Plus, Redbud Ice House to open in former Contigo space.
 
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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

Important Message
Season’s greetings, Austin. We’ll be out of office until the new year to spend time with our loved ones. Until then, we’re pausing our newsletter sends and reducing our social posts. We’ll see you in your inboxes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.
 

🎙️ Talk of the town

25 of our favorite interviews from 2023
A graphic with a bunch of images of people that ATXtoday interviewed.
We interviewed some pretty impressive people in 2023. | Graphic by ATXtoday, all photos provided
We spent 2023 doing what we love best: talking to Austinites about Austin.

Over the course of this year, we’ve interviewed dozens of local change-makers working to make our city a more beautiful place. Here are just a few of our favorite conversations:

Kareem El-Ghayesh | Kareem traveled 7,000+ miles for his love of barbecue and three months after opening KG BBQ, he was nominated for a James Beard Award.

Paul Clayton | The co-owner of the architecture firm spearheading historic Sixth Street’s revamp shared thoughts on repurposing Austin history.

Peter Mullan | The Austin Transit Partnership’s chief of architecture breaks down the challenges to building a local light rail system.

Elizabeth Crook | The Austin author’s most recent novel “The Which Way Tree” earned her the 2023 Texas Writer Award.

Dr. Kate Biberdorf | UT professor Kate the Chemist has shared stellar science with Stephen Colbert, Lester Holt, and the readers of Wired magazine.

Callie Haverda | The Austin-raised actress starred in Netflix’s “That ‘90s Show” alongside legends Topher Grace and Debra Jo Rupp.

FreeWater | Look to the future with Josh Clifford, the founder of a company that gives away its products for free.

Dr. Kate stands on the right side of the frame, breathing fire into the left side.

Dr. Kate wants to inspire the next generation of scientists.

|

Photo courtesy of Kate the Chemist

But wait, there’s more. Check out these other amazing Austinites.

Music
Food and drink
Architecture
Sports
Arts
Asked

Who should we interview in 2024?
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Events
Friday, Dec. 22
  • Texas A&M - Corpus Christi vs. Texas Men’s Basketball | Friday, Dec. 22 | 2 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $21-$480 | Start your holiday weekend with a cheer for the Horns.
  • “A Christmas Carol” | Friday, Dec. 22 + Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $25-$120 | The annual rendition of the Dickens classic returns for some family friendly fun.
Saturday, Dec. 23
  • Hoppy Holidays with the Tinsel Singers | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 7-8 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $25 | See a concert on the front steps of this museum with hot cocoa, warm pastries, and cold beer.
Sunday, Dec. 24
  • Christmas Eve at The Lodge | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis St., Austin | $250 | Spend the evening in a private igloo on the fourth-floor pool deck, complete with a holiday menu, music, and games.
Monday, Dec. 25
  • Christmas Morning Flow at My Vinyasa Practice | Monday, Dec. 25 | 9-10 a.m. | My Vinyasa Practice, 109 Jacob Fontaine Lane, Ste. 800, Austin | Free | Start your morning with positive energy at this yoga flow centered on joy and gratitude.
Plan Ahead
  • The 8th Annual Goblin King’s New Years Eve Ball | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | Elysium, 705 Red River St., Austin | $24-$250 | Let the goblins whisk you away at this New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with a specialty drink menu and DJs.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Kenagra Health
 
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Seasonal

4 last-minute holiday gifts
The red and blue Nintendo Switch console.
Get two-day shipping on a Nintendo Switch. | Photo via Amazon
Not quite done holiday shopping? No judgment here. Browse digital gifts and gifts that, last we checked, ship in two days with Prime.

For college students: A Prime Student membership. They’ll get discounts on college essentials + free Grubhub delivery.

For family members: A Nintendo Switch. You can play games fun for the whole family, like Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

For “Star Wars” fans: A stormtrooper shaver.

For kids (or busy parents): An Owala kids bottle.
More last-minute gifts this way
News Notes
Civic
  • The former Downtown Salvation Army reopened yesterday for the first time in months, now operating under the nonprofit Urban Alchemy. The facility is currently able to serve ~65 people, but is expected to expand to 150 people by March. (Austin American-Statesman)
Coming Soon
  • The team behind Olamaie and Little Ola’s Biscuits will open Redbud Ice House in the east Austin former Contigo space. The restaurant, which is expected to open in March, will serve smash burgers, local drafts, and soft serve. (Austin American-Statesman)
Closing
  • After 28 years in business on South Congress Avenue, clothing store Maya Star will permanently close on Monday, Jan. 8. Owner Maya Krauss plans to retire, stating it was time to go on to the “next chapter.” (FOX 7 Austin)
Environment
  • Buda and Kyle are now under Stage 4 Exceptional Drought, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District declared for the first time in its 36-year history. The designation requires permittees to reduce 30-100% of water pumping. (Austin Chronicle)
Sports
  • Five-star edge rusher Colin Simmons and 13 four-star prospects signed letters of intent to join Texas Football this week. Check out the full list of potential future Longhorns. (KVUE)
Number
  • 267. That’s how many restaurants and bars opened in Austin this year, including new additions Dish Society, Murray’s Tavern, and Poeta. See the full list. (Eater Austin)
Community
  • Well, this is officially our last News Note of 2023. Thank you to our ATXtoday community for staying connected with us this year. If you want to support us in 2024, consider becoming a member — you’ll support us directly and keep these newsletters coming. Until next year, folks.
 
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🛍️ 31 ways to support local

ATXtoday’s 31 days of local shopping
ATX_31DaysLocalShopping
Help us lift up Austin-based businesses this holiday season.
We’re closing out our local shopping series with a gift just for you: an early delivery of the final 10 shop features, just in time for last-minute gift needs.

Psst — before you hit the shops this weekend, remember normal business hours may be affected by the holiday.

Antone’s Record Shop, 2928 Guadalupe St. | This record shop named for Clifford Antone (yes, of Downtown’s Antone’s Nightclub) first opened in 1987 and doesn’t just sell records — it also buys them.

Estilo, 2727 Exposition Blvd., Ste. 121 | Find a stylish new wardrobe staple for the adults and children in your life — and don’t miss the jewelry selections — at this nearly two decade-old west Austin shop.

Madhu Chocolate, Multiple stores | Pick up a box of ethically made, high-quality chocolates at a store near you to support this first-generation family business, which has earned multiple accolades.
28 more shops
The Buy

The Buy 12.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
This versatile wristlet from Avryn Co. that’s crafted with top-grade leather — because you’ve probably been buying for others this holiday season, and you deserve something nice too.
Shoutout
Happy early birthday, ATXtoday member Reesa Woolf. We hope your special day (January 1) is filled with your favorite things in Austin! — ATXtoday team
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
City Editor Figi absolutely blew me away this year with this piece about how Austinites have been complaining about the city changing since the 1880s.

Complete with an interactive timeline and some of the best old newspaper quotes I’ve ever read, this article is a reminder that “boomtown” is not a new status for ATX.
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