E-Learning Symposium 2009 – Doing More with Less

Posted on April 27, 2009 by snasta

I spend my days trying to figure out how to improve the productivity of the most valuable part of any organization–it’s people. I’m excited that we’re having a conference for like minded folks in Austin–usually I get to get on a plane and travel to these conferences. The elearning Symposium 2009 is on June 4, 2009 at the Holiday Inn, Northwest in Austin. Speakers include Jim Moshinskie from Baylor, Dr. McDonald from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Tonia Dousay from Texas A&M, Hiram Kuykendall, Debby Kalk, and John Gillis. Dr. McDonald’s Pulse!! program is one of the most sophisticated e-learning programs in the world–a must see.

The symposium will focus on helping you create cost-effective e-learning programs that help make your folks more productive. So if you’re an instructional designer, trainer, or just someone your boss is bugging about implementing learning programs. Register early because there’s a significant early bird discount–and quite honestly this conference is likely to sell out.

More information about the conference is available at www.elearningcouncil.com

Austin’s Deep Nasta, President of the Audience Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Posted on April 21, 2009 by snasta

Local Realtor, AroundAustin.com contributor, and philanthropist was elected President of the Audience on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon by a unanimous vote. Some, in the Twitterverse call him the best audience participant ever on the show. Leave it to Deep to be in New York for a month and end up on a national TV show. Don’t y’all think Mr. President should talk to Jimmy about bringing the show to Austin? Sounds like a issue that Mr. Leffingwell and Mr. McCracken can get behind.

Trish Morrison has started a Facebook group to extend the silliness ummm I mean the reign…sheesh.

P.S. Deep didn’t get to keep the dog.

eLearning Symposium 2008, Austin, Texas

Posted on April 2, 2008 by snasta

I spend my days trying to figure out how to improve the productivity of the most valuable part of any organization–it’s people. I’m excited that we’re having a conference for like minded folks in Austin–usually I get to get on a plane and travel to these conferences. The elearning Symposium 2008 is on April 23, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in Austin. Speakers include Debby Kalk, Hiram Kuykendall, Hank Jones (yeah he’s a lawyer but he’s also a heckuva musician and a great speaker), and Chris Justice.

The symposium will focus on helping you create cost-effective e-learning programs that help make your folks more productive. So if you’re an instructional designer, trainer, or just someone your boss is bugging about implementing learning programs go to www.elearningsymposium.com to sign up. You can save $100 if you do it by April 9th.

6th Annual Rod & Kustom Round Up

Posted on April 1, 2007 by snasta

I spent a good deal of my time under the hood of cars when I was younger. Some of this was because I enjoyed it, some of it was because I just couldn’t afford to take the car in to the mechanic. From checking the oil to replacing the head gasket and the clutch…I somehow managed to fix it with dad’s help. The car I’m driving now…well you can’t even get to the engine. Honestly, it isn’t under the hood…and I’m pretty sure it isn’t in the trunk. Heck if I know where they put the darn thing.

The Sixth Annual Lonestar Roundup was held at the Travis County Expo center this weekend. They had acres of cars that came from the day (pre-1963) when you could pop the hood and identify the parts–spark plugs, carburetors, distributor caps, all there. The sounds…oh the sound….the deep throaty rumble that shakes your bones. The cars were beautifully restored mechanically and cosmetically by their owners. The paint jobs on the cars were amazing–beautifully polished to a glistening red, an insane joker painted on the hood, a rat painted in the engine compartment.

All this combined with perfect weather, good food (grilled alligator anyone?), great music, and even a wedding made for a memorable afternoon. The only thing we did wrong….didn’t allow for enough time. Next year, I’ll make sure I can spend all afternoon…and bring a hat.

Pictures from the event are at Tejas Photos. More information is available at www. lonestarroundup.com.

Wow what a night – Austin Under 40 Awards

Posted on March 11, 2007 by snasta

I spent the evening at the Austin Under 40 Awards sponsored by Deep in the Heart of Texas–What an extraordinary night! The Austin Under 40 Awards recognizes Austin men and women under 40 who have achieved extraordinary professional success and also perform outstanding community service.

KXAN’s Michelle Valles and co-host Cliff Redd did a brilliant job emceeing the event. My friends Corey Bell from Trifusion, Jeff Turk from Formaspace, and Rob Johnson, Chief of Staff at the Lieutenant Governor’s office were all nominated. Not only did Corey win the Business award he won the night’s top honor–Austinite of the Year. Awesome!

The event raises money for Sunshine Camps–a camp for underprivileged kids. One of the methods used is a silent auction. AroundAustin donated a picture. It was thrilling to see a high bid of $400 on the picture. Cool huh.

To get more information about the event go to http://www.austinunder40.org/

We don’t ever have a White Christmas

Posted on December 14, 2006 by snasta

We don’t ever have a White Christmas in Austin, instead we have to rely on other things to get in the holiday spirit in Austin. Some of the things that get me in the holiday spirit in Austin are:

The Papa Noel Christmas Tree Vendors popping up around town. It’s one of the first reminders that the Holidays are just around the corner.
The release of the KGSR CD. The KGSR CD is a collection of live, in-studio music recorded Septemeber to September focused on Austin Music. It’s a favorite Christmas gift and it benefits a worthwhile charity–the SIMS foundation which offers low-cost mental health care for Austin musicians.
Lights, Lights, Lights – From the lights on The Capitol Christmas tree (and the decorations on Congress), to the wacky and wierd lights on 38th street and of course the Zilker Park Christmas tree–this is a surefire way to get in the mood.
If all of this hasn’t managed to get me in the mood, going to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar with my wife surely does the trick. It’s open 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Christmas Eve (and yes I’ve bought gifts on Christmas Eve). The show features gifts from artists and craftspeople and best of all Live Music.
The holiday cookie selection on La Michocana on South First–spectacular–and don’t forget to pick up a few homemade tortillas made fresh.
Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker with local celebrities making cameo experiences as Mother Ginger.
Performances at Zachary Scott Theatre including Martin Burke in The Santaland Diaries, and of course, Rockin Christmas Party!
The ice rink on top of the flagship Whole Foods store.

Whew! That’s a busy schedule.

Nature Nurture: The Zilker Bluffs Tree Planting Project

Posted on November 2, 2006 by snasta

The rarely disputed “Jewel of Austin”, the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, is getting just what it deserves—more trees.

In a massive effort to improve one of the most heavily used sections of the Trail—the area on the south side of the lake just east of the MoPac Bridge and Roberta Crenshaw Pedestrian Bridge—this currently sparse and exposed stretch will benefit from instant shading.

Town Lake Trail Foundation’s fledgling program, has already sold 39 trees to both individuals and corporations. Putting money behind green ideologies, the most expensive ones went first. Currently, 74 additional trees are available for “adoption.”

Check it out, www.townlaketrail.org ….adopt a tree in someone’s name today!

Photo copyrighted by Catherine McMillan

Art 4 Change Art Show

Posted on July 10, 2006 by snasta

Please mark your calendars for the Art4Change Art and Music Show coming up this Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Parish on 6th st to benefit the Miracle Foundation–an awesome charity run by my friend Caroline Boudreaux.

It’s going to be a really cool event with local Austin artists William Stidham, Josh Williams, Sebastian Pfeiffer, and Richie Deegan showcasing their artwork along with live music by Jim Scarborough, Showdy, D.J. Polecat, and appetizers provided by Jazz. Our precious orphans’ artwork will be available for purchase, and William Stidham is donating a painting to raffle off. Just bring a $10 donation for the door!

The best part is that all proceeds will go to The Miracle Foundation in order to help us raise money for orphans.

More information at The Miracle Foundation website

July 4th Fireworks

Posted on July 4, 2006 by snasta

It’s been a busy weekend…dinner at the Driskill, time at Horseshoe Bay and Fredricksburg and watching fireworks last night at our favorite spot (across the lake from Carlos and Charlies). One of the cool things is watching all the boats gather on the lake before the fireworks. The not so cool part, driving home and wondering about drunk drivers on the windy roads. Luckily, Travis County Sherriff’s were out in full force (saw 3 cars on 2769). Uploaded a couple of pictures of the fireworks in the Favorite Austin Pictures and Austin Everyday Pictures to the left…more pics at

http://www.tejasphotos.com/gallery2/v/fireworks/

Missed the fireworks on the lake? You can still catch them at Zilker Park starting at 8:30 p.m. on July 4, 2006. The Austin Symphony will be performing with the help of the Texas National Guard (they’ll help with the 75mm howitzer cannons for the 1812 overture). Full details are at:

http://www.austinsymphony.org/season/july/

Ansel Adams: A Legacy

Posted on November 26, 2005 by snasta

Moonrise, Hernandez, Moon and Half Dome…photos that have become icons are displayed with Ansel Adams less famous work at the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Harry Ransom Center. After watching the football game (whew that was close) I headed down to the Harry Ransom Center

Adams, who almost pursued a career as a concert pianist, viewed the negative as a musical score subject to multiple interpretations. The exhibition of 138 photographs, printed by Adams toward the end of his career, is the largest known collection created by Adams himself. Pictures printed (or re-printed) during this part of his career are are darker, with much more contrast, and they are much more dramatic. For example in the displayed print Moonrise, Hernandez picture the sky has been burned to black to highlight the moon–in earlier prints you could still see the clouds. Surprised? Thought all those Adams pictures were unmanipulated prints (after all this was long before Photoshop)…Ansel Adams book Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs provides an excellent look at the amount of work that went into creating his photographs.

As an aside since we just returned from a trip to Big Bend National Park, Adams prints from the park Burro Butte, Santa Elena Canyon, and Sand Bar, Rio Grande held particular interest.

Ansel Adams: A Legacy
Masterworks from The Friends of Photography Collection
From the Collection of Lynn and Tom Meredith
August 9, 2005 – January 1, 2006

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/current/

AroundAustin

Our favorite city – things to do, where to eat, our favorite places, and even some cool photos.

Category Archives: Events