The Kyle, Texas Shop Local List - 2014

The 2014 Shop Local List
Keep Kyle Charming - Buy Local

Go Karting at Central Texas Speedway

By Sean Claes

I have lived in Kyle, Texas for the last 12 or so years and have watched it grow and grow. Kyle now has the numbers to support stores like HEB, Target, Ross, Lowes, Home Depot, and a slew of others... The awesome thing about THAT is when larger business move in, it makes way for the "little guy" to open up shop... but without a big national advertising budget, small owner-operator businesses sometimes struggle to let people know they exist...so I thought I'd make this list of some of the most fantastic local-to-Kyle shops. 

I wrote this thinking of shopping for Christmas presents. 

1. For salsas, honey, photos, beautiful crosses and other stocking stuffers try Cross Plants and Produce
2. For getaway present, consider Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek
3. For an awesome go-kart racing coupon: Central Texas Speedway
4. For the kiddos, how about a gift card to The Jumpy Place or music lessons at Curious Chords Music Studio at Plum Creek
5. Shopping for a lady? Try Tiaras
6. Buy a friend a hookah from The Pipe Lion
7. Bring a drinkable gift to a party for the host from FriDaze Liquor
8. Have a hunter or gun enthusiest on your list? Gun Guys & Gals
9. Maybe a massage from Hands On Healing
10. Everyone loves flowers... and Lutricks Florist is awesome.
11. Funky furniture from the past? Try Sway Vintage
12. For anything else... and I mean ANYTHING.. check out the Kyle Flea Market
13. Find Gardening supplies and cool stuff from Sustainacycle's Sustainable Living Center at Kyle
14. Awesome Kettle Corn goodness can be found at Lone Star Kettle Corn (soon to open a storefront.. but contact them direct for now)
15. Satisfy your BBQ lover with a gift certificate from Milt's Pit BBQ
16. Have to bring some dessert to a gathering? Check out the The Texas Pie Company (I prefer their Peanut Butter Pie, FYI)
17. Help your friend/family reach their fitness goals with Elite BodyWorks of Kyle
18. The gift of news year round? Buy your loved one a subscription to The Hays Free Press.
19. Are you buying for someone who needs a computer diagnostic or a fix or an upgrade?  Maybe an awesome new gaming computer? Get them a gift certificate for Blue Computer Solutions.
20. Buying for someone who needs that adrenaline rush? Go Karting from Central Texas Speedway is a great option.

It's good for the businesses for you to shop local.. it's good for the local economy and blah blah blah... but what's even cooler is you can buy something that is unique.. you may even meet the person who made it... you can find that thing you never knew you needed... and meet your neighbors all at the same time. It's like a shopping adventure.. because shopping should be fun.. right?

Happy Shopping Kyle, Texas.

(I originally wrote this in December 2014 as a Local Christmas List... please feel free to shoot me a note when this needs updated if I don't catch new business openings and/or closings... thanks. seanclaesATseanclaesDOTcom.)

Simply Charming Mo's - 2nd Annual Party Results/photos

The Simply Charming Mo's of Kyle Texas want to thank you for making the 2nd Annual Simply Charming Movember Fundraiser  at Milt's Pit BBQ in Kyle, Texas such a fun success. We raised a lot of awareness and $756.41 in cash (via donations and silent auction) for the cause.

Here are some photos from the night. You can see more here - link
If you'd like to donate to the team, there's still time.

Visit: http://moteam.co/the-simply-charming-mo-s

2nd year MoBros Greg Walters & Sean Claes

The 2013 Simply Charming Mo's: (L-R) Paul Mojica, Jenni Johnson, Brad Johnson, Sean Claes, Marty Foye,
Meesh Seigwalt, Jeff Davis, Jodie Claes, Juan Guerra, and Greg Walters

Piqued Jacks

Mo Supporters!

Miss and Mr. Movember Kyle - Jodie Claes & Paul Mojica

Lucas Cook Trio

Our Silent Auction

Summer Fun for Kiddos - Kyle/Austin area

A friend of mine (Thanks Larissa B.) sent me this list of things to do with kids over Summer 2010. 

I found it to be a pretty solid list of cheap and free things. Cheap and free are two of my favorite things...  

Credit for this list goes to someone in the Hometown Kyle Neighborhood. I believe it was sent out to the neighborhood...

Movies (free and discounted):

Alamo Drafthouse FREE Alamo Kids Club 

 
Cinemark (Tinseltown Austin) Summer Movie Clubhouse (10 shows for $5 or $1 Each)

Regal Cinema Free Family Film Festival (This link shows all of Texas)

AMC Summer MovieCamp - $1 Summer Movies 

 
CIty of Kyle movies in the park Gregg Clarke Park - Free

City of San Marcos -  Movies in YOUR Park - FREE

 

Reading Programs:

Kyle Library Brochure w/ June & July Calendar (PDF) - (Main Website here)

Buda Library Summer Brochure (PDF) - free  (Main Website here)
San Marcos Library Summer Calendar (June/July) - (Main Website here)

Austin libraries http://austinsummerreading.org/ and Austin Public Libraries Youth Services - Summer (PDF)

Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program - great reading program with weekly gift card rewards

Fazoli's Restaurant -  Friendly Reader Program - get a free meal. They've also got kid's nights on Tuesday's from 5-8 w/ crafts.

Austin American Statesman/Round Rock Express - reading program

HEB - Summer Reading Club - It's under the "Clubs and Contests" area.

Borders - '10 Summer Reading Double-Dog Dare

Other fun things:

Austin's Symphony's Children's Day Art Park - 50 cents/child

Austin's Symphony's Concerts in the Park / - free

Cabela's Kids Day - June 19 - 2010 Kid's Fest

City of San Marcos Activities and Events 

 
Tons of fun ideas for around the Austin area http://austinfamilyfun.wordpress.com/

Free crafts for kids (Lakeshore Learning) - every Saturday - free

Home Depot - free building activities for kids  - free

Lowe's - free building activities for kids

ZIlker Summer Musical - Annie - July 9 - August 14, 2010 Thursdays-Sundays approx. 8:30pm - free

McKenna Children's Museum (New Braunfels) - summer activities & camps (PDF)

Austin Parks and Rec - Summer Playground Program

Free breakfast and lunch at certain Hays CISD schools (children do not need to qualify--available to everyone) http://www.hayscisd.net/food/summer.htm

This Weekend (5/2/10) - Front Porch Days in Kyle

Front Porch Days 2010 - Sunday May 2

Featuring the FRONT PORCH DAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL

9 Bands • 2 Stages • 1 Neighborhood • FREE

Every year for the last nine, the Plum Creek neighborhood of Kyle celebrates with an open-to-the-public community-wide party called Front Porch Days (http://www.frontporchdays.com).  This Sunday, May 2, from 11a – 4p is this year’s celebration.

Much more than just a party. Plum Creek’s Fergus Park will be transformed into a full-on carnival with no admission fee. Moon bounces, a petting zoo, pony rides and the Jigglebus Express are at the forefront of the things for the kiddos to do. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Front Porch Days without a free concert by the Emmy Award Winning Biscuit Brothers who play at 12:30.

Speaking of music, the Fifth Annual Front Porch Days Music Festival is also being featured with continuous music from 11a (when the Kyle United Methodist Church Praise Band kicks things off with a 45 minute gospel set) to 4p. If you tune in to the Fox 7 morning show on Friday, you’ll be treated to the Americana sounds of Aimless Gun who play at noon. The full line-up can be found on the event’s Website.

Front Porch Days will also include a pie baking contest, washer’s tournament, A 5k and 1k run, an old-fashioned soapbox derby, and a skating exposition by TxSk8 Team.

 

Everything is happening from 11a – 4p this Sunday in Plum Creek. For full schedule of events and directions to Fergus Park visit http://www.frontporchdays.com

Live music from 11a - 4p
Music Sponsor - Kyle United Methodist Church
2 Stages. 9 Bands. 1 Neighborhood - Plum Creek.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE TO ALL.

Stage 1:

11:30 – 12:15: Bruce Curtis Fallgren 12:30 – 1:15: The Biscuit Brothers
1:30 – 2:15: Rockaroni and Cheese 2:30 – 4:00: The Dead Phonetics

Stage 2:
11:00- 11:45 – The Kyle United Methodist Church Praise Band 12:00 – 12:45: Aimless Gun
1:00 – 1:45: Chelle Murrey
2:00 – 2:45: Lucas Cook (solo)
3:00-4:00: Righteous Brisket

2008 Claiborne Kyle Log House Fried Chicken Dinner

It's time once again for the Claiborne Kyle Log House Fried Chicken Dinner!

FRIED CHICKEN AND ENTERTAINMENT



Entertainment:
Cliff Caskey
Del David

Where:
2400 S. Old Stagecoach Road
County Road 136, South of Kyle

When:
Saturday, September 27, 2008
11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.

Cost (for the chicken dinner):
$7.00 Adults
Under 12 - $4.00




What is the Claiborne Kyle Log House?
"In 1844 Claiborne and Lucy Kyle moved to Texas where they built this house in 1850, a massive log home overlooking the Blanco River built of cedar logs. The four pen linear dog trot house has four rooms, each about 16 feet square. The home has been restored and refurnished, and is listed on the National Register." - http://www.ohwy.com/tx/c/clkyloho.htm

Milt's BBQ in Kyle - Friday's is for Live Music

You'll come for the music.. ang you'll stay for the BBQ....
OR.. if you've been there before... you'll come for the BBQ.. and stay for the music.

Milt's Pit BBQ
905 North Old Highway 81,
Kyle, TX 78640

Friday's in September Music Line-up
9-5-08 - Jay Yarbro and Friends, 7-10 pm

9-12-08 - Chris Brown and Friends, 7-10 pm

9-19-08 - Aces over Eights, 7-10 pm

9-26-08 - Cody Lawson Band, 7-10 pm

Kitchen is open until 9 pm. BYOB Call 512-268-4734 for more info.

Vacation Bible School 8/11 - 15 in Kyle, TX

GOD'S BIG BACKYARD IN KYLE, TEXAS
KUMC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Outdoor adventure, fun backyard games, crafts, snacks, and music are just outside your back door. GOD'S BIG BACKYARD is the theme for this year's Vacation Bible School at Kyle United Methodist Church (408 W Lockhart Street, Kyle, TX 78640). VBS will be held on August 11 - 15, 2008 from 9:00a.m. - 12noon.

Invited are all children (Kindergarten [potty trained] through the 5th grade) in the area. Parents, bring your children, bring their friends, and come ready for an amazing time as we explore God's Big Backyard! Call 512-268-2331 for more details.

Thank you and God Bless!

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Kyle United Methodist Church
408 W Lockhart St
Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 268-2331

http://www.kyleumc.com/
kumc@austin.rr.com

Kyle United Methodist Church invites you to regular Sunday services at 8:30 and 11:00a.m. and holds dinner and a bible study Wednesdays at 6:00p.m. Pastor: Harold Dailey

HUNDREDS OF GARAGE SALES IN KYLE, TEXAS NEIGHBORHOOD ON APRIL 26, 2008

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For the 2010 information follow this link: http://seanclaesdotcom.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-garage-sale.html

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PR

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HUNDREDS OF GARAGE SALES IN KYLE NEIGHBORHOOD ON APRIL 26
The Seventh Annual Plum Creek Community-Wide Garage Sale

By Sean Claes
I love garage sales. The thrill of the hunt, the agony of going through all of the crap to find that one item that makes it all worthwhile. The whole thing makes my heart go pitter-patter. I like going through the newspaper and planning a route in order to hit the most before 9:00a.m.

Well, if you're anything like me, you should get your warpaint on and come out to Kyle, Texas on Saturday, April 26 for the Plum Creek Community-wide Garage Sale. Currently there are over 1,500 homes in the neighborhood, so you can be pretty certain there will be a few hundred garage sales going on.

What will be sold? Who knows… but this event brings in professional garage sale shoppers in from all over Texas. OK, I may be stretching it, but Plum Creek has done this every year for seven years and my mother-in-law comes each year from South Texas. It's amazing what she finds.

In 2005 she got caught up in the sale and I lost her. Eventually I found her shopping about a mile down the road from the house. In the 20 minutes she was missing, she scored a sewing machine, food dehydrator, three Disney videos, and a mound of children's clothes. It's hard to be angry at a woman with $300 worth of stuff that she got for $20 in under a half-hour. She's a pro.

Test your skills in Kyle Saturday April 26 at the Community Wide Garage Sale. Sales start about 7:00a.m. and are over around 1:00p.m.

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Plum Creek is a 2,200 acre master-planned community located on the west side of IH-35 in Kyle, Texas, 17 miles south of Austin.

To get to Plum Creek:
a. IH-35 to exit 215 (Kyle Parkway/ FM 1626).
b. West on FM 1626
c. Left on Kohler's Crossing
d. Plum Creek is on your left-hand side.

Download a map here: http://www.plumcreektx.com/location/PCwebmap.pdf

Washer's Tourney for Charity in KYLE, TEXAS

For those who aren't in the know, I'm a member of the Kyle United Methodist Church. We're currently raising money in several different ways to pay for our New Life Center that is currently under construction. If you know me... call me up and I'll tell you the whole saga that has transpired while the building of the New Life Center has been occuring.

I've been documenting the building in photos... you can see it here: Kyle United Methodist Church's New Life Center - #12 in the series.

But.... let's talk about you having a fantastic time helping us raise funds while potentially making money for yourself...

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Click here to download the Registration Form.

2008 Kyle United Methodist Washers Tournament @ Front Porch Days

KUMC will host a Washers Tournament at Front Porch Days at Fergus Park in the Plum Creek Neighborhood on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Forms and entry frees are due by 12PM on May 4th with Players Meeting at 12:40PM.

The tournament begins at 1PM. The fee is $30 per 2-person team. Half ($15) of each $30 entry fee is a donation to the Kyle United Methodist Church (KUMC) Building Fund. The remaining half of the $30 entry fee will be spilt among the top winners.&

The prize pool will award 35% to First Place and 15% to Second Place. Third Place will receive a non-monetary prize.

Questions? Please contact Amanda Brown via email at amandabrown89@gmail.com or call 512-801-9072. Early registration is appreciated.

Click here to download the Registration Form.

Kyle Fair and Music Festival 10/19-21

Do you know about the FREE Kyle Fair and Music Festival?

October 19th-21st, 2007



Location: Gregg-Clarke Park (8 blocks west of the City Square on Center St.)

Full Schedule of events: http://www.cityofkyle.com/parks/fairschedule.php




FREE Music on October 20, 2007! Featuring
Kyle Park @ Noon

Jason Allen @ 2:00p.m.

Rick Treviño @ 4:30p.m.



David Ybarra and the L.A. Blues Band @ 6:30

Hayden Vitera @ 8:30


PLUS
BBQ Cook-Off
Parade
Arts and Crafts Show
5K Run
Carnival
Texas Hold'em Tournament

Plum Creek Music Festival

Second Annual Plum Creek Music Festival April 29, 2007 12-9p.m.



This year, Front Porch Days in Kyle, Texas' Plum Creek Neighborhood will have something for every musical palate strewn throughout the neighborhood. Yes, it’s time for the Second Annual Plum Creek Music Festival.



Second Annual Plum Creek Music Festival

April 29 (Sunday), 2007
Kyle, Texas
Click here to: Visit Plum Creek Online for Directions.

Here's the line-up. Click each name to hear them...or learn more.

Haupt Park Stage - The Plum Creek Music Stage
12:00 - 1:00 - The Biscuit Brothers
1:15 - 2:15 - Adam Donmoyer
2:30 - 3:30 - Jenny Hollub
3:45 - 4:45 - Tina Mitchell Wilkins


McNaughton Park Stage - The Austin Indie Alliance Stage
12:00 - 1:00 - Phoenix Saga
1:15 - 2:15: - Full Service
2:30 - 3:30 : The Nematoads
3:45 - 4:45 The Ars Supernova


Lucky Cup Stage - Bravado Touring Artists Stage
2:00p.m. Harry Bodine
3:00p.m. Terry Carolan
4:00p.m. Mark Jungers
5:00p.m. Michael O’Connor
6:00p.m. Marc Utter and the Blackland
7:00p.m. Susan Gibson
8:00p.m. Spencer Thomas
9:00p.m. SPECIAL GUEST - TBA
10:00p.m. Jeff Plankenhorn with Brannen Temple