ATX, TX June 2024

SAM BOISJOLY AND AUSTIN

STRIKER DIEGO RUBIO

Welcome to ATX City Lifestyle!

Howdy! Welcome to the first issue of ATX City Lifestyle!

I'm thrilled to bring this publication to our community, sharing the unique stories of the people and places that define our vibrant city—a city I'm proud to call my hometown.

I am blessed to have such strong memories of growing up in Austin: rope swings over Bull Creek, crawfish hunts in Shoal Creek, countless hours playing baseball at Northwest Little League, and basketball at Murchison and Lamar Middle Schools. There were many summer days my mom would drop us off at Lion’s ‘Muny’ or 'MoWilly' golf courses, where we'd play from sun up to sun down. I remember running the halls of Shoal Creek Hospital with my brother on Saturday mornings as my dad made his weekly rounds; the nurses dubbing my brother and me "Nitro and Glycerin." As a young adult, I recall late nights at UT (during my 5 ½ years of undergrad) followed by 8 am classes, or even later evenings at Crown and Anchor or The Hole in the Wall, often winding down with early morning visits to Magnolia Cafe or Kerbey Lane. The memories are endless.

After spending nearly a decade in Chicago and Pittsburgh, my wife Johanna and I decided to return to Austin in 2017 to raise our family here. So after nine years in enterprise software sales, I’m excited to start a new journey and help share my love for Austin with all of you. In these pages, we will delve into the lives and stories of Austinites—both old and new.

From the exquisite dishes at local eateries to the stunning homes, from innovative startups to established businesses and creative talents across fashion and design, we aim to spotlight the essence of Austin and what matters to you, our readers.

For our first issue, we kick things off with a bang: We caught up with Sam Boisjoly, Executive Chef of 512 Food Co. (Austin FC), as he prepared Chilean classics with new Austin FC Striker Diego Rubio, to discuss the culinary delights at Q2 Stadium and their ties to Austin.

Finally, please check out and support our local advertisers and partners. Their involvement is crucial to our community and enables us to bring this magazine to you each month. If you spot me at the ball fields, Lala's, Q2 or anywhere between, please say hello! I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you want to see in ATX City Lifestyle.

See you around!

ZACK FOGELMAN, PUBLISHER @ATXCITYLIFESTYLE

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Zack Fogelman | zack.fogelman@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Chelsey Juarez | chelsey.juarez@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ramona Cruz-Peters, Nadine Bubeck, Daniel Schowengerdt, Michelle Moody

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jacob Gonzales/Austin FC, James Slade, Amy E. Price, Eric Booth, Amy McLaughlin, Geoffrey McLin, Dave Hawks/FVF Law, William Philpott/The Curious Society, Janie Jones, Michelle Moody

INTERN

Juan Martinez | juan.martinez@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker

Kids are limitless. It's time to unlock their potential.

With 2hr Learning, students…

Love Learning:

96% of our students love school rather than just tolerate it, with 67% even preferring it over vacation! When challenged at the right level and given the chance to explore their interests, they thrive.

The traditional school system has remained unchanged for two centuries. We believe that it is time for a revolution.

2hr Learning creates a limitless environment for kids’ limitless potential.

Rather than confining them to a rigid, inefficient, one-size-fits-all environment for 6 hours a day, we leverage AI technology to tailor their learning experiences to their unique needs and pace.

School is broken, but AI can fix it.

Ready for an education that truly prepares your child for the future?

Scan the QR code to learn more about our innovative model and how to join the 2hr Learning network. Let's unlock your child's limitless potential together!

www.2hrlearning.com

Learn 2x in 2 Hours:

Our unique program provides each student with AI-powered, 1:1 learning paths. In only 2 hours, they complete, master, and excel at core subjects at least 2x faster than traditional schoolall while still scoring in the top 1% nationwide.

Learn Life Skills:

Post-academics, students use their afternoons for personal growth and passions. Ranging from financial literacy to leadership to public speaking, these workshops equip them with life skills for today and tomorrow.

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Ben and Julie

with Angela and Sergio

the Imagine

FC

Celebrate a win against San Jose at Q2 Stadium. ¡Listos! 3: Sandlot teams Cap City Cobras and East Austin Ramblers battle it out at Govalle Park. 4: Austin Eagles (Crystal Palace EPL Supporters Group) cheer on the Eagles at Burnet Go-To. 5: Austin ‘Dad Rock Band’ Winkler Mill plays at The Oven in Central Austin. 6: Aspiring chefs learning the trade during an Open House at Little Kitchen Academy Arbor Walk. 7: The FVF Law Team joined the Colorado River Alliance to help clean Austin Creeks

Crenshaw

Garcia at

Muny Gala. 2: Austin

Fans

WILLIAM PHILPOTT/THE

DAVE HAWKS/FVF LAW

MCLIN

AMY MCLAUGHLIN

BOOTH

JAMES SLADE

AMY E. PRICE

Zack Fogelman

Juan Martinez

ATX CITY LIFESTYLE PUBLISHERS

ATX CITY LIFESTYLE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS

ALLY MEDICAL EMERGENCY ROOM ALLYMEDICAL.COM

BHV AUSTIN AND BHV AUSTIN (TOO) BHVAUSTIN.COM

CENTER FOR HEALING & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE (CHARM) CHARMAUSTIN.COM

CRAIG PIATTI SALON CRAIGPIATTISALON.COM

E-LIT REALITY

E-LITREALTY.KW.COM

FVF LAW

FVFLAWFIRM.COM

GOLDEN VIEW LANDSCAPING INSTAGRAM.COM/GVLANDSCAPEDESIGN/

HOUSE WINE HOUSEWINEAUSTIN.COM

ROBBINS ESTATE LAW ROBBINSESTATELAW.COM

THE AGENCY AUSTIN THEAGENCYRE.COM/REGION/AUSTIN

THE RECOVERY LAB AND CRYO THERECOVERYLABANDCRYO.COM

THE WANDERING TURQUOISE THEWANDERINGTURQUOISE.COM/

TOWN SQUARE NW AUSTIN

TOWNSQUARE.NET/ADULT-DAY-CARE/ TEXAS/NORTH-WEST-AUSTIN/

2HR LEARNING 2HOURLEARNING.COM

WINDOW WORLD OF AUSTIN WINDOWWORLDAUSTIN.COM

YOUR NURSE FRIEND ATX NURSEFRIENDATX.COM

business monthly

HIT Athletic Marks 4 Years of Fitness Excellence with Community Celebration

HIT Athletic proudly announces its 4th-anniversary celebration on June 22nd. As Austin's premier fitness facility, recognized by Austin Fit Magazine, HIT invites both members and non-members to a community workout extravaganza. Join us for a day of fitness, fun, and festivities! Learn more at www.hitathletic.com

House Wine Relocates to Vibrant South 1st!

Join us as we move to our new home on South 1st Street! Same cozy vibes, the same world-class wine collection, just in a larger and more inviting space. Experience the familiar warmth of House Wine while exploring our expanded selection in our beautiful new location.

Milam and Greene 'Bottle Your Own Bourbon' Father's Day Event

Invite Dad and join Milam & Greene Whiskey (208 Carlie Lane Blanco, TX 78606) on Saturday, June 15, 2024, to celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a fun Bottle Your Own Bourbon event from 12:00pm-4:30pm. The distillery will be open from 12:00pm-8:00pm with Rivas & Sons BBQ food truck onsite from 12:00pm-6:00pm and live music by Matt Gawlik from 12:00pm-5:00pm. $139 per bottle. For more info, visit: MilamAndGreeneWhiskey.com

Photography by Tara O’Quinn

ARTICLE BY ZACK FOGELMAN

Meet Publisher Zack Fogelman

FAMILY, TRAVEL, GOLF, SCUBA AND HORNS. IN THAT ORDER!

Family First

I have been beyond blessed with the most amazing family: My wife, Johanna, born and raised in Göteborg, Sweden, is a professor of communication studies at UT, and we have two kids: Zander (12) and Elin (5).

I love to travel and explore new places! I have been fortunate enough to visit all 50 states and Puerto Rico and 35 countries ...and counting!

If golf isn’t an option, give me dive gear! I’ve been lucky to log nearly 300 ocean dives in 13 countries including Australia and the Great Barrier Reef!

I don’t know how I can love something that has tormented me for most of my life, but that about sums up my relationship with golf! Despite this, there's usually no other place I’d rather be!

I am a die hard Longhorn fan and bleed orange. UT Tailgates were one of the things I missed most about Austin when I was living out of state.

Lisbon, Portugal

St. Andrews,Scotland

Roatan , Honduras

Franz JosefGlacier, New Zealand

Our Favorite Bourbons

$150

The “Best Bourbon” Is Truly Up To The Individual and Occasion Under

ARTICLE BY ANTHONY ADAMS

We were recently asked to suggest the Best Bourbon under $150 and as I reflected on my list of favorites, providing a single answer wasn’t as straightforward as it appeared. Think of it like this. If we asked 100 people in our community what their favorite restaurant is—the answers would be varied based on the individual’s personal palate or even the moment you asked them in!

Here is our list of favorites that will have you covered at any price point and occasion.

BLANTON’S SINGLE BARREL BOURBON

Blanton’s is recognizable on sight due to the round bottle with a brass horse and jockey for a stopper. Taken from the center-cut or middle sections of the famous Warehouse H. The taste profile is sweet, with notes of citrus and oak. The creamy vanilla nose is teased with caramel and butterscotch, all underscored by familiar baking spices such as clove, nutmeg, or cinnamon.

— BlantonsBourbon.com ($100-$150)

BASIL HAYDEN’S RYE BOURBON –AGED 10 YEARS

In a sea of cask-strength offerings, Basil Hayden’s stays true to its 80 proof roots. The high rye content of its mash bill charges the nose and palate with notes of caraway and spice, while 10 years in the barrel have added leather and an attractive nuttiness. If you aren’t looking for high proof, this is a remarkable bourbon.

— BasilHaydens.com ($75-$100)

PINHOOK ‘BOURBON WAR’ VERTICAL SERIES 5 YEARS

Pinhook pulls 150 barrels from a special lot to create this straight bourbon whiskey with a lively nose of butterscotch,

cinnamon stick, licorice, and vanilla. These aromas set the stage for a robust palate of cherry, chocolate, toasted brown sugar, and chicory. With the additional 5th year of age, what was tropical fruit transitions to darker fruit flavors and what was brighter candy is now rich and caramelized; hints of smoke now start to appear for the first time.

— PinhookBourbon.com ($75-$50)

EAGLE RARE 10 YEAR

Eagle Rare 10 Year lives somewhat in the shadow of its 17-yearold elder sibling, but don’t let that shy you away. This is a sweet and mellow bourbon with definite signs of maturity and its orange peel and toffee aromas are a little shy, but the palate serves sturdy sweet and spice notes and a toasty finish.

— EagleRare.com ($30-$50)

OLD FORESTER 86 PROOF

While others in Old Forester’s impressive lineup claim the hearts of bourbon geeks (such as the 1920 Prohibition Style), this bottle stands head and shoulders above everything at this proof and price point. It oozes aromatic charm and follows with a palate that is lithe but in no way lacking flavor.

— OldForester.com ($20-$30)

MCAFEE’S BENCHMARK OLD NO. 8

Sometimes you find a $20 laying around or just need a good mixing bourbon. Benchmark Old No. 8 is made at the same distillery as Blanton’s and the ever-coveted Pappy Van Winkle! The nose bears caramel notes with a delicate stone-fruit backdrop. A robust and sturdy palate with some fine leather notes mingling with dry tobacco, a touch of oak, and a hint of dried cherries. The finish is smooth and calming.

— BuffaloTraceDistillery.com (Under $20)

FOR A TASTE OF AUSTIN, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN Q2 STADIUM DURING AN AUSTIN FC MATCH.

ARTICLE BY RAMONA CRUZ-PETERS

Austin FC has been one of the hottest games in town since their debut in 2021. Though it’s not just the electric atmosphere that keeps fans coming back to Q2 Stadium to cheer on the Verde…an increasingly big draw is the food, which was designed to be a representation of Austin, and like Austin, there’s nothing typical about the concessions selection at Q2.

“If you look around the stadium, we have so many different options and they're all small businesses” says 512 Food Co. Executive Chef Sam Boisjoly, speaking of how the offerings at Q2 parallel Austin’s local restaurant scene. “We're very proud of being able to showcase and highlight the awesome talent that we have.” Featuring such local favorites as Black’s BBQ, Shawarma Point, Slovacek’s, and Kerbey Lane (just to name a few), food at Q2 is a microcosm of the greater Austin dining experience. “This is Austin. This is our culture. This is our city, and we're very proud.”

“If you had a friend in the city for three hours, and wonder ‘where can I go and experience the heart and soul of Austin?’ come to an Austin FC match” says Boisjoly. He’s not wrong. Where else can you go to get such a selection of Austin cuisine in one location? Plus, as Boisjoly points out, “you get the music, you get the mood, you get the emotion.”

Speaking of the selection: much like the city’s come-as-you-are vibe, there’s something for everyone at Q2 (including a wide variety of satisfying gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan dishes). Between

“This is Austin. This is our culture. This is our city, and we’re very proud.”

the Loaded Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese from The Austin Table (made with housesmoked pork), the State Fair of Texasesque deep-fried PB&J, the Smoked Brisket Bao from Bao’d Up, traditional Tex-Mex, Argentinean empanadas from Little Patagonia, and oh-so-many more mouthwatering options, there are choices for every craving.

You can find traditional stadium fare at Q2, too. Though just like everything else on the menu, Boisjoly and his team strive to make sure these are of the highest quality, and even include an Austin twist where it

makes sense. “We’re very intentional about making sure the overall experience is representative of the community of Austin,” and as we all know, Austin is anything but typical. If you’re craving a burger, the Smashburger from The Austin Table is one of Chef Boisjoly’s personal favorites of the stadium offerings. If you’re craving a hot dog, but want to keep it weird, the Mega Foot-Long Chili con Queso Fuego Dog from The Austin Table or the Casa Chapala Verde Chicken Tortas & Birria Quesadillas will serve you well. If a pretzel is what you want, Boisjoly says “we have best pretzels

in Texas here” with the giant soft pretzels from Austin-based Easy Tiger.

Even if you’ve been to an Austin FC match before, there’s always something new to eat. New fan-favorites this season include an Elote Corn Dog that’s flying off the shelves and match-specific specials, such as the pie of the match at DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks and the specialty taco of the match at OneTaco. Another newer favorite is the Vegan Larb Bowl from the Verde Vegan cart, a Thai-inspired brown rice bowl made with Impossible meat that’s so good that its meatlessness is undetectable.

If the sheer amount of delicious choices seems overwhelming, take Chef Boisjoly’s advice to know before you go. Get the Austin FC app so you can see the options, make a plan, and “come very hungry.” If it’s a hot summer day, save room for the famous margaritas, which are available at multiple spots throughout Q2.

“Come for great food. Come hang out. Have great drinks. Support your city,” concludes Boisjoly. “To be Verde is the heart of Austin.”

A Handmade Date Night

A date night at home is the perfect occasion to shower your loved ones with affection and appreciation. While storebought gifts and cards have their charm, there’s something incredibly special about receiving a handmade gesture. By opting for a handmade date night, you’re not just expressing love but also showcasing your thoughtfulness and effort. These handmade creations convey a personal touch that can’t be replicated.

Make

From-Scratch

Pasta

what you need

Yield: 1 pound

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 4 large eggs

what you do

1. Mound the flour in the center of a work surface with a well in the middle. Crack the eggs into the well and beat with a fork until smooth, then work flour into eggs with the fork. Use a bench scraper to work in the rest of the flour a little at a time. When the flour is incorporated, form the dough with your hands into a rounded mass for kneading. Lightly dust your workspace with flour and knead dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a bowl or plastic wrap and rest 1 1/2 hours, or chill overnight.

2. To roll by hand, flour a clean work surface. Vigorously roll dough to a very thin circle and roll constantly with even pressure as it stretches for several minutes until as thin as possible, almost translucent.

3. To cut by hand, lightly fold sheets one at a time into thirds and cut to desired thickness. Recipe from MarthaStewart.com .

Lavender Bath Salt Blend

what you need

16 ounces Bokek Dead Sea Salt

20 drops lavender essential oil

what you do

In a mixing bowl, add drops of the essential oil to the bath salt and mix well; store in a glass jar. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the scented salts to a bath for a relaxing experience. SeaSalt.com

Dark Chocolate Truffles

what you need

1/2 cup heavy cream

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup cocoa powder, for dusting

what you do

1. Bring the cream to just a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a bowl and let stand about 10 minutes to melt the chocolate. Add the vanilla, stir until smooth and set aside to cool for 1 hour at room temperature.

2. Beat chocolate at medium speed until thick and light-colored. Spread over the bottom of a baking dish, smooth and refrigerate 2 hours until firm.

3. Pour cocoa powder onto a deep plate or shallow bowl, and using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop, scoop out balls of chocolate. Roll in cocoa powder until coated and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Recipe from FoodNetwork.com

Perfecting Your Golf Swing

ARTICLE BY DANIEL SCHOWENGERDT

Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.

Get fit for equipment.

01.

If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip. The clubs don’t swing themselves, so don’t neglect instruction and practice, but getting the right equipment is a vital piece of the puzzle.

On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.

As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.

Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.

We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.

03.

Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.

There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads:

Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz

Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs

Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)

04.

Practice your short game every day.

You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.

Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.

Three UltraUnique Getaways for Families

A TRIO OF FUN-FILLED ESCAPES THAT WILL LEAVE YOUR FAMILY BEGGING FOR MORE

ARTICLE BY NADINE BUBECK

Introducing Vermejo...

“At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.”

Bienvenidos to Raton, New Mexico, home to Vermejo Ted Turner Reserves. Flaunting over 550,000 acres of picturesque terrain, Vermejo will welcome your family to a crown jewel of natural beauty.

This destination invites you to custom plan a swoon-worthy experience; choose between kid-friendly fishing expeditions, hiking tours, horseback rides, archery, and more. Indulge in your choice of luxe accommodations and take your taste pallet on a culinary adventure thanks to delectable dining options.

Notably, the property values conservation efforts including the protection of wildlife like bison and wolves.

Rates inclusive of meals and two daily activities.

Introducing Glenwood Springs...

“The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories.”

Happy memories await in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Known for its hot springs, the Rocky Mountain resort city is rich with wildlife and sheer beauty. Offering an array of family-friendly activities, the area is home to the esteemed Glenwood Springs Adventure Park, a must-do with amusement rides and subterranean caverns—a magical geological excursion.

Surely, you’ll want to take a dip in the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool. Invigorating and rejuvenating for adults and super fun for kids, there’s a vast splash zone, water slide, diving board, and lap lanes.

Glenwood Springs is primed with pristine river spots; the white water is mild and ideal for guided rafting adventures. You can also rent duckies (inflatable kayaks) or paddleboards.

If you’re going to check one hike off your list, opt for the Doc Holliday memorial, and for older kids, explore mountain biking paths for every skill on the paved Rio Grande Trail. In addition, Bair Ranch, located in Glenwood Canyon, offers several activities like horseback riding, ATV & Jeep tours, and sport clay shooting.

Family accommodations include Hotel Glenwood Springs, located at the Glenwood Gondola base that goes to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The property also flaunts a small indoor water facility. For included admission to the hot springs pool, families can also book the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge. The exciting city has over 80 restaurant choices as well.

Glenwood Springs

Vermejo Ted Turner

Introducing Snow Mountain Ranch...

“Never underestimate the importance of having fun.”

Consider Snow Mountain Ranch a fun hub for families; a camp-like atmosphere for those seeking a genuine back-tothe-basics escape. Located in Grand Country Colorado, the YMCA of the Rockies destination is what vacation is meant to be... packed with frivolous play. Awake to breathtaking mountain views and the sound of songbirds, and after an actionpacked day, witness a dreamy sunset from your personal porch.

Accommodations vary; choose between private cabins, spacious lodge rooms, scenic campgrounds, or yurts. Cabins can sleep up to 12, and are equipped with full kitchens, a fireplace, and a deck. You’ll likely spot some deer outside your front door.

Included in all stays: roller skating, swimming, mini-golf, sports, hiking/biking trails, nature walks, and more. But

what makes Snow Mountain extra special are the entertaining “extras.” To make the most out of your stay, partake in archery, axe throwing, horseback riding, arts/crafting, knot-tying, geocaching, and beyond. Plus, there are tons of educational programs that teach guests about local wildlife like bears and wolves. And here’s a tip; if you’re craving some adult-only time, choose to register your child (ages 3+) for summer day camp. Grown-ups can do some adventuring of their own while the kids get a taste of what summer’s supposed to be. And as for food, there’s an array of on-site dining options available.

Everyone will feel like a kid at Snow Mountain Ranch, and the secret’s out; cabins book far in advance, so be sure to secure your spot well ahead of time.

Snow Mountain Ranch

LOVE YOUR LAZY LAWN

An easy way to help the ecosystem

Give some thought to this. Almost all US fruit and grain crops depend on pollination, yet our insect population has declined by 75% in the last 25 years - and most pollinators are insects.  Fortunately, keeping pollinators (and our local farms) alive couldn’t be easier. Just get lazy about your lawn!

Lawns mowed every two weeks offer more food for pollinators than lawns mowed weekly. So, while you’re lounging on the couch every other Saturday, your longer grass will be supporting American food systems. As a bonus, longer lawns also need less water, so being lazy saves you money, too.

Perfect lawns are literally the empty calories of the ecosystem. By letting go of that green-carpet ideal, you’ll add color to your landscape by allowing dandelions, violets, and white clover to decorate your grass. More important, these “weeds” feed pollinators which, in turn, feed us.

Here’s one more way being lazy can save the world: skip the pesticides. Pesticides kill pollinators, and they’re hardly health food for humans, birds, and pets, either. In fact, research shows that when bees visit plants treated with neonicotinoids (a chemical in most pesticides), even small amounts can build up over time and kill the hive. Neonicotinoids disorient bees and disrupt their fertility. Worse, they can linger in plants and pollen for 2-4 years.

So be a hero. Stay in bed this weekend and stop fussing over your lawn.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/ treesearch/pubs/55816

ARTICLE BY ANDREA BUGBEE

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS JUNE 2024

events

JUNE 8TH

Second Saturdays Are For Families at Laguna Gloria

The Contemporary at Laguna Gloria | 9:00 AM

Beat the heat with a cool ice painting workshop! Bring the whole family to experiment with color mixing and other watercolor techniques using ice cubes and paint pigments. Watch a professional artist carve a block of ice into a masterpiece. They'll provide all the materials you’ll need to help you think outside the box!

JUNE 9TH

Second Sundays at Mueller

Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller | 10:00 AM

Bring the whole family and enjoy fun activities for kids, every Second Sunday at Mueller!

JUNE 15TH

Arboretum Food and Artisan Market

Juliet Kitchen at the Arboretum | 10:00 AM

Come join every Saturday in the parking lot of the Juliet Kitchen in the Arboretum! There will be more than 35 artisans and specialty food vendors set up for a unique shopping experience! Go support local businesses and grab some cool gifts and some great foods, all in one place! It is free, kid friendly and pup friendly!

JUNE 19TH

Austin FC vs LAFC

Q2 Stadium | 7:30 PM

Wear Verde and cheer on Austin FC as they take on Western Conference rival LAFC at Q2 Stadium!

JUNE 22ND

Music America: Iconic Objects From America’s Music History

LBJ Presidential Library | 9:00 AM

The LBJ Presidential Library and the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music announce the debut of the exhibition Music America: Iconic Objects from America's Music History. An interactive "Song Bar" takes visitors on a journey through an inspirational and educational experience where they can listen to performances from some of the artists highlighted in the exhibition.

JUNE 22ND

HIT Athletic 4th Anniversary Celebration

HIT Athletic, 7797 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757 | 12:00 PM

Come celebrate 4 years of HIT Athletic in the neighborhood with local food, drinks and kids activities at HIT Athletic.

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