Austin Pets Alive! Needs Austin's Help Staying Cool

Temperatures are reaching an all-time high in Austin this summer, and Austin Pets Alive! urgently needs the community's help to keep their animals cool.

image via instagram @austinpetsalive

APA! is asking the public to consider donating box fans, coolers, and bags of ice to their shelter. Their current shelter is outdated and not equipped to handle the heat that comes with Texas summer, and while they have plans to launch a major campaign to build a new shelter, they need immediate relief for their current animal residents. 

Folks who are interested in dropping off supplies can leave them at Austin Pets Alive! at 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Building A. Want to donate online? Simply fill out this donation form and indicate how much you'd like to give, even a bag of ice helps. 

If you'd like to hangout with a new friend for a couple of weeks and live within 40 miles of APA!, they are seeking short-term fosters for dogs to help get them indoors and out of the heat. You can fill out a foster application here.

Stay cool, y'all! 

The Good Guide: 4th of July in Austin

Looking to celebrate Independence Day in a way that helps others? Here are 4 good parties on the 4th:

Corn Dog Eating Contest at Black Sheep Lodge

Nothing says “I love America” like shoving corn dogs in your face for a good cause. Your $20 contest entry fee scores you a commemorative t-shirt, and a portion goes back to Austin Pets Alive!. The winner takes home $250 cash price, heyo! Info here.

Bikes, Fireworks, & Warren Hood at The ABGB

Celebrate freedom with The ABGB and enjoy music from Warren Hood, delicious pizza, and ice cold beer. Folks from Ghisallo Cycling Initiative will be onsite, and you can ride safely with friends over to the fireworks at Auditorium Shores. Plus there’s a watermelon eating contest! Info here.

Pickled Egg Eating Contest at Haymaker

Create Independence Day memories at Haymaker, if you have a strong stomach that is. Eat the most habanero pickled eggs and you could win $250, plus your entree fee raises money for Helping Hand Home for Children. Info here.

Vegan Hot Dog Eating Contest at Doggie Style

A guilt-free take on an American tradition, stop by for games, treats, and see how many vegan dogs you can eat. Benefiting Central Texas Pig Rescue. Info here.

PS - Fireworks often cause anxiety for animals, so don't forget to keep your pets indoors this holiday! 

Good Party ATX Presents: Love Your Mama Pop-Up Market

We're poppin' up at the The Little Darlin' just in time for Mother's Day! (Mother's Day is May 13. Call your mom.) 

At the Love Your Mama Pop-Up Market on Saturday, May 12, you can get your last minute shopping in with local makers + vendors, snap a photo (bring your mom!) in Annie Ray's photobooth, pick out a flower bouqet, and listen to music from Chansons et Soûlards. Market runs noon-3pm, music 2-4pm. And The Little Darlin' is dog-friendly and we'll have some shopping for dogs moms too! 

Of course like any Good Party, this shindig gives back. We'll be collecting supplies and donations for Austin Pets Alive! and SAFE, and The Little Darlin' is donating $2 from every boozy frozen agua fresca (you had us at boozy frozen drink).

Makers + Vendors include:

• Ocotillo ATX
• moxietov_makes
• KollarKouture
• kathyphantastic
• Lillian + E Co.
• Purse & Clutch
• Las Ofrendas
• LA LO LA Clothing
• shopazatx
• Ubuntu Made

Austin Pets Alive! wish list: Friskies canned cat food, non-clumping litter, bleach, liquid laundry detergent, peanut butter, kongs, treat rolls, pooper scoopers.

SAFE wish list: personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo/conditioner, tampons, pads, combs, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.), socks, sweatpants, underwear, shoes, gift cards, food & pantry needs, cleaning supplies. 

Invite your friends on Facebook here. Want to join the Good Party community? Join our Facebook group, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

The Good Guide: April in Austin

Hi, y’all! Jenny and Enrique from Vino Pour Favor here. April is one of the best weather months in Austin, isn’t it? Perhaps that’s why some of the biggest foodie events all year happen this month. If you don’t attend these types of events very often, now’s the best time to pick one from the list! To seal the deal, these events benefit great causes in the Austin community, so you can treat yourself AND others!

Photo: Austin Food + Wine Festival Facebook

Here is your April foodie event roundup:

Live Fire!

Live Fire! is a beef-centric live-fire cooking event featuring the best in sizzling proteins and cooking craftsmanship along with wine, beer, and spirits tastings. Expect Live Fire! ¡Viva Mexico! to sizzle this year with a focus on interior Mexican Cuisine. 

This event benefits the Austin Food & Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food, wine and spirits community through grants, educational programming and events. Grant recipients have included Keep Austin Fed, Urban Roots, Farmgrass, and more. Info: Thursday, April 5 / 7-9pm / Camp Mabry Tickets 

33rd Annual Rare & Fine Wine Auction

Enjoy selections from featured Winemaker Kirk Venge of Venge Vineyards as well as access to an impressive menu of wines for your table. Set in the JW Marriott Austin, this charity auction offers the opportunity to channel your passion for food and wine to better the health and well-being of the community.

Over the last 33 years, the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas has donated $1.3 million back into the Central Texas community. In 2018 and beyond, WFFT is dedicated to providing direct financial support to sommeliers, chefs, and winemakers through scholarships, travel stipends, and professional development opportunities. Info: Saturday, April 7 / JW Marriott / Details

CultureMap Austin Tastemaker Awards

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are an annual celebration of talent in Austin and San Antonio's restaurant and bar community, as selected by their peers. CultureMap's mission is to shine a spotlight on the people making the city's restaurant scene special and honor their innovation, energy, and creativity. The swanky tasting event and awards ceremony celebrates the nominees and announces the winners.

This event benefits the Austin Food & Wine Alliance. Info: Thursday, April 12 / Fair Market Tickets

Photo: Waller Creek Conservancy Facebook

Waller Creek Pop-up Picnic

Come by car, bus, bike, or on foot, spread your blanket, and enjoy picnic baskets prepared by some of Austin’s best restaurants, including Franklin Barbecue, Uchiko, Easy Tiger, and Wu Chow. Or, bring your own basket and enjoy Palm Park while listening to great music, catching up with your friends, and watching the sun drop behind the city skyline.

All basket proceeds benefit The Waller Creek Conservancy, which plays a vital role in the preservation, redevelopment, and maintenance of the Waller Creek surrounding parks, nearby businesses, adjoining neighborhoods, and community at large.

Info: Saturday April 14 / Palm Park / Tickets

Texas Wine Revolution

Featuring 25+ Texas wineries, winemakers, and their 100% Texas grown Rosé, the afternoon will also include Rosé tastings, live music, local foods, educational seminars, interactive activities, plenty of picture opportunities, a silent auction, and picnic areas on the gorgeous property of Horseshoe Bay Resort. Celebrate and meet local wineries, winemakers, farmers, and chefs for an awakening and education of Real Texas Wine.

Texas Wine Revolution is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting consumer education and awareness of Texas grown wines.

Info: Sunday, April 22 / Horseshoe Bay Resort / Tickets

Dining Out For Life

With a list of over 70 restaurants, you can select a dining destination for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to help put food on someone else's table! Restaurants across Austin have committed to doing their part to strengthen the overall health of the community by pledging to donate a portion of the day's proceeds to fight HIV.

Dining Out For Life (DOFL) supports clients of the Helping Hands Food Bank and other programs of Aids Services of Austin. Info: Tuesday, April 24 / Various location / Details

UMLAUF Garden Party

Stroll through the Garden, enjoy select wines and tasty bites from Austin’s best and most iconic restaurants, dance to sounds of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra, or bid on the most unique and creative live and silent auction items offered.

Garden Party proceeds benefit UMLAUF's world-class exhibitions and education programs, providing direct access to the arts for more than 50,000 visitors annually and free admission and tours to over 4,500 Central Texas school children to learn about the artistic legacy of Charles Umlauf through workshops, lectures, Kids Kraft, Camp UMLAUF, and collaborations with other local art and community organizations.

Info: Thursday, April 26 / UMLAUF Sculpture Garden / Details

Austin Food and Wine Festival

The 7th annual Austin Food & Wine Festival includes a chef lineup of local and nationally-recognized names, with over 40 culinary demos; beer, wine, and cocktail tastings; interactive fire pits; book signings; music; a Rock Your Taco competition; Sunday Gospel Brunch; and more. This event benefits the Austin Food & Wine Alliance.

Info: Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29 / Auditorium Shores & Fair Market / Tickets 

Want more delicious updates? Follow Vino Pour Favor on Instagram. 

Good Party ATX presents: Local Luau

We're bringing the beach vibes back to Kitty Cohen's, this time during SXSW at the Good Party Local Luau. Featuring:

+ Flor de Caña Tiki drinks

+ Annie Ray photobooth

+ Octotillo Pop-up Shop

+ Bites by VEGG (it's a pork-free luau!)

+ Tropical tunes thanks to KUBE (playlist curated by GirlFriend ATX) 

Bring a cash donation for Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and support Austin's music community! Invite friends on Facebook and RSVP here to tell us you're coming and stay up-to-date with Good Party ATX.