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Welcome to The Austin Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Land near Samsung Taylor for development.

• Upcoming Austin FC match

• A deep-dive into the life of Townes Van Zandt

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which Austin neighborhood is famous for its quirky shops, eateries, and street art?

A) Travis Heights

B) East Austin

C) South Congress

D) North Loop

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The annual event known for its focus on sustainability and the environment is D) SXSW Eco.

News

💼 Business

More than 1K residential units, 2M square feet of industrial may be headed to Taylor. (link)

150 acres beside Samsung's Taylor factory available for development. (link)

🏒 Sports

'It's just up from here,' future of women's sports bright in Austin. (link)

High school baseball: Juab multi-sport star Austin Park named 16th Deseret News Mr. Baseball. (link)

🏦 Finance

Korean specialty steel giant with ties to SpaceX eyeing $110M project in Temple. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🎾 Austin FC vs. New York City FC
6800 Spanish Oaks Club Blvd, Austin, TX
Saturday, Jul 6th | 9:00 AM | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎤 Great Divide
Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX
Friday, Jul 5th | 8:00 PM | (more info)

🎸 VR SEX
The Parish Room - TX, Austin, TX
Friday, Jul 5th | 8:30 PM | (more info)

Family

🎨 Toddler Art Play Group
7809 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX
Thursday, Jul 4th | 10:00 am | (more info)

🧑‍🎤 Sarah McLachlan
1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX
Friday, Jul 5th | 5:30 PM | (more info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Austin celebrating a futuristic international festival” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Austin Historical Events

1934 - O. Henry House museum opens.

In 1934, the O. Henry House museum opened its doors in Austin, Texas, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of literary history. The museum is dedicated to celebrating the life and works of William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, a renowned American short story writer. The opening of the museum provided a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the world of O. Henry, exploring the artifacts, memorabilia, and personal belongings that offer insight into the author's creative process and life in Austin.

Located in the heart of Austin, the O. Henry House museum stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of America's most beloved storytellers. The museum's opening in 1934 was met with enthusiasm from literary enthusiasts and locals alike, as it became a hub for literary appreciation and education. Over the years, the museum has continued to attract visitors from around the world, offering a glimpse into the life and times of O. Henry and the historical significance of his contributions to American literature.

Today, the O. Henry House museum remains a cherished cultural landmark in Austin, serving as a place of inspiration and learning for visitors of all ages. The museum's dedication to preserving O. Henry's legacy ensures that future generations can continue to appreciate the enduring impact of his literary masterpieces, making it a must-visit destination for anyone with a passion for literature and history in the vibrant city of Austin.

Famous People From Austin

Townes Van Zandt - Singer-songwriter

John Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997) was a country and folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet. He was highly respected among his fellow country musicians and was an integral part of the Texas musical culture. Born in Fort Worth, Texas to an oil-wealthy, aristocratic family, he traveled during his youth around Texas and Colorado. He was the third-great-grandson of Isaac Van Zandt, a prominent leader of the Republic of Texas. Van Zandt County in east Texas was named after his family in 1848.

A valuable record of Townes Van Zandt’s lifestyle at that point can be found in the documentary film Heartworn. On October 28th, 1956, a twelve-year-old Townes Van Zandt got his first glimpse of rock 'n' roll. Elvis Presley made a legendary appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in all of his flamboyant, show-boating glory. The young Townes's life was never the same again. What made the biggest impression on him was the way Elvis worked a guitar.

Townes Van Zandt, singer and songwriter, was born John Townes Van Zandt in Fort Worth on March 7, 1944. He was the son of Harris William and Dorothy (Townes) Van Zandt. The Van Zandts were a wealthy family whose ancestors were among the founding families of Fort Worth.

Townes Van Zandt, an influential songwriter whose dark and tragic country and folk ballads mirrored his own life, died on Wednesday at his home in Smyrna, Tex. He was 52. The cause was...

John Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 - January 1, 1997) was an American singer-songwriter. He wrote numerous songs, such as "Pancho and Lefty", "For the Sake of the Song", "If I Needed You", "Snake Mountain Blues", "Our Mother the Mountain", "Waitin' Round to Die", and "To Live Is to Fly."

Key Achievements of Townes Van Zandt:

• Highly respected among fellow country musicians and an integral part of the Texas musical culture.

• Wrote numerous influential songs, including "Pancho and Lefty" and "For the Sake of the Song."

• Remembered for his dark and tragic country and folk ballads that mirrored his own life.

• Contributed significantly to American and European songwriting circles.

• Left behind a legacy as an influential and respected singer-songwriter.

Townes Van Zandt's story is one of musical influence, poetic expression, and a lasting impact on the country and folk music genre. His legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and songwriters to this day.

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-Matthew Larsen

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