Longhorn legend Fran Harris is leading the charge on a multimillion-dollar bid to bring the WNBA to Austin. | Photo by University of Texas Athletics
Picture this: the Moody Center is packed with passionate basketball fans, a gleaming court is at its heart, and Austin’s own professional female athletes are going head-to-head with some of the top teams in the nation.
That’s Fran Harris’ dream, and she’s been chasing it for nearly three decades. That vision could soon become a reality as the WNBA gears up to select a city for the league’s 16th expansion team.
Harris is known for putting Longhorns women’s basketball on the map. In 1986, she led the team to an undefeated 34-0 season and their first NCAA National Championship.
At just nine years old, Harris earned $1,500 running a lemonade stand — a spark that ignited a lifetime of entrepreneurial ambition.
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Sportico
Her impact extends far beyond college hoops. Harris played on the WNBA’s inaugural championship team with the Houston Comets in 1997, and later took her talents courtside as a broadcaster for the Dallas Wings.
Today, she’s a successful businesswoman, Shark Tank alum, and the driving force behind Austin’s bid to join the WNBA.
“Gilmore Girls” Trivia | 7-9 p.m. | Upstairs at Caroline | Cost of purchase | Put how much you’ve la-la-la-la-learned about “Gilmore Girls” to the test at the Downtown rooftop bar.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Allie X | 7 p.m. | Empire Control Room & Garage | $28 | Violet Chachki will open up for this indie pop “Susie Save Your Love” singer.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
A Far Out Thanksgiving | 6-10:30 p.m. | The Far Out Lounge & Stage | $20 | It’s all about music, food, and gratitude at this festive get-together with performances by Soul Man Sam, McKenna Michels, and NOLO.
Gratitude Yoga with Sound Bath | 9-10 a.m. | Hotel Viata, West Lake Hills | $10 | Start your morning with an attitude of thankfulness and center your mind at this 60-minute practice.
Professionals share insights and build connections, enhancing their productivity with practical tools for focused work and effective time management. | Photo courtesy Ash Wright Photography
Stop watching your workday slip away. Created by HubSpot and ClickUp, this productivity system is used by the top 1% of performers in the professional world.
The system provides practical tools like custom-designed progress tracking templates, science-backed focus techniques, and a unique project hours calculator to eliminate wasted time.
Unlike other productivity systems that focus on theory, this kit offers ready-to-use templates and frameworks for immediate implementation. (Perfect for both in-office and remote workers, it’s designed to streamline productivity, without unnecessary extras.)
Did somebody say “BRAT” spring? Charli XCX will turn Austin lime green when she brings her arena tour to the Moody Center on Tuesday, April 22. Fans can sign up for presale until 10 a.m. today, with tickets dropping at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
Civic
Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido is no longer pursuing a recount for the Nov. 5 election. Her request for a recount was rejected, and although she could’ve amended her petition, she instead officially conceded the race to Mayor Kirk Watson on Friday. (KUT)
Open
Day Maker Half Day Cafe, a new concept from the team behind Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, is now open in the Zilker neighborhood. Visit during breakfast, lunch, or brunch for American-Texan fare, a full bar, and disco decor. (Eater Austin)
Travel
See a trip to Florida in your future? Delta Air Lines will launch a new flight to Jacksonville, Florida out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport via Delta Connection’s partner Sky West. The nonstop, daily service will begin in May 2025.
Coming Soon
A new Trader Joe’s location is in the works. According to permit filings, the grocer intends to open a store in the former Office Max space at the Shops at the Galleria. Renovations may begin as early as February with an estimated completion date in June. (Austin Business Journal)
Community
10,000. That’s how many folks can eat a festive meal for free tomorrow night at the Palmer Events Center, thanks to hundreds of local volunteers. H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing is open to the public and will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and community services. (Austin American-Statesman)
Trending
Will the real Glen Powell please stand up? Austinites flocked to Auditorium Shores yesterday for the star’s lookalike contest. Powell wasn’t in attendance, but he chatted with the winner — who won a monetary prize, free Torchy’s Tacos queso for a year, and a cameo in Powell’s next project — via video call.
Asked
What locally-owned business will you be shopping at for Small Business Saturday? Let us know your favorite small business in Austin for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. Bonus points if you share what items you’re excited to buy.
Sports
The Texas Longhorns beat the Kentucky Wildcats 31-14 over the weekend. Next, they’ll battle the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Nov. 30. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Travel
Mark your calendars, Austin: The Toby Powell Conroe Christmas Celebration is headed to Conroe in less than a month (read: Saturday, Dec. 14). Trust us: This event is worth the drive.*
Wellness
The holiday hustle can leave you feeling stressed and exhausted. To reclaim your peace, try deep breathing, practicing mindfulness for 5-10 minutes daily, or adding natural supplements to your routine. Here’s what else you can do.*
Featured Deal
For a limited time, you can give the gift of a lifetime of languages for less. Think: Forever access to all of Rosetta Stone’s immersive + engaging lessons at more than 60% off. Snag the deal.*
Shop
Going’s “Best sale of 2024” is here with up to 50% off select memberships for a limited time. Sign up to save an average of $500 on international flights.*
Finance
This leading card is one of the best-kept secrets for managing debt. The key: Transfer your existing balance and pay it down as much as possible during the intro period (this one offers 0% interest until 2026).*
Category
Travel
✈️ The flight before the feast
Gobble up these tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving flight. | Photo by Dan Herron
Nearly 80 million people will hit the roads + skies this week for Thanksgiving. It’s the biggest travel week of the year, and this year is projected to be a record-setter.
If you’re making like a turkey and taking wing out of the Capital City this week, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates to parking to food to ride shares at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Plus, don’t miss these Thanksgiving travel tips from the City of Austin.
What to know
Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, this map of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
Food and drink | AUS really shines when it comes to its vast array of local food options. Case in point: get some Austin breakfast tacos from Tacodeli — but beware the perpetually long line — before washing it down with a cuppa joe from Jo’s Coffee.
A king size sherpa electric blanket that’s 22% off for early Black Friday. Save $30 on this warm, washable electric blanket, great for yourself or as a holiday gift for a friend.
I’m skipping the airport this week — I’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Austin for the first time. I plan on cooking, watching football, and going to see “Wicked.” Psst... don’t forget to let us know what you’re thankful for this year.
