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My name is Kevin, and that's what I think. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

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Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks

Wow! I can't believe it is almost time once again for the Fourth of July.  But, it is though. In fact the day we celebrate our nations independence from the British is next week. That means here in Austin it is time for the 37th annual Austin Symphony's July 4th Concert and Fireworks.
The Orchestra will kick off their free concert at 8:30 PM on July 4th and the Fireworks will commence at 9:30 PM, ending at 10 PM.

Photo by Victor Ovalle, Austin Parks and Recreation

On July 4th, more than 100,000 people gather at Auditorium Shores for the largest Independence Day celebration in Austin. The Austin Symphony will be under the apt baton of ASO Music Director Peter Bay. The Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks features patriotic music and the ever-popular 1812 Overture and spectacular fireworks over Lady Bird Lake.
- Austin Symphony

According to the events website concessions will be available at the event. Attendees are encouraged to come early bringing a blanket and/or lawn chairs. Perhaps with a picnic and enjoy the patriotic music of the Austin Symphony. However, please remember no alcohol or class containers are allowed in the park.
When:
July 4th, 2013
8:30 PM

Admission:
Free

Conductor:
Peter Bay

Handicapped Accessibility:
It is a public park and is somewhat accessible. However, must remember it is a grassy area and therefore may be more difficult to navigate for some mobility issues.

Location:
Auditorium Shores at The Long Center
800 W Riverside Dr
Austin, TX

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What do think about this attraction?

Clarksville

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Historic black neighborhood. Settled in 1871 when Charles Clark, a freedman, bought two acres of land on present Tenth Street. This formed the nucleus of the community that Clark, according to tradition, wanted to start for his people.

For years Clarksville lay in a wilderness on the outskirts of Austin, crossed only by a few country roads. Gradually it grew into a closely knit village, with activities centering on the Sweet Home Baptist Church. At first members met in the home of Mrs. Mary Smith. Then, in 1882, they purchased this site.

Religious fervor was strong in those days, and the residents often stood on their porches at dawn to begin the day with a hymn. The first church building was erected in the 1880s; present (fourth) one in 1935.

Among Clarksville’s distinguished citizens was Elias Mayes, who served in the Texas Legislature in 1879 and 1889. One of the first ministers of Sweet Home, the Rev. Jacob Fontaine, was instrumental in unifying negro Baptist churches in Austin and started the first negro newspaper, “The Gold Dollar”, in the city.

As of 1973, Clarksville encompassed over 9 square blocks, bounded by Tenth, West Lynn, and Waterston Streets and the Missouri-Pacific Railroad trackes.
Erected:
1973

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Handicapped Accessibility:
This marker is viewable from the public sidewalk.

Location:
1725 W 11th St
Austin TX 78703

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What do think about this attraction?

Pease Park

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Named for family of 1853-57 Texas Governor, Elisha Marshall Pease (1812-83), within whose early-day plantation this area was situated. Gov. and Mrs. Pease on May 20, 1875, gave 23-acre site here on Shoal Creek to City of Austin for use as a public park. It was already a landmark, known as post-Civil War camping ground of Gen. George A. Custer (1839-76) and 200 federal soldiers.

Left undeveloped until about 1913, park was nevertheless used for all sorts of celebrations such as the annual outings of volunteer firemen. It remains a spot of natural beauty.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
1971

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Handicapped Accessibility:
Yes, somewhat accessible. It can be viewed by anyone on the public sidewalk.

Location:
1100 Kingsbury St
Austin TX 78701

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What do think about this attraction?

On The Green

Description:
Mixed Media Public Art

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
1999

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Artist:
Pat Wilie

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Handicapped Accessibility:

Location:
Jimmy Clay and Roy Kizer Golf Course
5400 Jimmy Clay Dr.
Austin, TX 78744

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near the vehicular entrance of the golf course.
What do think about this attraction?

Local Burger Joint: P. Terrys

Our friends over at the austinot, have been doing a search for the best burger in Austin. While I have enjoyed reading their reviews, I do not always agree. So I thought, I would create my own review system, with our natural focus on accessibility. It may not be a regular feature of the best burger, but we will review local restaurants. Today we take a look at P. Terry's. We hear that it is similar to the national chain of "In and Out". Neither the wife nor I have ate there, so we can't compare, but we can tell you what we think of the local fast food chain.


Restaurant:
P. Terry's
We stopped in at the 3303 N Lamar (32 and Lamar) location.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Rating:

1. Burger Patties  6
   The patty was thin (think McDonald's® regular hamburger or Big Mac®), which is probably why so many people get the double. My wife and I can't do the cheese, so we only got hamburgers. To both of us  it seemed like there was more lettuce then burger. When I got a good taste of just the burger, it seemed to be seasoned with salt and pepper, which helped improve the rating in this category.
   
   
2. Bun 7
   A toasted bun delivered fresh by Bimbo Bakeries daily.
   
   
   
3. Quality 6
   The quality seemed very good. It was neither to dry nor to greasy. As a young man I loved a greasy spoon, but over time I grew to prefer a taste that was neither to dry nor to greasy. Somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. A lower score means the burger was to close to one of those extremes. Other factors into my rating this category would include the amount of meat and how done the burger was. The best part of this burger was that it was cooked completely without being overdone. Overall, though the quality was pretty average.
   
   
   
   
4. Garnish 7
   Standard garnish on all their burgers is lettuce, tomato and special sauce. I got mine with just lettuce and ketchup (the ketchup had to be requested). The wife who got all the standard garnishes said the special sauce tasted like mix of mayonnaise and ketchup.  The lettuce tasted and looked fresh. However, it seemed like there was more lettuce then burger, which isn't a good thing. Since the burger is to be the focal point.
   
   
5. Fries 6
   The fries we got seemed old and not very warm. These fries are suppose to be made in house, but they were thinner then those found at McDonald's®. Worse then that they seemed pretty average. 
   
   
6. Atmosphere 4
   It was very noisy inside. For a quieter experience, sit outside by the kids sandbox. The street noise isn't as loud as the roar of conversations inside, where it is hard to hear the person the person across the table from you. The one good thing I liked in this category was the turquoise and red color scheme.
   
   
   
7. Cleanliness (Restrooms, Dinning area, Entrance, etc) 9
   Entrance and parking lot looked good. They appeared well swept, except for a couple of stray leaves. When I checked out the men's room, I found an overflowing trashcan and an unflushed toilet in a restroom with only one toilet. Otherwise, the restroom appeared clean.
   
   



Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie   photo by Kevin Surbaugh

8. Other Factors (Service, Deserts, Menu, Accessibility, etc) 9
   
A. Service Service was good and fast. The downside was that the employee in the dinning room was a little to eager to clear our table. B. Deserts Cookie was delicious! Not a fan of oatmeal, but couldn't really taste the oatmeal. C. Menu Great menu selection, with choices for those on low-fat diets (chicken burgers) and veterinarians. D. Handicapped Accessibility There was one handicapped accessible entrance with steps into both of the other entrances. The downside here though was that there was a threshold that a wheelchair would have to try to maneuver over.
9. Price 8
   2 burgers ($2 ea), 2 drinks ($1.50 ea), 1 fry ($1.55 ea) and 2 cookies (.92 ea) = $11.14 (with tax)
   

Over all Rating: 6.89 out 10

Handicapped Accessibility
They have a handicapped accessible entrance.
Website:
pTerrys.com

Location:
6 locations
Barton Springs and S. Lamar

404 S. Lamar Blvd.

512 473-2217
Open Daily:
Mon-Thurs 7am - 1am
Fri 7am -3am,
Sat 8am-3am,
Sun 8am-1am

32nd and Lamar
3303 N. Lamar Blvd.
512 371-9975
Open Daily:
Mon-Thurs 7am -12am
Fri 7am -1am,
Sat 8am-1am,
Sun 8am-12am

MoPac and William Cannon
4228 W. William Cannon Dr.
512 358-0380
Open Daily:
Mon-Fri 7am - 11pm
Sat-Sun 8am-11pm
Ben White and South Congress
(DRIVE THRU ONLY)
204 West Ben White
512 462-4998
Open Daily: Mon-Thurs 7am - 1am
Fri 7am -3am,
Sat 8am-3am,
Sun 8am-1am

Lake Travis at Turnquist Plaza
3311 RR 620 South
512 263-9433
Open Daily:
Sun-Thurs 11am - 10pm
Fri-Sat 11am-11pm

Village at Westlake
701 S Capital of TX Hwy, Bldg. H
512 306-0779

Open Daily:
Mon-Thurs 7am - 10pm,
Fri 7am -11pm,
Sat 8am-11pm,
Sun 8am-10pm

Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day


What do think about this attraction?

Cathedral of Junk

This is a site to see. Originally intended as a private backyard artwork, it grew through donations of junk into what Vince Hannemann calls the ultimate tree-house/fort. It has been used for wedding, plays and birthdays. In fact Hannemann says he usually has about two a year, but this year there has already been two and a third scheduled wedding is coming up as well as an anniversary of a couple who had gotten married at the the "Cathedral".
It has even been featured in Spy Kids 3D and a Bank of America commercial. It is truly a destination for locals and tourists alike.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
1989

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Handicapped Accessibility:
It is in a persons private backyard, which is uneven, but according to the owner Vince there has been a number of visitors in wheelchairs He did caution that the backyard was uneven though. 

2TourAustin Tourists and Editors,
Kevin and Pat Surbaugh.
Photo taken by Vince Hannemann

Hours:
Private home, Call first and ask permission. If he is home he will give you a guided tour.

Admission:
Donations Accepted in a donation box near the gate.


Phone:
Vince Hannemann
512-299-7413 home

Location:
4422 Lareina Dr.
Austin, TX

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On the south side of Austin. US 81/290 to the Hwy 71 (Ben White Blvd E.) exit. Hwy 71 west to the Congress Ave. exit. Head south a couple of blocks, turn right on St. Elmo Rd W., then take the second left onto Lareina.

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Hulk Statue

Enter Austin Books and Comics and you will see a huge statue of that angry green monster, known to many of us as the Incredible Hulk.

Height:
There was some discrepancy as to the actual height of the statue. Some thought it was 8 feet high and another employee thought it was 10 feet. Without a tape measure to get an actual height, all I can say it is taller then any human that might enter the shop.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
4-5 years ago

Handicapped Accessibility:
For the most part Austin Books and Comics is accessible. There is a very minor threshold that a manual wheelchair might need a little push over.
Location:
Austin Books and Comics
51st and Lamar

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Have you been here? Share with us you thoughts?

Artistic Visions... You'll be Amazed Art Show June 6-13, 2013

Last night I had the opportunity to attend an art opening. The food at the event was provided by my full-time employer, Randall's.

Pat Surbaugh looks at the art on display
at the Artistic Visions Art Show opening.
Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Description:
The exhibit has more then 40 paintings, drawings and pieces of pottery. The artists are from diverse backgrounds but united as they are Seniors and/or persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

People who are older or who have an intellectual or developmental disability created all of the pieces in the exhibit. Some are residents of the state supported living centers or nursing homes, while others participate in the Austin Parks and Recreation senior program.
- Texas Department of Aging and Disability website

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

When:
Mon-Fri
June 6-13,2013
8am-5pm

Admission:
None

Handicapped Accessibility:
The building being the offices for the department of Aging and Disability is pretty accessible.

Location:
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
701 W. 51st St

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Would love to hear your thoughts on this exhibit.

Keep Austin Weird Festival - June 22, 2013

Yo Austin, it's that time of the year again.  Yes, it's time for the Keep Austin Weird Festival.

Photo by James Brosher/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
via http://blog.sikarajewelry.com/?p=2947

Description:
So what is the Keep Austin Weird festival? Glad you asked.
Since there is NO single city better than Austin. This festival’s philosophy is go big or go home. What does this mean? This means Keep Austin Weird is one blowout party full of music, family activities and local vendors eager to reflect the creative nature of Austin. Think of this festival as the ultimate toast to Austin, a toast to hospitality, fun and a sense of community. There is absolutely no need to hide your children or hide spouses as there are plenty of fun shenanigans for each and every Austinite in attendance.
Don't forget to wear something crazy. The more outrageous (but still family friendly) your outfit. The better.
When:
Saturday June 22, 2013
Festival at 2 p.m.
5K race at 7 p.m.

Admission:

Fest Passes Only $15 each
Fest and 5K Registration $47.50 each adult, $20 each child (12 and under)
VIP Registration $95 each

Website:
KeepAustinWeirdFest.com


Handicapped Accessibility:
The Long Center is handicapped accessible.

Location:

View Larger Map

The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W Riverside Dr
Austin, TX

Parking:

Best thing is to ride your bike. There will be a bike valet  on the grounds keeping bikes in a secure area. They will even have a bike mechanic to help with any flat tires or any other bike mechanical issues you need help with on the fly.
However, if you do drive your cars. These are the spots you can park.

Palmer Events/Long Center Parking Garage
900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX
(512) 404-4500

Riverside/Barton Springs/S 1st Parking Lot
Corner of South 1st Street and East Riverside

Austin City Hall
301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX
(512) 974-2668

Have you been to this event in past years? Leave a comment and tell us about it.