This year’s It’s My Park Day will take place on Saturday, March 2, and registration for volunteers is now open. Anyone hoping to chip in for the long-standing volunteer event is encouraged to register now. Preregistered volunteers will get a T-shirt that provides special discounts and treats at places like Cosmic Coffee, Jo’s Coffee, Zilker Brewing, Shake Shack or Tiny Pies. (A complete list of partners participating in the program can be found here.) “With nearly 100 projects happening simultaneously across the city, It’s My Park Day is unlike any other volunteer experience in Austin,” Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation, said in a statement to the press. “At its core, It’s My Park Day is about community. Year after year, we are impressed by the outpour of support from dedicated Austinites all across the city who come together to improve their local parks and green spaces by participating in projects led by community members themselves.” It’s My Park Day was established in 2003 by Austin Parks Foundation and takes place twice yearly, contributing about $650,000 in volunteer labor for city parks. To register and get a full list of park projects and hours, visit the It’s My Park Day Spring GivePulse page.

In response to overwhelming interest in free training on emergency preparedness on Feb. 8, the city has announced a new location with a greater capacity for more attendees. Ready Together: Basic Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family & Your Neighborhood will take place at Widen Elementary School, 5605 Nuckols Crossing Road, Austin, TX 78744, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. All community members who were on the waitlist will be notified that they are now registered. Capacity for this class was raised to 80 people. Registration is closed but if space allows, walk-ins may be allowed. The course will cover how to practice the four steps of emergency preparedness: making a plan, building a kit, knowing your neighbors and staying informed. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to prepare their home, family and community for a variety of hazards. This is the second time the class has been offered, and this installment will focus on winter weather. Those who complete the course will receive a free emergency preparedness starter kit and NOAA weather radio. Interpreters will be available on-site in Spanish and American Sign Language. “As we watch extreme weather events increase around the globe and here at home, we know working together to prepare for the unexpected is essential,” said Austin Energy General Manager Bob Kahn. “This training will help our neighbors get ready and stay ready for the next emergency.” The course is developed in partnership with Austin Energy, Ascension Seton, Go Austin/Vamos Austin and Austin Fire Department.

Dougherty Arts Center’s Julia C. Butridge Gallery has extended a call for artists to March 17. Artists are invited to apply for a 5- to 8-week gallery show, which includes an artist reception and talk, with options to demo or workshop for exhibiting artists. There is no fee to apply to show in the 2,000-square-foot or 480-square-foot galleries, and artists can sell directly to the public, provided they are not a city of Austin employee. The gallery does not take commission. Learn more about the submission process and requirements here. Artists will be notified by April 12 for the 2025 season.

The city’s Charter Review Commission will hold a town hall at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, to discuss upcoming potential changes to the city’s constitution. The potential changes to the city charter must be put on the ballot by City Council and, ultimately, approved by voters. Prior to all of that, though, the review commission works through a number of recommendations, and Thursday’s town hall is part of that process. This time around, commissioners considered changes to petition requirements, elections and other transparency issues. More information about those issues can be found here. To weigh in on the proposals at the Feb. 8 town hall, the public can participate virtually or in person. Registration to speak in either capacity will open online on Feb. 5.

A Pan-African flag-raising ceremony will launch Black History Month at 9 a.m. today, Feb. 1, at the Austin ISD Central Office. The ceremony will be led by Superintendent Matias Segura, and the event will feature spoken word by second grader Riley Olivia, and students from Oak Springs Elementary and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders will do a reading of the poem “New Day’s Lyric” by Amanda Gorman. All campuses receive resources and are encouraged to collaborate with students and staff to design Black History Month activities that engage, educate and provide an opportunity for deeper exploration of Black and African American history than what is taught throughout the year.

The city is about halfway through a pilot program that reconfigured and upgraded Barton Springs Road between Stratford Drive and South Lamar Boulevard, and the chance for public feedback about said pilot is now upon us. The survey, which is located here, will be open until Feb. 25 and asks residents across Austin to weigh in on the changes. The findings of the survey will be reported to City Council this spring.

Training for summer lifeguard jobs is underway now – and, in fact, happens year-round. Lifeguards who earn their certification or recertification now can take part in smaller classes in a heated pool and can start making money sooner. Hundreds of positions are still open; the Aquatic Division of the Parks and Recreation Department needs about 850 lifeguards to fully staff city pools for the summer months and currently has 235 lifeguards on staff. The pay for entry-level positions is $20.80 per hour. Check out the lifeguard certification schedule and lifeguard renewal class dates. Lifeguard training and hiring starts at age 15 and there is no age limit. Learn more about how to become a lifeguard at LifeguardAustin.com.

The annual Flood Safety Video Contest put on by the Watershed Protection Department is underway, with students in grades 6 through 12 invited to compete by submitting their own short public service announcements. The theme centers on the concept of “turn around, don’t drown” that encourages drivers to avoid flooded roadways that are the leading cause of death during flash floods. Winners will receive a $100 gift card, swag bags and possible coverage on a local news station. PSAs should be 30 seconds long and are due by March 31, 2024. Entries will be judged “based on creativity, clarity in messaging, and overall impact,” according to a press release about the contest. Winners will be announced in April. “With the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events, it becomes crucial to educate and inform young minds about the importance of flood safety,” Jorge Morales, Watershed Protection Department director, said in a statement to the press. “Through this contest, we hope to inspire students to drive change and make a positive impact in their communities.”

This year’s Woofstock is ready to kick off, and this Saturday is a chance for Austinites to score tickets to the Feb. 16 Grace Potter concert. Each donation from noon to 1 p.m. at Austin Animal Center will mean a pair of tickets, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. According to a press release from Austin Animal Center, they are in need of:

• Fleece blankets
• Non-rawhide dog bones
• Kongs
• Dog and cat toys
• Training treats for dogs
• XXL dog sweaters and coats
• Peanut butter
• Churu
• Cat treats

Woofstock was created in 2015 as a way for Austin City Limits Radio staff to support local animal shelters. Instead of purchasing tickets, attendees are encouraged to make a donation to a local shelter.

From Feb. 15 through April 21, a solo exhibition by Austin photographer Leta Harrison will be on display at The Gallery at Central Library. In “Black Girls Don’t Wear Red Lipstick,” she trains her camera on Black women who use self-expression as a form of activism. The show is curated by Keyheira Keys and Whitney Hamilton of the arts alliance Of Color Atx. In Harrison’s joyous, bold photographic prints, she showcases women reclaiming their power, challenging oppressive beauty standards and stifling stereotypes. An opening reception that’s free and open to the public is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 15, with a spoken word performance by Christa Brown and music by DJ Lauren Light. And a Black History Month celebration is planned for 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24, with an inspiring spoken word event and a thought-provoking writing workshop.

The Other Ones Foundation will host a job fair for unhoused clients today in an effort to pair local businesses with people who might struggle to maintain employment. According to a press release from the homelessness nonprofit, the group “will host numerous corporate, government, and nonprofit agencies to promote their career opportunities across a variety of fields” today from noon to 3 p.m. at 3801 S. First St. “Members of the unhoused community experience many barriers to traditional employment: missing IDs or permanent address, difficulty with transportation or hygiene maintenance, and a lack of soft skills that have eroded over time from isolation and marginalization. Austin also has a highly competitive and saturated job market, rife with stigma towards individuals with job gaps, or who present as having experienced homelessness. TOOF’s supportive programs work with individuals on overcoming these barriers and preparing them to re-enter the workforce. Finally, we make a smooth handoff to our incredible partners who want to offer these folks a chance to work,” TOOF’s director of communications, Max Moscoe, said in a statement to the press. “Employment for people experiencing homelessness is important not only for the financial leverage it gives them, but for the feeling of empowerment and involvement that comes from engaging in community. These life-changing efforts are only possible with partnership from the hiring organizations and community support for TOOF programming.”

The 2024 Small Business Fundamentals Week takes place Jan. 22-26, offering business owners specialized, no-cost classes in marketing, bookkeeping and other foundational topics. Hosted by the city’s Economic Development Department, the in-person trainings are offered at 5202 East Ben White Blvd., Suite 300. Register here and find more information on small business classes at SmallBizAustin.org. Space is limited, so if classes reach full capacity, registrants will be added to a waiting list. The classes offered are:

• Jan. 22: Starting (or Rebuilding) Your Own Business
• Jan. 23: Write a Business Plan You’ll Actually Use
• Jan. 23: BizAid Business Orientation
• Jan. 24: Basic Bookkeeping for Small Business
• Jan. 24: The Basics of Human Resources
• Jan. 25: Marketing 101: Establishing Your Brand
• Jan. 26: Explore Funding Options for Your Small Business
• Jan. 26: Create Your Marketing Plan & Content Calendar