WAYA Celebrates 45 Years with 2025 Family Day
The WAYA community came together on the newly remodeled Brumley field to celebrate WAYA’s 45th Anniversary at Family Day, WAYA’s biggest annual fundraiser. Thanks to presenting sponsor Dell Children’s Medical Center and Family Day Sponsors, $615,000 was raised in support of WAYA. Proceeds from Family Day directly impact the youth of Austin by providing much needed funds for WAYA’s youth sports leagues, preschool, programs and facility.
Family Day 2025, themed WAYA City Limits, had over 1,000 people in attendance including co-chairs Wesley Joseph, Linsey Nixon, Jessica Pieratt, and Katie Romano, plus WAYA kids, parents, grandparents, and friends. Headlining the show was Mr. Will Dupuy and his rollicking band of merry making musicians. When the band went on break the crowd was kept ener-
gized by President and local DJ Hear No Evil
The evening activities also included bouncy houses, face painters, laser tag, dunk tanks, and food vendors.
WAYA has served the Austin community for 45 years and has over 16,000 kids from 50 different zip codes participating in WAYA sports, WAYA Preschool, camps and after-school programs. WAYA offers over 30 sports programs including baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, and more for the recreational player through the skilled athlete. The WAYA Preschool serves over 100 families through a play-based curriculum.
WAYA’s mission is to provide the best athletic, recreational, and educational experiences for all children to reach their highest potential. For more information, visit www.waya.org.
Brent Metschan
Around the Neighborhood: openingexpandingcelebrating
City of Austin Neighborhood Pools open in June: Murchison Pool on June 3; and Reed, Ramsey, and Westenfield pools on June 7. Murchison Pool (1A), at 7022 Hart Ln is closed Mondays; Reed Pool (1B), at 2614 Pecos St, is closed Tuesdays; Ramsey Pool (1C), at 4201 BurnetRd, is closed Thursdays; and Westenfield Pool (1D), at 2000 Enfield Rd, is closed on Wednesdays. Austin’s 22 neighborhood pools have no entrance fees.
Esperanza, the tiny homes community at US 183 and US 71 and part of The Other Ones Foundation, has announced Elizabeth Baker as the foundation’s acting executive director. Chris Baker, who founded The Other Ones Foundation in 2017 to make the world better for people affected by homelessness and poverty, recently stepped down as executive director but remains involved in the foundation. Be-sides housing, the foundation also provides day work, case managers, and skills training. See too-found.org for info and volunteering and donating opportunities.
Face Foundrie, a focused facial bar, is slated to locate at 2727 Exposition in Casis Village soon, bringing Austin its second Face Foundrie location. The upscale spa offers all things facial, including masks, mas-sage, exfoliation, lash and brow work. Facefoundrie to book.
Interfaith Action of Central Texas recognized the work of some Central Texas faves recently. At iACT’s annual Hope Awards dinner last month Elliott Naishtat, Bee Moorhead, and Austin’s First Baptist Church were honored with 2025 Hope Awards. Simone Flowers, director of iACT, presided over the dinner and program at Bullock Texas State History Museum on April 29. More info at interfaithtex-as.org
Pease Park, at 1100 Kingsbury Street and stretching from W. 15thSt. to W. 31st St., celebrates its sesqui-centennial this year: 150 years. On Aug. 25, 1875, Austin City Council accepted a gift of 23 acres from “Gov. E.M. Pease and wife for a public park.” Pease Park Conservancy manages today’s 84-acre Pease Park, with its shaded trails, limestone bluffs along Shoal Creek, an off-leash area, and the welcoming front-door space of Kingsbury Commons and its leading-edge playscapes and recreational amenities for all ages. See peasepark.org for donation information and events.
Conscious Kitchen ATX opened its storefront in May at 3620 Bee Caves Road, Suite C, in Westlake. Founded by a mother-daughter duo with PhDs in Holistic Health and Nutrition, the establishment offers raw organic, plant-based, gluten-free, seed oil-free food. It also provides workshops, classes, coaching, and community events, all focused on using food as medicine. Open Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. For more information, visit www.consciouskitchenatx.com.
Around the Neighborhood
1213 W. Fifth St., Ste. A. The health-conscious eatery serves healthy food and drink options focusing on fresh, natural ingredients, including handcrafted juices and smoothies, parfaits, acai bowls, specialty toasts, and "plant-powered" flatbreads and quesadillas. It is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. every day of the week. Visit www.grainandberry.com/ locations/austin-texas for the whole menu and to order online.
Uptown Cheapskate has opened its 4th Austin area location at 7501 Burnet Road in May. The store provides an expansive selection of gently used items from top brands, all at unbeatable prices. Participate in their resale program, and choose to receive immediate cash for your ac-cepted items or earn 25% more in store credit. Visit www.uptowncheapskateaustin. com for more specifics on their process, or call 512-215-9678.
7 The Austin Epicure opened at 3736 Bee Caves Rd, Ste 3 in May. They offer Fancy Food for the everyday, snacks, charcuterie boards, and catering. With a spectacular offering of unique culinary delights, they believe fancy food should be enjoyed every day. Visit www.theaustinepicure.com for more information.
1. What’s something about you that not many people know? Many people don’t know that I love to cook! Even on a busy day, it calms me. I love trying a new dish, a new cuisine!
2. What was your first job? In college, I was a lifeguard at Schlitterbahn. It was a goal I had as a kid, but the real thing was a lot harder work!
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9 JJ Ruescas from Optimizing Me offers an Intro to Breathwork Class at hŌM Yoga Studio, 314 1/2 Congress Ave., every Monday from 5:30-6:15 pm. The class will examine protocols, ranging from relaxation to stimulation, and uncover the potential of your breath as a contemporary tool to influence your body and mind. Visit www.jjruescas.com/event/ intro-to-breathwork-monday-2/2025-06-02/ to register or Message JJ on Instagram (@jjruescas) or email him at in-fo@jjruescas.com with the subject line “West Austin News” to receive a one-time free pass.
3. You can have dinner with three people — dead or alive, any time in history — who would they be? This is less about people and more about a time. While reading Just Kids by Patti Smith, I think a dream would be a night in the late 60s/early 70s in New York City in the art, music, and entertainment scene. A night at the Hotel Chelsea with a mix of Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, Janis Joplin, and others.
4. What’s on your music playlist?
Oh, I have playlists for every mood that weave through most genres. I enjoy a 70s mix with Fleetwood Mac, 80s synth, emo indies of the early 2000s, Americana, and the current pop ladies like Chappell Roan. My husband and I also have a vinyl collection of over 600 discs. Every day, different albums take a spin. Recent listens include David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, Father John Misty, George Michael, Charley Crockett, and Glass Animals.
5. Favorite book and/or TV show? My repeat-watch show is The Good Place. It’s comedy, but also, oddly, it really raises philosophical life questions. It’s a good one.
6. Most powerful movie that you have seen? A while back, I went through the AFI Greatest Films list. There are so many I love for so many reasons. Some Like It Hot and Gypsy were favorites when I was a kid. Watching Fight Club
Adam Powell
Recently,
BY FORREST PREECE
They are on the third floor of what will become the Center’s expanded facility in the Faulk Building on Guadalupe at Eighth Street. With minimal effort, I was able to locate the index card from 1939 on my family house in Rosedale. It even had an entry about the addition of our “den” in April 1953, which cost a whopping $650. In that goosebump-inciting moment, I had a glimpse of what The Austin History Center can become – a way to connect Austinites to the heritage of our town in a meaningful way.
To facilitate this vision, it’s going to take a lot of planning, hard work, and money. That’s what the Austin History Center Association (AHCA) is all about -- and its newly named executive director Adam Powell has his sleeves rolled up for the task. He is a force – and many people around town will soon come to know who he is.
Back in February, Linda and I attended an AHCA Fuller Circle event at the Headliners Club where he made some remarks. We were bowled over by his charisma, speaking talent, and enthusiasm. After that meeting, Linda and I both remarked that with his talents, Adam should go into politics. It turns out that he has already run for City Council once. But being an unknown on the local political scene worked against him. He finished behind two candidates who have been around for a while.
Adam has a solid history here in town. He’s an Austin
native and the son of educators. His mother taught in the Leander ISD, and his dad was an educational psychology professor at UT. Some of his favorite memories are from his childhood in the Capital City. He especially savors the memory of Jan. 1, 2006, when Vince Young led UT to the national championship. That night, his folks packed the whole family into their van, and they drove down to see the orange Tower. Then there are specific places like the Bullock Museum, the Turtle Pond at UT, and the Zilker Botanical Garden that he enjoys. “I’m glad that I am able to stay in this beautiful city, with so many special places,” Adam says.
Adam earned a degree in history at TCU, and he was a student worker with that institution’s special collections when they were moving from one building to another. He also interned at the National Archives in Fort Worth for a year, and at one point, he felt like being an archivist was a career possibility, but it was a little too quiet for him. “This is a dream come true, to be able to support archivists without being one myself.”
After we sat down among piles of boxes and records in the 1933 Library Building at 9th and Guadalupe (yes, it’s in transition), Adam quickly brought up their Vision Plan. This strategy revolves around creating a more robust public presence for the center with a campus that ties together the 1933 Library Building and the Faulk Building to the south and includes Wooldridge Square Park across Ninth Street as part of the environment. “All these elements will work in concert to celebrate our history.”
Adam and his team recognize that they are on the precipice of a rapidly growing impact. But he says that they need to fundraise at a year-after-year level that hasn’t been achieved before. It will take endowments from donors, bond money, a capital campaign, grants from the city, and historic tax credits. None of this can happen unless they get the Vision Plan finished and done the right way.
He says that within the next few months, the History Center in the Faulk Building will reopen. It will be truly new and improved. On the first floor, there will be attractive and engaging public exhibits showcasing Austin’s history and the archival process. The building will have ample space for the collections, a reading room on the second floor, and massive archives on the third floor, which will function with an electronically controlled sliding system. The fourth floor will have administrative offices, plus a conference room and an audio-visual center. In this area, serious researchers
and people who are just curious about Austin history will be able to view a large library of oral histories from longtime Austinites, among other artifacts.
The card catalogs are well organized and work fine. But they also want to harness resources and innovation from the local high-tech community that they can offer to make the catalogs more accessible. The AHCA leadership team knows that they need to reach the younger generation of people who have roots in the area but are not as aware of the History Center, to make sure that the center remains vibrant.
Adam notes that they must have a significant presence at City Hall to recognize their ambitious visions and to build
in-depth support for their strategy. He mentioned other civic groups that have succeeded at a high level, such as the Trail Conservancy and Preservation Austin, and he is pointing towards doing the same thing at AHCA.
Right now, they are implementing the short-term rush to move, to get the Vision Plan funded, and then to build for the next ten to 25 years of supporting the place where Austin’s history lives.
The reworking of the History Center isn’t the only thing on Adam’s plate. The AHCA also actively promotes Austin’s history through public events, educational programs, and Waterloo Press publications.
As for his personal life, he is thrilled that he came back to town, and he has surrounded himself with ten of his best friends from high school. Now his wife is part of that tight circle as well. Being outdoors in Austin’s natural beauty invigorates him -- he loves to go hiking and rock climbing along the Greenbelt.
“The best thing in my life is that I was able to move back to Austin after college. I’m pinching myself
Manos de Cristo’s Share the Love Gala Fosters
Change for Neighbors in Need
More than 225 philanthropists, dentists, and professionals came together to support Manos de Cristo’s mission to transform lives and inspire lasting change. Proceeds from the Manos de Cristo Share the Love Gala, presented by Nicole and Ramzi Al-Rashid, directly benefit the essential programs that help the Central Texas community grow, thrive, and stay healthy.
This year’s gala featured a Black Tie, Boots & Bling theme, and guests did not disappoint — everyone showed up in style, wearing their best bling and chic western wear.
The festivities included a cocktail reception, a 360-degree photo booth, the ‘Win Big’ Raffle featuring a stunning 14K gold and diamond bracelet from Benold’s Jewelers, a silent auction, and the chance to connect with both familiar faces and new friends. Attendees were also treated to a multi-course dinner.
Emcee Sally Hernandez and Executive Director Julie Ballesteros highlighted the vital work of Manos de
Cristo and how, together, we strengthen the community by supporting those in need. Stories from dedicated staff, volunteers, and patients of Manos de Cristo illustrated how impactful Manos programs are to our community. The evening also honored Board Member Gary McIntosh for his 13 years of dedicated service and the generous contributions of his time and talents. The celebration continued with a live auction, music by Groove Knight, dancing, and classic casino games. Guests shared the love and raised over $300,000 for Manos de Cristo’s programs. Manos de Cristo, founded in 1988, meets essential needs by providing adults and children with low-cost dental care, educational opportunities, and a back-to-school program to prepare elementary students for school with new clothing and school supplies, and emergency food and clothing relief. The Manos de Cristo Dental Center is one of the few not-for-profit dental facilities in Austin. Learn more at www. manosdecristo.org.
Celebrati n g
A Milestone of Gratitude and Dedication
First and foremost, I want to thank God for everything. Without His guidance, blessings, and strength, none of this would have been possible. I am truly grateful for the opportunities He’s provided and the people He’s placed in my life over the years.
of passion, dedication, and, yes, a lot of elbow grease (and soap suds!)—but most importantly, it’s been about the amazing people I’ve met along the way.
I owe a special thank you to some very important people who believed in me and my dream from the start. A special thank you to West-
invaluable. You’ve all played an essential role in helping me get to this 30-year milestone.
and laughter meant everything to me, and their absence is felt for every moment we shared.
truly be lost without her. Her love, support, and unwavering belief my side through thick and thin, and none of this would have been am beyond thankful for everything she has done—and continues to do—for me and this business.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to my children, family, and friends who have worked alongside me at the wash over the years. Your dedication, hard work, and endless support have kept this business going strong. You’ve not only helped keep things running smoothly but have also shared in the vision and the dream. I’m incredibly grateful to have you all by my side, and I’m so proud of the impact you’ve made here.
As we look to the future, I want to thank the past, present, and future customers for trusting us to take care of your vehicles. Your loyalty means everything to us, and we’re excited for many more years of shining cars and happy clients.
Wilbert and Rosie Ceasar
Running Toward Hope: Gazelle Foundation’s Spring For The Water Gala Exceeds Goal
West Austin News congratulates Claire and Audrey Wan, students at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, for being named National Merit scholarship winners and receiving corporate-sponsored scholarships from NVIDIA. Claire expects to enter the
Gazelle Foundation Co-Founder and award-winning professional runner Gilbert Tuhabonye danced with joy to thunderous applause after an uplifting program at the sold-out Spring For The Water Gala held at the W Hotel. The annual event raised more than $250,000 for the foundation’s mission to build sustainable clean water systems in partnership with rural communities in Southwest Burundi.
Board Member Dr. Chad Whited, Gala Committee Chair Natalie Brown, and Co-Founder Peter Rauch each explained how they met Gilbert and became invested in the Foundation’s mission. Dr. Whited shared that the foundation was started after Peter and Gilbert went on one of their long training runs 19 years ago, brainstorming how to improve people’s lives in Burundi. They settled on clean water, which is central to health, education, and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Originally, they planned to partner with local organizations but learned they could build water systems more efficiently themselves. Peter explained, “Our guiding principle is ‘Will this transform lives in Burundi?’ That’s what drives our impact.” To date, the foundation has built 73 water systems, bringing permanent access to more than 135,000 people.
When Gilbert took the stage, he gave a more personal account of what clean water means to him. He shared a side of Burundi that is less well known: “the mountains that reach for the clouds, the sweetest bananas you ever tasted, and tea and coffee that is grown nearby.”
He remembers waking up each morning, running two miles to fetch water, then running 6 miles to school, before returning home to fetch water
again. “I’d sleep like a rock, I was so exhausted,” he said. After a recent visit to Burundi, he says, “Seeing the water projects was incredible with water flowing from the taps. I reflect on the beauty and lives transformed.”
Organized by Spring For The Water Gala Committee
Chairs Natalie Brown and Paula McCaul, who have coordinated the event for many years, the fundraiser exceeded its goal to fund, design, and build two more sustainable, clean water systems in Burundi. The Foundation estimates that with each water system built, they save at least one child’s life from waterborne illness.
A genocide survivor, Gilbert’s indomitable spirit, infectious joy, and dedication inspires so many who know him through running, coaching, speaking and charitable circles. Learn how the Gazelle Foundation spreads hope in Burundi and how to get involved at GazelleFoundation.org.
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KREUTZ PHOTO
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KREUTZ
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KREUTZ
PHOTO BY
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH KREUTZ
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Leigh Simmons
Founder of Tarrytown Dance, Retires after 23 Years
By Anne DeVries
After 23 years of nurturing young dancers and fostering community, Leigh Simmons, affectionately known as "Miss Leigh" to her students, is retiring as owner of Tarrytown Dance. A former award-winning dancer, devoted mentor, and pillar of the Austin community, Simmons leaves a legacy of empowerment, creativity, and connection that has positively impacted the lives of thousands.
Simmons, a Fort Worth native and TCU journalism graduate, relocated to Austin in 1992 and quickly became immersed in the community. She co-chaired the Tarrytown Parade, served on
the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board, and actively participated in the Junior League and Help-
ing Hand Home for Children.
Following the birth of her two children, she felt a calling to
support her community further. Her passion for dance, sparked in early childhood and refined through teaching jazz and tap, inspired her to open Tarrytown Dance Studio in 2002.
“When I opened the studio, Tarrytown didn’t have a dance studio, and neither did Central Austin,” Simmons recalled. “I wanted to create a safe, creative space for kids to grow.” The original studio was a cozy haven where children could run in the courtyard and eat lunch on benches after arriving from their school day.
Simmons expanded to a Westlake location in 2004 as the studio grew by founding the
West Austin Dance Academy.
Following a 5-year endeavor of managing and operating the two studios, she sold the Westlake studio and utilized the proceeds to focus on Tarrytown Dance.
She relocated the studio across the street from its original site in 2010, collaborating with award-winning architect Brad Nelsen to design a magical space for her students.
Over the years, Simmons estimates that she has taught over 8,000 students, offering up to 80 classes per week. Her focus was not just on dance etiquette, but also on life lessons, such as listening skills, confidence, and accountability. “I hope families
remember me as a positive force in their children’s lives,” she said. “Not just teaching dance, but empowering kids to do whatever they want, whether it’s dance or something else.” Simmons’s impact extends beyond the daily class interactions and studio operations. Inspired by her mentorship, former students have returned to choreograph or teach at Tarrytown Dance, and some employees have even gone on to open their own studios. Her ongoing commitment to her staff and valuing their fresh ideas set a collaborative environment that resulted in minimal turnover and steady quality
throughout her management of the studio—a testament to her leadership.
A mother of two, Wyatt and Gigi, Simmons balanced her roles as a mother, business owner, and community leader with grace, though not without sacrifice. A 2022 neck surgery altered her perspective, prompting her to envision a future with more flexibility.
“The studio is all-consuming, with beautiful energy,” she said.
“But I want to travel, immerse myself in culture and languages, decompress, and explore further interests in this next chapter.”
Retirement doesn’t mean slowing down for Simmons.
She is already writing a children’s book series, Tea with Miss Leigh, aimed at educating and cultivating young girls, with possible plans for live events and a cartoon. “I love kids and want to keep impacting them,” she said. She also plans to work with children who have developmental delays, a passion she looks forward to having time to pursue.
been such a blessing,” she said.
“Working with kids in a creative environment—it’s been more than perfect.”
Reflecting on her legacy, Simmons hopes to be remembered as a mentor who provided a safe, nurturing space for children to thrive. “Being part of this community has
As Simmons steps into her next chapter, the Austin community celebrates her contributions, confident that her influence will continue to inspire generations of dancers and dreamers.
Summer vacation
Late last summer, we hitched up our travel trailer and loaded up Loretta the Corgi, hiking boots, eBikes, kayaks and a guitar or two and departed from our summer home in Marquette, Michigan for a 17-day journey around the perimeter of the world’s largest lake — a road trip known as the Lake Superior Circle Tour.
A drive around our own Lake Travis? 270ish miles. Around Lake Superior? Over 1700 miles! With a breathtaking shoreline spanning the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota plus the Canadian province of Ontario, Gichigami, as the Ojibwe people called the Big Lake, this journey boasts national parks in two countries as well as numerous state and provincial parks.
We camped by sandy beaches, soaring
Austin’s Troop 5 and Troop 50 Honor Their Newest Eagle Scouts
On April 27, 2025, nine young men from Troop 5 and three young women from sister Troop 50 were honored with the prestigious Eagle Scout rank at their Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony. Both troops are sponsored by First United Methodist Church in downtown Austin.
Established in 1911, Troop 5 is one of the oldest continuously operating troops in the United States and draws Scouts from 12 different zip codes across Austin. The Eagle Scout rank, Scouting’s highest honor, has been awarded to young men since 1912 and to young women since 2020.
Only about 6% of Scouts achieve the Eagle Scout rank. Requirements include progressing through seven ranks, earning at least 21 merit badges, and completing a significant Eagle service project demonstrating project planning skills, time management, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and comprehensive leadership.
Congratulations to the twelve new Eagle Scouts from Troops 5 and 50, whose outstanding hard work, leadership, and commitment earned them this distinguished honor!
— A continuing series compiled by Forrest
Preece
cliffs, lighthouses, stunning rock formations, waterfalls and ancient mountain ranges. This vast area is so remote from the densely populated regions of North America that we suffered no crowds, no traffic, no stress. Everywhere we stopped, we only found natural beauty and good ol’ Midwestern and Canadian hospitality.
Highlights of our 17-day adventure were Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; Apostle Islands; the entire Minnesota North Shore; Pukaskwa National Park; Kakabeka Falls, Neys and Sleeping Giant Provincial Parks. Not to be missed as well is Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, culminating at the adorable village of Copper Harbor. We have decided we have to go back this year to cover areas we missed!
— Kristen and Mark Hallman
By Alana Moehring Mallard
Camp Mabry hosted the 2025 CROP Hunger Walk earlier this spring, where dozens of congregations, work groups, neighborhood groups, and families gathered to walk the running track to raise money for projects locally and around the world to stop hunger. So far, the walk has raised $101,000, one-fourth of which will be donated to local nonprofits.
Locally, Austin CROP Hunger Walk beneficiaries include Central Texas Food Bank, Casa Marianella, Micah 6 of Austin, iACT for Refugees, Hope Food Pantry, Faith Food Pantry, and Urban Roots. Almost 700 teams registered to raise money this year in Austin for local and global needs.
Sponsors of the Austin CROP Hunger Walk include the David and Diane Baker Donor Advised Fund, HEB Helping Here, VTX Energy Partners, and education sponsors Allan
Periodontics, KJT St. Stephen Society #112 of the Catholic Union of Texas, Church Women United, Six Friends, Steve Vinklarek of State Farm Insurance, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.
CROP Hunger Walks around the nation are the work of Church World Service to Fight disease, disaster, displacement, and other challenges that leave people hungry. The Austin walk will provide food and water as well as resources to help people meet their own needs, including seeds, tools, wells, water systems, technical training, and microloans. Church World Service has 79 years of experience working in partnerships around the world and in the U.S. More info and donate at austincrophungerwalk.org
The 2025 Austin CROP Hunger Walk was the 47th annual walk in
AUSTIN CROP HUNGER WALK
West Austin’s Rewilding Triangle: Two Years Later
By Forrest Preece
A couple of years ago, I wrote a story for West Austin News about Juliette Madere, then an 18-year-old senior at Anderson High, who took it on herself to draw a schematic plan, pick up some tools, and plant a rewilding garden around the corner from her home. Located at the 2000-square-foot triangle formed by Elton Lane, Forest Trail, and Woodmont, these plantings provide a habitat for birds, bees, and other pollinators, and they make a dent in global warming.
On a recent morning, Juliette and I met up at the triangle, and I was blown away to see so many flowers in full bloom and a curving path through the plantings. Thanks to her careful planning and execution (with city approval), these plants provide a vibrant native ecosystem. Minimal watering is needed.
The triangle provides a habitat that supports creatures vital to the ecosystem. With all these native plantings massed in a group, many insects and birds are drawn to the area, sometimes unusual varieties. Recently, she saw a huge banana spider in the garden, a species not usually found outside the Hill Country.
The variety of plantings is remarkable. Some flowers include bee balm, mealy cup sage, black-eyed Susans, Indian blanket, Mexican hat, evening primrose, wine cups, and bluebonnets. She has them carefully arranged to provide a harmonious mix of colors and shapes. A desert willow tree adds a vertical element to the design.
Her interest in the environment goes back to middle school, when she and some friends became aware of issues like habitat loss and the impending extinction of certain species. They decided to form a non-profit group called Lifeblood of Gaia to provide information about these problems and to do what they could to help counteract them.
When she moved on to high school, she started recognizing
the scope of the environmental challenges ahead. Looking for a way to get involved, she applied and was accepted into The Youth Forest Council in the city’s Urban Forestry Department, where she worked as an intern for a year. Her tipping point came when she read a book by Doug Tallamy called “Nature’s Best Hope,” which posits that the solution for climate change starts in people’s backyards, one at a time. It
didn’t take long for her to act on that idea.
Juliette is majoring in studio art at UT, and she has applied to have a second major in biology. Her goal is to integrate her talents and knowledge in both these fields. She says that right now, the workforce for the triangle’s upkeep is “officially just me.” But she is hoping to organize a Volunteer Workday, and she is eyeing help from a school in the neighborhood.
“It’s so rewarding to see the diversity of wildlife the garden has attracted, and the level of interest in native gardening that it’s generated in the community,” she says. “The impact this kind of landscaping can have is amazing. With enough people planting native, we can conserve water, combat habitat loss, and even reduce the effects of global warming, one garden at a time.”
‘Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine’ by Callie Collins
I met Austin native Callie Collins years ago when she was a wunderkind, barely out of high school, and already handling major league editing jobs. When I saw her intelligence and talent, I told myself that I wanted to observe how her writing career would progress. Now her first novel is out, published by Doubleday no less, and it’s even better than I could have imagined.
Set in the freewheeling Austin of 1975, “Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine” immerses the reader in the city’s music scene. It’s an anything-butlaid-back milieu, where bar owners and performers are weighed down by the reality of paying the bills, dealing with customers, writing fresh songs, and keeping their personal relationships marginally corralled, if not steady.
The book has three sections that seamlessly connect. The first two are written in the first person to plug into the inner viewpoints of the characters. There’s Doug Moser, a guitar player, composer, and band leader who lucks into a steady gig at Rush Creek Saloon after its co-owner Wendell Teague hears him at the Armadillo one night. The deal even includes residence in a house out back, plenty big enough for him, his partner Gwen, and his son Julian. The second part is told by Deanna Teague, Wendell’s wife and co-owner of the bar, who has a thing for Doug, try as she might to suppress it. Then there is the final part,
centering around the misfit hanger-on Steven Frances, who is consumed with a desire for attention and to connect with Doug. In a brilliant stroke, Collins writes Steven’s section in the third person to provide an otherness and neutral viewpoint to this part of the plot. The novel artfully captures the struggles and triumphs of these characters, each navigating their challenges. For those of us who lived here in 1975, it has a special poignancy. It takes us deep into the raw backstories of running a bar and the music scene with its grating conflict between social groups (you know what I mean). With literary grace, Collins illuminates the
highs and lows of this era. I felt echoes in her writing of Cormac McCarthy and Denis Johnson, and in Steven’s case, Carson McCullers. But it’s not fair to say that Collins’s voice is anything but her own. “Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine” is an important first novel, and
Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas’ annual gala Wish Night 2025 brought together 400 guests at the Austin Marriott Downtown. This year’s event raised enough funds to grant more than 40 life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses across central and south Texas.
Thanks to co-chairs Susan and TomLucas and Ronda and StuartStahl, Wish Night 2025 was filled with powerful storytelling, heartfelt moments, and the uplifting spirit of the wish community. Attendees heard directly
from wish kids and their families who have experienced the hope, joy, and unlimited possibilities only a wish can bring, including stories about fulfilled wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort®, Snake Discovery, and the opera, along with wishes to wrestle an alligator and meet the Cincinnati Bengals.
These stories offered a powerful reminder of the MakeA-Wish mission and the impact that every gift, sponsorship, and act of kindness can make on children and their families during difficult times. Following
the program, guests enjoyed a special performance from the Cory Morrow Band.
“Wish Night is more than a gala—it’s a celebration of the strength and resilience of the children we serve,” said MakeA-Wish Central & South Texas President and CEO, Andrea Taurins. “The overwhelming support from our community ensures that even more local kids will get to experience the joy of a wish, when they need it most.”
Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas is celebrating 40
years of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across 40 counties in central and south Texas.
Together with generous donors, supporters, staff, and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. MakeA-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health.
For more information about
Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas, visit wish.org/cstx
PHOTOS BY JOHN CABUENA
By Anne DeVries
JJ
Ruescas,
the dynamic founder of Optimizing Me, is on a mission to redefine personal growth through curiosity, continuous improvement, and nervous system optimization. Since launching Optimizing Me in 2014, Ruescas has applied principles of Kaizen — continuous improvement honed over a decade leading high-performance tech teams — to help individuals unlock their potential.
Born in a high-altitude city in Bolivia, Ruescas always brimmed with energy but initially lacked direction. As an outsource engineer managing teams in Bolivia, he lived a fast-paced life until a pivotal 2013 experience forced him to reassess his trajectory. “The universe gave me a face slap to rethink what I was doing,” he recalls. Quitting alcohol and nearly his job, he accepted an offer to move to Austin, where his company recognized his potential in both technology and human development.
In Austin, Ruescas thrived by optimizing teams, focusing on individual human performance, and tailoring work schedules and environments to each person’s strengths. However, in 2016, a visa cancellation forced him to leave the United States again. As he awaited visa reinstatement for four years, he became a digital nomad, traveling the world and immersing himself in high-performance practices, including optimal sleep, nutrition, and
movement. “I learned to treat every human as an experiment of one,” he says, emphasizing personalized optimization over one-size-fits-all solutions.
Reinvigorated by his 4 years away from Austin, he returned to the pursuit of growing his company, Optimizing Me, which Ruescas calls his “Dharma” — the work he cannot not do. The company’s flagship offering, a unique blend of breathwork, hypnosis, trauma-informed leadership, and storytelling, is designed to optimize the nervous system. Sessions help clients discharge stress and expand their “window of tolerance” for life’s highs and lows. “The nervous system isn’t designed to make you happy — it’s for survival,” he explains. “By increasing
resilience to pain, you unlock greater capacity for pleasure.”
Optimizing Me offers group sessions, one-on-one coaching, and corporate workshops. Ruescas regularly collaborates with local Austin studios and hosts events at venues such as Upgrade Labs 5th Street, 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge, and Yoga hŌM Studio. His work also extends to private in-home sessions, curated retreats, corporate off-sites, and wellness activations for summits, nonprofits, and even milestone celebrations like birthdays—all tailored to create immersive, high-impact experiences.
His team, spearheaded by Andrea Cavero, Operations & Growth Lead, ensures seamless operations. “Working with JJ didn’t just teach me about optimization, technology, and conscious breathing — it transformed me,” Cavero says. “I went from pressuring myself to experimenting with awareness. What started as a support role evolved into something much deeper: today, I’m not just part of the team, I’m part of a mission I truly love — to grow, integrate, and share real tools that change lives.”
Ruescas’s impact is deeply personal. He limits one-on-one clients, ensuring high accountability, while group sessions attract a diverse range of
participants — CEOs, parents, and curious novices alike.
His “10-minute Manage Your State” practice, available on his website, combines functional breathing and super-venti-
lation to de-stress, offering an accessible entry point for beginners. Free access to this class is available to West Austin News subscribers.
Future plans include scaling Optimizing Me to create experiences that foster cohesive group energy, alongside workshops on habits and digital optimization, and continuing his successful podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, and accessible through his website.
Ruescas prioritizes authenticity. “I don’t promise healing — I deliver optimization,” he says. His vision for the Austin
Community is to make these practices mainstream, showing novices that nervous system optimization is a vital opportunity to enhance the quality of life.
From a transformative awakening in Bolivia to guiding Austinites toward their best selves, JJ Ruescas embodies the Japanese Shokunin mindset — relentless improvement through experimentation. Optimizing Me isn’t just a business; it’s a movement to help humans thrive, one breath at a time.
