ATX, TX February 2026

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Where Love Lives

February 2026 PUBLISHER

Zack Fogelman | zack.fogelman@citylifestyle.com

I’ve been in a love affair with Austin for over two decades. When I set down roots here, the city felt like a secret in bloom — creative, generous, and like your cool older cousin that you can't wait to see every summer. Over the years, I’ve watched it grow, stretch, and reinvent itself, yet never lose the spirit that captured me from the start. That same spirit continues to shine in the stories we’re honored to share this month.

Our February Love Local issue celebrates the people and places who make Austin feel like home. You’ll meet the team at People’s Community Clinic, whose commitment to women’s and pediatric health is one of the clearest expressions of local love. Studio 601 offers a look into how Austin musicians create, collaborate, and keep our city’s sound alive. We also highlight some of our partners giving back in meaningful ways.

Leadership Austin shows us how developing strong leaders strengthens the city we share, while Camp Doublecreek reminds us why generational traditions matter. We explore the heart and purpose of Buy Nothing groups, where neighbors use a "gifting economy" to help one another and to preserve the city's sustainability. And of course, we round things out with Valentine’s events, perfect for celebrating every kind of connection.

Here’s to loving Austin together!

M AN AG I N G E D I TO R

Julie Royce | julie.royce@citylifestyle.com C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

Stacy Berg

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler

J U L I E R OYC E , M A N AG I N G E D I TO R @ AT X C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ATX City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the ATX area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in ATX City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Texas Sized Memories Since 1971

inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 6 | LOV E LO CA L

18 30

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Featured

14 18 22 30 6

Leadership Austin

A Pathway to Leading Where You Live

14 On the Cover

Departments

Studio 601 co-founders Eric Harrison and Mike Ingber.

4

Lifestyle Letter

8

City Scene

10

Business Monthly

12

Kids Corner SPORTS + RECREATION

14

Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

18

Back Stage ARTS + CULTURE

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Family Care WELLNESS

26

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

30

Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE

32

Must See LIFE + CULTURE

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Events

Small Studio, Big Austin Music Energy Meet the cofounders of Studio 601 Recording

Caring for Austin’s Next Generation

People’s Community Clinic expands women’s and pediatric care for families

Local Partners, Big Community Impact Volunteering, nonprofit partnerships, and everyday generosity show how Austin businesses continue to love locally

Photography: Stacy Berg

FEBRUARY 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1

2

LENS OF ATHENA PHOTOGRAPHY

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TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AUSTIN

4

JULIE ROYCE KATIE MCDOWELL

5 7

MEGAN PALOMBO

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STRONG PILATES

SAMUEL GREY HORSE

1: Attendees at the inaugural Wolf Connect networking event on Dec. 4th at Assembly Hall. 2: Ambassadors of Texas Children’s Hospital Austin toasted to the season of giving at Powder Room. 3: The cast and crew of the award-winning musical, "Parade," at the Ground Floor Theatre.

4: A decades-long tradition returns to Austin with a Horns 27-17 victory over the Aggies at DKR. 5: Visitors celebrated Zilker Park's Trail of Lights' 60th year this past holiday season. 6: STRONG Pilates joined Swift Events and The Trail Conservancy for Peppermint Pilates at International Shores 7: Samuel Grey Horse spreads holiday cheer with his mule, Mula, on South Congress

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C I T Y SC E N E

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business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Build Native recognized for Eco Leadership Build Native recently earned the Environmental Champion Award at the 2025 Greater Austin Business Awards, recognizing its commitment to sustainable building across Central Texas. Guided by a clear mission and consistent, eco-focused practices, the small-but-mighty builder continues to prove that thoughtful construction can make a significant impact. Build Native is honored to be celebrated by the Austin Chamber of Commerce alongside fellow businesses working to keep Austin innovative, resilient, and thriving.

Scan to read more

Leadership Austin Conference Returns February 20 Leadership Austin will host its annual Leadership Austin Conference on February 20, bringing together community members, professionals, and civic leaders from across Central Texas. This year’s theme, Leading at the Pace of Change, will explore Economic Mobility, Individual Growth, and Human [Re]Connection through curated conversations and shared learning. The conference is open to the public and offers an opportunity to engage with Austin’s evolving challenges and opportunities. Register at https://leadershipaustin.org/event/

Innovation, Film & TV, and Music at SXSW 2026 Seven days of discovery across all SXSW 2026 Conferences & Festivals this March 12–18 in Austin. Experience bold storytelling, thrilling live performances, cutting-edge innovation, and so much more. SXSW Driven by Rivian is where creative professionals from around the world connect and discover what’s next. ATX City Lifestyle readers save 10% on their SXSW Innovation Badge using code ATXCity10 at cart.sxsw.com

Scan to read more Photography by SXSW

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

A S UMME R T R A DI T ION GR OW S HOW CAMP DOUBLECREEK SHAPES GENERATIONS OF AUSTIN KIDS

For more than five decades, Camp Doublecreek has been a summer rite of passage for Austin families — a place where muddy shoes, camp songs, and busride laughter quietly shape childhoods and, in many cases, entire families.

Founded in 1971 by Carter and Trudy Lester, known affectionately as “Uncle Carter” and “Aunt Trudy,” Camp Doublecreek was born from a midlife leap of faith and a shared belief in the power of camp. Trudy, a lifelong educator, fell in ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE love with day camping while working summers in Georgetown. Carter, a salesPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CAMP DOUBLECREEK man with a booming personality, brought warmth and humor to the vision.

All smiles for these Doublecreek campers!

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K I D S COR N E R | SP O RTS + RE CRE AT ION

Together, they created a family-style day camp that mirrored the heart of an overnight experience, making camp accessible to more Central Texas children.

From its earliest days, Camp Doublecreek adapted to the changing rhythms of Austin. What began in a rural Round Rock setting with farm-inspired activities evolved as the city grew. By adopting a bus-based transportation model, Doublecreek reached families across the metro area, removing distance as a barrier to participation.

Programming has evolved alongside campers’ interests. Early staples like hay bale tosses and horny toad races gave way to rock walls, high-adventure challenges, and expanded aquatic activities. Today, Camp Doublecreek operates across three campuses, including an equine center and a high-adventure campus tucked along Old Spicewood Springs Road, allowing the camp to offer both classic activities and year-round experiences.

Through every iteration, the camp’s core values — encourage, engage, inspire, and challenge — have remained unchanged. The Carters’ grandson, now owner, Dan Neal, describes them not as slogans, but as a framework for connection.

“At the end of the day, camp is about relationships,” he said. “Those friendships and near-peer mentoring moments are where the real growth happens.”

That sense of connection is perhaps best reflected in the camp’s generational families. For Sarah Crow, a former camper and counselor who now sends her own children, the continuity is deeply personal.

“Halfway home from picking my son up, I glance in the rearview mirror and see images of my brother and me sitting in the back seat sharing the same intense

excitement,” she said. “I never have to imagine how fun it is for my son… I remember how fun it was for me.”

Crow recalls spending entire days on horseback as a camper, later teaching riding as a counselor, and now seeing camp through a parent’s lens.

“It is so much more than fun activities,” she said.

“It’s a daily course in companionship, learning, friendship, and enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood.”

Neal believes that balance — joy rooted in safety, tradition paired with adaptation — is what continues to set Camp Doublecreek apart. As expectations around safety and communication evolve, the camp has emphasized transparency while maintaining what Neal’s grandfather always preached: “Keep them safe while they have fun, and if they learn something, that’s icing on the cake.”

As Camp Doublecreek looks ahead, expansion is less about scale and more about stewardship — serving more families while preserving the spirit that has made the camp a beloved Austin institution for more than 50 summers.

Visit http://www.campdoublecreek.com for more information

Campers play a competitive game of soccer.

Friends at Camp Doublecreek.

Campers receiving their ribbons.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STY L E . C O M / AT X

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Leadership Austin A Pathway to Leading Where You Live If you’ve spent much time in Austin, you’ve probably heard of Leadership Austin—or realized halfway through a conversation that someone you know is an alum. That recognition often becomes a shortcut to trust. But as Jill Goodman, Leadership Austin’s CEO, puts it, the more important question is: what actually happens next?

Leadership Austin isn’t designed as a résumé booster or a one-time experience.

It’s a pathway—one that helps people understand their city more deeply and connect with others who want to make it better. The organization brings together individuals from different industries, backgrounds, and stages of life not to hand them answers, but to provide context, relationships, and a shared sense of responsibility for Austin’s future.

“What we do isn’t really about a program,” Goodman has said. “It’s about community leadership.” In practice, that means shifting the focus away from titles and toward engagement—how people show up locally, where they invest their energy, and how they work across differences.

That emphasis feels especially relevant right now. Many people feel disconnected from decision-making or disillusioned by politics at the national level. Leadership Austin intentionally brings the conversation closer to home. Local is where people still have agency.

It’s where trust can be built—and where change feels possible, often in ways that are tangible

ARTICLE BY ZACK FOGELMAN

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I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

and immediate. Leadership Austin’s work starts from the belief that informed, connected people are the foundation of a healthy city.

Julia Campbell, Leadership Austin’s Partnership Director, notes that one of the most common reactions she hears is surprise. People think they know what Leadership Austin is—often based on what it looked like years ago—but don’t realize how much it has evolved.

Today, the organization hosts an annual leadership conference open to the public (this year on February 20), a Courageous Leaders Lunch, and offers multiple ways to engage, all built around the same idea: leadership is accessible, and it’s ongoing.

Rather than positioning itself as exclusive, Leadership Austin works to widen the table. Its goal is to meet people where they are— whether they’re early in their careers, deep into them, or simply looking for new ways to contribute. The common thread isn’t ambition for status, but a desire to understand Austin better and help shape what comes next.

Jill Goodman speaks at a Leadership Austin meeting.

Mayor Kirk Watson speaks at a Leadership Austin event.

The impact of that approach is often most visible through alumni experiences. For Keith Sommer, Senior Vice President of Social Enterprises at Goodwill Central Texas, Leadership Austin offered a new lens on a city he already knew well. “Even after living in Austin for more than 20 years, Leadership Austin opened my eyes to the complexity of our city’s challenges and the opportunities that exist when people come together with curiosity and purpose,” he said. “It reinforced that meaningful change isn’t about politics—it’s about shared responsibility as leaders and citizens.”

Chris Mugica, a partner at Jackson Walker, echoes that sentiment.

“Leadership Austin helped me appreciate the complexity and promise of the systems and cultures that shape Central Texas,” he said. “More importantly, the experience taught me that loving a city also means taking responsibility for shaping its future.”

Stories like these reflect what Leadership Austin emphasizes again and again: the value isn’t just in what participants learn, but in what they carry forward. Alumni continue to serve on boards, support nonprofits, and collaborate across sectors—often quietly, but consistently. Leadership Austin’s role, as Goodman describes it, is to create the conditions for that kind of sustained engagement.

At its core, Leadership Austin is built on a simple idea: change doesn’t start somewhere else. It starts locally, with people willing to engage, build relationships, and take responsibility for the place they call home.

Members of Leadership Austin.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STY L E . C O M / AT X

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Co-founders Eric Harrison and Mike Ingber

S M A L L S T UDIO, B IG A U S T IN

M U S IC E N E R GY THE COFOUNDERS OF STUDIO 601 BUILT A SPACE WHERE EMERGING ARTISTS FIND COMMUNITY, CLARITY, AND A CREATIVE HOME BASE

ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE & ZACK FOGELMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY BERG

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B ACK STAGE | ARTS + C U LT U RE

Inside the recording booth.

If you drive through South Austin long enough, you begin to understand a fundamental truth about the city’s music scene: much of what defines it doesn’t happen on big stages or inside glass-walled studios.

It happens in garages, spare rooms, and converted backyard spaces — places you might pass every day without realizing someone inside is tracking vocals, layering strings, or finishing a song that could land on a playlist months later. That quieter, behind-the-scenes work is the backbone of Austin music, and Studio 601 is built squarely in that tradition.

“There’s an energy to this place.

If you’re tuned in enough to feel it and trust it, you know you’re here for a reason.”

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STY L E . C O M / AT X

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Greyson Turner jamming with Harrison and Ingber.

From the street, Studio 601 looks like just another South Austin home with a detached garage tucked behind it. A decade ago, that was precisely what it was. But for co-founders Eric Harrison and Mike Ingber, both longtime working musicians, the modest property held potential. Today, the garageturned-studio is booked months in advance and known for an artist-first, deeply collaborative approach that has made it a trusted creative home for emerging musicians.

Harrison and Ingber met in the mid2000s while working live sound gigs downtown. Both were recording on their own and growing frustrated with what they were hearing from larger studios.

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B ACK STAGE | ARTS + C U LT U RE

“We’d hear our friends’ albums and think, ‘How did a killer band make something that sounds like this?’” Harrison said.

Commercial studio time was expensive and often impersonal. When Harrison converted his garage into a working studio, the space offered something different: a room that was affordable, flexible, and focused on the song rather than the spectacle. Ingber soon joined him, and Studio 601 took shape — not as a flashy facility, but as a practical workshop grounded in trust and efficiency.

“We thought we’d just engineer records,” Ingber said. “But people started coming in without bands, without arrangements,

really needing help shaping everything.

And we realized we were actually a production team — totally by accident.”

That collaborative mindset defines the studio. Harrison and Ingber aren’t just pressing record; they’re involved in structure, arrangement, and creative problem-solving. Artists often arrive with rough demos or unfinished ideas, and the process becomes one of shared discovery.

“Nobody cares about gear,” Harrison said. “They care about whether the song is good and whether they felt supported while making it.”

That philosophy resonated with singer-songwriter Greyson Turner, who began

“Having someone believe in you as an artist can change everything, especially when you’re still figuring out who you are.”

working with Studio 601 in early 2024.

Turner moved to Austin from South Carolina for graduate school, earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas, and now works fulltime at Oracle. Like many Austin artists, he balances a demanding day job with an increasingly serious music career.

“When I walked in, I didn’t have a big production plan,” Turner said. “Here, it’s collaborative. We rework song structure, talk through arrangement, and build the vision together.”

Turner credits Studio 601 with helping him refine not only his sound, but his confidence. “I don’t know if I would’ve had the courage to really attempt a music career without meeting Eric,” he said. “Feeling believed in mattered.”

The ecosystem around Studio 601 is distinctly Austin. South Austin is full of working musicians, which means collaboration is often just a text away. In one recent session for another artist, a pedal steel player canceled hours before

recording began. Harrison made one call and had a replacement in the studio within the hour. One of Turner’s projects had a full string quartet recorded inside the garage — proof that scale is less about square footage than intention.

Studio 601 has also become a creative base for artists at different stages of their careers, including influencer-songwriter Zach Tellander and rising band NetherHour, now signed to William Morris. For those artists, the draw is consistency, focus, and an environment where collaboration stays at the center.

“There are great big studios here, but overhead doesn’t guarantee a better product,” Harrison said. “What matters is the end result and how the artist feels in the room.”

As Studio 601 celebrates 10 years, both founders say the studio’s identity remains anchored in the same mission that launched it: keep the space warm, keep the ego out of the room, and keep the song at the center.

Signatures of artists who have recorded at Studio 601.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STY L E . C O M / AT X

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Caring for Austin’s Next Generation PEOPLE’S COMMUNITY CLINIC EXPANDS WOMEN’S AND PEDIATRIC CARE FOR FAMILIES ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PEOPLE'S COMMUNITY CLINIC

For more than five decades, People’s Community Clinic has quietly served as a medical home for Central Texans who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the health care system.

As Austin's cost of living rises, the federally qualified health center has doubled down on its mission: improving the health of underserved and uninsured neighbors through comprehensive, dignified care that spans generations.

That commitment is especially evident in the clinic’s pediatrics and women’s health services — two areas leadership views as foundational to long-term community health.

“Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy births, which lead to healthy kiddos,” said CEO Matt Balthazar.

“And ongoing pediatric care leads to family stability and a thriving community from there on out.”

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FAM ILY CA R E | W EL L NESS

A mom with her daughter at People's.

“WHAT MAKES PEOPLE’S DIFFERENT IS CREATING A TRUE MEDICAL HOME, SO PATIENTS AREN’T FORCED TO NAVIGATE FRAGMENTED CARE ON THEIR OWN.” - DR. MORETTI

As an FQHC, People’s serves anyone regardless of ability to pay, offering care on a sliding-scale basis. Roughly 95% of patients live at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, according to clinic leadership. Balthazar said that reality requires a broader definition of health — one that looks beyond exam rooms.

“All of a patient’s health is informed by everything outside the four walls of this building,” he said. “Food, housing, transportation — those are drivers of health outcomes.”

That philosophy is embedded throughout the clinic, from a teaching kitchen and food pantry to medical-legal partnerships and community health workers who help patients navigate nonmedical challenges.

Women’s health care has taken a significant step forward with the recent opening of the People's Center for Women’s Health at St. David’s Hospital Pavilion. The new location increased capacity from 19 to 27 exam rooms and strengthened coordination with hospital-based delivery teams.

“Being on the hospital campus tightens continuity of care,” Balthazar said. “Our teams work closely with St. David’s to ensure seamless scheduling of deliveries and postpartum follow-up.”

The expanded center offers full-scope OB-GYN care, prenatal and postnatal services, cancer screenings, contraception counseling, and surgical partnerships — all designed to provide the same standard of care patients might expect elsewhere, regardless of insurance status.

“My goal is for our patients to have the same opportunities and access to care that anyone else would have,” said Dr. Nicole Moretti, women’s health lead and OB-GYN. “That need is now being met for many uninsured or underinsured women.”

Dr. Nilanjana DasGupta, the clinic’s chief medical officer, emphasized prevention and trust as cornerstones of women’s health care.

“Preventive care helps save lives,” she said, noting that People’s cervical cancer screening rate stands at 81% — an unusually high figure for an FQHC serving a low-resource population.

She credited consistent patient education and relationship-based care across departments for those outcomes.

CONTINUED >

A pediatric patient being measured by one of the staff physicians.

Sibling patients at People's Community Clinic.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STY L E . C O M / AT X

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A mother-to-be being seen by one of People's OBGYNs.

SIX WAYS TO

S H O W L OV E • Make a financial donation to support essential pediatric and women’s health services.

• Become a monthly donor to provide dependable, year-round funding that People’s relies on to plan and sustain care.

• Donate a vehicle through the Car Donation Program to turn unused cars into critical health care funding.

• Give new or gently used books to support literacy, learning, and comfort for pediatric patients and families.

• Use employer matching gifts to double your impact at no additional cost.

• Support clinic events that strengthen community connections and fund vital programs.

Visit https://www.austinpcc.org/ to learn more.

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FAM ILY CA R E | W EL L NESS

Pediatric care at People’s follows the same holistic approach. Dr. Louis Appel, who has served patients there for more than two decades, said the focus goes beyond treating illness.

“A lot of our work is about setting children on a trajectory for lifetime health and well-being,” he said, pointing to the clinic’s emphasis on preventive care, early childhood support, and family education.

That strategy has produced measurable results.

Immunization rates for clinic patients exceed state and national averages, including a 97% measles vaccination rate among 2-year-olds, Appel said.

Parents who participate in early childhood behavior support programs also report reduced stress and increased confidence.

Together, the services reflect what People’s Community Clinic calls an ecosystem of care — one designed not just to treat patients today, but to strengthen Austin’s future.

As Balthazar put it, “By providing access to women and children, we’re addressing health inequities that have existed for decades — and working to ensure they don’t persist into the next generation.”

downtowndigitaldollars.com

ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE

NEIGHBOR LY GIVING, Real Local Love HOW GIFTING GROUPS ARE BUILDING CONNECTION, REDUCING WASTE, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY ONE SHARED ITEM AT A TIME

In a neighborhood where tech, traffic, and rapid growth can make connections feel fleeting, a quiet movement is helping Central Austin residents build meaningful relationships — one gifted item at a time.

Buy Nothing–style groups, sometimes called Gifting With Integrity, depending on where you live, operate on Facebook as community-based “gift economies,” where neighbors give and receive household items, baby gear, books, clothing, food staples, and more, always free of charge.

For Michelle Cheng, the admin of the Central Austin group, the appeal was immediate when she discovered it during the pandemic.

“Buy Nothing kind of became my favorite COVID discovery because I loved the community so much,” she said.

She describes the group as intentionally small and neighborhood-based, with about 1,700 members — large for a gifting group, but still rooted in just a few zip codes.

“Getting things I can use for free is so deeply lovely to me… and seeing them getting loved again is such a lovely cycle.”

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O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

“Everybody in the group is supposed to be from a very small physical area,” Cheng said. The goal, she added, is connection, sustainability, and easy pickup.

Cheng has seen neighbors step up during crises, including during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, when members offered food, heat, and power to strangers who happened to live nearby.

“I saw a lot of really sweet community-oriented things where people were offering electricity… or saying ‘I just made a big pot of soup, would anyone like some hot food?’” she said.

The groups also provide emotional support, especially for members facing significant life changes. Beth Felker, a member, quietly used her gifting group to gather supplies as she prepared to adopt her daughter.

“There’s this virtual but really kind network of women and moms taking care of each other,” she said. Neighbors offered not just items, but encouragement, advice, and comfort. “They’re giving me care… they’re sharing that with me.”

For Amanda M., the draw is both environmental and personal.

“It always feels so comforting when you make a request, and seven or ten people in the community say, ‘Yes, I can help.’ It’s really heartwarming, and it makes me feel like I matter,” she said.

She added that seeing items get a second life keeps usable goods out of landfills — and keeps her on Facebook. “I love being in this group, it’s the last thing that has me holding onto Facebook!”

Cheng says the ripple effect is simple but powerful: neighbors get to know one another again.

“Getting things I can use for free is so deeply lovely to me… and seeing them getting loved again is such a lovely cycle,” she said.

True to Austin’s keep-it-local spirit, gifting groups turn generosity into neighborly love — one porch pickup at a time.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STY L E . C O M / AT X

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At gt.school in Georgetown, Texas, we blend rigorous core education with advanced intellectual pursuits to unlock the potential of gifted and talented K-8 minds.

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Unlocking Potential Through Gaming, Innovation, and Personalized Learning.

Welcome to Lake Travis Sports Academy in Texas, a first-of-its-kind school built to fuel K-8 students’ love for sports.

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By completing core academics in the morning, we free up afternoons for dedicated training, giving your child the gift of time to pursue their passions.

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Volunteering, nonprofit partnerships, and everyday generosity show how Austin businesses continue to love locally

Local Partners, Big Community Impact Austin thrives on connection, generosity, and the kind of neighborly spirit you can feel across the city. From supporting youth programs to volunteering with local nonprofits, these ATX City Lifestyle partners prove that community impact is at the heart of doing business in Austin.

ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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G IV IN G B AC K | L I FE + C UT LU RE

100% Chiropractic At 100% Chiropractic, team members volunteer individually with Austin Sunshine Camps, a longstanding local charity serving Central Texas youth for more than a century. The organization provides free overnight summer camps that give kids access to nature, leadership development, and a supportive community they may not otherwise have. With locations in Zilker Park and on Lake Austin, Austin Sunshine Camps helps young people build confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills — a mission the 100% Chiropractic team is proud to support.

FVF Law At FVF Law, giving back is a natural extension of their purpose as a values-driven firm. This year, their team sorted food at the Central Texas Food Bank, made lunches at Ronald McDonald House, delivered meals with Meals on Wheels, and supported many other local organizations through matching gifts. They were honored to be named a Charitable Champion by the Austin Gives Awards — a reminder that every client they serve and every organization they support reflects their belief that doing good belongs at the core of doing business.

The Agency Austin In 2025, The Agency Austin showed up for the community in meaningful ways. After the Central Texas floods, they partnered with The Agency RE to amplify awareness worldwide and rally support beyond Austin. Their team hosted a mental-health panel for families navigating crisis, provided hands-on volunteer clean-up assistance, and contributed a $2,000 donation to Players Reach, an organization they support annually with both time and funding.

They also participated in the HBAA Annual Fundraiser, personally raising $10,000 as part of the $200,000 collected to help fulfill dreams across the community. Service is at the heart of The Agency Austin — from Habitat for Humanity builds to youth-centered initiatives, giving back is woven into their culture and their commitment to strengthening the city we love.

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Love

A R O U N D AU S T I N

Austin is bursting with ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, from runway fashion to meaningful connections and live music experiences. Whether you’re single, coupled up, or out with friends, these events offer something special for every kind of love local enthusiast.

RED HAUTE VALENTINE PARTY & STYLE SHOW

The Women’s Symphony League of Austin’s annual Red Haute Valentine Party and Children’s Style Show returns as one of the city’s most beloved celebrations of style and community. Held at the JW Marriott Austin, this family-friendly event highlights seasonal fashion trends with a runway show featuring toddlers to teens, inspired activities, and a curated marketplace. Attendees can shop at local vendors, bid in silent auctions, and enjoy interactive games, such as the Hugs & Kisses experience, while supporting arts education and youth programming through the league’s fundraising efforts.

Women’s Symphony League of Austin presents its annual Red Haute Valentine Party and Children's Style show.

VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE AT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church invites parishioners and community members to its Valentine’s Day Dance, an evening filled with music, dancing and fellowship. Taking place at the church on Neenah Avenue, the event offers a warm, inclusive environment for attendees of all ages to celebrate love and friendship in a relaxed setting.

Though details on times and ticketing weren’t fully available at press time, the dance continues a tradition of community-oriented festivities that bring people together for seasonal joy.

Dance the night away at St. Vincent De Paul annual Valentine's Dance

Explore local Valentine’s events to spark love and connection ARTICLE BY JULIE ROYCE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

VALENTINE’S TANTRA SPEED DATE® – AUSTIN

For singles looking to make real connections this Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Tantra Speed Date® at Yoga Vida blends mindful interaction with classic speed dating. Hosted on Feb. 14, this guided event uses relational techniques to help participants meet multiple potential matches in a structured, presence-focused environment. With up to 20 mini-dates per attendee and exercises designed to foster authentic conversation and connection, this event aims to make meeting someone special both fun and meaningful — and promises a high match rate for those ready to mingle.

Find love at Tantra's Speed Dating event.

RADIOHEAD VALENTINE: CONCERT IN THE DARK WITH STRINGS

Music lovers can mark Valentine’s night with an immersive concert experience featuring Radiohead: Concert in the Dark at Casa de Luz, where Will Taylor and Strings Attached perform live string arrangements of Radiohead classics in an atmospheric, candlelit setting.

This unique show pairs beloved alternative rock with the warmth of live strings, piano, and clarinet for a memorable evening that feels both intimate and grand. While the concert isn’t exclusively labeled as a Valentine’s event in all listings, its timing and ambiance make it a perfect night out for couples and friends alike.

Violinist Will Taylor performs his annual Concert in the Dark.

BOB SCHNEIDER & THE MOONLIGHT ORCHESTRA VALENTINE’S CONCERT

Austin favorite Bob Schneider takes the stage with The Moonlight Orchestra at ACL Live’s Moody Theater on Feb. 14 for a romantic Valentine’s Eve concert experience. This live performance blends Schneider’s heartfelt songwriting with lush orchestral arrangements, creating an enchanting backdrop for couples and music lovers to share the night together. Candlelit ambiance and sweeping melodies set the tone for an unforgettable evening serenaded by one of Austin’s most beloved musicians. Schneider’s Valentine’s show has become a seasonal tradition that celebrates love through song and live performance.

Note: Please check each event’s official website or ticketing page for the most current dates, times, and ticket availability.

Local musician, Bob Schneider, will perform his annual Valentine's show.

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FEBRUARY 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

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Black History Month Various locations To commemorate Black History Month, there will be events throughout the city celebrating important people and moments in time in African-American history. Visit https://www.austintexas.org/ for more information.

F EB RUA RY 7 T H

Carnaval Brasileiro Speakeasy Carnaval in Austin is one of the biggest Brazilian Carnaval celebrations outside Brazil. Brasileiro-style samba, costumes, and wild abandon can all be seen in the heart of Texas.

F EB RUA RY 1 5T H

Austin Marathon Downtown Austin The Ascension Seaton Austin Marathon will take place on Sunday, Feb 15. Whether you participate in the marathon, half-marathon, or 5K, or cheer on the runners, don't miss this exciting race through Downtown Austin.

F EB RUA RY 2 1 ST

ATX Open Westwood Country Club The ATX Open is the only professional tour-level tennis tournament held annually in Austin. As part of the Hologic WTA Tour, the ATX Open is one of 50-plus events and four Grand Slams, spanning six continents, and nearly 30 countries and regions, reaching a global audience of over 700 million.

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Country Legends Tour 205 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701 Country Stars: A Tribute to Country Legends is coming in 2026 with a star-studded lineup honoring classics from Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and more. Enjoy toe-tapping hits and heartstring favorites in one unforgettable night celebrating the songs that shaped generations. A must for every country music fan — old and new.

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NASCAR at COTA Circuit of the Americas Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will welcome race fans this spring when NASCAR returns to Austin, courtesy of Speedway Motorsports.

Experience another unforgettable race weekend with the running of the NASCAR Cup Series, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge at COTA.

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EVE N TS

Elderflower Sparkler Ingredients: • 2 oz GOODNIGHT LOVING VODKA • 1 oz Elderflower liqueur • 1 T lime juice • Sparkling water • Cucumber and lime for garnish

Instructions: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Combine Goodnight Loving Vodka, elderflower liqueur, and lime juice. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber and lime. Enjoy!

Have a Goodnight, responsibly. www.GoodnightLovingVodka.com Distributed by RNDC. Produced and Bottled in Austin, TX. 40% ALC/VOL (80 Proof)