Love to walk and want to get more involved in local transportation policy? Apply to join the Pedestrian Advisory Council, which the city describes as “an independent advocacy group providing advice to the city of Austin on planning, policy, design, funding, education and enforcement efforts regarding the creation, maintenance and operation of pedestrian facilities.” The city’s announcement explains that, “Appointment to the PAC is based on an individual’s demonstrated knowledge of issues relating to pedestrianism and expressed interest in becoming a member. In selecting people for membership, the PAC seeks to achieve a balance among various types of pedestrian interests (urban transportation, disability, children, elderly, public health, recreation, etc.).” In normal times, the group meets monthly at City Hall, though during the pandemic the meetings have been conducted via WebEx. Sept. 19 is the last day to apply. Applicants will be invited to attend the PAC’s October meeting to introduce themselves to current members, who will vote to select the new members.

Austin and Travis County have amended recently released masking orders to include public colleges. The rules are now extended so that they apply to anyone over the age of 2 on city or county property or public school grounds. The rules do not apply to UT Austin. Similar masking orders have been issued for Central Texas schools, and KUT has a comprehensive list. Though all of the orders stand in defiance of an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott, for now the orders have been upheld by the court. Full county and city orders, which went into effect immediately, are available to read online.

Just in time for the first day of school, Austin ISD is offering Covid tests to families and school district employees who live and work in the ZIP codes that have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus. Covid-19 rapid tests are available for free at any of the four drive-thru events being held today, Aug. 16, from 7-11 a.m. at the following locations:

• Blazier ES; Southeast (8601 Vertex Blvd., Austin, 78744)
• Cunningham ES; Southwest (2200 Berkeley Ave., Austin, 78745)
• Allison ES; Southeast/Central (515 Vargas Road, Austin, 78741)
• Wooldridge ES; North Central (1412 Norseman Terrace, Austin, 78758)

Water samples taken from Bull Creek on Aug. 6 have tested negative for cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, but city officials are testing again, given the fluctuations in the flow of water since a possible exposure on Aug. 1. A press release from the city explains that those samples, which were taken out of “an abundance of caution,” should have results available by the end of this week. Although cyanobacteria was first detected in Lady Bird Lake in 2019, the danger is not as great in creeks that are flowing and have cooler water temperatures. The city continues to monitor Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin, and reports decreasing levels of toxins at Red Bud Isle since June. Find more information about the testing and algae on the city’s website.

What’s worse than getting a flat tire while you’re on a bike ride? Having no idea how to fix the flat and pathetically wheeling your disabled bicycle all the way home. (Not that that’s ever happened to us.) Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way: The Austin educational nonprofit Yellow Bike Project is offering an in-person class to teach participants “how to change a flat tire efficiently and effectively, including how to patch an inner tube.” The class is free, though donations of up to $10 are appreciated. Aug. 30, 6-8 p.m. Register on Eventbrite.

Stuck at home for health reasons? If you live in an eligible community in Austin or Travis County, a phone call will bring Austin Public Health’s mobile Covid-19 vaccination unit right to your door. Call 311 or (512) 974-2000 to schedule an appointment with the Mobile Vaccine Program for yourself, your caregivers and your household.

Remember that Waterloo Park grand reopening festival we told you about a few days ago? Well, it’s been postponed, due to the alarming climb in Covid cases and hospitalizations driven by the Delta variant. A news release from Waterloo Greenway explains that the organization “has made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone all opening-day celebrations scheduled for this Saturday. This includes postponement of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and land dedication, daytime programming and nighttime concert showcase.” All is not lost, however; the newly reimagined downtown park will still open to the public on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m., though Waterloo Greenway urges all visitors to wear face masks and practice social distancing while enjoying the park. “The opening of this park comes at a critical time for the community, and access to outdoor space has never been more important for physical, mental and emotional health.” The planned CommUNITY Day festivities will be rescheduled at a date to be announced.

All Austin ISD students, whether they’re attending in-person classes or virtual learning, will receive free breakfast and lunch this school year, regardless of their household income. The school district goes a little deeper into the fine print to explain that, while the meals are free for everyone, “campuses will still collect income verification to help maintain demographic information needed for various types of funding for schools and potential state-funded benefits for families. Families may submit income verification during online enrollment, electronically on the AISD Cloud through the Parent Portal, or schools can provide a paper form.” Since the meal program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, AISD is reimbursed for all meals served, “so the more students who eat school meals, the more we can invest in higher quality food, maintain local jobs and support the Texas economy.” So parents, don’t bother packing that school lunch and check out the daily menus.

Community members will get a chance to meet the finalists for chief of police at two community meetings scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18, and Thursday, Aug. 19. Both meetings are from 7-8:30 p.m. The city received 46 applications for the position. The city’s announcement explains, “Like many major cities in America, Austin is reimagining how it provides public safety services. Austin is approaching this process in a methodical and strategic approach, and the next chief of police will begin their duties during a period of intense change for the Austin Police Department. The challenges and opportunities related to this initiative alone are many. The chief of police will help APD and the city adapt and emerge from reimagining law enforcement in a manner that improves public safety for all who visit, live and work in Austin.” More details about the meetings, including the candidates’ names and the meeting venues, will be announced later this week.

Bowing to the reality of the rapidly worsening Covid spike, the organizers of the 2021 Austin Pride Parade, which was scheduled to return on Saturday, Aug. 14, after a year’s absence, announced “with an unimaginably heavy heart” that the popular event is postponed until future notice “due to Delta.” The press release explains that the decision to cancel the parade and the street party “was made for the safety of the community and city,” and concludes, “There is only one way out of this, and that is together. Please, #getvaccinated, #maskup, #socialdistance until we get this in check again.”

The producers of Blues on the Green have made the decision to postpone the last two performances of the popular free concert series, which were scheduled for Aug. 10 and 11, due to the “latest wave in this public health emergency.” A statement released on Twitter Monday read, “This was wholly our call and we’re grateful for the understanding and cooperation we’ve received from the artists that were set to play, the sponsors and the vendors that make Blues on the Green possible, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and the Austin public health officials we’ve consulted with along the way.” The statement concluded by urging everyone “to get vaccinated so we can again enjoy free live music in Zilker Park.”

That got your attention, didn’t it? That’s the idea behind a campaign from We Are Blood called Pint for Pint. From now through Aug. 14, We Are Blood is offering blood or platelet donors a voucher for a free pint of Blue Bell Creameries ice cream. For those who are wondering, We Are Blood assures donors that “the FDA has found no evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted via blood transfusion. It is completely safe to donate blood and to receive a blood transfusion.” The organization follows all of CDC’s recommended Covid safety measures. Quantities of ice cream are limited and advance appointments are necessary. Schedule here.