New in Round Rock

World-famous Round Rock Donuts plans to open second location after nearly 100 years

CEDAR PARK, Texas – In just four short years, this sweet business will celebrate its 100th birthday of being in business, and that’s a testament to how much people love their products.

Donuts. Sweet, mouth-watering donuts. That’s what Round Rock Donuts sells. By the dozens. And by the Baker’s Dozens. Their color comes from the fresh eggs the bakers use, and the yeast makes them special, unlike those made with baking powder. At least that’s what the bakers say. And that yeast must make the specialties rise pretty good, ‘cuz those giant donuts are something to behold!

This world-famous business located on Main Street in Round Rock will take a step forward by soon opening a second location in Cedar Park as reported by WilliamsonReporter. com. The new location will be located at the intersection of East Whitestone Blvd. and US Highway 183. The new facility will have walkup and drive-through windows and be about 6,000 square feet in size. Round Rock donuts are also currently available for purchase at Settlers Express in Round Rock, at the H-E-B grocery store on Gattis School Road, and in Austin at the H-E-B on East Riverside Drive.

The business has changed its name and location over the years. It was first built and operated as Lone Star Bakery by Reinhold R. Moehring on Round Rock’s Main Street in 1926. In the early 1940s, the bakery staff developed its popular Swedish rye bread. In 1960, the business was sold to Louise Johnson, and the original owner stayed on as a part-time baker. It was 1965 when their donuts were named the best donut in Texas by Texas Monthly. A new location was necessary to increase the amount of parking at the business, and in 1970, Lone Star Bakery relocated to its present location at 106 W. Liberty Ave. Current owners are Jan and Dale Cohrs, who have run the business since 1978.

Round Rock Donuts sells traditional donuts, Texas-sized donuts, donut holes, filled and fancy donuts, apple fritters, cinnamon twists and rolls, cupcakes, cookies, kolaches, muffins. In addition, wedding cakes and other varieties can be ordered in advance. If you’re a visitor in town, don’t leave without specialty merchandise from the store, ranging from hats to shirts, caps and visors, along with whole bean coffee.

Car parts manufacturer, Saleen Performance Parts, relocates to Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, Texas – Southern California’s loss is Round Rock’s gain as Saleen Performance Parts announced this month it is relocating its manufacturing operations to Texas. The announcement was made by Opportunity Austin, which is an initiative of the Greater Austin Chamber’s five-county economic development initiative. More than 150 manufacturing-related jobs will be added in the coming years at the 20,000-square-foot facility that will also house offices. It will be located at 900 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Building 3. “After a multi-year nationwide search, we are excited to expand our parts manufacturing to Central Texas,” said Saleen Performance Parts President Molly Saleen. “As a domestic manufacturer, we have unique criteria that needed to be met in our site selection including community participation, and we feel that the Austin area meets all of our requirements to match our current growth and business operations.”

The company introduced its original Saleen Mustang in 1984 with the goal of “giving drivers maximum performance and pleasure,” according to SPP’s website. Products available from Saleen include car overs, differential covers, “Monaco” wheel, clothing, brakes, drivetrains, engine parts, car body packages, grilles, stripe set, rear wing, and much more. Style and improved aerodynamics, improved handling, and maximum braking are at the heart of Saleen’s products.

With the Circuit of the Americas track located in Austin, this asset will benefit from having a parts manufacturer in the nearby region. Saleen Performance Parts manufactures plastic injection and advanced composites for house brands, such as Xenon and 3dCarbon, as well as does contract manufacturing for specialty equipment products.

The company’s financial benefit to the area is expected to be more than $45 million direct and induced local benefit, according to the City of Round Rock’s website.

MoPac Traffic Jams, an Austin Americana Folk-Grass jam band, plays at The Brass Tap on Oct. 24, 2020. From left to right are Camille Cartright, Kevin Cartright, Bob Cartright, Fred Spence and Jon Lundbom.

Jammin’ safely during a pandemic with the

MoPac Traffic Jams

By April S. Kelley

“It’s been a mixed bag,” according to Bob Cartright, the frontman for Americana Folk-Grass band MoPac Traffic Jams.

Like all musicians and artists, the coronavirus pandemic halted everything, including practice, for Austin’s MoPac Traffic Jams. Singing lead vocals and playing mandolin, Cartright says the band had only just begun to book significant shows when things changed.

“We’ve been at it for a little over a year now,” he said, explaining that the band formed around October 2019, with two of his adult children in the band along with two renowned Austin musicians.

The folk-infused quintet features Bob’s daughter, Camille Cartright, playing guitar and lending rich vocals, harmonizing and contrasting her father’s more gritty tones, while his son, Kevin Cartright, contributes vocals and takes on percussion via a cajon -- a South American box-shaped instrument.

Adding that banjo kick that grassroots music is known for is national recording jazz artist Jon Lundbom, who has more than eight studio albums to his credit, amongst a myriad of other musical accomplishments.

On the upright bass, New Orleans native and well-known Austin musician Fred Spence balances out all the treble and percussive sounds to create the jam-band aesthetic.

Prior to the pandemic, MoPac Traffic Jams had five shows booked at Threadgill’s, the legendary music venue that helped launch the career of Janis Joplin. The restaurant, unfortunately, had to shut its doors in April due to the pandemic.

Only recently having started to play live gigs again in the Central Texas area, dad Cartright said the band plans to book only at outdoor venues for the foreseeable future.

“I think at the end of the day safety is first, for the band and for the public,” he said. “We want to book with venues who share those priorities.”

Luckily for audiences, The Brass Tap in Downtown Round Rock boasts a picturesque patio area with twinkling lights and a small stage for bands on which to perform, like MoPac Traffic Jams. Cartright said the band has also set up a residency at Round Rock’s recently-opened Cork & Barrel to play one Sunday each month.

“We like to incorporate a lot of different genres of music,” the bandleader said.

MoPac Traffic Jams showcase impressive musicianship, meshing multiple genres into a stomping-good time, through playing original songs and classic covers.

Cartright said the band was formed under one premise, and one premise only: “Work hard, play good music and have a good time.”

Check out original tunes by MoPac Traffic Jams via ReverbNation, follow them on social media and be on the lookout for upcoming shows at The Brass Tap, Cork & Barrel and other Central Texas outdoor live-music venues.

Annual Trail of Lights

at Zilker Park to be a drive-through event

AUSTIN, Texas – The 56th annual Austin Trail of Lights is one of the rare events not canceled this year due to the pandemic; however, it will have a different look for 2020. The organizers have changed the layout to make it a drive-through event in keeping with safety over concerns about the transmission of COVID-19.

The Austin Trail of Lights, sponsored by H-E-B and hosted by the Trail of Lights Foundation, is the longest running holiday tradition of its kind in Austin, according to the Austin Trail of Lights website. Thousands from around the area have in past years walked through Zilker Park amidst the various holiday displays of more than two million lights on displays, such as sleighs, holiday trees and lighted tunnels.

The event is open from November 28, 2020 through January 3, 2021. Private nights with free entry are scheduled for more than thirty non-profit organizations along with free passes to families identified by Austin Independent School District who are unable to purchase tickets.

During the drive-through, guests will be able to listen to holiday music and highlights and history of the Trail via car radio. There are three types of tickets available for purchase. • Premiere Night entry on November 28 is $95 per vehicle. The ticket includes a box of cookies, a commemorative ornament and ATX Lights

Savings Card which provides discounts at participating restaurants and retail partners. Passes for opening night are limited. • Prices per vehicle for other dates range from $25 to $35, based on the day of the week. Access per car begins at 7 p.m. with timed entry. • A Dash Pass for $60 allows entry between 5:45 to 7 p.m. and includes a free box of cookies and an ATX Lights Savings Card. This pass is sponsored by Northern Trust.