Backpacks & New Beginnings. Summer officially gave way to the school year this week as LTISD students headed back to class yesterday. School zones are busy again, morning routines have returned, and somewhere, a parent is still looking for a missing water bottle.
It’s a milestone in our house, too. Our son started Pre-K this week, and while he’s only at the beginning of his school journey, it’s hard not to wonder how we got here so quickly. We’re especially thankful for the teachers and staff at A New Day Child Development Center, who spent the past two years helping shape his early years. They gave him a wonderful start, and we’ll always be grateful for that.
Here’s to a great school year — and here’s what’s happening around the lake.
A Heartbreaking Loss. This is one we wish we didn’t have to write. We were heartbroken to learn that Lake Travis High School senior Odin Hensley passed away after suffering a medical emergency during football practice earlier this week.
Odin had been part of the LTISD community since Lake Pointe Elementary and went on to become a two-sport athlete at Lake Travis High School, competing in both football and wrestling. Those who knew him describe a kind, determined young man, a loyal teammate, and a friend who meant a great deal to the people around him.
Like many of you, we followed the updates throughout the week and watched the Lake Travis community rally around Odin and his family. The messages, prayers, donations, and support were overwhelming in the best possible way — and a reminder that when something unimaginable happens to one of our own, this community shows up.
Our hearts are with Odin’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, teachers, and everyone who loved him.
A GoFundMe remains open to support Odin’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY | Wed–Sat through August 15, 8pm | Hill Country Galleria | FREE | Info
Three shows left before the lawn returns to normal.
BINGO NIGHT | August 13, 7–9pm | 5 Soul Wine Co. | FREE | Info
Bingo with rosé nearby and just enough competition to matter.
BEE CAVE ARTS FOUNDATION’S 16TH BIRTHDAY TEA PARTY | August 14, 4–6pm | Bee Cave Arts Foundation Gallery | FREE | Info
Sixteen years of local art, celebrated properly with tea and cake.
Image courtesy of Bee Cave Arts Foundation
LTHS BAND: 2ND ANNUAL MARCH-A-THON | August 15, 9:30am–12:30pm | Hill Country Galleria | FREE | Info
The marching band takes over the Galleria at full volume.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER MARKET | August 15, 10am–2pm | Lago Vista Brewing Company | FREE | Info
The usual farmers market, just with considerably more leashes.
JEWELRY MAKING CLASS | August 15, 10:30am–1pm | Lago Vista Public Library | Info
Make something small enough to wear home.
DON’T TELL COMEDY: SECRET SHOW | August 15, 7:30pm | Rough Hollow, Lakeway | $30 | Info
Stand-up at a venue they refuse to reveal until the day of.
MAH JONGG OPEN PLAY | August 19, 1–4pm | Lake Travis Library Spicewood | FREE | Info
Bring your set, your card, and your best Charleston.
PEACHY BOOK CLUB: WILD DARK SHORE | August 19, 7pm | Peaches Coffee | FREE | Info
A stormy island novel discussed, appropriately, somewhere dry.
SUMMER MOVIE NIGHT: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 | August 14, 8:20–10pm | Frontyard Brewing | FREE | Info
Last week’s dragon, one sequel later.
PENCIL HOLDER MAKING | August 15, 10am–2pm | McCoy’s Building Supply, all locations | FREE | Info
A kids’ build timed perfectly for the week pencils matter again.
KIDS CRAFTS: MARBLED PENCILS | August 15, 1–4pm | Frontyard Brewing | FREE | Info
Ordinary pencils, briefly upgraded before they disappear into a backpack.
LIONEL RICHIE & EARTH, WIND & FIRE | August 14, 7:30pm | Moody Center, Austin | $35+ | Info
Two legends sharing one stage and an arena fully prepared to sing along.
PAINT POTTERY & WINE NIGHT X MY POTERIE | August 21, 7pm | Peaches Coffee | $50 | Info
A paint-your-own mug workshop with a drink included.
MAMMA MIA! BRUNCH | August 22, 12–2pm | Runaway Luna | $89 | Info
The aesthetic says Santorini. The drive says Bee Cave.
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August 13th – August 16th
ANGEL’S ICEHOUSE (Spicewood)
Fri: Rochelle and the Sidewinders | 6pm
Sat: Jungle Man Sam | 6pm
GRAVEYARD POINT ICEHOUSE (Lakeway)
Sat: The DMs | 7:30pm
HWY 71 BREWING COMPANY (Spicewood)
Fri: Josh Field |7-9pm
IRON WOLF RANCH (Spicewood)
Sat: Denny Herrin | 2–5pm
JULES DESIGN BAR (Bee Cave)
Fri: Andrea Marie | 8-10pm
LT CORNER PUB (Lakeway)
Fri: Karaoke w/KJ Kevin Young | 9pm–2am
LUCKY RABBIT (Jonestown)
Thu: Dusty G | 6pm
Fri: The Roadhouse Band | 7pm
Sat: North of Luck | 7pm
Sun: Funk Brunch w/ Brother Magnum | 12pm
PLATE BY DZINTRA (Bee Cave)
Fri: Presley Grace | 6:30-8:30pm
POODIE’S ROADHOUSE (Spicewood)
Thu: Taylor (Otis) Wilkins 6pm | Dukes of the Hill Country 8pm
Fri: Candy Coburn 8pm | AB Hill 10:30pm
Sat: Dakota Spellman 1pm | Ricke Brothers 6pm | Wolf Trax Blues 8pm | TJ Wicks & The Top Hands 10:30pm
Sun: Carl Hutchens 4pm | Bruce Smith 7:30pm
SAF WINE BAR (Lakeway)
Thu: Frank Cavitt | 7:30–10:30pm
Fri: Shawn Matthews | 8:30–11:30pm
Sat: Phil Luna | 8:30–11:30pm
Sun: Presley Grace | 6:30–9:30pm
STEINER RANCH STEAKHOUSE (Steiner Ranch)
Thu: Robert Wagner | 6:30-9pm
Fri: Howlin’ Waters | 6:30-9pm
Sat: Christine Baird | 6:30-10pm
Sun: Mike Gonzales | 6:30-9pm
THE OASIS (Lake Travis)
Fri: Hair Metal Giants | 6-9pm
Sat: Nova | 7-10pm
Sun: X-Factory | 6-9pm
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House Guests. Living in the Hill Country means the wildlife doesn't much respect property lines. Some visitors are a delight; others are a scorpion in the bathroom at 2am.
Which yard visitors have you hosted this summer?
The Local Scent. Spotted at the Ace Hardware in Spicewood: hand-poured soy candles inspired by Lakeway, Lake Travis, and Spicewood. Local, small-batch, and genuinely good.
Still Serving. A car crashed through the front of Tikka House in Lakeway this week, leaving a hole where the entrance used to be. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The restaurant is staying open through repairs, which could take several months. A few extra takeout orders would probably go a long way.
Skin in the Game. Gavino Dermatology is now seeing patients in Lakeway, offering everything from acne and skin cancer treatment to cosmetic services like microneedling, fillers, and chemical peels.
Adopt Me. Meet Kasey, a puppy with unlimited confidence, a serious fetch habit, and an uncanny ability to go from full-speed zoomies to asleep in your lap in under 30 seconds. You can see (or adopt) him at Austin Pets Alive! Adoption Day event this Saturday, August 15.
Beep Beep. A reader caught one of the Hill Country’s fastest locals in a rare moment of stillness — close enough to appreciate just how sharp, strange, and unmistakably Texas the roadrunner really is.
Photo courtesy of Jamar & Ariel A.
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