The Austin-based advocacy organization Hi, How Are You Project wants to remind everyone that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. HHAYP “is wrangling a community of support around the world to join the fight in driving awareness and education about mental health by encouraging us all to check on each other with four simple words: “Hi, how are you?” This deceptively simply campaign aims to “help destigmatize mental health conversations.” As HHAYP explains, “Reaching out to loved ones, friends, and neighbors – asking how they’re doing – is more important than ever.” Take the pledge and help to “shed light on the startling current reality that over 1 in 5 Americans experience a mental health illness, with 75 percent of mental illnesses beginning by age 24.”

Need a summer job or know someone who does? Travis County Parks is looking for people to work through the summer season. Available jobs include “staffing a fee booth, collecting gate receipts, distributing park permits, participating in park tours and programs, and assisting with the opening and closing of their assigned park.” To sweeten the deal, seasonal staff who are hired by June 3 and remain in their jobs through July 4 are eligible for a $600 incentive. And if you continue working through Sept. 5, you’ll get an additional $600 bonus, for a total of $1,200. As county parks chief Charles Bergh said in a news release: “Seasonal staff are the face of our Travis County Parks. They are the first to greet our guests and the last to wave goodbye. If you are someone who enjoys the outdoors and is looking to earn some valuable experience and some additional money, Travis County Parks has a place for you.” More info on job opportunities here.

Austin’s second downtown may soon see taller buildings. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to allow more height and floor area ratio in the North Burnet Gateway Regulating Plan’s Commercial Mixed-Use (CMU) Gateway Zone Subdistrict, which dictates land use rules for the portion of the Domain around the old IBM campus. Once the change is adopted in code – tentatively around August – buildings in this area will be able to reach 420 feet in height with 12:1 FAR if they participate in the development bonus program. Current entitlements allow up to 308 feet and 8:1 FAR with a density bonus. Developers have shown interest in building taller than allowed in the area, with individual zoning change requests moving through the city’s approval process in recent months – including rezonings to allow multiple towers next to Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium. “(The amendments) will enhance this growing area by supporting transit and walkability,” said Council Member Leslie Pool, who sponsored the item. Pool said she aims to kick off a planning process in June to update the whole North Burnet Gateway Regulating Plan, which was adopted in 2009.

Austin Public Health has published its 2022 Community Health Assessment for Austin-Travis County, “a compilation of data, interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, and social media campaigns” that “sheds light on the social and economic context, community health issues, and community visions of residents.” In her request for feedback on the assessment, APH Director Adrienne Sturrup noted that, “While research and studies are important for our work as a health department, they only get us so far. We need input from our community. Taking time to submit feedback will help you, your family and your neighbors.” The assessment helps APH form its policies and health goals for the next three years. Review the complete assessment here and leave feedback on SpeakUp Austin.

Austin’s parks department and its community partners have been installing various types of nature-focused play features for children across the city’s park system, focusing first on neighborhoods that have been deemed lacking in natural green spaces. The latest such playscape is at MLK Station Neighborhood Park. During the community outreach that was done in advance of the design process, local residents said they “wanted to be able to climb, jump, balance, build forts as well as access water, trees and native plants. These elements were echoed in the final design which includes a stump, log, and boulder play trail; circular stump seating with central space for loose parts; and play hill. It also features a seating/gathering space, a looping natural trail, a mulched central trail, limestone block seating, adjusted and re-secured stepping stones across the creek, and ongoing treatment for invasive bamboo.” The Children and Nature Network will be hosting special weekend Nature Play Days this summer “to help build understanding and comfort with these new features.” The play area’s grand opening is Saturday, June 4, noon-3 p.m., MLK Station Neighborhood Park, 2907 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.

The city of Austin will celebrate the annual Bike to Work Day this Friday, May 20. The national celebration will kick off at City Hall, starting at 8 a.m., with free coffee, tacos and giveaways, and remarks from Mayor Steve Adler, City Manager Spencer Cronk and Transportation chief Robert Spillar at 9 a.m. Those without their own bikes may rent MetroBikes for free using the promo code B2WD2022 and everyone can access fueling stations or meet up with fellow cyclists on one of the many bike routes across town.

Feeling poetical? Why not dash off a bit of doggerel for the Lone Star Limericks contest? The contest invites participants to “Pay tribute to the people, places, sights, and sounds of this great city and state by immortalizing (or gently mocking) them in verse.” In other words, your limerick can be about anything, as long as it pertains to Austin or Texas and is “family friendly.” Submissions are open May 22-June 4. Use the online submission form and submit a limerick in text, image or video format. There are two categories: General (13 & up) and Youth (12 & under). After the contest closes, the public will be able to view a gallery of submissions and vote for their favorites. Winners receive “a Texas-themed prize package.” (If you’re not exactly sure how to write a limerick or need to brush up on this ancient art form, check out the famous how-to of limerick-writing from the Saturday Evening Post.)

Beginning next month, Austin-area Randalls grocery stores will no longer sell Capital Metro bus passes. The transit authority relayed the change yesterday, with the assurance that Capital Metro outlets and some HEB locations will continue to sell transit passes to the public. Capital Metro took the opportunity to remind Austinites that HEB only sells single passes. Monthly bus passes can be purchased directly from Capital Metro, at the Transit Store or through its app. Randalls will cease its sale of bus passes on June 1.

Austin Public Library’s University Hills Branch is reopening to the public with a free festival that features a ribbon-cutting, the unveiling of a new sculpture, live music, food and drink, book giveaways, and family-friendly activities and crafts. The library, which suffered extensive water damage after Winter Storm Uri struck in February 2021, has a new roof and electrical wiring, new ceilings and flooring, and an expanded parking lot. Library chief Roosevelt Weeks said in a news release, “We are very excited that this important center for learning, culture and recreation for the East Austin community will be reopening its doors to the public. I think the community will be very pleased with the improvements that have been made at this branch, which will allow us to continue providing a safe and friendly environment for years to come.” May 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 4721 Loyola Lane.

Research from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration shows that speeding is the chief factor in more than a quarter of fatal accidents each year – that’s thousands of preventable deaths. Motorists make the choice to drive over the speed limit when they’re in a hurry, stressed or simply being careless. A digital roadside sign called a DSDD, or Dynamic Speed Display Device, shows drivers their speed as they pass by it. This technology can help to remind drivers that they’re driving at an unsafe speed. Currently, Austin has 96 DSDDs, including 31 permanently placed units and 65 in rotation. Now, thanks to a new contract with the vendor, the city may buy up to 25 additional DSDDs a year.

Austin Energy is preparing for its annual Community Connections Resource Fair, a “free, family-friendly event that combines fun with learning to assist our customers who sometimes could use a little help to meet basic needs,” according to the utility’s announcement. The fair, co-hosted by local service providers and city departments, features “fun and informative demonstrations and presentations on community assistance resources available for moderate- to low-income families in the Austin area.” Community providers will be on hand to offer info about medical assistance programs, veterinary services, food services and housing repair programs. Staff from Austin Energy and local fire, police and EMS departments will make an appearance to provide information and facilitate some kid-friendly activities like demonstrating how a fire truck works. Saturday, May 21, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Lyndon B. Johnson High School, 7309 Lazy Creek Dr.

An extraordinary art installation will be lighting up 16 acres of the Arboretum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center from September to December. Field of Light, created by British artist Bruce Munro, consists of “28,000 stemmed spheres that are subtly lit by solar-powered fiber optics,” resulting in “an immersive and emotional experience for guests,” according to the description. Said Munro, “Austin is such a unique destination that embodies many of the core values of this installation. My hope is that the Field of Light installation will inspire visitors to contemplate a kinder and more connected world.” Tickets go on sale in July, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Wildflower Center. Find out more.