2/23/2023 WAN

PRESERVE LIONS MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

By Anne DeVries

On February 19, the second annual Imagine Muny Gala was hosted at the ACL Live Moody Theater in Austin by the Muny Conservancy. The focus of the event was to raise funds to purchase the land where the Lions Municipal Golf Course is located from the University of Texas. The Muny Conservancy’s mission is to protect, promote and preserve the 141-acre golf course, a wildlife sanctuary home to hundreds of heritage oak and pecan trees.

The Imagine Muny II Gala featured a silent auction, sit-down dinner, live auction, and an all-star line-up of performers. Iconic radio host and “Save Muny” board member Ed Clemons emceed the show, which featured longtime supporter Ray Benson. The concert included Benson and his band, Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett, Charley Crockett, and Jack Ingram. The sold-out event raised over one million dollars for the initiative.

The decades-long effort of the community to “Save Muny” is a testament to the perseverance of Austinites. The golf course, which is almost a century old, sits on a water recharge zone and celebrates the progress made in civil rights on its grounds. It is considered the first racially desegregated public golf course in the southern United States, and the community is committed to preserving its historical significance.

The Muny Conservancy is a 501c-3, and funds raised by individuals and the foundation will purchase the land from the University of Texas and provide capital for renovations and the addition of public amenities to the property.

Lions Public Golf Course is a place where families and individuals of all ages can learn and practice the core values of honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship that the game of golf inherently provides. Nevertheless, preserving this iconic recreational green space is a priority for many individuals, not just those involved in golf.

Scout Sunday at Highland Park Church

By Alana Moehring Mallard

The Scouts of Troop 410, Pack 55, Troop 2019, and Sea Scout Ship 410 were recognized during worship at The Church at Highland Park on Feb. 12.

Finnegan Griffith, Boone Macon, and Charlie Presnell, Scout leaders of Troop 410 presented the troop’s report of hundreds of merit badges earned by the scouts as well as rank advancements and leadership growth. Viper and Cyclops patrol members Ben Mabry, Levi Riley, Aaron Schmidt, and Oliver Land reported for Troop 410 also.

When Werner and Wilhelm Pfeffer reported for Cub Scout Pack 55, Wilhelm mentioned that besides their community service projects, the pack “camped all over Texas.” Some of the lessons

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learned o n camping trips were tying knots, knife safety, cooking, and fire safety. “Thank you for hosting Pack 55,” the boys told the congregation.

Gianna Navarro, Ruby and Kaleigh Manning, Chris Horwedel, and Lindy Green represented Troop 2019 as the girls reported on their campouts and adventures: San Antonio Merit Badge Extravaganza, white water rafting at Camp Alexander at summer camp, horseback riding in bandera, Top Chef Cooking competition, and an Evil Emu Campout.

Highland Park Baptist Church charted Troop 410 in 1956 and expanded the charter over the last few years to include an all-girls Troop 2019 and Sea Scout Ship 410 .

IMAGINE MUNY II GALA RAISES OVER $1 MILLION TO

Angela Garcia, an active “Save Muny” board member and wife of pro-golfer Sergio Garcia, spoke at the gala, urging attendees to support the cause. She stated, “What do we need more of in Austin? Do we need more high-rises? No. Do we need more green space? Yes.” Garcia also expressed her love for all the things that make Austin unique and special, saying that Muny has been in the heart of Austin for almost 100 years.

The theme “Imagine Muny” is exemplified in the ultimate goal of the Muny Conservancy. Once the Muny Conservancy purchases the land, it plans to restore and improve the course by utilizing award-winning golf course architecture firm Coore & Crenshaw to create a dynamic public facility with a teaching center. The determination and unified efforts of the Austin Community will undoubtedly turn “Imagine Muny” into reality for future generations. Visit www. themunyconservancy.com to learn more or offer support to the “Save Muny” initiative.

IMAGINE MUNY II GALA

Lunch Learn

Lee Leffingwell

BY FORREST PREECE

When a man has piloted C-130s through enemy fire in Vietnam and spent 32 years flying Delta airliners full of passengers over the USA and across oceans, he develops an ability to focus on what’s important. On a recent visit to a West Austin coffee shop, retired Naval Commander and two-term mayor of Austin Lee Leffingwell sat with me for an hour and talked about his experiences and accomplishments in his usual straightforward manner.

To start, Lee is one of those rare people who was born in Austin—he came into the world at the “Old Seton” west of the UT campus. When you’ve been around town for that long, you develop a certain appreciation for our past and the future.

One thing’s for sure. Lee’s two terms as mayor of Austin from 2009-2015 spanned the depth of the worst recession since the Great Depression all the way to the economic renaissance of Austin. The way he traversed that path from the bottom to the top should be a case study for MBA programs.

LEE’S LEGACY

Lee’s achievements while he was mayor are impressive. Austin recovered from the recession faster than anywhere else in the country – and that was on his watch. He decided that Austin needed diversity in its technology lineup and that the city should go after software companies instead of concentrating on the chip sector. One of the first contacts that came his way happened at a Mayor’s conference in early 2010 when Sarah Smith from Facebook approached him. They already

had a small office in town, but they were looking to expand. In short order, his communications director, Matt Curtis, was driving her around Austin and showing her potential sites. Now they have a massive presence in the city’s core.

Lee realizes that financial incentives create controversy, but he says that the eleven incentive deals that were made under his leadership were all beneficial for the city. “A lot of new folks came to town because of these negotiations, and the deals have all produced positive results for Austin,” Lee says. Furthermore, the presence of these companies was a tipping point -- when so many big firms were in place, others started coming.

Bringing the US Grand Prix to Austin and building COTA was also done under his leadership. At the time, Austin was the only host city for a Grand Prix race in the country. The COTA facility will be getting heavy usage for years to come -- for many types of races, including NASCAR, bike nights, and concerts.

Infrastructure was a major concern of his. One of his main pushes was for the Water Treatment Plant

Number Four on Lake Travis. Lee says that he thought he had accommodated everything the opposition to the plant wanted, but they still kept complaining. Finally he realized that the negativity was not about the plant itself, but to its creating potential for growth in the western part of the county. After all the back and forth, the plant was built, and Lee is proud of it. He adds that a recession is the perfect time to do infrastructure buildout. For one thing, contractors are hurting for work, and they will offer bids that are sometimes 30% lower than during boom times.

“Not only did we get the plant built for a good price, it also created hundreds of jobs for Austinites – and it might have prevented several companies from going under,” Lee says. The plant has served as an economic stimulus, and it provided water for a lot

of people during events like Snowmageddon in 2021.

He is also proud of a transportation bond he helped implement in 2010. In total, it was $90 million, and he had included $14 million for trail extensions in it. Lee says that walking and biking are certainly transportation, and he is happy that the trail extensions became reality. They add a lot to our city’s livability.

HIS FINAL YEAR

In his last year as mayor, there was actually a surplus in the city coffers, and he was always a budget hawk. Instead of dreaming up ways to spend the money, he suggested a tax reduction, an idea that was defeated. The city wound up giving a lot of grants to many non-profits and thinks some of that money was not spent well in some cases.

Also, in his final year on

the council, they hired Art Acevedo as police chief. They became friends and Lee says that the former chief still has a house on Stratford Drive. One thing Acevedo suggested and implemented was providing a security detail for the mayor, something that had not been done before. Lee objected, but Acevedo said that if a mayor was killed, that would trigger a special election and cost a lot of money. Lee quickly agreed.

With his military background, Lee became concerned that there was not a veteran’s office in Austin’s city government, and he took action to rectify that situation. At one point, there were 500 city employees who had been called up, so Lee established a program to make up for their difference in pay and continued their benefits, going above and beyond the federal requirements. The city won awards for the program.

He also promised to bring the homeless population of veterans to zero and between his efforts and those of Mayor Adler, that has been accomplished. His one do-over? He wishes he could have spun off Austin Energy as a separate business with its own board of directors, rather than having the council run the entity. The city budget is $4.to $5 billion a year, and more than half of that is Austin Energy. Along with the Water Department, solid waste, the airport, the convention center and Visit Austin, they are all businesses funded by the products that they offer. Especially with Austin Energy, it doesn’t need to be run by the city council members, who know little about managing such an enterprise. He hopes that this situation can be amended in the future.

He has worked on several projects after his terms as mayor. In 2012, he started the privately funded Honor Flight Austin that flies veterans of all wars to Washington, D.C. so they can visit the memorials. “It’s very moving to walk through ABIA with 50 veterans, a color guard, and pipes and drums,” Lee says.

Also, Lee is still on the Chamber’s Air Service Committee which works to bring in connecting flights from other cities around the world. When he was mayor, the first direct flight from ABIA to London was instigated and it regularly has full passenger loads. He notes that selling Austin is easy these days. Is Lee ever getting back into politics? He says no. “I’ve had three careers – as a Naval officer, with Delta Airlines, and 15 years working as a city official. That’s plenty.”

Susan Auler

BY FORREST PREECE

1. What’s something about you that not many people know?

Few people know that I took flying lessons in the mid1970s, and while I passed the written Pilot’s Exam and loved co-piloting our plane, I never actually got my license. I loved flying with my instructor or with my husband Ed, but I never was interested in flying solo!

2. What was your first job?

I believe my first job was running a lemonade stand with my business partner and brother, Charles Teeple, when we were in a very early grade at University Park Elementary School/Dallas. It was the perfect training for establishing Fall Creek Vineyards 6+ decades later!

3. If you could have dinner with three people – dead or alive, any time in history—who would they be?

Jesus Christ, Winston Churchill and Michelangelo

4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who

would they be?

George Strait, Andrea Bocelli, Elvis Presley

5. Favorite book and TV show? The Bible and “Yellowstone”

6. Most powerful movie you have seen?

“Gone with the Wind”

7. Favorite place in Austin?

Broken Spoke

8. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

An artist

9. Which living person do you most admire? My husband, Ed Auler, who has unwavering Love, a deep Faith and a curious intellect

10. What makes you happy?

Being with my family

11. Best advice you ever received?

“Do not be afraid to make a mistake,” from my father.

Austin Smiles Wish Upon a Smile Gala Generates Record-Breaking Proceeds

The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation hosted their 36th Annual Wish Upon a Smile Gala on Saturday, November 5th at the Oasis on Lake Travis. Over 350 attendees enjoyed a night of philanthropy, friendship, dancing, and fun all in support of Austin Smiles. This annual event raises critical funds for their lifechanging mission of providing surgical and post-surgical services to children born with cleft lip and palate both in Central Texas and Latin America.

The event was made possible by Gala Co-chairs Patrice Emrie and Michelle Mattina who worked alongside the Wish Upon a Smile gala planning committee to host an incredible night of celebration with record-breaking proceeds, bringing in close to $450,000 for Austin Smiles mission. Guests enjoyed the best sunset in Austin, dinner and open bar, a live auction and a special performance by Austin’s own Tomar and the FC’s.

At the event, Austin Smiles recognized two very special people. Outstanding philanthropic leaders Jamie Barshop and Beau Theriot, owner of the Oasis on Lake Travis, were honored with the fourth annual Cullington, Fox, Beckham International Service Award. This distinguished award honors the legacy and leadership of individuals who have inspired others to get involved and give back to Austin Smiles mission.

One in 700 children is born with a cleft lip and/or palate. This condition impacts the child’s ability to communicate, reach developmental milestones, receive proper nourishment, and their overall quality of life. Each year the team takes 2-3 medical mission trips to Latin America where they perform over 50 life changing surgeries and offer postsurgical support, dental services, and speech therapy to close to 150 children. In Central Texas, Austin Smiles provides social and emotional programming, speech therapy, patient advocacy, and other supports to over 800 patients. All of Austin Smiles services are provided free of charge, empowering children and their families with the ability to heal both physically and emotionally. To learn more about volunteering for and supporting Austin Smiles, please visit www.austinsmiles. org

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BROKER ASSOCIATE, KUPER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Kacy Dolce, a 7th generation Texan married to a 6th generation Austinite, comes from generations of real estate brokerage, title, land use, and land/property investment. As a double major in Marketing and Business from Southern Methodist University and master’s level work in the MBA program at St Edward’s University, Kacy brings a greater understanding of the business of real estate. In today’s challenging real estate market, now more than ever, you can rely on Kacy to bring proven experience when buying, selling and investing.

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Central Texas Roots, Global Reach

Record-Breaking Fundraiser Benefits Survivors of Abuse

In an astounding effort by generous donors, Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) raised close to $1 million at their 16th Annual Black & White Ball presented by Accenture – shattering all previous fundraising records. The $982,550 raised at this event will generate essential, unrestricted funds, ensuring not only the continuation of TAP’s life-saving services, but a monumental expansion.

“Not only am I thrilled to have raised record breaking funds that will be used to sustain and expand free legal and social services to survivors and continue our prevention measures, but what is truly exciting to me, is that this investment in our work is indicative of an entire community getting behind our mission and saying abuse in Texas must end,” said Heather Bellino, TAP CEO. “Every person in that room took a stand and I’m honored and humbled by their dedication.”

Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the Austin Marriott Downtown, the event, cochaired by Tanya Dorsett and Alison Watters, celebrated Texas Advocacy Project’s 40th year of providing free legal solutions to end power-based abuse in Texas.

The evening featured a plated dinner, live music, dancing, mystery gifts, live auction, and the presentation of the annual Courage Award, which honors a former survivor-client who has demonstrated the courage to stand up to their abuser and create a healthy, productive, and secure life.

40% of Texas women and 35% of Texas men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Through fundraising, community outreach, and continuing to offer free services for survivors, TAP strives to end this cycle of abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, call 800-374-HOPE or visit www.TexasAdvocacyProject. org.

Major League Baseball Affiliate RBI Austin’s Annual Benefit A Homerun

Major League Baseball

Affiliate RBI Austin held its annual benefit Now at Bat on Friday, January 20th at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. This annual event was one to remember as Austin’s MLB community and other special guests came together to raise a record-breaking $1,174,000 in support of RBI Austin’s 1,577 kids. Now at Bat Host Committee Chairs were Lori and Jason Becker. KVUE’s Sports Director and Anchor Jeff Jones served as emcee for the evening and led the featured panel discussion

with UT Baseball Head Coach David Pierce and UT Assistant Softball Coach Steve Singleton. Guests enjoyed dinner, drinks, a cocktail reception, and a live auction.

RBI Austin began as a grassroots summer baseball team of 15 East Austin kids in 2009 and has grown to 1,577 kids ages 4-18 in 2022. RBI Austin, a Christian mentoring program that leverages baseball and softball to address the fatherless crisis in East Austin, has plans for reaching more kids in 2023 and beyond. For more information, visit www.rbiaustin.org.

Dell Children’s Becoming! Ball Most Successful in Hospital’s History

The 2023 Circuit of the Americas Dell Children’s Ball was a record breaking success. The sold out event was held at the Fairmont Hotel with 500 people in attendance. The Austin community showed up for Dell Children’s in a big way surpassing $3,000,000 raised in support of the hospital’s HERE Campaign for growth, building centers of excellence in Cardiovascular Care, Neurosciences, Oncology/ Hematology, and Maternal Fetal Medicine.

The powerful evening kicked off with a stunning performance by former Dell Children’s patient Princess Gant. Dell Children’s Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Nicole Covert proudly introduced Dell Children’s patients over the years

featuring “then and now” stories sharing what they have become today thanks to the care they received.

An evening highlight came when three football starsLonghorn football players Jordan Whittington and Quinn Ewars along with the President of the NFL Players Association for the Austin and San Antonio Chapters Rodrick Walker - surprised Dell Children’s patient and UT sports fanatic Will Allen after his family shared the moving story of their son’s journey recovering from a terrifying car accident.

After the $3,000,000+ grand total was announced guests enjoyed the post toast after party celebrating the most successful Dell Children’s Ball in the hospital’s history.

Kay AND Charles Finnell announce the renewal

of their wedding vows

Valentine’s Day‘ Memories

— Compiled by Forrest Preece

We decided to ask some West Austinites to reminisce about their favorite Valentine’s Days. Here are their answers:

My daughter gives me handmade Valentines. A few years ago Amazon was stamping flowers that you could cut out on some of their cardboard shipping boxes. Catherine cut them out, saved them and put them in tiny clay pots and gave me a “garden” of these pots for my Valentine’s gift. It’s nice to have clever children.

— Jessie Otto Hite

Ha! We decided on a new tradition this year. We gathered some Highland Park parents, got a sitter for all the kiddos and they had Pinthouse Pizza and V-Day Cupcakes. All the adults had a quadruple date and fancy pizza at Bufalina.

— Kate Wallace

My dad, Brian Newberry, ordered the Russell Stover candy for the store. And every year he would order one huge $100 box of chocolates. He would always wager on when it would sell. Inevitably it happened on February 14th. Dad always joked that it was the poor guy who completely forgot the holiday, and felt so bad that he’d spend $100 on that huge box of candy! We don’t do that anymore but card sales on February 13th and 14th are far beyond any other day leading up to Valentine’s Day.

— Blair Newberry, Director of Retail Operations, Tarrytown Pharmacy

By Alana Moehring Mallard

Kay and Charles Finnell renewed their wedding vows on Feb. 12 in a Sunday afternoon ceremony officiated by The Rev. Terry Gleeson of Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Kay and Charles repeated the sacred wedding vows they first said in 1981.

Kay Fitzpatrick and Charles Finnell married on Feb. 12, 1981, in Austin at St. David’s Episcopal Church in the historic 1845 Chapel. As a new bride, Kay continued working as the administrative assistant to the Admiral’s Club of Austin. Charles was serving in the Texas House, representing 13 northwest Texas counties. Both had

graduated from the University of Texas.

Charles, a native of Holliday in northwest Texas, served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1966 to 1999, and during that time Kay was a member of the Legislative Ladies Club, including her service as president of the organization. Her service to the Admiral’s Club of Austin continued for 30 years from 1978 to 2008. Kay is a native of Austin, and attended Casis Elementary, O. Henry Junior High, and Austin High.

The Finnells, of Eastledge Drive in West Austin, continue to remain active in Admiral’s Club of Austin and as members of Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

One of the most memorable Valentines we had recently was an event at the Elisabet Ney Museum right before the pandemic. The three of us are always taken by the love she had for her work and what a pioneer she was.

— Rachel Wyatt

As high school sweethearts, during my senior year Ryan had gone off to college so we weren’t going to be able to see each other on Valentine’s Day. Not wanting me to feel left out, he had his dad deliver my Valentine to school. I was called down to the office (and as a student who never got in trouble had a very nervous minute!) to be given a giant teddy bear, roses, and at least a dozen balloons. There were so many balloons a few teachers even asked if I was selling them!

— Laura Coaxum

We used to have a Valentines ritual when we were first together and had absolutely no money. We would wear vintage Valentine pajamas, splurge on our favorite foods that we could afford (strawberries, chocolate, rare roast beef and champagne) … and then we would pop in a video tape (!) and watch a movie. Now, we celebrate with our kids.

— Gail Chovan

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TREY PHILLIPS

CORD SHIFLET WADE GILES

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GREG WALLING

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CHAD MAHAGAN

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ONWARD AWARD

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Doss Elementary School

By Alana Moehring Mallard

It’s Texas Library Association Texas Bluebonnet

Award time, and kids in grades three to six in more than 1,300 schools and libraries and homeschool groups voted this month for their favorite of the 20 books nominated for this year’s Texas Bluebonnet Award. Kids who read at least five of

the books got a vote. At Doss Elementary the Bluebonnet favorite was Long Lost by Jacqueline West, a chapter book about a library, a book that isn’t finished and then finishes itself, an upstairs librarian who doesn’t really exist, two sisters in another time, a dog and a boy that seem to be in the earlier time and our current time, and two sisters who solve a mystery

about it all.

“We turned in 116 votes,” said Doss librarian Bonnie Lang, “but had more kids complete the program.” And Doss kids who voted enjoyed a breakfast taco treat last week, thanks to Lang and her colibrarian Celeste Pustka.

At Doss, the second favorite of the 2022-2023 Bluebonnet nominees was a graphic novel:

ThunderCloud Subs gives Turkey Trot

By Alana Moehring Mallard

ThunderCloud Subs Turkey

Trot recently presented a check for $225,000 to Caritas of Austin, which represents 100 percent of the proceeds of the 32nd year of the Thanksgiving Day run walk trot. Over the years of the Turkey Trot, ThunderCloud Subs has donated proceeds of almost $5 million.

“We were a bunch of runners in the early days of ThunderCloud Subs,” said ThunderCloud co-owner and Turkey Trot honcho Mike Haggerty, “and it started as a charity fundraiser to extend

the hike and bike trail across Stratford.” But red tape got in the way of the city’s parks department actually getting the donation of $2,500, Haggerty said, so they looked around for another charity and someone suggested Caritas of Austin as a good place to support.

Over the years, Haggerty has served on the Caritas of Austin board of directors and said he is a big supporter of the Caritas of Austin mission to prevent and end homelessness for people in Greater Austin and of their belief in the dignity of every person as the

agency works with clients on several layers of wellbeing, including stable housing, healthy food, connections to jobs and training, and learning life skills.

ThunderCloud Turkey Trot sponsors include Stepping Stone School, First Texas Honda, King Florist, Quik Print, Community Impact, Long Center, IronBridge, Pepsi, Koch Construction, Coffee Traders, New World Baker, Xebec, Perdue, Doz, Alori Properties, Dr Pepper, Sysco, PlainsCapital Bank, Segovia Produce, Alamo Drafthouse, KVUE, and Crane.

Twins, which was written by Varian Johnson — who lives in Central Texas — and illustrated by Shannon Wright. The statewide winner of the Texas Bluebonnet Award was a picture book written by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Tim Bowers – Memoirs of a Tortoise. More than 70,000 students across Texas voted this year, and Scillian

and Bowers will received their Texas Bluebonnet Award in April at Texas Library Association’s annual conference.

My favorite? Once Upon a Camel by Texas author Kathi Appelt and illustrator Eric Rohmann. It’s the story of how camels actually got to West Texas – true story – and how one o f those camels protected

two baby kestrels during a windstorm by carrying them on her head – this part might be made up and it is the most charming story of friendship and bravery and storytelling and reunion. And Long Lost would probably be my second favorite – I just can’t get past that storytelling Camel. Her name is Zada. You know, almost like that long ago storyteller.