Austin has turned to what it does best – music – in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of keeping dogs leashed in public spaces. Two local musicians each have recorded an original music video as part of a campaign spearheaded by the parks department, the Animal Advisory Commission, the Austin Parks Foundation, and the Trail Conservancy. Shinyribs frontman Kevin Russell belts out a bluesy number urging Austinites to get “poochie control” – with park rangers dancing backup. Irish singer/songwriter Andrea Magee takes a gentler tack in her video, crooning, “It’s a human world, so we’ve gotta teach them. … If you love them, let’s leash them.” Of course, dogs love to run around off-leash, but the reasons for keeping them on-leash are pretty persuasive. A leashed dog is a safe dog (providing it isn’t attacked by an off-leash dog, as happened to one Monitor staffer), and leashes keep people safe from overenthusiastic dogs. Protecting the lives of small wild creatures is another biggie: Dogs don’t know the difference between a squeaky toy and a little opossum going about its business. The leash awareness campaign kicks off at at an album release event for Magee’s Belfast Girl. Friday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., 2701 S. Lamar Blvd.

With 30 percent of all traffic crashes in Austin occurring at intersections, it’s no wonder the city has a strong focus on making safety enhancements to intersections. Of course, as the Transportation Department points out, every intersection is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for intersection safety. First, ATD staffers “analyze crash data from each intersection before designing the project. Then, planners and engineers select safety measures from a toolkit of potential improvements that will have the greatest impact.” Crossing islands, changes to driveway access and new turn lanes are some of the enhancements that are shown to be highly effective in reducing crashes. These kinds of changes make a measurable difference: “At intersections where the city has made improvements, the annual number of crashes resulting in serious injuries or death has fallen 31 percent,” according to ATD.

The Austin Monitor is seeking award nominations for people who have had a hand in:

• Bringing greater awareness to an important community issue
• Convening community members to discuss and address an important community issue
• Encouraging democratic participation such as voting or running for elected office
• Leading a community project, cause or organization
• Volunteering or inspiring others to volunteer

Nominations will also be accepted for anyone who has shown exemplary leadership and commitment to a public service role, such as serving on a board or commission. Have someone in mind? Submit their name for our (new!) 2022 Civic Leader Award by Friday, Sept. 30, at 11:59 p.m.

The city is asking for community members’ help with the planning process for improving Austin’s sidewalks, bikeways and urban trails. If you like to walk or cycle or have ideas or opinions about mobility programs and policies, you might want to weigh in on this effort, called ATX Walk Bike Roll. The virtual open house will show you what’s in the pipeline for future urban trails and bikeways and what changes will have the greatest impact for pedestrians, cyclists and others who roll around on wheels. After checking out the open house, take this online survey to help shape key decisions on transportation policy.

With hot, dry weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, the Travis County Commissioners Court has decided to issue a burn ban for the unincorporated areas of the county. Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Tony Callaway noted in a press release, “Fire danger is expected to increase significantly over the next 7 to 10 days as humidity levels drop and rain chances remain minimal. We want to do everything we can to minimize the risk of wildfires, and a new burn ban is a tool we can use to keep our community safe.” The burn ban, which will be in effect until Oct. 26, “does not affect prescribed burns conducted under the supervision of a prescription burn manager. It also does not affect outdoor welding, cutting or grinding operations, and outdoor hot works operations,” as long as workers are following the fire marshal’s guidelines. As always, have water nearby when doing any outdoor grilling or barbecuing. In fact, it’s a good idea to have water nearby when you’re doing anything that involves fire.

A chill is (finally!) in the air and the November elections are approaching fast. We’ve teamed up with Austin PBS to clear up any lingering election questions you might have before heading off to the polls. As part of a project with America Amplified, we are answering questions about voting dates, requirements and anything else that might be flummoxing our readers. Submit your questions via AustinPBS.org/elections or by texting “Austin PBS” and your question to (855) 670-1777. With help from Austin PBS and America Amplified, we’ll answer the questions online, on the air and on social media as well as sending an answer directly to you! (If you share your contact information, we may even reach out personally.) Oct. 11 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election. Early voting starts Oct. 24.

We’re putting on a summit and would love for you to join us! On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Austin Monitor will hold our City Summit at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. We’ll be discussing homelessness and housing policy, and checking in with the people who are aiming to be Austin’s next mayor. Find more information and tickets here. Hope to see you there!

At long last, phase one of the Seaholm water intake facility renovation is complete. For now, that means limited, guided access to the building (led by parks department and Trail Conservancy guides). Soon, the long-vacant building will see public programming such as fitness classes, volunteer events and historical tours. Planning the rehab of the intake facility began in 2016, and the completed phase included restoration of windows, new lighting and roofing. Find more information about the rehabilitation here.

The Austin City Limits Music Festival is right around the corner (Oct. 7-9 and 14-16) and various city departments are battening down the hatches as they prepare for a massive influx of visitors to Austin. Of course, road closures are always part of the fun, so you can check out this handy calendar to find out which roads will be closed and for how long. Crews are already hard at work setting up, so the parks department has closed Zilker Park, effective today. This map shows Zilker Park access during the festival. Of course, parking is always a nightmare; just keep in mind there is no parking at Zilker Park or in surrounding neighborhoods during the festival. For more hot tips on parking, check out ACL’s Twitter feed.

The city is asking for the community’s help in allocating a potential $11.4 million in American Rescue Plan dollars earmarked for the homeless in Austin. Starting Oct. 6, the public can review the revised allocation plan that will be open for comment through Oct. 21. There is also an opportunity to offer public comment at an Oct. 11 meeting of the Community Development Commission, either in person or by emailing the board liaison at jesse.gutierrez@austintexas.gov. According to a press release from the city, Austin’s share of the $5 billion in federal dollars may be spent on:

• Supportive services
• Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelters
• Tenant-based rental assistance
• Development of affordable rental housing
• Nonprofit operating expenses
• Nonprofit capacity building

In an effort to more accurately reflect its official role as the main steward of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, the Trail Foundation has rebranded and will now be known as the Trail Conservancy. To celebrate, the conservancy will be hosting a community event this Saturday, Sept. 24, at Shoal Beach from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will feature Trail Conservancy CEO Heidi Anderson, as well as Mayor Steve Adler, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Catherine Robb as speakers as well as live music, games and merch. “At our core, we’re still the same organization the community has grown to know, love and trust. This new name better aligns with our mission and vision to enhance and protect the Butler Trail,” Anderson said, in a statement to the press. “We remain dedicated to serving this community by building and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces that are accessible to all Austinites. I look forward to reintroducing everyone to the Trail Conservancy and kicking off a new chapter for our organization.”

Members of the city’s Commission on Seniors have asked that their group be renamed the Commission on Aging. Stephanie Hall from the Office of the City Clerk presented the proposed name change to the City Council Audit and Finance Committee, noting that the term “seniors” is falling out of use when describing older adults. The commission says that use of the term “aging” “would be consistent with names of other similar commissions and with the name of local, state and national agencies and organizations addressing the needs of older adults,” according to backup documentation provided to the committee. Council members Leslie Pool and Kathie Tovo indicated agreement with the idea, but the entire Council must agree to the name change.