It’s true that the pandemic is slowly receding into the background, for the most part. Yet people who are unvaccinated are still at risk of contracting the coronavirus, getting seriously ill and spreading the disease to others. That’s why Travis County, Austin Public Health and their community partners continue to urge community members to protect themselves – and others – by getting vaccinated at one of the free, convenient Covid vaccine distribution events that are scheduled throughout the week. No appointments are required. Simply visit the online calendar or map to find the date, time and location of a nearby vaccine event. Austin Public Health sites offer the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, including third doses for the immunocompromised and booster shots. Those who are receiving second or third doses or boosters should remember to bring their vaccination cards so they can be updated.

After two years of cancellations due to the obvious (a global pandemic), Eeyore’s Birthday will return to Pease Park this weekend, on April 30. The 57th annual celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. and goes until dusk. Notably, there’s no parking at Pease Park, so organizers encourage everyone to take the free shuttle bus that runs every 10 minutes from 17th and Colorado, bicycle, walk, take another bus, or use a ride-share option. The fest’s website has more information on transportation options. The website also has general information on the event, but trust us, it’s not that complicated.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport continues its growth streak with an announcement that passenger traffic for March 2022 was up 146.07 percent compared to March of last year. A record-setting 1,809,262 travelers passed through the airport this March, “setting a new record for busiest month ever at the airport,” according to AUS officials. Since there’s every indication that this trend will continue, travelers should make sure to arrive extra early for departing flights out of AUS.

Seven partnership projects will receive $1.24 million in Urban Forest Grants to “help grow and protect the community’s healthy tree canopy and provide more trees where they are needed most,” according to a news release from the city. Austin Independent School District, Partners for Education, Agriculture & Sustainability, Austin Parks Foundation, Fruitful Commons, the Contemporary Austin, Ecology Action of Texas, Inc. and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy will use the money to plant and care for trees, restore native landscapes, engage the community and create educational initiatives, among other projects. Denise Lucas, director of the Development Services Department, which administers the grants, said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to support these projects, which will benefit our community’s urban forest by planting and caring for trees and provide community stewardship and educational opportunities.”

Residents who have surplus prescription medications piling up in their medicine cabinets will be pleased to learn that Travis County is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration “to allow the public to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs” on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Simply bring the medications to constable precincts 1, 2, 4 or 5 and drop them off in the collection box. No questions will be asked and the service is free and anonymous. Find out what items are accepted here. Travis County residents may also dispose of unwanted prescription medications year-round in the drop-off kiosk in the lobby of Travis County Pct. 5 Constable Carlos B. Lopez. According to the DEA, improper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs “is a growing problem nationwide and threatens local water supplies.”

After some debate, City Council has approved the appointment of Greg Anderson to the Planning Commission, once again. Council voted on the appointment following an executive session where they discussed whether Anderson’s presence on the board would invite another lawsuit from the Texas attorney general. Texas AG Ken Paxton has sued the city more than once over a provision in the city charter that requires that “a minimum of two-thirds of the (commission) shall be lay members and not directly or indirectly connected with real estate and land development.” Anderson, who works for Habitat for Humanity, was named in both suits as a real estate professional. Despite that, Council Member Chito Vela, who made the appointment, maintained he was not and pointed to Anderson’s application as proof. “He is a lay member within the meaning of the charter,” he said. “I don’t want the city of Austin to be bullied by the attorney general of Texas into deciding who we can or can’t appoint. I just think that we should stand up for the independence and judgment of the citizens of Austin.” Council Member Ann Kitchen, who voted against the appointment, said she respected Vela’s position, but could not support the nomination. “We were involved in a lawsuit before, and this particular individual was named in that lawsuit,” she said. “From my perspective, it’s too much of a risk, and I don’t want to move forward with this.” Anderson’s nomination was approved in a vote of 6-4, with Council members Kitchen, Kathie Tovo, Mackenzie Kelly and Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter voting in opposition. Council Member Leslie Pool was absent.

Starting today, Austinites will get a chance to cast their ballots for (or against) decriminalizing weed and banning no-knock warrants under the petition-driven Proposition A. Early voting starts Monday and will run through Tuesday, May 3. Election day is May 7. Travis County residents may cast a ballot at any early voting location – all of which are listed on the county’s clerk’s website – from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. A number of elections are taking place in the area. The League of Women Voters Austin Area has put together a guide detailing those contests and outlining what voters should (and shouldn’t!) take to the polls.

Those looking for summer lifeguarding jobs in Austin now have an even greater incentive to slap on the sunscreen: a bonus of up to $1,250. Temporary summer camp staffers are in line for up to $750 in bonuses, depending on the position. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is hoping the offer of extra money will tempt “teenagers, college students, teachers on summer break, and retirees looking for a fun way to earn extra money,” as the announcement says. The pay starts at $15/hour for entry-level positions and increases with experience. Paid sick leave, free bus passes and flexible scheduling are also part of the package. You’ll find all the info you need about the jobs and the bonuses here.

Children and their parents will be thrilled to learn that the Kids Block Party is returning in-person to the Austin Central Library after last year’s all-virtual event. This Library Foundation indoor/outdoor event “celebrates children, literacy and learning through play, with indoor and outdoor activities for kids aged toddler to tweens.” Along with musicians and yoga, the party features storytelling, arts and crafts, “friends from Austin Spurs, goody bags, and more.” The block party marks the launch of the library’s summer experience program for kids and adults called Austin Completely Booked, which includes “reading challenges and other experiences throughout the community over the summer. Attendees will be able to download an app or receive paper forms for logging summer reading and tracking challenge completion to earn prizes.” Find a full schedule of events here. Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Austin Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St.

City Council has approved a $65,000 grant to fund a study on coronavirus in cats. The Austin Humane Society and Austin Animal Center, partnering with Texas A&M and the Texas Department of State Health Services, will examine whether there are coronaviruses “circulating or mutating among animals that could potentially pose a risk to humans.” AHS’ Dr. Katie Luke said in a news release, “There is still a lot we don’t know about coronavirus and how it mutates, so we hope this study will help to identify best practices moving forward, and help understand potential sources of mutated viruses that affect human health.” How will it work? “The subjects for the study will come from Travis County’s Community Cats program, and will only contribute a throat swab during their spay/neuter procedures. After that, “The samples will be sent to Texas A&M, where experts will determine if coronavirus is present. If the virus is detected, they will run more specific tests to identify whether it’s feline coronavirus, SARS CoV-2, or a different coronavirus. Positive samples for SARS CoV-2 will be sent to the National Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for confirmation and gene sequencing to identify if there are mutations. Finally, the Texas Department of State Health Services will assist in reporting the findings to the CDC.”

Eight months after the school opened to students in August 2021, East Austin’s Sánchez Elementary School is celebrating its grand opening today with a parade and a tree planting in honor of Earth Day. The new, modernized $25 million campus was funded by the 2017 bond program. According to AISD, “The school was one of the district’s first to introduce two-way dual language education – fitting because the school’s namesake, George Sánchez, was a pioneer in bilingual education.” Friday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. parade, 9:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony, Sánchez Elementary, 73 San Marcos St.

On Wednesday, the board of directors of the Austin Transit Partnership chose Greg Canally as interim executive director. Canally, the agency’s current CFO and chief development officer, will take over May 2 from Randy Clarke, Capital Metro president and CEO, who has been serving as ATP’s first executive director. In a news release, Veronica Castro de Barrera, chair of ATP’s board of directors, praised Canally, saying, “Greg will provide the steady leadership and smooth, effective and efficient transition that ATP – and all of Austin – need as we work to implement voters’ vision for this program. This will be a critical year for ATP, along with our partners at the city of Austin and Cap Metro, as we all work together to deliver on the promise of Project Connect.” The board also approved a resolution requesting that City Council and the Capital Metro board consider amending ATP’s articles of incorporation to add Capital Metro’s president and CEO or their designee as a non-voting ex officio board member “to foster and promote enhanced collaboration and communication among the parties.” The resolution also asks Castro de Barrera and ATP Board Member Tony Elkins to work with ATP staff to develop a recommendation for the board on how to pursue a leadership search for the permanent executive director.