Our Favorite Season of the Year Has Arrived!
(sorry, Covid, you can’t dim our enthusiasm)
Dear Friends,
As the weather cools, we’re embracing the spirit of fall, regardless of the ugly pandemic that remains a major thorn in our sides. This fall will be one for the records between a virus to stamp out, a (new?) president to elect and plenty of exciting things to do, both online and off.
First, we share a breath of fresh air, literally. The Breakaway team has selected some of our favorite Central Texas destinations for hiking, swimming, and biking in and around Austin. To start, Lost Maples State Natural Area is the perfect place for hiking as the seasons change – the maple leaves turn brilliant colors and make for a beautiful outdoor experience. For those trying to take advantage of the few warm, sunny days we have left, you could go paddle boarding at Blanco River State park, or go for a swim at Guadalupe River State Park. Looking to stay closer to Austin? We recommend checking out the trails at Twin Falls Greenbelt for hiking and biking.
So, read on – no bad news here, rather a healthy heaping of active, tasty, creative, generous, inspiring things for you to enjoy in and around Austin this season.
– The Breakaway team
Client News of Note
Photo Credit: Dana Younger
Blue Genie Art Bazaar Introduces Online Store
Blue Genie Art Bazaar (BGAB) hits its 20-year anniversary in 2020 and well established as an annual Greater Austin holiday arts and shopping tradition. Now, fans in Austin and well beyond can peruse and purchase from Blue Genie’s finest makers year round via its new online store.
The new, web-based store offers hundreds of unique pieces of art and handmade gifts by more than 50 artists and artisans, with more added each week. In current pandemic conditions, the Bazaar’s online store makes shopping local easy, convenient and safe. Orders ship each week from Austin on Mondays and Fridays.
And never fear, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar is returning for the Holiday Season with an extra week of shopping joy from Nov. 13 through Dec. 24. And due to the pandemic, there will be a variety of ways to shop: reduced capacity in store, shop online for pickup or shipment, or via a personal shopper. Watch Facebook, Instagram or online for latest updates.
Photo Credit: Blue Norther
Blue Norther Hard Seltzer Introduces Prickly Pear Flavor, New Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month #thinkpinkdrinkblue
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Blue Norther is partnering with the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) to debut its newest flavor, Prickly Pear. With every purchase of the new flavor, a portion of the sales will be donated to BCRC. In fact, Blue Norther will donate a percentage of sales from their full product line for the first year of the partnership. Packaged in a bright pink box, Prickly Pear, often called “Texas champagne” by its founders, will join Wild Blackberry and Agave Lime in Blue Norther’s lineup of bold, refreshing flavors inspired by Texas fruits. Get involved on social media by using #thinkpinkdrinkblue and spread the word!
Photo Credit: We Are Blood
Calling All Healthy Central Texans – Let’s Do This, Together!
We Are Blood is launching the “Let’s Do This” campaign in partnership with St. David’s Hospital to encourage new donors, reinvigorate current donors, and elevate public awareness that consistent community support is the only way to maintain a healthy blood supply.
Blood donations during the pandemic have decreased drastically, but the Let’s Do This series is here to remind donors new and old that blood donation lives on past COVID-19. The lives of those in Central Texas rest in the hands of the community – it’s a group effort, so let’s do this together!
Follow We Are Blood on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see the series, and sign up for a donation appointment here to join the effort.
Recovered COVID-19 patients are encouraged submit for qualification here. And remember, your community blood bank always needs an active donor base to ensure a stable blood supply. If you live in the Greater Austin area, please set up an appointment here.
Fall Events
Photo Credit: Tobin Davies
AIA Austin Homes Tour 2020 – the 34th Annual Tour Goes Virtual
A rite of fall passage for many, the annual AIA Austin Homes Tour goes virtual for the first time and features nine Austin area homes. The Tour will offer a combination of videos, 360-degree virtual walkthroughs, live sessions with architects, collaborators and more. October 16-19; click here to purchase tickets today.
Photo Credit: Georgetown Visitors Bureau
Georgetown Ghost Tours
This October, the Williamson Museum in Georgetown’s historic (and haunted?) square, will host a series of live, interactive Ghost Hunting Tours. Join costumed tour guides at the Williamson Museum as they tell the stories of the ghosts who have haunted local establishments for more than 100 years. Feel free to don your own spooky gear because masks are required.
To purchase tickets, call 512-943-1670, stop by the museum or purchase online here. Tours are limited to 15 people to ensure proper social distancing.
Client Expansions
Photo Credit: Pavement
Pavement To Open a Second Austin Store
Following the successful launch of its first Austin location on South Lamar, Pavement, the popular Houston-based clothing store, is expanding its mix of new and upcycled clothing, vintage wears, shoes and accessories to a second location. The new store, at 2932 Guadalupe St. just north of The University of Texas at Austin, plans to open in time for holiday shopping. Pavement’s Guadalupe St. location is also large with nearly 10,000-square feet and is scheduled to open this December. Watch their FB or IG pages for updates.
Blue Norther Heads South and East
Photo Credit: Blue Norther
Blue Norther hard seltzer recently expanded distribution to San Antonio. The market’s best-tasting hard seltzer (yes, we’ve tried almost all of them!) was created by the father-son team and seventh and eighth-generation Texans, Austin T. and Austin M. Pittman.
The product is available at most HEB and Spec’s locations in Austin and San Antonio, along with Whole Foods and Total Wine & More. And by mid-October, Houstonians will be able to purchase Blue Norther as well. Salud!
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