Austin Woman MAGAZINE | JULY 2015
“Clarity of purpose…leads to bolder decisions.” —John Mackey
TOP-RANKED FOR COMBINED
PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY
A study comparing all car brands based on performance and predicted reliability ranks Mazda the highest among all non-luxury brands. Overall, Mazda takes 2nd, coming in just behind Lexus. 1
TOP-RATED IN SAFETY Overall 5-star rating in NHTSA crash tests.
*
CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN • KILLEEN
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1SOURCE: Article titled, “2015 Car Brand Report Cards”, by a major consumer resource published online February 24, 2015 and in print April 2015 issue. *Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).
Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology ENDOCRINOLOGY
is the science of hormones, substances released by glands that regulate every cell in your body, for both men and women. Examples of endocrine diseases: thyroid disease, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, hirsutism, menopause, pituitary and adrenal pathology, low testosterone in males, andropause and impotence, polycystic ovaries, recurrent kidney stones, irregular or lack of menstrual periods, high and low calcium, diabetes. We provide a comprehensive assessment of your hormone balance, in-house hormone testing, thryoid ultrasound, and bone density testing.
THYROID DISEASE affects thirty million Americans, half of which do not know they have the disease. Examples: hypo and hyperthyroidism, Graves and Hashimoto disease, goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Each person has a different genetic set point for TSH. Thyroid problems require lifelong attention. We are the premiere thryoid clinic in Austin, and offer the latest treatment for thyroid disease, aggressive management of thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine and second opinion consults for thyroid surgery.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR TSH?
HAVE YOU SEEN AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
OPTIMAL HEALTH BIOLOGICAL AGE
deals with your health before disease prevention or treatment.
OSTEOPOROSIS
is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over 50 and is generally missed. Bone fracture is the “heart attack” of the bone. New treatments reduce the risk of fracture and build new bone. A bone density test is the only way to test for osteoporosis. We have the latest bone density testing equipment in Texas, and provide instant bone metabolism, medical consultation, and treatment options.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR BONE DENSITY?
Optimal health is the ideal, yet achievable, health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Your biological age is a measure of how well your body functions, compared to your actual calendar age. Our specialized equipment allows us to measure and evaluate your biological age, a composite of your brain age, bone age, heart age, and vessel age. We help you achieve your optimal health, a major factor in the quality of your life as you age.
TEST YOUR BIOLOGICAL AGE TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL HEALTH.
DR. SIMONE SCUMPIA, FACE, FRCP BOARD CERTIFIED IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM Fellow American College of Endocrinology Fellow Royal College of Physicians Assciate Clinical Professor of Medicine
2200 Park Bend Drive • Building 3, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78758 • behind North Austin Medical Ctr. Mon-Fri, 7 am to 4 pm • www.austinthyroid.com
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Accepting New Patients
PHOTOS ARE ACTUAL PATIENTS
Newest facility. Latest technology. Backed by experience. Trusted choice in pediatric care. More parents have trusted us with their labor, delivery, newborn and neonatal intensive care than any other health care system in Central Texas. We now bring you a dedicated pediatric ER and a team of experts specially trained in pediatric care. Your child is the center of your world. We promise they will be the center of ours.
stdavids.com/kids Located at south entrance of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center
Baylor Scott & White Health Primary Care Clinics. Everywhere you need us. With numerous locations, you’ll find them at every turn. They are part of Baylor Scott & White Health’s large network of physicians, specialists and advanced technology. In case you need care that goes farther.
Find a location near you. bswdocs.com | 512.509.0200
Physicians are employees of Scott & White Clinics, an affiliate of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2015 Baylor Scott & White Health SWClinic_139_2015 CE 05.15
Christopher Brennig, MD
Austin Vein Institute State-of-the-art Varicose Vein Treatment
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Dr. Brennig is Board Certified in Vascular Surgery and in General Surgery. He is recognized for his expertise in the minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, recurrent varicose veins, and complex venous disorders including DVT. Please call the Austin Vein Institute to schedule a comprehensive consultation.
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FIND YOUR ELEMENT Located in Lakeshore District, our community has custom finishes with a hip south Austin touch. We created a unique combination of custom finishes resort-style amenities, and a very green approach to living. Experience Austin in a whole different way and find your element.
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• Lakeway • Round Rock • Westlake ©2014 Affordable Image #25976
Photo by Andrew Chan.
46
On the cover
52
feature
57
feature
MARGARET WITTENBERG
The Enduring Legacy of LBJ
see austin like a tourist
By MOLLY MCMANUS
By andy east
By deborah hamilton-lynne
Contents
Photo by Evan Mora.
JUly
27 on the scene
HOME
21 KRISTY’S TOP 10 July’s To-Do List 24 OUT AND ABOUT Party Pics
42 B EST OF THE BLOGS Elevating Interiors 44 d Écor Made in ATX
savvy women
GOURMET
27 J OB ENVY Living the Food-Trailer Dream 30 MIND YOUR BUSINESS Company Culture 32 Austin original Family Tradition
69 MENU
MUST LIST 34 explore Summer Bucket List 36 M ust Read Top 15 Reasons to Be Single This Summer
style 38 Beauty Golden Goddess 40 trends Glow With the Flow
Savor the Flavor
wellness 72 Fitness 74 HEALTH
Row, Row, Row Your Boat Ask the Ophthalmologist
POINT OF VIEW 76 memo from JB
Coming Together While Staying Alone
77 MOther of the Bride Looking Back 78 HOROSCOPES Happy Birthday, Cancer! 80 Last Word Wonderment
on the cover Photo by Andrew Chan, chaninator.com | Styled by Ashley Hargrove, dtkaustinstyling.com Hair by Ted Sabol-Williams, jacksonruiz.com | Makeup by Hannah Wyman, jacksonruiz.com 10 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
Citizens of Humanity dark-wash skinny jeans, $188; Vince silk graphic tank top, $245, available at Julian Gold, 1214 W. Sixth St., 512.473.2493, juliangold.com; Taylor Moseley star stacker necklace in gold, $68, taylormoseley.com.
ARS E Y 3 1
OF
austin WOMAN
2015 ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 9AM-6PM | WESTIN AT THE DOMAIN Join us for an engaging panel of empowering women and a day full of champagne, networking, shopping and giveaways as we celebrate our 13th year of Austin Woman magazine.
LE SCHEDU FOR THE DAY:
9-11 AM ox s in a B Busines eneur Entrepr p with worksho rveldt. ande Ingrid V limited
TICKETS ON SALE JULY 15TH
al with *Option ity! availabil
M - 12 P 11 AM cting, e Conn on and a r ti regist osas. mim
0 PM 12 - 1:3 and eon l Lunch g pane n i g a g en sion. discus
2 - 3:30 PM Beauty Tips & Tricks at Neiman Marcus with refreshments.
To purchase, please visit: austinwomanmagazine.com/ anniversary 4-5 After PM with Party su givea rprise ways !
St. David’s HealthCare Ideal Productions MODISH Serving Social Arthouse Design Mann Eye Institute
Volume 13, issue 11
Co-Founder and Publisher Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher Christopher Garvey associate publisher Cynthia Guajardo Shafer Co-Founder Samantha Stevens
EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Deborah Hamilton-Lynne associate editor Molly McManus copy editor Chantal Rice contributing writers
Cheryl Bemis, Deborah Alys Carter, Jill Case, Karleen Dee, Silvana Di Ravenna, Andy East, JB Hager, Carrin Lewis, Kelly E. Lindner, Rachel Merriman, Kristy Owen, Kristi Willis, Serena Yeh
ART CREATIVE Director Niki Jones ART DIRECTOR Lucy Froemmling CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Chad Adams, Melanie Applegate, Rudy Arocha, Jacob Bodkin, Edison Carter, Andrew Chan, Casey Dunn, Sadie Flynn, Ashley Hargrove, Michael Hunter, Kelly E. Lindner, JoJo Marion, Dustin Meyer, Evan Mora, Ari Morales, Yoichi Okamoto, Natalie Paramore, Ted Sabol-Williams, Neal Santos, Aisha Seay, Allison V. Smith, Cecil Stoughton, Marc Swendner, Ryan Taylor, Jessica Wetterer, Molly Winters, Hannah Wyman
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Amber Gunst, Katie Paschall
ADMINISTRATION Operations and Marketing manager Maggie Rester
Interns
Megan Bedford, Jenna Filardi, N’Kisha Heffington, Jasmina Kuenzli, Lydia McAllister, Daryl Mogilewsky, Macy Moore, Victoria Mycue, Olivia Silvain, Brooke Watson
Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,150 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759
“Just one look. That’s all it took.” I often begin and end my Letters From the Editor with lyrics from some of my favorite songs. It is no secret that I love music, and like many of the other people who visit our city each year, I was smitten by the Live Music Capital of the World so much so that one visit was all it took for me to know I had found my soul home. Twenty-three years ago, I landed at Mueller Municipal Airport and began the longest love affair of my life. It was a whirlwind trip that included introductions to the academics at the University of Texas, the local who’s who at the Headliners Club, jazz musicians at the Elephant Room, chicken-fried steak and two-stepping at the Broken Spoke, hiking along the Barton Creek Greenbelt, looking in awe at Barton Springs and climbing Mount Bonnell, touring the magnificent Texas Capitol building and visiting the clubs to hear the music that poured out onto Sixth Street (way before it became “Dirty Sixth”). In the words of the song, “Just one look and I fell so hard in love with you.” Somehow I knew that forever and always, Austin would be my only one. I am not unique in this experience, as witnessed by the explosive growth Austin has seen, especially in the last five years. I cannot tell you the number of people I have met who say they came to Austin as tourists and either never left or packed their bags and got back here as fast as they could. Drawn by a wide variety of festivals and events, 19.7 million people visit each year, and 156 people make Austin their new home on a daily basis. As I write this letter, things in Austin are beginning to heat up. As temperatures soar, many Austinites head for cooler climes, but as the words to another song swirl through my head—“Vacation, all I ever wanted.”—I find that for the millions of tourists who visit our fair city each year, a visit to Austin is the vacation that has all they ever wanted. With that in mind, we set out to look at our city through new eyes and to explore Austin as a tourist. This daunting task resulted in a lot of fun and unearthed treasures just waiting to be discovered. In this issue, we not only share four different staycation itineraries as varied as the city itself, but also some best-kept secrets to be learned by signing up for tours from a new venture, Austin Tour Company, the latest offering from serial entrepreneur Doug Guller.
NINE things I love about Whole Foods Rows and rows of flowers Best food sampling in town Affordable and excellent skin-care products ATX souvenir shopping Cheese for less than $3 Wine tastings with Erika Chair massage! Rooftop picnics Best salad bar ever 14 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
For any love affair to survive, there must be injections of new and exciting chapters, and any love affair with Austin would certainly include meeting people who pique your interest and curiosity (See Page 30 and Page 42.), discovering a great new restaurant or, better yet, a food trailer with all the comforts of home (See Page 27 if you are missing Southern, Cajun or Creole specialties.) and taking advantage of all the ways to enjoy the city (See Page 21). Conversely, the familiar things that sparked your interest can be visited again: the beautiful, natural landscape (See Page 72) and the characters who give Austin its originality (See Page 32), as well as the characters whose names and legacies will be forever linked to the city (See Page 52). Throughout the world, Whole Foods Market is inexorably linked with Austin. Our cover woman, Margaret Wittenberg, played an integral role in helping to turn a small “healthy grocery store” located at 10th Street and Lamar Boulevard into the huge corporation it has become. Her tenure began four months into the venture, and she has been passionately dedicated to making Whole Foods a leader through the company’s commitment to sustainability. She and her husband, Terry, were the 24th and 25th employees of the conglomerate and she continues to work to maintain the holistic company culture Whole Foods is known for, as well as to educate their customers and the public about healthy living and the role of food in the pursuit of defining a healthy lifestyle. Wittenberg exemplifies many of the qualities people find attractive in Austin, including creativity, innovation, curiosity, lifelong commitment to learning and above all, authenticity. This summer, I encourage you to go forth and explore this city that intrigues and beckons 19.7 million people per year. Just one look may be all it takes. Hear the siren song and see Austin through the eyes of a tourist. You just might find that you are falling in love all over again.
deborah hamilton-lynne Editor-in-Chief
Lake Austin Spa photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa. Pulled pork photo by Ryan Taylor. Margaret Wittenberg photo by Andrew Chan. Deborah Hamilton-Lynne photo by Korey Howell. Whole Foods photos by Deborah Hamilton-Lynne.
From the Editor
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contributors
This month, we asked our contributors: What is a best-kept secret about Austin that only true Austinites know?
ANDREW CHAN
Cover Story photographer, “margaret wittenberg,” Page 46
Andrew Chan is a freelance editorial and fashion photographer based in Austin. He is a native Texan and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He works out of the Whitebox Studio located in East Austin. When not out grubbing the city’s finest barbecue offerings, he can be seen around town with Milton, his Boston terrier. “My go-to secret taco spot is Taco-Mex on Manor Road. It’s just a little window in a building in a hard-to-find shopping strip, and it’s cheap, authentic and fast.”
ANDY EAST
Writer, “The Enduring Legacy of LBJ,” Page 52
Andy East is an Austin-based writer whose work has appeared in the Dallas Morning News, the Austin AmericanStatesman, the MIT Technology Review, the San Marcos Mercury, Austin Woman magazine, ATX Man magazine and several other publications. “President Lyndon B. Johnson truly did a lot for civil rights and social justice,” Andy says of his feature in this issue on LBJ. “It is likely that each of us has directly benefited from at least one of his civil-rights or Great Society programs.” “Cuban Sandwich Cafe. It’s a hidden gem tucked away near the corner of Lamar and Rundberg that is Austin’s true Cuban connection. The restaurant’s bread was featured in the movie Chef starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr., Sofía Vergara and John Leguizamo.”
KRISTI WILLIS
Writer, “living the food-trailer dream,” Page 27
Kristi Willis is a freelance writer and technology consultant who shares her passion for food on her blog, Kristi’s Farm to Table, and as a regular contributor for Austin Woman, Edible Austin and CultureMap Austin. Kristi was inspired by the gumption and perseverance of the female chefs in this month’s food-truck story and is looking forward to this summer’s Trailer Food Tuesdays. “Taco Tuesdays at Quality Seafood may be the best seafood-taco deal in town. So delicious!”
Deirdre❦Rhoad, M.D. BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON RHOAD TO BEAUTY PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDSPA PATIENT’S CHOICE AWARD 2012, 2013 & 2014
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MEGAN BEDFORD
AW ART DEPARTMENT INTERN
Megan Bedford is originally from a large suburb of Chicago called Naperville, Ill. She is excited to be exploring Austin for the summer. In the fall of 2015, she will be a senior at the University of Missouri as a journalism student, seeking a major in magazine design and publication. “The Picnic on Barton Springs Road is home to some of the most delicious food-truck finds in Austin. From barbecue to cupcakes, you can choose from a wide variety of foods before finding some shade at a picnic table. This secret spot is perfect for a beautiful Austin day.”
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Connect with us! find us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.
FEATURED EVENT
EDITOR’S PICK
Brazilian Guitar Quartet
Walker Lukens
July 11, 7:30 p.m., AISD Performing Arts Center
Ever since South By Southwest, we have heard about this hot new musician, and in July, you have two opportunities to check him out for yourself. The best part: Both Walker Lukens performances are free!
Back by popular acclaim and demand, Austin Classical Guitar, in partnership with the Austin Chamber Music Center, presents this Latin Grammy-winning superstar quartet. This is a must-attend concert for anyone who loves the romance and beauty of Brazil as it is translated into an elegant and moving performance.
Austin’s favorite happy hour has moved to Tuesdays, but you can still escape the summer heat at free concerts emceed by KGSR indoors at ACL Live. Enjoy wine, giveaways and bites by III Forks.
For more information and tickets, visit austinclassicalguitar.org.
Can’t get enough of this issue? Check out austinwomanmagazine.com
➥ More staycation locations. We offer up 10 additional ATX resorts and hotels that could serve as a base for your staycation.
➥
More summer flicks. We’ve got the complete calendar so our readers can enjoy all of July’s outdoor movie magic, from South Shore to Blue Starlite Drive-In.
Blues on the Green Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road July 22, 7 p.m. Walker Lukens will open for hometown favorite Bob Schneider, so get there early to secure a spot for your musical picnic.
➥ More events. Check out our exclusive details on Zilker Hillside’s Summer
Musical, Hairspray, and interviews with the actors who perform as characters Prudy and Penny Pingleton for an inside look at what it’s like to be a part of this Austin favorite.
savvy women. We have the details on summer camp Girls Rock Austin ➥ More and the women behind this inspiring and influential program. ➥ More recipes. We’ve got unique concoctions that don’t require an oven— because why would you want to make it hotter than it already is? Plus, check out our interesting recipes to zest up your drinking water and encourage you to get the proper H2O intake this summer.
➥ More water activities. We outline the best
places to swim in Austin based on friendliness, crowds, cleanliness, family activities and price.
➥ More beauty tips. We offer up ideas for how to keep your makeup from melting during the extreme Austin heat.
Austin originals. Follow our #iamaustinwoman campaign as we ➥ More highlight the diversity and authenticity of the women of Austin.
Win This! Viva la France!
Join the Alliance Française d’Austin for its 20th annual Bastille Day celebration. July 11, 6 to 10 p.m., French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St.
Enjoy French beer, wine and food, as well as music by AW March cover woman, Christine Albert. With games and fun for everyone, this is a great family event. For more information and tickets, visit afaustin.org. To win a pair of tickets, post your favorite France-related photo at facebook.com/ austinwoman with the title “Viva La France,” and tell us why you might be a Francophile.
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18 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
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Austin Classical Guitar photo courtesy of Austin Classical Guitar. Bastille Day photo courtesy of Alliance Française D’Austin. Walker Lukens photo by Lobo Sucio Creative.
Wine Down at ACL Live, 310 E. Willie Nelson Blvd. July 14, 5 to 7 p.m.
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ON THE SCENE kristy’s top 10
July’s to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas. By kristy owen
1
Fifth Annual Quesoff
July 11, 2 to 5 p.m., The Mohawk, 912 Red River St. Are you ready to get cheesy? Then the fifth annual Quesoff is for you. It’s a queso fest like no other. Last year, cheeseheads enjoyed categories such as meaty, spicy, veggie and wild card, and this year, they’ve added a guac category. Here are some pro tips: 1.) Bring your own chips! 2.) Get there early. Last year, they ran out of queso a few hours into the event.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 21
2
n the scene
KRISTY’S top 10
Trailer Food Face-Off
July 16, Hops & Grain Brewery, 507 Calles St. Chi’lantro and Burro Cheese Kitchen are facing off in a one-of-a-kind event. Two of Austin’s most ravedabout food trailers are going to meet face to face, and you get to play judge as each trailer brings their best to impress you. There will also be pop-up shops and giveaways from Able Lending-funded companies.
Sandbox Project Wahoo’s Brunch Bash
July 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wahoo’s Fish Taco, 509 Rio Grande St.
4
Wahoo’s has teamed up with The Sandbox Project to host a Brunch Bash to benefit an after-school program for at-risk and underserved youth in East Austin. There will be a live DJ, Sandbox photo booth, raffle items and more fun. The bash falls on 7/11, so they’ve teamed up with Deep Eddy to offer adult Slurpees. It’s going to be a great summer bash, all in the name of a great cause. Warning: Parking is a major challenge! This festival always draws a crowd, so plan to ride your bike or take one of the shuttles.
3
Sound & Cinema and 101X Summer Cinema Series It’s almost impossible to keep up with the free summer movies happening throughout town this July. Wednesday nights this summer play host to both Do512’s Sound & Cinema at The Long Center and 101X’s Summer Cinema at Central Market (40th Street and North Lamar Boulevard). Both events are free.
Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. circuitoftheamericas.com/willie
Fourth of July and Willie Nelson are two things that go hand in hand. This year, he’s bringing his annual Willie Nelson and Friends 4th of July Picnic back to Austin, at COTA. He’s brought together an all-star lineup, including Eric Church, Merle Haggard, Kacey Musgraves, Sturgill Simpson, Asleep at the Wheel and many more.
22 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
Sound & Cinema at The Long Center July 1: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off featuring Otis the Destroyer July 15: Ghostbusters featuring LaTasha Lee & The BlackTies July 29: The Naked Gun featuring Hard Proof thelongcenter.org/event/sound-cinema 101X Summer Cinema at Central Market July 15: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation July 29: Hook 101x.com/promotions/summer-cinema-2015
6
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic at Circuit of the Americas
5
Schedule
Music Under the Star
6 to 9 p.m., Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com
Music Under the Star at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is back. This year, they’ve joined forces with Fun Fun Fun Fest to celebrate 10 years of FFF Fest. The FFF Fest team has curated a great lineup of Texas artists for this annual summer music series. Music Under the Star is casual, relaxed and best of all, free. Schedule
July 10: Brownout, Sweet Spirit
July 17: Ben Kweller, East Cameron Folkcore July 24: Octopus Project, Golden Dawn Arkestra
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Bill Murray Movie Series
Sundays, 9 p.m., Easy Tiger, 700 E. Sixth St. Back off, man. I’m a local and I know there’s no better way to wind down a summer weekend than with a cold beer and a movie. Easy Tiger is hosting a Bill Murray movie series on Sundays this summer, and each week, they’ll show a different one of his movies.
2. Photo courtesy of Sandbox Project. 3. Photo by Ari Morales. 5. Photo courtesy of Circuit of the Americas. 7. Photo courtesy of Easy Tiger.
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Austin Symphony Fourth of July Fireworks and Concert 8:30 p.m., Vic Mathias Shores, 800 W. Riverside Drive austinsymphony.org The Austin Symphony Fourth of July Fireworks and Concert is back on the South shore of Lady Bird Lake after moving to Circuit of the Americas last year due to construction. This free event is the largest July 4 celebration in Austin. Each year, more than 100,000 people gather at Auditorium Shores, now Vic Mathias Shores, to hear the concert beneath the fireworks. Austin Symphony will play patriotic tunes to help us honor our nation’s birthday. Feel free to go out early. Take a picnic, blanket, chairs, find a spot on the lawn and get ready for the show. The downtown skyline couldn’t be a better backdrop for fireworks.
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Free Concerts in the Park
Sundays, 7:30 to 9 p.m., The Long Center City Terrace, 701 W. Riverside Drive austinsymphony.org Hartman Foundation Concert in the Park is the perfect, relaxing way to finish off the weekend. These free weekly concerts are part of Austin’s true summer treasures. Each week features a different ensemble of the Austin Symphony. They will play an array of jazz, light classical, pop selections and film scores. The city of Austin at sunset is a great background as you listen to live music. Remember to bring a picnic dinner and blanket. Schedule July 12: Brass July 19: Woodwinds July 26: Big band Aug. 2: Strings Aug. 9: Woodwinds Aug. 16: Brass
9. Photo courtesy of Austin Symphony. 10. Photo courtesy of Adelbert’s Brewery.
Aug. 23: Big band
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Adelbert’s Brewery Launches New Series at Craft Pride
July 11, 3 p.m., Craft Pride, 61 Rainey St.
Kristy Owen is the event mastermind and blogger behind 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas. To stay up to date on the best Austin has to offer, visit her blog, 365thingsaustin.com.
Beers for breast cancer? Adelbert’s Brewery is launching a new beer series at Craft Pride. Their new beer, Whimsical Hibiscus Saison, will be the first beer in a new rotating series Adelbert’s is launching. The beer’s pink hue inspired Adelbert’s to raise awareness about breast cancer. As a result, a portion of the sales from the Whimsical Hibiscus Saison will be donated to the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 23
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OUT and about
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1. June cover woman Isabella Rose Taylor 2. Melinda Garvey, Lisa Copeland, Jan Goss, LisaBeth Thomas, Shari Arnold 3. Ingrid Vanderveldt 4. Shelby Newbolt, Kelly Easley, Shannon Murray
RUST RAPTURE PREMIERE PARTY
Photos by Bold Photography and Korey Howell.
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Girl ScoutS Women of Distinction LUNCHEON
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1. Trey Axe, Stephanie Simpson, Shannon Wolfson, Rylan Reed 2. Amie, Benjamin and Marilyn Nemec
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1. Jimmy Mungle and Johnny Stevens
Photos by Marc Swendner.
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SAVVY WOMEN
Lynzy Moran of Baton Creole
Living the FoodTrailer Dream
Photo by Evan Mora.
Creating an entrepreneurial pathway for aspiring chefs. by Kristi Willis
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job envy
Most chefs dream of owning their own place, but the startup costs of opening a restaurant are insurmountable for many. Food trucks have become a way to pursue that dream with less overhead, and many female chefs are jumping at the opportunity. Though she worked in managerial roles in restaurants and bars since high school, Lynzy Moran, chef-owner of the Baton Creole trailer and the newly opened Lady Luck trailer, never felt encouraged to pursue her dreams. “The restaurant industry is still a male-dominated business and I was never told that I could be a young female entrepreneur,” Moran says. “It’s not all fun and games in the beginning, but the hard work does pay off.” That entrepreneurial spirit is a key trait of the most successful foodtruck owners, according to Tiffany Harelik, author of the Trailer Food Diaries cookbook series, host of Trailer Food Tuesdays and one of the original contributors to ATX Man magazine. “You have to have a willingness to work 80 hours a week, cook in a challenging environment and have at least one good recipe to promote to make it as a food trucker,” Harelik says. Unlike a commercial kitchen, trailers have limited storage space, depend on propane tanks for the stove and have severe restrictions on graywater, the water that runs down the sink drain. “In a brick-and-mortar, you don’t think about the water going down
the drain, but in a trailer, you are obsessing over it because you want to use as little as possible,” says Erica Waksmunski, chef-owner of the Red Star Southern trailer. “You don’t think about the fact that you are going to have to carry 30 gallons of water off premises later or pay a very expensive service to haul it off for you.” To learn the ins and outs of trailer operations, Waksmunski staged, meaning she worked without pay, in several food trucks before opening her own. She knew that leaving the world of fine dining for a trailer would be a big adjustment and wanted to make sure she was ready for the change. “As much as I tried to mentally prepare myself, you aren’t ready for the heat,” Waksmunski says. “It made me proud that I could persevere like that six days a week in the hot sun. It is so hot, you can’t even imagine. You would have to go outside to cool off.” Moran adds that as miserable as the summers are, the winter can be just as brutal. “The wintertime was almost more painful than the heat of summer,” Moran says. “Whatever temperature it is outside, it’s magnified inside.” So why would these talented women give up promising careers and the comforts of restaurant life to own and run food trailers? The chance to be their own boss outweighed any of the negatives. “That first year of owning a food trailer was one of the roughest years of my life,” Moran says. “It was awful, but I made it and now I couldn’t be happier that I’m my own boss and create the things I personally want to do.”
Photo by Sadie Flynn.
Tiffany Harelik
28 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
Erica Waksmunski and Red Star Southern photos by Ryan Taylor. Baton Creole photos by Evan Mora.
Erica Waksmunski
Waksmunski agrees. “This is the most empowering adventure I’ve ever taken,” she says. “From idea light bulb to the time the window opened was 120 days, and I did it myself with the support of my family and a few friends.” These women also appreciate having a direct connection with diners, something restaurant chefs don’t get to experience in the same way when they are hidden away in a kitchen. “I have a background in bartending, and for me, this feels like I’m bartending with food,” Moran says. “Food should always be love, and it’s easier to do when you can see and talk to the person you are cooking for.” For those thinking about opening a food trailer, Harelik recommends developing a straightforward menu that focuses on reliable quality and minimizing food waste. “Keep it simple, establish your brand and marketing under that simple menu and be consistent with your hours,” Harelik says. Moran and Waksmunski have found success by sticking to the food of their childhoods. Moran grew up in Houma, La., and serves the Cajun and Creole dishes she grew up loving. She also created a dish inspired by jambalaya as a draw to diners who might be looking for something out of the ordinary. “I created the Jambalaya Baton, deep-fried jambalaya on a stick, to offer something different,” Moran says. Waksmunski chose Tennessee hot fried chicken as the star of her traditional Southern menu, alongside other standards like pulled pork, pimento cheese, and biscuits and gravy. Unfortunately, she discovered that one of her favorite dishes was impractical to cook in the trailer. “I took the greens off because they took too long,” Waksmunski says. “It was burning too much propane and generating too much heat to have that stove on all day.” At the end of the day, both chefs encourage anyone considering opening a trailer to take the leap. “Just do it,” Moran says. “It will be one of the toughest things you ever do in your life, but perseverance will take you farther than anything. People ask how I did it and I tell them I worked my butt off and cried a lot, but you can totally do it.” “We have such great customers and they make it all worth the effort,” Waksmunski says. “I’m thankful to all the people who are patient with us when things go wrong and keep coming back for more.” “The tagline for my book,” Harelik says, “is ‘Serving up the American dream, one plate at a time’ because that is really what food trucks are all about: chefs becoming entrepreneurs and living their dreams.”
Red Star Southern
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MIND your business
Company Culture
Cirrus Logic Vice President and Chief Culture Officer Jo-Dee Benson on crafting a unique company culture. By Rachel Merriman
30 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
exceed their expectations.” Logic is nationally recognized for its company Build an internal brand around themes culture and was ranked No. 9 on Fortune’s 50 that resonate with your organization. “Our Best Small and Medium Sized Companies to internal brand is Cirrus Rocks, and we tie all Work For list in 2014. of our corporate culture to that theme. We Want to know more about how Cirrus Logic sponsor HAAM [Health Alliance for Austin does it? Read on for Benson’s tips on creating a Musicians], we’re involved with corporate great company culture. battle of the bands, we have a Cirrus Rocks Define your mission, vision and core monthly concert series. But the brand has to values. “They are the foundation of the resonate with your employee population. You company. No matter what your company is going through, if you can stay true and steadfast can’t make people have fun; they know when to those practices, they will get you through the you’re forcing it.” Create a culture-immersion program. tough times as you’re transitioning and evolving “When you bring experienced people on board, as a company.” they also bring their experiences with other Apply marketing principles to creating great company culture. “The basic principles cultures into the organization. That can erode the amazing, cool corporate culture you’re trying of marketing are knowing who your customer to build for your organization. You can’t lean is and knowing what your customer wants. back and assume it’s going Our employees, as we “Employees need to be heard and to sort itself out. You have see it, are our customers. know that they’re being heard.” to have a plan in place Listen to your employees to make sure all of your employees get aligned and make sure they’re being heard, all while with the mission, vision and core values of the reinforcing and focusing the key messages company. of vision, mission and core values in order to
Photo by Great Place to Work Institute.
With her bright red glasses and wild, curly hair, Cirrus Logic Chief Culture Officer Jo-Dee Benson wouldn’t look out of place up onstage rocking the bass guitar. It’s no surprise then that Benson is the mastermind behind Cirrus Rocks, the internal brand for Cirrus Logic that provides a uniting rhythm for the semiconductor company’s employees. “We make integrative circuits for audio applications, and a lot of our employees are musicians. It’s a theme that has really evolved and resonated with our organization,” Benson says. Benson first came to Cirrus Logic in 1995 as the director of marketing and communications, then expanded her role to vice president of human resources 10 years later. With her new position came new challenges: the company’s employee-turnover rate was high, and it was difficult to lure experienced talent to open positions. “We really, truly did have to reinvent ourselves as an organization. We didn’t have the strongest leadership, our employee morale was very low, we had layoffs every quarter and our voluntary turnover was very high,” Benson says. “The lifeblood of our organization is experienced talent, primarily design engineers, and we found it difficult to attract and retain the talent we needed for our organization. We took that as a challenge and really got to work.” Benson used her marketing expertise as a jumping-off point to create Cirrus Rocks, a brand that reflects the Cirrus Logic mission, vision and core values. With a powerful brand in place, she then set out to create exciting, engaging programs that fit the Cirrus Rocks brand and resonate with the company’s employees. Her method was a huge success: Today, Cirrus
Where healthy skin is always in.
“We tackle this through our culture-immersion program, School of Cirrus Rocks. Current employees reflect on recent experiences they’ve had that tie to our vision, mission and core values, and we ask them to talk about living those core values every day in the work environment. Through the power of storytelling, they share what it’s like for them to work at Cirrus Logic.” Tie programs back to your organization’s mission, vision and core values. “We give back to the community and do wellness programs. We have a Cirrus Logic kids’ club, where we get our families involved. We have guitar classes for our employees. Our employees work so hard and sometimes they don’t get the opportunity to go out with their spouse, so we sponsor a night out with their spouse. We have wine tastings and cooking classes. We did a drivein movie, where everybody had Cirrus Rocks snuggies. It sounds goofy and funny, but all those little things are the glue that makes our organization so unique.” Don’t guess what employees want. Ask, and let them know you hear them. “We survey our employees at minimum once a year, sometimes two or three times a year. We use a methodology through the Great Place to Work Institute to measure ourselves on an annual basis and find out what employees want. It’s a great way for us to find out what’s going on in the organization that we may not know about. Good or bad, we want to make sure we’re addressing those opportunities or challenges. “Employees need to be heard and know that they’re being heard. You can’t just guess what employees want because it’s always changing. And that’s OK. To sustain a culture, it takes commitment, communication and constantly listening. It’s awesome to see employees constantly pushing us to be better leaders, not just leaders in the company, but also leaders in the community. It’s a healthy dynamic.” Find out if your corporate culture is good or bad. “When it comes to corporate culture, we measure it. I’m a believer that every company has a corporate culture, good or bad, and every company needs to find out what that baseline is and what their culture is all about.” Make small gestures. “The smallest gestures make the biggest impact, like sending a handwritten thank you note. It’s almost retro. Tell someone they made a difference. I try every day to reach out to someone and tell them, ‘Thank you for this,’ or, ‘You made a difference on that,’ or just acknowledging what’s going on in someone’s life. If they’re having a tough time with their family, knowing who their kids are, just recognizing those things makes a difference.” Be consistent and patient. “I’ve always said it takes five miles to turn an aircraft carrier around. It doesn’t happen overnight. It took us four years to really turn the corporate culture of the company around. And it was fun every step of the way. We did a whole bunch of things right, but every once in awhile, we didn’t. We learned from it. Most importantly, our employees gave us the benefit of the doubt that we were really trying to make Cirrus Logic a great place to work.”
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Watch the Cirrus School of Rock culture-immersion camp video: youtube.com/watch?v=o1404hiy_pc Watch the You Can’t Beat Working at Cirrus Logic video featuring Cirrus Logic employees: youtube.com/watch?v=cbqabsx4kce For more information, visit cirrus.com.
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avvy Women
Austin Original
Family Tradition
Fourth-generation Austinite Dorothy McPhaul is carrying on a family business started in 1918 by her grandfather. story and photos By Kelly E. Lindner Running an antiques shop is in Dorothy Jean McPhaul’s blood. Her grandfather, Simon Sidle, opened Simon’s Antiques on Red River Street in 1918. Her aunt, Theresa Sidle Mays Hardeman, and her uncle, Tannie Mays, opened an antiques shop on Red River Street in 1946. Her mother, Ilesta Sidle Alexander, and her stepfather, Johnnie Alexander, opened Johnnie’s Swap Shop on Red River Street in 1964. Seeing a pattern? Perhaps that explains the red stoplight that hangs by the door of McPhaul’s current storefront at 911 E. Sixth Street, a location her aunt and mother teamed up to open in 1973. McPhaul took it over in 1997, after repainting and re-flooring the store, and she’s successfully sold antiques out of this location ever since. Why does she do it? Besides some affinity for it contained in the very blood of her family line, she loves it. “Once you go to one Worthington show,” McPhaul says, referring to the annual Worthington Historical Society Antiques Show that attracts hundreds of collectors to Ohio every winter, “you’ll antique for life.” And McPhaul has found many treasures at estate sales, antique shows and citywide garage sales throughout Central Texas, including in Austin, Belton and Bastrop. She says many of her exact pieces have even been featured on Antiques Roadshow. She’s always loved antiquing, though
32 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
originally, it wasn’t her full-time gig. Working in the store used to be something she did to help out her mom on weekends. She taught school for La Grange Independent School District for 38 1/2 years before retiring in 1994 to take care of her mother during failing health and later woman the store full time when her mother passed, in 1997. To be successful, she’s taken on several roles in her store, including manager, secretary, market researcher, business developer and owner. Her home is even practically a showroom. “I don’t like anything but antiques in my house,” McPhaul says. Since this career move, McPhaul has seen a great many things change around her, with the exception of her original Johnnie’s Antiques sign, which she still hangs above the store in honor of her stepfather, who passed in 1999. While she used to be surrounded by other funky antiques shops like hers on the Eastside, now she’s drowning in high-rises and condos. In fact, Johnnie’s looks strikingly vintage on its corner, across from a high-rise with a $10-an-hour parking garage on its first few floors. “Every day, people are trying to buy the property from me,” McPhaul says. “I think they just want to put another condo on it.” Crossing the street toward Johnnie’s leads to the promise of crossing into another time, especially when you walk inside. There, you’ll find wall-to-wall histories, artifacts, treasures. There, you’ll see a whole shelf of clocks from
the late 1800s, a poseable mannequin painted in beautiful detail circa 1930s/1940s, bass baskets that were used as centerpieces in the late 1800s/ early 1900s, vintage postcards, assortments of art glass and carnival glass, pottery, collector plates, oil lamps, dolls and toys, and her close-topriceless, ever-changing collection of jewelry. Of course, this inventory could all change next week after one of McPhaul’s shows, where she often buys and sells with other collectors who love antiques as much as she does. But it’s such a unique space, two film crews have asked to film inside it, one that insisted on parking an antique car out front for a period piece. “Those film folks moved everything around,” McPhaul says. “They never broke anything, though.” “Look but don’t touch” is a common mantra in the store, especially among children and grandchildren. McPhaul has three children, each who gave her two grandchildren. She even has two great-grandchildren. “They love coming in the store,” McPhaul says. “But they understand that antiques aren’t for playing.” But which of McPhaul’s children has the Red River affinity for antiquing flowing in his blood? McPhaul says the store will probably go to her son Tanny (named for her uncle but with a different spelling). “Tanny will take over the store when I’m gone,” McPhaul says, assured that the business will honor its legacy by carrying on the family tradition.
Are you ready to change your world in just two days? September 28-29, 2015 San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas Join us for the National Women’s Business Conference & 40-Year Anniversary Bash hosted by NAWBO and celebrating four decades of strong women entrepreneurs, like you, extending their hands to one another.
Featuring keynotes from two best-selling authors: OFFICIAL EVENT PRODUCTION COMPANY OF AWMEDIA INC.
leigh Anne Tuohy Subject of The Blind Side bookturned-movie and founder of the Making It Happen Foundation
Bonnie St. John First African-American ever to win Paralympic medals in ski racing, business owner and leadership consultant PluS 4 Breakout sessions on leading business and advocacy topics 4 Exhibit hall packed with the best tools and resources 4 Chapter, member and video contest awards 4 Hundreds of women entrepreneurs from across the U.S. who understand that their voice matters and they are “better together”
Visit nawbo.org for more information and to register The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS, NAWBO, and the Interlocking Dollars Symbol are registered trademarks of NAWBO. © NAWBO® 2015 All Rights Reserved.
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explore
Summer Bucket List
A new tour company offers Austin newbies, travelers and natives a closer look at the wonder and the weird of the capital city. By Molly Mcmanus
Think you know Austin? Think again. Challenging that notion, Austin Tour Company offers a variety of ways to see the city in a whole new light. The latest project from ATX Brands, the group behind Pelons Tex-Mex, Historic Scoot Inn, the Parish and many others, Austin Tour Company gives guests an authentic experience through a number of varied tour options.
Street Art Tour Viewing the murals and graffiti found in Austin is like visiting an urban art museum. On the Street Art Tour, guests will be inspired by four of the city’s iconic street-art locations, receiving a mini history lesson of each destination. Starting at Jo’s Coffee on South Congress Avenue, tour-goers are treated to a sample of the Belgian Bomber, a sweet iced-coffee drink packed with a powerful caffeine punch, while learning about the celebrated “I love you so much” mural. The Street Art Tour offers luxury transportation as you jump from one spot to the next. Other features include a private tour of the neon artwork of Roadhouse Relics and a viewing of the “Welcome to Austin” mural, pastries from La Pâtisserie Bakery and visiting Jeremiah the Innocent, otherwise known as the “Hi, how are you” frog. The tour concludes at the three-story Hope Outdoor Gallery at Castle Hill.
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Photos courtesy of Austin Tour Company.
Nicole Jensen, director of operations for Austin Tour Company, gained her expertise from years of working in the hospitality and events industries. She casually met with ATX Brands Founder Doug Guller for coffee and he, being the serial entrepreneur that he is, offhandedly explained his desire to start an Austin-based tour company. “Stop right there,” Jensen remembers saying, and within a week, she had put together a business plan with tour themes. She’s has been tirelessly working to get ATC off the ground ever since. She explains that the company takes a characteristic of Austin’s many unique elements and “brings it to people in a creative way.” From street art to brewery tours, walking tours to out-of-town excursions, customized bachelorette parties and bat cruises, ATC offers a little something for everyone. “I want people to think of us when they have a cool corporate event to plan, company teambuilding, want to take their friends from out of town on a cool trip or want to wow their wife on their anniversary,” Jensen says. With more than 100 people moving to Austin each day, this tour company comes at a perfect time. But it’s also for those of us who have been here for years and want to feel like tourists as we explore our own backyards. “I want us to grow with Austin while staying 100 percent true to why we all love this amazing city in the first place,” Jensen says. With your July staycation in mind, we offer up the perfect summer bucket list, courtesy of Austin Tour Company. austintourcompany.com
Summer Itinerary Sample How Austin Got Weird This walking tour reveals the stories of how our city acquired the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. You’ll see the significant downtown sights and hear about the history of the city’s unique vibes. Bat Tuesdays This adult-style cruise features music, food and drinks as you sail along Lady Bird Lake on a double-decker riverboat and watch the million legendary Congress Bridge bats make their magical flight. The AustiNight Party animals unite! This tour takes social Austinites to the top-rated places and exciting events on any given night.
Cocktail photo by Natalie Paramore. Becker Vineyards photo courtesy of Becker Vineyards.
Outlaw Country Dive Bar Crawl Visit three of the city’s favorite dive bars on this tour for truly Texan long-neckin’ and two-steppin’. Driftwood Wineries and Salt Lick Guests enjoy a short trek to beautiful Hill Country wineries and vineyards. Both the Driftwood area and Salt Lick BBQ radiate Texas pride in their production of quality wines and finger-lickin’-good barbecue. WWWD (What Would Willie Do)? Start your day with a Cuvée Coffee as you head to Spicewood Vineyards or out to play golf at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Cut N Putt to enjoy the hometown of the country music legend. Deep Eddy Distillery For only $20 per person, receive round-trip transportation, a complimentary cocktail and souvenir glass, distillery floor tour and a full history of the Deep Eddy brand.
Best Austin-Area Wineries In this web exclusive, we review the top winery tours in Austin, Fredericksburg and Driftwood, Texas, and dish out the details on each location’s offerings, ambiance and pricing for your next date night or weekend catching up with girlfriends. Visit austinwomanmagazine.com for more information.
Secret Bar Tour This guided walking tour takes guests to several tucked-away bars that embody a speakeasy vibe. As you explore Austin’s hidden gems, you’ll sip on handcrafted cocktails and listen to the history of the establishments, many of which have been in Austin since its Waterloo heydays. One of the most exciting elements of this tour is that you don’t know where you’re going or what you will find before and even during the tour. It’s all secretly planned for your surprise and pleasure.
Fredericksburg Winery Tour The perfect girlfriends’ getaway, the Fredericksburg Winery Tour grants the opportunity to go behind the scenes at some of the best wineries in the Texas Hill Country. Transportation picks up guests before they head out to Fredericksburg, Texas. While the itinerary varies, possible stops include Four Point Wine, which aims to give curious winos the “ultimate Texas wine experience,” as well as the oak-studded William Chris Vineyards property. Enjoy a picnic lunch with tasty wine on the beautiful and expansive grounds at Becker, an award-winning vineyard and winery. The tour also offers a chance to explore downtown Fredericksburg, a charming historic town that takes you back in time with its quaint architecture, shops, arts and culture.
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Must Read
Top 15 Reasons to Be Single This Summer
From the author of 101 Reasons Why It’s Great to Be Single come 15 reasons to forego signing up for match.com. By Karleen Dee As a newly single lady, I was quite surprised when I announced my breakup to friends and family. Expecting cheers of liberation and praise, I was instead given hugs, comforting words and suggestions on where I could go to find a new man. Evidently, society possesses the opinion that a single female in her late 20s should be jumping back on the LTR (long-term relationship) bandwagon quickly, lest she be doomed to a life of solitude. Even dating sites insist they have the right “formula” to meet the man of my dreams, and my own mother has not so subtly hinted at the benefits a match.com membership could bring me. While surprised at these reactions, I wasn’t fazed by them. The relationship grass may have been greener, but rather than looking over the other side of the fence, I was going to water my own damn lawn! I began to jot down all the reasons why I was appreciative of being single, and what do you know? I came up with 101 of them. With summer in full swing, I have a whole new list of reasons why it’s great to be single. Let’s take a look through the top 15 reasons why it’s great to be single this summer. 1. You’ll look better. You get into a relationship and you become complacent, not to mention you just don’t seem to have as much time as when you’re single. Being single means you have more time to hit the gym and gives you the incentive you need to do so. Go get that gym body.
4. No sharing ice cream. It’s summer. It’s freakin’ hot. So you go to the store to grab a tub of your favorite quality cookie dough ice cream. When you’re single, you don’t have to share. That tub is simply too small for two spoons.
12. No random mess. Whether it’s a dirty
5. Finding your stuff. You have a way of organizing your things that may not make sense to someone else. So your boyfriend or girlfriend, trying to be helpful, cleans the house and puts your things somewhere and now you can’t find them. When you’re running out of the house to hit the beach, the last thing you want to do is rummage through everything looking for your bathing suit.
13. Treat yourself. Feel like buying a whole new summer wardrobe? Go for it! (If you have the money, that is. I am not advocating debt for clothing.) In a relationship, your partner’s comments about your purchases and spending habits are inevitable. When you are single, you can blow the bank without being made to feel guilty about it.
6. Bonus invites. There are lots of events
you are to someone, there will always be differences, and often, that means fighting. Summer isn’t a time for fighting; it’s a time for relaxing and having fun. No relationship means no squabbling.
happening in the summer. If you are single and one of your friends or family members has an extra ticket to something, they are going to ask you. You are the token single person there to save the day. 7. Guilt-free adventures. In the summer,
you never know what shenanigans you’ll get up to. Boat rides with random hotties at the beach? Heck, yes! 8. Belt it out. Summertime is the best time to roll down your windows and belt it out to your favorite tune. There’s an air of liberation that comes when you are alone in the car that just isn’t there when you’re driving around with a significant other. 9. Let it hang low. This point goes for gals just as much as guys. You’re single, you live alone and it’s hot outside. Why not be naked in your own home? When you live with someone, even someone you’re comfortable with, you probably aren’t just wandering around the house naked. When you’re single, all bets are off, unless you don’t have blinds. Then, perhaps, be conscious of your neighbors.
2. More traveling. Summer is a fantastic time to get out and explore the open road. When you are in a relationship, you have to work out both of your schedules, choose a place that you both want to go to and the list of mutually agreeable concessions goes on. When you’re single, you have friends, and at least one of them will be available and willing to head off to your favorite destination.
10. A visitor in your own city. The first
3. Dating. Summer dating is fantastic. There is
you can eat whatever you want. Summertime means farmers markets with tons of fresh, local veggies. No need to worry about whether your boyfriend or girlfriend will eat what you’re cooking. It’s all up to you.
a ton of summertime activities that are a really good time, and usually free. You don’t have to feel guilty about going on a couple dates each week because you aren’t blowing your wallet.
36 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
date always carries pressure of doing something exciting. This helps you do things you wouldn’t normally do, and in the summer, there are oh so many activities to try. After a few first dates, you’ll know your city better than before and have lots more activities to do with your friends.
11. Mix up your meals. When you’re single,
bathing suit in the bathtub, a used towel thrown on the floor from a day at the beach or sandy flip-flops in the hallway, when it’s someone else’s mess, it’s far more annoying than when it’s your own.
14. Find your Zen. No matter how similar
15. Sexy magic. Newly single? You just got hotter. Once you own your singleness, you carry an air of independence about you that is envyinducing to those in relationships and extremely attractive to those who aren’t. Strut down the beach feeling fine, you saucy singleton!
Karleen Dee is a freelance writer and the author of 101 Reasons Why It’s Great to Be Single.
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See JB’s monthly column on page 76.
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AUSTIN WOMAN’S MELINDA GARVEY TUNE IN EVERY THURSDAY MORNING AT 8AM ONLY ON 105.3 Melinda Garvey & JB Hager will host special guests each week, having a classic conversation about all things women.
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Skip the sun and look bronzed and beautiful with these bronzers. compiled by megan bedford Sienna Brilliant Bronze mineral powder in Sunset, $42, Kiss N’ Makeup, 4402A Burnet Road, 512.388.1150, kissnmakeup.com Bronzing powder, $25, MAC, 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.834.0010, maccosmetics.com
Elevé Sheer Lumière, $56, elevecosmetics.com
Endless Summer bronzing palette, $106, Rae Cosmetics, 237 W. Second St., 512.320.8732, raecosmetics.com
Bio Bronzer, $23, W3LL PEOPLE, 215 S. Lamar Blvd., 800.790.1563, w3llpeople.com
38 | Austin Woman | july 2015 2015
Jane Iredale Golden Shimmer face and body lotion, $32, janeiredale.com
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GLOW WITH THE FLOW
Show your true colors at Blues on the Green. photo by rudy arocha
Valentino Rockstud leather sneaker, $795, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.
Street Level neon “Au Revoir/ Bonjour” clutch, $35, available at Luxe Apothetique, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.346.8202, shopluxe.com.
Givenchy chain jelly flat sandal, $295, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.
Hops & Grain beer, hopsandgrain.com
Gucci matte metal aviator sunglasses, $325, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Domo Arigato Packrat backpack, $198, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Center: Marc by Marc Jacobs leather wristlet, $128, available at Luxe Apothetique, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.346.8202, shopluxe.com.
MICHAEL Michael Kors Elsie dome clutch, $148, available at Macy’s, 1701 N. Mopac Expressway, 512.490.3300, macys.com.
Street Level neoprene and leather foldover clutch, $35, available at Luxe Apothetique, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.346.8202, shopluxe.com.
40 | Austin Woman | july 2015
MICHAEL Michael Kors plate jelly sandals, $49, available at Macy’s, 1701 N. Mopac Expressway, 512.490.3300, macys.com.
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IT’S THAT TIME . . . Time when we make room for the new Fall Merchandise.
You’ll find selected women’s and men’s shoes in a wide variety of styles, sizes and widths from your favorite brands on SALE. Shop early for best selection. Store Hours: Mon - Fri 10:00am - 7:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm Sunday 12:00am - 5:00pm Karavel Shoes Central • 5525 Burnet Road | 512-459-7603 Karavel Shoes Round Rock • University Oaks Shopping Center | 512-610-3990
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Best of the Blogs
Elevating Interiors
Find everyday inspiration with these local interior-design and lifestyle bloggers. By Silvana Di Ravenna Just admit it: There’s nothing more rewarding than waking up to a cup of coffee and a parade of beautiful images, all in the comfort of your own bed. And while we heavily rely on Pinterest to accomplish our home-design conundrums, we often forget where those beautiful images originate from: blogs. Interior-design and lifestyle bloggers have increasingly become the obligatory stops for anyone going through a home renovation or simply in need of ideas. Austinites have quickly and gracefully caught up with the lifestyle blogging frenzy. Today, we can find amazing bloggers that showcase everything from simple accessories that lighten up a sad little corner, to extreme makeover type of whole-home renovations. We have selected four of our favorite home-design blogs that represent what decoration and interior design are all about: uniqueness, comfort and, of course, style.
Paula Ables Interiors paulaablesinteriors.com Paula Ables Interiors is one interiordesign firm we cannot get enough of. Their award-winning designs include projects that range from envy-inducing kitchen remodels to new and beautifully constructed homes that reflect Ables’ architectural experience. Our favorite part of the site is its whimsical blog, updated once a week, which stands out with original and inspiring mood boards. Paula Ables Interiors turns architectural dreams and desires into a place to call home. Ables has been awarded Best of Houzz 2015 Service, and the site has been featured in various local and nationwide publications. Featured post: Windows of the World paulaablesinteriors.com/?p=2608
Photo by Jacob Bodkin.
3534 Bee Cave Road, suite 212, 512.658.4534
42 | Austin Woman | july 2015
Maureen Stevens photo by Andrew Chan. Heather Scott photos by Michael Hunter. Camille Styles photos by Molly Winters.
Maureen Stevens maureenstevens.com Styling and design featured on the Maureen Stevens blog inspires readers with her picture-perfect spaces and darling decorative tips. Her aesthetics are classy and sophisticated while remaining young, hip and fun. Stevens’ blog caters to women who love to surround themselves with pretty things, stylish moms (Stevens is an expert mommy herself.) and newlyweds who are constantly searching for that special item that will make their rooms unique. Stevens has done styling with hgtv.com and Make it Over Magazine, and has been featured in various publications, including the Austin American-Statesman. Featured post: Seriously Delightful Lighting maureenstevens.com/2015/01/seriously-delightful-lighting
Camille Styles camillestyles.com Former Austin Woman cover woman Camille Styles is perhaps the best representation of what life is all about: sharing beautiful settings, great food and delicious drinks with even better company. Styles has provided Austinites with beautiful and awe-inducing ideas for years, also featured in her eponymous book, Camille Styles Entertaining. Her blog has quickly become a favorite nationwide, and fashionistas and lifestyle consumers alike seek her ideas and posts. Styles recently gave birth to a baby boy, Henry, and we look forward to seeing him (and his delightful big sister) featured in her future posts. Congratulations, Camille! Featured post: Nursery Reveal camillestyles.com/living/home-tours/ the-nursery-reveal
Heather Scott Home & Design heatherscotthome.com Heather and Scott Harkovich are the names behind the home-and-design boutique that has deservedly become a renowned staple for local shoppers. In addition to the beautifully decorated retail store located on booming Burnet Road, Heather Scott also offers interior-design services. The Heather Scott website’s highlight is its perfectly curated blog, which showcases encouraging tips and decorating ideas. One of the recent posts, “5 tips for incorporating patterns into your space,” is the perfect example of how color and shapes can renovate a room in an instant. Heather Scott Home & Design has been awarded both the Best of Houzz 2014 Design and Best of Houzz 2014 Satisfaction, among other accolades. Featured post: Playing With Patterns blog.heatherscotthome.com/2015/05/01/ playing-with-patterns-5-tips-for-incorporatingpattern-into-your-space 10622 Burnet Road, suite 100, 512.342.6899
austinwomanmagazine.com | 43
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Some of the best furniture and fixture designers are right here in town. 1
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1. Pecos round table in walnut, $2,745, Austin Joinery, 512.990.9993, austinjoinery.com 2. Sipo mahogany and pecan liquor cabinet on stand with walnut base and trim, $2,950, Welch Custom Woodwork, 512.789.1385, welchcustomwoodwork.com
4
3. Custom stainless steel pendant lamp, $795, JDL Design Studios, 512.522.7630, jdldesignstudios.com 4. C ast concrete anvil bench with reclaimed beam, $800, Eric Billig, 512.699.2296, ericbillig.com
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Photos courtesy of the respective designers.
5. Reclaimed wood bench with hidden cubbies, hand-rubbed varnish and glide casters, $1,800, Evokt Elements, 773.306.3053, evoktelements.com
“Austin challenges its designers to convey both its country roots and modern aesthetic.”
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Austin: Authentically
Margaret Wittenberg of Whole Foods Market
The grocery conglomerate’s original team member dishes on the early days, the company’s evolvement and her passion for sustainability. By Molly McManus | Photos by Andrew Chan
Styled by Ashley Hargrove | Hair by Ted Sabol-Williams | Makeup by Hannah Wyman
“Imagine the impact if every single person working for a company were able to be a creator and innovator.” — John Mackey
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When John Mackey founded Whole Foods Market in 1980, he couldn’t have anticipated that his modest grocery store on 10th Street and North Lamar Boulevard would explode into the now 421 stores found throughout North America and the United Kingdom. But it makes sense. At Whole Foods, the idea that every single person is a creator and an innovator is not only a goal for the company, it’s a reality.
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Margaret Wittenberg joined “America’s
healthiest grocery store” as one of the company’s original team members just four months after it opened its doors. An integral part of the development and evolvement of Whole Foods, Wittenberg has more than 40 years of experience in the natural- and organic-foods industry, and currently serves as Whole Foods Market’s global vice president of quality standards and public affairs. She oversees the company’s commitment to sustainability, played a key role in the creation of the National Organic Standards and has authored six books. In 2005, she was honored by the National Audubon Society with the prestigious Rachel Carson Award, and in 2014, was named by Fortune and Food & Wine Magazine as one of the most innovative women in food and drink. With all of her accolades and accomplishments, education has been a central and vital theme throughout Wittenberg’s life. Growing up with five siblings in Northeast Iowa, she was an unusually adventurous eater and cook. “I was always interested in food. Even as a child, I really enjoyed cooking and was encouraged to cook,” she says, noting that her mother was happy to have the help, with eight mouths to feed. “I was the
one that wanted to try unusual things and the others didn’t. … I’m one that needs to understand how a product is grown, how it’s raised, how it works—everything about it—because I’m curious.” Curiosity is what led her into the world of sustainability. After graduating college in Milwaukee, she opened a natural-foods store with her husband, Terry, in West Bend, Wis., a first for the small town. With anything new or unfamiliar comes a necessity for education, something the Wittenbergs spearheaded at their shop with informational and nutritional cooking classes for the community. As an “eternal student,” as Wittenberg likes to call herself, teaching has been a consistent outlet to stay informed and aware. The more Wittenberg learned about organics and sourcing locally through her work with farmers in the West Bend area, the more invested she became in the sustainability of agriculture, animals and seafood, and the upholding of environmental standards, work that has continued throughout her career. After 10 years in Wisconsin, Wittenberg decided to head South. “I had a sister in Houston that thought we were probably the ‘Austin type,’ ” she says, laughing. “We saw that Whole Foods had
A Meal With Margaret
Margaret Wittenberg’s passion for concocting nutritious recipes and teaching cooking classes is rooted in her childhood years: sharing meals with her family of eight, exploring unusual foods, enjoying her mother’s delicious and simple cooking and that special Sunday breakfast (pancakes and bacon, of course) her father would prepare for her and her bothers and sisters. “The idea that food is always better when it’s shared really resonates, and I got that from [my parents]. They laughed a lot,” she says. “Being able to share [laughter] with other people really helps to make the most simple meal wonderful.”
Margaret Wittenberg’s Garden Frittata
Serves three to six “Sage, parsley, rosemary, chives, mint, several varieties of thyme and basil: You’ll always find these fresh herbs in my summer garden. Beyond their beauty, flavor and aroma, they can make the simplest salad, sandwich or entree a delicious, stylish masterpiece, whether as a garnish—whole or chopped—or as a seasoning within. “And that goes for my summertime frittata too! Chives provide the subtlest of onion flavor, and lemon thyme, parsley and sage make for a stunning baked-in garnish. “An 8-inch cast-iron frying pan is a must so the frittata can be started on the stove and finished in the oven.” Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced 1 celery stalk, finely diced 1 tablespoon chives, chopped 6 eggs Salt to taste (“I use Maldon Sea Salt. Although it is more of a finishing salt, it does wonders in this frittata.”) 4 small sage leaves 2 sprigs lemon thyme 2 sprigs parsley
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48 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, placing an oven rack in the top third position within the oven. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in the cast-iron frying pan over low-medium heat and saute the red and yellow bell peppers, celery and chives. Set the veggies aside. Lightly beat the eggs and add salt to taste. Mix the veggies with the eggs. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the cast-iron frying pan. Add the egg mixture and let it cook for about five minutes over medium heat until the edges start to set, as if you are making an omelet. However, resist the temptation: Do not stir or lift up the edges of the cooking egg mixture. Instead, while it is cooking, put your attention into arranging the fresh herbs on top as you wish. Then transfer the eggs and cast-iron pan from the stove to the top third rack in the oven and bake for about nine minutes to complete the process. Remove from the oven and let it cool before slicing into six wedges. This garden frittata can be enjoyed warm or cold for a simple summer breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The Ultimate Foodie Resource
The latest book from Margaret Wittenberg, The Essential Good Food Guide: The Complete Resource for Buying and Using Whole Grains and Specialty Flours, Heirloom Fruit and Vegetables, Meat and Poultry, Seafood, and More, (Ten Speed Press, 2013) breaks down various food categories and explains their benefits while also offering tips on how to cook items readers might be less familiar with. The idea is to get away from the convenience of processed foods and empower people to be able to cook whole foods from scratch in a convenient manner. “My goal [for readers] is to explore, to be open to trying different things and to have fun with the food,” Wittenberg says. “In my humble opinion, there’s no one perfect diet for everybody.” Given the many contradicting messages about what you should avoid eating, Wittenberg wanted to create a resource that simply focuses on whole foods and how we should all ideally be eating. “[The book has] a good message: Rather than being fearful of doing the right thing,” she says, “the encouragement is to play with the food, learn about it, enjoy it, but understand that you’re finding your own path by exploring what’s out there.”
Parker Lorraine square-print knit dress, $297; Alexis Bittar silver beaded earrings, $150, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.
opened a couple months before. We hadn’t known about it. … We went in and said, ‘Oh my gosh, we want to work here!’ So we did. We were the 24th and 25th employees of the company.” Truly a trailblazer, Wittenberg serves on the board of the Whole Kids Foundation, The Organic Center and the American Botanical Council, and, in her current role, mentors the entire Whole Foods quality-standards team, which she helped to create. Wittenberg wrote Whole Foods’ first employee manual in the early ’80s in order to educate team members about the products in the stores. The manual became an important part of training,
gaining momentum. Mackey, recognizing this, asked Wittenberg to write a book based on the employee manual, one that was targeted toward shoppers. “Customers would see [the employee manual] on a counter next to the team member in the store…and kept wanting to buy it,” she says, which spurred her to write and self-publish Experiencing Quality: A Shopper’s Guide to Whole Foods, released in 1987. When asked about the main differences in the culture of Whole Foods circa 1980s versus today, she doesn’t hesitate. “Well, there’s certainly more people!” she
chuckles. “Now there’re 88,000 team members, which just blows my mind. … In the early days, we just wanted to be the best we could be. We who worked in the store hadn’t thought about being a global company. People wanted the stores because they knew we were really passionate about what we were doing. And we attract a lot of team members like that, some people who are passionate already, others that come and say, ‘I know there’s something here, and I want to be a part of it.’ “Between the product we sell, the culture of people being a part of the program, being able to get their opinions in and ideas, everyone’s on a team. The culture is something we’ve worked
austinwomanmagazine.com | 49
Whole Foods Gives Back
On Memorial Day 2015, Austin took a devastating blow from extreme flashflooding damage. We witnessed disturbing images of Shoal Creek Saloon and House Park submerged under water. Coincidentally, the last time a similar flood hit Austin was also on Memorial Day, in 1981, causing the original Whole Foods location to close because of extreme water damage. Whole Foods had to completely rebuild its store and was able to reopen after a month, thanks to the love and support of the Austin community. “I’ve been [at Whole Foods] for a long time and the connection of community and authenticity is really important to me. The roots run deep,” Margaret Wittenberg says. “[Founder] John Mackey has always said [the 1981 flood] was probably one of the best things that ever happened to us because it really solidified us as a company, understanding who we are and how we fit in with the community. We were intertwined and needed to work together in order to build it back. … We knew that if we could come back after that, we could do anything.” Paying it forward in 2015, Whole Foods has given $1 million in emergency loans to neighboring Austin establishments affected by the flooding. Additionally, all Austin Whole Foods Markets are collecting donations for the American Red Cross of Central Texas. L’Agence printed Sophie ruffle dress, $525; Alexis Bittar multi-strand beaded Jasper necklace, $495, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; Pedro Garcia Pyrite Ilsa sandal, $495, available at Julian Gold, 1214 W. Sixth St., 512.473.2493, juliangold.com.
50 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
hard on throughout the last 35 years because it’s an easy thing to lose if you don’t manage and take care of that.” Along the journey of maintaining the Whole Foods teammember culture and the continuous process of education for staff and customers, a distinct community was built, brick by brick, into the international community it is today. With quality standards at the top of mind, Whole Foods takes a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach, working with team members, growers and suppliers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and influential national boards, scientists and, most importantly, the community. Wittenberg explains she is constantly doing research on what’s going on in the world and what people are asking for from corporations, and then answering by incorporating that into the company’s model. “The more you find out, the more you feel like you need to know more. Transparency is important to people these days,” she says. “You have to know what’s going on and be able to answer, look ahead. What are we going to need to be able to provide for our customers? That is our continual work, transparency. People have the right to know if something is or is not.” One of the reasons Wittenberg has been honored with a multitude of awards stems from creating authenticity and transparency within Whole Foods through her work with the USDA, the EPA, Organic Trade Association and the Marine Stewardship Council. Her latest project, started in 2013, is the call for genetically modified organism (GMO) and non-GMO labeling in all Whole Foods’ grocery stores. The goal is to have every single product labeled by 2018. Wittenberg encourages people who may not shop organically to shed their preconceived notions of what it means to shop organic. We all know that buying organic benefits the body, mind and our world’s ecosystem, but what you may not know is that it can be done affordably. Whole Foods aims to provide options for people: Some of their best-kept secrets include the $3 tacos at the flagship store (They’re huge!) and the $3 artisan cheese bin. “With organic, there’s so many options now. It’s something that we’ve really worked on to have a full range of items for people to choose,” Wittenberg says. “We have people in the stores that, if you’re ever interested, they can show you around.” When asked about her greatest accomplishments of her extensive career, she thinks for a moment before answering. “Being able to develop a quality-standards team. That’s unusual in a company…people who really focus on looking at the ingredients and the sustainability and having that be part of the [company’s] DNA. Within that, I’ve always loved doing the animal-welfare side of [quality standards], meat standards and seafood standards. I did a lot of work in the early days to get those programs started,” she says, always keeping the customer in mind, “and it has to be usable for it to be helpful.” Wittenberg’s energy and positivity will continue to inspire the next generation of Whole Foods. Since 1981, she has upheld the company’s dream by being a creator and innovator through her passion for the environment, for nutrition, for learning, teaching and mentoring. And she’s not slowing down any time soon. You can find her at Whole Foods, fighting for a healthier, more authentic, transparent future, not only for Austin, but for the world.
A MILLENNIAL APPROACH: 365 BY WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Whole Foods recently introduced the name of its new store concept targeted toward millennials, 365 By Whole Foods Market. 365, which is set to open next year, looks to cater to customers who have found Whole Foods inaccessible. For example, Trader Joe’s sells twice as much per square foot as Whole Foods, making it more of a draw for younger shoppers. The new 365 chain will have cheaper offerings and will also make the Whole Foods brand more ubiquitous.
Women Leaders of Whole Foods Market Lynda Berrios
Southwest Regional Local Forager Lynda Berrios has been with Whole Foods for the past 10 years. She works with suppliers, the community and peers in the Texas food scene, and enjoys helping small producers and artisans flourish.
Glenda Flanagan
Chief Financial Officer Glenda Flanagan joined Whole Foods as CFO in 1988. Playing a major role in the development of the company, she serves on the board of directors for Whole Planet Foundation, Whole Cities Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation. Margaret Wittenberg describes Flanagan as “the epitome of wisdom,” and in February 2015, Fortune cited her as the longest-sitting CFO among the 58 women CFOs at Fortune 500 companies.
Betsy Foster
Global Vice President of Business Development “Betsy is brilliant in business,” Wittenberg says. Joining Whole Foods in 1994, Betsy Foster oversees all mergers and acquisitions for the company, international expansion, strategic partnerships, dark space, lease administration, the Local Producer Loan Program and the Strategic Equity Investment Fund, the Whole Foods Healthy Eating initiatives and healthy-eating education.
Roberta Lang
Global Vice President and General Counsel Roberta Lang oversees all legal affairs for Whole Foods and provides strategic business advice for the leadership of the company. She started with Whole Foods in 1998 and is a founding board member of the Whole Planet Foundation, whose mission is to create economic partnerships with developing world communities. Wittenberg describes her as having “a big heart” and that her “wonderful spirit has helped the company in so many ways.”
Kate Lowery
Global Public Relations Director Kate Lowery is responsible for all external communications, including consumer public relations, business and financial public relations, and issues management. She joined Whole Foods in 2001 and has played a major role in building the brand nationally.
Cindy McCann
Global Vice President of Investor Relations A part of Whole Foods since 1996, Cindy McCann is responsible for the strategic direction of the investor-relations program, and works with the executive team to communicate the company’s operating results and future outlook to the financial community. According to Wittenberg, she does this “with grace and style.”
Tricia Yost
Global Executive Coordinator Tax Accounting and Reporting Tricia Yost took a position at Whole Foods in 1996, building the tax function from the ground up. She’s responsible for strategic oversight and direction of the global tax function, as well as tax accounting and reporting.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 51
The Enduring
L eg acy o f
President Lyndon BainesJohnson On the 50th anniversary of the passage of President Johnson’s landmark legislative initiatives, Americans look to the past to find hope for the way forward in the struggle for equality and civil rights.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others look on.
Photo by Cecil Stoughton.
by Andy East
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Although 50 years have passed since President Lyndon B. Johnson’s landmark civil-rights legislation, his legacy could not be more relevant today. Austin Woman sat down with Catherine Robb, granddaughter of President Johnson and founder and honorary chair of the LBJ Future Fund, as she looks to the future to honor her grandfather’s legacy. Mark Updegrove, director of the LBJ Presidential Library, also weighs in on LBJ’s enduring legacy.
Photo by Yoichi Okamoto.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talks with President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The world held its breath as President Lyndon B. Johnson approached the director of the LBJ Presidential Library. “It was a very different and bifurrostrum of the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol to address a special joint cated society 50 years ago, and LBJ, with sweeps of his pen, changes things.” session of Congress. It was Nov. 27, 1963—just five days since Johnson had But Johnson faced a bruising battle in the Senate. By the time he adbeen thrust into the presidency in the wake of the assassination of his prededressed that joint session of Congress, the civil-rights bill had been in cessor, President John F. Kennedy, in Dallas—and fear and uncertainty had legislative limbo for five months, and a coalition of staunch segregationists swept the nation. who would come to be known as the Southern Bloc would seemingly control While Johnson tried to assuage the public’s fears, little did people know its fate in the coming months. that he was about to embark on a historic legislative agenda to ban racial Comprised of 18 Southern Democratic senators and one Southern Repubsegregation and “discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex or national lican senator from Texas, the Southern Bloc was led by Johnson’s friend and origin.” It would lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Great Society mentor, Richard Russell (D-Ga.), who warned the president that his support legislation in years to come, but the president’s efforts would turn much of his for civil-rights legislation would “not only cost you the South, it will cost you own political party against him and culminate in one of the most contentious the election.” political battles in U.S. history—a battle that is still playing out today. Russell and his allies would launch a filibuster that would last 57 work“No memorial oration or eulogy could more eloquently honor President ing days—the longest in the history of the U.S. Senate—to block the bill’s Kennedy’s memory than the earliest possible passage of the civil-rights bill passage, fervently vying to “resist to the bitter end any measure or any for which he fought so long,” Johnson told Congress that day, knowing he movement which would have a tendency to bring about social equality and was in for the fight of his career. intermingling and amalgamating of the races in our [Southern] states.” “Now, it’s hard to believe that not everybody would say, ‘Of course it’s “I admire [my grandfather’s] willingness to do things that were unpopua great thing to do’ to have something like the Civil lar that he thought needed to be done and his willingness Rights Act or the Voting Rights Act,” says Catherine to stand up for civil rights and for people,” Robb says. “I “LBJ felt passionately that he Robb, granddaughter of President Johnson and remember someone once saying that the real test of a could use his presidency and his founder and honorary chair of the LBJ Future Forum, great legislative skill to finally person is what they do when there’s nowhere else to go and an organization that seeks to engage people of all they can’t achieve any more power. I look at [my grandfaput racial discrimination, at least ages in public-policy debate and programming at the ther] and say he spent his political capital working on the under the eyes of the law, to an LBJ Presidential Library. “At the time, it was very civil-rights legislation and working with so many people to end.” —Mark Updegrove unpopular, even with a lot of his friends. And he and ensure that the Civil Rights Act [of 1964] was passed.” my grandmother [Lady Bird Johnson] and a whole lot of other people stood But with much of his party against him, Johnson, a Democrat, would need up with him and said, ‘It’s the right thing to do and we’re going to do it and to look beyond his party to break the history-making filibuster. consequences be damned.’ “ “LBJ felt passionately that he could use his presidency and his great The stakes were high. The dawn of the 1960s was met with much of the legislative skill to finally put racial discrimination, at least under the eyes of same racial turmoil that had plagued the U.S. since the end of the American the law, to an end,” Updegrove says. “One of the important things that he did Civil War. Segregation was the order of the day. Blacks and whites could not was reach across the aisle to Northern Republicans to help end the filibuster eat at the same restaurants, drink from the same water fountains, stay at the in the Senate.” same hotels or attend the same schools. Police brutality and violent crackJohnson courted Republican Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, believdowns on peaceful demonstrations led by civil-rights leaders were rampant. ing the Illinois senator wielded the influence necessary to end the standoff. Undaunted, the civil-rights leaders did not give in. Known as the “Wizard of Ooze” for his sinuous, protracted speaking style, Just three months before Johnson stood before Congress in November Dirksen, along with Republican Representative William McCulloch and 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. had stood at the other end of the National Mall Democratic Senator Hubert Humphrey (who would later be Johnson’s in front of nearly 250,000 demonstrators and delivered his famed “I have a running mate), gathered enough votes to end the filibuster and drafted a dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. bipartisan version of the bill that passed the Senate by a vote of 73 to 27, with In Austin, students picketed businesses on Congress Avenue to push for 21 of the negative votes coming from the South. integration at lunch counters. There were demonstrations on The Drag On July 2, 1964, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. against the segregated Texas Theatre, and a homemade bomb was set off at “It’s not just the understanding that there’s the right thing to do, but the an integrationist meeting at the University of Texas’ YMCA. willingness to say, ‘Let’s go do it,’ ” Robb says. “In [my grandfather’s] case, it “Through much of our country, it was apartheid,” says Mark Updegrove, hurt his party.”
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President Lyndon B. Johnson moves to shake hands with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while others look on at the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
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register their choice at the ballot box because of voting-rights oppressions,” Updegrove says. “If you can’t have your say at the ballot box, you’re certainly not going to be represented by politicians.” When Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, there were six African-American members of the U.S. House of Representatives out of 435 seats. By 1971, there were 13 African-American representatives and one African-American senator. In the current Congress, there are 46 AfricanAmerican representatives and two African-American senators. Despite Johnson’s push for civil rights, his legacy has not always been positive. “Legacies are complicated, and LBJ’s is no exception,” Updegrove says. “But when he first left office, he was principally known for Vietnam and the quagmire that it became. But ultimately, I think he’ll be remembered as the civil-rights president.” Of her father’s legacy, Lynda Johnson Robb says, “Daddy worked to open opportunities for everyone to live up to the best that God gave them.” After leaving the White House, Johnson inaugurated the LBJ Presidential Library in 1971, hoping to create a “springboard to the future.” “I really think that my grandfather wanted the library to be a place that not just talks about the past, but also talks about the future,” Robb says. In 2002, Robb founded the LBJ Future Forum to encourage people of all ages to get involved at the LBJ Presidential Library, in their community and to discuss public-policy issues of local, national and international importance, helping to fulfill her grandfather’s vision of building a better tomorrow. Although 50 years have passed since much of Johnson’s landmark legislation, his legacy is still relevant today. From the Affordable Care Act to restrictive voting ID laws, and as racial profiling, income inequality and police brutality in cities like Baltimore and Ferguson, Mo., continue to stoke racial tensions throughout the U.S., many of the issues Johnson tackled as president are still problems today. “You can’t help but see what’s going on and see, while we’ve come a long way, there’s still a lot to be done,” Robb says. “You could look at so many issues that were central to his administration that are still relevant today. We still have a long way to go to be in a society where things are truly fair for everyone.”
Photo by Yoichi Okamoto.
Senator Russell’s bleak warnings about the Democrats losing the South proved correct when South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana switched allegiance to the Republicans in the 1964 presidential election and have largely remained a Republican stronghold ever since. But Johnson would crush the Republicans in the presidential election, scoring the most lopsided victory in U.S. presidential election history in terms of popular vote. Now, with four more years in the Oval Office, Johnson and his quest for social justice were just getting started. As the 1965 legislative session began, Johnson began pushing his Great Society legislation, which sought to eliminate poverty and racial discrimination in the U.S. He had already declared the War on Poverty and expanded the Food Stamps program, but had set his sights on much more. Of the 87 bills the Johnson administration submitted to Congress that year, 84 were signed into law. (In comparison, the 2011 Congress passed 90 bills out of more than 4,200.) “It was the best legislative batting average in the latter half of the 20th century. Nobody even comes close,” Updegrove says. “Fifty years ago, we had perhaps the most important legislative year in American history. In that year, LBJ passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act—both of which resulted in dramatic increases in graduation rates and college matriculation rates—and Immigration [and Naturalization] Act of 1965, the most sweeping immigration reform in the history of our country.” Some other programs enacted under Johnson’s Great Society campaign included Medicare, Medicaid, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Head Start, the Air Quality Act of 1967 and the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But in 1965, Johnson also passed what many consider to be one of the most important bills of the 20th century: The Voting Rights Act of 1965, which overruled state and local laws throughout the U.S. that kept AfricanAmericans from voting. Earlier that year, a peaceful voting-rights demonstration in Selma, Ala., ended in violence as Alabama State Troopers attacked the demonstrators with nightsticks, whips and tear gas. The country was outraged by the events. “In Selma, 1 percent of viable African-American voters could actually
LBJ’s Legacy: Historic Legislation Civil Rights Act of 1964 Signed into law after the longest filibuster in the history of the U.S. Senate, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned racial segregation and “discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.” LBJ’s Great Society The Great Society was a series of legislation and programs passed by President Johnson to eradicate poverty and racial discrimination in the U.S. Many of the Great Society programs still exist today, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Catherine Robb
Voting Rights Act of 1965 Enacted Aug. 6, 1965, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 overruled state and local laws throughout the U.S. that inhibited African-Americans for nearly 100 years from exercising their constitutional right to vote. Medicare/Medicaid Enacted in 1965, Medicaid provides financial assistance for 65 million Americans. Passed in 1966, Medicare is a national health-insurance program for the elderly and the disabled. As of 2014, nearly one in six Americans was covered by Medicare. Both programs are at risk of running out of funding within the next 15 years. Mark Updegrove
Visit the LBJ Library to learn more about President Johnson and the groundbreaking legislation and programs that are his historic legacy. Exhibits
Photos by Dustin Meyer.
Civil Rights Take an in-depth look at the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other civil-rights legislation passed by LBJ in the Civil Rights exhibit at the LBJ Presidential Library. Some of the highlights of this exhibit include the desk on which LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, an interactive table that shows the process through which legislation becomes law and letters from people who have benefited from LBJ’s civil-rights programs. The Legacy Gallery From the Great Society programs to PBS, Medicare and financial aid for college, LBJ’s legacy has likely played some sort of role in your life. This exhibit offers a detailed look at the vast array of legislation passed under the Johnson administration and its legacy today. Social Justice Gallery Reflect back on LBJ’s social-justice legislation in this wide-reaching exhibit that includes graphics and descriptions of the Civil Rights Act, Consumer Protection Act, Medicare, the War on Poverty and many more.
Participate in educational and informative events held at the LBJ Presidential Library. Friends of the LBJ Library Help support the LBJ Presidential Library’s public programming and new exhibits by joining Friends of the LBJ Library, a membership organization whose membership dues help fund the library. Membership benefits include free admission to all 13 presidential libraries throughout the country and invitations to the Evening With speaker series, which has included President Barack Obama advisor David Axelrod, Karl Rove and many others. LBJ Future Forum Founded in 2002 by Catherine Robb, granddaughter of President Lyndon Johnson and Austin-based First Amendment lawyer, the LBJ Future Forum seeks to encourage younger generations to get involved in the LBJ Presidential Library, the community and discuss current local, national and international public-policy issues. Since its inception, it has grown to nearly 140 members and offers access to a wide array of speakers, debates and programming.
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the LBJ Presidential Library is teaming up with the Travis County Tax Office to host a nonpartisan voter-registration drive. The drive will be held at the LBJ Presidential Library and seeks to boost civic participation in local, state and federal elections. The event takes place Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St. Visit lbjlibrary.org for more information on the LBJ Presidential Library and the LBJ Future Forum.
Destiny for Democracy In his latest book, Mark Updegrove, director of the LBJ Presidential Library, DEST INY o f offers an up-close look at D E MO C R AC Y the historic Civil Rights Summit held last year at the LBJ Presidential Library to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter in attendance.
the civil rights summit at the lbj presidential library
MARK K . UPDEG ROVE
•
FOREWORD BY
JOHN LEWIS
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See Austin Like a Tourist Four memorable staycation options for exploring your own hometown.
Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort.
By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
Sometimes you just can’t get away for a summer vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t unplug and switch into vacation mode right here in ATX. In fact, WalletHub recently named Austin the No. 1 staycation city in Texas and No. 16 in the U.S. Thousands of tourists visit our fair city for festivals, conferences and concerts, and many of them end up staying. We decided to see Austin through the eyes of a tourist and discover what makes our city such a popular destination. We’ve chosen four hotels and locations for staycation adventures. You know you’ve been dying to find out what’s so hip about Second Street, SoCo and the Eastside, so book it now and enjoy your Austin staycation.
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Day One
10 a.m.
Noon
Check in. Shower and dress for power shopping on South Congress Avenue.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
Happy-hour margaritas, guacamole, chips and salsa at Guero’s Taco Bar, or duck into the secluded courtyard lounge at the Hotel San Jose for wine and cheese.
It’s the perfect spot for girlfriend getaways and checking out all the avenue has to offer.
Resume shopping.
8 p.m.
9:30 p.m. Music! Check out the music at one of the nearby quintessential Austin clubs. The Elephant Room is within walking distance for jazz lovers. The Continental Club and Threadgill’s are also a short stroll across the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Shop ‘til you drop on South Congress Avenue.
5 p.m.
6 p.m.
Leisurely dinner at Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, or grab a burger at Hopdoddy Burger Bar before going out to watch the bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Lunch on the patio at Trio followed by sun at the pool.
Return to hotel, shower, change, share shopping finds, dress for the evening.
10:30 p.m.
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I
f you want to be in the middle of it all yet feel so far away and be treated like a celebrity seeking an escape, you have come to the right place. Personally, I would check in and never leave unless I wanted to venture down the path to see the nightly spectacle of the Mexican free-tailed bats taking flight, or take a walk around the lake. I must confess that while I was doing research for this article, I happened to meet a group of ladies from Houston enjoying mimosas and chocolate-covered blueberries by the pool. The Four Seasons is their spot for an annual pilgrimage to “escape husbands and children, catch up, treat ourselves to the spa, eat, drink and shop.” Long spa hours (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.), round-the-clock room service (They love the Trio truffle mac and cheese.) and superior service are what keep bringing them back.
Continental Club photo by Edison Carter. All other photos courtesy of their respective locations.
Arrive and stow luggage with concierge. Check in for scheduled spa treatments.
The Four Seasons
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If possible, arrange for a late checkout time. If not, schedule another spa service so you can use the locker room and hang by the pool.
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Grab some sun by the pool or get out on the lake for kayaking, rowing or paddling.
t.
Noon
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The Texas State Capitol Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, home to more than a million Mexican free-tailed bats 3. Allen’s Boots 1522 4. Blackmail 1202 5. Continental Club 1315 6. Mi Casa 1700 7. Guero’s Taco Bar 1412 8. Hotel San Jose 1316 9. Turquoise Door 1208 10. Tesoros 1500 11. Uncommon Objects 1512 12. St. Vincent de Paul 1327 13. Co-Star/Vintage Archive 1508 14. Yard Dog 1510 15. Kendra Scott 1400 16. Jo’s Coffee 1300 17. New Bohemia 1606 18. Elephant Room 315 19. Second Bar + Kitchen 200 20. Roaring Fork 701 21. The Driskill Hotel 604 22. The Paramount Theatre 713 23. Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar 1400 24. Hopdoddy Burger Bar 1400
2 p.m.
1.
Hotel San Jose photo by Allison V. Smith. All other photos courtesy of their respective locations.
2.
4
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Happy hour at the bar at the Roaring Fork for the best huckleberry margaritas, green chili stew, fresh guacamole, tortilla soup and big-ass cheeseburgers you have ever eaten, or happy hour by the lake at Alta’s Cafe at the Waller Creek Boathouse, featuring local artisan chocolates to die for.
22
Walk or bike the hike-and-bike trail.
Late lunch at Second Bar + Kitchen followed by a shopping stroll down Congress Avenue, or grab a summer classic matinee at The Paramount Theatre or Alamo Drafthouse’s Ritz Movie Theater.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
Grab a farewell look at the lake and a glass of wine at the Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons while you plan your next visit. Retrieve luggage from the concierge and the car from the valet. Look back as you leave the drive and sigh as your staycation ends.
Must-haves: Boots from Allen’s Boots One-of-a-kind jewelry from local artist Valerie Allen, available at the spa at the Four Seasons One-of-a-kind fashion found at New Bohemia, St. Vincent de Paul, Feathers and Archive Vintage austinwomanmagazine.com | 59
Eat, drink and be merry. The Heywood Hotel
T
he Heywood is a small boutique hotel perfectly located on East Cesar Chavez Street to serve as your location to explore what all the fuss is about regarding Austin’s most hip area, especially for the exploding food-and-drink scene. With only seven rooms, this hotel is luxurious yet affordable. Grab six other couples and rent out the whole place! Things we love about the Heywood include comfortable beds with luxe linens, longleaf pine floors, Internet jukebox, incredible showers and roomy tubs, wet bars with cocktail set-ups and private patios. They also have bikes for your use. Although many of the restaurants and bars we suggest checking out are within walking distance, our suggestion for the ultimate food-and-drink staycation on the Eastside is to hire a car and driver for the afternoon and evening so the most memorable souvenir you bring home isn’t a DWI. We suggest creating your itinerary based on your personal preferences, so we are providing a list of the many options to check out, including the best food, drink and entertainment spots on the Eastside.
Iconic Restaurants
Cisco’s Restaurant: For more than 50 years, Cisco’s is where the politicos have been making deals over migas, huevos rancheros and hot biscuits.
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Tamale House East: Carrying on a longtime family tradition, Carmen Valera, niece of the legendary Bobby Vasquez, serves up the best tamales in town using time-tested recipes with a price point for dinner of less than $10. It’s a must.
Juan in a Million: Founded in 1980, Juan in a Million has been the place to go for affordable Tex-Mex classics, great service and genuine atmosphere. Everyone from presidents to Jimmy Kimmel has stopped in for the famous breakfast tacos.
East Side King: Asian fusion Boteco: Brazilian street food, yucca fries Mission Dogs: bacon-wrapped hot dogs Baton Creole: Cajun and Creole delights Via 313: Detroit-style pizza Thai-Kun: modern Asian. Order everything on the menu for less than $60.
The Liberty: great service and happy hour. Find an East Side King trailer on the back patio. Whisler’s: perfect ambiance and craft cocktails The Brixton: neighborhood bar with foosball, a cool jukebox, an industrial vibe and a dogfriendly patio The Volstead Lounge: classic cocktails, DJ-curated music and dancing Craftsman: porches and rocking chairs, vintage furniture and original wood floors. Sip your Old Fashioned Southern plantation-style.
Bufalina Pizza: wood-fired pizza Cenote: neighborhood patio cafe Mr. Natural: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free Takoba: authentic, fresh Central Mexican Hot Mama’s Cafe: Mid-East fusion
Historic Scoot Inn: Established in 1871, it is the oldest bar in Central Texas, and hosts a wide variety of music genres. Victory Grill: This historic landmark is home to some great R&B, soul and blues music. Stay Gold Austin: They offer a sophisticated setting, cocktails and live music nightly.
laV: Ooh, la la. This spot is perfect for special occasions or popping the question. It’s pricey French cuisine in one of Austin’s loveliest locations. If you have a beer budget, check out their happy-hour offerings.
The White Horse: This Eastside honky-tonk offers live music from local musicians, and two-step, swing dance and Cajun dance lessons.
Qui: Named for one of Austin’s most celebrated chefs, the cuisine lives up to the name. Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile: This family-operated ranchto-table restaurant offers a dining experience with simple Southern and rustic roots.
Franklin Barbecue photo by JoJo Marion. All other photos courtesy of their respective locations.
Justine’s Brasserie: a classic and romantic French bistro Sawyer & Co.: New Orleans specialties and fabulous brunch are the key reasons to visit. Launderette: Critics love this place. It’s an upscale cafe with dinner nightly and a weekend brunch. Franklin Barbecue: This famous spot is the rock star of brisket and all things barbecue. The line is worth the wait. la Barbecue: rivals Franklin Barbecue for the title of Austin’s best barbecue Weather Up: The renowned New York City bartender-owner came to Austin to see a bike race, fell in love and opened a restaurant on the Eastside. The 108 cocktails are the stars of the show here.
East Side Show Room: small plates and handcrafted cocktails
Aluxa Studio: upscale jewelry Sky Candy Aerial Studio: trapeze and aerial classes Hops & Grain Brewing: award-winning sustainable craft-beer brewery Practice Yoga Austin: yoga classes for a suggested donation The Lion’s Nest: locally owned art gallery specializing in handpulled prints and engravings Johnnie’s Antiques and Collectibles: fourth-generationowned store perfect for finding the unexpected treasure
Lake Austin Spa Resort I know that I write about this resort often, but I am still surprised at the number of people I meet who either don’t know about it or haven’t experienced it. With a world-class spa in your backyard, why would you be tempted to go anywhere else? An overnight visit can work wonders, while five days to a week will have you feeling like a new person. After all, you are worth it. If you are considering a staycation this summer, chances are you work like a dog, put in long hours and hold a lot of tension in your shoulders. If your boss were smart, he or she would book an overnight staycation for you just to increase your productivity and free your mind. Without question, this is my favorite and the most relaxing staycation location in Austin. The minute I drive through the gates, stress melts away and I become engaged in the now. I unplug, leave all cares behind and open my mind and body to a healing and educational adventure. I have also known couples who have completely reconnected after a getaway at this resort. The following recommendations for this staycation come from my personal experiences at Lake Austin Spa, but the resort truly has something for everyone, and you can be as active or as laid back as you like. If you want to spend your day reading in a hammock lakeside, they can accommodate you. Or if you want to participate in fitness activities, you can get down and dirty. The point is that at Lake Austin Spa, the emphasis is on you and your desires.
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How to get the most out of your Lake Austin Spa Resort staycation
Plan Ahead! Schedule spa treatments in advance of your visit during times that do not conflict with any activities you may plan to participate in.
My choice: LakeHouse Lavender Signature treatment. Exfoliate, restore and replenish, all with the calming essence of lavender. Review the activities schedule and make a list of any activities, workshops or expert talks you may want to participate in. This is a good opportunity to try out the latest fitness craze that you have been wanting to explore. My choices: Guided meditation classes and age-defying series of fitness classes, including yoga, Pilates, balance and core.
Review the amenities list to plan individual activities and lessons, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and riding a hydrobike. My choices: sunset cruise, hydrobike riding and Paddleboarding 101 Special guest programs. Plan your staycation to coincide with a particular chef, author or expert you would like to experience while at the resort. My choices: July 17 and 18: cooking session, wine reception and book signing with Chef Hugh Acheson, author of newly released cookbook The Broad Fork. Aug. 15 and 16: cooking session, wine reception and book signing with Chef Gail Simmons. Aug. 17 through 23: New Rhythm and Moves program featuring classes combining live music by some of Austin’s favorite musicians with health and fitness classes. Aug. 19: Sweet and Savory Song cooking demo with former AW cover woman Sara Hickman. Schedule an appointment with feng shui celebrity stylist Billy Yamaguchi. He visits Lake Austin Spa on a regular basis. Book an appointment and come home with a new ’do. July 5 through 7, and Aug. 2 through 4.
Photos courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort.
Enjoy the healthy, fresh cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Stéphane Beaucamp as you learn about healthy eating and living. In addition to daily sessions, for one week every month, Lake Austin Spa Resort shares secrets of preparing deliciously healthful cuisine during its celebrated Lake Austin Culinary Experience program. With the program’s overall focus on wellness, guests can partake in as many as 20 daily classes and activities. My choices: For dining, make new friends at the resort Friendship Table, where guests who are visiting alone can dine with others. Dine on a fresh crab mini taco, locally sourced salad and vegetables fresh from the onsite gardens, and market-inspired meat, poultry and vegetarian entrees. For classes, check out the cocktail gardening, healthy meals and healthy snacks demonstrations.
Schedule personalized consultations. Customize your staycation with consultations and one-on-one instruction sessions, which can include fitness instruction, fitness assessment, wellness, nutrition and beauty. My choices: nutrition consultation, stress management plan and take-home workout plan
Ultimate souvenir:
Take-home plan from a personalized consultation or instruction session austinwomanmagazine.com | 63
The W Austin
I
f you are one to put on your strappy high-heeled sandals, your red dress and your shiny jewelry and go out into the center of the Austin universe, this is the hotel of your dreams. If you like minimalist luxury, over-the-top rooms with a view, fantasy suites, unique and relaxing spa treatments, trendsetting cocktails and a see-and-be-seen vibe poolside and in the record lounge, you are home free. If you want to feel young and rich, pull up to the valet, kiss your car goodbye and check out this staycation adventure. Living a life of luxury is the theme of this staycation. Rather than a prescribed itinerary, this staycation is centered on experiences and things to do within walking distance of the hotel.
Check out the bar scene and the cocktails at Tequila Bar and the beautiful red-velvet Secret Bar. Spin the vinyl with a local DJ Thursday through Saturday evenings in the Records Room. Pamper yourself with a spa day or treatment. The Ashiatsu massage is one you will never forget, and a trip to the steam shower peels away the stress. Relax with a glass of bubbly as you enjoy a couple’s massage or sink into a VIP body-detox treatment. Rent a cabana poolside and spend the day high atop the fourth floor. Order nosh and drinks, and lounge in the sun like a Hollywood mogul. You will soon forget you are in your hometown. 64 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
Autograph and backstage photo of your favorite musician performing at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Alternate: Austin City Limits: 35 Years in Photographs, available at Austin Rocks. Photo courtesy of W Hotel Austin.
At the W
Ultimate souvenir:
Shop until you drop The Second Street District is well known in and outside Austin for its many shops and quality goods. Treat yourself to jewelry from Eliza Page and Etcetera, etc.; lingerie from Teddies for Bettys; trendy clothing from Estilo or Hemline; Austinbranded clothing and souvenirs from Austin Rocks; shirts and jeans that guys swoon over from Bonobos; a new swimsuit from St. Bernard Sports; luxe bedding from Area; new furniture from Design Within Reach, Flor and Blu Dot; a makeup demonstration and touch-up at Rae Cosmetics; a manicure and pedicure at Lacquer Nail Salon and things for the kids at Toy Joy. Want them to ask where you got it? Check out Hacienda and Sikara & Co.
Hacienda
Nightlife ACL Live at The Moody Theater: This famed theater is adjacent to the W and hosts national tours of major musicians, as well as Austin City Limits tapings.
Reed Turner at Lamberts
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue: C3 Presents books this intimate venue, where you can see Austin locals like Reed Turner and Jitterbug Vipers, as well as up-and-coming touring musicians. Comfy leather banquettes provide seating for groups in the back of the room. Violet Crown Cinema: Catch that documentary or art film you have been waiting to see while enjoying luxurious seating, excellent food, wine and beer. It is better than watching at home in your recliner, with a better picture, better sound and someone else doing the cooking.
Reed Turner photo by Melanie Applegate. Cafe Ruckus photo by Chad Adams. All other photos courtesy of thier respective locations.
Food, glorious food What’s your fancy? You will find it in the Second Street District. Steak: III Forks Contemporary Mexican: La Condesa Sweet treats: Delish Bakery Coffee and breakfast treats: Jo’s Coffee Breakfast tacos: Austin Java Tapas: Malaga
Austin Java
Italian: Taverna Wine and cheese: Cru Wine Bar High tea: Cafe Ruckus Barbecue: Lamberts Downtown Barbecue Brunch: Second Bar + Kitchen
Delish Bakery
Second Bar + Kitchen
Cafe Ruckus
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Insider Tips for Exploring Austin Like a
Tourist
The most memorable viewing of the nightly bat emergence is from a kayak, canoe or hydrobike on the lake, although the balcony at the Lobby Lounge at The Four Seasons provides optimal viewing with the bonus of sipping a glass of wine while watching. If you are lucky enough to schedule your staycation for the first Thursday of the month, you can check out the merchants of SoCo, who host a block party and keep the shops open until 10 p.m. Experience ACL Live at The Moody Theater without spending a bundle. Every Tuesday through Aug. 25, ACL Live, Mark West Wines and the Second Street District host happy-hour concerts benefiting the Austin Music Foundation. What lies ahead? Every third Monday from 8 p.m. to midnight, Olivia Pepper provides tarot-card readings in the courtyard at the Hotel San Jose for a small donation. Bike rentals downtown and near Zilker Park are available by the hour or the day. Check out Austin B-cycle, Austin Bike Tours & Rentals and Mellow Johnny’s.
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and water-bike rentals are available from Austin Water Bikes, Rowing Dock, Texas Rowing Center, Zilker Park Boat Rentals and Austin Rowing Club.
Are you a history buff? Explore the Texas State Cemetery, the French Legation Museum and the Texas State Capitol. Have your photo made with one of the iconic Austin statues: Angelina Eberly, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan or philosophers J. Frank Dobie, Roy Bedichek and Walter Prescott Webb or one of the many statues located on the University of Texas campus. For information on free guided and self-guided walking tours, visit austintexas.org or the Austin Visitor Center, located at 602 E. Fourth St.
Hotel San Jose For the complete directory guide to Austin staycations, visit austinwomanmagazine.com. 66 | Austin Woman | JULY 2015
RideScout is a mobile app that helps you get from point A to point B in Austin faster and smarter. Available for iOS and Android, RideScout provides real-time information about transportation options that are available right now. Download RideScout and get all transit, bus, bike, taxi, car share, rideshare, parking and walking directions in one view. Download the app at ridescout.com/get.
Hotel San Jose photo by Allison V. Smith. Mellow Johnny’s photo courtesy of Mellow Johnny’s.
Daycation: If you don’t have the time for an overnight staycation, why not spend the day at a staycation spa? We have all of the info in a web-exclusive article at austinwomanmagazine.com.
The Galveston Island Pass is your key to adventure and savings while exploring the numerous attractions that make Galveston so special. Buy at www.galvestonislandpass.com.
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GOURMET
From Ramen Tatsu-ya: smoked ajitama egg, grilled mushroom and chicken chicharron
SAVOR the flavor
Photo by Niki Jones.
Recipes and recap from Austin’s favorite foodie festival. As hot as it gets in July, there are still many opportunities to spread out a blanket and enjoy all Austin has to offer. From Blues on the Green to the Hartman Symphony Series, Zilker Hillside performances and a family gathering in one of the parks, it’s nice to look forward to packing a picnic and enjoying the company of friends and family. The fourth Austin Food + Wine Festival brought together top-tier chefs and acclaimed sommeliers. In case you missed the festivities, we have chosen two offerings created just for Austin. You can also check out our staff recommendations for food and drink items you can find throughout town. Bon appetit! —Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
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Foodie alert! Gail Simmons is coming to Lake Austin Culinary Experience Aug. 15 and 16.
menu
Chef Gail Simmons’ recipeS for a picture-perfect July picnic “My Smokey Texas Twist was created with Austin in mind. This cocktail, made with Pure Leaf Sweet Tea, has a deep smokiness from the charred grapefruit, smoked salt and mezcal (if using) as a tribute to Austin’s legendary barbecue culture. The citrus is the perfect refresher in the Texas heat and the cilantro is a gentle nod to Tex-Mex flavor.” —Chef Gail Simmons
Directions: Heat a grill pan to medium-high heat and brush with canola oil. Add quartered grapefruit, flesh side down, and grill until well charred, two to three minutes per cut side. Remove from grill and allow to cool. Juice the grapefruit, straining seeds and reserving one juiced wedge. In a cocktail shaker, muddle together charred grapefruit juice and cilantro. Add Pure Leaf Sweet Tea and plenty of ice. Shake until well chilled. Rub the rim of two rocks glasses with the reserved grapefruit wedge. Spread the smoked salt on a plate and swirl the rim of each glass through the salt to coat. Add ice to the glasses. Strain the grapefruit/tea mixture into the glasses. Garnish each with a few cilantro leaves and serve immediately. Optional: Add 2 ounces of mezcal to the mixture before shaking.
Lemongrass-Scented Rice Noodle Salad With Mint and Cilantro Serves four Ingredients: 1 shallot, thinly sliced and separated into rings 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 8 ounces vermicelli rice noodles 4 1/4 cups Pure Leaf Unsweetened Iced Tea, divided 4 cups water 1 lemongrass stalk, peeled and trimmed into two 2- to 3-inch pieces, one half of pieces bruised using the back of a knife, one half finely chopped 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, 10 stems reserved 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, half sliced, half finely chopped 2 small Thai chilies, stemmed, seeded and chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar 1 hothouse cucumber, cut into matchsticks or shredded lengthwise on a mandolin 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks or shredded lengthwise on a mandolin 6 radishes, cut into matchsticks or shredded on a mandolin 1/4 cup mint, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup dry-roasted peanuts, crushed 1 pound cooked shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken, optional Directions: Heat canola oil in a medium saute pan until just before smoking. In a shallow bowl, toss shallots with flour, shaking off any excess. Fry shallots in oil, stirring gently until golden, about five minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shallots to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season immediately with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt. In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups iced tea, water, bruised lemongrass, sliced ginger, 10 cilantro stems and the remaining salt, and bring to a boil. Add rice noodles and cook until just tender, about seven minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water until chilled. Shake out any excess water and spread noodles on a paper towel-lined tray. For dressing, combine reserved lemongrass, reserved ginger, chilies, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar and remaining iced tea in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Place noodles, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, mint, cilantro leaves and chicken or shrimp (if desired) in a large bowl. Add dressing to taste and toss well. Garnish with fried shallots and crushed peanuts before serving. If desired, top with grilled shrimp or grilled beef or chicken strips. Note: Any remaining dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week and used on meat, fish and salads.
For more recipes from the 2015 Austin Food + Wine Festival, visit austinfoodandwinefestival.com/2015/afwf-2015-get-the-recipes. 70 | Austin Woman | july 2015
Food photos by Neal Santos. Gail Simmons photo courtesy of Pure Leaf.
Smokey Texas Twist Serves two Ingredients: Canola oil for grill 1 pink grapefruit, quartered 1/2 cup Pure Leaf Sweet Tea 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon fine smoked salt Ice
Austin Woman Staff Favorites From the 2015 Austin Food + Wine Festival
!
Foodie alert! Coming summer 2015: The Austin location of Tim Love’s flagship restaurant, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
SAVOR
From Ramen Tatsu-ya: smoked ajitama egg, grilled mushroom and chicken chicharron From Alberta Rye: Alberta Rye, fresh lemon, ginger liqueur, ginger beer
From Tim Love and Lonesome Dove: hands-on grilling sessions and winner of the Rock Your Taco contest, the fried beef tendon taco cheftimlove.com/13-indispensable-grilling-tips-from-tim-love
Photos courtesy of Austin Food + Wine Festival, Baked by Amy’s and Knob Creek.
From Knob Creek: Dog Days Drink knobcreek.com/ recipes/dogdays-drink
SIP
sweets
From Baked by Amy’s: Mexican vanilla macarons
From Corner: avocado cheesecake, prickly pear jelly, pistachio crumble
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fitness
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Enjoy summer on the water with this challenging body and mind workout. By Serena Yeh The image of rowers gliding seamlessly across a lake makes rowing seem effortless. This could not be further from the truth. Rowing not only requires physical strength, it also necessitates astute coordination and concentration. The result is worthwhile: a feeling of accomplishment and a full-body workout. The benefits of rowing are wide-ranging. A competitive rower can burn a reported 850 to 1,050 calories per hour. Furthermore, it works multiple muscle groups, such as the quads, back and abdominal muscles. “It’s low-impact. It’s ergonomic. The whole rowing technique is built around how our muscles work, how our bodies have developed to work,” says Texas Rowing Center Office Manager Jane Shepherd. “It’s working our muscles the way that they are designed to work and maximize the power of our muscles.” With the right technique, even people who have had knee or rotatorcuff surgeries can row without feeling any pain, and it may even help them recover from their injuries, Shepherd adds. I had never rowed before, except for a few dismal attempts on the gym’s indoor rowing machine, but I never knew how to use it accurately. Transferring from indoor machine to outdoor rowing was unnerving. I grappled with the fear and possibility of capsizing in the vastness of Lady Bird Lake. However, be assured that at the Texas Rowing Center, all rowers are provided with the option to wear a life jacket. The center, located along Lady Bird Lake, was founded in 1987 and provides Austin residents with rowing, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding options. There are two types of rowing: sculling and sweep. The main difference between the two is the former involves two oars, whereas the latter involves a singular, longer oar. Sculling can also be an individual activity, but sweep rowing is a team sport that typically involves a coxswain who calls out instructions to steer the boat the right way. Shepherd, who is also the instructor for the Introduction to Rowing course, started me out with sculling. She has 13 years of experience in rowing and has been with the center for five years. She eased me into rowing by guiding me through two stations for practice. The first station was the indoor rowing machine, also known as the rowing ergometer commonly found in gyms. She went through the technique of rowing with me. Rowing requires a lot of mental work initially because the motion of rowing does not come intuitively. At the start of the movement, it feels natural to draw the legs in as the body moves forward, but the arms have to stretch ahead completely before the legs can be pulled in. I consciously and continuously replayed the movement in my head so I could follow. After I managed several rounds of accurate motion, Shepherd quickly moved me on to the next station. The second station was on the dock trainer, which provides a simulated rowing experience with the actual rowing oars in water. The dock itself was rather shaky, and it gave me a hint of the actual currents I would feel. There was a lot more to pay attention to. As much as I wanted to have full control of the oars, my hands had to grip the handles lightly, constantly shift my wrists and keep my left hand on top of the right so I could stay balanced. After a few rounds of practice, Shepherd quickly moved me to the actual rowing shell. “It’s nothing like being in the boat. I try not to spend too much time there because I think it builds a false sense of confidence,” Shepherd says. She was right. I struggled with getting into the rowing shell, which was narrower than expected, as I wasn’t stable and there were light currents from the strong wind. It was definitely intimidating as a first-timer, but Shepherd’s instructions made the process easier. While there was always the prospect of capsizing, I hardly thought of it as I enjoyed the sereneness of the lake. The trees that frame the lake provide a lush, natural escape. In the distance, the graffiti on the Austin Railroad 72 | Austin Woman | july 2015
Bridge can be seen, making it a quintessential Austin experience. The best time to row during the summer is in the early mornings or evenings on weekdays to avoid a crowd. This is necessary to prevent having to constantly turn around to look out for anyone behind you, as rowing moves you backward. One of the most popular routes rowers take is the roughly 3-mile route to Red Bud Isle and back. More seasoned rowers may travel across the entire span of Lady Bird Lake, taking in both the peaceful, natural environment and the downtown-skyline views. With the prospect of a full-body workout in the tranquil early morning environment of the lake, summer rowing now seems very enticing. Texas Rowing Center, 1541 W. Cesar Chavez St., 512.467.7799, texasrowingcenter.com
Where to Row This Summer Start with the Introduction to Rowing courses at either the Texas Rowing Center, which meets twice a week for three weeks, or the Austin Rowing Club (austinrowing.org), which meets twice a week for three and a half weeks.
IT’S OK TO TALK ABOUT IT.
IS VAGINAL DRYNESS AFFECTING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER? ARE YOU TIRED OF USING CREAMS? Our office is the first in Austin to offer this new, non-hormone, FDA approved treatment for vaginal dryness and atrophy. Just like you, many post-menopausal women are experiencing changes that can affect a woman’s quality of life in unexpected ways, leading to many unpleasant symptoms. There is a novel laser therapy that helps restore vaginal health by generating new collagen, elastin and vascularization called MonaLisa Touch. It is an innovative laser treatment for menopausal patients, breast cancer survivors, and any woman with vaginal discomfort. To learn more, make an appointment with Dr. Jukes today!
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Specializing in Quality of Life & Healthcare for Women We are Located in the Westlake Medical Center 5656 Bee Cave Road, Suite B-101, Austin, TX 78746 • (512) 301-6767 • lisamjukesmd.com
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HEALTH
Ask the Ophthalmologist
Everything you need to know about keeping your eyes healthy. By Jill Case Your eyes are your windows to the world, and it’s important to take care of them. Austin Woman talked with Dr. Luke Barker, an Austin ophthalmologist, about taking care of your eyes and other aspects of eye health. Austin Woman: How often should people have their eyes examined? Dr. Luke Barker: Adults over 40 should begin having their eyes examined once a year. People who are under 40 can have an exam every couple years unless they have been diagnosed with an eye condition that requires ongoing treatment. Children should have a vision screening in pre-K, and if a problem is found, they should be seen once a year. The reason for regular eye-health examinations is that your eyes are very delicate and a precious organ. Early diagnosis can help prevent someone from losing their vision. Prevention is much easier than actually treating a condition once it is affecting your vision. Regular eye-health examinations are the key. AW: Why do you recommend that adults begin receiving annual examinations at age 40? LB: Between 40 and 45, we all start to lose the ability to focus up close. That’s one of the first symptoms you’ll see and notice when your lens begins to become more dysfunctional. AW: Do you need different strength reading glasses for different situations, such as working on the computer, reading a book, etc.? LB: With reading glasses, the closer something is, the higher strength you need; the farther away it is, the less strength you need. We’ll all eventually need reading glasses, but everyone’s a little different. Some people need a stronger power based on their baseline prescription. Some people will need reading glasses later than others, but virtually every single one of us will need reading glasses eventually, whether we’ve had Lasik or not. AW: Is it OK to buy non-prescription reading glasses, or do you recommend having a prescription? LB: It depends. Most of the time, reading glasses that are over-thecounter are absolutely fine. They do not hurt or strain your eyes. The only potential problem is that you’re not finding the exact strength that you need, and sometimes that can lead to eye strain. Usually, it’s better to come in, have an exam and get a prescription so that you know what strength to buy. AW: Can Lasik surgery help people who only need reading glasses? LB: It can. It’s a process called blended vision where we correct one eye for distance and one eye for up-close vision. And with both eyes open, you’ll have the ability to experience a range of vision. It allows you to see at a distance to drive or golf, to see at an intermediate range for your computer and to see close up to look at your cell phone, tablet or watch. AW: Does everyone get cataracts? LB: Yes. A cataract is just your lens getting harder and darker with birthdays, and the only way to treat them is with cataract surgery. The outpatient procedure takes 15 minutes or less per eye. Usually the entire process takes two hours or less. AW: Is that laser surgery? LB: Yes. It’s a combination of laser and ultrasound technology. We use a laser because it’s more precise and accurate than any human hand can be, ensuring greater accuracy and precision.
74 | Austin Woman | july 2015
AW: Do you have any advice for people who work with computers? LB: There are a lot of tech-industry personnel in Austin, and a lot of people spend a lot of time on computers for work and for hobbies. It’s always beneficial to take periodic breaks for your eyes to defocus and not be constantly focused at that range on your computer. Working on a computer doesn’t necessarily hurt your eyes, but it causes a lot of strain and dryness. If you take periodic breaks every 30 minutes or every hour, usually that will allow you to have more longevity with your eyes and more function. If you have dryness or notice that you develop dryness as you work on your computer, another good idea is to use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes before and during the use of the computer. AW: Is there anything people can do to strengthen their eyes or prevent their eyesight from deteriorating? LB: There are a few things you can do. The No. 1 thing is not to smoke. Smoking can affect your eyes in many different ways. It can lead to dryness, macular degeneration and can accelerate cataracts. It causes any sun damage to be much more detrimental to the skin and the eyeball, so not smoking is one of the key things you can do. If you have diabetes or other medical problems like hypertension, these conditions can affect your eyesight. If you have these conditions, make sure you work with your doctor to keep your condition under control. In addition, people should always wear sunglasses to protect their eyes. AW: What is your best advice for people about taking care of their eyes? LB: A catchphrase I use is, “Be wise; protect those eyes.” Do everything you can to prevent the development and progression of eye disease, and it will allow you to have a long, fruitful life with great vision. Dr. Luke Barker is a board-certified ophthalmologist at the Mann Eye Institute and Laser Eye Center in Austin. He specializes in advanced corneal, cataract and refractive surgery procedures and treatments, as well as the diagnosis and care of patients with diabetes, macular degeneration, ocular surface disease and glaucoma. For more information, visit manneye.com or call 800.698.4746.
Protecting Your Eyes From the Texas Sun Dr. Luke Barker: In Texas, the sun is almost constantly beating down on us here. It’s really important to protect your eyes to prevent certain diseases and damage from the sun. Here are some tips: 3W ear sunglasses or a wide-rim hat any time you are outside to help
3W rap-around type of shades really improves the coverage of your
prevent developing eye disease secondary to exposure to the sun. 3W hen purchasing sunglasses, you definitely want to get a pair
eye and the eyelid skin surrounding the eye. 3S unglasses help prevent skin cancer of the eyelid and the eyeball.
that blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
It also protects your eyes from pterygium and pinguecula, which are non-cancerous growths on the cornea and the conjunctiva.
3P olarized lenses help with eye strain.
Dry Eye Dr. Luke Barker: Dry eye is something that does increase as we have more birthdays as well. It affects women more than men. A lot of times, dryness is associated with other medications you are taking; medications for allergies, diabetes and hypertension can cause dryness, so it’s important to recognize the side effects of those medications.
There are a number of different ways to treat dry eye, and it really depends on what works best for each patient. Here are some of the treatments we use:
Dryness can have multiple symptoms, including:
r Over-the-counter artificial tears
r Blurred vision
r Restasis, a prescription eye drop
r A gritty, sand sensation on the eye
rP unctal plugs, tiny medical devices that are inserted in the office to block drainage from the tear ducts
r Pain
rO ver-the-counter supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids (krill oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil) may help produce more consistent and frequent tears.
rL ipiflow Dry Eye Treatment, an in-office procedure that takes about 30 minutes per eye. It uses heat and massage to help the glands produce more tears, allowing the glands to flow better.
Where Austin plAns to
live / work / learn / play
At Central Health, we aren’t just envisioning a new future for our Brackenridge Campus. We are striving to create a model healthy community that’s equitable, sustainable and focused on the wellbeing of residents across Travis County.
CentralhealthCampus.net Redevelopment begins in 2017 in partnership with: Dell Medical School | Seton Healthcare Family | Waller Creek Conservancy
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memo from JB
Coming Together While Staying Alone
My itineraries for the perfect Austin staycations. By JB Hager, photo by rudy arocha I write to you on the very week of my 17th wedding anniversary. I kid you not, on my anniversary, my wife and 13-year-old daughter will be landing back in Austin at 10:30 p.m. from a trip. At 7 a.m. the following morning, I’ll be driving to San Antonio to complete my 2014 taxes. That’s the reality of life, marriage and family after 17 years. It doesn’t mean that love is lost; it just changes and so has the mentality of our vacations. When we first got together, prior to children, we were all about the beach vacation. We would be somewhere in Mexico drinking blended bananas out of fish bowls at a place called Señor Frog’s, Gringo Locos or something to that effect. Those usually ended with hangovers that made us pray and make promises like we never had before, just to feel better again. Then the family life started and vacations shifted to Disney, Sea World or Legoland. If you didn’t leave with 50 stuffed animals, it was a complete loss. Then followed a series of, as my wife would call them, “once-in-alifetime trips.” These were with friends who could afford much more than us, eating and drinking beyond our means and coming home feeling inadequate for not being able to afford to do that more often. We tried Europe. I would want to see the war monuments, and she would want to stop every 15 minutes for pretzels or chocolate. This leads us to today, parents of a teenager in vacation no-man’s land. We are not yet empty-nesters traveling with other adults, wife swapping and swinging on cruise ships, but perhaps that day will come. My wife and I have had a successful marriage because we are typically on the same page with most things. However, when it comes to vacations, we can’t agree. I get it: Being a mother of a demanding 13-year-old is brutal. She wants a beach, a book, her toes in the sand and to be far away from home; the farther, the better. I have crazy work hours and I’m not happy about the cost of vacations, so I just want to be the king of my castle and do nothing. Home is my happy place. I believe I have come up with the perfect staycation itineraries in Austin that will accommodate both our needs. Staycation for me: Sleep until noon. Remain in pajama pants all day. Admire my empty house. Pound my chest. Blare music from decades past. Do shots of tequila by tapping my glass on the dog’s nose for “Cheers.” Pressure wash something or work on the car/motorcycle/lawn. Watch a documentary. Meet up with the wife for a nice dinner and some lovin’. Read. Go to bed. Staycation for her: Stay at a nice hotel where she can’t be reached. Workout. Have mimosas with her girls. Brunch. Have pool time that includes the concierge coming by to put sand under her toes to give the illusion of a beach. Nap. Get a massage. Check out a Lifetime movie. Take a shopping trip to buy a large hat and new flip-flops. Meet up with me 76 | Austin Woman | july 2015
for a nice dinner and some lovin’. Partake in bad karaoke with her girls. Attend a dance party with her girlfriends and a traveling gay dance troupe. Go to bed. Essentially, the two of us would meet up for dinner, have an intimate moment and then go back to our respective places. Works for me! It doesn’t mean that we don’t want to spend time together. It is just, for now, the time and a place in our life. We’ll spend more time together when we are retired swingers living at The Villages in Florida. For right now, this would be our perfect staycation in Austin, Texas. By the way, our daughter is not staycationing with us. She is vacationing with a friend because she quit talking to us a year ago and won’t be talking to us until she’s asking for a car in three years.
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mother of the bride
Looking Back
The true role of a mother as the mother of the bride. By cheryl bemis diversion from the mundane wedding details, and it was a chance for Britten to model and show off her dress. A few tweaks and the dress will be wedding-aisle ready. One bridal event Britten was looking forward to was her bridal shower. Her bridal party put on a beautiful and fun celebration with family and friends on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, complete with special photos, In my last column, I mentioned we handwritten chalkboard messages were at the calm-before-the-storm and the design of the perfect toiletphase. When the one-month mark hit, paper bridal dress. Dressed in her my daughter, Britten, went from storm pink sash bedecked with “Soon to to F4 tornado take-cover mode. I heard be wifey” in crystals and a matchher anxiety on the phone when she ing tiara, Britten opened up gifts to said, “I’m freaking out” and “I need stock up her new home. As an added your help, Mom.” With texting going gift, Britten got a big surprise when on at lightning speed at all hours of the she saw her grandmother walk out of day, the reality of getting everything the kitchen, arms stretched ready for done hit home. a hug. That was a The storm continhard secret to keep Life has thrown curves into ued when I received but I pulled it off. both of our lives, and this another frantic phone I can now reflect call and could tell Brit- experience, I’ll say it, has on my journey as ten wanted me to take been stressful and joyous. mother of the bride, sides on an issue with and what I most her fiance, Dylan. took away from this experience was Britten explained, “Dylan wants not so much about giving Britten débarbecue ribs at the rehearsal dinner!” cor or fashion advice. It came down to I replied with, “OK, so what’s the me reflecting on myself and whether big deal?” I had done a good enough job raising “Ribs are so messy!” she exclaimed. her. I just held this tiny, little human While trying to keep my compoin my arms and as I looked into those sure, I chuckled and reminded her it eyes with her tiny hands wrapped was just food and it really didn’t mataround my finger, I promised to her ter what was on the menu, that she that I would be the best mom I could was certainly overreacting. All that be. I wondered what the next two demattered was that we were together, cades would be like for her and who having fun with friends and family. she would become. I also said if she was having anxiety Life has thrown curves into both about this, we were in for a long last of our lives, and this experience, I’ll four weeks before the wedding. I also say it, has been stressful and joyous. I reminded her that the rehearsal dincried tears when she found her dress ner is Dylan’s party and he can do and tears when we disagreed. There whatever he wants. She calmed down was laughter, a lesson in patience, and has revised some plans and knows learning to keep my mouth shut and it won’t be the end of the world if it all there were several sleep-deprived doesn’t get done. Her anxiety is less nights, thanks to Pinterest. and so is mine. Please join me next month as I wrap For her bridal-dress alterations, up my Mother of the Bride column sewe headed to Daniel Esquivel’s sturies with a recap of Britten’s wedding. dio, where we met with his mother, We will soon see how all the planning Sarah, who is an accomplished and and vision comes together, and before expert wedding-dress seamstress, you know it, we will officially toast to to make some minor adjustments. the happy couple on July 4. Cheers! This was a nice mother-daughter
Photos courtesy of Cheryl Bemis.
My mother-of-the-bride journey is officially coming to an end, and if you are reading this after July 4, my daughter is officially a married woman and on her journey as Mrs. Rogers. But with magazine deadlines, I am actually writing this a few weeks before the big day and still working on the frantic last-minute details.
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horoscopes
Happy Birthday, cancer!
June 21–July 22
Your Month: Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don’t be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren’t paying any attention to you.” You could print this out and frame it for July, although you should also keep in mind that people are paying attention to you, close attention. Your boundless energy, drive and an unquenchable thirst for more knowledge put you in the career center stage and stratosphere, and you are impossible to ignore. Be brave, have faith and follow your instincts. Resist the impulse to fight and you can’t go wrong. ➺ This month, it’s all about balancing intuition with practicality. Listen to your gut but keep your head. Pay attention to strong feelings but keep them under control. Value those who know how to show you romance and a good time but keep it playful, not serious. Go ahead, add a bit of spice to your life but try to avoid unrealistic expectations and keep in mind what Rob Zombie said: “Once you feel like you’re being dictated by other people’s expectations, it usually backfires.” Leo (July 23–Aug. 23): Outside, you’re innovative, competent and efficient, but inside, you’re bursting with a need to do important, significant work you believe in and that makes you happy. But you secretly worry that you aren’t up to the task. Please keep in mind what Pastor Steve Furtick had to say: “The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-thescenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” You need to review your own highlight reel, the good stuff you’ve done, so when you struggle with new, crazy, impossible ideas, you can remind yourself that they might actually work. Your personal astrologer says so and 2015 is your time. Virgo (Aug. 24–Sept. 22): Crowds, fans, groups of people, partners, clubs, your friends: It can all be overwhelming. Like Selena Gomez said in an interview, “My fans are so important to me, and I would never want to disappoint them.” But you feel energy-depleted and you wonder why it’s so hard to get your own stuff done. One of your life lessons, at least in July, is to learn when to be a little selfish and stop saying yes to everything and everyone. Get a better sense of which habits, people and projects are in your best interests. Let go of the ones that aren’t and your frustrations will leave too. Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Success is in your hip pocket. It’d be easy to take it and
run with it, to forget the little people who were part of your climb up the ladder, to pat yourself on the back. It was your own hard work that got you here, right? Right. But remember what Julius Erving said: “With the crowds on your side, it’s easier to play up to your potential.” You may work hard, you may have talent, but try not to forget all the people who believed in your supremely talented self and cheered for you from the stands, boardroom, office or wherever. Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Remember, your professional life is a journey, not a destination, and it takes all the creative energy you can muster to keep it evolving. Success can make anyone complacent or lazy, but it’s the search for unusual, exciting, adventurous work that keeps us on top and relevant, and astrologically, change is how Scorpios succeed in July. Even baseball great Nolan Ryan said, “Success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent.” You like to use your professional and public life to get the most from your talent, so adapt and change. Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): You guys like to keep one foot on the road and a suitcase packed. Many of you could happily spend every night in a different hotel. So the idea of staying in one home for years and locking yourself into a mortgage probably has you
78 | Austin Woman | july 2015
scurrying for your passport. Still, this month is the right time to be thinking about a quote from financial advisor Suze Orman: “Owning a home is a keystone of wealth, both financial affluence and emotional security.” And isn’t financial affluence and emotional security what we all want in our hearts? Be brave. Buying a house could be your next great adventure. Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 20): Right now, there’s nothing conventional about your household. You want your home the way you like, and the freedom to neglect it if you want. But this month, your need to improve your emotional health leads you to tend to your family, whatever that means to you. It’s risky, like relationships are risky, but as Brad Pitt once said, “A family is a risky venture because the greater the love, the greater the loss. ...That’s the trade-off. But I’ll take it all.” You should take it too. Get clear about the past so you can move forward. Aquarius (Jan. 21–Feb. 19): No matter how crazy your month gets, daily routine, healthy physical activity, new diet plans and busy work will save you. You’ve got lots to do right now: putting events together, organizing conference calls and bringing order to a chaotic filing system fit right into your normal day. You may think you’re spending too much time on busy work, but try to remember Henry David Thoreau’s words: “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Make no mistake; you are on a success trajectory. So stay busy. It will keep your mind off other things. Pisces (Feb. 20–March 20): Not everyone is photogenic or a good photographer, but the camera is your friend, and your genius isn’t only obvious in front of the camera. Anything connected with film, music, art and esoteric “woo-woo” stuff is your domain and you shine like the star you are. If you’re still in a job that doesn’t encourage those particular talents, don’t be afraid to find your muse outside of your comfort zone, outside of work. As actor Dan Stevens once said, “The comfort zone is the great enemy
to creativity. Moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fears.” Aries (March 21–April 20): Your house is the center of activity and the center of your life this month. No matter how many invitations you get to go out, the road leads you back to your house. Your creativity begins and ends there. Your energy fills it. You get your best ideas there. Moving? Creating a home office? An art studio? Buying new bedroom furniture? Painting your walls? July is your month and your house is your project, so remember these wise words from designer William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Taurus (April 21–May 21): It’s been a weird, tricky year but this month, you need to forget all that and focus. Your instincts are unerring and right on target if you direct your energy to your career, work and making money, in that order. Believe radio personality Earl Nightingale and take these words to heart: “The biggest mistake is to believe that you are working for somebody else. Job security is gone. The driving force of a career must come from the individual. Remember, jobs are owned by the company. You own your career.” So own your career. Charge in and act like you’re the boss. Because you are. Gemini (May 22–June 20): It’s an exciting time to be you. You stand out from the crowd right now because of your unique personality and original working style. You find you are collecting unusual, inventive and eccentric people, and be glad. You’re going to need them. In fact, you will need a village to implement your schemes. But don’t worry. Musician David Knopfler says, “If you feel driven and compelled to make your work and to be fiercely original and have something unique to say in a compelling way, then chances are the helpers will be there for you, the doors will open some, the ice will crack.” By Deborah Alys Carter deborah@pinkaustin.com
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austinwomanmagazine.com | 79
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oint of view
last word
Wonderment
Why Austin is different from anywhere I’ve ever lived. By Carrin Lewis, illustration by jessica wetterer Regardless of what you may have been told growing up, the world is yours for the experimenting. And rest assured that you will, no doubt, find a small village of like-minded friends to help you along the way. This city is filled with mindful, kind people. You’ll note the Southern charm of holding doors for each other and experience dinners filled with words like biometrics and encryption, all while wearing flip-flops and V-neck T-shirts. We embrace creativity, entrepreneurship and originalAustin has quite the ensemble of characters, creating a perfect song of ity. Actually, the more imaginative and clever, the better. And that type unity and alliance. From the well-versed veteran of ingenuity flows between one person, inspiring the Austinite to the fresh and hip urbanite (and all Austin offers opportunity next, giving a steady stream of innovative ideas that that lies between), we do our best to respect each makes Austin compelling and significant. for whatever tickles other’s views, passions and gifts. Why? Because With this ongoing lot of concepts, the one constant your fancy. with its engaging landscape, ever-evolving mewe can count on is change. Another constant we can tropolis and legendary landmarks, our city quietly asks it of us. Be kind. expect with change is resistance. Every generation has claimed their Dig deeper. Strive to understand. tenure as the pinnacle, that it has all been downhill since the ’70’s, wait, Austin welcomes all who enter, regardless of the “Don’t move here” the ’80s or was it the ’90s? Oh, who can keep up at this point? What that bumper sticker, which, ironically, is like telling a teenager not to go to the conversation signifies is that Austin stays current. It’s alive with imaginaparty; expect lined-up pillows when you pull back the sheets. And once tion and wonder. The truth is, not one generation or group of people can you are here, Austin offers opportunity for whatever tickles your fancy. own it. It was built to be shared. With countless possibilities, you can pursue a degree from a prestigious
From Bryan to Lake Jackson and Houston to Longview, I’m a Texas girl, born and raised. I know my manners, can ride a horse and my road trips contain some of the best pastoral scenery found in this great country. But of all those Texas cities I’ve lived in, Austin has stolen my heart and become my home.
university, climb the corporate ladder at a company that puts value on their employees or start a career in botanical medicine. You don’t have to be afraid to discover your true potential, your purpose.
Carrin Lewis has been an Austin resident since 1996. After two decades in hospitality and sales, she is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a writer.
September’s Last Word topic will be “Why Austin Woman magazine matters.” To be considered, email a 500-word submission by Aug. 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com.
80 | Austin Woman | july 2015
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Austin Woman MAGAZINE | JULY 2015
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