all of that will be rendered useless
on day one of job one. I will have produced an Arriver.” Keep praising effort and competitive zeal, but with conviction! Competitors can handle anything that comes their way, whether they made the varsity or not.
Bobby Murphy, Soccer Academy director, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (sstx.org) A crazy sports dad? I would say no. Item 1: The interactions you have with your children are telling. You send them off with a “Have fun” and a “Did you have fun?” when they are done. The use of one three-letter word (fun) over another (win) is important. If the question is, “Did you win?” then a child can see anything other than that as a disappointment to the most important people in their lives. If the expectation is to have fun, then a child is free to participate for the reason kids play sports in the first place. Item 2: You recognize that you have no experience in the sport and therefore really nothing but support to offer. Imagine a child having been told one thing by a coach, and being bombarded with contradictory instruction from the sidelines. How about I come to your office and scream instructions about the next DadLabs video? Might be hard to get anything done. Item 3: You are asking the question. A little self-awareness goes a long way. I think it is only normal for parents to wish success for their children. I have three of my own and have and still go watch them play. It is one of my greatest joys to see them competing, working with others, getting better. I also remember that this is their experience, my playing days are over and kids are to be enjoyed. In my experience, the craziness occurs when the emotions you described spill out. When the love we have for our children, our hopes for their success collide with the realization of how little control we have over that outcome, when we lose sight of the reasons kids play sports in the first place, when we believe our child’s performance somehow reflects back on us, then the mayhem begins. So, in conclusion, I win 2-1! In your face, crazy sports dads and YSIDs everywhere! I’m totally sane! Winning! Clay Nichols is co-founder and chief creative officer at dadlabs. com, the web's leading resource for all things dad. He is also an author, playwright, former teacher, husband and father of three living in Austin.
In the Know
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finance
Exploring Investment Choices Looking beyond traditional asset classes.
❱❱ Stocks, bonds and cash are fundamental components of an investment portfolio. However, many othert investments can be used to spice up returns or reduce overall portfolio risk. So-called alternative assets have become popular in recent years as a way to provide greater diversification. Why Invest in Alternative Asset Classes? Part of sound portfolio management is diversifying investments so that if one type of investment is performing poorly, another may be doing well. As previously indicated, returns on some alternative investments are based on factors unique to a specific investment. Also, the asset class as a whole may behave differently from stocks or bonds. An alternative asset's lack of correlation with other types of investments gives it potential to increase or stabilize a portfolio's return. As a result, alternative assets can complement more traditional asset classes and provide an additional layer of diversification for money that is not part of your core portfolio. However, diversification cannot guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Each alternative asset type involves its own unique risks and may not be suitable for all
investors. Because of the complexities of these various markets, you would do well to seek expert guidance if you want to include alternative assets in a portfolio.
Hedge Funds Hedge funds are private-investment vehicles that manage money for institutions and wealthy individuals. They generally are organized as limited partnerships with the fund managers as general partners and the investors as limited partners. The general partner may receive a percentage of the assets, fees based on performance or both. Hedge funds derived their name from their ability to hedge against a market downturn by selling short. Though they may invest in stocks and bonds, hedge funds are considered an alternative asset class because of their unique, proprietary investing strategies, which may include pairs trading, long-short strategies and use of leverage and derivatives. Participation in hedge funds is typically limited to accredited investors who must meet SEC-mandated high levels of net worth and ongoing income (individual funds also usually require very high minimum investments).
Private Equity/Venture Capital Like stock shares, private equity and venture capital represent an ownership interest in one or more companies, but firms that make private-equity investments may or may not be listed or traded on a public market or exchange. Private equity firms often are involved directly with management of the businesses in which they invest. Private equity often requires a long-term focus. Investments may take years to produce any meaningful cash flow (if indeed they ever do); many funds have 10year time horizons. Like hedge funds, private equity also typically requires a large investment and is available only to investors who meet high SEC net-worth and income requirements.
The Austin Index
Real Estate You may make either direct or indirect investments in buildings—commercial or residential—and/or land. Direct investment involves the purchase, improvement and/or rental of property. Indirect investments are made through an entity that invests in property, such as a real estate investment trust (REIT), which may be publicly traded. Real estate not only has a relatively low correlation with the behavior of the stock market, but also is often viewed as a hedge against inflation.
Precious Metals Investors have traditionally purchased precious metals because they believe that gold, silver and platinum provide security in times of economic and social upheaval. Gold prices often rise when investors are worried that the dollar is losing value, though prices can fall just as quickly. There are many ways to invest in precious metals. In addition to buying bullion or coins, you can invest in futures, shares of mining companies, sector funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Natural Resources/Equipment Leasing Direct investments in natural resources such as timber, oil or natural gas can be made through limited partnerships that provide income from the resources produced. Timberland also may be converted for use as a realestate development. Some limited partnerships pool your money with that of other investors to invest in equipment-leasing businesses, giving you partial ownership of the equipment those businesses lease out, such as construction equipment.
Commodities and Financial Futures Commodities are physical substances that are fundamental to creating other products or to commerce generally. Commodities are basically indistinguishable
losers
winners
price on 02.01.12 price on 04.30.12 (gain) price on 05.08.12 (loss)
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*Data from Open of Business on 2/01/2012 to close 5/08/2012.
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ticker name open close %Change (SWI) Solarwinds Inc .....................................................31.83..... 46.91....... 47.38 (MGAM) Multimedia Games Holding Company.............8.35...... 11.36....... 36.05 (CRUS) Cirrus Logic........................................................20.66..... 27.38....... 32.52 (LMNX) Luminex Corp. .....................................................19.80..... 25.04....... 26.46 (GOLF) GOLFSMITH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS................3.82....... 4.68........ 22.51 (WFM) WHOLE FOODS MARKET..........................................74.94..... 83.07....... 10.85 (PVSW) PERVASIVE SOFTWARE............................................5.78....... 6.91..........7.09 (ACC) American Campus Communities ........................42.94..... 44.45.........3.52 (NATI) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP. ............................26.78..... 27.20.........1.57 (ACPW) ACTIVE POWER .......................................................0.87....... 0.88..........1.15 (CNVO) CONVIO INC............................................................15.91..... 16.00.........0.57 (EZPW) EZCORP .................................................................27.01..... 26.79........-0.81 (DELL) DELL........................................................................17.30..... 16.71........-3.41 (FOR) FORESTAR GROUP....................................................16.11..... 15.38........-4.53 (VLNC) VALENCE TECHNOLOGY ..........................................6.08....... 5.76.........-5.26 (LMNX) Luminex Corp.......................................................21.07..... 19.70........-6.50 (CIA) CITIZENS INC.............................................................10.40...... 9.61.........-7.59 (NTSP) NETSPEND HOLDINGS.............................................8.76........7.63........-12.90 (SLAB) SILICON LABORATORIES.........................................44.17..... 35.49........-19.6
from one another. Examples include oil and natural gas; agricultural products such as corn, wheat and soybeans; livestock such as cattle and hogs; and metals such as copper and zinc. Commodities are typically traded through futures contracts, which promise delivery on a certain date at a specified price. Futures contracts also are available for financial instruments, such as a security, a stock index or a currency. Though the futures market was created to facilitate trading among companies that produce, own or use commodities in their businesses, futures contracts also are bought and sold as investments in themselves, and some mutual funds and ETFs are based on futures indexes. Futures allow an investor to leverage a relatively small amount of capital. However, they are highly speculative, and that leverage also magnifies the potential loss if the market does not behave as expected.
It’s Your Life LIVE VIGOROUSLY!
Art, Antiques, Gems and Collectibles Some investors are drawn to these because art, antiques, gems and other collectibles may retain their value or even appreciate as inflation rises. However, those values can be unpredictable because they are affected by supply and demand, economic conditions and the quality of an individual piece or collection.
Tradeoffs You Need to Understand Alternative assets can be less liquid than stocks or bonds. There may be restrictions on when you can sell, and you may or may not be able to find a buyer. Performance, values and risks may be difficult to research and assess accurately. Also, you may not be eligible for direct investment in hedge funds or private equity. The unique properties of alternative asset classes also mean that they can involve a high degree of risk. Because some are subject to less regulation than other investments, there may be fewer constraints to prevent potential manipulation or to limit risk from highly concentrated positions in a single investment. Finally, hard assets, such as gold bullion, may involve special concerns, such as storage and insurance, while natural resources and commodities can suffer from the fallout of unusual weather or natural disasters. A financial professional can advise you on whether alternative assets have a role in your portfolio.
James W. Hamilton, III is a financial advisor in the private wealth management division at Morgan Keegan. In this capacity, he oversees the diverse needs of a select group of clients in a highly personalized manner, including wealth management, retirement planning and succession strategies. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in economics and organic agriculture. For more information, email jimmy. hamilton@morgankeegan.com.
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512.454.9700
In the Know
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legal
Do You Need a Prenup? Communicate, plan and compromise well before you hear wedding bells. By John A. Hay III Lawyers often are asked by friends or clients whether a premarital agreement (“prenup”) should be drafted and signed before marriage. In many cases, a prenup is a good idea and should be considered and discussed among partners. A prenup is designed to protect each person in case of a dispute, divorce or tragedy, and also to create equality for both parties. However, there are several common misconceptions about prenups. Many believe that you should only have a prenup if you are ultra-wealthy. That is not necessarily the case. While one should certainly consider a prenup if they are significantly wealthier than their partner, there are many other reasons it is smart to protect yourself and your assets with a prenup. First, if your partner has considerable debt and you do not want to be responsible for these debts should the marriage end, you should consider stating that intention clearly and legally prior to the marriage. Also, if you are remarrying, a prenup is a good idea. If you have children from a previous marriage, support obligations, own a home or other assets, a prenup can ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Lastly, if you own an interest in a business, a prenup protects your business partners upon divorce by ensuring your partner does not become an unwanted business partner. The next question we get asked is, “What should I put in my prenup?” It is actually better asked, “What shouldn't I include in my prenup?” Provisions dealing with anything illegal or unconscionable (unjustly unfair) are not allowed in a prenup or any contract, for that matter. Also, anything that could be conveyed as encouraging divorce is not allowed. A few things that are not allowed that many might find surprising are provisions dealing with visitation of the children, child support or custody of the children (how to raise them, what religion, schooling, etc.). Only family courts may make final determinations on these issues. A prenup should include provisions deal-
66 ATX MAN summer 2012
ing with the distribution of the assets upon divorce, how premarital debts are handled, the characterization of certain property (whether separate or community property) and the modification or elimination of spousal support. Other matters, including personal rights and obligations not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty, may be included. There is no reason to draft and execute a prenup if it will not stand up if contested in court. In Texas, a prenup will usually hold up in the family courts if the following provisions were met: the parties had independent counsel in creating the agreement; the parties were aware of their rights regarding property division under Texas law, especially if they agree to waive such rights; the agreement was entered in to freely and voluntarily; and each party was aware of each other’s income, and that full disclosures had been made with respect to income, assets and debts. In conclusion, it is important that if you may want a prenup, you should discuss the matter with your
partner before you become engaged (if not already engaged), or shortly thereafter. This can be a sensitive topic, and waiting until the last minute will most likely not sit well with your partner. Additionally, your partner may not initially be on board with the idea and as you move toward marriage it can become more difficult to discuss. A prenup is designed to protect both partners, and if explained in this context, often is a good test of the communication, compromise and other skills needed in any successful marriage.
John A. Hay III is the founding and managing member of Hay Compere, PLLC, an Austin-based law firm offering a full range of real estate, construction, document preparation, general business and commercial litigation services, and also operates as a Fee Attorney Office for First American Title Company. haycompere.com, 512.467.6060.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY IT FORWARD?
the giving man pledge POWERED BY ATXMAN.COM Let everyone know how you plan to make the city a better place. It’s easy, it’s fast, and, of course, it’s free! The Giving Man Pledge is all about showing your gratitude by paying it forward. What do you stand for? What could you do? Visit an elderly home. Volunteer with a local charity. Pay for a stranger’s coffee. Can’t think of anything? Then find out what your neighbors have pledged online at atxman.com/givingmanpledge. Sign up, get your wristband and leave a mark on your hometown!
“MY GIVING MAN PLEDGE IS TO
dedicate more time to my little brother as his mentor in the big brother big sister program and to influence at least one other person to sign up with the organization” -Mike Perico
“MY GIVING MAN PLEDGE IS TO
continue supporting the Arts in Austin and to help young women develop confidence in sharing their voices in music and in their even bigger purposes.” -Eva Laskaris
“MY GIVING MAN PLEDGE IS TO
support more independent businesses in the Austin, Round Rock and San Marcos areas.” -Freddie Obregón
To see your pledge here go online and share with us by submitting at: atxman.com/givingmanpledge.
BENEFICIARIES
In the Know
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opposite sex
MANifest Destiny Looking at the men of LA with an eye on Austin. By Michelle Valles, Photo by Rudy Arocha We’re savoring our lovely lunch at Villa Blanca, gawking at the pretty men bustling by when my dear friend Diana swirls her sauvignon blanc and whimpers, “Wow, you’re lucky, babe. No flip-flops and that gross unshowered look. They sure don’t make ’em like this in Austin!” Unimpressed and slightly homesick, I gasp, “No, doll, they don’t. Besides, Austin women don’t want these city boys anyway!” She rolls her eyes and goes back to admiring the eye candy near Rodeo. I try explaining why most Beverly Hills businessmen dress like Ryan Seacrest. Two reasons: They’re gay, or they can afford to. This is the big leagues, baby. Let’s be real. Out here, you can’t swim with the sharks in a Burlington suit. That is, until you’ve made it. What I most fear for myself happened to Diana overnight. She was hypnotized in Lala Land. Not even a hard slap across the face with her outrageous Rodeo receipts would awaken her. She’s like some women out there—OK, a lot of women—whose dream man comes packaged in a classic Tom Ford suit and Tods loafers with a black American Express card. And we saw plenty of them. They just didn’t see us. Typical LA. Yes, Tex has headed west, Austin men. I landed an incredible opportunity as a weekend anchor and reporter with KNBC in Los Angeles. It’s an amazing news market, and I work with true pros. I don’t park far from Jay Leno. And William Levy, the Latin (DWTS) heartthrob lives in my apartment complex. It’s so exciting and new. But I am missing the beautiful Texas skies. Here, the only stars I see are on the streets. Single in LA sounds like the title of a horror flick, right? Or at least that’s what they tell me out here. While I haven’t found any MANifest destiny out West, I’ve had no time or huge desire to stake out the grounds. But advice from my good LA friends keeps coming in: “Whatever you do, Mitch, don’t become LA’ed.” That means getting too many cosmetic procedures and dating
"It’s a different world out here, so much so that now Keep 'Austin Weird' seems so sweet to me."
68 ATX MAN summer 2012
men or women based on their area and zip codes or the last film they made, better yet, the new one they’re starring in. My advice to Austin men: Quit complaining next time she wants to go to Uchi. Just be thankful you’re not caught up with an LA woman. Here, you definitely pay much more to play, and that is not even taking in to consideration your address, your car, your job title and who you might be able to hook your date up with. Diana’s right. They don’t make ’em like they do in Austin. I will say the hot surfer boys out West do remind me of some of you guys in Austin. “I’d never color my hair, nor do I care,” said my new neighbor. “The more time I spend on that means the less time I have to wax my surfboard.” In the words of Paris Hilton, circa 2005, that’s hot! It’s a different world out here, so much so that now Keep Austin Weird seems so sweet to me. One Sunday morning on Melrose, I saw a woman eat lettuce and water for breakfast. Throw in some cigarettes and a diet coke, and there you have LA’s popular weekend buffet. Dating in LA can be daunting because you don’t know what you’re getting in to; it’s the big city. Anything goes in LA. It’s imperative to find your tribe, your peeps. I am certain that the look on my face was priceless when my friend told me his girl may not be coming around anymore. When I asked why, he said, “Well, she’s already involved with another heterosexual couple.” Welcome to LA. What’s your dream? Don’t come out here with eyes wide shut. Life is cyclical. The advice I’d always given my guy friends is all of a sudden being given
to me: “You be you, and if you are true to yourself, then you’ll be all right.” And much to my surprise, the Tex-Mex charm is working wonders out West. A smile, thank you and even buying your own drink stops some guys dead in their tracks. “Where did you move from? You’re definitely not from LA.” “Austin!” I say proudly. I get a smile almost every time. Authenticity. It works wonders in Austin and LA. Who knew?
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In the Know
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relationships
Financial Infidelity When a hidden receipt spells big trouble. By Eric Leech
According to surveys, approximately 30 percent of all couples have lied to their partner about finances, about everything from a shoe purchase buried deep within the closet to an arsenal of hidden credit cards and bank accounts. More than a quarter of committed relationships are currently withholding important financial information from each other, such as credit-card statements, yearly earnings and personal debt. The majority of couples agree it is more important to be honest about finances than it is about an extramarital affair. Nearly three-quarters of financial cheaters eventually get caught, the result being 11 percent separate, 16 percent get a full-blown divorce and 40 percent develop trust issues. If you suspect your partner is not being honest about their spending habits, these next few paragraphs may save you a one-way trip down Bankruptcy Lane.
❱❱ Open an Investigation The first step of financial infidelity is to collect the facts. You need to see just how much cheating has been going on. You can order a free credit report, which will give you the lowdown of the situation. While most infidelity falls within the realms of the occasional pair of shoes or garage tool, the more serious forms include vehicle purchases, homes/apartments for affairs and large sums of cash missing from your accounts.
❱❱ The Origins of Infidelity Financial infidelity has many origins, including adultery, insecurity, addiction and revenge. Deceitful spending can be a red flag for an ongoing affair. It takes money to play two relationships. If you have uncovered hidden receipts, pay attention to what they were from (hotels, airfare,
70 ATX MAN summer 2012
etc.). Insecure partners may also hide money as a means to feel less vulnerable in the relationship, putting it away for a rainy day, so to speak. However, be aware that a rainy-day fund can also be used in preparation for a divorce. Checkbook cheating can be an attempt to fill a void. Multiple thrill purchases give some unhappy relationships a momentary high, also known as medicated spending. Addictive personalities may justify a hidden account as a means to continue a bad habit, such as alcohol, gambling or drugs. Financial infidelity may also be used for revenge. In most cases, however, cheating is mostly about buying something your partner doesn’t approve of. This leads to the next recommended course of action, setting aside a slush fund.
❱❱ The Slush Fund If your investigations have not uncovered any serious deal breakers, one way to curb hidden spending is to allow each other a certain allowance each month. It could be as minimal as $20 or as much as $1,000. The important thing is that the two of you agree to the amount and stick to it. This slush fund will offer enough freedom for indulgence while also keeping
a cap on the amount of trouble you can get in to. If there is an item that will cost more than the monthly allowance, you can either save for it or sit down together and decide if it fits the budget.
❱❱ An Ounce of Prevention Financial infidelity is as much a breakdown in communication as it is an addiction to the joys of medicated spending. This com-
munication can be maintained by organizing a monthly powwow in which you can discuss the budget, goals and any future purchases. By maintaining an open discussion policy, talking about money will be less likely to become a sore point. With your tongues freed and consciences clear, you’ll be able to focus on more amicable activities, like ensuring sexual fidelity by keeping the cobwebs off the bedposts!
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The Last Word
The Joy of Life Experiencing the Thrill of Creation. By Roy Spence
72 ATX MAN summer 2012
This is my favorite quote. It is because I have come to understand and therefore deeply believe that the real thrill and joy of this journey is to live a purpose-inspired life, making a living doing what you love to do, finding yourself getting lost in the service of others and, maybe most importantly, creating positive things that were not there before simply because you can. Creating positive things that were not there before for many seems like the special domain of the socalled “creative people.” Not so, at best. A bad and paralyzing myth, at worst. Everyone can create positive things—lots of things every day—that were not there before: a heartfelt early morning email or letter that you never wrote before; an Italian dish that you never cooked before; a garden that you never planted before; a beautiful and personal framed picture that you never framed before; a café that you always dreamed of but never opened before; a speech that you never gave before; an experience of climbing a mountain that you never
hiked before; a tabletop book that you never wrote before; a different class lesson that you never taught before; and, of course, the greatest thrill and joy, a safe and loving home for a child that you never held before. Every human being deserves to be inspired to create new things, think new thoughts and dream new dreams. So today, I salute those who now are unleashed to create positive things that were not there before, little things every day. And every now and then, jump off the building and build the wings on the way down, and try creating a big positive new thing. I especially salute Melinda, Christopher, Deborah and all the most wonderful and talented and dedicated people of AW Media Inc. for creating something special and uplifting and entertaining that was not there before: ATX Man. I am honored to be a small part of this journey of joy. It’s a thrill. Ride it down. And don’t do mild in life. Ever.
Photo by Eric Doggett.
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” – George Bernard Shaw
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