Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a $360K Chihuly could change downtown Round Rock’s arts scene
Be sure to catch The Light Park on the Round Rock Patch calendar
Hi Round Rock! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $360K Chihuly could change downtown Round Rock’s arts scene
- See how Santa brightened the NICU at Round Rock’s BSW hospital
- What really happened inside Smokey Mo’s Round Rock restaurant this fall?
Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Round Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 80 and low of 65 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 78, low: 64.
- Friday: Very warm with sunshine, with a high of 84 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Custom Chihuly coming to Round Rock after leaders approve $360K piece for downtown building (kxan.com) — Round Rock’s City Council has approved a $360,000 contract for a custom Dale Chihuly glass installation that will anchor the renovated Griffith Building at the City Arts Center downtown. Leaders expect the internationally recognizable artwork, Chihuly’s only permanent Central Texas piece, to draw more visitors and boost foot traffic. Fabrication begins in January, with installation planned for fall 2026. 
Find out what's happening in Round Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. BSW Health's Tiniest Texans get a visit from Santa Claus! (fox44news.com) — Families with babies in the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock NICU got a heartwarming holiday surprise when Santa stopped by for photos and cheer. The visit was part of a wider celebration for “Tiniest Texans” across several Central Texas hospitals, bringing a little extra joy to parents and staff during a stressful season.
3. Smokey Mo's BBQ denies rat allegations, says claims are unsubstantiated (statesman.com) — Health inspections and a lawsuit have put Smokey Mo’s Round Rock location under scrutiny over alleged rodent issues, which the company firmly denies as unsubstantiated. Officials documented droppings and a removed rat this fall, while Smokey Mo’s points to pest-control reports and disputes claims of a large extermination and retaliation against a former employee.
4. ‘The Old Sleigh' is a wintery tale of community, holiday rituals and the passage of time (tpr.org) — A Central Texas children’s author who lives in Round Rock talks about his new winter-themed picture book, “The Old Sleigh,” and how it reflects growing small towns, family traditions, and community over generations. He and his brother also share how their Round Rock–area experiences shape both their gentle picture books and their sillier “Link + Hud” series for older kids.
5. American Revolution exhibit visits Williamson County as US celebrates 250th anniversary (kxan.com) — A traveling American Revolution exhibit is currently split between Round Rock Public Library and Georgetown Public Library through Jan. 2, giving local residents a free, close-to-home way to explore early U.S. history. The display highlights Revolutionary-era stories and the ancestral ties of Williamson County settlers, tying national history directly to the county’s own founding families.
📸 Around Round Rock
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Round Rock
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The Light Park
Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock
7:30 pm
Friday December 26
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Girls Basketball (FR) @ Vandegrift
Vandegrift High School , 9500 McNeil Dr , Austin
11:15 am - Girls Basketball (jv) @ Vandegrift
Vandegrift High School , 9500 McNeil Dr , Austin
11:30 am - Girls Basketball (V) @ Vandegrift
Vandegrift High School , 9500 McNeil Dr , Austin
1:00 pm - Wrestling (JV, V & VG) - New Year Rumble
Canyon High School , 1510 I-35 , New Braunfels - Christmas tree recycling event
Deepwood Recycling Center , 310 Deepwood Drive , Round Rock
9:00 am
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
📣 Round Rock Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
H-E-B Center at Cedar Park , 2100 Ave of the Stars , Cedar Park
2:00 pm - 50% Off Wines Wanderlust Wine Co!
Wanderlust Wine Co. Downtown , 612 N Interstate Hwy 35 , Austin
3:00 pm - Talk and Coffee
Remedy Roofing , 3600 W Whitestone BLVD , Cedar Park
7:00 am - Music Bingo!
Wanderlust Wine Co. Eastside , 702 Shady Lane , Austin
12:00 pm - Holiday 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon at Bohls Park, Pflugerville, TX (52) 60
400 Immanuel Rd , Pflugerville
2:00 pm - Stoney LaRue
Haute Spot , 1501 E New Hope Dr , Cedar Park
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
Saturday December 27
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Round Rock PatchAM possible:
- My Favorite Handyman — (512) 701-2684
Tile, Paint, Repairs & More — Locally Owned & Trusted
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- A Thank You to a Kind Stranger Named Bernardo
Tonight, my 10‑year‑old grandson and I were having dinner while waiting to meet his mom and stepdad. He was having a tender, emotional moment, and we… (Nextdoor Sam Bass Corridor) - Update: Reunited with owners
Found! Two beagles running down Raintree Path. No collars. We were able to get them into our backyard! (Nextdoor South Creek)
- Cintas Corporation posted a job opening for Warehouse Associate - Wastewater Technician - 2nd Shift in Round Rock. Apply here.
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in Round Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Round Rock here.
Ok Round Rock! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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