Hobby Building

As hot as it's been in Austin lately, it's hard not to jump into this fountain at the Hobby Building in an effort to cool off!

From Arguendo & Dixi's Daily Austin Photo

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Where Flowers Bloom....

"Where flowers bloom so does hope"
Lady Bird Johnson

This image was taken over the past weekend outside the LBJ Presidential Library on the UT Campus.

From LBJ Library

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Happy 4th of July!

Our mission is at once the oldest and the most basic of this country:
to right wrong,
to do justice,
to serve man.

From LBJ Library

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LBJ Fountain

This is the fountain at the LBJ Presidential Library. They only have it on for an hour out of the day, from noon to 1pm, due to the drought affecting most of the state. Luckily we were there to get to see it.

From LBJ Library

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Replica of San Lorenzo Monument #1

This is an exact replica of San Lorenzo Monument #1. It is on display at the University of Texas at Austin, just outside of the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS).

From the plaque:

Replica of San Lorenzo Monument #1

Weighing 18 tons, this is an exact copy of the colossal head that was first discovered at the Olmec site of San Lorenzo, Veracruz. The original is now housed at the Museum of Anthropology in Xalapa, Veracruz. San Lorenzo Monument #1 is a landmark work of art of the Olmec, an ancient Mesoamerican culture that flourished in southern Mexico 1500-400 BCE.

Gift of the Universidad Veracruzana to the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies 2008.

We wish to thank the following donors for their generous support:
Office of the President
College of Liberal Arts
Universidad Veracruzana
Mexican Center Advisory Council
Office of the Vice President for Research

From Arguendo & Dixi's Daily Austin Photo

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J. P. Schneider Store

This is the J. P. Schneider Store located on the southeast corner of 2nd Street and Guadalupe. It's the last remaining historic building in that area of downtown. The building surrounding it is now offices for Silicon Labs. The store is now a BBQ restaurant.

From Arguendo & Dixi's Daily Austin Photo

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Public Service Memorial at City Hall

From the press release:

April 28, 2011

Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Manager Marc Ott dedicated a permanent memorial exhibition at City Hall today in honor of fallen City employees.

The memorial honors 45 City of Austin employees including 20 police officers, nine firefighters, and employees from other City departments who lost their lives or were killed in the line of duty. Family members of the deceased and other supporters are expected to be in attendance.

“It is both a privilege and an honor to recognize the men and women whose service enhanced the lives of those in our community,” Mayor Lee Leffingwell said. “It is with great pride that we salute those fallen and thank their families for allowing them to serve the citizens of Austin.”

“I am so proud of the work our employees do every day,” City Manager Marc Ott said. “The importance of public service was not lost on these employees and this memorial will ensure their sacrifice is not lost on us. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to each family that lost one of their members as they were part of our family as well.”

The memorial exhibition was created by Retired Police Capt. John N. Vasquez, who was inspired to create a collection of unique carvings representing the professional duties of the individuals whose lives were taken while in the service of their city.

The exhibition features individuals employed with the City of Austin from the late 19th century to today. Visitors are invited to explore an interactive kiosk, which is provided in hopes of educating visitors about the impact of these employees’ unique contributions to the City, to celebrate their individual lives, and to pay tribute to their service to Austin’s residents.

“I hope this display will encourage visitors to learn more and become knowledgeable regarding the lives and sacrifices of these remarkable individuals and the contributions they made to the City of Austin,” Vasquez said. “I’m proud to present this display for all citizens’ enjoyment, and sincerely hope everyone will derive a similar sense of satisfaction in viewing this memorial as we have.”

Read more about the memorial here.

From Arguendo & Dixi's Daily Austin Photo

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