Hello Wheatsville!
I hope you had a most excellent Thanksgiving! We did. Our best ever, thanks to you! Now, welcome to DECEMBER! We kick off this festive time with an annual tradition, the Wheatsville Artsfest this weekend Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5:30!
Many of you are already huge fans of this excellent event, but if you've never been here's what you can expect:
Our back parking lot is transformed into a Winter Wonderland Arts and Crafts bazaar with all locally made items from great artists that you can actually meet! We also have an amazing line-up of music as well! (more on that later!) The Wheatsville Arts festival is too big to just be contained on our lot, so head across the street to the My Cleaners parking lot for Wheatsville Arts Festival, Too! AND, new and special this year, a Wheatsville Arts Festival Fine Arts Exhibit at the incomparable United States Art Authority down the street at 29th and Fruth! Check out a map here: http://s.coop/5j0
Scroll down for:
Arts Festival Schedule and IMPORTANT parking information
Caffeine-ation Nation at the Deli
News from the green grocer
Holiday=housewares
Cheese Island
New Co+op and Holiday Deals for December!
Beer and wine on sale
Save the date- Black Star Grand opening!
Arts festival musical line-up and We want to PARK your for YOU!
Wheatsville Stage Saturday
10:00 - 11:00 The Studebakers
11:30 - 12:30 Paul Klemperer
12:45 - 1:45 Continental Graffiti
2:00 - 3:00 The Vermeers
3:00 - 4:00 Imbibe
4:00 - 5:30 Ted Roddy & The Hit Kickers
Wheatsville Stage Sunday
10:00 - 11:00 Bruce Newman, Kirk Williams & Jungle Jill (kid's show)
11:30 - 12:30 Ezra Reynolds
12:45 - 1:45 Lexland
2:00 - 3:00 Earthkeepers
3:00 - 4:00 JimbroJim
4:00 - 5:30 Diana Cantu Band
Fine Arts Exhibit at the United States Art Authority 510 W 29th
Fine Arts Exhibit Artists
Alan Pogue - photographer
David Wilhem - stainless steel sculptor
Mike Keener - woodworker
Shannon Von Wright - metal sculptor
Arleen Polite - painter & printmaker
Menelaos Prokos - color photographer
Drew Mounce - printmaker
Larry Mounce painter & sculptor
Ethan Azarian - painter & muralist
Agustina – unique lights
Regina Burchett – painter
Nora Gill – watercolors
Colin McIntyre – sculpture
United States Art Authority Stage (inside)
Saturday
10:30 - 12:00 Tim Hayles
12:30 - 2:00 John Lucas Fuller
2:30 - 4:00 lili & walter
4:00 - 5:30 Ethan Azarian
Sunday
10:30-12:00 Random Acts Puppet Theater
12:30 - 2:00 Cindy Pitts
2:30 - 4:00 Little Timmy
4:00 - 5:30 Chris Beer Band
When visiting the USAA, stroll through Toy Joy's "Tinsel Tree Farm" at I Love Video
We'll PARK your car FOR YOU!
Let's be honest, giving up space in our lot for artists is a great thing, but it sure makes parking tough around here during the weekend. We encourage folks to NOT park in the Wheatsville lot if you'r coming to eth Arts Fetsival. Please use street parking in the neighborhoods or better yet, bus, bike or walk!
To help make it easier to find parking we will offer free valet parking. We'll park your car so you don't have to! If you are coming primarily for the Arts Festival activities, we urge you to use the valet service and leave the lot open for folks doing their grocery shopping. We are asking the valet service to be proactive in offering service to folks when they are unable to find a spot.
It's FREE, tipping is truly not required. There is no cost to you and the service is licensed and bonded. Just pull your car up to the front of the patio, hand them your keys, take your ticket, and get your shop on. If you want to speed things up at the end, you could ask the valet to get your car while you check out. Your car would then be waiting for you upon exiting the store. We hope this service will make your holiday shopping experience much more pleasant. Thanks!
And, as an added bonus, turn your ticket in at the raffle booth for a FREE RAFFLE ticket, just for letting us park your car for you!
ArtsFest this weekend brings a special deal to the Deli!
Thanks for making our Thanksgiving such a great one! Now it's time to get in the spirit of generosity and gift-giving for the season – and where better to get your all-local, all-handmade Yuletide gifts for dear ones than at our very own Wheatsville ArtsFest?!
To celebrate our weekend of arts and crafts fun, the Deli is offering our signature drink, The Wheatsvillain, at a special weekend-only price! An eye-opening shot of espresso in a cup of regular brewed coffee, this tasty brew is on sale for 50 cents off at the Espresso Bar this Saturday and Sunday December 4th and 5th for all customers! The 12 oz Wheatsvillain is on sale for $2.00, reg.$2.50, and the 16 oz is on sale for $2.50, reg.$3.00! So come on in to the Deli this Saturday and Sunday, get fueled up with your Wheatsvillain and fresh-baked muffin, custom breakfast taco, RockStar bagel or any of our wide selection of very tasty pastries – or hit up our all-day Brunch bar on Sunday! – and get ready to browse the wonderful wares of our local artisans!
Deli Owner Deals for the next two weeks include our beloved vegan Frito Pie, just in time for the chilly weather, $3.99, reg. $4.99! Come in and get your fix of our award-winning vegan Tempeh Chili spooned over Fritos and topped, if you so choose, with cheese, onions and jalapenos at our Deli Counter! Really, this stuff is so good it has its own Facebook page!: Frito Pie On Facebook!
Also on sale now are our Bakery's wonderful Oatmeal Cream Pies, $1.49, reg. $1.99! Sweet tooth? This will satisfy it! Vegan? Absolutely! A filling of creamy, sweet vegan cream cheese frosting is sandwiched between two tender cookies made with organic rolled oats and brown sugar to create a most divine dessert. Come try one today!
Our house-brewed, staff favorite Gingerade is our last Owner Special this period, 16 oz for just 99¢, reg. $1.69. This incredibly refreshing drink is made with fresh ginger, spices and a blend of three fruit juices, and can be served iced or HOT! If you've only had it cold, it's time to try it heated up! It's an allergy-destroyer and tummy-tenderizer all in one!
Also this month, the Deli Counter will taunt your tastebuds with our creamy, sweet Very Berry Christmas Smoothie of the Month! Blending apple juice and soymilk with strawberries, raspberries and banana, this thick and tasty holiday special is just $4.99!
December's Salsa of the Month is the Roasted Tomato Salsa! Oven-roasting adds sweetness to vine-ripened tomatoes and onions, and smokiness to jalapenos – when hand-blended with some fresh cilantro and lemon juice, they create a very tasty salsa, for just $4.99/lb!
Also on sale at the Deli Counter through the month of December are tasty cold cuts: Boar's Head Smoked Ham at $8.49/lb, reg. $8.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99, so stock up on your tasty lunchables!
From your green grocer
I can't stop talking enough about citrus: the season is here and we're super stoked! Right now, you'll find three varieties of tangerines: Bower Tangerines from South Texas, and Daisy and Satsuma varieties from California. They're all great choices. My favorite is the Daisy – it's sweet and has lots of flavor, though it has quite a few seeds so can be considered more of a grown up's citrus. The Satsumas are perfect for the kiddies – easy to peel and no seeds. Satsumas seem to have less pith, which kids also like. Watch our shelves for more choices, and don't be afraid to ask for a sample! We'll be sampling citrus every day. Think about bringing tangerines to Christmas parties this year. They're a traditional Christmas gift that are always well received.
This week, we're also highlighting Red Russian Kale from Springfield Farms in Moulton, Texas. Red Russian is my favorite variety of kale – it's beautiful, has a great texture, and seems to last longer in the fridge. We've got HUGE bunches of the stuff for $2.99 each – a great deal for so much kale, and since it'll keep well, you can eat it over several days. My favorite way to eat kale is simple: on a pita with some hummus. Most people prefer it cooked. Kale holds up well in cooking and can be prepared in many ways. Stir-fry it, steam it, or cook it southern style – boiled with a ham hock. Yum!
We're also continuing our weekly sale program in the produce department, and we've got three great picks for you this week:
Organic Eggplant for $1.69/lb (save 30¢) – There are more ways than you think of preparing eggplant, but as the weather gets colder, I love me some eggplant parmesan.
Organic Portabella Caps $3.49 for a package of 3 (save 30¢) – Portabella caps are delicious and easy – marinate overnight, stuff with sautéed vegetables, top with cheese, bake for 15 minutes at 350°
Organic Ambrosia Apples $1.69/lb (save 30¢) – If Galas are your favorite apple, these sweet, crispy apples will replace them! Slice them and serve with some tahini and a dollop of honey for a fantastic treat that's good for you, too!
HOLIDAY HELP FROM OUR HOUSE-WARES DEPARTMENT
Thanksgiving is over and it's time to shake off that tryptophan and pie haze and start on your holiday gift list. We're here to make gift shopping easy, convenient, and affordable with gifts for every occasion and budget. We have lots of small gifts and some fancier goods, too, just look for our helpful Gifts Under $5, Gifts Under $10 and Gifts Under $20 signs throughout the store. And feel free to take advantage of our friendly and knowledgeable health team staff – we love helping folks pick the perfect present!
Featured Vendor: Hempy's
Wheatsville is proud to offer quality gifts from one of our favorite manufacturers, Hempy's. This American company produces durable and comfortable clothing and accessories in an ecologically friendly and sustainable way. Check out our selection of hats, belts and wallets!
Hanukkah Has Arrived!
Wednesday, December 1, marks the start of Hanukkah. It's not too late to get your menorah and celebrate the Festival of Lights! We have a nifty modular menorah set featuring modern glass cubes and colorful candles, regularly $18.99 on sale for $15.99. We also have a few of the popular votive menorah sets left, regularly $7.99 for just $5.99 (candles not included).
Last Chance for Christmas Cards
You still have time to get those Christmas cards in the mail and we've reduced the price on all boxed greeting card sets. We have sets of 12 cards, regulary $12.00 reduced to $8.99, and sets of 20 cards, regularly $15.00 on sale now for $10.99.
CHEESE ISLAND
December 25th is right around the corner, but for the next few weeks are Holiday parties. We have cheese trays to meet everyone's needs. I have a small and simple yet delightful small domestic cheese tray for $15. Also, we offer a large domestic cheese and fruit tray containing 5 domestic cheeses and seasonal fruit, for $50. We offer 2 new trays. One tray is a Local Cheese tray. It is filled with offerings from Pure Luck Dairy, Veldhuizen Family Farms and Brazos Valley Cheese Company for $100. There is also a very elegant Brie and Preserve tray for $50. It will be the star of the appetizer table.
Parmigiano Reggiano is on sale for $18.99/lb, regularly $21.29/lb. Organic Valley Four Cheese Italian Shreds 10 oz. are on sale for $4.29 ea.
We are now stocking Vermont Butter and Cream's Crème Fraiche. It is $4.99 for an 8 oz tub.
We have brought in a few new cheeses for the holidayS. We have two Montechevre goat cheese logs. One is chevre and honey and the other is a chevre with figs. Both are $3.29 each. And I also brought in a Wenslydale with cranberry $15.29/lb. These cheeses would go great on an appetizer cheese plate!!
Delicious new Deals for the Holidays! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant
Breakfast is easy with our fresh morning favorites - So Delicious Coconut Milk now $2.99 reg. $3.99, Stonyfield Organic Low Fat Yogurt 5/ $4.00 reg. $ 0.99 each, Nature's Path Organic Waffles now $2.29 reg. $2.99 and Living Harvest Tempt Milk now $2.99 reg. $3.99 and Nature's Path Organic Toaster Pastries now $2.29 reg. $3.29.
Baking made easy - our shelves are filled with all the good quality ingredients you need to make the holidays delicious! Bob's Red Mill Organic Flour now $3.99 reg. $5.69, Frontier Organic Vanilla Extract now $6.49 reg. $9.49, Pamela's Brownie Mix now $3.99 reg. $5.79, Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips now $3.49 reg. $4.29, Santini Evaporated Milk is now $0.99 reg. $1.59, Bulk Organic Sugar is now $0.99/lb reg. $1.39 and Spectrum Naturals Organic Refined Canola Oil is now $7.99 reg. $10.49.
And for the sweet tooth in your family, we're loaded with sweet Deals! Endangered Species Chocolate Bar is now $1.99 reg. $2.79, Theo Organic Chocolate Bar now $2.49 reg. $3.29 and Newman's Own Organic Chocolate Cups are now $0.99 reg. 1.59.
Remember, our Deals are easy to reference. Go to http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals link.
Happy Arts Fest from Bulk!
We hope to see you all in the bulk department this Saturday and Sunday where we've got all your snacking needs taken care of. We'll have some tasty samples available this weekend, my favorite of which being the delicious Dark Chocolate Covered Sprouted Almonds. This tasty treat is a fairly new addition to the department and they come from the Sprouted Almond Co. These almonds are sprouted in lightly salted water, dried, and then dipped in double dark German chocolate to make a one of a kind delicious treat!
Hope to see you this weekend!
Last chance Shiner sale! All Shiner 6 packs are on sale $6.99 regularly $7.99 for a limited time. This includes the runaway hit Shiner Holiday Cheer, an Old World Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans!
Wine Sale! Conquista Malbec is on sale $8.99 regularly $9.99. This red wine from Argentina hits all the right notes. An aromatic cherry nose and big round tannins make this a great Malbec.
Welcome to our newest Austin Co-op, Black Star Co-op!
Yes, it's finally here! Our friends at Black Star Co-op invite you to join them December 10th-12th for a weekend full of Grand Opening celebrations!
They'll kick off the festivities with a big outdoor party on Friday, December 10th from 6PM to midnight. Join them for Grand Opening ceremonies, the first tap of our house beers, and a party into the night. Music by Vanessa Lively and Band, Ugly Beats, Melogrand, and Brownout!
The entire evening will be family friendly with free hot apple cider, face painting, and a bounce house.
I hope you have an excellent week and would love to see you at the Arts festival Saturday or Sunday!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
