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BYO Containers to Fill at Eco-Friendly Co-Op In.gredients

January 6, 2016 by

At In.gredients, grocery shopping is more of an event than an errand. This co-op near Elan East cares as much about Mother Nature as it does the Austin community. To that end, it sources all of its ingredients from local farmers who are practicing sustainable farming, and it operates using eco-friendly approaches.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of In.gredients is its "precycling" program. That starts with you; before you come in, find and wash a few clean plastic or glass containers. Then when you get to the store, weigh and label each container. This is to ensure that the cashier applies the right tare when he or she weighs your grub. Load up each container with whatever you need, from veggies to oatmeal, from eggs to flour. In.gredients has almost everything, but it's not packaged the way you're used to seeing it. This minimum-waste approach to grocery shopping leaves a small footprint on the earth, which is exactly the point.

In.gredients
2610 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 275-6357
in.gredients.com
www.yelp.com/biz/in-gredients-austin

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Sip Local Beer at Black Star Co-Op

December 22, 2015 by

Did you know that Austin is home to the world’s first cooperatively-owned brewpub? Well, it is! Enter Black Star Co-op, a worker-managed brewpub owned by more than 3,000 individuals and organizations that's just about 10 minutes from Elan East.

All of the beers brewed at Black Star Co-op go through extensive taste testing by Black Star’s members. Currently, there are more than six drafts available at Black Star Co-op. Available brews include the Inveterate Dockhand, a chocolate oatmeal porter; the High Esteem, a golden beer; and the Recalcitrant Dockhand, a porter with notes of chocolate and coffee. In addition to brews made exclusively the brewpub, a select number of guest drafts are available, too.

Beyond beer, Black Star Co-op promises local food for all guests. The menu is full of dishes like a local cheese board, fish and chips, fried chicken sandwiches, fried jalapenos, salads, grilled cheese sammies, and barbecue tempeh sandwiches.

Note that Black Star Co-op operates under a no tipping policy, something that guests appreciate!

Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind Drive
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 452-2337
www.blackstar.coop
www.yelp.com/biz/black-star-co-op-pub-and-brewery-austin

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Do Your Holiday Shopping at the Cherrywood Art Fair

December 4, 2015 by

The Cherrywood Art Fair puts the spotlight on handmade items by local artists at a two-day festival that will take place less than one mile from Elan East.

More than 50 artists peddling everything from jewelry and clothing to ceramics and prints will fill the grounds surrounding Maplewood Elementary School and inside the the school from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13.

In addition to craft shopping, the festival promises live music from about a dozen live bands over the course of the two days. Family-friendly activities including a circus-themed show, crafts, face painting, hair braiding, and pet adoptions are scheduled.

A number of Austin’s favorite food trucks will also on hand to fuel crowds up for shopping. Participating food vendors include Juice Austin, Mmmpanadas, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Saigon Le Vendeur.

Admission to the art fair is free, just be prepared to shop ‘til you drop at the festival!

Cherrywood Art Fair
Dec. 12-13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Maplewood Elementary School
3808 Maplewood Ave.
Austin, TX 78722
cherrywoodartfair.org

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Give Back to the Homeless Community at the Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale!

November 23, 2015 by

When you pick up a masterpiece at the Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale, you're not just sprucing up your own apartment, you're also helping someone in need. The yearly sale unfolds not far from Elan East, and all of the proceeds go back to the artists who work at Art from the Streets—a studio open to everyone, including the homeless community.

The art studio opened in the early '90s in an effort to provide a creative space for people in need in Austin, and the homeless community of the city has been creating here ever since. Get a firsthand look at their work at the Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale. From poignant pieces to light-hearted paintings, you'll find an array of artwork at the sale. So no matter your design approach, you should be able to find something that suits.

Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale
Austin Convention Center
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5
500 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701
www.artfromthestreets.org
www.downtownaustin.com/events/art-streets-annual-show-and-sale

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Room Service Vintage is a Treasure Trove of Vintage and Antique Goods

November 18, 2015 by

Do you dream of rummaging through stores to find vintage treasures? If so, add Room Service Vintage to your must-do list. Room Service Vintage is a renowned vintage and antiques store that is located just 10 minutes from Elan East.

Room Service Vintage is truly a throwback-lover’s dream with an entire inventory of treasures around every corner.

Shoppers can browse all sorts of goods, including furniture, clothing, shoes, accessories, small items for the home, records, tapes, jewelry, and toys. Shoppers will be pleased to find everything from high-quality couches and dressers to fancy ties and dresses.

The kitschy exterior can’t be missed — look for a vintage car wash-inspired shiny sign that reads Room Service Vintage.

Shopping idea: Visit Room Service Vintage for a unique gift for someone on your holiday shopping list!

Room Service Vintage
107 E. N Loop Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-1057
roomservicevintage.com
www.yelp.com/biz/room-service-vintage-austin

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Due East Celebrates the City’s Art Scene This Thursday!

November 3, 2015 by

Art aficionados should head to this Thursday’s Due East event, a popular happening that serves as the precursor to the two-weekend-long East Austin Studio Tour, scheduled for Nov. 14-15 and 21-22.

From 7 to 10 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 5, guests get a sneak peek of some of the works by the more than 300 artists who'll be participating in the studio tours later this month while sipping cocktails and noshing food from vendors like Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Austin Eastciders, Lick Ice Cream, and La Condesa.

Guests of this week’s event will also be among the first to check out the EAST group exhibition. Live performances round out the evening along with a silent auction featuring cool takeaways from local businesses.

Tickets are required for entry to Thursday's kickoff event and for the studio tours later this month. Since it's all taking place about two miles from Elan East, it's worth checking out!

Due East Kickoff Event
Thursday, Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m.
1500 E. 4th Street
Austin, TX 78702
east.bigmedium.org/2015_due_east.html

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BBQ Fest: Sample Smoked Meats from Some of Texas’ Best Pitmasters

October 26, 2015 by

Tickets tend to sell out for Texas Monthly Magazine's BBQ Fest, which is happening less than two miles away from Elan East this year. So if you have your heart set on learning more about the art of barbecue, snag your tickets in advance. That's the only way you're guaranteed admission to the festival, which showcases eateries that have earned the honor of appearing on Texas Monthly Magazine's Top 50 BBQ Joints list.

This year, you'll meet Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Harold "Buzzie" Hughes of Buzzie's Bar-B-Q, and Tootsie Tomanetz of Snow's BBQ. They've all been highly rated by the magazine, and they each bring their own brand of barbecue to the food fest. Savor samples of the smoked meats and wash it down with frosty brews while you chat with the pitmasters themselves about the way they prepare their grub.

BBQ Fest
City Terrace at the Long Center for Performing Arts
Nov. 1
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
www.tmbbq.com/events/tmbbq-fest-2015

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Vote For Your Favorite Food Truck At The Texas Trucklandia Fest, October 13-18

October 14, 2015 by

Through Oct. 18, a notable roster of food trucks will park close to Elan East for the Texas Trucklandia Fest, a food truck festival hitting Austin this week.

Billed as the largest food truck mashup in the area, the roving festival allows you to sample bites from the vendors and vote for your favorite food truck or trailer. Be sure to vote — the winning truck will take home $10,000!

More than 45 trucks are participating, including Little Lucy’s, I Love Churros, The Hot Box Diner, Texas Chili Queens, Beef Cake Shop, Pitalicious, Thai Kitchen and Spartan Pizza. To track the trucks, simply download the free app Byte, which will have the latest information on the mobile vendor’s locations, since they'll be driving around all week.

Wristbands are required for those looking to participate. You can purchase a wristband online that will allow you to sample food for three days or you can purchase a wristband that will allow you to sample food for six days.

Will you be feasting on some of the best food truck fare in town?

Texas Trucklandia Fest
Through Oct. 18
www.trailercrawl.com

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Get Ready For Austin’s 2015 Pride Festival!

August 26, 2015 by

It’s that time of year again! The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation is hosting on the city’s Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29, and it’s only three miles away from Elan East. Every year the number of guests and accompanying events grows, and it looks like 2015 may have the biggest celebration yet!

The Pride Festival is the largest LGBTQ fundraising and advocacy event in all of central Texas, and people from around the state and country come to town to celebrate. More than 140 vendor booths from local businesses will be on hand, in addition to some lively entertainment.

The Pride Festival begins at 11 a.m. at Fiesta Gardens, and performers such as singer Martha Wash and others will grace the main stage throughout the day, and DJs will be spinning tunes. The parade will start at 8 p.m. at the state capital, and it’s safe to say that the floats, pageantry, and fun will make for an unforgettable night.

The list of special guests keeps growing, so be sure to check their website for details on the day’s full lineup!

Austin Pride Festival 2015
Saturday, Aug. 22 beginning at 11 a.m.
Edward Rendon, Sr. Park at Festival Beach
2101 Jesse E. Segovia St.
Austin TX, 78702
(512) 468-8113
www.austinpride.org

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