Plans Set for Yaga's BBQ Cookoff in Galveston
This year will mark the 11th year for the Annual Yaga Wild Game Championship and BBQ Cook-off to be held Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, 2007. The event benefits the Yaga’s Children’s Fund and will be held at Pier 21 on Galveston Island .
Friday Events: The Sponsor Party includes a ribeye buffet, a silent auction and a chance to preview the chefs at work. Local live bands will be playing and attendees can check out the silent auction items.
Saturday Events: The smoking pits will be busy competing in seven divisions: seafood, chicken, pork ribs, brisket, a ladies-only category, an open category and wild game. A Kids' Area will include moon walks, face painting, pony rides, and more.
For more information:• call (713) 818-5507
• visit
www.yagaschildrensfund.orgLabels: Barbecue, Festivals, Gulf Coast
posted by Paris and John @ 4:48 PM
Texas Celebrity Travel News, January
Dallas:Wentworth Miller fans glued to the TV screen for the latest episodes of "Prison Break" will notice one of the most refined retreats in The Big D featured in a scene from their favorite FOX show. A day's filming took place on the grounds outside of the Hotel St. Germain, a three-story, upscale Uptown utopia embellished with authentic French antiques. Beneath the sparkle of a crystal chandelier, guests can partake of award-winning cuisine from Limoge china dinnerware in the Willing Dining Room, dubbed "The ultimate dining experience" by DFW Lifestyle Magazine, before retiring to one of seven suites, each offering the warm glow of a fireplace and the luxury of a Jacuzzi or soaking tub.
Katy native Renee Zellweger returned to her Texas roots over the Christmas holidays. The star of the just-released "Miss Potter" sampled the culinary creations served at Nick & Sam's, a swank steakhouse which opened its doors to Dallas denizens in 1999. The Academy Award recipient had a number of delectable dishes to choose from as she read the restaurant's menu, which features 26 ounce Prime Aged Porterhouse steak, Filet mignon, Maple Thyme Glazed Pork Chop, Ahi Tuna Filet and Atlantic Salmon.
There's no place like home for the holidays, even if you are an A-list celebrity. Dallas native Luke Wilson returned to the Big D over Christmas, where the actor, who is currently filming the upcoming comedy "Barry Munday," was seen at Trece, a 175-seat eatery featuring Tex-Mex cuisine concocted by Chef Amador Mora. Over 120 types of tequila flows for patrons of the Knox-Henderson neighborhood restaurant, including such house specialties as the Cha-Cha Rita, a combo of tequila, fresh lime juice, banana brandy, blackberry brandy and rum floater, and the Salty Chihuahua, a mix of tequila with fresh lemonade.
A chorus of "Happy Birthday" echoed inside Al Biernat's steakhouse recently for "I Wanna Be Bad" singer Willa Ford, who turned 26 on January 22. A dining haven for Hollywood's elite, the Dallas restaurant is a favorite with the former "Dancing With the Stars" competitor, who was also spotted back in November at the eatery enjoying a romantic repast with her fiancé, Dallas Stars player Mike Modano.
MarfaWhen the period drama "There Will Be Blood" hits theaters in limited release on November 21, 2007, movie buffs may recognize the arid landscape which helped to propel the 1955 epic "Giant" into cinematic history. In the summer of 2006, Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis filmed several scenes in the city of Marfa, the county seat of Paisano County which is equally well-known for the mysterious Marfa lights, a phenomenon which has been a hotly debated topic amongst UFO enthusiasts for years. Film fans looking to bask in the glow of old Hollywood during their visit to Marfa can book a room at The Hotel Paisano, where the George Stevens-directed flick is continuously screened. Guests of the landmark hotel can check out displays of movie memorabilia before retiring to the same suites where James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson rested their heads after a day of filming.
San AntonioCongratulations to actress Lara Flynn Boyle, who wed San Antonio resident Donald Ray Thomas on December 18, 2006. After saying "I do" to the man she fell in love with over the summer, the newlyweds spent their first night together as husband and wife in the penthouse suite of a nearby boutique retreat. There are a number of intimate Alamo City inns to tempt Texas lovebirds, including the prestigious Menger Hotel, a 19th century sanctuary reportedly haunted by the spectral form of Teddy Roosevelt; the Emily Morgan Hotel, a 177-room Gothic Revival masterpiece named in honor of the woman who inspired the state's most beloved tune, "The Yellow Rose of Texas," and The Bullis House Inn, a three-story mansion with a refined facade embellished with Corinthian columns which hearken back to an age of gentility.
GainesvilleFormer "Saturday Night Live" comedian Chris Kattan popped the question to model Sunshine Tutt on Christmas Eve 2006. The funnyman who immortalized the character of "Mango" proposed to his mate in the Gainesville home of his future bride's grandparents. Boasting a population of over 15,000 residents, the city of Gainesville is known for the Frank Buck Zoo, which has been home for over half a century to an array of exotic animals from Australia, Africa and both North and South America.
Labels: Texas celebrity travel
posted by Paris and John @ 3:03 PM
Stagecoach Days at Fanthorp Inn State Historical Site
Hop a ride on a replica stagecoach and tour the 1850s stagecoach inn at Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site in Anderson during Stagecoach Days. The event will include cowboys, cowboy poetry, and dulcimer music.
When: February 10, 11am-3pm
Admission: $1 for Texas State parks Pass members; $4 for others, $2.50 for children 12 and under
For More Information:• call 936-873-2633
Labels: Prairies and Lakes, State Parks
posted by Paris and John @ 11:55 AM
Fredericksburg's Hangar Hotel Plans USO Style Dance
Fredericksburg's Hangar Hotel is planning a USO-style dance on January 27 in its new Pacific Showroom, a South Pacific themed facility located behind the 40s style diner. The event includes music by The Flash Backs, a big band, as well as a swing dance contest. Wear your military gear or period clothes if you have them!
When: 8-11:30 p.m.
Where: Hangar Hotel, 155 Airport (south of town), Fredericksburg
Overnight Accommodations: If you're coming in from out of town, we'd recommend booking a room at the Hangar Hotel. We had the pleasure of staying there in September; it's a new construction that's designed to look like a 1940s aircraft hangar, down to guest room chairs covered in bomber jacket leather.
For More Information:• call 830-997-9990
Labels: Hill Country
posted by Paris and John @ 11:43 AM
Opening Weekend Planned for San Antonio's Museo Alameda Smithsonian
Nearly ten years after both the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Center announced their affiliation with the Alameda National Center for Latino Arts and Culture in San Antonio, opening weekend for the Museo Alameda Smithsonian has been set. The Center’s mission is to tell the story of the Latino experience in America through art, history and culture.
Location: San Antonio’s historic Market Square
Exhibits: The 39,000-square foot structure will feature a Smithsonian Gallery, additional galleries, and a sculpture garden featuring pieces from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The Museo Alameda Smithsonian is projected to host more than 300,000 visitors annually, including 30,000 students, making it the most visited Latino museum in the U.S. San Antonio, with a Hispanic population exceeding 55%, is known as one of our nation’s most Latino cities.
Opening Weekend Activities: April 12-15, 2007
A “people’s walk,” complete with luminarias, from the Alamo to the Alameda will kick off the weekend. Arrival at the Alameda will signal the lighting of the bright-pink museum. Concerts, tours, fiestas and activities are planned all weekend.
For more information: visit
www.thealameda.orgLabels: San Antonio, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris and John @ 1:37 PM
Valentine's Package at Landmark Inn, Castroville
Looking for a romantic Texas getaway for Valentine's Day? The answer just might be Castroville's Landmark Inn, one of only two two Texas Parks & Wildlife properties that operates as a bed and breakfast establishment. (And what's the other, you ask? The Starr Mansion Historical Site in Marshall.)
The 150+ year-old inn is offering a deluxe romantic package throughout the month of February. You'll be pampered with breakfast in bed one morning and enjoy the serenity of antique-furnished rooms with no telephones, television sets or other distractions.
The Package: The package includes a two-night stay at the inn on the banks of the Medina River, one evening of fine French dining at La Normandie Restaurant and lunch at the Castroville Café. Guests will arrive to find in their room a fresh flower arrangement and gift basket.
Breakfast in bed will be served one morning, with the other breakfast being offered in the parlor of the riverside Vance House, one of several historic structures on the five-acre site operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Guests booking the special package for the weekends of Feb. 10 and 17 also will receive free entry to an exhibit featuring handmade quilts from a handful of Castroville collections. The quilts will be on display in the Landmark Inn's new 800-square-foot reception/banquet hall that occupies the former location of the inn's museum.
Price: The package price ranges from $330 plus tax to $404 plus tax per couple.
About the Landmark Inn: The Landmark Inn offers 10 heated and air-conditioned rooms, four with private baths. Six of the rooms are in the main, two-story inn, while two are in the old rock bathhouse and two others are located in the Vance House.
Ranked among the state's Top 10 B&Bs by Texas Highways magazine readers, the Landmark Inn has been carefully restored and maintained to provide guests with an opportunity to touch Texas' frontier past while enjoying all the modern comforts of home. The inn dates to 1849 when Swiss merchant Cesar Monod built a store on El Camino Real at the nearby Medina River crossing.
To reserve your Valentine's package, call the inn at (830) 931-2133.
For More Information:• visit
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landmarkinnLabels: Hill Country, State Parks
posted by Paris and John @ 10:44 AM
Texas in the Deep Freeze
You may have noticed that things have been pretty quiet at TexasTripper.com this past week. Thanks to a freeze that hit the Austin area, we've been without an internet connection the past four days! Near Lake Travis, we had about half an inch of ice (unfortunately no snow) and everything has been at a standstill. Yesterday the mercury rose above freezing and everything (including our internet satellite dish) thawed out. Look for new coverage of Texas attractions and activities in the coming days, but first, we wanted to pass along some pictures from the big freeze:
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris and John @ 10:35 AM
Spa Specials at Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Did your New Year's resolutions include taking better care of yourself...or maybe pampering yourself a little? If so, check out these monthly spa specials at Barton Creek Resort and Spa as you make your Austin travel plans for the year:
JANUARY
Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Body Scrub - This exfoliation treatment is designed to slough away dull surface skin, while cleansing and hydrating your skin--followed by a light application of the Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit body lotion. Discount: 10% off
FEBRUARY
Marine Fango Massage—This full body massage includes an application of self-heating Marine Fango mud to the back. Discount: upgrading to an 80 minute massage at the price of a 50 minute massage.
MARCH
European Facial or Gentleman's Facial – Discount: includes eye print masque enhancement at no additional charge, normally a $75 value.
APRIL
Rainforest Body Rinse - This treatment includes an exfoliating scrub with grainy jaboncillo shower gel along with a Vichy shower with an aromatic steam wrap. Discount: 10% off
MAY
Swedish Massage and European Facial - A classic 50 minute Swedish massage followed by a 50 minute traditional European facial. Discount: a special spa gift from Barton Creek and 10%off the special
JUNE
Dedicated-to-Dad Massage—Book a 50 minute or 80 minute Swedish massage and Dad gets his choice of massage enhancement at no additional charge (excluding Marine Fango).
JULY
Fabulous Feet—Includes exfoliation, shaping, buffing, and stress relief massage, cuticle maintenance and your choice of polish. Discount: the new peppermint oil pedicure enhancement or callus eliminator enhancement—their treat!
AUGUST
Mother & Daughter Two-Step Massage and Quick Cleanse Facial—A spa suite allows a parent and their teen to relax side by side awhile enjoying a full-body massage and quick cleanse facial. Discount: save 20% on these services
SEPTEMBER
Revitalizing Lymphobiology Treatment—Reduce the appearance of cellulite, swelling, bruising and water retention. Discount: 10% off this month’s spa special
OCTOBER
Glycolic Peel Facial—Refine your skin tone, smooth texture, and help minimize fine lines. Discount: 10% off this month’s spa special
NOVEMBER
Two-In-One Massage—You and yours enjoy full body massages side by side with this classic Swedish massage. Discount: 10% off this month’s spa special
DECEMBER
Cocoon Body Treatment—The treatment begins with a complete exfoliation utilizing a French gommage cream rich in seaweed and other decongestant properties. You are then wrapped in a cocoon of warmth. Discount: 20% off
For more information:• call 1-800-336-6158 or 512-329-4000
• visit
bartoncreek.comLabels: Austin, Hill Country, spa
posted by Paris and John @ 2:32 PM
Texas Women on the Cattle Trails
If you're curious about the early days of Texas and the cattle trails--and the role that women played on those trails--don't miss a symposium about Texas Women on the Cattle Trails, Saturday, February 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
The event features Sara R. Massey, editor of
Texas Women on the Cattle Trails and several contributing writers, including Joyce Roach, for a symposium and luncheon. The program costs $35 per person and $25 for National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame members. Admission includes:
• Presentations by Texas Women on the Cattle Trail editor Sara R. Massey and contributing writers Joyce Roach, Fran Vick, Bruce Schackelford, Jean Stuntz, Jim Coffey and Caroline Crimm
• Lunch
• Musical entertainment by Devon Dawson
Participants can pick up copies of
Texas Women on the Cattle Trails for a discounted price at the Museum’s gift shop. This event is open to the public but seating is limited, so registration is required.
To register:• call 817/336-4475
• email patty@cowgirl.net
The Museum: The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is located at 1720 Gendy St. in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. The museum is open seven days a week: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $8 and $7 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors ages 60 and up. For more information, visit
www.cowgirl.net or call 817/336-4475 or 800/476-FAME (3263).
Labels: Prairies and Lakes
posted by Paris and John @ 2:27 PM
Texas Legislature Convenes Tuesday
Tuesday marks the start of the 80th Texas Legislature, a time when you can visit the Capitol not only to tour the massive building but also to watch the legislative action. We've just posted a new article about
visiting the Texas Legislature as part of your visit to the State Capitol.
Labels: Austin, Hill Country
posted by Paris and John @ 12:48 PM
