Due to a software system conversion, the Austin Municipal Court will be closed from today (Tuesday) at 3 p.m. until reopening on Monday, Sept. 19, at 7 a.m. According to a press release from the city, the current court portal will be closed until Sept. 19 as well, which means that case information and online payments will not be accessible. In addition, the Downtown Austin Community Court will suspend its services from 2 p.m. today, resuming operations on Monday, Sept. 19, at 8 a.m. Court payments, arraignments at DACC, and scheduled and walk-in magistration will not be available during that time; however, all due dates until Sept. 18 will be extended to Sept. 19 for both Downtown and Municipal Court cases.

Keep Austin Beautiful is inviting volunteers to pitch in and help clean up Lady Bird Lake. More than 100 volunteers conduct cleanups at over 10 locations along the shoreline and on the water via water crafts, and you may choose your location on the registration page. Each location has a volunteer leader who will provide instructions, safety guidelines and cleanup supplies. All ages are welcome. Saturday, Oct. 22, 9-11 a.m. Register here.

With more than $500,000 in grants in hand, Workforce Solutions Capital Area is looking to expand apprenticeship programs in the area. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Workforce Solutions will be holding an event to let the public know about apprenticeship grant opportunities aimed at helping Travis County residents earn more through job training and certification. The opportunities have been funded through a mix of private and public grants, with enrollment for technology and health care apprenticeships currently underway. (Manufacturing apprenticeships are slated to open in January 2023.) Those wanting to learn more about the apprenticeships can attend Tuesday’s event or apply online. “We are grateful for the ongoing support from our community, which allows us to offer these apprenticeship programs and provide much-needed opportunities to grow our region’s manufacturing, technology and health care industries,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said in a statement to the press. “Programs like these allow for the development of a highly skilled workforce, provide residents with the tools they need to get hired for high-paying jobs, and support employers with a diverse and talented applicant pool from which to recruit.”

A virtual alphabet soup of agencies and departments will be participating in the city’s pilot emergency preparedness fair, Get Ready Central Texas, a family-friendly event designed to help residents prepare in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Attendees “will learn about the city’s Basic Emergency Operations Plan, and other plans in place which are activated during an emergency or disaster,” as well as “how government, non-governmental organizations, neighborhoods, and individual families can work together during a disaster.” Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Juan Ortiz said, “When a disaster strikes, we are all responsible for helping each other. Individuals, organizations, and government have a part to play in the safety of our community. We want to give everyone the information and basic resources to be prepared during an emergency and feel confident that they will be able to safely make it through the event.” Tuesday, Sept. 20, 3-7 p.m., Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road.

If you’re someone who likes to stay on top of the city’s multitudinous rules and regulations, this might interest you: The Parks and Recreation Department is preparing the updated draft of proposed rules for cemeteries for community review and feedback. Numerous rules govern the operation of cemeteries, so it’s not as cut and dried as you might think. For instance, did you know that you’re not allowed to bring a firearm into a cemetery? (And why would you need to? Dead people can’t hurt you.) You may read the draft rules and leave feedback online. You may also choose to attend a virtual meeting on Oct. 10 at 6 p.m., where you’ll get a chance to review the draft rules and regs and ask questions as well as contribute feedback.

Art by Billie Buck

One day each year, Austin’s museums open their doors to welcome community members and visitors alike with free admission. Austin has dozens of museums, and whether you’re interested in art, culture, nature, history, science, sculpture, photography, American presidents, music or the miltary, there’s at least one museum out there for you and probably many more. Museum Day also features special events, contests, workshops, gallery talks, tours and other cool happenings. Check out a list of participating museums to get a taste of what’s in store. Sunday, Sept. 18.

On Wednesday, the Austin city clerk validated the Austin Police Oversight Act petition, putting the issue on the ballot in May if the ordinance is not adopted by City Council first. Equity Action brought the oversight act to the public in an effort to increase civilian oversight of the Austin Police Department. (Read the full text of the ordinance here.) Because the group met the 20,000 signature threshold, Council is required either to vote the proposal into law or place it in the next election in the next 10 days. Because of the timing of the validation, the next qualifying election will be in May 2023. In a series of statements about the validation, Equity Action members urged Council to vote the ordinance into law instead of waiting for May. “The people of Austin have sent a clear message that they don’t want another police contract that enables unaccountable police brutality and misconduct,” said Chris Harris, the president of Equity Action. “While we would’ve preferred to have this go to the voters in order to avoid another four or five years of police secrecy and impunity, the Austin City Council must vote the ordinance into law themselves right now. Passing this now strengthens police oversight and transparency in this next contract, but postponing until a May ’23 election means waiting until the contract in 2026 or 2027 to improve police accountability. This should be an easy choice for this Council.”

Photo courtesy of Austin Parks & Recreation Department.

An upcoming event at Givens District Park will celebrate and honor the park’s history and dedicate its Lone Star Legacy award, bestowed by the Texas Recreation and Park Society. The Festival of Recognition and Remembrance “will commemorate the rich history of the park and kick off the construction phase of the new pool and historic bathhouse rehabilitation.” In addition to a food truck competition and water games, there will be a showing of the movie Luca beginning at 7 p.m. Chauncey Allen Patterson, programming supervisor at Givens Rec Center, said the community is “celebrating the legacy of and saying goodbye to the Givens Pool that has served this community for over 50 years. In doing so, we make way for a new, modern facility for East Austinites. This place is more than a pool, it is a part of the storied history of the east side and the home of memories made in this community that span multiple generations.” Saturday, Sept. 17, 5 p.m., Givens Recreation Center, 3811 E. 12th St.

The Trail Foundation invites the community to a ribbon-cutting celebration for the newest segment of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Holly Shores, which is just west of the decommissioned Holly Power Plant at Festival Beach, “creates a continuous loop along the shores of Lady Bird Lake, with an overlook area and connection to the Eastlink Trail at Pedernales Street,” says a TTF press release. Speakers at the event include parks department Director Kimberly McNeeley, District 3 Council Member Pio Renteria and Trail Foundation CEO Heidi Anderson, among others. Wednesday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m., 61 Pedernales St. (Parking available at Metz Neighborhood Park.)

Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department and the board of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center are inviting the public to a plática focused on the future 64 Rainey Street pocket park. The lot was dedicated as parkland in 2014. This year, City Council passed a resolution asking the project be refined though a community process. That will take place at the community meeting on Sept. 29 at the MACC Auditorium, 6-8:30 p.m. The city will also be distributing information and soliciting feedback at the MACC during the Viva México celebration on Sept. 17 and Austin Museum Day on Sept. 18.

A six-week street repair project managed by Public Works’ Street and Bridge Operations team started yesterday on Montopolis Drive between East Oltorf Street and Grove Boulevard. Motorists can expect alternating lane closures while crews keep Montopolis Drive accessible in both directions. The work will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and detour signage for pedestrians has been posted. If you’re traveling through the area, watch your speed and stay alert for workers and pedestrians.

Yes, it’s that time of year again – for flu shots! This fall, Austin Public Health recommends that families get up to date with their vaccines, including the seasonal flu shot, and of course, the Covid-19 vaccine. As Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes says, “Now is not the time to let our guard down. Everyone, especially children and seniors, need flu protection. This time last year we were fighting the Covid-19 delta variant, and we protected our most vulnerable from Covid-19 and flu with a combination of masking and vaccine. Let’s do it again.” It’s perfectly safe and even recommended to get your flu shot at the same time as your Covid booster. Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup adds that, “As a community, we realize now, more than ever, how health impacts our quality of life – our ability to work, play, and spend time with loved ones. Getting your flu shots is an easy way to keep your family safe and on track.”