1949 – USAF plane began 1st nonstop around-the-world flight.
1955 – "Peter Pan" closes at Winter Garden Theater NYC after 149 performances.
1977 – 1st flight of Space Shuttle (atop a Boeing 747).
1983 – Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album goes to #1 & stays #1 for 37 weeks.
1985 – 27th Grammy Awards: "What's Love Got to Do With It", Cyndi Lauper wins.
1987 – NBA's Michael Jordan's 58 points in one game is a Chicago Bulls record.
Today in History!
February 26, 2015 by
Mills Pond: Relax by a Countryside Pond
February 24, 2015 by
Mills Pond is a tranquil oasis tucked into the middle of Austin’s Lakes at Wells Branch subdivision, and locals say it's a great spot to gather with friends and family. The pond offers a pier for anglers who want to try their hand at catching the local fish, as well as a floating boat dock for use by any non-motorized boats.
Winding trails around the pond's perimeter offer scenic views and the chance to glimpse local ducks, geese, and cranes, as well as the opportunity for a bit of exercise (joggers and bikers are both welcome). Sunny, grassy fields nearby are ideal for spreading out a blanket and sharing a picnic, reading a book, or just enjoying the fresh air.
Whether you decide to enjoy the view from a park bench on the bank, or climb into a canoe to explore the pond itself, you can expect a quiet, peaceful visit to Mills Pond.
Mills Pond
15108 Wells Port Drive
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 251-9814
www.wellsbranchmud.com/parks/mills-pond.html
www.yelp.com/biz/mills-pond-austin
How to Pour Wine Like a Pro Sommelier
February 20, 2015 by
You don’t have to splurge on a $100 aged Cabernet Sauvignon in order to seem like a real wine expert; all it takes are a few smart tips and some essential wine-serving tools. Follow these simple steps to impress your guests the next time you serve them a glass of red.
- Maintain the proper temperature. A surefire way to come across as a newbie wine drinker is by serving your bottle at the wrong temperature. Light or sparkling white wines should be served at 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain their fresh flavor, while fuller whites and lighter reds should be 50 to 60 degrees. For full-bodied reds, stick to a warmer 60 degrees.
- Stock up on enough wine. It could be embarrassing to run out of wine before everyone has their fill, so as a general rule, imagine that each bottle serves approximately five glasses.
- Invest in good wine glasses. They don’t have to be expensive, but having real wine glasses does add to the experience. Also, be sure to wash the glasses by hand and dry them with a clean linen towel to ensure that they don’t affect the flavor of the wine.
- Fill the proper amount. As a general rule, fill the glass to just below its widest point. This will make you look like a true sommelier and make your guests feel like wine aficionados themselves.
How to Serve Wine 101: Tips on the Perfect Serving Temperature [Wine Spectator]
Frey Organic Wine Serving Tips [Frey Vineyards]
25 Tips on How to Serve Wine [Bauduc Blog]
Don’t Skip the Naan Wraps at Chicken Lollypop in Austin
February 17, 2015 by
Chicken Lollypop combines the cuisines of two cultures to create a flavor-filled dining experience in Austin. This small cafe serves Chinese-Indian fusion fare, boasting a succinct menu of sandwiches, wraps, soups, signature entrees, and fried rice.
The naan wraps are a popular choice here. Chef Imitiaz Shaikh cooks chicken or paneer (Indian cheese) in a Szechuan sauce and wraps it in naan with green chutney and a yogurt sauce. The chef also cooks chicken breast in a house ginger sauce and pairs shrimp with spicy Manchurian sauce. You can add such signature house items as sautéed spinach and herbs and Bombay potatoes with green peas and spices. While the flavor in each dish is great, the price is even better. Menu items are $10.99 and below.
You’ll find Chicken Lollypop inside the East Braker Lane Food Mart. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Chicken Lollypop
1005 E. Braker Lane
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 909-9826
www.chickenlollypop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chicken-lollypop-austin
Happy Presidents Day
February 16, 2015 by
Today we take the time to honor our courageous leaders and how their visions have shaped our great country.
Soothing Home Remedies for Sore Throats
February 13, 2015 by
When the cold weather takes a toll on your household in the form of sore throats and stuffy noses, you’re likely searching for any way to find a bit of relief. Here are a few home remedies that might just soothe your sore throat without the use of over-the-counter medications—just remember to check with your doctor first!
- Gargle with salt water. Sore throats are caused when the cells in the mucous membranes become swollen and inflamed, and gargling with salt water helps reduce this swelling. By warming the saltwater solution, you can also wash away the excess mucous and clear your nasal passages.
- Make an apple cider vinegar drink. Apple cider vinegar is filled with healthy properties, and its high levels of acidity help to kill bacteria that cause illness. Make a drink using one tablespoon of ACV, one tablespoon of honey and one cup of hot water, then sip it slowly and feel the relief.
- Try marshmallow root. This strange root named after the sugary candy helps to coat the throat and relieve pain. Steep one tablespoon of the dried root in boiling water for 30 to 60 minutes, then strain and drink.
- Chew on cloves. For fast and easy relief, try the natural painkiller eugenol found in cloves. Simply suck on a whole clove until it becomes soft enough to chew like gum, then spit it out when finished.
10 Ways to Soothe a Sore Throat [Health]
22 Natural Sore Throat Remedies to Help Soothe the Pain [Everyday Roots]
Sore Throat Remedies: 16 Natural Gargles [Reader’s Digest]
You’ll Be in Stitches at The Cloth Pocket
February 10, 2015 by
Austin is widely known as a very crafty town. The city’s sewing scene is particularly powerful, and one of the key places artisans shop supplies is The Cloth Pocket. This fun, funky fabric store was established by a mother-daughter team who knew that the town had a need for a carefully-curated stock of textiles designed for crafting, quilting, and other fabric arts.
The square footage of the space is not huge, but it’s so expertly organized that you’ll have no problem finding the perfect bolt of fabric for whatever you plan to do. The staff here is super nice, too, offering you tea or water when you step in the door and helping you work out your project needs without spending too much money.
The Cloth Pocket is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. If you’re into the fabric arts, this is going to be your new favorite store.
The Cloth Pocket
5448 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 524-5684
www.theclothpocket.com/index2.php#!/home
www.yelp.com/biz/the-cloth-pocket-austin
The Internet’s Best DIY Photo Album Sites
February 6, 2015 by
Nothing can give a space a personal touch quite like framed photos of friends and family. Whether you're looking to spruce up your home or give a personalized gift to that special someone, these two photo service websites are for you.
Shutterfly
Arguably the internet's most popular photo service site, Shutterfly makes it easy to create custom photo albums, collages, stationery, calendars, and much more. Simply upload your favorite photos from your computer and start designing. The gift portion of the site allows you to design mugs, canvas prints, totes, tees, smart phone cases, magnets, mousepads—even blankets!—using your favorite photos. Better still, the website's prices are affordable, and frequent online coupon codes promise even more bang for you buck.
Snapfish
Whatever the occasion, Snapfish likely has a commemorative gift with which to remember it by. Create a wedding photo album, design graduation announcements, or put a personal touch on greeting cards and stationery. Like Shutterfly, Snapfish also offers a wide variety of photo gifts, from mugs and calendars to blankets and jewelry. Or you can just keep it simple and order standard prints!
How to Put an End to Procrastination
February 3, 2015 by
Whether you put off your homework, daily tasks at your job, or even the cleaning around your rental home, procrastination is a struggle that affects just about everyone. Here are a few smart and savvy tricks that can help you banish the urge to procrastinate once and for all.
- Change your attitude. Instead of treating your task like a job, treat it like something that will advance your career or provide you with fulfillment. If you feel like you want to do a task rather than feeling like you have to do it, it will make you less likely to procrastinate.
- Give yourself a deadline. Even if your specific task doesn’t have to be done at a certain time, you’ll become more productive if you feel like it does. Set a deadline for yourself and you’ll start to work to meet it.
- Rein in your emotions. If you’re nervous to begin a task or afraid of failing, it’s likely that you won’t start at all. Do whatever you need to pump yourself up and stop setting yourself up for failure.
- Make yourself accountable. If all else fails, tell friends and family in order to keep yourself accountable for your goals. Tell everyone that you’re training for a marathon and you’ll be more likely to go out on that morning run.
How to Stop Procrastinating [Scientific American]
Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination [The McGraw Center]
Why You Procrastinate, and How to Stop It. Now. [Forbes]
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