News and Updates

Although there are endless things to do in Austin, we thought we’d dedicate this blog to one of our favorite weekend escapes from our apartment in Austin, Texas, to Bandera’s famous Cowboy Country. 
 
It’s no secret that this Texas town is known as the Cowboy Capitol of the World.  It’s where dreams of being a cowboy can come true with a wide variety of traditional fun naturally unraveling every day.   It’s where Dude Ranch conversations overflow with old time stories of yester-year and real time chats about where and what real wranglers need to complete before the winter arrives.  
If you’ve never experienced staying at true Dude Ranch, the options are many and more than worth the drive from your home at Juniper Springs apartments and investment in the time away.
 
Here’s a good list; have a great time riding into the sunset!
 
 2E Twin Elm Guest Ranch
888-567-3049 or 830-796-3628


Flying L Guest Ranch
800-292-5134 or 830-460-3001  
 
Dixie Dude Ranch
800-375-9255 or 830-796-7771
 
Hill Country Equestrian Lodge
830-796-7950
 
Mayan Ranch
830-796-3312
 
Purple Sage Ranch Conference Center & Retreat
800-373-0931 or 830-796-7703  
 
Rancho Cortez
866-797-9339 or 830-796-9339
 
Silver Spur Guest Ranch
830-796-3037
 
Venado Springs Ranch
210-289-1610 or 866-796-0660
 
West 1077 Guest Ranch
830-796-5675
 
7 Canyons Ranch
830-562-3942 or 866-796-0660
 

With the wonderful fall weather that continues to bless us in Austin, Texas, there’s no reason for children, or adults for that matter, to be inside and absorbed by technology.  This November, take time to truly unplug those video games and connect with Mother Nature’s colorful creatures in person.  Be a short drive or day’s adventure from our apartments in Austin, there are plenty of options throughout our magnificent state to help us power down and immerse your family in real live animal action at these following nature preserves:
 
Barrow Nature Preserve
Barton Creek Wilderness Park
Big Walnut Creek Nature Preserve
Blowing Sink Research Management Area
Blunn Creek Nature Preserve
Colorado River Wildlife Sanctuary
Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
Deer Park at Maple Run Preserve
Goat Cave Karst Nature Preserve
Indiangrass Wildlife Sanctuary
Mayfield Nature Preserve
Onion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
Stephenson Nature Preserve & Outdoor Education Center
Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve
Zilker Nature Preserve
 

Just one step into any store in and around our apartments in Austin, Texas  and you’ll know what Halloween takes second place (to the Christmas season) for festive fun at all ages.   To help you make your final plans, here are a few of the top things to do and top events in Austin this Halloween season.
 
The month’s Blog starts with a few ideas for families and ends with our new “Frights for the Older Folks” column.
 
Happy Haunting!
 
FUN FOR ALL AGES
Harvest the Fall Fun
Come on over to Strawberry Hills this Halloween season for endless activity for all ages.  It’s almost overwhelming.  Check out this list then check into some seasonal fun through November 8^th!

• Stuff Your Own Scarecrow (Tons of family fun!) 
  Hayrides (Home of Scarecrow Island. Don't fall off the trailer or you might turn into one of them!) 
• Candy Corn Hay Maze for children 
• The 'Texas' Hayfield Maze for ages 6 and up 
• Sweet Berry Express Barrel Train (Watch out for the Goats!)
  Paint-a-Pumpkin (Everyone is an artist!)
• Picnic tables for you to enjoy & open spaces for the kids to run 
  Pet the Horses and Goats

THE ALLEYWAYS AND SHADOWS GHOST WALK OF THE TEXAS CAPITOL

MEET YOUR FAVORITE COMIC BOOK ARTISTS AND ACTORS IN AUSTIN! It’s a Celebration of all Things Comic and it’s coming to our home town in Austin this October 30 - 31, 2015. Come meet the creators of your favorite works and rub elbows with fellow comic enthusiasts at Wizard World Austin Comic Con. Check out hundreds of comics and collectibles in the Con's marketplace and find great sketches, lithographs, and more in the Artists Alley. Meet comic legends, popular artists, and television celebrities like acclaimed actors: * Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness, Evil Dead, Burn Notice, Spider Man) * Morena Baccarin (Homeland, V, Stargate SG-1, Serenity) * Academy Award nominee Chris Sarandon (The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Princess Bride) * Artist/illustrator/co-creator of Hell's Hands Neal Adams * And many more... It’s a perfect family get-a-way day and just a short drive from Juniper Springs apartments in Austin. LOCATION Austin Convention Center 500 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, TX 78701 SHOW HOURS Friday, October 30, 2015 – 12:-00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2015 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

MEET YOUR FAVORITE COMIC BOOK ARTISTS AND ACTORS IN AUSTIN! It’s a Celebration of all Things Comic and it’s coming to our home town in Austin this October 30 - 31, 2015. Come meet the creators of your favorite works and rub elbows with fellow comic enthusiasts at Wizard World Austin Comic Con. Check out hundreds of comics and collectibles in the Con's marketplace and find great sketches, lithographs, and more in the Artists Alley. Meet comic legends, popular artists, and television celebrities like acclaimed actors: * Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness, Evil Dead, Burn Notice, Spider Man) * Morena Baccarin (Homeland, V, Stargate SG-1, Serenity) * Academy Award nominee Chris Sarandon (The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Princess Bride) * Artist/illustrator/co-creator of Hell's Hands Neal Adams * And many more... It’s a perfect family get-a-way day and just a short drive from Juniper Springs apartments in Austin. LOCATION Austin Convention Center 500 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, TX 78701 SHOW HOURS Friday, October 30, 2015 – 12:-00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2015 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

A few weeks ago we tossed a little history about the city of Austin your way.  Now that you are settled in, here are some important contacts that we thought might be of interest to you as you get settled in at your new apartment community in Austin, Texas.

Important Numbers and Facts to Know

County - Travis

With all of the growth of our region, we’re seeing a wonderful new addition to our neighborhood apartments at Juniper Springs in Austin.  And as your new hosts, we thought it might be nice to give you a few tips about the history of your new home town.  We’ll start with a little history …
 
It all started back in 1830 just after our state won its independence from Mexico.  At that point, we needed a home base to call our capital.  History notes that a group of individuals were appointed to take a poll and the winner was … Austin, which is named after a prominent politician of that time: Stephen F. Austin.
 
There was a little hitch in the get-along when Sam Houston showed up on the scene and moved our administration offices to his namesake city, yet other than that, we’ve been Austin for over 150 years and counting.
 
Since then we’ve continued to thrive and thanks to all of the great benefits that our city offers, we’ve claimed the title of the Live Music Capital of the World and site of the University of Texas – which has many accolades to add to our fine community.
 
If you have an interest in learning more about your new home town, click here to read all about the history of Austin, Texas.

With the season of spring cleaning well underway in your home in Austin, Texas, we’ve been searching through our favorite stores to bring new and refreshing ideas to you this month.
 
With summer around the corner, it’s time to take out the old and bring in the new with fresh colors, consolidated furniture and new ideas to make you feel comfortable all summer long, and then some.
 
To get you started, we’re going to share a few ideas from the Pottery Barn which is just a short drive away from your home at Juniper Springs.

• Choose furniture designed to multitask, like a trunk that doubles as a table and hidden storage.
• Hang mirrors to reflect light and choose glass-top tables to create the illusion of more space.
• No matter how small the space, go bold and decorate with statement pieces for large-scale character.

WHY CONTAINER GARDENS ARE A HOT TREND IN TEXAS THIS SUMMER

Twenty two years ago, Save the Water Day (every year on March 22) was created to develop a world-wide awareness of our precious water resource.  With summer around the corner, we’re going to use this Blog to share information about the critical stages of our water availability … and what part you can play to conserve water while you still enjoy some fresh summer color on your porch and patio at your Juniper Springs apartment in Austin, Texas.

To get you jump started on your garden, we found an article for some simple container garden ideas for this summer … while you save water at the same time.    For some great ideas, just click here.

While you are enjoying the color, we appreciate your efforts to conserve water for all the right reasons. Here are some important highlights:

• It takes approximately 33 ounces of water to create a single sheet of paper; it takes about the same amount of water to irrigate one calorie worth of food.

• While 70% of our earth is blanketed with water, only about 3% is fresh water, and of that fresh water, only about 25% is accessible.

• if you’re still following, that means only .75% of the world’s water is fresh and accessible for use.

• Additionally, even in places where water may not be physically scarce by nature, scarcity is becoming a threat as a result of overuse or over management.

• It is estimated that by 2025, 67% of the world’s population may face water shortages and here in the west, it’s at a critical stage.

• In graphic terms, that means the equivalent of nearly 15 United States populations may face water shortages and California and Nevada are near the top of the list.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE HOUSE?
 
Believe it or not, Austin has over 50 coffee houses to get you up and running in the morning and all afternoon.  And it’s not just about coffee.  Gone are the little cafes in the corner that ONLY served a good cup of Joe.  Say hello to those who have taken the trends to new levels with more in store that one could ask from a friendly little coffee shop. 
 
Here’s a list from some of our favorites that are a short drive from Juniper Springs apartment right here in Austin


Friends and Neighbors
2614 Cesar Chavez Street
Come for a cup or come to peruse this cozy bungalow that overflows with gifts and home goods.
 
Kick Butt Coffee
5775 Airport Boulevard
From a hot cup of coffee to some of the coolest cocktails in town, Kick Butt is much more than a quick stop for a cup to go.  Stay for breakfast, lunch or plan on a night out with local live music and more.
 
Departure Lounge
311 Fifth Street
This is an interesting concept.  If your plans include plans to travel, stop in at the Departure Lounge that specializes in teasing you to pack your bags and get on vacation.  Picture yourself in front of their flat screen TVs while you watch a clip from an exotic destination while you sip down a delicious Frappuccino.
 
Picnik
1700 S. Lamar Boulevard
Butter Blend Coffee anyone? In addition to serving this blend of high-quality coffee that includes grass-fed butter and metabolism-boosting MCT oil, you can dine on gluten-free and Paleo foods to keep your motor running all day long.