Happy Friday, Georgetown. In today’s edition: Flood recovery grants, Pfestival of lights & parade, Girl Talk: Power Pivots, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

New campuses under construction: Georgetown ISD has named Dr. Emily Fraser and Michael Coyle to lead Elementary No. 12 and Middle School No. 5, opening in 2026-27. Both will transition in January — get all the details.

Incentives boost historic district: Hutto approved up to $31,600 in sales tax reimbursements for The Story Emporium & Bookshop, aiding renovations and operations as the community hub hosts events, workshops, and children’s story times — read the full story.

Grants support flood recovery: Central Texas Community Foundation distributed $3.35 million to 115 flood victims in Travis and Williamson Counties. Round two applications are open with $5 million available through Jan. 31, 2026 — see application details and deadlines.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• School showcase presents new student work
• Shop, savor food trucks, meet Santa
• Experience Santa Lucia and Julbord tastings
• Celebrate snow, slides, and holiday joy
• Rarest event returns with Pink Floyd
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Year-end city reminders: Plan ahead: Georgetown city offices and most facilities will be closed Dec. 24-25 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for New Year’s. No trash or recycling pickup on those Thursdays; service slides to Friday (Dec. 26 and Jan. 2). Fireworks are banned in/near city limits, with fines up to $2,000 and homeowner liability. See closures, pickups, fireworks rules.

Festive fun for all ages: Georgetown Parks and Rec is packing December with holiday events: a Senior Holiday Party benefiting Blue Santa with an ugly sweater contest on Thu, Dec 11, a free Sunset Movie with popcorn that evening at San Gabriel Park, the $5 Winter Wonderland Family Dance on Fri, Dec 12, and a teen party on Dec 19. Get dates and event details.

Local beer, no fuss: From an easygoing Texas Lager to a crisp Debbie Harry blonde and a classic Hefeweizen, Rentsch Brewery keeps taps lively with rotating food trucks and live music. It’s a simple, reliably good hang when you just want a pint with friends… or an excuse to linger.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎆 Light Up the Lake (Night 1) @ Old Settlers Park at Palm Valley | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Round Rock’s lighting up Old Settlers Park with a holiday glow, giant balloons over Bright Lake, Santa, and a yule log you don’t have to chop. Night 1 brings live music on the new Lakeview Stage with Elevation Band, plus food, drinks, and ticket-free fun.

💬 Girl Talk: Power Pivots – Real Stories. Real Journeys. @ Felicia Reed Photography | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – If you’ve been pivoting since before it was a startup buzzword, this one is for you. Real women share real turns in the road, with conversation, connection, and a little courage on tap, so you leave lighter, wiser, and possibly plotting your next move.

This weekend

🐱 Shadow Cats Holidays at the Sanctuary @ Shadow Cats | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Whether you’re in it for Santa, hot chocolate, or quality time with whiskered VIPs, Shadow Cats is hosting a cozy open-air holiday hang in Round Rock. Expect Mr. Thrill, cat tours with newbie celeb Petunia, local vendors, feel-good shopping, free to wander, encouraged to donate.

🎉 Pfestival of Lights & Parade @ Downtown Pflugerville | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Downtown Pflugerville’s Main Street goes full twinkle for the annual parade and tree lighting. Grab the kids or grandkids, claim a curb, and watch Santa roll in, light the big tree, and pose for more photos than a graduation.

🎶 Together for the Season – Free Combined Choir and Orchestra Concert @ First United Methodist Church | Saturday (12/6) at 7:30pm – Kick off the season at a free concert with Round Rock Community Choir and Bluebonnet Philharmonic, featuring White Christmas, Frozen, and a sing-along you’ll actually enjoy. Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for pics, so bring cans for Serving Center, and snag tickets on EventBrite.

🤸 Sunday Special at Mt. Playmore @ Mt Playmore | Sunday (12/7) at 10:00am – Sunday at Mt. Playmore means bribing the kids with a free $5 game card if you roll in before noon, and buying yourself twenty blissful minutes of peace. Let them climb, dash, and burn energy, you sip coffee, supervise, and call it quality time.

🧸 Spicewood Springs Toy Swap @ Spicewood Springs Branch | Sunday (12/7) at 12:00pm – Time to liberate closets from the beeping plastic herd at the Spicewood Springs Toy Swap, a free community swap. Bring clean, gently used, or new toys to trade, snag a favorite, then wrap it at the wrapping station. No early drop offs, leftovers get donated.

🎼 A Baroque Christmas @ Alma Thomas Theater | Sunday (12/7) at 4pm – Bask in the glow of timeless holiday classics as the San Gabriel Chorale and guest orchestra bring Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel to life. It’s a rich, warm, goosebump-inducing concert perfect for anyone craving some true seasonal magic. Adults are just $25, and students get in free—high culture without the high price.

Next week

🎄 Team RADIOactive Holiday Fun “Run” @ Koughan Memorial Water Tower Park | Monday (12/8) at 7pm – Lace up, light up, and jog your way through downtown Round Rock’s holiday glow with this ultra-festive group run. Think ugly sweaters, jingling accessories, and enough twinkle lights to make Rudolph jealous. The night wraps at Brass Tap for a well-earned round of cheer with the crew.

📈 13 Ways to Take More Listings & Get More Sold This Fall @ Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center | Tuesday (12/9) at 9am – Sharpen your edge with Glover U’s newest playbook of scripts, systems, and strategies designed to boost your listings and speed up sales. It’s a half-day power session packed with practical, real-world tactics you can implement before lunch. Perfect for agents ready to finish the year with momentum.

📘 In Person: ESL Level I (Session 1) @ Carver Center | Tuesday (12/9) at 6pm – This final fall session wraps up the beginner-friendly ESL course, designed to build confidence in basic conversation, reading, and vocabulary. It’s a supportive, adults-only class where total beginners can take their first steps toward English fluency. Limited childcare is available, making it easier for parents to participate.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/6 Pflugerville Coffee & Pfuel @ TX Municipal Government – 9 am
• 12/6 44th Annual Christmas Stroll @ Historic Downtown Georgetown – 10 am
• 12/7 Georgetown’s 44th Annual Christmas Stroll @ Historic Georgetown – 10 am
• 12/7 Together for the Season – Combined Choir and Orchestra Concert @ Cedar Park High School Performing Arts Center – 3 pm
• 12/12 DepartureATX @ The Fieldhouse at The Crossover – 7 pm
• 12/13 Mach 5 @ The Fieldhouse at The Crossover – 7 pm
• 12/14 2025 ABRSM High Scorer’s Concert @ Steinway Piano Gallery – 12:30 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Georgetown edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Donna Cannon (Pacesetter Properties)

On over 5 oak studded acres in the Texas Hill Country, this architect designed single story shows off vaulted beamed ceilings, sculptural walls, and a fireplace anchoring the great room. Covered porches frame views, and an island kitchen, spa like bath with soaking tub and walk in shower, and bonus room and office keep things easy.

Fully fenced with a gated drive, the property adds a massive workshop, RV garage with additional RV cover, outdoor kitchen, and ample parking for toys and trailers. Tucked at the back of an acreage neighborhood, it stays private yet close to Georgetown conveniences.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →