Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs will host several holiday events in November and December, offering residents opportunities for shopping, light displays and photos with Santa.

The seasonal lineup includes the following events:

• Peppermint in the Park at COTALAND, featuring a holiday display, festive decor, treats and rides from Nov. 12-Jan. 4.
• A free Santa Claus Meet and Greet at Lala's South Pole on Nov. 29.
• Ballet Austin's 64th annual production of The Nutcracker at The Long Center from Dec. 4-23.
• The Jingle Bell 5K and kids' dash at the Hill Country Galleria on Dec. 5.
• Christmas on Mercer in downtown Dripping Springs on Dec. 5, featuring shopping, pony rides and photos with Santa.
• The Winter Wonderland Vendor Market fundraiser at James Bowie High School on Dec. 6.
• The 62nd Trail of Lights at Zilker Park from Dec. 10-23, featuring over 2 million lights.
• Christmas at the Pound House on Dec. 12.
• Santa & Mini Goat Snuggles with Goat Shenanigans at Vista Brewing on Dec. 13.

The history: Dr. Thomas Blevins and his wife, Donna, founded Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology in 2001. The practice began as a three-person team and has grown to 149 employees, including 12 physicians, across three locations.

What they offer: The practice specializes in treating patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, obesity, osteoporosis and endocrine and metabolic conditions. Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology offers:

• Thyroid ultrasounds and biopsies

• FibroScan testing for liver health

• Clinical research

Learn more: The organization has a research department with more than 15 years of experience conducting studies to help approve new diabetes medication and technology. Blevins serves as the Medical Director of Clinical Research, and locals can volunteer to participate in clinical studies. The practice has locations in Round Rock and Austin.

Local residents will have access to low-cost veterinary services as Emancipet's mobile clinic gears up to make a stop in Dripping Springs.

The big picture: The Central Texas Regional Low-Cost Mobile Clinic will offer spay and neuter services in Dripping Springs on Nov. 25.

Services provided include:

• Dog neuter surgery: $125

• Dog spay surgery: $125

• Cat neuter surgery: $89

• Cat spay surgery: $89

About the organization: Emancipet is a nonprofit vet group that provides affordable and accessible pet care to several communities across Texas. The Central Texas mobile clinic has been operating since 1999, according to Lindsay Box, Emancipet's senior operations director of Central Texas.

Democrats saw decisive wins up and down the ballot in Texas and across the nation in the Nov. 3 election, flipping the Lone Star State to Democratic control for the first time in a generation.

The big picture: Texas has had a Republican governor, state Senate and state House since 2003. Next year, the state will be led by a Democratic governor, with a Democratic lieutenant governor presiding over the Senate and House lawmakers likely electing a Democrat to lead the chamber—however, the senators themselves will remain majority-Republican.

More details: How much power Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin will have over the Texas Senate is largely up to senators, who will approve the chamber's new rules when the legislature convenes in January.

Sam Hooper, a legislative attorney and consultant, said he was "hopeful" that the election results would lead to "a more collegial Senate" and cooperation among lawmakers of both political parties.

The majority-Republican Senate and majority-Democrat House will have to find a balance, as bills cannot become law without approval from both chambers.