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Whispers
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
BBB: The Economics of Imagine Austin
Please join the Austin Monitor at our next “Beers, Brains and Betterment” forum, which will take place on June 16 at the North Door. This time, we will be taking a look at the economics of the city’s Imagine Austin comprehensive plan, with urban planner Heyden Black Walker, CodeNEXT Code Advisory Group member Jim Duncan, the Austin Neighborhoods Council’s David King, AURA’s Steven Yarak, and city of Austin CodeNEXT representative Matthew Lewis. And, as always, Monitor publisher Mike Kanin will moderate. The event is free, but you can RSVP here.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Conversations coming to Dickinson Museum
Beginning June 14, the Joseph & Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum will host an oral history project, “Conversations to Create Unity.” The exhibition showcases 15 oral histories from Austinites. According to a press release about the histories, “Their interviews communicate race relations as a shared human experience and present a productive dialog about race in Austin, Texas.” On June 14, the museum will host an opening reception featuring a reading by spoken word artist Ebony Stewart and a panel discussion with Municipal Judge Stan Kerr and Lisa Byrd, executive director of the Austin African American Cultural Heritage District. Laura Gomez-Horton, of the YWCA of Greater Austin, will moderate. The exhibition, which will run through Nov. 15, is funded by Baylor University.
Monday, June 1, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Deep Eddy Pool to lose trees
In the wake of the Memorial Day floods, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department has completed an assessment of the damage inflicted on Deep Eddy Pool. That assessment found that flash flooding and wind caused “major tree damage.” Afflicted tress included two large cottonwoods, which will be removed immediately. In a press release, the Parks and Recreation Department and Urban Forestry staff wrote that they are “deeply saddened by the loss of these two iconic trees, and the impact to the pool grounds and urban forest by the storms.” The statement goes on: “Residents visiting Deep Eddy will see a noticeable difference in the landscape due to the results of the flooding and high winds which downed trees throughout the park and pool grounds. The Parks and Recreation Department is working hard to create and implement a plan to help facilitate recovery landscaping options for this much-loved city asset.”
Monday, June 1, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Music Census to be released today
Today, results from the ATX Music Census and Needs Assessment Survey will be released. This study of Austin’s music industry took place over three months and includes feedback from 4,000 survey respondents, eight focus groups and 20 interviews conducted by the Titan Music Group. The results of the survey will be released at the Austin Music Commission meeting, which will take place at 3 p.m., and will also be available at atxmusic.org. According to a press release about the census, it was commissioned to improve the city’s “understanding of musicians, music industry entrepreneurs and employees, and live music venues, along with the needs for future job growth, salaries, revenues, and other economic factors for these sectors.”
Monday, June 1, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Citizen Review Panel canceled
Today’s meeting of the Citizen Review Panel has been canceled. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Boards and Commissions room. For additional information, Austinites can contact the Office of the Police Monitor at 512-974-9090.
Monday, June 1, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Mt. Bonnell monument restoration begins
The city is moving forward with the restoration of the historic Covert monument at the top of Mount Bonnell today. The restoration process is expected to take about two weeks. It will be completed with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Texas Historical Commission’s Certified Local Government Program and the continued efforts of the West Point Society of Central Texas. The restoration even has its very own website these days.
Friday, May 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Council appoints Stokes as city auditor
Yesterday, City Council unanimously and officially approved the appointment of Corrie Stokes as the new city auditor. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo praised Stokes, who has worked in the Office of the City Auditor for the past 16 years. “She’s served that department and this community deeply and well, and is highly respected among her peers — not just in the city of Austin, but also nationally,” Tovo said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Ms. Stokes and I believe she is really an asset to the city of Austin. Her references were glowing. They spoke to her passion for the field, and the respect and the trust and the admiration that others have for her.” Stokes has filled the position of auditor since the departure of former Auditor Ken Mory. She will receive a salary of $145,000 annually, beginning June 1.
Friday, May 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
CTRMA awards US 183 project contract
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s Board of Directors awarded its largest design-build contract to date for the Bergstrom Expressway/US 183 South project on Wednesday. The project was recently cleared by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Environmental Division to move into the final design and construction phase. The board unanimously approved a motion to award the $581.5 million design-build contract to Colorado River Constructors (CRC). The total cost of the project is estimated to be between $750 and $800 million. “The Bergstrom Expressway will be the largest roadway project in Central Texas since the construction of SH 130,” said Mobility Authority Executive Director Mike Heiligenstein, in a statement to the press. “The Board’s approval of this contract represents a huge milestone – not only for the Mobility Authority, but for our entire region. Offering a non-stop, signal-free route to the airport while preserving and enhancing the non-tolled frontage lanes is a win for all Central Texas motorists.” Construction along the 8-mile stretch of US 183 is scheduled to begin in early 2016 and expected to last just over four years. The construction will take place in phases, with the first phase of improvements, between US 290/290 Toll and Bolm Road, expected to be complete in late 2019. The second phase will open to traffic about a year later.
Friday, May 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
City offering flood resources, free shots
Because flood cleanup can increase the risk of wounds, it’s important to ensure you’re up-to-date with tetanus vaccinations before embarking on cleanup. To help with that, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department’s Shots for Tots/Big Shots clinics are offering free Td/Tdap vaccines for anyone affected by or assisting with cleanup. Adults need a tetanus booster every 10 years. The clinics are open Monday through Friday and the first and third Saturdays of each month. The Far South Clinic is located at 405 West Stassney Lane, 78745. The St. John Community Center Clinic is located at 7500 Blessing Ave., 78752. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 512-972-5520. Additionally, the city has launched an online flood assistance center for impacted residents, property owners and businesses, and has created a consolidated list of volunteer and donation opportunities, which can be found here.
Friday, May 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
San Marcos and Hays County open flood centers
Working with disaster relief organizations around the country, the city of San Marcos and Hays County have opened two Flood Victims Resource Centers to help those impacted by the area’s recent devastating floods. Representatives will be on hand to assist anyone needing information about housing, health care, mental health, insurance and other aid. Information about the centers and a list of agencies represented will be kept up-to-date at www.sanmarcostx.gov/smtxfloodservices. Both centers will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. Wimberley Flood Victims Resource Center is at the Community Center at 14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, Texas 78676, and the San Marcos St. John’s Catholic Church Center is located at 624 E Hopkins St., San Marcos, Texas 78666.
Thursday, May 28, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
New toys for ABIA
Travelers passing through the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this summer will be greeted by G.I. Joe, Barbie and other vintage toys on display as part of the new 20th Century Toys exhibit curated by the Austin Toy Museum. The collection features classic toys and iconic figures, including a Kewpie doll from 1925 and Simpsons dolls from 1991. The exhibit showcases 100 years of technological diversity and advancement, with highlights including the “cast metal figures and wind-up mechanical toys” of the early 20th century along with the electric trains and “bendable ‘Mego’ action figures” that were produced later. Located between Gates 7 and 11 (beyond the security checkpoints), the exhibit will remain on display through Aug. 4, accessible to all ticketed passengers looking for a diversion from their 21st-century toys.
Thursday, May 28, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Reminder
TomorrowToday’s City Council meeting won’t start until 11 a.m. – after the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. Enjoy the extra sleep or the extra meeting! Or follow along, from the comfort of wherever, via Austin Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin’s Twitter feed.