The Economic Development Department is inviting local artists to participate in Art in Public Places TEMPO 2021, the city’s annual temporary public art exhibition. TEMPO’s mission, according to the announcement, is “to promote tourism, cultivate curiosity, spark imagination, engage the community in a meaningful dialogue about public art, foster work by local artists, and cultivate exploration of Austin.” Sylnovia Holt Rabb, acting director of the EDD, said, “We are continuing our commitment to support the next generation of public artists. The TEMPO exhibition provides the community with a deeper appreciation of public art through thought-provoking installations that enhance city-owned sites across Austin.” At least 10 artists will be selected and their work will be exhibited at library branches throughout the city. Submit a proposal by Thursday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. via PublicArtist.org/AustinAIPP. Interested artists may register on Eventbrite to attend a virtual information meeting on Dec. 15, noon-1 p.m.

Austin’s Economic Development Department has partnered with Health Alliance for Austin Musicians “to provide access to affordable health care for Austin’s low-income, underinsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness through the Healthcare Access Program,” according to a press release from the city. HAAM’s Healthcare Access Program is enrolling musicians in insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act until Dec. 15. The nonprofit offers support in paying monthly premiums, navigating the system and connecting musicians with community resources. “The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to limit the earning potential of Austin musicians, resulting in chronic stress that impacts musicians’ mental wellness,” notes Veronica Briseño, the city’s chief economic recovery officer. “Partnering with HAAM to expand the Healthcare Access Program supports musicians by offering year-long comprehensive coverage that includes access to mental health care.”

We don’t think about this much, but many dogs and cats, while they may be much loved by their owners, aren’t getting the proper care they need, such as regular walks and vet visits, because their guardians may be elderly, disabled or unable to leave their homes. Fortunately, Meals on Wheels Central Texas has a program called PALS (People Assisting the Lives of Seniors) that helps care for the pets of senior clients. PALS’ mission is to keep pets and their people together, whatever it takes. There are several ways we can help PALS with its mission. One of the greatest areas of need is transport; PALS volunteers may drive pets to their vet appointments or to the groomer. Volunteers also open their own homes for pets whose owners must go to the hospital for a short stay. And during the holiday season, PALS solicits donations of pet toys, beds and treats to make holiday gift bags for clients. Find out more about joining PALS’ volunteer team here. Watch this short video to learn more about PALS.

Dick ‘Lefty’ O’Neal, Lawrence ‘Fireball’ Tucker, Willie ‘Big Ray’ Hale, Lawrence ‘Ditney’ Johnson, and Allen ‘Bam Bam’ Hicks, who have played at Downs Field. (Photo by Cindy Elizabeth)

Twenty oral histories about Downs Field are headed to the Austin History Center’s African American Community Archives and the Huston-Tillotson University Archives. The oral histories were collected during Forklift Danceworks’ Take Me Out to Downs Field, a yearlong residency that delved into the history of the century-old site, a Texas Historic Landmark that was once home to Negro Baseball League teams like the Austin Black Senators and the Austin Palominos. Willie Ray Hale, a former bat boy for the Austin Greyhounds and the Austin Indians, whose story is among the oral histories donated to the archives, said, “It’s a part of history that a lot of people don’t know anything about, and it’s right there in their neighborhood. I lived it and wasn’t thinking about history when I was a kid. I was just out having a good time. It brought people together, and people need that now.”

The Office of the City Auditor has launched a new podcast focused on revealing the inner workings of local government and following the latest investigations and audits. Audit ATX, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, features interviews with city auditor staff in the interest of providing more “transparency and accessibility” to the work being done at the city office. Each 15-minute episode will provide a summary of an auditor’s report. Software licenses and fraud and waste at the Austin Public Library are the topics of the first two episodes. Audit ATX co-host Kelsey Thompson said in a news release, “We’ve heard from listeners that this podcast has opened their eyes to how the city really works.”

Drivers are getting a break from the state – a nine-month break to be exact. Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an order giving owners of motor vehicles up to nine months past their expiration date to renew their vehicle registration online. Those driving with expired tags will not be ticketed by law enforcement. Bruce Elfant, the Travis County tax assessor-collector, clarified in a news release, “Being able to drive your vehicle past the sticker expiration date does not save you money. If you are driving with an overdue sticker, please get your inspection and renew your vehicle registration at Texas.gov.” Those who renew online will receive a receipt, good for one month, to carry in the vehicle until the new registration sticker arrives. More than 300,000 vehicles currently have expired registration stickers in Travis County, and Elfant acknowledges “it’s unlikely we would be able to process the large backlog of registration renewals within the 60-day renewal period at the tax office.” Vehicle registration may also be renewed at HEB or Fiesta Mart grocery stores, Travis County AAA stores, Oak Hill Title Company, and Fry’s Title Service. If your registration is more than nine months overdue, you must make a tax office appointment at TravisCountyTax.org – but it can take up to two months to get an appointment. That’s why renewing online is “the safest and easiest way to update your vehicle registration,” Elfant said.

Researchers at Dell Medical School have found that Covid-19 surges are linked to food insecurity in Austin, particularly among children. A Dell Med Department of Pediatrics research team partnered with CommUnityCare Health Centers to conduct a study of 645 Austin-area families from April to August 2020. “The study showed food insecurity affected families surveyed 33% to 70% during this time, with an average of 47%. The fluctuations corresponded to Travis County Covid-19 rates and hospitalizations, and with changes in the labor market,” according to the news release. “In May, when steps were taken to reopen the Texas economy, food insecurity flexed downward, only to peak at 70% of families during July, when local Covid rates worsened,” said Dr. Megan Gray, an assistant professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Population Health at Dell Med. “While these numbers of increased or decreased percentages of food insecurity give us a snapshot of what our community is facing, the reality of food insecurity goes beyond just having enough money to buy food. It’s about the chronic stress and mental health impact of families who are worried about not being able to meet their children’s needs,” she added. “And looking at these numbers, it’s very concerning that Covid-19 has erased decades of progress in food access and food equity, which will likely get worse this winter as Covid-19 rates rise in our community.” Read more about the study here.

As Hill Country Conservancy prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a virtual party on Dec. 5, changes are brewing at the leadership level of the conservation nonprofit. Founding Executive Director George Cofer will be handing the reins to Dan Eck, formerly the executive director of the Museum of the Southwest in Midland. According to the news release, HCC Board Chair Pat Fox noted that the search committee was impressed with Eck’s varied background in art, science and education. “His nonprofit passion and leadership has resulted in significant growth for the organizations he’s served, building both financial stability and community goodwill. We are thrilled to have him in this role, taking us into the future,” Fox said. Departing CEO Cofer, who founded the conservancy in 1999, had planned to retire in April, but postponed the move due to the pandemic. In his retirement announcement he said, “When I helped found Hill Country Conservancy, I had high hopes for what we could accomplish as a community, but never did I imagine the immense impact we would have across the region.” Eck was voted in by the board on Nov. 10 and will begin his new role as CEO next month, taking the organization into its third decade.

With temperatures predicted to drop below freezing tonight, LifeWorks has activated its emergency cold weather shelter with the aim of getting homeless youth and young adults off the streets and into a warm safe space for the night. The shelter, at 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road, is available only on the coldest nights of the year and donations are urgently needed to help the organization provide blankets, clothing, food and other basic needs. For information on cold weather shelters throughout Austin, call (512) 305-4233.

All students in the Austin Independent School District will be moving to 100 percent remote learning for the week of Nov. 30 -Dec. 4 in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The decision was made by Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde following a meeting with city and county officials and Austin Public Health. In a letter to parents and staff, Elizalde explained that by going to remote instruction for the week following the Thanksgiving break, “the incubation period will have the opportunity to run its course and positive cases can be identified while safely at home.” On-campus instruction will resume on Monday, Dec. 7. Read the entire letter.

Austin Resource Recovery has launched a new campaign this holiday season aimed at encouraging Austinites to change their shopping habits and generate less waste. The Give a Great Story campaign asks people to rethink the way they gift and offer friends and family gifts that are DIY, repaired, thrifted or reused. “Instead of buying the newest gadget or toy (which may end up in the landfill), Austinites should consider spending time with friends and family in new ways, learning a new skill online with your loved ones or giving a pre-loved gift this year,” says the news release, adding, “Giving zero waste gifts over newly purchased or produced items also benefits the local economy, keeps valuable items out of the landfill, and avoids spending the energy and resources required to manufacture new products.” Here are a few zero-waste gift ideas from ARR to help get you started:

• Purchase an online, skill-development class (cooking, music lessons, painting)
• Support Austin’s art scene virtually (online theater performances, art galleries/exhibits, concerts)
• Turn a teacup or basket from a local thrift store into a planter
• Resole and polish a favorite pair of boots

The first floor of what is commonly known as the Texas White House is the focal point of a new, interactive virtual tour from Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. The majority of rooms in the former home of President and Lady Bird Johnson have been restored to their appearance during Johnson’s term as president. The virtual tour, the product of a collaboration between the NPS and Austin 360 Photography, allows visitors to tour the home via the National Park Service website or a virtual reality headset. The park has also unveiled its new official app, which puts the entire Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park at users’ fingertips.