06.18.2024

Today’s Forecast

🐈 Austin purr-fessionals

5 a-mews-ing Austin businesses inhabited by cats

a tuxedo cat with green eyes sits inside a box looking at the camera

Louis can be found behind the counter or perusing the inventory at Wild About Music — he even has his own merchandise. | Photo via Wild About Music

Austin might be a city full of dog lovers, but it’s also a haven for feline fanatics.

Cats have infiltrated several of our most-loved local businesses. Here’s where you can find some feline friends working around the clock to make your day.

Wild About Music, 615 Congress Ave. | Louis, a tuxedo cat, has been the music store’s “su-purr-visor” for five years. The South Congress gem has had store cats since 2008 and sells more than instruments: you can shop Louis’ picks on its website.

gray cat lays on a table at an outdoor patio bar with trees and rustic decor — Radius is one of the four cats who live at The Butterfly Bar at the VORTEX.
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Photo provided by The Butterfly Bar at the VORTEX

The Butterfly Bar at The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd. | Elmire, Smokey, Radius, and the newest resident, Pippin, rule the bar’s outdoor patio and garden.

Jester King Brewing, 13187 Fitzhugh Rd. | Goats aren’t the only cute critters at this watering hole. Smokey is its bar and barn cat, and if you visit the brewery, you may see signs warning against giving him pets. He’s still really nice to look at.

black cat in a workshop stands on white table covered in earrings — *No time for cat naps over here —* Baloo at Vinca USA helps fill orders.
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Photo via Vinca USA

Vinca USA, 1800 E. 4th St., Ste. #173 | Behind one of Austin’s most creative accessory shops is not only a local jewelry designer, but also a hard-working kitty named Baloo, who can often be seen sunning.

Purrfecto Cat Lounge, 2300 S. Lamar Blvd., Unit #104 | This local business is dedicated to helping ATX kitties find their furever home. Book a CATX-perience, grab a drink at the adjoining Dear Austin Coffee, and let the cats come to you.

Events

Tuesday, June 18

Hauser | Tuesday, June 18 | 7 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $50-$109 | This cellist, who went viral for his rendition of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, blends classical, pop, and rock melodies.

Wednesday, June 19

“Juneteenth: The Galveston Story” Screening | Wednesday, June 19 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin | $13 | In this film, the Galveston County community and descendants of people who attended the inaugural Juneteenth in 1865 tell their stories.
“If They Took Us Back” | Wednesday, June 19 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $38 | This special Juneteenth screening also includes a mini-documentary about the making of the film, live performances from a featured soundtrack artist, and a Q+A session with the film’s cast and director.

Thursday, June 20

Summer Solstice Celebration | Thursday, June 20 | 6-9 p.m. | The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St., Austin | Free | Ring in the official start of summer with themed vendors, art, musical performances, palm readings, and complimentary refreshments.
The Drop-In | Thursday, June 20 | 7 p.m. | Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free | Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to eat, drink, and dance to live musicians at the 3D-printed stage with a stellar view of Austin’s skyline.
“Paris Is Burning” + “Kokomo City” | Thursday, June 20 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $12 | This Summer Classic Film Series double feature pays homage to New York City’s drag scene in the 1980s and a documentary on a similar subject.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

It’s that time of year again — dust from the Sahara Desert is expected to settle over Austin this week, an annual phenomenon that sparks both asthma symptoms and stunning sunsets. Ready your go-to allergy fix and take in the views on a hike. (Austin Monthly)

History

A historic home in east Austin sat vacant for nearly a decade until a local celebration marked its relaunch as a museum of Black history last weekend. Future plans for the Southgate-Lewis House, which was built in 1888, include an artist residency and exhibition space. (CBS Austin)

Sports

Two Longhorn swimmers — a current student and an alumnus — will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Aaron Shackell and Jake Foster secured their spots on Team USA during the U.S. Olympic Trials on Saturday, June 15. (KVUE)

Arts

An upcoming mural for the Austin History Center will celebrate Austinites’ lives and family legacies — and you can share your story with Austin-born artist Suzy González to inspire the mural at upcoming workshops. (KUT)

Open

East Austin has a new tune — Sunshine Vinyl is now open at 1601 E. 5th St., Ste. #108. The locally owned record store offers new + used vinyls and plans to host events like live music performances and charity fundraisers. (Community Impact)

Drink

Have you ever ordered a cocktail in Austin for 75 cents? Well, now you can. Whisler’s, a bar with indoor and outdoor seating at 1816 E. 6th St., is selling its martinis for less than a dollar during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday this summer.

Eat

The hospitality group behind Uchi, Uchiko, and Uchiba have a new offering: a “jewel box of sushi” made of silk that you can order on Uber Eats or pick up at one of the restaurants. The first deliveries will go out today and prices range $95-$295. (Eater Austin)

Listen

After another series win against the Detroit Tigers, the Astros will face a few of their former teammates tonight in Chicago. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Houston Astros with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Travel

You don’t have to leave the Lone Star state for your next getaway. Boerne, TX is about two hours from Austin. What’s on the itinerary? We’re glad you asked: Shop local at a farmers market, customize a cowboy hat + more. See our full list of recs — and plan your visit.*

Drink Up

Raise a glass, drop a deal. We’ll be toasting to Drink Up Week — a celebration of Austin’s vibrant beverage scene — from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. If you own a local business that serves beverages, join us by offering a fun drink deal to our readers — we may include it in a newsletter.

Civic

🔌 Power to the people

Austin Energy brings power to families without working electricity

an electrician works on a house in navajo nation that has string lights

Working electricity is life-changing for families on Navajo Nation without reliable lighting, air conditioning, and appliances. | Photo provided by Austin Energy

What does life look like without working electricity? For some families on Navajo Nation, it means driving hours each week for water — or only buying groceries that fit in a portable cooler.

That’s why Austin Energy has participated in Light Up Navajo, a program that brings power to families without electricity in their homes, since 2022.

Over two weeks in April 2024, 16 Austin lineworkers installed ~10 miles of electrical lines + 78 electrical poles in Window Rock, Arizona, powering nine homes.

Edward Jodie, one of the electricians, was born on Navajo Nation before relocating to Austin.

He remembers visiting his grandparents on the reservation, who had no utilities, running water, or electricity at the time — which is still the reality for thousands of Navajo families.

Austin Energy plans to make another 2,000-mile round-trip journey to Navajo Nation later this year. Watch the project’s video.

The Buy

The Buy 6.18.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The perfect wedding guest outfit for your next summer or fall affair. Don’t forget the sparkly, satin-y shoes.

Answered

Would you rather bring back 1999 Austin’s population, cost of a home, or cost of a gallon of gasoline?

Last week, we told you some quick facts about the Capital City in 1999 and posed this question. Here’s what ATXtoday readers opted for:

51% of you want Austin’s population to be 587,873 again
43% of readers would rather pay $181,900 for a home
6% of you want to buy a gallon of gas for $0.718

It's not too late to take the poll

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Morgan

From the editor

One of my happiness hacks is reading the names of available cats on the Austin Pets Alive! website. Peppermint Couch and Blissful Symphony are two of my all-time favorites.

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