Search Results for: car share

Best Of Austin Nominations

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2010 |

Lots of people in Austin, even the ones that don’t read/like the Chronicle, recognize the “Best of Austin” awards as the ones to watch. We asked a few brave downtown Austin stakeholders to weigh in and share their pics.

You can vote here.

Roger Cauvin
SnappATX
**********
New Building (Past Five Years) = Austonian
Trailer = Flip Happy Crepes
Downtown View = Gym at the Austonian
Hotel = Driskill
Visual Artist = Shyama Golden
New Club = Hudson
Live Club or Party DJ = Toddy B (Todd Burgener)
24=Hour/Late = Thai Passion
Place to Take a First Date = Cafe Josie
Intimate Dining = Cafe Josie
Farmers’ Market = Downtown Farmers’ Market
Neighborhood Grocery = Royal Blue Grocery
Bar Staff = Beso Cantina (Jason and Darren)
Bar Ambience = Hudson
Wine Selection = Cafe Josie
Beer Selection = Gingerman
Best=Kept Secret = Cafe Josie
Photographer = Nick Brill
Music Station = 101X
Local Blogger = Jude Galligan
Local Blog = Downtown Austin Blog
Gear/Sporting Goods = St. Bernard’s
Bike Ride = Downtown to Hula Hut
Place to Skate = Veloway
Swimming Pool = Barton Springs
Swimming Hole = Barton Springs
Fitness Classes = Crossfit Central (Stacey Lashley)
Elected Official = John=Michael Cortez
Council Member = Chris Riley
Activist Organization = Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA)
Activist = Cid Galindo
Environmentalist = Greg Anderson
Barbershop = Good Life Barber Shop
Dry Cleaner = Cathy’s Cleaners
Auto Service/Repair = Firestone (Congress)
Bicycle Repair = Mellow Johnny’s (Aaron Norcross)
Veterinarian = Austin Urban Vet Center
New Local Business = East Side Show Room
*Who/what you would give an award to = Dadnab (transit texting service)

Downtown Culture Cruise

Jude Galligan | May 27, 2010 |

UPDATE: The ride will meetup at our local bodega grocer, Royal Blue, just below 360 condos (not Java Jive as had been planned) Saturday morning between 8:30 and 9am. If you need a bike or haven’t RSVP’d, click below…

This Dutch cruiser has internal gears and is perfect for using around downtown Austin

Block out the morning of Saturday, June 5th, because you’re going to want to cruise with us on a bicycle stroll through downtown. Downtown Austin Blog is working in partnership with Living On Two Wheel’s to bring you the Downtown Culture Cruise, part of LTW’s Summer Social Ride Series. The guided ride will include stops to look at some of downtown’s hottest condos as well as food and shopping stops to sample downtown living.

Stops will include food and drink at Froots in the 2nd street district and a vehicle presentation by Austin CarShare. Whether you are looking to move downtown, learn more about living an urban lifestyle, or just want to see some great properties, this ride is going to be a lot of fun.

All food & drink, bike valet, and guides included in registration as well as a coupon book to series partner businesses. We’ll be drawing to giveaway an Electra Amsterdam Royal 8 bike at the end of the series. Dutch city bikes available for rental on tour. Total ride distance will be approximately 5 miles.

Downtown Culture Cruise

DATE: Saturday, June 5, 2010

TIME: Meet up at 8:30 AM, Leave at 9:00 AM (please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure for check-in). Ride will wrap up by approximately Noon.

LOCATION: Austin City Hall, north side of building, 301 West 2nd St

COST: Before ride day $20/person, Ride day cash only registration $25. Bring a friend and save $5! 2 persons registration: $35, Ride day cash registration $45. (Ride is limit to 50 riders.)

RIDE PACE: These are social rides so we will be riding at a pleasant social pace and no one will be dropped. Our ride guides will be wearing identifiable shirts and will keep the group together and make sure no one is left behind. This ride is about the simple pleasure of riding with friends, not competition or workouts. If you want to race or get in a workout, we’d suggest you do that before the ride.

OTHER INFO: Please bring a bike in working order. Our ride guides will have spare tubes and basic repair equipment should you run into trouble. In addition to food and drink on the tour, bottled water will be available to participants. Please bring ID if you plan to sample alcoholic beverages at the stops. Staff will watch bikes at each stop so locking bikes will be optional. If you are in need of a tune-up, please check with a bike shop like Bicycle Sport Shop at least three days before the tour.

NEED A BIKE? We will have a limited number of Dutch bikes available to ride on the tour for rent for $20 for those who need a bike.

Waller Creek Tunnel Project TIF Analysis

Jude Galligan | May 25, 2010 |

Last week’s meeting of the Waller Creek Citizens Advisory Committee hosted an update on the Tax Increment Financing district that was established to fund the construction of the Waller Creek tunnel. Below is a summary of Q&A between WCCAC and Leslie Browder with the City Budget office

waller-creek-district-master-plan-draft-open-open-spaces-09-10-09 — Waller Creek District Master Plan - Open Spaces

1. How much land is in the TIF (acres)?
TIF Reinvestment Zone No. 17 includes approximately 126 acres.

2. What are the geographic boundaries of the district?

The boundaries of the zone are within the area bounded on the west by Red River Street from 12th Street south to 3rd Street, then west along 3rd Street to Trinity Street, then south along Trinity Street to Lady Bird Lake; on the south by Lady Bird Lake from Trinity Street east to Cummings Street, then east along Cummings Street to East Avenue; on the east by East Avenue from Cummings Street north to the south bound access road of IH-35, then along said access road north to 11th Street, then west along 11th Street to Sabine Street, and north along Sabine Street to Red River Street; and on the north by 12th Street between Sabine Street and Red River Street.

Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association: Urban Core Happy Hour Event

AG | May 11, 2010 |

From a DANA Facebook event invite that I just received:

“Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors while experiencing Austin’s only Point Tower, Spring Condominium. Take in a 360-degree view of Austin from the soaring 25th floor or live music on the pool deck while enjoying complimentary food and cocktails all evening long.

During the Urban Core Happy Hour, make sure you glimpse a view of our neighbor to the south, The Long Center, our city’s premiere performing arts venue, just walking distance from downtown. The friendly folks from the Long Center’s Catalyst 8 group will be joining us to share information on their upcoming events and letting everyone know how they can directly support the arts in Austin.

Grab a friend and put a little spring in your step as you head over to what promises to be one of our best events yet! This happy hour is open to the public and we look forward to seeing you all there!

We would like to thank Tito’s Vodka, Lone Star Beer, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, The Long Center for the Performing Arts and, our hosts, Spring Condominiums for their contributions to this event.”

Date: Thursday, May 13, Time: 6:30pm, Location: Spring Condominiums @ 300 Bowie Street, 78701.

***All are welcome, and we would love for your participation in this event to lead to a DANA membership!***

DANA offers four levels of memberships:

Individual ($25.00)

Household ($40.00) The Household level includes a second household member at Individual level.

Sponsor ($100.00) The Business Sponsorship level allows you a logo, marketing information, and a link on the DANA web site.

Non-Profit Sponsor ($50.00) The Non-Profit Business Sponsorship level allows you a logo, marketing information, and a link on the DANA web site.

You can pay by Check, Credit card or PayPal by selecting one of the membership types listed above.

You do not have to live downtown to join DANA, but only members that live downtown are eligible to vote in Board elections.

Click Here for more information!

Yum! New Eateries in Downtown Austin: Thundercloud Subs, El Naranjo, and Nacho Creations!

AG | March 20, 2010 |

I don’t really cook, and I don’t own a car, so if I want something good to eat and want said something good to eat in short order – I’m pretty dependent upon restaurants/eateries/deli’s (whatever you want to call them) that are within walking distance. I’m particularly partial to those establishments where I can get something tasty, satisfying, and simple at a reasonable price.

Which is why I was pumped when three new restaurants recently popped up in my Downtown Austin neighborhood: Thundercloud Subs, El Naranjo, and Nacho Creations.

Thundercloud Subs, 360 Nueces, 512 472 7827

Thundercloud Subs is more than a catchy jingle (btw, I’m a Veggie Delight and Jude is a New York Italian), they are “your neighborhood sub shop.” And now they are MY neighborhood sub shop, too! They’ve been open at their 360 Condos location for a about a month, and I’m delighted to say that the vibe AND the food is what we’ve all come to expect from Thundercloud. Quick, delicious, and fresh food at a reasonable price (I got the regular Tuna Sandwich combo – sandwich, chips, and drink for $5.99) with a simple and clean (but with more character than Subway) vibe. Service was friendly – but my sandwich artists looked a bit bored – only because apparently business hasn’t been quite as good as expected. I was the only person there at noon on a Saturday, which seems weird. I want to keep the likes of Thundercloud in Downtown Austin, so please go out and support – buy a sandwich (and get a cookie, too – you deserve a treat)!

For your convenience – click here for a downloadable menu.

El Naranjo, 85 Rainey Street, 512 474 2776

This is me being excited to try some new food at the conveniently located el naranjo.

4/2/2010: UPDATE – I ran into Chef Ileana after this was originally written – she informed me that the portion sizes are now larger. I have not re-visited el naranjo yet, but will take some pics next time I’m there and report my findings!

I will say this – the food was delicious. Chef Ileana de la Vega knows the cuisine, and knows flavor – I readily exclaim this to the masses. For me, the main problem (nay, really the only problem) with el naranjo was that I didn’t feel like I got nearly enough of that delicious food for the amount of money I paid. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the quality in relation to the portion size at G’Raj Mahal, where I can get a very tasty, high quality $9.00 plate that takes me two sittings to eat (even though I did initially have some pricing concerns here, as well), but I left el naranjo feeling like I got a $12.00 snack (albeit a flavorful one). I’m kicking myself for not taking some snapshots of the food – as I think a picture would be worth a thousand words in this particular case.

However, other than portion size (of which I do not want to minimize the importance), I was pleased. Right now, as an intermediate step toward opening a full blown indoor restaurant, el naranjo has taken up in what seems to be all-the-rage in Austin eateries these days: a trailer (fun!)! They’ve also put out picnic tables for outdoor seating, adding to the patio-scape that is the Rainey Street bar and restaurant scene:

Click here for a downloadable menu of El Naranjo’s opening selections.

I actually have not been here yet, but heard second-hand about this casual Tex-Mex concept’s opening. Apparently, Nacho Creations rents the Texas Picnic Company location during the evenings and weekends. Different owners, entirely different concept, same space. A great idea to maximize the use of an otherwise only day-time and weekday business space. Nacho Creations’ hours are as follows:

Wed – Thurs: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Fri: 5:00 pm – 3:00 am
Sat: 12:00 pm – 3:00 am
Sun: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Planning on trying it after the SXSW rush, and will hopefully add some commentary then. If any of our readers have tried it – would love to hear your thoughts!

I’m excited that new, casual style restaurants are continuing to open here in Downtown Austin. I like the “everyday people” focus these establishments are taking, and believe they are well-suited to the residents and visitors of Downtown Austin.

….

Now, I gotta go, because it’s time to eat!

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