Central Texas News

ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR CELEBRATES 40 YEARS – December 15 – 24, with NEW hours! 10am to 10pm daily!

Hot music, fine art and cold beer have made the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar the place where Austin shops in the giving season. The show is one of Austin’s longest running art and music festivals with a vibrant community-driven vibe. Visitors can explore an amazing array of handmade items from more than 160 artists while enjoying live local music and sips from a full bar. It all adds up to a fun authentic Austin experience.

The 10-day shopping destination and annual tradition for Austinites, celebrates 40 seasons of music and fine art December 15-24, from 10am to 10pm daily at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704.

The Armadillo makes holiday shopping fun in a comfortable, upbeat environment with a dazzling selection of one of a kind, hard to find, fine art and artisan crafts; from collectible pieces to modestly priced stocking stuffers, from stylishly smart to joyfully weird. Over 160 locally and nationally acclaimed artists exhibit their best works, including nearly two-dozen carefully curated newcomers this year. The Armadillo offers art for your home, perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list in every price range, and anything you can imagine that will fit underneath your Christmas tree. A photo gallery of their work is available at armadillobazaar.com.

At least three bands per day perform on the Armadillo stage, with a star-studded music line-up that reads like a who’s who of Texas music. The 31 performances range from new and emerging stars to local legends, as well as Grammy winners. Armadillo’s intimate stage allows you to experience big Texas musicians in a cozy holiday setting. This year features new musicians such as John Fullbright and Gina Chavez as well as returning local icons Ray Wylie Hubbard, Asleep at the Wheel and Ruthie Foster.

WHEN: December 15 – 24, with NEW hours! 10am to 10pm daily. Food and drink from open to close.
WHERE: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704 Parking is available in the Palmer Events Center/Long Center garage.
ADMISSION: $8 for a single day pass. Kids 12 and under free.
Tickets available online at http://www.armadillobazaar.com/tickets/.

This Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday, November 26, from 10:30am – 2:30pm the Hyatt Regency Austin presents an extraordinary feast with a multi-station buffet – complete with breakfast, brunch, an array of traditional holiday dishes, carving station and stunning desserts. Complimentary Champagne is included, as well as a family photo booth and fun pumpkin decorating station for kids.

From decadent breakfast dishes like Mexican Vanilla-battered French Toast, Hickory Smoked Bacon and Smoked Chicken and Apple Sausage, to an assortment of Texas cured meats and cheeses, this annual buffet is legendary among guests and locals alike.

Executive Chef Paul French utilizes his classic culinary techniques along with the freshest seasonal ingredients to create beloved Thanksgiving favorites in addition to modern twists on traditional dishes.

Guests will be delighted by dishes like Poached Shrimp, Mussels & Crab Claws with Hand Shucked Oysters, Freshly Prepared Sushi Rolls and Nigiri, Hickory Smoked Prime Rib, Herb Roasted Turkey Breast and a Pomegranate Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon.

The dessert station is a feast in and of itself, with a mouth-watering selection including

Petit Chocolate Caramel Tarts, Caramel Apples, Texas Bourbon Pecan Pie, Caramelized Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pecan Cake, Pumpkin Mousse in Chocolate Cones, Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cake, and Pomegranate Swirl Cheesecake among many other choices.

The Southwest Bistro Thanksgiving Day Buffet will be open on Thursday, November 26^th from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and features complimentary Champagne. Pricing is $65.00 for adults and $30.00 for children (free under age 5). Reservations may be made by calling the Hyatt Regency Austin at (512) 480-2035 or by visiting www.opentable.com.

WHO:                    Southwest Bistro, Hyatt Regency Austin

WHAT:                 Thanksgiving Day Buffet with Complimentary Champagne & Family Activities

WHEN:                 Thursday, November 26, 2015

WHERE:                Hyatt Regency Austin Southwest Bistro | 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

TICKETS:               $65.00 for Adults, $30 Children (ages 12 and under free). Reservations recommended – RSVP (512) 480-2035 or www.opentable.com

Austin’s biggest, most beloved Thanksgiving Day tradition to include raffle for brand new Honda Accord, crazy teams, costumes, more!

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot celebrates its 25th anniversary this year (the same year ThunderCloud Subs turns 40)! Austin’s beloved Thanksgiving tradition has raised $2.5 million for Caritas of Austin, which helps people move out of poverty toward self-sufficiency.

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is a five-mile run, one-mile walk and a Kids K, beginning and ending at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Register online at www.thundercloud.com/turkey-trot. All registrations include a T-shirt, runner’s guide, and donation to Caritas.

In its 25 years, the Trot has grown from 600 runners in 1991, to the second largest Thanksgiving Day run in Texas with more than 20,000 participants from 49 states in 2014.

Mike Haggerty, co-owner of ThunderCloud Subs, says this year will include special merrymaking with ThunderCloud celebrating its 40th anniversary and the Trot celebrating its 25th year.

“For the past three years in a row, the number of registrations has hovered right around 21,000 runners. Our goal for 2015 is to register a whopping 25,000 people in honor of the Trot’s 25th anniversary,” Haggerty says.

A longtime Thanksgiving Day tradition for many Austin families and friends, the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot has also become a new pre-game tradition for football fans visiting Austin for Thanksgiving. Continuing the Trot’s football game rivalry run categories, there are special run categories for Longhorns and Red Raiders this year.

Awards will be given to the overall first-place, second-place, and third-place male and female runners, as well as the top three men and women in each age group. Awards will also be given to the first place team and the top three finishers in the following categories: Maternity, Baby Jogger, Wheelchair, Longhorn, Red Raider, and Team Challenge. Participants who want to raise additional money for Caritas of Austin can partake in the Trot’s fundraising challenge for individuals or teams.

Some of the intriguingly-named teams signed up for the Trot are The Flying Dutchmen, Can’t Stop the Gravy Train, Gobble ‘til you Wobble, and We Got the Trots.

First Texas Honda is donating a brand new Honda Accord EX-L as the grand prize for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Raffle, with 100 percent of ticket sales going to Caritas. Raffle entrants will also have the chance to win eight gift packages from Mellow Johnny’s with a value totaling $1,250.

Anyone can buy raffle tickets, whether or not participating in the Trot, and ticket-holders do not have to be present to win. Tickets are $25 each or five for $100. Raffle tickets can be purchased online at www.thundercloud.com, at packet pickup before the run, or through an authorized employee or agent of Caritas of Austin at the organization’s headquarters, 611 Neches Street. Winners will be announced on event day at 10:45 a.m.

The Stepping Stone School Kids K will begin at 8:45 a.m., the timed five-mile starts at 9:30 a.m., the untimed five-mile starts immediately afterwards, then the one-mile walk starts immediately after that. Winners will be announced and awarded after the run at 10:40 a.m.

Online registration for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is $25 for the untimed five-mile, $30 for the timed five-mile, $20 for the one-mile walk, and $8 for the Stepping Stone School Kids’ K.

For real-time updates on ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot news, events and happenings, like the Facebook page, and connect with ThunderCloud Subs on Twitter and Instagram, @TCloudSubs. To join in the online conversation, use #TCloudTrot.

For more information or to register for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, visit www.thundercloud.com/turkey-trot.

I LOVE Hanna Anderson clothes! What isn’t there to love about them. They are colorful, cute and comfortable. From now until January 2016 they are holding a social networking contest. They are giving away an $100 gift card every week (one winner per week) to customers that share their #Hannajams moments by posting on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or upload here: http://www.hannaandersson.com/hannajams.aspx with #hannajams hashtag.

The Trail of Lights Foundation today announced that tickets are now available for purchase for the 2015 Trail of Lights. To help visitors plan their trip to the Trail of Lights and ensure an enjoyable holiday experience, the Trail of Lights Foundation suggests purchasing weekend gate tickets, parking tickets, shuttle passes or ZiP Fast Passes in advance of visiting the Trail.

“We are excited to kick off this year’s Trail of Lights celebration by inviting visitors to plan their trip in advance,” said Mario Espinoza, board president of the Trail of Lights Foundation. “The event is still free to attend during the first week, and the small gate fee charged during the latter half of the celebration will ensure that the event’s production can continue to thrive in coming years. We are very appreciative of the continued support from our community participants, as well as the visitors during the holiday’s festivities.”

While tickets are required to enter the Trail of Lights from Dec. 16-22 for those 12 and older, admission from Dec. 8-15 is free. All tickets are available for purchase online at www.AustinTrailofLights.org through Ticketbud. Gate tickets and shuttle passes will also be available for purchase at local H-E-B locations beginning Nov. 4. Gate tickets will also be available to purchase onsite at the Trail of Lights.

Gate Admission Dec. 16-22

• $3 for ages 12 and older
• Available for purchase online at www.AustinTrailofLights.org, at Austin-area H-E-B locations beginning Nov. 4, and onsite at the Trail of Lights
• Parking must be purchased separately
• Those who purchase a weekend shuttle pass do not need to purchase a weekend gate admission

Parking Pass

• $15 per car
• Available for purchase online only at www.AustinTrailofLights.org
• Must be purchased in advance for a specific night

 Shuttle Pass

• $5 per person
• Shuttle passes also provide gate access on December 16 – 22.
• Available for purchase online at www.AustinTrailofLights.org and at Austin-area H-E-B locations beginning Nov. 4
• Shuttles begin running at 5:30 p.m. from each pickup location
• A limited number of tickets will be available each night depending on capacity, so space is not guaranteed upon late arrival
• Lap children ride free
• Last shuttle pickup from designated parking locations is at 8:30 p.m pending capacity
• The last shuttle leaves Zilker Park at 10:30 p.m. to take visitors back to parking locations
• Shuttle pickup locations may be found online at www.AustinTrailofLights.org

ZiP Fast Pass

• $15 per person for ages 6 and over
• Available for purchase online only at www.AustinTrailofLights.org
• Must be purchased in advance for a specific night
• Guarantees front-of-line event access via a ZiP gate that opens 45 minutes early at 6:00 p.m. and access to the ZiP Lounge for food, drinks, heated bathrooms, seating and heaters
• On nights a gate ticket is required for entry, a ZiP ticket serves as entry ticket

Platinum Passes

• Platinum packages provide back-gate valet parking, early back-gate entry at 6:00 pm, drink tickets, and Ferris wheel or carousel rides
• Four pack: $225
• Two pack: $150
• Single: $75

For more information on schedules and to stay updated with the latest news, including the 15-day activity and entertainment lineup, location of shuttles, and online sale of parking tickets, ZiP passes and Platinum passes, sign up for the Trail of Lights newsletter at AustinTrailofLights.org, follow the @ATXLights Twitter feed or like the Facebook page at facebook.com/AustinTrailofLights.

Filmmakers Stephen Tringali and Maria Bissell are proud to present Corridor Four, the story of K9 Unit Officer Isaac Ho’opi’I, a man praised for his heroic actions at The Pentagon on 9/11, and the post traumatic stress disorder he experienced immediately afterward. With over 110 hours of footage, and 28 interviews over 5 states, the story of a man who sacrificed all he had can finally be told.

Now on Kickstarter, Corridor Four tells the story of how one man saved the lives of many, at the cost of his own personal livelihood.

Corridor Four Kickstarter page:
http://bit.ly/CorridorFourFund

Barton Creek Square, Lakeline Mall, The Domain, Round Rock Premium Outlets and San Marcos Premium Outlets today announced that they will be participating in a national engagement with Susan G. Komen® to support the fight against breast cancer, engaging employees, retailers and shoppers in ‘Mission Pink®’ events throughout the month of October.

“As active members in this community, Simon properties provide an ideal backdrop for raising awareness and encouraging support in finding a cure for breast cancer, a disease we know affects many of our employees, retailers and shoppers every year,” said Jana Griswold, Director of Marketing at Barton Creek Square.

“We are delighted to be working with the dedicated people at Simon,” said Dr. Judy Salerno, Komen President and CEO. “With one case of breast cancer diagnosed every two minutes in the U.S., programs like Simon’s ‘Mission Pink’ play a key role in bringing our mission to people in communities across the country. The support of Simon and their customers will help us fund research, provide support to women, men and families suffering from breast cancer, and move toward a world with no breast cancer.”

Visitors to Barton Creek Square, Lakeline Mall, The Domain, Round Rock Premium Outlets and San Marcos Premium Outlets will notice that the Guest Services booth will be outfitted in pink and staff will be honoring National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donning pink accessories. Other planned activities include:

• Wall of Strength (Barton Creek Square, Lakeline Mall, Round Rock Premium Outlets, San Marcos Premium Outlets), Throughout October  – For a $1 donation, survivors, families and / or friends write their message of strength on a foam board brick, and are encouraged to take a picture and share via social media.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Day (all properties), Dates vary – Wear pink to show your support for breast cancer awareness month and to receive special discounts at participating retailers. To learn more about Komen’s breast health services and awareness messages, shoppers can visit each property’s Susan G. Komen table, located at Simon Guest Services.
  • Barton Creek Square, Saturday, October 24; 1-4 pm – Shoppers will enjoy a pink lip station and photo booth encouraging them to give breast cancer a kiss goodbye.  Additionally, shoppers who wear pink will receive a free ice cream cone courtesy of Chick-fil-A.
  • Lakeline Mall, Saturday, October 17; 1-4 pm
  • The Domain, Saturday, October 10; 1-4 pm
  • Round Rock Premium Outlets, Saturday, October 17 – Shoppers can enjoy demonstrations from 11 am-1 pm and a pink-themed fashion show at 6pm.
  • San Marcos Premium Outlets, Saturday, October 10, 17, 24; 10 am-5 pm
• Surprise and Delight (The Domain, San Marcos Premium Outlets) – One of the lucky shoppers wearing pink in support of breast cancer awareness will be randomly selected to receive ‘Mission Pink’ treats.

• The Domain, Saturday, October 10
• San Marcos Premium Outlets, Saturday, October 10, 17, 24
• Style Passes (Barton Creek Square, The Domain), Throughout October:  Shoppers can donate to the cause by purchasing a retailer discount Style Pass for $5. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen.
• Voucher Program (San Marcos Premium Outlets, Round Rock Premium Outlets), Throughout October: $10 voucher cards, available at Guest Services, will offer 25 percent off one item at all participating retailers. One hundred percent of these donations will benefit Susan G. Komen.

During October 2015, Simon is proud to support Susan G. Komen through various fundraising initiatives, and along with the help of generous customers, will guarantee a contribution of at least $250,000.

For more information and a complete list of activations and events, please visit www.simon.com/mall/barton-creek-square, www.simon.com/mall/lakeline-mall, www.simon.com/mall/the-domain, www.premiumoutlets.com/roundrock/ or www.premiumoutlets.com/sanmarcos/.

The Long Center proudly presents the Austin premiere of Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage, a symphonic experience complete with interactive live projection, March 26^th in Dell Hall. Tickets are on sale today at 12:00PM and start at $29.

This lavish production includes an impressive live symphony orchestra and international special solo instruments. People of all ages and backgrounds will experience the franchise’s groundbreaking and wildly popular musical achievements while the most iconic Star Trek film and TV footage is simultaneously beamed in high definition to a 40-foot wide screen.

The concert will feature some of the greatest music written for the franchise including music from Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and much more. This never-before-seen concert event is perfect for music lovers, filmgoers, science-fiction fans and anyone looking for an exciting and unique concert experience.

Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage will be conducted by Justin Freer, who has quickly become one of the most sought-after conductors of film music with a long list of full symphonic live to projection projects under his belt ranging from the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy to The Godfather to Gladiator. He has appeared with some of the world’s leading orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Sydney Symphony.

Tickets are available at TheLongCenter.org or by calling (512) 474.LONG (5664). Also available at the Long Center’s 3M Box Office located at 701 West Riverside Drive at South First Street.  For groups of 10 and more, please call 512-457-5161 or groupsales@thelongcenter.org.

The Trail of Lights Foundation and Humana announced today that the annual Trail of Lights Fun Run will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 and is now open for registration. Part of the Trail of Lights “Sneak Peek weekend,” the Trail of Lights Fun Run is an event that welcomes all ages to exercise in festive attire at Zilker Park. Sponsored by Humana, the 2015 Fun Run encourages a healthy and fun way to celebrate the holiday season.

“We’re excited to continue to support the Trail of Lights Fun Run, especially with the expanded team offerings this year,” said Brock Purslow, market vice president, Central Texas for returning sponsor Humana. “Now both individuals and corporate teams can partake in some friendly competition to win awards ranging from crazy holiday socks to a special VIP tent at the Trail of Lights.”

Register online at here.
2.1 mile run/walk at Zilker Park

ThunderCloud Subs has selected the winner of the 2015 ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Art Contest, its annual competition to design the logo for the Thanksgiving Day tradition benefitting Caritas of Austin. Elizabeth Reeves, the lucky winner, was presented with her prize yesterday: vouchers for an entire year’s worth—365 ThunderCloud sub sandwiches!

In addition to receiving free ThunderCloud subs for a year, Reeves will see her artwork displayed on 20,000 Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot T-shirts this November as well as all over town on event guides, posters, website, social media, and more.

“I’ve never won anything in my life, so I was really surprised to find out the exciting news,” says Reeves, who lives in Cedar Park and eats at her local ThunderCloud store every other week.

Reeves is currently majoring in 2D Animation at Austin Community College and hopes to one day become a character designer for Cartoon Network. She has been drawing all of her life and eating at ThunderCloud Subs for as long as she can remember.

“My dad has been going to ThunderCloud for 32 years now, and always brought me as a kiddo whenever we wanted a sandwich. I love how genuine everyone is at ThunderCloud. They make their sandwiches with love, and every location is unique in its own way. I feel like I’m home when I’m at Thundercloud. Also the bread… the bread is so good,” says Reeves.

This is the sixth year for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Art Contest, and there were a total of 167 submissions this year—more than double the number received last year.

Mike Haggerty, co-owner of ThunderCloud Subs, says: “It was an extra close contest this year. We keep getting more creative entries, and it’s getting harder and harder to choose just one winner each year. Ultimately we chose Elizabeth’s artwork as the logo for our 25^th annual ThunderCloud Turkey Trot because it was such a brilliant representation of not only Austin’s beloved Thanksgiving Day tradition but also its deep connection with ThunderCloud Subs and the community.”

Regarding her design for the 2015 ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, Reeves says: “I wanted to make something fun, colorful, and pleasing to the eye, so I decided to make a ThunderCloud condiment border. Plus, I enjoy drawing food, and food is such a big part of what Thanksgiving is all about. I also knew I wanted to make a cute Austinite turkey, so I gave him some cool purple kicks and accessories. I think it turned out well!”

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot takes place on Thanksgiving Day and includes a five-mile run, one-mile walk, and a Kids’ K that all take place outside the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Early online registration for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is $20 for the untimed five-mile, $25 for the timed five-mile, $18 for the one-mile walk, and $8 for the Stepping Stone School Kids’ K. All registrations include a T-shirt and runners guide. Registration prices will increase starting Nov. 1.

All proceeds from the Trot go to Caritas of Austin, a local charity that supports Austin’s working poor and homeless people. ThunderCloud has raised more than $2.5 million for Caritas since the event began in 1991.

For real-time updates on ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot news, events and happenings, like the Facebook page, and connect with ThunderCloud Subs on Twitter and Instagram, @TCloudSubs. To join in the online conversation, use #TCloudTrot.

For more information or to register for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, visit www.thundercloud.com.

It’s that time again! Fall is coming and so is all the Halloween fun. Barton Hill Farms is set amongst 100-year-old cottonwood trees, rolling grassy hills and the picturesque Colorado River. Our Fall Festival & Corn Maze is the perfect setting to let your kids enjoy true outdoor entertainment, including rides, games, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, local vendors and farm animals. We welcome large groups and school field trips.

Open Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 27 – Nov.9.
The hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General Admission is $8* per person for ages three to 10 and $11* for ages 11 and up, and includes entry to the corn maze and pumpkin patch. Children two and under are free but must accompanied by a paying adult. The Adventure Pass is a $5 upgrade and provides access to the jumping pillow, barrel train, pony hops, and trike track. Most kids enjoy the Adventure Pass, but adults can stick with General Admission and be fine. Some of our other activities cost extra. Please visit our activities page for more information.

*Prices do not reflect the $1 discount for online purchases.
http://bartonhillfarms.com/ticket-info/

June 2,  2015 (Austin, TX) — Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Chef Robert Irvine has seen things most gastronomic personalities only dream about, and gone where others fear to tread.  His next stop? Austin, Texas. The audience becomes part of the action in this LIVE version of Dinner: Impossible in Dell Hall on Wednesday, June 17. Tickets are on sale now starting at $40.

Cooking his way through Europe, the Far East, the Caribbean and across America on his two hit Food Network series,  “Dinner:  Impossible”  and  “Restaurant: Impossible,” Irvine has prepared masterful culinary creations for virtually every possible occasion, from simple intimate gatherings to dinners for the British Royal Family; for high-ranking dignitaries, politicians and VIP’s as part of the Guest Chef program at the White House; and various celebrity events such as a spectacular star-studded Academy Awards gala after party.

Robert Irvine LIVE is a high energy, multimedia and multi-sensory theatrical experience. More than just a cooking demo, Robert Irvine LIVE is an interactive show that provides multiple opportunities for audience participation while witnessing the challenging nature of the TV show, Dinner: Impossible, come to life right before your eyes.

Multiple cameras setup on the stage provide a close-up view of the master at his craft. Brand new music and video content specifically produced for this show combine seamlessly with the cooking to provide an experience unlike any other. In each segment of the show Robert will face a new and unique culinary challenge.

Are you ready to experience the impossible?.

Tickets are available at TheLongCenter.org or by calling (512) 474.LONG (5664). Also available at the Long Center’s 3M Box Office located at 701 West Riverside Drive at South First Street.  For groups of 10 and more, please call 512-457-5161 or groupsales@thelongcenter.org.