Around Austin Winter Issue
Exclusive interviews with Austin business owners!
A look into the timeless cuisine making Austin unique.
Special Edition
Letter from the Editors Dear readers, Since you’re reading this, we’re guessing you picked up the magazine and are excited to read it. This magazine, Around Austin, is here to educate you on the best, and most interesting things in Austin. This issue is our finest, and we hope that by reading this, you will learn more about Austin, and find great things for you (and maybe even friends and family) to experience and read about. In these pages, we explore the world of a true Austinite, seeing everything from a story about the recent drought, to why Food Trailers are a very important part of Austin. We hope you enjoy reading, and appreciate the city you’re living in! Sincerely, The Girls of Around Austin
Audrey Caitlin Hillary 2
Hillary Hillary is an adventurous 9th grader, at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy. She was born on December 15th and loves everything from baking to reading and drawing. In addition to her love of baking, she loves eating sweets too! She loves to play sports and be outside with her friends and family.
Audrey Audrey is a 9th grader, at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy with a bubbly personality. Her birthday is July 27th, she loves cute things and is truly obsessed with Enrique Iglesias.
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She’s a member of her school’s marching band, and is the quintessential example of a shoppaholic.
The girls of Around Austin
Caitlin Caitlin is a crazy 9th grader, at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy. She was born on January 15th. She has a peculiar taste in guys and can be loud at times. She has a passion for layout and photography, and is always a blast to be around.
The girls of around austin are truely one of a kind. They inspire those around them, and put their heart into everything they do. Without anyone of them (take your pick), this magazine would not have been possible.
Table Of Contents Editor Biographies Layout by Caitlin page 3-4 Glass Half Full Layout and Story by Hillary page 7-8 The Faces of Austin Places Layout and Story by Caitlin page 11-12 Home Sweet Home Layout and Story by Hillary page 15-16
TOP Places to Relax Layout by Hillary page 19-20
Upcoming Events Layout by Caitlin Anderson page 23-26
Letter from the Editor’s Layout by Caitlin page 2 Ashes to Ashes Layout and Story by Caitlin page 5-6 A New Tin Layout and Story by Audrey page 9-10 Just Act Natural Layout and Story by Audrey page 13-14 The best of Austin Layout by Caitlin page 17-18
Cow Parade Layout by Audrey page 21-22
s e h s A Commentary
To
Ashes page 5
Pollution from cigarettes affects more than the smoker
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Our walk through the entrance, swiping your badge on the scanner, and not seconds’ later puffs of smoke harass your senses. The smell engulfs you, getting in your mouth, nose, hair, and clothes, you try to ignore it and walk on. Not too long after, another cloud of the repulsive odor hits you and almost knocks you down. You walk a few steps and something crunches under your foot, ash clings to your shoe, mocking you as the remnants of the cigarette continue to burn. You may think that because you don’t smoke, those around you, who do, when the truth is, don’t affect you it’s almost as bad. Smoking should not be allowed at ACL or other outdoor festivals with large groups of people (who are paying to be there), regardless of the legality of the action, person smoking, or what they are smoking. Information provided by a survey done by The World Health Organization, showed that second-hand smoke causes 600,000 premature deaths per year. Whether you are directly inhaling said smoke, or it’s just surrounding the air your breathing, you are harming your body, and those that ignore smoke-free zones are breaking the law and are essentially robbing you of your health. At festival or in open areas with mass quantities of people, you are not just harming yourself but other adults and even kids by smoking. According to The Centers of Disease Control and Protection (CDCP), for nonsmokers, breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk for heart attack. Based on information provided by the CDCP, secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated 46,000 heart disease deaths annually among adult non-
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smokers in the United States. As an American, that figure makes me want to ban cigarettes and forms of tobacco completely. In addition, those figures make me want to scream to those that smoke to tell them what they are doing to others. While you as a human being may not care about how you are damaging yourself, others do care, and it’s unfair to subject them to the chemicals and toxins you are releasing. These health problems are not the only harmful effect or possibility we face when people are smoking at such events. For example, the reason the smoking ban at ACL was established due to the dry conditions of the grass, a result of drought. It has been shown, that smoking of any kind can produce embers, sparks or fire, which when in contact with dry grass can potentially cause an incident. According to an article from The Daily Texan, “Burn ban enforcement extends to smoking at ACL,” (by Allie Kolechta), “There’s a high propensity for fire if there’s any kind of spark out there,” City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) spokesperson Victor Ovalle told KUT News. “It’s critical that we continue this ban of smoking and the use of grills in our parks.” It’s not just a polite gesture to refrain from smoking; it’s our duty as Texans to keep our wildlife in the best condition possible. No matter what you may believe, reading or hearing that quote should make you want to respect the law, and respect your community. The conflicts that arise from smoking don’t even stop there. When you attend a festival or event that you pay for, you expect to have a good time. However, the stench of smoke wafts in your area and make you cough and gag. As citizens, we cannot enforce the smoking ban, nor can we do much of anything, just stand there and attempt to fend off the disgusting fiend know as second-hand smoke. People on the opposite side of the smoke screen say that people have a right to smoke wherever and whenever they want, which, can be true. However, any individuals under the age of 18 are not allowed to use or purchase tobacco products, and the use of marijuana in any capacity (other than medical usage) is illegal as well. Let us not forget, most public places prohibit smoking for the very reasons I have mentioned above. So why should we give up our unpolluted breathing air, for the lack of a better term, so that those that wish to pollute their lungs can get off on inhaling toxins? I think we should not give up our breathable air, and not allow the release of these toxins. Smoking at public events such as ACL need to be prohibited, and rules more harshly enforced.
Based on information provided by the CDCP, secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated 46,000 heart disease deaths annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States.
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Art work courtesy of LASA art student, Julia McCarly
Caitlin Anderson
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Commentary
Water Conservation in Austin
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Art work courtesy of LASA student Hillary Rebollar
ater cuts, are making things not like they used to be in Austin. When you would walk into a restaurant and sat down, you would be greeted with a glass of water. Now you can’t get a glass of water unless you order one.
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I remember when you needed money for school or another fundraiser. What do you do? Today teens can’t hold car washes to raise money for their schools or other activities, in order to preserve water. Austin City Connection states that it will help the water issue. The water boundaries have made Austin restricted than it used to be. Before, you could wash your car in your driveway a nice day. Whereas now you can't do that unless you want to pay a fine of $475. Austin Community Court has put out a water conservation stage to reduce the amount of water we use. This is important because Austin uses more water than the 10 largest cities in Texas. Texas hasn’t had a drought this bad since the 1930’s. People are saying that these water restrictions are unnecessary and should be removed or thought over. I think otherwise. Water restrictions have continued to help Austin since they were put in place last month. According to Statesman have saved many gallons of water, roughly about 65 gallons in the resent month, we are off to a good start. Before we enforced the water restrictions, we used about 219 gallons a day from the City of Austin Utility. This has improved the city utility department greatly and influenced other cities to do the same. Georgetown and Elgin have enforced a fine for using too much water throughout the day, and they l can only water their plants and lawns at certain times during the day. In my opinion, this is leading us to the right direction for us to maintain a better grasp on our water problem. Restaurants' have greatly contributed to the water crisis by only serving water to those who request it. This might not seem like much, think about how much water is wasted when you give each customer a glass of water (and then they might not even drink it!) Most groups of customers come in two
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or more, so multiply that by the number of people that come in each day, and that’s only one restaurant. Restaurants not being able to giving water unless requested, can branch out to other ways that save water. For example, if waiters don’t have to serve water before requested, then waiters don’t have to use as many cups for extra drinks. Those not using water to wash the unused cups. Car washes, the oldest way to raise money for your school or other activities are they are prohibited, and the washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or other
Since the water restrictions, it has dropped down to about 153 gallons a day.
paved areas is off limits except to alleviate an immediate health or safety hazard. This is helpful because, since washing cars is one of a traditional ways to earn money, it does also waste lots of water. I know from prior experience, that washing cars might be fun and easier than most fundraisers. It does contribute to the loss of water we have today. If you do have the courage to throw a car wash anyways, get ready to pay a nice fine. Fines have been put in place to ensure that people obey the new rules and don’t think they aren’t serious about this matter. Every time someone violates one of the rules or are repeated, multi fines will be from $475 up to $500. In conclusion I think that the new water restrictions are very good right now. They give a good start for the city to begin realizing the situation that we are in right now. I have heard some people complaining that some of these restrictions are sometimes inconvenient but, they are necessary to ensure the flow of water throughout the city. For example, Georgetown, if they continue how they are now, their water supply will decrease immensely and will only be enough to last them a little over a month. I agree very strongly with the new water conservations and think it will help Austin even more than it already has.
Hillary R
Water Restrictions
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Residents may only water outdoors once a week. Homes with odd-numbered addresses can water on Saturday, evennumbered on Sunday. Businesses and multifamily units may only water outdoors once a week. Those with odd numbered-address can water on Tuesday. Business and multifamily units with even-numbered addresses can water on Friday. Restaurants may not serve water unless requested by the customer The washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or other paved areas is prohibited except to alleviate an immediate health or safety hazard
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Commentary
A perfect
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Why you should support food trailers in Austin page 9
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cafe requires at least a dozen,” Mick Vann of the Austin Chronicle says. Therefore, trailers can charge less for their food, even if it is just as good or even superior to what a restaurant has to offer. Going to food trailers is a great way to get a huge variety of foods. Because many trailers are found in one park at once, you can get food from all over the world by moving from trailer to trailer. From my experience, you can get hot dogs, tacos, crepes, and many other ethnic foods at these trailers. Food trailers may even have cultural foods that you cannot get anywhere else. Food trailers are an important part of supporting the Austin community. According to “Austin Food Carts”, Austin remains one of the leading cities in the world for food trailers. Not many other cities have as many food trailers, food trucks, and food trailer parks. This is partly because Austin laws encourage setting up food trailers. In some cities in Texas, food trailer owners have much tougher laws to fight against and costs to pay to set up a food trailer. The rules in Austin are much more relaxed and food trailer friendly, so many people from all over want to set up food trailers in this city. “ People from out of state are moving in Austin just because of the food trailer,” says Cat Honnell, the owner of the food trailer Diner on Wheels. Another reason there are so many food trailers is because they are such a great asset to the Austin scene. Food trailers really represent the laid-back and fun atmosphere of our Austin community. All of this shows that the food trailers are an amazing part of Austin, and should be supported by Austinites. Austin has only recently increased the number of food trailers, and the numbers continue to rise. By supporting food trailers in Austin, you are supporting a special part of this amazing city that is still growing.
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n the year 2000, the number of food trailers in Austin was very low. The few that were open had trouble making money and paying to rent a space. Food trailers were thought of as poorly managed, unclean, and were not popular among Austinites. Now, in 2011, the number of food trailers in Austin has risen to over 1300. According to Luke Ellis of the Austin Chronicle, food trailers in Austin have more than doubled since 2006, and continue to grow at an alarming rate. Eric Silverstein, a food trailer owner, says, “It’s true, mobile cuisine is a trendy sector of the food industry right now. Everybody wants to get in. It’s fierce and there are a ton of competitors.” You can go anywhere in Austin to eat at a food trailer, and they are thriving.” But some people believe that this sudden growth has caused low quality-food, high costs, and that the trailers themselves are eyesores. This is not true. Going to food trailers in Austin is a great way to get quality cuisine for low prices, try a variety of foods, and support a unique Austin. To start, many food trailers sell excellent food for great prices. From my experience, going to a food trailer can be around 20% cheaper than the average restaurant. For example, a burger from a sit-down restaurant can cost anywhere from $5.00 to $10.50. However, burgers from food trailers usually range from about $3.75 to $8.00. Some people believe that the difference in cost is because of the difference in the quality of the food. However, the variation in cost is for very different reasons. The main reason is that food trailer owners have a cheaper rent, fewer employees, and lower costs in general than restaurant owners do. “While a mobile operation can be opened on a shoestring for $20,000 to $30,000 (the cost of a new car), a full-fledged restaurant can start at 10 times that amount and quickly rocket way, way up. While a mobile vendor might have zero to very few additional employees, even a small
People from out of state are moving in to Austin just because of the food trailers.
Audrey D
Photo Courtesy of Sheila Scarborough
TOP FOOD TRAILER LOCATIONS • South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery • East 6th Street • Congress Avenue • South Lamar • 801 Barton Springs Art work courtesy of K. Young
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Feature
The faces Y
ou often buy candy from their shops or become mesmerized by the toys that they stock on their shelves; purchase tickets from them to see movies, as well as having them repair your computer. There the owners behind the well-known businesses we love and often take for granted.
We visit the Big Top Candy Shop for a sugar high, go to the Alamo for a dinner and movie, and support local businesses that we couldn’t entertain ourselves without. Austin is full of interesting people with extravagant backgrounds, and stories for the telling. Whether they are an owner of a computer repair business, a large strand of movie theaters, or mom and pop candy shops, they all have stories. Local storeowner Brandon Hodge owns two of the most popular stores on South Congress, Big Top candy shop, and Monkey See, Monkey. He’s been in the toy business since his college years, and decided he didn’t want to work in retail anymore. “By that time [in the mid-90s attending college], I had been working sales floors for a few years, and I wanted to more on to something else. I wanted to write and work as an editor on magazines, which I had always wanted to do since high school,” Hodge said. “But somehow, during my college years, I gravitated back to working in funk local shops, and landed a job at a great toy and gift shop, where I learned to run a store from the top down.” Hodge wasn’t the only store/business owner that discovered his passion and dove in to starting his own place of work. “I was working for Shell Oil right out of college and realized that I didn’t want to retire from that job. I loved movies so I decided to open a movie theater,” Tim League, owner of Alamo Drafthouse and MONDO, said. “Even when we first started out, we were building a single screen mom and pop movie theater.
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Over the years it grew slowly and then quickly.” These owners may be successful now, but their success didn’t come without a few bumps in the road, shaping them into the people they are today. Hodge says his experience in the past with his former bosses helped him to shape himself as a boss. “I’ve had a few bosses over the years that were real jerks, who think the only way to inspire others to work is to boss them around and be aggressive,” Hodge said. But, I found that they didn’t get the same performance or loyalty out of employees as they would by being respectful and considerate, so I always promised myself that I’d never be like that, either to employees or customers. But, business can be stressful, so you just have to learn when to let things roll off your back and pick your battles. I try to give my employees the space they need to work and do their best, and encourage them to do things that need to be done in ways other than bossing them around.” League said that while his business model is thriving today, he’s had some experiences that influenced him to implement different practices today.
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“Our first theater in Bakersfield was in a really terrible location,” League said. “That business failed and we moved to Austin to start again. So I learned what is now a cliché, but is still very true…the importance of location.” Hodge and League said they had/have powerful role models in their lives that have inspired them and pushed them to achieve their goals. “I grew up on a farm in a small Texas town, and my whole family had to work and pitch in to make the business a success, so I’d have to say that my parents are my biggest inspiration,” Hodge said. “They instilled a strong work ethic in me from a very young age, and even now still come by and help me out at the candy shop the way I helped them when I was younger, I couldn’t have asked for a more positive influence in my life.” With League he said his role models have taught him something. “I always admired some of the early showmen of cinema: David Friedman, William Castle and Kroger Babb,” League said. “They knew that it was always important to give your audience a little something extra.” These Austin owners don’t stop at their businesses
Even when we first started out, we were building a single screen mom and pop movie theater. Over the years it grew slowly then quickly.
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when it comes to being involved in their community. “About 5 years ago the other merchants along South Congress elected me to be the President of our merchant association, so I’ve become deeply immersed in local politics, and spend a lot of time at City Hall looking after the interests of myself and fellow merchants,” Hodge said. “I get to contribute to the community and help shape laws and rules that are fair not only for businesses, but customers and residents in the area.”
of Austin Caitlin Anderson
Places
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Feature
Just Act
Natural
How Austin’s Zilker Hillside Theatre creates a unique experience
Photo courtesy of Cliff Simon
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t’s the moment that everyone’s been waiting for. As they realize what is happening, the crowd goes silent. The lights focus on the stage, and the audience holds their breath in anticipation. The show is about to start. Although this sounds like the typical moment before a theater performance, this is far from it. The viewers camp out on picnic blankets and folding chairs, so closely packed together that only small glimpses of the dry yellow grass can be seen underneath. Children rejoin their families, covered in sweat and dirt from running around beforehand. Adults sip alcohol in plastic cups, fanning themselves with the handy programs. The hot and muggy air hangs over the crowd like a blanket. This is Zilker Hillside Theatre. “Not only is it the oldest outdoor theater in the country, it has the best shows. Everybody just loves it, I think it’s a really big asset to Austin,”Amani Alexander, who played the role of Duffy in Zilker Hillside Theatre’s Annie, said. The Zilker Hillside Theatre was originally made in 1959 as a project of the Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department. In 1987, the Zilker Theatre Productions were created to produce the summer musicals. The Zilker Theatre Productions also put forth a lot of other community outreach programs and youth training opportunities. “Being in a production is an amazing experience for anyone. I kinda just dipped my toe into the pond that is Austin theater,” Alexander said. The Zilker Theatre Productions have attracted a multitude of actors and students since opening. Profession actors can have a fun, easy experience at an outdoor theater. Students can gain valuable knowledge and skills in a unique way. A lot of people
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are drawn to the theater because it is one of a kind. “It was a really unexpected and different experience for me, but that’s what made it so amazing,” Alexander said. “It’s like no other theater. You can really just have fun and interact with people on the stage so much more.” One of the fundamental differences in the Zilker Hillside Theatre is the fact that it is outside. It is known as the oldest outdoor theater of its kind in the United States. Being outside creates a series of challenges and opportunities. “You have to deal with all the elements,” Alexander said. “And it’s usually really hot outside and you have to cancel sometimes because it’s raining. It can be madness.” The weather is certainly not the
The openness of the Zilker Hillside Theatre affects the performers, but it also affects the audience. Many people love that they can be outside in nature while seeing a great show. “I like how you can hear the wind and see the moon and you can feel the city that you’re in. You get a sense of place,” said Lisa Leach, an Austinite that has been to many of the summer musicals. Another fundamental difference between the Zilker Hillside Theatre Productions and other productions is the support you receive when you are a part of them. “They are really forgiving if you’re nervous, and it’s one of the best experiences I have ever have on the stage, because the people are so amazing,” said Alexander. Because the shows are great but not the same as being in a paid professional production, they appeal to many young and inexperienced actors. The community of the Zilker Hillside Theatre is very accepting of everyone who want to act. “It’s a volunteer show so people are doing it to have fun and put on a great show,” Alexander said. One reason adults join is for the great community of people who love acting. Common performers are adults who haven’t ever professionally acted but enjoy acting, people that are retired professional actors, people who wish to act but don’t have a lot of spare time, and people who simply love theater. “There are a lot of people that love the plays here, including me,” Alexander said. “It’s so great that anyone can come see an awesome, family friendly show for free, any night of the summer. Being in these productions is an amazing experience for anyone.”
I like how you can hear the wind and see the moon and you can feel the city that you’re in . only big problem. A lot of the props and sets have to be designed differently to fit the needs of an outdoor production. The lighting, music, and microphones also have to be adjusted for the outdoors. Although there are all these obstacles associated with outdoor productions, they still have many advantages. “The fact that it was outside made it feel more way open,” said Alexander. “There were tons more people than could fit in a normal theater, but I still felt more free and less nervous because it was outside. It reallwy made a difference.”
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Audrey D
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Feature
Home
Sweet Home
The story of Silvia Vergara and her Home Bakery
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hen I entered the kitchen, she was already baking two cakes and the smell of freshly chopped strawberries filled the air. Her red ruffled apron was covered with small splatters of different colored batters. She was coating a ruby red cake with gold frosting that looked like small rose petals. Her name is Silvia Vergara; she runs a bakery from home along with being a wife and mother. We sat down after she finished putting in the last pan with batter in the oven. Mrs.Vergara was explained to me how she got into baking cakes and pastries in the first place. \ “I really liked having parties for my children but I never really liked the store bought cakes so I tried to baking my own” she said Mrs.Vergara was mixing a blue bowl of pink batter when she looked up and smiled and said, “I started my business in 1999. It was my daughter’s birthday and I didn’t have enough money to buy a cake so I had to improvise. The people that came to the party said they enjoyed the cake so I just went from there.” Silvia showed a passion for what she does, the thought of earning
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money is nice but, making the people smile is worth a lot more. “Other than just getting paid I like helping people in giving them a good thing that doesn’t cost so much, I enjoy to be needed and I love baking.” s Mrs. Vergara does not care who you are or where you are from, she will bake you a cake of any kind and to your liking. “I have all sorts of clients, like I once had to make a cake for a woman’s bachelor party; I assume you could understand the type of cake I had to make for them.” She pulled out her photo album where kept pictures of all most all the cakes she baked. It was half gray half, olive green, and had red wine colored ribbon wrapped around it to keep it closed and in small silver letters on the bottom said the word “Pasteles”, meaning cakes in Spanish. Silvia pulled out a bright pink cake with yellow, green and red buttons around it, decorated with a white frosting around the edges from her blue/green van. “I do not pay anyone to help me, bake. My daughters help me do all the orders and deliveries.” She is a mother of five, the two eldest are in college, one in high
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ing the day to finish them up to be delivered.”she said Silvia carries a little purple notebook with a golden floral pattern in which she write all of her orders when she is on the road. She always has her cell phone with her at all times as well. Without it, Mrs. Vergara says nothing will get done and there could go an order. It was technically her whole life by the way she held it tight in her hands. “Yes I will continue to bake, as long as the people request it will still have my kitchen open for business.” “I would really much enjoy it if my children did carry on my work but, I wouldn’t force them to do so, nor do I have high expectations for them to do it as well. If my children enjoy it, I hope they do continue but if not, then I don’t expect anything from them.” Silvia enjoys baking and hopes to keep making them in the near future. “I just want to look back know that I made so many people smile by a simple piece of cake.”
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school and the two youngest are in grade school. Her daughters help with the cooking and cleaning while she is delivering or finishing other orders. She was giving the customer a few cards after she delivered the order. They had a picture of a slice of chocolate cake on half of the card and the other half had her name and phone number, she said they were her business cards. “I usually get calls from people who want my services. I always leave my card when I deliver my orders just so guest at the party can contact me if they as well want my services.” The next place we went was a nice little yellow house, on the corner of the street with green grass and a small garden filled to the brim of different colored flowers. Everything was quiet, it didn’t seem like there was a party going on inside or anything. Mrs. Vergara pulled out a dozen of different colored cupcakes. Her menu is not limited to just sweets though. “I make all kinds of foods. I make bouquets for parties, fresh cheese, cakes, tamales, gelatin, cupcakes, and baked goods in general, etc.” She doesn’t just things so simple though. “I really don’t have anything that’s really mine but, I do like to experiment with different flavors and find new combination and it has been successful in the past. Like the magic cake that, I make. Most people only do it with chocolate but I have made it with other flavors as well.” The magic cake is half flan on top and chocolate cake on the bottom served with chocolate syrup on top. “ I do have certain ways of preparing my dishes though and it does take some work.” For example, Silvia is making a cake with two flavors she must mix both batters at the same time so she they can be done at the same time. Mrs. Vergara’s last delivery was at a white two-story house with a cream-colored yellow door and window panels. When she pulled in the driveway a short woman with brown colored hair pulled in a bun walked out with a big smile on her facewaving hello. She looked simple wearing jeans and a pink button up blouse. Her name was Letty Jaramillo and was she happy to see Mrs. Vergara “My customers usually say they enjoyed my services. When I deliver a cake, the customer calls me the next day to thank me.” the client Letty Jaramillo had a few words to say about Silvia’s work. “She is so nice to me. I just cannot help but smile when I see her blue van parked by my rose bushes and comes through my door with that colorful and yummy cake in her hands!” said Mrs. Jaramillo. Silvia never thought she would be doing any of this when she was younger, she always thought she would just become a secretary.This changed her life in a positive way. She responded, “Since I started my business I’ve made more money for groceries and other necessities. I’ve also learned more about cooking because of this. When I was younger, I never dreamed about baking or culinary. It was all fate that made this happens I just ended up in this, but I don’t regret it.” When she went back to she found her children cleaning up the, mess that was made earlier. They smiled when their mother walked in the room and quickly started working again. “My family does support me very much even though I can get a little over booked and I work them to the bone sometimes.” Even though she does all this, she still has time for other things as well. “I really don’t have many problems but I do sleep very late if the orders are big or if there is a lot of them. I as well need more time dur-
When I deliver a cake, the customer calls me the next day to thank me.
Hillary R Photo’s courtesy of LASA student Hillary Rebollar
Some of her tasty treats The pink cake with blue, white and green buttons was for a baby shower. The woman didnt know if it was a girl or boy so we put blue and pink colors.
The three layered white cake was for a 25 wedding anniver sary. It had a water fall of white rose coming down the cakes. The cakes were ina shape of hearts.
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The best things to do places to eat stores to shop at things to see page 17
of Austin swim at Barton Springs or Deep Eddy stay at the Lost Pines resort see a movie at The Alamo Drafthouse walk on the Green Belt Hut’s (burgers) Torchy’s Tacos (tacos) Chuy’s (tex-mex) Gourdough’s (unusual donuts) County Line (BBQ) Homeslice (pizza)
Allen Boots (western apparel) Buffalo Exchange Monkey See, Monkey Do (toy store) decorative cows spread throughout Austin bats on the congress bridge Butler Park 18
Put your feet
Alternate SF
Top 10 places to realx in Austin
Address: 1705 S Quinlan Park Rd, Austin, TX 78732 The LakeHouse Spa, including massage, body treatments, skin care, East Asian therapies and a full range of salon services. 20 indoor and outdoor treatment spaces, plus saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, two pools and gourmet cafĂŠ.
Lake Austin Spa Resort
Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort website Address: 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Lost Pines, Texas, USA 78612. Luxuries are plentiful, from spacious guestrooms and remarkable dining to pampering treatments at our CondĂŠ Nast Traveler-recommended spa. Relax, reinvigorate and recharge at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa; the epitome of an award-winning Hyatt experience.
Lost Pines Resort
Photo curtosey of Lost Pines Resort website
Photo curtosey of La Villa Vesta Resort website
Address: 6701 Oasis Pass Austin, TX 78732 (512) 266-6000 La Villa Vista Resort with its negative edge pool, soothing waterfalls, spectacular golden sunsets and a bit of old-world European charm is a place to romance or just relax.
La Villa Vesta Resort A warm welcome awaits you in our 1933 cozy cottage in the heart of historic Austin. The Hancock Guest Cottage has everything you need for a relaxing in-town getaway. Adress: 1009 E. 43rd St. Austin, TX 78751 (512) 297-3945
The Hancock Guest Cottage Photo curtosey of The Hancok Guest Cottage website Need some quiet time? tired of Barton springs crowdness? Barton Creek Greenbelt, a natural and peaceful location to take a dip or sit by the water and windedown. Adress: 3753 South Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, TX 78746 (512) 974-6700
Barton Creek Greenbelt
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Photo curtosey of Barton Creek Greenbelt website
up and Relax.... Address: 1811 West 35th street, Austin, TX 78703 With relaxing surroundings, innovative treatments and talented massage therapists & aesthetiticans, Viva Day Spa is designed to nurture your body, invigorate your senses and relax your mind. Rated one of the best day spas in Austin, Texas guests are invited to indulge in our wide array of treatments
Viva Day Spa
Photo curtosey of Yelp
milk + honey is Austin’s premier day spa, created specially for Austin’s Spa Partisans™. We offer a spa experience that goes beyond exceptional treatments and the best (and happiest) therapists in town. A spa where you have a lounge to decompress. A designforward environment that appeals to both men and women.
Photo curtosey of Milk & Honey
Milk & Honey spa/retreat/shop
Address: 13000 N IH35 Bldg 11 & Ste 101, Austin, TX 78753 There are more foot reflexology shops in Shanghai than there are Starbucks in Seattle. Find out why people enjoy this service so much for yourself. Explore the relaxing massage from Foot Relax, one of the top rated relaxing places in Austin.
Foot Relax
Photo curtosey of The Driskill Website Built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill, The Driskill remains a landmark of Texas hospitality. As a member of The Historic Hotels of America and Associated Luxury Hotels International, The Driskill offers an elite level of luxury and service to rank as one the world’s finest hotels.
The Driskill Photo curtosey of the Lost Pines website Lost Parrot Cabins is a Lake Travis mini-resort best known as a laid back getawaywith artistic decor and lively ambiance — Texas Hill Country lodging with south-of-the-border pizazz “an eclectic hide-away that’s true to the spirit of Austin.”
Lost Parrot Cabins
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Cow Parade: Alternative SF
Cow Parade is a public art event held all over the world. So far, they have been held in 75 cities in 30 countries. This event is made possible by the local artists that create these beautiful cows. Once the artists make the cows on their signature canvases, they are scattered throughout the participating city for the public to enjoy. This year, the cows have been on display here, Philadelphia, Chapel Hill, Porto Alegre, Panama City, Nicosia, Verona and Shanghai.
Moo-sy in the Sky with Diamonds made by artist Allison Gregory. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Scott.
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Wildflower Cow by artist Caroline Wright. Photo courtesy of Harriet Baskas.
Discow by Sharon Keshishian. Photo courtesy of Emmanuelle Bourgue.
Flower Power by artist Julia Ann McDonald. Photo courtesy of Emmanuelle Bourgue.
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Upcoming Events January
Austin Home and Garden Show Westlake Farmer’s Market
Feburary
Carnical Brasiliero Texas Memorial Museum’s ID Day
South by South West Zilker Garden Festival Austin Chocolate Festival
March
April
Austin Fine Arts Festival
Old Settlers Music Festival Rockin’ Roundup
May
Wonderball
Free Sunday Concerts
Taste of Mexico
Texas Greek Festival Annual Young Latino Art Exhibition Republic of Texas Biker Rally
June
Continued July
Midnight Madness Fourth of July Fireworks and Symphony
August Austin City Limits Festival
Austin Ice Cream Festival Bat Festival Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Oktoberfest Bydee Art Festival
September
October
Tour de Fat
Austin Film Festival Texas Book Festival Nightmare Factory Haunted House
Devine Fall Festival
November The Nutcracker
Chuy’s Christmas Parade Victorian Christmas on 6th Street
First Night Austin Santa’s Workshop
December
Around Austin