Report calls I-35 in Austin a freeway without a future, plus more top stories

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Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Latest report says I-35 in Austin is a freeway without a future. On the heels of TxDOT's $606 million expansion of I-35 through Austin, a new report has declared the freeway has no future if Americans want to reduce the harmful impacts of construction.

2. Austin digs up 8th best ranking nationwide for urban gardening, says report. In a “post-pandemic” world, Austinites are focusing their attention on one hobby in particular: urban gardening.

3. Austin is the most expensive city in Texas for a night out, and 3rd priciest in the U.S. You aren't imagining things: A night out in Austin has always been pricey, but it has only become even more expensive in recent years.

4. Historic Hill Country mansion transforms into luxe vacation getaway. Hot on the heels of last week's luxury hotel news, Fredericksburg is getting even more accommodations this summer.

5. Iconic Austin honky tonk receives official historic designation this week. The celebration took place on what would have been James White's 84th birthday.

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Popular Hill Country winery to open tasting room in biggest city yet

Bishop Arts News

A winery from Central Texas' wine country is opening an outlet in Dallas. Baron's Creek Vineyards, dubbed one of the most Instagrammable wineries in Fredericksburg, will open a new tasting room and wine lounge in the Bishop Arts District.

The winery, which posted a help-wanted note on the door to the space at 418 N. Bishop Ave., was founded in Fredericksburg, and has three other locations in Georgetown, Granbury, and McKinney. This will be the fifth.

According to Meghan Delgado, who manages the Fredericksburg location, the vineyard aims to open Bishop Arts in mid-October.

A family-owned venture from a trio of businessmen brothers, Baron's Creek opened its first location in Fredericksburg in 2015.

Baron's Creek Vineyards make wines from Texas grapes — the unofficial litmus test for authenticity — but also use grapes from other districts in the U.S. and Spain, from vineyards owned by their winemaker Russell Smith, formerly of Becker Vineyards.

Baron's Creek is a big tourist attraction not only for their wine-tasting options, but also for their on-site villas where visitors can stay overnight. Two Italian-styled villas with six rooms each accommodate up to 24 guests. The vineyard rents out the property, which has a cool outdoor courtyard defined by an almost Alice-in-Wonderland checkerboard pattern of stone platforms, for weddings, corporate retreats, and other special events.

Its satellite locations, including Georgetown Square, Granbury, and McKinney, which opened in 2022, serve as lounge/tasting rooms with flights, tastings, and tapas.

Delgado says that Bishop Arts will be most similar to the McKinney location. "It'll have two separate bar areas, and will definitely be serving food including charcuterie," she says.

Other menu items include a trio of pizzas that include pepperoni and artichoke & goat cheese. The tasting rooms offer mixed flights of five white and red wines or a flight of five red wines for $21/person, as well as wine by the glass.

The Bright Light Social Hour plays new tracks at Mohawk, plus more Austin music picks for late September

Music Notes

Austin has – thankfully — reached a temperature that no longer feels like you’re walking directly into an oven on full blast, so if you’ve been holding out on going to shows because of the heat, now’s your time to shine. See below for local music recommendations that span the back half of September.

HAAM Day – Tuesday, September 19
As far as Austin is concerned, HAAM Day is a holiday. The event, which is in its 18th year and is meant to raise awareness and critical funds for the Health Alliance For Austin Musicians, will happen across the city and feature more than 200 performances. The full lineup, which features the likes of Shinyribs, Trouble In The Streets, Mélat, Walker Lukens, Bidi Bidi Banda, and others, can be seen myhaam.org.

Motorsports at Hotel Vegas – Thursday, September 21
Saddles In Mind is the title of Motorsports’ new EP, and the show to ring in its recent release will take place at Hotel Vegas this Thursday, September 21. The post-punk act will be joined by Party Van and Squamps. Tickets are $10.

Daiistar at Hotel Vegas – Friday, September 23
Daiistar released their album Good Time a couple of weeks back, but the release show for it isn’t until this Saturday, September 23. The psych rock act will be at Hotel Vegas supporting Night Beats, so make sure you show up early to see them play songs off of their very good debut effort. Tickets are $20.

Cotton Mather at 3TEN ACL Live – Thursday, September 28
Longtime power pop band Cotton Mather has a new album on the way, and a show to celebrate the first single, “The Man Who Would Be King,” will be happening at 3TEN ACL Live on Thursday, September 28. The evening will start with Moving Panoramas. Tickets are $15.

Molly Burch at the Mohawk – Friday, September 29
Molly Burch is now located in LA, but she spent many years honing her craft right here inAustin. You can see the singer/songwriter at Mohawk on Friday, September 29, which is also the day that her new album, Daydreamer, is set to be released. Christelle Bofale and Van Mary will open the show. Tickets are $22.

The Bright Light Social Hour at Mohawk — Saturday, September 30
The Bright Light Social Hour have been out on tour in support of their recently released new album, Emergency Leisure, and now it’s time for the hometown show; Don’t miss the indie rock vets at Mohawk on Saturday, September 30. Good Looks will serve as support. Tickets are $20.

Austin neighbor booms as 4th fastest-growing U.S. college town, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From Austin, to San Marcos, to Hye, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Austin neighbor booms as 4th fastest-growing U.S. college town, report says. San Marcos' population in 2000 was 36,120; in 2023 the population has nearly doubled to 70,372.

2. Exclusive pickleball club scores space in East Austin. Other Racquet Social Club brings three tournament regulation pickleball courts to a large lot protected from the surrounding area by trees, fences, and buildings.

3. Austin keeps movers on speed dial as No. 1 city for recent moves, says report. The study reflects people moving around Austin as well as moving into it, so it's not just new Austinites being counted.

4. Extraordinary self-sustaining Hill Country ranch hits the market for $8.75 million. Past the gate is 260-plus acres of land, a one-acre pond, and four fully-furnished buildings.

5. Austin golf course scores title from Texas Monthly as one of the state's best. The publication says Austin's Roy Kizer Golf Course maintains the "unpretentious flavor" of Austin before it got so big.

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