Duck

Hey there.

Here is a duck. :)

Sneak Peak: Cover Page

This is our amazing cover page that we worked so hard on. And we know your jealous because we have the whole magazine and you don't, but there is no need to be, just keep coming on this blog and you can find out how to buy this summer issue. That's it, and have a nice beginning of the summer.

Instructional post

OH NO! You have a couple friends coming over for lunch and nothing is prepared! Don't worry there is an easy solution. All you need is 1 big peice of mozarrella, 8 tomatoes (or more), olive oil, pepper, basil, salt, and red bell pepper (optional), lemon, and vinegar.

1. Cut up all the ingredients (except for pepper and salt) into thinish slices, then take out a large bowl and put the olive oil a small spoonful of vinegar, and two drops of lemon, then add all the ingredients (don't juice the tomatoes because the juice is good).

But you still need a drink! What can you do? Easy either make some hibiscus tea, it's DELICIOUS, or some lemonade (boring), or even just serve some cold water.
for the hbiscus tea you need 1 cup dried hibiscus, and sugar to taste.

2.Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Put hibiscus in a large nonreactive bowl, and pour hot water over it. Steep 30 minutes or longer. Strain through a sieve, and discard hibiscus. Add sugar to taste and more water, if desired, for a less concentrated flavor. Serve hot or cold. (hibiscus tea)

3. For the dessert you can just take a couple different fruits and cut them up, mix them put some lemon juice, and sugar, and the serve it.

How to Choose an Austin Sport

Austin is a very active city, with people biking and running all the time, you might be wondering how you can get in shape. Here are some cool sports that Austin citizens participate in.

1. Running: One of the reasons there are many runners in Austin is because it's so easy to just strap on a pair of running shoes and get out. It's a great way to go see the sights and get exercise at the same time. Runtex is a great place to get all the best running gear.
 

2. Biking: Biking is also huge in Austin. With so many places to go, biking is a really easy way to get around, and is faster and more efficient than running. People living downtown can just jump on their bikes and get anywhere they like, while getting a little exercise in. 

3. Lastly, another popular sport in the hot city of Austin, Texas is swimming. During the summer, many people have trouble finding a sport to do that won't give them heatstroke in the hundred degree weather. Most people turn to swimming, whether it's getting their kids into summer league or just dropping by to swim a few laps at Barton Springs. Most Austin swimmers get their gear from Lane Four Swim Shop. 

Whatever you do, don't just sit on your butt! Get out there :)

Hot Summer Days

Don't let the Texas heat be an excuse to stay inside your air conditioned home all day!  Here are some ideas as to how you can have fun outdoors while staying cool.

1. Rowing Dock: With summer camps, boat rentals, supping, and kayaking you can't miss out on going to the Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake.  You will get exercise and have a great time doing it!


2. Highland Lakes: Take a short vacation with the family to Highland Lakes, consisting of 7 different lakes to choose from where you can rent a lake house or a cabin and enjoy fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, and more!


3. Barton Springs Pool:  If you feel like laying out in the sun and jumping into the cool, refreshing water of a spring filled pool, go to Barton Springs!  This is the hot spot for those hot summer days here in Austin.



4. Sno-Beach: After a long day outside go enjoy a shaved ice at Sno-Beach.  With over 50 flavors you are sure to find something that you will enjoy!



Have fun!

Don't be the lamo that doesn't have any money to spend with friends.  Get a job to get a life! Here is a small guide to get a good summer job in Austin:

1) Apply Early:  Many summer jobs are already taken in the first month of summer, so it is extremely important to apply during the school year, or else you won't have a chance at getting a job at all.

2) Short Commute:  Getting a job with a long commute, not only wastes gas, but is extremely expensive as well. Gas prices are going up and may even get up to 5 dollars.  With a long drive to job you might as well stay home.

3) Finding the Job:  It can be hard to just find a job.  A place to search for jobs is online.  A great site, for Austin jobs is http://www.snagajob.com/jobs/Texas/Austin_jobs.html.  This site helps you find types of jobs (teens, seasonal, Part time, full time . . . ).  Another great site (http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-research+intern+summer/l-austin,+tx) helps you research on Austin jobs, and applications for internships!

4) Age Matters: When searching for a job most places only want people that are 16 or older.  This is why younger teens should make sure that they apply for places that supports a young community.
                                                     

Johnson's Backyard Garden

Soon, I will be writing an article on Johnson's back yard garden. It is a community supported agricultural (CSA) farm, which means that the poeple who pick the food are volonteers and in return for their help they get a free box of delicious vegetables. I go there often because they are family friends and have yet to volonteer. Whenever I have some pictures I will update this post and add them. Anyways, here is the intersting history of Johnson's backyard garden. It satrted of in a small back yard on Holly street when the Johnson family started growing a vegetable patch that took the whole back yard and then expanded it to the front. Then they started bringing the crops to the Farmers Market and provided about 30 families with vegetables weekly. In 2006 they bought 20 acres just outside of Austin (you can actually see the Frost bank form there) and enlargened their farm. now they have 70 acres and over 1,000 Austinites enjoy their freshly harvested egetables and herbs. So if you are a really amazing person, and love delicious vegetables, eggs, and fair trade coffee, you should totally check out their website (which by the way, is pretty amazing)  for information on volonteering and for subscription to their weekly boxes of vegetables. (This is their website: http://www.jbgorganic.com/about/)