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Memorial Day is today and, as you honor the men and women who laid down their lives to serve our country, leave some room to celebrate yourself with that extra time off. Austin will be celebrating all over the city, all day.
So in honor of the coveted three-day weekend that comes with the holiday, get out of the house and enjoy a free relaxing day at Barton Springs Pool, crawfish in a beer garden or maybe getting some fresh air out in the countryside.
Austin Eastciders Memorial Day Party, 1530 Barton Springs Rd.
From noon-8 p.m. Austin Eastciders is throwing a Memorial Day party packed to the brim with drink specials and live music. Music starts at 2 p.m. with singer-songwriter Parker Chapin, then Evan Charles at 4 p.m., followed by Austin-based "rock and roller" Danny Golden. There will be $4 draft ciders and seltzers, $8 crowlers and $7 summer cocktails all day!
South Austin Beer Garden Crawfish Boil, 10700 Menchaca Rd.
South Austin Beer Garden isn't throwing your average crawfish boil, it's throwing an event with games specials, pet adoptions through Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue and free crawfish with the purchase of a drink. You read that right—free mudbugs. The party starts at 2 p.m., so come for the boil, stay for some drinks and maybe leave with a new best friend.
Take a dip at Barton Springs Pool for free, 2201 William Barton Drive
(Emma Freer/Austonia)
For one day only, enjoy Austin's famous Barton Springs Pool without a reservation or entry fee. The pool will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. so you can swim to your heart's content, but you might want to get there early, as capacity limits will be enforced due to a lifeguard shortage.
12 Fox Beer Co. Beer-iversary Artisan Market, 4700 W Fitzhugh Rd
Closing out a four-day celebration of 12 Fox Beer Co. turning 2 years old, the local brewery will be open from 12-6 p.m. on Monday for a live performance by Brews Blues Band and an artisan market where wares like jewelry, home decor, skincare, clothing, dog treats and more await. While you're celebrating the veteran-owned beer garden, grab some food from nearby food truck Buns N Chicks.
Austin Spring Festival at Barton Hill Farms, 1115 FM 969
The Austin Spring Festival will come to a close this Monday after one last day of fun for the whole family. Take a scenic drive out to the Bastrop countryside where you can frolic among the zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers; go on a hayride; visit some farm animals; and listen to live music. Adults are invited to enjoy the Apfelwein & Biergarten for a craft brew, and it wouldn't be a festival if there wasn't funnel cake!
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(Laura Figi/Austonia)
The original Z’Tejas location on West 6th Street is closing its doors after more than 30 years on the lot to make way for new development.
Z'Tejas owner Randy Cohen told Austonia the restaurant will be open at least through the end of 2022, possibly through March 2023.
Cohen said the owners—Larry McGuire of McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality—of the land have something new planned, though he’s not exactly sure what. Additionally, Cohen said maintenance costs for the old building were becoming prohibitively expensive.
“I think the people who own the dirt will tear it all down and build condos or some other development,” Cohen said. “I mean, it's a 60-year-old building, Z'Tejas has been here for 33 years and before that, it was something else. So it's just progress, that's all."
The restaurant isn’t going away though—Cohen said Z’Tejas is already looking for a new spot in the downtown area to move into. Z’Tejas also has a location in Avery Ranch, another in the works for Kyle and two in Arizona.
“We have all our ducks in a row right now and the management team is all rowing in the right direction,” Cohen said. “We're just excited, we're excited to build this iconic brand back.”
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
Once he finds a new place, Cohen plans to bring along its mural, “The Last Zupper,” which features Willie Nelson, Matthew McConaughey and Barbara Jordan. Cohen also plans for the adjoining ghost kitchen, Woo Woo Burgers, to follow to the new downtown location.
“We're still booking events through the end of December,” Cohen said. “Come ‘Z' me at Z’Tejas, we'd love to see you before we’re gone.”
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(Google Street View)
Two towers could be coming just south of the Austin American-Statesman’s former headquarters in the South Central Waterfront district.
According to city filings, the proposed planned unit development agreement is set for 200 East Riverside Drive, an area Project Connect’s Blue Line is slated to pass by someday.
Carrying this out involves removing the existing building, which is a state office complex and surface parking.
The new towers in place would reach just over 400 feet at their maximum and include office space and space for retail on the ground level. The mix of office and retail is a trend that’s been cropping up in downtown sites like the Perennial and the Meta tower.
The proposal on a plot of about four acres aims to incorporate green infrastructure and create a lively environment for pedestrians. It’d also be adjacent to the 118-acres of the South Central Waterfront Initiative, which is aimed at enhancing connections to and along the waterfront over the next couple of decades.
The filing lists architects STG Design, a group involved with work on the sailboat-like Google tower.
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