Last week I had the privilege of going to Carino’s in Cedar Park and participating in their Stuff the Backpack Drive.  Sarah and her staff were wonderful and the food delicious!  You have until this Sunday to help.  All the details are below!!

A dozen Austin area elementary schools will benefit from a school supply drive sponsored by Carino’s Italian Restaurant, the company announced.

The Stuff the Backpack drive started Aug. 10 and will continue through Aug. 30. School supplies will be distributed to classrooms at Sunset Valley, Cunningham, Joslin, Walnut Creek, McBee, Graham, Pleasant Hill, Houston, Odom, Davis, Hill and Summit elementary schools.

Teachers spend an average of $1,500 of their own money every year to help with classroom needs, according to a Carino’s press release. Company officials hope the drive will help teachers and students have a more successful school year.

Supplies needed most include:

• 8 oz. bottle of white glue
• pencil boxes
• #2 pencils
• Crayons
• 12 in. rulers
• Wire bound notebooks
• Blue or black ink ballpoint pens
• Notebook binders
• Folders with pockets
• Backpacks

Those who donate an item to the drive will receive a coupon for a free child’s meal and a complimentary dessert coupon for students to give to their teachers.

Supplies can be dropped off at the following Carino’s locations:

• 5601 Brodie Lane, Ste. 1600, Austin
• 12901 N. IH-35, Austin
• 9500 S. IH-35, Austin
• 11620 N. FM 620, Austin

My son James has always wanted to see the UT Tower, so we took a drive there recently.

Since we were short on time, we didn’t climb to the top. However, I thought I’d try my hand at shooting a video with the new video camera I’d just bought. As big as the tower is, I figured even a totally blind person like me couldn’t possibly miss it. Well, judge for yourself.

I love the Tax Free weekend!  It is such a great way to save money just before the school year begins!  Tomorrow is just got sweeter with a great special at Krispy Kreme donuts!  Enjoy!!

That’s right a dozen donuts for just 99 cents!!  Remember to be safe while you are out shopping.  Here are a few be safe rules to not only practice this weekend but anytime!

Tips to safe this Tax Free Weekend.

* Shop during daylight hours. If you must shop at night, go with a companion.
* Avoid wearing expensive jewelry that could attract thieves.
* Men should carry a wallet in a front pocket. Women should be sure to hold a purse close to the body and on the inside if walking in a pair.
* Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Use checks or credit cards.
* Don’t overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have a clear sightline.

* Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Any time of the year, con artists may try various methods to distract you.

* Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and take the keys with you when you leave.

-Source Amber Alert Safety Center

I’m sure the kids won’t like this, but it’s that time again when we start getting ready for them to go back to school. The good news (for us parents anyway) is this weekend, you can shop tax-free and stock up on those much-needed school supplies.

Sunday, Aug. 23 from 1 to 3 Pm, I invite you to join me at the Goodwill store, 1911 North Bell in Cedar Park. It’s on the corner of North Bell and New Hope Dr. I’ve always been impressed with the wide selection of items Goodwill has for any occasion, and you can get everything from backpacks to computers, even vintage and boutique clothing.

As always, we’ll have lots of majic prizes for you to win if you stop by our booth. i always enjoy meeting our Majic listeners, so don’t be shy. I’d love to see you there.

The wait is finally over!  The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus is in Austin!  The show runs this Wednesday August 21st thru Sunday August 23rd at the Frank Erwin Center.  This fantastic show has so much to offer.!  Check out the events starting with the animal parade below!

If you would like more ticket info go to www.uterwincenter.com  They have half price tickets for opening night!

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus train pulls into Austin tonight! 

Circus fans across Central Texas are invited to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents OVER THE TOP at the Frank Erwin Center for multiple performances August 19-23!

Animal Walk – Monday, August 17 (8pm- Time and route are subject to change without notice.)

Come watch as the circus rolls into town by train! The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey train will arrive at 4660 Bolm Road, near the intersection of Springdale Rd.  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey parading pachyderms and friends will proceed to the Frank Erwin Center by heading south on Springdale Rd., west on E. 7^th Street, north on the IH-35 Frontage Rd., east on 15th St. to arrive at the southeast exit of Lot 108. This is a great opportunity for exciting live shots.

Ele-Punt Kickoff Brunch – Wednesday, August 19 (12pm in the Animal Open House^SM in east Lot 108 at the Frank Erwin Center) Cheer on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey elephants as they eat their pre-game meal and kickoff the University of Texas football season! UT Cheer and Pom will perform a mini pep rally, the six Asian elephants will be fed a brunch of elephant-sized proportions, with food provided by H-E-B, and then one talented elephant will kick an elephant sized football! This event is not open to the public, but will be attended by Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation and the Neighborhood Longhorns Program.

CircusFit Seminar– Thursday, August 20 (10am at Life Time Fitness in South Austin, 7101 S. MoPac Expy NB) The public is invited to enjoy the fun as Ringling Bros. clowns demonstrate how jumping rope, hoop twirling, balancing, juggling, and other basic circus skills can help develop coordination, concentration, and discipline.  Like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, CircusFit was designed with “fun” in mind, so exercise is never a chore, but rather a daily activity in which kids will look forward to participating.

The CircusFit Seminar is free. Life Time Fitness will be registering people to attend, and wristbands will be required for admittance to the gym for this event.  For more information about registration, please call 512-358-8171. Media interested in covering this event are asked to contact Whitney Kuryak (Life Time Fitness) at 512-891-4511 to make arrangements to shoot at the gym during the seminar. 

Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas – Thursday, August 20 (2:30pm-3:30pm) Ringling Bros. clowns will provide a unique entertainment experience for some special patients at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. 

With the record breaking heat this Summer there is no better time than this weekend for , The Austin Ice Cream Festival!!  I’m so excited, it’s this weekend, and here is the best part it’s only $5!!

Here are all the details:

WHAT: The 3rd Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival

WHERE: Waterloo Park

WHEN: August 15th at 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

ADMISSION: $5 for Adults. Children 12 and under FREE!!!

You can find out more here: http://www.austinicecreamfestival.com/index.html

A When you see a blind person crossing a street, or navigating a building, you’ve probably noticed they either travel using a Seeing Eye dog or a white cane.

Technology is changing the face of how all of us live, even those like me who are blind. I’m always interested in the newest gadgets/devices that have already come out (or are still being worked on), especially when it relates to blindness.

Our IT Director here at Majic sent me the link to an article that talks about a “high-tech” cane that is supposed to make it easier for those of us who are blind to get around. I thought it was interesting enough to share here, particularly if you know someone who is blind, or are just naturally curious about new things.

To read the article, visit:
 http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-1030…

Kim’s dad sent me this video and I did some checking and as hard as it is to believe, it seems to be real.

It’s short, jaw-dropping, and something I would never do.

I wanted to thank all of you who came to our wonderful Balance Expo 2000 at the Palmer Events Center this weekend!  It was great to meet so many of our Majic listeners and our fantastic guests!

In case you missed it or could not be there for everything, I’ve posted some of my favorite pictures and some backstage tid bits for you!  Enjoy them and we hope to see you again next year!!

My daughter Kate, Kate Gosselin and me!

Kate Gosselin is the most sincere and lovely person.  You could tell all of this was hard for her, but she was here and so nice to everyone.  I wish her nothing but the best.  FYI, she likes to eat healthy and we made sure to stop at Whole Foods so she could get her favorite yogurt, (Stonyfield) and granola.  Eating right show’s, she looks fantastic!

MJO and me!

Michael John’s or MJO as his fans call him, is a wonderfu and down to earth guy!  His wife is from Ft. Worth and he actually changes his plane reservations while he was backstage so he could stop into Dallas to visit his inlaws!  He warmed up by playing “Across The Universe” by the Beatles and told me his Gibson guitar has never needed tuning since he has had it!

Michale also brought his dog David Puddy with him.  David is a Frenchie and charmed everyone backstage.  The name if from a Seinfeld character and Michael is a big fan of the show.

How cute is this dog!!

Also thanks to Michael’s fans for traveling from far away and surprising him with his favorite Chic-Fil-A chicken sandwhich!

Michael loved the Chic-Fil-A!!

Dr. Laura is truly a force of nature!  She does it all and is so full of energy and fun!  She loves to shop in SoCo when she is Austin.  She loves the cowboy boots!  She treated the audience to some incredible yoga demonstrations!!

The amazing Dr. Laura!

Life Coach Ann Daly is a wonderful and inspirational speaker!  She has a wonderful book out called “Clarity” and I have just started reading it!  You should too!

The wonderul Ann Daly!!

I love Michael John’s and have been getting so many emails from his many fan’s who want to attend the Balance Expo and wanted all the details, some are coming from many miles away!  We can’t wait to see all of you. Here are the details of Michael’s appearance at the Balance Expo 2009 this Saturday!

Michael will be at the Main Stage at 1pm to perform songs from his new CD  “Hold Back My Heart” including one of Majic’s most requested songs as of late “Heart On My Sleeve”.  After the performance Michael will be signing autographs too! We will have pictures for you if you don’t already have something to bring with you.

I also have a fun bit of information to share about Michael…he loves Chic-Fil-A!!  He asked for a Chic-Fil-A chicken sandwich to be brought to his hotel during his stay here in Austin!!  See you at the Balance Expo!!

We Love Michael John's Too!!