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Prime Day is finally here and you know what that means... shop 'til you drop!
Prime Day, Amazon's annual sale for Prime members, lasts through tomorrow with coveted deals on well-known products and flash deals that you have to be quick to catch. There are thousands of items on sale this time around, from fashion to outdoor accessories to the latest technology. Of all the products Amazon has in store this year, here are a few things that every Austinite needs.
Bug repellent
(Amazon.com)
Since hot weather is finally here (and here to stay for the next several months), you might want to start investing in your mosquito protection, lest you spend the entire summer covered in bites. If you plan on spending time on the porch, citronella candles are your best friend. You can stock up on 12 of them for just $15 or a heavy-duty 20-ounce candle for $7, saving you 10% and 18%, respectively. However, if you're really trying to amp up your repellent game, consider investing in a freestanding electric bug zapper to protect yourself from all types of creepy crawlies; $27 (you'll save about $7) could keep you safe across 6,000 feet so you'll never have to worry about bites again!
Waterproof speaker
(Amazon.com)
Fret no more about bringing your expensive speakers poolside—now is prime time to invest in a waterproof sound system so you can enjoy it all summer long, whether you're at the pool, beach or the lake. The massive AOMAIS GO Bluetooth Speaker is so water-resistant that you could bring it into the water with you and enjoy over 40 hours of music on one charge. When it is dry, the speaker system also functions as a power bank, all for $56 right now. But if you're looking for something just a bit more portable, the INSMY Portable Bluetooth Speaker is just as waterproof and boasts an affinity for bass at just $27.
Cooling linens
(Amazon.com)
Texas summers are hot, which can make it hard to sleep, especially if you've got your thermostat set high to conserve energy. If the heat makes it hard for you to sleep comfortably, you might want to upgrade your bed setup with some cooling linens. The Comfort Spaces Coolmax sheets are more than 30% off at $25 for a king-size set, with five different neutral colors to choose from. If you're really trying to keep cool, the Elegear cooling blanket is woven with yarn designed to keep you comfortable and dry all night long. The blanket is more than 30% ranging from $29-48 depending on the size.
Air purifier
(Amazon.com)
Though it will run you close to $100, you'll be glad you got an air purifier when cedar fever hits. The AZEUS H13 True HEPA Air Purifier claims to remove 99.99% pollen, pet dander, smoke and dust for more than 1,000 square feet, giving your allergies or asthma a break from the outside world. You can grab the Azeus H13 for $141, more than $100 off the original price, or the $80 Dreamegg Air Purifier that works for up to 269 square feet.
Sandals
(Amazon.com)
You can't enjoy summer properly without a reliable pair of sandals, especially not if you're planning on soaking in the sun. Go the classic, comfy route with a pair of Adidas slides for only $20, or a pair of Birkenstock-esque sandals for the same price. There's also the rugged Rockport fisherman sandals for $30.
Outdoor projector
(Amazon.com)
Imagine the outdoor summer movie nights you could host if only you had your own projector. DR. J Professional is offering everything you need to open your own home movie theater for Prime Day: a 1080p mini projector with USB and video game capabilities and a 100-inch screen. Just $80 (you save $20) could turn the tide on your weekend gatherings, pool parties or summertime at home with the family.
New tech
If working from home has made you realize that your setup is just not up to snuff, now is the time to get all your upgrades in. Chromebooks, Lenovo and HP devices are up to 25% off through the end of Prime Day, meaning you could land yourself a brand new touchscreen HP Chromebook for as little as $290 or a full 27-inch Acer Aspire desktop computer complete with a wireless keyboard and mouse for just $680 so you will never have to deal with your outdated setup again.
Smart planter
(Amazon.com)
Prime Day is targeting your not-so-green thumb with smart planters, which keep your greenery alive and well, even when you don't have time to take care of them. Start small with a Chirisen self-watering planter for only $17.50 or go fancy with the ALISS Pro Hydroponic Growing System that monitors your plants' nutrient levels, featuring a grow light and oxygen circulation system that can support up to 12 pods for $55, saving you more than $70.
Airpods
(Amazon.com)
Whether your old headphones are starting to sound off or you just want to experience the new, sleek Apple Airpods Pro, you're in luck. You can snag any of the Airpod generations for a fraction of the new price. You can save $60 on the Airpods Pro, which will run you $190 after the discount, wireless Airpods for $150 or Airpods with a wired charging case for $120. No matter what you choose, you're getting a good deal!
Happy shopping!
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Popular
Jiu jitsu greats including Crag Jones (in leopard print) have opened gyms in Austin. (Claire Partain/Austonia)
The legendary Danaher Death Squad, which started in 2007 and was led by black belt John Danaher, made a highly-publicized split in late July while in Puerto Rico, with Danaher, legend Gordon Ryan and teammate Gary Tonon announcing the aptly-titled "New Wave Jiu Jitsu" as their new studio to open soon in Austin.
Missing from the new roster were former teammates Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinstein, Nick Rodriguez and even Ryan's younger brother, Nicky Ryan. The new crew announced that day that they would also be forming a new studio with the tongue-in-cheek title "B Team Jiu Jitsu."
Jiu jitsu greats Craig Jones (left) and Gordon Ryan have opened rival studios in Austin.
Both teams chose to move to Austin, a hotbed for the sport that the B Team's Seth Belisle said is becoming a "mecca for jiu-jitsu." With plenty of renowned studios, jiu-jitsu enthusiasts like Joe Rogan coming into town and the presence of Flo Grappling, the sport's premier media outlet, Belisle said there's now "more jiu-jitsu here than anywhere in the world."
While Belisle, an Austin native, handles the business side for the crew, the team's coaching is headed by Jones, a leopard-print wearing Aussie who has been known to sport assless chaps and places importance on the lighter side of things (the studio advertises that they train "Mexican ground karate," a name they created for jiu-jitsu).
Rumors abound about the famed fighters' breakup, including money issues in the Ryan family or a well-rehearsed PR stunt, but Jones told Austonia that the split of the Death Squad simply comes down to personal differences between the fighters.
"It wasn't an amicable breakup at all," Jones said. "What Gordan represents is quite controversial... I would say there would be no line he wouldn't cross to promote a grappling match. So in that sense, we're sort of focused on a different, more positive sort of vibe."
B Team and New Wave alike are opening at a critical time for jiu-jitsu, as the sport slowly becomes a household name. Now, top fighters can make a living from their sport while still maintaining a much lower profile than MMA fighters or boxers.
That name recognition and B Team's positive attitude drew in droves of new trainees, with many opting to move to Austin solely to train at B Team.
"Jiu-jitsu is a relatively new sport," Belisle said. "If you love basketball, it's impossible for you to say, 'I'm going to go play with LeBron James and learn from him this weekend... in jiu-jitsu, that's possible. You have access to the stars of the sport because it hasn't really blown up yet. It's something special."
After an open house that saw over 150 athletes show up, the team realized they needed to become more exclusive. Now, the studio trains only the "Olympians" of the sport, something that sets them apart from other local studios. They also frequently bring in celebrities of the sport for training sessions, including famed female fighter Ffion Eira Davies.
"We're obviously a new gym, but we're probably some of the best guys in the world," Jones said.
Meanwhile, New Wave is training at the famed Renzo Gracie Studio, Danaher's former trainer, as they wait for a new studio.
Will the world's two best teams soon have showdowns in the Texas capital?
While it's unclear whether or not things will get personal (no brother vs. brother matchup is on the horizon), trainees under each studio went head-to-head for the first time Wednesday as New Wave's Gordon Ryan announced his first match out of semi-retirement. Ryan, often lauded as the best grappler in the world, forced UFC fighter Phillip Rowe to submit four times in the 15-minute friendly exhibition match at Austin's Palmer Events Center.
But Rowe, who was first a jiu-jitsu athlete before switching to UFC, said he didn't know about the beef and was just looking to train under his favorite athletes, Jones and Rodriguez.
He competed for a few reasons—including a break from UFC and a chance to give BJJ a bigger name—but he mostly came into town for the fun of it. Ryan and Rowe talked often prior to the meet, with Rowe gifting Ryan a Bumpboxx, or decorated boombox, in honor of Ryans' father. The respect was mutual—Ryan shouted out Rowe after the match for coming out with a broken hand and the death of some loved ones a week prior.
The match was the first indirect competition between the two gyms. Jones said they won't be training with the goal of fighting any of their former New Wave compadres.
"I don't know what's going to happen ultimately," Jones said. "Because obviously, we're not friendly as it is right now, but I mean. I wouldn't go so far as to train someone that was going to compete against them directly."
But with B Team fighters like Nick Rodriguez expressing their interest in fighting in the future and both gyms training for the WNO Championships in 2022, it's almost inevitable that the former teammates will find themselves on either side of the mat sooner or later.
"'I'd be lying if I said that every day since I started jiu-jitsu my goal is to beat Gordon. I'd be lying if I was saying that isn't true," Rodriguez told the Jason Chambers podcast. "My goal is to be the best grappler in the world and nothing less. That's an old teammate that I have to go through to knock him out and get to the top, then that's fine with me."
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Atop one of Austin's signature rolling hilltops, 1501 Ridgecrest Drive is similar to one of the plush palaces that one might find in Calabasas. For $10.9 million, the home has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and caps at 10,498 square feet.
Park in the massive, fully air-conditioned garage before walking in, where you'll have eight full spaces to park your collection of cars. If you're not a collector, the garage makes an excellent studio space.
The wide-open living spaces will draw your eyes to the two-story ceilings, glass catwalk, integrated fireplace and wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the pool.
Though the house was built in 2011, it doesn't show its age. Sleek, clean lines lead seamlessly from the formal living area to an elite open-plan kitchen. Separated by a 25-foot waterfall island that can seat at least eight people, the kitchen is fitted with only the finest Miele and Subzero appliances. The custom cabinets are just as pricey as the rest of the place, finished with custom high-gloss Aston Martin (you read that right) paint.
(Compass)
Upstairs in the sprawling master's suite, there are enough amenities to never have to set foot outside again. Armani tile floors, space for living and a walk-in showcase closet lead into the resort-style bathroom, where you'll find dual vanities, a walk-in shower and a lounging bathtub.
The bedroom is a quick elevator trip away from the "party" room, complete with a bar, wine room and movie theater, only the best for entertaining. If your guests are staying over, rest assured they'll be comfortable with the kitchenette, washer and dryer and spa-like bath in their suite.
Though summer has passed, you can still enjoy the grand lap pool's unobstructed Hill Country views, many private lounging areas, grill a homemade snack at the outdoor kitchen or shoot some hoops at the newly-added court.
The listing is held by Compass' Gary Dolch.
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