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At Luck Ranch with Willie Nelson’s ‘Particle Kid’:

MICAH NELSON

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February 2023 PUBLISHER

Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Jennifer Birn | jennifer.birn@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

So Much to Love in Austin The Love Local issue was easy because there is so much here to love. It was challenging because - there’s so much here to love. When cataloguing some of the things we love most about our magnificent city, Willie Nelson came to mind. Although he and his family no longer live in Austin full-time, they’ll always be a part of the fabric of the city. At Willie Nelson’s annual Fourth of July Picnic, last year at Q2 Stadium, the line-up included music by Particle Kid, who I learned was Willie Nelson’s son when he joined Willie on stage to sing ‘Die When I’m High’ – a song he wrote for his dad. Wanting to learn more about Particle Kid, Willie’s youngest son Micah Nelson, we caught up with him at Luck Ranch for a fun day shooting around the property that Micah says has memories of childhood, but is making a legacy out of its move into regenerative farming. We find out how the kind and complex artist got the moniker Particle Kid, what it was like growing up a Nelson, his courtship with his lovely wife and more. Elsewhere in the issue we take you inside intimate cocktail bar Watertrade and new restaurant Dovetail Pizza and revisit the Salvator Dali exhibit at Ao5 Gallery - which as of print time still had pieces available for purchase! We share highlights from Austin’s Dancing with the Stars charity event, an annual standout event that benefits the Center for Child Protection, and I share my own story working with Austin Angels, which offers support to children and families in foster care. It’s a sweet issue I hope you enjoy reading and find something new you love.

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Shana Gerald | shana.gerald@citylifestyle.com David Harlan | david.harlan@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER

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Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

See you in the Spring… Love,

JENNIFER BIRN, EDITOR @AUSTINLIFEST YLEMAGAZINE

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Austin Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Austin area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Austin Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

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Helping you live your best life in Austin.

Laurel Prats, The Private Collective RE Group 512.636.7579 www.theprivatecollectiveaustin.com

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inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 Next Gen Nelson

Lifestyle Letter

Chef ’s Selection

Must See

Local Limelight

Giving Back

Locals Only

Locally Sourced

Hot Spot

Family Care

Culinary Creations

Back Stage

How To

Artist’s Palette

Gift Guide

We spent a day at Luck Ranch getting to know Micah Nelson

30 Watertrade: Intimate Gem Inside the South Congress Hotel Cocktail lounge raises the bar with small bites from award-winning chef

38 Celebrate Every Day

Korman co-owner Kat Stokes shares how to find the perfect diamond to celebrate all of life’s many milestones

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Jenna McElroy Micah Nelson shot on Luck Ranch | Styled by: Stephanie Coultress O'Neill

FO O D + B EV E R AG E

A RTS + C U LT U R E A RTS + C U LTU R E

A RTS + C U LT U R E A RTS + C U LT U R E A RTS + C U LTU R E

FO O D + B EV ER AGE HEA LT H + WELLN E SS FO O D + B E V E R AG E

A RTS + C U LT U R E

ST Y LE + B EAU T Y A RTS + C U LT U R E

ST Y LE + B EAU T Y

N E V E R T O O S W E E T A bakery with attitude has opened on Burnet Road... and you'll fall in love there

The founder of Pflour Shop Bakery, April Saldana

ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIA TORRES

Fresh from Pflugerville, the Instagrammer’s dream cake shop has opened in North Austin on Burnet Road. Walk through the door and be faced with a dazzling decor of bright pink and blue banquettes, sweeps of glitter and flowers, piles of cushions and feathers - and a corner dedicated to disco balls.

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

And your eyeballs haven’t even had the chance to feast on the counter yet. Cakes, cookies of every description, macaroons, pops and pies - in every color, every flavor, with every chance for wild and decadent decoration grabbed with both bakers’ hands... brownies, blondies, and their once-tasted, never-forgotten warmed-up cinnamon rolls - its all there, taking on a cool vibe twist reflected in the season. Yes, they cater to those needing gluten-free treats - and your pup too, with dog-friendly bakes. The owner is Pfulgerville native, April Saldana - a Le Corden Bleu graduate - who encourages customers to sit and pose, and swig lemonade, in her Crestview location (there is another one in Pfulgerville) while feasting on her hard work. You can never be too sweet, right? Especially at this time of year. Expect lots of hearts and saucy messages this February. And forget about calories and counting carbs for a minute. Treat yourself. You won’t regret it. Find Pflour Shop Bakery at 7413 Burnet Road For more information, go to yourcarbdealer.com

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M O D E RN D ES I G N. PRE M IU M PE RFO R MANC E .

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Next Gen Nelson Micah Nelson is the youngest of Willie Nelson’s six children. He’s one of two sons Willie has with his wife of over 30 years, Annie D’Angelo, and is an artist entrenched in the family business of music. When asked if he always wanted to be a musician, Micah, who performs under the moniker Particle Kid, says, “I never really thought too much about it. I was always the weird artist little brother. I wanted to be a filmmaker and animator and I drew pictures and was really into visual arts. But I always loved music, I was always around music, I

actually started to play the harmonica when I was three-years-old and would play on stage with my dad. It’s not so much did I ever think I would be a musician, it’s that I never thought I wouldn’t be, even if nobody ever wanted to pay me to be one.” Micah wrapped up a tour with the Flaming Lips late last year which supported his latest album, “Time Capsule.” On his website the album is described as “taking listeners on a nearly two-hour trip through various genres, ideas and sounds, an eclectic palette of sonic colors, both familiar and exploratory

WE SPENT A DAY AT LUCK RANCH GETTING TO KNOW MICAH NELSON

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNA MCELROY

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feelings painted together like a collage, as if 90s alt, 60s psych, 70s electric jazz, and some abstract future were all magazines chopped up and somehow cohesively glued together by Micah’s voice and lyrics as well as guest spots from Margo Price, J Mascis and Sean Ono Lennon, among others.” If this sounds complex, so is Micah. He’s also humble, kind, gracious, engaged in making the world better and very much in love with his wife of four years, Alex, a literature teacher who teaches English literature, mythology, fairy tales and French online. Although he currently resides in Northern California when not on the road, every year he finds his way back to Austin. “Austin is like a childhood friend, we’ve both grown up a lot and changed a lot, but we’ll always be in each other’s lives. I still love it,” he says. Here he shares more about how the pandemic helped determine the future of Luck Ranch, growing up the son of Willie Nelson, meeting his wife and more.

‘Why don’t you write it?’ So I went into the garage, picked up my guitar and wrote it. It just came out as I was imagining what he would have written if he had written it. I tried to channel that, just to see if I could do it. I also thought it might be something that I could write and he could sing it, but it ended up being something that we sang together and it came out great. I surprised myself and I’m really proud of it, it’s a nice moment in time.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP AS THE YOUNGEST KID IN THE NELSON CLAN? By the time I showed up my dad had already been through hell and back countless times and was pretty humbled by life, love and loss. He was already the total icon he is now and he had enough kids at that point I didn’t have the pressure of being Willie Nelson Jr. that Billy had, or even that Lukas had. I think being Willie’s last child, plus coming of age at a happier time in his life, allowed me to feel a bit less burdened by any of that pressure compared to some of my older siblings. I could just be the neon sheep of the family. Either way, I’d rather be hated just as I am than loved because of my last name. Being born a Nelson was lucky, but it isn’t something I earned with my own work. I’ve always been a sponge and a curious person with an insatiable drive to create my own mythological path. Having my own talents encouraged by both my parents and people around me helped. I established early on that I was a weirdo and not so interested in people’s expectations, so I think people started expecting the unexpected from me. There’s a freedom in that which I enjoy. Even doing something really obvious like “Die When I’m High” becomes an unexpected thing at a certain point. Art without expectation is always better. When I learned the original etymology of the word “weird” (it originally meant “to have control over one’s own destiny”) the idea of ‘keeping it weird’ became more of an instinctual life code than a cliche bumper sticker phrase.

“Austin is like a

childhood friend, we’ve both grown up a lot and

HOW DID YOU GET THE MONIKER PARTICLE KID?

changed a lot, but we’ll always be in

I was about 14 and I came home from school or something and was playing video games. My dad came in from his poker room, stood there for a minute and said, ‘Welcome home particle kid!’ I thought it was hilarious and it stuck with me. I named my solo music project Particle Kid. When it started getting attention, people started asking me about the name Particle Kid, so I asked my dad and he said, ‘I meant to say prodigal son.’ He was so stoned, or I was stoned, that I heard it as Particle Kid, but it was a happy accident.

each other’s lives. I still love it.”

WHEN YOU WROTE “DIE WHEN I’M HIGH,” DID YOU SIT DOWN WITH THE INTENT TO WRITE A DUET FOR YOU AND YOUR DAD? In a way, I did. It was Christmas time 2020 and we were hanging out a lot and playing a lot of dominoes and out of the blue he said, ‘If I die when I’m high then I’ll be halfway to heaven.’ I thought it was so great and told him he had to write that song. He said,

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“It’s not so much did I ever think I would be a musician, it’s that I never thought I wouldn’t be, even if nobody ever wanted to pay me to be one.”

From the very beginning, I imagined my life hoping for the best, expecting nothing, always keeping one eye on my soul. When it comes to my father’s humor, his character, his inspiring resilience in the face of unfathomable pain, his ability to transform that pain into healing music, his compassion towards people, his idiosyncratic talent and his fearless creative integrity, I try to be more like him every day. Those are the qualities of my father I hope to emulate in my own life. Everything else is wind.

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WERE YOU ON THE ROAD WITH YOUR DAD A LOT GROWING UP? Yes, a lot. It was one of the only ways we could really spend time with him at a certain point, especially once we got old enough we had to be at school for a certain amount of days. On breaks and in the summer we would go out and play in the band. That was part of our education, being on the road. It was a different type of education than academic, but a valuable one.

DID YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON LUCK RANCH?

REGENERATIVE FARMING SEEMS TO BE GROWING MOMENTUM.

Off and on. During the pandemic we were there for months. The pandemic sort of galvanized the need to really maximize the potential and integrity of the Luck Ranch in regard to bringing the native soil back and incorporating regenerative farming practices there. We teamed up with a local regenerative farm and collaborated on doing regenerative agricultural farming on the land and using it as a demonstration of regenerative farming. We want to bring in workshops for students to earn credit and learn how to do regenerative farming. We’re doing rotation grazing, and we’re planting native crops. We’re doing things that are not just producing opportunities for nutritionally rich produce and farmers market events with live music, but also helping to mitigate climate change by healing soil and keeping carbon in the ground and being an example of that type of farming, which is the future. That was a really great silver lining of the pandemic, it gave us time to focus on that and incentive to do it.

Not quickly enough, but yes. It’s fortunately becoming a household topic in more of a mainstream way and there’s no time to lose, so it’s heartening to see that.

IT SOUNDS LIKE LUCK RANCH GOT A NEW INFUSION OF LIFE FROM THE PANDEMIC. Yeah. I hope that we can continue that and sustain it and it can be a lasting legacy.

AND HORSES ARE STILL CENTRAL TO LUCK RANCH? We still have the horses there. It’s been a horse rescue sanctuary for a while, which is great. It’s kind of a money pit, but it’s great. We always joke that after we die, we want to be reincarnated as one of these horses, they’re living their best lives.

HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR WIFE, ALEX? We met in Venice Beach in 2015. She was working at a cafe called Menotti’s and I would ride my bike there every day, get coffee CONTINUED >

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and work on animation. She would bring me coffee and cookies. We started talking and becoming friends, but were in denial that we liked each other for a while, even though we clearly did. I had just got out of a relationship, and so had she, so it was the classic story of we’re not interested in a relationship, just trying to be single, and then of course you meet the person.

ONCE YOU GOT OVER THE DENIAL, THINGS SPED UP PRETTY QUICKLY? The universe kept conspiring to keep us together. About three months after we started dating, I was going to Europe on tour with Neil (Young). We talked about her going to Europe and staying with a friend so we could meet up here and there because we really liked each other and wanted to keep this thing alive. She found a three-week Barista Convention happening in Dublin and we thought she could go there and we’d meet up in Belfast, she could hang with us for a week, and then go back to the Barista Convention. When she met us in Belfast we were very conscientious and self-conscious and didn’t want to be an imposition because it’s not generally normal for the girl you just started dating to come and be on the bus on tour with you. I made sure everyone was cool with it, but told her she couldn’t be there the whole tour. Of course, by the end of the first week, everyone’s in love with Alex. They don’t want her to leave. She made coffee every morning and breakfast and everyone loved her and was upset when she left, but I was trying to be cool and respect everyone’s space.

MEETING THE PARENTS… A couple of days later she called and said customs told her she had 24 hours to pack up her stuff and leave Ireland. Now she’s stranded and I’m on tour and I don’t know what do. We were going to be in Marseille next, so I told her to meet us there and we’d figure it out. When we got to Amsterdam, my mom and dad were coming to join the tour for a week and she’s never met my parents. So, she met them in the close

quarters of a double decker tour bus with the band driving through Europe. Talk about the ultimate meet the parents test. We played the show in Amsterdam with Neil and one of the songs that we played for the first time was the song “Change Your Mind” from the Sleeps with Angels album. It’s about not letting another day go by without the magic touch of the one you love. It’s a beautiful song. After the show Alex has all of her stuff packed up and she’s ready to get on a train and my mom says to me, ‘She’s not leaving is she? We like her, why are you making her leave? I don’t want to be stuck on this bus with a bunch of guys.’ I told her we were trying to be cool and then everyone came and circled around us and they started singing ‘Change Your Mind.’ Alex ended up on the entire tour with us. She and my mom got oil spotted together once, which is where the bus drives away and forgets you. But they both stayed calm and after my mom said, ‘I think she’s going to do okay in this family with our life. We got stranded and she just flowed with the chaos.’ Our lives are totally chaos. You can make plans and then instantly some random stuff happens and everything changes. This is constant with life on the road and just the way things are with us. It can be very stressful and frustrating, but it’s definitely never boring.

ANY TOUR PLANS SET FOR 2023? I may tour with Neil Young and Crazy Horse in the summer. I try to balance my time between Particle Kid and playing with my dad, especially since Aunt Bobbie passed away.

IF YOU COULD TOUR WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Probably the people I get to tour with already. I’m pretty lucky. I don’t know how it happened, but my daydreams have come true. I’m glad that for the most part that I’m a free agent and I can do my thing and then be there for my dad and support him and Neil and all these guys while they’re still with us.

CONTINUED >

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QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS. LUCKY CHARM? Long John is kind of my lucky charm. He’s my (stuffed) octopus. He’s on stage with me at every show.

IF YOU COULD SHARE A MEAL WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE? My wife.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE Sleeping on command.

FAVORITE QUOTE? The one that pops into my head is something my dad says a lot. ‘When you get right down to it, there it is.’

FAVORITE BOOK That’s impossible to answer! Today my favorite is the Dune series by Frank Herbert, he was a super genius..

FAVORITE WILLIE NELSON SONG: My favorite lately is “Dusty Bottles” off his last record “A Beautiful Time.” That’s a song he only could have written in his old age with a whole lifetime inside him.

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My Favorite Things W H AT I ' M LO V I N G T H I S M O N T H . . . ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN During those chilly days of February, I’m always craving soup. Sazan Ramen is one of my favorites. Their delicious bowls of ramen, (optional) f lights of Japanese whiskey and friendly staff warm you right up. For brunch, Local Foods latkes remind me of brunches at home growing up.

When out and about this month, do yourself a favor and drop into Imogen + Willie to find a pair of jeans custom fit for you and keep a lookout for Abbot’s Butcher giving away plant-based burritos from Freebird’s around town this month!

Catherine Fulmer Bomber Jacket: The 80s fashion favorite is popular again. Local designer Catherine Fulmer’s Bowie jacket is perfect for spring in Austin.

Local Foods Latkes: Try the Latke "Glow Up" house potato latke with hot smoked salmon, egg, labneh, tomatoes, pickled red onions & capers

Imogen + Willie: I love this cute South Congress shop specializing in denim for its personal shopper-like service and complimentary on-site alternations!

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Sazan Ramen: Go for the classic Ma-Yu Black Paitan Ramen. Be adventurous with the Takoyaki. Stay for the variety of flights of Japanese whiskey.

Abott’s Butcher x Freebird’s: The plantbased ‘chorizo’ is being served in burritos and bowls at all Freebird’s and delicious! Look out for promos all month.

Dirty Birdies: Located at The Domain, Austin’s first indoor mini golf course has 12 one-of-akind holes themed after iconic places in Austin, a restaurant and bar.

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It Takes a Village to Raise a Child Austin Angels helps foster parents and children build a supportive community ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

G IV IN G B AC K | ARTS + C ULTURE

The modern family isn’t defined by DNA. Friends are the family you choose, and relationships built on empathy, compassion, communication, trust and love can form bonds even stronger than the ones established just by birth. It was around the holidays 2021 when I made the decision not to pursue having biological children of my own. I was in my 40s and after a lot of soul-searching, came to the conclusion it wasn’t in the cards for me. The same week I started researching local foster non-profits, not necessarily to foster a child myself (yet at least), I still had a strong desire to try and make a positive impact in a child’s life. This brought me to Austin Angels. Austin Angels began in December 2009 when founder/CEO Susan Ramirez and friends made a commitment to volunteer once/month and she ended up at a conference on foster care. There she learned about the difference made when a child is placed in a stable foster home, verse if they’re left to age out of the system and fend for themselves. The statistics are chilling. • Twenty percent of children who age out will become instantly homeless. • Seven out of 10 girls who age out will become pregnant before turning 21. • There is less than a 3 percent likelihood for children who have aged out of care to earn a college degree at any point in their life The vision of Austin Angels is that every single child/youth who experiences foster care has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential and every family who fosters is radically supported on their journey, through initiatives like the Love Box program that began with a single mother who fostered six teenage boys. Each month, a group of volunteers would put

together a “Love Box” of items tailored to their specific needs and a handwritten note of encouragement for each child. A meaningful bond between the children, caregivers, and volunteers was formed through the process of delivering the boxes and spending intentional time together and early 2015 the Love Box program became official. In the Love Box program, Austin Angels case workers carefully match volunteers with families. Due to the disheartening statistics around foster children aging out of the system without the support and tools needed to give them their best chance, I asked to be matched with an older child, feeling like I could help mentor them as they navigate the next chapters of their life. Nearly a year ago I was paired with a single first-time foster mom and a 17-year-old remarkably extraordinary girl. It’s been an amazing experience getting to know them both, helping the mom navigate the responsibilities that come with having a teenager and listening, learning from, mentoring and just having fun with the foster child. I think we can all remember the people who believed in us and cheerleaded for us when we were young. Austin Angels gives volunteers the opportunity to be that person for a kid – and nothing feels better. Austin Angels launched here in 2010 and now has 22 chapters and growing nationwide. They say, “We are social entrepreneurs who refuse to settle for the way things are. We are committed to creating an environment that allows everyone to realize and fulfill their talents and potential. By doing so, we will transform the world we live in.” You can learn more at https://www.austinangels.com/

“Not everyone is called to foster, and not everyone is called to adopt, but anyone can make a difference in a child's life.”

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ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HALEY PLOTKIN, DALE MURPHY & ESTRELLA CHACON

Austin’s

DANCING WITH THE STARS Does It Again

1. Global Renegades founder Amy Jo Martin & pro Travis Herman 2. Judges Gary Little, Becca Tobin and Jeff Jumonville. 3. Austin FC star Diego Fagundez & Sasha Kurashko Hilss 4. Mirror Ball Winners Liza Edebor & Ferenc Kiss. 5. Event co-chairs Betsy Hudson & Stephanie Coultress O’Neill 6. Fundraising winner Bill Bayless & Erin Sharipova. 7. Mickler, the courthouse and therapy dog 8. Aaron Ross, winner of the raff le prize from Mercedes-Benz of Austin.

Gala benefitting the Center for Child Protection raises $1.8 Million for Child Abuse Victims 24

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Cookies, Books & Collabs Taste of Koko celebrates new travel guidebook & limited edition treat

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Austin’s veteran food blogger Jane Ko, aka Taste of Koko, finished 2022 strong, introducing a guide book dedicated to things to do in Fredericksburg, Texas and launching a sweet limited-edition collaboration with Cookie Rich to create her own cookie and curate a box of her favorites.

HOT KOKO

The limited edition Taste of Koko cookie, the Hot Koko, is a gold-dusted, white chocolate chip cookie with dark fudge filling and a dollop of marshmallow fluff.

Jane& Lorin

JANE AND COOKIE RICH FOUNDER LORIN PETERS

Jane said the idea to partner with Cookie Rich and its founder, Chef Lorin Peters (formerly of The French Laundry!), was because she loves using her platform to celebrate local businesses and partnering with another small, local, women-founded and women-run business seemed like a natural fit.

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KOKO'S CURATED BOX

Available in a 4-pack or 12-pack the full box includes: Hot Koko, Birthday + Sprinkle Cream Cheese, Cookies + Cream, and Red Velvet + Cream Cheese - all gold dusted. The Hot Koko may already be gone, but the other fun flavors and more can be found at https:// getcookierich.com/

CELEBRATING WITH WILLIAM CHRIS

During a soiree at The Loren at Lady Bird Lake guests complimented their Cookie Rich sweets with wine from Hill Country favorite William Chris Vineyards.

KOKO'S GUIDE TO FREDERICKSBURG

Jane’s second book, a pocket-sized travel guidebook to eating and drinking your way through Fredericksburg and Texas wine country includes 45 wineries by wine types, grape varietals, wine tasting, and wine club membership. Find it on Amazon.

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

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W O R K- L I F E B A L A N C E

S TA R T YO U R O W N P U B L I C AT I O N

CALL TO SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN CONSULTATION

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FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

WATERTRADE: INTIMATE GEM INSIDE THE SOUTH CONGRESS HOTEL Cocktail lounge raises the bar with small bites from award-winning chef ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

H OT SP OT | FOOD + BEV E RAGE

Otoko is a Japanese restaurant featuring a Tokyo-sushi omakase dinner. If you can get a coveted reservation, it will set you back $295/person. While that may be aspirational for many, Watertrade, an intimate Japanese-style cocktail bar attached to Otoko is more accessible, and certainly a treat. The low-lit and intimate space takes reservations for tables, but walk-ins can be accommodated at the bar seats, where guests have a front row seat to watch bartenders mixing intentionally crafted cocktails.

Like at Otoko, at Watertrade guests can enjoy a large variety of sakes, Japanese whiskeys and creative libations as well as an a la carte izakaya-style menu featuring bar bites and other small but delicious dishes from the Otoko culinary team. Highlights include the private label sake, Revenge of the Third Son, from Executive Chef, Yoshi Okai. The sake is brewed in Kyoto,

named in part because Yoshi is the third son and the label even has one of his tattoos included on the front plus a design on the back barcode resembling the dining room lights in Otoko. For food, the caviar served with Funyons, chives and tofu crème fraiche is fun, and the Nasu Friteswith tofu créme fraîche, chives and hichimi are the perfect culinary twist on traditional frites.

WATERTRADE HOURS: TUESDAY-SATURDAY 5PM-11PM LOCATION: SOUTH CONGRESS HOTEL, 1603 S CONGRESS AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78704 WEBSITE: HTTPS://OTOKOAUSTIN.COM/WATERTRADE INSTAGRAM: @WATERTRADEAUSTIN RESERVATIONS: AVAILABLE ON TOCK: HTTPS://WWW.EXPLORETOCK.COM/OTOKO/ FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

Love lights up the world

Love With No Limits WHEN THALIA VERDIGLIONE FOUND LOVE, SHE ALSO FOUND A NEW USE FOR HER SKILLS

YOU’VE BEEN WITH MATTHEW SINCE 2018. HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS

DESCRIBE TO US MATT’S HEALTH AND MOBILITY ISSUES?

We met grilling dinner at our friends’ apartment barbecue area. We were with separate groups but Matt asked me what I was drinking because I was holding a pretty martini that I had made called a Drop Dead Gorgeous. He invited me to sit by him and pulled my chair over to be right next to him. From that moment forward we both felt a connection and knew we were destined to be together!

Matthew became paralyzed at age 19 while riding a motorcycle. Even though his life significantly changed, Matt became a very healthy and active paraplegic who works out multiple times a week. Because he is wheelchair bound, it’s very

FAM ILY CA R E | HEA LTH + W E LLNE S S

important for him to stay physically active as he has to lift his whole body up every time he transfers in and out of a vehicle, bed, etc. Depending on the level of injury for paraplegics, many suffer from severely diminished core strength as a result of their abdominal muscles not responding to stimulus below their sensory line. This typically results in balance issues, difficulty transferring, reduced stamina while pushing around, probable injury at gym from having a weak core, and many other side effects.

EXPLAIN THE MOMENT YOU REALISED YOU WERE TRAINED TO HELP HIM? As I underwent my Emsculpt training at Figura Medspa, I began connecting the dots about how the benefits from this technology could greatly impact the lives of many people, specifically those who have a spinal cord injury and weaker core, such as Matt. The Emsculpt is mainly talked about in the scope of “getting abs” or “booty lift”, but it truly is an amazing therapeutic technology that has the ability to awaken muscles that have atrophied and/or weakened due to an injury. I needed to try this on Matt ASAP!

TELL ME WHAT YOU DID AND THE RESULTS YOU SAW? Five years together and a bright future ahead

We began treatment on him to see how it would impact his abdominal muscles utilizing Emsculpt’s standard treatment protocol. I factored in his lack of feeling below his sensory line which for Matt is about one inch above his navel. It is important to monitor a patient’s comfort level during treatment and since this sensory experience was going to be absent in Matt’s case, we started off at a lower energy level and observed his body’s reactions to this treatment. Even after his second treatment, Matt noticed that it was much easier to transfer and found that his balance was greatly improving. By the time we completed his first treatment protocol of four sessions, Matt was able to contract and pull in his abdominal wall in a way he was never able to do before.

SO YOUR TRAINING HAS HELPED YOU FIND YOUR SHARED HAPPY EVER AFTER? It opened up a whole new world of possibilities, especially as it pertains to how Matt gets around in his day-to-day life. He’s able to utilize gym equipment that was previously off-limits and he’s able to wear more fitted shirts which boosts his self-confidence. All of these little improvements have accumulated into an enhanced quality of life for both of us. Matt is much more independent at home thus freeing up more quality time for us to spend together, go on dates, and begin to plan for a family. As we enter into our third round of IVF in hopes of starting a family together, it’s imperative he remains physically fit and strong in preparation of carrying around a little baby! For information, go to figuramedspa.com

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

Photo by Shanna Hickman

Hightail It to Dovetail Enjoy both traditional and modern takes on Italian ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

Dovetail is a casual neighborhood Italian restaurant in Bouldin Creek serving up delicious share-size salads, pizzas and pastas. They have traditional fare, but also selections for those with more adventurous palettes. For pizza, the White Pie with ricotta cream, snap peas, corn and arugula is worth a try and for pasta, we loved the gnocchi with sweet potato queso and brussel sprouts! The concept comes from Austin hospitality industry friends Ben Runkle, Joe Ritchie, and Natalie Davis of Present Tense Hospitality together with Todd Duplechan (Lenoir, Vixen’s Wedding), Sidney Roberts

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

(G’Raj Mahal), and Alex Manley (Swedish Hill), who each have a personal tie to the South Austin neighborhood. Consequently, the name Dovetail - a woodworking term meaning ‘to fit skillfully to form a whole.’ “The idea for Dovetail Pizza stemmed from a desire to create a place that we would all personally enjoy and could easily go to for a weekly dinner, hang with some friends on the weekend, or just grab a drink after work,” said Runkle. Find Dovetail at 1816 South First Street, visit www.dovetailpizza.com and follow on social @dovetailpizza.

Dovetail Team; Photo by Shanna HickmanDove

Photo by Doug Still

The White Pie; Photo by Doug Still FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

Kerin Martinez has wanted to run a dance studio since she was six-years-old

Strong, confident and flexible – physically and mentally... Those are the goals Open Air Dance Collective has for their students

B ACK STAGE | A RTS + CULTURE

HOW KERIN MARTINEZ BECAME AUSTIN'S DANCING QUEEN

Kerin and her dancers waiting to go on court pre San Antonio vs LA Lakers game

ARTICLE BY SARAH IVENS

YOUR STUDIO IS AUSTIN’S ONLY HIGH-LEVEL, NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO AGAINST THE GRAIN OF AMBITIOUS DANCE MOMS CLICHÉ? I took my 20 years of teaching experience and basically created the program I would enroll my own daughter in! The competitive dance world can be a good fit for some students but for others, the time commitment, the fear of making mistakes, the push to “perfection,” and the cost and confusion of competitive events can lead to frustration and burnout. I see that dancers gain the most in class when they are excited to be there.

DO YOU PREFER PERFORMING OR TEACHING? Before moving to Austin I lived in Anaheim, California where I performed dancing, singing, and character roles in parades and stage shows at The Disneyland Resort, which was a dream come true. I love being in a show… but I decided I wanted to have a dance studio when I was about sixyears-old, so being able to combine all this at Open Air Dance Collective is incredible. We don’t compete, we perform – at the opening night of the The

Trail of Lights and for the San Antonio Spurs vs LA Lakers game at the AT&T Center. Coming up this spring, our Professional Artist in Residence, Ryan Miller, and I are working on a dance adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. All black and white costumes and sets as a nod to the start of the classic film, then going full-color spectacle on stage when we meet dancing versions of all the beloved characters.

Last-minute pep talk before 'Alice in Wonderland' at The Curtain Theater

HOW DO YOU WANT THE DANCERS WHO ENROLL WITH YOU TO FEEL WHEN THEY JOIN YOUR PROGRAM? I believe that dance is an art, a sport, and that it offers connection. We all need a chance to stretch, a time to grow, a moment of Zen… OADC offers that.

WHY SHOULD WE ALL BE DANCING MORE? Dancing is a basic element of human nature. We are wired to move. We are drawn to a beat. It’s a way to connect, to let go, to heal, to release emotion and to get to know yourself in your own body. For more information, go to openairdancecollective.com

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

Celebrate Every Day KORMAN CO-OWNER KAT STOKES SHARES HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT DIAMOND TO CELEBRATE LIFE’S MILESTONES

ARTICLE BY KAT STOKES Cushion, emerald, radiant and round, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding the perfect ring to celebrate an engagement, milestone anniversary or vow renewal. A tradition dating as far back as ancient Rome, there’s no better gift to commemorate a milestone than one you can wear as a constant reminder. When it comes to diamond rings, oftentimes people think they know exactly what they want. Maybe it’s the brilliant round diamond they’ve dreamed of since they were younger, or the solitaire style they’ve had their hearts set on. Once they begin to try on the endless possibilities of different shapes and styles at Korman, it’s not uncommon that their vision may change. With the clarity that comes with physically trying on a variety of options, it’s no wonder why couples choosing a ring together has become so common, and we’re onboard! At the least, we suggest shopping with a close friend or relative of your partner-to-be. TIP: When shopping for an engagement ring, don’t limit yourself to what you think you want…And, make the proposal a surprise, not the ring!

H OW TO | STY L E + BEAU TY

KNOWING YOUR DIAMOND When choosing a diamond, it’s important to know where your stone comes from. For this reason, my husband Larry Stokes and I traveled to Africa to see first-hand the journey of a Namibian Korman diamond. Dividing South Africa and Namibia, The Orange River is the source of many of the diamonds you see at Korman, where millions of diamonds are nestled in the twists and turns of the old river path. Today, Namibia mines 70 percent of their diamonds here, with mining being the country’s leading economic sector contributing to 10 percent of the country’s GDP. On board Namibia’s newest mining vessel, the Benguela Gem, we watched as thousands of rough diamonds were gathered from the ocean floor and transported into a sorting processor. After sorting through non-diamond remains, the diamonds are run through a fluorescent machine before being transported via helicopter to the Namibian Diamond Trading Center. Here, the diamonds are weighed and sorted by varying color grades before being distributed out to 11 sight holders each month, including Korman’s partner, Grandview Klein. With access to the best rough diamonds in the world, Grandview Klein transforms from what looks like a pebble

into the perfectly cut stone on your finger. Master diamond cutters analyze each stone carefully to maximize its weight and brilliance before precisely cutting the diamond. For every 100 carats of rough, about 40-50 carats are yielded in gem-quality stones. After cutting, experts polish the diamonds and test for precision in all aspects.

CELEBRATING EVERY DAY We’ve all heard the saying that a diamond is forever. That’s part of what makes it such a perfect way to celebrate any occasion. At Korman, we hear client’s stories and pair them with the perfect diamond for their celebration. Whether it be an engagement, milestone anniversary, push present, or even a self-purchase, we love helping clients find something they will wear as a constant reminder of their special memory. We’re ready to help you find that perfect piece when it’s time for a new milestone, upgrade, or change of style! Text or call 512-451-9292 to book your diamond appointment. Find Korman at kormanfinejewelry.com and on Instagram at @kormanfinejewelry. FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

Salvadore Dali on Display at Ao5 The Dr. Seuss Suite is still there too -

Guesting viewing Dali

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BIRN

RARE WORK BY THE SURREALIST PAINTER FIND A HOME AT AO5 GALLERY Ao5 Gallery is Austin’s largest contemporary art gallery and has been committed to bringing a wide selection of accessible fine art to Austin since 1998. Not only does the eclectic array of art make a great gift but Ao5 Gallery also has the best custom frame shop in town. Gift cards are available for purchase in the gallery or online towards framing or art! Hundreds of people turned out for the opening night of the Salvador Dalí exhibit at Ao5 Gallery in the Arboretum. As they sipped cocktails from Desert Door Sotol, guests took in the large and rare collection of original color lithographs & woodblock prints by the notoriously prolific surrealist 20th-century painter, known best for his obscure stylistic choices and abstract imagery. The showcase includes artwork spanning decades of the artist's career, including pieces from "Signs of the Zodiac," woodblock prints illustrating "Dante's Divine Comedy," and more. At print time there were pieces still available for purchase and each comes with a certificate of authenticity from Bruce Hochman, author of the official guide to the graphic works of Salvador Dalí. ao5gallery.com

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CULTURE

2023 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING MARCH 3rd - NOV 12th meets one weekend a month

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / AUST I N

Va lent i ne 's

Gift Guide

For her, for him, for yourself…We’ve got you covered ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE COULTRESS O'NEILL

1. JEN HANSEN Precious Heart Stud Earrings in 14k gold vermeil / 2. PAULA ROSEN Graffiti LOVE necklace in gold vermeil and pave diamonds on an 18-inch chain / 3. PAULA ROSEN Pantheress Necklace in sterling silver and pave diamond. / 4. KENTON MICHAEL Hand-braided nylon cord over braided leather with an antique sterling lobster clasp. / 5. CLARIS VIROT multi-color python bag. It can be worn crossbody or carried over the shoulder. / 6. BUCKLE AND SEAM Canary Leather Travel Bag. All gifts available at Estilo: 2727 Exposition Blvd, Austin TX 78703 and online at https://estiloboutique.com/

G IF T GU ID E | STY L E + BEAUTY

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