Ski lift style people movers in Round Rock????

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The City of Round Rock is looking at an innovative way to relieve traffic congestion, by moving it from the street - to the air.
The City said in such a growing community, traffic is a real issue. Now they're getting creative, and what they're considering actually resembles a ski lift.

"If you can do it in high winds in the snow and mountains, then you can do it in this country," said Round Rock City Council Member John Moman.

It's an enclosed cab hundreds of feet in the air that could move as many as six people. The system could link for miles.
Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw suggested this unique form of travel to the Round Rock City Council. At first, council members thought it was a joke

"Then he brought it up again and again and we realized this is really a pretty good idea, it's not just a joke," Moman said.

frog design studio in Austin will create the plan.

"They cruise at 15 mph in between stations and when they're in a station they slow down just below walking speed but they never stop," said frog principal designer Michael McDaniel. "The ball park is $12 million a mile or up, but when you take that compared to the current proposed light rail here in Austin estimates for that are a $100 million a mile."

This design isn't found anywhere else in the country. The company said the sky high ride will be more than just a way to get around, it will be an experience.

"You're not sitting there looking at other traffic, you're looking at the city," said frog designer Jared Ficklin. "So you can imagine coming down into something like the Dell Diamond, what an amazing experience that would be."

"It's kind of like Jetsons, except you have cables," said Moman.

People who live in Round Rock are ready to take a ride.

"I would immediately go and try it," said Tyler Gorrell.

"I definitely think it would help put a stamp on the town and the community," said Jeff Birdsell. "Give it a shot, why not?"

Predictability, efficiency and a fun ride; people agree that a ski-lift in Central Texas might actually make sense.
The City said, most likely, the aerial ride would take you from shopping centers to hotels, to downtown Round Rock, and could even connect to the Capital Metro bus system.

Birthday Perks....

A freeloader's guide to making the most of your birthday in Austin

 

Last year on my 29th birthday, I stopped in to rent some movies from Vulcan Video. The clerk informed me my rental was free because it was my birthday. 

Did she feel sorry for me because I was alone and renting not one but twomovies on my birthday? Did she think I could use that $3.99 to also grab a pint of Ben and Jerry’s to ease my loneliness? Perhaps. But it’s also Vulcan’s policy to give all of their customers a free rental on their big day. 

As I drove home, I realized my birthday has more to offer than just depressing self-analysis and Facebook posts from random acquaintances. I could be taking advantage of this day to get a bunch of free stuff!

So, gearing up for my 30th b-day, I put together a handy guide to enjoying what this city has to offer you on your most special day.

10 a.m.: It’s your birthday day, so you might as well gorge yourself. If you sign up for Tacos and Tequila’s Chilehead Club, you’ll get an email for a free Saturday brunch. The coupon is good for thirty days, so don’t sweat it if your birthday's not on a Saturday. Besides just delicious Mexican food, their brunch also includes unlimited mimosas, champagne and agua frescas. But, take it from me, you'll want to take it easy on the alcohol if you’re going to make the most out of your day. 

11 a.m.: Next, stop by Vulcan Video to claim your free rental. It’s best to pick a movie out early on in the day as you'll likely be too tired/drunk later to make good decisions. And you DON'T want to wake up the next day to find out you thoughtlessly wasted your free rental on Nic Cage's Season of the Witch.

1 p.m.: Get ready for another all-you-can-eat feast because you’re on your way to Cannoli Joe's! View it as “putting down a good base" before partying and you won’t feel so bad about the copious amounts of Italian food you are about to ingest. You will need to plan ahead by signing up for Cannoli Joe’s E-Club. They’ll email you a coupon for free lunch on your birthday. This buffet has multiple rooms of rich Italian courses, and each is painted to look like a neighborhood. Think of it as the culinary birthday vacation you always dreamed of and deserved.

2 p.m.: It’s time to relax and digest a bit. Go back to your place and watch that free movie and just enjoy the cool darkness. Falling asleep is optional. I recommend setting an alarm just in case.

4 p.m.: If you’re still feeling sleeping, head straight to Kick Butt Coffee. Fill out a form in the store prior to your birthday to join their VIP club. You’ll get a birthday card that entitles you to one free drink on your b-day. Now take that shot of espresso and keep moving, birthday girl!

6 p.m.: It’s still your day, so you can be as demanding as you want. Make your friends meet at Trudy’s for happy hour. Trudy’s offers a free Mexican Martini, draft beer, mixed drink or shot on your birthday. Be careful, those Mexican Martini’s are strong (they cut you off after two). You can also choose a free dessert if you are underage.

8 p.m.: It’s time for fun, so why not take in some comedy? Cap City Comedy Club will send you a postcard for eight free tickets to use during your birthday month if you fill out a comment card at a show. That’s right, you get to bring ten friends. No need to pick and choose one or two people to bring with you. Invite all your friends! (No one has more than ten friends, right?)

 

Austin #1 for Job Seekers.....says Nerdwallet.com

Austin ranks No. 1 city for U.S. job-seekers; Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth follow suit

 By Arden Ward

01.28.13 | 01:14 pm

Nerdwallet.com has good news for Texas job seekers. The organization's blog recently announced its list of the "Best Cities for Job Seekers," which features five Texas locales in the top 10.
Austin topped the list at No. 1., followed by No. 5 Houston, No. 6 Fort Worth, No. 7 Dallas and No. 9 San Antonio. NerdWallet ranked the "fastest-growing cities for those seeking employment," using the following criteria: population growth, income, unemployment rate and the cost of living.
With the highest percentage of population growth and lowest unemployment rate, NerdWallet deemed the Capital City a "clear winner":

With the highest percent growth in population and the lowest unemployment rate, Austin is a clear winner as the best choice for job-seekers. The median income is moderately high, and the cost of living is low. Job-seekers should check out this fast-growing city, particularly for jobs in the burgeoning tech industry. Large tech companies such as Dell and IBM are headquartered there, and companies like Apple and Google have offices there as well. Biotechnology is a growing field in Austin as well.

According to the study, Austin saw a 3.8 percent change in population and has a 6.2 percent unemployment rate. Those statistics, along with a median income of $31,170, median 2-bedroom apartment rent cost of $968, and cost of living index of 94.9, gave Austin an overall score of 85.2.
The top 10 Best Cities for Job-Seekers, listed with their overall scores, is as follows:

1. Austin, TX: 85.2
2. Washington, DC: 80.8
3. San Francisco, CA: 78.3
4. Denver, CO: 74.4
5. Houston, TX: 70.8
6. Fort Worth, TX: 69.9
7. Dallas, TX: 69.2
8. Seattle, WA: 69.1
9. San Antonio, TX: 68.5
10. Charlotte, NC: 64.8

Yeah Austin... We're #1 again

Austin took the top spot for the third year in a row on Forbes’ list of “America’s 20 Fastest Growing Cities.”
The Capital City is an economic powerhouse thanks to the 51,000-student University of Texas at Austin, a bevy of Silicon Hills startups and the presence of mega corporations like Whole Foods Market Inc. (Nasdaq: WFM) and Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL), the magazine wrote.
Houston and Dallas took the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows more than 427,000 people moved to Texas between August 2011 and July 2012, Forbes reports. The magazine cites the state’s healthy labor markets, low unemployment rates and business-friendly regulatory environment among factors contributing to Texas cities’ high rankings on the list. San Antonio also made this year's ranking.
Forbes' analysis of the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas was based on six metrics. Here’s how Austin measured up:

• 2012 population growth rate: 2.8 percent
• 2013 population estimated growth rate: 2.7 percent
• Job growth rate: 3.1 percent
• Unemployment: 4.9 percent
• Gross Metro Product: 6.3 percent
• Median salary for local college-educated workers: $63,200

Austin named one of the Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South by Southern Living

 

In its February issue, Southern Living announces the second annual "Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South," based on a belly-filling trek through southern culinary hotspots.

After a "flurry of herbaceous cocktails, pork belly benders, belt busting charcuterie platters, noodle bowls, fancy tasting menus, and rowdy food festivals," the magazine narrowed down its 10 finalists based on several key factors:

• "Food as a cultural identity"
• "Growth of culinary-minded community"
• "Hot chefs on the rise"
• "Abundance of buzz-worthy food events"

This year, Austin joins other culinary cornerstones like New Orleans and Louisville on the elite list. Based on the aforementioned criteria, it's no surprise to local foodies that the Capital City has made its way into the ranking, and Southern Living agrees.

"Add live music at every turn, tacos galore, and lethal margaritas and you'll see why locals are smitten with Austin's indie style."

"With a posse of star chefs (Tyson Cole of Uchi and Uchiko; David Bull at Congress; Bryce Gilmore at Barley Swine; James Holmes at Olivia and Lucy's Fried Chicken), there are ample opportunities to swill and chomp in style," the website says.
"Add live music at every turn, tacos galore, and lethal margaritas and you'll see why locals are smitten with Austin's indie style."
Here are Southern Living's "Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South" for 2013:

Asheville, NC: This bohemian brewtopia has a buzzy scene flavored with local bounty.

Atlanta, GA: The city’s multicultural explosion makes Atlanta an essential food destination.

Austin, TX: With a posse of star chefs, there are ample opportunities to swill and chomp in style.

Charleston, SC: The city’s top chefs are moving indigenous ingredients to the center of the plate.

Durham, NC: The town boasts a mix of pioneers alongside a new generation of bootstrap cooks.

Greenville, SC: Features luscious Lowcountry cooking with a surprising international flair.

Louisville, KY: With a bourbon-infused larder, the city is experiencing a culinary renaissance.

Memphis, TN: The town’s latest riffs on soul cooking rock.

Miami, FL: The fusion flash of the ’80s has evolved into a diverse, refined eating town.

New Orleans, LA: The sultry confluence of old world and innovation maintains our adoration.

The best food destination in the South will be announced in the May issue of Southern Living, set to hit newsstands on April 19. From now through February 28, you can vote once a day for your favorite (hint: Austin) tasty town.

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Austin events this weekend... NO MORE Rain!!

 

The Sand Mandala Project at the Blanton
Tibetan Buddhist monks have descended upon Austin from the Drepung Loseling Monastery for an elaborate installation at the Blanton Museum of Art. The monks will be on site early Friday morning to kick things off for the exhibit, which runs through Sunday. (The image of monks kicking anything off, though, is hilarious imagery, especially consider that they’ll be doing this.) Sand mandalas are intricately designed, usually circular patterns that bare important religious meaning. The monks will be constructing one by hand-laying millions of grains of sand.

The 15th Annual Home and Garden Show at the Palmer Events Center
Wall sconces and lawn gnomes galore. Thousands of square feet of the Palmer Events Center will be covered in home improvement madness, including builders, contractors, materials, decks, pools, spas, entertainment systems, storage, plants, landscape displays/materials, kitchenware and a litany of Lowe’s-like business. It’s all weekend and $8.50 to get in. A prime opportunity to learn how to spruce up your space from being, “Oh, it’s IKEA,” to “Wow! That’s IKEA?”

School of Rock Austin’s tribute to The Beatles
The music school for kids is putting on a two-night show at Red 7 Saturday and Sunday night featuring the classics from the British Invasion’s leading troupe. Reward these kids for their bravery. I would try to string together an elaborate, tongue-in-cheek description of the show using only Beatles lyrics.
Grand opening of Merlin Works Improv at the ZACH Theatre
All you aspiring Kristin Wiigs and Bill Haders have an opportunity for some serious hobnobbing: The comedy school headed by Shana Merlin is moving classes to the ZACH Theatre and their new building near West Riverside Drive. To celebrate, they’re throwing a party and putting on a show Sunday night. There will be top-notch comedy, food and drinks.

B.B. King at the Paramount Theatre
There’s a legend in town. One of the most influential blues musicians and killer guitarists, B.B. King, will be performing live at the Paramount Theatre Sunday night. After a weekend of monks and art, laughing, and starting the sketches of your dream home, wind down with the Grammy winner,

Stay fit in 2013....

Work out for free with Roamfit, Austin's newest fitness app

By Arden Ward

01.07.13 | 02:29 pm

“We live in Austin, one of the most outdoor/nature-oriented cities in the world, yet folks are paying $150-plus a month to do fitness indoors,” says Drew Bridges of what is most accurately described as Austin’s free fitness plight.
To combat the Capital City's indoor fitness identity, Bridges and friend Ajay Mody developed Roamfit, a web-based app whose mission is to make fitness “fun, accessible and transparent.”
“I had just moved to Austin and didn’t know where the best places to workout for free were,” Bridges says. At the same time, Mody, who was injured in a taxi accident, was transitioning from rehabilitation programs to creating a fitness program of his own. The two joined forces on an innovative fitness platform that could meet their varying needs.

“We both put our heads together to create a fitness discovery web application,” Bridges says. Mody and Bridges launched Roamfit in September, a web tool where locals can find fitness options (free and paid), then register for classes and review the experience to benefit others. “What we’ve created is like a hotels.com, but for the fitness industry,” he says.
Roamfit is a one-stop shop for fitness opportunities, where you can filter results by type, location and cost. To use the tool, create a free account at roamfit.com, then start exploring the many fitness options — from sport climbing and paddling to yoga and dance. The site is relatively new and blends user-generated content with merchant data, so results will become more refined as more people start reviewing.
While the central focus of Roamfit is a web hub for fitness, founders Bridges and Mody also host free workouts three times a week that anyone can join.

“We wanted to motivate more people to work out,” says Bridges, “so we created a free workout series that meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday before work at 6:30 a.m.” The workouts take place at different locations downtown, each offering high intensity interval training that can benefit athletes of any sport.
Each week starts with a Hill/Obstacle Run on Monday, followed by a Sieze the Garage workout (read: run stairs) on Wednesday and closes out with Capitol Circuits on Friday. Roamfit Movement workouts are cost- and signup-free — the only requirement is your commitment to getting up and moving first thing in the morning.
Whether it's helping you discover an empowering new class in town, or providing you with a free chance to start the day with some serious calorie burning, Roamfit might be just your ticket to fitness discovery in 2013.
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For more information on free workouts, visit roamfitmovement.com. To sign up for the Roamfit app at roamfit.com.