You’ve heard of Groundhog Day — but what about Armadillo Day?
If Bee Cave Bob explores his pen, it’s time for an early spring. | Photo courtesy Bee Cave Bob on Facebook
While most Americans look toward Pennsylvania for weather predictions come Feb. 2, Texans look to the Hill Country, at a nine-banded armadillo named Bee Cave Bob.
Texas’ Armadillo Day isn’t quite as old as the 136-year-Groundhog Day, but it does boast some uniquely Texan charm.
Here’s the low-down
It all takes place at the “West Pole,” or, a ranch in Bee Cave.
Bob’s job is largely the same as Punxatawney Phil’s. Bob’s handler Ralph Fisher brings the guest of honor to the West Pole, and when the time is right, he emerges. If Bob enjoys his time in the sun, it’s an early spring. If he turns back toward the darkness, buckle down for six more weeks of winter.
Because everything’s bigger in Texas, Bob likes to bring a little more fortune-telling into the mix. Legend goes that the direction he walks can foresee the political climate of the year, as well.
When we said “West Pole” earlier, we weren’t kidding. The Texas legislature officially declared Bee Cave as the planet’s geographical west pole in 2007.
A few years later, a group called “The Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon” started Armadillo Day at the West Pole, and Texans have been gathering to watch the spectacle ever since.
According to Fisher, “The guys decided early on, ‘Why should Texans need a Pennsylvania rodent to tell us what our weather will be?’”
Telling the future
Armadillo Day was canceled in 2021 and in 2022, due to the COVID pandemic and bad weather. In 2020, however, Bob predicted an early spring — and it turned out to be the second-hottest March and third-warmest year on record.
So, will Bee Cave Bob be right this year? Stay tuned tomorrow to find out.
Insights: Meet the Design Shiners | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd., Austin | Free | Learn from winning teams about their installations for the Design Shine 2022 showcase.
John Mills TIMES TEN | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 9 p.m. | Elephant Room, 315 Congress Ave., Austin | Free | Enjoy an evening of music at this underground jazz bar.
Thursday, Feb. 2
Flogging Molly | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $39.50-$49.50 | Lean into the punk vibes at this Thursday night show.
The Wheel Workers | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $10 | The 15+ person indie music collective released its newest album, “Harbor,” last year.
Friday, Feb. 3
Japanese Flower Arrangement | Friday, Feb. 3 | 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free with admission | Austin Ikebana Group will teach participants how to use multiple containers in a flower arrangement.
The Deck Investigates with Ashley Flowers | Friday, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $49.75-$79.75 | The podcaster behind “The Deck” is going live with the low-down on America’s coldest cases.
Saturday, Feb. 4
Black History Month Kick-Off Block Party | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 2-6 p.m. | George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St., Austin | Free | This first-ever “Solar Saturday” offers free programming, music, food trucks, and vendors.
City-Wide Vintage Sale | Saturday, Feb. 4-Sunday, Feb. 5 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $9-$12 | Catch Afghan Flying Carpets, an Austin-based company specializing in authentic handmade rugs with the goal of giving back to the family responsible, at this vintage showcase.*
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Afghan Flying Carpets features a large inventory of rugs in different sizes, color schemes, and tribal motifs. | Photo provided by Afghan Flying Carpets
Afghan Flying Carpets is an Austin-based company specializing in unique, authentichandmade rugs with the goal of givingback to the family responsible for the stunning craftsmanship.
A portion of AFC’s proceeds assist the family of Afghan refugee+ co-founderRauf Raufi, son of a four-generation carpet dealer and father of three who escaped to Belgium with help from AFC co-founder Eddie Bloom. With no domestic or international markets to trade in, generations of his family’s carpet trading came to a screeching halt.
Co-founder Eddie Bloom made arrangements to get 500+ of the family’s best hand-selected carpets from Afghanistan to Austin, starting this business to raise funds to secure the exit of Raufi’s remaining family members. Bloom recently returned to Austin after 20+ years of humanitarian work, having served in Afghanistan as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two years and with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for five.
Follow Afghan Flying Carpets on Instagram to stay up-to-date on upcoming pop-ups or send a message to Eddie via WhatsApp at (512) 803-2425 for a personal showing.*
The winter storm warning in Travis County has been extended until 6 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 2. Meteorologists predict some areas may see ice as thick as three quarters of an inch, and warn roads could be “extremely hazardous.” Here’s how to stay safe. (Austin American-Statesman)
Edu
AISD, ACC, and other local school districts will be closed again today due to winter weather. Check for other closures near you. (Austin American-Statesman)
Biz
Colossal Biosciences, the company famous for its efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth, recently secured $150 million in funding. The company also announced plans to revive the dodo bird, in addition to the mammoth and Tasmanian tiger. Read our interview with CEO and Austinite Ben Lamm. 🦤 (Austin Business Journal)
Environment
The Austin City Council has pledged to adhere to the UN’s 15th Convention on Biological Diversity, a list of targets related to conservation and restoration. Key goals include preserving land for wildlife and reducing food waste. (Austin Monitor)
Sports
Austin FC II has signed Emmanuel Johson, a winger on loan from Scotland’s Hibernian FC, for its inaugural season. The 19-year-old athlete has also played in Sacramento, Arizona, and Charleston. ⚽️
Plan Ahead
Lil Wayne is bringing his “Welcome to Tha Carter Tour” to Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater on Thursday, May 4. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb. 3 — scoop yours here. 🎶
Ranked
Texans love Buce-ee’s — and apparently, so do other Americans. The gas station rankedNo. 2 in a recent poll of “America’s best stops,” falling behind Costco. ⛽️
Eat
Try your hand at Aaron Franklin’s world-famous barbecue with the help of the grillmaster’s new book, “Franklin Smoke.” The cookbook — which will be published on Tuesday, May 9 — breaks down techniques, tools, and tips. 🍗 (Eater Austin)
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QUIZ
What time is it? Quiz time ⏰
Take ATXtoday’s January news quiz
We’re quizzing you on all the biggest headlines from January. | Photo by ATXtoday
Your score on this test may determine whether or not you’re a real Austinite.
Nah, we’re just kidding. But it will mark how much attention you’ve been paying to the news this last month — that’s right, it’s time for our January newsquiz.
This month, we’re questioning whether you remember:
📚 Which longtime bookstore relocated
🎶 Who’s coming to the Moody Center for the first time in almost 40 years
🎙 Which famous author Texas State University got on tape
… and more. Think you know your stuff? Click the button below to test yourself.
City Editors London and Figi tried the vegetarian rice bowl, Egyptian mac and cheese, and brisket rice bowl at KG BBQ.
Photo by ATXtoday
Today’s issue was written by London.
Editor’s pick: Last week, we wrote about the six local stars named semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. And now, we’re trying them all.
We started with a trip to KG BBQ, where Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh — who’s nominated for Best Chef: Texas — serves up barbecue with Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavors.
Follow along at @atxtoday to find out where we go next.
Editorial:Laura Figi, London Gibson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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