There are thousands of stories about homelessness in Austin. Some are easy to see — they can be found on street corners and intersections all around town. Others are harder to find — they come from the family that has to stay with friends and family because they can’t afford the rent, or the mother [...] Read more – ‘Homelessness in Austin’.
In our series on homelessness, we’ve brought you the stories of people whose situations were hard to see. Now, we explore a more visible side of the issue. Shea Grant has been surviving without a home for the past ten years after leaving foster care at 17. Rooted looks into Shea’s life of singing and playing [...] Read more – ‘A look at the visible homeless of Austin’.
Last week, Rooted photographer and reporter Cassandra Adamson brought you the story of Hope, a woman who chose homelessness to save her life. Hope made the hard decision to leave her abusive husband so she could fight drug addiction. This week, Cassandra shows you how Hope’s decision has changed her life and how coming to [...] Read more – ‘One woman’s struggle ends with a new home’.
This week, Rooted photographer Cassandra Adamson brings you Hope’s story. She is part of a group of homeless in Austin that you might never see. When given the choice between death and homelessness, she chose the streets. Read on to find out more, and be sure to come back next week for the next installment [...] Read more – ‘One woman chooses homelessness to save her life’.
In the last three weeks you’ve heard the story of Clarence Jones, a houseless man who came here from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. We started out with the goal of telling the story of homelessness in Austin, and we’ve been digging into it ever since. We can’t ignore the homeless, and you shouldn’t either. [...] Read more – ‘Expanding our coverage of homelessness in Austin’.
In the past few weeks, we’ve told you Clarence Jone’s story. He has been what he calls “houseless” since he was relocated here from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Recently, Clarence was able to move from the streets into a motel that charges a daily rate he can afford. Rooted photographer Peter Gaunt heard the [...] Read more – ‘Part three in a series about homelessness in Austin’.
Last week Rooted told you the story of meeting Clarence Jones and hearing the struggle of living on the streets. Clarence made it out of the hospital after a 24-hour observation, and is now staying in a $30-per-day motel on the north side of Austin with his wife Lisa. This week, Rooted photographer Peter Gaunt [...] Read more – ‘Part two in a series about homelessness in Austin’.
Duncan Jones says he doesn’t think of himself as an artist. But he has spent the last three and a half years growing a business in which he draws what he calls, “punny, simple apparel and products designed for anybody from toddlers up to adults. They’re designed to inspire a love of nature, the natural [...] Read more – ‘Voices of Austin: Duncan Jones’.
Rob and Jenée Ovitt started Once Over Coffee Bar planning to share their love of quality coffee with South Austin. Two years later, they’ve done more than that, reviving the classic coffee bar atmosphere by providing patrons with a place to enjoy good conversation along with specialty coffee and espresso. Becky Rother reported and produced [...] Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Rob and Jenée Ovitt’.
He doesn’t hold a sign begging for money. He’s been married for 13 years. His clothes don’t outwardly appear dirty and his breath doesn’t smell of alcohol. This is Clarence Jones, and he doesn’t seem homeless. But he is. Clarence is a hurricane Katrina survivor now in Austin from New Orleans because FEMA placed him [...] Read more – ‘Part one in a series about homelessness in Austin’.
The Gray family keeps Austin’s landscape unique by creating and renovating architectural ceramics and tile at Clayworks. John, Chris, Stewart and Angelica Fabian (she’s part of the Gray family even though she doesn’t share the same name) make sconces, tiles, murals and more at their east Austin shop. Each person’s skill and artisanship makes up [...] Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: The Gray family’.
The homeless of Austin often go unseen. If you ask, some Austinites will tell you that the faces of this issue can be seen with signs at busy intersections, highway entrance or exit ramps and all around downtown. They’re also the people you might not expect, from the guy sitting in the next seat at [...] Read more – ‘Upcoming series: Homelessness in Austin’.
Sometimes, the voices of Austin are only here temporarily. That’s the case with Kristine Hitt, who came from Plattekill, New York to visit Austin. This week, Kristine tells us the story of coming to Austin with the goal of becoming an Austinite someday. Be sure to come back next week for the next installment of [...] Read more – ‘Voices of Austin: Kristine Hitt’.
We’re doing a year-long series about the people of Austin, and this week we’d like to introduce our visualization for the project. Every week, we’ll add a person to the list and show you how they’re connected. As we add more, the information will become sortable and interactive so you can find the people of [...] Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: The visualization’.
Tuesday Rooted reporter Cassandra Adamson hung out at a bus stop at 11th and Congress. Throughout the day she approached people to see what was going on in their day and why they were waiting for the bus. Some people didn’t have much on their agenda while others had experienced a packed day. Regardless of [...] Read more – ‘Meet the people who use the bus at 11th and Congress’.
This week we have Eduardo Priego from Torreon, Mexico to tell us a story. Eduardo has been in America for a year and a half now, and his story shows how big life changes come about. Whether you’ve been here in Austin for a day or 80 years, you’ll get something from Eduardo’s story. Thanks [...] Read more – ‘Voices of Austin: Eduardo Priego’.
Anyone who has ever lost a pet to time, sickness, accident or any other unfortunate situation knows true sorrow. The animals we bring into our homes have a way of becoming part of the family, and the loss of one of them can cut just as deep as the loss of a family member. It’s [...] Read more – ‘Austin Pets Alive helps Austin get closer to ‘no kill’’.
The team is hard at work eating holiday goodies — and putting together some great projects for the upcoming year. Thanks for being a part of Rooted Austin’s first year of unearthing Austin’s stories. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings, and we’re happy you’re going to be a part of the [...] Read more – ‘Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season’.
Ian Mailhot and Megan Briggs bring a little bit of whimsy to the standard potted plant. They came from California with the essentials, which included plastic toy animals and succulents. The couple made potted plants for family and friends before, but when they came to Austin everything fell into place. Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Ian Mailhot and Megan Briggs’.
Austinites are creative, whether it’s through music, art, film or technology. Not surprisingly, many feel the need to express themselves through their wardrobe as well. Vintage stores offer a place where they know it’s possible to find unique pieces that are absent from chain retailers. This week, we explore the vintage side of Austin style. [...] Read more – ‘In a city where individuality matters, vintage style fits in’.
Today we’re launching our Voices of Austin series. Every Tuesday, we’ll bring you a story from an Austinite. We’ll ask people to tell us a story and publish it in audio form. It’s that simple. This week, we have stories from Rooted founders Logan Braman, Cassandra Adamson, Becky Rother and Peter Gaunt. Thanks for coming [...] Read more – ‘Voices of Austin: The Rooted team’.
Wyatt Broten came to Texas from California when he joined the armed forces. He’s stationed at Fort Hood, but he comes to Austin almost every weekend for just one thing. The 9th Street BMX park keeps him coming back again and again. Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Wyatt Broten’.
If you’ve been to Rooted before, you might already be familiar with this series. If not, we’ll catch you up. We love Austinites. We love stories. The Austinites we’ve met feel the same way as we do, so we created Faces of Austin. This week we’d like to introduce you to R.L. Blair, Paula Bird, [...] Read more – ‘A year-long series about the people of Austin’.
Being busy isn’t an issue for Blair Smith, co-owner of Dirty Dog. It’s a grooming and self-serve dog wash in the Austin area. For those without a canine companion, it might be difficult to understand the appeal of a self-service pet wash establishment. If you’re ever in doubt, find a dog (or a miniature horse) [...] Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Blair Smith’.
Ann and Matthew Mathen came to America with big dreams. Ann always wanted to come to America, so she asked for her family’s help and eventually moved here in 1976. Her husband Matthew came shortly thereafter. Now, Ann and Matthew own MGM Indian Foods on Burnet Road. Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Ann and Matthew Mathen’.
Elizabeth Luevano is a mother who can overcome any challenge in her path. She’s a new, 18-year-old mother of twins who balances her new family life at home with school. Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Elizabeth Luevano’.
Paula Bird lives a full life. She plays violin in the Austin Symphony, teaches violin at two different places and plays in a quartet. She also breeds Daschunds, alpaca and donkeys. Her days are full of activity, but she has more than enough energy for it. Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Paula Bird’.
R.L. Blair has carved so many wood pieces it’s hard for him to remember them all. Sometimes he does requests and other times his hands create whatever happens to be in his mind at the time. Most of the latter fits right in with Austin’s weird vibe. “I like making this goofy, off-the-wall stuff, you [...] Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: R.L. Blair’.
Deep in the east side of Austin is a sweaty, gritty blues bar called TC’s Lounge. The Little Elmore Reed Blues Band plays here every Monday night to a packed house and has no problem getting people up and dancing. The five-piece is named after legendary blues musicians Little Walter, Elmore James and Jimmy Reed. [...] Read more – ‘Faces of Austin: Mark Hays and his band’.
Whether you’re looking for a gourmet meal or a quick bite, you can find something tasty at one of Austin’s many food trailers. For our first story we decided to focus on the south side of town because there was no way all the awesome trailers in Austin would fit in one story. We’re constantly [...] Read more – ‘Austin’s food trailer scene thrives with flavorful variety’.
