December/January 2017

Gift Guide for the East Side We've got your gift giving covered!

Health & Wellness

Where Eastern Medicine Meets East Austin

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EAST THE CREATIVE

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OF AUSTIN

1801 East 51st Street, Suite 365-501 Austin, Texas 78722 512.809.9804 eastsideatx.com Publisher Nillo Studios Creative Director Will Bowling Managing Editor Ashley Bowling Business Development Todd Meador, Marie Vargas Photo Editor Eric Morales Copy Editor Pam Bowen

3317 Manor Road/Dharma-Yoga.net

Culinary Photographer Ashley Haguewood Contributing Photographers Benjamin Garrett, Jason Page, Leah Muse Aaron Rimbey, Dear Wesleyann, Elaine Huang

OVE0R 25PICKED

Contributing Writers Jess Hagemann, Jennifer Simonson, Eric Morales, Xander Peters, Camille Smith Ben Haguewood, Jessica Devenyns, Al Fini, Mary Bryce, Sam Lauron

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Stylist Meggie Copeland, Laurel Kinney, Ana Davidson Distribution info@eastsideatx.com Submissions info@eastsideatx.com Advertising sales@eastsideatx.com

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Copyright © 2016 Nillo Studios, LLC. EASTside Magazine is published by Nillo Studios, LLC. No portion may be reproduced without express written consent. Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice, but is rather considered informative. Expressed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ownership.

IN STORE

CONNECT WITH US www.eastsideatx.com eastsideatx eastsideatxmag eastsideatxmag

MARKET itsitalianmarket.com 2025 E 7th St Suite 115 Austin, TX 78702 4 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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eastside / editor’s note

Taking the First Step

It’s something that affects us all no matter what we do or who we are. “Great health is great wealth.” “Your body is the only one you have, so take care of it.” “Take the first step to a healthier you.” Thousands of phrases help motivate us to become healthier and make health-conscious choices. But we all need inspiration when it comes to staying healthy—from keeping our body moving to finding time to relax, from finding the right provider who will listen and direct, to finding the right way to eat for our body type. We cannot negate that there is a cost to staying fit that sometimes deters or hinders many people, including myself, from taking that step. So, the idea behind this issue was to find and then inform our readers about some affordable healthcare options and ways to better ourselves. Within a mile or two from our front doors, we can find out how to eat better, where to center our body and mind, and where to gain counsel for life’s problems.

Also in this issue, we take on the task of shopping together. There is no reason to drive to the mall or to other parts of Austin to shop when we have some of the trendiest fashion in the city right here. The local east side boutiques and shops have some of the most unique gifts available. Not only that, but doesn’t it also feel good when we support local small businesses? We hope everyone enjoys this issue—we had a blast putting all this uniqueness together!

Merry Christmas and cheers to a healthy New Year!

Will Bowling

C U S T O M H A N D M A D E J E W E L R Y agnesseebass.com

512.568.8405 Wednesday–Friday: 1pm-5pm Saturday: 11am-2pm or by appointment

On the Cover This issue's cover was one where we had a grand idea and we did everything we could to make it work with numerous subjects, but it just didn't work out the way we planned. But thanks to our talented photographer, Ashley Haguewood, and her last minute ideas we captured this shot. The color and lighting turned out great! We're serving up "Be Well" on a platter of healty ingredients just for you.

Studio & Showroom 507 Calles St. Suite #121

[the healthy side of austin]

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5

contents

28 36 features 21 Health is Wealth

Editor’s Note 05 EASTside Local 08 Art+Entertainment 11 Style+Beauty 16

08

Go+Do 35

28 Shop-A-Holic Season

Home+Away 39

No need to travel far and wide to locate the perfect gift for someone special. We've highlighted local boutiques and east side artisans to keep your gift giving fashionable and local this holiday season.

Sip+Taste 45 6 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

Six east side professional practices keeping it real when it comes to the health and wellness of our community--from what we put into our bodies, to a family practice combining eastern and western medicines, to affordable mental health, to personalized obstetric care, to yoga and acupuncture for the masses.

find more at eastsideatx.com

An Entire Neighborhood Devoted to Modern Design THE REBIRTH OF AN INCREDIBLE CONCEPT IN EAST AUSTIN.

CONTACT:

Ann Rayborn (512) 318-9567 annr@intown-homes.com 3-4 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $400K 6 mi. east of Downtown on MLK ge without notice. Square footage is approximate. No representation or warranties either expressed or implied This community is as much about the people as herein or with respect to the suitability, usability, merchantability or conditions of any property hereinModel described.

Home: it is about the architecture. Come discover Agave.

5805 Pinon Vista Drive

eastside / local

Austin Corner Vet has TWO Locations: one on E. Cesar

Chavez and one on S. 1st Street. The South 1st location is now under renovation, and the east side location has extended hours with no extra charge for weekend or late night appointments.

Mon-Thurs 8am-10pm Fri 8am-8pm Sat 8am-6pm Sun 9am-3pm

The Call of the Wild Austin Corner Vet’s Humanistic Approach to Veterinary Medicine WORDS BY JESSICA DEVENYNS PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES

They say that people are like their animals. However, when you walk into Austin Corner Vet and Dr. Vaughn tells you that his favorite animal is a polar bear, you will quickly be obliged to reconsider your initial assumptions about a veterinary practice located in an old warehouse.

After all, no vet could exist in such a cool environment.

8 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

find more at eastsideatx.com

C

learly, conventional preconceptions of a vet’s office are not applicable at Corner Vet. In fact, Dr. Vaughan will even tell you that himself. “We try to go through a psychological analysis of why a client has a pet in the first place. We want you to enjoy that pet and say, ‘Oh, wow. I love pets! This is great. This changed my life. This is easy.’”

Located on the corner of Perdanales Street and East Cesar Chavez, Austin Corner Vet inhabits the intersection of humanitarianism and pet care.

Filled with personality, this neighborhood vet strives to provide care to any animal that makes its way through the doors of his clinic. However, those who find themselves putting their trust in Dr. Vaughan and his staff need not do so blindly.

No matter which exam room you find yourself

being consulted in, large glass doors will offer you a full view of the clinic in motion. “The whole point of transparent glass,” Dr. Vaughan explains as he indicates the row of exam doors, “is transparency. So you can see from the front of the lobby all the way to the back. There’s nothing to hide in the back of this medical facility. You can have full access to see what is happening to your pets.”

Native Knowledge: Get your car washed in the parking lot while waiting for your pet to be examined.

The physical transparency with which the east side Corner Vet clinic is constructed is just one of the clear manifestations of their educational approach to veterinary medicine.

A trip to Corner Vet is a bit like attending veterinary clinicals. You’re sure to hear one or two Latin-based terms mixed in with exacting measurements while Dr. Vaughan explains your pet’s prescribed treatment. “I offer the options. I say this is how I would do it if it were my pet,” clarifies Dr. Vaughan when asked why he dives into such technical diagnostic depth for each and every patient.

He clarifies his approach by insisting that understanding leads to positivity. “If you take a little extra time and work a little bit harder, you could probably actually do it [diagnose] in a positive way. It just takes more effort. It takes more energy to push that positive stuff through. But it does help.”

This positivity that permeates the Corner Vet comes as much from the clients as the veterinary staff. On the east side, Corner Vet is a tried and true practice that has developed a loyal core of clients who, Dr. Vaughan lowers his voice to admit, “…are just better. They’re a lot more fun to work with.” After a short pause, his eyes light up as he says, “There’s just a different sense of community over here than I’ve noticed in different neighborhoods in Austin.”

As he walks over to kneel down and consult his next patient, he calls over his shoulder, “This is by far my favorite place to work. If I had my druthers, I’d prefer to practice here.”

contact:

512.236.8000 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St. #100 austincornervet.com austincornervet

[the healthy side of austin]

Buy ~ Sell ~ Lease

DeLea Becker 512-472-8833 www.BeckReitCRE.com eastsideatx.com

9

O U R FAV E E V E N T S

Pick 9

FOR THE EAST SIDE

&

DECEMBER JANUARY The Fine Goods Pop-Up

December 7, 6:30-9:30pm Kick off your holiday shopping at The Fine Goods Pop-Up Holiday Edition, hosted by The Distillery Market and Paper + Craft Pantry. Shop local designers at this free event while sipping on drinks from Mighty Swell Cocktails and enjoying bites from Baked by Amy’s. 2511 E. 6th St. | thefinegoodspopup.com

Gingerbread Workshops

December 3-24 Nothing says holidays like making gingerbread houses.

Kids of all ages can enjoy building and decorating gingerbread houses with kits provided by the Thinkery, and afterwards can enjoy the museum while waiting for their houses to dry. Don’t forget to register for your spot online!

1830 Simond Ave. | thinkeryaustin.org

Cherrywood Art Fair

December 10-11, 10am-5pm A holiday favorite among Austinites and East-siders alike, the annual Cherrywood Art Fair returns for its 15th year. The shopping event will feature 88 artisans and their work ranging from jewelry, home décor and one-of-a-kind gifts. Proceeds from the fair will benefit Maplewood Elementary and Chula League’s Little Artist BIG ARTIST mentoring program.

3808 Maplewood Ave. | cherrywoodartfair.org 10 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

RTX Presents: Mutemath

January 7, 8pm Head to Emo’s to watch Mutemath with Keeper—presented by RTX, a three-day gaming and internet culture event hosted by Rooster Teeth. Doors open at 8pm, and tickets are $22 advanced and $25 day of show.

2015 E. Riverside Dr. | emosaustin.com

Hoot!

For the Holidays

December 16, 8pm Looking for laughs this holiday season? Local production company, Heckle Her, brings us Hoot! For the Holidays—a late night musical comedy featuring musicians and comedians singing holiday-themed covers and originals. In charitable spirit, 15% of ticket sales will benefit LifeWorks. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door at Spiderhouse Ballroom, for audiences 21+.

2908 Fruth St. | adriennedawes.com

Origin Designer Market

December 17, 10am-5pm Founded by local artists Son of a Sailor, Rhyno Clayworks, Little Minnow, and Fail Jewelry, Origin Designer Market aims to bring handmade artists and makers together into one unique shopping event. The inaugural event is a holiday marketplace at Mueller Browning Hangar.

4550 Mueller Blvd. | origindesignermarket.com

Art on the Farm

December 3-17 You can always visit Boggy Creek Farms for market days to find fresh produce, dairy, and meat, but from December 3-17, you can also find art.

Paintings, photos, and woodwork are among the pieces on display that make for great holiday gifts. 3414 Lyons Rd. | boggycreekfarm.com

find more at eastsideatx.com

Print Austin

January 15-Feb 15 The annual art event showcasing fine art prints, PrintAustin is back for another year. Visit one of the many venues, including Flatbed Press + Gallery, Big Medium, and Blanton Museum to view the work of 20+ artists. Free and open to the public. various locations | printaustin.org

Martin Luther King March and Festival

January 16, 9am The annual MLK march and festival to celebrate Martin Luther King’s legacy will take place at Huston-Tillotson University. The march begins at the MLK statue on the UT campus, continues on to the steps of the State Capitol and ends at Huston-Tillotson University.

Donations for the Capital Area Food Bank will be collected. 900 Chicon St. | mlkcelebration.com

WORDS BY SAM LAURON

Arts + entertainment December + January 2016/2017

"Music is medicine."

-Ephraim Owens p.14

12 enter-

tainment

EAST AUSTIN THEATER GROUP, RUDE MECHS, REMAKES MAD SCIENCE IN REQUIEM FOR TESLA.

14 music artist HANGING OUT WITH TRUMPETER EPHRAIM OWENS AS HE TALKS ABOUT BRASS AND HIS LOVE OF MUSIC.

eastside / entertainment

Mad Science

east austin theater group electrifies stage WORDS BY JENNIFER SIMONSON PHOTOS BY AARON RIMBEY

SHAWN SIDES | Director

MATT FRAZIER | Tesla

KIRK LYNN | Writer

ROBERT S. FISHER | Mark Twain/Thomas Edison

When: December 1-18 Thursday-Saturday 8pm; Sunday 5pm Where: The Off Center, 2211A Hidalgo St.

History is full of great characters, and Nikola Tesla is no exception. A mad scientist. A genius before his time.

T

esla gave the world alternating current and radio transmission. He envisioned wireless technology and cellphones a century before they were invented. But his obsessive-compulsive disorder drove him to count everything in the number of threes, possess an extreme aversion to human hair and believe he was in contact with aliens leaving him detached from society, turning to pigeons for comfort before dying alone and penniless in a New York City hotel room.

Is there better fodder for a play character?

Austin-based collective theater company Rude Mechs thought not when they were searching for a subject matter for a new project.

“We knew we wanted to do a sci-fi piece, and we were just sort of rooting around looking when we read the shortest bio of him in an anthology of interesting scientists. Of course, immediately we were like, “oh my god!” he hates spherical objects and he loves pigeons. He is so OCD he counts everything in threes, and he was such a big showman. [His story] was just so rich and genius and sad,” said director Shawn Sides.

Requiem for Tesla, the semi-biographical, sci-fi homage to Nikola Tesla, premiered in 2001, before the world embraced Tesla as a household name, before there was an automaker named after him or before David Bowie played him in a movie.

Tickets: $12-$35 Sliding Scale 12 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

find more at eastsideatx.com

“Today people know Tesla, but in 2001 he was pretty obscure,” Sides adds. Despite his relative obscurity at the time the play was so popular, they brought it back in 2003 with a revamped script and set design. To celebrate its 20th season, Rude Mechs is bringing back Requiem for Tesla in December for a third iteration combining the 2001 production design with the 2003 script. The 90-minute play picks up Tesla with his arrival to America from his native home of modern day Croatia. It highlights his success with alternating currents and radio transmission and his tumultuous relationships with Thomas Edison, J.P. Morgan, and George Westinghouse who cheat Tesla out of his earnings and seek to ruin him all while exposing the psychological oddities of this deeply haunted man.

Requiem's five-member cast, live music and its high voltage stage collage portrays Tesla’s continuous teetering between genius and insanity, including his deep love for a pigeon, a love from which he believed his was reciprocated.

“This Tesla is far from the mad scientist the media made him out to be—no raving Dr. Frankenstein, as Colin Clive had him in the 1931 film, no death ray-dealing fiend in a Superman cartoon. But the Rudes use these images as an atmospheric jumping-off point; they playfully tell Tesla’s story through conventions of Hollywood horror…” said the Austin Chronicle in January 2003.

Requiem for Tesla will run for two weeks in December at The Off Center. It will be one of the last shows to take stage at The Off Center as the theater is slated to close in May.

contact:

512.476.RUDE 2211A Hidalgo St. rudemechs.com

rudemechs rudemechs RudeMechs

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13

eastside / artist

Ephraim Owens WORDS BY JESS HAGEMANN PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES

Austin trumpeter and member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band

LET US SHOWCASE WHAT'S Great ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS

WHAT does playing music mean to you? Music is

For More Information, contact us at

advertise@ eastsideatx.com Get all that is in this issue and more every day at EASTSIDEATX.com 14 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

medicine. People come out to shows to get things off their chest and out of their hearts and off their minds. They come out to get music in them because they had a bad day at work or something is going wrong with family or they're sick. Some come out for the look or the feel of the music, or for the show of it. I believe it’s my duty to deliver, to live up to the audience’s honesty and to answer it with my own. If my music isn't honest, somebody’s going to pick up on it.

WHERE are your favorite places to play in Austin? I

have a couple regular residencies at The Continental Gallery [on South Congress] and The Elephant Room [downtown]. I’ve been playing every Tuesday at the Gallery for the last ten years, and this year I’ll play a New Year's Eve show at the Elephant Room.

As for east Austin, a fellow musician operates a pop-up venue called Monks at 6th and Chicon.

They host special events for a cover charge, and it’s a great little room set up to feel like a real jazz club. Patrons there don’t get distracted by talking; they pay attention to what’s happening on stage.

find more at eastsideatx.com

WHY flugelhorn? What’s special about it to you?

I don’t play the flugelhorn a whole lot, but I like it for its warmth—it’s like a cozy fireplace.

The mellowness of the flugelhorn is perfect for ballads and sentimental tunes. Certain songs ask for a certain sound. That’s how I determine which instrument to use: the flugelhorn, a modified muted horn, or an open horn.

My trumpet goes everywhere that I do, but sometimes it’s nice to break up the monotony of only hearing one horn.

You’ve played with a lot of big-name recording artists.

Ephraim Owens is a jazz trumpeter in his mid-40s. He has been a professional musician since 1991, and variously plays with a trio, a quartet, a quintet, or a band depending on the showcase. After moving to Austin in 1994, Owens had a day named for him by then-mayor Bruce Todd, who proclaimed June 14, 1997, to be Ephraim Owens Day.

60 DAYS FOR $60 Text STRETCH60460 to 22828

to join our mailing list and purchase this limited-time offer! *Not combinable with other offers, 60 consecutive days, not redeemable for cash, other restrictions and exclusions may apply.

this holiday give yourself the ultimate gift of peace on earth... stretchyogatx.com | 1621 E. 6th Street You can catch Ephraim Owens one Friday a month at Whisler’s, where he plays a live cabaret. Serese Brown is the burlesque dancer.

“She gets up on the bar and does her thing and la e sa s Owens.

WHO have you enjoyed collaborating with most?

Sheryl Crow, Mumford and Sons, and Patty Griffin all come to mind immediately—but I’m going to stop there because I’d hate to leave somebody out.

You already have a day named after you. WHEN you have a cocktail named after you, what will be in it and what will it be called? Tequila, neat. And I’d call it The Shorty. I order that at the clubs all the time. Tequila is my night caffeine. Unlike whiskey or bourbon, which slow you down, tequila gets my adrenaline going!

THE FOX DEN contact:

PLANTS | HOME | LIFESTYLE

shows listed on Do512

1105 CHICON ST.

[the healthy side of austin]

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15

Helmet

by Dot at Urban Motor Sports Leopard Print Coat at GARMENT Modern + Vintage Model: Jasmin @imitatingrabbit

Sunglasses at Goodwill Striped Dress

by Kenzo Model: Dez

Style + beauty All Over the Place

December + January 2016/2017

WORDS BY ANA DAVIDSON PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES

Photographer Eric Morales and Stylist Ana Davidson break away from the influence of austere 90s minimalism and go wild.

The season's trends are all over the map and maximal trend-dressing is a thing.

Take advantage of holiday festivities and get to know your maximal self, utilizing pattern, mixing living sculpture to explore international trends. Leopard prints, striped knits, pleats, fringe, tassels, metallics, bomber jackets, bubblegum pink and florals are back.

16 finding

fashion

UNPREDICTABILITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME. THIS YEAR'S TRENDS CAN BE FOUND AT GOODWILL, THAT OLD BOX OF STUFF FROM HIGH SCHOOL YOU'VE BEEN SAVING, OR IN YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS.

Metallic Cap at Zara Turtleneck by A. P. C. Clothing at Neiman Marcus Blue Moto Jacket at GARMENT Modern + Vintage Tassel Earrings GARMENT Modern + Vintage's In-House Brand Stylist: Ana Davidson @anadavidson_ anadavidson.com Photographer: Eric Morales @ericmphoto

Embroidered Jacket at GARMENT Modern + Vintage Pleated Choker Model's Own

Red Bomber Jacket at GARMENT Modern + Vintage Back Visor Stylist's own Model: Kiana McDaniel @kianamcdaniel 18 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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EAST SIDE

QUALITY + NATURAL + HEALTHY TUESDAYS - SATURDAYS 10AM - 7PM SUNDAYS 12PM - 6PM

2505 E. 6th St. Unit D (512) 482-8219 primepetaustin.com | primepetaustin

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WORK. LIFE. YOGA.

A Wellness Coworking Community in the Heart of East Austin

DAILY YOGA - MASSAGE ACUPUNCTURE - COWORKING Introducing COYOGA this Fall, Yoga Class + Coworking for only $15 a day [the healthy side of austin]

eastsideatx.com

19

20 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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Health is wealth

Six east side professional practices who value the overall wellness of each individual person and who also choose to listen to the community's needs and help its residents obtain optimal health.

[the healthy side of austin]

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21

NUTRITIONAL WISDOM

Rations With Passion

Why We Eat vs. What to Eat

WORDS BY XANDER PETERS PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

Their goal isn’t to teach people how carrots are healthier than carrot cake, and their approach isn’t one that bids a bitter adieu to the exquisiteness of breakfast tacos and cold beer.

R

ather, by recognizing how no two individuals diet in the exact same fashion, is what Lauren and Carly do is treat the traditional food pyramid as if it’s a piece of Play-Doh, molding it to fit the day-to-day needs of each client, focusing more on “why we eat” versus the “what to eat” aspect of dieting.

“I think nutrition and spirituality, and even personal growth and self-care, all of those things are so important,” enthuses Lauren Deaton, a techie turned nutritional therapy practitioner and holistic lifestyle coach. “But I also think those things can feel pretty heavy for people. No pun intended.”

The anxiety of dieting and making a healthy change, for some, is uncomfortable. That unforgettable irk of the all too obvious: I know what I should eat; I just can’t make myself do it. Maybe I’ll start the diet tomorrow. There is a hesitation that comes with making any change of lifestyle, even if it’s a move for the better. It’s only human.

But it’s there, within the orbit of tailored individuality and healthy living, of being only human, that we find Nutritional Wisdom – a personalized dietary lifestyle program that takes a holistic approach to health and wellness, and the brainchild of Carly Pollock that has helped more than 4,000 clients to date. And since Carly founded the company several years ago, their simple, straightforward commitment to each client is simple: find the right fit between mind, body, and food for each person “to promote ultimate wellness and vitality,” as Carly describes on their website.

eating patterns. In her opinion, she feels as though people have sort of maxed out western medicine to an extent, which is why Nutritional Wisdom’s method takes a grassroots approach, a b-line back to the basics, where happy and healthy pass each other with a wave on a two-lane street. “As holistic practitioners, we really strive to heal things at the root, and food is a huge part of that,” Lauren notes.

“It’s pretty amazing to see people, for example, who have been on medication for decades, changing their food, changing their lifestyle and stripping it all away one prescription at a time,” she continues. “Even people more on the psychological side, with eating disorders or who have just really struggled with their relationship with food. When [clients] truly feel free around food, their friends and their body, that, to me, is a huge success.”

Call it a way to split the difference between healthy edibles and feeling incredible. Call it rations with a passion. Call it what you may. Like the probability of two people’s fingerprints matching is approximately one in billions, the chance of two people’s dietary needs being nearly identical is equally as rare. That fact alone can feel pretty heavy for people, yet Nutritional Wisdom is there to lighten their load.

Dr-Cheryl-Clark-Brown

In addition to Western medicine, Clark-Brown Family Care Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, lymphatic massage, and moxycustion.

Acupuncture:

Using needles to create stimulation at key points on the body, acupuncture is able to restore the balance of the body’s energy system and alleviate any issues that are caused by imbalances in the system.

Chinese herbs:

Chinese medicine, like Western medicine, is able to help with many different ailments, but because of natural ingredients, toxins do not build up in the body as a side effect.

Cupping:

Lymphatic massage:

This massage technique works to detoxify the body and adjust imbalances in the body. This is a good option for those with underlying medical conditions because it is non-invasive.

contact:

512.243.7473 1210 Rosewood Avenue nutritionalwisdom.com

22 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

512.391.9700 2113 East MLK Jr. Blvd. clarkbrownmd.com

Cupping is detoxifying, which helps drain the lymphatic system and relieve muscle tension.

Lauren considers the process as the spiritual side of food—the self-care, the mental and emotional behavior behind our

nutritionalwisdom nutritionalwisdom

Contact:

Moxybustion:

LAUREN DEATON | Nutritionist

find more at eastsideatx.com

Moxybustion is a warming therapy. It’s a good way to balance the body with warm and cold. It is great for pain management.

Care-Oriented Approach

Time is the Essence of the Practice.

WORDS BY JESSICA DEVENYNS PHOTOS BY LEAH MUSE

As she sits neatly folded onto her chair, hair perfectly quaffed into place, Dr. Clark-Brown’s voice suddenly breaks with passion, shattering the veneer of a medical practitioner and revealing the face of a caretaker.

"I

’m not going to see patients every ten minutes. I put them 15, sometimes 30. But I am of the school that if patients come to us, they entrust us with their lives.

Why should we rush them through like lab rats? Why shouldn’t we take the time to listen to them and talk to them and explain what is going on? Why are you taking this medicine? What are the side effects of this medicine? And then, also offer them the opportunity to take something natural.”

CHERYL CLARK-BROWN | M.D.

LACONYA ROBERTSON | RN, MSN, FNP-C

ANNE CUSICK | MAcOM, LAcMAcOM LEIGH ANN GAUNTT | RN, BSN, MAcOM, LAc

Patient education and natural remedies are the cornerstones that support the care-oriented approach at the clinic.

“If you can teach your patient how to change their diet, how to increase their hydration, how to pull away some of those things that are toxic to their body, we can change them on their own.” Dr. Clark-Brown reveals that she herself even practices what she preaches. “If I went to see a doctor, how would I want to be treated? So I treat [patients] how I would want to be treated. I wouldn’t want someone to shuffle me through like a number.”

Indeed, the likelihood that you would become a simple number in these offices is small. As she speaks, Dr. Clark-Brown has a knack for making you feel like you are conversing with a long-time confidant instead of listing off your woes to a physician. “I like to get to know my patients,” she states as if it could be no other way, “I’m thankful I’m here on my own and I can spend my time on my patients without someone hovering over me. Yes, it causes a struggle because I’m not reimbursed as well, but I’m doing what I went to medical school for. I’m doing what feels right in my heart.”

Following her heart is what led Dr. Clark-Brown to open up a clinic walking distance from the home that she grew up in. “I grew up in east Austin so I wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me,” she explains simply.

In 2009 when she and two of her nurses opened up Clark-Brown Family Care Clinic, they operated with a cash-only policy. Since then they have expanded to include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medication, and lymphatic massage services.

To explain her conviction that the best way to practice medicine is by working in tandem with more natural remedies, Dr. Clark-Brown drops her voice to a whisper and admits, “I don’t take medicine unless I really have to.” Clearly, the blending of East meets West is a point of pride at this clinic. “I believe in acupuncture. I believe in herbal medicine. I believe in natural stuff.” At the mention of natural stuff, her head acupuncturist Anne Cusick chimes in to agree, “I believe everything works. I believe a patient should be given many options to explore, to feel better in their bodies.” The combination works especially well, Anne says, for pain management. “With pain management, the healing time is faster than if you just do pharmaceuticals, and that’s just masking the problem.”

They both emphasize that at the clinic, caring enough to find a solution that does not involve writing a script is the goal. “It’s not all about pulling out a prescription pad and putting a Band-Aid on top of it,” Dr. Clark-Brown insists. “It’s about getting to the root of the problem— finding out what’s the cause, how can we change it, how can we fix it, how can we prevent it from happening again.”

Her eyes gleam with pride as she insists that this is why she opened her own practice. “I am able to come back and serve the community that I grew up in, and I’m glad that I am able to be the physician that I wanted to be. I don’t have to rush my patients though. I can actually sit down. I can talk to my patients…

Because that’s who I am. I love to teach, I love to educate, and I want to help. I feel with this practice here, I have the autonomy to do that.”

CLARK-BROWN FAMILY CARE CLINIC

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BIKRAM BIKRAMYOGA YOGAEAST EASTAUSTIN AUSTIN

Native Knowledge: Bikram Yoga East Austin offers discounts for anyone under 25 and over 55 years of age, as well as any teachers, government employees, and students.

“We try to give the yoga away,” Gabriel laughs. Try a week of unlimited yoga for $20, or a month for $50.

GABRIEL TAVERA | Co-Owner

Mind & Body

Going Out of Their Way to Bend Over Backward

WORDS BY JESS HAGEMANN PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

Gabriel Tavera was 24 years old when he took his first yoga class. An ambitious young man with a successful career in advertising, Gabriel thought he was in “really good” shape. “I ran, and went to the gym, and did the whole men’s health thing,” he says, but that yoga class was “the most physically and mentally demanding thing I’d ever done.”

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abriel admits he was “amazed” at the 55-year-old women in class with him that day who not only made the workout look easy, but smiled through the whole ninety minutes. “Everyone was happy and I could tell everyone felt great. Even though I had no clue what yoga was, or what I was doing, or what yoga was going to do to me, I knew immediately that I wanted to own a studio.”

Today Gabriel and his best friend Martin Tolliver own Bikram Yoga East Austin. It’s a long, skinny space lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrors on one side, and matching windows on the other. All that natural light makes the studio feel airy, even when it’s artificially heated to 100 degrees (Bikram is the original ‘hot yoga’). Martin is a mechanical engineer by trade, and he specially designed the room’s unique HVAC system. CO2 monitors track how hard the students are breathing, and if the CO2 levels rise too high, fresh air gets pumped into the room. After visiting many different yoga studios and noting that hot yoga rooms were notoriously stuffy, Gabriel was determined to create a more “breezy,” comfortable space.

24 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

What Gabriel created at Bikram Yoga East Austin, he fondly calls his “home.” Between the bright green house plants at the entry, the colorful assortment of mats, towels, and hot yoga clothes available for sale from local brand “We Are Yoga,” and the community challenge board (where students keep track of their progress and challenge themselves to do more yoga), Bikram Yoga East Austin feels both inspired and inspiring. “I love that I can stroll in here with my dogs and do whatever I want whenever I want,” he says—just like the owner of the very first studio Gabriel attended. Watching that first instructor-owner “do her thing” reminded Gabriel of his father, who immigrated from Mexico City in the 1980s as a merchant. “Dad sold socks, Walkmans, and deodorant on the El Paso border … and people gravitated to him, and went to the store because he was there. His work made him happy.” Now Gabriel gets to “do his thing,” too!

It was after completing a yoga teacher training program in Hawaii and starting to teach yoga that Gabriel feels his own practice “went through the roof.” When you’re teaching, Gabriel says, “you all of a sudden see people—what they’re made of. Ev-

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eryone is a lesson … and they’re teaching you about yourself.” In the 2.5 years that Bikram Yoga East Austin has been open, Gabriel has only become more convinced that “there’s nothing more interesting in life than people. That’s where anything in the world starts: with people.” Because “you find what makes you ‘you’ in the yoga room,” yoga “brings you closer to your truth. Then you’re able to navigate the world more easily, connecting with people and sharing the compassion, empathy, and love that you’ve created for yourself by practicing self-awareness.”

Contact:

3801 Berkman Dr. #B 512.348.7273 Bikramyogaeastaustin@gmail.com

What is Bikram Yoga?

Bikram is a “beginner’s yoga” that combines 26 asanas (isolated poses) and 2 pranayamas (breathing techniques) in a traditional sequence.

“Anyone can do it,” affirms Gabriel, because unlike some types of yoga Bikram yoga doesn’t demand that you enter the class already flexible. Rather, the heated room helps your muscles to stretch safely, and the practice “teaches you to use the strength you have, that you were born with, and how to turn it into flexibility and balance.” Most people will see results within a week’s time!

Be on the Lookout Gabriel and his team of instructors continue to add new classes to the schedule all the time.

In addition to Bikram, the studio offers vinyasa and yin yoga, and now they’re experimenting with Qigong: a class suitable for all ages and bodies including the wheelchair-bound!

contact:

512.302.1000 2824 Real Street cacaustin.org RUSLYN SMITH | Executive Director

Capital-Area-Counseling

Tiny Stress Ball

A Local, Affordable Option When Life Throws a Curveball

WORDS BY XANDER PETERS PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES

Life happens sometimes. As fortunate as it is unfortunate, it’s not a finessed fairytale way of looking at things. But it’s an excuse often used in the interim. Like how a strong gust of wind can push a home run ball into the dead center of a foul post, at times the path traveled can go awry, and one finds themselves at the mercy of the elements.

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or some, it can turn into a blame game – blame it on timing, blame it on bad luck, blame it on the political climate, blame it on the noisy neighbors upstairs.

Others hold this vast, ugly, lovely, charming world responsible for their problems. For others, it creates an urge to open up—an urge to talk about it, and more often than not, to seek professional help.

The ups and downs and all around, these facts of life are all too familiar for someone like Ruslyn Smith, an executive director with Capital Area Counseling (CAC for short), a local mental health center that offers affordable, accessible mental health services. Unique in its own way, the center prides itself on how the majority of its therapists are post-graduates (who are supervised CAC staff), as well as its no-session-limit policy and income-based fees. In more than 30

years of operation, the CAC has acted as a sort of emotional lifeline for adults, children, couples and families alike, accumulating more than 18,000 sessions last year alone.

Sitting in her office, Ruslyn grabs a tiny stress ball and rolls it around her right palm. It’s the same kind as what CAC therapists give to clients. “It creates an environment,” she explains, referring to how the therapists-in-training provide a certain level of enthusiasm in their work. “Where we’re all working together, and our whole focus is on how to be the best we can be so that we can give our clients the best service that we can give.”

“This is their life’s work. [The therapists] want to help people and support people in finding the best they can, or being who they want to be, or finding a way to get unstuck

and metabolize things that have happened,” she continues. “I would say the upside to our therapists is they may not be as experienced, but what they’re getting in school right now is cutting edge. And they feel this is who they’re meant to be in this world.”

Not everyone is a candidate for therapy, of course. Ruslyn is the first to admit how some individuals may find their solace elsewhere, like in nature or going for a long drive, while others prefer gardening or a interesting book, or any number of creative or meditational ways to cope. One-size fits all doesn’t apply to bettering one’s mental health, just like how when life happens it doesn’t always happen in the same way for everyone. But if, and when, it does – “We accept you with open arms,” Ruslyn says as her grip around the stress ball relaxes.

CAPITAL AREA COUNSELING

[the healthy side of austin]

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NEIGHBORHOOD ACUPUNCTURE PROJECT BIKRAM YOGA EAST AUSTIN

TONY WARD | L.Ac, MAOM

Puncturing Preconceptions This cozy noodle joint with an open kitchen specializes in ramen made with whole chicken broth.

Monday-Friday: 11:30am-2:30pm for Lunch, 5:30pm-10:00pm for Dinner, Saturday: 11:30am-3pm for Lunch, 5:30pm-10:00pm for Dinner, Sunday: 12:00pm-9:00pm

612 E 6th St.

512.369.3897

Creating Heirloom Quality Journals and Albums on the Eastside Since 2002 701 Tillery Street (in back building) ionahandcraftedbooks.com 512-247-4700 26 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

Bringing Chinese Medicine to the Masses

WORDS BY JESSICA DEVENYNS PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES

Go ahead, take a nap. At Neighborhood Acupuncture Project, or NAP, taking a moment to relax and unwind is at the essence of their healing practice. “[When] people walk in, they start feeling better.

There’s a feeling here and that’s created, I think, by all of our intentions, but also by the fact of what’s been happening for ten years,” says co-founder Tony Ward.

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because I have seen people come in at the same time and have very similar complaints. They don’t know each other. It’s almost like this subconscious support group.”

NAP services, however, have not remained exclusively for underserved populations. Through the years, NAP has built a reputation to precede it.

Co-founder Laura Mathews smiles proudly as she remarks, “People can access it [NAP] who normally wouldn’t be able to. We see people of all races, all incomes.”

To the founders of NAP, being able to cultivate joy and healing within their world is what drives them to continue their practice on the east side despite changes in the community structure and increases in rent.

es, for ten years Neighborhood Acupuncture Project has had its doors open to the community to encourage healing and empowerment for those who face economic, psychological, or physical limitations in their access to Western medicine. In fact, as the 9th community acupuncture clinic in the nation and the first in Austin, NAP began with the intention of being fully committed to all demographics.“When we opened up, I would say 50% of our patients didn’t have insurance,” explains Ward when asked why the east side was selected as the neighborhood of choice for opening the clinic.

This wide variety of clients has allowed Neighborhood Acupuncture Project to cultivate a space that is as much about community as it is about healing.

Mathews explains that the creation and maintenance of NAP was a “group effort” and because of this, the synergistic healing that patients experience is a product of the intentions and energy that each volunteer and client contribute to the space.

“It is a different experience than sitting alone in a room,” Mathews continues. “There’s people from many different walks of life. It’s kind of magical

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Having a built-in support group is what drives the community model. Volunteers run the front desk and a sliding scale payment model allows the acupuncture services to be accessible to almost everyone. According to Ward, the goal behind this simplistic, community-centric model is to “empower people so they don’t feel like they’re a victim of whatever it is that is going on with them and to remind them that they have the power to heal.”

“We might work longer hours to make rent, but…”

She shrugs off the rest of her sentence with a smile.

Ward agrees that the trade offs are worth it, “I really wanted to make a difference, and I think I am making a difference here.”

contact: 512.473.8884 1909 E 38th 1/2 Street napaustin.org Neighborhood-Acupuncture-Project

baby. I enjoy helping with all the hard stuff that happens after baby as well, like helping moms be successful with breastfeeding… helping parents adjust, get sleep and learn how to hold their baby and change diapers… just being of assistance in an overwhelming time.” When parents return at their six weeks postpartum visit, Kate has a sense of pride in their new found confidence. “At that visit, when parents are just coming up for a breath and they’re newly confident…I know I have done my job well.” For Jayme, being able to witness the life-changing experience of childbirth and watching the “power of women when they labor and deliver” are some of her favorite aspects of being a midwife.

KATE GRIFFIN | CPM, LM

JAYME MOORE | CPM, LM

Birthing Buddies WORDS BY CAMILLE SMITH PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES

A Magical Day in the Life of an East Side Midwife

Jayme Moore & Kate Griffin bonded over a mutual love of bikes and babies in 2013, and two years later Tandem Midwifery was born.

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oth women are long time east Austin residents, mothers, and state and nationally certified midwives who occupy a cozy little office at the Soma Vida space on East Cesar Chavez.

mom and baby as an island of one, a perfect little ecosystem. Everything we take in nurtures that ecosystem and what we as midwives do during the process affects the future of that ecosystem.”

Before becoming a midwife, Jayme worked as a bilingual teacher, where she felt privileged to witness the relationships between her students and their mothers. After the birth of her own children with the help of a midwife, Jayme reconsidered ways in which she could have a more direct impact on the creation of families.

“The entire process from conception to first year postpartum was fascinating to me,” Jayme recalls. “Motherhood is the ultimate job, [none of us would be here] if women weren’t doing it. Being part of caring for women can help make that more visible…even if it’s one woman at a time”.

“We are obstetric care providers, from conception to six weeks postpartum,” says Jayme. “We do the labs, we monitor the baby, we refer out for ultrasounds, you get the same level of clinical care as you would receive in a traditional OB office… but in addition you receive support that includes the entire mind body system.”

Kate was a biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife before realizing her true calling. “I dreamt of working to save the earth and do environmental work, but it was really hard to try to make a difference in that capacity. My pregnancy introduced me to midwifery.” Kate hired a midwife for her second pregnancy and was so impacted by the experience she enrolled in midwifery school when her child was 6 months old. “I see

Jayme and Kate work hard to educate families on every part of the process. “Exposing women and their partners to all the information available so that they can make informed decisions offers women and their families a chance to be participants in their pregnancy,” Jayme smiles.

Kate adds, “Jayme and I are both really big on nutrition too; we both cook a lot together and we host cooking classes. We try to spend time helping our clients with nutritional care and prenatal eating.”

Kate continues with joy, “My favorite part of midwifery is the postpartum care. I love coming in and helping families adapt to a new life with

Kate and Jayme each possess certain abilities as individuals that make them skilled at what they do, but their energy and joy when operating as a team is what truly makes this duo special. “We take our jobs very seriously…but there are a lot of laughs too,” says Jayme. Kate adds, “We really do work in tandem.”

One of the most exciting births they attended happened in Jayme’s own backyard. “We got to witness a goat give birth…all of our kids were there…together outside in the goat shed… just watching a goat give birth in east Austin.” It was just another magical day in the life of an east side midwife.

contact: 512.537.9201 2324 E. Cesar Chavez tandemmidwifery.com TandemMidwifery

TANDEM MIDWIFERY

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SHOP-A-HOLIC

SEASON STYLING & WORDS BY MEGGIE COPELAND PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

With the cold weather finally rolling in, running all over town gift shopping is less than ideal. Luckily, the east side has everything you need this season from gifting, thrifting, to good eats. It's all locally sourced and found right here.

THE FOX DEN fb: SHOP.THE.FOX.DEN

STYLIST MEGGIE COPELAND @M.C._STYLES MODEL GIA LITT (UT FILM STUDENT) @GIALITT PHOTOGRAPHER @ASHLEYHAGUEWOOD

1105 Chicon St. Wed-Sun 11am-6pm

House plants are perfect for this time of year, and The Fox Den has you covered for a wide variety of cool air plants and more!

Also, shop for the vintage lover in your family with accessories and home decor that tells a story. Don't forget the lotions, candles, and essential oils to keep you and your home smelling fresh all year long!

28 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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TEYSHA BOOTIE Vaquera Star Bootie at Hope Farmers' Market or teysha.is $240

WHAT TO WEAR

VINTAGE BARWARE 1930's ChaseUSA Cocktail Shaker at The Austin Shaker

The Fox Den Armadillo Tee $25 Vintage High-waisted Adolf Skirt at Friends & Neighbors $56 Witchy Lace-up Booties at Friends & Neighbors $68 Hand-made Bolo Tie Neckpiece at The Fox Den $128 Lee Coren: California Fold Over Clutch at Friends & Neighbors $66

RUSTIC ORIGINAL JOURNAL Handmade Journal with 1880’s Keyhole Cover-plate at Iona Handcrafted Books $115

COPPER WRAP BRACELET The Mesh Collection Handwoven Bracelet at Agnes Seebass Bracelet $290

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS friendsaustin.com 2614 E Cesar Chavez St. Tue-Sat 8am-9pm Monday 8am-6pm In the midst of winter, find a home away from home at Friends and Neighbors. Stop, shop, and relax in this cozy environment.

Get a drink or two while you choose from several local jewelry designers, expertly picked vintage, and so much more. ‘Tis the season for unique gifting, and Friends and Neighbors has it all!!

WHAT TO WEAR Top Right: Vintage Nasha Wide-Legged Pants at F&N $56 Brocade Lace Top at F&N $35 RED PLANET POTTERY Fish Mug--for coffee, tea or plants. Located at Friends and Neighbors $65

Vintage Velvet Closetoed Shoes at F&N $52 Black & White Handmade Beaded Diamond-shaped Earrings by Zulma (@zartiztry) at F&N $33 Bottom Left: Lilah Shepherd Ceramic Eye Necklace at F&N $80 Orange Handmade Beaded Diamond-shaped Earrings by Zulma (@zartiztry) at F&N $33

NORTHERN FIR BEARD OIL A classic, simple, and effective men’s moisturizer.

Located at Byron & Blue and Fast Folks $25

30 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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Vintage Wool Plaid Poncho at F&N $44 1970’s Jute Bag at F&N $45 Royal Blue Vintage Wrap Skirt at F&N $54 Classic Nine West Slip-on Shoes at F&N $45

HOPE FARMERS' MARKET hopefarmersmarket.org 412 Comal St. Every Sunday 11am-3pm On any given Sunday customers can find: farmers & ranchers with a wide variety of seasonal produce, meat & dairy products; food artisans & chefs serving preserves, pastries, tamales, sandwiches, curry, and tacos; local artists who design and make jewelry, clothes and home goods; non-profits sharing information about important causes, and live music.

WHAT TO WEAR Passport Vintage Logo Tee $32 Long Denim Overalls at Passport $64

ARO & PASSPORT VINTAGE

BZR Purple Sunglasses at Aro $48

shop-aro.com passportvintage.com 906 E 5th St. #106 Mon-Sat 11am-7pm Sunday 12-5pm

Cab Collection Multi-toned Circle Bag at Aro $255 Top Left: Proud Mary Striped Clutch at Aro $48

Conveniently located in the same space, both offer expertly sourced clothing, accessories, and so much more. Aro is stocked full of exclusive designers and jewelers. Pop in for the perfect accessories, then head up stairs and snag the best of the best vintage items in their showroom, complete with classic styles and a team who is more than happy to help you get the right fit.

512 Levi’s Black Slim-fitted Jeans at Passport $88 Proud Mary Chamula Shearling Clutch at Aro $110 Vintage Levi’s Jacket at Passport $88

BUCKLE CUFF

SOCK CLUB

CUTTING BOARD

Snake Skin Vintage Lace Buckle Cuff by Clementine & Co. at Hope Farmers' Market $94

The Rustler $14/ pair or $12/mo. for subscriptions at Hope Farmers' Market or sockclub.com

Birdseye Maple Cutting Board

by Edward Wohl at Take Heart or takeheartshop.com $112

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WHAT TO WEAR Nurul Silk Full Maxi Skirt, in Mediterranean at Raven+Lilly $258 Kerina Triangle Drop Earrings at Raven+Lilly $48 Kerina Horn+Brass Breastplate Necklace at Raven+Lilly $114 Bottom Right: Sofia Silk Button Down, in Ivory at Raven+Lilly $138

RAVEN+LILLY ravenandlily.com 2406 Manor Road, Suite C Tue-Sat 10am-6pm Sunday 12-5pm

Yami Shawl Collar Leather Vest at Raven+Lilly $188 Lucy Organic Denim Pencil Pant at Raven+Lilly $118

Raven + Lily specializes in handcrafted, beautiful products perfect for that certain woman in your life. Spreading beauty and culture through their minimalistic designs, this one-stop shop is perfect for finding the best gifts this holiday season.

MAGGIE LOUISE CONFECTIONS maggielouiseconfections.com 1017 East 6th Street Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Sunday 12-5pm Holiday parties are just around the corner, so sweeten up your celebrations with a bit of crafty chocolates from Maggie Louise Confections. These edible masterpieces make the perfect table toppers for any holiday event, or box them up and stuff them in a stocking or two.

GOURMET CHOCOLATES

DROP EARRINGS

Hello Gorgeous Box at Maggie Louise Confections $56

Kerina Triangle Earrings at Raven+ Lilly $48

32 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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LEATHER WALLET

Azeb Wallet in Camel at Raven+ Lilly $62

We passionately help people obtain flawless skin and beautiful bodies.

NEW U GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE ONLINE! Please call to schedule an appointment or for questions.

(512) 872-4747

We change a person’s self-esteem, confidence, productivity and life at NewU. 3607 Manor Road, Ste. 102 | (512) 872-4747 | newuplasticsurgery.com

Defined by images of the sea, mountains, or sky, our early experiences in nature shape our desires.

Our private outdoor spaces are a way to combine art, nature, and romance in manners which recreate the magical and ephemeral moments of childhood. Some of us relive those moments in an urban, modernist way. Others find comfort in rustic warmth.

If you are working with an architect, interior designer, or landscape architect, ask them how we can help curate a refined and inspiring outdoor place for your home.

domusoutdoor.com - tel +1 512 905 9284 - info@domusoutdoor.com

[the healthy side of austin]

The best memories are created outdoors. Chris Kinlaw

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g in iv L in t s u A e r u P f o s 1,500 Acre !

SOON G N I COM

Go east. Own it.

Build your home at Easton Park. Our newest neighborhood, Knob Hill, is coming soon! And, with 2 brand new models! Easton Park is just 12 miles from downtown, with homes starting from the mid-$200s. We’re a bike-friendly community with 13+ miles of trails and 350+ acres of parks and amenities. Come see us at our brand new Experience Park welcome center, or visit us online to learn more!

eastonparkatx.com

7000 Cardinal Bloom Loop, Austin, TeXas 78744 34 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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Godo+

December + January 2016/2017

36 go to

Trail of Lights

AN AUSTIN TRADITION FOR 50 YEARS JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

38 do NYE FIND THE BEST OF AUSTIN'S NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATIONS FOR ANY AGE AND EVERY PREFERENCE.

East Austin nonprofits selected as this year’s STARS Program include Creative Action, Community First!

Village, and the Rise School. p.36

eastside / go

Star Light, Star Bright First Star I See Tonight…

Trail of Lights Foundation STARS program is lighting up the holidays for folks young and old. For 18 nonprofit groups across central Austin, this season will be brighter thanks to the generosity of numerous local businesses.

T

WORDS BY JESS HAGEMANN PHOTOS BY DEAR WESLEYANN PHOTOGRAPHY

rail of Lights Foundation STARS program is lighting up the holidays for folks young and old. For 18 nonprofit groups across central Austin, this season will be brighter thanks to the generosity of many local businesses.

Every year since 2012, when the Trail of Lights Foundation was established, the STARS Program has made it possible for 501(c)3s whose services specifically benefit Austin to attend a special VIP ‘pre-party’ at the fan-favorite Trail of Lights.

Between December 4-6, 2016, up to 100 members, stakeholders, and/or guests of each nonprofit selected for STARS (that’s up to 1800 people total!) will receive transportation to and from Zilker Park, cocoa and cookies in the park, and a guided tour of the lighted Trail culminating in a special audience with Santa Claus!

2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the lighting of the Zilker Tree, and almost as many years for the Trail of Lights. According to Leah Davies, president of the Trail of Lights Foundation, the Foundation came into being four years ago, once the city of Austin decided it no longer had the funds to support the annual event. The Foundation “makes sure the Trail is sustainable for an infinite amount of time,” says Leah, “because the Trail of Lights is a uniquely Austin event that really does try to offer something for everyone.” The STARS Program is just one more initiative meant to keep the Trail inclusive of all.

Three of the east Austin nonprofits selected as this year’s STARS include Creative Action, Community First! Village, and the Rise School.

36 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

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Creative Action’s mission is to “spark and support the academic, social, and emotional development of young people” by inspiring them to be “creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers, and confident leaders.” Through innovative in-classroom and after-school programming, Creative Action espouses such important messages as anti-bullying and an active transformation of the way kids learn. Their approach in partnering with school faculty and staff has even improved teacher retention!

Community First! Village provides permanent, sustainable housing for formerly homeless individuals. Located in far east Austin, they emphasize economic viability and mental health support in addition to ensuring that “everyone sleeps inside.” Because Community First! caters to an adult population, STARS is excited to create new adult-friendly offerings this year that will appeal to the group’s participants. While STARS programming has been historically youth-based, they are always on the lookout for groups who serve adults, especially the elderly and veterans.

DID YOU KNOW? From December 10-16, the Trail of Lights is free for anyone to attend. From December 17-23, there is a small gate fee of $3 per person for ages 12+ to

The Rise School of Austin on Manor Road is dedicated to handson education for all kids. Their premier model places students with and without disabilities in the same setting, where “individualized learning techniques enable every child to achieve their maximum potential.” Since 2003, the Rise School of Austin has proven that the “short and long-term benefits of an integrated environment are equally great for children with developmental disabilities and those without.”

Although the 2016 STARS have already been selected, the Trail of Lights Foundation encourages any group who qualifies to apply for the 2017 season. The public application becomes available the summer before the event. The Foundation would also like to thank the partners who make the STARS program possible, including Vista Equity Partners, Jean-Marc Fray Antiques, Kendra Scott, and Katrine and Bill Formby. support the Foundation’s operations. Trail general admission hours are nightly from 7pm to 10pm.

ZiP Fast Pass admission is available and allows priority

[the healthy side of austin]

entry to the Trail at 6pm nightly, one hour before the public.

contact:

austintrailoflights.org/stars-program

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6

eastside / do

best New Year’s Celebrations WORDS BY SAM LAURON

It’s time to start making plans for the last holiday of the year. Whether you choose parties, fireworks or relaxation, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the New Year around town.

4

Austin’s New Year at Auditorium Shores

A classic way to celebrate the holiday in Austin, Austin’s New Year is an evening filled with festival activities, performances and, of course, fireworks. This family-friendly event runs from 3pm to 10:30pm so you can still make it home by midnight to ring in the New Year after the day’s festivities. 900 W. Riverside Dr.

1

NYE 1989 with Hotel Vegas & The Volstead

Party like it’s 1989 with east Austin bars, Hotel Vegas and The Volstead. The annual themed party at the heart of East Sixth Street is celebrating 80s-style with musical tributes to Madonna, Tom Petty, Nine Inch Nails and much more. The party starts at 5pm so get there early, ring in the New Year at midnight and continue celebrating through the early morning. 1502 E. 6th St.

2

Antone’s Nightclub New Year’s Eve 2017

There’s no place like Antone’s— especially on New Year’s Eve! Head to the legendary music venue for a night of New Orleans-style music featuring the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and New Breed Brass Band. Both bands hail from the Crescent 38 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

City and perform their own unique style of brass band music. Tickets range from $60$90, and the show starts at 9:30pm.

305 E. 5th St.

3

Huston-Tillotson University

New Year’s Eve Gala If you’re feeling fancy this year, get your tickets for the New Year’s Eve Gala hosted by the Austin Chapter of the Huston-Tillotson International Alumni Association. The fundraiser, which aims to raise money for an endowed scholarship at the university, includes everything from a midnight champagne toast, to silent auction and even a breakfast buffet. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Midtown from 9pm to 1am and tickets start at $100.

600 Middle Fiskville Rd.

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5

Eastside Yoga’s New Year’s Eve Renewal

Looking to start your festivities off with a relaxation session? Join Eastside Yoga for an evening of yoga and meditation to prep and refresh for the new year. From 4:30pm to 6:30pm, you will “shed the old and welcome the new” through restorative yoga, healing meditation and guided intention setting for the year ahead. The class is $25, and all levels are welcome.

1050 E. 11th St. Suite 150

6

Contigo New Year’s Eve Party

Make your way to the ranch-style restaurant for this year’s New Year’s Eve party full of dancing, drinks, and plenty of good food. Guest can enjoy an open bar, full buffet dinner, dance floor and, of course, a champagne toast because what is New Year’s Eve without the bubbly? The event is 21+ and tickets are $100 a person.

2027 Anchor Ln.

December + January 2016/2017

40 at

home WITH STYLIST LAUREL KINNEY, WHERE DESIGN IS FINDING COMFORT WITHIN CHANGE

42 away

MARFA HAS ART GALORE FOR THE INTREPID WEEKEND TRAVELER

PHOTO BY BENJAMIN GARRETT

Photo of Marfa National Bank, which is smack in the middle of "downtown Marfa," if there is such a thing! p.42

Home + away

eastside / home

e initely like layers. Lots i i te t es Those elements are echoed in how I approach style and how I like my house t be

A stylist Laurel Kinney

At Home with WORDS BY JESSICA DEVENYNS PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

As a fashion consultant, Laurel always has an eye out for the next trend in curves, angles, colors, and textures.

40 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

sk her what she thinks about style as a whole and she will explain that it is a piecemeal process for each individual, but that overall “it needs to be really comfortable.”

Comfort is at the center of Laurel’s design approach. Not only does she encourage her clients to feel comfortable in their clothes, but she wants them to be comfortable within themselves. This approach to design does not, however, stop with fashion. For Laurel, comfort embroiders all her stylistic choices even as they find their way into her own home.

Although comfort is at the heart of her ensembles, for Laurel, style is a flowing aesthetic. It is something that changes with the seasons, yet must always retain its proper proportion and scale, and Laurel works with these focal points in order to fashion her ever-changing but balanced looks.

Sometimes, the look that she works to achieve “might contrast with my style to a certain degree,” she adds. How could two such intertwined con-

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Building a new home?

A few suggestions to ensure a smooth process 1. Everything is negotiable. Donʼt settle for list price. Inquireon monthly incentives and promotions. cepts be at such opposing odds? “I always have a hard time describing it,” Laurel explains about her fluctuating style. “I feel like I change a lot.”

This willingness to embrace change is, however, what is beautiful about Laurel’s approach to both home and personal style.

In her work, Laurel focuses on expression through perception. No matter whether she is styling an outfit or outfitting a home, Laurel likes to play with the eye by mixing modern with vintage or textured fabric against smooth surfaces. However, despite her whimsical style of blending fabrics, colors, and textures, Laurel’s looks emanate a feeling of calm selfassurance that are reflective of the duality of their designer.

This fusion of whimsical and functional design is best embodied by Laurel’s home. When describing where she lives, Laurel grins as she formulates her thoughts. “It’s got really good energy in there, and I love being at home,” she says going on to elaborate. “It looks very different on the outside than on the inside. The outside of the house is a theftdeterrent!”

In contrast with her seemingly mix and match approach to aesthetics, Laurel is discerning in her choices.

“I always enjoy quality over quantity,” she reveals, emphasizing that by moving towards working with fewer objects that are of higher quality, you have a better canvas on which to express yourself. For her, this stylistic approach means that she can “keep

things really pretty simple and versatile, but interesting.”

Adding this touch of interest into her work comes mostly through her bold choices in colors and lines that are set against a neutral pallet. As Laurel chooses to work with fewer objects, all the unique details that she implements into her designs come clearly into focus. “Clutter takes away the possibilities to a certain extent,” she explains. “If you can’t see everything, then you can’t use the stuff that is more important.”

In the end, the simplicity and impermanence of her approach to style is what makes it so inviting and accessible. No matter if Laurel is wearing her personality or expressing it through the tone of her walls, her style is reflected throughout her life. Especially with her clients, Laurel channels this idea of an ever-evolving style as an opportunity for self-expression.

2. Construction stage inspections are important. To hold the builder accountable, order an inspection at foundation stage, structural stage, during your final walk thru.

3. Already in your newly built home?

Maximize your one year warranty. Make sure to calibrate your appliances, repair vendor product defects and order an inspection by month 11 of your builder warranty.

“Most people don’t have one specific style so it’s hard to just say ‘here’s how I’m going to do it,’” Laurel reminds us. “They want to figure out how to express this new person or align who they are to what they look like.” It is just up to us to remember how to remain comfortable within ourselves as we adapt.

Your Eastside Real Estate Advocate (Call if you have any questions)

Joy Padilla REALTOR® 512.968.7799

contact:

laurelkinney.com hello@laurelkinney.com laurelkinneypersonalstyling laurel_kinney

[the healthy side of austin]

joypadilla@realtyaustin.com Recommendations are for informational purposes only, exceptions may apply. Please contact for details. eastsideatx.com

41

eastside / away

MARFA

surreal creative spirit WORDS BY MARY BRYCE PHOTOS BY JASON PAGE

A TINY ART-OBSESSED TOWN SITUATED IN THE HAUNTING DESERT LANDSCAPE OF WEST TEXAS, MARFA MAKES THE UNUSUAL SEEM NORMAL. MARFA OFFERS AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF MUSEUMS, SPECIALTY SHOPS AND UNIQUE HOTELS FOR THE INTREPID WEEKEND TRAVELER.

Friday Begin your stay at El Cosmico, a hotel/ranch where guests can stay in lodgings ranging from sleek revamped airstream trailers to yurts. Owned by legendary hotelier Liz Lambert, El Cosmico is both decadent and simple, with beautiful scenery, curated décor (including amazing bathrobes) and the wide-open Texas sky.

Plan to book in advance because spots do fill quickly. After sunset, take a quick 20-minute drive to see the Marfa Mystery Lights. Most often described as ghost-like or even UFOs, many

people have reported seeing haunting, flickering lights near the horizon.

If you’re spooked and need a drink, head back into town to the rowdy Lost Horse Saloon. With a great patio, live music most nights of the week, and busy pool tables, you’ll feel like you’re in a Western movie.

Saturday The Chinati Foundation is what initially put Marfa on the map. In the ‘70s, sculptor Donald Judd relocated from New York to Marfa to make large-scale sculptures emphasizing unique desert light that

42 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

West Texas is renowned.

The museum offers great walking tours that are about an hour long and help put the importance of his work within a larger historical context.

Visiting the museum is both humbling and awe-inspiring. After Chinati, get lunch at Mando’s Restaurant and Bar. The food is hot, fast and delicious. A must try is the chicken verde enchiladas and a margarita. After an afternoon nap, plan for the long drive to the McDonald Observatory which hosts information sessions, star viewing parties and the opportunity to look at the night sky through massive research telescopes. Star gazing here is spectacular because the observatory is located in one of the darkest night skies in the United States.

Sunday Start Sunday with a

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delicious coffee and pastry from Frama.

Then walk over to the Marfa Book Company to peruse their remarkable selection of art books and ceramics for sale. Across the street is The Get Go, a boutique grocery store where you can pick up snacks for a picnic lunch. Though it’s about an hour and half drive away from Marfa, head to Balmorhea State Park. Balmorhea features one of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pools, with a natural bottom, fish, turtles, birds and other wildlife.

It’s an attraction for both tourists as well as serious scuba divers. If there’s enough time before heading home, return to Marfa for a quick drink and bite at the famous El Paisano Hotel. Designed in 1929, the classic hotel hosted an array of movie stars in the ‘50s, including Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean during the filming of the movie “Giant.”

if you go Events:

With an array of art galleries, there are always a variety of new exhibitions to catch.

Check upcoming events at visitmarfa.com.

Additionally, you can always catch live music or art films at Ballroom Marfa, ballroommarfa.org/ music/upcoming.

Getting Around:

Having a car is absolutely necessary in Marfa, due to the long driving distances between attractions. That said, if you’re staying within Marfa proper, most of the main galleries and restaurants are within walking distance.

Forecast:

Depending on the time of year you go, temperatures in Marfa can range from excruciatingly hot to unbelievably cold, sometimes in the matter of a few hours. During the fall/winter, be prepared for extreme temperatures.

EL COSMICO, PHOTO BY ELAINE HUANG

A Weekend In

Custom Gift Baskets Available

get into the spirit

Happy Hour is Mon-Thu, 5-6pm Serving contemporary home-style Japanese meals and sushi in a casual and comfortable atmosphere.

Specializing in exotic spirits, craft beer, fine wine, and professional & vintage bar gear.

1199 Airport Blvd.

512.524.0754

www.theaustinshaker.com 44 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

We Cater!

Have a party coming up? Friends or family coming over? Order one of our sushi trays and let us make entertaining easy!

find more at eastsideatx.com

512.712.5700 4917 Airport Blvd.

Austin, TX 78751 kome-austin.com

Salt & Time offers seasonal orders for freshly prepared meats such as beef, chicken, pork, lamb, duck, and turkey. p.48

Sip + taste

December + January 2016/2017 46 taste expert HANNAH SHARES RECIPES FOR HEALTHY QUICK BREADS FOR ANY OCCASION.

48 taste

feature

A COMMUNITY BUTCHER SHOP WITH A FRESH AND EVER CHANGING SELECTION

50 sip

feature CRAFTSMAN HAS FRESH INTERPRETATIONS OF CLASSIC COCKTAILS.

51 sip

expert AL FINI PAIRS SELECT ITALIAN WINES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR THE TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY MEAL.

eastside / taste expert

Healthy Homemade Hygge for the Holidays

with Hannah Casparian

WORDS BY HANNAH CASPARIAN PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

Whole Grain Zucchini Pumpkin Spice Bread and Banana Bread

About Hannah While earning her pastry and baking degree at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), she began to realize how much she loved nutrition and physiology. She became a registered dietitian after the CIA, and it has become her passion to live and bake in the intersection of delicious and nutritionally sound. Her upcoming brick and mortar bakery will be a haven for healthful baked goods and hygge.

46 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

F

or this healthy holiday issue, sharing my zucchini pumpkin spice bread and my banana bread recipes seemed fitting. These breads are the perfect thing to bake around the holidays. They’re great to make ahead of time for visiting friends and family or to give as gifts. This is something that can be whipped up a few days prior because the flavors and textures only get better on the second and third days.

I like to put as much fiber and vegetables or fruit into my quick breads as scientifically possible. The goal is to develop recipes that maintain a moist, hearty structure while remaining healthful and complex in flavor. I strive to bake something I can eat in the morning and not feel as though I’ve just eaten a piece of cake for breakfast. For more flavor and to add a healthy protein and fat, smear almond butter or peanut butter on a slice, and, of course the comforting breakfast experience is always heightened with a cup of coffee or tea. find more at eastsideatx.com

hannah banana bread

zucchini pumpkin bread

½ cup Butter, softened 1 cup Brown Sugar 2 Eggs 1 tsp. Vanilla 5 very ripe Bananas 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour ¼ tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Baking Soda

Yield: 2 loaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a stand-up mixer with a paddle attachment or a wooden spoon, mix together the butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla and bananas. In another bowl, mix together the flour, salt and baking soda. Slowly combine the wet ingredients with the dry.

Spoon into small loaf pans and bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of your pan(s). (The smaller the pan, the less time in the oven.)

1 cup canned Pumpkin 1 1/2 cups grated Zucchini 3 Eggs 3 cups All-purpose Flour 1/2 tsp Baking Powder 1 tsp Baking Soda 1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar 1 tsp Cinnamon, ground 1/2 tsp Cloves, ground 1 tsp Nutmeg, ground 1/2 tsp Salt 1 tbsp Vanilla extract 1 cup Walnuts (optional) 1 cup Butter, room temperature In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until fully incorporated. Add eggs and vanilla, mix in fully, then mix in pumpkin puree. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing well.

Stir in zucchini and nuts. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until breads test done. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack.

[the healthy side of austin]

QUICK BREADS Quick breads are also referred to as breakfast breads or tea breads.

“Quick” implies chemical leavening as opposed to yeast risen. These breads are fun to make with whole wheat, oats, spelt, flax, etc. because they provide a depth of flavor that white flour doesn’t, and as an added bonus, they’re better for you!

To me, quick breads are nostalgic. There is a Danish word, “hygge,” that encompasses a feeling more than a specific definition: “Though there are many ways to describe hygge, we see it simply as the Danish ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures.

Friends. Family. Graciousness.” Banana bread and spice bread stir up emotions, memories and feelings of being in a comforting time and space.

eastsideatx.com

47

eastside / taste

Worth Time

the

Salt & Time’s Dinner Menu Grows with the Herd WORDS BY BEN HAGUEWOOD PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

The famous French chef Jacques Pepin said in a recent interview, “The best restaurant is the one where they know you.”

A

s Austin traffic patterns confine us to our neighborhoods in the evenings, this becomes a novel concept, though potentially a boring one. But East-siders looking to stay in their community can rejoice in Salt and Time’s dinner menu; it’s never the same.

Salt and Time incorporates meat sourced and harvested from local ranches into its fresh butcher case, its salumeria, and its lunch and dinner menu.

There are enough options to satisfy the most adventurous diner any night of the week, every night of the week—provided you eat meat.

The variety of meats from beef, chicken, and pork to lamb, elk, quail, and more find their place on the menu from top to bottom, appetizers and shared plates like Beef Rib Terrine and Elk Chuck Roll, down to a widely varied selection of butcher’s cuts. Each part of the animal is used. Each daily dinner menu will include half a dozen or more cuts of beef and lamb ready for the grill, along with ribs, shanks, jowls, and more than one expects at a high-end steak house. Accompanying the traditional and not-so-traditional cuts are a tender braised dish, like an elk neck served carnitas-style or wine-braised short rib, and a daily pasta selection that can vary from a house-made pappardelle pasta with braised osso bucco to a carbonara made with house-cured guanciale. The steaks are simply grilled to showcase the quality of the meat, though many seemingly familiar dishes offer a creative flourish.

If you haven’t been in Salt and Time in a while, it has grown. At the end of the long hardwood bar, studded with half a dozen taps, is a new station—akin to a sushi bar for meat charcuterie, cheese, and small plates. The restaurant is offering an expanded selection of Salami and Cheese Boards, Odd Bits of offal, and a daily Tartare— from the classic beef with lemon, chives, and egg yolk to a ceviche inspired tartare taco with finely cubed raw beef, fresh jalapeño, and crème fraiche served on a corn crisp.

The butchery and salumeria operation offer ample opportunities to take a meaty taste of Salt and Time home—in the form of a holiday meat tray or main course like a standing rib roast or stuffed porchetta. Or you could just come back and see what’s new.

48 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

find more at eastsideatx.com

Brunch: Each Sunday from 10-3, Salt & Time serves up elevated diner classics and Texas standards to eager brunch-goers. Hearty plates of pancakes, house-cured bacon, hash, steak and eggs—executed with the same care and craft as the dinner menu—are on offer, as well as meat-centric plates that showcase the restaurant's top-notch ingredients. The empanada, for example, is filled with braised lamb and topped with a fresh sunny-side up egg and a drizzle of creme fraiche, and humble Southwest classics like migas and menudo are prepared with seasonal vegetables and high-quality meats. The biscuit and gravy is, unsurprisingly, not just a biscuit and gravy; the homemade biscuit is topped with a chicken-fried steak, sausage gravy, and a fresh farm egg. Like all the brunch specials, each plate is enough to share. But you probably won't want to.

Holiday meals make some of our best memories.

Help make this a memorable season for all Central Texans.

Native Knowledge: To reserve a special meat tray or butcher selection—like the Mezcal Glazed Ham st e Porchetta, visit the store at 1912 E. 7th St.

contact:

512.524.1383 1912 E 7th St saltandtime.com

[the healthy side of austin]

eastsideatx.com

49

eastside / sip “It shouldn’t cost $15 and take 10 minutes to make a e e t ktail

Good Times Call For

GREAT DRINKS No need for a special occasion, there’s always something happening at Craftsman.

WORDS BY BEN HAGUEWOOD PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD

T

he Jack and Coke just isn’t cutting it for east Austin revelers any more. Not for a while. Craftsman bar on East Cesar Chavez serves up elevated cocktails, craft beer, and more in a casual, neighborhood setting without the intimidating vibe or eye-rolling bartender who looks like the lost member of a barber shop quartet. As owner Brandon Testa puts it, “It shouldn’t cost $15 and take 10 minutes to make a decent cocktail.” Fresh interpretations of classics like the Feder is Better (a punchy Old Fashioned) shine with the addition of savory notes from Azteca chocolate bitters and a Habanero shrub; the East Side Sour swaps in Reposado tequila, fresh mango and lime, and a float of Velvet Falernum foam—a rum-based liqueur.

If cocktails aren’t your thing, there’s a rotating selection of craft beers, Prosecco on tap (you read that right), and plain old tallboys. Add in inventive mixers like house-made ginger beer, a slew of fresh-squeezed juices, and nitrocarbonated grapefruit juice with a hit of cayenne, and the cocktail recipes are limited only by your curiosity.

50 EASTside | Dec2016/Jan2017

Craftsman is an adventurous drink lover’s candy store, but that’s not the only reason to go. There’s something happening pretty much every night for everyone from the sports fan to the aspiring mixologist—and a drink special to go with it. Monday night is Karaoke with a 4pm to close happy hour to get people on the stage.

Tuesday is Tacos & Tallboys, and Wednesday is Ladies Night with $2 Prosecco pours and pop-up shops featuring local artisans showing off jewelry, apparel, perfume, and other local wares. Thursday is Craftsman’s Cocktail Lab where you can get a discount and a lesson on an experimental cocktail. Friday and Saturday nights feature a DJ and rotating drink specials.

Pueblo Viejo caters a Sunday brunch buffet for $12, and the bar offers a $15 bottle of Champagne with fresh squeezed juices for mimosas. If that won’t get you out of bed, you went too hard.

Don’t be surprised if you mistake Craftsman Bar for a raucous house party, with people spilling onto the wrap-around front porch and into the yard. Just go on in though, you don’t need an invitation.

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NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Craftsman is Austin’s official host for Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions watch parties.

DRINK INGREDIENTS: The Feder is Better: Angel's Envy Bourbon, Luxardo cherry, Azteca chocolate bitters, and habanero shrub

contact:

512.524.1771 2000 E. Cesar Chavez St. craftsmanbar

eastside / sip expert is ad Bring in th ve ai and we’ll w

$150 on

in applicati fees

Elysian at Mueller offers luxury apartment homes and a wide range of community amenities including clubhouse with TV lounge, business center, conference rooms, 24-hour fitness center, yoga studio, virtual fitness classes on demand, sun-lit pool with tanning deck, monthly social events, and more.

elysianmueller

4646 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX 78723 (512) 474-7368

It’s Italian Holiday Sip Expert, Al Fini, has you covered in a pinch with wine pairings for your next seasonal gathering.

Castello Di Magione “Monterone” Grechetto 2015 Umbria

Castello Di Mangione Sangiovese 2015 Umbria

Rocca Bernarda Refosco 2014 Friuli

Tasting Notes: Grechetto

Tasting Notes: Ruby of

Tasting Notes: Refosco is characterized by intense notes of red fruit and cherries. At the same time it presents a lot of spicy notes. It is characterized by a pleasant acidity and a good tannin that gives it structure and body.

Bianco (commonly abbreviated to just Grechetto) is a white grape variety grown in central Italy. While also planted in Lazio and Tuscany, the grape is most strongly associated with Umbria and is used in the production of the peach-scented wines of Orvieto DOC.

Pairings: Excellent as an aperitif to begin and finish, fruit cake, apple pie, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie.

good intensity. Beautiful varietal expression of the Sangiovese, reveals without hesitation much violet, red fruits of the forest, sour cherries, spices and earthy chords. Round, sensual, vibrant, with medium structure and ultimate stimulant.

Pairings: Ideal to accompany

roasted turkey, Christmas ham, and side dishes.

your dogs have plans today. eastsidedogwalkers.com

Pairings: Great to accompany prime rib, venison, red meat or by itself to finish.

*All Wines available at It’s Italian Market, 2025 E. 7th St. #115 [the healthy side of austin]

insured, bonded, professional pet care

eastsideatx.com

51

WE’RE MAKING LIVES BETTER Neighbors Emergency Center provides emergency care based on our model that always puts the patient first. With a vision to be the Best Neighbors Ever, you will experience more than medical care. You will experience what it means to be a part of our purpose to make lives better every day.

LAKELINE 512.258.1195 12701 Ranch Rd. 620 N Austin, TX 78750

MUELLER 512.322.5104 1801 E 51st St, Bldg. H Austin TX 78723

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