July 2023 WAN

Pages 14-22

Pages 2-3

Five Newly Promoted Eagle Scouts for Austin’s Troop 5

By Anne DeVries

This spring, a Court of Honor ceremony took place at the State Capitol, honoring five outstanding young men from Troop 5 who reached the rank of Eagle Scout. David Erickson, John Erickson, Max Francisco, Michael Poole, and Calder Randolph were joined by family and friends to commemorate the occasion.

Boy Scout Troop 5, founded in 1911, stands as one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the United States and is believed to be the oldest continuously chartered scout troop in Texas. Meetings for the troop, which currently number over 70 members, are held at First United Methodist Church on Lavaca Street.

Achieving the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, held by only approxi-

mately 6 percent of all Boy Scouts, is a monumental accomplishment that demands consistent pursuit, exceptional organization, and the development of leadership skills. Badge and rank requirements must be completed before the age of 18.

DAVID ERICKSON

David’s project provided the kids at the Helping Hand Home an improved place to play by installing sod on their baseball field. It also helped beautify the grounds at the Helping Hand Home. The biggest challenge for the project was the weather. The planned date for the project coincided with the freeze this year, preventing the grass from being available, rescheduling the workday, his volunteers, and the material procurement allowed for

completion. David is grateful to his dad, grandparents, and troop for their help in completing his project.

JOHN ERICKSON

John improved a community garden for veterans at Camp Mabry by spreading several tons of mulch across the walkways between raised gardening beds and adding seedlings and small plants to garden beds. The Camp Mabry garden provides veterans a location to grow plants and vegetables while fostering community and promoting sustainability. Last-minute changes requested by project beneficiaries required reorganizing and altered execution of the project and provided challenges that John addressed as needed. He is grateful for the help provided by his

fellow volunteers in completing his project.

MAX FRANCISCO

Max helped improve the community gardens at Camp Mabry by rebuilding a dozen garden plots using 1x8 wood pieces, removing all of the overgrowth and weeds from the old beds, and putting new sod in place to prepare them for use by Camp Mabry patrons. Max learned the importance of measuring to ensure the wood pieces were the correct size and that a strong work crew benefits a project requiring many wheel barrel trips to move weeds and debris.

MICHAEL POOLE

Michael constructed a pergola in the courtyard at Barton Creek

Elementary School made of 100% rough cedar lumber. He also built a butterfly garden in the courtyard, which includes seven large flower beds filled with butterfly-attracting plants. Michael learned that projects don’t always progress as expected and may require adjustments. He enjoyed engaging as a leader of the project and the enthusiasm of the workgroup.

CALDER RANDOLPH

Calder constructed a pergola with picnic tables and minor landscaping at LASA. The pergola allows vines to grow and creates a shaded area for students to enjoy. Calder faced numerous challenges, including making steel base plates and saddles for the pergola structure. He learned that one must plan well to reach an ambitious goal.

Highland Park West Balcones Area Fourth of July Parade

By Alana Moehring Mallard

Highland Park West Balcones Area Neighborhood Association sponsored a Fourth of July celebration that featured a morning parade from Highland Park Elementary School, around the neighborhood, and back to the school. Firefighters and an engine from Station 10 led the parade, followed by neighbors and friends walking with pets and kids in strollers and wagons, on bikes and scooters, driving their miniature jeeps and motorcycles.

And in an odd switcheroo of fire engines, the Highland Park parade was led by engine 10 and firefighters from the Windsor Road station, engine 12 and firefighters from Hancock Drive went to the Northwest Hills parade, and the Gullett parade was led by engine 19 and firefighters from the Balcones Drive station.

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Around the Neighborhood: openingexpandingcelebrating

H Mart is going into the old Savers space in the Sue Patrick shopping center on Burnet Road. This new H Mart at 5222 Burnet Road will be the Asian grocery chain’s second Austin location when it opens in early 2024, and like its Lakeline counterpart, the North Central Austin H Mart will also feature a food court.

Modern Animal, a Los Angeles-based veterinary clinic, will open a flagship location on Burnet Road as well as locations on South Lamar and at Mueller. Expected to open later this year, the Modern Animal location at 5118 Burnet Road is currently hiring and offering memberships online. Modern Animal, a pandemic startup with its first location in upscale West Hollywood, calls itself a new kind of veterinary clinic with plush, cushy surroundings, virtual care options, and an annual membership that lets a dog or cat’s human bring them in or video chat for as many exams as they want – no exam charge. At modernanimal.com or @modernanimal

Toy Joy opened this month in its new Burnet Road location. At 5501 Burnet Road, Toy Joy and its Yummi Joy sweetness sidekick are in the old Karavel Shoes location. An Austin icon since its days on the Drag, Toy Joy has puzzles, construction kits, figures, costumes, classic toys for all ages. Yummi Joy features a selection of candy as well as 12 flavors of thai coconut ice cream from Gati Ice Cream, coffee and drinks from Little City Coffee Roasters, and Yummi Joy housemade fudge. Open till 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; till 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. At toyjoy. com and 512-904-0209

HPWBANA, the neighborhood association for Highland Park West and Balcones, mostly west of Mopac to Lake Austin and south from 2222 to 35th Street, has a new president. Highland Park West resident Christy Strub, a realtor and volunteer at Austin Pets Alive, recently took over leadership from long-time board member and president Jason Lindenschmidt. Highland Park West Balcones Area Neighborhood Association sponsors events such as a Fourth of July Parade, Spring Egg Hunt, Movie in the Park, and neighborhood beautification and safety projects.

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

Parker and Scott, Austin’s Neighborhood General Store on Anderson Lane that features local makers and brands, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a party on July 29 from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. with face-painting, Mister Softee ice cream, and surprises in the store. Parker and Scott, at 2113 W. Anderson Lane just off Burnet, is kid-friendly and sells Earth-safe home essentials, personal items, gifts, and snacks, and features a refill bar, a little free library, and a drop off box for Ridwell. See parkerandscott.com or 512-730-0472

Around the Neighborhood:

openingexpandingcelebrating

West Austinites tell of favorite summer vacations

— Compiled by Forrest Preece

Ed and I have been taking annual trips with our two sons, Mark and Chad, since they were little boys, to everywhere from Disney World to France to Alaska fishing, fishing and fishing, to Italy and many more places. Alaska fishing was the favorite of all our trips until we decided to show the family the Amalfi Coast in 2017. This trip was also to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary!

Our family had grown from the four of us on the earliest trips to include spouses and then grandchildren soon thereafter to make for a lot of annual family fun for the eleven of us! The entire family would concur that the villa with chef in Sorrento, the captain’s daily private cruises to Capri, the Blue Grotto, Amalfi, Positano

and all the stunning beaches and coastal splendor along the way put Amalfi coast at the top

of the “Auler favorite trip” list.

— Susan Auler

Cakes in the West Woods Shopping Center at 3267 Bee Caves Rd celebrates 17 years of baking this July. The bakery offers fromscratch desserts, including cookies, cupcakes, pies & custom layer cakes. Visit the store for grab-and-go treats or order online at www.suziecakes.com.

Like most Texans, my husband Mark and I love visiting Colorado and New Mexico. We always assumed we’d buy our summer home in the Mountain States, but climate change had us concerned about fire danger and water shortages, so we turned our gaze northeast.

In 2022, we bought an RV and headed to the Great Lakes. First destination: Appleton, Wisconsin where our son, Taylor, graduated cum laude from Lawrence University. Next stop: Door County, Wisconsin’s famed peninsula forming Lake Michigan’s Green Bay.

Mid-June found us in Michigan’s sparsely populated Upper Peninsula. The UP, as they call it, is bounded to the south by Lakes Michigan and Huron, and to the north by Lake Superior. Glamping with our two dogs, Loretta and Chula, we enjoyed spectacular vistas of Lake Superior from several gorgeous state parks. Favorites were Porcupine Mountains

and Ft. Wilkins State Parks.

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater body by area in the world and this Texas gal is consistently awestruck. We stayed until late September!

Marquette, the UP’s largest town, felt like a miniature version of what Austin once was. We liked this college town so much that we purchased a

big 125-year old home walking distance from cool shops, restaurants, pubs and the prettiest beach you’ll ever see. Marquette is full of students, history, hiking and bicycle trails - and plenty of water. With an average July high temperature of 71, we can’t wait to get back up there.

— Kristen Hallman

Women’s Symphony League of Austin Announces Royal Court at Annual Jewel Tea

In celebration of the upcoming 68th Annual Jewel Ball on Saturday, September 16th, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin (WSL) formally announced its Royal Court participants at the Jewel Tea on Friday, May 19th. The Court consists of the 2023 Diamond Queen and several Princesses from Austin, honoring the support of local families for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The WSL also invites outstanding, college-aged young women from across the state to represent their communities as Duchesses of the Visiting Jewel Court.

Hosted by the Past Presidents Council of the WSL, the Jewel Tea is a time-honored, annual tradition. This year, guests arrived at the beautiful home of Stacy Toomey to a reveal of the Royal Court. Members enjoyed a variety of wines, gourmet finger sandwiches, fruit and the traditional cake during the announcement. In keeping with 68 years of tradition, the 2023 Jewel Committee, co-chaired by Elizabeth Rose and Lisa Tully, selected this year’s Royal Court.

The 2023-2024 Austin Royal Court includes the following outstanding young women and men: Diamond Queen Nicole Catherine Heyer, daughter of Ms. Connie Niemann Heyer; Princess Rachael Grace Barkoff, daughter of Ms. Kelly Lynne Reynolds; Princess Madison Genevra Bisang, daughter of Captain and Mrs. Todd Harold Bisang; Princess Sumner Holcomb Hill, daughter of Knight and Mrs. Joseph Wolf Hill II; Princess Caroline Anne Martineau, daughter of Knight

and Mrs. David Tucker Martineau; and Princess Ava Elizabeth Ward, daughter of Ms. Molly Ward and Mr. Wesley Ward. Escorting this year’s ladies are: Escort Joseph Chaffin Benson IV, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chaffin Benson III; Escort Maxwell Mitchell Corbett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brent Ashley Corbett; Escort Matthew Davis Farmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jody Farmer; Escort Wyatt McCracken Gay, son of Knight and Mrs. Christopher Gay; and Escort Jory Dietz Richardson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Richardson. WSL is honored to have a wonderful group of Visiting

Jewels: Duchess Claire Elizabeth Lansdell of Lubbock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lansdell, escorted by Kirk

Amis von Kreisler, son of Ms. Kelly Amis von Kreisler and Mr. Alexander Nicolai von Kreisler; Duchess Annabelle

Kelly Nowlin of Tyler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L.

Nowlin, escorted by Peyton

William Martinez, son of Mr. & Mrs. Roy Martinez; and

Duchess Taylor Grace Felton of Waco, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Wade Jr. and Mr. Mark Preston Felton II, escorted by Daniel Wesley

Swenke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Daniel Swenke.

Since 1953, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin has provided service and financial support to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and its arts education programs. More than 50,000 children benefit from the innovative educational programs of the ASO each year. For more information, visit wslaustin.org.

The Ausleys

Westminster residents since 2022

Westminster Begins New Chapter in West Austin with Carlisle Expansion

Mayor Kirk Watson recently joined Chuck Borst, executive director of Westminster, members of Westminster’s Board of Directors, representatives from Austin Chamber of Commerce, project partners, and Westminster residents and associates for the grand opening of its newest expansion, the Carlisle.

The Carlisle provides spacious independent living residences and a fine-dining restaurant, in addition to the luxurious amenities and healthcare benefits enjoyed by Westminster residents. The property also includes assisted living apartments and memory care wing, along with generous underground parking for residents and guests. In addition to the Carlisle, renovations to the grab-and-go Bistro, exercise and rehabilitation studios, wellness clinic, indoor pool, and outdoor entertainment spaces were completed last year, making Westminster a full-service, gorgeous place to live.

“It is a pleasure and an honor to open this beautiful new property, which symbolizes the future of senior living,” said Charles “Chuck” Borst. “I want to thank our project partners, including White Construction, Pi Architects, StudioSix5, Zeigler financing, Life Care Services, EEA, P3 Consulting, Land Use Solutions, and RCMH Law, for working diligently and cohesively to ensure this project was completed on time. Westminster remains the

City’s best example of retirement living for discerning retirees who want to maintain control over where, when, and how to retire comfortably.”

Mayor Kirk Watson swung by the grand opening to see longtime friends at Westminster and praise those who brought the modern addition to the neighborhood. “Westminster is a place I enjoy coming to. I have so many friends here, friends who are warm and welcoming. The idea that we’re expanding, that we’re cutting a ribbon on something that creates such happiness, this day feels special indeed,” said Watson.

Westminster’s Board Chair, Paul Hilgers, thanked residents and associates for their patience during the two-year construction of the Carlisle and renovations to the Windsor expansion. This work completes the third phase of a four-phase master plan.

Over the years, this tree-lined corner of West Austin has become a popular hub for retirees.  Under Borst’s leadership, Westminster has been honored by the Austin American-Statesman for nearly a decade as a Top Workplace. The community’s healthcare services have been lauded by  U.S. News & World Report while Westminster has received national recognition for its philanthropic efforts, raising more than a million dollars to support local charities and record funds benefiting Alzheimer’s research.

Happy Fourth from Leakey’s River Haven Cabins

By Alana Moehring Mallard

Northwest Hills resident LaNell Coltharp loves going to Leakey every Fourth of July week, and she double loves leading a parade for kids at River Haven Cabins high above the Frio River.

Kids and parents decorate themselves and bikes and scooters for our early morning River Haven parade before the really big, loud parade down U.S. 83 in downtown Leakey, part of Leakey’s July Jubilee celebration. LaNell hands out flags and red, white, and blue beads and gets the music going for the River Haven parade and parents and grandparents with coffee cup in one hand and flag in the other cheer on the paraders as they bike, scooter, hoverboard, ride in wagons, and walk.

“I still do this parade,” said LaNell, “but I’ve handed over being in the Leakey parade –the kids can do that.” Rusty Shelton led the River Haven Lawn Chair Brigade in the July Jubilee parade again this year, and LaNell retired last year from carrying the big River Haven Cabin banner.

Fifty or so years ago when

LaNell and her late husband Art started our tradition of coming to Leakey and River Haven, they were part of a group three couples from Highland Park Baptist Church.

And that group has grown over the years so that this year our group numbered more than 50, many from The Church at Highland Park and lots of our friends and family.

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Ted Siff

BY FORREST PREECE

While writing these columns, I love finding out the background on interesting people around town. On a recent afternoon, I talked with Ted Siff, who I have known for decades, and was intrigued to hear his stories.

He lives in an immaculate, historic downtown house on West 11th with his wife, actress Janelle Buchanan. (The house was built in 1858 by Edward Clark, who was Sam Houston’s lieutenant governor, and later served as governor himself.)

I wonder how many people in Austin know that Ted’s mother, an actress who was a drama major at UT, helped found Houston’s famed Alley Theatre and worked there 27 years, ultimately becoming its managing director? Or that his dad owned and ran a chain of shoe stores in Houston? He obviously had high achievers for role models, and he took strides to live up to his potential.

Ted was an active student at Memorial High in Houston. He and his brother were on the debate team and were friends with a lot of the drama students – like Barbara Miller who also moved to Austin and became a TV personality. He was also an Eagle Scout, and while earning merit badges, he learned many life lessons and organizing skills that helped him in college and his later life.

In his first year at UT Law School, Ted connected with Ralph Nader and eagerly became involved with his movement. During the early 1970s, Nader’s Public Interest Research Groups were being put into action na-

tionwide – thirty of them — and Ted started the Texas chapter (TexPIRG) here in town. After seeing what Ted accomplished in Texas, Nader granted him an internship and then the assignment to start chapters in Florida and Arizona. “What Nader created through that time was a national organization called Public Citizen — and I think that is an apt description of what I have tried to be throughout my life,” Ted says.

ended at West Avenue, and it was proposed to open it through to Lamar, splitting where Duncan Park is now. Helping organize OANA, which opposed these plans, was the birth of Ted’s civic involvement, and he has served as the group’s president for years.

One project that is in the works right now is the proposal, being approved in Washington, to list a large part of OANA as a National Register District of Historic Places. In this area, mostly from West 6th to West 12th and Nueces to West Avenue, there are around 100 properties that are considered historic. This designation will give some property owners tax incentives to improve their properties. He added that OANA backs new buildings in the neighborhood as long as they ideally bury the parking, are residential, and support pedestrian traffic with streetscapes. “We are more YIMBY than NIMBY,” he says.

One organization, among many, that has benefited from Ted’s expertise and energy is the Old Austin Neighborhood Association (OANA). As Ted points out, this area was part of Edwin Waller’s original concept for our city.

OANA started in 1973-74, when the city was proposing to widen (I mean, seriously widen, as in double the footage) West 9th and West 10th Streets from Lavaca to Lamar and make them a “one-way couple.” That is, one would run one-way east and the other one-way west. The city council was gung-ho for this idea. At the time, West 9th

The bulk of his civic involvement has been, and still is, with the capital budget of the city. Since 1992, he has been the finance or campaign chair of almost every city bond election. In 1991, Ted became the Texas State Director of the Trust for Public Land. This group helps cities and counties buy parkland. The Balcones Canyonland Preserve and the Barton Creek Wilderness Park are examples of this process. In the era when the SOS ordinance was being passed, Ted was heavily involved with making both of them reality. “It was my job to buy 1000 acres of land for these tracts—and I did,” Ted says. He adds that if he wanted to point to his major civic involvement, it would be these tasks which resulted in a good deal of green infrastructure in our city and surrounding areas. What does Ted regret? He now wishes he had stayed in law school and finished his degree, but he was sidetracked by co-authoring a book called Ruling Congress, which is still in print, and is an effective outline of how to work the legislative process and engineer the passage of bills. That project consumed significant amounts of his time. Also, in his third year of law school, he worked as an intern for John Hill, the attorney general of Texas. At the same time, an energetic fellow law school student named Mike Levy, one year ahead of him, had started a magazine called Texas Monthly. A year and a half after it launched, he asked if Ted wanted to help him in this endeavor. In 1975, Ted

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became the associate publisher of the magazine. He stayed with the publication until 1985. His responsibilities included being circulation director and under his leadership, the magazine grew its subscriber base from 30,000 readers to 280,000.

Circling back to Ted’s current environmental involvement, he says that bond elections and parks and open spaces are where he spends most of his time. The things he is working on now for the Shoal Creek Conservancy include improving the environment in the Seaholm District. That includes totally restoring and repurposing the Third Street Railroad Trestle and doubling the width of the Hike and Bike Bridge across the creek.

The Shoal Creek Trail Plan also has a bold vision which has the trail going past US 183 all the way to Walnut Creek. Ted says that people don’t realize the headwaters of Shoal Creek and Walnut Creek are close to each other. If you could connect these trails and then link them to

the Butler Trail or to the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, you would have one big loop for bikes and people on foot.

It was a concept five years ago and there was funding through the park bond that year to pay for most of the Walnut Creek Trail. Then in 2020, there was funding through the Safe Mobility for All bond to pay for extending the Shoal Creek Trail. “So we are making progress.”

He adds that his working partner in almost all of these endeavors has been George Cofer. Since they are both in their mid-70s, several years ago, they sparked discussions to form a coalition that is now called Austin Outside. It has 69 member organizations – from the American Heart Association to Austin Sunshine Camps. “Through that coalition, these efforts will continue,” Ted says.

“Up the Down

By Forrest Preece

The moment she’ll never forget came for Dr. Lisa Doggett, a family practice physician and clinic director, in November 2009. Her husband, a pediatrician, said three words, after her neuroradiologist pointed out white spots on the MRI film of her brain. “So, it’s MS.” If fighting the American medical system to provide care for members of the most challenged, uninsured segment of the Austin population along with raising two active daughters wasn’t enough, now multiple sclerosis had landed on her back.

Lisa Doggett’s autobiographical book “Up the Down Escalator” is perfectly named. It takes the reader on a harrowing ride of pushing back up against a career/household/disease walkway that is constantly churning downhill -- and does it in no-nonsense language.

A West Austin native, Lisa is the daughter of Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Dr. Libby Doggett, who was named Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama administration. She obviously inherited an ample amount of her parents’ brainpower, compassion, and ability to relate to others, and her writing abilities are remarkable.

One thing about this book

– she doesn’t use up a lot of pages on her childhood. A short chapter is devoted to how she met “The Tall Guy at MIT” who became her husband and a fellow physician, and then she gets down to the hard-core reality of her profession, her home life, and dealing

by Lisa Doggett, MD

with her chronic disease.

Here’s a taste of an hour in Dr. Doggett’s life as the director of a central Austin clinic that serves disadvantaged people. One of her patients was Mauricio, confined to a wheelchair ever since he was burned over 40 percent of his body while repairing high-voltage lines. He was suffering from unbearable pain, was unable to sleep, and he had diabetes. After being discharged from the hospital and cycling in and out of an emergency room, he had racked up tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of unpayable bills, and all Dr. Doggett could do was try to obtain lab work

for him and physical therapy, which would be expensive. Her next patient, Faith, had severe asthma and was a regular patient at the clinic. She needed a chest x-ray, but she couldn’t get one since she still owed the hospital $600 for her knee x-rays, an amount that floored Dr. Doggett. Faith also had early-onset arthritis and thyroid problems. Even if she managed to get a chest x-ray through some miracle, she would have to wait months to get into the public hospital’s asthma clinic. For Dr. Doggett, this situation meant that she would have to pour precious minutes, even an hour, into trying to negotiate the x-ray bill down and find her help on getting therapy, not to mention searching for resources that Mauricio needed. All of that extra time meant that when clinic administrators reviewed the monthly tally, she would be rebuked for not seeing enough patients, i.e., being short on “productivity.”

This vignette happened about a month before Dr. Doggett’s MS diagnosis and soon after that, it was Christmas time and she was cast in the role of happy homemaker purveyor of holiday cheer, with relatives coming to her house for the usual festivities.

This book is far more than a slice of life. It is also a journey into the nightmare of the American health care system’s underbelly. It hammers home the reality that most of us, with our insurance policies and connections, lose sight of. It

also provides the perspective of disease happening to a physician, revealing her own fears and coping mechanisms.

“Up the Down Escalator” is a riveting read, one that I finished in a day, because I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended. The book will be available on August 15th online and at bookstores. It is ranked as the number one new release in family practice medicine on Amazon and can be pre-ordered there and on other sites.

BY FORREST PREECE

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

When I was 22 I left the US and moved to Huancayo in the Peruvian Andes. I had never been on a jet plane. I did not speak a word of Spanish, and I knew no one in Peru. I lived there six months, and my girlfriend, now my wife of 53 years, joined me three months after my arrival.

2. What was your first job?

I had a paper route when I was 12 years old.

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

Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill.

4. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be?

Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson and Frank Sinatra.

5. Favorite book and TV show

Two books: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, and Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. TV show: MASH.

6. Most powerful movie you have seen The Graduate

7. Favorite place in Austin

Our home

8. Favorite restaurant and watering hole

Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar

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

Absolutely nothing!

10. Which living person do

you most admire?

David Brooks

11. What makes you happy?

Time with Claire

12. Best advice you ever received See the world as a place of abundance.

Escalator”

THIS BOOK IS FAR MORE THAN A SLICE OF LIFE. IT IS ALSO A JOURNEY INTO THE NIGHTMARE OF THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM’S UNDERBELLY. IT HAMMERS HOME THE REALITY THAT MOST OF US, WITH OUR INSURANCE POLICIES AND CONNECTIONS, LOSE SIGHT OF.

Red, Hot & Soul Gala Benefits ZACH Theatre’s Artistic and Education Programs

ZACH Theatre’s annual gala, Red, Hot & Soul: A Masquerade

Affair with Venetian Flair, featured a dazzling cocktail party in the Topfer Theatre Lobby, a sumptuous dinner by Flavor Co., signature ZACH entertainment, a lively auction, and a fabulous after-party celebrating 102 years of outstanding theatre at ZACH.

Guests’ fashion featured an array of masks to highlight the masquerade theme inspired by Venetian Carnevale. Funds raised at Red, Hot & Soul support ZACH’s educational programming including Family Series, ZACH’s Pre-Professional Company, Acting Conservatory, Arts Across the Curriculum, Sensory Friendly Performances, and SAFE partnership.

The event honored Baylor, Scott & White, led by Jay Fox, President and CEO, Greater Austin Region, and Eric and Michelle Natinsky. Event Chairs were Donn Gauger and Maxx Judd with Co-Chairs Cindy Greenwood and Kathy Taylor. Committee members included Julie Acevedo, Amy Barbee, Larry Connelly, Maria Groten, Ashley Hunter, Caroline Messer, Harriet O’Neill, Nico Ramsey, Karen Rove, Julie Williams, and Kevin Witcher.

ZACH’s education programs reach over 55,000 children and students annually, welcoming all of Austin’s children and schools to attend performances, classes, and summer camps, even if they can’t afford tickets or tuition. For more information, visit www.zachtheatre.org.

Celebrating Toast of the Town’s 39th Season

Toast of the Town is a springtime staple in the Austin philanthropic community, hosting intimate dinner parties in private homes and interesting venues across Austin. They are exclusive, eclectic, and intentionally elevated experiences that feature the best of Austin’s culinary, literary, and musical talent. Each party is designed by its hosts with a unique theme and chef.

The concept of Toast is truly unique and built on a model that speaks from the heart — opening one’s home to host intimate gatherings. All proceeds from Toast of the Town are combined with a two-to-one match by St. David’s Foundation to fund scholarships for the largest healthcare scholarship program in Texas.

Since launching in 1995, it remains a favorite annual suite of philanthropic social events for a great cause.

The chair of the 2023 Toast of the Town committee is Chandra Hosek, and vice chair is Tobie Funte. Commit-

tee members include Jenifer Brown, Megan Cobb, Melissa Constantinides, Kathlene Crist, Brenna Edwards, Ericka Freels, Robert Godwin, Sandra Jarman, Jaynee Lancaster, Renata Marsilli, Laurée Moffett, Julie Niedert, Deborah O’Connell, Frances Pearce, Xavier Peña, Lesa Rossick, Araminta Sellers, Heidi Marquez Smith, Kristin Stephens, Mary Katherine Stout, Venus Strawn, Dinah Street, Jessica Taylor, and Kathy Taylor

St. David’s Foundation is one of the largest health foundations in the United States, funding $80 million annually in a five-county area surrounding Austin, Texas. Through a unique partnership with St. David’s HealthCare, the Foundation reinvests proceeds from the hospital system back into the community, with a goal of advancing health equity and improving the health and well-being of the Central Texas community. For more information, visit www.toastaustin.org.

Ride.Drive.Give Driving Experience Races to Aid Center For Child Protection

The Center for Child Protection (CCP) hosted its annual Ride.Drive.Give. charity driving experience. This unique fundraising event, held at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), brought together a community of car enthusiasts, philanthropists, and racing aficionados to raise over $170,000 for the Center.

Participants at Ride.Drive. Give. had the incredible opportunity to experience driving on Circuit of The Americas’ 3.41-mile, 20-turn track, as they rode and drove in a variety of supercars, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and McLarens. The event, co-chaired by Amber Allen and Gerry Poe, was a thrilling combination of fast cars, professional instructors, experienced racers, exotic car owners, and F1 enthusiasts, all united for the cause of help-

ing abused children in Travis County.

To commence this year’s event, Austin Police Department, Travis County Sheriff ’s Office and B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) led an awareness lap to #ProtectAustinKids, further emphasizing the importance of the community coming together to prevent child abuse.

In 2022 alone, the Center for Child Protection served 2,888 children and adults, extending essential forensic, therapy, medical, and education services. Ride.Drive.Give. stands as a pivotal contributor to the Center’s ongoing mission, providing vital resources for prevention efforts, fostering collaboration for justice, and facilitating the healing journey of those affected by child abuse.

St. Andrew’s Highlander Runners Shatter Records, Compete Nationally

By Alexa McGlathery

In an impressive performance this spring, junior Alex Nield of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal High School made history by shattering the school’s record in the 800-meter event. Nield crossed the finish line at the Running Lane Track Championship in Huntsville, Alabama, with a record-breaking time of 1:56.78 seconds, making him the fastest 800-meter Highlander on record. The showing qualified him for the Adidas National Meet in Greensboro, NC, known for showcasing the best young athletes nationwide.

The road to success for team captain Nield has required commitment, rigorous training, attention to diet, and focused mental preparation. Nield attributes his sustained motivation to his internationally acclaimed coach, Gilbert Tuhabonye, a genocide survivor from Burundi, Africa. Tuhabonye is a beloved role model to many, as a coach and philanthropist, and serves as an inspiration to people worldwide.

Alongside Nield’s spring 2023 accomplishments, another promising St. Andrew’s Highlander runner freshman Reed Robinson also caught the attention of the athletic community. In addition to a second-place individual finish at SPC con-

ference state meet, Robinson reached new heights by placing 5th overall in the New Balance Nationals

All-American 800-meter event at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field. The talented contributions of Nield and Robinson launched the St. Andrew’s 4 X 800m relay team, which also included runners Luke Dial and William Dunaway to qualify for the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Haywood, Oregon. The 2023 spring track season for St. Andrew’s Highlanders had a record-breaking showing and set the stage for further success in 2023-2024 as they mark new standards in the world of competitive running.

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