Crowd Sourcing

UT alum starts campaign to get famous Wendy's cashier off the streets

UPDATE: As of 8pm Friday, the GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $15,000.

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If you're a University of Texas alum from the past decade or so, chances are you remember an unassuming hero from The Texas Union. Ishmael Mohammed Jr., known simply as "Junior" to hoards of Longhorns, was the beloved face of Wendy's — and the fastest cashier in the West.

Junior, who broke the world record for most sales in a fast food restaurant in under 30 minutes, worked at the University of Texas from 1998 - 2012. The subject of a SXSW documentary, Junior is in the spotlight again today, the subject of a GoFundMe campaign set up by a former UT student.

At 9 am on February 7, Benjamin McPhaul (data director at the Republican Party of Texas) started a campaign to "Help UT Wendy's Guy Get off the streets." "Last night, February [6th], 2014, my fiancee and I ran into Junior on the street near Campus," the campaign reads. "His mother passed away and left him homeless. This breaks my heart and I want to help, but I cant do it alone. Lets raise some money to get Junior back on his feet!! All proceeds will go towards getting Junior a place to live and a job."

Within hours of the campaign's launch, the $2,000 goal was exceeded; it more than doubled by 4 pm. "I ran into the guy last night, we were leaving a show on campus," McPhaul tells CultureMap. After recognizing Junior and offering him a ride, McPhaul made plans to do more. "I woke up this morning and said I want to do something for this guy."

It didn't take long for social media to take off and the fundraising to exceed all expectations. This afternoon, McPhaul has been emailing with Junior! The Wendy's Guy documentary filmmaker Stephen Stephanian, who also plans to help with the cause.

While the GoFundMe goal has been met, donations are still being accepted. Regarding the funds, McPhaul says he plans to work with a social worker and is looking into affordable housing options for Junior's future.

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Raise a Glass

More than 200 whiskeys headed for Austin in traveling tasting festival

Photo by Kathy Tran

Whiskey Riot is coming to Austin in April.

On Saturday, April 5, whiskey nerds in Austin will have a chance to taste and compare more than 200 products at Whiskey Riot, a traveling whiskey festival. This will be the festivals fourth year in Austin — so even if guests try 50 whiskeys each time, they still haven't exhausted the lineup.

A press release invites both whiskey lovers and the "whiskey curious," and it sounds like past events have appealed to both because the 2024 event sold out.

Attendees will learn about whiskey from representatives of brands from near and very far, including some local to the Austin area and Central Texas: Austin's own Austin 101, Milam & Greene from Blanco, Balcones from Waco, and Maverick Whiskey from San Antonio, to name a few.

For a $90 ticket, attendees will get to sample all the whiskeys on the lineup, a commemorative tasting glass to take home, and some whiskey cocktails to break up the flavors. If guests also want to get there early for a more leisurely experience (and to pace out the alcohol consumption a bit), they can get a $120 early entry ticket; that gets them in an hour ahead and gives premium access to each brand and the cocktail bar.

Since more than 200 whiskeys is a lot to keep track of, the Whiskey Riot website also offers a free downloadable tasting worksheet. Using the notes section and a tasting wheel with descriptors like "botanical" and tasting notes like "coffee" and "honey," attendees can keep track of which discoveries were their favorites and why. The wheel might also help identify patterns of personal taste, so it becomes easier to find new favorites beyond the festival.

Whiskey Riot will be held April 5 from 4-7 pm (or 3-7 pm for early access) at Fair Market (1100 E. 5th St.). Guests must be at least 21 years old.

whiskey festivals tasting cocktails