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Trail of Lights is back!

December 6, 2012 by

The City of Austin has decided to bring back the Trail of lights, no matter how old you are this is always a fun time and is great with friends, family, and loved ones alike. Here are the dates for the trail of lights:
Theme Nights

Saturday, December 15th, 6:30 pm
Trail of Lights 5k Race Presented by Humana

The Trail of Lights 5k Presented by Humana will take participants past the Zilker Tree, through the Austin Nature and Science Center, and into the Trail of Lights the night before it opens to the public. Register with your family and friends today and celebrate the return of the Trail of Lights to the Austin community! Register Here

Sunday December 16th
GRAND OPENING Night

“Light It Up!” Special Opening Ceremony Activities at the Trial Head starting at 6:00 pm, doors open at 6:30pm
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers
Monday December 17th
Military Appreciation Night
Come out to support our service men and women tonight.
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers

Tuesday December 18th
Uniquely Austin Night
Who knows what you’ll see on the Trail tonight? One thing is certain, it’s sure to be unique!
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers
Wednesday December 19th
Heritage Night
Celebrating the many different heritages found in our diverse city.
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers

Thursday December 20th
School Spirit Night
Wear your school colors and show your school spirit at the Trail tonight!
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers
Friday December 21st
Caroling Night
presented by Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Come join us as we attempt to break the world record for the most carolers singing together!
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers

Saturday December 22nd
Santa/Elf Night
Show your holiday spirit! Don your favorite set of elf ears, Santa Hat, or reindeer antlers for a stroll down the Trail.
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers
Sunday December 23rd
GRAND FINALE Night
Last chance to see the lights- pack up the family and come on down for one last look!
Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
See Performers

Text ATXLIGHT to 20222 to donate $10 to the Trail of Lights Giving Fund

Giving Fund
Make a donation to the Trail of Lights Giving Fund to support the 23 Trail of Lights nonprofit partners. Each $25 donation receives the Trail of Lights official wristband, giving wearers free shuttle rides and 10% off merchandise at the Trail of Lights.

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Austin Zoo: Animal Sanctuary

December 4, 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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Austin Farmer’s Market: From Farm To Table

November 13, 2012 by

One of the most encouraging trends in American food consumption is the transition from factory-farmed fruits, vegetables and meats to locally grown products. Farmer’s markets around the country have given producers a chance to present their products to excited eaters for decades, and they’re starting to become major keystones of grocery shopping. The Austin’s Farmer’s Market reflects the interests and values of this progressive enclave in the middle of the state, with organic vegetables, humanely raised meats, and a wide variety of ethnic prepared foods. Regulars rave about the fantastic coffee—at two bucks a cup with a free refill, it’ll keep you alert as you shop for everything you need. Some complain that certain goods sell out early, so show up at sunrise to make sure you get everything checked off your list. Best of all is the ambience—everyone is happy, laid back, and celebrating the joys of good food in a great city.

Austin Farmer’s Market
4600 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 236-0074

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The Long Center: The Big Stage

November 6, 2012 by

Located along the shore of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, The Long Center is widely regarded as one of the best performance spaces in a town full of them. Originally known as The Palmer Auditorium, it was renamed in 1999 and completely reconstructed into a multi-use facility with four unique theaters. The largest auditorium, the Michael and Susan Dell Hall, is a 2,400-seat venue with three levels of seating and private boxes that is used for symphony performances and other large-scale events. The Debra and Kevin Rollins Studio Theater is the Center’s black box room, an adaptable space that seats up to 229 in a number of configurations. The other spaces are the outdoor City Terrace and Hartman Concert Park. All of the seating and acoustics are top of the line, and the staff here is beyond reproach. No matter what your interests may be, The Long Center is a great place to enjoy them.

The Long Center
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 457-5100

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Check Out Austin Fan Fest 2012!

October 26, 2012 by

Celebrating 2012's inaugural U.S. Grand Prix, Austin Fan Fest 2012 comes to downtown Austin from November 16-18th. If you haven't heard, the U.S. GP is a Formula 1 race taking place that weekend at Austin's newly constructed Circuit of the Americas race track, and Austin Fan Fest brings the city even more fun with an array of musical acts from all over the country, along with great local and regional bands.

Fan Fest's headline performers Aerosmith, Flo Rida, and Enrique Iglesias will play on main stages for the Fest's three night engagement, while smaller stages will showcase acts like Lupe Fiasco and The Wallflowers.

Around downtown Austin, attendees can also interact with F1 racing related installations, like racing simulators and Formula 1 cars. Arts exhibits, parties, and family friendly events all over downtown make the whole thing complete.

Want to know more? Click here to learn about Austin Fan Fest 2012.

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Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum: Serene Space

September 5, 2012 by

There’s nothing exciting that goes on at Austin's Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. But that’s precisely the point! Fifty sculptures created by 20th Century sculptor Charles Umlauf pepper the serene outdoor grove, giving visitors the opportunity to pause and appreciate them. Allow the sculptures to provide ambiance while you sit on a bench and read a book and let the kids roam around. Think of Umlauf as an artistically curated park, situated in the hustle of Austin but somehow shielded from it in a calm oasis. Umlauf offers summer camps for children and offers yoga sessions (the sessions are called “The Body as Sculpture”) throughout the season. And, okay, there’s one exciting happening: the yearly Garden Party, which was listed by the Austin Chronicle in its 2005 “Best of Austin” issue as, well, one of the best things to do in Austin.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Robert E. Lee Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582

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Get fit!

February 4, 2012 by

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help:

  • Control your weight
  • Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
  • Reduce your risk of some cancers
  • Strengthen your bones and muscles
  • Improve your mental health and mood
  • Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you’re an older adult
  • Increase your chances of living longer

With all those benefits, why not get moving? All it takes to get started is to put on some sneaks and visit our fitness center that’s conveniently located right here.

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