The Dougherty Art Center’s Art Is Everywhere Map is one of the many creative initiatives that’s been inspired by the stay-at-home orders. Using this interactive map, you can enjoy public art from the safety and comfort of your own car or bicycle. As the map’s webpage says, “From hidden gems to public art installations, from sculptures to street art, this map has everything you need to enjoy the free art that exists all over Austin.” Use the art map to take a neighborhood walking tour or go on an art scavenger hunt. You can leave comments under the map or submit pins if you want to nominate a sculpture or mural to be included on the map. We love this idea. Now, will someone please bring back the drive-in movie theater?

Despite any confusion caused by the Travis County commissioners’ discussion Tuesday about the position Sarah Eckhardt might take with the county once she resigns next week, Eckhardt made clear Wednesday that she will be doing the job as a volunteer and will not receive a salary. As she told the Austin Monitor via text: “I’m not taking any pay or benefits – zero, nada.” Eckhardt told commissioners in an email Saturday that Chuck Brotherton, the county executive for emergency services, had offered her a position in the Emergency Services Department, “so that we can keep our existing Covid-19 response team together a little while longer. Our team is tremendous and I’d be honored to continue as part of it under Chuck’s leadership. Honestly, I will do this work for the county with or without the position. I’ve discussed it with Judge (Sam) Biscoe and as long as it is his wish and the wish of the Commissioners Court, I will accept the position as a volunteer. If it’s easier for budget and accounting purposes to issue a paycheck, I will donate it back to the general fund, or to a Covid-19 charity of the court’s choosing such as Stand With Austin, All Together ATX or the Capital Area Food Bank.” Things got a little more complicated, however, once Todd Osburn, the county’s compensation manager, got involved. He offered four scenarios, starting with strictly volunteer work with no wages or health insurance. The other three options included payment that would be donated to charity, but were more complicated. Eckhardt again expressed her preference for the volunteer with no pay option. But Brotherton told commissioners he would prefer to hire Eckhardt “into a full-time position that I currently have vacant in emergency services.” That opened a new controversy because of the current hiring freeze. If she is a volunteer, the county can avoid that controversy. Eckhardt is expected to officially step down from her position as county judge on May 12 and file to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Kirk Watson on May 13. While it’s not exactly clear what her new title at the county might be, it is clear that she will not be getting a salary. Commissioners went into executive session to discuss the matter.

The city has released its Draft Funding Recommendations for U.S. HUD Coronavirus Response, a set of recommendations for using $7.2 million in Housing and Urban Development funding, courtesy of the CARES Act. You have until May 13 to review and comment on the proposal. If you want to go deeper into the weeds, you can visit the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department’s HUD Funding webpage. The city is also seeking public comment on amendments to its Citizen Participation Plan, “which guides the steps undertaken to encourage community members to participate in the development of the city’s federal spending recommendations.” Those proposed amendments are here.

Austin-area Muslims will be participating in a virtual iftar this Saturday, May 9, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. Iftar is the evening meal that breaks the daily Ramadan fast at sunset. People across the country are invited to participate virtually in interfaith iftar celebrations from home. Amjad Mahmood Khan, the national director of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, said in a news release, “While we are all physically separated, unity is the critical need of the hour, which is why we chose to host each of these events across the country on the same day to reflect on the power of prayer during this pandemic.” The theme of the event is “Virtual reflections on the power of prayer during the pandemic.” Each local event will feature guest speakers such as city and law enforcement leaders and leaders of different religious congregations. More than 50 cities are expected to participate.

In late March, the Moody Foundation gave $1 million toward the Covid-19 relief efforts of its local partners in Central Texas. Now the foundation is committing another $500,000 in grants to its partners to provide “much-needed services, including food, shelter, PPE, computers, rent assistance, employment, education, and physical and mental health resources.” Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation, explained in a news release, “The effects from Covid-19 are far-reaching and will have long-term impacts beyond what we can even imagine. Now, more than ever, is the time to step up.” Trustee Elizabeth Moody added, “With this next round of Covid-19 grants, the Moody Foundation aims to alleviate the most pressing needs in the community, so those on the front lines and in vulnerable populations can get the care and resources they need.” The additional funds will support the following organizations: Any Baby Can, Ascension Texas Relief Fund, Austin Diaper Bank, Austin Paramedic Relief and Community Outreach Fund, Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area, Brighter Bites, Fredericksburg Food Pantry Inc., Friends of Marfa Library, Hays County Food Bank, Hill Country Memorial Hospital Foundation, Hope Austin, Project Transitions/Doug’s House, Round Rock Area Serving Center, The Caring Place, The Other Ones, Saint Louise House, and Young Men’s Christian Association of Austin.

Applications are now open for the Austin Fast Start small-business pitch competition, a project of the Economic Development Department and Austin Young Chamber. The quarterly pitch showcase focuses on the Internet of Things, which, according to the city’s announcement, includes businesses that “offer solutions that transform the way we live and work by leveraging the interconnection between everyday objects and internet connectivity.” Applications will be scored by judges chosen from the community. The top four applications will be selected as finalists and given the opportunity to virtually pitch their business ideas on June 15, 5:30-7 p.m. The judges will score the pitches and the audience will vote to determine a winner. The grand-prize winner receives a cash prize of $2,500 plus $4,000 in-kind prizes. Apply here. The application deadline is May 18.

It’s true that Bike to Work Day has been postponed to September for the obvious reasons; however, the Austin Transportation Department would like you to know that “May is still Bike Month in Austin!” How? Well, you can still ride your bike, can’t you? You just can’t ride all crammed together on a Peloton. Also, says ATX: “We still want to connect online together while we’re staying physically apart.” Isn’t that sweet? So be on the lookout for virtual events, safety tips and other interesting bike-related stuff coming this month from Transportation. And you’re invited to post your bike selfies using #BikeMonthATX on Twitter or Facebook. Help make May the best virtual Bike Month ever.

Despite all the important business on the agenda of the Public Safety Commission after having missed last month’s meeting, commissioners took a moment to elect the chair and vice chair of the commission. Within minutes, the current chair, Meghan Hollis, was unanimously reelected to serve another year. Rebecca Webber, who is also the current vice chair and former commission chair, was also reelected. Commissioner Webber was not in attendance when the vote was taken. However, Chair Hollis said she had spoken to her earlier in the day and confirmed that Webber was up to the task for another year. When Webber did join the meeting, she did not object to her election to the seat.

Finding parking in the busy South Congress neighborhood is never a piece of cake. So Austin Transportation, the Downtown Austin Alliance and local stakeholders have put their heads together to brainstorm a better solution. Their study has collected data “on parking inventory, occupancy, turnover, parking and travel behavior, and local knowledge of South Congress parking challenges.” Interested parties may view a series of videos describing the solutions that are being proposed to unsnarl this snarly problem. Then you’ll be invited to fill out a brief survey with your comments and feedback. Because getting around town should be a piece of cake.

While you’re working from home, don’t forget to fill out your U.S. Census form online. Truly, nothing could be easier and it’s so important: Your answers will help ensure that Texas receives its fair share of the federal pie. Every Texas resident who is counted by the census equals $1,500 more in federal funding for our schools, health care, transportation, and legislative representation. There are no citizenship questions and no identification is required. You may fill out the census at 2020census.gov.

Bookworms are taking the closure of the Austin Public Library and Recycled Reads hard. Last week library officials told KUT they plan to reopen the library “when it can do so in a manner that does not jeopardize the health and safety of its employees and the community it serves.” But what many people may not know is that, while the library remains closed during the pandemic, the virtual library is open for business. All you need is a library card and a PIN to access the library’s digital resources, where you may read, research and browse until the cows come home. If you don’t believe me, take a quick peek at what’s available. Wow, right? Information, education and entertainment, all rolled up into one convenient place. If your library card has expired, you may renew it online here.

Those confused about how to should behave now that a statewide stay-home order has been lifted are not alone. Gov. Greg Abbott’s pandemic response order largely overrides the city’s measures and allows for the limited reopening of some industries including retail shops, dine-in restaurants, libraries and shopping centers. To complement the orders, the city has released a FAQ that clarifies how the current rules apply to garage sales (still not cool), wedding venues and funerals. The city also offers some clarity on social gatherings: “Current city, county, and state stay-home orders require individuals to minimize social gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household. This means social gatherings are not permitted and people may leave their homes only to provide or access an essential business or activity or a reopened service, to engage in essential travel, or to participate in permitted outdoor physical activity.” As of Friday, the date of the additional guidance, the city had yet to determine when city facilities would reopen, though public swimming pools remain closed under the state order. The city guide also states that private businesses may require the use of face masks or face coverings.

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