AUSTINCDC

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen: Cajun Delight

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you have never had the pleasure of tasting Cajun cooking, you have to try it at least once in your lifetime. Louisiana, is the home of Cajun cooking, especially incredible seafood dishes. Pappadeaux is a chain of restaurants that cater to Cajun cooking and traditional seafood dishes. The history of the franchise begins with a Greek immigrant H.D. Pappas, who came to this country in 1897. He opened a number of restaurants in Texas and Arkansas The story goes that his cousin Pappadeux, an excellent Cajun cook, taught him the fine art of Cajun cooking.

Today there are locations throughout the southwest. Their motto is keep it fresh, keep it spicy and give them plenty. Entering into Pappadeaux is like stepping into an authentic New Orleans style restaurant. The atmosphere is friendly with Dixieland jazz in the backdrop. The food taste great and you will definitely come back for more. They provide great service and their catering service is perfect for those special private parties.

It’s a great place for family gatherings and business meetings. The experience will make you feel like Mardi Gras coupled with the great cuisine. Pappadeaux promises to give you a dining experience of a lifetime with the guaranteed freshest food and the best of Cajun cooking.Can’t get enough? There’s more: What Are Creole and Cajun?

Best Spas in Austin

admin — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When thinking of ways to unwind in Austin, Texas; here are some of the best spas that are available. These establishments include services such as massage, facials, aromatherapy therapy and more. This article will let the reader know which spas to go to and possibly for a family or couples looking to relocate to Austin. Also available in these spas are cosmetology related services such as manicures, pedicures and hair removal.

First in the list of spas is Woodhouse Day Spa, which includes a very special package for couple massages. This is perfect for the newly engaged couple to spend time together. Hot stone massages are available here as well, plus other services including four handed massage, facials, microdermabrasion, body wraps, waxing and nail services. Woodhouse Spa won awards for their excellent services.

Next, but not least on the list is Viva Day Spa. Here they offer special packages as well as manicures, pedicures and hair removal. The staff will pamper you with massages, but for something really special is the gift certificates that are available for the family members and co workers of their customers. Which is a great deal in itself knowing that a gift like this will be greatly appreciated.

In conclusion the day spas of Austin are waiting to relieve tension and to calm one’s nerves in these stressful times. It is well worth the experience of being truly pampered, if just for a day.

Austin’s Economic Growth

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With today’s economic climate leaving much to be desired, the city of Austin, Texas has consistently been moving to the top of the list of the nation’s fastest growing economies. Positioned as the capital city of Texas, and housing one of the top ranked research universities in the country–the University of Texas–Austin continues to provide a wealth of local and state government jobs in the public sector. The state of Texas also offers advantageous tax incentives and regulatory policies, which keeps on luring in prospective private businesses and furthering the growing job market. In the 1990s during the high-tech economic boom, Austin was known as the “Silicon Hills.” With a lower cost of living than California and a never-ending supply of college graduates, Austin is a prime locale for many technological development centers; and with the governor’s blessing hopes to become the nation’s new high-tech hub of innovation. However, if a suit and tie seem too stuffy for the Texas heat, there are still a plethora of local, colorful businesses that cater to the music scene and the hipster crowd; along with the ripe opportunity to start your own business venture there. In Austin, it’s the dreams that come bigger.

Considering a Move to Austin?

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Austin is a great place to live for so many reasons! The culture, the food and the nightlife are all part of the draw but here are a few things you should take into consideration before you plan a big move.
Austin is hot. If you’re not accustomed to hot weather, you’re in for a shock in Austin. You’ll need to have your car heat sealed and your hair de-frizzed so keep that in mind before you purchase a home.
Utilities are scattered. Just because you live in Austin doesn’t mean you’ll contact an Austin water company to get set up. For example, there are electric companies in garland tx that service all the way out to Austin, so do the research before you show up in town.
Texans speak differently. If you’re not from Texas and particularly not from the South, keep in mind that people here have a drawl. You may not understand what “Y’all” or “Yeehaw” means at first but after a few weeks you’ll be speaking like a native!

Old Pecan Street Spring Art Festival

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Old Pecan Street Spring Art Festival, is the spring portion of this bi-annual festival tradition that has been on-going for more than 30 years. The Festival takes up 24 blocks of 6th street, in downtown Austin, Texas. With over 300 artists, juried and original, showcasing their talents and selling their wares.

The event is free and open to the public as it has been since its beginning 33 years ago. Along with the artists and artwork there are also magicians, jugglers, musicians playing on five different stages, comedians and dancers. There are workshops and activities to entertain the children. And numerous vendors offering regional and world cuisine.

The Pecan Street Festival is the largest art festival in Central Texas, and draws over 300,000 visitors and generating millions of dollars in local revenue. The festival donates a portion of the proceeds to local charities including United Care USA, Austin Boxer Rescue and the Friends of the Planetarium. In addition the festival provides the main funding for the Old Pecan Street Association which works to preserve and beautify the 6th Street area.

The Old Pecan Street Spring Art Festival is a great way for visitors and locals alike to shake off the winter blues.

Austin’s Hiking Trails

admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Hiking is popular in many parts of the country and Austin, Texas is no exception. Visitors and residents enjoy the many parks, hiking and walking trails available near to the city. A vigorous hike works the entire body and is one of the best forms of exercise recommended by medical professionals as part of a regular fitness program. Here are some of the many hiking options available in the Austin area:

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Right in the city is an extensive trail of over seven miles of moderate hiking through rugged wilderness terrain. This trail is considered the seventh best trail in Texas. The Greenbelt is a place for adventure where rock climbing, kayaking, caving and other sports are also popular.

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve

Home to many species of Texas’ native wildlife, this preserve has about three miles of trails through diverse terrain over almost three hundred acres of hill country. Visitors can enjoy woodlands with a stream and some open, grasslands.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Located near Lago Vista, Texas, this vast refuge has a system of trails recently created, wandering through the rough country with such fascinating names such as Cactus Rocks Trail and Warbler Vista.

Best Cycling Trails in Austin

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you are new to Austin or planning to visit Austin with a bicycle there are two paths that you should check out.
The best bicycle route in Austin is the Veloway which is a 3 mile circular loop through Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park. It is open from dawn to dusk except on very select days. The Veloway is open to only bicyclists. Other facilities in the park include a huge soccer complex, a basketball court, volleyball court, picnic area, disc golf course, hiking paths and play equipment.
For those who prefer not to ride on a closed circular loop path then try the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The trail which is approximately 7 miles in length incorporates many different kinds of terrain. The main starting point for the trail is Zilker Park. The original land for the park was given to the city in 1918 and was added to during World War I. The trail continues to the Hill of Life. Bikers are encouraged to park in the lot near the swimming pool which will cost you 2.00. Then follow the trial along the river. Stay as close to the river as possible since hikers tend to stay on the trails further away from the river.
These two options are very unique riding opportunities in Austin, Texas.

Zilker Park’s ACL Music Festival

admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

One of Austin, Tx’s most popular events is the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival, held in Zilker Park. If you get the opportunity it’s a spectacular opportunity to take in the music of Austin. The festival is an amazing three-day long event, with a total of 8 stages and more than 130 acts, it truly is a must see. There is no parking at Zilker Park so visitors must ride a shuttle bus, walk, or pedal in.

The producers of this event have considered Eco-friendliness and the vast undertaking that cleaning up after this event would be and put together a program called rock and recycle. Visitors are encouraged to drop by and pick up a back to fill with recyclable cans and water bottles. Once your bag is filled and returned to the booth you will be given a t-shirt, sounds like a winner to me, clean-up and a free memento.

They have remembered the children as well, children 10 and under get into the festival free with one adult paid admission. The festival has arranged an area just for kids called Austin Kiddie Limits. In this area young visitors will find crafts, snacks, karaoke, and other activities.

Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs

www.austincdc.org — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It seems that 2011 might be a banner year for economic and fiscal growth in Austin since Forbes.com listed the city as the third best in the nation when it comes to having a coveted job market.Forbes went on to state that Austin has many assets such as being a state capital, having a major convention center, and being home to a major university (the University of Texas) as well as many technology companies, most noteworthy of which is Dell. It should be of little surprise that Austin remains on the publications’ radar since it listed the city last year as being “number one” concerning economic recovery, eighth best for business and careers, and second of all cities looked at concerning innovation (that kind of falls in line with its previously mentioned technology impetus).And don’t be surprised if you see Austin mentioned on some “green innovation” lists in the not too distant future since officials announced last October a new Eco-Merge Green Corporate Center (GCC) devoted to producing new technologies. The 1,065-acre GCC project, near the intersection of FM 1704 and FM 969 about 15 minutes east of Austin, will be home to organizations researching, creating, incubating and producing advanced green technologies. Companies already committing to operate from the center include Toshiba International Corp., ecoSolary, Akash Ganga Pte., and Yerico Manufacturing. The campus will be a global seeding ground and showcase for energy efficiency, renewable power and sustainability in office, industrial and manufacturing facilities. Jim Carpenter, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Eco-Merge Green Corporate Centers commented that the “project recognizes that development and economic growth require creation and use of advanced green technology. That means taking smart, new approaches. Central Texas Airport enhances GCC and the reverse is true, too. By every measure, this region is woefully underserved for general aviation, and addressing the issue will make our area much more attractive for investment and job creation.”We think that will definitely keep Austin on anyone’s top ten list for a whole lot of reasons!

Profit Fuel

www.austincdc.org — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

If you want to work for one of the best companies to work for in Texas (as ranked by Texas Monthly magazine for the year 2011), you might want to check out Profit Fuel located in Austin at 9300 United Drive. The company, an online provider of local search engine placement services for small business located around the country, has received this honorable designation for two years running. Founded in 2002 it has also been named one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. magazine; one of the fastest growing private companies in Central Texas and one of the Best Places to Work in Austin by the Austin Business Journal; and a 2010 Top Workplace by

the Austin American-Statesman. The company states that it was founded on the premise that “small businesses need an experienced partner to help maximize online customer acquisition opportunities” and they have a mission to be the “engine that drives sales growth” for just those clients. In building the company culture they developed a set of values at their core that are used to guide and build their future:

We believe in our ability to dramatically impact our clients. We believe in aligning the incentives of our company, employees, and clients. We believe in providing our services with integrity. We believe in balancing a strong work ethic with having fun.

As one employee recently commented “I choose to come to work every day because I know I can make a difference;” and it’s just that difference that Profit Fuel hopes will propel them into future awards and accolades.