I was thinking this week about one of the nice things about growing old.

We no longer dread September. In fact…we welcome it. No longer do we have to worry about school or getting our progeny to school. Many of us are retired, so the “end of summer vacation” really doesn’t mean anything. The weather turns cooler. The leaves get colorful.

September’s great.

Despite the heat and humidity, we still had a great month here at Primetime, with game nights, book clubs, our weekly trivia nights, hikes, happy hours, restaurant outings, policy discussions, and our big third annual sing-a-long (thanks for coming!).

So thank you Greg W., Louise, Mahani, Lisa, Robert, the other 2 “G” Greg, Andy, Jeffrey, Barbara, Anne, Mireya, Lynn, Miki, and Clare for keeping the Primetime spirit alive by hosting events during one of the more difficult months of the year because of the heat and members’ vacation schedules. We appreciate and salute you.

And consistent with form, September has filled up quickly with events, including multiple backyard concerts, game nights, and informational sessions, including a Zoom talk with a Medicare expert for those of us who, ahem, have reached (or are close to reaching) a certain age. And just in time for the silly season, which doesn’t seem so silly this year, I’ll be presenting the much requested 1993 Ivan Reitman comedy Dave (1993) for this month’s Primetime Backyard Movie. I’ve got some other stuff planned, but I’m trying to get some confirmations from venues. If none of that pans out, maybe we’ll sneak in a Cinema Obscura night somewhere.

But there’s still lots of room for more events! Some suggestions for “events in need of hosts”…

(1) Football is here! Why not organize a watch party?

(2) The annual Texas Tribune Festival starts this week with arguably the finest political and policy talks in the capital city. Why not host a get together or a watch party? This year the 100+ events include talks from Stacey Abrams, Liz Cheney, Richard Linklater Nancy Pelosi, Rick Perry, and Gretchen Whitmer. Tickets are extremely reasonable, and news is often made. Check out details here.

3) Austin has a new live arts venue/theater called Sterling Stage, and their opening season is impressive. This month they have performances of Cyrano de Bergerac and a new cabaret musical called Someone to Watch Over Me by local composer and scribe Benajah T. Baskin, a well known figure in Austin theater circles.

4) Of course there’s always the popular Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival. Hard to get more Austin than that, and the event is always a blast.

5) Any swashbucklers out there? How about an outing to see The Three Musketeers at Austin’s historic Scottish Rite Theater?

6) Ballet Austin is offering dozens of dance classes in various style and for all skill levels. Why not get a few friendss together and try one? They even have drop-in classes.

7) Can’t get enough of free outdoor movies? How about Barbie (2023) at the Austin Park Foundation’s Movie in the Park Series at Mueller Lake Park?

8) Wanna do some good? How about hosting a group to go donate blood at the non-profit We Are Blood event in which all donees receive a free Whataburger breakfast taquito?

9) And let’s not forget the annual Austin Museum Day in which many of Austin’s museums have free admission and special events on Sunday, September 22, including The Blanton, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Elizabeth Ney Museum, the LBJ Presidential Library, and more. Its a great day out.

Till then…keep on truckin’ Primetimers.

Gregg, on behalf of Louise, Andy, Barbara and Patty