There’s a lot going on downtown this month; hence our multiple reminders, to help get you in the spirit for whatever you’re celebrating. This Saturday from 3-7 p.m. brings a Shop the Block event along the 600 block of Congress Avenue. Retailers are hosting a sidewalk market with free hot cocoa along with live music from Lion Heights and Leon Sanchez and comedy from the Hideout Theater Improv Group. The festivities continue Sunday from noon-5 p.m. with the People’s Market at Republic Square. This free event hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance and Frida Friday ATX offers more outdoor shopping opportunities along with live performances from Young Voices of Austin and Mariachi Las Coronelas. There will be food vendors, art exhibits, free yoga and something called a “children’s holiday card activity table,” which sounds like lots of fun for little people.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been working hard to minimize its impacts on the environment. So hard, in fact, that the airport is one of just four airports in North America to reach carbon neutrality, attaining a Level 3+ Accreditation from an industry airport carbon accreditation program. According to a press release from the city, a Level 3+ accreditation means AUS “has reduced its emissions as much as possible and successfully offset residual emissions by investing in and implementing projects that reduce carbon dioxide.” Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca called the accreditation “a significant milestone for our city.” Jacqueline Yaft, AUS chief executive officer, added, “AUS is proud to be the first medium-sized North American airport to achieve carbon neutrality. As our airport develops and grows to meet the needs of our community, we will continue our commitment to carbon neutrality and environmental stewardship through innovative collaboration with our partners, and by incorporating sustainable design and green development.”

The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has awarded a Planning Achievement Award for Transportation Planning to the city’s Urban Trails Program and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Bergstrom Spur Corridor Study. According to the news release, the award “honors planning efforts in the state of Texas that work to increase transportation choices for all populations, reduce single-occupancy vehicle dependence, and mitigate climate change impacts.” The Bergstrom Spur Corridor Study is an analysis of the abandoned rail corridor called the Bergstrom Spur, located in Southeast Austin near the airport. Previous studies identified the corridor as “an important future link for connecting regional bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and transit networks. Through the study, the project team worked closely with local residents and community members to develop proposed concepts for the urban trail and future transit connections.” Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca said, “Beginning this project brings us one step closer to ensuring all Austin residents have affordable, sustainable options for getting where they need to go safely.”

If you’re the type of citizen who faithfully votes in every election, adds your voice (and your feet) to protests, and reaches out to your local and state representatives when there’s something on your mind, you might be interested in becoming even more civically involved in your community. If so, the city invites you to “take the next step in civic engagement” by serving as an appointed member on one of Austin’s 70 local boards or commissions. In the latest edition of the Imagine Austin speaker series, interim City Clerk Myrna Rios will discuss the application process, qualifications and responsibilities, and any conflicts of interest that may arise while serving. Three active commission members will also be on hand to share their experiences. Register here for the webinar. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 5-6 p.m.

Love global design but want to support local fashion designers at the same time? The ATX+EGYPT Fashion Pop-Up allows shoppers to do both. The pop-up store, part of the ATX+EGYPT Entrepreneurship Program, sells clothing, jewelry, bags, leather goods and more made by fashion designers from Austin and Cairo. As Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, acting director of the Austin Economic Development Department, explained, “This pop-up store is a great opportunity to support Austin fashion designers during the holiday season. The store also provides fashion designers from Cairo with an opportunity to access the U.S. market.” The store is open Dec. 5-20, Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m., 225 W. Second St.

This weekend, Austinites are invited to attend the official groundbreaking of the Holly Trail Segment of the Hike-and-Bike Trail, which is a first step toward connecting the trail and converting to parkland the shore adjacent to the Holly Street Power Plant. In 2007, operation ceased at the plant, with the official decommission coming in 2017 after decades of activism from the neighborhood and members of the Holly Decommissioning Committee. The trail is just one part of the extensive plan for the area, which includes a playscape, pool and restroom. Saturday’s groundbreaking will include a recognition of the work of the decommissioning committee. Saturday, Dec. 4, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2300 Riverview St.

The Commissioners Court is looking for qualified residents of Travis County to serve on the Travis Central Appraisal District Board of Directors. Board members meet on the second Tuesday of every month. The primary responsibility of the 10-member board is to hire the chief appraiser and to approve the annual budget. According to the county’s description, TCAD provides accurate appraisals of property in Travis County, covering an area of about 873 square miles, and is responsible for nearly 450,000 tax accounts. “The Appraisal District’s primary responsibility is to develop an annual appraisal roll for use by taxing units in imposing ad valorem taxes on property in the district.” The deadline to apply is today at 5 p.m. Find the application packet and more information here.

The city’s Communications and Technology Department will be migrating the city’s geodatabases today, so all city apps and tools that use geospatial services will be temporarily offline for about 24 hours, starting Friday at 4 p.m. Applications opened at that time will display a pop-up window explaining that the app is “unavailable due to maintenance.” The city’s map-based tools will not be available to residents during the migration window but will be restored when the migration is complete. According to a news release from the communications department, “This migration is one of the final steps of a yearlong project to transition the city’s GIS technology and software to a more current and more supported system. This project ensures that our GIS users continue to use the most up-to-date tools and resources to support work across the city.”

Downtown holiday festivities will resume in person this year, with social distancing in place “so that everyone can safely enjoy the outdoor celebration,” according to a news release from organizers Downtown Austin Alliance, KUT 90.5 and KUTX 98.9. There are a variety of events planned, kicking off with the annual sing-along and tree lighting this Saturday, Dec. 4, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in front of the Capitol and along Congress Avenue from Ninth to 11th streets. “December in Downtown” continues through the month with a screening of The Grinch at Republic Square, a Frida Friday holiday market, an Austin-centric parade by Bike Zoo, buskers, sidewalk sales, food vendors, and caroling. Find the schedule, details and discounts here.

An annual art contest is seeking submissions to raise awareness of mental health issues. The theme of this year’s Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest is “Why Does Mental Health Matter to You?” Participants have until March 15 to submit their original work in one of three categories: artwork, writing or photography. Dr. Courtney Harvey, associate commissioner of the Texas HHSC Office of Mental Health Coordination, explained the impetus behind the contest. “When people share their perspectives and experiences through art, it can help them process their emotions and kickstart conversations that inspire connection, provide encouragement, and give hope to others facing similar challenges. Those healthy discussions can be the push someone may need to seek support and really start taking care of their mental health, and that can save lives.” The contest is open to Texans of all ages and is judged in four age groups: elementary, middle school, high school and adult. Last year, the contest drew 687 submissions. Find submission details here.

More than 80 languages are spoken in Austin. As part of a new campaign to help Austinites who are more comfortable speaking a language other than English, the city is offering free interpretation and translation of written information to those who request language access services. The initiative, called iSpeak Austin, introduces a range of online resources in multiple languages. Informational wallet cards and posters at local library branches describe how non-English speakers can communicate their needs to English speakers. Jessica King, the city’s interim communications director, explained more about the program. “Whether it’s borrowing a library book, applying for financial support, or seeking a permit, every Austinite has the right to access city of Austin services in their preferred language, and the city has resources available to ensure this happens. Over the coming weeks we will be working to make sure new English learners and immigrant communities are aware of their rights and have the information they need to exercise them.”

Whether you need a first shot, a second dose or a booster, there’s a Covid-19 vaccine distribution event for you. Travis County, Austin Public Health and their community partners are hosting free Covid vaccine clinics in convenient locations across the county such as library branches, community centers, elementary schools and supermarkets. No appointments are required. People receiving their second dose or booster shot should bring their Vaccination Record Card, so it may be updated. Use Travis County’s online calendar and map to find a vaccine event in your neighborhood.