In recent years, the U.S. has seen a revival of environmentalism. Awareness of the harmful effects of using fossil fuels is growing, largely due to media attention surrounding issues such as global warming.

Many people across the nation have called for change, in both the types of energy we use, as well as the ways in which we use energy. As a result of this call for change, both federal and state governments have developed policy to support the production and use of alternative energy sources.

Ethanol, a fuel made from corn and other grains typically grown in the Midwest, has been one of the most widely endorsed alternative fuel.

I first became interested in this issue when I found out that HEB started selling E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, at many of their Central Texas stores. In this short documentary, we set out to learn more about E85 and it’s effect on Central Texas.

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This documentary was directed and produced by Rachel Ecklund and Rebecca Rodriguez, the two most prodigious KLRU interns of all time

Thanks to Docubloggers and the entire KLRU team for all of your help and support!

Conner Lindsey runs his antique and refinishing business out of the old Swift Meat Packing plant in the heart of historic downtown Taylor. We stopped by for a tour on one of our many trips to town.

Dr. Bruce Scott met with us to discuss just how important education is to a growing community. He outlines several of the initiatives being undertaken by Taylor ISD in this clip.

Claire Maxwell, President of the Taylor Culture and Heritage Society, gave us two interviews in one. We met her at the Governor Dan Moody Home and Museum to chat about the history of Taylor, and then took a tour of this historic home.

Here’s some scenes played all the way through that was filmed at the Red Bull Flug Tag 2007, Austin Texas.

This is the first in what will be a series of documentaries profiling communities around Central Texas.

In the olden days of Central Texas, you couldn’t tell what town you were passing through based on the repeating sets of strip malls and Chili’s restaurants lining I-35. There were even stretches of highway that weren’t developed at all, if you can believe that. Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Austin were distinct and separate cities and there weren’t any toll roads to zip you to and fro. But I-35 developed and cities blended and merged, uniting a commuter workforce of disparate citizens into people of the budding metroplex we call Central Texas.

Most of the major growth and development took place along the interstate, and for many decades, towns like Taylor seemed to be left behind. What was once a booming agricultural hub of high society became a ghost town, of sorts, as citizens moved to where the work was - bigger cities closer to the highway. Taylor languished as its neighbors to the west benefited from new growth and industry. All of this is changing now, however, and Taylor is finally seeing the rapid development from which other towns have already benefited. The powers that be in Taylor are approaching and accepting this growth with open arms and a strategy to ensure that they grow smartly.

From boomtown to ghost town to up-and-coming town, Taylor is transforming before our eyes. Housing is still cheap, especially relative to Austin, the people are small-town friendly, the downtown is beautiful and historic, and it’s only a day-trip from anywhere in KLRU’s viewing area.

WEB EXTRAS

Conner Lindsey runs his antique and refinishing business out of the old Swift Meat Packing plant in the heart of historic downtown Taylor. We stopped by for a tour on one of our many trips to town.

Dr. Bruce Scott met with us to discuss just how important education is to a growing community. He outlines several of the initiatives being undertaken by Taylor ISD in this clip.

Claire Maxwell, President of the Taylor Culture and Heritage Society, gave us two interviews in one. We met her at the Governor Dan Moody Home and Museum to chat about the history of Taylor, and then took a tour of this historic home.

Sarah Hoque, Collin Jenson, and Elena Ramirez produced this story.

Over 85,000 people came to see Red Bull Flugtag at Auditorium Shores, Austin on August 25. This is the largest audience in U.S. Red Bull Flugtag history. I was not surprised since the symbol of Red Bull is bulls and I know Longhorns drive most people in Austin crazy. Anyway, let’s pass by my silly idea.

So, that day I was watching jumping and more jumping. Ah, maybe some people don’t know what I’m talking about. I understand because I would harbor confusion as well, if I had not happened to cover this grand event. Basically, it’s jumping from a bridge, and the 5 people comprising one team have to make their own flying machine. It’s not quite a plane. It’s something else. But the important thing is it flies with “human powered” energy. I guess we can call it green power or whatever. Anyway, the way it works is very simple. While one person pilots the machine, the other four people push it. The spicy is their short routine or performance before jumping from Red Bull bridge.

It seemed like great fun for the family and friends during this unusual Saturday entertainment. I am afraid I wasn’t one of them until now. There were too many people and the sun … yes, the sun was violently sizzling. So, I wondered how I ended up here. I remembered the hands of my producer, Dom, showing a shiny Red Bull Flugtag media kit. She said the one who produces the story about Red Bull Flugtag can have it, or it was something like “If you desire this fair Redbull Flugtag media kit, brave Jihae, then go!” I have been in reporting about two years but I’ve never seen something quite like that. It was a box including an actual “Red Bull” drink, a Red Bull calendar and a DVD that effectively demonstrates what Red Bull Flugtag is about.

How could I say no to this box and Dom’s smile? I am just a girl that likes presents and pretty things. So, I went there with a video camera. I am still not quite sure what the purpose of Redbull Flugtag is exactly. To provide entertainment for the people? Maybe, but I am not that naive. My father told me that’s not how the world works, when I was very small. To advertise Red Bull with lots of jumping? Well … maybe or maybe not. I can’t deny that while I am editing this segment, I realized I can’t get away without showing the Red Bull signs. I mean they were everywhere. But it was more fun than watching a Red Bull TV commercial at home. So, I guess it’s a little bit of both.

Whatever the purpose was, we had fun, didn’t we? And I think that’s enough. Moreover, I’m providing footage about Red Bull Flugtag for those who missed it and those who want to revisit their exciting memory since I am very, very kind. See you next time, Docubloggers.