Arts + Culture

The Gift of Perspective

IMXP founder Mitch Morales looks to the cosmos to reconnect humanity with wonder, gratitude, and each other. Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Provided There is something wonderfully simple about Mitch Morales’ prescription for an increasingly complicated world: Look up. The Austin native and founder and CEO of IMXP has built a company around immersive experiences that bring people together for extraordinary natural phenomena, particularly total solar eclipses. Its recent Iceland...

Life + Culture

A Welcome Home, Decades Later

Honor Flight Austin gives veterans the recognition, connection, and homecoming many have waited decades to receive. Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Beal Photography The crowd begins gathering before the veterans arrive. Families wear red, white, and blue and carry handmade signs. Service organizations take their places. Strangers offer flags to anyone who came empty-handed. Then the music starts. “When the veterans arrive, you get to see the surprise on their faces,” volunteer Alexa...

Life + Culture

Forty Years of Changing Smiles

Austin Smiles celebrates four decades of transforming lives as it looks toward its next chapter. Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Ellise Nicole Photography For four decades, Austin Smiles has built its mission around a simple idea: children born with cleft lip and palate deserve access to comprehensive care, whether they live in Central Texas or Latin America. For board member and 40th anniversary gala co-chair Dina Melhem, that mission is deeply personal. Born in Lebanon with...

Home + Design

The Art of the Thanksgiving Table

Beautiful details for a more meaningful gathering. Article by Julie Royce Thanksgiving is more than a meal. It’s a chance to slow down, gather the people we love, and set the tone for a warm, welcoming celebration. With a few thoughtful details, you can design a setting that feels elegant, inviting, and unforgettable. Here’s how to bring it all together. 1. Start with a Foundation A linen tablecloth or runner creates an instant sense of occasion. Choose a neutral base and let natural...

Home Services

Service Beyond the Station

Fireman Dryerman brings a firefighter’s mindset to home safety, prevention and a business built on trust. Article by Julie Royce For Parr Brookover, fighting fires and preventing them are two sides of the same calling. Brookover owns Fireman Dryerman, an Austin-based dryer vent cleaning company staffed almost entirely by professional firefighters. He joined the business in its early days, after another firefighter recognized a recurring problem while doing handyman work: Customers with long...

Arts + Culture

The Care Behind the Music

HAAM Day celebrates Austin’s musicians while helping provide the health care that keeps them performing. Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Dave Hawks Austin’s music scene depends on the people behind it. Each September, HAAM Day brings musicians, music lovers, and local businesses together to support the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Founded in 2005, HAAM helps Austin-area musicians, DJs, and music teachers access affordable health care and wellness services, including primary...

Food + Beverage

Discover NORTHSIDE Dining

Explore four standout restaurants serving unforgettable flavors at Domain NORTHSIDE Article by Alison Goodman | Photography by Emily Piraino Photography Whether you're meeting friends for happy hour, grabbing a quick lunch between errands, or planning a memorable dinner out, Domain NORTHSIDE has become one of Austin's go-to destinations for dining. The walkable district brings together an impressive mix of locally loved concepts and nationally recognized favorites, offering everything from...

Life + Culture

The Heart Behind the Cup

Barrett's Coffee owner Travis Kizer represents Austin in COFFEE The Universal Language, showcasing a city where community is always brewing. Article by Julie Royce Austin recently earned the title of America's best coffee city, but Travis Kizer, owner of Barrett's Coffee, isn't interested in debating rankings. Instead, he's focused on the people who make the city's coffee culture what it is. That quiet authenticity is exactly what made Kizer the perfect choice to represent Austin in Season 2...

Arts + Culture

The Musician Comes Alive

Still Austin transforms its bourbon mythology into an immersive destination celebrating whiskey, music, and creativity. Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Still Austin Whiskey Co. The woman gracing Still Austin Whiskey Co.’s flagship bourbon bottle has always been more than a label. With flowing hair that doubles as the strings of her instrument and the voice of a brilliant red summer tanager, The Musician represents the individuality and creative spirit Still Austin sees in its hometown...

Life + Culture

Bites Made for After Dark

Sweet figs, savory prosciutto, and creamy goat cheese create an elevated bite for Halloween entertaining. Article by Julie Royce Halloween entertaining doesn’t have to mean candy bowls and novelty treats. For a more sophisticated celebration, take inspiration from the season itself: deep colors, rich flavors, and ingredients that feel right at home on an October evening. These fig and prosciutto crostini deliver all of that in one elegant bite. Crisp toasted baguette provides the base for...