Powell’s, Shakespeare & Co. and Strand bookstore – all places any literary lover should put on their travel list. 

While many claim that print is dead, there’s still nothing like the feel of a book in your hand. But it’s not just the book that’s special; it’s the process of buying it. Bookstores are treasure troves, and in a day and age where large online retailers and box stores are pushing out the smaller guys, making sure they get your business is even more important.

Are you a lover of books? Then why not devote your next trip to checking out the independent bookstore scene wherever you are? You never know what you’re going to find. For inspiration, we’ve rounded up a list of bookstores that are worth a visit.

1. Strand – New York City, New York

Around since the 1920s, Strand is an iconic part of not only New York City’s bookstore culture, but simply general culture overall. Visiting NYC without visiting Strand bookstore is simply a missed opportunity. In all, the store boasts 18 miles of used and rare books, which is enough to make you get lost in book aisles for days and days.

2. Powell’s – Portland, Oregon

If Strand is the iconic bookstore in the east, then Powell’s is its counterpart in the west. Opening in the 1970s, today it has five different locations within the Portland area, the downtown main one called “City of Books.” And when you enter, it does in fact feel like a city, the aisles are like little streets that wind you through the many rooms. The best part about Powell’s? You can grab a stack of books, take them to the in-store cafe and peruse them while drinking a coffee.

3. Parnassus Books – Nashville, Tennessee

Leave it to an author to ensure that the local book scene stays alive. When Nashville lost its only bookstore, Ann Patchett stepped in, a firm believer that people should be able to buy their books at a brick and mortar, and helped open Parnassus. This neighborhood bookstore revival is born out of Patchett’s desire for a store “that valued books and readers above muffins and adorable plastic watering cans.” Yes, please.

4. BookPeople – Austin, Texas

BookPeople happens to be Texas’ largest independent bookstore, and it’s so popular that it was voted Bookstore of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly in 2005. But beyond all the literary works housed in this space, there’s another reason to visit: all the books on Texan and Southern cooking, so you can be sure to beef up on your bbq knowledge.

5. The Elliott Bay Book Company – Seattle, Washington

Seattle is known for a lot of rain, and what do you want to do when it’s gray and rainy? Curl up with a good book. Which might be why Seattleites have such a wonderful bookstore at their disposal. The Elliott Bay Book Company is home to more than 150,000 titles. And because it’s Seattle, Elliott Bay’s other claim to fame is that the Elliott Bay Cafe was Seattle’s first bookstore cafe.

6. Shakespeare and Company – Paris, France

The literary crowd will always have a love affair with Paris, and for those there is no place higher on the destination list than Shakespeare and Company. Paris has always attracted writers, and the bookstore is known for supporting the works of both well-known authors and the yet undiscovered ones. Located on the Left Bank it has managed to maintain its quaint, cozy ambiance.

7. Politics and Prose – Washington, D.C.

The name of Politics and Prose is fitting in the U.S. capital. Here you find a community gathering space, with plenty of author events, and lots of unusual books. The bookstore has even started hosting trips, taking book lovers around the world.

8. Bertrand Bookstore, Lisbon, Portugal

While today Bertrand runs over 40 bookstores around Portugal, it’s worth a mention on a list of bookstores has it has one thing going for it that no other place has: it’s the oldest bookstore in the world. In fact, if you’re feeling down about the state of books, there’s nothing to bring your spirits up like a place that has been selling written works since 1732.

9. McNally Jackson – New York City, New York

The Strand bookstore isn’t the only thing NYC has to offer. The literature in the store is arranged by nation, and hoping to bring more great works to the rest of the world, they even offer self-publishing services.

10. The Last Bookstore – Los Angeles, California

While younger than many bookstores, The Last Bookstore is California’s largest independent one and perhaps the most unique. It began in 2005 in a small loft space and now takes up about 20,000 square feet. There are books everywhere, often part of the interior design of the space, making it just as much a museum of books as a bookstore.

Related on EcoSalon

9 Reasons to Ditch Those Logo-Covered Designer Handbags (They’re So 1999!)

‘Finding Yourself’: Respect the Dance, Respect Yourself [Video]

Sustainable and Fair Trade Coffee: What to Look for In Every Sip

Images: Alexendre Duret-Lutz, Patrick Haney, Nicola, Scott Garner

The post Strand Bookstore, Powell’s and More Amazing, Independent Places to Buy Books appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s hot, steam and stylish – Austin’s got its own collection of awesome eco fashion designers!

So, Texas may be known for cowboy boots, Stetsons and a ridiculous amount of denim…but Austin, the sustainability and alternative culture  hub of the nation’s 2nd largest state has got some eco chic style to flaunt. Discover 5 amazing eco fashion designers that are walking the talk and offering up some snazzy and sustainable digs for the capital of Texas.

1. Blue Avocado
Focusing mainly on accessories like bags, handbags, purses, wallets and luggage, this Austin label is the brainchild of 3 local ladies who are committed to reducing waste. All Blue Avocado items are made from 50 percent recycled REPREVE fibers, which are manufactured from polyester-based plastic sources such as plastic bottles. These lifestyle items are recycled and recyclable, and the label donates proceeds to non-profits like Kiva.org and the Whole Planet Foundation.

2. Jinxedaposed
Offering up its fair share of Southern sass, Jinxdaposed is a locally based label that has gained a global reputation. Up to 80 percent of the materials used in each collection are upcycled and sourced from Austin, cutting back on waste and transportation. These roaringly sexy, undeniably daring and tantalizingly attractive ensembles are sure to turn heads all over the country.

3. Material
Cute and sassy pretty well sums up Material’s collections, which are entirely made out of upcycled vintage and re-purposed materials.  We especially love their upcycled T-shirt dresses, but the label also offers shirts, skirts, ties and accessories. You can contact designer Kellie (a native Texan) for custom orders.

4. Ross Bennett
Ross Bennett is an Austin based designer with a love for classic, custom tailoring. His modern take on traditional techniques has been revered by women across the country, and is evident in his sophisticated and elegant collections. All Ross Bennett collections are manufactured in Austin, as are his custom orders. Read about the RB and Blue Avocado collaboration here!

5. Savannah Red
Savannah Red is the sassiest, sexiest and most sustainable fashion collection made for full-figured women. With a focus on sleek and sensual vintage silhouettes, the design team at this Austin label are also committed to using upcycled and recycled materials, resulting in one-of-a-kind ensembles. Locally made and designed, Savannah Red has Austin style written all over it!

Related on EcoSalon 

7 Awesome Thrift Stores in Austin

Austin: Texas’ Most Sustainable Oasis

Gwen Stefani’s New Fashion Line Made in LA Out of Eco-Friendly Tencel

Images: Blue Avocado, Jinxedaposed, Material, Ross Bennett, Savannah Red

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Thrift shopping for vintage treasures is easy when you know where to find them. Here are seven of our favorite thrift shops in Austin, Texas.

The hippest city in the Lone Star State offers some of the best vintage shopping in Texas. The thrifting scene in Austin could be described as “New York quality with Texas prices.” You can be sure to score a good pair of cowboy boots here and, thanks to Isabel Marant, line dancing shirts are now all the rage and can surely be found at one of these shops.

Vintage shopping is part skill, part luck and part perseverance, but you can stack the odds in your favor by hitting up stores known to always stock good stuff. Here are seven of our favorite thrift stores in Austin, Texas. For those of you located elsewhere, many of these also have online shops.

Flashback Vintage
Opened in a small house on South Lamar in 1982, Flashback has grown to be one of Austin’s best vintage shops. It’s homey and sweet and stocks a good selection of period pieces from the 40s to the 80s as well as contemporary finds. There’s clothing for both women and men. The front room, where you enter, is the boutique area and is where you find the more expensive stuff. Staff members have a passion for all things vintage, and are knowledge about eras, labels, fabrics, and construction. The men’s area is on the right as you enter and has shirts, including pearl snaps, suits, hats, ties and buckles. Flashback has dressed “musicians, theater groups, hippies, flower children, hipsters, punks, soccer moms, celebrities and everyone in between.” Surely you will find something here that strikes your fancy.

Flashback Vintage, 1805 S 1st Street, 78704/So-Fi

Feathers Boutique
Feathers Boutique offers a well-edited selection of vintage items that reflect current trends. Upon entering, you are greeted by a display of non-vintage Jeffrey Campbell shoes, but turn left or right and you’ll find a variety of dresses, belts, tops, coats, and vintage shoes. Everything is thoroughly labeled with price as well as the time period from which it came  – most things are from the 70s – 90s. On the website there is a fun feature where vintage fans elsewhere can shop the outfit blog.

Feathers Boutique, 1700 S Congress Avenue, 78704/SoCo

Splendor
Featuring a great selection of handpicked vintage pieces inspired by the latest trends, Splendor is one of Austin’s finest vintage shops. Each piece is laundered before it hits the racks, so you will not find that musky smell otherwise so typical of vintage stores. Prices are still reasonably fair compared to other vintage shop and, in addition to clothing, Splendor also offers styling services, helping you put together that perfect vintage outfit. They also run an eBay store, where anyone can shop from the comfort of the couch.

Splendor, 100 W. North Loop, Suite H, North Loop

Cream Vintage
One of the most well-known vintage shops in Austin, Cream has a nice selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women and has better prices than many other shops. There’s an interesting selection of upcycled jewelry, but what this place is really known for is cowboy boots, which line the walls and are organized by color and gender. Cream has a friendly, knowledgeable staff happy to help answer questions or find something you’re looking for. There is also an in-house tailor that can alter your finds to fit you perfectly.

Cream Vintage, 2532 Guadalupe Street, The Drag

Roadhouse Rags
Roadhouse Rags is owned by Kelli Archer and Clay Connell and specializes in men’s western shirts, cowboy boots, vintage purses and jewelry, vintage sleepwear, and women’s eveningwear. Many come here for the cowboy boots, which are plentiful, in all thinkable colors, styles and sizes. Located a bit off the beaten path, Roadhouse Rags goes concert venue on the weekends and is a great place to come hear local Austin bands. Check out the website, which is a MySpace page, for upcoming shows. There is a backyard and it’s always BYOB, so bring your beer and save your money to buy clothes for instead.

Roadhouse Rags, 1600 Fortview Road, South Austin

Blue Velvet
For more than 18 years, the mother-and-daughter team behind Blue Velvet has outfitted fashionable Austinites in great vintage duds. A six-time winner of Austin Chronicle’s Reader’s Poll for Best Vintage Store, the shop has a wide selection of men’s and women’s vintage clothing and accessories, including petticoats, sunglasses, jewelry, and shoes, as well as tons of unique handmade items from local artists. This is where you may find both that obscure Halloween costume and that gorgeous vintage bridesmaid dress. The website features teaser-photos of what’s in store.

Blue Velvet, 217 W. North Loop Blvd., North Loop

Savers
It looks like a Marshalls or TJ Maxx, but this store is actually filled with second-hand clothing instead of overstock. There are two locations in Austin, both organized and clean. It’s fairly easy to find bargains, as every aisle is filled with current looks and authentic vintage finds. Savers was founded in 1954 on principles such as giving back and providing opportunities – core values the company still embraces today. Unsold clothing is recycled or donated to developing countries.

Savers, 4001 S Lamar Blvd. & 5222 Burnet Road, Suite 600

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Tacos in Austin for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Damn straight.

While there’s no denying the appeal of the Doritos Taco™ at 2 am on a Thursday, it’s a decision that requires the cover of night, a lack of viable choices, and oftentimes the ingestion of mind-altering substances to justify the purchase – especially in Austin. Here, taco connoisseurship and a love of all things local, organic, and independent are aggressively cultivated. Tacos are an art form, with permutations ranging from the traditional al Pastor found at parking lot trailers on the east side, gourmet Korean and Vietnamese fusions on the west side, to the organic, vegan, locally sourced fare that unites two of Austin’s most vocal demographics: hippies and yuppies.
In honor of this Texas food staple, I went and ate a bunch of tacos, trying to find both the best as well as those made with locally sourced and/or organic ingredients. The assessments:
Breakfast

Tacodeli’s Breakfast Tacos

The breakfast taco is a Texas classic and Tacodeli’s versions, using organic and local ingredients sourced year round from Texas and community farms, consistently earns accolades and “Best Of” lists. The organic bean, cheese, and egg tacos at Wheatsville, Austin’s co-op alternative to its more famous grocery export, will easily keep you full through lunch, and comes with an excellent Pico de Gallo. Veggie chorizo tacos topped with alfalfa sprouts are the way to go at Mr. Natural, a longtime Austin landmark, but their house salsa was unfortunately watery and had no kick.

Lunch +Dinner

Chango’s al Pueblo

Chango’s boasts natural, Texas-raised, and humanely certified meats in their repertoire. Yes, vegans, I know, but the beef tacos del pueblo are still delicious. Slightly charred on the outside and pink on the inside, they come wrapped in a handmade tortilla, with a heaping amount of cilantro and salsa on top. The vegetarian mushroom version is also tasty, but much less filling, so get two. El Chile’s soporific puffy tacos will likely make you pass out before the evening starts, but they’re a proven alternative to Xanax.

After-Hours

Be More Pacific’s Taco Libre

Even at 2 am in Austin, there’s really no excuse for eating terrible food, especially if you’re broing it up around 6th Street. Asian inspired taco trucks are the big trend, and make for excellent hangover preventatives. Be More Pacific’s Taco Libre, which combines chicken adobo and elote, are something that I actively pine for when away from Austin. The Peached Tortilla’s Banh Mi taco is an ode to Texas’s thriving Vietnamese community, with impressive results. For those who do insist on fast food alternatives, Taco Cabana – a Texas-based chain – boasts tacos assembled with house made tortillas, a prodigiously huge salsa bar, margaritas, and open 24 hours. No judgment if you happen to steal your roommate’s car to get there at 3 am.

Images: Dave_B, Anh-Thu Nguyen

The post When in Austin, Do As Texans Do (And Eat Good Tacos)! appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s more to SXSW than just finding the next Zuckerberg.

For almost two decades since its founding in 1987, SXSW was known as the place to discover breaking new music acts and independent, off-beat films. SXSW Interactive, the festival’s lesser known venue -mainly due to the emerging nature of its medium – didn’t attract nearly as much public notice as its more established twin.

Fast forward a few years, as SXSWi has become a launching ground for some of the most formidable names in technology, including Twitter and Foursquare, and it has come to almost eclipse its original indie-music and film roots. In so doing, SXSWi has become something of an annual debutante ball for start-ups. Now, every spring in a time-honored Texas tradition, start-ups with a lot of VC funding “come out” to tech society (with handfuls of hoodies and logo tees in lieu of tiaras and white gowns).

Amidst the product launches, celebrity sightings, free t-shirts and libations flowing freely through the streets surrounding downtown Austin, it’s easy to forget that there’s an actual conference to go to. But with thousands of tech experts and luminaries on site to discuss timely issues having anything to do with technology today, participants stay on task. Additionally, despite the atmosphere that can definitely at times resemble a nerdy Cancun spring break, SXSWi happens to have a strong social component, with a multitude of events and sessions directly addressing the interplay between technology, innovation, and social impact.

This year, with “Better Tomorrow” as the main conference theme, panel subjects have ranged from race, gender, and class issues in the Silicon Valley, to using tech in dictatorships, to innovation and hacks in resource-limited societies, to leveraging online communities for social good projects.

Two panels, one of them led by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, tackled the reasons behind the enormous racial and gender gap in Silicon Valley. According to CB Insights, about 1% of entrepreneurs who received venture capital in the first half of 2010 were African-American, even though they make up 11% of the general U.S. population. Compare this to the 87% of founders funded who are Caucasian, and 12% who are Asian.

Why the gap? Participants discussed how socio-economic barriers, an often late start in developing tech skills, and a Silicon Valley culture where tolerating failure is a necessity, have hampered diversity in the tech industry. Hank Williams, an entrepreneur, pointed out the economic realities of many African American communities, and how that combined with Silicon Valley’s culture of failing forward can act as a barrier to entry.

“Some groups, for whatever reason there may be, have the socio-economic flexibility to fail,” while for others, “Failure means no rent money…or being able to eat next week,” says Williams.

If YouTube, Facebook, or CNN.com comments are any indication, online commenters aren’t particularly well known for their kindness. However, a session featuring Alexis Ohanian, a Reddit co-founder, and panelists from Donorschoose.org, Reddit Gifts,
and the Awesome Foundation discussed how online communities can move beyond trolling to giving. By setting a tone for its online community and providing incentives that bring out the recklessly generous side of participants (think positive peer pressure, or trolling with a heart), Reddit has been a driving force for a variety of weird and wonderful altruistic projects. Reddit community members have even participated in the largest Secret Santa in the world, sent complete strangers pizzas on request, and facilitated a campaign to “charity blackmail” Stephen Colbert that raised over half a million dollars for Donorschoose.org.

Social ventures were a popular topic of discussion at SXSW, and affiliated events like the Good Capitalist Lounge sought to prove that social impact and profit margin weren’t two disparate entities. Though there are plenty of businesses out there with an ethos that have proven wildly successful (such as Patagonia and Melissa shoes), the conversation on social ventures can still seem a bit apologetic and defensive at times.

On a marketing panel, the utility of cause-related work (employee retention, increasing brand awareness, building trust) was challenged with the claim that any company creating jobs – whether it be Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or BP was providing an overall social good, and that profit margin shouldn’t be hampered by “wanting to go to heaven.”

That assumption, that jobs trump all other considerations, and that having an ethic behind any business is not only not profitable but not an endeavor worth pursuing for the bottom line, seems to be a well-ingrained notion that requires constant, thoughtful pushback on multiple platforms, and SXSWi is only one venue (though with lots more free food and music) to explore social impact and the tools that can facilitate it.

The post SXSW Interactive Banks on a #Bettertomorrow appeared first on EcoSalon.

EcoSalon joins the first SXSW Eco as a media partner.

What do you get when you bring an ocean conservationist, the president of a major environmental nonprofit and a progressive author together in a city known for its food, flair and funk? South by Southwest (SXSW) Eco, of course.

This year, the organizers of SXSW, which every year brings musicians, artists and the technocrati to converge upon Austin, Texas, are taking the festival to a new level and launching an exclusive green-focused conference.

EcoSalon is excited to be an official media sponsor of the event, which will feature keynote speakers Philippe Cousteau, Jr, CEO of EarthEcho International, Mark Tercek, the President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy and Alex Steffen, author and planetary futurist.

SXSW Eco will provide an open and creative space for experienced, passionate and pragmatic professionals to network with a diverse group of influential organizations and individuals, while contributing to cutting-edge discussion. The conference will feature a mix of sessions, including panels and core-conversations.

“The foundational concept of SXSW – dynamic, diverse minds coming together to discuss innovation and creativity – is exactly the kind of exciting and holistic approach that appeals to us at EcoSalon. The addition of a green conference is an encouraging marker of the sustainability movement’s progress, and couldn’t be more timely. We’re thrilled to be taking part and engaging in the conversations that are really going to push for creative progress in the sustainability movement and share those conversations with a larger audience,” says Sara Ost, Editor in Chief of EcoSalon.

We couldn’t be more pleased to be taking part! And we’re in good green company, as fellow new media leaders Treehugger and Triple Pundit are also SXSW Eco partners. Here’s what they had to say about taking part.

“Having been a long time attendee of SXSW interactive, which otherwise rocks, I’ve always felt that a conversation on sustainability was a major theme that seemed to be underrepresented. SXSW has such huge influence in new media the opportunity is ripe to use their power to advance green thinking in the popular culture. We’re thrilled to be a part of the first ever SXSW Eco and I hope to see a lot of new voices lending their input on sustainable solutions to the world’s problems, right from the heart of Texas,” says Nicholas Aster of Triple Pundit.

“Often when thinking about the challenge of sustainability, I’ll think, ‘if only we could get everyone together in a room to work this out!’ Maybe SXSW Eco can be that room! Of course, stopping climate change or solving the myriad other issues related to sustainability won’t be that easy, but we think by bringing together thought-leaders and the technology- and business-savvy attendees already familiar with SXSW, events like SXSW Eco can serve a role in moving the discussion forward. We’re excited to be a media partner so we can be on the scene and bring the most interesting and inspiring ideas to our readers around the world that won’t be able to attend in-person!” says Chris Tackett of Treehugger.

Stay tuned for live updates from SXSW Eco next week!

The post Announcing EcoSalon’s Official Media Partnership with SXSW Eco appeared first on EcoSalon.

A weekly roundup of EcoSalon’s top stories.

As one of the most sustainable cities in the U.S., it’s not hard to fall in love with Austin. In fact, the love is so strong that 1,500 people move there weekly. In Austin: Texas’ Most Sustainable Oasis, our new EcoSalon writer, Shira Levine tackles all the reasons why people do consider it an oasis and what her own trek was like while there recently.

Since 1995, Japanese artist SASAKI has been creating portraits from human heartbeats, which he does by spraying a steady stream of paint to the sound of beating hearts. HeARTbeat columnist Dominique Pacheco writes in HeARTbeat: Sasaki connects with heartbeat Portraits, “What can one expect from a live Heartbeat event? During a recent 6-day workshop, Sasaki gave us a taste by creating ‘Heartbeat Portraits’ of 139 participants. A pulse monitor was attached to the finger of each individual and the measured signal was output as audio in real time through a set of speakers – the sound and rhythm echoing and reverberating throughout the space.” The result is a multi-sensory experience unique to all involved.

In Part 3 of The Post-Recession Fashion Industry: A Return To Nature, we again look at how the fashion industry is emerging from its cocoon post-recession, a changed sector where consumers are more cautious, manufacturers are on their toes and designers are struggling to stay afloat doing business as usual. In this five-part series, we take a hard look at the fashion world, speaking with industry leaders, luminaries and experts. This week we asked: Now more than ever, is eco-fashion inextricably linked to conscious connections with land and place?

This week marked the summer solstice, and if there’s any place that knows how to celebrate this time of year, it’s Sweden. Foodie Underground columnist Anna Brones writes: “Its northern latitude makes the winters dark and long and the summers light and short, which means there’s plenty of reason to celebrate the official start to the summer season which kicks off at midsommar.”

In Foodie Underground: Celebrating Midsommar, we learn all about this Swedish food fest and even learn a few recipes.

EcoSalon Senior Editor Kathie Butler writes, “If you are an American woman who decides to get married, you will likely change your name. In fact, three million American women do so every year, roughly encompassing the 90 percent of women entering matrimonial bliss. This leaves the 10 percent of women who decided to keep their birth surnames, or the men who decide to change their own, navigating an interesting cultural landscape.” In 7 Reasons Married Women Keep Their last Names, Butler makes us reflect on the history of how this whole tradition even started.

The post The Friday Five, Vol. 17 appeared first on EcoSalon.

As one of the most sustainable cities in the U.S., it’s not hard to fall in love with Austin.

There is one reason I’d consider leaving the Big Apple for the Lonestar State, and that reason is Austin.

Anyone who’s been to the state capital has experienced the progressive and liberal personality that juxtaposes much of the rest of the state and Austin is the inoffensive exception. While on a road trip through part of the former Mexican territory, I was able to glean just how much so. From San Antonio to Frisco, with stops in Fredericksburg, Austin, Round Rock, Parker and Dallas, I took on the wide, open Texas road and realized that it leads to both a delightfully charming and calorically appalling Texas.

Here’s a list of things about the capital city that in a small way might contribute to slowing down the global warming process.

People are active and always outside.
Austin is quite possibly a land of productive freelancers. Everyone and their dog seems to be out and about throughout the workday and doing exactly what they should be doing – relishing the great outdoors. I spent a late morning with Barton Springs bike-tour company where our guide, Kelly took us over pedestrian bridge extensions, through Zilker Park, past the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue, along Auditorium Shores, around Lady Bird Lake and past Barton Springs Pool. While riding I was joined by dozens and dozens of other bikers and as many runners. In the early afternoon I joined another few dozen locals on Lady Bird Lake where I walked across water stand-up paddle boating alongside kayakers, canoers and water bicyclists. Austin feels like everyone is outside living a well-balanced life where people can pay their bills and spend time outdoors.

Barton Springs Pool

Everyone is in it together.
One night a chatty pedi-cab driver told us we had to go to Lambert’s for fancy BBQ. While devouring some fennel and coriander rubbed pork ribs we saw Japanese female drummer Masumi Jones and the Gentlemen, and The Warm Guns tear things up on stage. Then the next day I saw the music stars casually frolicking with the rest of Austin in the swampy Barton Springs Pool.

Bicycles, motorcycles and cars coexist here in harmony.
Bicycle riders share the lanes with cars and drivers don’t even seem to blink an eye. Nary is there a horn honked at a bike rider slowing down traffic, and signs remind everyone to be mindful of fellow cyclists and motorcyclists. On some blocks its seems like the streets have more bikes than cars. Besides bike lanes there are bike paths too—which the latter is known as the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, named for the championship cyclist.

SXSW, Denise Chambers photo

Keep Austin Weird.
The slogan was dubbed to promote small businesses in town and so far considering the city is said to get 1,500 new residents a week, it’s doing a decent job. The famed SXSW festival has grown more corporate and less grassroots, whereas the Austin City Limits concert has retained local and less is more roots. And as for the truly weirdest thing about Austin (besides the lizard people), is that the closest thing to weird is that the city is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world. But until you’ve checked it out – be it on a cruise, kayak, canoe, paddle boat, boat bicycle, or, you’re just standing on the Congress Avenue Bridge, you can’t knock it until you see over a million Mexican free-tail bats take off a just as the sun is setting.

There are a lot of places to stay the night.
Besides hotels like the new W, there are also a lot of new condos and high-rises. Like many fast growing cities, a lot of new development has been hit hard by the struggling economy so there’s an inordinate number of luxury rentals lying around unused. Many of these rentals have side gigs in the short-term rental world and are listed on Roomarama and Airbnb. I booked with Roomarama and stayed two nights in downtown Austin in a balconied high-rise just a few blocks from the infamous Sixth Street.

Roomarama

The live music scene truly rocks.
It’s hard to find a joint that doesn’t have live music playing in it when walking through the warehouse district, along Sixth, Fifth, or Fourth, along South Congress, or, in the Warehouse District. What may look like a non-descript spot easily ends up the stage for the next Jeff Buckley or Elliot Smith. At The Red Fez, the band Atash played a mix of Persian and Indian music replete with a sitar that had a rock and roll backbone. In recent years, Austin has become world renowned thanks to it’s killer music festivals.

It’s the birthplace of Whole Foods.
The local, seasonal, organic corporate food chain, Whole Foods got its start here in Austin so it’s possible to keep it weird and still shop here. Plus, everyone’s so proud of Whole Foods that between the classes and samples inside the store, it’s actually pretty fun to tour for an afteroon.  And who can resist poking fun at the obsessive quinoa-loving, Kombucha-eating counter culture that’s emerged there?

The BBQ is damn good.
Sure there is excellent BBQ to eat within Austin’s city limits, but the real deal that locals and tourists alike consistently recommend is the Salt Lick. With locations in Round Rock, Driftwood and the Austin Airport, I headed north to Round Rock (less than an hour from Austin), and it was totally worth it. A dinner of smoky beef ribs, hot mashed potatoes and refried beans finished with a warm pecan pie is hard to pass up. Did I mention the horseradish-infused bloody Mary’s? Drinks pair nicely with the live music that plays for those enjoying the outdoor seating. Because it’s a popular spot, it’s advised to go early or late in the night to avoid the crowds.

Austin is near Texas wine country.
Yes, in Texas’ Hill country is the Texas wine country. Just 67 miles away is Fredericksburg a charming stretch with adorable boutiques, quaint restaurants and a healthy dose of vineyards a few miles away.  I stopped by the family-owned Grape Creek Vineyards and Torre di Pietna. The Becker Vineyards also have a lavender farm. For further exploring stop by the tourism office just across from the where Curly, the octogenarian on staff who will offer to leave work early and take you out for a drink or two over his old war stories.

Becker Vineyards

“Dallas” fans can geek out on the TV show’s old location.
I’ve actually never seen a single episode of the 13-year series and I still found the tour located 214 miles from Austin absolutely fun and engaging. Our guide Tim, a Texas local who has spent decades working with the J.R, Ewing Mansion on Southfork Ranch, has salacious stories that are more dramatic than the series. (He’s caught countless people sneaking off to have sex on various parts of the property.)

There’s an artist colony of Brooklyn hipsters in the middle of nowhere.
Marfa, 375 miles west of Austin is a high desert oasis of awesome, where modern art and expression thrive. The colony was founded by minimalist artist Donald Judd who moved from New York City to Texas to create a more affordable and spacious home for his art installations. After he died, the area transformed into a haven for two foundations that maintain Judd’s vision: The Chinati Foundation and the Judd Foundation. Other large scale projects have formed in Marfa in recent years too including the Marfa Film Festival, Lannan Foundation and Ballroom Marfa where art films, music shows and art installations are featured. Marfa is also known for its night skies and for being the location of the films There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, and Giant starring Liz Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean and Dennis Hopper.

Ready for a road trip?

Image: StuSeeger, Austin Post

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Yes, it’s true. It’s possible to love both Hank Williams and fancy food made with organic vegetables. When I lived in New York City, I never met so many people who shell out as much cash for dinner at Nobu as they do for Dwight Yoakam concert tickets. Or who stand around in urban honky-tonks wearing designer jeans. There’s no shame in it. But it sometimes results in dissonant combinations – like, in my case, owning both a fuel-efficient Honda and a gas-guzzling ’79 Ford truck (just for kicks).

Lately I’ve been wheeling around in the Honda – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band blasting, of course – making stops in my favorite country music meccas. Late spring is a perfect time to visit Austin, right when the South by Southwest festival crowd has cleared out. But really, any time is a good time to visit the Texas capital, one of the greenest cities in the country and one of the best places to find both mind-blowing Mexican food and brilliant country and alt-country music acts. One of the buzziest shows in Nashville this spring will be Dierks Bentley, playing the Ryman Auditorium in May with Del McCoury’s band members and scruffy alt-country hottie Hayes Carll. Ryman (as a side note, if you haven’t seen the full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Nashville’s Centennial Park, it’s something to check off your life list.) And coming up in St. Louis in June is TwangFest, one of that city’s coolest country-flavored musical happenings.

Even if twang’s not your thang, chances are you’ll end up in one of these burgs soon. And when you do, you must stop off at these excellent, eco-friendly eateries.

Austin: La Condesa

You’d never think crabmeat would belong in guacamole. And you’d never believe crabmeat guacamole would taste better with a tart green apple mixed in. But somehow it does, and it all comes together in one heaping, mouth-watering bowl at La Condesa, a hot, cosmopolitan new Austin Mexican joint. La Condesa gets a two star certification from the Green Restaurant Association, and a stamp on the menu reads: “We use local, organic and humanely harvested ingredients. Because it tastes better.” That means vegetables from Austin area farms and meats from sustainable producers like Niman Ranch.

Last year La Condesa won the Austin CVB’s Cocktail Throwdown with the Enlightened Austin Martini, made with organic watermelon juice, agave nectar and Tito’s Vodka. Have one on your way to a Carrie Underwood concert (she plays the Frank Erwin Center on May 12), or go see the Band of Heathens, who play the legendary downtown blues club Antone’s on May 21.

Nashville: 1808 Grille

In Nashville, you can hit the honky-tonks. And you must stroll around the Country Music Hall of Fame, where you can see Hank Williams’ boots and learn all about Brenda Lee, who sang “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree“. But you might forget that you’re in country music-land altogether if you stay at the Hutton Hotel downtown. It’s a 50 million dollar eco-friendly boutique hotel that opened last spring with green features like a water-saving laundry system, bamboo floors and energy-efficient lights that shut off when you leave the room.

The hotel’s 1808 Grille is worth a stop, even if you don’t stay at the Hutton. The menu is New American in every sense, with trendy dishes like rutabaga lamb pot pie and several global touches, like a vegan soba noodle Pad Thai. Still, it’s hard to beat a solid burger and garlic-parsley fries, or the cod and potato “tater tots.”

St. Louis: Pi and the Atomic Cowboy

Truth be told, St. Louis is not your greenest city. Or your twangiest. In fact, because I grew up just south of there, I know it to be more of a baseball-playin’, beer drinkin’ Mississippi River town where Purina dog food and the evil ag biotech company Monsanto are headquartered. (Though everyone was excited a few years back when several Whole Foods markets moved in.) But you can certainly find some fun things to do there in the summer. Like Twangfest, which runs June 9 – 12. In past years, Twangfest has totally rocked, with sizzling alt-country and folky singer-songwriter acts like Alejandro Escovedo, The Gourds, The Avett Brothers and Slaid Cleaves.

And believe it or not, you can find some green eateries not far from the festival in the Delmar Loop. First, there’s Pi, a trendy chainlet of eco-friendly pizzerias. They’re known for their cornmeal-crust, deep-dish pizzas with fresh veggie toppings and some unusual additions like Amish chicken. Then there’s the Atomic Cowboy, which serves Tex-Mex and burgers and has and outdoor patio and fire pit. It’s about 10 minutes from the festival but well worth the drive, and they serve food until late. They compost all their food scraps and have recently started serving up organic wines and cocktails. You can’t go wrong with a Cowboy Cosmo.

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St. Patricks’ Day this week turned cities green literally – from landmarks to libations. But how green have major metro areas around the U.S. been throughout the year? The American Cities Business Journal group has released a new study on the matter.

Their inaugural Green Cities Index examined 43 U.S. cities, and ranked them based on 20 criteria encompassing residents’ environmental behavior, cities’ use or abuse of land and water, and presence of a variety of environment related projects and industries. The Green Cities Index 2010 survey results have been hot in the blogosphere ever since, with bloggers and residents bragging or bummed about their scores.

Portland topped the Green Cities Index 2010, with San Francisco in a close second place, Honolulu at third followed by Austin and Boston. The new study’s rankings fell in line with related studies by the Natural Resources Defense Council, and by Popular Science. But not exactly.

Surprising Strengths

Green Cities Index 2010 gave areas lacking environmental credibility overall some surprising points. Houston, one of the most traffic-choked cities in the U.S., held the top spot for Energy Star rated facilities, saving it from a much lower score.

Meanwhile, Albany ranked in the top ten on this list, though traditional manufacturing plants have caused severe pollution there for years. The city’s high score was influenced by Albany’s top score for “green jobs.”

At least the presence of more green jobs per capita in the area indicates the promise of a sea change.

It ain’t easy being green…

How important are green aspects of a city to the quality of life there? We think entirely important. That’s why we’re surprised that Green Cities Index 2010 chart topper Portland did not rank so highly in a separate happiness survey, the Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index which was released last month. The happiness study examined 162 cities, and Portland came in at 59. (That compares indirectly to 16th place on a 43-city list like Green Cities.)

Greensboro, North Carolina which came in dead last on the Green Cities Index, with the worst ranking for sprawl and its result, carbon emissions per capita, ranked 97th on the well-being index, which would put it at about 25th on a list of 43.

While there’s no apples-to-apples comparison between the studies, it’s worth asking: why aren’t the greenest cities always the happiest? Where does your city rank, and how happy are you?

Basic reading:

“A few hundred miles up the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Pittsburgh sits as a shining example of sustainability. After decades of working to clean its smoky skies and polluted waterways, the Steel City also has become a model for green building and sustainable design…” – A news feature discussing the reasons why Cincinnati Business Journal decided to launch its Green Cities Index

“Nine of the 10 cities that fare best on ‘life evaluation,’ assessments of life now and expectations in five years, boast a major university, a big military installation or a state Capitol – institutions that presumably provide some insulation from recession.” – A news feature breaking down a Gallup study of how happy people are in American cities, via USA Today

“If you want to be good to the environment, stay away from it…” From a 2009 study on Suburban vs. City living by Edward L. Glaeser

“No Northwest city is yet close to the destination of sustainability: carbon neutrality; widely shared prosperity; stable populations in strong communities; educational and economic opportunity for all; hyper-efficient use of natural resources; zero-pollution industries; and low-stuff, high-satisfaction lives.” – a different assessment of green cities from the Vancouver, B.C. news site, The Tyee

Further Resources:

News from OregonLive.com about the lack of trees in an otherwise green city, Portland: “Green Portland Isn’t Green Enough”

An Environmental Protection Agency air quality report

For contrast, a news report on air quality in Islamabad

A Greenbang.com story about London’s aim to imitate Copenhagen, Europe’s greenest city

A blog post calling for public transit support in Nashville, and referencing its low ranking on Green Cities Index 2010

Image Credit: Keith Skelton

This is the latest installment of EcoMeme, a column featuring eco news, tech and trends by EcoSalon writer and columnist Lora Kolodny.

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