Family and friends gathered at the Old Bakery and Emporium Friday to dedicate the plaza to Pat Crow.

Family and friends of the late Pat Crow, including many of the public officials she helped to elect, gathered Friday at the Old Bakery and Emporium to dedicate the plaza to her. Crow, who died in 2017, was a political activist before she became an operative in 34 political campaigns. She was victorious in 30 of those, including the passage of the Save Our Springs Ordinance in 1992.

Crow also pulled her sister, Barbara Rush, into politics by giving her a job in Brigid Shea’s City Council campaign in 1993. Rush now serves as aide to Shea. Crow worked with political consultant David Butts – currently consulting for the campaign of Mayor Kirk Watson – for 25 years.

Barbara Rush and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett share memories of Crow.

Among those attending to cheer the naming of the plaza were U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, state Rep. Sheryl Cole, Travis County commissioners Brigid Shea and Jeff Travillion, and a number of judges, including 455th District Judge Laurie Eiserloh, County Court at Law No. 7 Judge Elisabeth Earle, retired District Judge Lora Livingston and Probate Court No. 2 Judge Nicholas Chu.

Bill Bunch of Save Our Springs Alliance was on hand, as were former Council members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo, currently a candidate for mayor.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department owns the bakery and the plaza. Rush said attorney Rick Cofer, former vice chair of the Parks and Recreation Board, was instrumental in organizing the effort to dedicate the plaza to Crow.

If you’re contemplating launching a small business, or transitioning your existing online business to brick-and-mortar, the city is here to help. BizAid Business Orientation, a program of Austin’s Economic Development Department, is “an introductory class designed to equip aspiring business owners with the knowledge and resources to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey seamlessly.” The class will help you to “navigate the intricate landscape of city, state and federal regulations and gain invaluable insights” into the city’s development process. Sounds like a no-brainer to us. Register on Eventbrite. 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 300, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 9-10:30 a.m.

We’re expecting another big weekend in Austin, with SEC football fans coming to see the Georgia Bulldogs vs. the Texas Longhorns on Saturday and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Sting and Eminem entertaining visitors Friday through Sunday. Workers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, known as AUS, are expecting another record-breaking crowd. (Airport spokesperson Lesly Ramirez told the Austin Monitor that last Monday was a very busy day: “We had 37,572 people screened through TSA. It is now the 10th busiest day on record for the airport.”)

This Monday, AUS could break the record for “the busiest day ever with approximately 44,000 departing passengers.” Here’s what to expect if you need to fly: Passengers using general TSA screening should arrive at the terminal at least 2.5 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights. Highways around the airport could be extra busy, so plan accordingly. If you plan to park at the airport, visit ABIAParking.com and reserve a parking space in the Blue Garage, Red Garage or Economy lots. You can also check the site for real-time availability before arriving at the airport. There are also a number of commercial parking lots close to the airport that you can use.

Why not skip the crowds and long lines on Election Day (Nov. 5), and vote at your convenience? Early voting in Texas begins Monday and ends Friday, Nov. 1. There are dozens of early voting locations across Travis County: Here’s a list that includes addresses and hours of operation. You may vote wherever you see the “Vote Here/Aqui” sign displayed. Want to know what your ballot will contain before you skip merrily off to vote? Just enter your name and birthdate in the nifty voter lookup, and you’ll get to see your very own personalized sample ballot.

Not many people may know this, but poll worker isn’t the only election job available during next month’s election. If you’re interested in being an election worker, Travis County has many paid positions available, from early voting poll worker to ballot-by-mail clerk to supply preparation worker and truck driver, at multiple locations throughout the county. Workers must be registered to vote in Travis County and be able to attend a training before starting their jobs. Being bilingual (English and Spanish) is a huge plus, but not required. The pay is $20-$22/hour. You can find descriptions of all the positions and apply online here.

Thinking of taking a picnic to the Great Lawn at Zilker Park this Saturday? Think again. With peak summer and fall event season behind us, it’s time for annual fall lawn maintenance. That means closing the 46-acre green space to foot traffic so city workers may aerate, irrigate and fertilize to keep the lawn looking green and fluffy and lawn-y all year-round. The lawn will be closed from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1, weather and work pace allowing.

Mayoral candidate Kathie Tovo and Mayor Kirk Watson are both advertising parties to get their supporters excited about voting. And Tovo is hoping to add more money to her campaign fund. Tovo has announced a “pre-election bash” at Batch Kolaches at 3220 Manor Road on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. She’s calling it a party to thank volunteers who have worked on her campaign, though she notes she’s still looking for additional donations. At Watson’s event, a “get-out-the-vote rally,” he’ll be joined by March for Our Lives co-founder David Hogg, Travis County Democratic Party Chair Pooja Sethi, City Council Member Zo Qadri and the University Democrats. West Mall at UT, Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. Candidates for mayor also include Doug Greco, Carmen Llanes Pulido, and Jeffery Bowen. Early voting starts Monday.

KUT News reporters Maya Fawaz and Audrey McGlinchy are inviting local selenophiles and aquaphiles to join them for a celebration of the waxing full moon. Participants will meet at Rivian’s clubhouse at 208 S. Congress for a discussion about swimming holes in the Austin area before heading to Barton Springs for a nighttime dip. Peaceful lycanthropes are welcome to attend. Howling optional. This event is part of the radio station’s Field Guide to Austin. RSVP here. Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30-8 p.m.

After a three-month pilot program that used artificial intelligence capabilities in service of improving the permitting and development process, the city has entered into a five-year contract with Sydney-based Archistar. The contract will let the company and city focus on pre-check assessments for single-family residential projects, with plans to expand to other areas. This new system aims to streamline the development process, improving speed, accuracy and transparency for applicants. Archistar’s founder, Benjamin Coorey, said in a prepared statement that the technology will reduce approval times and allow city staff to focus on complex evaluations. A second pilot, in collaboration with the International Code Council, is also underway to automate International Building Code compliance reviews.

A recent study of Farmshare Austin’s outreach to low-income communities in Central Texas showed growing usage, resulting in greater consumption of fruits and vegetables by vulnerable residents. The study from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health found that the Fresh for Less Mobile Markets and Home Delivery program had 42 percent of mobile users shopping four or more times per month for affordable produce and staple goods grown in Texas. For home delivery customers, the figure climbed to 71 percent. Food insecurity is a problem for 46 percent of respondents. The evaluation also found that customers were highly satisfied with the quality and variety of products offered, as well as with the affordability of the items. Recommended improvements include expanding the variety of produce and staple goods, increasing awareness of the program and its benefits, and exploring new ways to reach underserved communities.

The Texas Workforce Commission reports that the unemployment rate in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area increased slightly from July to August 2024 to 3.7 percent – an increase representing 54,543 unemployed residents. Austin’s unemployment rate remains below the Texas and national averages, which are both at 4.4 percent. Over the same period, the Austin metro added 4,200 jobs, contributing to an annual growth rate of 1.3 percent, or 17,300 jobs since August 2023. Several industries saw notable job gains in the region from July to August, including professional and business services (+1,800 jobs); mining, logging and construction (+1,700 jobs); and government (+1,000 jobs). However, the leisure and hospitality sector experienced a loss of 900 jobs, with the information sector also seeing a decline of 200 jobs. Over the past year, mining, logging and construction saw the largest annual job growth, increasing by 5.8 percent, while the information industry recorded a 4.9 percent annual decrease.

With the sun blazing overhead it may not feel like it, but we’re on the cusp of flu season once again. Getting the flu is a truly miserable experience, but it’s entirely avoidable with just a quick jab. Austin Public Health has several convenient clinics scattered around the city offering free flu vaccines for kids and adults. The next clinic will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Blackland Neighborhood Center, 2005 Salina St. You can find a schedule for flu clinics at different locations around the city over the next few months here.