Mueller October 2024

Mueller

October 2024

AUTHOR! AUTHOR!

THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL

MUSIC MAN

THE NASH HERNANDEZ STORY

ENJOYING FAMILY RECIPES

AT TAMALE ADDICTION

Interior REVIVAL

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Helping our neighbors, supporting our community

At Texas Mutual Insurance Company, we’re more than a workers’ comp provider. We’re part of the Mueller community – friends and neighbors who are contributing to the local economy, volunteering for causes we believe in and helping build a safer, stronger, better future for Austin.

More at texasmutual.com /community

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OCTOBER 2024

Contents

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12 24

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IN EVE RY ISSU E

F E AT U R ES

12 16

Author! Author!

The Texas Book Festival draws writers and readers from near and far, thanks to organizers like Dalia Azim.

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Publisher’s Note PUMPKINS AND PREPARATIONS

6

What’s New EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

8

Meet Me at the Market TAMALE ADDICTION

30 Perspectives POEM BY PRESTON TYRIE 32 Photo Op ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Interior Life

How Be Unica Design and Build added personality and function to a family’s inside living spaces.

20 Remembering Nash Hernandez

Now led by the founder’s son Ruben, the Nash Hernandez Orchestra marks 75 years of local musical influence.

24 Creepy Confections

O N T HE COVER

Julia Harrison of Be Unica Design and Build transformed a local home’s interior to better fit a family’s needs and style.

Easy local recipes for making ghoulish goodies that are as healthy for kids as they are fun to make and eat.

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Traditional Mexican cuisine reflecting centuries of passion passed down through generations, crafted with love and care and using the finest-quality ingredients.

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500 Cypress Creek Rd, #170, Cedar Park, TX 78613 santacatarinarestaurant.com

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Pumpkins and Preparations

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARGARITA GARCIA ACEVEDO

we feature a before-andafter renovation from right here in Mueller, courtesy of our friends at Be Unica Design and Build. This transformation shows how, with creativity and vision, your home can truly be a reflection of your personality.

Carmen Gray shares a conversation with Dalia Azim, Mueller resident and chief operating officer of the upcoming Texas Book Festival. This amazing Austin tradition, started by former first lady Laura Bush and others, is free to all and will be celebrating almost three decades this November.

We also learn the fascinating backstory of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra, sent to us by Hernandez’s daughter Dora, a Mueller resident. She shares the colorful history of the orchestra, the family’s lineage and the band’s deep connection to our Mueller community.

Meet Me at the Market introduces us to the authentic and delicious flavors at Tamale Addiction.

And—because we can’t let October go by without mentioning Halloween—we share some ghoulish, healthy treats that parents and kids alike will enjoy.

It’s a busy time of year that will only get busier as the holidays approach. Take some time to enjoy the pumpkins!

When the calendar turns to October, my brain goes to beautiful

foliage, pulling out the warm sweaters and, of course, pumpkins. Then I remember that I now live in Texas, so the trees are still green and the weather is still warm—but we do have pumpkins!

Although the seasons may be different here, there’s an undeniable feeling that comes with October.

Halloween in Mueller is magical, and just knowing that the holiday season is around the corner puts us all in a festive mood.

The fall is also when we start to think about sprucing up our homes for holiday entertaining. In this issue,

Liz Reingold Publisher

Mueller MAGAZINE

Editor & Publisher Liz Reingold Art Director Sue Park Contributing Writers Carmen Gray Dora Hernandez 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 Executive Editor Richard Laliberte Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

Mueller magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Mueller, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

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Promote your business for the Holiday Season!

Reach

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virtually EVERY home in Mueller with your business message.

Mueller To advertise, contact Liz Reingold at Liz.Reingold@muellermagazine.com

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WHAT’S NEW

In the Neighborhood THINKERY’S FORTASTIC ADVENTURE IS NOW OPEN The second and final phase of Thinkery’s newest exhibit is here, offering a multilevel experience in which children of all ages can explore the joy of building blanket forts and creating imaginative worlds. This hands-on exhibit encourages creative exploration of the design/ build process across two age-appropriate gallery spaces. Come and explore this exciting new adventure!

HONEST MARY’S: SIMPLE, FAST AND HEALTHY The third location of this casual, wholesome Austin favorite has now opened its doors in Mueller! Located at 2021 Aldrich Street, Honest Mary’s brings its promise of simple and healthy fast food to the neighborhood.

Stop in for lunch, dinner or anytime!

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MUELLER MAGAZINE TURNS 1!

To celebrate Mueller magazine’s 1-year anniversary, Origin Hotel hosted a gathering to celebrate and thank those who have supported us this year. We look forward to continuing to bring Mueller’s stories to the community.

OCTOBER 2024

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MEET ME AT THE MARKET

It’s Tamale Time!

At Tamale Addiction, an authentic Mexican staple food is made using a wide variety of local, organic ingredients.

BY CARMEN GRAY

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Adrian Paredes and his wife, Mariana (middle top, from left), and their team of longstanding employees produce 1,500 tamales a day in Tamale Addiction’s 3,000-square-foot kitchen.

As fall weather brings much-needed milder temperatures to Austin and the days grow shorter, there is a stall at the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller that you won’t want to miss! It’s called Tamale Addiction—and it is aptly named.

Texans love their tamales and especially like to indulge in them when fall and winter holidays arrive. If you are looking to add something delicious and authentically Mexican to any upcoming meals, you’ll want to check them out sooner rather than later.

Popular from the Start

Adrian Paredes and his wife, Mariana, began their business nearly 15 years ago, in February 2010. They called every family member they knew to gather recipes, tips and tricks about making tamales so they could replicate high-quality products that tasted genuine.

For their first market offering, they worked all week to prepare 80 tamales, and it turned out that this was not enough!

Those tamales sold out within an hour.

The couple rose to the task before them: going above and beyond to create even more. In the process, they also began using

organic and local ingredients and adding vegan and vegetarian options.

They clearly found the magic because nowadays their production yields 1,500 tamales a day in the business’s own 3,000-square-foot kitchen facility.

Tamale Addiction has been with the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller since the very beginning, and this location is one of the most important markets for them, says Adrian Paredes.

“Mueller attracts the most customers because it has the best variety of products and vendors available compared to all of the markets in the city,” he says. “It really shows!”

A Variety of Options

If you’ve never had the chance to taste savory concoctions at a market in Mexico City, you can be easily transported there through Tamale Addiction, where each tamal is filled with the best ingredients and made with love.

Employees in the kitchen and at the markets have been working at Tamale Addiction for a long time. Some of them include family members. All know how to cultivate consistently happy customers who

return again and again.

The wide array of choices alone keeps Tamale Addiction in business.

Meat options include pork with tomatillo sauce (medium spicy), chicken with mole sauce (prepared with dried chiles, nuts, condiments, spices and chocolate) and pork al pastor (spicy, marinated chunks of pork, pineapple and onions).

Vegetarian options include beans with goat cheese; poblano and muenster; spring and feta cheese (with carrots and zucchini); and one of Tamale Addiction’s best-selling items, Xochitl and queso fresco (roasted poblano peppers, calabacita, corn, epazote and queso fresco).

Vegan options are spinach, mushrooms and nopalitos (cactus). But that’s not all.

There’s also Tamale Addiction’s popular banana leaf tamales, which are extra special.

They include chiapaneco (a South Mexican recipe with shredded chicken, mole, prunes, raisins, fried plantains and black olives), beef tinga (tasty, shredded beef in a spicy chipotle sauce) and the Costeño, a unique Oaxacan recipe combining pork rib cooked with a chileajo sauce.

Just considering all the tasty choices can make your mouth water!

Carmen Gray is a dual-language teacher, published author and freelance writer, and a contributing editor for Latino magazine.

OCTOBER 2024

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Quality Work & Quality Service We are your local, neighborhood CPA’s.

Partner with us to strategically plan for you and maximize your savings. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for personalized expert guidance.

Get to know us and our services at: CraneHoltzman.com contact@CraneHoltzman.com 512-215-0057

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Did You Know?

Only the moms who donate to a milk bank are saving lives of fragile babies in neonatal intensive care units and the community.

Breakfast tacos, homemade smoothies & fresh juices every morning starting at 8am.

Full coffee bar & wifi.

For more information on becoming a donor, scan the QR code or visit milkbank.org.

We are standing by to talk to you!

Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin

Online Orders

veracruzfonda.com

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

1905 Aldrich St #125

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Get in Here!

Become a contributing writer or photographer for Mueller magazine.

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waxcenter.com

FIRST WAX FREE For First Time Guests *See Website for details

Mueller

512.617.9157

To contribute, contact Liz Reingold at Liz.Reingold@muellermagazine.com

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Opposite page: Dalia Azim, who has helped plan the Texas Book Festival for three years as the event’s chief operations officer, speaks at the festival in 2023.

Above: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (left) in conversation with Roger Reeves. Left: Mueller novelist Gabino Iglesias, author of “House of Bone and Rain” and other acclaimed works, speaks at a previous TBF session and will also be featured in this year’s lineup.

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Author! Author!

The Texas Book Festival draws writers and readers from near and far, thanks to organizers like Dalia Azim.

BY CARMEN GRAY

Dalia Azim and her family moved into Mueller in

2018 and had watched the neighborhood grow before that from Windsor Park, where she and her family lived starting in 2006. Azim began working for the Texas Book Festival (TBF) in 2022, and the upcoming festival will be the third she has helped organize.

As TBF chief operations officer, Azim shared exciting news on the upcoming festival, scheduled for November 16 to 17, and recapped some of the event’s history.

TBF has a long tradition here in Austin. If you are a book lover and you’ve never been, do yourself a favor and plan to attend this free event, which has been held annually for almost three decades.

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Dalia Azim (right) with Jill Myers.

Lone Star Literature The festival was founded by Laura Bush (former librarian and a first lady of both Texas and the United States), Mary Margaret Farabee and a dedicated group of volunteers as a way to honor Texas authors and celebrate reading and literacy.

The first official festival took place in November 1996. It has come a long way since its infancy and is now one of the nation’s premier annual literary events, featuring 300 authors of some of the year’s best books and drawing around 50,000 book lovers to areas in and around the state capital.

The festival is spread out over the downtown area, with a wide variety of themed tents. TBF is one of the few

free festivals in Austin that, according to Azim, “Prides itself on offering something for everyone.”

There are 25 venues throughout the grounds in and around the capital as well as spots at the state theater.

“Having a diverse lineup is core to our goals,” Azim says. “We aim to reflect the demographics of our own community.”

There is a growing Spanish Latine Lit Tent with Liliana Vallenzuela as the advisor. Six sessions fully in Spanish will be offered for adults along with a space called Leamos dedicated to celebrating authors of Latin descent.

Gabino Iglesias—a local neighbor that Mueller magazine covered in June—will be at the festival reading excerpts from his recently released book

“House of Bone and Rain.”

Mueller neighbor Jill Meyers, founder and editor of the Austin-based imprint A Strange Object, will be hosting a tent at the festival, Azim says.

A-List Authors Other exciting headliners for this year’s festival will include Malcolm Gladwell, Ernest Cline, Attica Locke, Christina Garza (Pulitzer Prize winner), Claire Messud (long list for the Booker Prize), Rita Bullwinkle and Ibtihaj Muhammad.

There will even be a Lit Crawl (evening programming) event featuring many authors in a game-show setting, which will add a playful and interactive aspect to the festival.

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Left: A conversation between country singer-songwriter Margo Price (left) and Deidre Gott in 2022 shows the breadth of speakers typical of TBF. Below: Speaking on Latinx literature at a previous TBF are (from left) Rubén Degollado, Ingrid Rojas Contreras and Héctor Tobar.

How does such a phenomenal festival offer such high-quality offerings for free to the public? H-E-B helps fund the festival along with a long list of major sponsors and generous partnerships.

Such support helps make possible some of the following tents: Book TV on C-SPAN (nonfiction and news), a Central Market Cooking tent, contemporary works in the Kirkus Reviews tent and a dedicated space for middle-grade and young-adult readers called YA Headquarters.

Before working with TBF, Azim attended the event for 20 years. “I was lucky to have moderated conversations with authors and was even a featured author with my debut novel, ‘Country of Origin,’ which was a dream come true!” she says. Azim was featured in both a debut authors panel and a Writer’s League of Texas panel about multigenerational sagas.

She truly understands the joy and excitement of the festival from all angles: as an attendee, volunteer, moderator and now part of the TBF team.

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.

READ ALL ABOUT IT For a more information about volunteer opportunities and the complete lineup at the Texas Book Festival, visit www.texasbookfestival.org.

Neighbors in Mueller can bus to the festival if they like; CapMetro has a partnership with the event, and participants can register for a free commuter pass by scanning this code.

OCTOBER 2024

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Designer Julia Harrison (opposite page) reconfigured a Mueller home’s kitchen and stairs to add style and storage, accommodate appliances, create kid-friendly rounded edges and infuse a vibrant mix of wood and color.

Interior Life How Be Unica Design and Build added personality and function to a family’s inside living spaces

Newcomers who visit

Mueller often comment on the many different styles of homes. From contemporary to Craftsman to farmhouseinspired styles, there are plenty of unique, eye-catching home exteriors. Yet the interiors of many original homes were built with similar fixtures and even color schemes.

Homeowners who want to instill their own personal touch inside and break out of the

cookie-cutter mold often call Be Unica Design and Build for help.

Julia Harrison, owner of Be Unica, shares a before-and-after renovation project with us that her firm recently completed on Mattie Street. The dramatic change is incredible and illustrates that—with a clear understanding of a family’s needs, along with vision and creativity—any home can be transformed.

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The redesign project entailed renovating three full bathrooms and a powder room, replacing dark flooring, cabinets and fixtures (above right) with showstopping updates.

A Broad Scope This particular project presented some challenges for Harrison, but she was able to work through them and give her clients exactly what they wanted.

Although its location was perfect for the client’s young family, the home’s finishes and functionality were not quite right

for them. With two kids under age 4, they needed a safe, functional home with durable yet low-maintenance materials that still felt modern and fun.

The family did not want a sterile, all-white look. Instead, they requested a vibrant space with color and a mix of natural elements. According to Harrison,

“This was music to my ears!”

The project’s scope included updating three full bathrooms in the house—the full bath on the first floor, the kids’ bathroom and the primary bathroom—along with a powder room. The kitchen was also completely redesigned, with all the tile and luxury vinyl floors that were original to the 2013 house replaced with an engineered wood throughout the main and second floors.

The layout of the kitchen, which had original dark brown cabinets and tile floors, was completely reconfigured to provide ample and functional storage.

The stairs and pantry closet were reworked to accommodate the refrigerator, a large pantry cabinet and an appliance garage.

With the kids in mind, a rounded corner island and a curved built-in unit next to the stairs were designed to minimize

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any safety concerns. The kitchen received a pop of beautiful, fresh light blue color that matched the backsplash tile, and a custombuilt white oak vent hood and island were selected.

The original bathrooms were also the common dark brown finish, with dark tile and a built-in tub and shower. Each bathroom was updated to reflect the personalities of the owners.

The full bath on the first floor got a fun wallpaper, slatted floating vanity and a beautiful wooden mirror.

The kids’ bath got dressed up with some playful, sun-themed ceramic tiles from Riad Tiles, while the primary bath got a showstopper transformation that features a tub/shower combo big enough for the entire family, fluted white oak vanity panel and a custom, rounded white oak vanity.

Standout Elements Safety was a primary concern for the family, so a major challenge was securing the area above the stairs. The space had no guardrail and was completely open to the bottom floor with only a pony wall with built-in niches that could be dangerous for small children.

The space was awkward, but there was a solution. The demo revealed a lot of wasted space behind the niches, and the homeowners needed extra storage for the laundry closet located directly in front. So a custom unit with deep drawers and a pull-out system was built in the space to maximize the available depth.

The clients are thrilled with the outcome: “We can’t pick one favorite design feature in our new home; we love it all!”

Harrison agrees. “This project has so many incredible features and details that it’s hard to decide what my favorite part is,” she

says. “One thing I love is the fact that I was able to bring a lot of Brazilian-inspired elements to this design while still achieving the homeowners’ vision. [Brazil is Harrison’s native country.] The kitchen, with its clean lines, slats and vibrant mix of wood and color, was a particular highlight.”

She points to the curved built-in unit as a favorite feature.

“Besides promoting a better flow, the softer, rounded, organic shape brings comfort, elegance and even a touch of fun to the space that is already the heart of the home,” she says.

Whether you have an original Mueller home in need of a refresh or a newer home that just needs a personal touch, partnering with an interior designer is a great first step. To learn more about the talented crew at Be Unica Design and Build, visit www. beunicainteriordesign.com.

Bathroom details such as playful wallpaper (right) and stylish vanities and mirrors (right and above right) lend elegance and liveliness to previous dark and repetitive features (above).

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Nash Hernandez learned big-band music with the Army Air Corps during World War II and carried the sound into a postwar orchestra that continues playing to this day.

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Now led by the founder’s son Ruben, the Nash Hernandez Orchestra marks 75 years of local musical influence.

BY DORA HERNANDEZ

Thirty years ago, on June 18, 1994, Ruben Hernandez, youngest son of Nash Hernandez, trumpet player and founder of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra (NHO), stood at his father’s hospital bedside. It was eight days before Nash’s death—and the elder Hernandez asked Ruben if he would take over the orchestra.

Ruben, a musician himself, agreed to his father’s request. Having been a drummer for NHO since he was 11, Ruben had played the orchestra’s signature big-band music of the Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey era from junior high through the University of Texas at Austin. More recently, Ruben had taken a break from NHO to explore other music genres, and at the time of Nash’s death was playing with a country and western band.

Nash died on June 26, 1994, 45 years after he’d started his orchestra, confident that Ruben would pick up where he left off. And Ruben did just that, successfully carrying on his father’s musical legacy.

This year, NHO will mark its 75th anniversary with a two-day celebration on October 19 and 20 at the Backstage at El Mercado.

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Nash Hernandez’s son Ruben had played drums with his father’s orchestra from a young age and took leadership of the band at Nash’s request shortly before the elder bandleader died in 1994.

A Big-Band Legacy Ruben and his siblings love to tell the story of their dad, who was born Ignacio Hernandez to Abraham and Theodora Hernandez on February 1, 1922, in New Braunfels.

Nash grew up in Fredericksburg and learned to play the trumpet in high school. During World War II, he was a bugler and band member in the United States Army Air Corps, playing in the Corps’ big band.

There, he rubbed shoulders with big-band musicians who were also serving, inspiring his love of the era’s music. Nash married Minnie

Salinas, an Austinite, in 1944, and they settled in Austin.

Nash began the Nash Hernandez Orchestra in 1949. The initial musicians of the band were young Hispanics, many of whom he taught to play. Several of those pioneering musicians went on to form their own bands in the early Tejano genre. They included Tim Torres, Ruben Sanchez and Abel and Dave Gutierrez.

Other past members of the band who achieved recognition on the local and national stage include Mike Mordecai, John Mills, Mitch Watkins, Tomas Ramirez, Martin Banks, Larry Williams, Randy Kirchhof and Brian Shaw.

Recognizing the importance of music and its impact on the young, Nash also provided private music lessons to young children.

In 1975, Nash was named Texas Ambassador of Goodwill

by Governor Dolph Briscoe for his charitable contributions to the state. In 1994, a few months before his death, Nash received a letter of appreciation from then Vice President Al Gore for his charitable work and community service.

Nash also received many posthumous awards and recognitions from the city of Austin and the state of Texas for his services to the Austin community.

Nash was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Seven years later, through the actions of the Austin City Council, Austin Latino Music Association (ALMA) and city councilman Raul Alvarez, Festival Beach Road near Nash’s home was renamed Nash Hernandez Sr. Road. He was also recognized by ALMA as an “Idolo Del Barrio,” or Idol of the Neighborhood.

In 2008, Nash was one of the first 10 honorees of the Long Center for

the Performing Arts Walk of Honor, created to honor Austinites who influenced the Austin music scene and culture.

That same year, a statue of Nash was dedicated on the north bank of Lady Bird Lake. A second street located right here in Mueller was named after Nash: Hernandez Street. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ruben has received recognition for his continuing support of the Austin community by the Texas State Senate and ALMA as an Idolo Del Barrio.

Forging a Path Although Nash ultimately earned the respect of his community, he had encountered a number of glitches along the way. Two that stand out occurred in the 1950s.

When he started his band, he tried to join the musician’s union but was not accepted because he was Hispanic. Determined to make it despite the odds, he successfully forged his own way in Austin’s music scene.

There also were times when he was hired at local venues where management did not want him to use his last name, to avoid having Hispanics attend. Instead, they hired him as “Jim Nash” and his Orchestra. Finding that he could not accept such a restriction, Nash decided that if anyone wanted to hire his band, it would be as Nash Hernandez and his Orchestra or not at all. He prevailed, and the rest is history.

Today, 30 years after his death, Ruben continues his father’s deathbed request and has led the NHO for the last 29 years. (The orchestra took a six-month hiatus after Nash’s death.)

Like his father, Ruben continues to draw a wide fan base, attracting many politicians who like the

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Nash Hernandez (above) wed his wife, Minnie (left), in 1944 and, through 50 years of marriage, dedicated the last song of any gig to her—a tradition that his son Ruben continues with the orchestra today.

diversity of the orchestra’s audiences.

Beyond private gigs, NHO is found playing monthly at the historic Donn’s Depot and summers at The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge on Lake Travis. The orchestra has performed right here in John Gaines Park for Christmas tower lightings, and it continues to be available to perform fundraisers for various charities and art institutes, such as Sacred Hearts Women’s Clinic, Diabetes Association of Austin, Laguna Gloria Art Museum and Umlauf

Sculpture Gardens Museum.

Ruben and his siblings credit their late mother, Minnie—the woman behind the man—for contributing to the success of their father’s orchestra. She stood by him and supported his love of music through the economic ups and downs of a musician’s life while raising their five children and maintaining the stability of their home, whether he was playing on the road or in town.

Nash and Minnie were married 50 years and renewed their vows at his deathbed. As a tribute to her, Nash dedicated the last song at all his gigs, “Tenderly,” to her—a tradition that Ruben continues to this day.

To learn more about the NHO and its upcoming 75th anniversary celebration, visit www.nashhernandezorchestra.net.

Dora Hernandez is a Mueller resident, daughter of the late Nash Hernandez and sister of bandleader Ruben Hernandez. She is honored to share the story of the Nash Hernandez Orchestra and its Mueller roots.

OCTOBER 2024

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Creepy Confections Easy local recipes for making ghoulish goodies that are as healthy for kids as they are fun to make and eat

Halloween can be tricky. At every turn, kids are tempted by sugar-laden goodies and candies that can be hard to pass up. What’s a parent to do? Don’t get spooked. There are plenty of ways to create fiendishly fun treats that are healthy, too!

Try these fun, simple, local Halloween recipes that go light on sugar but include plenty of nutrients along with flavors to die for.

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There’s Something Brewing Start Halloween morning off with a bewitching smoothie!

The kids will never know that this ghoulish concoction—chock full of vitamin-rich fruits and nutrientdense chia seeds—is good for them.

WITCHES’ BREW BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup chia seeds • 9-ounce can of coconut milk • 1 kiwi fruit • 1 cup frozen blackberries • 1 banana • 1 cup water INSTRUCTIONS

1. D ivide the chia seeds between two glasses.

2. D ivide 3/4 cup of coconut milk between the two glasses.

3. M ix and refrigerate for 1 hour to set.

4. C ut the kiwi fruit in the shape of a bat and place in the glass on top of the chia seed mix.

5. B lend the blackberries, banana and leftover kiwi fruit with the water and the remainder of the coconut milk.

6. P our the blend on top of the chia seed mix and serve immediately.

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Spooktacular Treats There is no better way to get your little ghosts and goblins excited about Halloween than to let them stir things up in the kitchen. Try these delicious, party-ready treats that kids can help create.

HAUNTED PUMPKIN COOKIES

These simple-to-make cookies are soft, delicious and kid-friendly. For an added twist, have the kids decorate them with dark chocolate chips or nuts to make them extra delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup pumpkin puree • 2 cups quick oats • ¼ cup maple syrup • ½ cup peanut butter (or other nut butter) • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice • Dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional) INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. 2. Grease two baking sheets.

3. Add the pumpkin, oats, syrup, peanut butter and pumpkin pie spice to a large bowl and mix with a hand mixer for about 30 seconds.

4. Wet hands, form the dough into tablespoon-sized balls (dough should be sticky) and place on the cookie sheets.

5. Gently press down each cookie with your fingers or spoon, flattening (but not squashing) them into a cookie shape.

6. Decorate the top of each cookie with 5 to 8 dark chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts (optional).

7. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes.

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CUTE CLEMENTINE PUMPKINS Have you ever noticed that a clementine is very similar in shape to a small pumpkin?

When you draw a scary or cute face with a black marker directly on the peel, this small fruit can look just like a jack-o-lantern. This simple project will get your kids showing their creative side and clamoring for fruit to snack on at the same time!

The struggle is real when it comes to finding healthy treats for your kids to eat at Halloween. Get the kids involved and let the fun take over! Happy Halloween!

Point the Way to Fun Kids love things that are creepy—and if those things are yummy at the same time, they’re even better! These delicious (and humorously gruesome) treats are sure to be a hit.

ZOMBIE FINGERS INGREDIENTS

• 9 ounces pitted dates • 31/2 ounces dark chocolate • 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter (or other nut butter) • 4 tablespoons oats • 3 tablespoons sliced almonds INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend the dates, chocolate, peanut butter and oats in a food processor into a crumbly consistency.

2. Shape the mixture to look like fingers (the spookier the better).

3. Press sliced almonds onto each for fingernails.

4. Chill for about 30 minutes before serving.

OCTOBER 2024

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Come enjoy our spacious outdoor patio/party space.

We keep it cool even when the temps are hot! www.saltysow.com

1917 Manor Road, Austin TX, 78722

 @saltysow

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Calling all Mueller poets and writers!

Halloween cake pops available for a short time only. Get them while they are cool!

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.

Mueller Regional Retail Center 1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd.

 @yosocoolaustin YoSoCool_1-3SQ_MUE_1024_gdv1.indd 1 Untitled-28 1

www.yosocool.com 9/13/24 2:14 PM Perspectives_1-3V_Mueller_1024.indd 1

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Premier Flooring Services for Commercial & Residential Spaces

Mueller resident and co-founder of MOM - Moms of Mueller.

Compass

512.551.2050

Libby Leahy - Realtor® 917.816.2940 www.LibbyLeahy.com libbyleahy@compass.com

www.redriverflooring.com info@redriverflooring.com  @redrivercontractflooring

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They bring the curiosity; we nurture it.

Now Enrolling Primrose School of Austin at Mueller 512.668.1010 | PrimroseMueller.com Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise.

Primrose Schools is a registered trademark of Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. ©2024 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All rights reserved.

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PERSPECTIVES

Diversity Poem by Preston Tyrie A stand for who she is, not defined by labels.

“She’s one of them…”

She calls us to know, then question what we know.

“I wouldn’t want my child to marry one of them…”

She pokes us in the eye, watches us reassess, “We can’t let one of them teach our children…” offers us who she is, not what, opens worlds of possibility, “Don’t they make you sick…” loves us until we learn to love her.

“Yes, she’s one of them…”

And one of all of us.

Preston Tyrie has been writing poetry since high school, where he had a great English teacher who made it OK for a guy to write. He has won an award at the state level and published one book, “Back Roads.”

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Preschool – High School Math and Reading Program

Enroll Now and Save up to $80!*

Look Great, Feel Amazing.

Wrinkle Relaxers Dermal Fillers Body Contouring Spa Services Memberships

Set your child on the path to success.

Tablet Study Available

Chemical Peels - 20% off Laser Packages - 20% off

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Austin Mueller

*Ask us about additional discounts for VIO Members

4600 Mueller Boulevard Suite 1007 Austin, TX 78723 737.244.0800

Dysport - Buy 120 Units, V/O Med Spa Mueller Get 30 512.900.1051 www.viomedspa.com 1900 Aldrich Street, Suite 120 Austin, TX 78723

*Enroll between October 1-31, 2024, to waive the Registration Fee of up to $80.

Additional fees may apply. See Center for applicable terms and conditions. ©2024 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Botox & Xeomin - Buy 40 Units, Get 10

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Got a great image for Photo-Op? PHOTO OP

Beauty Multiplied

At Mueller Lake Park, this reflection of nature’s quiet splendor was captured

by Ryan Kutnick.

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PHOTO OP

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TO COME

On Top of the World

Mueller resident Betsy Hilton snapped this photo while on a plane approaching AustinBergstrom International Airport. Mueller can clearly be seen from the shot. Does anyone else try to find their house when landing?.

Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to liz.reingold@muellermagazine.com.

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