30 West Austin Seniors Named National Merit Semi-finalists
The Women’s Symphony League (WSL) recently hosted its “Cheers to 70 Years” Jewel Ball Fashion Luncheon at the Palmer Events Center. The stylish afternoon featured a debut of Fall 2025 fashion trends and a reception with distinguished guest speaker Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, renowned British interior designer and author.
Lady Henrietta is the eldest daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, and her Blenheim Palace family home in Oxfordshire undoubtedly provided her with a unique perspective on style and design. She studied design in London and later founded Spencer-Churchill Designs, a company specializing in interior furnishings, fabrics, and wallpaper. She has also authored 11 books on design. Guests enjoyed a conversa-
By Alana Moehring Mallard
Semi-finalists were named recently for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, including 30 seniors from nine West Austin schools.
Named as semifinalists are Leila Schuneman and Parker Benko from Anderson High School; Phoebe Miller, Noam Stewart, and Gavin Pruett from Austin High School; and Iris Burns-Trahanovsky, Alexis Fredine, Margaret Gravette, James Roden, Quinn Stafford, Anna Ward, and Shoshanna Winchel from McCallum High School.
Hyde Park High School senior Matthew McInereney was named a semifinalist; as were St. Stephen’s Episcopal School seniors Truman Bares, Liam Eggleston, Annie Ehrlich, Felicite Jubelin, Edward Leigh, Jiayin Miao, Avery Robinette, Alexander Vokes, and Eli Yorio; Anna Sloan from St. Michael’s Prep; and Jude Bush, Presley Kuo, and Alexander Sutton from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.
Semifinalists also include Regent School seniors Caleb Kim, Ella McKanna, and Har-
tional interview between Lady Henrietta and Tierra Neubaum of Fox 7 Austin, during which Lady Henrietta shared her insights into timeless and classic style, design, and fashion. To add to the glamour and enjoyment, WSL members
risonne Wu; and Parker Sloan from Alpha High School. Some 16,000 semi-finalists across the nation will compete in this 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, vying for about 7,000 National Merit Scholarships valued at nearly $26 million and announced in the spring. More than 1.3 million juniors in 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, and this nationwide pool of 16,000 semi-finalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
modeled the season’s chic couture from local boutiques, The Garden Room and Saint Bernard. The fashion runway show was curated by Sue Webber Productions. The WSL Jubilee Fall Fashion Luncheon is a signature event and key fundraiser for the Austin Symphony Orchestra and a sister event to the Jewel Ball. For 72 years, the members of the Women’s Symphony League of Austin have dedicated time, energy, and talent to
provide service and financial support to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and its music education programs. The Women’s Symphony League is the largest annual financial supporter of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and over
50,000 K-12 students benefit from the innovative educational programs of the ASO each year. For more information about the Women’s Symphony League, please visit www. wslaustin.org.
Around the Neighborhood:
Velvet Taco opened at 6539 Burnet Road, in the old Flyrite Chicken location. Velvet Taco’s story? A temple to the liberated taco, and a one-of-a-kind taco concept serving premium food in a unique and funky fast-casual setting, where anything goes meets the art of the possible. Features Velvet Bowls, Combos, Nachos, Queso, Guac, and Tacos: Chick Tacos, Veg Tacos, Pork Tacos, Beef Tacos, Sea Tacos, and WTF – Weekly Taco Feature this week is Blackened Pescado with Wicked Al Pastor coming up Oct. 29. Sunday through Thursday, 11am-11pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-1am. Velvettaco.com.
Movie in the Park on Monday, Nov 10 at Perry Park behind Highland Park Elementary School at 4900 Fairview on the soccer turf. The movie Elf with Will Ferrell will start at dusk, around 6 pm. Bring a blanket, bring a camp chair or two, mingle with neighbors. Food options will be available and popcorn for all. Sponsored by Highland Park West Balcones Area Neighborhood Association. Hpwbana.org for info
Mendocino Farms opens in November at 1106 W 38th St., at Medical Parkway. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and sides, with vegan and vegetarian options, a kids’ menu, and housemade beverages. Fan favorites include Avocado Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, “Not So Fried” Chicken Sandwich, and Spicy Curried Couscous Side. Go to mendocinofarms.com to register for a free entrée when the 38th Street store opens.
Teddy’s Restaurant and Bar has opened at 1601 W. 38th Street in Jefferson Square for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch. Teddy’s is ready to book your holiday parties and celebrations. And get this: Open on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Regular hours are Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday 11am to 10pm, Saturday 8am to 10pm, Sunday 8am to 9pm. At teddysaustin.com or 787-231-9067 and hello@teddysaustin.com 6
Bryker Woods has opened at 1615 W 35th St. in the old Burger King. Postino Wine Café features boards (bruschetta, meat, cheese, hummus), salads, soup, panini, a robust wine list
Postino
Around the Neighborhood
Parker + Scott celebrated three years as Austin’s General Store this summer. At 2113 W. Anderson Lane just off Burnet Road, Parker + Scott is proud to be Austin’s Refillery, with a Refill Bar stocked with everything from dish soap and detergent to shampoo and facial wash – bring your own container. Goods offered by local makers and vendors, artisans in Austin’s own back yard – with a whole section devoted to snacks. Come on, you know you’re feeling snacky. Parker + Scott offerings and events link sustainability, community, and art. And you’ll find a pop-up at HarperSage at 4803 Burnet Road. See parkerandscott.com
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Halloween Children’s Concert is Oct 26, presented by Austin Symphony Orchestra at the Long Center at 701 W. Riverside Drive. Called Pirates!, the concert is conducted by “captain” Pablo Zamora and narrated by “first mate” Andre Martin, featuring pieces from The Flying Dutchman, Suite from Jaws, The Nutcracker, Conga del Fuego Nuevo, Dances in the Canebrakes, Prince Igor, Gayane , and Pirates of the Caribbean. Tickets for the 3 p.m. performance at my.austinsymphony.org or ASO box office at 512-476-6064, ext 3.
Why I Oppose Prop Q
By Marc Duchen
Austin voters began heading to the polls this week to vote on Proposition Q, the controversial proposal to permanently increase our local property taxes.
City council members are barred from making official statements for or against the proposition, but as a District 10 voter I’m free to tell you why I oppose it—and why rejecting it gives us a historic opportunity to change course on spending.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas has a new executive director, Allison Cavazos, who has served as interim director since last November. She has served at Catholic Charities for fourteen years, and her degrees are from UT and Texas A&M. Catholic Charities lives the mission of serving anyone in need by strengthening families and promoting respect for human dignity and life. Catholic Charities was able to cover rent and mortgage payments, emergency home repairs, vehicle and appliance replacements, and other critical needs to help families devastated by the July floods – more than $170,000 in direct assistance helped flooded families. At ccctx.org
Raising taxes will make our affordability problem worse, particularly for the community’s most vulnerable residents. Combined with Travis County’s tax increase, higher utility rates, and other new fees, the Prop Q tax hike could raise many homeowners’ annual bills by $1,000. Renters won’t be spared: The head of the Austin Apartment Association announced that multifamily property taxes could rise by 35%, and groups like ECHO and Caritas report that the city’s homeless population will grow by nearly 10% for every $100 in rent increases.
Ironically, roughly half of the revenue that Prop Q would generate would be spent on services for Austin’s homeless population. That means Prop Q is likely to create a “vicious cycle” of rising homelessness and rising homelessness costs.
I also believe Prop Q is a glaring example of the City of Austin’s fiscal irresponsibility. Our local government maintains a structural deficit, meaning that local officials will continue asking for money from taxpayers (like the $750 million bond planned for next year) unless City Hall starts to control its spending.
On top of that, the Prop Q tax hike would hit local residents when the economy is on the brink of a recession. Tariffs are rising, Austin’s sales taxes are heading down, and the Dallas Federal Reserve shows our city growing just 1.1% over the next year. The outlook is far from rosy.
But to understand how bad Prop Q truly is, we need to dig into some math.
The City of Austin faces a $33 million shortfall for Fiscal Year 2025-26 (meaning that local authorities needed $33 million more to pay for the services they want to provide over the next 12 months). Rather than look for ways to reduce spending, my colleagues responded by setting City
Hall’s budget at $6.3 billion, its highest level in history. And here’s what’s so outrageous: Prop Q would raise $110 million in taxpayer funds to cover the shortfall, $77 million more than would be necessary. Furthermore, that budgetary increase would be permanent. I was the only council member to vote against the move. Instead, I called for City Hall to follow Houston’s lead and conduct an independent, unbiased efficiency study of local expenses. The Houston study uncovered approximately $120 million in savings, nearly four times as much as Austin’s shortfall. I’m confident we could cover our own shortfall with a similar study. Here’s the good news: If voters reject Prop Q, our city council will have a chance to cut back on Austin’s runaway budget and consider an efficiency study like Houston’s. I believe it’s time for local officials to stop overspending and restore trust with local residents. This election, you and your neighbors have an opportunity to send City Hall that message.
Dianne Donovan
MBY FORREST PREECE
any times during tedious days when I’m out driving, I’ve tuned in to KMFA-FM to hear Dianne Donovan’s soothing voice as she describes the classical music she is playing, which does me a world of good.
Over the years, I have thought about writing a column on her, and thanks to some recent connections, my wish has come true. She’s quite a talented woman. Many people in town also know her as a professional singer, and she is a gifted interviewer as well. Dianne was born in Montreal but grew up south of there, next to farmers’ fields. She says that she was always singing. Her mother wrote in Dianne’s baby book, “Such a happy baby, she sings all the time,” when she was two.
Being the youngest of five children, all of the family records filtered down to her: Motown soul, rock, glam rock, and pop.
During her teenage years, a transistor radio was by her ear every night. “That was the birth of an insomniac,” she says.
Dianne’s grade school music teacher told her mother that she had a stunning vocal range and that she should take lessons, hinting at a career in opera. At nine years old, she had only seen opera in cartoons…and it didn’t look or sound very appealing. When her mom told her this news, she ran out of the house into their field, crying.
In high school and later in college in Montreal (Dawson College CGEP-New School), she studied drama, consistently received singing parts, and was asked by her music teacher to tutor some of her fellow students, despite having no formal training. That same teacher tried to get her to audition at McGill but without training, she felt she might not belong.
Dianne began studying music when she moved to Edmonton, Alberta and enrolled at Grant
MacEwan College (University).
Although her focus was on jazz, her teacher was classically trained, which greatly helped her. She found a barista job to raise money for her expenses, and she would get up every morning at 5 a.m., listen to a symphony, and read part of a Penguin Classic to broaden her education.
With one month left in the program, she auditioned for a singing gig with wonderful piano player, Arturo Domingo, and was hired for “a month.”
That month turned into six years, six nights a week. From that came television appearances in Canada, and then she became involved with Gary Guthman’s Tribute to Harry James Big Band and Pops series. In 1992, she made a fateful visit to Austin to perform their tribute show with the Austin Symphony. Ironically, KMFA was the first station she heard when she arrived in the Capital City. About a month later she met Austin guitarist Mitch Watkins who was performing at the Jazz Festival in Edmonton and had a friendly conversation. Seven years later they met again and shortly thereafter, they got engaged.
for years, and I sent out cassettes, yes, cassette tapes, of my shows to a few stations here.” A program director liked her style and hired her. She took the leap to come to Austin. At that time she worked part time at both KUT (now KUTX), and eventually, she found her home at KMFA. It’s been the start of a beautiful relationship on our local airwaves.
Dianne says that selecting the music for her show can take a while. She always considers that her shift is midday, when many listeners are at work, so she shies away from warhorse symphonies and strident music. She tries to balance instrumentation and eras -- from pre-Baroque to contemporary. Does it always work? “Most of the time, but occasionally, I have to re-think a piece or two.”
Back to her singing career -one highlight, both professionally and personally, was when she performed at a pops concert at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada. Aunts and uncles, cousins, and her best friend came. Unfortunately, her mother was in the hospital, so her parents couldn’t be there, but they saw her later, in Nova Scotia. She also performed numerous times with a man who became a mentor, pianist (later a Senator) Tommy Banks, on his jazz show. He was well-known in Canada. Years prior, he hosted a televised late-night nationwide variety show. “He taught me so much,” Dianne says.
and often appear at several retirement homes. Their versatility helps. “I know so many tunes, and Mitch can play in almost any key.” They also perform at Chez Zee annually for New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.
Something special to Dianne is a recording they did a couple of years back as The AltoRays. They created the name because they both have CDs under their own names, and the recording was not strictly jazz; instead, it was every-
thing that had ever influenced them – she calls it “Chill Jazz.”
The vocal part is mostly without words, which was freeing for her. She adds that they received some nice reviews about the CD from online magazines, and they made Cashbox Canada’s Chart for a month, but sadly, neither one of them had the time to promote it further.
If you want to hear Dianne perform, she says that you can
listen to her singing any day of the week in the grocery store. Sometimes, she dances with her cart, too. But in a more structured setting, The Beat Divas have a show booked at Monk’s Jazz Club on Nov.
Many West Austin News readers may have seen Dianne perform with Mady Kaye and Beth Ullman in The Beat Divas trio. The Beat Divas had existed for about a year when one of the singers left the group, just before Dianne moved to town. Her soon-to-be husband, Mitch Watkins, happened to be talking to Mady, mentioned that Dianne was a singer, and gave her one of Dianne’s CDs. That was all it took. Mady asked her to join the group immediately after hearing her vocal stylings. Now the three women are all fast friends as well as singing partners. When they are not discussing music, they are talking about food, which has led to another means of expression. “We’ve ended up doing over 30 cooking classes at Central Market, preparing our own recipes and singing in between,” Dianne says.
“I had been doing jazz radio
Since Dianne is married to one of the best guitar players in the country, I had to ask if they ever collaborated on music projects. She laughs and says that it took a while for them to work together. At first, she was a little shy about that idea. She had had a scene back home with her group of musicians, and he had established “a scene” here for years. Dianne didn’t want to be “the wife who sings, too.”
Anyway, they now enjoy performing together. They recently played for the Austin Jazz Society
Nearly 1000 guests turned out in black-tie for the Women’s Symphony League’s Platinum Jubilee Ball, celebrating 70 years of WSL’s support of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The highly anticipated event was held at the Palmer Events Center and featured a night of dazzling entertainment, including the presentation of the Royalty Court, dining, dancing, live auction, and casino games.
Susan and David Douglas were Honorary Chairs for the annual event. Tricia Moose and Elizabeth Doughtie served as Jewel Ball co-chairs, supported by a 60 member volunteer committee.
Doughtie said, “Tricia Moose and I are honored to chair this year’s Jewel Ball, continuing the cherished Austin tradition that benefits the Austin Symphony Orchestra. She continued, “It is with great pride that we celebrate the families of our Royal Court and their commitment to the arts in Austin. The funds raised by the Jewel Ball support education programs of the Symphony that will reach 50.000 K-12 students over the next year.”
The centerpiece of the evening was the presentation of the Royal Court, which brings together college-aged young women to represent their communities. The Visiting Jewels from Dallas, Lubbock, and Waco joined this year’s Diamond Queen and two princesses from Austin, honoring the support Austin gives to the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
The 2025 Royal Court included His Royal Majesty, King Brio LIX, and the following outstanding young women and their escorts:
▲ Her Royal Majesty, the Diamond Queen Rylee Walker of the House of Hissey, Daughter of Knight and Mrs. Michael Eugene Hissey, Escorted by Mr. Henry Newton Bell V, Son of Chancellor and Mrs.
Henry Newton IV, Grandson of Mrs. Pamela Roberts Bell and the late Lord Chancellor LIII Henry Newton Bell III and Mr. Callahan Dixon Geisler, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Charles Geisler and Mr. Callahan Dixon Geisler, Son of Mrs. and Mrs. Richard Charles Geisler
▲ Princess Reese Madison Bain, Daughter of Knight and Mrs. David Fallon Bain, Escorted by Mr. Michael Butler van Bavel, Son of Knight and Mrs.
Nicholas Richard van Bavel, Grandson of King BrioXXXII and Mrs. Ernest Charles Butler
▲ Princess Katherine Elizabether Martineau, Escorted by Mr. Zachary Marc Zimmermann, Son of Ms. Ashley Ann Smith
VISITING JEWELS AND ESCORTS
▲ The Pink Diamond of Dallas, Duchess Annabether
Gracelyn Winn, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Martin Winn, Representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, Escorted by Mr. Ryan Nicholas J. McCord, Representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Honor Guard
▲ The Ruby of Lubbock, Duchess Reese Morgan Rogers, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Rogers, Representing the Lubbock Symphony League
The WSL is the largest
annual donor to the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Since 2002, the Jewel Ball has raised more than $5 million for the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO), making the WSL one of the most significant financial supporters of classical music in Austin. The contributions made have enabled the ASO to expand its programs and increase the number of schools served. WSL also provides hundreds of volunteers to support events, including the Tuneful Tales / Cuentos melódicos program, which is offered in both English and Spanish in partnership with the Austin Public Libraries. To learn more, visit www. wslaustin.org.
Upcoming Special Section from West Austin News
PHOTOS BY JETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
BY FORREST PREECE
Jim Ritts
1. What’s something about you that not many people know?
Thirty-five years ago, I co-founded Channel One, a television network that gave Anderson Cooper his start in television news.
2. What was your first job?
First way I made money — mowing lawns and playing poker before I could drive. Real job — ABC Sports as a statistician for Keith Jackson on NCAA Football & Frank Gifford on Monday Night Football telecasts
3. If you could have dinner with any three people — dead or alive — who would they be?
45-year-old John F. Kennedy to convince him not to go to Dallas, 38-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. to convince him not to go to Memphis, and my almost 80-year-old father to say I love you, thank you, and good-bye.
4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be?
Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis and Jimmy LaFave
5. Favorite book, TV show and Broadway show?
Favorite book(s) — Pat Conroy’s South of Broad and Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities or The Right Stuff TV show — Ted Lasso because I am annoyingly optimistic
Favorite Broadway show —
A Chorus Line in 1976 with the original cast including Donna McKechnie
6. Most powerful movie you have seen?
Twelve Angry Men
7. Favorite place in Austin?
The Paramount Theatre
8. Favorite restaurant and watering hole?
Bufalina on the Eastside &
Donn’s Depot
9. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A professional baseball player. Specifically, I wanted to replace Brooks Robinson at third base for the Baltimore Orioles.
The theme of this year’s Imagine a Way (IAW) Gala, “Mad Money for a Mission”, inspired by the iconic TV show Mad Men, transported nearly 300 guests back in time to the advertising world of Manhattan’s Madison Avenue in the 1960s. Attendees, dressed in stylish business and party attire of the era, enjoyed dining and dancing at The Four Seasons Hotel, raising over $426,000 to fund IAW’s goal of supporting families whose children (ages 2-7) are affected by autism.
The mission of IAW is to provide ongoing financial support so that families can afford often costly therapies for their children. Their network of resources provides various treatments, including
speech, physical, and occupational therapies, as well as one-on-one support. These therapies have been proven to significantly benefit children with Austin Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when given during early childhood.
In true 1960’s style, cocktail hour included Old Fashioneds and on-demand martinis served “shaken, not stirred” in classic James Bond style. Trevor Scott of CBS’s We are Austin emceed the event, and guests enjoyed a dinner of Beef Wellington and dancing to the sounds of the Big Night Jazz Band. A live auction offered guests the chance to bid on exotic getaways, including vacation homes in France, San José del Cabo, and Costa Rica,
as well as U.S. destinations such as Lake Tahoe, Crested Butte, Jackson Hole, and Utah.
The inspiring program featured a heartfelt address by Adam Weinzimer, owner of Training Wheels ABA, which provides clinical services for children in the Austin area who have ASD. He reflected on his late father’s involvement with IAW and the profound impact that IAW has had on children and families in his clinic.
Since its 2010 founding, IAW has served over 170 children in Central Texas, providing more that 420,000 therapy hours, totaling $2.36 million. The agency has been so successful that a Houston chapter was formed in 2023. For more information, visit www.imagineaway.org
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF LOFTIN
A Playful Ghost in Old Austin
By Forrest Preece
Since it’s Halloween month, I have been searching around for some spooky tales. By sheer luck, I saw a piece about Janelle Buchanan’s home, and I asked her to elaborate on its friendly ghost.
Janelle, who is one of Austin’s most renowned actresses, lives in a historic home with her husband, Ted Siff, near the former Pease Elementary School. The original part of their house was built in 1858. Here is her story.
I’m sure some past residents died here. It’s clear – to me, anyway — that we share the house with a spirit I call Tillie. She is a poltergeist in the best sense of the word — tricky and mischie-
vous, never mean or threatening. Things disappear, then reappear a day or two later in a spot that was thoroughly searched; once, my engagement ring went
missing, then turned up on the kitchen island the morning of our anniversary. When the ground was broken for the addition to our house, workmen found a belt buckle, a couple of horseshoes, and a little china doll’s head. I wonder if it belonged to Tillie’s doll?
I had a bag of old coins, most dating to the beginning of the 20th century, and some as far back as the Civil War, tucked away in a (locked) storage shed behind our house. I went out one morning to get something out of the shed, and the bag was neatly placed on the lawnmower. I put it back where it belonged. The next day, it was back on the lawn mower.
Our house has a double
fireplace — one hearth in the living room and one in the room to the east that is now Ted’s office. We have faux candles in both because the fireplace is so old that, even though we’ve had it cleaned and checked, we’re not comfortable about using it. The candles are there for decoration. One morning I went into the office and all eight had been switched on and were glowing merrily. I turned them off. A couple of hours later, they were on. I turned them off again and they stayed off
I went downstairs late one night — heard a noise, heard a cat, something? On the south living room wall there was a little green light dancing. About the size of a dime, sort of like one
An Anchor in the Sea of Time By
of those laser pens you can use to play with cats, only green. I watched it for a minute or so, then it winked out. No traffic on the street, no sign outside of anything that might cast a light like that.
One night I was cooking dinner and turned my attention from the counter to the stove. When I turned back to the counter, there was a little piece of burnt material — maybe wood, maybe a root? — about two inches long on a plate on the counter. It certainly hadn’t been there before. I didn’t put it there, and no one else was in the house.
And, of course, the occasional disappeared object that reappears in a few days.
Again, I’ve never felt any ill
will from Tillie. We’ve come to accept that she was here first and likes to remind us that she’s still around. I’ve had two people mention to me that they feel a presence here, but that it is not malevolent and that the house feels, in fact, peaceful. These were not friends I’d talked to about Tillie; they were total strangers who happened to be in the house for one reason or another.
So there you have it. I’m sure many people would find logical explanations for all these phenomena, and they might be right. Or not.
Me, I’m with Hamlet: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Stephen Harrigan
I’m such a fan of Stephen Harrigan’s writing that if he copied names out of a phone directory, I’d parse through them for some meaning. So when I saw that “An Anchor in the Sea of Time,” a collection of his essays, had been published, I grabbed a copy off the stack at my favorite bookstore and headed home to savor it. All the pieces in this book were originally published in Texas Monthly, except for one which appeared in Alcalde, the UT alumni magazine. I suppose that if I had been willing to spend an afternoon searching online for all these works, I could have done so. However, even after I found them, it would have required a considerable effort on my part
to arrange them into a thematic whole. And why bother when the author has done such an artful job of it?
As Stephen writes in the introduction, we all know the feeling of time passing, and this book reflects “a personal chronicle set against a background of shared experience.” I submit to you here a select listing of the works, and you
can see how they merge, moving from personal experience into stories that attracted public attention.
The first story is about the father that he never knew. Six months before Stephen was born, his dad was piloting an Air Force plane which crashed into a mountain near Seattle. The rest of Stephen’s life, the tragic story haunted him. Like he says, ours wasn’t a generation where grief counselors had been invented, and it would have been unseemly for him to pepper his mother with questions about the tragedy. But in his later years, Stephen went on a quest to the Seattle area to meet with relatives of his father’s crewmates and see the site of the crash. The result
is a gripping account of filling in the details of an intensely personal mystery, and the reader is carried along with the revelations.
Moving to stories that the public also experienced, Stephen recounts how Gunnar Hansen, one of his roommates in his UT days, became known to the world as Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. For his acting efforts, which became the movie’s trademark, he received $800 plus some paltry royalties. Stephen also recounts how his future wife and Gunnar’s date fled the theater after witnessing a particularly horrific scene.
Another person Stephen met in that apartment was
John White, an All-American boy if there ever was one, who was killed along with his girlfriend, Keitha Morris, in a murder/kidnapping that shocked the UT community in 1969. His piece on that incident is another of Stephen’s journalistic efforts that puts the reader at the heart of the investigation and revisits the crime’s impact on Austin.(How well I remember that awful event, the hot topic on campus for many days after it happened.)
Then there is a story about Stephen’s research into the Alamo’s restoration and preservation, complete with detailed accounts and insights into the politics involved in making it all happen. You’ll also read the story of the seminal days of Texas Monthly, where Stephen was one of the first writers; how a painting in his grandparents’ home turned out to be one of the startling finds like
you see on Antiques Roadshow; and a poignant tale of his helping lead a Flying Longhorns group to modern-day Vietnam and the jarring range of feelings that journey engendered.
Among all 14 of these gems, the most impactful piece for me was “The Voice in the Tree,” which explores some of the signposts in his life that later defined his identity. In Stephen’s straightforward style detailing specific events, he ponders who he is, where he fits in, and the mystery that still surrounds those questions, even in his seventies. I’d imagine anyone who reads this essay will dredge up their own markers of self-awareness. This book is a Whitman’s Sampler of treats by one of the stars of the West Austin School of Writers. I highly recommend you pick up a copy.
Preservation Austin Celebrates Legacy Businesses
By Forrest Preece
Preservation Austin’s 3rd Annual Legacy Business Month program is happening this month. In 2023, the City Council officially proclaimed October as Legacy Business Month in the City of Austin. Legacy Business Month Passports will guide Austinites through 10 local businesses that have been in operation for 20+ years, including Antone’s Nightclub, Sam’s BBQ, and Room Service Vintage, among others. Considerations for the award include whether a business has contributed to the history and/ or the identity of a particular neighborhood, community, or
the city as a whole; is owned by generations of the same family; has operated under singular ownership for 20+ years; operates out of its original location, or has operated out of the same location for 20+ years.
Throughout October, passport holders may visit participating legacy businesses, make a purchase, receive a stamp in their passport, and compete for prizes. Participants can pick up a free Legacy Business Month Passport from Wheatsville Co-op’s North and South locations (3101 Guadalupe and
4001 South Lamar) or Zilker Taproom (1701 E 6th St). Prizes for this year’s participants include two music passes to SXSW, a stay and dine package at Carpenter Hotel and Carpenter’s Hall, spa experiences at Ottine Mineral Springs, gift cards and merchandise from participating businesses, and more.
The month will conclude with a wrap party at The Saxon Pub on Wednesday, November 5, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, where participants will be entered to win prizes for the
most stamps collected.
“Austin’s legacy businesses are the heartbeat of our city,” Preservation Austin’s Executive Director Lindsey Derrington said. “They’re on the frontlines of keeping Austin the vibrant, unique city we all love. We invite all Austinites to show up this October, celebrate these incredible places, and experience a true taste of old-school Austin and community pride.” For more information on Legacy Business Month, visit preservationaustin.org.
Texas Advocacy Project’s (TAP) 19th Annual Black & White Ball, presented by DaBella, brought together 500 community members who raised a record-breaking $1.272 million to support TAP’s mission of providing free legal and social services to survivors of abuse throughout Texas.
The evening began with the Red Carpet Event, presented by Biote, which created a glamorous atmosphere and set the tone for an exciting night.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour before entering the Grand Ballroom of the JW Marriott for a seated dinner, live auction, and inspirational program.
The live auction featured highly sought-after luxury packages and experiences, including fine dining, travel, and even a Circuit of the Americas driving experience with BMW. Trips included luxurious, all-inclusive stays in Málaga, Italy/Sonoma, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and San Diego.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the annual Courage Award, which
honors a client whose resilience embodies the strength TAP seeks to foster in all survivors. The award serves as a powerful reminder of the remarkable bravery of every client served by TAP.
Following the program, the Afterglow Party, presented by BMW of Austin, kept the energy high with live music by Us and Her. Guests danced late into the evening, capping off a dazzling night that inspired hope and demonstrated the community’s unwavering commitment to safety and justice for abuse survivors across Texas.
Funds raised at the event will allow TAP to expand its reach and deepen its services, providing more survivors with access to life-changing legal aid, safety planning, advocacy, and social support. These critical services empower survivors to heal, rebuild, and reclaim their lives with dignity and security. For more information, please visit www.texasadvocacyproject.org Black &
Moroccan-themed Ladies Luncheon Raises Funds for CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne’s Annual Ladies Luncheon transformed into a true Moroccan affair with this year’s theme, “An Afternoon in Marrakesh.” The ballroom of the Austin Country Club was adorned with the rich, vibrant colors of the Sahara, creating a stunning backdrop for the Moroccan-inspired décor. More than 200 of Austin’s most influential women gathered to support CureDuchenne (CD), raising over $155,000 to fund critical research and care for those affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
DMD is a fatal genetic disease that is found in approximately 1 in 5,000 male births worldwide. The disease causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Those with DMD typically lose their ability to walk in their early teens and often live only until early adulthood.
Austinites Tim and LauraRevell, founders of the luncheon, shared their personal journey of raising two sons with the disease. After their sons were diagnosed at ages 2 and 5, the Revells, realizing the limited treatment options and grim prognosis, reached out to CD. Since partnering with CD, the Revells have helped raise over $10 million for research, providing hope for families facing similar challenges.
“Every year, we’re deeply moved by the love and generosity shown by our Austin community,” said Laura Revell. “Tim and I are driven by a shared purpose–to help CureDuchenne accelerate research and raise critical awareness. This mission goes far beyond our own family; it’s about changing the future for every child affected by Duchenne. The scientific progress gives us hope, but the urgency has never been greater. We’ll keep pushing forward–because every step brings us closer to a cure for all.”
Keri Bellacosa-Walling emceed the elegant occasion, which featured exciting raffles and a gourmet meal. During the event, the Revell’s sons, Timothy and Andrew—now 19 and 22—who have inspired so many with their courage and determination, were recognized and received a heartfelt standing ovation.
Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, commended the Revells for their support, stating, “We are deeply thankful to Tim and Laura, and the entire Austin community for their unwavering commitment to our mission. Their leadership and generosity continue to fund critical research and innovation. As we make historic strides in the development of therapies, it’s more important than ever to ensure these breakthroughs reach everyone affected by Duchenne. The support from this year’s luncheon is a meaningful step toward making that vision a reality.”
CureDuchenne has raised more than $50 million since its founding in 2003, funding research projects that have led to human clinical trials and creating programs to support families affected by DMD.
To learn more, please visit https://cureduchenne. org/
