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MARCH/APRIL 2012
FEATURES AUSTIN LIFESTYLE
29 A Tale of Two Cities NASHVILLE AND AUSTIN'S COMMON THREADS
57 Body of Art TO TATTOO OR NOT TO TATTOO
60 THROUGH THE FOREST OF IMAGINATION
The Lorax & Beyond 64 Pink Kisses THE MODERN WOMAN'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
austinlifestylemagazine.com
5
MARCH/APRIL 2012
DEPARTMENTS AUSTIN LIFESTYLE
10 LETTER FROM THE TEAM 13 THE A* LIFE The best of everything
Austin has to offer
A* STYLE 20 FASHION
Spring is in Bloom
25 TRAVEL
25
Spring Training and More
in Arizona
32 BEAUTY 37 EVENTS 41 SOCIAL GRACES 44 SOCIAL REGISTER 48 Q&ATX
66
Bobby Deen
A* TASTE 66 SAVOR 48
69 TONGUE-IN-CHEEK 70 ACCIDENTAL EPICUREAN
The Most Important Meal of
the Weekends
73 COSMIC CADENCE
Horoscopes for
March & April
75 KEEP AUSTIN WELL
20
6 austinlifestylemagazine.com
Your guide to
staying healthy
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9
LE T T ER F ROM T H E T E A M
T H E
THE HORIZON HOLDS A GRE AT DE AL IN STORE FOR OUR BELOVED CIT Y.
SHAWN LIVELY
Spring marks the city's thaw, when the days are temperate and tolerable for a time and activity in Austin picks up, racing toward a fever pitch in late summer. But, here at the beginning of days when we can take in a drink on a patio without too much perspiration, and when the wildflowers are working their way through the soil along our roadways, we at Austin Lifestyle Magazine thought it might be time to have a little fun. So, taking our own advice, we headed out to one of the many establishments we praise in our pages, commandeered a booth on the patio and unleashed the laughter and fun for a too-brief hour or two. Call us inspired by our cover man, Pat Green's counsel, too. “Everybody's gotta get away sometime. Forget about yourself for a while,” he pleads from one of his signature songs, “Carry On.” And, for a short while, amid deadlines and pressures, interviews and layouts, we managed to do just that. So, whether you're getting away from our beloved town for a little while (may we recommend Arizona or Nashville) before the days begin to move too quickly or if you only have time to spare for a weekend brunch with your closest friends (we have some recommendations for that, too), be sure to stop for a moment and take stock of the joy in the here and now. And, if you need to remind yourself, remember, “I'm okay. I'm alright. Carry on.”
Take in all this city has to give, Shawn Lively, Publisher
PUBLISHER
B E S T
O F
E V E R Y T H I N G
Shawn K. Lively
EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel Ramirez MANAGING EDITOR Ashley M. Halligan COPY EDITOR Tracy Stewart ST YLE EDITOR Edith Henry CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carlo Bligh, Amber Groce, Emily Rae Pellerin, Tyler Guthrie, Meghan Butler, Rory Patrick McNeill, Donna Woodwell, and Brian Kidder KEEP AUSTIN WELL Carlo Bligh, Lisa Talev, and Lety Nettles ART & PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR Kim Vo GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN Alison Kilts WEB DESIGN Stone Slade-Wet Media Designs CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Travis Snyder, Courtney Forsell, Paul Bardagjy, Andrew Pogue, Allison Smith, Knoxy, Peter Tung, Phillip Leach, Britton Orange, James Griffith, Laura Godwin, Charla Wood, Tony Baker, Brian Fitzsimmons, Ruben Morales, and Paul Erickson SALES & MARKETING Tori Tinnon BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Martha Morales, Jennifer Miller, and Kristen Donner MARKETING/PR, SOCIAL MEDIA
For advertising information, please e-mail info@austinlifestylemagazine.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR info@austinlifestylemagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Email us at subscriptions@austinlifestylemagazine.com or subscribe online at austinlifestylemagazine.com JOB INQUIRIES/INTERNS info@austinlifestylemagazine.com Did you just grab the last copy of ALM? Let us know! info@austinlifestylemagazine.com Austin Lifestyle Magazine is Austin owned and operated. Published by Texas Lifestyle Media, Inc.
10 austinlifestylemagazine.com
© and ™ 2012 Texas Lifestyle Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
PHOTO BY RUBEN MORALES
MARTHA MORALES, TORI TINNON, SEAN WIEMANN, SHAWN LIVELY, ASHLEY HALLIGAN, AND KIM VO
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A
THE
*LIFE
Take Your Pick at Lick
Icing on the {Cup}cake
By Emily Rae Pellerin
By Amber Groce
Novice entrepreneurs Anthony Sobotik and Chad Palmatier started Lick Honest Ice Creams, Austin’s newest ice creamery, just last year. Already, the establishment has breached the resistance of wary palates, proving that yes, even Goat Cheese with Thyme & Honey, Caramelized Carrots & Tarragon and Breakfast Bacon ice creams can be delicious.
Candy bars are so last season. For your next event, wow your guests with a personalized, made-to-your-own-liking cupcake bar. The Cupcake Bar's concept, a creation by Lori Schneider, began when one of her catering clients requested something fun for their grand opening.
Of course, Lick features renditions of the good ol’ basic chocolates and vanillas too. The difference in Lick’s flavorful concoctions, however, is their choice of ingredients. Vowing locality, seasonality, naturalness and sustainability, the company uses organic milk and cream from Texas dairies and seasonal produce from local farmers’ markets. Lick's recipes forsake high fructose corn syrups and artificial ingredients, and even call for less sugar than conventional ice cream. The flavors, fruits, vegetables and locally sourced ingredients (like honey and herbs) that Lick uses all reflect the artisanal credibility of their home state. With an appreciation for Texas and its resources, Lick also keeps things paperless. In an admirable act of sustainability, the company uses digital receipts and serves their scoops with compostable bowls, spoons and napkins.
RUBEN MORALES
Noteworthy happenings, reviews and openings that highlight the best of everything Austin has to offer
With both dairy free and vegan options, and an array of flavors so vast it rivals the span of the Hill Country’s horizon, Lick’s ever-changing menu will keep our palates creatively and tastily satisfied. Visit the shop for some ambrosial exploration of your own at 2032 South Lamar Boulevard or visit: ilikelick.com. ALM
“The idea of offering an interactive cupcake bar, where cupcake bartenders would create a custom cupcake creation for each guest, came to light,” Schneider says. “It was an instant hit and The Cupcake Bar was born!” To start the process, Schneider and her team work with the client’s theme to decide which flavors, colors, toppings and even cupcake flags will be offered at the event. During the event, guests, with the help of the cupcake bartenders, create an entirely unique cupcake — to their liking. Don't like chocolate icing? Don't worry. Prefer sprinkles? Pile 'em on. These cupcakes belong to nobody but you. “Guests get to choose their cupcake flavor, filling, icing and toppings,” Schneider says. “It is tons of fun and really interactive. Some of the concoctions that people come up with are hilarious!” Perfect for children's birthday parties, adult soirees, or even simple dinner parties, The Cupcake Bar ensures a sugar-induced smile on all of your guests' faces. The Cupcake Bar also works with several non-profit organizations in the Austin community, including SafePlace, Project Princess and Texas 4000. For more information or to plan your own custom cupcake party, go to: thecupcakebar.com. ALM
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13
THE A * LIFE
Family Tree By Amber Groce
Located near Dripping Springs, family-run
of the most state of the art pressing systems in
but there are usually about five others for you
Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company sits on
the U.S., tracked by temperature sensors and
to choose from.”
17 acres (right now about half is planted and
monitored continuously so that the product is
they plan to plant the other half later this year).
never over-heated.
Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company sells olive oil as well as a new endeavor.
Five different types of olive trees, including
“The orchard was started with the idea to give
“We are trying to make balsamic,” Sean said. “At
Pendolino and Coratina, are on the orchard.
something back to the community and to leave
this time it could be a huge success or another
They hand pick all of the olives before being
a legacy to the generations in our family that
one of our fun learning lessons. We like those
processed into extra-virgin olive oil.
have yet to be born,” Sean said.
around here. Life wouldn't be so exciting if you didn't make a few mistakes here and there.”
“Well, most of the people that work for us are
Several events are put on at the orchard,
family,” Sean Gambini, Business Development
including tours, wine & dinner nights, cooking
Along with their online store, Texas Hill
Manager of Texas Hill Country Olive Oil
classes and a 6,000 sq. ft. tasting room that
Country Olive Oil Company offers an adoption
Company, said. “Some of our sales team has
features 40 select Texas wines for tasting and
package. You can adopt a tree ($150 per year)
been hired along the way, but I think of them
all of their delicious EVOO and other creations.
and receive olive oil with one of eight labels of
“I am a big supporter of everything Texas
your choice. Although you are only adopting
The process of making EVOO begins by picking
and our tasting room isn't just a display point
one tree, the olive oil you receive will be a blend
the olives from the trees and harvesting them by
for our products, but rather a place where the
of several olives from various trees. Texas Hill
as family too.”
hand. They are then sorted and sliced into a paste,
best parts of Texas can come together for our
Country Olive Oils are also available at several
mixed to help the particles of oil glue together
community to enjoy,” Sean said. “Every weekend
wineries, Neiman Marcus, Monument Cafe, Salt
and then spun at a high speed to separate the oil
we change out the wines that we are sampling
Lick and numerous farmers markets around
from the waste. It is then filtered to remove any
so you always get something different. We are
Texas.
fine pit or skin particles that may have been left
extremely partial to our best friend/neighbors
“Come on out to the farm,” Sean said. “We
in the oil. You can eat EVOO without filtering it.
Westcave Winery and Bell Springs Winery, so
would love to show you our little piece of
Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company has one
their wines stay in our rotation every weekend,
heaven.” ALM
JOIN TEXAS HILL COUNTRY OLIVE OIL COMPANY for their Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt, April 8 at 12:30pm, benefiting Helping Hands of Dripping Springs. They suggest a $5 donation at the gate for the egg hunt and will have a few thousand eggs scattered throughout their orchard.
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A*List
P R O M OT I O N
THE
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Texas Treasures Located in the Oasis, Texas village on Lake Travis, Texas Treasures features art & furnishings with a Western flair. Yet, the collection abounds beyond western for those with a taste for eclectic, contemporary, or antiques. Visit us daily from noon until sunset; by appointment on Monday and Tuesday. 6550 Comanche Trail Austin, TX 78732 512-266-3381 texastreasuresaustin.com
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15
THE A * LIFE NEW BIZ BUZZ BY D A N I E L R A M I R E Z
Brew Exchange
Hickory Street
Bull Or Bear, There’s Beer It is a concept long overdue, considering the economy and its various dramatic swings. Basing price points on real time demand, Brew Exchange opened its doors this February, ringing the “opening bell” on a new era in beverage retail that could eventually spread to the rest of Austin’s night life. Imagine the classic scene of stock tickers and frantic bidding that once dominated the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Now, dream that there’s no negative impact to the wild roller coaster of changing prices and add the energy of a fun night on the town. Part innovative economic scheme and part entertainment, the concept was born when the founders of the Exchange combined simple market economics with the extremely competitive bar market in Austin’s West Sixth district. The bar, complete with electronic ticker that harkens of New York City’s impressive displays, charges a starting rate for one of its countless beers (at last count, there were over 70 taps on offer), and then applies an algorithm and higher math to the price fluctuations, incrementally raising the price on brews in high demand and dropping the cost of competitive beers, thus potentially driving demand for other taps or capitalizing on the popularity of certain beverages. Of course, since there are good times and alcohol combined, the owners have placed some guidelines on the cost of beer, creating a top price and a lowest possible cost for each pour that even supply and demand economics cannot circumvent. After bearing the swings of a tumultuous economy, you just might appreciate its effect on West Sixth.
An Austin Tradition Is Reborn After some years of descending into disrepair, the owners of Congress Avenue mainstay, Hickory Street, decided to close their doors and end their years of lunch and dinner offerings made convenient to downtown eaters. With them, they took a rich history of mealtime deals and openair dining along one of the most storied streets in Austin. Leave it to the innovators who brought us Third Base to pick up the baton and keep the Austin institution running. A makeover that was more than cosmetic freshened the look as well as the ambience of the storied eatery and in late February, the establishment opened once again to keep the tradition alive. Gone is the metal enclosure that darkened the patio, and with it went the dated offerings of salad bar and generic plates. Employing Chef Camden Stuerzenberger, a former architect of culinary innovations at newer Austin icons such as Bess Bistro, the new menu sets forth to be as fresh as the restaurant’s new look. The restaurant is open and serving at nearly all hours of the day, satisfying the downtown crowd’s desire for breakfast through dinner and every happy hour in between. With the chief rule of business - location, location, location - readily addressed, the new Hickory Street is poised for years of success to come.
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Fabricker Fashion Forward With the emergence of a genuine fashion scene in Austin that moves beyond the normal boho-hippie-jeans-and-concert-tee, including the prominence of Austin Fashion Week and SXSW’s StyleX, it was only a matter of time before independent clothiers were given a reprieve from traveling miles east or west to purchase high quality materials to create the runway’s hottest fashions and the trends of tomorrow. Built to compete with either coast, Fabricker moved into Austin in late February, offering precisely what every budding designer, from absolute novice to next year’s model, needs. The proprietors comb through the best offerings at markets that are the envy of the fashion world, such as those of New York or Los Angeles, and bring them home to Texas, where they are offered at more than reasonable prices to every Austinite. As an independent enterprise, Fabricker is not ignorant of the pressure from lowcost outlet fabric stores with their bulk purchases and discount deals. But, in true Austin fashion, they take on the big box retail stores head-on and honor coupons from those establishments, eliminating any excuse for shopping anything but local. Austin can expect that fashion born within the city limits will soon begin rivaling the cultural influence the rest of the town’s exports have had on the world. And, when Austin-born fashion soon commands the world’s attention, the thanks will be due in no small part to Fabricker.
TWO THINGS LAST A LIFETIME
Love IS ONE OF THEM
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THE A * LIFE
Cinema 41: Working to Sustain a Communal Film Culture By Emily R. Pellerin
It is pretty apparent, against the backdrop of a world cluttered with contemporary mainstream media, that Austin is a societal refuge for artistic, inspired and impassioned culture. Austinites are urban, informed citizens of a community that accommodates their inquiry, trendiness and exploration. Standing out amid those organizations that lend to such an environment… we introduce Cinema41. Cinema41 is a program that hosts bi-monthly film screenings at the Salvage Vanguard Theater. Each month, the programmers develop a theme and then choose two independent, generally under-appreciated films to screen. Themes are of a very conscious nature, such as “Social Revolt Through Documentary,” whose month contributed the two films The Fall of the I-Hotel and The Weather Underground. Both were documentaries by sheer happenstance, as usually the selections from film to film vary in genre, period and language. Following each and every screening, Cinema41 hosts a special guest in the form of either a professorial or intellectual perspective on the work, an actor’s tale-telling of their involvement, a Q and A session with era-savvy experts or even a Skype conversation with a director or producer and the audience. These supplementary guests of honor “help contextualize the films for a general audience and have them take away something from the screenings,” says Cinema41’s Executive Director Ryan Darbonne. The intimacy of the space plays a humbling role in these interactions,
18 austinlifestylemagazine.com
granting the moviegoers an opportunity to drive the post-film conversation with questions and comments. The space that is so perfectly partnered with Cinema41 is the Salvage Vanguard Theater. Both establishments orient themselves with a social and cultural morality that fosters the presentation of quality, independent artistic expression. Another perk of the theater that makes it unique is the beverage offerings in its performance space. All movies are BYOB, in addition to the drinks and snacks available for purchase upon entry. The sustenance options are as affordable as the screenings themselves, which are a budget-friendly and mindboggling three dollars a ticket. The cinematic merit of the chosen films keeps with the cre dibilit y of the organization’s intentions . “ I wante d to h e l p r a i s e aw a re n e s s of i n d e p e n d e nt f i l m's im p o r t a n ce in the history of cinema,” says Darbonne. Director of Development Noah Romero seconds support for that goal. “Our mission is to screen overlooked independent films we love and, in doing so, to help foster a communal film culture,” he says. Cinema41 began only last April, and already has found a permanent home in The SVT, been accepted as a nonprofit organization by the Austin Community Foundation and is developing a steadily growing presence in Austin, both in and out of the local cinematic scene. Being a nonprofit, Cinema41 greets sponsorships and donations with open arms. And being a loving, local organization, it is just as generous to the community that provides its support. Financial partnerships, symbiotic sponsorships and contributions are among the offerings that it can provide for those just-as-generous folks. The story behind the name Cinema41 lies in the 1965 concept of the volunteer-run Cinema 40 Film Society. Two University of Texas students dreamed of bringing a greater exposure of the alternative movie scene to Austin. That dream was eventually realized, evidenced by high-profile filmmaker guests that included Jean-Luc Godard and Andy Warhol. In a similar vein, Cinema41 takes the concept of showcasing innovative films for Austin’s receptive audiences. The cinematic milieu that Austinites can presently find as a result of their efforts is further enhanced by the adoption of a socially and culturally sound collective. To learn more about its mission, its upcoming themes and films, and its staff, visit cinema41.com. ALM
Iron Chef America Winner
Chef Kent Rathbun would like to invite you to...
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Find answers to your questions about Love, Career, Money & more.
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DISCOVER YOUR DESTINY Astrology is more than just a horoscope or the question: “What’s your sign?” It’s an ancient art that blazes a trail for your Life’s unfolding. Call (512) 659-5494 or visit fourmoonsastrology.com to schedule your consultation
(by reservation) April 23, 2012 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Austin, TX 78758 (512) 834-4111
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For free horoscopes, articles and tips, visit fourmoonsastrology.com Donna Woodwell, MA austinlifestylemagazine.com
19
A* S T Y LE | FA S H I O N
Spring's in
BLOOM Say goodbye to heavy fabrics & dark colors! Welcome the Texas wildflowers with COLOR!
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This Page (Left) Shirt: Sam + Lavi $110. saksfifthavenue.com Jacket: BCBG $178. saksfifthavenue.com Pants: Lavia $298. saksfifthavenue.com Shoes: Jimmy Choo $750. saksfifthavenue.com Ring: 'blue bling bling' $45. manictrout.com Ring: 'amber bling bling' $35. manictrout.com Earrings: 'Sungazed Hoops' $125. ferrelldesigns.com This Page (Right) Dress: BCBG $298.saksfifthavenue.com Shoes: Jimmy Choo $950. saksfifthavenue.com Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff $395. saksfifthavenue.com Necklace: 'Elysia gimme some lovin' $50. manictrout.com Necklace: 'Solange Fantastic Voyage' $65. manictrout.com Bracelet: 'Inga, you’re my thrill' $45. manictrout.com Opposite Page Dress: BCBG $298. saksfifthavenue.com Sweater: BCBG $178. saksfifthavenue.com Shoes: Prada $720. saksfifthavenue.com Earrings: 'sunburst hoop' $89. ferrelldesigns.com
austinlifestylemagazine.com
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A* S T Y LE | FA S H I O N
Dress: BCBG $198. saksfifthavenue.com Shoes: Prada $720. saksfifthavenue.com Necklace: 'Tree of Life' $385. ferrelldesigns.com Necklace: 'Ada Mutant Jazz' $80. manictrout.com Ring: 'bling bling', $45. manictrout.com
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A* S T Y LE | FA S H I O N
(Left) Shirt: BCBG $188. saksfifthavenue.com Pants: Joe’s Jeans $158. saksfifthavenue.com Scarf: Chan Luu $125. saksfifthavenue.com Shoes: Jimmy Choo $950. saksfifthavenue.com Necklace: 'Emerald Night’s Tree of Life' $325. ferrelldesign.com Ring: 'Pink Bling Bling' $45. manictrout.com Ring: 'Yellow Bling Bling' $35. manictrout.com (Above) Dress: 'Flame' by Beatrice $360. fawnandraven.com Shoes: Gucci $660. saksfifthavenue.com Necklace: 'Coral & Spheres' $325. ferrelldesigns.com
Photographer Maria Bernal, mariabernalphotography.com Stylist Edith Henry, The Campbell Agency, edithhenry.com Makeup/Hair Maris Malone Calderon, marismalonecalderon.com Model Heather Hausman, Kim Dawson Agency Stylist's assistant Holly Jones
austinlifestylemagazine.com
23
T R AV EL
Spring Training And More In Arizona PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT (AND SO SHOULD YOU) BY DANIEL RAMIREZ PHOTOS BY ASHLEY M. HALLIGAN
Y
ou would think Austinites see enough unbearable heat throughout the summer months that one wouldn't suggest vacationing in the desert. It is assumed that there are fairer climates and fewer days above the century mark in other regions, prompting visions of the West Coast, Chicago or the Carolinas. Considering the drought of the past few years, with the rust-colored landscapes and disappearing Lake Austin, you could say we’ve got our own arid plain in the Central Texas area. But, if the picture we carry of the desert is resigned to only those scenes from movies and old Western television series, we are selling the desert woefully short. After all, there must be a reason the “Boys Of Summer” flock there every spring. Central Arizona plays host to the vernal migration of Major League Baseball teams who get ready for the long season to come. They train, practice and recharge around the Phoenix area in places like Glendale, Mesa and Surprise. The climate conditions the players to the sunny
temperatures and bright outdoor days that the summer will bring, all while their home cities may be struggling through the snow or rain that spring typically delivers. Avid baseball fans, as well as the celebrities and associates that Major League Baseball brings in tow, call the area home for a total of six weeks, which means that the amenities on offer have to reflect the lifestyle to which these future Hall Of Famers and their devoted supporters have grown accustomed. Far from the film scenes of sweaty locker rooms and grueling days baking in the sun, Arizona makes an oasis of itself for these weeks, and you can take advantage and be a part of the unique mood that overtakes the region, all while relaxing, recharging and getting ready for your season to come, as well. As prime example of the level of “roughing it” you can expect by heading out to the land of the Sun Devil, the city sports one of the most storied names in luxury accommodations. The Waldorf Astoria calls Phoenix home, operating the historic Arizona Biltmore. Striking in its architecture, which has more than a modicum of Frank Lloyd Wright’s genius strewn throughout the construction, the hotel manages to live in two eras, thanks to Wright’s forward thought in design. At once, it feels as though it has been transported wholesale from a classic 1920s New York avenue, but also as modern as your favorite luxury stay. The walls, ceilings and infinite details all speak of an era long gone by, while never seeming antiquated. Further, the luxury services and activities are anything but Spartan. Offering a distinctive spa to calm you after a hard day in the outfield
austinlifestylemagazine.com
25
T R AV EL
or an easy day on vacation, the Biltmore staff takes their relaxation seriously, mindful of everything that soothes the mind and body, even down to their eco-friendliness. If active relaxation is more your speed, consider another spring training staple for ballplayers and moguls alike by taking in a round of golf at the Biltmore’s affiliate country club, which turns the fantasy landscapes of video golf into realities. Green fairways contrast against reddened soil and blue sky to make for a picturesque tour of the links, whether you’re a weekend pro or a driving range novice. If the Biltmore offers too much metropolitan for your Southwest sensibilities, the Wigwam Resort takes similar amenities and packages them quite differently, with adobe constructions instead of architectural aspirations and with more than a nod to the indigenous culture. The hotel blends into Arizona’s landscape in every aspect, save for the attention and luxury available. Like the Biltmore, the Wigwam Resort caters to the finer tastes of its guests, with similar spa and golf on offer. With these two properties providing an oasis from the desert and the stressors of daily life, your stay in Arizona promises to be anything but dry and arid. When you want to venture beyond the bounds of a resort and find Arizona, there are plenty of unique adventures awaiting. The Desert Botanical Garden is a renowned home for the rare and inspiring foliage that is born from the desert soil. Often providing the most intriguing splash of color to a scorched world, the flora that grows in this garden can be breathtaking and provide a leisurely stroll, alongside some of the best reasons to bring your best camera along and add some impressive shots to your amateur photography portfolio. If, while away for spring training, you miss the comforts of our beloved Live Music Capital Of The World, you can venture to the Musical Instruments Museum, an exhaustive collection of all
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things that make music. Not only does the museum house many iterations of the sound manufacturers we are acutely familiar with, the institution is home to one of the most inspiring places to see a concert. With all attention being paid to acoustics and the way an audience experiences a singer or musician, the MIM theater could rival some of the best venues in Austin for greatest concert-going experience. From new artists on the scene to seasoned professionals, the concerts hosted by the museum are affordable, intimate and worthy of note. When the rigors of a hard day on the links or visiting calming gardens and quiet museums has built up your appetite, Phoenix offers your palate as much of a reprieve as it offers your mind and body. In the event that you still crave a walk and a bit of adventure, visit the Phoenix Public Market, which is a paragon of presentation and the envy of farmer’s markets everywhere. Certainly, there is the usual fare, with local growers peddling the region’s best products and produce. But Phoenix seamlessly combines this presentation with local craft makers, adds a wine bar to the festivities, and what is created is the most leisurely way to spend a day. Since your stay in the area is temporary, you can concentrate on the real gems to be found, perishables of the season that must be consumed soon in your hotel room or on your way to the next Arizona locale. We highly recommend the dates, a healthy and ideal snack for a walking tour. When your stomach clamors for something more substantial, the city does not disappoint. A short drive away, in Scottsdale, lives a restaurant whose playful sensibilities disarm every patron and whose inventive takes on dishes, along with some creatively and humorously titled cocktails, start your meal off with a grin. Brought to you by the same team that delivered NoRTH to the Domain, Culinary Dropout takes the high concept and adds a little lowbrow. You could respectably count your life cheap if you skipped out on
the Pork Belly Cubano sandwich, an almost sinful take on the Latin American classic. Additionally, the 36 Hour Pork Ribs (yes, you read that correctly - 36 hour) engender so much smoky flavor to the diner that it’s almost too much to pair with their Home-Ec Martini, a refreshing combination of strawberries and basil that takes the heat out of any day and the worry out of any mind. Austin favorites Z’Tejas and Roaring Fork call Arizona home, as well, if you’re craving a bit of spice or of home. However, we strongly encourage at least one straying from the beaten path. Fuego Bistro offers more native twists on flavor, incorporating the green chiles and desert spice that popularized Southwestern cooking in the United States and made a career for the likes of Bobby Flay. Order the empanadas and make sure to have the Green Chile Cornbread Casserole as one of your sides. You may need to protect it from any of your fellow diners, as the mix of flavors borders on the divine. Full hearts and full bellies, you can call your vacation a success, based solely on the food, drink, activity and accommodations Phoenix delivers. Of course, it would be a tragedy if all of this activity occurred and didn’t include at least one trip to a ballpark. The Texas Rangers start their bid for another trip to the World Series in Surprise, Arizona, which is just outside of Phoenix proper. It bears mentioning, however, that any game you take in is a particular treat. With low cost of entry, few egos on the diamond and a Minor League feel that adds Major League appeal, the games are always fun. They manage to maintain the purity of baseball, as rookies fight to impress their new teams with their prowess. Every dream for the forthcoming season is alive and encouraged, here in the desert. And, if you should pass this way, spring training for your own life with a mix of relaxation, activity and the refreshment found in an oasis, then Phoenix can offer the same fuel for the coming months to you, as well. ALM
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A Tale of Two Cities Nashville and Austin's Common Threads BY MEGHAN BUTLER
A
s a native Austinite, I’m spoiled by the brilliance of our city’s current renaissance. Its grip now loosens from that of a legendary haven for the opinionated and creative and gives way to the masses who hear the city’s call. Our traditions now find themselves bloated and aggrandized, some barely recognizable. Yet we find the spirit of Old Austin as an homage etched onto the walls and streets of all that’s changed, anchoring us to our past. I cheated on Austin three years ago when I left it for Sub-Canada, or Vermont, as most others call it. One can imagine how much I experienced between arriving in Vermont and leaving it, but that’s neither here nor there. More recently, I hit the road homeward on a profound, solo road trip, where I spent time with friends in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C. and, finally, in Nashville. I fell head over heels in a way I never expected. So much
of Nashville’s Southern-ness delighted my inner ‘belle.’ More importantly, its people captured my heart in a way the Yankees never managed. I venture all over this great country and constantly find myself tripping over an invisible thread tied to all I love about Austin. I find this deeply rooted, Southern love of Austin inspires comparisons in all other cities. This would make perfect sense if imitation, or at the very least resemblance, is the sincerest form of flattery. For the sake of this story, and to avoid repeating every other Nashville account you’ve ever read, I will primarily focus on East Nashville, a hamlet of musical creativity and cultural resurgence. But forgive me should I stray off course to Nashville as You Probably Know It. After all, straying is what travel adventures are all about.
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Stroll the residential streets on any given night and you’ll hear someone practicing their instrument. I have a favorite saxophone house, one with a fiddle and another with a cello. It goes without saying that guitars and their musicians practically line the streets, welcoming you to the ‘hood. Music Row might be first chair to the music business in Nashville, but East Nashville is its own symphony. Add fireflies and porch parties in summer and you’re close to perfection.
EAT WELL OR GO HOME It’s no secret that Austinites like myself love authentic food that exhibits a unique, regional personality. Thus, I love East Nashville’s passion for flavor. These restaurants are privately owned and each wildly different, pleasing any foodie’s palate.
WELCOME TO NASHVEGAS, POPULATION AWESOME. IF YOU LIKE THE DRISKILL: Nashville itself is remarkably compact. As a visitor, you’ll likely remain pretty central and around downtown, minus the odd trip to charming Franklin. I recommend The Hermitage Hotel, the most beautiful and historic hotel in Nashville. It’s just a skip from East Nashville, Music Row, The Gulch and Lower Broadway. Bonus? They’re pet friendly. Good luck finding that option at another landmark hotel outside of Austin. IF YOU LIKE SIXTH STREET: For experiencing the clichéd notion of Nashville, or Nashvegas as I like to call it, Lower Broadway is littered with rhinestone roadkill and severed musical dreams. I admit to hitting the beer bars and enjoying the vocal stylings of mediocre talent singing full-band karaoke to today’s hottest country singles. Some also attempted to rap Eminem. I have zero talent in this arena, so I’m slow to judge, but it all sounds Grammy-worthy after a few watered-down Miller Lites. IF YOU LIKE GRUENE HALL: I found the only genuine local hangout on Lower Broadway at Robert’s Western World, even if the name befits a store for Garth Brooks’ 1990s shirts. Instead, it’s a world-class watering-hole with just enough kitsch and personality to suit and gutsier, more authentic music than its peers. It sets a standard well above the other legendary haunts and connects you to something much bigger than yourself.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE IF YOU LIKE SOCO: My relationships in Nashville drew me to East Nashville. Like SoCo, it’s just across downtown’s main river and is a community in constant evolution. With a splash of the projects, a praise church on every corner and a thriving community of yupsters (yuppie + hipster), East Nashville is a thriving neighborhood hitting its stride. It boasts some of the best restaurants and bars in town. Classic Craftsman and Victorian homes — most restored, others with years of “character” — make up this spunky sanctuary of cool.
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IF YOU LIKE BESS BISTRO: For custom-made or designer cocktails, try Holland House Bar & Refuge. Part speakeasy and part boudoir, it retains a strictly Southern feel that entertains and delights the adventurous drinker and the gourmet-seeking foodie alike. Grab a drink at the bar with Jeremiah and Mike. They’ll take you through the apothecary of house-made tinctures and mixers and excite your liver with a shock of something new, leaving you to wonder why you hadn’t thought of mixing certain flavors before. The bourbon-based Reunion was a favorite. IF YOU LIKE HUT’S HAMBURGERS: Owned by the proprietors of Holland House, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden is the new burger joint in town. With imaginative combos for the carnivore and vegetarian alike, The Pharmacy bookends a relatively manageable burger with fresh, locally-procured bread. The Sprecher root beer on tap is an ideal compliment to an otherwise greasy meal. Come here before or just after you hit the town. IF YOU LIKE SNACK BAR: The Silly Goose is a new(ish) eatery in the Eastland section. The mastermind of inventive chef Roderick Bailey, the Goose has a lively menu full of healthy options in disguise. It features couscous and quinoa, as well as gargantuan salads, sandwiches and main entrees full of imagination. An East Nashville staple, its whimsy and quality capture the hearts of its patrons. The shockingly affordable prices are a bonus. It is BYOB, but be sure to try the creative teas and lemonades. Top off your meal with the housemade ice creams with artistic combinations of flavors that will tap dance on your taste buds.
PACK YOUR EARPLUGS You can’t visit Nashville and avoid live music. If you don’t seek it out, you’ll still trip over it on the sidewalks. Nashville boasts the most talented buskers I’ve ever heard. Music City might be the home of country music, but its burgeoning indie pop, rock, punk and Americana scenes are turning out some of the best tunes you’ve
Take a Hiatus at Hiatus {ON AUSTIN’S WEST FIFTH}
BY ASHLEY M. HALLIGAN
Austin’s certainly no stranger to prestigious retreats. Nearly every downtown block has an esteemed day spa nestled somewhere among its old, stone buildings. Some seep ultra modern flair, while others behold an old world aura — both, though, happily await patrons to spoil and soak away their everyday stresses. Meet Hiatus Spa + Retreat, West 5th Street’s newest installation, as of January — eagerly awaiting clientele-to-be and far surpassing new guests’ expectations. Hiatus is snug between some of Austin’s newest and oldest businesses, amidst the likes of the city’s traditional watering holes (like the Mean-Eyed Cat, Donn’s Depot and El Arroyo) and aside upscale salons and fitness studios (like Blo Blow Dry Bar and Bar Method Exercise Studios). The product of managing partners Sheila Garrison and Kristin Peabody, Hiatus’s philosophy is a good one, and is in perfect alignment with Austin’s principals: “Frequent spa visits are an essential part of a wellness ritual, creating good health and a renewed state of mind. After a morning marathon or a late night in the Live Music Capital of the World, come recharge with us and meditate on our mantra: RELAX. REJUVENATE. REPEAT.” Hiatus greets you with concrete floors and themes of cadet blue, taupe and charcoal — equal parts tranquil, contemporary and poised. And in the relaxation room, mismatched throw pillows are
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tossed about the seating areas, all sharing the same color scheme, but incorporating ruffles (texture) and sequins (pizazz). Here, time seems to pass as gently as a rolling tide, while bundled in the house robes. Then the service(s) begin. Hiatus offers a delightful menu of services featuring their house mani-pedi retreats, massages, facials and body exfoliation. Perhaps my favorite, is the Hiatus Body Wrap — incorporating licorice root, shea butter, clove and cinnamon on cold days, and a blend of rosemary and peppermint when seeking refreshment from relentless summer heat. The spa team at Hiatus is noticeably passionate about the services they provide, and they offer a sense of expertise as well as joviality. Christopher Demers, one of the spa’s Licensed Massage Therapists, prefers the hot stone therapy that the spa is already known for in its original Dallas location (opened in 2007). “Hot stone is thousands of years old. There are records of it being done in China at least 3,000 years ago. And it remains my personal favorite modality. It’s especially satisfying to introduce this medium to someone for the first time; it truly does seem to slow down time, suspend judgment and allow the recipient to simply enjoy being in their body for a while,” he says. As if the aesthetically pleasing environment, knowledgeable staff and undeniably sensual services aren’t enough reason to fall in love with Hiatus, let it also be known that the spa operates under some pretty admirable ‘green’ initiatives. Most admirable, indeed, is using 100% wind-powered energy from Green Mountain Energy and Austin Energy. Enough cannot be said for Hiatus’s concept. Sustainable. Delectable. Beautiful. Take a peak, a gander and a break, and decide for yourself. Visit: 1611 West 5th Street. Call: 512.362.5777. Surf: hiatusspa.com. ALM
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RYANN FORD
A* S T Y LE | B E AU T Y
NEW
AT
Introducing a new tradition Enjoy any Salad, our Famous Pork Chop & the Dessert Trio.
$24.95
Sundays 4PM - 9PM 114 West 7th St. • 512.474.6300 • PerrysSteakhouse.com
A* S T Y LE | B E AU T Y
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A* S T Y LE | B E AU T Y THE FINER THINGS P H O T O S BY C H A R L A W O O D
Shine On
Introducing
RORY PATRICK MCNEILL
BY RORY PATRICK M C NEILL
W
e are the landscape; if we are not taking care of our skin and hair, then all the extras don’t really matter at all. With winter in our dust, it’s time to renew and set habits that bring a spring to our step. This season, I’m recommending the following three ways to keep yourself aglow. Careful now, this might become more of a year-long addiction.
BRUSH IT OFF
TAME YOUR TRESSES
Dry brushing has been practiced for centuries; and next to brushing my pearly whites, it's become my most important bath routine of the day. This fabulous technique, originating in Asia, offers not only the promise of beautiful skin, but health from the inside out. Make it a habit and you’ll notice a mountain of return. With a handful of benefits, how could you resist? Dry brushing cleans the lymphatic system, stimulates circulation, tones muscles and removes dead layers of skin. Ideally done first thing in the morning, start at the soles of your feet brushing vigorously in a circular motion, working your way toward your heart. Use the same technique from the palms of your hands moving in the direction of your chest. Follow with a hot bath or shower. Your entire body is awake with the kind of boost previously reserved for caffeine.
My new go-to combination for miraculous hair restoration: the Mason Pearson brush and Elixer Ultime. These are the indispensable tools for every dressing table. I’ve taken to calling them the sexy sisters, Cadillac of brushes: meet Elixer of the Gods. Boar bristle hairbrushes stimulate the scalp and redistribute oils throughout the hair, giving a lustrous sheen. Elixer Ultime brings nourishment and deep conditioning to the hair while smoothing the hair fiber. To create this potent serum, Kerastase searched the world, harmonizing the most precious oils known to mankind. I love its multi-use capabilities. Try the Elixer before cleansing to remove impurities and deeply nourish, administer it to damp hair for intense conditioning, or add serum as a finishing touch for enhanced shine and frizz-control. Activate the Elixer with the Mason Pearson brush before blow-drying for additional protection and shine. A few tips on selecting a Mason Pearson: for fine to normal hair- choose pure bristle brushes; normal to thick hair requires a mixture of nylon and natural bristles. Now, change your name to smooth operator.
SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN They don’t call it Mecca for nothing. Step off the streets and into this oasis for instant restoration. Here’s a quickie for the record books: the SPRING facial. For dehydrated, dull skin caused by winter weather, this renewing treatment sheds it all away. After you slip into your delicious room, the esthetician of your dreams gives you a quick cleanse. Sonya Dakar’s green tea lactic acid peel is applied removing dead skin cells. The progression is just right, freshness without assault. Ling’s infusion of squalane follows, plumping and hydrating your now dewy complexion. In and out in under 30 minutes and your skin looks miraculously refreshed and smooth. So amazingly fast and transformational that I found myself spending another 30 minutes soaking in the entire experience. One word: luminous.
At the end of the day there’s nothing more essential for health and beauty than good sleep and inner peace. A gratitude practice and the learned ability to be present in all that you do always holds the promise of a gorgeous tomorrow. Ready, set...GLOW. ALM For more beauty tips from Rory McNeill, visit www.roaraustin.com/rory.
(Left) Elixer Ultime, Kerastase. Kerastase.com (Top Right) Facial, Mecca. Meccagymandspa.com (Bottom Right) Dry Brush, Whole Foods. Wholefoodsmarket.com
RORY M CNEILL is an award-winning colorist, owner of ROAR Salon and a tastemaker who has his finger on the pulse of how to live an authentic and enchanted life beautifully. Rory's motto: Why live a mediocre existence when you can live a splendid one filled with the colors, textures, and scents that bring joy? One of the things that Rory possesses in spades is an unique way of pulling together a look whether in how he dresses or how he decorates the space around him. Part of this is a natural eye for vintage and quality pieces, plus his amazing ability to pull off what appears to be effortless style. When Rory isn't in the salon whipping up the best color in town — you can find him taking in the best of Austin, roadtripping to must-see destinations, digging through charity spots in wealthy enclaves in any major city in search of amazing vintage finds, or plotting and planning his next travel adventure with friends. His passion for amazing food, beauty, music, fitness and travel are part of his every day experience. Always on a path toward growth, Rory is currently pursuing his masters color certification in NYC and his teaching certificate in yoga here in Austin. Each month Rory will be sharing tips and insights on how to live life large!
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Featuring Musical Guest when:
where:
April 14, 2012 Saturday. Event
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q 801 Red River
Saturday. Event starts at 5:30pm.
801 Red River Austin, TX 78701
LonestarCrawfishfestivaL.org
T H E A* L IF E | E V EN T S
APR I L APRIL 4
Five X Seven Art Splurge Jones Center arthousetexas.org APRIL 5
Daniel Tosh Bass Concert Hall texasperformingarts.org APRIL 6
Deadeye: Grateful Dead Tribute Stubb's stubbsaustin.com APRIL 10
APRIL 25
The Black Keys Frank Erwin Center uterwincenter.com
M AR CH MARCH 8
Olive Oil 101 Class Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars conolios.com MARCH 9
Rodeo Austin 2012 Travis County Expo Center rodeoaustin.com MARCH 10
Carolyn Wonderland Antone's antones.net
MARCH 22
Red, Hot & Soul Hilton Austin zachtheatre.org
APRIL 27
Eddie Vedder with Glen Hansard Bass Concert Hall texasperformingarts.org APRIL 28
Blue October Stubb’s stubbsaustin.com APRIL 29
KLRU Birthday Celebration Street Party 2nd Street District klru.org
APRIL 23
David Sedaris The Long Center for the Performing Arts austintheatre.org
APRIL 21
The Nobelity Project Artists & Filmmakers Dinner Four Seasons Austin nobelity.org MARCH 26
MARCH 15
APRIL 20
MARCH 26
Pink Martini ACL Live at Moody Theatre acl-live.com
Of Montreal Emo's East emosaustin.com
APRIL 26
Feist Stubb's stubbsaustin.com
APRIL 19
Off-Centered Film Fest Alamo Drafthouse-South Lamar drafthouse.com Heartless Bastards La Zona Rosa lazonarosa.com
M ARCH 14
Filter Magazine Showdown SXSW- Cedar Street Courtyard (Free with RSVP) filtermagazine.com
APRIL 14
27th Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction Four Seasons Austin winefoodfoundation.org
Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Grand Opening Alamo Drafthouse- Slaughter Ln. drafthouse.com
Consequence of Sound's COSIGNS SXSW-Beauty Bar (Free with RSVP) consequenceofsound.net M A R C H 1 5 -1 7 PHOTOS BY DANNY CLINCH & ANNE FISHBEIN
MARCH 20
The Laramie Project Zach Theatre zachtheatre.com
Mary Poppins Bass Concert Hall texasperformingarts.org
APRIL 25
The Black Keys Frank Erwin Center uterwincenter.com
APRIL 22
The 4th Annual Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam 2012 Dell Diamond rkcsj.org APRIL 23
MARCH 31
Austin Beer Festival 2012 Travis County Expo Center theaustinbeerfest.com MARCH 31
55th Annual Zilker Garden Festival Zilker Botanical Gardens zilkergarden.org
David Sedaris The Long Center for the Performing Arts austintheatre.org A P R I L 24
How Do You Get to Sesame Street? Education in America ACL Live At The Moody Theatre klru.org
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SOCIAL GR ACES CENTER STAGE TEXAS & DELL P H O T O S BY J A M E S D E B T H , & R O B E R T G O D W I N
Kids Got Talent Gala & Dell Gala
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Kids Got Talent: 1 Gabriella de la Rosa (3rd place winner). 2 Laura Austin (2nd place winner). 3 April Hudson, Rick Bologna, and Holly Bologna. 4 Rae Srivastava (1 st place winner). 5 Darryl Demps. Dell: 6 Angela and Pierre Filardi. 7 Cord and Anne Shiflet. 8 Bobbi and Mort Topfer. 9 Shanel Vandergriff, Hayden Miller, and Lindsey Sartain.
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SOCIAL GR ACES BEYOND BATTEN P H O T O S BY J O R G E R E Y E S
Date Night with Keith Urban
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1 Susan and Bobby Epstein. 2 Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Cowboys from The University of Texas. 3 Lisa and Ross Jessup. 4 Sabrina Brown and Shannon Janek. 5 June Chandler, Keith Urban, and Mary Frances Schneider. 6 Keith Urban, Charlotte Benson, and Craig Benson. 7 Ben Hanson, Kristen Hanson, Eric Wright, and Suzie Wright.
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IN THE HEART OF AUSTIN’S VIBRANT SOUTH CONGRESS DISTRICT, DISCOVER A NEW WAY TO STAY AT THE THE KIMBER MODERN BOUTIQUE HOTEL.
KIMBERMODERN.COM | 512-912-1046 | 110 THE CIRCLE | AUSTIN TX 78704
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SOCIAL GR ACES CASA OF TRAVIS COUNTY P H O T O S BY A N D R E W D O R E R & C H A D W. A D A M S
20th CASAblanca Gala
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1 A n j i e Fro s t , M ay Le a l , D a n a K a s l i n g , a n d Ch r i s ti a n M eye r. 2 Caroline Freeman, Megan Porter, Nick Porter, Vanessa Williams, and Larry Williams. 3 Amanda Thompson, Tavia Conkling, and Alexis Bagshaw. 4 Debbie Holley and Evan Holley. 5 G Her ver and Brad Hermes. 6 Jessica Nicewarner and Carolyn Nicewarner. 7 Dinka Hadzic, Yamila Harris, and Amy Duran. 8 Dan Byrne and The Honorable Darlene Byrne. 9 Tracy and Matt Hamilton.
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SOCIAL REGISTER
Upcoming Events OUR HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUR SOCIAL CALENDARS
Beth Newill and Emily Keast
CharityLadies GALLERY D
Citizen Generation In 2009, CharityBash was launched to provide Austinites with a fun, affordable and accessible way to be financially philanthropic. CharityBashes occurred every month at a different local hot spot with their $10 entrance donation going to a new nonprofit for each event. Attendees were offered a chance to mingle, partake of goodyfilled swag bags, sample fine food and drink and always enjoy the much needed wind-down after the work day. CharityBashes quickly became the place to be, attracting upwards of 600 patrons. Before long, Alex Winkelman and her team of noble volunteers knew it was time to expand and provide more opportunities to become the new philanthropists. Thus, in May 2011, Citizen Generation was created as the umbrella organization under which CharityBash, CharityLadies and CharityVolunteers operate. The new Citizen Generation programs, also known as their philanthropic experiences, ensure that no matter where one’s interests lie, there is a way for everyone to be philanthropic. One new CG program in particular, CharityLadies, has already created quite a buzz among Austin’s sociable females. CharityLadies Three times a year, CharityLadies brings together Austin’s bright, beautiful, and most charitable women for an intimate gathering. These ladies enjoy bubbly, treats and one another’s company while they hear first hand from a local female entrepreneur. In addition to learning from and supporting the featured businesswoman’s ventures, the CharityLadies also give back as they donate goods at every
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event to benefit a woman-based nonprofit. Using positive support to empower one another is the essence of CharityLadies, something that is often thought lost among modern women. The upcoming CharityLadies event will be held on March 21 from 6:30–8:30pm at Gallery D (436 West 2nd Street), offering women the unique chance to shop after hours while hearing about current merchandise from Austin boutique owners themselves. Attendees are asked to bring a donation from a variety of supplies to benefit Con Mi MADRE. These items include stamps, yoga mats, thumb/ jump drives, Spanish to English translation books and gift cards to Walmart, Target, Costco, H.E.B. or Randalls. Con Mi MADRE is a local nonprofit program created by The Junior League of Austin and the University of Texas to provide support services to junior high and high school Hispanic girls and their mothers to prepare the girls for college. Con Mi MADRE works specifically with girls who show academic promise and would potentially be first-time college graduates. The organization also works to ensure their clients stay in school, partnering with College Forward once the girls graduate from high school. Con Mi MADRE reaches over 700 girls and their mothers each year, working to achieve their mission of increasing the representation of Hispanic girls in post-secondary education. As a result of this group’s efforts, young girls receive the extra support they need to feel confidant in chasing their ambitions and maybe even becoming women entrepreneurs CHARITYLADIES and CharityLadies in Austin one day. March 21 Gallery D citizengeneration.org
A b o u t F e at u r e d E n t r e p r e n e u r s Emily Keast & Beth Newill of Gallery D Organizers are thrilled to be holding the March CharityLadies at one of their featured entrepreneurs’ businesses. Opened in 2009, Gallery D is one of Austin’s freshest boutiques. Located in the 2ND Street District, it not only features each season’s must-have fashions, but owners Emily Keast and Beth Newill incorporate philanthropy into their business model by hosting charity events at the boutique once a month. Keast says she always dreamed of opening her own boutique. After having worked in the fashion and event industries in New York City, she and Newill knew they had the experience to tackle the goal of becoming retail entrepreneurs head-on. Both Keast and Newill offer young woman with similar aspirations the same advice: get hands-on experience by working in different boutiques, and never be afraid to ask questions. The women participate in this process by offering tailored internships at Gallery D to young women looking to get in the business of retail and entrepreneurship. One thing is for certain, these ladies know what they’re doing and are sure to impress the CharityLadies attendees as they offer their styling tips on this season’s trends. CharityLadies is free with RSVP and donation for Con MI MADRE. For more information about attending CharityLadies and to RSVP, visit citizengeneration.org.
SOCIAL REGISTER
33rd Lone Star Classic Golf Tournament LONE STAR PARALYSIS FOUNDATION
For over three decades, Austin, Texas, has been the home of an awe-inspiring event. Known as the Lone Star Classic, this special, charitable event combines comedy, golf, food, celebrities and a great cause: finding a cure for spinal cord paralysis. For the 8th consecutive year, close friend and comedian, Bill Engvall, will host the 33rd annual Lone Star Classic on April 26–27. Bill, a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Show, invites all to show their support for this worthy cause. The Host Emeritus of the Lone Star Classic and President of the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation (LSPF) is none other than Mr. Doug English, former UT and NFL player and a recent inductee to The College Football Hall of Fame. The Lone Star Classic is a two-day event beginning with a kickoff party held at El Arroyo on Thursday night, April 26, a Celebrity Golf Tournament at Onion Creek Golf course on Friday, April 27, followed by a banquet and auction to conclude the festivities at the AT&T Conference Center. In true form, Bill Engvall will perform a comedy show that includes some of the best young comedians in the country. In an effort to raise money to find a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury (SCI), all proceeds of the Lone Star Classic benefit the LSPF, a non-profit organization based in Austin. Each year, over 100 people in Austin suffer spinal cord injuries through everyday activities such as playing football, biking, swimming or driving their car. Many are young, active adults who now face a lifetime of challenges. Through the actions of the LSPF, donors, volunteers, and fellow Central Texans are making a difference in the community. There is a long way to go, but the LSPF can see progress. The foundation funds a variety of SCI research projects research
through The University of Texas, Colorado University, Rutgers University and others. In addition, the LSPF funds recreation and adaptive sports activities like wheelchair basketball, kayaking, tennis and scuba diving; programs that give injured people a chance to be active once again. The LSPF is also very proud to fund equipment and scholarships to the Recovery Center at the University Medical Center at Brackenridge, where progress has been made in improving the lives of those who have suffered spinal cord injuries via therapy and community outreach. This charity is able to fund research, recovery and recreation initiatives by being innovative in its 33 RD LONE STAR CLASSIC fundraising methods, frugal in the April 26–27 administration of the foundation and Onion Creek Golf Course/ creative in the way funding is provided. AT&T Conference Center LSPF is working to continue their growth lonestarparalysis.org and move the clock forward on a cure. New fundraising initiatives are being planned and new research is being sought. The board of the LSPF, its donors, its volunteers and their friends continue to donate time and treasure toward the goal of making paralysis from spinal cord injury into a temporary effect. There are many ways to help the LSPF continue their 33-year tradition of hosting the Lone Star Classic. All are invited to participate by attending any or all of the events, donating items for their silent auction or by volunteering at any of the events. To get connected, please contact Executive Director, Mike Haynes at Mike@lonestarparalysis.org or (512)673-7823. Visit their website (lonestarparalysis.org) for full details about The Lone Star Classic.
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Life is Better Bronze!
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SOCIAL REGISTER
Pony Up for the Movement SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXAS
Join Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) for a bit of unbridled fun and frivolity this spring. SOTX is preparing for its first Triple Crown fundraiser, which rides into town on March 24. Pony Up is the nonprofit organization’s inaugural Polo tournament, with all proceeds from the stylish event benefitting more than 4,500 SOTX athletes in the Central Texas area. Pony Up, chaired by Kelley Clark and Kellie Stafford, will be a traditional Polo match — big hats and all — sure to bring a little glamour to raising awareness and money for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Co-chair Kelley Clark has been dedicated to supporting non-profit PONY UP FOR THE organizations for nearly 20 years. Her MOVEMENT experience includes involvement with March 24 the Make a Wish Foundation, American Austin Polo Club Red Cross, American Cancer Society specialolympicstexas.org/ponyup and Susan G. Komen Foundation, just to name a few. Kelley has also been an active volunteer with the Junior League for more than 15 years. Co-chair Kellie Stafford’s experience also revolves around helping those in need. She spent many years as an investigator for Child Protective Services and has always had a passion for giving back to her community. Kellie’s goal for the Polo tournament is to increase support for SOTX and help spread the word about the organization. Special Olympics Texas is a year-round sports organization that hosts more than 300 annual competitions throughout the state. More than 40,000 athletes compete in 22 different SOTX sporting events, including bowling, bocce, softball, figure skating, tennis, table tennis, aquatics, equestrian, powerlifting, speed skating, cycling, athletics
(track and field), golf, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, sailing, soccer, roller skating, kayaking, triathlon and flag football, which was added to the lineup in 2011. Pony Up will gallop into action March 24 from 11:00am until 5:00pm at the Austin Polo Club, located at 13628 Gregg Manor Road. An equestrian exhibition, featuring a local team of equestrian athletes riding to a medley of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, is scheduled for 1:30pm, followed by local entertainment and a performance by Austin favorite, Jack Ingram. Organizers will announce winners of the inaugural hat contest, raffle and silent auction highest bidder at 4:00pm. General admission tickets are $50 each and VIP tickets are $100 each. VIP admission includes access to the VIP tent, swag bags for the first 50 registrants, preferred parking and covered seating alongside celebrity judges for the hat competition and Jack Ingram performance. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities or to get tickets, call Melissa Matherne (mmatherne@sotx.org) at 512.491.2927 or go to specialolympicstexas.org/ponyup.
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Bobby Deen CHANGES THE RECIPE COMPLETELY W
hen it comes to culinary royalty, it speaks a great deal to your credibility if you happen to be a cook bearing the last name Deen. Couple that with life spent in the South and a partnership with Paula Deen, the queen of the kitchen
herself, and one’s cooking advice might as well be law for at least a tri-county area, if not the nation. Such is the fortunate fate for Bobby Deen, who paid his dues on the same the cast iron skillets and with the same stainless steel will that catapulted his mother to food superstardom. His latest endeavor makes it clear that, although he bears both the culinary authority and the talent that accompany the Deen name, he is not the heir apparent to the decadent Southern cuisine throne — at least, not in the strictest sense. After years in Savannah, working alongside his family, Bobby Deen has taken the age-old traditions of Southern cooking and turned them on their ear by making them healthy. His Cooking Channel show, "Not My Mama’s Meals" is presenting wholesome recipes that still uphold the rich and flavorful style of cooking he has known all his life. Austin Lifestyle Magazine managed a few minutes with the kitchen celebrity.
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Q &AT X BY DANIEL R AMIREZ | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COOKING CHANNEL
Ten years ago, you changed your entire life around, becoming a more healthconscious man. What prompted that decision? It was just the way that I felt. I'm the most fortunate guy in the world. I have an awesome business with my family, with my mother and my brother. We have a great restaurant in Savannah, where we've been at it for twenty years. About ten years into it, I found myself at thirty years-old, kind of soft at about twenty pounds overweight and not feeling great. I decided that I wanted to do something about it. I embraced exercise and was fortunate enough to have met a man who was a college trainer in Savannah and he became my best friend. I would come in to workout after leaving the restaurant and we still joke that when I came in, I would smell like fried chicken and butter beans and sweet tea. When I embraced exercise, I didn't have any intent on changing the way I ate. But if you run or lift, it changes your relationship with food. It changes the way you look at food. So, what can people expect by checking out "Not My Mama’s Meals?" They can expect to find really good everyday ways to put food on the table that is a little bit lighter, a little bit healthier and that you can feel better about feeding your family every day. This is everyday food that we're doing. I live. I eat. I drink and like to have a good time, but it's about balance. We talk about portion control, we talk about easy ways to cut out unnecessary fat and calories that you don't need. As elementary as a lot of this stuff is, a lot of people just don't know or just do things one way. I hope that it's useful and helpful. With some of these recipes, with the fact that we're cutting things out and removing some things entirely, people will probably save some money, too. What has been your most innovative approach for a healthy alternative to a traditional dish you know calls for full-fat, full calorie preparation? My mother does an incredible Red Velvet Cake recipe that my grandmother handed down and we tried to recreate it. The way we cut back the fat and the calories was portion size. We made it a Red Velvet Cupcake. We changed simple things like a recipe calling for three cups of sugar, we decided to try one or one and a half cups. I feel like that's o.k., because my mother has always encouraged me to go exactly by the recipe the first time that you do it, to find what the dish is supposed to be. But, any time after that, you can recreate it and fine tune it to whatever you'd like for it to be. You could go in either direction, you could either make it more decadent or you could try and trim back some of those ingredients that produce unnecessary fat and calories. I was pleasantly surprised when the results were great. What is the food you adore and wouldn't necessarily admit you love in public? I'm really open and honest about the food I love and the things I crave and my major food crush is french fries. I love french fries and I love mayonnaise and I love to have those two together. I try not to do it very often, but that's the thing that's the hardest for me to not have. What does the rest of the year hold for Bobby Deen? I've got another book coming out from Random House at the end of this year. I'm really excited about that, because it's going to go along with the theme of the show. I have a beautiful girlfriend who acts for a living, and I hope and expect that our relationship will continue to grow and flourish. The thing that makes me feel so great is that I'm excited and it's about the unknown. I truly don't know exactly what's in store, but I feel really good and really positive and I'm in as good a space as I've ever been in my life. "Not My Mama’s Meals" airs Wednesdays at 8pm CST on The Cooking Channel. ALM
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THE MANY LAYERS OF
PAT GREEN BY DA N I E L R A M I R E Z
P H OTO G R A P H Y BY TO N Y B A K E R
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Pat Green Is Funny. With a second look at songs that fill him with resigned envy, it was only It isn't exactly what one would expect, when interviewing a musical natural that Green wonder who might cover his songs. For a moment, star of his notoriety, particularly in his home state of Texas. But there the comedian in him takes over, but is soon replaced by the conduct of he is, laughing and joking with reckless abandon. Very little is safe a man who still has heroes. from his sense of humor, even his own career. He quips and jests about “I wish Liberace would have covered ‘Carry On’ or ‘Wave On Wave.’ nearly everything, and his laughter can derail the answer to a question That would have been awesome. Let's go flamboyant and fun,” Green so naturally that one knows it isn't disingenuous. quips. He quickly digresses, “I really don't know the answer. I doubt It manages to make for the most entertaining interview, though it there's anybody who couldn't go iconic in a conversation like that, but can prove challenging when transcribing the encounter. How is one to the reality of it is, if Guy Clark ever covered one of my songs, that would quote a hearty chuckle? How many times can you put the word “ha” into truly mean I was an okay songwriter. Until Guy Clark covers one of my print for an answer that descends into laughter for both interviewer and songs, I'm stuck.” subject? Sadly, there is only so much that can be conveyed in text; and Humility is a rare quality in someone with a high profile, but one that the man's exuberance and infectious demeanor really can't be put into shines bright when he speaks of other artists and taking in live music — words. Luckily, there are pictures to convey just such an expression, a rare practice among touring acts, so filled is their schedule with sound pictures that do their letter best to stop the viewer from jumping to the checks and press impositions. Green bucks the trend and gets to quite conclusion that the infectious and genuine image is in any way staged. a few shows, even with his time in such high demand. In doing so, he Interviewed just after the Grammy awards, Green starts by gleefully finds still more people to inspire him. offering his honest opinion on the evening. “I wasn't invited,” he states “What I've learned from Bob Schnieder, whom I think is the greatest without a hint of bitterness or malice. He punctuates his answer with writer of all time, is re-creation. I go to his shows and I don't tell my laughter, but there's more than just a sense of humor in his words when friends and I don't tell my wife, but I go sit in those shows and I listen to the three-time Grammy nominee quickly adds, “It's never a bitter thing. him re-create the great songs that I've loved from his previous albums It's a win to get invited.” and it just makes me happy. It just makes me happy to listen to him be You get the feeling that there's a depth to the man that even his creative within himself, within the stuff that has made him arguably music can't express. Famous for popular tunes that have become radio the greatest singer/songwriter of a generation. Now, I can take my old mainstays since the early 2000s, it is hard to find a country station that songs and try to make a Motown thing happen. I can take a song and doesn't have “Wave On Wave” or “Three Days” in heavy rotation, even wonder, ‘what would Paul McCartney do here?’” today. He took Texas by storm in the years since he picked up a guitar in For Pat, live music is a wellspring that keeps giving, and he is as much college, carving a path from his hometown in Waco to the country bars a fan of other artists in the singer/songwriter community as he is one of and dance halls in Lubbock, College Station, San Antonio and any city their peers. He confessed his regimen during the interview, admitting, in the Lone Star State that had a place to play music. On a horizon he “I go see Bob as often as I can. Don't tell Bob, because it's a secret. If could scarcely have imagined at the time were the city limits of Austin Petty is within a hundred miles of me, I go see him. I think we all owe and the bright lights of Houston and Dallas. Green has made a career it to ourselves to go see Willie [Nelson] a hundred more times if we can.” and well-respected life by doing what he was all but forced to do by Of course, after all of this time spent building a career, Green has his a family that believed in his talent more than he did himself. But his own legacy of outstanding live music shows to take pride in. The subject success wasn't all a happy accident. matter of a couple of live albums and more than a few stories from places “One time, somebody told me, and I don't even know if this is true, like Gruene Hall, Waterloo Park, Hurricane Harry's and Midnight Rodeo, that thirty percent of all country music bought in the United States is Green's live performance is as vibrant as his laughter. There is rarely bought within the border of Texas. I said, ‘If I could just capture thirty a time when one would see him on stage and it appear that he is doing percent of that market, I would be happy. I would have a job for the rest anything other than having fun and doing what he loves. of my life.’ And that's what I set out to do.” “I love performance. I love making people who want to be happy get One could say that he has done exactly that. From a handful of self- there,” he reiterates. “I'm just not a studio rat. I was never that guy. I love released records in the late 90s, word got around about a new voice in project albums and that's why Songs We Wish We’d Written II makes Texas country; and soon, his career moved him from the fringe of the sense to me. I thought, hey that was fun, let's go in and do it again.” It country music machine, filled with exhaustive touring schedules and would seem hedonistic if one didn't have the man's catalogue of successes. uncertain pay, to firmly within the industry. It should be noted that his Green is incredibly self-aware and never, even over the course of an first real studio album was a partnership with Cory Morrow on a covers interview, loses sight of either how fortunate he is or how many people, project, entitled Songs We Wish We’d Written. The album's title and the places and experiences have brought him to this point. workmanlike effort that it took for Green to make it to that point exposes yet another layer of Pat Green. Pat Green Is An Austinite. Don't be misled by this proclamation. Pat hangs his hat at a home that Pat Green Is Humble. sits a convenient thirteen minutes from the Ballpark in Arlington, which Over a decade since that first studio album, he is now poised to release just happens to be the home of his beloved Texas Rangers. He was born a second volume, with the May 8 arrival of Songs We Wish We’d Written II. in San Antonio, raised in Waco, and went to college in Lubbock. Add
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years of touring and the fact that the production side of his industry has adopted Nashville as its home, Pat should have a decent take on how the fair city of Austin stacks up against other towns. His evaluation does not disappoint. And, as he begins to talk about the places he likes in Austin, his true citizenship becomes clear. “What's the difference between Nashville and Austin? Is ‘everything’ an answer? Nashville is the only place in the world that I know called Music City that doesn't have a cool music venue. I know my answer may be a little bit jaded, but the difference is that.” He goes on in depth about his favorite venues and haunts in Travis County, boldly stating his strong preferences, as well as his knowledge of the music scene in the Live Music Capital Of The World. “Stubb's is the heart's favorite, as far as music venues go. I love the Nutty [Brown Café], because they're going out on a limb. I miss the Backyard, and that's going to piss Tim O'Connor off because he's opened another one, but I miss the old Backyard.” Pat's love of the town doesn't stop at music venues, and his wife has to jumpstart his memory of places he likes to relax in Austin, but, once begun, he all but beams about the town. “We like Woodland. Oh, and Lambert's, what would we do without Lambert's? I got engaged a couple of hours after dinner at Maudie's. It's hard to pick just one spot, because Austin was all of my young life, as far as the coming up. That was where I professionally made myself into me.” Green has continued honing his talent and reinvented himself a few times in the process. He's gotten away from the partying lifestyle that can accompany music industry success, settled down in the Metroplex and welcomed two children into what is now a family home. It's a far cry from the honkytonk bars that often assume that an expletive is his middle name. He's witnessed many changes in both his personal and professional life, which he speaks quite candidly about, giving his take on the music industry, an enterprise that has been forced to change as a result of the internet age. “The business got too fat. You can get too fat. I'm fat. I need to lose weight. But when they were making eleven dollars per record off of retail at the cost of seventy-five cents to make a CD, they were fat. They were really not too worried about anything. But now that they've had to get lean, I think the industry's in a great spot because now it has no choice but to be creative.” His new offering, Songs We Wish We’d Written II, even in its recycling of other tunes, shows off Green's own creative side. He takes on an impressive spectrum of tunes, even venturing toward pop and rock in his address of Collective Soul's “The World I Know.” The song features Ed Roland, the original singer, alongside Pat's unmistakeable voice. It's an interesting turn for the man, but he threatened to go challenge the paradigm further, leaving some things on the cutting room floor. “One that I did record but didn't leave on the album was The Wallflowers' ‘The Difference.’ We recorded it, but it was such a direct and straight up cover. It was too close. I don't want to put a straight up cover on there,” Green admitted. It reveals even further how dedicated he is to his art, as well as how much he appreciates innovation. After eighteen years in the business, Green is, at long last, a seasoned pro. He flashes his wisdom when asked the rock-writer's bread and butter question of whether a certain mood must be embraced to evoke a feeling from a song. His answer is thoughtful and composed, delivered from
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a jovial and honest place, wherein Green pleads, “I hope not. I think I'm pretty creative, I can make all of that [stuff ] up. I think it's funny that people think that all artists are disillusioned, unaware people on the brink of starvation and insanity.” He's a balanced man, able to look objectively at the industry and not be jaded, able to sustain his chosen career without falling prey to the machine. Of course, all of this makes the next layer of Pat Green an eye-opening surprise. Pat Green Is Retiring (Almost). With the cover album already wrapped and off for manufacture and its release on the horizon, it stands to reason that one would inquire about Pat Green's future plans. It seems only natural to ask him what's next, to which he responds with a brazen and bold statement. “ I'm working on the last record I'll ever record as an independent artist and it's going to be the greatest thing I ever did,” Green casually offers. After more than a modicum of silence spills into the conversation in the shockwave of his statement, Green offers a little insight into his decision. “As far as I know, I love the first ten James Taylor albums and I love the first four Sting albums. I just don't want to be the guy who puts out albums because he's bored. I just don't want to do that. That's why this next album is going to be very creative and thought out and slow and painful to make.” It doesn't mean he's hanging his guitars on the wall and collecting stories of how he used to be a Texas music legend. Far from it, he shows no sign of slowing down, still looking toward nights on stage, in front of packed houses and the roar of the masses, calling for their favorite Pat Green tune. Sure, he hopes that some of the new songs from his ‘final’ album make it into the choir of requests screamed at one of his concerts. But, he is neither disheartened nor bitter about the reality of his situation and what all he has to thank for his success. “People love our band because of ‘Wave On Wave,’ because of ‘Carry On’ and ‘Three Days’ and some songs that made it. So, for me to put out another album, there will be the people who say, “That's great — play ‘Wave On Wave.’” He chuckles at this last thought, still as much in love with those songs as he ever was. “Those songs are still meaningful to me. They're great to me” Even still, he's a man reflecting on a storied career and where the road has taken him. The packaging for Songs We Wish We’d Written II is remarkably stripped down and lacks liner notes, which begged the question of their omission. Green is quick to draw his wit from its holster, laughingly offering, “After eighteen years and fourteen records, I think I've thanked everybody who needs thanking.” It's hard to dispute his logic, humor and wisdom; and with the rich layers of his career and personality on clear display, one hopes that everyone soon finds a Pat Green show to attend, so we might all thank him right back. ALM
Pre-Order Your Copy of Songs We Wish We'd Written II at store.patgreen.com CD RELEASE - MAY 8, 2012
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VALERIE GLEASON
I
n my desperate attempt to maintain my last few shreds of sanity throughout the past summer, I would haul my reluctant daughter to the pool with me daily. I live several miles into Williamson County, not in the neutral zone border region near Travis County. It is a conservative stronghold that would reject Glenn Beck as being far too liberal with his fringe lifestyle. And that’s what made it so striking to me when I realized one day that we were swimming in a pool of ink, with no octopi covering their getaway in sight. When you’re in downtown Austin, you see a lot of tattoos, but that’s because it is almost mandatory to have tattoos to enter the downtown area. As you spread out into the hinterlands, the amount of art that you see in every form decreases rapidly. Yet, as I spun my child in a
circle in the shallow end of the suburban pool, I found we were surrounded by various shapes and colors. Some art was old relics of past lives no longer lived, past mistakes that can’t be undone. Some art was brand new, fresh from the needle. The quality spectrum was a broad one, from lone black dolphins on ankles to vibrantly colored sleeves that told stories from shoulder to wrist. It seemed to me in that moment that society was changing. There is not a certain kind of person that is tattooed. Whether it is acceptable or not to get inked is no longer a relevant question in our city. The better questions, if you are interested in learning about the people you see everyday, are the ones about the work that is hidden away, and the tales that are told within the body art.
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DR. AMY WHITE
DR. AMY WHITE Dr. White normally sees thirty patients a day. That’s on a normal day without global pandemics. Once it’s flu season, the pediatric version of hurricane season, the floodgates burst open and the sea of sick children floods in. It takes a very specific blend of compassion and strength to heal the most vulnerable among us, and very few possess it. When Dr. White steps into the patient’s room, she looks every bit of what you would expect a downtown pediatrician to be: young, energetic, professional to a tee, beautiful and blond, exuding warmth with hints of power. But we are more than two dimensional caricatures. Shunning the butcher’s white lab coat, one would see Dr. White dressed smartly in her blouse and slacks. That blouse is a curtain over a canvas. At the dawn of a new millennium, Amy White stood on the sand of the Australian coast and stared out at the waves that would eternally crash towards her. Amy had taken a solo journey across the world, where she would stand upon those waves. It changed something inside her. Certainly, she would return to the world she knew, grow as a professional, become a mother of two, but a part of her would never be the same again, and the ocean would ceaselessly beckon to her. Changes beneath the surface rarely stay buried. They brew and boil and eventually erupt, creating a new landscape. After leaving the beach, the idea for a tattoo was born. Dr. White’s art was not a moment of impulse, but a carefully planned masterpiece that would take five years of consideration and planning to finally materialize. “I didn’t do it in a cool fashion,” she reflects, “I’m so nerdy I researched everything.” You know what’s not nerdy? Body building. You know what else isn’t
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KIM DENNING-KNAPP
nerdy? Knife fighting. Or sword fighting. Or using spears. This isn’t a random list of awesome. This is a woman being a multidimensional human being. The medical field attracts our best and brightest. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that our best and brightest would be connoisseurs of fine arts? It makes some sense that an expert on the human body would be really good at making hers better. But most patients don’t consider any of that. In the time that they’ve spent in her presence, they have sized Amy up and decided they knew who she is. This is what you are able to see about her at a cursory glance. But so much goes missed. “Pediatricians are of thought of being… I don’t want to say too nice to have tattoos…” muses Amy. “I think people see tattoos as being for tough guys--you’re either one or the other, you can’t be both.” Very few will ever see the tattoo in person. The work encompasses the entire right side of Dr. White’s torso. The final incarnation of her five year dream is a fusion of “The Wave” and three hibiscus flowers, the colors of which were chosen by her children. After years of so many questions about expressing her inner self on the surface, the final decision that Amy would grapple with was on whether to make the waves that flow down her side surfable or crashing. Catching sight of her ink is like looking through the window of a private gallery that does not open to the public. “I think it’s beautiful. It’s a work of art that’s with me all the time. It reminds me of things to come and that there is still a lot out there.” Dr. White chose the crashing waves. Yet, while they illustrate the raging surface of the ocean, they are not destructive. There is power and mystery, but Amy had her artist smooth the crests out. “That way they wouldn’t be intimidating to my surfer’s eye.”
VALERIE GLEASON “Uhhhhhhhhhh……..Five.” Valerie Gleason really does have a firm grasp of how many tattoos she has. It’s just that there is a technical issue with the count. One tattoo, on her left shoulder, is actually sixteen different tattoos in one, so depending on the math in place, she can either say five or twenty-one. Valerie is a technical writer for a major high-tech company. No, not that one. Not that one either. Yes, that one. Her job is what happens when an engineer is converted to a writer. If you switch the direction of conversion, the same result will not be obtained. Reference Appendix B. According to Valerie, her job is to “write help documentation for a number of software products that help users to communicate with certain hardware.” I’m pretty sure what that means is that Valerie is a cyborg. Whether she started out that way, like in Terminator, or became that way, like in Robocop, I’m not sure, but there’s no way to explain this expression of technology in human form. Once again the direction of this formula cannot be reversed. See Appendix 1000. In a proper schematic, then, five steps document the current version of Valerie Gleason. Step #1: “I didn’t know they were called tramp stamps at the time…” Valerie of today reflects on the first work. On her eighteenth birthday, high school Valerie wanted to get a tattoo that would not be easily visible, especially to her parents, and had always loved stars. The end result was a piece of art placed on her lower back. One must be fair and admit it is logical in both content and placement, given the parameters. “That’s the only one where I’m like, you should have thought that one through.” Regardless, stars are important, and it is usually invisible without X-Ray glasses. Upon seeing the tattoo two years later, Valerie’s mother stated, “That’s kind of cute…Don’t get any more.” The command did not compute. Step #2: Four leaf clover tattoo. It is a wonder the Irish are not just born with four leaf clover tattoos. Given the DNA double helix in Valerie, she was obligated to get this tattoo eventually, the flexibility in the equation was position in ranking and position on body (ankle). Valerie’s aunts have the four leaf clover tattoos as well, and she liked forming a connection with them by getting her own. The only bug in the program is that she cannot show off the tattoo to her immediate family to show her bond with her extended family. Kinks are still being worked out in the coding. Step #3: The Age of Aquarius. What’s important about this tattoo is not that Valerie is able to let everyone know her sign (this constellation is the sixteen part tattoo in one). What matters here is how the stars aligned, and when they did. “It was my first tattoo done in Austin paid for with my first pay check with my first professional job.” Another clue that Valerie may be a cyborg is that in a time when finding work is a struggle for a lot of people, Valerie left college already employed with her current job, recruited for her writing skills and coveted high-tech knowledge. “My boss asked what I did with my first pay check. She tried to act excited for me, but I could tell…She’s very proper.” Step #4: This is perhaps the most important step of all, the biggest piece of evidence and the piece that completes the puzzle. The fourth tattoo is Robbie the Robot. It is the nexus of Valerie’s universe. “A lot of people think that he is the Tin Man because of his heart. He’s from a robot
that my friend in college used to draw. And he tattooed if for me. Over Christmas break... I borrowed my parents car to get a tattoo they didn’t know about.” This documentation basically covers it all. Step #5: Site under construction. This ink is a work in progress. Currently, the art consists of three daisies. Flowers are loaded with symbolism and significance. They are never just flowers, instead bringing with them their own subtext. In Step #5, the flowers are inspired by the tablecloths on Valerie’s patio furniture. To further clarify, they are a vintage floral pattern, which does change the derivative of the equation.
KIM DENNING-KNAPP When you were a kid you always heard playground stories about this other kid someone once knew that got hurt one day and didn’t come back to school. It becomes a playground legend that eventually grows too fantastical to be true. Of course, the more fantastical a story is, the more likely it is to be believed. When Kim Denning-Knapp was eight years old, she fell off of the monkey bars and fractured two vertebrae at the top of her back, between her shoulder blades. Even at that young age, she knew she was fortunate not to be paralyzed. But it would still be the beginning of a life of tremendous physical pain. Kim’s parents split up at the same time, and layered emotional pain atop the physical. Like the bands of a canyon wall, each layer had its own hue and thickness, documenting the traumas of each era. Kim is a woman of many lives, each one building from the previous form. And while reincarnation is most associated with the Hindu faith, the Bible has Lazarus, and the Mesoamericans embraced Queztalcoatl as a creator of new life from dead bones. In many modern cultures, the symbol for this rebirth is the Phoenix Perhaps the first life ended under those monkey bars. From there many versions would unfold. Drill team. Actress. Writer. Director. Producer. Wife. Teacher. Mother. Nothing ever gets completely replaced, the layers just keep adding up. At twenty-eight, Kim found herself at a crossroads in her life. “I needed to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to be creative but I didn’t know if I had the guts for it.” Then something pushed her off the cliff. Taking several different symbols from various cultures to her tattoo artist, Kim would adopt the icon that would be most representative of her life—her very own Phoenix. It was placed exactly where she had broken her back twenty years before. “When the Phoenix is burned, one era of history ends and a new one is born,” Kim expresses, though the art on her back explains it all. Her relics of pain, her life as an artist, her teaching of history, all encompassed in this image. While hidden from view in her professional life in the high school classroom, it has served her well in her personal life. When she met her husband-to-be at the SXSW film conference, the bird with wings reaching upward helped him to spot her in the crowd. When Kim Denning-Knapp got married, her Phoenix flew proudly in her backless wedding dress. However, as with beauty, meaning belongs to the beholder, and the intended message is not always conveyed. “One time a redneck in South Padre thought that I had the Trans Am symbol on my back,” she humbly admits. ALM
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Through the Forest of Imagination
The LORAX and Beyond BY E M I LY R A E P E L L E R I N
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You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go."
IMAGES TRADEMARKED AND COPYRIGHTED 2012 DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES, L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! On March 2nd, the world will grandly celebrate the posthumous birthday of Theodor Geisel. The man, whose monikers precede him in recognition, has been one of the most influential storytellers to date, capturing the attentions, encouraging the imaginations and heightening the awareness of children and adults alike. Theodor Seuss Geisel is the creative mind known best as Dr. Seuss, known often as Theo LeSieg, and known seldomly, known discreetly as Stroogo Von M. Austin has been blessed with a rooted connection to Dr. Seuss, his art and his ventures. In the 1960s, eco-advocate Lady Bird Johnson’s press secretary Liz Carpenter was bantering with the author at a fortuitous dinner party and unconsciously played liaison to undoubtedly one of the most casually made presidential dealings of the time. Carpenter loosely suggested to then-President Lyndon B. Johnson that Geisel donate the manuscript of one of his most acclaimed children’s books, The Lorax, to the LBJ Library. Johnson promptly requested Geisel’s phone presence and instead of asking the children’s author, proceeded to thank him for donating his entire collection of Lorax drawings to the presidential library. Inevitably startled by the intimacy and decisiveness of his and Johnson’s communications, Geisel could respond with nothing more than, “You’re welcome, Mr. President.” Therein lies the origin story of Austin becoming The Lorax’s permanent home. Hence, the nation’s largest collection of the Dr. Seuss art will be coming to Austin. This exhibit, celebration and historical experience will commence in March at Art on 5th. The local gallery, which has played the role of Texas’ official Dr. Seuss art dealer for many years with a permanent Seuss collection, will undergo a minor transformation to accommodate the extended “Seuss-iety.” The entire 5,000 square foot space will be dedicated to the Art of Dr. Seuss, including exhibit pieces from each of the art collections into which his work has been divided: Illustration Art, the Archive Collection, Unorthodox Taxidermy (which adheres to its nominal ambiguity), Bronze Sculptures, the Big Cat Series and, perhaps most anticipated, the Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. The Secret Art collection contains many works created throughout the lifetime of Dr. Seuss, particularly during his retirement. These unpublished, generally unpublicized works were created for his liking— not on assignment and not for an audience. Developed purely in and for the mind and spirit of Theodor Geisel, sans personas, this collection offers a rare perspective into the mind and life of Geisel as a genuine surrealist artist. The often character-driven scenarios grant the viewer a glimpse into Geisel’s manipulation of the canvas as a statement, whether it be political, social or solely artistic. Other elements of the exhibit will include a retrospective display on the art and life of Theodor Seuss Geisel and a series of educational panels that highlight his art, life and career, particularly referencing unfamiliar works such as those from his professional oeuvre or those from his private collection. The exhibition offers “a fascinating look at who he was, not just from the standpoint of [him being] a children’s literacist,” says Bill Dreyer. As Artist Manager and Curator of The Art of Dr. Seuss, Dreyer is perhaps the most familiar of anyone with Seuss’ produced works. He takes profound joy in the fact that children “will be delighted in the imagery” of the exhibit, drawn in by both the familiarity and
unfamiliarity of this impressively complete collection. The astoundingly perceptive content of the collected pieces, in addition to an outsider’s didactic reflections upon them, will keep adults amused and astounded, spirited back into a halcyon kid-dom amongst the colorful, abstract, Dreyer-described “Seuss-ian sensibility” of it all. The Art of Dr. Seuss “is a collection of Dr. Seuss art that people never realized existed,” says Art on 5th Owner, Joe Sigel. He describes it collectively as an insight into “the grown-up side of Dr. Seuss.” Sigel cites one possible reason for the more recent immersion and coinciding furthered appreciation of Seuss’s less publicized works, finding them perhaps “too strong for the time.” To put it all into context, Seuss produced most of his well-known stories in the years that followed World War II. During and prior to the war, he had begun his journey to his most beloved incarnation, first employed as a political cartoonist, animator and advertising campaign artist. Seuss’s work moved f rom t he commercially successf ul into the somewhat polarizing. The Lorax was first published in 1971, and even amidst that earth-loving era, its passionately eco-friendly title character was received with a measure of controversy. Being a children’s story, some parents, educators and quasi-environmentalist loggers found the tale to be too overtly conscious of the fictionalized ecological goings-on. In the story, the Lorax defends his forested environment from a production enthusiast who uses the resources to their depletion. Years later, amid today’s hyper-eco-aware culture, the message that The Lorax bore in the 1970s rings refreshingly profound. As the Lorax proclaims, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The environmental perspectives that Dr. Seuss’s characters both verbally and pictorially demonstrate are evidence of his genuine passion not just for art and expression, but for the changing world around him. The diversity of Dr. Seuss’s oeuvre will be represented at its finest this March. The show will extend throughout the entire month, offering ample time for all to visit and bear witness to the nostalgia, thought provocation and genius of the man’s work. Still another reason to host the collection in Austin during the month is the coinciding release of The Lorax feature film, formally titled Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. The computer animated, 3-D movie will feature the vocal talents of Danny DeVito as the Lorax, Zac Efron as the young protagonist, and Ed Helms as the tale’s antagonist, the Once-ler. This exhibit will, no doubt, yield a greater appreciation of Seuss as both a career and recreational artist. It promises to draw greater attention to his profound literary merit and will offer a highly unique opportunity to see Theodor Geisel as the graceful social and political commentator that he oh-so-creatively was. ALM
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YOU ARE THE STAR... with Suzanne Court Catering and Events
www.suzannecourt.com 512.762.5447 suzanne@suzannecourt.com
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THE MODERN WOMAN’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM BY C ARLO BLIGH
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hen one first meets Ellie Scarborough face to face, the first thing to draw the eye is the pink lipstick. Whatever judgment may follow that thought, you’re likely wrong. Nobody is defined at a glance, and when a bold style choice is made, you might want to prepare for what is backing the choice up. The pink lipstick is part of Ellie’s bombshell. With her black heels, skin tight jeans, sleek black top, blond hair pulled back, black rimmed glasses and, of course, pink lipstick, Ellie is the Austin hipster’s pin-up dream. The rock on her left ring finger is nothing to scoff at, though. The woman exudes success, and when a woman owns the bombshell persona, the public assumes that the world is your oyster. One look at Ellie and it’s clear that there’s been a lot of crying through whiskey and Dave Matthews songs over a confident woman of this nature. Turns out, we don’t know half the story. Once upon a time, Ellie Scarborough was a newswoman on NBC. You’ve probably seen her before. She was highly successful, rose through the ranks quickly and by 28 was on the air in Houston. She was on-scene for the Olympics in Torino and she stood in the eye of Hurricane Ike while the rest of us in Austin boarded our windows. Life is good at the top. Ellie was in a relationship for one and a half years, to boot. One sudden day, her boyfriend called and told her that they were done. Indeed, he did it by phone. Even Hurricane Ike had more chivalry. Ellie’s heart had been broken, a feeling many of us know. After time went by, she finally had to give up on the idea that the ex would suddenly appear with a bouquet of flowers, admit that he had been horribly wrong and beg for her to take him back. For all the impact her attractiveness makes, the story sounds all too familiar. Ellie started to notice that her friends and family were sick of hearing about the break-up and the lingering pain that went with it. While time heals some wounds, it can also wear away the most steadfast support. At last, she took charge of her own situation and decided that she would find the remedies on her own. In a flash of inspiration, she went into a florist, ordered a bouquet of flowers and addressed a note to her self: “Girl, don’t ever shed another tear over a guy who isn’t sending you these flowers.” This was the defining moment that began the rest of Ellie’s life. Pink Kisses was born. Here is what Pink Kisses is not: it is not about the ex-boyfriend. It is not about getting the ex-boyfriend back. It is not about hearing, “It’s not you. It’s him.” Pink Kisses is about starting life over again, and this time on your own terms. After a woman signs herself up or has a loved one sign her up on Pink Kisses, she begins the Betty Plan. The recipient gets a message that says, “You’ve been kissed.” And the revolution begins. This system is designed
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PINK KISSES , LLC
for a 90 day period — the time that it takes to get over an addiction, a bad habit or a bad relationship. Texts are sent at different times each day. Emails are sent every lunch hour. She becomes a member of Bettyville and new doors are opened to her. Lifestyle changes start to creep in. The woman scorned begins to wash the man out of her hair. Once all that dead weight has been cut away, she can start figuring out who it is she wants to be as an independent woman. From there she can finally confront her self to see what changes need to be made. “The Betty Plan is the heart of what we do,” explains Ellie. “You forget your ex and find your inner self.” Over the course of the Betty plan, the focus is on the key concept that no woman is defined by the man she was with. Rather, she is defined by the woman she wants to be. A woman has graduated from the Betty Plan when she knows, “it’s not about him, it’s about [her] inner bombshell.” Being a bombshell is not about looks or clothes or hair, it’s all about attitude, mindset and lifestyle. Being a bombshell means not living on anyone else’s terms, being daring with your future a nd chasing drea ms, not letting people tell you what you can’t do and recognizing that anything is possible. After meeting with Ellie, it is easy to desperately want to be a bombshell, even for a man who is interviewing her. There is no Pink Kisses for men. Pink Kisses is the result of a deeply personal ordeal that Ellie went through, and she channeled that trauma into a service to support women walking in her heels. She built her company on “experience and intuition,” which means that she does not feel qualified to create the Johnny Plan where bros can get a lifestyle transformation. “I’m always told men recovering from a break-up want strippers and beer, and I’m not gonna get into that business,” she says. Ellie left her heart break and news career behind, moved to Austin, started a booming business that has been featured on Forbes and can wear whatever she wants now. Pink is part of her branding, but also a refection of her own bombshell. As for the rock on her finger, it isn’t a part of her graduated Pink Kisses plan. When Ellie moved to Austin, she was determined to stay single and focus on her business. True to movie cliché, it was in the midst of that mindset that she met someone. As she describes it, “He was more determined to date me than I was determined to stay single.” The Pink Kisses story, which started with a break, ends in modern fairytale fashion. Ellie bids farewell with, “I am proof that you don’t have to settle for less than awesome. Awesome does exist.” And, like all good stories, our lesson is to tirelessly hunt for such an awesome. Discover: pinkkisses.com. ALM
I am proof that you don’t have to settle for less than awesome. Awesome does exist.
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A* TA S T E | S AVO R
Fabi + Rosi A EUROPEAN TREASURE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD BY T YLER GUTHRIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER TUNG
T U C K E D A W AY I N A Q U A I N T N E I G H B O R H O O D O F F L A K E
Fabi + Rosi has found a way to show Austin folks a little piece of Europe, founded by a love of international cuisine; and it just so happens to be quite inviting too. Husband and wife duo Cassie Williamson and Chef Wolfgang Murber opened the restaurant in 2009. Situated in an old west Austin bungalow, it has their heart and soul written all over it — and seemingly in cursive. Romance seeps from every inch of the Fabi + Rosi experience. From the moment you step inside, the charming space affords a sense of comfort, while the friendly staff and first savory bites of thoughtful cuisine enhance the experience. The couple's passion is clear with each innovative detail. Williamson's keen eye for décor shows in Fabi + Rosi's expertly designed space — crystal lights, ivory walls and mounted antlers all blend together to create an old world atmosphere, rich with modern damask patterns on accent walls and cozy white booths. She brings together white leather, black backdrops and beautiful chandeliers A U S T I N B O U L E VA R D,
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hanging o’er table tops. The chandeliers give the intimate space a sparkle, serving as a subtle reminder to simply enjoy. Fabi + Rosi's menu is not pretentious, nor is it over-thought; it's simple, elegant and fresh. Even the simplest salad (our favorite? arugula with overnight tomatoes and fresh Parmesan), will awaken your palate and remind you just how delightful a first course can be. Chef Murber even has a garden and a chicken coop behind the restaurant where he gathers fresh eggs, grows herbs and handpicks vegetables. Although Chef Murber is from Germany, his talent far extends his locally famous schnitzel and spätzle. He didn’t want to get stuck in a box, cooking only German dishes. His influences hail from all over Europe: Italy, France, Germany and Spain. Chef Murber uses a variety of French cooking techniques, learned as a young apprentice. He began his cooking career at the age of sixteen in Germany and then moved to Spain to cook for a prestigious hotel — this is where he discovered fine dining and classic etiquette. He has worked and traveled all over Europe, learning and growing as a chef; though he
is still quite young for such talent. This 29-year-old has the passion Right now, the couple likes to have their hands in everything. They and work ethic of someone who’s been at it for 20 years. like to know what is going on with their restaurant and customers. Chef Murber has chosen his kitchen help wisely, stumbling across Maybe it's part of the European mentality, but Chef Murber is no one man that can keep up with his visions in the kitchen. The Chef sell out. He takes pride in his dishes, all the way down to their de Cuisine, Chris Koeroghlian, is a young, Austin-bred, 23-year-old. presentation on the table. According to Chef Murber, “He is quite the talent.” Koeroghlian has To fairly end an evening at Fabi + Rosi, one must not forgo dessert. allowed for Chef Murber to confidently step out of the kitchen, and There is, of course, the most luscious chocolate mousse in town, as partake in some “front of house” work — conversing with clientele well as a chévre tart with a gingerbread crust. Or if you really want and showing guests his calm, yet passionate self. to go all the way, try the crack pie hooch cream. This FABI + ROSI Chef Murber and Williamson know they were blessed with the salty, sweet, chewy, crunchy concoction will surely end 509 Hearn Street perfect venue for their vision. And that’s why opening another your evening on a high note. You will find yourself saying, (512) 236-0642 restaurant is not something they are rushing into. They described “Just one more bite,” one too many times. fabiandrosi.com both the location and house as, “The perfect fit.” With all of its well-blended elements, from the As for advertising, they wanted to go about it in an old school way: chandeliers to the charcuterie, there really is nothing quite like word of mouth. They want their clientele to come for the experience, Fabi + Rosi in Austin. the ambiance and the food — not just the hype of being a somewhat Fabi + Rosi, located at 509 Hearn Street, is open Monday through new establishment. These will be the returning customers, and both Sunday for dinner. Call 512-236-0642 to reserve your experience. Williamson and Chef Murber want to acquire organic growth for For more information, visit: fabiandrosi.com. ALM the restaurant in that regard.
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“...it is possible to diminish hatred and violence...by accepting the light of someone next to us and passing it along to another.”
ROCKFISH WITH MINI HEIRLOOM TOMATOES RAGOUT, WHITE WINE AND POTATO NEST MAKES 4 SERVINGS
–Robert Faires, The Austin Chronicle 4 6 oz. pieces of rockfish flour to dust 2 pints of mixed mini heirloom tomatoes ½ cup of sliced basil 2 tbsp of minced garlic 2 tbsp of diced shallots 1 cup of white wine 2 oz. of butter cut into cubes 2 medium-sized yellow potatoes salt pepper olive oil
FOR THE ROCKFISH Pat Rockfish dry using a paper towel, salt and pepper fish on both sides and roll in flour. Shake off remaining flour so the fish is coated thinly. Heat up a cast iron pan and add 2-3 tbsp of olive oil, sear fish on both sides until lightly colored and then place pan in oven at 380 °F for about 7 min, or until the fish starts to flake apart when pressure is applied with thumb and index finger. FOR THE TOMATOES Heat up a saucepan add 2-3 tbsp of olive oil, add the garlic and shallots and let caramelize lightly, add the cherry tomatoes and sauté for about 30 seconds then deglaze with white wine, let simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, turn of the heat and add butter and let emulsify by stirring slowly. FOR THE POTATO NEST Cut potatoes in 2 inch long juilienne and submerge in water using a bowl or jar and let sit for 15 minutes to lose some of the starch, heat vegetable oil to 380°F using a pot or fryer. Take potatoes out of the water, squeeze water out and dry with the help of a kitchen towel. Finally, fry potatoes until golden brown, remove from the oil let drain on a paper towel and lightly salt them. TO ASSEMBLE Place the tomato ragout in the middle of a dining plate leaving some sauce left over. Place fish onto and garnish with the potato nest on top, drizzle some of the remaining sauce around.
Jaston Williams. Photo: KirkTuck.com
Part I and Part II: 10 Years Later Two Plays. One inspiring theatrical experience. Written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti,
Andy Paris and Stephen Belber
Directed by Dave Steakley
Jaston Williams stars in the deeply moving Matthew Shepard story from the American heartland. Laramie, Wyoming is revisited in a two play landmark event that is surprising, life-altering and unforgettable.
Opens March 20 on ZACH’s intimate Kleberg Stage
TICKETS START AT JUST $25
zachtheatre.org • 512-476-0541 x1 Join the conversation @zachtheatre.org
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Located at Riverside and S Lamar. Construction on ZACH’s new Topfer Theatre is underway! Arrive early for parking. Bar opens one-hour before show.
A* S T Y LE | TO N G U E-I N-CH EEK
Go Cougars!
What's Really in a Name?
BY BRIAN KIDDER
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hen one thinks of popula r high school a nd colleg iate ma scot s, t hey tend fa l l i nto one of t wo categ or ies: popula r a nd un ique. The decision a s to what ma scot should represent a new school is a n impor ta nt one indeed, especia lly in today ’s polit ica lly-cor rect climate. Should a new school select a unique ma scot, (e.g. Ita sca Wampus Cats, South Carolina Game Cocks) it runs the risk of being jeered, or of people being forced to G oogle it to f i nd it s mea n i ng . Cho os e a com mon , wel l-wor n m a s cot , a n d t h e y c ou ld b e s e e n a s bl a nd a nd u nd i s t i n g u i sh e d . Un ique is risk y. Com mon is sa fe.
Some schools tr y a hybrid approach. The Rutgers ‘Scarlet’ Knights must somehow have seemed better than being just t he K n ig ht s. I mea n , a f ter a l l, a red k n ig ht is def i n itely more intimidating than a silver one. A nd who would cower at a reg ula r dev il when they ’ve been conf ronted by a Duke Blue Dev il? There a re a lso insta nces of seemingly deliberate confusion. There's the hybridized common animal, coupled with a nother common one (e.g. Auburn Wa r Eagle/Tigers). There's even t he live mascot which has not hing to do w it h t he cla imed ma scot (e.g. Texa s A&M Ag g ies w it h t ra ined collie...no buzz cut?). Which is it? If you were i ncl i ned to pu l l f rom t he u n ique side, you m ight r un into opposit ion f rom polit ica l g roups, too. A ll of t he Native-A merica n-t hemed slots a re ta ken, a nd t hose t hat ex ist a re u nder pressu re to cha nge t hei r ma scot s. I doubt t here w ill be a ny more Redsk ins a ny t ime soon. A nd s o it wa s , t h at we fou nd ou r s elve s g a spi ng a s we heard that Draper, Utah’s new Corner Canyon High School, in seek ing to play it sa fe by adopt ing t he popula r Couga r (e.g. BY U, Washing ton State, Hill Countr y Middle School) a s it s m a s cot , h a d a c t u a l l y br e a c he d a s of t s p ot i n t he A mer ic a n l i ne , a nd , i n t he opi n ion of t he s cho ol b oa rd , cou ld ea si ly h ave of fende d “ m idd le -a g e d women ,” w it h such a na me. Upon hea r i ng such news , one i s d raw n to a sk onesel f, “ Wh i skey, Ta ng o, Fox t rot? ” A nd to a n s wer oneself, “Jeez, lighten t he hell up!” I re c a l l t he t er m Cou g a r f i r s t b ei ng u s e d t o de s c r i b e women of a cer t a i n a g e , m a r it a l s t at u s , si z e of d ivorce s e t t le m e nt , s t a t e o f s u r g ic a l e n h a n c e m e nt a nd a n a g e pr e f e r e n c e i n m e n a b o ut 10 y e a r s a g o . We ’ v e a l l s e e n t hem. A nd we k now which establish ments a re k now n for conta in ing t hem. Hell, odds a re some of ‘us’ a re t hem. Couga rs a re people too. A nd most of t hem a re nice people. Why on ea r t h would t hey be of fended at a school’s ma scot being t he Couga r? The fact is, ‘ t hey ’ were most likely not of fended . More l i kely, some ‘m idd le -a ged’ ma le t houg ht t hey m ight get of fended, a nd/or had his ow n idea in m ind f o r t h e m a s c o t , a n d t h o u g ht t h a t m i g ht m a ke a ‘g o o d ’ r e a s on f or sho ot i n g it dow n . P r o t ip: Th i s i s w r on g . It did not. I h a v e c o n d u c t e d m y o w n , c o m pl e t e l y u n s c i e n t i f i c , tota lly infor ma l poll of Couga r in Aust in, a nd concluded t hat most wou ld love to have a h ig h school na med a f ter t hem- -a nd t h at a lt hou g h t he y do cl a i m a lo c a l m idd le s c h o o l a l r e a d y, t h e y h a v e m u c h h i g h e r a m b i t i o n s . Ju s t a g la nce at a ny of Au s t i n’s Cou g a r h au nt s (I c a n’t ment ion a ny n a mes , but t hey rhy me w it h Sh r u h Sh rove a nd Schmeiner Sma nch Smea k Smouse a nd t he ba r at t he Sh nou r Sh nea s on s) re vea l s not t he ea si ly- of f ende d creat u res por t rayed by t he Cor ner Ca nyon H ig h Scho ol fol k s , but i n f ac t , a g roup of u ndeter re d , con f ident a nd focused women who unapologet ica lly get what t hey wa nt — a nd of ten. God bless ‘em. Go Cougars!!!
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A* TA S T E | ACCI D EN TA L EPI CU R E A N
The Most Important Meal Of The Weekends BY DANIEL RAMIREZ
Every Saturday, as we wake to greet the social media world, Austin Lifestyle Magazine polls its readers and followers (find us on Facebook and Twitter!) with the question that’s the first on our minds. Namely, where should we go for brunch? Given the wealth of options in town, we’ve managed to find the best amongst them, either for value, overall taste and ambience or sheer inventiveness. Wake up and join us at one of the following purveyors of eggs, bacon and all things brunch.
The Colonials knew how to do brunch. After many years of practice, they perfected the offerings, portion size and accompaniment. When the Brits settled in North America, they brought the refined brunch along. This storied past explains why Haddington’s, with its Colonial heritage, does such a great job of making any morning after feel like the best start to a new day. Take the featured truffled egg spread above, for example. Prepared for both presentation and sublime taste, the basic combination of toast, egg HADDINGTON’S and truffle oil makes a mockery of scrambles 601 West 6th and shames bagels with cream cheese. If round (512) 992-0204 haddingtonsrestaurant.com bread is your preference, however, you should investigate the Pretzel Bread Egg Sandwich, which combines eggs and bacon with a jalapeño jelly that should be on shelves in the grocery store. Presented on a cutting board with ample fries, it defines the proper breakfast sandwich. We would be remiss to not mention the Bloody Mary, only offered on weekends, which is made with all fresh ingredients. There are no mixes here, and my, how it shows! TACOS AND TEQUIL A
If the wait worthy of Franklin Barbecue doesn’t let you know how worthwhile this brunch is, then surely your first trip through Tacos And Tequila’s unique twist on late morning weekend dining surely will. TNT gives their brunch the south-of-the-border treatment, offering a buffet of delights to all who can find a spare table in this new weekend scene. To call it a scene is no exaggeration, as DJ Manolo Black is on hand to spin tunes for the diners. It is almost as though the party never needed to end the night before. The ambience manages to not be overbearing and is always deferential to the
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flavors of pulled pork and carnitas, agua fresca and enchiladas, as well as the ceaseless mimosas that make the TACOS AND TEQUILA day a little brighter. Be sure to venture out of 507 Pressler Street #400 your comfort zone and try the black bean and (512) 436-8226 adobe pie, which is a sweet corn concoction tacos-and-tequila.com that evokes both sweet and savory on the palate. We advise early arrival, not only for large parties, but also so that one might find the best spot for people-watching. OLIVIA
Either we’re cheating or Olivia is. Their brunch menu is filled with dishes that are worthy of the James Beard and Bon Appetit attention that’s been directed to South Lamar over the last few years. Alongside such inventive offerings as shrimp and gouda grits, bratwurst with cabbage or the SOS 2012 (a blackened Kobe beef and egg duo that can leave a diner speechless), there are the brunch basics like the benedict that are executed to perfection. None OLIVIA of the aforementioned offerings is why Olivia’s inclu2043 S. Lamar sion on this list is cheating. No, the ace-in-the-hole (512) 804-2700 that makes this recognition an unfair mention is the olivia-austin.com fried chicken that launched an entirely new venture for the Olivia crew. Lucy’s Fried Chicken, which we fawned about in December, was born from the kitchen at Olivia and the talent of James Holmes, who was undoubtedly helped by the myriad ghosts of Southern kitchens past. We can’t say enough about the fried chicken, nor how well it pairs with Sunday mornings and a bellini. Words will only do the dish so much justice, so take some time this weekend and put our praise to the test. Your weekend will be so much better for it.
PHOTO BY KNOX PHOTOGRAPHICS
HADDINGTON'S
A View from the Sun
Photos by Drew Kolb For more mouth-watering views of SOLEIL, visit www.soleilaustin.com and follow us on www.facebook.com/SoleilLakeTravis as well as on Twitter@the_soleil
Soleil (So-LAY) means ‘sun’ in French.
In Austin, it is an exceptional dining experience in the sun high above Lake Travis. Imagine spending an enchanting evening over cocktails and dinner with stunning views of the Texas Hill Country, or enjoying indoor ambiance like no other in Austin. Experience the passion of Executive Chef David Burton Sanchez, as he delights the palate with a creative, new American Cuisine featuring local ingredients combined with international flavors. As a tradition of fine dining, Chef David insures superior service and a fresh menu set to perfection. Yet, a mood of upscale casual that fits any Austin lifestyle, whether for brunch, lunch or dinner. With an innovative and distinctive cuisine, SOLEIL offers a suite of services and ideas for private parties, intimate weddings, or perfect celebrations.
6550 Comanche Trail • Austin 78732 512/266-0600
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SXSW 2012 Coverage It may be impossible to be fully prepared for all that SXSW brings to the city limits. There are sure to be films, concerts and more parties than could possibly be covered by three people. But, the three brave souls heading into the SXSW2012 fray are ready to bring back as many celebrities, breaking bands and bits of survival advice as minimal sleep will allow for the readers of our website, blog and social media outlets. Drink some coffee and get ready, Austin!
Leave it to the Live Music Capital Of The World to take an organized ten-mile run and make it into a music festival. The inaugural Austin 10/20 happens on April 15, and Austin Lifestyle Magazine will be there to witness twenty bands over the course of ten miles. We aren’t planning to compete for the gold medal, but with so many bands and so little time, we may be sprinting from one stage to the next, with frequent pauses and photo opportunities in between. Stay connected to keep up with all our coverage.
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Alamo Slaughters The Competition Our beloved Alamo Drafthouse just opened their new endeavor, a new concept that will determine the future of Drafthouses to come. We take a look inside the theaters with no tables to crawl under, a stand-alone restaurant attached and a new way to see movies. From the monster who is devouring the marquee to the popcorn devoured within, we’ll take a look at this new daughter of the Alamo family that calls Slaughter Lane its home.
Check out our online photo gallery of events from ALM issue release parties and Austin’s social scene.
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COSM IC C ADE NCE
BY D O N N A WO O DW E L L
HOROSCOPES
March & April Empty inboxes and lazy weekends, remember those? If you can’t, it’s time to reclaim your space and time. This spring, the planets Mercury, Venus and Mars all take turns appearing to backtrack in the sky, bringing us the opportunity to review and revamp every area of our lives. Feisty Mars began his retreat in January and continues until April 14. Ask yourself what gives you energy and what drains it. Improve your diet. Start an exercise routine. Next, communicative Mercury hits reverse March 12 through April 4. Do all those time-saving gadgets really help you, or is it just more distraction? Wash your mental windows. Finally in May social Venus takes her turn, and you’ll turn your editor’s pen toward your Rolodex. Let go and lighten up. It will serve you well the rest of 2012.
ARIES
MAR 21—APR 20
Springtime is usually yours, Aries; you love when life is fresh and new. But there’s a disturbance in the force this year. That unfamiliar sensation is regret and self-doubt. You can’t shine in the world if you don’t believe you deserve it. So give yourself time to grieve and make amends, before you start again.
LEO
VIRGO TAURUS
APR 21—MAY 20
Grab your witchy broom and sweep out the old– time for you to get your groove back. Indulge yourself in a new outfit, a makeover and a pedicure to boot. Looking good will remind you–and everyone else–of the divine being you are.
GEMINI
MAY 21—JUN 21
Have you been wondering just how many engagements you can have on your calendar? Even your PDA screams–enough! The fascinating world will still be there for you to play with after you’ve had a nice break. Clear the decks for a few weeks, and you’ll actually be more productive when you return.
LIBRA
JUN 22—JUL 22
If work is on your mind more than usual, that’s no surprise. You want to nurture the best in all things, but there’s only one of you and so much need. So, get smart. Figure out a way to enable your coworkers to nurture themselves. Then buy yourself some flowers.
NOV 23—DEC 21
It’s official. Three positive expressions are needed to undo the damage of one negative. What more justification do you need to be– yourself?! So sing in traffic, blow bubbles in meetings, play tag with the kids. You know better than anyone that happiness is an inside job. We’re just grateful you’re on the clock.
AUG 23—SEP 22
If you’re an accountant, you’ll be discovering hidden assets. Researcher? Digging up the dirt. Uncovering hidden things is your raison d'être. From the car keys lost in the couch to the occult meanings of the cosmos, it’s all fair game for your inquiring mind. Move over Nancy Drew.
CAPRICORN
DEC 22—JAN 20
Family matters. So does family game night. Or quiet time with a good book. It’s just as important to plan time for these activities as it is for the meeting or finishing the quarterly reports. Pay yourself first, and invest your time in the relationships that matter most–with your loved ones and with yourself.
SEP 23—OCT 22
Go deeper. Casual acquaintances can be fun and entertaining. But if you keep everyone at arm’s length, you’ll never taste true intimacy. Slow down and listen to the undercurrents of your relationships. You may be surprised to discover sunken treasure.
SCORPIO CANCER
SAGITTARIUS
JUL 23—AUG 22
Oh the places you’ll go! That’s all you can think about. The adventure. The intrigue. The stylish luggage. Time to take your entourage on the road. Plan something fabulous. Around the world or around the block, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s off your boring beaten path.
OCT 23—NOV 22
If there’s something you want, the first thing you need to do is make space for it. If just reading that sentence makes your heart sing, you’re overdue for a good slash-and-burn campaign. Divide and conquer is the rule–a little bit every day and in a month or two, you’ll have remade your inner landscape.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21—FEB 19
Move over Sudoku. Feed your brain something new. Pick up a stack of books from aisles you never visit in the bookstore, and bring them back to the café. Have a cup of coffee and expand your horizons. Your life’s challenges may look different once you’ve gained a little perspective.
PISCES
FEB 20—MAR 20
Bookkeeping may not be your thing, but it has to be done. How about doing it with a friend? Make a date for an hour or two of work, then a double-whip mocha reward. It’s more fun than pretending the work will get done by itself. (And you can insert any task you don’t like for “bookkeeping,” and the advice still stands.)
Discover more lunalicious astrology with Donna at fourmoonsastrology.com. austinlifestylemagazine.com
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KEEP AUSTIN
WELL YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL EVERY DAY
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K EEP AUS T IN W ELL
How to Survive — and Even Thrive —
During Grief
BY L I S A TA L E V
AT SOME POINT, LIFE G IVES US MORE THAN WE C AN HANDLE— IF ONLY TO PROVE THAT WE’ RE MUCH S TRONG ER THAN WE THINK .
Ever y t h ing we love w ill leave us one day. Whet her you r emot iona l cha llenge is t he deat h of a relat ionship or t he ac t ua l deat h of a loved one, we a ll need to lea r n how to nav ig ate g r ief in a way t hat ma kes us st ronger. Deat h is just a s much about new beg i n n i ng s a s it is about say i ng good-bye to t he way t h ing s were. In our deat h-fea ring, deat h-deny ing societ y, we’re not prepa red to ha ndle g rief. T wo of t he most power f ul tools f or he a l i n g a r e a s upp or t i ve c om mu n it y a nd ph y s ic a l ple a s u r e . Ye t , i n ou r c u lt u r e t o d ay, t he b er e a ve d t end t o i s ol a t e t h e m s el ve s , n o t w a nt i n g t o b e a bu r de n on f r iend s . Th i s c a n le ave u s fe el i ng a lone , over whel me d , d i s con ne c t e d f rom ou r l ive s a nd prone t o a dd ic t ive or self-dest r uct ive behav ior. When it wa s my t u r n to g r ieve i n 20 08 , I g ot a t r iple wha m my: t he deat h of my fat her, brea k-up of my longest relationship and the death of my cat. Because I was already steeped in a comprehensive self-ca re reg imen, I wa s well prepa red to nav ig ate my most intense emot ions. The a r t of g rief encompa sses being able to experience what you’re f e el i n g i n it s ent i re t y, come up f or a i r, re c h a r g e , g a i n perspect ive — t hen go back t h rough it a ll over aga in. In my ca reer a s a ma ssage t herapist a nd wellness coach, self-ca re must come f irst — it ’s pa r t of t he job descript ion. Not long a f ter I'd f inished g riev ing t he deat h of my dad, I had to face a dif ferent t y pe of g rief: watching my mom’s long st r ug gle t h rough A lzheimer ’s. My self-ca re reg imen ha s become a sor t of spirit ua l pract ice, bring ing me back i nt o t h e pr e s e nt , h elpi n g m e g r ow s t r on g e r a n d e ve n helping me g row happier, despite t he toug her-t ha n- ever cha llenges. I’d love to sha re my t ried & t r ue st rateg ies, so you may nav igate your ow n g rief more ea sily when t he t ime comes:
profound, la st ing shif ts in bra in chem ist r y t hat increa se you r s en s e of emp ower ment . R e ch a r g e you r emot ion a l bat ter y w it h a jog a rou nd t he block or by t a k i ng a yog a cla ss. Have a m in i spa day at t he g y m, let t ing go of your t houg ht s, enjoy i ng you r r u n ner ’s h ig h a nd i ndu lg i ng i n perks like t he sauna a nd hot t ub. 2 . E AT BE T TER THAN YOU E VER HAVE BEFORE
There’s no bet ter t ime to sta r t eat ing hea lt hy t ha n when you r app et ite i s n at u ra l ly low. Eat i ng i s l i fe -a f f i r m i ng , especia lly when you choose foods t hat g ive you st reng t h a nd ment a l c l a r it y. F r e sh pr o duce , or g a n ic me at s a nd hea lt hy fat s ( l i ke nut s a nd avocados) a re l itera l ly bra i n food. Alcohol, sugar and processed foods, while temporarily com for t i ng , lower you r emot ion a l ba s el i ne by c reat i ng chem ica l imba la nces a nd nut rit iona l def iciencies. Eat ing well a lso boosts your im mun it y, so you’re less v ulnerable to illness during st ress. 3. APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE
Th e m o s t p o we r f u l le s s o n f r o m de a t h i s t o l i v e f u l l y wh i le we ’re a l ive. Ta ke a n i nventor y of ever y t h i ng you love: p e ople, place s , ex p er ience s — t hen m a ke t i me for t hose. I k now my dad would be so proud to see me happy a nd successf ul, rat her t ha n defeated a nd depressed a f ter his deat h. 4. M AKE TIME FOR REL A X ATION
Whet her t hat mea n s ma ssa ge a nd ped ic u res, da i ly naps, hot bat h s , mu sic appre ciat ion or phy sica l i nt i m ac y, it ’s important to feed your appetite for pleasure and rela xation on a physica l level. Don’t feel g uilt y about ta k ing brea ks from g rief. You need to rebuild emotional streng th through joy f u l ex p er ience , s o you c a n h a nd le t he nex t wave of sadness when it st rikes. 5. REMEMBER TO L AUG H AND PL AY
Laug hter is t he best medici ne, especia lly a f ter persona l t ra g edy. Play i ng w it h ch i ld ren or pet s , watch i ng f u n ny mov ies, laughing w it h f riends or doing t hing s t hat ma ke you sm i le w i l l r e con ne c t you t o t he joy of b ei n g a l i ve . Creat ive projects a re especia lly t herapeut ic when you’re g r ie v i n g . M a ny a r t i s t s h a ve done t hei r b e s t work a s a hea ling process f rom persona l t ragedy. 6 . BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF
1 . E XERCISE FOR S TRESS RELIEF
Exercise does so much more t ha n cha ng ing how you look. Exercise ca n be a v ita l tool in ba la ncing st ress hor mones a nd g et t i ng you u n-st uck f rom over whel m i ng emot ion s . Ca rdiova scula r exercise, yoga a nd weight t ra in ing create
Grief comes on like the f lu, and can feel just as debilitating. G et t i ng ex t ra rest is cr it ica l to hea l i ng fa ster a nd more completely. Ma ke t ime for naps, just a s you would when you’re sick . You w ill be able to bounce back much fa ster if you budget ex t ra dow n t ime a s of ten a s possible. ALM
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INTERVIEWS WITH REALWORLD SUCCESS STORIES BY L E T Y D U R A N N E T T L E S PHOTOS BY BRIAN FITZSIMMONS
Meet SAM S. , a 34-year-old technolog y sales rep who loves to eat , drin k a nd pa r t y. A nd up unt il seven yea rs ago Sa m was a n active spor tsma n, until a leg injur y a nd subsequent surger y sidelined him. Doctors saved him f rom pa ra lysis but told h im he could no longer do what he loved to do — play spor t s — a nd h is dow nwa rd spira l bega n. AFTER YOUR INJURY THERE WAS NO MORE BASKETBALL , NO MORE WATERSKIING . HOW DID THAT AFFEC T YOU?
It ’s a m a z i n g when you c ut e xer c i s e f r om you r d a i l y rout ine a nd don't cha nge t he diet you’ve had your whole life. My diet mea nt Texa s BBQ, ice-crea m, f r ied ch icken a nd beer. My best weight wa s 215 pounds, but one day t he sca le read 255, a nd I k new it wa sn’t muscle. It f i n a l ly h it home how heav y I ’d g ot t en when I wa s play ing sa nd volleyba ll w it h f riends. I jumped, a nd ended up snapping my lower patella r tendon. I couldn’t wa lk for t wo mont hs. S O I T LO O K E D L I K E YO U W E R E T H RO U G H W I T H S P O R T S FO R
SAM S. AFTER
Body by Frame
SAM S. BEFORE
K EEP AUS T IN W ELL
w it h his f ia ncé a nd be ma r ried at t he ha lf way point . My goa l wa s to r un t he la st m ile w it h t he wedding pa r t y. But I k new I couldn’t put t hat much pressure on my k nee since I weighed 265 pounds. Body by Fra me desig ned a prog ra m for me t hat included nutrition as well as exercise. What I really like is that their whole t ra in ing tea m meets week ly to rev iew my prog ress, combin ing t heir k nowledge, to get me where I need to be. My trainer, Ashley Copley, was ver y encourag ing a nd ca me up with creative routines that worked a round my bad knee. She mot ivated my g roup w it h posit ive com ment s, a nd ha s a ver y mot herly a nd k i nd hea r ted qua l it y w it h ever yone. This wa s exact ly t he t y pe of t ra iner I needed. It wa s a lso a plus t hat we could play techno music during t he workout a nd not be made f un of too much!
GOOD?
Rea lly, I wa s ver y luck y. Just a s I wa s spira ling to a low p oi nt , a g o o d f r iend of m i ne, Ji m Net t les , wa s st a r t i ng B o dy by F r a me . I h a d reje c t e d t he pro sp e c t of u si n g a persona l t ra iner but ag reed — relucta nt ly — to check out one of t heir Sat urday g roup workout s. I wa s ner vous, but mostly embarrassed that I had let myself get so out of shape. A f ter I got t here, I sat in my ca r a rg uing w it h myself about t ur n ing a round a nd leav ing. Then, it daw ned on me t hat my excuse-ma k ing days had to end.
I went to Body by Fra me four t imes a week for 1 2 weeks. In order to reach my goa l, I on ly had to do t h ree t h ing s: ma rk dow n my prog ress, ma rk dow n what I ate a nd listen to A sh ley. A nd t he weight sta r ted com ing of f. By t racking ever y t hing I ate, A shley wa s able to prov ide nut rit iona l feedback on what my ca lories, ca rbs, f iber a nd protei n i nt a ke shou ld be to lose weig ht , a nd what foods were t he best. I listened to her, a nd did what she told me.
SO HOW DID THAT FIRS T WORKOUT GO?
IT SOUNDS LIKE THINGS WENT WELL .
I had a preconceived not ion t hat t ra iners ba rked at you, ca l l i ng you fat t y, t h i ng s l i ke t hat . When I met t he st a f f t hat day, I rea lized t hat I couldn’t be more w rong. It wa s like at tending a big fa mily reunion, but instead of BBQ a nd beer it wa s bur pees a nd sit-ups. I have to adm it , I spent most of t hat workout on my a s s , ex h au ste d . But I k new it wa s a f i r st step i n a ver y long jou r ney to g et hea lt hy aga in, a nd w it h t he people at Body by Fra me w it h me for t he jour ney, I’d be able to accomplish it . That sa me day, I lef t a voicema il for Jim, a nd I decided to sig n up for t heir Tra nsfor mat ion Prog ra m. The tea m at Body by Fra me helped me set goa ls, a nd not just the number kind. One of mine was to be in my brother’s we d d i n g . He w a s t o r u n t h e G r a n d R a pid s M a r a t h o n
I wa s a ble to accompl i sh my g oa l of r u n n i ng t he la s t m i le w it h m y br o t h e r a nd h i s n e w w i f e i n t h e G r a nd R apids Ma rat hon. I went f rom more t ha n 30 percent body fat to 1 2 percent , a nd f rom 265 pounds to 210. I wa s able to accompl i sh a l most ever y g oa l I had for my sel f i n my int roductor y meet ing. The on ly one I did not h it wa s to be able to dun k a ba sketba ll aga in, but I a m on ly inches away. I have a lso set new goa ls for myself to hit in t he next t hree mont h s. I wa nt to get dow n to 197 pou nds, a rou nd eig ht percent body fat a nd get a n eight-pack for sum mer t ime. I know with the help and encouragement of ever yone at Body by Fra me, t hat is exact ly what w ill happen. By t he way, t h at Sat u rday workout t h at I cou ld n’t do before, I consider my end-of-week light workout now!!
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DID YOU S TICK WITH IT ?
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BEING A MOTHER C AN TAKE IT S TOLL , RIG HT ?
Af ter having my third baby at 38 years old, I was sure that I’d never wea r a bik ini aga in, a nd I doubted t hat I would ever even wea r shor ts. I’d ga ined a solid 50 pounds, which is a lot for my 5’2” f ra me, a nd I had cellulite in places t hat I didn’t k now cellulite could appea r. I t r ied to lose t he weight on my ow n for a lit t le wh ile, inspired by 40+ mom s like Ha lle Ber r y, but t hen a rg ued t hat t hose women have tra iners a nd chefs at t heir disposa l so it ’s un rea list ic for me to t h in k I’ll ever look like t hem. Wit h age 40 creeping up on me, I bega n to accept t hat t his wa s t he new me.
ALLISON AFTER
ago. She’d resig ned herself to look ing like a m iddle-aged mom unt il a glimpse of some shoes cha nged her out look.
ALLISON BEFORE
ALLISON is 39 yea rs old a nd had her t h ird child a yea r
The t ra iners a nd sta f f a re so personable, k nowledgeable a nd accept i ng of ever yone. There i s no judg ment a nd I never felt uncomfor table or lost.
SO WHERE DID YOU FIND YOUR INSPIR ATION?
Ca l l me sh a l low, but it revea le d it s el f i n t he for m of a f a bu lou s pa i r of st i let t o s . I saw a pic t u re of Jen n i fer A n iston wea ring t hese shoes t hat I wa nted so bad. I wa s deter m i ne d to put my sel f i n some shor t shor t s to show t hem of f ! A nd so bega n my jour ney.
Well I’ll tell you one t hing I ca n do: I ca n wea r shor t s! I ca n wea r t hem a nd I’m going to wea r t hem w it h my new, fabulous heels. Just watch me!
HOW WA S THE JOURNE Y INTO THE WORLD OF S TILE T TOS
WHAT WERE YOUR RESULT S?
AND SHORT S?
Af ter eight months in the Body by Frame Transformation for Moms Prog ra m, I lost more t ha n 60 pounds, toned my muscles a nd cut my body fat to below ten percent .
It took those stilet tos to f inally ma ke me commit! I'm not a huge f itness buff, but feeling good in my body is extremely i mpor t a nt to me. If I don't feel g ood , t hen I won't have t he conf idence to wea r t hose heels a nd shor t shor ts. So I dug deep, sa id I ca n do t his, I WA NT a nd N EED t h is, so I made t he phone ca ll! I’d have to say t he most cha lleng ing pa r t of my jour ney wa s brea k i ng old ha bit s. I tended to not eat u nt i l I wa s sta r v ing a nd t hen load up on ca rbs — fa st food, crackers, ch ips, pizza , ba sica lly a ll t h ing s convenient. I found t hat I didn’t k now ver y much about nut rit ion a nd sma r t eat ing habits. A l s o, phy sic a l l y, e ver y t h i n g w a s c h a l len g i n g ! E ver y squat , ever y box jump, ever y ket t le bell sw ing a nd bur pee — t hey were a ll a cha llenge, but in t he best way. A LOT OF US ARE GUILT Y OF THAT. HOW DID YOU BRE AK THOSE HABIT S?
Keith and JP, my trainers at Body by Frame, taught me so much about food a nd nut rit ion — wow! There’s lot to k now a nd eat ing right is ea sier t ha n you t h in k. It does require t hought a nd ef for t but once made a pa r t of your rout ine, it ’s no ha rder t ha n driv ing to Taco Bell or m ixing up some m ac-n- che ese. He t aug ht me t he i mpor t a nce of por t ion cont rol a nd sma r ter choices. In life, t here a re some ta st y temptations, but in small doses now and not on a daily basis. I’m more awa re of what goes into my body. A nd wh ile exerc i s e s a re a lway s a ch a l leng e , my t r a i ner s wat che d ever y move I made and t weaked them until I got them right.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU C AN DO NOW THAT YOU COULDN ' T DO BEFORE THE PROG R A M?
W H AT A D V I C E W O U L D Y O U G I V E T O S O M E O N E W H O I S CONSIDERING S TARTING HIS OR HER OWN JOURNE Y ?
My adv ice to a nyone interested in t his prog ra m is to be ready for rea l work. If you wa nt rea l result s, it ta kes rea l work. But you absolutely ca n do t his! Don’t be int imidated by t he exercises, t he sacr if ice, or not wa nt i ng to “ work out nex t to a sk in ny g irl.” We’ve a ll been t here a nd have to sta r t somewhere. Stop list ing your excuses a nd rea sons for put t ing it of f. Body by Fra me is a ter r if ic tea m to be sur rounded by a nd t hey w ill not let you fa il. Believe me, ju s t a s I ’m s u re ever yone who com m it s h i m s el f t o t h i s jou r ney c a n at te s t to, t here were m a ny moment s t h at I wa nted to t h row in t he towel. I wa s ready to order a pizza , open a bot t le of w i ne a nd pa rk my sel f on t he couch for t he week, but Keit h a nd t he Fra me tea m wouldn’t let me! Take a look at yourself in the mirror. Spin around. See the rolls and dimply parts? Do you like them? I didn’t like mine a nd I wa s ready to work for t he cha nges I wa nted to see. I’m proud that I did this and I can’t say enough good things about Body by Fra me for g uiding me t hrough, encourag ing me a nd educat i ng me. If you a re ready to work a nd feel bet ter in your ow n sk in, t hen you a re ready to beg in your own journey. A nd maybe you should f ind something leather or spa rk ly to rewa rd yourself w it h in t he end! ALM
Styles Offered
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Ashiatsu Bar Therapy
introductory rate for 1-hour massage
Swedish Massage Deep Tissue Massage Sports Massage Acupressure Shiatsu Massage Sports Massage Reflexology Massage Pregnancy Massage and Many More!
With 3 Austin Locations www.massageharmony.com
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SOUTH LAMAR (512) 358-9300 BEE CAVES ROAD (512) 306-0900 38 TH STREET (512) 276-2481
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FIGHT COLON CANCER When I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I partnered with Texas Oncology. They’re right down the street, and they’re also part of the largest network of cancer specialists, researchers and treatment centers in the country. That gives me access to the combined wisdom of more than 1,600 oncologists. With their help—and the support of my family—I’m ready for this fight because Texas Oncology is on my side. AUSTIN • CEDAR PARK • KILLEEN • KYLE • MARBLE FALLS • ROUND ROCK • SAN MARCOS • SMITHVILLE
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Ashiatsu Bar Therapy WHEN A NORMAL MASSAGE ISN’T ENOUGH BY C A R LO B L I G H
Fo r a s up p o s e d l y l a id b a c k c i t y, A u s t i n h a s a h i g h percentage of tense people. Some a re tense because t hey don’t have day jobs, so they spend their time body building a nd r u n n i ng. Most a re ten se because t hey have to d r ive on Au s t i n roa dway s du r i n g p ea k hou r s . H a nd s a re not enoug h for t hese ten se people. What we don’t rea l i ze is t he presence of a pa i r of feet , u nder used a nd somewhat under va lued. I use m ine for wa lk ing, but t hat ’s about a ll t hey ’re good at . When I v i sit e d M a s sa g e H a r mony i n We st la ke, I h ad no idea what to expect . It ’s a completely foreig n world. I wa s t here to t r y out t he A sh iat su Ba r Therapy. My best g uess was that I would drink Japa nese cocktails until f ully rela xed a nd at peace w it h t he world . I’ ve done M a r t i n i Ba r Therapy, a nd W i ne Ba r Therapy. A sh iat su , it t u r n s out, is completely unrelated. It essent ia lly t ra nslates f rom Japa nese a s “foot pressure.” My t her api s t , Ta ny a , a you n g Uk r a i n i a n wom a n a nd A sh iat su pract it ioner, g reeted me. A bit shor ter t ha n me, Ta nya had t he body of a n at hlete, lea n a nd muscula r. What wa sn’t obv iou s at a g la nce wa s t h at her pu r ple sl ipper s h id p erh a p s t he mo s t v a lu a ble f e e t i n t he world , s a ve professiona l soccer players. I’m su re t he rates to i n su re t hem compa r e t o t h at of a Fer r a r i . A ye a r a g o, Ta ny a d ropp e d a heav y obje c t on her fo ot , put t i ng her out of commission brief ly. She expla ined t hat she is more ca ref ul now, but t hat she ca n not live w it hout her high heels. A s a beaut if ul Uk ra nia n A sh iat su ba r ma ssage t herapist liv ing in Aust in, she just wa nt s to live a nor ma l life, a nd t he rest of us must hope for t he best . Th e r o o m Ta n y a l e d m e t o w a s f a i rl y n o n d e s c r ip t : ex t remely sma ll a nd quite serene w it h music t hat seemed to f loat in t he a ir, da rk toned wa lls, a bed in t he m iddle, a nd ha ng ing f rom t he ceiling, t wo pa ra llel wooden ba rs. I lay face down on the bed and commit ted to whatever would come. The A sh iat su met hod ha s a devout follow ing of t he super ten se. I n a cit y over f low i ng w it h bi ker s, r u n ner s, a mateur athletes who think they a re professiona l a nd body builders, the collective tension can be buried deep. Tanya’s
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week ly customers need results t hat ca n on ly be ach ieved when she wa lks a ll over t hem. Of course, I a m being overly simplist ic. The tech n ique is fa r more complex t ha n t hat . H a nd s on t he back of my s c a lp a nd n ap e of my ne c k were t he f i r st t h i ng s I felt , a nd t he ex per ience se eme d completely normal. Suddenly, my back felt t wo other points of pressure come dow n a nd beg in to move. T wo ha nds, t wo feet, all working in conjunction on a body of tension. I tried to comprehend t he m a g ic t a k i ng place, a nd h ad v i sion s of Ta nya ha r nessing a higher power to lev itate above me. W hen t he c om bi n a t ion h a d don e a l l t h a t it c ou ld , I hea rd t he crea k of t he t a ble, t he moa n of a wo oden ba r, a nd now t here were just t wo feet sliding up a nd dow n my back. My best g uess is t hat I looked like a huma n Nordic Track. What her feet were act ua lly doing wa s sea rch ing, hunting, feeling for something. A s Ta nya’s feet glided over my most tense reg ions, my back a Google map of st ress hot spots, I a ssumed t hat her feet would slide right on by a nd cont inue t heir jour ney, but a s t hey approached sore a rea s t hey would slow dow n, ma ke a circle, stop a nd t hen press. The feet k new where t he problems were. “Of course I ca n feel it ,” she responded, shocked w it h my a ma zement , her tone revea ling her belief a nd discipline. I wa s s u rely a d i f f ic u lt sp e c i men . I nc re d i ble at h le t e, w r iter i n a v iciou s world of compet i ng med ia , f at her of a t o dd ler. I ’m e s s ent ia l ly f i l le d exclu sively w it h s up er tense muscle. Ta nya’s feet waged a perilous bat t le aga inst me. My r ig id a nd non pl ia ble body wou ld not cooperate w it h her mot ions. Her feet had to do a lot of cajoling a nd conv incing so t hat t hey could do t heir t hing. Later Ta nya would tell me t hat she took it ea sy on me, a s a n in it iate I wa s not yet ready for t he f ull pressure t reat ment . Yet , she had relieved me of ever y bit of tension t hat had building up for yea rs. I ca n feel it creeping back in aga in, a nd now I don’t have to tolerate it. Ta nya cla ims t hat once you have had Ashiatsu, you ca n never go back to one of those normal, hands only massages ever again. For more information, visit massageharmony.com. ALM
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Comprehensive care with a personal touch... • General and Cosmetic Dentistry • Limited Root Canal Treatment • Limited Oral Surgery • Teeth Whitening • Non-surgical Treatment of Periodontal Disease • Safe Metal Removal • Laser Therapies Available
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(512) 443-5813 www.naturaltoothfairy.com We accept Care Credit austinlifestylemagazine.com
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K EEP AUS T IN W ELL WELLNESS DIRECTORY
CANCER TREATMENT Austin Cancer Centers 4 locations in Austin & Georgetown 512.263.5269 AustinCancerCenters.com
DENTISTRY Elizabeth Rayne, DDS 1221 Ben White Blvd., Suite 110A Austin, TX 78704 512.443.5813 NaturalToothFairy.com Moossy General & Cosmetic Dentistry 4200 North Lamar, Suite 145 Austin, TX 78756 (next to Uchiko) 512.459.5437 DrMoossy.com
EATING DISORDER TREATMENT Cedar Springs Austin 4613 Bee Caves Rd., Suite 104 Austin, TX 78746 512.732.2400 CedarSpringsAustin.com
HORMONE REPLACEMENT Eleanor P. Womack, MD 5656 Bee Caves Road, Suite C-103 Austin, TX 78746 512.327.8700 westlakemedicalarts.com
Khouri Law Michael Khouri 4040 Barranca Pkwy, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92604 949.336.2433 KhouriLaw.com
UROLOGY
NEUROSURGERY
Austin Bariatric Clinic, P.A. Amanda Dupont, M.D. 5900 Balcones Drive, Ste. 160 Austin, TX 78731 512.71.9885 austinbariatricclinic.com
Austin Neurosurgical Institute Thomas S. Loftus, M.D. 2200 Park Bend Drive, Bldg. 2, Suite 202 Austin, TX 78758 512-836-0900
Urology Austin 17 Urologists 16 Convenient Locations UrologyAustin.com
WEIGHT LOSS
MEDICAL LAW
SKIN CARE
Body by Frame 6709 Burnet Lane Austin, TX 78757 512.402.2554 bodybyframe.com
Garlo Ward, P.C. 907 RR 620 S, Suite 101 Lakeway, TX 78734 512.302.1103 GarloWard.com
Ruthie Harper, MD 3901 Medical Pkwy, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78756 512.343.9355 RuthieHarper.com
Ruthie Harper, MD 3901 Medical Pkwy, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78756 512.343.9355 RuthieHarper.com
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Suprisingly more than what you’d expect from a dental visit.
4200 North Lamar, Suite 145 (next to Uchiko) 512.459.5437 | drmoossy.com
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