Beth Bond

Throughout the month of January, the Lower Colorado River Authority is accepting applications for community grants of up to $50,000. Twice per year, its Community Development Partnership Program gives to nonprofits like volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups and museums. (The grants are not given to individuals, for-profit entities, professional […]

Mexic-Arte Museum has an open call for artists for its group exhibition called Mix ‘n’ Mash. This year’s theme is Ecos del Pasado/Echos of the Past, and artists are invited to submit pieces reflecting on nostalgia. A diverse range of perspectives, techniques and creative expressions is welcome, and chosen pieces will be on display Jan. […]

Central Health, which provides health care for low-income residents of Travis County, has named its first chief transformation officer. Kim Heinonen joined its executive team in mid-November after 20 years as an executive consultant at Simpler Consulting, an IBM company. “In that role, he led large-scale business transformations across a broad range of industries and […]

As of today, the burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Travis County have been lifted, the county’s Chief Fire Marshal Gary Howell announced Tuesday. Outdoor burning is now allowed, and residents should contact their local fire department before beginning and follow the state regulations summarized here. You can call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 512-854-4621 […]

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 10 and 11, residents can get help preparing for emergencies with information, demonstrations and giveaway items at the north and south locations of the City of Austin Utilities Customer Service Centers. The city is providing meter keys, hose bib covers, hand-crank flashlights, solar-powered device chargers, emergency preparedness kit materials and […]

Members of Plein Air Austin, local artists dedicated to painting on location, have been making paintings of Austin Fire Department stations in 2022, and this holiday seasons some of them are donating their station paintings to the department. The paintings will be presented at Austin City Hall at 10 a.m. Dec. 6, with remarks from […]

The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center is expanding its facilities, and community members are invited to share their input to “help shape welcoming, inclusive spaces that reflect our community’s diverse cultural heritage and vision,” according to the city. Updates are listed in the Facility Expansion Plan, which City Council approved in 2021. […]

City business will slow this week while Austin administrative offices and other municipal facilities close Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29, in observance of Thanksgiving. For full details, click here. For questions about city services or information, call 3-1-1. You can also submit service requests from the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app. Austin Resource Recovery […]

The uniquely spiraled 3,309 lights on the Zilker Holiday Tree will start glowing for the season at the 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony, planned for Sunday, Dec. 1, at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, on the south side of the park. At 5:15 p.m., music by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble will welcome folks, and the […]

For the fifth year, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Gingerbread History Heroes Program, from Dec. 2 through Dec. 31. Get creative with free salt dough “gingerbread cookie” ornaments and decorating supplies at the following museums, cultural centers and historic sites across Austin: Brush Square Museums (O. Henry Museum and Susanna Dickinson […]

Austin Energy is aiming to boost its renewable energy capacity this December by rolling out its Solar Standard Offer program – allowing commercial property owners to generate passive income either by hosting solar panels on their rooftops or leasing their roof space to third-party solar developers. “The energy produced will be sold to Austin Energy, […]

Each month, the city hosts an Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up event in a different district, and this month’s is planned for 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina St., Austin, TX 78702. It’s a chance for folks to learn how to prepare for emergency situations like harsh winter weather, extreme heat, […]