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Whispers
Monday, August 5, 2019 by Tai Moses
Foundation announces grant opportunities
The Austin Community Foundation has just put out a request for proposals for its Hispanic Impact Fund, which provides grants to nonprofits that are working to support the economic security of Hispanic and Latino communities in Central Texas. This fall, the foundation will be awarding $180,000 in combined grants to six nonprofits focused on early childhood education, health and wellness, and job skills and entrepreneurship. Last year’s grantees were Todos Juntos, AVANCE-Austin, Volunteer Healthcare Clinic, El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission, Economic Growth Business Incubator and Con Mi MADRE. The deadline to apply is Aug. 23. Find all the details here.
Monday, August 5, 2019 by Tai Moses
Your road could be next
While you’re cooling off in a river, lake or swimming pool this summer, Austin Public Works is out there sweating up a storm and making sure the streets of Austin are smooth and durable. Public Works crews are resurfacing hundreds of roads throughout the city with sealcoat, a street maintenance treatment that keeps the roads looking spiffy and protects them from water damage and cracks. Keep an eye out for signs or door hangers in your neighborhood informing you of work times. To find out whether your street is scheduled for resurfacing, call the resurfacing hotline at (512) 974-9788 or visit AustinTexas.gov/StreetMaintenance.
Monday, August 5, 2019 by Tai Moses
Airport tests autonomous shuttle
Travelers going between the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the ground transportation pickup area can now take the adorable new Easy Mile EZ10 driverless shuttle, part of a new pilot program being tested at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The electric, self-driving shuttle seats six, plus additional standing room, and has an automated access ramp for wheelchairs. An attendant will be present to answer questions and make sure everything runs smoothly during the pilot, and if all goes well, additional routes will be added.
Photo courtesy Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Parking.
Friday, August 2, 2019 by Elizabeth Pagano
Cronk picks second in command
Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk has picked his deputy city manager in what a city press release calls the “final step in reorganizing his executive team to align with Austin’s Strategic Direction.” Beginning Oct. 1, Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde will advise Cronk and oversee city departments focused on “government that works for all.” Like Cronk, Rivera-Vandermyde comes from Minneapolis, where she is currently serving as the city coordinator. Her key accomplishments, according to the press release, include “leading the City’s Minimum Wage and Safe & Sick Leave ordinances, creation of a Division of Race and Equity for the city of Minneapolis, passage of the City’s first Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan, overhaul of the City’s performance management program, development of the City’s comprehensive tiered licensing system, establishment of the Transgender Equity Council, and successful transition of homeless encampment to a service-rich Navigation Center.” The appointment of Rivera-Vandermyde rounds out Cronk’s executive team. Elaine Hart, who is currently serving as the deputy city manager in addition to her role as the city’s chief financial officer, will remain on the executive team and continue as CFO until her planned retirement.
Friday, August 2, 2019 by Tai Moses
Take the survey on pedestrian-driver laws
Those of us who have been walking since we were toddlers may think we know everything there is to know about being a pedestrian. But it turns out we still have a few things left to learn about interacting with motorists. The Austin Transportation Department and UT’s Center for Transportation Research are conducting a survey to find out how much the public knows about the laws governing pedestrian-driver interactions. The results of the survey will help the researchers develop strategies aimed at making the roads of Austin safer for all of us, whether we’re drivers or walkers. It’s fun and interesting and it’s got pictures and diagrams: Take the survey.
Friday, August 2, 2019 by Tai Moses
Community leaders hold vigil to restore Voting Rights Act
A group of elected officials and community leaders, including City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion and state Rep. Sheryl Cole, will be holding a vigil in East Austin to demand that Congress pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR 4). The legislation, introduced earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama and Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, would restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act, which was signed into law 54 years ago on Aug. 6, 1965. The vigil will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6-8 p.m., in the sanctuary of the David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 2211 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Thursday, August 1, 2019 by Jo Clifton
Dallas sick leave ordinance challenged
The idea of requiring paid sick leave has caught on in Texas as workers band together to convince their city authorities to pass ordinances requiring such time off. Austin, San Antonio and Dallas each passed mandatory sick leave ordinances, but business groups in each city have filed suit to prevent the ordinances from taking effect. The latest suit is against the city of Dallas. The ultraconservative Texas Public Policy Foundation is behind the suit, according to The Texas Tribune. The Dallas ordinance is set to take effect today and there was no indication that Dallas wanted to put that ordinance on hold, unlike the city of San Antonio. Austin defended its ordinance in court, but lost before the 3rd Court of Appeals. Austin could now take the matter to the Texas Supreme Court. When San Antonio was sued, city officials agreed to postpone implementation of the ordinance and see if they could arrive at a resolution that would satisfy the plaintiffs before December. The Dallas suit was filed in federal court and the Austin and San Antonio cases were filed in state court.
Thursday, August 1, 2019 by Elizabeth Pagano
Arts funding workshop today
Today the city’s Cultural Arts Division will hold the first in a monthly series of workshops for groups interested in applying for Community Initiatives Program funding. That money is intended to give members of historically underrepresented communities equitable access to funding opportunities. The program is open to individual artists, nonprofit groups or other unincorporated organizations in Austin and the greater metro area. Proposed activities must involve the marketing, production and presentation of a live performance or artistic exhibition open to residents and tourists. The session will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Division’s new location, 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 400. RSVP and get more information.
Thursday, August 1, 2019 by Tai Moses
Superheroes crash Colony Park’s back-to-school bash
Where can you enjoy free food, listen to live music, get the kids’ faces painted, buy raffle tickets – and dress up like a superhero? Only one event fits that description, and it’s Colony Park’s second annual back-to-school bash, co-hosted by the city’s Economic Development Department, Colony Park Neighborhood Association, Colony Park Sustainable Community and others. Organizers will be handing out free backpacks stuffed with school supplies for the kids, Bella Beauty School will be offering free haircuts, and CommUnityCare and Central Health’s new mobile health unit will be on the scene to offer free vaccinations and sports physicals. (In order to get a backpack and an immunization, kids must bring their vaccination records and be accompanied by a parent or guardian.) Oh, get there early, because they’ll be giving away free bikes – courtesy of the Austin Yellow Bike Project – to currently enrolled AISD students ages 2-10. The bike giveaway is first come, first served. This free event is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero. Friday, Aug. 2, 5-7 p.m., Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Drive.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Pagano
Come celebrate us, with us
As our readers are now well aware, the Austin Monitor and the Capital of Texas Media Foundation have some exciting things on the horizon. To celebrate and brainstorm our future, we invite you all to join us next week to drink some beer, meet our new publisher and partake in some civic-minded gossip about what has been going on in Austin recently. Meet us at the North Door on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. Details and free RSVP are available online here. See you there!
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Pagano
Let the budgeting begin
Council will make the end of its summer break official Monday, by jumping directly into the city budget process. On Aug. 5, City Manager Spencer Cronk will present the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 at 2 p.m. at LifeWorks’ Sooch Foundation Youth and Family Resource Center, 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road in East Austin. Those not lucky enough to catch the presentation in person can also follow along on ATXN (or catch up via the Austin Monitor‘s coverage, of course). City Council will continue discussing the budget at Aug. 20, Aug. 29 and Sept. 4. work sessions, with a final budget adoption scheduled for Sept. 10.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 by Tai Moses
Umlauf sculpture garden gets community grant
The Austin Parks Foundation has awarded a 2019 Spring Community Grant to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. The $28,500 grant will be used for a collection tank and other equipment to assist with water conservation. The Umlauf, which exhibits the work of American sculptor Charles Umlauf in a 6-acre natural setting, is offering free admission through Aug. 31.