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6 Things You Might Not Know About Led Zeppelin

June 19, 2014 by

From their almost unbelievable guitar licks to their groovy blues background, Led Zeppelin forged their own path through the rock and roll world of the 1970s. Here are some of the most interesting highlights from the iconic band’s explosive history.

  1. Guitarist Jimmy Page achieved success with his first band, The Yardbirds, throughout the 1960s. When the band broke up in 1968, they still had a number of tour dates to complete, so Page enlisted John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, and John Bonham to fill in for the estranged members. They completed the tour obligations under the name the New Yardbirds before switching to the name Led Zeppelin in 1969.
  2. Led Zeppelin recorded their first album in under 30 hours. It entered the Billboard Top 10 in just two months.
  3. Throughout the band’s history, every one of their albums of new material has gone platinum.
  4. When Led Zeppelin released their fourth album, they refused to give it a title or even print any words at all on the sleeve. The band members were angry at the media for continually referring to their music as a hype, so they wanted to create confusion and disorder.
  5. Led Zeppelin might have never become as popular as they did if it wasn’t for English pop singer Dusty Springfield. Page and Jones played on some of her albums, and she recommended the band to their first record label, Atlantic Records.
  6. In 1975, Led Zeppelin became the first band ever to have six albums on the Billboard charts at the same time.

Are you a Zeppelin fan? Which of the band's songs is your favorite?

Led Zeppelin [Rolling Stone]
The 10 Wildest Led Zeppelin Legends [Rolling Stone]
Led Zeppelin [Artist Facts]

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Hit All the Right Notes at Austin’s Music & Arts

June 12, 2014 by

Music & Arts is your resource for a variety of musical needs, whether you’re renting an instrument for a student’s band class, or you’re a professional musician looking to upgrade your equipment. Not only that, the store offers reasonable financing and rental programs, too!

Here, classes are taught by accomplished musicians. Learn a new instrument or increase your skills on the one you already play. They’ll help you practice for a performance or competition, and Music & Arts is known to host open-mics, jam sessions, and recitals to give you experience in front of an audience. If your instrument needs repair, the experts here can do everything from re-padding the keys on a flute to fixing a violin bow.

Music & Arts is open seven days a week. See the store's website for more information!

Music & Arts
2541 S. IH-35
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-0558
stores.musicarts.com/round-rock
www.yelp.com/biz/music-and-arts-round-rock

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Splash, Jog and Bike at Creekside Park

June 5, 2014 by

Get up off the couch and get active at Creekside Park, with 3.5 acres of land that runs along Brushy Creek and connects to the Williamson County Regional Trail System. Take a hike, jog, or bike on the trail. Bring your racquet and practice your serve at the tennis courts. The basketball court is the place for a pickup game where you can get a great workout while having fun. The kids will love a frolic in the playground!

Big, shady pecan and walnut trees by the picnic tables make the park the perfect spot for an outdoor meal. On hot days you can cool of under the water mister or swim laps at the six-lane pool, which comes complete with a diving board, lounge chairs, a shaded baby pool, and free Wi-Fi access.

Creekside Park is open daily. Restrooms are on site.

Creekside Park
4300 Brushy Creek Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
www.bcmud.org/content/3602/3737/5277/5306.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/creekside-park-round-rock

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Expect Locally-Sourced Ingredients on Your Plate at Greenhouse Craft Food

May 22, 2014 by

Mint green walls and cheery white tables greet you when you show up at Greenhouse Craft Food in Round Rock. The homespun ambiance matches the quality of the food, which is carefully crafted and cheerfully served.

High quality ingredients from area suppliers are used in the small menu of super-yummy items. The Local Burger features a grilled third-pound patty of local ground beef, house-made pickles, local tomatoes, baby greens, and house sauce on a fresh bun. Order the Shrimp Boat and you get a tasty sandwich with lightly fried Gulf shrimp, tomato, lemon horseradish aioli, and slaw served on a hoagie roll. Other options include a Grass Eater veggie burger, Fish and Chips, and the Farmer’s Salad.

Greenhouse Craft Food is open every day. Brunch is served on weekends.

Greenhouse Craft Food
1400 E. Old Settlers Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 366-5567
greenhousecraftfood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/greenhouse-craft-food-round-rock

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6 Out-of-the-Ordinary Carrot Recipes

May 14, 2014 by

Once you leave infancy, plain old cooked carrots likely aren’t one of your favorite dishes. While these veggies alone can be somewhat bland and boring, when they’re spiced up and cooked in interesting ways, carrots are a versatile vegetable that can be turned into some pretty great dishes. Here are six unique carrot recipes to try at home tonight.

Roasted Parsnips and Carrots [Food Network]
This roasted root vegetable side dish is flavored with simple herbs and seasonings.

Glazed Salmon With Spiced Carrots [Food Network]
Pair the light, flavorful fish with spicy coriander, cumin, and cinnamon for an explosive dish that’s exciting for your taste buds.

Carrot Soufflé [AllRecipes]
Sweetened with rich vanilla and two types of sugars, this fluffy carrot soufflé is sweet enough to be dessert.

Curried Carrot Soup [AllRecipes]
A bit of exotic spice goes a long way in this creamy soup with a carrot base.

Moist Carrot Cake [AllRecipes]
It may not be the healthiest recipe, but you can’t think of carrots without thinking of carrot cake. This one is moist, hearty, and topped with a decadently creamy icing.

Carrot Rice [AllRecipes]
Combine grated carrots with basmati rice, roasted peanuts, and fresh ginger for a unique side dish that tastes incredibly fresh.

Public Domain/Freeimagescollection
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Rudy’s Country Store & Barbecue: Fuel Your Car and Your Belly at This Quirky Barbecue

May 8, 2014 by

Texas is known for many things, but barbecue is surely one of the most important. Rudy’s Country Store and barbecue restaurant is a standout spot in Austin’s booming restaurant scene, beloved for the way it merges a restaurant, general store, and even a gas station if you need to fuel up after dinner.

While the operation is quirky, Rudy’s food menu is one to be reckoned with. Half-pound racks of tender, juicy ribs, moist brisket, tangy potato salad, and sweet creamed corn keep regulars coming back again and again. Order at the counter and watch the skillful cooks slice your meat right in front of you, and then enjoy your meal over a cold soda or beer at one of the long, communal picnic tables either inside or out. Finish your meal with Rudy’s excellent banana pudding and you’ll leave feeling positively stuffed.

Rudy’s Country Store is open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends. On Sundays, the restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Rudy’s Country Store
11570 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 418-9898
www.rudysbbq.com/page/location/name/bbq-austin%20-%20360
www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-country-store-and-barbecue-austin

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Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar: An Entertaining Meal in Round Rock

May 1, 2014 by

For your next special night out, consider Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Round Rock. This benihana-style restaurant offers an upscale but relaxed dining environment. The meal is interactive and entertaining as skilled Teppanyaki chefs grill and prepare your food in front of you. The result is a delicious meal including steak, sushi and maki rolls. Although a bit pricy, dinners at Tokyo Steakhouse come with soup, salad, an appetizer and sides. Don't worry — the food is top-notch and the portions reasonable. Many customers rave about their special onion soup. If you’re on a budget, stop by during happy hour every day from 3-7 p.m. Domestic beers are $2, and there are good deals on popular sushi and rolls. The extended happy hour means you can grab an early dinner for about $15.

This is a popular place, so if you go during peak dinner times you may need to wait, or sit at a traditional table away from the grill. Don't worry, your food will be just as good!

Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
201 Sundance Parkway
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 388-7896
www.yelp.com/biz/tokyo-steakhouse-and-sushi-bar-round-rock

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Taco Market: Mexican Food Made From Scratch

April 24, 2014 by

Taco Market proves that fast food can also be good food. Located at the shopping center where University Boulevard meets Campus Village Drive, Taco Market will make you feel welcome with its modern yet rustic ambiance. Bring your pooch and make use of the outdoor patio! Because of the helpful wait staff, fast service is also friendly service here. The menu features all of your Mexican food favorites, with a difference: everything from the tortillas to the selections at the salsa bar is made from scratch! Nothing is frozen or pre-packaged, and it shows through in the food. People here go for the queso dip and chips, and the street tacos are a big hit. Complement your meal with a trip to the salsa bar, where you’ll be able to sample a lot of different flavors.

Taco Market
1151 University Blvd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 248-8222
http://www.tacomarketonline.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taco-market-round-rock-2

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Humorous and Exciting NPR Game Shows

April 17, 2014 by

NPR is full of fascinating programs, but none are quite as much fun as its hands-on game shows. With a variety of different topics and styles of questions, these trivia programs are just as much fun to play along with at home as they are for the folks in the studio. Here are two of NPR’s best game shows.

Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!
This hour-long weekly quiz show features some of the most prominent people in the worlds of news and entertainment who are often experts in their chosen fields. Playwright and actor Peter Sagal hosts, and a different panel of three journalists or comedians are chosen to participate each week. Listener contestants play a variety of different games against the panelists, though the odds are usually slightly swayed in the listener’s favor.

Ask Me Another
Ask Me Another, one of NPR’s newest game shows, is filmed in front of a live studio audience and broadcasted on NPR radio stations and online. The show is equal parts pub trivia, brainteasers, puzzles, comedy and music, creating a rambunctious hour of game show fun. The contestants are a combination of listeners, audience members, and special mystery guests, and the questions are tricky because they’re tailored specifically toward the contestant.

Public Domain/Openclipart.org
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The Needle Works: An Austin Craft Space

April 10, 2014 by

If you love the centuries-old craft of needlepoint, program your GPS to take you to The Needle Works. They’ve been in Austin since 1978, selling high quality, hand painted needlepoint canvases, fine threads, notions, needles, and other supplies. The store moved into a new space not too long ago; it’s a spacious, 3500 square foot showplace, built in the Craftsman architectural style.

Carol Lake Designs, Elizabeth Turner Collection, Barbara Russell Designs, Robbyn’s Nest Designs, Sundance Designs and Pease on Earth Designs are some of the large array of canvas designers in stock at The Needle Works. You can also expand your needlepoint horizons with a class, either one-on-one or in a group. Visit the website for a calendar of classes and pricing information!

The Needle Works is open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The Needle Works
4401 Medical Parkway
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-6931
http://theneedleworks.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-needle-works-austin

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