Mark down Sunday, April 3, in your calendar: That’s your deadline to submit feedback on the draft 2022 Mobility Annual Plan and online interactive map, which outlines projects to be constructed with funding from the 2016, 2018 and 2022 mobility bonds. According to the city’s Transportation Department, the Mobility Annual Plan “provides an annual look ahead at more than 600 planned and proposed projects, including sidewalks, Safe Routes to School, bikeways, urban trails, Intersection Safety/Vision Zero improvements and much more across Austin. The MAP process is repeated annually to capture opportunities and leverage multiple bond-funded programs to deliver greater benefit to the community.” If that doesn’t get your civic juices flowing, nothing will. After checking out the interactive map and reading the plan, you can use the feedback form on the MAP website to share your thoughts.

Better days are coming to the intersection at Cameron Road and Ferguson Lane, thanks to the 2018 mobility bond, which is funding the improvements. Austinites who regularly pass through the intersection, whether by car, bicycle or on foot, have much to look forward to. The Transportation Department has several proposed improvements in the works, including new ADA-compliant ramps, high-visibility pedestrian crossing striping, modified lanes for eastbound traffic, and modified signal timing and new signage. Last but not least, modified median extensions on Cameron Road will create the space for a new north-side pedestrian crossing and permit motorists to make safer turns.

In an email to her colleagues, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Chair Cynthia Long has confirmed that Terry Mitchell will be resigning as the organization’s appointee to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors. Mitchell, who is the president of Momark Development LLC, was first appointed as CAMPO’s financial appointee in 2014. “We frequently rely on his vast experience and knowledge in many areas but especially regarding big project finance. His active participation on both boards, vision, and the passion that he brings to discussions will be sorely missed,” wrote Long, who went on to say that a new appointment would be discussed at the April meeting of CAMPO’s Transportation Policy Board. In the past, appointees have applied for the position, with the board confirming their appointment after an interview process.

Spring fever is breaking out all around town, and the Austin Independent School District is no exception. The district’s offices and schools will be closed for the spring break holiday today through Friday, March 18. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, March 21. AISD Covid-19 testing hubs and vaccination sites are also closed this week, but testing and vaccinations are still available at the district’s community partners. You can find more information about upcoming school district holidays and events at austinisd.org/calendar.

You know it’s spring when thousands of kites take to the skies above Austin. The ABC Kite Fest is returning this year to Zilker Park. Now in its 93rd year, ABC is the longest-running festival of its kind. In addition to the traditional kite contest and showcase, where you can watch expert flyers performing with professional-grade kites, the festival offers a pet zone for dogs to play in, a children’s music concert, a food court and lots of other fun stuff. Anyone can join the contest, which is judged by KXAN weatherman Jim Spencer, and handmade or store-bought kites are welcome. Sunday, April 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

We were afraid this would happen, and now, it’s happening: Starting March 21, Barton Springs Pool will close two days a week – Mondays and Wednesdays – “due to a lack of available certified Open Water lifeguards,” according to a news release from the parks department. (The pool already closes every Thursday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. for cleaning.) This whole problem started during spring break of 2020, when the Aquatic Division halted its lifeguard training program because of Covid-19. Even though training started up again in spring 2021, the division has not been able to build its lifeguard stable back up to the numbers necessary to staff all of the city’s pools. Being no ordinary swimming pool, Barton Springs requires special lifeguards who have the additional Open Water Guard certification and training, and currently there are only 23 such certified guards. The new, attenuated schedule “will continue until a sufficient number of guards can be hired, trained and certified.” If you simply must swim on Mondays and Wednesdays, check out the city’s pool schedule for alternative options. (Barton Springs’ 5-8 a.m. “swim at your own risk” swim times will not be affected by the closure.)

District 1 leaders are inviting community members to participate in a survey about the future of East 11th and 12th streets. According to the survey, this is a “unique opportunity to shape the future of two important East Austin corridors when Austin City Council adopts changes to the rules that govern how these corridors can be developed on April 21.” The survey measures attitudes on topics such as housing types preferred, diversity in the community, proximity to public transit, and access to parks and green space. If you live or work near East 11th and 12th streets or have some connection to the area, you may want to be involved in this process. “Your responses will help the District 1 office determine what land use changes are needed to reflect the community’s vision for future development and respond to residents’ and business owners’ needs.” Take the survey.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is cautioning travelers that, due to the return of South by Southwest and regular old spring break travel, the next few weeks are going to be very busy at the airport. In fact, tourists and trekkers should “expect a bustling and busy terminal” with “several peak days of travel including several 26,000 to 30,000 passenger days.” As Jacqueline Yaft, the airport’s CEO, explained in a press release, “The return of Austin events, Austinites and Central Texas travelers flying out for spring break and new air service offerings launching this March means that AUS will be busier than usual these months. As our teams plan and prepare for more travelers, we ask that travelers work with us to plan ahead, arrive early, trust our tips and pack some patience.” Fortunately, AUS has prepared some diversions for stressed-out travelers, including new art installations, concession offerings and live musical performances. Ray Benson will be performing at the Asleep at the Wheel Stage at Gate 19 on March 16, 1-3 p.m., and local artists the Reverent Few, Red Young and Buenos Diaz won’t be far behind him. Check out AUS’ full musical lineup for spring break.

It’s been a while, but South by Southwest is back this year and Austinites might want to brush up on the basics of spring festival season after a two-year hiatus. Some roads and parking lots will be closed, for one. We’ve embedded a basic map, but the city has put together more detailed maps that include dates as well. Those attending events should also check out the SXSW Covid-19 plan, which mandates a negative test or proof of vaccination.

Community members interested in the Asian American Resource Center may take a survey or attend a community meeting to learn more about the next phase of the facility’s expansion. The Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments, in collaboration with Trahan Architects, are launching the process of building a performing arts center. You can share input through April 3 via a community survey or attend an in-person community meeting to “kick off the process of identifying building requirements for the improvements.” The meeting will be held at the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road, Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.

Two upcoming virtual workshops offered by Austin Water will plumb the depths of the Aquifer Storage and Recovery project, a “water supply strategy to store available water in an aquifer for later recovery and use,” says the city utility. Attendees can learn all about ASR systems, which are already in use in San Antonio, El Paso and Kerrville and are becoming a lot more common, not just in Texas but around the world. ASR is part of the city’s Water Forward plan, a “road map for Austin’s water future for the next 100 years.” The workshops will share information that staffers have collected about ASR, solicit input on equity and affordability considerations and answer any questions that might come up. Register here for the March 24 workshop; register here for the March 29 workshop. Both workshops are from 6-7:30 p.m.

Even though the omicron surge is fizzling and Covid hospitalizations are dwindling, we’re still not tired of talking about vaccination – for the simple fact that many, many people are still not vaccinated. Luckily, Travis County, Austin Public Health and their community partners continue to host a variety of free, convenient Covid-19 vaccine distribution events, some of them in your very own neighborhood! No appointments are needed. Simply visit the handy online calendar and map to find the date, time and location of a nearby vaccine event. Austin Public Health clinics offer the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, including third doses for the immunocompromised and booster shots. Remember to bring your vaccination card to get it updated. If you’re not vaccinated, you’re not protected from infection. It’s as simple as that.