Howdy, and happy holidays. I have some big news for you. Austonia is now part of 6AM City, a fast-growing network of hyper-local newsletters across the country. I’m proud to be telling you this, because 6AM City’s mission is very much like Austonia’s — a daily morning update on events, things-to-do and news, with an underlying mission of community building in the cities they serve. If you’re not already subscribed, 6AM City’s Austin newsletter is called ATXtoday. One of its city editors is Laura Figi, who you’ll remember for her previous great work on Austonia’s newsletter. I’ve been reading ..read more

Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters. There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too. All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with. Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store ..read more

? All weekend ? Creek Show Art Exhibit Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | ?Waterloo Park ✨ Mozart's Light Show This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th. 6 p.m and 9 ..read more

Timmy and Tommy are ready to play. As the 2-month-old white-and-tabby brothers swat feather wands, chase toys and generally hold court inside Purr-fecto Cat Lounge, a half-dozen potential adoptive parents look on lovingly, trying to get their attention. “This is kind of like the speed dating of cats,” said Lupita Foster, owner of Purr-fecto Cat Lounge. “I intentionally didn’t put in any tables. That’s why we call it a lounge instead of a cat café because we have these lounge areas where you can sit and relax and cuddle.” Foster, who has owned a cleaning company, Enviromaids, for 18 years, wa ..read more

We all have those cravings for an amazing butter chicken or some authentic dosas with coconut chutney, but when I was thinking about where I wanted to go to satisfy my taste buds I realized that my list of great Indian food around Austin was surprisingly short. After doing some research and asking around, here is your list of the best Indian restaurants around town. Sangam Chettinad This restaurant claims to have the most authentic South Indian food, and from what I've heard, the claims might be true! Their menu features the traditional South Indian dishes of Idlis, Vadas, a variety of Dosas ..read more

? Friday ? Savor the Outdoors* One of the best parts of the Austin area is the opportunity to take in nature and immerse yourself in the outdoors. This serves as the inspiration for the next Savor the Outdoors dinner, taking place at McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Delight in Texas fine dining cuisine while taking in views of the Colorado River, and stargazing. Tickets priced at $125.00. 5:30 - 8 p.m. | ? McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 State Highway 71 West, Cedar Creek, TX, 78612 ? All weekend ?Texas Book Festival* Whether you call yourself a book nerd or enjoy the occasional good book, yo ..read more

A company that helps you keep your grass green and tidy has released a study of best states to forget all that and live off the grid, where grasses come in the native variety and do not need mowing or watering. Texas came in at #2, behind Iowa. Yep, Iowa. The study rated each state on 23 metrics. Texas racked up points by ranking high on these: Suitability of electric, water, and waste laws for off-grid living (1st) Projected 5-year growth of solar installation (1st) Average per-acre value of cropland (6th) Yearly average number of very cold days (5th) Number of critical-access hospitals ..read more

Consumer financial site SmartAsset analyzed 2021 moves from state-to-state by people aged 25 to 39. They found that Texas and Florida are millennial magnets, while New York City is the opposite, having lost 80,000 millennials last year. Where are they going? Austin (10,500 net migrations) Denver (9,216) Dallas (6,339) Raleigh (3,900) Jacksonville, FL (3,921) Click here to read the complete article ..read more

This happened Monday on a Pacific beach near Santa Barbara, California. The Sheriff's office there said, "The owner drove onto the sand. And then the tide came in." Apparently. Click here to read the story on Santa Barbara Noozhawk ..read more

If you haven’t been inside the University of Texas’ new Moody Center, you’ll have plenty of opportunities this fall and winter. The new home of Texas Men’s and Women’s Basketball is fully operational for the 2022-2023 season, and many fans got the opportunity to visit the $375 million venue this weekend. Both Men’s and Women’s basketball teams got their first bout of competition Saturday and Sunday in their new home. While fans were there for the exhibition games, it was the first chance for many to experience one of the most innovative college basketball venues in the nation. The venue can ..read more