I live in Austin TX myself.. je parle un peu de Francais aussi, hah...
For lessons, search on the web, there are tons of them. For a
guitar shop, try Strait Music on 183 North (Research Blvd.) and 620. I don't like to usually endorse a chain store like Guitar Center if I can help it.
For a mini jemfest, Mr Vwall (Scott) I've already met and he's a pretty heavyweight ibanez / jem / guitar fan, maybe the biggest Texas jemsiter on here, so he knows probably a lot more about that than I do.
Welcome to the best state in the union (and I'm saying that having been born in Ohio, lived in Michigan, North Carolina, and Colorado, and raised in Maryland.. uh.. not in that order)... enjoy!
-Alex