Hello, Central Texas!
Welcome to the Senior Spotlight! I’m your host, Gary Emmert, bringing you the latest news, stories, and insights specially curated for our senior community.
Every Saturday morning at 9:20am, we delve into the topics that matter most to you, from health and wellness tips to local events and national headlines. Whether you’re looking for thoughtful discussions, inspiring stories, or simply want to stay informed, Senior Spotlight is here to shine a light on the issues that impact your life.
So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join us as we explore the news from a senior perspective.
Latest Episode
Preparing for the Winter Weather
As colder weather moves into Central Texas this weekend, residents are encouraged to take simple steps to stay safe and prepared. With freezing temperatures here, local officials are reminding the community to protect the “5 Ps”: People, Pets, Pipes, Plants, and Power.
The timing coincides with the upcoming observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a weekend traditionally centered on service, compassion, and caring for one another. City leaders say the message is especially relevant as the community prepares for potentially hazardous weather.
People
Residents are encouraged to dress in warm layers, limit time outdoors, and check on elderly neighbors, friends, or anyone who may need assistance. In the spirit of Dr. King’s call to serve others, a simple check‑in can make a meaningful difference during cold weather.
Pets
Pets should be brought indoors or provided with warm, protected shelter. Ensuring animals are safe from the cold is an easy act of kindness that reflects the community‑minded values often highlighted during the MLK Day weekend.
Pipes
Homeowners are advised to wrap exposed pipes, disconnect outdoor hoses, and open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate. Taking these steps now can help prevent costly damage later.
Plants
Covering outdoor plants or bringing them inside can help prevent frost damage. Residents are encouraged to prepare early, especially if temperatures fall below freezing overnight.
Power
Officials recommend charging devices, gathering flashlights and blankets, and having water and non‑perishable food on hand in case of power outages. Residents are also reminded to use space heaters safely and never use ovens or gas stovetops for heat.
Stay informed by keeping it right here on KNCT for hourly updates from Bill Hecke and visit myKNCT.com/weather for reports on-demand.
Texas Silver Haired Legislature
Texas House of Representatives
- District 54 – Rep. Brad Buckley (Bell County)
- (512) 463-0684
- District 55 – Rep. Hillary Hickland (Bell County)
- (512) 463-0630
- District 59 – Rep. Shelby Slawson (Coryell, Erath, Hamilton, and Hood Counties)
- (512) 463-0628
Senior Centers
- Lions Club Park Senior Center
- 1700-B East Stan Schlueter Loop
- Killeen, TX 76542-5485
- (254) 501-6399
- Hours: 8am – 4pm
- Monday through Friday
- Senior Scoop Newsletter
Copperas Cove Senior Center
- 1012 North Drive, Suite 5
- (254) 547-6022
- Senior Center is now managed and operated by the Hill Country Community Action Association, more information at HCCAA.com.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
- 842 Mitchell Street
- Belton, TX 76513
- (254) 770-7958
- (254) 939-1171
- Hours: 8am to 3pm
- Monday through Friday
Home Delivered Meals
Home delivered meals are available to eligible clients. Call them for more information at (254) 939-1170.
Sammons Community Center in Temple
- 2200 West Avenue D
- Temple, TX 76504
- (254) 298-5403
- Hours: 8am to 5pm
- Monday through Friday
TempleParks.com/sammonscommunitycenter
Warming Shelter
The City of Temple is partnering with The Salvation Army to operate an overnight warming shelter during periods of severe winter weather.
Location: Salvation Army 419 W. Avenue G, Temple, TX 76504
Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. on qualifying nights
The shelter will open when temperatures reach 32 degrees in dry conditions or 36 degrees in wet conditions. Only registered service animals are allowed indoors, but special arrangements for pets can be made for overnight guests.
Daytime Warming Stations
These locations offer warm indoor space during the day but do not operate overnight:
- Feed My Sheep – 116 W Avenue G
- Temple Public Library – 100 W Adams Ave #310
- Hilltop Recovery Ministries (Women Only) – 509 S 9th St
A blue flag displayed outside these facilities will indicate when warming services are active. Other city facilities will remain open during their normal operating hours.
Salado Senior Center
- 650 Royal Street in Salado
- (254) 271-2415
- saladoseniorcenter.org
- 408 Ridgeway Drive in Cedar Park, Texas
- (512) 331-6000
- Hours: 9am to 3pm
- Monday through Friday
Leander, Cedar Park partner for MLK Day March and Celebration
The cities of Leander and Cedar Park will come together to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 2026 MLK Day March and Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main St.
This year marks the first time the two cities have partnered to host the free community celebration.
The 2026 theme, “Teach Them Well: The Future Starts With Us,” will guide the day’s activities. Coordinated by the Leander Public Arts and Culture Commission, the event begins with a community march at 10 a.m., followed by a program featuring remarks from Mayor Pro Tem Thompson and Mayor Penniman‑Morin, an invocation from Minister Wendell Holmes of New Birth Community Baptist Church, and a flag ceremony led by Scouts from the North Shore District of Scouting America.
Day of Celebration Project
In recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, the event will also support two community drives. Brighter Days Food Pantry will host a food drive, and The Healthy Hygiene Project will collect hygiene items. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations to the MLK Day of Service booth during the celebration.
Allen R. Baca Center
- 301 W. Bagdad Avenue, Building 2 in Round Rock
- (512) 218-5499
- Facility/Weight Room Hours
- Monday through Thursday: 7am to 9pm
- Friday: 7am to 6pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 1pm
- Office Hours
- Monday through Friday
- 7:30am to 5:30pm
- roundrocktexas.gov
- bacacenter.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 39th Annual Commemorative Walk and Celebration
The Round Rock Black History Organization, in partnership with Round Rock ISD and the City of Round Rock, will host the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Walk and Celebration. The community event features a march beginning at 1:15 p.m., followed by a celebration and program at 2 p.m..
Dr. Anthony Watson, principal of Stony Point High School, will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s program.
Participants will gather at Burke Realty Group, located at 3121 Eagles Nest St., Suite 160, before walking to Sweet Home The Pinnacle of Praise, 3200 Sunrise Road, where the program will take place.
Austin
Online Newsletter Links
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community March and Festival will take place on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The day begins with a short program at 9:30 a.m. on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol, followed by the community march at 10 a.m. Participants will walk along East 11th Street, ending at Huston‑Tillotson University, where the festival portion begins at 11 a.m.
The festival will feature food and merchandise vendors, live music, and family‑friendly activities. Attendees are encouraged to bring non‑perishable food donations for the Central Texas Food Bank.
Because the event spans multiple locations, organizers recommend using CapMetro, CapMetro Bikeshare, or rideshare services. Free parking is available at several nearby sites, including the State Visitors Garage, Kealing Middle School, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Blackshear Elementary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Safety officials encourage participants to dress for cold weather, stay with their group, keep phones charged, and report suspicious activity. Austin Public Health also recommends standard health precautions such as handwashing and staying home if feeling ill.
The event is hosted by the Austin Area Heritage Council in partnership with the City of Austin, celebrating Dr. King’s legacy while highlighting Austin’s cultural diversity. More information is available at mlkcelebration.com.
Events
Sul Ross Boot Scootin’ Dance Club
Waco Lions Den
1716 N. 42nd Street in Waco
The Sul Ross Boot Scootin’ Dance Club has been serving Waco and the surrounding area since 1978. Open dances are held each Thursday night from 7:00 pm until 9:15 pm unless designated otherwise. The admission fee is $6.00. Styles of dance include two steps, polka, waltzes and even the occasional chicken dance. Line dancers are always welcome.
Last week, 147 people were in attendance. The next dance is this Thursday, January 22nd with live music provided by the Heart of Texas Roadgang.
The Austin Traditional Jazz Society is committed to preserving and promoting traditional jazz throughout Central Texas. Founded in 1977, the organization has long served as a platform for both nationally recognized and local jazz musicians. The Society welcomes anyone who appreciates this classic American art form to attend its events and become part of its membership.
Season memberships can be purchased at the door or by visiting atjs.org. Guests can enter for $12 and college students with ID and members of the Austin Jazz Society are $5.
Please visit www.atjs.org for more information.
The Austin Traditional Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
General admission to ATJS concerts is $12.00.
Student admission is $5.00.
(With the exception of Special Concerts)
Concerts are 2pm to 4:45pm at Ben Hur Shrine Temple,
7811 Rockwood Lane in Austin.
MLK Day Events in Georgetown
A variety of events will be held in Georgetown Jan. 19 to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Several City offices and facilities will be closed Jan. 19 in recognition of the holiday. For more information about City closures, visit this page.
MLK Day March and Program
A march to honor the MLK Day holiday begins at noon Monday, Jan. 19, at the Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main St. After meeting on the north side of the courthouse on Seventh Street, there will be a seven-block march to Macedonia Baptist Church, 206 Martin Luther King Jr. St. Participants are asked to start gathering at 11:45 a.m.
A program will follow the march at the church featuring keynote speaker Gerald Jones, associate vice president for student life and dean of students at Southwestern University. The march and program are sponsored by the Georgetown Fellowship of Churches and are free and open to the public.
MLK Prayer Breakfast for Community Leaders
The Georgetown Ministerial Alliance and the Georgetown Police Department will host the MLK Prayer Breakfast for Community Leaders at 8 a.m. Jan. 19. The event is at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, 3500 D.B. Wood Road. A light breakfast will be provided. More information is available on Georgetown Ministerial Alliance Facebook page.
Youth Service Day
The Georgetown Project will host a Youth Service Day from 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 19 at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St., for local high school students in grades 9-12. A variety of projects and activities will be available. Drinks, snacks, and certificates for three hours of service will be provided.
For details, see The Georgetown Project website or call 512-943-0074.
Thank you for stopping by and we would love to see you every Saturday morning at 9:20am for the Senior Spotlight. And if you have any questions or would like to let us know about an event or news that would be of benefit to our listeners and followers, please visit our blog website at myKNCT.com/seniorreport.
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