Young at Heart is now hosting their senior adult activity group in the Student Center at Riverbend Church, 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy. The over-55 local community is invited to attend from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays. A hot meal is provided on most “first” Thursdays for a $5 contribution, and participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch on other Thursdays in the month. Attendees enjoy board games, occasional pickleball access, and friendly conversation at the weekly gatherings. Contact LMUDMargy@aol.com or call 512-517-1777 for more information.
Liz James Designs, located at 4407 Bee Caves Rd. Building 5, Suite 511 in Westlake, recently Introduced JOHNNY + JAMES GIFTS as a compliment to their jewelry designs. The unique gifts provide local customers with a complete shopping experience, offering men’s and women’s shirts, wine totes, coolers, coffee table books, original art, Pecos tables, and more. The showroom is open 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. M-F. Visit their website at www.Lizjames.com for more information and to view some of their latest creations. 512-535-7885.
Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany, located at 3736 Bee Caves Rd #4 in the West Lake Hills near Honey Ham, celebrates 20 Years in Westlake this Fall. Owned and operated by Mary Ann Benson, a proud grandma & former school teacher, Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany offers unique clothing, toys, educational & developmental games, books, gifts & more. They also offer gift registries, gift certificates, monogramming, and free gift wrapping. Specials will be offered in November to celebrate the occasion. www.kindakrazykids.com.
Korman Fine Jewelry, now on Burnet Road, celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a client party on Sept. 30. Larry and Kat Stokes bought the long-time Austin business in 2017, and continue Rusty Korman’s local tradition as an upscale full-service jewelry boutique. Korman Fine Jewelry is at 5011 Burnet Road, with plans to move the summer of 2024 to a new, larger location designed by Michael Hsu at 29th Street and Lamar, the site of the former University Cyclery.
NAMI Central Texas announces its new director, Javier Valdez, who comes to NAMI from Austin’s HealthStart Foundation where he was executive director, and who has served on boards for local and national nonprofits. NAMI Central Texas, part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, brings support groups and educational classes to adults living with mental conditions, as well as to families, teachers, schools, workplaces, and faith communities. NAMI Walks, Sept. 30, gives supporters a chance to raise money and their voices for mental health and NAMI Central Texas. Information at namicentraltx.org for classes and advocacy, office at 4110 Guadalupe St or info@namicentraltx.org
Project Transitions recently named Leah Baker executive director. Baker graduated from Texas State University and joined Project Transitions as interim ED in 2022. Project Transitions began in the 1980s at the height of the AIDS epidemic with support groups and a residential hospice facility. Today Project Transitions provides hospice and recuperative care for people with AIDS as well as supportive housing. See projecttransitions.org or call Leah at 512-454-8646 to get involved. And be sure to go shop and donate at the new Top Drawer Thrift at Airport and 51st St.
West Austinites Robbie and Tom Ausley will receive Texas Freedom Network’s Faith and Justice Award at its Oct. 17 Liberty Luncheon. Robbie and Tom work with social justice programs in Austin and with their congregation at First United Methodist Church at 12th and Lavaca. See tfn.org for information about Texas Freedom Network’s programs.
Zilker Eagle, Zilker Park’s beloved kiddie train ride, comes back all spiffed up in late fall after being out of operation since 2019. The Lou Neff roadwork for the new turnaround is done, all new railroad ties and rail is installed, the train depot renovations at 2131 ½ William Barton Drive are complete, the train tunnel improvements have been made, and train prep and testing is ongoing. Zilker Eagle is a project of Austin Parks Foundation and sponsors CapMetro, ACL Fest, Bill Wood Foundation, Moreland Properties, Woom, Frankie Jean, GoodPop, and Tejemos Foundation. See Zilkertrain.org or Zilker Eagle Mini Train on Facebook.