AUSTIN, TX (May 15, 2012) – Noodles & Company, the restaurant that serves made-to-order noodles, salads and sandwiches, can make getting ready for swimsuit season a bit tastier with its 25-plus healthy options for dishes under 500 calories.  With a nutrition and allergen guide available on site and online, gluten-free* and vegan menu** choices, Noodles & Co. makes it easy to watch calories and check nutritional information.  These freshly prepared low-cal offerings include salads, soups, noodles & sandwiches.

Noodles & Co. currently has three restaurants in Austin: at the Northcross Shopping Center, 2525 W. Anderson Lane, on The Drag at 2402 Guadalupe and at the Arboretum, 9761 Great Hills Trail.  The globally inspired menu features three distinct cuisines: Asian, Mediterranean and American, giving guests the option to try new flavors with every visit.

“Calorie counting is far from fun, so we took the guesswork out of it with our handy guide filled with a wide array of salads, noodles and soups – something for everyone,” said Executive Chef Tessa Stamper.  “Low cal need not be boring or low on flavor when you can have Pad Thai, Chinese Chop Salad and Pesto Cavatappi among others.”

Regularly acknowledged for its commitment to providing healthy dining options, Noodles & Co. was recently named among the top 10 fast casual restaurant in the U.S. by Parents Magazine. The menu is designed so that guests can add or swap more than 14 veggies and lean protein-rich foods, like chicken, organic tofu, and shrimp to any of the dishes. Noodles & Co. also serves local beers & wines.

For information on the Austin restaurants, VIP events, seasonal menu specialties, coupons and offers, sign up for Noodlegrams at noodles.com

* We sell noodles, and a lot of them, so we can’t guarantee that your food won’t come into contact with gluten, but we will do our best to accommodate your request. There is no gluten in the ingredients.

** While there is no commonly accepted definition for vegan, we define it as menu items that don’t contain meat, fish, dairy, eggs or other animal products.

About Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company is about serving real food, real quick. Our menu features made-to-order noodles, salads and sandwiches inspired from around the world that make everyone happy from kids to adults. Think Mac & Cheese, Pad Thai, Chinese Chop Salad, Pesto Cavatappi and a Wisconsin Cheesesteak Sandwich all under one roof. Within minutes of ordering, a fresh, made-to-order dish will be delivered to the table on real china with real silverware. Nothing fake here. You also don’t have to clear your table or leave a tip. We just aim to please.

Noodles & Company is a collection of more than 262 neighborhood restaurants in 20 states and growing. Please visit noodles.com to find a restaurant near you. If you’re craving more, please follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Flickr or on our Noodles & Company blog affectionately called & Company.

We think you’ll find the story helpful either as a refresher on the power of a thoughtful communications plan or gain new insights on your communications planning! Click here to read full article.

(AUSTIN, TEXAS –May 9, 2012) – The Rooftop Over Lake Travis (The Rooftop) upstairs at Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que at Oasis, Texas has announced its spring/summer lineup filled with local music legends, legends-in-the-making and national acts. Austin’s and the Hill Country’s dynamic new music venue opened this past March with a standing-room-only performance from ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and an all-star band. The Rooftop is situated on the cliffs overlooking the famous Lake Travis views, next to The Oasis at Lake Travis in the Oasis Texas complex, 6550 Comanche Trail, Lakeway, Texas.

The music continues with two new series, the first from KGSR-FM which kicked off May 6^th with a free show featuring Texas legend Joe Ely and his band. Ely played to a packed house of nearly 700 music lovers last Sunday. The Rooftop will host KGSR’s “Lakeside Live,” complimentary shows every Sunday from 5:00-8:00pm; the series will run for 12 weeks and features local favorites such as Latin rockers Del Castillo, blues guitarist and singer Carolyn Wonderland, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter James McMurtry.  Austin’s powerful roots act, Guy Forsyth, performs this Sunday, May 13^th.

KLBJ-FM will host KLBJ “Rocks the Lake” at The Rooftop starting May 24^th running through Labor Day.  Shows will be every Thursday from 8:00-11:00pm. The majority of the shows will be free (except for the occasional national act).  A double bill of power pop band The Romantics, whose hit, “That’s What I Like About You” has consistently been listed on the best 100 rock songs of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, and English Ska band The English Beat hit the stage on Thursday, June 14th.  According to Marsha Milam, producer of The Rooftop’s live music schedule, “This retro MTV evening is going to be one of the coolest shows Austin will see this summer.”

Uncle Billy’s Brew and Que and Oasis Texas brought in Texas music and events producer Marsha Milam of Marsha Milam Music to produce a robust schedule of live music offerings to showcase this distinctive new live music space in Central Texas. “The Rooftop is a one of a kind venue surrounded by the Texas Hill Country, overlooking Lake Travis.  And our stage backdrop is the Texas sunset followed by the evening sky.  When combined with outstanding musical talent – it becomes magical,” said Milam.

Music will play most every night this summer, whether free or paid performances. The next big act on the bill at The Rooftop feature blues-rock legends, The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson, on Sat, May 12^th, 8 p.m.  Advance general admission tickets are $25; $30 day of show. VIP seated section tickets at $45 recently sold out.

Milam is also booking a Sunday Gospel Brunch series to run every Sunday this summer which will be free of charge. The series starts on May 27^th. Austin-based Milam has carved out a niche in free live music series throughout Texas, starting with the still-popular KGSR’s “Unplugged at the Grove.”  Her long-running music series have become eagerly anticipated seasonal events bringing free live music to over 100,000 fans a season.

The Rooftop Over Lake Travis is an 850 person capacity outdoor/indoor concert venue featuring Uncle Billy’s signature brews, fresh from the onsite brewery, and BBQ.  All shows are rain and shine (with the option for indoor play in bad weather).  For music lineup, tickets and more information go to unclebillysrooftop.com or call 1-855-2rooftop.

About Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que

Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que at the Oasis opened in 2010 and is known for serving award-winning craft beers made at their onsite brewery and their mouth-watering, slow-smoked barbeque.  The original restaurant is located in central Austin on the funky restaurant row section of Barton Springs Road, which opened in 2007.  The restaurant is named for ‘Uncle Billy’ William Barton who owned the land that Barton Springs resides on now in the 1830’s.

About Oasis Texas

Oasis Texas is located at 6550 Comanche Trail, just minutes away from Austin 450 feet above Lake Travis. What began as a burger joint in 1982 with a fabulous lake view has expanded into diverse village of Austin-based retailers. Designed by Dick Clark Architecture, Oasis Texas has the feel of a pristine old Hill Country town. Follow Oasis Texas on Facebook and Twitter. For leasing information, visit http://www.oasistex.com/

(AUSTIN, TEXAS – April 16, 2012) Bistrot Mirabelle in Northwest Austin is rolling out a red carpet brunch for all mothers on Sunday, May 12, offering a few new and special dishes on one of the most popular brunch days of the year.  The restaurant also announced it will extend Sunday hours for dinner from 3:00 until 8:00pm.

Special brunch additions include:

• Lobster Pot Pie for $21.95 (a Bistrot Mirabelle signature)
• Atlantic Grilled Salmon served with sauce gribiche, crispy potatoes and a mixed green salad tossed with Dijon vinaigrette for $17.95
• 10oz. Prize Rib slow roasted with a rosemary Dijon rub, served with natural au jus, roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus for $24.95

Other popular items on the regular brunch menu include Eggs Hemingway, Omelete Aux Fine Herbs, Challah French Toast and the Bistrot Burger. To complete the brunch experience, the bistro will be serving its signature brunch cocktails including the Bloody Marie, French 75 and La Vie En Rose.

Every Mom will receive a complimentary flower upon arrival along with a gluten-free Coconut or Chocolate Macaroon to end their meal on a sweet note.

“We’re looking forward to showcasing some specialty dishes, including the gluten-free macaroons, on Mother’s Day as well as the opportunity for Moms and their families to enjoy brunch together,” said owner Brian O’Neill.  “This will be the first day we remain open for dinner service on Sunday as well – something the neighbors have asked for, so we’re happy to oblige.”

About Bistrot Mirabelle

Formerly known as Mirabelle, Bistrot Mirabelle recently reopened under new ownership with a new chef, new French inspired menu and renovated interior. The neighborhood bistro is open seven days for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Bistrot Mirabelle takes reservations for parties of two or more. La Provence, the private function room, can host events of various sizes up to 80 people. For more information including hours and reservations, visit bistrotmirabelle.com or call 512-346-7900, or follow them on Facebook at BistrotMirabelle and Twitter at MirabelleATX.

(Austin, Texas)…Twelve Central Texas business leaders finalized their 10-week crusade aimed at spreading the message of hope for victims of blood cancers while raising funds for the South Central Texas Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Two winners of the 2012 Man & Woman of the Year campaign were announced at the Grand Finale celebration on May 4^th at The Driskill Hotel, a record-breaking fundraising evening with 350 supporters in attendance.

Angela Helmer won the title of Woman of the Year raising $50,000. San Marcos resident Caleb Warren, merchandiser/buyer for locally-owned Sac N Pac, was named Man of the Year raising an individual record of $76,000 while being the youngest candidate to earn the title at age 25. Of note, Caleb, is himself a young survivor of lymphoma, which instilled a personal passion into his campaign. Runners up in each category were Robin Haley and Brian Henley. All candidates, along with in-kind donations, resulted in a record-breaking campaign totaling $322,000 for LLS in honor of the 2012 South Central Texas Boy and Girl of the Year, Hailey Martinez, age 10, and Andrew Escobedo, age 4, both diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia and currently in remission.

The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is an annual LLS fundraising competition between local community and business leaders held in communities nationwide where every dollar raised counts as one vote.

“I couldn’t be happier with the outcome this year as these dedicated candidates and our giving community broke record after record,” said Gary Thompson, board president of LLS of Central Texas. “Austin’s relentless efforts have raised the bar this year and we look forward to continuing the upward trend.”

To learn more about the competition and the Man & Woman of the Year Campaign, please go to www.mwoy.org/sctx.

About the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $814 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. LLS has a local Patient Services Manager in 54 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. For additional information, please contact LLS at (800) 955-4572 or visit www.LLS.org.

South Central Texas Office: 8001 Centre Park, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78754. www.lls.org/sctx (866) 814-8113 or (512) 491-6610

In honor of this holiday commemorating Mexico’s defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, we talk to client and friend, Adriana Rodriguez, founder and executive director of Jardin de Ninos Interlingua (JNI), a Spanish immersion school with two Austin locations and a third scheduled to open in Lakeway this July.

This impressive school and curriculum has grown from 20 students when founded in 2007 to 200 at 2011 enrollment. JNI is NAEYC accredited and an official candidate for certification as an International Baccalaureate institution.   The school believes that reaching children at an early age is the best time to provide experiences that prepare them to successfully maneuver in a multilingual and multicultural world.

Q: Why did you start JNI? Having proficiency in more than one language has been shown to enhance a child’s overall verbal development, heighten creativity, as well as improve cognitive performance in overall basic skills necessary for elementary school. Jardín de Niños believes in providing diverse, multicultural experiences to cultivate openness and an appreciation for different cultures. We believe this prepares children to successfully maneuver in a multilingual and multicultural world.

Q: What is your background in education? I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Santa Teresa de Jesus College “La Florida” and a Master’s Degree in Educational Development from National Pedagogical University in Mexico City. My studies were based on the social constructive method and how children learn from one another. I also have an Administration License and both PYP Administration Category 1 and 2 Certifications from the International Baccalaureate education foundation.

It was my father, the undersecretary of education in Mexico, who instilled in me the belief that ‘Education is a transformation of the world.’ Watching him in action for more than 20 years, I knew I wanted to help create a community that involves children who would become world contributors.

Q: You’re in the midst of International Baccalaureate accreditation. Why is this an important certification for JNI?  The IB accreditation is truly the highest form of certification for primary schools. For more than 40 years, this international foundation has earned its reputation as a gold standard in educational programs and curriculum that helps develop culturally diverse leaders of tomorrow. Their mission statement says it all: The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Q: Are most of the students from families with Hispanic backgrounds? While there are many students who have a mother or father with some kind of Hispanic heritage, we have a very diverse student body representing a range of backgrounds and nationalities.

Q: What do you envision for the school in 5 years?  I would like to see more JDNI schools in Austin and other Texas cities. We’re excited about our third location opening in Lakeway this summer. And, I want to see all students fully bilingual which is already well on its way!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the students of JNI this Cinco de Mayo at 3pm at the Hill Country Galleria. The children, ages 2.5 to 11 years, will perform traditional songs and dances in the Amphitheatre followed by a mariachi performance. Free of charge.

To learn more about the school, including summer camp programs, visit www.austinbilingualschool.com 

The best part about these activities – at least in my opinion – is meeting other brave entrepreneurs, learning their stories and the learning process as a whole. As a presenter at a session titled “PR for Small Business” (clever title, I know) during RISE Week, I certainly re-learned the valuable lesson of  triple checking my set up needs. Nice, yet brief powerpoint but no projector. I also learned how forgiving the audience can be. No admission, free snacks and beverages don’t hurt. Of course, I discovered a variety of new businesses out there and the passionate people behind them. I learned that if I do this kind of thing more often, I’ll be more relaxed and just may get darn good at it.

At a Fed Ex My Story session tonight featuring Gary Hoover, entrepreneur extraordinaire, teacher and expert presenter, the audience of small business owners, including myself, was able to bask in the incredible knowledge of a man who’s been there, done that, succeeded, failed and everything in between. The man has incredible gusto for his work and the business of business. Hoover laid out so many brilliant yet totally logical points on the path to entrepreneurship, from the “why do it?” (wealth is not the answer) to who’s done it well and characteristics of a successful entreprenuer. And with success comes failure — there’s almost always failure on the path to success. Things I’ve known or heard over the years, but easily slide to the dark corners of my aging brain.

What I love most about these programs and seminars is that, when they’re done well, they get me thinking. At tonight’s presentation by Mr. Hoover, thinking was included as one of the key ways in which to learn. THAT made me stop and well…think. The other methods in which to learn: study, observe, experience/experiment/trial & error are well known — everyone engages in each method at varying levels at different points in life. But, taking the time to think and process what we’ve absorbed via study, observation, experience, etc. seems to get the short end of the stick, at least in my world.  I’m willing to bet that’s true of many of my peers as well. Those of us who multi-task every waking moment (and often in dreams), allow little time for pure thinking. Sadly, lack of unadulterated thinking time is scant for most all but the very young and the very old. Beginning and end of life provide more time for playing and thinking. That’s a shame.

This requires some alone time — apart (at least mentally) not only from other humans, but electronics or other distractions. A big bill to fill in this day and age. Yet, I challenge you and me to create more time to think, process AND play. I’m certain we’ll all grow and enjoy life more because of it.

Me and Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

SXSW was even more exciting, thrilling, inspiring and exhausting than I could have ever imagined! I’ve had time to prepare for close to eight months, ever since I picked up from my comfortable life in NYC to make a life change and move across the country to Austin. It was a scary move, but has paid off in so many wonderful ways and I knew SXSW would just be the icing on the cake. It’s the biggest event of the year in Austin, and companies spend a large part of their budget just preparing, planning and printing all those adorable shirts to give away.

I was preparing for two very different experiences at SXSW: 1) attending events and working on behalf of a few clients, and meeting journalists from all over the country (and world as the international visitors are a much larger percentage of the total guests than I originally anticipated). And 2) I was ready for some of the amazing parties I heard about from friends that had experienced SXSW in the past — my group of friends and I spent the month prior to the festival finding as many online party RSVPs as we could and signing up to make sure we were on all of the lists for the exclusive parties from rock concerts to the biggest tech event, the Mashable party.

The work experience was fantastic. I met journalists in a new light and it was great to be the ‘Austin expert’ to old writer friends visiting from NYC and having them ask me for restaurant recommendations, as opposed to it usually being the other way around. I met new potential clients that are ready to sign with an Austin PR firm next week, and also a few lifestyle startups that requested I stay in touch once they get more financing, or if they are ready for an on-the-ground PR team at 2013 SXSW.

Some of the parties were a little overwhelming, especially when you think about the excess of food for SXSW attendees who don’t really need it while thousands in and around Austin, much less millions around the world, are hungry. But, the events were a great place to meet new friends, run into old friends and just experience the whirlwind this city becomes for nine short days every year.

The complimentary shirts, flip flops and other cute little perks were also super. While some of the serious tech companies without a fun logo will be reserved for sleepwear, I do want to thank those companies that made great looking, very soft tees and reward them by wearing them out and about to promote their businesses. To you other tech guys — make note of those shirts made out of ridiculously soft cotton blend, cute patterns and fun colors, and I’ll be happy to market myself in your shirts next year too!

Now that it’s over though, I really need a shirt that says I survived. More like a bumper sticker so I can show proof daily for the next 320 days or so until it’s time to start getting ready for SXSW 2013. I can’t wait, but I do need all of this year to prepare for it!

A few words from Star Intern, Torie Villarreal:

The last time I wrote self-reflecting thoughts, it was in my purple Lisa Frank diary, so bear with me…

Growing up in a small town I always dreamt of the day when I would make it out, but it never seemed feasible. My best friend and I applied to all the same schools in hopes of sharing a dorm and experiencing it all together.  She, like most of my high school friends, never got around to applying by the deadline. Me, however, being a stickler for lists and getting my “To do’s” done on time, had mine sent off two weeks before the deadline. My acceptance letter to Texas State came with a stipulation – I had to go to a semester of summer school the month after graduation since my SAT scores weren’t the greatest. I was bummed that I wouldn’t get a whole summer with all my friends, but nothing was going to keep me in Kingsville.

The hot summer day my mom dropped me off at Arnold Hall was the scariest, yet most exciting day for me. Summer school wasn’t as dreadful as I’d imagined, but more importantly, I made my first college friends which made the experience much more gratifying. Once the fall semester started, I was one of the few freshman who knew the campus and was ready for my new adventure.

Fast forward to two years later when my journey took a turn for the better. I started school majoring in English, but after a few classes decided it wasn’t for me. Curious, I took an entry-level communications class and my professor, Dr. Fluker, was the selling point. From that point on, I was a PR girl all the way. Changing my writing style to press release format including just the 5 W’s after elaborating on every detail in English papers took some adjusting, yet made me realize something in the process. Since being away from home, I became more of a cut and dry kind of gal and I was all about this “new me.”

Countless press releases, media lists, and AP style tests later my mom was dropping me off in front of Strahan Coliseum for graduation. I tear up now thinking about how much pride I felt that day. Pride because despite everyone’s expectations – I did it. I made it out of Kingsville and accomplished the most important “To Do” on my list.

Post graduation, I moved to Austin with my sister and found a job waiting tables almost instantly. I admit that I was nervous to even start the hunt for a “big girl job,” but a friend of a friend knew of a company that was looking for an assistant and I jumped on it. Lisa and I met at a coffee shop and I couldn’t have been more nervous, but as soon as we started talking, I was at ease. After about 30 minutes, we came to the conclusion that I would start immediately. I met with her current assistant to get up to speed on my duties and jumped right in. Juggling Newton O’Neill during the week and waiting tables on weekends keeps my three-ring circus of a life entertaining to say the least. I’ve learned more than initially expected from this position and continue to soak every bit of information Lisa and the PR world around me have to offer. What’s next, you ask?

Stay tuned…

Once October hit, the work — and fun — pace hit a speed of 200+ miles per hour. The fun part was a glorious respite of 11 days in France, traveling through Provence and ending in Paris with client, Petite Peche & Co.  Here’s one snapshot from my collection of over 200.

This trip deserves a post all its own and I hope to do so before Valentine’s Day —  let’s see how that works out. For now, know it was pure bliss. If you want to experience France like a favorite American cousin, this is the ticket.  PP&C has a number of new tours on the 2012 calendar including a Bed & Breakfast plan this June. If you’ve been wanting to experience France like an insider, get to PP&C’s website and book now.

However, the main point of this post is to share our Winter newsletter. This skims the surface of some of the fine work we’ve been up to over the past few months. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve accomplished and have certainly enjoyed working with our client-partners. So read it and weep, and share with anyone who could use some PR help. Merci!  http://eepurl.com/ilzrw

Merci!