The “spaghetti” sculpture that graced the lawn of the Blanton. The Red Swing Project. Play Me, I’m Yours. The CowParade. Art on the Green. All of these public art projects have offered us parents amazing opportunities to take children to interact with, experience and learn about art. Yes, paintings in a museum certainly have their place, but the ability of children (and adults) to experience visual art need not be limited to what we can find hanging inside a building.

Enter Art On the Way (AOTW), a nonprofit founded by Ateiler 3-D partners Steve Dubov, Heather Tolleson and Terry Wilemon. The mission of Art On the Way is to transform underutilized spaces in Austin into sites for contemporary sculpture. With two installations which have been completed and another currently on the lawn of GSD&M, AOTW founders envision a drive-through museum in the future, with rotating works of art that the community will select.

Art On the Way hopes to encourage a dialogue around art, answering questions such as: What is the value of public art? What is art, in the first place? Does it enrich your life? Heather Tolleson feels that Austin is a great place for Art On the Way, with our evolving art scene, our outdoor lifestyle and an eclectic community which is open to art of all kinds. As Heather explained to me, AOTW is a “way of getting people who may never walk into museum of their own accord to be confronted with contemporary art and to have that discussion…we want that discussion to come to all classes of people.”

Heather Tolleson is the artist behind Art On the Way’s current project, Spiral Plexus. Spiral Plexus is composed of 2,000 acrylic windspinners and thousands of hooks, springs and swivels, all connected to steel armature, but in a constant state of motion. Originally, four colors of spinners graced the sculpture, but now the colors have mostly faded in the Texas sun, making the mirroring quality of the piece more brilliant. Over 30 volunteers helped put the piece together, including a seven-year-old who provided Heather with a children’s perspective on how to distribute color among the spinners.

Heather made Spiral Plexus with children and families in mind. She wanted the piece to be interactive, eye-catching, fun and whimsical. Heather loves to watch children visit the piece and see them blow and tap on it. Heather specializes in large-scale mixed media installations and freepour bronze sculptures, so this project challenged Heather to experiment with different materials and to create a piece that is practical for a public space.

Although Spiral Plexus will be on display on the lawn at GSD&M until June 9th, Heather is looking for a permanent home for the sculpture at a facility that serves children. When she was a child, Heather spent lots of time in hospitals with a chronic illness. The visual art in the facilities where she spent time as a child really stood out against the sometimes bleak and colorless spaces.

I loved to watch my son approach Spiral Plexus, in a sense becoming a part of it and this larger conversation about art and people and how they can engage each other.

Spiral Plexus
Artist:  Heather Tolleson
Location:  GSD&M, 828 West 6th Street; Austin, TX 78703
Date:  March 11-June 9, 2012

Atelier 3-D
A Sculptor’s Studio, offering classes for adults and teens and open studio
701 Tillery St., Studio A-12; Austin, TX 78702

Art On the Way
Website
Facebook page

Written by: Nicole Basham

First photo courtesy of Art On the Way

I’m referring not to how I or any other mother actually thinks, but to that other reality that the media, for example, TIME Magazine, gins up for us. In that world, mothers gird for battle each day, ready to take out the next woman who dares any birthing, feeding, sleeping, transporting, or peek-a-booing method other than our own.

In case you missed it, the cover article with the obnoxious headline “Are You Mom Enough?” is about attachment parenting, and it has an image even many who practice attachment parenting found offensive. Rather than wade into the controversy over the photo, I’m stuck on that five-syllable question in bold font.

Like a lot of moms, I’ve got a passion for some of the parenting choices I’ve made, and I’ve got insecurities about others (including some of the things circumstance forced on me, like non-exclusive breastfeeding for my baby in her first weeks). I get no thrills from the imaginary mommy wars or this notion of parenting vs. “extreme parenting.” It’s all parenting. It’s all hard work. It’s people doing the best they know how for their family and working to bring up children to someday be healthy, thriving grown-ups. Heck yeah, that’s enough.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t serious questions to be asked, though. As blogger Genevieve Colvin recently put it, the right questions for TIME would be:

-       How can we ensure our children are educated?

-       How can we get health care?

-       When will we expand lactation accommodation rights for all working women?

-       Are we providing Moms with real food to feed their children?

-       Are we supporting families in the workplace to parent their children?

If we changed the original question, threw it back at the powerful people like the ones behind that TIME cover, so it was no longer about any one mom, but about all of us, we might ask: “Are we moms enough?” Meaning: Are we a strong enough force together to move our media and politics past all this divisive crud? Can we support each other and put the focus where it belongs—on what’s good for children and families? Can we demonstrate this is our #1 priority? Will we use our best mama instincts, not just at home with our kids, but in the voting booths, on the message boards, as consumers, and everywhere else that counts for our kids?

If the answer to that is yes, then there really would be no stopping us.

Did the TIME cover push your buttons? Do you think it was a step forward or back for breastfeeding moms? Let us know in the comments.

A child helps mom with her protest sign

Written by: Christine Sinatra

We had so much fun putting together our article last year on prominent Austin fathers that we decided to do the same thing this year for Mother’s Day. Thanks so much to all of these amazing women for sharing a bit with us about what Mother’s Day means to them.

Staci Gray is a children’s performer who sings about worms, dinosaurs, bubbles and everything in between. Staci is mom to Rand, 4, Finn, 2 and another baby, which is scheduled to arrive in July. Photo courtesy of Heavenly Peach Photography.

What do you like most about raising kids in Austin?
There’s so many great things Austin has to offer!  Amazing parks, splash pads, family-friendly restaurants, museums, live music and family events that happen all the time!  We also love our preschool, the All Austin Cooperative Nursery School, an amazing, nurturing play-based school!  My favorite thing about raising kids in Austin, though, is being surrounded by like-minded parents who support and commend our lifestyle (attachment parenting, cloth diapering, extended breast feeding, and being a vegetarian family) instead of treat us like we’re nuts!

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new mothers?
Being a mother can be hard. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, find someone to watch you kid(s) for a little bit (even just an hour or two) and take a break for yourself. You and children will benefit from it!

What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
A massage or 2 or 3!  :-)

Terri Gruca is the 5, 6 and 10pm news anchor for KVUE, contributing consumer, investigative and inspirational breast cancer stories for the station, a Smart Money blogger and mom to one year old Gregory.

What do you like most about raising kids in Austin?
Austin is a terrific place to raise a family because of all the family friendly events that happen all year, the terrific schools and the ability to spend so much time outside.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new mothers?
I still consider myself a new mother, so I’ll share some advice others have given me. Enjoy every minute! Don’t worry if there are dirty dishes in the sink, laundry in the laundry room, toys on the floor. Your child will never remember those things – only the time you spend with him or her. Laugh often and take as many pictures and videos as you can to document even the smallest things.

What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
I have everything I could ever want for Mother’s Day – a wonderful husband and a healthy, happy baby. My husband and I tried for 8 years to have a baby, so our son truly is a miracle and we couldn’t be happier! So just time with my boys!

Cookie Ruiz is Ballet Austin’s Executive Director, a Certified Fundraising Executive, speaker, nonprofit and community leader and mom to J.R. and Boo.

What do you like best about raising kids in Austin?
Having called 17 cities “home” before moving to Austin, Austin is the first place I chose to as my permanent home. (The other locations were selected for me by the US Air Force). Of Austin’s many attributes for families, our wonderful year-round weather is at the top of my list, making our parks, trails and sidewalks a wonderful playground. Austin offers families many affordable opportunities for our children, from sports and outdoor activities to a wide range of wonderful arts and creative offerings. This is also a community with open minds and open hearts.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new mothers?
Be kind to your children… and remember that for the majority of their lives they will be adults deciding the role you will play in their lives. Every minute I spend with my adult daughters is a gift from the investment in their childhood.

What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
For the past 16 years I have spent my Mother’s Day with families across Austin that honor Ballet Austin by bringing the special women in their lives to our annual Mother’s Day weekend performances. My Mother’s Day will start with my precious girls coming over to log my daily 5 miles before a great brunch, and then it is off to the theater to enjoy the experience of creating a special day and special memories for our audience. Seeing two and three generations of family gathered together reminds me that I have the best job in the world.

Toni Tipton-Martin is a culinary journalist working to find a seat for our unsung heroes of the kitchen at the long table of Southern culinary history. Toni is also mom to three sons, ages 30, 18 and 16 and one 29-year-old daughter.

What do you like most about raising kids in Austin?
We are outdoorsy people who naturally thrive by the water, and Austin has so many places where we can be together. Our first year here, we started a tradition of discovering Austin’s hike and bike trails, nearby lakes and neighborhood ponds. Anyplace with water — whether we are boating, jet skiing, or just feeding the ducks.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new mothers?
My advice to new mothers is to take the time to develop real relationships with your kids and to create traditions that will last into adulthood, because they grow up fast and before you know it they are gone. As a food writer, I unknowingly created lasting family memories that my adult kids still look forward to. They involve being together in the kitchen. For example, on Thanksgiving, the women cook the main parts of the meal and the kids set the table, while the men gather around the fryer to cook the turkey. Starting on Christmas vacation, we began making cookies and caramel corn together to give as gifts, then on Christmas Eve we put together a homemade gingerbread house following a recipe I learned from a chef in Cleveland.

What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
For Mother’s Day, I really, really want my family to be healthy and happy so I can concentrate on finishing my book!

Monica Maldonado Williams is founding editor of GivingCity Austin, a magazine about local philanthropy and the communications director for the Austin Community Foundation. Monica is also mom to Sam, 7 and Olivia, 4.

What do you like most about raising kids in Austin?
Austin offers lots of ways for kids to learn and have great experiences outside of school, from sports to music, the arts, great parks and a strong intellectual community that supports moms who are ambitious for their children.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new mothers?
Believe in the dream you have for your family. You’ll hear lots of advice and get lots of distractions, but if your dream is to have healthy, high-achieving kids who enjoy eating together as a family every night and love to read… or whatever… stay focused on that and don’t succumb to pressure to fit in. Your kids might not appreciate it now, but they’ll love you for it when they’re adults

What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
A little time to myself in the morning, a lot of time with my kids in the day, and all night with my husband.

Sydney Yeager is a painter, art educator, mom to grown daughters Ellen and Kay and grandmother to Charlie, 5, Collins, 1, Lucy, 4 and Sam, 1.

What do you like most about raising kids in Austin?
I loved bring up children in Austin, because of the multitude of summer activities which are free and fun, like the swim team programs, the Nature & Science Center, the lovely shady parks and nearby lakes. All are there for the taking, unlike many cities, where you have to look high and low to find activities for children in the summer.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new mothers?
Of course, everyone knows that it’s important to slow down and enjoy children when they are little..it does go by quickly.  I’m hard pressed to come up with anything more sage than that. A cliché, it’s true, but it really is so hard to live by that rule.  Especially today.

What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
I get what I like almost every weekend, which is spending time with my adorable children, who live here in Austin. So more of the same is what I want!!!

What would be your answers to these questions?

Written by: Nicole Basham

Metz Movies Under the Stars – Bring a blanket or chairs and head to Metz Recreation Center for some family entertainment.  Get FREE popcorn and drinks, then settle in to watch An American Tale. Friday, 7:30pm.  2407 Canterbury Street, Austin.

Central Market North Lamar – Live music, and dancing, oh my!  This is a great spot for parents to enjoy music while letting their kids burn some energy on the playground.  There are also ducks to feed in the nearby pond.  Here is the lineup of FREE entertainment:

• Friday, May 11, 6:30 – 9:00pm  Lex Land and her band play a mixture of French cabaret jazz and Parisian pop.
• Saturday, May 12, 6:30- 7:30pm Artistic Director Michael Lee, one of the last and most advanced students of the French master Marcel Marceau, appears with his new Austin-based ensemble. “The caliber of my own company,” says Marcel Marceau. “Pure comic genius,” says The Ann Arbor News.
• Saturday, May 12, 8:00- 9:30pm Continental Graffiti performs an intimate concert inspired by the swinging hot jazz sounds of 1930s Paris.
• Sunday, May136, 9:30am-2:30pm- Treat Mom to a Central Market brunch and live music by Danielle Riech Quartet.

Discovery Lab Grand Opening- Join The Austin Public Library, the APL Friends Foundation and Dell employees for the grand opening of the Discovery Lab, a place for teens to discover new computer technology and the fascinations of science, at the Willie Mae Kirk Branch (formerly the Oak Springs Branch,) 3101 Oak Springs Dr., on Saturday, May 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. This fun-filled celebration will include youth activities, prizes, and remarks by Nobel Laureate Professor Steven Weinberg, who will share what originally made him interested in science. Expect to see lots of people in bright T-shirts! Young people who have been participating in Dell Discovery Lab activities will be honored and there will be food and fun for everyone. The Discovery Lab is made possible through a Dell Powering the Possible Learning Grant. The grand opening and the Discovery Lab itself are FREE and open to the public.

Storytime- A weekend storytime for families with kids of all ages. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Drive.

Second Saturday for Families: Multi-Color Maps-Get your creativity flowing in the Solarium of the Driscoll Villa as we create colorful maps inspired by the art on view in the galleries at Laguna Gloria. And Literature Live! is back with a special performance of Mother Goose on the Loose at 1pm! Admission: $10 per family, $5 for member families. Saturday, 11:00- 3:00pm. Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria.

Family Storytime- (All ages) lasts about 30 minutes. It has 3 stories, familiar songs, fingerplays and a craft. FREE!! Saturday, 10:00am. Cedar Park Public Library, 600 N. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park.

Food-Free Family Storytime-The Round Rock Public Library presents Food-Free Family Storytime, a reading activity that welcomes families with children of all ages to a fun environment that’s safe for individuals affected by food allergies.This interactive program includes a variety of activities such as books, fingerplays, music, movies, and puppets. FREE!! Saturday, 10:30- 11:00am. The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.

Hey Lollies Puppet Saturday- It’s a puppet show in the beautiful Spider House Ball Room. This first week we are performing the show Iris Saves the Land of Black and White.  We visit the land of Black and White where the king has banned all color because of a horrible coloring accident he had as a child.  Will Iris and the kids be able to bring color back to the land??!!!  Come to the show and find out.  There’s a song for every color in the rainbow. Cost: $2 per person. Saturday, 10:30am. 29th Street Ballroom at Spiderhouse, 501 West 29th Street.

Hands-On History: May Flowers-Learn about famous Mothers in Williamson County. Make a special flower bouquet for your own Mother. FREE!! All ages. Saturday, 10:00am- 2:00pm. The Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave. Georgetown.

Hill Country Galleria Saturday Night Concert Series- Listen to FREE live music by the Lake Travis High School Jazz Band. Saturday, 7:00- 9:00pm. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd.

Theatre Action Project’s Youth Arts Festival- This year’s festival will feature work by more than 100 students from 12 middle schools in 4 school districts from the Austin area. Festival hosts and keynote performers will be from the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble (CLYTE). CLYTE is done in partnership with Theatre Action Project and SafePlace. This year’s festival line up represents a broad spectrum of creativity from the region’s youth, from a movie about vampires, a digital story inspired by a classic opera, a mural created to inspire a school community, to a play about the voices that try to control our choices. In addition, TAP will be presenting its inaugural Shining Light Awards to school and community partners. FREE!! will be held on Saturday, May 12th  from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Boyd Vance Theatre at the George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina Street.

Sideways Stories From Wayside School- When Wayside School was built, there was a terrible mistake made—single classrooms were piled on top of another, thirty stories high! (The builder said he was sorry.) Maybe that’s why all kinds of funny things happened at Wayside. Sideways Stories from Wayside School is a hilarious tale of Mrs. Jewels’ class on the 30th floor where things are pretty wacky: students are turned to apples for getting wrong answers, the new student turns out to be a dead rat and there is a loose cow in the building! Performed by students of ZACH’s Performing Arts School Pre-Professional program. Tickets $10 adult, $8 child. Saturday, 12:30 and 3:30pm. ZACH Scott Theatre, 1510 Toomey Road.

Austin Mini Maker Faire-The Faire will showcase the maker culture, from arts and crafts to science and engineering projects and everything in between. Some of the planned activities include:the Austin Children’s Museum will be presenting a woodcrafting activity where kids will get to use a real power drill, the Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin will have a giant loom that kids can use, Amateur Radio will be teaching kids about morse code, First Robotics teams will be having robot battles, and the real R2-D2 will even be there for kids to meet and interact with. over 60 booths will be set up on a show-and-tell format, so that attendees of all ages can learn from the makers and help inspire conversations and learning. Tickets: $10 per child, $15 per adult. Saturday, 10:00am- 6:00pm Hope Farmers’ Market at the Pine Street Station.

Saturday Morning Storytime- Many of the Barnes and Noble locations offer a FREE storytime for children on Saturday mornings at 11:00am. Click here to check for participating locations.

A.I.S.D. 100 Years of Libraries Celebration- There will be a festival of Austin’s most talented storytellers and authors including Angela Medearis, Carl Anderson, Bernadetter Nason, Karen Hodges and more.  For primary age groups, look for Brian Anderson, Chris Barton, Liz Scanlon and Jeff Crosby.  Middle and upper grades will enjoy Greg and Cynthia Leitich Smith, a panel discussion with Jenny Ziegler with the Delacorte Dames, as well as K. A. Holt with the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels.  That’s just the beginning. BookPeople will have books for sale, and kids will be able to make bookmarks and paper bag puppets. FREE!! Celebrate 100 years of AISD School Libraries, Saturday, 2:00-6:00pm.  Reagan High School,  7104 Berkman Drive.

Peter Pan-The Texas School for the Deaf presents Peter Pan as its Spring Student Drama Performance. Tickets are $7 for Adults and $5 for kids 6 and up. Children under 5 get in free.Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm.The performance will be at the R.L. David Auditorium at the Texas School for the Deaf on South Congress, Austin.

Super Cinderella- Bring the entire family for a FREE show presented by the Violet Crown Theatre! Super Cinderella is a half-hour theatrical adaptation of the popular children’s story, where Cinderella has a superpower! Saturday, 12:30pm. Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd.

Lowe’s Build and Grow: Picture Frame Planter- Spring has sprung! Your child will love building the Picture Frame Planter and personalizing it with photos. Plant something together! FREE!! Kids will also get a free apron, goggle, patch and more! Saturday, 10:00am. Must pre-register. Only at participating Lowe’s locations.

Craft Time for Kids:Handprint Keepsake- This is hands down the sweetest Mother’s Day gift ever made by kids. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am- 3:00pm. Lakeshore Learning Center, 9828 Great Hills Trail.

Storytime at Mitchie’s- Enjoy a FREE storytime and language featuring African-American folktales from 1:00-2:00pm every Saturday. Kids receive free refreshments, a free book and a 30% discount! Mitchie’s Gallery, 7801 N. Lamar Blvd., Bldg. B, Suite 148.

Everyone Reads: Dewey Kickoff- Learn to make special treats and toys for your pet. This free family program marks the beginning of our final book series for Everyone Reads Wells Branch. Through July, all ages are invited to read a book about Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat That Touched the World. FREE!! Saturday, 4:00- 5:00pm. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Drive.

PATTERN NATION: WAVES-PATTERN NATION: WAVES explores the colorful world of waves and is intended to support important pre-literacy skills needed for learning success among pre-school children. Though appropriate for elementary school children of all ages, PATTERN NATION: WAVES will be most enjoyed by students in pre-K, Kinder, and grades 1 & 2. Saturday, 11:00 a.m., 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (followed by a “PAY WHAT YOU LIKE” party  where you get to mix and mingle with the performers! Tickets: Tickets to public performances are $7.25 for children under 12, $8.25 for students ages 12-18, seniors, & Austin Creative Alliance members, $9.25 for adults. Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside Drive.

The Center for Texas Music History FREE Concert Series: Women in Texas Music Night- Celebrating the tremendous diversity of live music found throughout Texas! The shows are FREE and open to the public. Presented by the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Austin Federation of Musicians and held in conjunction with the special exhibition, Texas Music Roadtrip, this live music series features different themes or genres each week, from cajun and zydeco to jazz and swing. Explore the dynamic musical traditions unique in Texas’s history and culture each Sunday night on the Museum’s Lone Star Plaza… then explore them in depth inside the Museum, where admission to the exhibits will be also be free. Sunday, 6:00- 9:00pm. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress.

Whole Foods Kid’s Club- Make Mom a special gift on her special day. FREE!! Sunday, Noon- 2:00pm. Whole Foods, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

The Flying Theatre Machine: Scavenger Hunt-It’s time put on your adventure hats and come with us on a scavenger hunt! In the Hideout Theatre’s new improv show, Scavenger Hunt, we will go on a wild scavenger hunt together to find magical objects. Guided by hidden clues and exciting games, you will help them decide where to go and what they find. They might find a message in a bottle or a buried map that will take them across a desert safari to find imaginary objects like a box of gold or a magic carpet! Our hero will go where ever your imagination takes us: to an island, or even the moon! What other clues and objects will our hero find? Help us discover this in our kid-friendly, audience interactive show on Sundays in May and June at 2 pm at The Hideout Theatre! Tickets: $8. The Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Ave.

Sunday Storyime- Enjoy an all-ages, FREE storytime on Sunday at 1:00pm at Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street.

Austin Symphonic Band’s Mother’s Day at the Capitol- What better way to close out a great day with Mom than by taking her to a free concert at the Texas State Capitol in her honor? The band will perform well-known tunes, including marches and musical numbers, that you and your Mom are sure to enjoy! Get there early to select the best seating .. this concert gets more popular every year. FREE!! Sunday, 7:00- 8:00pm. The Texas State Capitol South Steps, 1100 Congress Ave.

Sunday Morning Kids Show- Enjoy a live performance by Austin’s own, Staci Gray! FREE!! Sunday, 10:30am.  Ruta Maya, 3601 South Congress Avenue.

Mother’s Day at The Umlauf- Mothers enjoy FREE admission with activities, performances and garden beauty. Sunday, 1:30- 4:30pm. Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, 605 Robert E. Lee.

A typical day for Rich Garza is, well, typical. He gets up, helps get the kids off to school, goes to work, makes time in the evening for family and puts the kids to bed.

But Rich isn’t exactly typical. He and his wife Elaine are entrepreneurs who also work together at Giant Noise, a full-service public relations and event marketing agency. He says that the business relationship has worked for them both. They’ve been fortunate to be able to “divide and concur” the work that needs to be done both at home and in business. Rich has been able to coach his kids’ soccer teams and be an active part of the family.

So after working in and around events with a fee for service model, Rich decided to produce his own event. He and musician, Alex Vallejo formed the Panchanga Latino Music Festival to fill a niche that hadn’t been touched previously. Five years later, it’s still growing strong with approximately 5,000 attendees expected this year.

“My wife and I have four and six year old girls and Alex has kids now too. We wanted to program a festival that we would want to go to,” says Rich.

He explains that Pachanga Fest is really three different festivals happening simultaneously when you include Niños Rock Pachanga, the kids section at the event which offers families music workshops and demos as well as kids activities such as clay tamale making, mexican folk art and crafts and a cupcake walk. “It’s two parks with four stages. There’s a lot going on,” says Rich.

People come from all over the world to attend Pachanga Fest and Rich says that programming the festival to address the diversity within the Latin market is the hardest part of producing the event. However, he’s found a way to make it work. “Friday and Saturday are two very different days,” says Rich. With the superstar Puerto Rican act, Calle 13 on Friday and the more accessible, kid-friendly programming on Saturday, Pachanga Fest makes for an entertaining weekend providing Austin with diversity and originality while allowing families to participate together. “Lots of people bring their kids. We find that many bring the kids during the day, take them home to the sitter and come back later that night. People really enjoy it,” says Rich.

Pachanga Fest is at Fiesta Gardens this Friday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Niños Rock Pachanga is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. General admission tickets are $55 per person for both days. $38 for Friday night only and $20 for Saturday only tickets. Kids under 12 get in free. For more information visit http://pachangafest.com.

GIVEAWAY: Would you like to win two VIP tickets to Pachanga Fest? The VIP tickets (valued at $55 each) will include samplings from Austin restaurants including Papi Tino’s, Takoba, El Sol y La Luna, Handshakes and paletas by Mom & Pops. VIP’s will also enjoy a queso station featuring Frank, Vivo and Kerbey Lane that is curated by the Transmission Event’s Quesoff crew. VIPs will also enjoy being able to take a break in air conditioning, indoor restrooms, limited complimentary alcoholic beverages, and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. The tickets are valid for Saturday only.

Details: The deadline to enter is Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 3:00pm CST. The winner will be announced here and contacted via email with 24 hours to respond to claim the tickets. Only one entry per household, please. The tickets hold no cash value. There is no purchase necessary.

What do you have to do to win? Fill out the form below. By filling out the form, you agree to the above terms of the giveaway.

About the author: Trish Morrison is the Founder of MomCom Austin, an event for working and entrepreneurial moms. She writes sometimes too. You can find her at momcomaustin.com, mamaontheverge.com and on Twitter at @MomComAustin. She is blessed with a patient and kind husband and a tenacious, brilliant daughter, who sometimes drives her crazy.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered and congrats to the winner, Izadora!

She emailed, asking for another take on the advice her son’s doctor gave. Here’s what he said she and her husband should do to help their sick child get well again: “terminate our parental rights and let Child Protective Services care for our son.”

Cyndi and her husband weren’t abusive; they weren’t neglectful in any way. They just had a child who was 13 years old and suffered from the kind of sickness doctors don’t have to treat if their parents can’t pay. Their son has a mental illness. Cyndi and her husband had emptied their 401Ks already paying for their boy’s treatment. What their son needed—intense daily monitoring and therapy—few insurance policies cover. The doctor was saying the only way to promise their child that kind of treatment was to make him, essentially, an orphan. As the state’s ward, he would be guaranteed some help.

“How can a child get better after being told that his forever parents can’t be his forever parents anymore because he’s too expensive?” Cyndi asked in her email. “How does that make sense? I think it is a sad day in America where parents are told that to get help for their sick children, they must stop being their parents.”

This, believe it or not, is a trend, one I knew nothing about before working at Texans Care for Children. Our organization is about helping all kids, including ones with mental illness, ones in foster care, ones in juvenile lock-ups. You’d be surprised how often those are the same kids. As families run out of options, it’s common for them to hear: “Either put your mentally ill child behind bars, or give up your rights as a parent.” Only when that child’s the state’s responsibility will she have a legal right to mental health care.

As I post this, some lawmakers at the Texas Capitol are holding a hearing on the state of mental health services in Texas. It’s National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. And it’s also the day when Josette Saxton, a LiveMom regular, is releasing a Check-Up on Children’s Mental Health. The paper rates how Texas and its communities are doing when it comes to helping the 1 in 5 kids with a mental health concern, and 1 in 20 with a serious mental illness. It’s a good way to test your awareness of children’s mental health issues, too. (By the way, it isn’t all doom and gloom: the good news is Austin offers a real bright spot for families, with some innovative programs that other Texas cities want to replicate.)

Because it’s almost Mothers’ Day, today seems as good a time as any to make a wish that no mother will have to face the so-called “choice” that Cyndi did. (To stand with her, and families just like hers, in demanding better, please get on our email list.) The family is still searching for answers, but for the time being their boy is safe and receiving treatment . . . and he’s still their son.

Do you know of families who have struggled to find care for a mentally ill child? Are there things you’d like to see schools or doctors do better when it comes to children’s mental health? Let us know in the comments.

Written by: Christine Sinatra

Earth Day has come and gone, and along with it, our focused attention on what families can do to leave the planet a better place. Luckily, we live in a city where we value the outdoors, animals and nature, so being good environmental stewards becomes somewhat ingrained in our lifestyles.

Sometimes, we recognize we might love our city…too much. One of the downsides of Austin’s rapid growth is reduced air quality. Unlike larger cities in Texas, however, Austin has yet to exceed federal air quality standards set forth in the Clean Air Act. Since our metro area is precariously close to having pollutant levels that are too high, Austin is part of a handful of cities across the state which has developed strategies to help improve air quality.

According to the EPA, heavy-duty trucks and buses account for about one-third of nitrogen oxides emissions and one-quarter of particle pollution emissions from transportation sources. So, the City of Austin is helping to reduce air pollution by replacing standard trash trucks with more Earth-friendly alternatives. The City recently added four Autocar E3 refuse vehicles to their fleet. These trucks feature Parker Hannifin’s RunWise® Advanced Series Hybrid Drive System, which is on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Clean Diesel Campaign’s Emerging Technologies List.

The four hybrid trash trucks will not only save the City (and taxpayers!) money in terms of maintenance costs, but will reduce carbon emissions by up to 55 tons each, a total of 220 tons, in one year – the equivalent of removing a total of nearly 40 mid-size cars from the road, or planting as many as 5,200 trees and letting them grow for 10 years, according to Tom DeCoster, business development manager for Parker’s Hybrid Drives Division.

“We are excited about the addition of these trucks to our fleet and look forward to the expected efficiencies,” said Bob Gedert, director of Austin Resource Recovery. “The City of Austin is constantly looking to introduce innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint in an effort to protect the environment and make Austin the most livable city in the country.”

As the proud owner of a hybrid, I’m happy to hear that the “little things” my family can do, combined with the larger efforts of business and government, can give us all little breathing room as our fair city grows.

The price of gas is going up, up, up, so we’re excited that Parker Hannifin is offering one of our readers a Going Green Prize Package which includes a gas gift card.

Giveaway Details: Parker Hannifin is giving away a Going Green Prize Package to one lucky LiveMom reader! The prize package contains a $50 gas gift card, a reusable grocery bag, an environmental puzzle and a jar of fresh, clean air (the total prize package is valued at $60). The deadline to enter is Monday, May 14, 2012 at 9:00am CST. The winner will be announced here and contacted via email on Monday, May 14, 2012 with 24 hours to respond to claim the certificate. Only one entry per household, please. The gift card holds no cash value. There is no purchase necessary.

What do you have to do to win? Fill out the form below and share with us how your family is going green — whether it’s something small, like making sure to turn off lights when you leave the house, or something bigger, like buying an electric car! It’s that easy. By filling out the form, you agree to the above terms of the giveaway.

Disclaimer: Parker Hannifin has provided LiveMom with a prize package as well.

Written by: Nicole Basham

As moms, we are charged with nourishing the kids who come from us or to us. Whether it’s providing sustenance from our own bodies in the beginning of our child’s life or making sure the teenager in the house has at least one large pizza all to himself to feel fully sated, it’s a big responsibility. A single woman can get away with skipping meals, but, with a family, the next meal is always on the mind. Feeding all of these little mouths can sometimes be overwhelming on a daily basis.

What better gift could we give to you on Mother’s Day than a gift certificate that delivers food to your door from Austin-area restaurants? You can take a night off from slaving away in the kitchen (hey, sometimes reheating leftovers can be exhausting) and let Eat Out In deliver the nourishment for you.

Here’s the scoop: Eat Out In is a local food delivery service in the Austin area. They’ve been delivering food from local restaurants since 1986! It’s a brilliant idea for moms to use since many times we may feel like going out to eat but it’s so much easier if the restaurant could come to us so that we don’t have to load up the kids, put on a stain-free shirt, shower… sheesh, that all sounds very exhausting.

The service is easy to use: Create an account or login if you already have one, place an order either online or via the phone- the menus and restaurants in your delivery area are all online, open the door and greet the delivery person with a big smile on your face when they arrive because you have the night off! Well, at least a night off in the kitchen.

There are a wide variety of restaurants available to choose from, depending on what part of town you live in: Mother’s Cafe and Garden, County Line Bar-B-Q, Hyde Park Bar and Grill, and Hula Hut are just a few examples. You can enter your zip code here to find out what is available for your area. While they do deliver to a large part of the area, there are some outlying suburbs that are excluded. What do you think? Would you like a night off from cooking?

The gift certificates also come in handy if you are fed up with making lunches to bring to work. Just call or order online and lunch is taken care of!

Giveaway Details: Eat Out In is giving away four $25 gift certificates to four LiveMom readers! The deadline to enter is Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9:00am CST. The winners will be announced here and contacted via email on Friday, May 11, 2012 with 24 hours to respond to claim the certificate. Only one entry per household, please. Gift certificates hold no cash value.There is no purchase necessary.

What do you have to do to win? Fill out the form below! It’s that easy. By filling out the form, you agree to the above terms of the giveaway.

Disclaimer: Eat Out In has provided LiveMom with a gift certificate as well.

This giveaway is now closed.

Pop-A-Lock Austin provides free, 24/7 locksmith services if a child is locked inside. Accidental lock-ins can quickly turn life-threatening in Texas, especially in the summer. According to the organization Kids and Cars, an average of 37 kids die each year from being accidentally locked in the car.

As a local locksmith, Pop-A-Lock provides free door unlocks as a community service to keep families safe. It’s a completely free service, and it’s easy to use. We work with Austin fire departments, so parents can simply call 911. To get even faster service, parents can call our direct number at 512-420-0919 .

For more information about their  free emergency door unlock program, check out their website:  www.popalockaustin.com . Pop-A-Lock has rescued thousands of babies, toddlers, and older kids and seniors who couldn’t get out on their own.

Spring Concert in the Park: Radiostar- Who sang “She Blinded me with Science”, “Summer of 69″ and “Jessie’s Girl”? If you know these answers, dust off your Rubik’s cube, pull on your parachute pants and start crimping your hair because we’re about to go back in time. The City of Cedar Park is bringing the 1980s back in 2012 for a special concert in the park. Bring lawn chairs, pack a picnic (or purchase food from the concessions) and dress up in your favorite 80′s outfit for a chance to win the costume contest. FREE!! Friday, 7:00- 10:00pm. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd.

Friday Night Storytime- Big bugs, small bugs, creep bugs, crawl bugs and more can be found in Bugs Galore by Peter Stein and Bob Staake. FREE!! Friday, 7:30pm. Barnes and Noble, La Frontera Village, 2701 Parker Road Bldg A Suite 700, Round Rock.

Central Market North Lamar – Live music, and dancing, oh my!  This is a great spot for parents to enjoy music while letting their kids burn some energy on the playground.  There are also ducks to feed in the nearby pond.  Here is the lineup of FREE entertainment:

• Friday, May 4, 6:30 – 9:00pm  The Marshall Ford Swing Band is a rotating lineup of young musicians from the Hill Country in Texas who combine traditional western swing with be-bop jazz and Texas blues. Drawing inspiration from artists as diverse as Nat King Cole, Bob Wills, T-Bone Walker, Django Reinhardt, and Johnny Gimble, the band plays music that can swing a dance floor into a full-tilt boogie.
• Saturday, May 5, 6:30- 9:00pm Cinco de Mayo Celebration: Ritmo 3- Ritmo 3 was born in the spring 2005 on the patios of house parties in Austin. Four young men originally from Mexico began the project by arranging musical compositions of traditional son montunos, boleros, Colombian, Spanish, and Mexican cumbia into a hot salutary electrify mix that you can’t stop dancing to.
• Sunday, May 6, 11:00am-8:00pm- A.I.S.D. Jazz & Pops Concert- 11 am: Austin High Stage Band; 11:45 am: Austin High Jazz Ensemble; 12:30 pm: High School New Orleans Funk Band; 1:15 pm: Lanier High School Viking Jazz Band; 2 pm: James Bowie High School Jazz Band II; 2:45 pm: James Bowie High School Jazz Band I; 3:30 pm: Lamar Middle School Jazz Factor; 4:15 pm: McCallum High School; 5 pm: Anderson High School; 5:45 pm: LBJ LASA Jazz Ensemble; 7:15 pm: AISD All City High School Jazz Band.

Family Nature Quest- Come to the park for a fun family hike as a naturalist guides you along one of our many beautiful trails. We’ll bring together a unique blend of natural history to describe how water conservation and land stewardship is vital to the animal, plant and human life along its banks. After your hike, visit McKinney Roughs’ interactive exhibits and enjoy a nature craft or borrow a trail pack and take the kids outside to enjoy one of our self-guided nature scavenger hunts together. Bring a picnic lunch, and make it a nature day! Hike is limited to the first 20 participants and is designed to include families with children of all ages. Clubs or groups should schedule a private hike. FREE!! Saturday, 10:00am- 1:00pm. McKinney Roughs Nature Park.

Writer’s Block Storytime- Writers are some of our favorite people in the world because they give us the wonderful gift of stories. But sometimes we forget how hard the writing process can really be. That’s why we’re going to honor our creative heroes today and read The Obstinate Pen and other funny tales of the trials and tribulations of literary life. FREE!! Saturday, 11:30. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.

Clifford’s Puppy Days Storytime- Come and meet Clifford the Big Red Dog in person! FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am. Barnes and Noble, Lakeline Crossing, 14010 US Hwy. 183.

TEXplorations and First Saturdays-Enjoy FREE admission to the exhibits from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Visitors can also take advantage of the monthly thematic TEXplorations Family Story Time from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress.

Bike-In Book Swap- Kick off Bike Month with FREE bike tune-ups, courtesy of Bicycle Sports Shop, bicycle maintenance classes courtesy of The Yellow Bike Project (with free patch kits and tire levers for everyone who attends), a pannier-making class, bicycle registration with APD, a Kid’s Kup Bike Rodeo put on by Bike Texas, free City of Austin Bike Route Maps from the Public Works Department of the COA, all kinds of bike themed crafts ranging from sewing projects for adults to bicycle pennants for the kids and custom, handmade reflectors for all ages, a Flatland BMX demo put on by the pros from OG Flatland Stunt Team, and of course, our City’s famous “take a book, leave a book” style book swap. Bring the kids, bring your books, ride your bike and have some fun! Saturday, Noon- 3:00pm. Crafts: Noon-2:30, Kids Kup 12:30-2 p.m., OG Flatland Stunt Team BMX Demo 2:30-3 p.m. Twin Oaks Public Library, 1800 S. Fifth Street.

Storytime- A weekend storytime for families with kids of all ages. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Drive.

Sensory Friendly Film: Pirates! Band of Misfits- AMC Theatres (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program. In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned. Tickets: $4-6. Saturday, 10:00am. AMC Barton Creek 14, 2901 Cap. Tx. Hwy.

Home Depot Kids Workshop- FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement. This month, kids will build a planter box. Saturday, 9:00am- Noon. All participating Home Depot locations.

Cinco de Mayo Block Party- The 4th Annual Cinco de Mayo Downtown Block Party kicks off this year on Saturday, May 5th from 4-10pm on 2nd Street between Guadalupe and San Antonio. Parking available in all downtown garages. Valet on 3rd Street. Entry is FREE!! Sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Dos Equis & Tecate and featuring musical performances by:Deejay Honeycomb, Este Vato, Mariachi Tamazula, La Guerrilla, Bombasta, Ocote Soul Sounds (DJ Set), Charanga Cakewalk.

Family Storytime- (All ages) lasts about 30 minutes. It has 3 stories, familiar songs, fingerplays and a craft. FREE!! Saturday, 10:00am. Cedar Park Public Library, 600 N. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park.

Sideways Stories From Wayside School- When Wayside School was built, there was a terrible mistake made—single classrooms were piled on top of another, thirty stories high! (The builder said he was sorry.) Maybe that’s why all kinds of funny things happened at Wayside. Sideways Stories from Wayside School is a hilarious tale of Mrs. Jewels’ class on the 30th floor where things are pretty wacky: students are turned to apples for getting wrong answers, the new student turns out to be a dead rat and there is a loose cow in the building! Performed by students of ZACH’s Performing Arts School Pre-Professional program. Tickets $10 adult, $8 child. Saturday, 12:30 and 3:30pm. ZACH Scott Theatre, 1510 Toomey Road

Spring Youth Fishing Tournament-Wells Branch hosts its spring youth fishing tournament for ages 17 and under. Enrollment into the tournament is free for all youth with trophies and prizes being awarded at the end. A rod and reel will be provided for those anglers who would like to borrow one. All state fishing regulations apply. Saturday, 9:00am- Noon. Mills Pond, 15099 Mallard Green Ln.

Family Movie Matinee: Puss in Boots- A story about the events leading up to the sword fighting cat’s meeting with Shrek and his friends. FREE!! Saturday, 2:00pm. Windsor Branch Public Library, 5833 Westminster Dr.

Violet Crown Festival-There’s no better way to enjoy a spring Saturday than by spending it at the Violet Crown Festival. Admission is FREE!! The festival will feature local arts and crafts vendors, family fun, children’s activities, live music, and refreshments.Other offerings include S-L-O-W Bicycle Races (in which the slowest cyclists win), massage therapy, native plant swap, obstacle course, tinker table, spin-art, and more. Parking is limited, so attendees are encouraged to walk or cycle to the festival. Saturday, 11:00am- 6:00pm. Brentwood Park, 6710 Arroyo Seco.

Saturday Morning Storytime- Many of the Barnes and Noble locations offer a FREE storytime for children on Saturday mornings at 11:00am. Click here to check for participating locations.

Storytime at Mitchie’s- Enjoy a FREE storytime and language featuring African-American folktales from 1:00-2:00pm every Saturday. Kids receive free refreshments, a free book and a 30% discount! Mitchie’s Gallery, 7801 N. Lamar Blvd., Bldg. B, Suite 148.

Round Rock Express Meet the Team Event- Meet your favorite players from the Round Rock Express and get their autographs! Spike the Mascot will also be there. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am- 1:00pm. Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Blvd.

Hill Country Galleria Saturday Night Concert Series- Listen to FREE live music by Ted Roddy and the Hit Kickers. Saturday, 7:00- 9:00pm. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd.

Craft Time for Kids: Thank You Bouquet Card- Show your teacher how much you care on National Teacher Day with a thank you card that’s bursting with a beautiful bouquet. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am- 3:00pm. Lakeshore Learning Center, 9828 Great Hills Trail.

34th Annual Pecan Street Festival- A FREE, family event, the Pecan Street Festival is an Austin Tradition. It’s the oldest and largest art festival in Central Texas.Local musicians provide entertainment on three stages, beginning at noon and continuing into the late evening hours, and proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations. Kids can enjoy creating art in the Michael’s Art tent as well as face painting, carnival rides and a petting zoo. Saturday, 11:00am- 10:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am- 8:00pm.Downtown Austin, 6th Street.

Handmade Austin Women 7th Annual Spring Show and Sale- Join us for a family-friendly art event with an eclectic mix of handmade, high end art & craft. Feel the vibes of DJ Lovecat and an eclectic mix by the Hey Lollies as you take in the art by austin finest. Enjoy a beverage from the coffee truck and some tasty treats offered by Cornucopia. FREE admission. Saturday, 11:00am- 6:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am- 4:00pm. 1145 Perry Road.

The Center for Texas Music History FREE Concert Series: Cajun and Zydeco Night- celebrating the tremendous diversity of live music found throughout Texas! The shows are FREE and open to the public. Presented by the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Austin Federation of Musicians and held in conjunction with the special exhibition, Texas Music Roadtrip, this live music series features different themes or genres each week, from cajun and zydeco to jazz and swing. Explore the dynamic musical traditions unique in Texas’s history and culture each Sunday night on the Museum’s Lone Star Plaza… then explore them in depth inside the Museum, where admission to the exhibits will be also be free. Sunday, 6:00- 9:00pm. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress.

Whole Foods Kid’s Club- Ole’! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a hand made sombrero and pinata. FREE!! Sunday, Noon- 2:00pm. Whole Foods, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

Sunday Morning Kids Show: Super Cinderella- Bring the entire family for a FREE show presented by the Violet Crown Theatre! Super Cinderella is a half-hour theatrical adaptation of the popular children’s story, where Cinderella has a superpower! Sunday, 10:30am.  Ruta Maya, 3601 South Congress Avenue.

The Flying Theatre Machine: Scavenger Hunt-It’s time put on your adventure hats and come with us on a scavenger hunt! In the Hideout Theatre’s new improv show, Scavenger Hunt, we will go on a wild scavenger hunt together to find magical objects. Guided by hidden clues and exciting games, you will help them decide where to go and what they find. They might find a message in a bottle or a buried map that will take them across a desert safari to find imaginary objects like a box of gold or a magic carpet! Our hero will go where ever your imagination takes us: to an island, or even the moon! What other clues and objects will our hero find? Help us discover this in our kid-friendly, audience interactive show on Sundays in May and June at 2 pm at The Hideout Theatre! Tickets: $8. The Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Ave.

Sunday Storyime- Enjoy an all-ages, FREE storytime on Sunday at 1:00pm at Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street.

Mother’s Day Craft- Create your own Mother’s Day card! Supplies like paper, glue, glitter, stickers, and more will be provided.  No reservations required!  This craft is FREE and for all ages. Sunday, 1:00-3:00pm. Terra Toys, 2438 West Anderson Lane.

Lemonade Day Austin- Lemonade Day is a nation-wide event that teaches kids the skills they need to be successful in the future. Youth learn to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service, and give back to the community. Lemonade day is the perfect opportunity for a community to show kids they care and train the next generation of entrepreneurs through a FREE, fun, engaging, experiential activity. For a list of locations where you can get lemonade, click here.