Kristy Owen, Realtor, GRI

Am I the only person that cannot believe it’s September? That’s just crazy to me!

Today is the first day of national Hunger Action Month, so I wanted to do something in relation to that because we are, after all, a city that’s great about giving back.

Meals on Wheels delivers food to the homes of elderly Austinites or those with disabilities. There are plenty of ways to get involved, including actually driving and delivering meals and helping coordinate meal distribution for the drivers. Don’t get discouraged if you think this might be too big of a commitment. You can always sign up to become a “substitute driver,” which is like a substitute teacher who helps out when the normal person can’t make it. And of course, you can always make a donation.

Cars not your thing? Well, we are the city of Lance Armstrong, and cycling is huge. So it’s no surprise that we also have Meals on TWO Wheels, where volunteers deliver meals via bike along certain routes in east Austin. Meals on Wheels can provide a bike or you can bring your own. If you ask me, this is a great way to get a workout in and help others at the same time — kill two birds with one stone, if you will.

For more information on volunteering contact Denise Jimenez at djimenez@mealsonwheelsandmore.org

I hope this inspires some of you to get out there and get involved. A little bit of your time can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others.

For those that are interested in more information on Hunger Action month, visit Feeding America’s facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica.

You can also get involved with List Item #56. Volunteer at Capital Area Food Bank, http://365thingsaustin.com/2010/02/25/56-volunteer-at-capital-area-food-bank/.

Photo by John Anderson, http://tinyurl.com/24yqlwx

It is time for me to blog on a fantastic food stop in the Capital City, Cornucopia. This is something random and different, not your everyday restaurant. This is popcorn at its finest, and frankly it should be in a category of its own.

This place could make people that don’t like popcorn learn to love it. It’s that good.

I can’t even begin to get into the countless options and flavors that they have to offer, but I will do my best to convey into words how great it is. Bear in mind that I absolutely love salty and sugary things, so this just combines everything my taste buds love.

The traditional flavors are all great, but they also venture into things chocolate covered popcorn and other unique combinations that really put them in a class of their own.

Flavors that are my favorites include Dill Pickle (a must try), Zebra, Texas Chili, Cajun, Cinnamon Roll and Cheddar Jalapeno. Visit their website to see all the options because I could go on and on. This place will make you experience popcorn like you never have before.

The timing also seemed right to blog on them as tomorrow, August 27^th, they’re celebrating their second birthday. Who doesn’t love a birthday? Stop by tomorrow between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for a FREE bag of popcorn and some cocktails.

It’s always important to me that the places I blog on have great, friendly service and they definitely do. With the holidays coming up, people seem to think popcorn is always a good gift, and this is the place to get it from!

Don’t miss the deal for blog followers, $10.00 for $20.00 worth of Popcorn Goodness, https://365austindeals.com/

Happy Thursday Austin, and happy second birthday Cornucopia, I have no doubt you will be around town for many years to come.

Location:

1914 Guadalupe St.
Suite B
Austin, Texas 78705

http://www.austincornucopia.com/

My boss has been excited about this show coming to Austin for the last few months, and since she rarely gets excited about the shows here in town, I figured this one was blog-worthy.

To begin with, this show has gotten absolutely fantastic reviews every time I hear or see anything about it.

Jersey Boys is a 2006 Tony award-winning musical about 1960’s Rock and Roll Hall of Farmers, The Four Seasons. It is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop history. They wrote their own music, sold over 175 million records worldwide, and did it all before the age of 30. We owe them the credit for oldies favorites like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

The show runs from now until September 5^th, so you have plenty of time to plan ahead and make a night of it. There is something about stories of people reaching great success that just get me every time, it never gets old.

When: Now – September 5^th.

Location:

Bass Concert Hall
2300 Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, Texas

http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/tour/austin.htm

I have really stopped posting on Active Rain and just been blogging at my wordpress, http://www.365thingsaustin.com because comments on my active rain one keep getting spammed and I can not figure out how to stop it. Check out #60. Allen's Boots?

Here is the year to date list, happy exploring! As always, it's a great day to be alive in Austin, Texas.

1. Mozart’s Coffee
2. See Bob Schneider
3. Cap City Comedy Club
4. Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trails
5. Bridal Extravaganza
6. Austin Segway Tour
7. Visit University of Texas Co-Op
8. IMAX Theater at Bob Bullock Museum
9. La Fuente’s
10. Rudy’s BBQ
11. Blanton Museum of Art
12. Volunteer at Town Lake Animal Shelter
13. Austin Boat Show January 14-17^th
14. Sprouts Farmers Market
15.Texas Basketball Game – Lone Star Shootout
16. Enjoy the view at the Oasis
17. Hey Cupcake!
18. Climb Mount Bonnell
19. Tuesday Trivia Night at a Local Bar
20. Kerbey Lane Café
21. Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center
22. Peter Pan Mini Golf
23. Huts Hamburgers
24. Stubbs BBQ Gospel Brunch
25. Grow your own organic food & flowers at Sunshine Community Garden
26. Dog & Duck Pub
27. Taste of Austin
28. Indoor Rock Climbing
29. The Belmont
30. Le Garage Sale
31. Trudy’s
32. Free Swing Dance Lesson at Ruta Mayas
33. Playland Skate Center
34. Cafe Monet
35. First Thursday on South Congress
36. Free Margaritas at El Chile
37. Austin Zoo
38. Third Base
39. Tiff’s Treats
40. Hancock Golf Course
41. Take a Pedicab Ride
42. Bobby Bones Singles Mingle
43. Esther’s Follies
44. Sweetbarks 2010
45. Mangia Pizza – Heart Shaped Pizza
46. Visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum
47. Evangeline Cafe
48. Cactus Cafe (While You Still Can)
49, Man Vs. Food Challenge at Juan In A Million
50. Frank Hot Dogs & Cold Beer
51. Free Tour & Beer Tasting at Live Oak Brewing Company
52. Pease Park
53. Chaparral Ice
54. BYOB B-I-N-G-O
55. Zach Theatre
56. Volunteer at Capital Area Food Bank
57. Max’s Wine Dive
58. The Veloway
59. Austin Restaurant Week
60. Allens Boots
61. Texas Capitol
62. The Spazmatics at Cedar Street Courtyard
63. Aussie’s Grill & Beach Bar
64. Berry Austin
65. Volunteer At A City Park
66. Moonshine
67. Mexic-Arte Museum
68. Taco Shack
69. Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
70. The New Movement
71. SXSW
72. Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo
73. Zilker Kite Festival
74. Big Top Candy Shop
75. Blazer Tag
76. Fado Irish Pub
77. Meet the Budweiser Clydesdales
78. Crown & Anchor Pub
79. Monkey See Monkey Do
80. Peacock Watching at Mayfield Park
81. Austin Java
82. Texas Longhorn Baseball Game
83. Cathedral of Junk
84. Flip Happy Crepes
85. Midnight Rodeo
86. Westgate Street Festival
87. Taverna
88. Capital City BMX
89. Big Stacy Pool
90. P. Terry’s
91. The Mighty Cone
92. Be An Extra On Friday Night Lights
93. The 11th Annual Easter Pet Parade & Costume Contest
94. Texas Football Spring Jamboree & Fan Fest
95. Caffe Medici
96. Dog Almighty
97. KVET Free Texas Music Series at The Hills Cafe
98. Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up
99. See The Eggmen
100. Hula Hut
101. Free Mimosas with Brunch at Rio’s Brazilian Cafe
102. Lions Municipal Golf Course
103. House Wine
104. Free Yoga In The Park
105. KGSR’s Unplugged at the Grove (More Free Summer Concerts!)
106. Austin Reggae Festival
107. Austin Toros Basketball Game
108. American Hero Celebration at Camy Mabry
109. Love & a 45 Record Player Party at Rio Rita
110. Explore Lady Bird Lake with a Kayak or Canoe
111. Earth Day Festival at The Triangle
112. Barton Springs Pool Clean-Up
113. The Alamo Drafthouse
114. Eeyore’s Birthday
115. Art City Austin
116. Nelo’s Cycles Shop Weekday Ride
117. The Highball
118. Our Body: The Universe Within
119. Volente Beach
120. Play Disc Golf
121. Pecan Street Festival
122. Austin Lemonade Day
123. Curra’s Grill
124. STOMP at the Paramount Theatre
125. La Condesa Cinco De Mayo Downtown Block Party
126. Home Slice Pizza
127. Backspin Sports Bar
128. German-Texan Heritage Society’s 15th Annual Maifest
129. 7^th Annual Art of the Pot Tour
130. Shoal Creek Greenbelt
131. Take A FREE Stand Up Paddle Board Class
132. Foster An Animal From The Austin Humane Society
133. Good Pop
134. Conan O’Brien at Austin Music Hall
135. First Annual Family Nature Crawl
136. Olivia
137. Trash To Treasure Donation Drive
138. Sazon Mexican Restaurant
139. Triangle Farmer’s Market
140. Lake Travis
141. Car2Go’s FREE Concert at Republic Square Park
142. Austin Civic Choic Honors All Those Lost
143. LOST Weekend: All LOST Quiz at Waterloo Ice House
144. Summermoon Coffee Bar
145. Kahuna’s Tiki Bar & Grill
146. Red Bud Isle
147. Spicewood Valley Trail
148. Live From The Plaza at Austin City Hall
149. Southpark After Dark – Free Michael Jackson Tribute
150. Sunday Afternoon Market
151. Austin Wine & Music Festival
152. Austin’s Park
153. Free Music at Scholz Garten
154. Shiner’s Saloon
155. Free Crawfish Boil at Hudson on 5th
156. Blondes vs. Brunettes Powder Puff Showdown to Benefit Alzheimer’s Association
157. Night of the Bat
158. Polvos
159. Kayak Bat Watching Tour
160. Blues On The Green
161. Lick It Bite It Or Both
162. Cuatros
163. ROT Rally
164. The Wizard Of Oz At Bass Concert Hall
165. Freddie’s Place
166. Marmalade Skies
167. Drag Queen Game Night At Jo’s Coffee Downtown
168. Stunt Ranch Paintball
169. Red’s Porch
170. Califa Arts Collaborative
171. Father’s Day In The Park
172. Yelp Eats Week!
173. Zilker Botanical Gardens
174. Black Sheep Lodge
175. Party Cove Cab
176. 3rd Annual Kitty Palooza
177. Keep Austin Werid Festival & 5K
178. Texas Rollergirls Rollerderby Matchup
179. Santa Rita Cantina
180. Stubb’s BBQ at Star Bar
181. Westgate Lanes
182. Snap Kitchen
183. Carlos ‘N Charlie’s Firework Extravaganza
184. Pioneer Farms Independence Day Celebration
185. Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Day Picnic
186. Billy’s on Burnet
187. Windsor Park Family Movie Night in the Park
188. The Grove
189. Trapeze Austin
190. Music Under the Star 2010
191. Aquapalooza
192. World Cup Final Live in 3D at Galaxy Highland
193. Jack Allen’s Kitchen
194. Eastside Cafe
195. Community Night at Austin Children’s Museum
196. M Two Restaurant
197. Annie the Musical at Zilker Park
198. Bark in the Park
199. Aladdin at Scottish Rite Children’s Theatre
200. Free Kids Camp: The Nightmare Before Christmas at Alamo Drafthouse
201. Asleep at the Wheel Live at Waterloo Records
202. Sno Beach
203. Aztex Soccer Game
204. Gulf Coast Fundraiser
205. Watch the Tour De France at Mellow Johnny’s
206. SummerStock Austin
207. $1.oo Lone Star Longnecks All Day At Bartron Springs Saloon
208. Deep Eddy Pool
209. Bike Night at Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que
210. Emma Long Park
211. Bulter Park Pitch and Putt
212. Hill Country Galleria Outdoor Amphitheatre Concert Series
213. South Congress Cafe
214. McKinney Falls
215. Viva Chocolato!
216. Dirty Martin’s
217. Barton Springs Bike Rental
218. Jazz Legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk Tribute at the Elephant Room
219. Lake Austin
220. Shark Week at Alamo Drafthouse
221. Go To A Free Taping of “Austin City Limits“
222. Austin Sports and Social Club
223. Try out for Synchronized Figure Skating
224. The Secret Art of Dr. Suess Exhibit
225. Float Flicks: Shark Tale
226. Austin Ice Cream Festival
227. Austin Fashion Week
228. Uchi
229. Man Bites Dog
230. Windy Point Park
231. 2nd Street District Fashionable Fifth Birthday Fete
232. Lonestar Riverboat Tour
233. 6th Annual Bat Fest
234. 7th Annual Austin Italian Festival
235. Torchy’s Tacos
236. Full Moon Swim At Barton Springs Pool

Hot August heat have you craving a way to cool down, here is your solution: the 4^th Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival. This is a full, jam packed day of ice cream fun. There will be plenty of contests, music and it goes without saying, ice cream.

So here is the rundown on the contests throughout the day:
Naturally, Ice Cream Eating Contest - who can eat the most ice cream in 6 minutes. I hate to say this but you must be 18 or older to enter.

Homemade Ice Cream Making Contest- do you have the secret receipt to be the next Amy’s ICre Cream or Blue Bell? Well bring that and your ice cream maker, pay the $20.00 entry fee and you have your chance to compete against the homemade ice cream makers in town.

Popsicle Stick Sculpture Contest- Excatly what sounds like, time to great creative. All ages welcome.

Screaming Contest- I have a headacke just thinking about this one, all ages welcome.

If the contests are not your thing they have live music throughout the day plus other entertainment. It is guaranteed to be a good time had by all.

Time: 10:00am-7:00pm

Admission: $5.00 for adults, Children 8 and under FREE.

Location:
Waterloo Park
403 E. 15^th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

http://www.icecreamfestival.org

http://www.365ThingsAustin.com