Mueller June 2024

GLUTEN-FREE GOODS FROM BAKER

LISA SHANNON DELIVERY ROBOTS AT YOUR SERVICE KEYS TO BRAIN HEALTH

REGINA KUBELKA

A Horror Hit Author Gabino Iglesias

Summer Reading

Hello, summer! We blinked and here we are—the start of summer adventure and fun. And what better way to relax this summer than to catch up on our reading?

Did you know that we have several authors living right here in Mueller? Over the next few months, we will meet some of them. This issue, our writer Carmen Gray sat down with Gabino Iglesias, Mueller resident and award-winning author, to learn about his fascinating career. June is also Brain Health Awareness month. Strategies for cognitive health are important at

any age. Regina Kubelka, a functional behavioral health coach who specializes in cognitive wellness, shares her tips for maintaining a healthy brain.

Does it look like there are more of those cute delivery robots zooming around Mueller? Well, there are! Interest in these functional workers has grown since we last wrote about them a few months ago. We tracked down the company, Avride, that is responsible for bringing them to Mueller to learn about its interesting back story and why the company chose Mueller as its test market.

This month’s Meet Me at the Market feature introduces us to Bread(ish). Owner Lisa Shannon’s gluten-free breads, pastries and doughnuts are so good, you may not even realize they are gluten-free!

And finally, rounding out the issue, local writer Haylee Killebrew taps into her own personal experiences to write about our community garden. She and her family enjoy spending time there cultivating their plot. She shares how Mueller residents can get involved.

So whatever fun the summer holds for you, don’t forget to do your reading—and always include Mueller magazine!

Liz Reingold Publisher

Editor & Publisher

Liz Reingold

Art Director

Sue Park

Copy Editor

Nancy Fass

Contributing Writers

Carmen Gray Haylee Killebrew

Photographer

Margarita Garcia Acevedo

Marketing Coordinator

Alexandra Garcia

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Mueller

In the Neighborhood MUELLER

4th OF JULY

4th of JULY Schedule

DELICIOUS POP-UP

Come to Bottega for an Abby Jane Bakeshop pop-up!

Abby Jane Bakeshop will be featuring signature pastries and sharing information about its monthly bakery boxes, which are delivered to Bottega twice a month. Those who sign up can enjoy a free cookie from Abby Jane. Member perks include complimentary coffee and pastry when visiting Abby Jane, exclusive baking tips, early access to new menu items and more!

June 21 from 9 a.m. to noon 2100 Robert Browning St., Austin

WELCOME, PARKSIDE AT MUELLER

Nestled in the heart of the Aldrich Street business district sits the brand-new Parkside at Mueller. Opening this month, the highly anticipated building boasts one-, two- and three-bedroom condos along with luxury amenities including a resort-style pool, rooftop deck and fitness studio. Several commercial spaces are also available. Welcome to all our new Mueller residents!

SUMMER JUST GOT SWEETER

Nothing Bundt Cakes has opened its largest Austin location right here in Mueller! Conveniently located at 1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Suite 630, in the Mueller Regional Retail Center, the brand’s newest bakery is bringing its recipe for success to the local community. Open seven days a week.

LET’S GET GAMING!

Do you love to browse houses for fun? Do you love videogames? Closing Theory, a new Mueller-based company located at 4524 Mattie Street, #S104, is creating a game for you!

House Rush is a real estate fantasy game with real houses. It’s like Monopoly meets Zillow. If you are interested in seeing a free sneak preview of the game and giving the team your feedback, scan the QR code or schedule a time using this link: bit.ly/MuellerHouseRush.

From the cultural height of the go-go ‘80s, we have a hyperreal mix of pop confections, headlined by Prince’s “Purple Rain” and the high-fantasy adventure of “The Neverending Story!” For a full list of Alamo Time Capsule 1984 films playing, visit https://drafthouse.com.

French Cooking, Gluten-Free

At Bread(ish), Lisa Shannon focuses her high-level culinary skills on creating hard-to-find specialty baked goods.

BY CARMEN GRAY

If you or a loved one are gluten-free and you visit the Mueller Market, chances are, you’ve tried something from Bread(ish)—and if you haven’t, you must!

The incredibly tasty products from Bread(ish) were once available only at the Lakeline farmers’ market, but our local community is fortunate that, since December, they are available in the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller!

Chef Lisa Shannon is a dedicated gluten-free baker with nearly 20 years of experience in New York City and Austin.

Shannon graduated at the top of her class at the French Culinary Institute in New York, where she was able to refine her craft and develop her skills in the classic tradition of the French kitchen.

Shannon has cooked for an elite level of clientele. Celebrities, diplomats and members of New York society have all enjoyed her producedriven, fresh and unique menus. She has also been pleased to serve in a consultant capacity to some of New York’s best-loved restaurants and food institutions.

Among her favorite experiences were serving as Bon Apetit magazine’s Chef de Cuisine (interim) and being a featured guest chef at a neighborhood favorite Italian eatery, Polpetto. Shannon’s talents have been featured in both national and local media, including television, magazines and online content.

Lisa Shannon graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York, where she worked before moving to Austin.

Turning to Baking

Shannon began Bread(ish) Gluten-Free Bakery after taking a career break to move with her family to Austin from New York.

With the demands of her busy New York catering and private chef business removed, she was able to focus on tinkering at home, creating and perfecting gluten-free versions of holiday and everyday items for her own gluten-free family.

When the pull to return to work became too great to ignore, she decided to bring these accumulated skills and talents to the Austin market, focusing on baked goods for the first time.

As she looked around at the availability of gluten-free products, she noticed that certain items tended to be repeated by existing bakeries. She found it relatively easy to find cupcakes, muffins and cookies but almost impossible to find real artisan breads and more specialty products.

Her specific mission with Bread(ish) is to provide those items that are harder to find. Her strong skill set and extensive experience at the highest level make her uniquely positioned to tackle these trickier recipes, with their challenging texture and structure issues, and to produce quality gluten-free alternatives.

Carefully Selected Ingredients

Shannon’s commitment is to provide these items in their most healthful and whole-food form, with attention to the look and presentation of the product along with taste and texture.

She believes that being glutenfree shouldn’t mean you can’t have beautiful, nourishing food that is lovingly prepared. All of her ingredients are sourced carefully. She focuses her menu on local and seasonal produce as much as possible and chooses only preservative-free ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors. Everything is made from scratch.

“At Mueller, it really feels like we’re in the thick of it, with the vibrancy, bustle

and energy of the crowd,” Shannon says. “It’s been so fun meeting new customers and getting to see the delight in their faces as they have a real, fried, glazed doughnut for the first time in years or taste a deep, earthy, whole-grain sourdough and exclaim, ‘OMG, it tastes like bread!’ We look forward to growing these relationships and are thrilled to be a part of this thriving community.”

You can find gluten-free bread, bagels, pizza crusts, baguettes, cinnamon rolls and more delightful pastries at Bread(ish).

Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a dual-language teacher, a published author and freelance writer, and contributing editor for Latino magazine.

ROBOTS, at Your Service

How Avride chose Mueller as an ideal test market for its autonomous delivery droids

When Mueller magazine ran a small piece about cute little delivery robots that can be seen scooting around the neighborhood, the response from the community was huge. Curiosity has grown even more as the robots’ presence in Mueller has increased, so we decided to investigate further and learn more about these nimble workers.

In 2016, a company called Avride began its journey into autonomous transportation by creating self-driving

vehicles and robots. Internationally, the company targeted cities such as Dubai, Tel Aviv and Seoul, and in the U.S. established a presence on college campuses such as Arizona State and Ohio State.

Fast forward to 2023, when Avride decided to relocate its headquarters to Austin. The company chose Austin knowing that the city is one of the largest and fastest-growing tech hubs in the world, with Texas in general offering a welcoming business environment that

encourages innovation in autonomous mobility technology.

“We believe that robots will start to be a normal occurrence in urban environments, augmenting human activities—in our case with deliveries, where there has been a surge in demand,” says Toby Snuggs, who heads business development at Avride. “Restaurants are looking for ways to improve customer experience, keep costs low and meet the rising demand for delivery.”

Mueller joins cities such as Tel Aviv (shown here) and Dubai as an international test site for Avride robots thanks to Austin’s tech-friendly culture and Mueller’s abundance of sidewalks, restaurants and customers.

A Perfect Fit

Once in Austin, Avride identified Mueller as a perfect neighborhood for its pilot program, which launched in November 2023.

Mueller ticked many boxes for the company: It’s a welcoming, self-contained community with plenty of sidewalks and abundant locally owned restaurants and retail shops. It’s also a highdensity neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes as well as apartment buildings.

The company appreciates another factor that makes Mueller the perfect fit for their

test market: the friendly nature of residents and how they have taken to Avride robots. Kids and adults alike can often be found interreacting with the machines as they roll by.

“The residents of Mueller have exceeded all my expectations,” says Peter Fomichev, head of robotic delivery. “I communicate extensively with customers and have heard so many positive comments. Children in particular adore the robots. Parents even order robot deliveries on purpose and say that the robots have become real celebrities of the neighborhood.”

Expanding Technology

Currently, three local restaurants in Mueller are using robots for their delivery services: Xian Sushi & Noodle, Rebel Cheese and Colleen’s Kitchen. By using the robot service, the restaurants are able to keep deliveries in-house without the need for thirdparty apps. This helps lower delivery costs, which in turn keeps customer costs down.

Kevin Zheng, general manager of Xian Sushi & Noodle, couldn’t be happier with the service.

“Introducing robot delivery to Xian has been exciting,” he says. “With over a decade of serving Mueller, we’re committed to finding costeffective solutions for our guests. These robots not only streamline delivery operations but also offer significant savings for both us and our customers. We’re excited to see how this innovation continues to enhance our service and delight our community.”

Avride is working on expanding its footprint in Mueller. The company is in discussions with several other restaurants for delivery services and is offering advertising opportunities for other businesses. Stay tuned to see how this new technology grows in the neighborhood.

So if you happen to come across one of the robots on the street, you can stop and say hi. The robot may not answer but if you look hard enough, you may see it smile back!

Keys to a Healthier Brain

Drawing on her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, Regina Kubelka teaches how to optimize cognitive performance.

June is Brain Health Awareness month—a topic that might not be top-of-mind but is important to be aware of. We talked with Regina Kubelka, a functional medicine certified health coach, who specializes in brain health. She shared strategies for retaining cognitive health for people of any age.

People often think of brain issues as something that primarily affects the elderly. Kubelka teaches that healthy brain function in later years starts with a healthy lifestyle throughout one’s life.

Inspired by her own mother’s 10year battle with Alzheimer’s disease and the toll it took on her personally, Kubelka decided to channel her emotions and make positive changes in her own life by learning new strategies for optimal health.

“I turned those feelings of helplessness into new, healthy habits that support brain health,” she says. “It left me feeling so empowered that I was eager to bring it to others, and my health coaching business was born. My goal is to help others make positive changes in their own lives.”

Lifestyle Matters

Kubelka’s focus centers around the mindbody connection and how to reduce risks for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as retaining cognitive health. Behavioral and lifestyle changes can play a significant role in overall health improvement, she says. She explains three pillars that—when incorporated into your lifestyle—can help create the road map to healthy cognitive function:

• DIET: What you put into your body can significantly impact brain health. For optimal brain function, natural unprocessed foods are a great start. Eat the rainbow—as long as all those colors come from nature!

• EXERCISE: Regular physical activity goes a long way to keeping not only your body but also your mind functioning well. Exercise releases endorphins—natural mood boosters that fuel emotional well-being.

• SLEEP: During sleep, your body is at work supporting your brain health function as well as your physical health. The amount of sleep that an adult needs varies, but the rule of thumb is between seven and eight hours a night.

Spreading Her Message

In addition to offering behavioral coaching and healthy cooking classes, Kubelka works directly with the Alzheimer’s Association as a community educator. She speaks on behalf of the association, conducting programs and workshops that teach the importance of brain health at any age.

She has conducted programs at Wildflower Terrace and can regularly be found spreading out her signature blanket and holding workshops right in Mueller Lake Park.

“I feel that everyone is hungry for a faceto-face personal connection these days,” Kubelka says. “We all care about our health, too. My workshops are a way to nurture your personal wellness—to connect with nature, learn, share and socialize.”

She chooses Mueller as her preferred location because she recognizes how special the community is. With such a diverse mix of people of all ages, it is the ideal place to spread her message. When she is not holding workshops in the park, she can often be found there walking her rat terrier, Sugar.

To learn more about strategies to improve your own cognitive health and get information about her workshops, visit www.burst-wellness.com.

Gabino Iglesias is the first Latino recipient of the Bram Stoker Award for superior achievement in horror writing—one of many accolades he has won for his novels, which often blend crime with the supernatural.

A Horror Hit

Author Gabino Iglesias has won acclaim for his tales of terror from the heart of Texas.

BY CARMEN GRAY

Did you know that there are several published writers in the Mueller neighborhood? It is a pleasure to highlight one in particular: awardwinning author Gabino Iglesias. In a conversation at Vera Cruz Fonda, Iglesias expounded about his writing, recent book tours and how the Mueller area nurtures his creativity. Iglesias’ genre is horror, and you’ll find published works of his at the local bookstore, library and online, including “Zero Saints,” “Coyote Songs” and “The Devil Takes You Home.” His latest book, “House of Bone and Rain,” is coming out August 6 from Mulholland Books.

He’ll be at BookPeople in Austin to talk about the new release and sign copies of it, so mark your calendars! If you want to catch him sooner, he’ll be at a book talk event at the Central Austin Public Library on July 9 at 6 p.m.

Prizewinning Works

Iglesias’s work has won the Bram Stoker Award (he is the first Latino to win this award for a novel since the award’s inception in 1986), the Shirley

Jackson Award, the Wonderland Book Award, the International Latino Book Award and the Authors on the Air Award.

He has also been nominated for the Locus Award, the Edgar Award, the Dragon Award, the Anthony Award and the Reading the West Award, to name a few.

In addition, Iglesias is the horror fiction columnist for The New York Times, and his literary criticism appears regularly in NPR, the Boston Globe and Locus Magazine as well as in the San Francisco Chronicle, Criminal Element, Mystery Tribune, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, the Los Angeles Review of Books and other print and online venues.

His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Electric Literature, and many other anthologies and publications.

“The Devil Takes You Home,” which was named a best book of the year by NPR, Harper’s Bazaar, the Chicago Tribune, Vulture, Oprah Daily, CrimeReads, The Millions and others, was optioned by Sony with Alejandro Brugués set to adapt and direct.

The Writing Life

In a wide-ranging conversation, Iglesias touched on a variety of topics, including:

• Where his writing has taken him. Iglesias was thrilled to talk about a recent book tour in France, where he spent two days at an event in Paris and then attended the Quai du Polar festival in Lyon. He especially loved the fact that in France, the price of books is regulated so costs are more consistent, which encourages people to support indie bookstores. He said the French live for literature and truly honor the craft of writing. He’s excited that he was invited back for more festivals there in October.

• What inspires him about Austin. Iglesias moved to Austin in 2008 and landed in Mueller with his family in December 2017. What aspects of Austin inspire him? “All of it,” he says. “Austin is very artistically inclined and very diverse. I write about people of color and LGBTQ characters, which you will find here in Austin.”

• Where he likes to write. Are there particular places in Mueller that help get the creative juices flowing? “I like the back corner of the Starbucks next to the HEB or the outside tables at Torchy’s Tacos,” he says. “It’s nice that both are walkable for me.”

If you are interested in learning more about his craft, Iglesias offers workshops regularly through the Writer’s League of Texas (https://writersleague.org) and the Santa Fe Writers Workshop (https:// santafeworkshops.com), among other places. He also teaches creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University’s online MFA program and in the University of California, Riverside, Palm Desert lowresidency MFA program.

If you don’t see him around the neighborhood, you can also find him on X (formerly Twitter), @Gabino_Iglesias.

Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a duallanguage teacher, a published author and freelance writer, and contributing editor for Latino magazine.

SELECTED BOOKS BY GABINO IGLESIAS

As a writer, journalist, critic and professor, Gabino Iglesias has produced numerous works and has been especially applauded (and awarded) for his dark and gritty novels, some of which are set in Texas or the Southwest. Among his books are:

“HOUSE OF BONE AND RAIN”

(Mulholland Books, 2024)

Whether through savage storms, car accidents, gang violence or suicide, death has always been near for childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul and Bimbo. When Bimbo’s mother is shot dead in Puerto Rico, the friends agree they will kill those responsible. They discover she was gunned down by men working for the Puerto Rican drug kingpin—and nobody who has opposed him has survived. A storm is gathering both literally and figuratively as offshore winds form a hurricane—storms that are known to carry evil spirits and bring them to land. The unfolding story, both violent and lyrical, blurs grim realities with myth, mysticism and the supernatural in a dark coming-of-age tale that touches on themes of friendship, loyalty, vengeance and love.

“THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME”

(Mulholland Books, 2022)

A man named Mario, buried in debt due to a daughter’s illness, takes a job as a hit man and discovers a surprising proclivity for violence. His life destroyed by tragedy, Mario agrees to hijack a cartel’s cash shipment on its way to Mexico in a near-suicidal mission along with an old friend and a cartel insider. Hidden motivations of three complex men are laid bare as they travel through Texas landscapes and through nightmarish encounters that defy explanation in a genre-defying mix of crime and horror marked by pain, bloodshed, heartache and transcendence.

“COYOTE SONGS”

(Broken River Books, 2018)

In a mosaic of horror and crime set in the Southwest, stories of numerous characters interweave. They include a man who shuttles children over the border and believes the Virgin Mary is guiding him toward final justice; a boy who seeks vengeance for his father’s death; and a vengeful spirit and hungry creature. The stories play out in what one reviewer calls “a bloody, phantasmagorical, angry, emotional, painfully topical and beautiful blast of the hardest truth.”

Going Green

Mueller’s community garden provides food, fosters friendships, promotes biodiversity and epitomizes grassroots efforts.

BY HAYLEE KILLEBREW

Nestled on the corner of Sorin and Vaughan, Mueller’s community garden stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and green living within our neighborhood.

At its core, a community garden is more than just a plot of land for growing fruits and vegetables; it’s a hub for fostering connections, sharing knowledge and nurturing a sense of belonging among residents.

What exactly is a community garden? It’s a shared space where individuals come together to cultivate plants—often on a volunteer basis—for the benefit of the community. Mueller’s Community Garden exemplifies this concept beautifully, boasting a diverse array of features and amenities that cater to seasoned gardeners and newcomers alike.

Organic Cultivation

One of the garden’s most remarkable aspects is its thriving online community.

With an active Facebook group boasting 125 members, Mueller’s garden offers a digital hub for exchanging advice, sharing insights and providing assistance to fellow gardeners, even when they’re out of town. This virtual camaraderie extends beyond the physical boundaries of the garden, fostering a sense of unity and support among its members.

Upon entering the garden, visitors are greeted by a picturesque landscape teeming with life. Compost piles, a tool shed and a covered working area form the backbone of the garden’s infrastructure, providing essential resources for maintaining its lush surroundings.

Generous donations from members have stocked the tool shed with an impressive array of equipment, including specialized tools for children, ensuring that gardening remains accessible and engaging for all ages.

With 132 plots, including 16 accessible raised beds, Mueller’s garden offers a

space for residents to grow and thrive, even in the absence of traditional yards.

This inclusivity extends to the garden’s policy of organic-only cultivation, fostering a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship within the community.

Despite its urban setting, Mueller’s garden is a sanctuary of biodiversity, surrounded by peach trees, fig trees, a pollinator garden, a mint patch and a blackberry bush. This abundance of flora not only enhances the garden’s aesthetic appeal but also serves as a vital habitat for local wildlife, promoting ecological balance and resilience.

Water conservation is another key priority for Mueller’s garden, with four water bibs strategically placed throughout the grounds to ensure easy access for all members. Additionally, bike racks and street parking accommodate visitors from near and far, further enhancing the garden’s accessibility and inclusivity.

Collaborative Work

It’s important to note that Mueller’s community garden is more than just a local amenity; it’s a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and grassroots activism. By providing a space for residents to connect, learn and grow together, the garden serves as a living symbol of Mueller’s vibrant spirit and commitment to sustainability.

One notable figure in the community garden is Robert Borowski,

a dedicated member who has taken on the important task of tending to the compost piles. Borowski’s commitment to maintaining these essential resources has been instrumental in ensuring the garden’s vitality and sustainability.

Other members of the community garden have also stepped up to assist in maintaining weed control. Through collaborative teamwork and shared responsibility, these individuals contribute to the garden’s overall health and vibrancy, ensuring that

it remains a welcoming and thriving space for all.

Mueller’s Community Garden stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when neighbors come together with a shared vision and a passion for environmental stewardship. As we continue to nurture and cultivate this green oasis, let us remember the invaluable role that community gardens play in fostering connection and cultivating a brighter, greener future for generations to come.

Haylee Killebrew began writing for Mueller magazine shortly after she moved into the community in 2023.

PERSPECTIVES

Together Forever

Poem by Sevi Miller

When I laid my eyes on you for the first time I did not realize how much you meant to me.

Though, you are all alone and why are you all alone in the dark?

And that is when you closed your eyes and left.

So, I realized I need to be more grateful.

Through all those times, I never knew how much I should really appreciate you.

But you are still in my heart. You will always be there.

I love you, Aunt Rachel, forever.

I will cherish this memory.

Together Forever

Sevi Miller is the granddaughter of Mueller resident Susan Braco, who submitted this poem. Sevi penned it at age 9 as a love letter to her Aunt Rachel, who passed away from a rare disease in 2021. June was Rachel’s birthday month.

Calling

Mueller poets writers!and

The new Perspectives department is for YOU! Send us your poems and short essays (max 350-400 words) to share with your Mueller neighbors. Send submissions to hello@muellermagazine.com.

Have

Mueller resident Melissa Hart snapped this gorgeous photo while she was out for her daily run. With a meadow teeming with colorful flowers and bustling with insects, she couldn’t help but marvel at Mueller’s beauty at this time of year.