I stumbled upon Ellen Berman’s website one day when I was researching artists outside of Austin. It’s always a nice change to see what others are working on in our neighboring towns. I’ve always heard people refer to Wimberley as being a haven for artists. And Berman is one of them. (more…)

Click here to see CC Stinson’s Community Docublog

You like beer?

Well, I do and know I have at least 400 hundred backers in Austin, they’re the eclectic members of the Black Star Coop (blackstar.coop). This homegrown group started out two years ago with the idea of opening a brewpub owned and operated by its patrons.

A brewpub coop, here in Austin?

It may sound like a weird idea but if they succeed Black Star would be the first cooperatively owned brewpub in the world (or so they say).

Over the course of this last summer I have seen Black Star gain momentum with each monthly beer social attracting more attendees and ultimately gathering more and more coop member-owners.

A coop based around beer connoisseurship may sound like fun and games, but trust me, these guys and gals are working hard. Apart from developing business plans, doing market research and debating, the members find time to invent unique cooperative models to ensure the success of the business.

In a town that’s unofficial motto is “Keep Austin Weird,” Black Star Coop is what Austin should be all about. Local, Independent, unique and well … Fun.

Check them out at they’re next event. I promise you’ll meet some interesting people and have a great time, oh and the best part - it’s free beer. Just don’t blame me if you walk out an owner of the world’s first cooperatively owned brewpub.

- Shane Greb

Produced by Elena Ramirez

The Texas State Southwestern Writers Collection is home to an archive of a more unusual sort … King of the Hill. You can’t get much more Texas than that!

Docublogger intern Jihae Min covered this outreach program by the Austin Police Department.

I first heard about Mosaic thanks to an excellent article by the Austin American-Statesman’s religion-beat reporter, Eileen Flynn several months ago. I was intrigued by their new approach to worship and what seemed like their deeply held convictions about what it means to lead a Christian life. (more…)