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Spring Break in Kyle, Texas


Hays ISD spring break is right around the corner — the week of March 14 to 18! As a resident of Kyle, Texas, your family has several options of fun things to do for spring break without going too far. Here are some ideas for relaxation and renewal for everyone to enjoy during spring break this year.

Kyle Spring Break Camp

If you have a child who is interested in Kyle Spring Break Camp, be sure to register now as registration closes on March 9 or when all spots are filled. The camp is an outdoor camp at the Mary-Kyle Hartson Square Park (101 S. Burleson St., Kyle, TX 78640). 

The camp will be a week full of fun games, recreational activities, and more! Campers will need to bring a water bottle and lunch every day. The youth camp is for kids in 2nd through 5th grades while teen camp is for those in 6th through 9th grades.

Spring Break Camp with San Marcos Parks and Recreation

Need something to keep kids ages 5 to 11 busy? They might like to go to San Marcos Parks and Recreation Spring Break Camp at Dunbar Recreation Center (801 MLK Dr., San Marcos, TX 78666) where they play games, make crafts, and take field trips. View the daily schedule to see what a typical day is like at camp.

All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp

Do you know children who love sports? Then, they might like All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp. Held at SoccerZone in South Austin (9501 Menchaca Road, Austin TX 78748), it’s about a 20-minute trip from Kyle. They offer half- and full-day options for kids ages 5 to 13. Campers who attend the full-day camp will be served lunch. Camp activities include many sports, arts and crafts, bounce house, splash day, and more.

Corpus Christi

For those wanting something more than a staycation, you might want to go to the coastal city of Corpus Christi that’s just three hours south of Kyle. It’s the perfect place for families who enjoy beaches, boating, or birdwatching.

Even if you’re not into these nature activities, Corpus Christi has unique museums like the Texas State Aquarium, U.S.S. Lexington, and South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. For more information, check out the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau website for more ideas.

Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Here’s a great vacation option as it’s a place that everyone who lives in Texas should visit at least once. A little over a three-hour drive from Kyle, Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose makes a memorable spring break vacation or weekend getaway. The park has dinosaur tracks where you can learn about the history of our world, and you are sure to be able to capture unforgettable photos. Visitors can hike, bike, swim, fish, camp, and picnic. Guided tours are also available.

Another option to explore while you’re in Glen Rose is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. This is 15 minutes from the dinosaur park. This endangered species research and conservation center has more than 1,000 mammals representing 50 species. They offer guided and self-guided tours. The public guided tour is a 2-hour, 7.2-mile scenic tour where you can drive in your own car or ride in their tour vehicles.

Enjoy your spring break!

More Things to Do in Kyle

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Kyle Local: Buff City Soaps

A popular soap makery has arrived in Kyle! Buff City Soaps (5401 Farm to Market 1626, Suite 310 Kyle, TX 78640) has officially opened, offering their famous line of handmade soaps and products crafted with the highest quality ingredients.

What Can You Find at Buff City Soaps in Kyle?

We’re excited to welcome Buff City Soap to Kyle. They call their store a “Makery” because all their products are created in their shops by hand.

Kyle residents and visitors will be happy to have a place in the community where you can buy soaps free of harsh chemicals and detergents. Every day, local artisans craft the brand’s delightfully-scented, plant-based soaps. Guests can also customize the scent and ingredients used in the process to create their own soap.

You’ll find many other things besides soap. They have everything from bath bombs and shower fizzies to face products and body butter, all of which make great gifts for a friend or for yourself. You can explore their products by category—they also have products for men, kids, and laundry.

Scents Worth Checking out

Go to the scents page of Buff City’s website to check out their scents with creative names and descriptions! 99 Pomlems, described as “99 problems and soap ain’t one,” features notes of lemon, pomegranate, and cream. For those days when you want to conquer your day, you might like Ferocious Beast with its cedarwood and campfire beer scents, with notes of citrus, lavender, white musk, cedarwood, and amber.

You’ll even find “Love Potion,” which blends roses and young love with notes of damask rose, peach, apple blossom, and Italian bergamot. And how could you not want to try the Unicorn with scents of fruit and magic containing notes of apple mango, passionfruit, and exotic florals?

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to relax and smell great, too! For their latest news and specials, visit the Buff City Soap — Kyle Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Kyle Local: Plum Creek Golf Course

Golfers love the Kyle and the Austin, Texas, area because the weather is great for golfing almost year-round. Kyle is fortunate to have a golf course with spectacular views at Plum Creek Golf Course (4301 Benner, Kyle, TX 78640). Here’s what you’ll want to know about the Kyle golf course.

About Plum Creek Golf Course

The designers created a championship golf course in which no two fairways touch. It gives you the experience of playing your own private golf course. All 18 holes take you through a setting that reflects what makes the Hill Country memorable with its rolling hills, live oaks, and sparkling lakes. Check out the images showing the golf course to see what each hole looks like.

The course underwent a major renovation in 2012 to add a practice facility that includes 3 acres of short-game scoring areas, an acre of practice tee surface, multiple chipping greens, bunkers, uneven lie practice areas, and target greens. You have a wealth of opportunities for improving your golf game. And plenty of golf instruction is available if you’d like a helping hand from a pro. 

If you need any golf supplies, accessories, or attire, the pro shop is stocked to the gills with everything you want to enjoy golfing. This facility is also the home of the Texas State Bobcat men’s and women’s golf teams.

Other Things to Do at Plum Creek Golf Course

There’s nothing like a delicious meal after playing 18 holes or practicing your swings. Just head right over to Glenn’s Bar and Grill restaurant on the course for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks. It’s named for Glenn Evans who helped open Plum Creek Golf Course.

The restaurant underwent renovations in 2018 to add multiple beers on tap, more high-definition TVs, and brand-new furniture. Do you love to watch the big game on a big screen? Glenn’s has a 100″ projector that delivers an unbeatable game-viewing experience.

Have a celebration coming up? You can host an event, banquet, or wedding, at the facilities. The Plum Creek staff will take care of all the details including dining options. The facility is also accessible and they have rooms that can support 100 or 220 people, depending on the room you choose.

Visit the Plum Creek Golf Course Facebook page for upcoming events and updates.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Life in Kyle: EVO Entertainment

EVO Entertainment Kyle is much more than a movie theater and it’s right here in Kyle. You’ll find everything you want in a movie theater and then some. The Kyle location of EVO Entertainment offers the movie theater experience with enhanced viewing, restaurant and bar, bowling, video and redemption games, and more than 50 HDTVs.

Not Your Typical Movie Experience

The enhanced viewing experience, or EVX, contains a massive wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen. It’s complemented by an immersive Dolby ATMOS moving audio and state-of-the-art projection technology.

EVX takes surround sound to the next level, as it produces sound you can feel. Attendees will find themselves feeling as they are in the action as the film comes to life. Not all EVO venues offer this feature and Kyle is fortunate to be one of them. 

The location also has Flashback Cinema where you can catch old favorites on the big screen. You can even host your own private screening party and choose from any film currently showing at the Kyle EVO Entertainment or bring your own movie on Blu-Ray.

More Fun Things to Do at EVO Entertainment

The bowling center is also not your typical bowling alley as it offers an extraordinary bowling experience. The bowling lanes use the latest bowling technology with sleek audio and visuals, lane-side food and drink service from the kitchen, and a modern aesthetic. 

If you go bowling there, be sure to watch for hidden orange pins! If the orange pin shows up in the kingpin position (the front), contact a team member to watch you bowl. If you bowl a strike with the orange pin in front, you’ll score a $100 game card!

You can experience virtual reality in a new way in the OMNI VR Arena. It’s a four-person virtual reality gaming and e-sports experience. Players can safely walk and run in the virtual landscape. The arena has a vast library of multiplayer games including non-violent ones. EVO has weekly and monthly e-sports tournaments where players can try to win prizes.

There’s a room full of all kinds of video games. And all day every Wednesday, they have half-price games. If that’s not enough, there’s free WiFi and more than 50 HDTVs!

They plenty of delicious grub to keep you satisfied. Once again, this isn’t your ordinary entertainment food with plain burgers and pizza. No, they have things like honey sriracha tacos, chicken pesto flatbread, pulled pork nachos, and more. They even have bottomless popcorn. You can go with traditional butter or add a flavor like garlic parmesan or spicy ranch. Beer, wine, cocktails, and margaritas are available for those of appropriate age.

It’s definitely a place for all ages. For the latest, check out the EVO Entertainment Kyle Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

New Businesses Adding Jobs and Generating Tax Revenue for Kyle

Many people move to Kyle for the small-town lifestyle that puts them close enough to Austin and its resources. Residents will now have the opportunity to find work right in their own backyards.

NorthPoint Development Project Begins

Kyle Economic Development and the NorthPoint Development recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate new businesses setting up shop at the Plum Creek Industrial Center on 19200 Marketplace Ave. in Kyle.

The new businesses that will open in this center include the following:

  • American HVAC Metals Supply Inc.
  • Lanter Delivery Systems
  • Outer Aisle Gourmet
  • Plastikon
  • Viking Supply Net
  • And a to be named business

The development is on 935,000 sq. ft. of land and expects to create 1,000 new jobs and generate more than $800,000 of annual tax revenue for the city of Kyle. This location is one minute from I-35 Frontage Road.

Austin Is Tops in the Best Place in the World to Relocate

It’s not an exaggeration to say the Austin market is hot. An international relocation report from Money in the U.K. has named Austin the best place on the planet to relocate. The researchers looked at everything from the cost of living to housing prices and average internet speeds and life expectancy.

Other factors they looked at include the following:

  • Average annual temperatures
  • Average property price
  • Number of restaurants
  • Number of green spaces

Yes, Austin is No. 1 in the world, ranking ahead of Tokyo, Paris, and Rome. It’s also the only place in Texas to make the list containing 84 international locations. It turns out Austin has the third-best internet speed out of all the cities in the ranking. The Live Music Capital also scored high on average temperature and average monthly salaries.

Not only that but also Austin is emerging to be the tech hub of America. More jobs, affordable living, a small-town lifestyle. You can get all this and more right here in Kyle.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas in Kyle, Texas

The City of Kyle Parks and Recreation invites you to join them for their first 25 Days of Christmas at the newly renovated Mary Kyle Hartson Park (101 S. Burleson St., Kyle, TX). For the entire month of December, you can stroll the breathtaking holiday lights while listening to live music.

It all started on December 1 with Santa’s arrival in time for Mary Kyle Hartson’s ribbon-cutting ceremony! Here’s what’s happening.

What’s in Store for 25 Days of Christmas?

Every single day in December will be filled with holiday lights for your enjoyment. Wednesdays are “Winter Wonderland” and food trucks day. What’s Winter Wonderland? Only a few people know. Keep an eye out for details.

The air will be filled with live music on Fridays to entertain you while you browse the vendor booths. The vendors will also be available on Saturdays. You have many opportunities to get Santa photos, with Bailey Christian Photography, as he generously made time to be available every day except on Mondays and Tuesdays. He has a lot of work to do back home in his workshop.

Do you love Taco Tuesday? Every single Tuesday through December 21 is Taco Tuesday. There will be food vendors on that day too. And Sundays are Social Media Sundays. “To take part in the festivities, stop by the park, take pictures of you and your loved one and share it with the hashtag #KyleParksandRecreation.”

Inspired Minds Holiday Bazaar in Buda

Can’t get enough of the holiday season? Perhaps, you’ll want to wander through the gallery in nearby Buda’s Inspired Minds Holiday Bazaar (121 N. Main St., Buda, TX 78610). Come support the local artists who will have booths set up with their artwork.

This event takes place from now until December 23. Admission is free but some events may have a fee. For example, you can pain ornaments on Saturdays for $10. December 18 features a gingerbread house competition. Note the Bazaar closes on Sundays. It will be open from 1 to 6 PM Monday through Friday and from noon to 5 PM on Saturday.

More Things to Do in Kyle

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

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Budafest Returns!

Budafest is back for the 41st year and bigger than ever. Here’s your chance to check out the brand new Buda Amphitheater. Bring your family and friends to Downtown Buda for one, two, or three days of holiday cheer and live music on December 3-5. Buda is only about 10 minutes from Crosswinds in Kyle.

What Is Budafest?

Eileen Conley ran the festival for 15 years with help from Bert Bronaugh and Elaine Purvis in later years. Then, the City of Buda adopted Budafest. It has come a long way from the days as a small festival that showcased local artists and craft vendors to one that now has more than 75 vendors.

Budafest is a lot of things. It’s entertainment, it’s a craft and art market, it’s a dazzling night with a parade followed by fireworks on Main Street. Here’s the Budafest schedule and the Budafest Facebook page with more information.

What’s in Store for Budafest 2021?

Friday starts with a tree lighting ceremony and a small ornament market. The event will be in full swing by Saturday.

The nighttime parade takes place on Saturday evening. The parade and its many lights will travel from Main Street starting at Buda Mill and Grain Co. and work its way to Buda City Park. The parade ends with fireworks and Santa Claus doing a countdown to the holidays.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore craft vendors’ merchandise and hand-made items to find the perfect gift for others or yourself! You can also catch demonstrations to see how things are made in the artisan workshops. You’ll want to come back on Sunday for the Reindog Parade where our four-legged friends will trot down the street in their best holiday costumes and outfits.

There will be a small carnival with games and rides. Book worms rejoice! You’ll want to check out the Friends of the Buda Library’s Annual Book Sale. You’ll have a variety of gently used books at super low prices. The book sale is at the Municipal Complex at 405 E. Loop St.

Hope to see y’all there with bells on … and Santa hats and festive wear!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the new home builders in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Why Austin is Emerging as the Tech Hub of America

The pandemic has been a boon for Austin in terms of employment and a bust for Silicon Valley. As of now, Silicon Valley has only regained about half of the jobs it lost in March and April 2020 according to AP News. Austin, on the other hand, has regained 96 percent of its job losses for the same period per the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

The Advantages of Moving to the Austin Area

It doesn’t take much to figure out why Austin is faring better than Silicon Valley. A one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco costs more than $4,526 a month while the same only costs approximately $1,329 per month in Austin based on data from Built In. The median price for a home in San Francisco is a whopping $1,355,200! And it’s only $371,900 for Austin. Besides, California has some of the highest taxes in the nation.

Not only that but also Texas has no state income taxes. While California is known for its beautiful weather, Texas has enjoyable weather and milder winters compared to the northern states. People love the music scene, food from a diversity of cultures, and an active nightlife. And word is that the “Keep Austin Weird” culture encourages people to find a balance with work and whatever is important to them.

Companies in the Austin Area

Oracle has moved its headquarters to Austin. Tesla is here. Dell has been here for a long time. Palantir has moved its venture capital firm from Silicon Valley to Austin. Palantir Cofounder Joe Lonsdale says he’s already saving a lot of time with the move. He tells Business Insider that Austin is “more tolerant of ideological diversity than SF.”

Moreover, another Business Insider article reveals Dropbox CEO Drew Houston has moved to Austin as did Splunk CEO Douglas Merit and Tesla Founder Elon Musk. Apple is spending $1 billion on a new 133-acre in Austin that will support 5,000 employees with the potential to expand up to 15,000.

Clearly, Austin has a thriving real estate market. After all, WalletHub study puts Austin in the top 10 in multiple categories. This hot market extends beyond Austin city limits in places like Kyle, which are close to Austin and allow homeowners to get more home for their budget.

LinkedIn analysis indicates Austin has the highest tech migration out of any city in the country between May 2020 and April 2021. The city has welcomed almost 1.5 times more employees than the city in second place, which is Nashville. Austin also ranks fourth in the U.S. for tech job posts growth in March 2021 making it a booming place for tech talent.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

 

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

Texas Makes the List of Hardest Working States in America

Personal finance website WalletHub has published a new study that puts Texas at No. 5 among the hardest-working states. The other four states are Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Texas definitely has the warmest temperatures out of this group!

How WalletHub Did the Math

How did WalletHub come up with ranks? The website compared the 50 states on 10 key indicators. These include the number of hours worked in a week, the number of workers with multiple jobs, and the yearly number of volunteer hours per resident.

Texas’s average number of workweek hours puts it in fourth. Texas also ranks high in the number of engaged workers (No. 5) and the number of workers who don’t use their vacation time (No. 11). Texas ranks 14th for commute time and 26th for unemployment.

The study looks at two key dimensions: “Direct work factors” and “indirect work factors.” Direct factors include average workweek hours, employment rate, the share of households where the adults don’t work, unused vacation time, engaged workers, and idle youth.

Indirect factors include commute time, number of works with more than one job, yearly volunteer hours, and leisure time spent each day.

Governor Praises Texas Job Surge

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statement about Texas’s job growth.

“The Texas economy is booming. Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we’ve built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper,” says Governor Abbott.

“The June jobs report shows that our young, growing, and skilled workforce has forged a diversified and resilient economy, with Texas employers adding back more than 1.1 million jobs since the end of April 2020, the peak pandemic impact on jobs. That surge in hiring continues today with as many jobs posted on TWC’s job sites as Texans looking for work. I encourage every Texan looking for new or better employment to use the free job matching resources available to them from TWC, because Texas works when Texans work.”

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Contact our Crosswinds team.

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Show Your Appreciation on Veterans Day in Kyle, Texas

The City of Kyle is partnering with VFW Post 12058 and AMVETS to host the Veterans Day Parade to commemorate the day and honor local veterans. The parade begins at noon on Saturday, November 13.

About Kyle’s Veterans Day Parade

The parade route starts at VFW Post 12058 at 103 S Front St, Kyle, TX 78640 and travels west on Center Street. The parade ends at Gregg-Clarke Park. The city invites everyone to the commemoration event and festivities after the parade.

There will be a warbird flyover, market vendors, activities for the entire family, and it’ll end with a big bang as there will be fireworks. For the best views, go on either side of Center Street between VFW Post 12058 and Gregg-Clarke Park.

Here’s the schedule:

  • 12 p.m. — Parade begins
  • 1 to 6 p.m. — Post parade activities at Gregg-Clarke Park
  • 6 p.m. — Fireworks

Can’t attend the parade? Great news. The Veterans Day Parade will be live-streamed on the City’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

Check out the San Marcos Veterans Day Parade

You have another option for the Veterans Day parade with the San Marcos Veterans Day Parade happening this weekend on November 6. At 10 a.m. It’s sponsored by the City of San Marcos with assistance from the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and local veterans’ organizations.

This parade makes its way through historic downtown San Marcos. Pre-parade events start at 9 a.m. in front of the County Courthouse. Everyone ages five and older can show their support by participating in the Kiwanis Club Kids Bicycle Brigade. This is where the kids decorate their bikes, don their helmets, and ride them at the Courthouse lawn. The event takes place before the parade from 9 to 10 a.m. Kids can spruce their bikes with flags, signs, and streamers.

To all the Veterans, thank you for your service.

More Things to Do in Kyle

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle builders or contact our Crosswinds team.