Emily O'Shaughnessy

How Well Do You Know the Lake Travis Area?

Written by Emily O'Shaughnessy | October 30, 2014

I love to talk with lifelong residents who have lived in the Lake Travis area for years. They’ve seen so much change, and whether they’re of “the more the merrier” or the “I like it better the old way!” frame of mind (or somewhere in between), there’s a lot we can learn from Austin and Lake Travis area natives.

Still, no matter whether you’re a longtime resident or just relocated to the Lake Travis area, there are always new places to visit, things to discover and history to learn.

So for any readers that think they know the area well and want to test their knowledge of past and current Lake Travis history here is a short, fun quiz of random facts.

Texas Book Festival: This Weekend at the Texas State Capitol

Written by Emily O'Shaughnessy | October 23, 2014

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx

This weekend Austin hosts one of the premiere literary events in the country. The Texas Book Festival takes place in and around the State Capitol October 25 & 26^th, offering events for all ages and interests. Not only does this festival appeal to literary experts and those in the field, but it also caters to casual readers, cookbook lovers, educators and even children who are just learning their ABCs. There truly is something for everyone, and best of all — it’s free.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Alana Weston's Journey

Written by Emily O'Shaughnessy | October 16, 2014

October

Although we see a lot of black and orange this time of year, there’s another color that we associate with October: PINK. Most of us know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Right now pink is everywhere — and with good reason. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2014, about 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. Everyone knows someone affected by the disease.

Over the years my family has supported the cause in multiple ways. We’ve donated, run in races and attended fundraising events to raise money for research. I’ve known survivors and ached for family members who have lost loves ones to breast cancer. But never has Breast Cancer Awareness Month hit me as hard as it did this time around.

Unplugged at The Grove: Austin's Longest Running Free Concert Series

Written by Emily O'Shaughnessy | September 4, 2014

KGSR’s Unplugged at The Grove is one of Austin’s longest running free concert series. Every Thursday night from April through September guests enjoy live music under the large pecan tree at Shady Grove. Although this season is winding down you still have a few more chances to enjoy the food, live music and atmosphere.

To take advantage of this Austin tradition you simply show up and grab a spot. There are chairs set up around the stage, but those can fill up quickly. So if that’s the case you can always pop a squat on the lawn. Depending on the date and who is playing, some nights are more crowded than others. Music starts at 8pm, so if you want a good seat plan to arrive early.

Dell Diamond: Family-Friendly, Fireworks, Food and Fun!

Written by Emily O'Shaughnessy | August 18, 2014

There’s something right about a summer evening and baseball, and we’re lucky to have an amazing, family-friendly venue for it in our backyard. The Round Rock Express, a Triple-A team affiliated with the Texas Rangers, plays home games at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The games are fun and the entire family can enjoy a night at the ballpark for less than it costs to go to the movies.

The ballpark itself is great. It was built with families in mind, including a “Fun Zone” area that includes a playscape, full basketball court, bungee trampoline, rock climbing wall and more. Several activities are free while others cost a small fee — or you can purchase a $10 wristband for unlimited access to all. It’s entertaining for the kids and gives them the opportunity to do things they don’t normally get to do.

Emily O'Shaughnessy

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