On New Year’s Resolutions (and other lies we tell ourselves)…

There are three kinds of people in this world:

  1. People who hate New Year’s resolutions.

  2. People who make them, and forget them by January 10th.

  3. About 0.05% of the population who actually stick with them.

Best of luck to you. And may you be honest with yourself.

But seriously, this time of year does matter. It’s a natural pause for reflection. Who am I? Did I move closer to the person I want to be this past year? What will I do differently next year?

I heard something recently that stuck with me: there’s a difference between résumé bullets and eulogy bullets. We all know they’re different. And we all know the eulogy ones matter more. We just don’t always act like it.

Good dad > cool car.
Close friends > impressive contact list.

My hope for you this year is more eulogy bullets. And honestly, same for me.

Cheers,
Nolan

In today’s Scoop:

🏡 A rare neighborhood debut
🥟 Soup dumplings steal the night
🍷 Just show up and sip
🎉 Fresh starts and cozy fun

🥟 Dumplings worth planning your day around

7415 Southwest Pkwy, Austin

Ling Wu delivers a dining experience that feels special without trying too hard. The room is bold and stylish, but the soup dumplings steal the show every time. They arrive hot, rich, and full of flavor. The menu blends familiar Chinese dishes with a few creative twists, and the drinks are thoughtful and fun.

It’s a solid pick for date nights, celebrations, or group dinners when you want something polished but still easy to enjoy.


🐾 Safe for pets. Tough on pests.

14707 Fitzhugh Rd Building F - 200, Austin

TOPS Pest Control keeps bugs out while keeping your furry friends safe. No fogging, no contracts, no nonsense.

🦟 Mosquito traps that don’t mess with bees or neighbors
🐜 Ant, flea, tick & spider control included
🏡 Local team. Big results. Total peace of mind.

👉 Call Jenna & Kyle to book: (737) 338-7540 or check them out HERE.

Thank you to our local sponsors who help make this newsletter possible 🙏

🍷 Come for the wine, stay for the people

11190 Circle Dr, Building 2, Suite 208, Austin

Feral Housewife Wine is a place where time slips by without you noticing. The vibe is relaxed but playful, with throwback music and a crowd that feels easy to talk to. The wines use Texas High Plains grapes and taste a little different from what you usually find around here.

The owners are friendly and love talking wine or just chatting, which makes it comfortable even if you come alone. You don’t need to know anything about wine. You just need to show up.

🏡 New luxury homes coming to Westlake

The Gist: The Overlook at Westlake is building 48 single-family homes in the Lost Creek area within Eanes ISD. Homes will range from about 3,300 to 5,000 square feet on lots from a quarter to three quarters of an acre. MileStone Community Builders is finishing the model home now, with move-ins expected by late 2026.

Why It Matters: With limited land left in Eanes ISD, this adds new housing options in one of the area’s most sought-after school districts. It’s a rare chance to see something new take shape in a well-established Westlake neighborhood.

See the top New Year’s Eve events happening near you!
The best parties, dinners, and countdowns in your area. Click below to check them out.

🥕 Farmers Market | Lakeway Village Square | Lakeway | 01/03 | More
Fresh local produce, artisan goods, and a relaxed Hill Country shopping stroll.

🦒 Storytime Safari with Austin Zoo | Westbank Library | Austin | 01/03 | More
Animal-themed storytime followed by a fun meet-and-greet with a zoo ambassador.

🦁 Aesa & Gaia’s Birthday Celebration | Austin Zoo | Austin | 01/04 | More
Celebrate beloved lionesses with songs, smiles, and a sweet community moment.

Free Hot Chocolate Day | Lake Travis Community Library | Lakeway | 01/05 | More
Free homemade hot chocolate and cozy winter vibes at the neighborhood library.

🎨 Teens Y2K Craft | Lake Travis Community Library | Lakeway | 01/06 | More
Hands-on crafting innovation with nostalgic Y2K flair for tweens and teens.

🎁 Holiday Market 2025 | Arts Foundation | Bee Cave | Now through 01/09 | More
Curated artisan market showcasing local makers and giftable souvenirs for everyone.

🥂 New Year’s Eve Party | Meridian 98 Restaurant & Bar | Bee Cave | 12/31 | More
Welcome the new year with skyline views, vibrant live music, and festive energy.

🎤 Karaoke Night | LT Corner Pub | Lakeway | 12/31 | More
Late-night singalongs with crowd-favorite hits and lively, come-as-you-are energy.

😂 Laughs & Libation: Comedy Show | Hotel Viata | West Lake Hills | 12/31 | More
Stand-up comedy and cocktails in an intimate, late-night New Year’s Eve setting.

🎸 David Houston | Little Woodrow’s | Bee Cave | 01/02 | More
Nostalgic rock and singalong favorites with a laid-back, crowd-friendly pub vibe.

🌕 Full Moon January Celebration: Release & Renewal | Hotel Viata | Austin | 01/03 | More
Grounding rituals, gentle movement, and intention-setting under the full moon.

🛍️ Arboretum Food and Artisan Market | The Arboretum | Austin | 01/03 | More
Local makers, fresh bites, and an easygoing weekend market vibe.

🎪 The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!) | The VORTEX | Austin | 01/03 | More
Playful circus, holiday whimsy, and jaw-dropping dog-powered talent on an intimate stage.

🍪 Cookie Rally for Beginners and Experienced Sellers | Kodosky Service Center | Austin | 01/04 | More
Fun, hands-on cookie season kickoff with skills, samples, and confidence-building energy.

Thanks for reading West Austin Scoop! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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