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Austin Zoo: Animal Sanctuary

November 6, 2012 by

Zoos are started for a variety of reasons—usually the animals come first, and a zoo is built to house them and educate the public about their lives. The Austin Zoo, however, was founded for a very different purpose. In 1990, a former goat ranch was purchased and renamed the Good Day Ranch, dedicated to taking in injured or abandoned animals in need of rehabilitation. Over the years, the ranch’s collection of animals has expanded exponentially. Starting out with mainly domestic animals, more and more exotic creatures were added until it was officially renamed the Austin Zoo in 1994. Now it is home to over 300 animals from 100 species, all rescued from or abandoned by their former owners. One of the biggest draws is the pair of Barbary lions, believed to be extinct in the wild, who are being used as a successful breeding family and have sired two cubs.

Austin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736
(512) 288-1490

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What Are Your Favorite Movies Set In Texas?

October 31, 2012 by

Texas has wide open spaces, a laid back attitude. and a unique culture. It has always drawn storytellers in all mediums to the state. Here are just a few of the films that have been set and filmed in the Lone Star State:

Rio Bravo
As gimmicky as the starring lineup of John Wayne, Dean Martin, and Ricky Nelson might seem, Rio Bravo is a classic Western with heart, humor and, of course, some killer musical interludes.

The Last Picture Show
This stark and beautiful film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry. The film follows the coming of age of a young ensemble cast in a 1950s Texas town.

Blood Simple
The Coen brothers’ neo-noir about a Texas bartender sending a PI after his wife has so many twists and turns you won’t be sure what the truth is by the end. The Coens always seem to return to this genre, and their stellar first outing may explain why.

Smokey and the Bandit
Nothing personifies the Texas spirit like the lure of the open road. In Smokey and the Bandit, Jackie Gleason is in hot pursuit! This romp is a heck of a lot of fun as Burt Reynolds leads Smokey through what seems like most of the state.

Paris, Texas
Considered one of Wim Wenders’s masterpieces, this slow and meditative film captures the state of mind of a man who wanders out of the Texas desert not sure where or how he has spent the last 5 years. It's a film that rewards patient viewing.

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Big Patties: Five Unique Hamburger Ideas

October 23, 2012 by

The humble hamburger is a great go-to meal, especially when you don’t have a lot of time. But with a few simple ingredients, you can elevate the fast food staple into something truly special. Here are five ways to make your burger a little better.

Make a patty out of ground turkey and mix it with a little dill. Stuff the middle with a chunk of Brie cheese and grill until the meat is cooked and the cheese melts. Serve on a roll with pickles and lettuce.

Mix Chinese five-spice powder into your ground beef to give it a rich, complex flavor. Once the patty has cooked, glaze the top with a soy ginger sauce and serve with cilantro, cabbage and pickled carrots.

Make a Chicago-style hot dog burger by topping a traditional patty with sweet relish, chopped white onions and hot peppers. A little ketchup and mustard will bring this one over the top.

For a classic French bistro take on the hamburger, gently caramelize onions in a pan and ladle them generously over the cooked burger along with a slice of Gouda cheese and crisp, thick-cut bacon. Serve on a buttery brioche roll.

To give your burgers a special kick, mix in adobo seasoning, red onion and finely grated lime peels into your ground beef. Grill ears of corn until kernels are just cooked, strip the kernels off and mix them with queso fresco and a little bit of mayonnaise to top the burgers.

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J Mueller BBQ: Hit The Pit

October 16, 2012 by

Texas is one of the country’s big destinations for barbecue, with a beef-centric menu and some serious slow-cooked flavor. The Hill Country is rife with barbecue joints, but locals will almost unanimously recommend J Mueller in Austin. Owner John Mueller hails from a barbecue dynasty in Taylor, Texas – his grandfather Louie’s restaurant is internationally known as one of the temples of Texas ‘cue. It took a lot for John to set out on his own, but he quickly found success in Austin. His business has had some ups and downs since then, but since opening the new location in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, things have been looking up for Mueller. And for good reason – this is incredible barbecue, perfectly tender and flavorful. The brisket here is the meal of choice, and it’s done up as well as you can possibly do it. Beef ribs and sausage are also quite good. Note that this place has become a little more popular since it was profiled on Anthony Bourdain’s TV show.

J Mueller BBQ
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 229-7366
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jmueller-bbq-austin

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Violet Crown Cinema: King Of Film

October 9, 2012 by

One of Austin’s oldest nicknames is “The City Of The Violet Crown,” and that unlikely moniker gives this exceptional independent movie theater its name. Austin has long been known as a city that fiercely supports the arts, and the Violet Crown Cinema is one of the city’s best places to catch independent, foreign and documentary films on their first run. And they offer a number of amenities to make seeing movies here even more pleasant. Most interesting is reserved seating for every show – when you buy your ticket, you can pick your seat. Buy early enough and you can snag the super-comfortable front row seats. Prices are on par with other city theaters, and the concession stand is excellent. In addition to the typical popcorn and soda, the café features some truly awesome food, including the ginger pork tapas and some really good paninis. They also have a full cocktail bar with a top-notch beer and wine selection.

Violet Crown Cinema
434 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 495-9600
http://www.yelp.com/biz/violet-crown-cinema-austin

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El Mesón: Savor Exceptional Mexican Cuisine

September 25, 2012 by

With an accessible menu of authentic and traditional Mexican dishes, El Mesón is a great spot to dine out without breaking the bank. The food here is as authentic as it comes, with many of the dishes springing from old family recipes. Incredible incarnations of classic Mexican dishes like moles and fajitas are lovingly prepared and sent out in very filling portions. If you're coming in hungry, make sure that you start out with some chips and the unbelievable guacamole. Of course, any regular will also tell you that El Mesón will make you one of the best breakfast tacos you've ever had. El Mesón is one of those places where any time is the right time to come. Make sure that you try the food of this incredible gem, and experience its amazing Mexican creations for yourself.

El Mesón
5808 Burleson Road
Austin, TX 78744
(512) 416-0749
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-meson-austin
 

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Milano Café: Discover Authentic Italian Food, Right in Austin

September 18, 2012 by

A European-style family eatery with a classic menu, Milano Café is a great stop for authentic Italian cooking. It's the great sort of place where you can stop in for a great cup of coffee or sit down for a nice, filling meal. The menu consists of a number of wonderful pizza and pasta possibilities, as well as some delectable bruschetta options and a host of starter and entree-sized salads. There is also a helpful and unique "family to-go" menu where you can order large, family-style portions to pick up and take back to your home. Quality is top-notch all around, with everything made from scratch from super fresh ingredients. Milano Café is a friendly, authentic taste of Italy that is a fantastic treat for anyone in the Austin area.

Milano Café
4601 Southwest Parkway
Suite 109
Austin, TX 78735
(512) 428-6076
http://www.yelp.com/biz/milano-cafe-austin


 

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The Best Wurst: The Best Bratwurst Day or Night

September 11, 2012 by

When you’ve spent a day—or night—on Austin’s famous 6th Street, a bratwurst might just sound like heaven on a bun. Especially if it’s from The Best Wurst, one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the celebrated entertainment district. With two locations on Sixth Street, the popular stand serves party-goers, tourists, and locals alike with a short, but sweet menu. For only $4.50, customers can get a Bratwurst, Smoked Italian sausage, Smoked Jalepeno, or All Beef dog, and pile it high with grilled onions, sauerkraut, curry ketchup, and spicy mustard. Just to add to the sweet deal, drinks are only $1! Be like the other 8 million+ to visit the stand and stuff your face; even better, the stand is open until 3 a.m. so you can basically visit anytime, day or night! Check out the website for interesting facts on the stand, sauerkraut, and about the onion.

The Best Wurst

Locations/Hours:
6th and Jacinto
Open Wednesday – Sunday

6th and Red River
Open Friday & Saturday

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Austin Playhouse: Local Theater

September 5, 2012 by

When it was conceived in 2000, Austin Playhouse became a point of convergence for much of the talent-replete city’s theatrical brainpower. Austin Playhouse brought together a wide array of producers, artists, and directors to work with local legend Don Toner, a luminary of Austin’s theater scene. Since then, Austin Playhouse has became one of the premier venues for local theater while still staying small. You won’t see massive reproductions of Don Giovanni here, but you’ll be able to catch shows like Boeing, Boeing (about a man’s attempt to juggle his love for three flight attendants) and an adaptation of A Room With a View. Tickets typically run around $24 for a show, but the playhouse offers deals for students, seniors, and members of the military. Check Austin Playhouse’s website for the current season’s schedule of shows.

Austin Playhouse
3601 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-0084

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Hey Residents, Read All About It!

February 4, 2012 by

Check back for helpful information about pop culture, recipes, health and fitness, and much more! Thanks!

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