City of Austin Activates Cold Weather Shelters on Friday, Dec. 29

 

Find the status of shelters by calling 512-972-5055.

The City of Austin is opening overnight cold weather shelters on Friday, Dec. 29. Registration for shelter will occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road, which will act as the central embarkation point for individuals seeking an overnight shelter.       The City shared its plans to community partners who work directly with Austin’s unsheltered population and texted information directly to unsheltered individuals who are registered with the City’s recently launched text alert system.       The Homeless Strategy Office determines when to activate cold weather shelters no later than 9 a.m. each day using National Weather Service (NWS) projections for the Camp Mabry Location. These projections may be accessed via the NWS website and entering the 78703 zip: 7-Day Forecast 30.27N 97.74W (weather.gov). HSO activates cold weather shelters if the forecast is predicted to be 32 degrees or colder overnight, 35 degrees or colder overnight with precipitation, or 35 degrees or colder overnight with wind chill of 32 or colder.       How to Access a Cold Weather Shelter     Registration for shelter occurs between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road. Bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142, 801. Anyone seeking a cold weather shelter and does not have the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride. CapMetro partners with the City to transport individuals from OTC to a shelter location.     While Cold Weather Shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone needing a warm place to spend the night. Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline - 512-972-5055.    Guidance for Cold Weather Shelter guests is available here.         Since shelters are largely used by individuals experiencing homelessness, the City does not list the locations for a variety of reasons, including managing capacity limits and privacy concerns. However, the City is publicizing the location of the embarkation point, which is the OTC at 505 Barton Springs Road.        Residents are encouraged to follow austintexas.gov/alerts for emergency information updated in multiple languages.

Fantastical Flora Art Exhibition & Opening Reception in the The Old Bakery & Emporium

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Old Bakery and Emporium presents Fantastical Flora, an art exhibit and opening reception on Saturday, January 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Old Bakery & Emporium at 1006 Congress Ave. It is free and open to the public. RSVP online.

The exhibition features the work of local Austin artist Francine Funke. The Fantastical Flora exhibition is a comprehensive exploration of the beauty of botanical forms, expressed realistically and in the abstract. It is a walk through Francine's artistic journey with nature, mystery, and introspection. This multi-media exhibition will provide the viewer with a new and intriguing way of viewing our world.

The exhibition will be on display at The Old Bakery & Emporium from January 20 through March 16, 2024. For gallery hours please visit austintexas.gov/OBE.
 
About Francine Funke
Francine Funke is a multifaceted artist whose artwork includes mixed media archival pigment ink on canvas and paper, acrylic paintings, collages, works on paper, photography, and installations. Francine has had solo and group exhibitions in numerous galleries, and solo installations in major museums across the country. After a worldwide search, her work was chosen by Zaha Hadid Architects for their residential tower, “One Thousand Museum” in Miami, Florida. Her work is installed in the Hyatt Centric Hotel in Austin, and recently, she was commissioned to create a 5-panel, 25-foot mural for a major corporation’s new headquarters in the Dallas, Texas area. “Fantastical Flora” at the Old Bakery and Emporium in Austin, is Francine’s first solo exhibition in the State of Texas.

Carver Museum Presents Two Births and the Afterlife New Solo Exhibition by Abstract Artist Aimée M. Everett

Join the Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center for the opening reception of the new exhibition Two Births and the Afterlife by artist Aimée M. Everett on Thursday, January 11 at 6 p.m. at 1165 Angelina St. The reception will include light bites, refreshments, and a dynamic musical performance from Jon Deas, James Adkins, and Dayne Reliford in the museum lobby. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Two Births and the Afterlife features a new body of work by Milwaukee-based artist Aimée M. Everett, exploring the profound transformations experienced during childbirth and the subsequent journey of self-discovery into motherhood. The artist delves into the poignant realization that with every birth, a simultaneous death exists—the departure of one's former identity to welcome a new, evolved self. 

About the Artist 
Aimée M. Everett’s atmospheric works transcend language using abstraction, minimalism, saturated colorways, form, and texture. Her work explores personal and collective memory that is both critical and introspective. Everett’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States. Her work is held in collections at prestigious institutions in the U.S., France, and the United Kingdom. Aimée M. Everett is a native of New Orleans, LA, and currently resides in Milwaukee, WI. 

About the Carver Museum
The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center is a historic landmark dedicated to preserving Black history, culture, and aesthetic expression. Located in East Austin, the Museum served as Austin’s first branch library and the first library that the African American community could access. In 1980, the library became Texas's first African American neighborhood museum. Today, the 39,000-square-foot facility includes galleries, meeting spaces, a darkroom, a dance studio, a 134-seat theatre, an archive, a community garden, and a genealogy center. Follow @CarverMuseumATX and @AustinCityParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. 

City of Austin New Year’s Day 2024 Closures

 

City offices to be closed and services adjusted.

The City of Austin service schedules and office closures for City facilities and public services for New Year’s Day.    Austin Resource Recovery Trash, Recycling, Composting and Facility Schedules  Because New Years Day falls on Monday, all trash, recycling and composting collections will slide forward one day for the entire week and take place one day later than regularly scheduled. Download the Austin Recycles App or visit austintexas.gov/myschedule to view your collection schedule. The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, but will be open by appointment for the remainder of the week. Austin Water’s Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant will be closed for yard trimmings and large brush drop off on Monday, Jan. 1. Austin Public Health Environmental Health Services at the Rutherford Lane Campus, Office of Vital Records, all WIC and Shots for Tots clinics, and Neighbor Centers will be closed on Jan. 1.  COVID-19 tests are available at private and non-profit sites throughout Austin, including pharmacies, hospitals and urgent care centers. Those who have private insurance can contact their doctor’s office or insurer for assessment and testing options. Additional resources:   Department of Health and Human Services community-based testing portal COVID.gov testing resources Visit Vaccines.gov (Vacunas.gov in Spanish) to find flu and COVID-19 vaccine providers near you.  City of Austin Utilities Schedule The City of Austin Utilities Customer Care Call Center and City of Austin Utility Customer Service Centers will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1. Customers can make utility payments at coautilities.com or by calling 1-833-375-4919 for a Quick Payment.   Additional payment options include:  Paying at authorized locations, including most Austin H-E-B, Fiesta Mart, Randall’s and Walmart stores.  Mailing money order or check to P.O. BOX 2267, Austin, TX 78783-2267 or using a drop box location.   Payment drop boxes are located at the North and South Utility Customer Service Centers, 625 East 10th Street and 505 Barton Springs Rd. Expect 3-5 business days for drop-off payments to process. The payment drop box at the East Branch inside Rosewood-Zaragosa is NOT available at this time.  Power outages can be reported at outagemap.austinenergy.com or by calling 512-322-9100. Austin Parks and Recreation Most Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day on Monday, Jan. 1. There are a few exceptions noted below. All pools except for Barton Springs Pool will be closed on Jan. 1.  Golf ATX courses will not close for New Year’s. City of Austin cemetery gates will remain open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Austin Parks and Recreation facility hours vary by location so please call ahead or visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks for hours.   Austin Public Library Schedule   Austin Public Library will be closed Sunday, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Library resources available remotely can be accessed at the Austin Public Library Website, library.austintexas.gov. Austin Animal Center Schedule  The Austin Animal Center will close at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 and will be closed New Year's Day. The Center will be open during regular hours Monday, Jan. 2.    For questions about City services or information call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. You can also submit service requests from the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app.

APH Neighborhood Centers Nearly Tripled the Number of Residents Served Compared to the Previous Year

 

Neighborhood Services Unit serves More than 60,000 Residents at Food Distribution Events in 2023  NOTE: Photos of one of our food distribution events can be found here. If used, please credit Austin Public Health.

Austin Public Health Neighborhood Centers are stepping up to provide crucial support, including rent, utility, and food assistance, to low- and moderate-income families. This year's increased outreach highlights a growing issue of food insecurity in our communities, pointing to the importance of collaborative efforts to address this pressing concern.  “We've unfortunately seen a rise in food insecurity in those who we often serve, but I’m thankful to say that our teams are rising to the task. It’s thanks to our hardworking staff at our Neighborhood Centers and our partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank that we’ve been able to help those in need, especially at this time of the year when families and friends are coming together for holidays and celebrations,” said Neighborhood Services Unit Manager Angel Zambrano.  Through October of this year, Neighborhood Centers have served more than 64,000 people at food distribution events. Through that same time frame, in 2022, 26,694 people were served. Simultaneously, APH actively addresses multifaceted needs through a comprehensive range of services. From crucial restaurant inspections and emergency preparedness plans to vital job assistance, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs, and beyond, APH remains at the forefront of community-focused initiatives.  "I want to encourage anyone who may need help with food, finding a job, paying rent or other basic needs to visit one of our centers and meet with our staff,” said Community Services Assistant Director Donna Sundstrom. “Staff are readily equipped to help meet your needs or connect you with a number of community partners who will be able to help.”   Austin Public Health’s Neighborhood Centers are located across the city and offer services to anyone in need. A total of six centers are located in North, East, and South Austin. A list of food distribution events for the month of December 2023 can be found here. Future food distribution event calendars will be posted on the Neighborhood Centers website.  Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center -- Central East Austin  2800 Webberville Road, Austin, TX 78702  512-972-6740  South Austin Neighborhood Center -- South Austin  2508 Durwood Street, Austin, TX  78704  512-972-6840  St. John Community Center -- Northeast Austin  7500 Blessing Avenue, Austin, TX  78752  512-972-5159  East Austin Neighborhood Center -- East Austin  211 Comal Street, Austin, TX 78702  512-972-6650  Montopolis Community Center -- Southeast Austin  1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin, TX 78741  512-972-6705  Blackland Neighborhood Center -- Central East Austin  2005 Salina Street, Austin, TX  78722  512-972-5790  About Austin Public Health  Austin Public Health is the health department for the City of Austin and Travis County. Austin Public Health works to prevent disease, promote health and protect the well-being of all by monitoring and preventing infectious diseases and environmental threats and educating about the benefits of preventative behaviors to avoid chronic diseases and improve health outcomes.

Austin completes 2016 Mobility Bond sidewalk program

Eight years ago, Austin voters approved the largest transportation bond in city history, investing $720 million to make mobility safer and more convenient for everyone.

Since completing its first project — a new sidewalk on Chesterfield Lane in 2017 — the city has been working for years on new streets, sidewalks, urban trails, bikeways, safer routes to school and more.
 
This fall, one year ahead of schedule, the City passed a major milestone when it completed its sidewalk program funded by the 2016 bond. Over the past six years, the City has constructed or repaired more than 56 miles of sidewalk citywide thanks to the $37.5 million investment in the 2016 Mobility Bond.
 
While the completion of the 2016 Mobility Bond sidewalk investment marks an important milestone, the need for new and rehabilitated sidewalks across the City remains high. The 2023 Sidewalks, Crossings and Shared Streets plan identified an outstanding need for 810 miles of sidewalks and 370 miles of shared streets — a program that uses traffic calming strategies and pedestrian-centered design to make neighborhood streets without sidewalks safer and more comfortable for people walking, biking and rolling.
 
Thanks to additional community support, City staff continue their work to tackle these missing sidewalks gaps. Austin voters approved a $20 million bond investment in 2018 for sidewalk rehabilitation and an additional $80 million for sidewalks in 2020.
 
You can find photos and videos here of a recent project to build new sidewalks, crossings, a shared-use path and protected bicycle lanes along East Yager Lane.
 
The following resources are available with more information:

• Austin’s mobility bond website
• Interactive map of sidewalk projects scheduled to begin in the next 30, 90 and 180 days
• City of Austin 2023 Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets Plan

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About Austin Transportation and Public Works Department

The Transportation and Public Works Department provides safe, reliable and accessible mobility services for all Austinites. Visit AustinTexas.gov/TPW.

Temporary Closure: Deep Eddy Pool Improvements, Jan-Feb. 2024

Beginning Monday, January 8, 2024, Deep Eddy Pool will close for repairs. Improvements include replacement of a damaged bulkhead, as well as upgrading older deck lighting. The project is expected to last for eight (8) weeks. Work was scheduled in the winter to help minimize impacts on public use.

To help increase access prior to the closure, the pool is canceling its scheduled maintenance day on January 2, 2024. This will allow the public one more day of access prior to the temporary closure. The pool will open for normal business hours. 

As construction progresses, any changes to the pool's closure schedule will be posted at austintexas.gov/parkclosures.

2023 City of Austin Christmas and New Year Closures

 

City administrative offices and other municipal facilities will be closed in observance of Christmas and New Year.

The City of Austin has announced revised service schedules and office closures for City facilities and public services for Christmas and New Year’s Day.    Austin Resource Recovery Trash, Recycling, Composting and Facility Schedules  Because Christmas Day and New Years Day both fall on Mondays, all trash, recycling and composting collections will slide forward one day for the entire week and take place one day later than regularly scheduled. Download the Austin Recycles App or visit austintexas.gov/myschedule to view your collection schedule. The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1, but will be open by appointment for the remainder of the week. Austin Water’s Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant will be closed for yard trimmings and large brush drop off on Monday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1. Austin Public Health Environmental Health Services at the Rutherford Lane Campus, Office of Vital Records, all WIC and Shots for Tots clinics, and Neighbor Centers will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. COVID-19 tests are available at private and non-profit sites throughout Austin, including pharmacies, hospitals and urgent care centers. Those who have private insurance can contact their doctor’s office or insurer for assessment and testing options. Additional resources:   Department of Health and Human Services community-based testing portal COVID.gov testing resources Visit Vaccines.gov (Vacunas.gov in Spanish) to find flu and COVID-19 vaccine providers near you.  City of Austin Utilities Schedule The City of Austin Utilities Customer Care Call Center and City of Austin Utility Customer Service Centers will be closed Monday, Dec. 25 through Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1. Customers can make utility payments at coautilities.com or by calling 1-833-375-4919 for a Quick Payment.   Additional payment options include:  Paying at authorized locations, including most Austin H-E-B, Fiesta Mart, Randall’s and Walmart stores.  Mailing money order or check to P.O. BOX 2267, Austin, TX 78783-2267 or using a drop box location.   Payment drop boxes are located at the North and South Utility Customer Service Centers, 625 East 10th Street and 505 Barton Springs Rd. Expect 3-5 business days for drop-off payments to process. The payment drop box at the East Branch inside Rosewood-Zaragosa is NOT available at this time.  Power outages can be reported at outagemap.austinenergy.com or by calling 512-322-9100. Austin Parks and Recreation Most Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed for the Christmas holiday Monday, Dec. 25 through Tuesday, Dec. 26, and will also be closed for New Year’s Day on Monday, Jan. 1. There are a few exceptions noted below. Bartholomew, Big Stacy, Deep Eddy and Springwoods Pools will close at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24 and will reopen on Dec. 26. Barton Springs Pool will remain open Dec. 24, 25 and 26. All pools except for Barton Springs Pool will be closed on Jan. 1.  On Sunday, Dec. 24, all Golf ATX courses will close at 1 p.m. and will be closed all day on Dec. 25. Golf ATX will not close for New Year’s. City of Austin cemetery gates will remain open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Austin Parks and Recreation facility hours vary by location so please call ahead or visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks for hours.   Austin Public Library Schedule   Austin Public Library will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24, 25 and 26 as well as Sunday, Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Library resources available remotely can be accessed at the Austin Public Library Website, library.austintexas.gov. Austin Animal Center Schedule  The Austin Animal Center will close at 3 p.m. Dec. 24 and be closed through Dec. 25-26. The Center will be open regular hours on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The Center will close at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 and will be closed New Year's Day. The Center will be open during regular hours Monday, Jan. 2.    For questions about City services or information call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. You can also submit service requests from the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app.

'Tis the Season for Holiday Tree Recycling

 

Curbside collection and or at Zilker Park drop-off events return!

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) encourages the Austin community to give their holiday trees another life by repurposing them into mulch or compost. Beginning December 26, 2023, City of Austin curbside customers can place all-natural holiday trees curbside to be collected on their regularly scheduled composting collection day. Trees can also be dropped off at trees Zilker Park for recycling. The City of Austin has been recycling holiday trees for over thirty years! Only all-natural trees are accepted. If being recycled curbside, trees should be set out by 5:30 a.m. All ornaments, decorations (including tinsel), lights and tree stands must be removed, and trees six feet or taller should be cut in half. Trees sprayed with flocking are not accepted and trees should not be placed in plastic bags. All Austinites are invited to the 37th Annual Holiday Tree Recycling events, hosted by Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Resource Recovery, at Zilker Park Polo Fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following days: Saturday, December 30, 2023 Saturday, January 6, 2024 Sunday, January 7, 2024 Trees collected at Zilker Park will be turned into mulch. The mulch will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis beginning January 10 at 9 a.m. (date and time subject to change due to weather). For more information about holiday tree recycling, mulch availability or a list of alternative drop-off locations visit austintexas.gov/treerecycling.  About Austin Resource Recovery Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is a department of the City of Austin. We provide essential services that protect people and our planet. We collect recycling, composting, trash, large brush, bulk items and dead animals. We also sweep the streets, recycle and safely dispose of household hazardous waste, and provide community outreach and education. ARR is driving the global transformation of traditional waste management to sustainable resource recovery. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.

Report: Austin police investigated fewer complaints from community members in 2022

 

Office of Police Oversight annual report shows four-year decline in complaint investigation   The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is releasing the 2022 annual report to document and share OPO’s activities and achievements last year. The report is available to the public and highlights the work of the office’s multiple divisions, including complaints, policy and research, and communications and community engagement. In 2022, the Austin Police Department (APD) investigated only 6.8% of the external complaints submitted for investigation from OPO. APD investigated 47 of the 689 external complaints submitted by community members. APD investigated 62.2% of external complaints in 2019. The number of external complaints investigated fell to 50.8% in 2020 and dropped to 40.9% in 2021. “The decrease in the number of external complaints investigated by APD reflects an opportunity for APD to build trust with the community,” said Gail McCant, OPO Director. “Complaints and compliments are the community’s way of starting an open and honest dialogue with APD and OPO can help facilitate this conversation. OPO and APD can work in conjunction to respond to these forms of community feedback and enter into this dialogue in good faith. In doing so, our two departments can reverse this downward trend and restore community trust." Download the full statement for media here. Other report highlights include: In 2022, OPO received 1,876 contacts from the community and requested that the Austin Police Department (APD) investigate 689 external complaints from community members. In 2022, 132 APD officers received discipline. Of the 132 officers disciplined, 113 were the subject of internal complaints. Only 19 were the subject of external complaints. OPO’s expanded policy and research division made 140 recommendations to improve APD’s body-worn and dashboard camera policies. OPO also made 17 broader recommendations to change APD’s policy development practices. In 2022, OPO hosted four events to gather feedback from community members and attended 41 public events.  To view the full report, visit atxpoliceoversight.org.

About the Office of Police Oversight   The mission of the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department's conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency, and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community.

37th Street Lights event goes car-free: Here's how to bring the Living Streets Program in your neighborhood

The City of Austin’s Living Streets Program has partnered with 37th Street residents to present this year’s 37th Street Lights. Video | Photos The annual event, which dates back to the mid-1980s, runs along 37th Street between Guadalupe Street and Home Lane. This year, through help from the Living Streets Program, the event is closed to car traffic during event hours, which run from sunset to 10 p.m. until New Year's Day. The Living Streets Program envisions local streets as places where communities can walk, bike, gather and connect. The program offers residents a set of options for activating neighborhood streets to create opportunities for safe community-building throughout the streets. You can learn more about the Living Streets Program and apply for a Living Street in your neighborhood at the City's website.

Art Jam: Reinvent & Reconnect at the Dougherty Arts Center

Join the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department for Art Jam: Reinvent & Reconnect at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd., on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 1 p.m. Unleash your inner artist at this celebration of art, community, and innovation. Provide valuable feedback to the Dougherty Arts Center while enjoying hands-on art activities such as weaving, collage, and prototyping. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a first-time doodler, Art Jam welcomes all skill levels. Snacks and photo ops provided. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more and register online.

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Declares Stage IV Drought

 

BSEACD staff measures Lovelady Monitor well with an e-line alongside USGS solar powered automatic gauge.

 December 15, 2023 

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (the District) officially declared Stage IV Exceptional Drought on December 14, 2023 for the first time in their 36-year history. Stage IV declaration restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2024. This transition is a result of the Lovelady monitor well, one of two drought trigger determinants, reaching a 10-day average of 456.9 feet-mean sea level (ft-msl). This is below the District’s 457.1 ft-msl threshold for Stage IV. For reference, the average water level elevation for Lovelady monitor well since measurements began in 1949 is 492.8 ft-msl. (For additional information on the Lovelady monitor well, view this article.) 

Lovelady monitor well data obtained by USGS automatic gauge. 

This decline is representative of the alarmingly low water levels of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, which serves as a drinking water source for over 60,000 people from south Austin to northern Kyle and is overseen and managed by the District.  

Prior to entering Stage IV, the District had been in Stage III Critical Drought since October 2022 when the Lovelady monitor well initially crossed the drought threshold. Lovelady groundwater levels and Barton Springs flow serve as the determinants for the District’s current drought stage. Only one of these sites needs to cross a new drought threshold for a District declaration to be made. However, to exit a stage, both Barton Springs and Lovelady must both rise above their respective drought threshold values.   

Stage IV drought requires 30-100 percent reduction in pumpage by the District’s 149 permittees, which vary in size from individual well owners to larger water service providers like the cities of Buda, Kyle, Hays, and Sunset Valley. Permittees will experience various degrees of restrictions based on their classification, and those who don’t meet these restrictions are subject to monthly drought penalties. While the District doesn’t enforce restrictions on end users served by water utilities on groundwater wells, such as Creedmoor Maha Water Corp, Goforth Special Utility District, and Texas Water Utilities, it is up to the permittee to ensure reductions are met. Water utility customers can contact their service provider for additional information. 

The only way for groundwater resources to recover and end these drought conditions is a long period of widespread and significant rainfall over local aquifer recharge zones. Until this occurs, community members in and outside of the District can do their part by actively conserving water resources to minimize surface and groundwater depletion to help our aquifer levels recover. Groundwater use should be limited to essential indoor demands with little to no water allocated for outdoor purposes.   

The District’s drought chart displaying Barton Springs flow, Lovelady monitor well groundwater level, and District drought thresholds for both.  

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is a groundwater conservation district charged by the Texas Legislature to work with well owners to conserve and protect the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and groundwater resources within its territory. The District covers 430 square miles in parts of Travis, Hays, and Caldwell counties; home to about 400,000 people. For additional information, visit www.bseacd.org or call 512-282-8441.  [source: https://bseacd.org/2023/12/stageivdrought/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=721d5a89-8a9f-485f-854d-122ffc5d0a5a]

New Year's Eve at Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores, 2023: Watson Wire

 

Austin certainly knows how to have a good time. And this New Year’s Eve, folks from all over will be able to enjoy some great music and fun as we ring in 2024.   It was announced last week that Austin will be hosting CNN’s Central time zone celebration and countdown to the new year. CNN’s Sara Sidner and Cari Champion will join us during our annual party at Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores. Their coverage will start at 11:30 pm CST, but the big New Year’s Eve party kicks off at 7PM CST with live music from The Suffers and The Band of Heathens, plus food, fun, and of course, fireworks.   I’ll be there and hope you all will join us at Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores!   Event Tips   Before you don your sparkly party hats and head downtown, remember to plan accordingly and stay safe. There will be a number of road closures because of this event so consider using public transportation options.   CapMetro Rail service will operate late on December 31 (New Year's Eve), running until after 2 a.m. The last train will leave Downtown Station at 2:22 a.m. Bus routes will operate regular service and Night Owls will run from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Please use the CapMetro Trip Planner to find your best transit option.    If you do plan on driving, please be responsible.