🌵 More nonstop flights are coming to Austin

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Something You Wouldn’t Guess About Me

I’m a very slow driver.

Not dangerously slow. Just… cautious.

I don’t like rushing. I don’t like weaving through traffic. And I definitely don’t understand the person going 87 mph to arrive at the same red light 14 seconds before me.

It occasionally drives my wife nuts.

But I think everyone has these little things that don’t quite match how other people see them.

So here’s my question: What’s something you’re weirdly particular about that people wouldn’t expect?

Mine is apparently driving like I have a birthday cake sitting unsecured in the passenger seat.

Cheers,
Nolan

Local Lowdown

✈️ Southwest adds more nonstop options from Austin

The Gist: Southwest Airlines is expanding its nonstop lineup from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, giving Central Texas travelers more direct options this fall and into 2027.

New Austin nonstop routes launching this October include Memphis, Knoxville, Santa Rosa/Sonoma County and Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Looking ahead, additional nonstop service is also planned to Detroit, Fort Myers and San José, Costa Rica.

Why It Matters: More nonstop choices can mean fewer layovers and easier trips from AUS. Whether you’re headed to California wine country, the Florida coast or planning farther ahead for 2027, Austin travelers will have more destinations they can reach without a connection.

💰 Bee Cave approves new budget

The Gist: Bee Cave City Council adopted its new budget on Sept. 22 while keeping the city’s property-tax rate at 2 cents per $100 of taxable value. Sales tax continues to do much of the heavy lifting, accounting for about 78% of the city’s general-fund revenue.

Why It Matters: Bee Cave relies heavily on sales-tax revenue from local shopping, dining and other businesses, allowing the city to keep its property-tax rate relatively small. That revenue helps fund everyday city services including police, staff, parks and the library.

Featured Home

3209 Rustic River Cv, Austin, TX 78746 photo tour

3209 Rustic River Cv, Austin, TX 78746 - 6 beds • 6 baths • 7,000 sq ft

Restaurant Radar

🍻 Lakeway’s go-to patio for cold drafts

2125 Lohmans Crossing Rd #400, Austin, TX

Hops & Thyme is a Lakeway gathering spot built for easy nights out and a generally slower pace. The expansive, dog-friendly patio pairs naturally with around 25 craft beers on tap, crispy Asian wings, and weekday specials like five-dollar wagyu smashburgers or Thursday dirty martinis. Between Dolly Parton–themed cocktail nights and live Saturday music on the lawn, it's the backyard where friends and neighbors just sit down, drink up, and eat well.

Business Brief

⚡ High energy and room for everyone

13875 Bee Cave Pkwy Bee Cave, TX

With climate-controlled courts, fitness spaces and more than 130 studio classes each week, HCI Sports & Fitness gives families plenty of ways to stay active.

Kids can stay busy with fall sports programs or burn off some energy in The Cube, while adults can fit in a workout, class or training session of their own.
And on October 7, HCI members can bring a guest to an Oktoberfest Happy Hour with local beer tastings, food, live music, cornhole, raffles and a stein-holding contest.

THIS WEEK IN LANDSCAPING

Holiday lights installed on an Austin home

For all of you early planners..

Checklist for hiring a company to install holiday lights:

✅	Experience - do they have 5 years of experience or more? There are often tricky little installation nuances that take years to master. We have over 10 years of experience
✅	Safety - do they train their team on safe installation practices? We do - you can't install lights until you have completed the training.
✅	Insurance - accidents can happen. Will the person and the property be protected in the case of an incident? We have insurance.
✅	More importantly, do they dress up like elfs?