Life + Culture

Little Ones, Big Animals, Lasting Lessons

Inside the Texas Hill Country gem where families fall in love with wildlife — and learn to protect it Article by Julie Royce They arrived 27 days apart. A female calf, Wini, born Feb. 9 to 5-year-old Tana, and a male, Archie, born March 8 to 11-year-old Betty White — two wobbly-legged newcomers who have brought Longneck Manor's giraffe herd to nine and given the Texas Hill Country something genuinely worth clearing your Saturday for. But spend more than five minutes with Heather Crocker...

Local Services

Where Dogs Go To Play

Refreshed spaces and personalized care at APC raise the bar Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Austin Pup Culture For many Austin families, the morning routine now includes one extra stop, and the passenger in the back seat has four legs. Dog daycare has quietly become as essential as school drop-off or a coffee run, and Austin Pup Culture, a long-standing fixture of North Central Austin, is entering a new chapter under updated ownership and a refreshed vision for modern pet...

Professional Services

Training Beyond the Leash

Fidelio Dog Works helps families build healthier relationships with their dogs through shared understanding Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Fidelio Dog Works Rachel Oliver thought she knew what she was getting into when her family adopted Cricket, a shelter rescue. Shortly after, he was chasing and herding her 7-year-old son through the house and backyard, nipping at his heels. Her son, who has sensory processing challenges and anxiety, would scream and run, which only made...

Life + Culture

The Magic of Camp

Austin Sunshine Camps creates confidence, connection and opportunity for local youth Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Austin Sunshine Camps For nearly a century, Austin Sunshine Camps has been creating life-changing summer experiences for Central Texas youth who might otherwise never have the opportunity to attend overnight camp. Founded in 1928, the nonprofit organization provides free camp experiences for children ages 8 to 15 who are either in foster care or qualify for...

Education

Songs Worth Spilling Over

From backyard pretend play to recording studios, one Austin nonprofit keeps imagination front and center Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of spilled milk club Ali Epperson and Stella Maxwell-Putman have spent more than a decade being the adults who say yes to big, messy, creative ideas. Their nonprofit, spilled milk social club , was built on exactly that instinct. Since 2012, the Austin-based co-founders have built spilled milk social club around a simple but...

Sports + Recreation

Camp Doublecreek Launched Summer With Energy

Kids embraced outdoor adventures, traditions and friendships during the camp’s first summer session Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Camp Doublecreek Camp Doublecreek’s first summer session delivered exactly what generations of campers have come to expect: nonstop energy, muddy shoes, loud songs, and memories that stick long after the buses head home. For counselor Lucy Zanker, the opening session captured the spirit that has made the longtime Texas camp a summer tradition...

Education

Where the World Is Classroom

Paragon Prep is sending students worldwide, building confidence and resilience well before high school Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Courtesy of Paragon Prep At Paragon Prep, the world is part of the curriculum. As the school approaches its 30th year, Head of School Lindsay Hay, M. Ed., is leading an institution that looks nothing like the rigid academic models most parents grew up navigating. Paragon was founded in 1997 by five educators dissatisfied with Austin's private school...

Travel

Where the Coast Slows Down

Sandestin and 30A invite families into an easy Gulf rhythm Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Provided The moment you cross into Florida's Emerald Coast and spot that first stretch of sugar-white sand, you'll understand why families keep coming back. For Austin families craving a summer escape that's equal parts relaxing and adventure-packed, the drive east on I-10 toward Sandestin Beach Resort and the storied stretch of Highway 30A delivers everything a great road trip promises. ...

Life + Culture

More Pages Await

Two indie shops rewriting what a neighborhood bookstore can be Article by Julie Royce Austin has never been short on character, and its independent bookstores are proof of that. Forget the algorithmic bestseller tables — these stores are curated, community-grown, and deeply human. Whether you're after a carefully chosen novel, a unique gift, or simply a place to linger with a new paperback, each offers something no online retailer can replicate. Birdhouse Books and Gifts · 5925 Burnet Rd ·...

Arts + Culture

The LBJ Library Has Something for Everyone

From hands-on exhibits to rare founding documents, it's worth exploring Article by Julie Royce | Photography by Jay Godwin/LBJ Presidential Library The Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library has reimagined how it tells history, and this summer, there's never been a better reason for Austinites to walk through its doors. The library's newly renovated permanent exhibit, more than two and a half years in the making, replaces the dense wall texts of its 2012 predecessor with an immersive...