Central Texas News

Have you heard about The Hive? It’s a really cool place in Austin opening on October 23rd. A co-working, child care, coffee & beer kind of place. Sounds like a dream for remote workers & parents who need to get away.

Here are some more details about The Hive you need to know:

How it works
Open Seating: We also have a beautiful cafe area with cafe tables, bar top, and lounge area and any and all are welcome to visit or work in that area at no charge. We are also lucky enough to have a beautiful outdoor area under a shaded pecan tree with picnic tables and toys for your kiddos that you’d like to keep with you while you visit/work.

CoWorking Rooms: We are also preparing a board room that will be rentable hourly for conference meetings, as well as a room with 5 designated desks rentable monthly. We’ll wrap up the final touches on those rooms within the next week or two so stay tuned for more info on those.

Child Supervision: We have 20 spots available in the supervised childcare area, so please  reserve a spot online! Please remember that we are NOT a full-time licensed childcare facility, so some rules apply:

• You must remain on-site while your child is in our care.
• We will call or text when a diaper needs changing or a potty break is needed.
• Children may only stay up to 4 hours per day / 12 hours per week.

Hours: We will be open from 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 8am – 3pm Saturday (with Sunday reserved for parties and special events) but we will adjust as we see fit.  Since this is such a unique business model, we won’t know what our customers need until we are open for a while.

www.hiveaustin.com

Frost invites families to come to the Austin-area Frost financial centers for a little holiday cheer and photos with a special guest: Santa Claus. Guests can enjoy holiday cookies and drinks in a festive holiday setting while kids get a chance to visit with Santa. Kids will also get a candy cane and can pose for pictures with St. Nick. Families are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture this special holiday moment.

The visits from Santa are an annual holiday tradition at Frost, where dedication to the community has been part of the culture since the company began in 1868.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10th

Tarrytown Financial Center
2425 Exposition Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78703

Cedar Park Financial Center
1450 E. Whitestone Boulevard
Cedar Park, Texas 78613

East 7th Financial Center
2421 East 7th Street
Austin, Texas 78702

Lake Travis Financial Center
12532 FM 2244 Road
Bee Cave, Texas 78738

Tech Ridge Financial Center
605 Canyon Ridge Drive
Austin, Texas 78753

All events are free and open to the public.

Mondo Gallery’s final show of 2016 will be Devoted To Beloved Nickelodeon Classics!

Mondo will hold a special Family Day on Saturday, December 10, from 10am – NOON, featuring a Slime Building Workshop with Mad Science of Austin, face painting, photo booth, coffee and donuts, and more!

Mondo Gallery announced the new one-week poster show highlighting iconic Nickelodeon properties that will include gorgeous prints for The Ren & Stimpy Show, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rocko’s Modern Life, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters and Avatar. Featured artists will include Florian Bertmer, Dave Perillo, Francesco Francavilla, Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Sachin Teng, Ciro Nieli, Sara Kipin and Janice Chu.

 

 

Celebrate the holidays with the whole family and join Tapestry Dance Company with this Austin-tatious rhythm tap and jazz spin on the beloved yuletide story, The Nutcracker.

This Tapestry tradition which premiered to rave reviews and standing ovations last season, OF MICE AND MUSIC unites the company’s professional dancers with the rising stars of its pre-apprentice youth company Visions in Rhythm and the children, youth and adults who study with its dance academy to share a love for rhythm and movement that only Tapestry Dance Company can bring to the stage!

OF MICE AND MUSIC: A Jazz Tap Nutcracker is performed to a jazzed up version of the original Tchaikovsky score and beloved jazz classics. This delightfully entertaining musical score is played live with some of the Austin’s best jazz musicians including Masumi Jones on drums,  Austin Kimble on piano and Michael Stevens on bass.

Tapestry Artistic Director and National Tap Hall of Famer, Acia Gray takes the “Drosselmeyer” role from the original story as Ms. Bon Marche, a dance diva who introduces little Clara to a world of dance by giving her a pair of TAP SHOES and the journey begins with the Mouse King and his powerful style of contemporary rhythm tap leads an army of tapping mice in their battle against The Nutcracker.

Of course the traditional second act solos, including Spanish, Chinese and Russian, are brought into the world of contemporary movement and tap dance along with tap classics such as the infamous “Walk Around” by Tony Award winning choreographer Charles “Honi” Coles, reworked into a new take on “Snow.”

“If you’re looking for something Chrstmas’y with a touch of modern this season, look no further than Tapestry’s production “Of Mice & Music”! – The Austin American Statesman

Best of all, it’s only an hour long that leaves you time to go shopping for those tap shoes!

OF MICE & MUSIC – A Jazz Tap Nutcracker! will be at The Long Center / Rollins Theatre December 8th – 18th 2016 (possible extension through the 22nd/ (Thurs/Fri/Sat @ 7:30pm, Sat/Sun @ 2:00pm). Get tickets at thelongcenter.org

Local business, Stretch, will open its doors on Friday, December 2 in East Austin to bring a unique, boutique-style yoga studio to the growing neighborhood. A grand opening party will follow at the start of the New Year.

To celebrate the opening and encourage neighbors to try out the studio, Stretch will offer every class, every day for free during the entire month of December.

Stretch has simplified the yoga studio experience by breaking down classes into three types: Stretch, Power Stretch, and Gentle Stretch. Taking place in an intimate setting, each class focuses on the studio’s motto: stretch your body – stretch your mind – stretch your life.

The owner and certified yoga teacher – Kaysha Patel – wanted to provide yoga that is accessible, uplifting, and transformational for all, regardless of experience.

“In my experience as a yoga teacher, I’ve found that people who have never or rarely practiced yoga but aspire to practice, are either intimidated by classes that are too traditional or not interested in classes that are just a workout,” says Patel, “I wanted to create a space that is a happy and fun medium for anyone, but especially for the “nonyogi”.”

Those wanting to take advantage of the free December classes are encouraged to book online in advance to ensure that they receive a spot since classes will be capped. Amenities include chilled, lavender-infused face towel after class, complimentary coffee and tea bar, and free yoga and towel rentals for members.

Located in the Arnold alongside Royal Blue Grocery and soon-to-be-open Blenders and Bowls, it’ll also be just around the corner from Austin favorites like White Horse, Cuvee Coffee and Zilker Brewing Company and Taproom.

For more information or to book your class, visit http://www.stretchyogatx.com.
Facebook: /stretchyogatx
Instagram: @stretchyogastudio

Steamboat Resorts by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is Steamboat’s largest vacation rental management company, offering the widest selection of lodging options available in the mountain village as well as expert vacation planning services. With the most highly requested vacation properties in Steamboat’s most popular mountainside locations, we have the ideal accommodation for every traveler. Our commitment to professional management, attention to detail and friendly local staff is what sets us apart from the competition and has made us a guest favorite for over 25 years. Our staff provides service second to none at our lodge locations with the hopes of providing each guest with a truly memorable “Steamboat experience”. Leave all the details to our team to ensure a relaxing Steamboat vacation… so you can simply enjoy the experience.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family vacation, Wyndham Vacation Rentals will meet your needs at one of our spectacular resort destinations. Visit steamboatresorts.com or call 888-795-6533 and let our trained reservationists help book your entire vacation. Let them assist you with lodging, airfare, car rentals, airport shuttles, discounted equipment rentals and more!

Disclosure: By making this post I have been entered into a contest for a trip.

The annual four-week holiday arts and shopping event, Blue Genie Art Bazaar, (BGAB) returns for its 16th year on November 25th, opening at 10 a.m. This year the Bazaar brings 11,000 square feet of one-of-a-kind handmade gifts to a new home at 6100 Airport Boulevard, across from the ACC Highland Campus. The Bazaar has moved to a former warehouse just blocks from its longtime location at the Marchesa Hall and Theatre, giving BGAB a space to call home for years to come and utilize for a range of creative programming throughout the year.

Known for its curated selection of unique, hand-crafted items from more than 200 of the region’s best artisans and craftspeople, the bazaar runs seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with the exception of December 24th, when it closes at 6 p.m.).

And there’s more than shopping, on the evenings and weekends the Bazaar will host live music and special presentations. See website for a full event schedule.

All items featured at the Bazaar are handmade and designed by some of Austin’s favorite artisans. These include paintings, photography, prints, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, glassworks, and more. BGAB is an ideal place to find “Austin-tatious” gifts, from the stunning designs of Ornamental Things, to handmade stoneware by Little e Pottery, to pop culture poster art by Tim Doyle of Nakatomi, Inc.

On “Make-A-Wish Mondays,” BGAB donates 10 percent of that day’s profits to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. Last year, BGAB raised nearly $6,000 for the foundation.

“We’re excited about our new home which is even easier to get to — just steps from the Highland Metro Rail Station and free parking. It’s a new backdrop, yet the same holiday shopping and discovery experience we are known for,” said Dana Younger, BGAB co-founder.

BGAB offers free admission, free parking, and a hassle-free shopping environment.

Founded in 2001 by the principals at Blue Genie Art Industries, the Bazaar has grown from a small East Austin gathering to one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions. “Whether your budget is large or small, you’ll find something – for yourself, for your best friend, or for that impossible-to-shop-for relative,” says Kevin Collins, BGAB co-founder.

Calling all Pokémon trainers! The Long Center invites you to reach a new level this winter—Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions is headed to Austin. After sold-out performances around the globe, Texas fans will have the opportunity to experience the evolution of the Pokémon franchise on January 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to POKÉMON: SYMPHONIC EVOLUTIONS are $29, $39, $49, $59, $69, and $89. Tickets are available today and may be purchased through the Long Center’s 3M Box Office by calling (512) 474-5664, or online at TheLongCenter.org.

POKÉMON: SYMPHONIC EVOLUTIONS is the must-see video game concert of the year for longtime fans and newcomers of all ages! A variety of Pokémon moments unfold throughout the performance in an exciting cinematic presentation synced with the video game’s action-packed, fun-filled music played live by a symphony orchestra. In addition to the show, the concert offers a great opportunity to meet up with friends to catch, battle and trade Pokémon from numerous beloved games. Plus, $1 of each ticket goes to supporting arts education programs.

The concert’s all-new orchestral arrangements and carefully timed visuals draw from recent and classic Pokémon video games including:

• Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue
• Pokémon Yellow
• Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver
• Pokémon Crystal
• Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire
• Pokémon Emerald
• Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl
• Pokémon Platinum
• Pokémon Black and Pokémon White
• Pokémon X and Pokémon Y

“POKÉMON: SYMPHONIC EVOLUTIONS is a spectacular showcase of the memorable music that has been a hallmark of the Pokémon franchise for nearly 20 years,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “The concert series serves as a thank you to fans and an invitation to share our passion for Pokémon by reliving some of our fondest memories with the brand. We look forward to seeing fans of all ages enjoying this very special Pokémon orchestral event together.”

Experience the epicenter of Pokémon activity January 7—it’s never too late to catch ‘em all!

Tickets are available at TheLongCenter.org or by calling (512) 474.LONG (5664). Also available at the Long Center’s 3M Box Office located at 701 West Riverside Drive at South First Street.  For groups of 10 or more, please call 512-457-5161 or groupsales@thelongcenter.org.

Halloween is the #1 holiday in this house. What better way to celebrate and share the love of Halloween with your neighbors than a Ghostbusters themed “Boo It Forward” kit!

We just started this new  family tradition this year with our friends and think it is a wonderful idea to share with others.

The tradition of “Booing your Neighbor” has been around for several years now and it has really grown in popularity as a fun, safe, family-oriented activity. It’s also known as “Ghosting” or “Boo-gramming.”  People would put together a home decorated bag of treats including a note with instructions on how to “boo” and a poem and deliver it anonymously to their neighbor, friend or relative. The recipient would then have 48 hours to do it to their next door neighbor or friend which creates a chain throughout the neighborhood.

As an added twist this year we included a blue ray of Ghostbusters! How cute is that?

It’s simple… you simply decorated bag of treats including a note with instructions on how to “boo” and a poem or use this printable kit here. Go to a neighbor, friend or relative’s house and deliver it anonymously. The recipient will now have 48 hours to do it to their next door neighbor or friend which creates a chain throughout the neighborhood.

We are going to enjoy watching Ghostbusters® Halloween night after tric-or-treating, which is available on Blu-ray and DVD in stores including Walmart!

Disclosure: I received the Boo It Forward kit as my compensation for this post.

On Saturday, October 22nd TreeHouse will 5 year Anniversary!

Enjoy free tacos from Tacodeli, face painting, pumpkin painting, live music from Hello Wheels and El Campo, screen printing, TreeHouse classes and more! The event is free and open to the whole family.

5% of the store’s sales from this day will be donated to the Texas Land Conservancy, the Austin Community Design and Development Center, Compost Pedallers, Families in Nature, and Community First Village.

SCHEDULE:
All Day from 10AM-3PM: Free Tacodeli, Screen Printing, Tesla Car Display, Face Painting, Pumpkin Painting
10AM: Solar 101 Class
11AM: Performance by El Campo
12PM: Performance by Hello Wheels
1PM: Marmalade Canning Class

WHAT: TreeHouse 5th Anniversary Party
WHEN:  Saturday, October 22 from 10AM – 3PM
WHERE: TreeHouse
4477 S Lamar Blvd, Suite 600, Austin, Texas 78745

Facebook event page.
Online event page.

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

Last week my three girls and I made a typical trip to Walmart SuperCenter to get groceries and take a look at what new and cool things they have out for the upcoming holiday.

Since having my little one, going to the store is not very a very therapeutic process for me and my older girls. So, we try to make the trip as fun as possible by looking at new and interesting things and playing eye spy during the shopping process. Unfortunately, most of the time I am the mom that people stare at with pity when hear a child screaming bloody murder because she didn’t get to eat the goldfish right out of the container while we are standing in the cracker isle.

I try to eat right and live a healthy lifestyle but with work, a blog and three kids that are in activities I can feel like the best me I should be. I am still in the sleep deprived mode with the little one and sometimes need a little help. As we all know, Walmart has everyday low prices on all products that includes Nature Made® products, which makes it easy to stock up and save, there’s no need to wait for a sale. So, I decided to give Nature Made® a try. Nature Made® is easy to find in the vitamin and supplement section of the store by the pharmacy.

I decided to purchase Nature Made® Multi for Her plus Omega-3s Adult Gummies and Nature Made VitaMelts® Energy. I am sure you notice a trend here; I don’t like pills. So, I appreciate a Brand that offers products in gummy and melt form for people like me. I was happy to find out that Nature Made® has a variety of vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) to help support nutritional gaps with your health goals in mind ranging from Digestive Support, Heart Health & Function, Energy Metabolism, Women’s Health and much more!†

I selected the Nature Made® Multi for Her plus Omega-3s Adult Gummies because they would be easy to take on a daily basis. They are made for women and have 60mg of omega 3s as well as EPA and DHA. They have natural fruit flavors of lemon, orange and strawberry. Quite tasty! They do not contain iron. But they are gluten free which I know a lot of people can’t consume gluten.

I decided to purchase the Nature Made VitaMelts® Energy to see if it would help me out as well. It contains Vitamin b12 to support my energy on a cellular level. This product comes in mixed berry favor.

Probiotic are hot right now, you read about them online and on tv all the time now. It’s great that Nature Made® Probiotics are available at your local Walmart SuperCenter. Nature Made® Probiotics: Nature Made® Advanced Dual Action Probiotic has been clinically studied and provides dual support to both your small and large intestine for comprehensive coverage to help support digestive balance and healthy gut flora.† Note: Nature Made® Probiotics are only available at Walmart SuperCenter locations.

Nature Made® vitamins and supplements: An easy, convenient way to help your body get the nutritional support it needs every day, whether it be to support bone health, immune health or energy metabolism (helping convert food into energy).†

In doing my research I found out the Walmart Nature Made® Retailer Hub is having a contest! Make sure you visit to find out more about Nature Made® and to enter to win one of 60 Walmart gift cards worth $50 each. (No Purchase Necessary).

After doing that, make sure you visit and join the Nature Made® Healthy Habit Builder program where you can get motivation and tips around your specific health goals.

*Based on the 2016 U.S. News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey.

†This [These] statement [statements] has [have] not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This [These] product[s] is [are] not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Tapestry Dance Company, the worlds only repertory tap dance company presents the premiere of Acia Gray’s ONE STEP AT A TIME – A Journey Toward Present Grace.

“Following the premiere of “Passing It Forward – The American Dream? (chosen recently to showcase at The International Performing Arts for Youth Conference in Madison, WI – for touring through Canada and the US starting in the Fall of 2017), Tapestry Dance Company continues to bring rhythm and light to America’s current unrest with the premiere of “One Step at a Time – A Journey Toward Present Grace”.  This new ensemble creation continues to utilize the beautiful diversity of rhythm tap dance and its powerful voice to change the world.  I’m honored to have such a creative “team” in place to play with.  I can’t wait to witness the final product on opening night” –Acia Gray, Artistic Director 

Working in a collaborative playground with the dancers of Tapestry, this new work presents a rhythmic journey based on a concept and definition of “taking that first step in changing the world for the better – one step at a time.  Where have we been, what are we doing, where are we going, and how do we get there?  – are just some of the questions that have brought unique rhythmic responses not only from the pallet of director/choreographer Acia Gray but some of the best young tap dancers on the international stage today – the members of Tapestry Dance Company.  Not only are these artists presenting new ensemble work within the entire evening but their own poignant choreography and improvisation all responding to the challenge of our time spent as Americans.

You can purchase tickets to ONE STEP AT A TIME – A Journey Toward Present Grace at www.thelongcenter.org. The show will be running October 27th – November 6th, 2016 / (Thurs/Fri/Sat @ 8pm, Sat/Sun @ 2:00pm) at The Long Center / Rollins Theatre.