Austin December Holiday Traditions Part Family Activities

About our Newsletter:

The Circle C Homeowners Association (HOA) has partnered with Peel, Inc. to publish our monthly newsletter gratis for our residents. We target our content to keep homeowners updated on appropriate Circle C announcements and notices. In addition to the printed version, residents may find past newsletters on the Peel.com website with a search for “Circle C.” However, the most current news and announcements may be found at https:// CircleCRanch.com. Please note that, in an effort not to interfere with our advertisers that fund this publication, we may not promote or mention businesses. We also do not publish letters or op-eds because we wish to keep our newsletter factual and neutral. Thank you for your understanding and for being a part of our community. Articles herein are intended to offer information that might be of use to our residents and to share current or historical events. We do not provide legal, medical, or expert advice but welcome input from our neighbors with expertise. We would love to hear from you!

Request for Nominations:

We are always interested in nominations of our wonderful residents for our recurring features below: • “Spotlight on a Circle C Teen”—If you know impressive neighborhood teenagers that might be interested in being featured in an article showcasing their accomplishments, please feel free to reach out to us at the contact information below. • “Angels Among Us”—Also, if you know extraordinary residents that are changing lives in some way, please reach out to us for consideration in our “Angels Among Us” recurring feature. • “Notable Residents”—We would love to feature residents with unique and interesting pasts. Please feel free to reach out to us with nominations of residents whose stories might be of interest to our community. We especially love stories of our veterans.

Contact Information:

Our Circle C HOA manager may be reached by email at Info@ CircleCRanch.info or by phone at 512-288-8663. Our newsletter writer may be reached at CCWriter@ CircleCRanch.info.

Candidate Questionnaire

Are you looking for a unique leadership opportunity? Well, look no further! Circle C HOA is looking for leaders like you to join the Board of Directors. In preparation for our Annual Meeting & Election, the Nominating Committee is looking for a slate of candidates. We have 3 (three) board positions open for the March election. To facilitate the preparation of the nomination slate and to ensure that the process is open to all members, the Nomination Committee is calling for nominations for the open board positions. The elected Candidates will serve for a 3-year term starting March 2022. For more information on the Directors election and Officer Roles, State statue regulating requirements for HOA Directors or to complete a Candidate Questionnaire, visit our website at www.circlecranch.com under News & Announcements.

HOA Mgmt Office ................................ info@circlecranch.info or 512.288.8663 HOA Financial Office...............................tgiles@mgilescpa.com or 512.451.9901 Aquatics Director ......................................director@ccswim.net or 512.288.4239

Newsletter Publisher

Peel, Inc. ..................................................advertising@PEELinc.com or 512.263.9181

Circle C Amenities

Circle C Avaña Pool ........................................................................512.292.1518 Circle C Café ..................................................................................512.288.6058 Circle C CDC.................................................................................512.288.9792 Circle C Swim Center .....................................................................512.363.5578 Circle C Community Center Pool...................................................512.301.8259 Grey Rock Golf Course (City Owned/Operated)...............................512.288.4297 Grey Rock Tennis Club...................................................................512.301.8685 Circle C Grey Rock Pool.................................................................512.291.8398

CIRCLE C GATED COMMUNITIES

Enclave off Spruce Canyon Spectrum Management..................................Colleen Pritchard, 512.834.3900 Enclave off of La Crosse Relevant Management..................................................Kim Todd, 512.580.4212 Fairways Estates Spectrum Management..................................Colleen Pritchard, 512.834.3900 Park West Goodwin Management..................................Marilyn Childress 512.502.7509 Hillside Estates

Real Manage................................................. Christine Gamache, 866.473.2573 Avana Estates Relevant Management...............................................Kim Todd, 512.580.4212 Muirfield Real Management......................................... Victoria Escamilla, 866.473.2573

Russ Hodes ……........………………………….....……President Natalie Placer McClure………………………........Vice President Michael Chu ……………………………………….......Treasurer Trinh Bartlett…………………………………………...Secretary

Stephen Bega, Theresa Bastian and Jason Bram—Board Members Contact the Board at: directors@circlecranch.info

City of Austin Solid Waste ...............................................512.974.1945 Dead Animal Collection...................................................512.974.2000 Abandoned Vehicle...........................................................512.974.8119 Pothole Complaints..........................................................512.974.8750 Stop Signs ........................................................................512.457.4885 Street Light Maintenance .................................................................311

Schools

Clayton Elementary .................................................512.841.9200

Kiker Elementary .....................................................512.414.2584

Mills Elementary......................................................512.841.2400

Bear Creek Elementary.............................................512.414.0040

Cowan Elementary...................................................512.841.2700

Bailey Middle...........................................................512.414.4990

Gorzycki Middle School...........................................512.841.8600

Bowie High School ..................................................512.414.5247

UTILITY PROVIDERS

Electric Pedernales Elec. .................................................. 512.219.2602 City of Austin. .................................................................512.494.9400 Texas Gas Service ............................................................800.700.2443 Water City of Austin .......................................................512.972.1000 MidTex Water Company..................................................866.654.7992 Solid Waste City of Austin ..............................................512.974.1945 Post Office Oak Hill Station ............................................800.275.8777

Continued from Page 3 Planning Home Improvements? Don’t Forget You Need Approval!

The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of the Circle C Homeowners Association state that all improvements to all singlefamily homes and lots must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee prior to construction. The Architectural Control Committee is appointed by the CCHOA Board of Directors. The committee has 30 days to review submitted projects, so please keep this mind when you are planning your home improvements. You can find answers to frequently asked questions and guidelines for commonly proposed projects on our website, www.circlecranch.com under the ACC tab.

By Texas A&M Forest Service

Over the last six month, we’ve shared a lot about trees recovering from Winter Storm Uri. Many trees never properly leafed out, and a large percentage of those that did leaf out did so in patches, or as a clump at the base of the tree’s canopy. Our advice in May was to wait and see, and by August it was easy to tell which trees weren’t going to make it. Now we’re at the end of this year’s growing season, and a lot of home and landowners are asking us the same question – what should we do with the branches that never grew leaves? Sadly, those branches are dead. While it is preferable to not prune trees during the warner months due to pests and disease, we are finally heading into pruning season and there just might be a perfect window for people to be able to prune back the branches of their trees that were killed by the freeze while still being able to tell which branches are alive. So, if you have trees on your property that look like the one below, now is a good time to prune back the branches while living shoots are still easily distinguishable. It is still likely that trees with less than 50% of their original canopy will eventually die, but trees have a way of surprising even our most experienced foresters. Read the full article, visit our website at https://circlecranch.com/timeto-trim-the-dead-branches/

Kids Holiday Party

@ the Community Center Saturday, December 4, 2021, 10am to 1pm

Visit the www.circlecranch.com for updated information. This event is open to residents only. Admission is 1 AWESOME unwrapped, unopened gift for our toy donation drive benefitting the holiday wishes campaign at Partnerships for Children. Information for this amazing organization can be found at www.partnershipsforchildren.org

Part 1: Viewing Holiday Lights:

This series of old Austin traditions is intended as a tribute to the old hat Circle C residents as well as to our new residents hailing from outof-town locations. Welcome! We thought you might be interested in learning of some of Austin’s holiday traditions along with bits and pieces of our history. For the old hat neighbors that haven’t been to these events in a while, we encourage you to invite a new neighbor to one of the following activities and show them what Austin holidays are about.

1. Drive through Austin’s Trail of Lights @ Zilker Park (Nov.27–Dec.30 7PM–10pm; Fast Passes 5:45PM–7pm)

In December 1965, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department offered a yule log to the City of Austin to honor “Yule Fest.” Yule was originally a 12-day pagan festival originated by the Germanic people to celebrate the winter solstice and the subsequent lengthening of the days. It began in late December—on the shortest day of the year—and continued to the first of January. During Yule time, families would select a log from a tree in nearby woods to burn to bring good luck for the new year. They believed the ashes from the fire contained nutrients that helped to feed the surrounding plants. Yule Fest continued at Zilker Park annually, growing each year with added displays and lights. In 1992, Yule Fest was renamed the Trail of Lights. Due to a lack of funding, the event was cancelled in 2010 and 2011; but, in 2012, donations and sponsorships from local businesses and private individuals allowed the tradition to return. Now, Austin’s Trail of Lights contains more than 2 million lights with at least 70 displays and lighted tunnels, and 90 lighted holiday trees. Traveling under the colorful lighted tunnels in December is perhaps Austin’s most iconic December tradition.

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The event vacillated throughout the years between offering the experience to pedestrians versus those in automobiles, sometimes offering both–with days dedicated to one or the other. Last year (2020) and this year (2021) the decision to offer the experience via “drive-through” was made easy due to the pandemic and its aftermath.

The Trail of Lights is open every evening from November 27 to December 31, 2021. General admission tickets prices begin at $30/ vehicle with entry hours from 7–10pm. “Dash Passes” allow early

entry between 5:45–7pm and cost $65/vehicle. Vehicles may contain up to 9 people and pets are welcome. Tickets must be pre-purchased and reservation spots are selling out quickly. Visit AustinTrailOfLights. org to purchase tickets.

2. Spin under the Zilker Holiday Tree (Nov.27–Dec.31 6PM–10pm)

The “Zilker Holiday Tree” is actually not a tree at all, but a collection of approximately 3,309 red, yellow, and green LED lights draping from the top of a replica of Austin’s metal moon towers (or moonlight towers). The 31 original moon towers were originally ordered in an effort to light Austin’s night sky and keep residents safe after one of the world’s first serial killer’s killing sprees in 1884–1885, although the killing had stopped years before the towers finally arrived and were erected in 1895. Ironically, the towers themselves created fatal injuries to several workers and others that attempted to climb them. Still standing tall at 165 feet, the world’s only remaining 17 moon towers are all located in Austin. According to the moon towers’ National Register of Historic Places 1976 Nomination form, the City of Austin rebuilt the Zilker tower in 1967 to “replace a fallen one” at a cost of $10,000. Although a replica that is 10-feet shorter than the original towers, the Zilker moon tower is nonetheless counted as one of the city’s remaining 17 towers and is therefore registered as a city, state, and national historical landmark. In December, this metal replica transforms to Austin’s largest holiday tree with 39 strings each containing 81 lights. On the top of the tree is a double star measuring 10 feet from point to point that contains 150 lights. The base of the tree contains 19 utility poles, each 14-feet tall, arranged in a circle around the moon tower, providing a 380foot circumference. The very first Zilker Holiday tree was lighted on December 10, 1967, by Mayor Pro Term, Mrs. Emma Long. Now, the City of Austin offers the lighting of the tree to children who win a city-wide art contest. The Zilker Holiday tree is lit at 6pm nightly with a parking curfew of 10pm. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis and the tree is free to visit. An Austin tradition is to spin around under the tree, arms splayed out, and stare at the lights for as long as possible.

3.Visit 37th Street’s Funky holiday Lights (Dec. 10–Jan. 1, 2022 7pm–10pm)

In 1979, a man named Jamie Lipman—living on 37th street in Austin— decided to string one of his holiday lights to his friend’s house across the street. His neighbors on that short block decided to join in and do the same. Over the years, their street became a cobweb of lights crossing over the street each December. The displays on the front yards grew more elaborate and irreverent, with neighbors competing for the strangest decorations: baby Yodas, all sorts of aliens, volcanoes on roofs, and so on. By the late 1980s word had spread among Austin and charter buses began to arrive in December, with crowds filling their little street. Jamie and other 37th Street neighbors began opening their backyards for the crowds to tour as well, placing weird Austin displays in the back. One day, Jamie noticed his electric meter spinning. He put yellow lights around it to highlight the spinning, and states that it reached up to 60 RPMS. Visitors noticed the spinning meter and took out some dollars to place on top as an effort to help pay for this weird Austin tradition so that it continues. 37th Street residents welcome donations of holiday lights (even nonworking ones that could be used as extension cords), and fun displays. Donated items may be placed on the front porch at 507 W. 37th Street, Austin, TX, 78705. It is recommended that visitors park their cars nearby and walk down the street. All residential parking in the area is free and shops on Guadalupe have parking spots for customers. Nearby shops include Starbucks, a local Civil Goat Coffeehouse, and Amy’s Ice Cream. Also, 34th and 35th Streets often have room for parking. This 37th Street Holiday Light Display has become such a strong tradition that, in 1993, when the City of Austin decided to remove some of the lights, particularly those attached to telephone poles, without warning, neighbors on the street protested by not turning on their lights. Disappointed visitors arrived to find a dark street. They asked why and the neighbors replied that the city had removed part of their lights, so they stopped turning them on. It took only two days before then-Mayor Bruce Todd showed up, walking along the street to apologize to the neighbors for “making a mistake” and “messing with Christmas.” The 37th Street residents ask that visitors please respect the 7–10pm time frame and keep noises at considerate levels. They generally enjoy conversations with guests, and fun gifts are always appreciated. In true Texas spirit, the neighbors collectively state, “We can’t wait to see y’all!!!!!!” The lights are free but bringing dollar bills to contribute to the electric bills is much appreciated.

Continued from Page 6 4.Attend the light and music show at Mozart’s coffee Roasters (Nov. 11–Jan. 6, 2022 6pm–12am)

The building at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas, 78703 was originally intended to be a boat repair shop, allowing the ability for boats to float into the hangar to wait for repairs. The outside bricks on the building are old, reclaimed bricks from Chicago. Now, the building houses Mozart’s Coffee Roasters and they state they are “proud to be an ‘Austin Original.’” Mozart’s first opened their doors in 1993. Specializing in worldwide gourmet coffees, their roastmaster flame roasts the coffee beans on site every 48 hours. They also offer a variety of desserts and have a lovely outdoor deck overlooking the lake. They are generally open until midnight (with few exceptions) for those late-night snacks, offering live music on the deck on the weekends starting Thursday evenings through Sunday. Normally, there are available tables outside, but in December, Austinites flock to their deck to experience their light and music show. Last year, due to COVID, they moved to a reservation system for their outdoor tables on the deck, and they received so much positive feedback, they repeated the procedure for 2021. Reservations may be made through their website, https:// mozartscoffee.com. Tables are $20 for 4 people and $30 for 6 people. The shows are every hour from 6pm–12am and guests are requested to arrive 15 minutes before showtime. Free tickets are available in their standing-room only Bavarian Marketplace in the parking lot, but reservations must be made for those as well.

5. Visit “Luminations” @ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Dec.2, 2021–Jan.30, 2022 6PM–9pm)

On an initial 42 acres of land, partially donated by the Circle C Ranch Homeowner’s Association, the Wildflower Center opened its doors to the public in 1995 at its current location: 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78739. Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes had the idea of creating a place to help preserve native wildflowers, and the two ladies worked together to open the original center on the 70th Birthday of Lady Bird Johnson, December 22, 1982, in a small house surrounded by 60 acres of undeveloped land in East Austin. According to a New York Times article from December 23, 1982, this was the first National Wildflower Research Center. Mrs. Johnson suggested the use of native wildflowers in parks and along the highways, pointing out that they require much less water and maintenance so could “save the public and private sectors vast sums of money.” She pointed out that Texas alone could save $24 million each year by reducing the mowing of their “one million acres of state rights of way,” from four mows a year to only one mow a year with the use of more wildflowers. She also noted that with “25,000 varieties of wildflowers in the United States and 5,000 of those bloom in Texas alone . . . only 200 have been researched to any degree.” In 1997, the Wildflower Center was renamed “The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center” and they purchased an additional 137 acres in 1999. Stratus Properties—the developers of Escarpment Village—and the City of Austin together donated another 105 acres of land, culminating in a grand total of its present 284 acres of land. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center joined forces with the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 and, in an effort to increase visitors in the fall and winter months, the Center launched “Fortlandia”—a temporary collection of unique, custom-designed forts in the arboretum—in 2018. Fortlandia continues today and in December converts to a Winter Wonderland of luminarias and lights during their “Luminations” exhibit. Tickets may be purchased via their website @ www.wildflower. org/luminations. Prices are $25 for adults, $15 for kids ages 5–17, and entrance is free for kids under 4 years. The exhibit is closed on Dec.24,25,31, and Jan.1. Thursday evenings are for members only.

6.Visit Johnson City’s “Lights Spectacular” Event (Nov. 26, 2021–Jan. 2, 2022 6PM–11:30pm)

It all began in 1990, 31 years ago, when Johnson City’s then 54-year-old Norma Honeycutt held bake sales to raise money for lights to decorate the historic Blanco County Courthouse. According to the New York Times article from December 11, 2000, Johnson City, had been “dying a slow economic death” in 1990. Mrs. Honeycutt is quoted in the article as saying, “even the people who lived in Johnson City didn’t want to be here in wintertime.” Grown children continually moved from Johnson City to larger cities looking for work, and business was dwindling. Downtown stores were abandoned, and the city had only one grocery store left.

But Mrs. Honeycutt raised enough money with her bake sales in 1990, she was able to purchase thousands of holiday lights for the Christmas holiday.

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On the very first night of the display, a large crowd waited around the Blanco County Courthouse chanting, “Let there be light. Let there be light.” But the courthouse remained dark. Finally, it was discovered that the electrician at the light switch could not hear the crowd’s chanting because he was deaf! Eventually the lights turned on and they have returned every year since, growing to more than 1.3 million LED lights for this 2021 holiday season. Thanks to Mrs. Honeycutt, Johnson City went from a dwindling small Texas town to become what Southern Living Magazine refers to as, “the twinkliest town in Texas” in December. As the City of Johnson City states on their website, this presidential town glows like “a bright beacon of light like a guiding star welcoming visitors with good, old-fashioned Christmas cheer.” Their lights glow so brightly, in fact, their light is out of this world! Truly, NASA has reported sightings of Johnson City’s spectacular lights from the International Space Center! And, who better to put on a holiday light display than the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), and right at their very own location at 201 South Avenue F in Johnson City, Texas, 78636? The event is free, and visitors may drive through the displays or park their car and walk among the lights. Horse carriage rides are available for a small fee and will take families to the lights around the city. Hot chocolate and other delicious treats are sold by vendors along the streets. For more information, visit johnsoncitytexas.info/lights-spectacular. html.

Part 2 Enjoying a Live Performance

1. Watch a Nutcracker Ballet with live accompaniment (Dec.4–23 @ 2pm or 7:30pm)

Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker has been a longtime Austin tradition for Austin families for decades. With live accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Tchaikovsky’s music resonates through the Long Center while elaborate, colorful costumes provide eye candy for both young and old audience members. Artistic director Stephen Mills’s choreography skills never fail to provide a wow effect and he enjoys weaving humorous moments into the Russian Ballet with comical party scenes and guest appearances of local celebrities appearing as Mother Ginger. The Long Center is a beautiful facility and fun to explore with photo stations throughout. Tickets to Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker include an interactive discovery area and pop-up museum on the second floor entitled “BalletO-Mania.” Twenty minutes before each show, Ballet Austin provides free behind-the-scenes discussions on the characters and storyline (before matinee shows) or the history of Stephen Mills’ creation (evening shows). The show lasts roughly 2 hours with a 20-minute intermission. Ticket prices range from $20–$99 depending on location and may be purchased via the Ballet Austin website: https://balletaustin.org/ performances/thenutcracker/

2. Watch a Mutt-cracker Animal Show at the Vortex (Dec. 18, 2021–Jan.2, 2022 @ 4:30pm or 6:30pm)

The VORTEX first opened its doors in October 1994 as “Planet Theatre” in an abandoned, East Austin warehouse (2307 Manor Rd.) with no air-conditioning, heat, or bathrooms. Founding member and owner Bonnie Cullum is a multi-award-winning director and producer, and teaches acting, directing, and theater world-wide. She is also the is the daughter of renowned jazz musician Jim Cullum (dubbed “the flamekeeper of traditional jazz” by the Washington Post). The Vortex happens to be where the famous Circus Chickendog—a one-man and multi-animal troupe—performs each December for kids of all ages (even fidgety toddlers). Circus Chickendog was voted “Best Party Entertainer” by the Austin Chronicle for many years and featured on David Letterman, and Animal Planet. Five beloved rescued circus dogs and a scarlet macaw perform all sorts of tricks generating several laugh-out-loud moments. Afternoons/evenings in December at The VORTEX (2307 Manor Rd, Austin, Texas). The scratch-made pastas and sauces at Patrizi’s Italian food truck (open daily from 5–9:30pm) in the courtyard are highly recommended as is the Sno.Co Flattop shaved ice sold in the parking lot. Tickets may be purchased online at https:// vortexrep.secure.force.com/ticket#/. Prices start at $15 with limited free tickets for those in need. Parking is free, and food and drinks are available.

3.Attend A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert or A Classic Movie @ Austin’s Historic Paramount Theatre (Performances and showings throughout December)

Austin’s Paramount Theatre first debuted in 1915 at its 713 Congress Avenue location, approximately ten years after Congress had been converted from a dirt road to a paved one due to an influx of automobiles. According to Paramount’s website, Harry Houdini performed 8 shows the next year. He responded to five University of Texas students who, “challenged Houdini to escape from a trick of their construction.” Houdini succeeded. A fun tradition for new Austinites is to try to find the small hole in the ceiling of the theater—known as the “Houdini hole”—allegedly created and utilized by Houdini on a levitation trick. Check out AustinTheatre.org for various live performances and showings of holiday movie classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “White Christmas,” “Nightmare Before Christmas,” and “Love Actually.” On Sunday, December 12 (3pm and 7pm), the Austin Chamber Music Center will perform, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Ticket prices range from $22 to $37 and may be purchased online: https://austinchambermusic.org/event/a-charlie-brownchristmas-2021/

Part 3 Family Activities

1.Clean up a Decorated Juniper Tree on Austin Hwy 360

Decorating juniper trees along highway 360 has been a tradition in Austin since sometime in the 1990s. Its origins are unclear, but some longer-term Austinites seem to remember the tradition starting with one tree on Red Bud Trail above the bridge, circa 1992. The decorator supposedly consistently cleaned up the tree after the holidays. However, the area around that chosen tree was eventually fenced in. A few years later, decorations began appearing on Juniper trees along Highway 360, growing in numbers each year. Unfortunately, most of the decorations used on the trees become environmental hazards when left outside because they are not biodegradable. Animals often mistake some of the decorations as food and may try to consume them, causing injury or death. Winds can carry left-behind decorations onto 360, causing hazardous road conditions on a state highway. Glass, plastic, or metal ornaments can break into sharp shards that could hurt people or animals. Also, leftover trash can end up in nearby creeks or waterways, posing harm to watersheds. Leaving non-biodegradable items on trees or the ground is littering and is illegal in Texas, with fines reaching up to $500. Ticketing for the act of littering with decorations is unlikely, but the decision is made by the police officers that witness litterers in action. On the other hand, adorning juniper trees with animal-friendly and biodegradable decorations is an environmentally-friendly option for decorating and, if utilized to feed or shelter wildlife, is legal. Pinecones may be dipped in peanut butter and birdseed, for example, then hung by twine or yarn as ornaments. (Please do not use fishing wire as it is harmful to the animals.) Cranberries, nuts, blueberries, apple slices, cherries, and dried fruits may be strung on twine with air popped popcorn to make colorful garlands or ornaments, such as the dried orange slices on yarn (pictured here) handmade by Circle C resident Jenny Lemmon and her son Knox. Building and painting birdhouses to place in the trees might be another option that inspires creativity and offers shelter for wildlife. These environmentally friendly creations could become fun projects for families to design and make together. After the holidays, volunteering with an organization—such as Keep Austin Beautiful (KAB)—to clean up the juniper trees in early January and pick up the leftover trash in the surrounding areas is another way for families to spend time together while providing community service. KAB has already scheduled a cleanup day on Saturday, January 8 as a “Love Where You Live” day to help clean up rubbish. Families may sign up on their website: https://keepaustinbeautiful.org/communitycleanups-2/

2. Ride an Austin Steam Train to the North Pole (Nov.27–Dec.19, 2021 @ 12pm & 3:30pm)

Well, not really a steam train anymore. Unfortunately, the steam train (Southern Pacific Number [SPN] 786 from 1916) is under a restoration process, so the Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA) had to improvise: first with an American Locomotive Company (ALCO) six-axle RSD road-switcher (number 442) from 1960, then with a Horizon Rail (HZRX) Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) GP40-3 (number 3134). The 1916 SPN 786 steam train served as ASTA’s “Hill Country Flyer,” carrying passengers back and forth between Cedar Park and Burnet from 1992 to 1999. However, when cracks were noticed, the steam train was temporarily removed from service for repairs. As is the case with most repairs, the process revealed more work that was needed, and soon it became apparent that a complete restoration was needed. Although the 1916 SPN 786 has been undergoing repairs or restorations for 22 years now, the ASTA will not give up on bringing the steam train back into existence as a functioning, passenger-carrying “Hill Country Flyer”. Their website clearly declares their continued purpose with the following statement, “the mission of the Austin Steam Train Association is to preserve, interpret and re-create the first-hand experience of historic steam-era railroading for the enjoyment and edification of today’s families and the generations to come.”

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True to their word, the ASTA continues to fundraise, both by selling tickets on the new train, and requesting donations (a “donate” tab may be found on the upper right-hand corner of their website) and contributing to the restoration project so that children of tomorrow will have an opportunity to experience steam train railroading. They remind customers, “when you ride with us, you are helping us maintain a fleet of lovingly restored passenger cars, along with our 1916 SP 786 steam locomotive. Many of these cars would have been turned into scrap if not for our efforts and your support. We want to keep vintage railroading alive in Central Texas for many years to come, and every ticket purchase helps us achieve that goal.” One of those fundraising methods includes the conversion of the “Hill Country Flyer” (currently the HZRX #3134) to the “North Pole Flyer” from November 27 to December 19 for Polar Express fans and families. Santa and Mrs. Claus—along with their volunteer elves—ride the train as well, so every seated passenger will have the chance to talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Every child on the train will receive a gift from Santa or his elves as well as individually wrapped cookies. Seated passengers in lounge cars or private compartments will receive unlimited complimentary hot chocolate, and elves will read the story of the North Pole Flyer in lounge cars. Books of the North Pole Flyer are available for purchase (at $10 each) at the Bertram Depot. The full train ride is 2 hours roundtrip (one hour each way). The trip is intended to be a trip back in time to a life on a train, encouraging a more relaxed atmosphere with conversations among family and friends. Aside from visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves, entertainment is not provided. The train departs from the historic 1912 Bertram Depot (179 South Gabriel Street, Bertram, TX 78605) at 12pm and 3:30pm sharp, with doors closing 10 minutes before departure (passengers are encouraged to arrive at least ½ hour before departure), and Dec. 18 and 19 have the added times of 8:30am and 7pm. Ticket prices range from $50/ticket to $60/ticket and may be purchased online: www.AustinSteamTrain.org/Special-Events/North-Pole-Flyer.

3. Ice Skate atop Austin’s Flagship Whole Foods Store (dates & Hours Still TBD, Store Number is 512-542-2200)

What began as a glorified vegetable stand on the first floor of an old, threestory house in Austin, Texas in 1978 with a café on the second floor and novice vegetarians John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy running both businesses while living on the third floor, ended up as a business that, 39 years later, in August 2017, sold for $13.7 billion in cash. The 1978 store was named “SaferWay,” serving as a tongue-in-cheek answer to the evil Safeway Supermarkets. They refused to sell meat or sugar products, and their customer base were Austin hippies. Because the house was zoned for commercial use, they did not have a shower, so John and Renee used an attachment hose connected to the dishwasher to bathe. In 1980, Mackey approached Clarksville Natural Grocery owners Craig Weller and Mark Skiles with an idea to merge their stores together. It worked. Soon, the four entrepreneurs worked together to expand, deciding to offer meat, sugar, and alcohol in their new store: Whole Foods Market. Although they did not advertise, word-of-mouth among the Austin hippies caused the store to become an immediate success when they first opened their doors on September 20, 1980. Less than a year later, a flood on Memorial Day in 1981 destroyed everything in the store, with sewage forced out of the pipes. Unfortunately, Whole Foods did not have insurance.

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That was the day that Whole Foods almost died. But something magical happened instead. Their Austin hippie customers showed up to help clean out the store, employees (“team members”) offered to work for free, and investors put more money into the store. Whole Foods Market became a public company in 1992, and 25 years later, was sold to Amazon. It was not an easy decision. Amazon represents the megacorporation that conflicts with the original start of Whole Foods Market as SaferWay. In 2005, Whole Foods Market opened their flagship store at on the corner of Lamar Blvd. and 5th Street in downtown Austin. According to Mackey’s statement in a Feb. 22, 2005, issue of Austin Business Journal, the flagship store was built to “offer a world-class customer experience to our hometown Austin shoppers, who’ve been loyal to us from the beginning.” In its 80,000 square-foot space may be found organic foods, cosmetics, eateries, and so much more. On the top of the store lives a 25,000 square-foot rooftop garden with native landscaping and a plaza for live music. In December, the rooftop garden turns into an ice-skating rink. At the time of this writing, their website had not published the details for 2021, but ticket prices last year were $15/person if purchased at the store or $12/ person if purchased online. Included with pricing are typically the rental of ice skates, the use of the rink, and parking until closing. Hours have traditionally been from 10am-10pm daily at 524 North Lamar.

4. Participate at Austin’s Holiday Stroll at the Capitol (Lighting ceremony is Dec.4 from 5–8pm)

In 1839, a log cabin in Austin was established as the capitol of Texas, with an 8-foot fence surrounding the building to protect against raids. It remained the capitol building for 14 years until it was replaced by a limestone structure at Capitol Square in 1853. The building had not much architectural interest, however, and was not well received. The Texas State Preservation Board reported that one publication called the new 1853 capitol building an “architectural monstrosity.” The so-called monstrosity remained the capitol of Texas for another 27 years, until 1880, when Texas officials offered a $1,700 award for a nationwide competition for plans for a new Texas capitol. Detroit architect Elijah E. Myers’s design was the one chosen among the 11 designs submitted by 8 architects. The next year, in 1881, the Capitol Board met in the old, limestone building with the new plans when the building caught fire, almost burning the new plans. The following year, in 1882, construction for the new capitol began, once more using limestone. It was discovered that the new limestone began to discolor when exposed to the atmosphere, so the owners of Granite Mountain in Burnet County were generous enough to donate all the needed 188,518 cubic feet of “Texas Sunset Red Granite” for use in the new capitol. A specially constructed railroad was created to ship that

much to Austin. The first cornerstone was laid on March 2, 1885, with a niche carved into it for a zinc box containing mementos to be placed inside. More than 1,000 people were needed to build the building containing 392 rooms, 924 windows, and 404 doors. The wrought iron used to brace the dome was imported from Belgium, with the exposed exterior metal parts painted to match the red granite. Four separate body parts (1 head, 1 torso, and 2 arms) were created from 80 pieces of welded zinc for the Goddess of Liberty at the top of the dome, with large screws holding her body parts together. Her facial features were greatly exaggerated so that her face could be seen from the ground.