Just Austin December 2015
The History of Austin Music How Austin became the Live Music Capitol of the World
Austin Parks and Rec Most notable outdoors venues in Austin
No Kill City Austin has been a no kill city since 2011
The Disadvantaged Austin Local non-profits that work to end homelessness
Only In Austin
Unique and cool local businesses in Austin
TA B L E OF CONT ENTS
004
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
005 006
ABOUT THE AUTHORS THE FOOD TRUCK JOINT
008 ONLY IN AUSTIN Unique and local buisnessess found in Austin 012 MARATHON 014 NO-KILL CITY Austin is known for not killing animals. Let’s get the scoop 019
DICTIONARY
020 HISTORY OF AUSTIN MUSIC Austin, The Music Capitol Of The World. Though how did it get here? 024
NEIGHBOORHOODS
025 Austin PARKS AND REC Outdoor fun in Austin explained 028
DEMOGRAPHICS OF AUSTIN
029
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTIN
030 THE DISADVANTAGE OF AUSTIN thousands of people in Austin are affected by homelessness each year
Letter from the Editor Austin is a place frequently branded as crazy, unique, and alive. Out of the many cities in Texas, Austin is one of the most popular. Called the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and a “Blue Dot in a Sea of Red,” there are many things that make Austin special. I am not originally from Austin, and many will question my motives behind creating a magazine just about Austin. I may not have been born here, but I have already fallen in love with this city and I want to share this with my readers, who will hopefully feel the same after diving into this issue of Just Austin. In this issue, we focus on current events and things in Austin that everyone can enjoy, but that might not be the most well-known. From obscure Photo by LoneStarMike
food trucks and the history of music in Austin to Austin’s transition to becoming a No-Kill city and the problem of homelessness in Austin, we cover the past and present Austin in this issue. Hard work and lots of fun went into this issue of Just Austin. Many jokes and challenges were shared, both in the creation of the idea for this issue and its production. We have embraced everything Austin for this issue, and had a great time in the process. There is something different about this city. It has taken so many different cultures and mixed them into something that can only be called Austin. This issue does the same; takes different components of life in Austin and combines them into one. Just Austin.
Keep Austin Weird,
Sarida Morejon A view of the Austin skyline from the Greenbelt.
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who we are
Lily
Lily Sellers is an avid reader of books and professional lazy person. She hates to venture farther than the river, and loves to sample gourmet desserts and burgers. She takes pride in being from Texas and has a dog named Ruby. She likes watching Sleepy Hollow and loves football. She is the author of Austin Parks and Rec, A Map of our Fair City, and The Austin Dictionary.
Shahin
Shahin Masoumi is a LASA student. Because his family was born in Austin, Shahin knows a lot about this city. Shahin likes to solve Rubik’s Cubes and read novels. His favorite sport is basketball and he plays clarinet in band. With his friends, Shahin loves to swim and go sightseeing! He is the author of The History Of Austin Music and Amazing Adventures in Austin.
Isabel
Isabel Cartwright is the author of this issue’s No-Kill City and Keep Austin Running. This is her first published work. She is proud to support her lifelong interest in pets through NoKill City. She got her start as a journalist through a required course at her high school, which this magazine is a part of.
Atticus
Atticus Keene is the author of Only In Austin and The Food Truck Joints. He’s an avid lover of food and music and ventures through Austin to try and find the best places to eat. He also is a second degree black belt, has two dogs and plays basketball. During his free time he could be found reading, playing one of the three instruments he plays or playing video games with friends.
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The Food Truck Joints One of two trucks in Austin. Home of the unique Lobster roll which is fresh lobster, special home made mayo, salt, and chive all served on a backed split topped roll.
Served out of an old school bus Bernie’s Burger Bus serves classic and new burgers. They are most famous for the burger called the detention which has two patties and has grilled cheese as the buns.
Classic oven style pizza served out of both their truck location and brick and mortar location recently opened on 6th street. Come get some pizza at Spartans that uses new fresh ingredients every day.
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The food truck game in Austin is a competitive one. To find the best of the best you need a guide and here it is. Find some of the best trucks in Austin at the three biggest food trailer parks, The Picnic, Midway Food Park, and South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery
In true keeping-Austin-weird style, you can eat a pretty fancy meal at minimum cost in your flip-flops and shorts. Their menu changes weekly (and sometimes daily), based on what’s in season. Who doesn’t like cupcakes? Enough said. But for those who might not be in the mood, they now serve Coolhaus ice-cream.
An ACL Festival staple, you get your food, well, in a cone. The fried avocado taco is a bit heavy. But after your four-mile run around Town Lake, you deserve treat, right?
From the People that brought you Barley swine, Comes an Austin loved food truck. With one other brick and mortar location, Odd Duck serves tapas from locally sourced ingredients only. If you want a real taste of Austin come to Odd Duck.
T The Austin Classic Taco Place. An iconic part of Austin. From breakfast tacos to fajitas, everything from Torchys Tacos is loved by the people of Austin
A take on the wrap scene of Austin. Kebabalicious makes kebabs in traditional Turkish style. For some of the best Turkish food found in the states, make your way to Kebabalicious.
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Only In Austin By Atticus Keene
Austin is always been full of unique and cool businesses, but do you know the scoop on the modern day Austin. Read on and Find the businesses that are all the rage now.
Imagine you’re walking down the street and you see a stand selling Indian curry. Next you see a shop that sells kid’s toys made for adults right next to a shop that teaches yoga upside down. A few yards down the street you come upon another truck. This one sells Brazilian food. Then you walk up and see Korean food truck. You keeping walking and you come upon a huge costume shop, bigger than you’ve ever seen. This seems like a crazy street from a dream or from one’s imagination, but no. This an average street in the city of Austin. . Photo by Justin Jenson
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A view of the famous street south congress and the Austin skyline
Cultures from around the world, unique shops and interesting people are found on the street of this amazing city. The famous South Congress is a street that really shows these parts of this city. Walk just a mile and you will experience an immense amount of diversity and the character of Austin.
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Photo by Susan Morgan
A very large part of Austin culture is food trucks. They are a very unique thing to Austin just because of their abundance. In Austin there are nearly 2,000 food trucks. The whole thing started in the 90’s with one hot dog stand. This began a movement all around Austin. But why did this only happen in Austin? What made this city able to house such a movement? “The diverse and open minded people allow businesses like food trucks to start and thrive,” says local food truck owner Iba Thiam. Food trucks aren’t the only unique business in Austin. The people of Austin are very open minded and they accept and even promote the idea of “keeping Austin weird”. There are so many types of business and everyone does it their own way. You can go to any place and it be a different experience every time. “These business are things that make Austin what it is because they can let people of all races and cultures share with the rest of the city which contributes to why Austin is so diverse.” Iba says about the local food businesses in Austin. Iba is a local business owner that comes from the south of Senegal. The food truck allows him to share the culture and the food of the people of his country. There are many others like him, but he has been established for more than 8 years. He has seen the business grow and shape into what it is now. One of the main reasons for the food truck business taking off like it did is because many people came from around the country and the world. They had the
The Back side of the Cazamance tuck showing off their color full logo skills to cook but didn’t have the the preservation of the Broken money to open a restaurant so Spoke. Some have lost like when they instead invested in a food Las Manitas was shut down to be truck. . replaced by the Marriott Hotel. “It [Food trucks] allow While many iconic busipeople like sous chefs or people nesses in Austin have shut down, that work in the kitchen for so a new generation of local busilong and never had enough monnesses have come to change the ey to go to school to become a face of Austin in a positive way. A chef. To own a restaurant, to new era will come about Austin, own a business, and that’s what bringing a new wave of Austithe food truck is.” says Iba nites ready to maintain the city’s Carly Campos, a woman reputation. More businesses will who has worked in food trucks become iconic and we will carry all over Austin, talks about a pair of Vietnamese owners she “It [Food trucks] worked for. “The owners from Vietnam like they brought their allow people like own culture into Austin and sous chefs or peothey’re like teaching other people that work in ple about their culture through the kitchen for their food and I think that that’s so long and never really important.” had enough money Austin is a constantly to go to school to changing city and many things become a chef. To that everyone loves about Austin own a restaurant, are starting to disappear. Over to own a business, the past decade iconic places and that’s what off the drag like Les Amis, Tower Records and Players have all the food truck closed down. Many people have is.”- Iba Thaim fought the tide of this new era and some have won like with
Photo By Karen Schencher
BookPeoples one and only location on North Lamar cluding myself are always ready to help and recommend books. Many of the people that come here become friends with our employees. It really just shows a sense of community on a larger scale and people are drawn to that,” says Topher about why people like BookPeople so much. BookPeople has a place in everyone’s hearts and is a place where people come to meet and enjoy each other’s company. They come to read and expand their knowledge. They come to experience what Austin is the
A Book reading in the famous kids section at book people
“You come here and you can see all sorts of book and you can really experience the books. It really just shows a sense of community on a larger scale and people are drawn to that,”Topher Bradfeild Photo by Nina Goiualla
Austin has always been a very literate city full of aspiring writers and avid readers. Because of that bookstores are needed but with the popularity of Amazon, local bookstores and even larger chains, like Barnes & Nobles, have started closing down nationally. However there is one store that has stood the test of time. The locally owned businesses BookPeople. BookPeople is not a new business, but it is one of the most iconic stores in all of Austin today. Ask anyone on the street if they know BookPeople and they will be able to tell you where it is, the people that work there and, exactly what the inside looks like. BookPeople is a large part of the Austin community. Topher Bradfield is an important part of the BookPeople organization. He is the man behind the recent success that BookPeople has been experiencing. Topher is a manager at the store and has started programs for BookPeople such as live readings and book signings by famous authors and camps for kids during the summer. “I think that it has a great atmosphere. You come here and you can see all sorts of book and you can really experience the books. Also the staff here in-
like through the ideas and people that gather at this place. This was possible because at some point someone decided to open a bookstore all by themselves. People that are brave enough to try new things are a reason for the advancement of society. The new generation of business in Austin represent what the people of Austin are like. Austinites accept the weird and wacky new ideas because they don’t judge people for what they want to do. This is the way the Austin community works and why we are know as the weirdest of them all.
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Austin Half Marathon Turkey Trot
ong r e ss
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Trail of Lights Fun Run
Ben Wh ite B lvd
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Keep Austin Running! Austin is know for live music and laid back vibes, but with all its partying, Austinites needs a way to stay in shape. Enter the vibrant Austin running scene, unique and weird as Austin itself.
The Trail of Lights Fun Run
Located in Austin’s beloved Zilker Park, the Trail of Lights is a Christmas theme “Fun Run” going through a brightly decorated trail around Zilker and ending with the famous Zilker Tree (which, fun fact, is 155 feet tall and composed of 3,309 light bulbs). Hot chocolate and other concessions are offered along the way. It is only 2.1 miles long, good for people of all ages, and it allows runners to see the beautifully lit decorations. The Trail of Lights also benefits STARS, a children’s medical charity, through STARS of the Trail. All in all, the Trail of Lights Fun Run is a great way to celebrate a uniquely-Austin Christmas.
Turkey Trot Although other cities have Turkey Trots, nobody does it quite like Austin. An Austin tradition started by Thundercloud Subs (a popular local business), the Turkey Trot annually draws 20,000 people and is the most popular 5 mile run in Texas. This year, the Turkey Trot is turning 25 years old. Over all those years, the Turkey Trot has raised $2.5 million for the Caritas of Austin, and has found its way into the hearts and traditions of most of Austin.
Austin Half Marathon
The Austin Half Marathon was started 25 years ago. It is a competitive race, a Boston Marathon Qualifier, and a nationally known race. This race is probably a better fit for a more serious marathoner, and there is also a full marathon option (not pictured, half marathon map shown). Over 30 bands will play on the 13 mile race to entertain competitors while they run. In celebration of their 25 years running (no pun intended), the Austin Marathon is aiming to raise $25,000 for 25 various local and nation-wide charities.
Sources: http://thundercloud.com/turkey-trot/ http://austintrailoflights.org/2015-fun-run http://youraustinmarathon.com/
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No-Kill City After Austin became No-Kill, it left several citizens with some questions, mainly, “What does that even mean?” Here’s all your Austin animal questions, answered. by: Isabel Cartwright The Austin Animal Center, the only open admission shelter in Austin, euthanized over 14,000 animals in 2007. This was a decade record, occurring even after Austin Pets Alive was founded to help Austin achieve a 90 percent or higher survival rate for shelter animals. Lacking the ability to feed and care for every animal that came through their doors, the AAC, APA and other local non-profits banded together to achieve a long-standing goal: becoming a No-Kill City. In becoming a No-Kill City, Austin not only achieved the required 90 percent live outcome rate, making it the largest NoKill City in the country, but then surpassed the minimum to achieve an unprecedented 92 percent live outcome rate. This means 92 percent of the strays in Austin that live in animal shelters are not euthanized. The other 8 percent are animals who are already dying, where euthanasia makes the animal suffer less. The cooperation of the APA and other non profits, as well as the successful usage of a foster program, made this transition possible. Austin Pets Alive was key to making this transition possible. In 2001, APA was founded to achieve the No-Kill initiative. It wasn’t until 2010 that they started working with the AAC. After that, it only took a single year for Austin to become a No-Kill City. Without the help of APA, Austin would never been able
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to become No-Kill. APA’s focus on animals on the “kill list,” or animals slated to be euthanized, exemplifies APA’s signature sense of urgency. APA works out of their own shelter near Lady Bird Lake, in
“Austin Pets Alive is our largest life-saving partner...”
cooperation with the AAC, taking at-risk animals from the AAC because APA is not an openadmission shelter. “Austin Pets Alive is our largest life-saving partner, taking more than 3,000 pets from us per year, many of them with special medical or behavioral needs,” says Erin Herren, foster coordinator for the AAC. Before they had a facility of their own, APA would use its foster program to find animals on the kill list homes. Programs of both organizations help animals by giving temporary homes to pets who have behavioral disabilities which prevent them from being in an environment with other animals, animals who are too young to be in the shelter,or animals who (as previously mentioned) are on the kill list. It helps both counteract pet overpopulation and provide for
the welfare of the animals who can’t be healthy in a normal animal shelter. The foster program helps by “work[ing] with citizens who are interested in taking vulnerable pets out of the shelter to meet their special needs and provide them with a temporary home while they await adoption,” says Herren. It takes a unique and dedicated person to foster animals. They foster animals out of the goodness of their hearts, but then must be able to say goodbye to them on a moment’s notice. “It’s hard to let them go. You don’t know what their final forever home is gonna be like, you just hope that it will be happy. You can’t know,” says Leslie O’Connor, a four-year foster parent. The success of Austin in becoming No-Kill is obvious, but some have argued by becoming No-Kill, the AAC and APA have taken on more than they can handle. According to a report, the Austin Animal Center provides care to about 20,000 animals in 462 kennels, with an overflow facility at the Town Lake Animal Center with 58 kennels. Already, huge numbers of animals are living out their days behind bars, not because they have done anything wrong but because they simply exist. “They try very hard at the shelter, they have volunteers that come through and walk the animals and the ones that
are friendly enough and healthy enough they put out so that they can see what’s going on, but it’s a hard life to live in a cage,” says O’Connor. However, the foster program accommodates this problem as well. By taking animals into their own homes, foster programs are largely increasing the carrying capacity of shelters in Austin, and a new facility for the Austin Animal Center has improved the comfort of animals greatly. Even if the quality of shelters in Austin were as poor as the aforementioned survey made them out to be, animals would live the dream in an animal shelter compared to living on the streets. Feral animals barely survive in Austin, living short lives and
“Starvation, predatory animals, and the threat of human development on their homes are just a few of the constant threats that feral animals face.”
fueling the homeless animal crisis in Austin. Starvation, predatory animals, and the threat of human development on their homes are just a few of the constant threats homeless animals face. Formerly feral kittens are possibly the hardest to look at. “We had couple of kittens, little bitty kittens, who didn’t survive. Two of them died at different times. They were single kittens, and they were thin, and you know, failure to thrive,” says O’Connor. Without places like the Austin Animal Center or Austin Pets Alive, animals would die pointless deaths from preventable accidents or treatable diseases, animals who are bred purely to make human’s lives easier. With their previous lives so hard, it would seem like the
The new and improved Austin Animal Center located in the east side, on Levander Loop. Image by: Elizabeth Anderson Just Austin 15
AAC would not have to strive hard to make the lives of animals better than they were before. The AAC never strives for less than the best when animals are concerned. “Some of the animals that come to us have never lived so wonderfully as they do here at the shelter. They get healthy meals, veterinary care, walked and loved on by volunteers and staff, they get to enjoy play groups and are socialized with other animals,� says Herren. A slightly stupid, small orange dog moved into a loving, new home about a year and a half ago. Without the efforts of APA, he would probably be dead right now. He has a second chance at life now because of them. The improvement shelters like the AAC and APA have on the lives is very palpable. The lives they save and improve are obvious, and without them many animals like Chauncey would be dead.
Chauncey is one of the thousand of animals saved by APA every year.
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Image by: Sandy Cartwright
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Photo by: Isabel Cartwright Above, a few foster kittens taking a short morning nap after a long night of playing. These kittens are just a few of the animals that are in need of a permanent or temporary home because they are too young to live at AAC. Below, a recently adopted kitten enjoys the sunshine at his owner’s new home. Cornbread, a shelter pet like Chauncey, is mild and playful and enjoys playing with his family’s dog. Photo by: Isabel Cartwright
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The Austin Dictionary Your guide to the biggest Austin icons. by Lily Sellers
Longhorns
Bats
360 Bridge
The unofficial mascot of Austin.
The bridge that runs across the river and makes great pictures.
The mascot of UT, and the only true sports team of Austin.
Weird
Leslie
Franklin
Leslie Cochran An embodiement of the city’s culture that the residents embrace.
ACL
A music festival that causes traffic and wastes tax dollars.
SoCo
The quirkiest neighborhood, and a parking nightmare.
Austin’s favorite son, who will be deeply missed.
LBJ
Some dang good barbecue. Hope you brought a chair!
6th Street
The president whose library is located downtown.
Where some adults have had their best and worst memories.
Graffiti
Eeyore’s B-Day
A welcomed Austin art form and frequent Instagram photos.
A party for Eeyore with drum circles and more. Just Austin 19
Photo by Tim Griffin
A local Austin band preforms at one of the large music festivals located around this music city
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Austin holds the title, The Music Capital Of The World. Though what does that really mean? That and more will be answered in this reminiscient story!
Photo by bdunnette
The History of Austin Music
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell shows a “Willie Nelson Blvd.” sign earlier this month as he called for support for honoring the music icon
By: Shahin Masoumi
A
ustin, Texas is commonly acknowledged as the Music Capital of the World. This largely popular city has acquired this title due to its rich culture and the abundance of live music venues. Originally, live music venues began mostly around the notorious Sixth Street. A multitude of people wonder why Austin is the one city that has been lucky enough to be recognized as the Music Capital Of the World. Austin, unknown by the world for having music as late as only a couple years ago, has a music scene that has been going on strong for many years before, unbeknownst to the rest of us. This very important history goes commonly unrecognized around tourists and even Austin Locals because there is hardly any information available on this subject. The Austin music scene hasn’t always been as popular or
well known as it is today. “Over the years, Austin has grown into something truly special,” says Cameron Phillips, guitar and band tutor, “The community formed has changed the lives of many children and adults alike,” To get a good idea of how the Austin music scene started, we have to go back decades ago to the late 1800s, where a large portion of the Austin music heritage began. From the time of its first settlements, Austin has had an ongoing influx of several cultures contributing their musical heritage. Many German beer gardens and hills all around Austin such as Scholz’s Garden, Hall, and later Dessau Hall, introduce us to where these influences began. Dessau Hall would soon peak in the 1950s with great, diverse acts such as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and Glenn Miller. These several cultural influences were essentially very low-key until the
mid 1940’s. “Music has
evolved in so many ways. From the most popular genre to the people you see,” says Noah Johnson, long time band member and guitar tutor, “I can’t describe this evolution in these few minutes, but let me just say that it is incredible.” -cameron Philips
The Austin music industry really began to move during the 1950s when big, still-popular music venues such as, The Victory Grill, The Skyline Club, and Broken Spokes opened. These venues and locations provide good reasons for why Austin is The Music Capital of the World. One of the most famous
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Photo by Flicker
An sign held in Austin shows what this city is all about
and popular Austin music venues is known as the Hole in the Wall. Founded in 1974, it sits just across the street from the building at University of Texas campus where the Austin City Limits (a large Austin based musical festival) show was taped for decades. Though today, “Hole in the wall is turning into a music venue for college’s. We see a lot of college kids there,” says Blaze Foley, long time employee at the Hole in the Wall. During the mid-50s, in the local Austin music venues, the average person would see a variety of music and ages. They would experience a great deal of folk and country jams while also taking in the rich and wild vibe, Austin continues to live by and achieve. Nevertheless, Austin music venues have come a long way and changed throughout their journey. Nowadays, Austin music venues are a great place
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for young college kids looking for a place to have fun, party, and drink. These musical venues provide what young adults are interested in. No matter how old or young you are, you will always be at home at these local musical venues and that is a major influence for why Austin is known as the Music Capital of the World. Though, people can’t give all our attention to the venue. The performers are the fundamental clause for why Austin is known as being the Music Capital of the Word “My friends and I used to [and still do] love the oldies. The creators of music as we like to call them. Such as Roosevelt Thomas and of course Elvis Presley,” says Johnson. Roosevelt Thomas was a barrelhouse piano player, singer, and songwriter born in Texas. After decades of being a musician, Williams settled in
Austin in the early 1950s and worked a full-time job as a bus driver for the Austin Independent School District until he retired in 1965. Known as one of the starting political, musical figure in Austin, Roosevelt Thomas maintains his title with his Austin classical music.
“Over the years, Austin has grown into something truly special. The community formed has changed the lives of many children and adults alike,” - Cameron Philips
As you have already noticed before, parts of the Austin music industry can change quickly and unexpectedly. The same goes for the performers. During the mid-50s when most
historic music venues began showing up, the music they played had a very country and folk attitude to it. With performs like Glenn Miller, a swing band player, famous for performing in many live Austin music venues. Though today, many of the bands that perform at these venues are more directed to the younger audiences. At the Hole in the Wall, Foley says,”The genres [we see] are mostly alternative or rock or blues.” Now,you might be wondering, What else could make Austin so popular? We’ve already discussed the performers and where they perform, what’s left? Well, there’s a lot of things we haven’t discussed such as festivals. Austin is the home to South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual music and film festival that is known throughout the
United States as being one of the largest music festivals in the world. Also, Austin hosts the Austin City Limits (ACL) and Fun Fun Fun Fest (F3F) events. During the spring, the historical Old Settlers Music Festival takes place right outside the city and continues to thrive well as an Austin music festival. Every year, local Austin businesses put on a huge show in Zilker Park known as Blues on the Green. You could probably guess what type of music they play there! Austin is something uniquely hip and fun. With the variety of musical venues located all around the music based city, there is something for everybody. The local bands and musicians based in Austin are a sight to see. With dozens of annual musical festivals hosted by this city,
there is no such thing here as being bored. This our home, Austin. The Music Capital of the world.
“I would never leave Austin. There really isn’t anywhere like it, especially for musicians,” says Phillips.
Photo by Andy Gerald
A girl having the time of her life at ACL, an Austin music festival
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A Map of our Fair City A simplified version of Austin. By Lily Sellers
New
Upper M
Famil ie
s with
Kids
Culturally D
iverse
iddle Cla
ss Pflugervil
le and De
ssau
tiny $$$$ houses Hip
pie
Rich P eople
and H
sw
ith
Ca sh
Old
and
Big
Ho
AISD Field
Sm
all
Ho
use
s
use
s, $ $
$
Old A irpor
t, Ne w
Neig
ill Cou
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UT, Bars , Apts
Artist s
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The River Hipsters
San Antonio
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Low Income Area
hbor
hood
Not Muc
h Out He
re
Parks and Rec: Austin Fun in the Sun by Lily Sellers
Deep in the heart of Texas, the outdoors are worth the blistering heat and the biting cold. In Austin, there is a plethora of outdoor activities. Travis County Parks, Mayfield Park, and the Texas Rowing Center are all places that run some of the most entertaining venues outside in the Live Music Capital of the World. “The parks are situated around Travis County and cover a diverse geographical region,” says Timothy Speyrer, the East District Park Manager for Travis County Parks. Mayfield Park and Preserve is a destination for those who appreciate contemplation and peacocks, Texas Rowing Center is for the merpeople (and fitness junkies),
and Travis County Parks are for anyone who enjoys nature. The county’s park system includes over 9000 acres of land, and the county received their first piece of land in 1938. Believe it or not, that land was
“because it is a preserve, hamilton pool features the most geunine plant life native to the area.”
Mount Bonnell, donated by Frank Covert, and it is now under the city’s jurisdiction. Starting in the early ‘80’s, Travis County began acquiring park land, and they continue to create parks. “Onion Creek Greenway is in the design phase and when completed will be a 22-mile trail along Onion Creek,” says Speyrer. If you just want to go to the park with the highest reviews, Speyrer has the answer. “The most popular park in Travis County is Hamilton Pool.” But, you might ask, what is the most scenic park? I like to enjoy lovely views as I exercise. “Reimers Ranch has miles of hike and bike trails along the Pedernales River. Pace Bend also has hike and bike trails along Lake Travis,” says Speyrer. The jewel of Travis County is not
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as secret as one might think. “Reimers Ranch has a lot to offer and many people are discovering its hidden secrets. East Metro Park is a quiet park in eastern Travis County that offers walking trails, picnic sites, an eighteenhole disc golf course, and a pool operated by the YMCA,” says Speyrer. The Memorial Day floods did affect the parks, but don’t worry. “Our parks were not damaged as much as other areas but we did receive damage at Reimers Ranch, Hamilton Pool, and East Metro. We are working with FEMA to recover these areas,” says Speyrer. But the one question that all outdoorsy people have is this: What is the best bug repellant? I am getting bit to death out there. Have no fear: “Long pants and sleeves work best as natural protection, and Deep Woods OFF and Cutter’s with DEET also work as well,” states Speyrer. For all you botanists out there, Eden does exist. “Because it is a preserve, Hamilton Pool features the most genuine plant life native to the area,” says Speyrer. However, if you want to take a smaller, more local, and
Timothy Speyrer, the East District Park Manager for Travis County Parks, is photographed.
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“The parks are situated around travis county and cover a diverse geographical region.”
an approach that has more exotic fowl, Mayfield Park is perfect for you. The park, which includes gardens and a 21-acre preserve, is described as “an oasis inside the city,” by the head of Mayfield’s council, Blake Tollett. “Since Austin has gotten so huge, the park is like an oasis. Some people like to contemplate in the gardens, others like to come and people watch, and some like to come and look at the birds. You do get different crowds with different seasons,” says Tollett. “The best time to come and see the birds and the flowers is spring, but it really depends on what you want.” As for those birds and their famous plumage? Tollett says: “The Gutsches brought the birds in during the 1940’s, and the birds are from the same genetic stock. They also live in Westwood, the Contemporary, and Laguna Gloria. However, more were brought in in the 1980’s because numbers were dwindling. The flock averages about twenty birds. They roost in the trees at night to avoid being eaten by the foxes, who live in the preserve.”
But what, you ask, could
these beautiful birds ever do wrong? The answer is: lots. “Sometimes, the birds get hit by cars on the road. Also, during mating seasons, they see their reflections in bumpers and think it is a “rival”. They start pecking at their reflection, thinking they will make it go away. It’s funny,
“when you get past that, it’s just gliding on the water, and it’s very enjoyable.”
except when it’s happening to YOUR bumper,” says Tollett. As for other animals: “There are no perennial fish in the preserve, but there is a branch of Lake Austin that comes in. Some drywater creeks can host fish during rainy periods,” states Tollett. Speaking of water and creeks, the floods were actually not that bad: “ Since the park
Blake Tollett, the head of the Mayfield Council, is photographed at Mayfield Park and Preserve.
and the cottage are highly elevated, there was no damage. There was some damage in the preserve, however,” says Tollett. The park has a very interesting history, filled with cottages, peacocks, and walls. The wall that surrounds the gardens was laid by Mr. Gutsch and Steve Arredondo. Sometimes, the wall partially collapses. In the 1980’s, the cottage was in serious disrepair and was to be bulldozed. It was rescued by a group of women who commissioned the landscaping and renovated the house. The most enjoyable part of the park? “The sense of adventure, coming out to look at the flora and fauna, and most of all, coming to get away from it all,” says Tollett. Attention, water bugs! Texas Rowing Center is really awesome. Those popular paddleboards are all they’re cracked up to be. Trust me, I know. Nobody knows more about
“ The sense of adventure, coming out to look at the flora and fauna, and most of all, coming to get away from it all.”
the paddleboards than Jane Shepard, Assistant Manager at the Center (and me, of course).
Texas Rowing Center has been in Austin since the 1980’s, and has had its current owner since 2005. What is it like, says the unsuspecting twentysomething? Shepard provides a simple answer: “You have to stay and centered. Most people are nervous so they shift their weight and they get wobbly. When you get past that, it’s just gliding on the water, and it’s very enjoyable. You’re pulling yourself with the paddle, and most say
Jane Shepard, Assistant Manager at Texas Rowing Center, stands near a row of paddleboards. it’s a good core workout,” says Shepard. Summer camps are also an option: “We offer summer camps for elementary, middle, and high schoolers. The middle and high schoolers actually get to row, though,” says Shepard. Worried about the young ones? Don’t worry: “There is no age limit, but children eight and under will have a hard time,” says Shepard. The best paddles for recreational use are as follows: “ It is important to have a paddle that fits. If you can reach above your head and touch it, it is long enough. All of our paddles are adjustable, and they are
all made of carbon fiber,” says Shepard. They also offer canoes, and kayak in single, double, or triple sizes. In my opinion, a day well-spent is a day on the water. Austinites like to be outside, and the weather in Austin allows for that most
“the best time to come and see the birds and the flowers is spring, but it really depends on what you want.” of the year. People like to canoe, kayak, hike, bike, swim, play disc golf, paddleboard, contemplate birds and gardens, and much more. Outside in Austin is sometimes hot, sometimes cold, but always worth it. Paddleboarding is a fun way to spend a boring Sunday afternoon, and hiking is always a good way to get some fresh air. The outdoors in Austin are some of the most beautiful in the state.
The author rowing a paddleboard across the river. Just Austin 27
Who Are Austinites? Residents of Austin are known for being crazy, quirky and unique. Here are some other facts you might not know about the Austinities who keep Austin weird. by Sarida Morejon
3. 88.6% of Austin’s population has a high
school diploma, 41.5% has a bachelor’s degree, and 14.3% has a graduate degree.
1. In Austin, the average
2. The median family income for Austinites is $75,763, the median household income is $61,750, and the income per capita is $31,791. The Did you know? highest paying 55,000 people jobs in Austin are leave Austin pediatricians, a job each year. that pays $211,210 a year.
four-bedroom, twobathroom house costs $369,510, a one-bedroom apartment costs $853 (monthly rent), and a single family home costs $240,700.
Did you know? There are 1,877 homeless people in Austin.
4. 68.3% of Austinites are
White, 35.1% are Hispanic, 8.1% are African American, 6.3% are Asian, 0.9% are American Indian, and 0.1% are Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.
7. There are about 1,517 refugees
5. There are 1,943,299 people in Austin. 22.5%
Austinites are under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age of Austinites is 30 years. For every 100 females in Austin there are 105.8 males. Most Austin households have 2.4 members, and the population density in Austin is 3,520 people per square mile.
coming to Austin each year. In one day, 110 people are estimated to move to Austin, and 73,000 come to Austin each year, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
28 Just Austin
6. Michael Dell, Willie Nelson, Zachary
Scott, and Lady Bird Johnson are all famous Austinites. Dell is the founder of Dell Computer Corporation, Nelson is a famous country musician, Scott is an actor, and Johnson was a First Lady.
How to Have a Holly, Jolly, Austin Christmas Winter is here, and Christmas is around the corner! Here are five things you can do to get in the holiday spirit. by Sarida Morejon
1. The Trail of Lights is a fun, family friendly walk through millions of lights at Zilker Park from December 8-22, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Lots of Real Texas restaurants and food vendors unique Christmas Trees to Austin will be featured at the Trail of Lights, like Amy’s Ice Creams and Austin’s Looking for a real Pizza. General admission at the Trail is Christmas tree this free from December 8th to the 15th, after year? Abrameit’s which you’ll have to pay $3 for a gate Tree Farm, Coupland ticket. Christmas Tree Farm,
2.
Handmade items from 160+ artists can be found at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Music and drinks can be enjoyed at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, with Austin’s favorite musical talent performing at the bazaar. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is open from December 15-24. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is located at the Palmer Events Center. A one day pass can 4. Santa’s Ranch is open from be bought for $8. November 6-January 2. At the Ranch, drive along a trail bordered by impressive and 3. Ice Skating is located at the beautiful light shows and figures. Open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., homemade plaza on the rooftop of the downkettle corn and hot chocolate is served town Whole Foods. Ice Skating all night. Santa’s Ranch is located in New at Whole Foods is happening Braunfels, TX, and well worth the drive. A from November 29-January 9, ticket for one night and one car is $28.
Devine Acres Farm, and Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees are some tree farms in the Austin area.
from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. One ticket for Ice Skating is $10, including skate rental. You can also reserve the rink for private rentals and holiday parties.
5. Holidays at the Domain is celebrated Having trouble coming up with a plan for New Year’s Eve? Austin’s New Year (ANY) is a free downtown New Year’s celebration on December 31. It features a variety of acts like jugglers, musical performances, storytellers, and other artisans and food from a plethora of food trucks from around the Austin area.
from November 13-December 31 with different events at various times throughout the evening. It’s located at the Domain Mall, which is open daily from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. There are complimentary Holiday Light Shows, Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Breakfast with Santa, and Holiday Entertainment.
Want More Info? Check out: http://austintrailoflights.org/ http://austintrailoflights.org/ http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/store/event/ice-skating-plaza http://santasranch.net/
Just Austin 29
The stories of the homeless and the more unfortunate of Austin often go untold, but Caritas and Front Steps are two prominent organizations in Austin looking to change that. By Sarida Morejon
Have you ever had to leave your own country to seek freedoms, equal rights and escape continued prosecution? Thousands of immigrants each Alfredo Felipe stands with his wife and their assigned volunteer Ramon Morejon in his year make the dangerous journey apartment. from their homes in countries as Alfredo, who found Caritas access to easier communication like Syria and Guatemala to with more family still living in before coming to Austin, was safer places for them and their helped through the whole Cuba. families, such as the United “[T]he geographical process, and has family to catch States and many countries in situation [here] benefits me in him if he falls? Who takes care of Europe. There’s a much smaller influx of refugees terms of climate,” all of the homeless one sees on “[Caritas] coming to Austin, with says Felipe when asked almost every busy street corner gave me about why he moved nowhere to go and no in the city? federal help one to help them. to Austin. “We also About 1,000 refugees [my family Alfredo Felipe have family close by come to Austin every year from and I needed] in San Antonio.” Many brought his wife countries around the globe, to survive.” immigrants from all and his 26-year old looking for help from individuals, over the world, when posed the daughter with him to Texas, family members, and shelters same question, will answer just where he hoped to get help alike. Two shelters and help from a prominent help center in as Alfredo does. They moved centers that stand out are Austin: Caritas. After migrating to Austin to be closer to family Front Steps and Caritas. They members already living nearby from Cuba to Spain in search of are organizations committed to better public freedoms, Alfredo who can support them, and providing necessary resources looked for quick and cheap various other reasons unique to for the disadvantaged of Austin, passage to the United States. His every migrant. however, they rely completely son stayed in Spain to take care But what about the on community support and refugees who aren’t as lucky of his grandmother and have volunteers’ efforts to make
30 Just Austin
Photo by Sarida Morejon
The Disadvantaged of Austin
Photo by Ramon Morejon
The Austin Research Center for the Homeless (ARCH) also serves as the main base of operations for the organization Front Steps.
“There are people who are living on the street right now who have really interesting and very unique past experiences, and [by volunteering] you get to know these individuals and see them as real human beings.”
Photo by Dustin Ground
Austin a better place for everyone living here. Veterans, refugees, and impoverished people from all walks of life who don’t deserve to be put down, ignored, or stereotyped make up the homeless population. The ongoing and seemingly endless issue of homelessness in Austin needs extra attention from all community members. “The majority of my family is older people, people who aren’t an age that they can work. My mom and my aunt are 80 years old,” explains Felipe. “I... am 66, and I’ve also been with cancer, and [Caritas] gave me federal help [my family and I needed] to survive.” The goals of Front Steps and Caritas may appear to be very similar, but their methods vary from providing physical resources like shelter and sustenance to giving the homeless and refugees social workers and specialized volunteers who can help them improve their current situation.
Austin. It helps arrange stable, permanent housing, education on independence and life skills, and other employment services for over 20,000 international refugees each year. Nivea Lopez works at Caritas as a social worker who helps Cuban refugees in managing their lives. Lopez interviews clients who come from Cuba and helps them fill out applications for food stamps and Medicaid, and paperwork for their employment applications and their employment permit. “What I enjoy the most [about my job] is meeting people from different parts of the world,” explains Lopez. “[I] t helps me see that...life here in the United States is so much easier...due to the fact that we don’t suffer like other people from around the world who are persecuted because of their religion or their political views.” Felipe worked closely with Caritas in order to find his family a house and stable
The Caritas of Austin Caritas is a nonprofit committed to assisting refugees from all over the world in adjusting to life in
A homeless man sits in his wheelchair on the corner of Sixth Street and San Jacinto Blvd. The problem of homelessness affects millions across the United States each year.
Just Austin 31
conditions to live in. He came to the United States already diagnosed with cancer, another complication in the process of getting used to the atmosphere of Austin. Luckily, Felipe had the help of Caritas to facilitate the transition. “The Caritas of Austin received us at the airport, [and] they helped us get this apartment and the furniture in it,” states Felipe, gesturing around to the two worn down couches in either corner of their living room, the treadmill, and the small, wall mounted flat screen TV. “[I like how Caritas] attends to refugees in a lot of different aspects, and how big it is. Caritas is in all parts of the world.” Caritas also established the food stamp system for Felipe and his family, and other benefits, like social security, work cards, and permission to work.
Front Steps
32 Just Austin
Photo by Ramon Morejon
Located on East 7th Street downtown, the organization Front Steps also assists the homeless. Front Steps helps the homeless by offering both long-term and short-term solutions to their troubles. The organization serves 400 to 600 men and women every day, offering laundry services, showers for men and women, access to a computer lab, social workers who work directly with clients towards employment and housing, and beds people can sleep in during the day and at night. Front Steps is operated in the Austin Research Center for the Homeless (ARCH) which doubles as a research facility and a homeless shelter. “[O]ur office is in the same building that all these folks who are experiencing
homelessness are coming to to do,” Lopez explains, “[we have] receive services,” says Hannah to show the refugees how to Ford, the Communications and get breakfast, how to go to Volunteer Coordinator at Front the library, how to rent things, Steps. “There are people who register children in the school are living on the street right system,... and we need help with now who have really interesting all of that.” and very Felipe “[My e xpe rie nce s unique past himself has with the ho me l e ss experiences, had firsthand have he l pe d] me se e experience and you that... l if e he re in with get to know these the Unite d State s volunteers individuals is so much e asie r... through and see Caritas. [W]e do n’t suf f e r them as l ike o the r pe o pl e real human “Caritas f ro m aro und the beings, and assigned us world.” that’s not a volunteer something that you [always] have named Ramon, who has treated an opportunity to do.” us like family. When I was However, the problem sick, he took me to lots of of homelessness and extreme places every day, and that was poverty in Austin won’t go away a tremendous thing,” Felipe on its own. The issue needs the says. “My life goes on normally attention, help, and support of [now], and I am good. I am the community. writing a book, which is what I like to do... In Cuba, you know, Volunteer Work in it is a country where a lot of restrictions on the public’s the Community freedoms exist. Here, it is a free “[T]here’s so much to
The line of the homeless extends around Front Steps headquarters on Seventh Street.
Photo by Ramon Morejon
country, and I feel free.” Volunteer work in places like Caritas and Front Steps can also be life-changing. Both Lopez and Ford agree that volunteering with the homeless, hungry, and impoverished people who come to organizations like Caritas and Front Steps is necessary to spread the word and eradicate the problem of homelessness in Austin. “We try to be very open and encourage anyone over 18 to apply and come volunteer with us,” Ford explains. “[W] hen volunteers start working with us, all of a sudden, they have a whole new outlook on the homeless population, and they can go home and tell their family and friends about the… interesting and nice people that they’ve met at the shelter, and it helps change stereotypes and misconceptions about the population.” Changing stereotypes is another reason Ford encourages the people of Austin to volunteer. “When you hear something
Caritas can be found across the street from ARCH, also located in downtown.
...that’s just not true, [like]: ‘They don’t care,’ or ‘They don’t wanna find a job,’ or ‘They want to be homeless,’ to say, ‘Actually that’s not true... you have no clue what brought this person to the streets, you don’t know what they’ve been through,... everyone is a human being,... Photo by Ramon Morejon
On every night of the week, the homeless of Austin gather around ARCH where they hope to find shelter and sustenance.
everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, and everyone deserves a helping hand’ [is very important]” adds Ford. Volunteering at Caritas can mean working at their community kitchen and helping clients directly. At Front Steps, volunteering can entail mentoring clients who have already gotten situated in their places of residence, working at their community kitchen, or helping Front Steps staff members with day-to-day tasks such as managing the front desk, the computer lab, and the mail and hygiene desk. Wherever you go to volunteer, or however you choose to do it, volunteer work is crucial in order to help the people of Austin who can’t get the assistance they need. “[W]ith... a lot of community members being on board with [this] messaging, we can work towards eliminating those misconceptions and stereotypes,” says Ford. “It’s just gonna require a lot of teamwork.”
Just Austin 33
Town Lake
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here the city straddles the Colorado River, dams mark the upstream and downstream ends of Lady Bird Lake, the focus of outdoor activity in downtown Austin. If you are planning on spending some time in Austin, make sure you visit Lady Bird Lake for hiking, walking, biking, canoeing or kayaking.
Amazing
Adventures Photo By Kendall Kucera
34 Just Austin
IN Austin By Shahin Masoumi
The best swimming pool in Austin
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ithin Zilker Park’s 358 acres lies one of the most well known Texas attractions - Barton Springs Pool. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs which provides all day fun. For a long time, Barton Springs Pool has had people from all walks of life. Robert Redford learned to swim at the pool when he was five years old while visiting family in Austin. To this day, Barton Springs still attracts a large crowd of people and has seen record setting numbers of visiting swimming nearing 800,000 in the past years.
Photo By Sharon Roy
The best museum in Austin
S
Photo by Aly Hirani
et at the south corner of the University of Texas campus, the Blanton Museum of Art contrasts beautifully with the modern but classical architecture The ground-floor houses Teresita Fernández’s permanent wall installation, “Stacked Waters”. Close your eyes, and you’d swear you could hear the Mediterranean waves lapping softly, but you’ll want to keep them open to take in the Blanton’s impressive collection. The two-story main building includes wings for European paintings, modern American and Latin American Art, and contemporary art. One of the more prestigious university art museums in the US, the Blanton also includes a cafe, a museum shop, and an outdoor plaza that is filled with activity through classes.
The best place to have a picnic in Austin
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ith 20 percent of the neighborhood dedicated to parkland and open space, Mueller’s parks, trails and open space weave through the community, establishing a native, local ecosystem. This park is known for having a lot of visitors who come to have large family or friends picnics. A happy visitor says, “The park is still manicured, with families scattered about. Not a single item of trash is loitering anywhere, and there is a very cool drum line playing in the middle of the park.” Photo By Elan Mcminn
The best movie theater in Austin
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eing some of the longest standing Austin movie theaters, The Alamo Drafthouse stands strong when it comes to family fun. With the ability of request food and drinks, you feel like you own the building. And because of their rule that nobody under 18 can go without a parent, you won’t ever have to deal with that one group of loud, obnoxious teenagers. The Alamo Draft House is one of the best places to go when you’re feeling bored in this unbelievable town.
Photo By Macy Nelms
The best mini golf course in the world
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eter Pan Mini Golf. An Austin tradition since 1946. Young or old, this mini golf course is fun for all ages. With two eighteen hole courses that have a variety of goofy statues and obstacles you’re nowhere close to bored. They have always been family-owned and operated with the same laid back attitude that has made Austin what it is today. Also, they give back to the amazing Austin community.
Just Austin 35