A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control on the JYNNEOS mpox (monkeypox) vaccine, shows that the shot “is not only safe for those who get it, but also very effective at preventing infection.” Approximately 1 million people in the United States have gotten the vaccine and besides “short-term swelling, redness and pain around the injection site, people reported no major side effects.” Find out more about mpox vaccine eligibility and and schedule a free vaccination in Austin here.

If you’re looking for a brand-new, healthy New Year’s tradition, Texas Parks & Wildlife has just the thing: Take a hike. For its First Day hikes, TPWD has collected some of the state’s best and most beautiful walks, varying from short strolls to vigorous climbs, through wetlands, forest, beaches or mountains. Some of the hikes are actually bike rides or horseback rides, and some are guided and others are self-guided, so there is truly something for everyone. See a list of all the First Day hikes.

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians will receive extra assistance from Central Health to provide health care coverage to an additional 500 local artists. Central Health’s board of managers approved the enrollment increase in its partnership with HAAM, with the new enrollees covered by Sendero Health Plans at an estimated cost of $1 million. HAAM members’ premiums are subsidized by Central Health at an average monthly cost of $221 per client for Sendero’s “silver” plan in the federal health care marketplace. The marketplace’s open enrollment period runs through Jan. 15, though HAAM members earning less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level may be able to enroll even after that deadline if funding is available. Mike Geeslin, Central Health’s president and CEO, called partnership with HAAM “vital to the health of our community” and said it will serve as the model for establishing other health care partnerships.

A sense of normalcy continues to return to the Austin real estate market, with median home prices in the Austin/Round Rock area showing no year-over-year increase for the first time since February 2019, according to data analyzed by the Austin Board of Realtors. The group’s November report also showed the number of days homes sit on the market continues to increase to an average of 58 days, with total home sales (2,026) dropping by 36.6 percent for the largest drop in closings since May 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic caused a major slowdown in real estate transactions. The noticeable slump in home sales has caused a dramatic change from recent years where thriving demand required buyers to make offers the day a property went on sale, often without being able to view or evaluate a home fully. “It’s a relief to see more homes available and sitting on the market long enough to give buyers an opportunity to think before they leap,” ABOR President Cord Shiflet said.

More than 7,000 adoptable pets will be available to go home with their new families at a mega adoption event this weekend sponsored by Petco Love, BOBS from Skechers and several Texas-based animal welfare groups. Adoption fees will be waived and all adoptions include vaccinations and discounts on food and pet supplies at Petco. Mega adoption events are aimed at encouraging pet-friendly homes to consider adopting dogs and cats from shelters instead of buying from breeders or pet stores. Petco Love President Susanne Kogut said in a release, “No pet should spend any day, especially the holidays, without a loving family. Adopting a pet fills your home with more love every day …. You will also make holiday wishes come true for the dedicated shelter workers who work tirelessly to save these pets. These mega adoption initiatives are really about filling communities with love – unconditional pet love.” Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18, noon-5 p.m. Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop; Hancock Petco at 1000 E. 41st St..; Austin Pets Alive’s Town Lake location at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St. and its Tarrytown location at 3118 Windsor Road. Find a full list of participating locations here.

After years of deliberation and planning, the Housing Authority of the City of Austin will celebrate a groundbreaking today for the renovation of Rosewood Courts. The complex, which is located at East 12th and Chicon, was built as part of the New Deal when then-U.S. Rep. Lyndon Baines Johnson lobbied for its construction as the first African American public housing project in the nation. That, and its location atop the original Emancipation Park, made Rosewood’s redevelopment a flashpoint for the city and led to the current plan, which promises preservation alongside modernization. Thursday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.

The Lower Colorado River Authority is offering grants of up to $50,000 for community projects throughout LCRA’s service areas in Central Texas. The applications will be up online starting in January and the deadline is Jan. 31. While most of the community grants are in the neighborhood of $25,000 or less, several grants of up to $50,000 are awarded every year. According to LCRA’s news release, “Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. The grants are not available to individuals, for-profit entities, professional associations, social service projects or limited-use facilities.” LCRA grants have been used previously “to purchase new vehicles, equipment and protective gear for first responders; renovations to community centers, libraries and arts venues; and improvements to parks, youth athletic facilities and outdoor community trails and exhibits.”

The first human case of West Nile virus in the region this year has been confirmed in a local resident. Though Central Texas is at the tail end of what’s considered mosquito season (May-November), recent rainy weather has extended the dangers and Austin Public Health is recommending taking all due precautions. Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said in a news release, “Warm, wet weather is prolonging the mosquito season and we should take steps to prevent getting mosquito bites when around standing water.” The health department did routine testing in July that identified the first positive mosquito pools in ZIP codes 78759, 78754, 78723, 78721, 78704, and 78744. Find more details about symptoms and precautions here.

Austin’s Trail of Lights returns to its traditional stroll-through format this year, which means more traffic and parking woes for visitors. Organizers of the glittering seasonal spectacle recommend leaving the car at home and walking or biking along the Hike-and-Bike Trail and/or taking a Capital Metro bus. Barton Springs Road and the MoPac Expressway frontage roads will close nightly during the event around 5:15 p.m. Find more information about transportation and road closures here. The Trail of Lights will be open through Dec. 23 and is free Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 18. On other nights, a shuttle service is available at the Toney Burger Center and Republic Square for $7/person (which includes admission to the event).

Austin’s runoff election concludes today, Dec. 13, deciding races for mayor and City Council districts 3, 5 and 9. Since the citywide mayoral race is on the ballot, all registered voters in the city are eligible to vote in the election. Those who live in district 3, 5 or 9 should also cast ballots for candidates in their district (you can find out which Council district you live in using this interactive map). Voters have their choice of 85 locations in which to cast their ballots across Travis County. You can find a map of the locations, a sample ballot and a voting guide at the Travis County clerk’s website. For a deeper dive into all of the candidates, check out the Austin Monitor‘s voting guide.

Shay Roalson, Brian Steglitz and Michael Brinkmann are the top three candidates in the running to be Austin’s next water director. In February, Director Greg Meszaros stepped down from the position after 15 years when a citywide boil-water notice was issued due to an employee error. The director heads the Austin Water utility and is expected to be appointed within a few weeks, according to a press release from the city. That same release contained bios of the three candidates, who will be present at a Dec. 15 meet-and-greet with the public, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive.

Shay Roalson: Starting as assistant director of Austin Water in April 2020, Roalson took responsibility for engineering services. Her team includes more than 80 staff in four divisions: Facility Engineering, SCADA Engineering and Operations Support, Pipeline Engineering and Operations Support, and Pipeline CIP Project Delivery. Prior to joining Austin Water, Roalson was the CTX Water Business Group Manager at HDR Engineering, Inc.

Brian Steglitz: Appointed as the interim public services area administrator for the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant in January 2022, Steglitz oversees engineering, systems planning, solid waste, recycling, storm water management, wastewater treatment/collection, and drinking water treatment and delivery. Prior to this, he was the water treatment services unit manager from October 2014 to January 2022.

Michael Brinkmann: Brinkmann is the current vice president of distribution & collection operations for San Antonio Water System. Prior to this role, he was the vice president of operations services from October 2005 to May 2013. Before becoming an executive, he started at San Antonio Water System in 1994 and promoted through the ranks of engineering, program management, and project management.

Lamar Senior Activity Center in Central Austin is hosting its annual nut sale and nut-cracking event. You read that right: it’s a nut-cracking event. The center has several old-time mechanical pecan-cracking machines that have to be seen to be believed. The machines hoist the pecans into the maw of the machine on a tiny conveyor belt and crack them one at a time. You can bring your own pecans to get them cracked, 50 cents a pound, up to 20 pounds, or buy fresh nuts on-site. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 2874 Shoal Crest Ave.