This week's Fringe post comes to us from Kelly Sooch, an insightful high school student here in Austin whose trip to Hinche, a small town in Haiti, moved her to launch Help Laiti Learn. Read about her inspiring experience below and find out how you can help open up a world of opportunity for young Haitian students!

“How much is an American passport?” A matter-of-fact question with a presumably simple answer. However, when a Haitian student just one year younger than I am asks me this, I have trouble giving him an answer. Like many other young Haitians, he’s fluent in Creole, French and English. It’s his dream to attend an American university—his family is trying, but the financial barrier makes his goal nearly unattainable.

Our June Outdoors Issue is fast approaching, which means we're looking for the best ways to enjoy these summer days—and get fit for swimsuit season, while we're at it! For the rest of the month, join us for Fitness Thursdays, as we share our favorite ways to stay healthy and active this season. 

Staley's Thoughts

There is a list on the wall in my office of restaurants I have yet to try in Austin. But one small problem stands in their way: Hopdoddy's. Whenever I have a guest in town, I end up taking them to Hopdoddy's. It's just so impressive—the food is great, and the design is cool. It's crowded, but you don't care because the people-watching is so compelling. It's also a win-win when catering to different diets: hormone and antibiotic free beef ground in-house, gluten free buns available, a veggie burger named after Janis Joplin. If only I had the willpower to resist those hand-cut Kennebec fries.

And now there are two of them.

If the current 90-degree weather is any indication, summer is just around the corner here in Austin, and with summer comes that desire for the ideal bikini bod. Of course, no one wants to work out outside in this heat, so a gym is the next best thing. However, while running outside is free, gym memberships can get to be a bit unreasonable. The YMCA understands this need for reasonable fitness prices and even provides financial assistance to underprivileged families, because they are well aware of the positive impact health and fitness can have on someone’s life (there is a song named after them after all!)

We caught up with Katy Witmer, the YMCA development communications coordinator, to find out a little more about the YMCA's unique fitness programs.

It's hard to steal the show at an event when it's attended solely by fashion bloggers, but that's exactly what Emily McNeely did during Texas Style Council's Posh Party during SXSW 2012. Predictably, guests were rocking the hottest trends in fashion- animal print, color blocking, floral, neon, sequins—but no one was wearing sequins quite like this.

The Charlotte, $248 Emily Hallman Collection

Godstone Ranch Motorsports has a new spin on racing cars. Yes, there are the inevitable roaring engines, sponsor-bedecked Ferraris and bustling pit crew, but in a feel-good twist this unique Texas organization does it all for a cause.

Every day, it seems, there is a new food trailer popping up somewhere in Austin. One of my personal favorites is Little Thai Food, located on South 1st, between Gibson Street and Barton Springs Rd. If you enjoy Thai food you will definitely enjoy this charming trailer's array of delicious, authentic Thai fare. I personally recommend their eggrolls and fried rice made to order. You can get it to go or enjoy al fresco—so go out on one of these beautiful spring days and enjoy some delicious Thai food, right here in Austin.

As if those who have turned to Pinterest for aid in tracking down that perfect wedding dress or crafting bridesmaid gifts can find no reprieve, this website is a wealth of ideas when it comes to wedding décor on the cheap. Since it has blown up in popularity, it’s no secret that one of Pinterest’s most popular usages is wedding planning. Here are five DIY projects to spruce up your wedding decorations without breaking the bank. Make it a Pinterest project party for you and your best girls and spend the night bonding, making sure your wedding looks dreamy and sticking to that budget.

Image courtesy of belgianwaffle.co

Now that spring has sprung, we are out in force, exploring the city before the sweltering summer comes upon us. Join us on our weekly culinary adventures with Restaurant Wednesday, when we share newly-discovered tasty bites from across the city. 

Austin welcomes a new food truck in town that has the potential to turn a breakfast staple, the waffle, into a savory lunch or a rich dessert. The Belgian Waffle Co trailer will make you never want to eat an Eggo again—one taste of their unforgettable Waffles de Liege and you will be sold! The perfect combination of crispy, soft and delicious, these waffles are the stuff of dreams.

Spring is here, and with it the urge to redecorate and refresh your living space. While you can't always afford to buy a new couch or dining room table, you can always refresh the look with a gorgeous new accent for your home—and Stone Textile Studio has just the thing!