Happy Thursday, Lake Travisites! We’re halfway through January already?! Somebody slow this year down. 2020 is well underway, and so are the excellent (and crazy) events happening in our area. Sometimes you can’t make this stuff up…
The Mansfield Dam ghost hunt…
Early Tuesday morning, an employee reported to Lower Colorado River Authority that he saw a man inside one of the dam’s tunnels — where no one should be. LCRA promptly called law enforcement and began a comprehensive search to find the “gentleman” who the employee said, “ran by him.” But they didn’t find anyone in the top-to-bottom search of the facility.
Feeling crummy? Maybe this will bake your day…
You know what they say about a balanced diet, right? A cookie in each hand. Great American Cookies opened December 21 at Shops at the Galleria at 12717 The Shops Parkway, Unit 100, Bee Cave. They offer a variety of sweet goodness ranging from your standard chocolate chip cookie to brownies, gourmet cookies, and cookie cakes. You could say you will have a variety of cookies to “pick and chews from”…
When you’re walking your dog and see black smoke…
JoAnn Ellis took her dog out for an afternoon stroll and was “horrified” when she stumbled upon black smoke. As she approached the smoke, she noticed a vacant house up in flames. Lake Travis Fire Rescue battled the massive structure fire in the Hudson Bend area on Sunday for two hours before getting it under control. Investigators believe an illegal controlled burn by the property owner caused the fire. The Travis County Fire Marshall is still deciding whether to give the property owner a citation. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Right now, Travis County is under a burn ban until February 7.
When the future of Lakeway is at stake…
City officials are close to finalizing the Lakeway Comprehensive Plan to present to City Council after a year of planning. What is the Lakeway Comprehensive Plan? As city officials describe it, the comprehensive plan is a living document intended to guide the city on the bulk of its future decisions pertaining to significant issues, including zoning, future land use, and transportation. In other words, how will we divide 6,700+ acres in Lakeway for residential, commercial, or green space use? Furthermore, what neighborhoods will attend what schools as Lakeway grows? Finally, how will we generate enough revenue to cover the costs of urban developments from the growing population? Basically a bunch of important stuff that could dictate the future of Lakeway. The deadline for presenting the plan is March 16th.
When Austin Real Estate sales are breaking records…
The Austin area closed out the decade with a record-breaking $13B (that’s BILLION with a B) in home sales. More homes sold in 2019 than any other year on record. Romeo Manzanilla, 2020 ABoR president said, “That type of exponential growth has put enormous pressure on the market, raising the median home price from $193,520 in 2010 to $318,000 in 2019. As we look forward to this year, the market is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon.”
LakeTravisLifestyle.com is brought to you by Todd Hower Realty
The traditional real estate transaction is on shaky ground…
When it’s time to sell your home, will you choose the “traditional” route? There wasn’t always a choice. Now there is.
What to do if you’re out & about today and this weekend…
Brown Bag Luncheon Concert at Lakeway Activity Center.
Thursday at Mercer with Georgia Parker at Mercer Street Dance Hall in Driftwood.
Live Team Trivia followed by Karaoke at LT Corner Pub.
Kevin Daniel Smith, The AGT Project at Poodies Roadhouse in Spicewood.
Ladies Night at Woody’s Tavern & Grill.
Friday, January 17
Classic Car Show at Sandeez Hamburger Hut (11:30am)
Lego Club at Lake Travis Community Library (4pm)
Ken Hamilton at Table 620 at H-E-B Lakeway (6pm)
Photography Art Exhibition at The Hive by Bee Cave Arts Foundation (6pm-8pm)
Wyatt Akers at Hops & Thyme (6:30pm-9:30pm)
Sarah Grace & The Soul performs at Spicewood Vineyards (tickets on sale)
Wild Card Casino Night hosted by West Austin Chamber of Commerce at The Oasis (Tickets on sale)
Natural Causes at Woody’s Tavern & Grill (7pm-11pm)
Sour Bridges at Mercer Street Dance Hall in Driftwood (8:30pm)
Lago Vista Farmers Market at Lago Vista City Hall (2:30pm-6:30pm)
Hoppy Hour at Infamous Brewing Company (4pm-9pm)
Neal Cole at Angel’s Icehouse in Spicewood (6pm-9pm)
Karaoke with Raden Hughes at LT Corner Pub (7:30pm-1am)
Friday Night Live Music Lineup at Poodie’s Roadhouse in Spicewood — George DeVore (6pm), Lily & The Implements (8pm), Julie Nolan (10pm)
Saturday, January 18
Lakeway Community Blood Drive at Lakeway Activity Center (8am-noon)
Camp Gladiator FREE Workout at Hill Country Galleria (9am)
2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off at Gnarly Gar (11am-4:30pm)
Colorful Indian Art at Lake Travis Community Library (2pm)
Lakeway Purple Martin Colony at Wild Bird Center of Lakeway (2pm)
Jace Solo at Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery (2pm-5pm)
Patrick Fleming at Woody’s Tavern & Grill (7pm-11pm)
Audic Empire Trio at Gnarly Gar (8pm)
Pearl Snaps at Mercer Street Dance Hall in Driftwood (8:30pm)
Saturday Night Live Music Lineup at Poodie’s Roadhouse in Spicewood with Andrea Marie & Magnolia Band (8pm), Dale Watson (10:30pm)
Tour & Tasting at Infamous Brewing Company (1pm-9pm)
Sunday, January 19
Lululemon In-Store Yoga at Hill Country Galleria (10am-11am)
Carol Van Ginkel Art Demo at Lake Travis Community Library (2pm-3:30pm)
Live Music at Mercer Street Dance Hall in Driftwood (3pm-6pm)
Sunday Brunch at Cafe Blue (11am)
Sunday Brunch at Gnarly Gar (noon)
Sunday Brunch at Chisos Grill (11am-3pm)
Sunday Brunch at Lucy’s on the Lake (10am-3pm)
Sunday Brunch at Table 620 at H-E-B Lakeway (10am)
Sunday Live Music Lineup at Poodies Roadhouse in Spicewood with Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars (4pm), Jeremy Vasquez (7:30pm), Lucas Johnson (10pm)
Lago Vista Farmers Market at Lago Vista City Hall (noon-4pm)
Lone Star Farmers Market at noon at Hill Country Galleria (10am-2pm)
Pedernales Farmer’s Market at Apis Restaurant parking lot (9am-2pm)
Tasting Room at Jester King Brewery (noon-9pm)
Tour & Tasting at Infamous Brewing Company (noon-6pm)
Tasting Room at Spicewood Vineyards (noon-5pm)
Tasting Room at El Gaucho Winery (12:30pm-7pm)
Local Hero Sunday at High 5 — a free hour of bowling and other discounts for military and veterans (with ID), police, fire & rescue (after 6pm)
Weekday happenings
Wine Down Wednesday at Cafe Blue at Hill Country Galleria (all day)
Trivia & Taco Tuesday every Tuesday night at Table 620 H-E-B Lakeway (6:30pm)
Traditional Irish Music every Tuesday night at LT Corner Pub (7pm)
Whiskey Wednesday every Wednesday at Table 620 H-E-B Lakeway (6pm)
Karaoke with Raden Hughes at LT Corner Pub every Wednesday night (8pm)
Texas Songwriters Showcase every Monday at Poodie’s Roadhouse in Spicewood (6:30pm)
Preschool Story Time at Lake Travis Community Library every Monday (10:30am)
Save the date
Tickets on sale now for the 20th season of Spicewood Arts Society events & performances at Spicewood Vineyards Event Center
January 23 – State of Lakeway Town Hall at Lakeway City Hall (6:30pm)
February 13 – Valentine’s Wine Walk at Hill Country Galleria (5pm-9pm)
February 14 – Valentine’s Day Dinner at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse (reservations required)
February 15 – Grand Opening Event: Kim Ortiz Dog Portraits at Hill Country Galleria (1pm-5pm)
February 16 – Valentine’s Brunch at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse (reservations required)
February 22 – 20th Anniversary Gala for Spicewood Arts Society at Spicewood Vineyard Event Center (tickets on sale)
