Kendra Scott is hot. Her jewelry has been featured in many tony fashion magazines such as In Style and Town and Country. On the day we met for this interview, her office was buzzing with the news that a piece of her jewelry, the Ulyssia ring, was going to be featured in the July issue of the Oprah Magazine. Fearless and confident, she opened her sophisticated New York City showroom early this year despite the economic downturn. It has been a tremendous success, expanding her distribution and clients nationwide. What is now a rapidly growing multi-million dollar business has evolved from $500 of stones with each piece hand-crafted by Kendra on her kitchen table. Beginning her business single-handedly, she carried her designs in a tea box going from store to store taking orders with a three-month-old infant in tow. As the business has grown exponentially, Scott continues to design and market her work. In 2007, Scott received the Rising Star Award for the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce. In May of this year, she received her Masters’ degree in Entrepreneurship from M.I.T.

While her star is definitely on the rise, Scott’s basic philosophy has not changed. She remains committed to the three philosophies that shape the company and continue to direct its course: family, fashion and philanthropy.

After the birth of her first child, Scott did not want to return to her job as an advertising executive for a travel magazine often traveling for as much as five weeks at a time. Looking for a career that would allow her to “be a mom first” she decided to try her hand at something she was passionate about and could do at home—thus began Kendra Scott Designs. With two young sons at home, Scott continues to maintain a flexible schedule allowing her to put family first. Her husband Albert is very supportive of her dreams and plans for the business. “He is my rock, my confidante and my best friend.”

Scott also believes in treating her employees like family, extending that understanding and philosophy to her entire team. Recognized by Austin Business Journal, Kendra Scott Design, Inc. was voted one of the Top Ten Places to Work in Central Texas in 2007. “My name may be on the door, but I have made these incredible leaps because of my team. Everyone in the company is creative. Everyone collaborates in every aspect of the business..”

One look at Scott reveals a passion for an innate sense of style, grace and fashion. Her remarkable jewelry makes a statement with unique combinations of semi-precious stones, flowing metals, natural elements such as bamboo and wood as well as snakeskin. Scott has stayed true to her customer: “a dynamic woman on the go with a lot going on who wants to look good without breaking the bank.” Her very reasonable price point for quality designer jewelry has garnered a lot of attention from the national press. “Now more than ever people understand and are looking for value and quality. I source my stones direct and am very creative with my designs so that I can pass along the value to my customers. My jewelry has the same look and quality as other pieces two to three times the price, but I try to make it attainable.”

Scott’s jewelry is prized and collected as works of art. “If you don’t want attention then don’t buy my jewelry. Our designs have a personality. They are trend based with an eye on keeping them timeless.” Although Scott’s inspiration comes from many sources, she believes her designs are a reflection of the place she calls home. “I consistently hear that our line feels different, and I think that is because we are here in this city. I use a lot of organic elements and it has an Austin vibe—a flow and a feel. One of my collections was inspired by a walk in the Zilker Botanical Gardens…the colors of the flowers, the leaves, the feathers of the birds, the bamboo. In design I interpret trends as they relate to the personality of our jewelry, which is the personality of Austin.”

Scott is a visible and vibrant part of the city she loves. “I have always wanted to give back. I knew from the first business I started that the true measure of success for me was going to be the ability to help other people.” Although Scott never turns down a request for a donation, her philanthropic focus is on women and children. A percentage of sales from each bi-annual Kendra Scott Design Sample Sale benefits charities like LifeWorks and the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. From 2005-2007, Kendra annually donated over $15,000 in gifts to Go Red for Women, a national movement founded by the American Heart Association to help women to fight back against heart disease, the number one killer of women in America.

With its mission of serving at-risk youth and their families, LifeWorks has become a mainstay in Scott’s philanthropic outreach and focus. “I serve on only one board because I want to give heart and soul to the organization.” Scott also serves as co-founder and co-chair of LEAP, a fundraising and networking organization for entrepeneurs and professionals interested in making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. “We attract a dynamic group of people with a similar mindset. We like to have fun and it is important to give back to this community that has given so much to us.” The White Party is the highlight of LEAP’s fundraising efforts. Influenced by the White Parties of the Hamptons, Scott and her Co-Chair Joe Ross set out to create a wonderland on the grounds of the historic Green Pastures restaurant. Now in its third year, the very chic party was an instant success and is the hottest event of the summer season. “The White party is all about fun, fashion and creativity. We have an unbelievable team that gives so generously to transform a beautiful historic setting into a wonderland…a white hot party. The goal is to raise as much as we can for LifeWorks while connecting with each other and having fun.”

As she speaks of plans for this year’s event, Kendra Scott bubbles over with the things that have made her a success: passion for her community and her work, attention to detail, confident creativity, connection and reaching out to others, and a zest for life that cannot be contained. While she may be a white hot style maker, it is the genuine warmth and caring that gives Kendra Scott an unforgettable glow and makes her heartfelt invitaion to the White party impossible to resist.

The building has been used for a saloon, a printing shop, retail clothing store, a café, and most recently as an Asian restaurant. From 1891 to 1894, D.T. Lamme of Lamme’s Candy fame, leased the building for his Red Front Candy Store. 811 is also known as the Von Boeckmann house, named for its most prominent owner, Eugene Von Boeckmann who purchased the building in 1894 and began a printing business. He was the publisher of the Texas Historical Association’s Quarterly Review and was recognized as the state printer. The building received historic landmark status in 2001, recognized as an outstanding example of commercial architecture built in the decades following the Civil War. Noteworthy features include the cut stone façade, stone and brick rubble sidewalls, and arched window openings with segmental arched lintels and keystones.

When Dennis Karbach purchased the residence in October of 2000 it was abandoned. Each floor was dark; fire damaged, smelled of pigeons, and was covered with bat guano. The challenge of the historical renovation and creating a comfortable residence fell to architect, Tim Cuppett and interior designer, Tracey Overbeck Stead. Karbach’s needs were clearly defined-convenience, space for entertaining, private space as well as space for his daughter and guests. “ I was living downtown in a space which was too small. There was no privacy and I needed space for my daughter. I knew I wanted to live downtown and several people-Eddy Safady-The Hellers were also beginning to renovate at the same time. I really don’t think anyone ever knows what they are getting into with a historic building until they are into it.” Featured on the HGTV series, Renovation Generation, the residence has won several awards including the prestigious Texas Society of Architects Design Award, for staying true to its historic roots at the same time morphing into a stunning example of modern design.

Architect Tim Cuppett responded to the challenge of the eccentric 21’ wide and 150’ deep space in this way: “My favorite quote of which this project is a perfect example,  ‘Consult the genius of the place in all…” by Alexander Pope. In this case I wanted the owner to experience the eccentric proportions of the building, and at the same time, feel comfortable in his home.” The concept was to embrace the length and height of the building. A long stair runs from the Congress Ave. entrance up through three floors for living to a roof top cabana and pool. Upon reaching the top by stair or elevator, one is confronted with stunning views of the Austin skyline beyond the pool and garden. Natural light is transmitted down into the building through skylights in the pool floor. Most of the original pine timber and stone structure remains, but has been strengthened with a new steel skeleton. Contrast is expressed by the juxtaposition of the old structure and new modern interiors.

For fourth generation Austinite, interior designer, Tracy Overbeck Stead, it was an honor and a responsibility to work on such a unique historical gem. For her the challenge was making sure the adaptation from commercial to single-family would result in a warm family environment while historically preserving the space. She accomplished her goal in several ways. The first way was to sandblast one side of the limestone shell to make the stone shine and add a lighter feel on the walls. The stone on the opposite walls were covered with drywall to soften the shell so it wouldn’t feel like you lived in a cave, Next, a long drywall fur down was installed on the ceilings of floor 1 and 2 to bring the scale down to a comfortable level and give space to add many architectural and decorative lights to brighten the space. She also used warm quarter-sawn hardwoods on the semi-private and private floors in a medium stain and wax. Lastly, to bring the scale to a comfortable residential level, a walnut band and fur down was added around the kitchen cabinetry to delineate the kitchen from the dining and to add a cozy texture and color into the cabinetry while preparing meals.

The first floor is for public gatherings. Dennis and Robert love to host benefit galas so the first floor is open and airy to provide entertaining for large groups.
The second floor is a semi-private space for friends and family. The living room is designed with modern furniture mixed with antiques to give character and warmth throughout.

The third floor is the private floor with the master suite including the master bath and bar. This floor also houses two guest rooms for family visits. The light pours onto the third floor from the glass bottom swimming pool above installed on the 4th floor to provide a ton of natural light. The master bedroom is a handsome and richly textured bedroom. It features dark wenge stained built-ins used for the headboard, a platform bed with custom bedding, a deep red rug for a punch of color, electronically controlled red velvet drapes, and a minimal leather chaise and side table for reading the newspaper.

Lastly, the fourth floor is the party floor with a ‘sky lounge’ for indoor cooking and relaxing by the fireplace and an outdoor oasis with a Jacuzzi, glass bottom negative-edge lap pool and an amazing garden overlooking Congress Avenue. This floor is a true Austin gem.

With more than 8400 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, and 3 living areas, the home might seem imposing. Instead it is remarkably livable for a space of its size. Karbach, an independent technical consultant and Brown, a development manager for the Long Center frequently entertain and host large gatherings for several causes and organizations they actively support. Of the home, Karbach says, “ The rooms are large and very open.we have 2,000 square feet on each floor and we live in the entire house. Some things are over the top-we have 4 dishwashers in the house, but everything in this house was designed for comfort and convenience.” Brown agrees. “We use this house and we love it. I think my favorite spot is the sky lounge and sky deck overlooking Congress. We have dinner parties or watch DVDs with friends in the theater. We host a lot of events for non-profits and political organizations.”

Recently Karbach and Brown have purchased and are renovating a Victorian House in the Castro section of San Francisco and plan to split their time between the two cities prompting them to place 811 Congress on the market. Buyers can continue to write the script on this storied home for a cool $6.5 million.

Meeting Bob and his family I would have said he did not qualify as ‘out of the ordinary’…well dressed in an iconic casual Lakeway style…pretty wife and two adorable children. A practicing attorney and founding partner in his own law firm, Bob is running for City Council in Bee Cave. His slogan, “Bringing Back Old-Fashioned Community” seems rather ordinary as well.

• MSN Travel named Austin one of the 15 coolest cities in the U.S. citing the “eclectic music scene and laid-back atmosphere.”
• Austin is the 6th best walking city (ranked by the American Podiatric Medical Association) and the 5th most educated city in the U.S. with 45.15% of the population having a college degree or higher, according to the United States Census Bureau.
• In 2008, Kiplinger named Austin the #6 “Best City to Work and Play” featuring the natural beauty, University of Texas, State Capitol, live music scene, digital media, and green building and energy as things that keep Austin ‘cool.’
• Austin frequently tops the lists of Forbes, Fortune and Money magazines best cities for business and best places to live. Entrepreneur Magazine names Austin the #1 most entrepreneurial city in the U.S.
• According to the National Endowment For the Arts, Austin is the most artsy city in Texas and the Wall Street Journal named Austin the #3 most innovative city.
• Travel and Leisure Magazine cited the quality of life, interesting neighborhoods, climate, and people in their choice of Austin as 5th best city for both couples and singles.

In this issue, we encourage you to experience all that makes Austin cool. A drink that is so hot that it had to be cool… the Brushfire…Austin’s Coolest Cocktail, (Lifestyle p. 36) dreamed up at Ranch 616. Contemplate a cool Moroccan Bath (Lifestyle p. 42). Make a play date for your kids to cool off running through the interactive fountain at the Hill Country Galleria (Lifestyle p. 28). Go inside the coolest casa on Congress Avenue (address p. 24), which can be yours for a cool $6.5 million. Discover Austin’s Mid-Century modern architecture (address p. 22). Living in one of the most wired cities in the U.S., check out our cool new column – Wired – on both the Lifestyle (p. 34) and address (p. 39) sides of the magazine.
So exactly what is it that makes Austin cool? I say it is the total package – the people, the lifestyle, the music, the food, the climate, and the natural beauty. It is the accepting and welcoming attitude of the people. It is the laid-back yet innovative atmosphere that encourages contemplation and creativity in entrepreneurs and artists alike. Summer is here and there is plenty to do. Be Cool.
Deborah Hamilton-Lynne

How much better does it get than a nod from Oprah? The February issue of O Magazine hails the Austin singer songwriter a “Blues Powerhouse” and maybe this is the breakout CD that will finally get Ruthie the national attention she deserves. Soulful, deep vocals and a thinking woman’s lyrics will rock you to your core…if you don’t know her music, this is a powerful introduction. Ruthie will be performing at Mother Egan’s on March 19th.

www.ruthiefoster.com

Bass Concert Hall

The $14.7 million renovation of the Bass Concert Hall at the University of Texas Performing Arts Center. Bravo is all you
can say of the stunning renovation. It took 18 months to complete and the result are well worth the wait. The five level lobby can be seen from the street and the view from the slick modern patron’s lounge is stunning. Not to be missed is the top floor balcony view of the UT Tower, the UT Stadium and the LBJ Library. 10,000 square feet was added to the existing lobby giving the center the spacious and imposing feel of Lincoln Center. Best of all the acoustics, long the bane of performances in the massive hall have been dramatically improved thanks to new sidewalls with acoustic curtains and a state of the art sound system. A perfect complement to the Long Center, Austinites are blessed to have two world class venues dedicated to the performing arts. Hopefully we have enough art patrons to support both.

www.utpac.org

Kimber Modern Hotel

In this economy it takes guts to open a pricey hotel, but this 1.1 million dollar five room architectural gem opened in November to rave reviews and got the notice of the New York Times. Tucked away in SoCo, it is a work of art and the owners guarantee “the comfort of the finest hotel with the intimacy of a first class bed and breakfast.” Not only are the proprietors experienced world travelers, Ms. Cavendish has inn-keeping in her blood—her father owned several hotels in Reno and her mother built a bed and breakfast on the Oregon Coast. The Kimber Modern is the result of her quest to create the perfect hotel. It joins neighborhood favorites, The Hotel San Jose and the Austin Motel, as one of the hotels celebs favor in the city’s hippest
zip code.

www.kimbermodern.com

Kenobi

Chef Egil Valentin hit a home run in January with his Chinese New Year four course feast. Move over Uchi and Kenichi, everything about this restaurant is fresh from the extensive sushi offerings to the Japanese-fusion menu to the service and ambience. Located at the Arboretum, sushi afficianados no longer need to drive downtown to feed their habit.

www.kenobiaustin.com

Ray Donley at the
Russell Gallery

Film and Art Enthusiasts are in for a treat this spring. In March, Dancing the Inquisition Waltz, a documentary profiling the life and work of Ray Donley will be released and the Austin artist will make a rare appearance on March 20th, 2009 at the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery located at 1137 West 6th Street. His one man show will run from March 4-28 and for the first time will include a piece of sculpture which brings his canvases to 3-D form. Donley holds both a BFA and an MA from the University of Texas and is considered a modern master of representational art, focusing on the Baroque period.
www.russell-collection.com

On his Ipod: Took it into space with a combination of lifetime favorites (James Taylor and Pink Floyd)
and Austin artists (Fastball is his favorite)

On his reading list: Doesn’t read novels. Reads mostly for research – magazines and data from the
web. Last books he read were children’s books written by scientist Steven Hawking and his wife Lucy,
George’s Secret Key to the Universe and one as yet unpublished.

Typical day: Harried…get up early and work late.
Ecclectic mix of emails, phone calls, design or writing,
creating Powerpoint Presentations, stories, game features
or business plans. A slave to his outlook calendar,
when he takes a break he plays with his dogs.

Favorite spare time pastime: Foodie. Favorite restaurants
Uchi, Hudson’s on the Bend, Jeffrey’s, The Emerald.

Why Austin: “Austin is a city where people and corporations
feel a sense of ownership and have a desire to
give back to the city. For me it is the perfect combination
of a hi-tech art city. This town is very special and I
like to think of myself as the #1 Austin evangelist.”

Something people would be surprised to know
about you: That Kelly has been in my life for 9 years and
her daughter Brennan is my best adventure buddy. I am
very happily involved in a long-term relationship.

Hamilton: As we sit here on the stage of your Curtain Theater, let’s begin with your connection to Shakespeare. Not many
people would dream of building a replica of an Elizabethan theater.

Garriot:That is true. After my parents the third most influential person in my formative years was a drama teacher from high school, Claire Harmon. I learned to love Shakespeare at the Clear Creek Country Theater so my interest goes back a long way. Also since college I have been involved with historical recreation groups such as the Society for Creative Anachronism and for many years I wanted to build a theater like this. I had the perfect spot for it. Once it was built there was an obvious connection to the work of Austin Shakespeare Festival and we naturally made the connection.

Hamilton: You read Shakespeare in space so it must have a prominent place in your psyche.

Garriot: Ann Ciccolella did the research for me and all of the passages I read were associated with man’s place on earth and
the frailty of human existence…something I saw clearly from space and something Shakespeare addressed so eloquently.

Hamilton:Speaking of your trip into space, how was it?

Garriot: Training was a lot of hard work. I lived on a Russian military base for a year. I learned to appreciate my father’s Spock-like sense of absolute clear communication and love for science. I realized why my father was a good selection for the astronaut program. It is a pretty good day when after a year of training you wake up, put on a space suit and go out to a fully fueled rocket sitting on the pad covered with frost. I was skeptical that going into space would change my perspective but it did. Absolutely.

Hamilton:In what way?

Garriot: From space you get a real sense of the interconnectedness of everything on earth. The first thing you notice is the weather systems. The world is going by at 17,000 mph and you see a lot at once. You see the fronts forming and moving across the continents and piling up across the oceans when they hit the land masses. Then you notice the geomorphology and you get a sense of understanding of how the earth was formed and
continues to change due to factors like erosion and tectonic plate movement. Finally the thing that hit me most was the footprint of humanity and the fact that man is everywhere even in those spaces we once considered totally inaccessible. Every productive part of the earth is in use. I realized that we need information about the changes our inhabitations are making to the earth and that the earth is about as full as it can get. 

Hamilton:One of the ways you documented these changes was by recreating the
photographs your father took from space 35 years ago.

Garriot: I wanted to make use of the generational history. My dad’s photographic record was the first space observations of earth so 35 years later I wanted to see if I could retake some of those photographs to compile a showcase as to the changes in the earth’s surface. The Nature Conservancy data mined and identified 500 earth observation targets. Eventually the photographs will be available for viewing at Windows on the Earth.

Hamilton:Doesn’t sound to me like you were simply a “space tourist.”

Garriot: I am happy to address that perception. Beyond the photographic record, people have asked why I would spend $30 million on a personal lark when I could have been investing in a cure for cancer and I say I am investing in a cure for cancer. My father and I have researched and collected extremophiles from the hydro-thermovents at the floor of the ocean and from ice core samples in Antarctica looking for the earliest and strongest life forms. We have extracted the proteins from these bacteria in the hope that we can create molecules called ligunds that will bind to proteins associated with diseases and stop their function. I took protein molecules into space with me to grow crystals and photograph their
structure. I took experiments collected from children by the British National Space Center with me and conducted them in space. I did not do these things because I thought I had to, I did them because they interested me and I thought it was worthwhile.

Hamilton: You have such a wide variety of interests and activities what sparks that sense of
wonder and how do you chose to spend your time and energy?

Garriot: I enjoy hard work and I like to be busy. I also like a challenge. For example I like extreme sports and when I decide to pursue something I pursue it doggedly until I reach a mastery level then I move on. I was into skydiving and hang gliding. Things that were once on my “too dangerous to do list” frequently move to my “want to do list”. For example, I have always considered climbing the highest peaks of the continents too dangerous, but I may be changing my opinion about that.

Hamilton: I read that you are also really into magic and boxing seemingly two opposite sides of the spectrum as far as activities go.

Garriot: Until I walked into Richard Lord’s boxing gym I thought of boxing as a fairly brutish sport. That was 12 years ago and I was hooked on day one. It is something I do religiously. Boxing is a phenomenally difficult sport. Not only do you have to be in top physical condition, you must
learn to be a superb and sophisticated tactician if you want to avoid being hit. Then you have to keep your where with all while someone is trying to hit you. The strategy is really akin to fencing which is also a sport that I love.

Hamilton: And the magic?

Garriot: Magic has a sense of mystery and artistry associated with it and there is a skill and technique which goes back to the illusions I program into the video games. It is all so closely related. Everything I do relates in ways people may not understand. When I design a computer game it is to me quintessential hi-tech art…Hi-tech from my father and art from my mother. I went into space following my father wearing a silver snake necklace I made with my mother when I was 11 years old. The only time it ever left my neck since I created it was to go into space with my dad. If you knew my parents, the things I do and the things that interest me…the way I approach things would make perfect sense.

Hamilton: Considering all that you have achieved that is a wonderful tribute to them. Dare I ask what’s next?

Garriot: In the next phase space will dominate my life. I will keep a finger in gaming. I love to travel and have wanted to organize an expedition to visit the disappearing indigenous populations before they disappear and from what I saw in space I might not have a lot of time before they do disappear. I am always creating and that will never stop whether it’s virtual realities or building something physical, it is the exploration and manifesting of ideas that moves me.

March and April are particularly busy months in Austin. SXSW pervades the town with music, film and interactive conference and events. You can support your favorite organization at galas and parties (Lifestyle p. 26), art receptions (Lifestyle p. 28), runs (Calendar p. 12), and celebrity golf tournaments (Lifestyle p. 39). Step back from your busy lifestyle and treat yourself to the dessert of your dreams – Chocolate Lava Cake (Lifestyle p. 36). Fields of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush dotting Austin’s highway medians on warm spring days always make me want to push the winter clothes into the back of the closet and buy a new outfit that says ‘Spring has Sprung.’ See what’s haute for spring on page 32 of Lifestyle. Forget adding the oven to your to do list of spring cleaning…think about creating the kitchen of your dreams complete with the latest in kitchen design. (Home p. 30)

Each issue we will be adding features to enhance your 360 Austin Lifestyle. This issue see What’s New & Noteworthy on page 25 of Lifestyle as well as A Day at the Spa (Lifestyle p. 42), featuring A Spa for the Soul. With many openings and events to choose from each night of the year in Austin, I can only ‘dream’ of attending all of them. Send your insider hot tips and recommendations to me, editor@ youraustinlifestyle.com

Victor Hugo once said,”There is nothing like a dream to create the future.” Here in Austin the future should be bright for we are a city of dreams and dreamers. Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Austin is the place to do it. Let me know how you are living your dream!

Deborah Hamilton-Lynne ,
Editor

After 75 years of service, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) celebrates “the strength of women and the power of community.” Since its inception in 1934, the JLA has been committed to making a direct impact in Austin by promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
 

Through the combined efforts and generous support of the volunteers, partner agencies and donors the JLA is able to strengthen the Austin community. On an annual basis, the League contributes more than $1 million to the Austin community, and its members volunteer more than 100,000 hours to support 24 local nonprofit agencies and eight League programs. In addition to these incredible annual contributions, in 2005 the organization pledged gifts to be paid out over a five year period to two significant community endeavors: the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Beyond the donation of money and time, the JLA takes measures to perpetuate the positive impact of service, placing focus and energy in preparing its members for serving the community outside the League. The training members receive through their volunteer service with the League enables them to become positive agents of change in the community, serving as board and committee members in their businesses, schools and other nonprofit work. “As we take a look at everything The Junior League of Austin has done for the community over the last 75 years, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride,” said JLA President, Melissa Greenwood Morrow. “Taking time to appreciate the tremendous progress we’ve made since our beginning and the countless people and organizations we’ve impacted is profoundly inspiring. I can’t wait to see how this inspiration drives the League for the next 75 years.”

1930’s

February 9, 1934 – The Junior League of Austin was admitted to the Association of the Junior Leagues of America. Under the leadership of the first president, Gladys Greenlee Bowman, 50 members worked to form volunteer bureaus to recruit, train and place much-needed volunteers in the community. 1934 – The JLA selected its first undertaking, the Settlement Home, a facility that housed underprivileged children. Volunteers’ duties ranged from daily errands, to assisting in the clinic, and even serving as Board members. September 6, 1934 – The JLA opened the Thrift Shop, a venture designed to raise funds that supported other projects in the community. Just like today, members donated merchandise and volunteer hours each year.

1940’s:

1941-1945 – Like the rest of the nation, the JLA saw tremendous change when the U.S. entered WWII. War efforts consumed everyone’s volunteer time, but The Junior League of Austin continued to serve 12 civic agencies. 1945 – The successful radio program and award-winning JLA project, “Leather Breeches,” began as a Saturday morning series called “Books of Adventure” and evolved into a listening aid for public school teachers. The program won a National Radio Institute Award.

1950’s

1950-1954 – The fifties saw an increase in arts sponsorship by the JLA, including the Children’s Symphony Concerts, the Austin Symphony Orchestra and UT’s Fine Arts Department. 1954 – The first Charity Ball touted Johnny Long and his orchestra fresh from Meadowbrook, New Jersey, one of the nations top dance spots. Fundraising efforts associated with the ball nurtured local talent and even a future Broadway star: a tall, talented Texas by the name of Tommy Tune.

1960’s

1960 – With a growing membership, the JLA needed a home of its own to hold meetings and conduct business. The Texas Fine Arts Association offered The Gatehouse at Laguna Gloria Art Museum in west Austin. After an extensive renovation the Gatehouse became the JLA’s first headquarters. In the early 60’s the JLA’ s fundraisers netted record dollars. With an excess of funds in its coffers, the JLA created the “Project Funding Committee,” the precursor to today’s Researchers Committee, to look into local agencies and programs that would benefit from additional funding.

1970’s

The 1970’s marked the creation of the Grants Committee, a group of members that hosted training seminars in grant writing for nonprofit agencies – yet one more way to strengthen the community. 1976 – The JLA’s first cookbook, The Collection, was introduced to the public. November 1976 – “A Christmas Affair,” the JLA’s largest annual fundraiser, was first held at the Driskill Hotel. It has become the largest holiday marketplace of its kind in the country.

1980’s

May 16, 1983 – The JLA purchased the Square at Parkcrest as its permanent headquarters. Plans for renovations, leasing and fundraisers immediately ensued. 1984 – For its 50th Anniversary project, the JLA assisted in establishing Austin’s Ronald McDonald House.

1990’s

1991 – Alarmed at the high percentage of Hispanic girls who dropped out of high school, the JLA created the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program to educate and empower Hispanic girls to complete education and continue on to college. The college preparatory program serves girls in 6th through 12th grades. ***In 2007, the JLA officially launched the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program and successfully established Con Mi MADRE… Mothers and Daughters Raising Expectations – as an independent nonprofit in order to ensure additional growth to meet the growing needs of our local Hispanic community. 1994 – To commemorate its 60th Anniversary, the JLA committed to support the People’s Clinic, a nonprofit primary heath-care facility that serves low-income families. The JLA provided $250,000 over a three-year period that helped fund the construction of a new building and improved services. 1997 – Coats for Kids was adopted by the JLA when its original sponsoring agency could no longer commit the resources to continue this valuable service. From its inception, Coats for Kids has been an extremely touching and rewarding project for both volunteers and recipients.

The New Millennium

2001 – The JLA sponsored its first “Girl Fest,” an event that allowed girls of all ages to learn about programs throughout the community. The half-day event culminated with Space Shuttle astronaut, Mae Jemison, giving an inspirational talk on the infinite opportunities for women today. 2005 – The JLA pledged community gifts over a five year period to two important organizations in Austin: The Dell Children’s Medical Center of Austin and The Long Center for the Performing Arts.