Abbey Archer

Highlighted Work

Loosely Cultured •

Is Las Vegas Worth Visiting? - Portrait of a Place

“You either LOVE Vegas or you HATE Vegas,” a cowboy in an outdoorsman vest told me as we stood in the lobby of Encore Hotel, waiting to check into our rooms. After the trip, I can confidently say that I love Las Vegas– for what it is.

The city’s values may be troubling for some visitors. I cover this more throughout the article. Las Vegas, aptly nicknamed “Sin City,” is a destination designed to capitalize on basic human urges: greed, sexual desire, and instant gratification. The casinos claim
Williamson County Sun •

Santa Charles spreads joy to Georgetown schools, families

Sometimes kids dream a little too big when they’re coming up with their Christmas lists. And sometimes, Santa has to propose more appropriate alternatives.

“I had one boy ask me for a real Ferrari,” joked Charles Guillote, who has worked as a Santa impersonator for the past eight years. “I had to tell him that Santa and his elves make Hot Wheels — these little cars that are about three inches long. I said to him ‘I don’t think you could reach the pedals of a real Ferrari.’ ”

Mr. Guillote said
Williamson County Sun •

Retailers look to holidays to boost business

After many of Georgetown’s downtown businesses faced a difficult summer in part due to this year’s extreme temperatures, winter festivities and promotions aim to get residents and shoppers to the Square to jumpstart the holiday shopping season. To celebrate Shop Small Saturday November 25, the Georgetown Main Street Program is having a Coffee and Cocoa Crawl.

Melody English, Owner of Prima Dora gift shop, said events and promotions hosted by the City of Georgetown and other groups help business
Williamson County Sun •

Poet Kevin Young gives lecture at Southwestern University

“What interests me is how poetry can provide a witness to history,” Kevin Young said before his Roy and Margaret Shilling Lecture at Southwestern University Friday, October 13.

Mr. Young is the poetry editor at The New Yorker and spoke to students, faculty, alumni and other community members. During his lecture “The History of Poetry & The Poetry of History,” he read some of his own work, and also talked about his first editorial job: scouring the archive of Thomas Wolfe to compile a book of Mr
Loosely Cultured •

The Corporate Takeover of "Keep Austin Weird"

Austin has long been touted to be a “weird” city that is very different from the rest of Texas— but what it means to “Keep Austin Weird” has changed dramatically in recent years….

“Keep Austin Weird” started as a slogan for a campaign to save small local businesses from closing. However, this foreboding statement from the staff of a local restaurant really says it all. In 2016, when Tex-Mex cafe Opal Divines closed their original location on South Congress, the restaurant team said: “Austin’s ‘
Loosely Cultured •

What to wear to ACL MusIc Festival 2024 (Outfit Ideas)

It’s that time of year again! Austin City Limits Music Festival 2023 is just around the corner. With Kendrick Lamar, the Odesza, and Foo Fighters in the line up– you’ll look your best.

Music festival fashion became trendy in the early 2000’s when celebrities started dressing up to go to Coachella. This trend is now strong in Austin as well, but with it’s own Texas flavor.

When deciding what to wear to ACL, keep in mind that Austin is a city that is all about being casual, being unique, and mos
Loosely Cultured •

10 Iconic Closed Austin Restaurants You Forgot About

Many iconic Austin restaurants have closed as the city has continued to rapidly grow and change. When you think of Austin restaurants that have closed, you probably think of Shady Grove or the Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd. But you have probably forgotten about the Holiday House diner in Tarrytown, the Nighthawk burger chain, and the Threadgill’s on North Lamar. Oh and… you probably don’t remember that there used to be a Magic Time Machine restaurant on East Riverside. Here are 10 iconic Aus
Williamson County Sun •

Neighbors Serving Neighbors food pantry in Bartlett helps East Wilco families

Since 2019, a small effort by Bartlett resident Stephanie Myers to help neighbors in need has blossomed into a local food pantry, serving about 500 families per month.

Neighbors Serving Neighbors collects food items and goods to distribute to families in eastern Williamson County. The nonprofit serves neighbors from Bartlett, Taylor, Jarrell, Granger and other surrounding areas.

The pantry is attached to Ms. Myers’ home. Ms. Myers decided to start the food pantry because her neighbors were giv
Williamson County Sun •

Dale’s Essenhaus builds community through drinks, good times over 25 years

In September 1997, Dale Cockerell bought Joe’s Place, a Walburg bar and restaurant about 15 minutes outside of downtown Georgetown at 3900 Farm to Market Road 972. Now, almost 26 years later, Dale’s Essenhaus has maintained its status as a staple in the community and continues to serve beer, burgers, barbecue and Southern classics like chicken fried steak to those passing through the small town.

“I love people and I want them to have good food at a fair price,” Mr. Cockerell said.

Mr. Cockerel
Loosely Cultured •

How to Grocery Shop Like a European

It can be confusing to find necessities like groceries and water during your first time visiting Europe. Europeans get their groceries from local specialty shops, markets with independent vendors, and convenience stores. Surprisingly, it is much easier to find fresh produce in Europe than it is in the United States. While traveling through Spain, Italy, and Budapest, I found groceries at small local grocers and convenience stores and never saw a supermarket. So in this travel guide, we’ll show y
Loosely Cultured •

The 5 BEST Mezcal Cocktails in Austin, Texas (2024)

Bar hop with me through Austin, Texas – a city that has taken the mezcal cocktail to a whole ‘nother level. From the fiery blow of El Guapo to the sweet decadence of Midnight City, here are the 5 best mezcal cocktails in Austin, Texas:

What are the best mezcal cocktails in Austin?

The Cassiopea is a savory mixture of sweet vegetables, peppery chipotle, and tangy grapefruit. This drink suitable for someone who doesn’t want to commit. To level up the spice: you can lick the rim. To rein it in: y