Austin, TX
I'm a Californian who moved to Texas for a shot at the American dream. I moved back after 2 ½ years, but I miss Texas.
- Kimberly Wilkerson is a lifelong Californian who moved to Austin in 2022.
- She preferred Texas’ politics and enjoyed the state’s nature.
- Wilkerson moved back to California earlier this year to be near family.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kimberly Wilkerson, a 46-year-old self-published author and entrepreneur who moved from Oakley, California, to Austin in 2022. She stayed 2 ½ years before moving back to California to be close to family.
I was born and raised in Northern California, mostly in the East Bay. I’m a single mother to one son, who is 20 years old.
I felt blessed in California that I could go to the snow, the beach, and the mountains. I could be in any climate that I wanted within a few hours.
Our culture in California is very diverse. Growing up, I had so many friends from all different places. California is a hub for information and innovation. And that’s so beautiful.
But I don’t agree with a lot of what California’s leadership has done, and I had grown frustrated by politics. Both sides have their rights and wrongs. It’s a big ugly mess.
I worked in the corporate world for a while in conjunction with tech. I was able to support both me and my son, and we were comfortable. But I became disabled and was on disability for quite a few years.
Around 2022, however, I was feeling better and got the blessings of my physicians to start working again. I knew I wouldn’t be able to remain in California once I started working because I only paid a portion of my rent and other costs due to my disability.
I knew I needed to create a new life for myself. I started writing again. It was just pouring out of me and before I knew it, I was like, “I’m writing a book!” I was gifted the money to self-publish.
That really started a new life for me. I wanted to build this new creative career for myself, so I was willing to do almost anything as far as jobs that would bring in income.
Both my son and I wanted to move out of California. I was offered a job to relocate to Texas. I took a job as a night auditor, basically the hotel manager, for a major hotel chain.
I wanted to be able to buy a home. So, we said, let’s do it. And we headed for Texas.
I was excited to move to Texas
I didn’t really have any anxiety. My son and I had been through a lot and needed a fresh start.
We moved to Austin originally. But as Austin continued to grow, we moved just north of the city. I’m seeing that happen a lot more. People have to spread out because parts of Texas are growing so fast.
The state is so much bigger than we give it credit for. You can drive for 50 miles and see nothing but emptiness and fields.
Once you get to Austin, though, it feels like you’re in a mini-California. I think a lot of people in the last few years have moved there and influenced the culture.
Within one year of being in Texas, I saw so much growth. It just throws everything out of whack.
But for the most part, everyone was beautiful and very welcoming to us. We were embraced in Texas.
The first question I was usually asked was, “What brings you here?” People want to know why you’re there and if you’re going to screw up their state.
My normal response was, “I know a lot of people from California have moved here, and I believe everybody has a different reason for it.”
I went to Texas to have the American dream. My main priority is to have a solid foundation to leave for my son and his future family. That’s it. I don’t need a lot. I just need my little part.
I think the Texans understood that about me. I have friends there now who are like family.
The nature in Texas is undeniably the most peaceful and beautiful I’ve encountered in my life thus far.
I also felt like Texas was offering politics that I was more in favor of than California.
I stayed in Texas for 2 ½ years
My mother was growing more ill. Her health had been declining since I left. I had a hope of moving my mother to Texas, but that wasn’t going to be possible. It was better for me to come back to California.
Having said that, I still want to go back.
It was a difficult decision to some degree. I came back at the end of July.
There has been good and bad. It’s been good to see friends and family, and I’ve done a lot of healing in my relationships here.
When I went back to my old church, they said, “We saved your seat; here it is.” It was really beautiful. I felt very welcomed.
I got to see my mom laugh last night, and it was so beautiful. A moment like that makes being here worth it.
But I hope to go back to Texas one day. I’m waiting for the next right thing, which ideally would be if I’m getting married. Then, whichever place my husband is most comfortable will be my home.
Austin, TX
Bread winners: 10 Austin bakeries you'll love
Craving something sweet? Maybe something flaky? Austin may be known for tacos and barbecue, but its bakeries are the unsung heroes of the local food scene. We think it’s time to give them the spotlight they deserve.
Whether you’re looking for pastries by day or celebratory cakes by night, these locally owned bakeries are proof that life is butter with carbs.
Comadre Panadería, 1204 Cedar Ave. | Try something new at this Mexican-American bakery (which is a two-time James Beard semi-finalist) like the highly raved-about concha and pink cake.
La Pâtisserie, multiple locations | A case full of colorful macarons is the main attraction at this French bakery, which also offers pastries, cake, scones, buns, croissants, and wine.
Quack’s Bakery, multiple locations | Keeping Austin sweet since 1983, these beloved bakeries make pies, cakes, pastries, and more from scratch with no additives. Be sure to check out seasonal offerings like Pride, Halloween, and Christmas-themed cookies.
Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop, 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St., Ste. #200 | Owned by award-winning pastry chef Amanda Rockman, this newly opened bakeshop is all about caffeine, gluten, butter, sugar, and booze. Grab a rip ‘n’ dip bagel, strawberry cheesecake croissant, or focaccia sandwich.
Sour Duck Market, 1814 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | The neighborhood bakery within this American restaurant + beer garden is not to be missed. Snag a traditional bite like a savory Danish pastry or a creative concoction like the sweet potato-chai bearclaw.
Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, 1905 S. 1st St. | Desserts are king at this sugary locale that offers classic cupcakes, cookies, lemon + pecan bars, cakes, and mini-pies in-store, with custom offerings available for larger orders.
Texas French Bread, 2900 Rio Grande St. | Currently housed in an Airstream trailer, this small but mighty bakery (serving Austinites since 1981) sells goods on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll have to visit in person to see the full menu of bread, pastries, and sweets available each day.
Upper Crust Bakery, 4508 Burnet Rd. | This family-owned scratch bakery has it all, whether you want a cup of coffee and a pastry, a smoked turkey sandwich for lunch, or a layered cake to take home and enjoy.
Walton’s Fancy & Staple, 609 W. 6th St. | Amid a cluster of bars on West 6th Street, this bakery + deli owned by Sandra Bullock is a beacon of sweetness. Its pastries and sweet treats are made daily, but you can also order custom cakes.
Zucchini Kill Bakery, multiple locations | Calling all vegan, gluten, and soy-free folks with a sweet tooth. This woman-owned bakery is a haven for those with dietary restrictions and incorporates the spirit of punk music into its delicacies.
What’s your favorite bakery in Austin? Let us know and we might add it to this list in the future.
Austin, TX
Texas Longhorns Release First Injury Report vs. Kentucky Wildcats
AUSTIN — The Texas Longhorns and Kentucky Wildcats have released their initial student-athlete availability report ahead of Saturday’s meeting in Austin.
Texas is listing receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. as questionable due to a foot injury while linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. is questionable after sitting out for the 20-10 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks last week.
“He’s progressing this week,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Moore Jr. during Wednesday’s SEC Weekly Teleconference. “We’ll see if he’ll be ready to go here Saturday, but we’re surely a better team when he’s out there.”
Fortunately for Texas, running back Jaydon Blue was not listed on the report after being seen in a sling following the Arkansas game.
Here’s the full report for both teams:
Sarkisian provided an injury update on Moore Jr., Blue and Blackwell Jr. on Monday during his weekly press conference.
“I think Blue’s good,” Sarkisian said. “Like I said, he went with us today and worked this morning. So we’ll see how it goes. … Mo Blackwell was out last week. … I’m hopeful we can get him back this week. We’ll see how it goes. … DeAndre got nicked up during the game with a foot injury. Again, those two guys (Blackwell) are integral parts to our program, not only on offense and defense, but on special teams. They’re critical. So hopefully we get both those guys back.”
No. 3 Texas and Kentucky will kick off from DKR on Saturday at
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Austin, TX
UT Energy Expertise To Guide New Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub, Bolster U.S. Energy Supply
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin will partner with industry and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to build and expand a hub for hydrogen energy production along the Texas Gulf Coast that will help increase and diversify the nation’s energy supply. UT serves as founding member and lead academic organization.
The HyVelocity Hub (HyV), a regional energy consortium, aims to become the largest hydrogen hub in the nation. It will leverage the region’s high concentration of existing hydrogen production and end-use assets to develop low-carbon intensity hydrogen that can power trucks, industrial processes, ammonia production, refining and petrochemical production, and marine shipping fuel.
“Texas is the nation’s energy capital, and UT is the energy university, and we are no stranger to playing a leading role in America’s energy innovation,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “The success of the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub is critical to our nation’s future energy security. We are excited to work with our industry partners and apply our vast energy, business and policy expertise to develop the hydrogen workforce and accelerate production along the Gulf Coast.”
UT will provide expertise to support community benefits activities and hydrogen workforce development efforts. UT, through the IC2 Institute and the RESET lab in the Cockrell School of Engineering, has a significant track record of working with over 80 communities in Texas and bordering states to understand community needs and connect these to economic development initiatives to improve the lives of all community members. The hydrogen proto-hub demonstration facility at the Center for Electromechanics will serve as a key resource for hands-on workforce training activities. UT researchers will also conduct life-cycle and techno-economic analyses for the projects. For example, they will provide the analyses required for meeting emissions criteria, clean hydrogen standards, and cost benchmarks, and will report these data to the Department of Energy.
“UT Austin’s role in the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub will be vital to both providing the research and expertise needed to accelerate the global market for hydrogen, and to developing the workforce needed to support the industry’s advancement over the long term in Texas and the Gulf Coast,” said Brian Korgel, the Rashid Engineering Regents Chair Professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and the director of the UT Energy Institute. “We are proud to be part of this important project that will advance secure and sustainable energy in the U.S. and all over the world.”
HyV’s work will be at the forefront of maintaining and expanding Texas as a global leader in hydrogen energy development. With $22 million in the first tranche of funding, HyVelocity is expected to create up to 45,000 well-paying jobs over its lifetime and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7 million metric tons per year — equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 1.5 million gasoline-powered cars. The Department of Energy is investing $1.2 billion in the project.
As the nation’s premier university for energy innovation and excellence, UT brings an unmatched scale, depth and breadth of expertise and a pragmatic approach to advancing solutions across the full spectrum of energy. Situated in the heart of Texas, UT is in the center of the energy capital of the world. The University boasts numerous top-10 academic programs and a vast community of minds spanning a multitude of energy departments, centers and institutes. UT’s extensive industry partnerships and field research extend from the oil fields of West Texas to the other side of the world, with faculty, students and staff engaged in applied research in hydrogen, carbon capture, wind, solar, batteries and more.
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