Press Release from Seed Food and Wine Austin

10-02-25

The premier celebration of plant-based food, wine, and wellness, SEED Food & Wine Festival Austin will include themed events, activities, live music and more during their first-ever fest this October at various locations throughout the city

(AUSTIN, TEXAS — Oct. 2, 2025; source: Juice Consulting) — Celebrating plant-based food, wine and wellness, the first-ever SEED Food & Wine Festival Austin shares its exciting program for this year’s fest, coming up Oct. 22 – 26 at various locations throughout the city. Attendees can expect a unique and enticing array of events and activations throughout the week, including a plant-based taco competition, featured speakers, wine and spirits tastings, live music, fitness + wellness interactives, a kid zone and so much more. SEED Austin has also partnered with the Central Texas Food Bank for their inaugural fest and will be donating proceeds from their ticket sales, as well as the contributions from an online auction, to the food bank. Tickets for each event can be purchased here. For media who are interested in attending and covering the festival, please email here. For more information about this year’s fest, see below, or check out the website – seedfoodandwineaustin.com.

The SEED Food & Wine Festival Austin 2025 schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. 22:

SEED Austin presents a special screening of the film “Rowdy Girl,” directed by Jason Goldman and executive produced by Moby, at AFS Cinema (located at 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752) from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. After a spiritual awakening, a former Texas cattle rancher leaves the cruel cycle of animal agriculture and transforms her husband’s beef operation into a sanctuary. “Rowdy Girl” showcases the inspiring work of Renee King-Sonnen, a Texas powerhouse and former cattle rancher who saw the truth, turned vegan, and never looked back. Renee has lived on both sides of the fence and proves that there is a common ground between farmers and vegans: a shared mission of compassion and sustainability. She took the very industry that she was a part of and flipped the script, transforming her ranch into Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, a groundbreaking safe haven for farm animals once destined for slaughter.

Director Jason Goldman and Renee King-Sonnen, whose story is at the heart of the documentary, will be in attendance for a special introduction and Q&A, along with surprise guests. Tickets for the screening are $25 and will benefit the Rowdy Girl Sanctuary.

Thursday, Oct. 23:

SEED Austin hosts the first-ever SEED Texas Taco Throwdown at The Domain (located at 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758) from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., where talented Texas chefs will battle it out to claim the coveted Golden Taco and the title of America’s Best Plant-Based Taco. Competing chefs include Reyna Vazquez (Veracruz All Natural), Jonah Levy (Ezov), Thandisizwe Jackson-Nisan (Vegan byy Nature), Marlon Rison (Community Vegan), Dylan Grazioplene (The Killer Taco) and Martin Heartburn (Eason). The esteemed panel of judges for this competition will include Chef Courtney Lindsay from Mo Brunch + Brews, Kelly Shin from Mr. Greens and Chris Rios from Vegan Nom.

In addition to tasting the tacos, attendees will enjoy craft cocktails, decadent desserts, live music from DJ Aria, and a chance to vote on the chef who they think deserves the People’s Choice Award. It’s a celebration of bold flavors, creativity, and plant-based brilliance that can’t be missed. GA tickets are now $45, VIP tickets are $90 and include one-hour early entry to the event (starting at 5:30 p.m.) and complimentary valet parking.

THE HISTORY OF THE SEED FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL:

After almost a decade of hosting the wildly successful SEED Food & Wine Festival in Miami, SEED is thrilled to find a new home in Austin, a city that boasts a dynamic mix of local farmers, food artisans, and innovative chefs who are passionate about sustainable and health-conscious living. Named the Top Three Food and Wine Festivals in the country by USA Today, SEED promises a culinary experience unlike any other, showcasing the best in plant-based foods, wines, spirits, chefs, restaurants, authors, athletes and visionaries from Texas to every corner of the country.

“Year after year, SEED continues to innovate and lead the charge in the wellness realm by bringing together some of the nation’s most talented speakers, chefs, celebrities, athletes and authors,” said SEED Miami Founder and SEED Austin Co-Founder Alison Burgos. “Our goal is to deliver programming that is not only fun, but informative. All of our events are designed to encourage learning, growth and education for everyone. My hope is to start a conversation that continues long after the festivities end.”

SEED Miami Founder and SEED Austin Co-Founder Alison Burgos has been producing, organizing and promoting large-scale events and destination weekends across the country, drawing crowds of 30,000 people annually for over 26 years. In 2008, Alison was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and became confined to a wheelchair for several years before undergoing knee replacement surgery followed by months of physical rehabilitation. Becoming more conscious of what she put into her body, she began consuming more fruits and vegetables, adopting the plant-based diet she eats today. Realizing that changing her diet had put the spring back in her step, Alison and Co-Founder Michele Gabor saw the opportunity to teach others how to eat their way to better health. Since 2014, they have led the best plant-based festival in the country, held annually in Miami, drawing loyal fans and participants from across the globe.

SEED Austin Co-Founder Tara Notvest met Alison at the 2021 SEED Miami festival and was an immediate devotee of the festival. After moving to Austin from Miami, Tara fell in love with the local vegan community and saw the need for SEED’s one-of-a-kind experience here. Now, as the proud leader of SEED Food and Wine Austin, Tara is on a mission to make the festival a cornerstone event for the city, food enthusiasts, eco-conscious advocates, and anyone who loves a good time. By celebrating sustainability, conscious living, and plant-forward eating, she’s dedicated to creating an extraordinary experience that will leave every attendee inspired and eagerly anticipating the next SEED celebration.

Press Release from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Photo Copyright: Texas Parks and Wildlife Sonja Sommerfeld, TPWD)

08-25-25

AUSTIN— Soon Texans will have a new spot in the Hill Country to explore thanks to the latest Texas State Park land acquisition in Uvalde County. Bear Creek State Park is 1,720-acres and located less than a mile from Garner State Park, one of the most popular sites in the state.

“Texas is home to more than 640,000 acres of state parks and natural areas for Texas families to enjoy all the majestic views and activities our state has to offer,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The acquisition of Bear Creek State Park will provide Texans access to the Frio River along with streams, canyons, and hiking trails for visitors to explore. I encourage all Texans and out-of-state visitors to witness our beautiful Texas parks up close.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) purchased the property for $33.5 million using a one-time funding appropriation. The new state park will be developed through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion endowment fund overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing state parks.

“This latest land purchase is another feather in the cap of the department for their efforts to provide more public spaces for Texans to recreate in the outdoors,” said Paul Foster, Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. “Combined with the previous additions, Texas has added more than 6,800 acres of new parkland since January.”

“The department is excited to add Bear Creek to the Texas State Park system and provide Texans with another picturesque slice of the Texas Hill Country to enjoy,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. “The rolling grasslands and unnamed creeks stretching across the landscape will one day provide visitors with a new place to explore the peaks and valleys that make up Uvalde County.”

When notified of available properties, TPWD conducts a due diligence review to determine the property’s feasibility as a state park. In this case, TPWD determined the property’s outstanding natural and recreational features made it an excellent candidate.

Not only does the site provide access to the Frio River, Spring Creek, as well as its namesake Bear Creek, but there are several streams, canyons and ridges providing an idyllic background for hikers. The property also has views of Old Baldy at Garner State Park and the surrounding area. Furthermore, it is home to large Cypress and Live Oak trees ready to shade visitors as they traverse future trails or have picnics.

Additionally, future visitors will be able to experience dark skies when camping in this quiet and remote corner of the Hill Country.

A variety of wildlife also call the area home. Bear Creek is prime habitat for endangered species like the golden-cheeked warbler. Initial surveys have also shown a potential for rare and sensitive floral species in the ravines throughout the property.

Now that the sale is complete, Wildlife and Inland Fisheries biologists will work with State Park staff to conduct natural and cultural resource surveys to help guide park planners with management plans and future visitor interpretive exhibits.

This latest acquisition furthers TPWD’s goal of expanding public access to Texas’ natural space in more corners of the state. The completion of this purchase joins 3,120- acre Post Oak Ridge State Park near Colorado Bend and the 3,703-acre addition at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

Additionally, the phased opening of new parkland will allow hunters to use Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and Post Oak Ridge State Park as soon as this fall for drawn hunt opportunities.

TPWD will develop a plan with input from the public to determine recreational opportunities for the property. This plan may take many months to complete, but TPWD will communicate upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date.

More information about the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund can be found on the TPWD website or at TexasStateParks.org

Press Release from Karlea Schuelke with All Points Public Relations

06-03-25

 A locally owned Signs Now center in Del Rio participated in a national initiative this past May in support of the Cancer Research Institute during National Cancer Research Month.

Throughout the month May, the business joined the nationwide “Signs of Hope” campaign — a meaningful show of support for cancer research. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to partner with Signs Now Del Rio for signage and graphics needs while also learning more about how to contribute to the Cancer Research Institute’s mission through the campaign website.

National Visual Communications Brand Rallies Communities to Support the Cancer Research Institute this May

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – Signs Now, the trusted local provider of custom graphic and visual communication solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its “Signs of Hope” campaign this May in honor of National Cancer Research Month.

Throughout the month, Signs Now is raising funds and engaging the local communities they serve to raise awareness and support for cancer research. While Signs Now businesses are independently owned and operated, many are joining together in this nationwide show of support. In addition to partnering with their neighborhood Signs Now Center for quality signage and graphics solutions, local businesses and organizations can also contribute to the Cancer Research Institute’s mission by making a donation via the Signs of Hope website all month long.

“Signs of Hope underscores our commitment to supporting the communities we serve while also raising awareness for a cause that affects so many people,” said Lisa Buehler, President of Marketing & Visual Communications Brands for Alliance Franchise Brands, the parent company of Signs Now. “We’re proud of our Signs Now teams and partners who have rallied around this campaign and look forward to seeing the difference we can make together. It’s a powerful reminder that even small acts of support, when combined, can make a meaningful impact.”

  Signs Now provides custom graphic solutions to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits in local communities. From the simplest signage projects to the most complex, trained graphics specialists work closely with clients to deliver creative, high-impact visual communications, from environmental graphics and wayfinding signage to mobile graphics, ADA signage and promotional displays.

  “The Cancer Research Institute is deeply grateful for the support and generosity of Signs Now and their parent company, Alliance Franchise Brands,” said Brigitte Mor, Director of Individual Giving and Events at the Cancer Research Institute. “The funds they help raise will go directly where they’re needed most and ultimately help bring us closer to a world immune to cancer.”

Signs Now locations are independently owned and operated and a member of the Alliance Franchise Brands network, a world leader in marketing, graphics and visual communications, linking over 500 locations in North America.

  For more information on the Signs Now “Signs of Hope” Campaign or to donate visit https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org/team/652978.

 For more information about Signs Now and its services, visit the company’s website at https://www.signsnow.com/.

  About Alliance Franchise Brands LLC (parent company of Signs Now)
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC is the franchisor of over 500 locations in North America operating the company’s brands: Allegra Marketing Print Mail, Image360, RSVP Direct Mail Advertising, True Install, Signs by Tomorrow, Signs Now, KKP, Insty-Prints and American Speedy Printing.