Austin's New Year Virtual Event: All the ways to watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2020 Contact: Sara Henry, Austin Center for Events PIO, sara.henry@austintexas.gov or (512)554-7508   How to Watch Austin's New Year Virtual Event  See local musicians at local venues from home AUSTIN, TX - There will not be an in-person event or City-sponsored fireworks for Austin's New Year on New Year's Eve at Vic Mathias (Auditorium) Shores in 2020. Austin's New Year will be a virtual event due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. However, the pre-recorded event aims to bring some Austin flavor to the holiday while supporting the Austin event and music industries, and allows all to participate for free whilst staying home and staying safe. Special guests for the virtual ceremony, presented by the Austin Convention Center, include eight local musical groups performing at five local venues, and appearances by Mayor Steve Adler, City Manager Spencer Cronk, and Chief Economic Recovery Officer Veronica Briseno.  The dynamite lineup for Austin's New Year in 2020 has performances from some of Austin's biggest stars including Gina Chavez, an Austin native and internationally acclaimed Latinx pop artist. Chavez is a 12-time Austin Music Award Winner including 2015 Musician of the Year and 2019 Best Female Vocalist. She was also nominated for a 2020 Latin Grammy for Best Pop/Rock Album. Also performing is Parker McCollum, a Texas native, who earned his first No.1 hit on last week's Billboard Country Airplay Chart with "Pretty Heart," his debut single featured on McCollum's EP, Hollywood Gold. "To have this song really and truly succeed on big time radio is a dream come true. And for it to happen during such an insanely crazy year makes it just that much more special," said McCollum. The special features headliner and Austin native, Shakey Graves, who has risen to prominence among singer-songwriter circles in recent years. His latest EP, Look Alive, was released in 2020 and is available now. In Austin, February 9 is officially "Shakey Graves Day" by Mayoral proclamation. See austintexas.gov/any for the full line-up of local music. Viewers can participate in this virtual experience in multiple ways on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 8 p.m. central. Set a calendar reminder to watch this one-hour special on any of these platforms: Broadcast from KBVO on 12/31 at 8 p.m. AT&T U-Verse: Channel 7 Grande Communications: Channel 18 Spectrum: Channel 7 Stream from local news and radio stations online on 12/31 at 8 p.m. KXAN online KVUE online KLRU online Austin American Statesman online ACL Radio online 101X online KUTX online   Stream from City of Austin social media and ATXN on 12/31 at 8 p.m. ATXN YouTube Channel: Premier Link   City of Austin Facebook: facebook.com/austintexasgov City of Austin Instagram IGTV: @austintexasgov ATXN with closed captioning online ATXN broadcast Spectrum: Channel 6 Grande Communications: Channel 6 Google Fiber TV: Channel 6 (HD) AT&T U-Verse: Channel 99 More details on the Austin's New Year line-up and venue partners can be found at www.austintexas.gov/any. Watch and share the promotional video. Thanks to the Austin's New Year 2020 sponsors including the Austin Convention Center, Economic Development Department, and HEB. Special thanks to event partners for photography, production and event management. Austin has a vibrant special event production workforce. Austin's New Year virtual event supports local musicians, music venues and these local, woman-owned businesses: About Blue Norther Live (BNL) Blue Norther Live (BNL) is a full-service event production company based out of Austin, Texas. BNL was founded by Lindsey Sokol in 2019. An entertainment industry veteran, Sokol spent her first 11 years in the music and production industry as a Festival Director at C3 Presents. C3 Presents is responsible for producing events such as Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lollapalooza, the NFL Draft and countless others. BNL is dedicated to producing large-scale events from multi-stage festivals to political rallies. Since 2019, BNL has produced events including Beto For America - Presidential Launch, The United States Conference of Mayors 2021, Austin's New Year 2019 and 2020, and Dreamland Festival 2021. For more information visit www.bluenortherlive.com.   About Lisa Hause Photography Lisa Hause Photography is a seasoned studio with over 15 years of experience photographing corporate events, including the Electronic Arts, VISA and the Texas Public Policy Foundation, real estate, product and branding, live music, including SXSW for 8 consecutive years, and weddings.  Hause is a native Austinite and award-winning photographer published in Austin Wedding Day, The Knot Magazine, Texas Weddings and her work is used to market local brands including Hotel Van Zandt. Hause is a contributor to the Austin fine art community and her gallery work can be found in both East and West Austin Studio Tours.  For more information visit www.lisahause.com.

City of Austin Public Safety Departments Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

For immediate release: December 29, 2020 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   City of Austin Public Safety Departments Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Interview and b-roll available Austin, Texas – Yesterday, Dec. 28, the Austin Public Safety Wellness Center began providing COVID-19 vaccines to public safety employees.   Some Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire Department personnel began receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations two weeks ago through a partnership with the University of Texas Dell Medical School. More information on that partnership can be found here: austintexas.gov/news/austin-travis-county-ems-and-area-first-responders-receive-first-round-covid-19-vaccine-ahead-schedule.   The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) provided a specific allocation for public safety personnel through the Public Safety Wellness Center. The Public Safety Wellness Center is a closed vaccine POD, meaning it will only serve local public safety personnel. The Wellness Center received 1,300 doses of vaccine in the DSHS Week 2 allocation, and will continue to operate until all public safety personnel who wish to be vaccinated receive the second dose of their vaccine. According to DSHS, it will not receive any doses of the vaccine in Week 3. The Wellness Center is one of more than 300 vaccine providers in Austin-Travis County, most of which serve the general public. The Wellness Center is vaccinating public safety employees in accordance with DSHS guidance and recommendations by DSHS Commissioner Hellerstedt.   DSHS manages the allocation and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across the state. For information about allocation or distribution, visit dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.

City of Austin Offices, Facilities Close for Christmas Holiday

For immediate release: December 24, 2020 Contact: Communications and Public Information Office, media@austintexas.gov   TODAY: City of Austin Offices, Facilities Close for Christmas Holiday Additional operational changes follow the move to COVID-19 Stage 5  The City of Austin has announced revised service schedules and office closures for City facilities and public services for the Christmas holiday. Note on COVID-19 Stage 5: The following information includes additional alterations due to the Austin-Travis County Health Authority's decision on December 23 to move to COVID-19 Stage 5 community risk level. Trash, Recycling, and Composting/Yard Trimmings Schedules Customers who would normally have their weekly collection on Friday, Dec. 25, will slide one day and receive their regularly scheduled collections on Saturday, December 26. Download the Austin Recycles App or visit austintexas.gov/myschedule to look up your collection schedule. COVID-19 Stage 5 Update: Austin Resource Recovery regular curbside services will not change. However, the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed to the public, beginning on December 24. Residents can request a contactless home pickup of household hazardous waste at austintexas.gov/dropoff. Items for reuse or recycling cannot be picked up at this time. Austin Public Health COVID-19 Test Site Schedule and Dashboard On Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, the Austin Public Health drive-through test site will be open by appointment only. All Austin Public Health COVID-19 test sites will be closed on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25. All test sites, except the drive-through test site, will be open on Saturday, Dec. 26. To schedule a COVID-19 test through Austin Public Health, visit austintexas.gov/covid19 or call the nurse hotline at 512-972-5560. The nurse hotline will be closed Dec. 24-26 for the holidays. Even for the walk-up test sites, an appointment is recommended to minimize wait times.   COVID-19 Dashboard Updates Due to the holiday, the COVID-19 surveillance dashboard will not be updated on Thursday, Dec. 24, or Friday, Dec. 25. It will be updated Saturday, Dec. 26.   Parks and Recreation Facilities Schedules Most Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed for Christmas Eve Thursday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25. However, there are a few exceptions, indicated below: Zilker Botanical Gardens will be closed Christmas Eve Thursday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25. All City of Austin Cultural Facilities remain closed to the public, and on-site offices will also be closed Christmas Eve Thursday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Golf Courses will close early on Christmas Eve, and remain closed on Christmas Day. Tennis Centers will be open Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and then will be closed on Christmas Day. Austin Pools open on Christmas Eve include: Bartholomew (12:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Barton Springs (5 a.m. to 8 a.m. swim at your own risk), Big Stacy (6 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Deep Eddy (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). On Christmas Day only Barton Springs Pool will be open from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. (swim at your own risk). For information on remaining Parks and Recreation facilities, please call ahead or visit austintexas.gov/parks to see modified hours. COVID-19 Stage 5 Update: Additional changes to services for Austin Parks and Recreation will be posted at austintexas.gov/parkclosures.   Austin Public Library Schedule Austin Public Library, Recycled Reads Bookstore, and the Austin History Center branches will be closed for Christmas eve Thursday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25. 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 to the public beginning on December 24. COVID-19 Stage 5 Update: Following December 25, Animal Center adoptions will be done virtually and fosters, adopters and rescues will pickup curbside. The facility will not take any non-emergency owner surrenders and finders of stray animals will need to make an intake request by calling Austin 311. For questions about city services or information call 3-1-1. You can also submit service requests from the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app.

Public Health Officials Refer to University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium Projections Ahead of Holidays

For immediate release: December 24, 2020 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Public Health Officials Refer to University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium Projections Ahead of Holidays Community is reminded stay safe as Austin-Travis County hit Stage 5 COVID risk Austin, Texas – As our community decks their halls this holiday season, Austin Public Health (APH) wants to remind everyone that your decisions today, tomorrow, and over the course of the next week will greatly impact the trajectory of the virus in Austin-Travis County. This is underscored by new analysis from the University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium.   Their analysis suggests that we could exceed hospital intensive care unit capacity as soon as Jan. 7 if we don't slow the transmission of the virus.   Yesterday, APH announced the transition into Stage 5 of the Risk-Based Guidelines, which was followed by updated Orders from the City of Austin and Travis County. In Stage 5, our community must act and should:  Not gather with anyone outside of your household    Limit dining and shopping to essential trips   Avoid non-essential travel   Businesses are recommended to operate through contactless options (I.e. curbside, delivery)   To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, APH is also offering risk guidance for gatherings. Learn more about how to have a safe season on the Holiday Safety Guidance page.  "We urge you to think of your family and your friends as you contemplate your holiday plans," said APH Director Stephanie Hayden. "We want to be able to celebrate many holidays to come and to do that we need to stay home and stay safe this year."  Austin-Travis County Healthcare Projections Data  The UT COVID-19 Modeling Consortium recently released COVID-19 healthcare projections for Austin under three winter holiday transmission scenarios. The scenarios follow an estimation that after the Thanksgiving holiday, we saw a spike in transmission, and the winter holidays will produce a similar spike. The model projections for reaching ICU capacity are as follows:  Current transmission rate (estimated Dec. 19, 2020): A 32% chance that the COVID-19 ICU census will reach the estimated capacity of 200 by Jan. 7, with the median not reaching 200 by Jan. 20 (95% prediction interval: Dec. 31-undetermined).  One-week spike in transmission: A 36% chance that the COVID-19 ICU census will reach the estimated capacity of 200 by Jan. 7, with a median date of hitting 200 of Jan. 14 (95% prediction interval: Dec. 30-undetermined).  Two-week spike in transmission: A 39% chance that the COVID-19 ICU census will reach the estimated capacity of 200 by Jan. 7, with a median date of hitting 200 of Jan. 11 (95% prediction interval: Dec. 30-undetermined).  "The UT modeling data can be impacted by our personal behaviors and collective community action," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "Let's come together to change the projections and choose health this holiday season."  For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

Austin Public Health Increases COVID-19 Risk to Stage 5, the Highest Level

For immediate release: December 23, 2020 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, hsempio@austintexas.gov, 512-974-0699   Austin Public Health Increases COVID-19 Risk to Stage 5, the Highest Level Move comes as hospitalizations and cases increase before the holidays  Austin, Texas – Today, Dec. 23, for the time since the pandemic's start, Austin Public Health (APH) has officially increased the COVID-19 community risk level to Stage 5, the highest level.  This change was made today based on a rapid increase in hospital admissions, cases, and test positivity rates across the community. Other key indicators for stage changes, include the number of patients in the ICU, ventilator usage, and the 7-day moving average of cases, are all trending upward.   "This is a critical moment for the community," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "We must decrease the spread of the virus in the community now. We cannot allow another increase in cases and hospitalizations following the upcoming holidays. Our hospitals will become overwhelmed and people will needlessly die."   Stage five recommendations include:  No gatherings with anyone outside of your household   Dining and shopping should be limited to essential trips  Avoid non-essential travel  Businesses are recommended to operate through contactless options (I.e. curbside, delivery)  The risk-based guidelines are not changes to local orders, rules or regulations for businesses; they are guidelines for individual actions and behaviors. However, changes to orders or additional restrictions may be necessary in the coming days in order to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.   "The public needs to do all they can to reduce their contact with people outside their homes," said APH Director Stephanie Hayden. "We have done an incredible job of keeping this virus in check in our community and we need everyone to step up and do it again."  Director Hayden added: "We have flattened the curve before. The difference now is that we see a glimpse of the finish line with a vaccine in the community. Any serious illness or death from this moment on would be a tragedy."  Austin-Travis County leaders remind the public to continue to be vigilant and practice good hygiene, physical and social distancing, and wear masks to prevent the disease from spreading and help keep each other safe. Avoiding gatherings outside of your household is especially important this holiday season. COVID-19 holiday safety recommendations can be found at AustinTexas.gov/HolidaySafety.  City Closures  Based on the elevation to Stage 5, some City services will be altered.   Austin Resource Recovery regular curbside services will not change. However, the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed to the public, beginning on December 24. Residents can request a contactless home pickup of household hazardous waste at austintexas.gov/dropoff. Items for reuse or recycling cannot be picked up at this time.  Additionally, the Austin Animal Center will close to the public beginning on December 24. Following December 25, adoptions will be done virtually and fosters, adopters and rescues will pickup curbside. The facility will not take any non-emergency owner surrenders and finders of stray animals will need to make an intake request by calling Austin 311.   Changes to services and facility openings for Austin Parks and Recreation will be posted to their website at austintexas.gov/page/pard-facilities-closures.  Information about City of Austin holiday closures can be viewed here.   For additional COVID-19 information and updates, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

For immediate release: December 22, 2020 Contact: Communications and Public Information Office, 512-974-2220, media@austintexas.gov   Over 100 ProLodge Guests Find Homes Through Rapid Rehousing City staff hopeful remaining guests will move into safe housing options by Spring 2021 More than 100 people who sought safety from the pandemic in one of the City of Austin's Protective Lodges ("ProLodges") have found homes.   ProLodges provide a safe facility for individuals who are at increased risk for negative outcomes if they become COVID-19 positive and who are unable to practice social distancing in their current location.   The City has coordinated with community partners and multiple housing programs to assist guests with locating and moving into "rapid rehousing" units, which provide short-term rental assistance and services to quickly house people and to help them achieve long-term self-sufficiency.   Existing housing programs through the Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) and through Austin Public Health's contract with Integral Care were revised during the summer months to prioritize ProLodge guests. New housing programs have been made available through CARES Act grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).   To date, 107 individuals have exited one of the City's five ProLodge shelters into housing through these locally and federally funded programs – and with more rapid rehousing programs expected to begin in the next few weeks, staff are optimistic that the remaining ProLodge guests will be able to exit into safe housing options by Spring 2021.   The City's five ProLodges are still well utilized, with 216 individuals currently staying at the shelters, but significant progress is being made towards finding them homes. So far: 107 individuals have moved into housing, which includes several months of financial assistance and ongoing case management  136 households are enrolled in a housing program and working with a case manager   65 households are working on safe exit options and awaiting housing program enrollment  "If there is anything this public health crisis has shown us, it is that the risk of becoming homeless is just one job loss or major illness away, that food insecurity is real, and that we must continue working together to help our most vulnerable community members," said City Manager Spencer Cronk. "During 2020, despite the pandemic, we made significant strides in identifying services, shelter, and long-term housing opportunities for those in need. As a result of hard work and innovation, our team and our community partners successfully moved over 1,400 people into housing and out of homelessness, with growing numbers of ProLodge guests finding homes through rapid rehousing." Read the City of Austin's full update to Mayor and Council on homelessness HERE. Funding for Rapid Rehousing Programs The City of Austin has received two rounds of HUD funding for the Emergency Solutions Grant – Coronavirus (ESG-CV) and those funds have primarily been allocated to two rapid rehousing programs. These grants last until September 2022 and allowable expenses include housing location services, case management and up to a year of financial assistance.  DACC has established a new ESG-CV funded rapid rehousing program for $1.9 million annually, with a goal of serving 100 individuals. Multiple staff have been hired, trained and began enrolling new residents from ProLodges the first week of December. Caritas is working with partner agencies to begin a new ESG-CV funded rapid rehousing program, prioritizing ProLodge guests and others at risk of or impacted by COVID-19. Council authorized this contract on December 10, 2020 for a maximum of $7.5 million and services are expected to begin in early 2021. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) also received two rounds of HUD ESG-CV funding and determined distribution amounts for each local community. ECHO coordinated with the City to oversee the competition process for local grant awards.    The first allocation for Austin-Travis County was approximately $1 million, awarded to Family Eldercare for rapid rehousing. They quickly hired and trained staff and began serving ProLodge guests earlier this fall. To date, they have served close to 65 individuals.  The second round of approximately $2.8 million was competed in November and is being awarded to multiple agencies this month for rapid rehousing programs starting in early 2021.  The City continues to align efforts with the Action Plan to End Homelessness and strives to meet the evolving needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness and the community at large.

Austin Public Health Releases First Set of “Vaccs Facts”

For immediate release: December 22, 2020 Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov   Austin Public Health Releases First Set of "Vaccs Facts" Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine information by APH will be published weekly Austin, Texas – Austin Public Health (APH) has just published its first set of "Vaccs Facts," a weekly document with up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccine.   APH is serving as an informational hub for Austin-Travis County on the COVID-19 vaccine. They receive information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), who are managing the allocation and distribution of the vaccine.   Updated "Vaccs Facts" documents will be posted weekly on the Austin COVID-19 Vaccine page: AustinTexas.gov/COVID19-Vaccines.   Information in the "Vaccs Facts" document are public, and can be used by media or the public with attribution to "Austin Public Health" or the original source of the information, if cited otherwise.   For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.   For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Austin-Travis County, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19-Vaccines.

Urban Libraries Council Honors Austin Public Library with 2020 Innovation Award

For immediate release December 22, 2020 Contact:  Sharon Herfurth, Austin Public Library, 512-974-7420, sharon.herfurth@austintexas.gov Urban Libraries Council Honors Austin Public Library with 2020 Innovation Award APL+ Demonstrates Transformative Approach to Revolutionizing Public Libraries Austin, TX – The Urban Libraries Council announced Austin Public Library as one of 10 Top Innovators during the 2020 Innovations Celebration held virtually on December 11. The annual Innovations award program recognizes and raises the visibility of cutting-edge programs, strategies, tools, techniques and ideas from ULC's member library systems across the U.S. and Canada.   Austin Public Library's APL+ virtual programming platform was selected by a panel of expert judges from 260 submissions in 10 categories that showcase creative thinking and imaginative applications of library resources. Austin Public Library won in the category of Customer Experience, with award winners being recognized for their level of ingenuity, the outcomes achieved and the ability for other libraries to adapt and implement their work.   "This year's winners have quickly taken bold moves to ensure that the library continues to serve the needs of the people in their community – especially those most vulnerable including children, stressed families, isolated seniors and struggling small businesses," said Urban Libraries Council President and CEO Susan Benton. "In the 10th year of our Innovations Initiative, we received the most dynamic and cutting-edge submissions to date. We celebrate Austin Public Library for creating an initiative that will positively impact their community and serve as a model to public libraries throughout North America."   APL+ is a video platform for Austin Public Library's virtual programming developed by APL staff in response to the challenges of providing programming during the pandemic. Since launching APL+ in April, staff have created over 150 virtual programs that have been viewed more than 22,000 times. You can explore APL+ videos for all ages on a variety of topics at library.austintexas.gov/aplplus   "Innovation and technology are crucial to serving diverse customers and communities. The pandemic elevated the role of technology and using it to reach as many people as possible. Libraries must continue to innovate in order to meet the demand of current and future challenges," said Roosevelt Weeks, Director of Austin Public Libraries.   All 2020 ULC Innovations entries can be viewed at urbanlibraries.org.   AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY Austin Public Library is a part of the City of Austin and includes the Central Library, 20 branches, Recycled Reads bookstore, and the Austin History Center. The Austin Public Library provides knowledge, technology, and inspiration.   About Urban Libraries Council The Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and impact tank of North America's leading public library systems. ULC drives cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions for the 21st-century. More than 150 urban member libraries in the U.S. and Canada rely on ULC to identify significant challenges facing today's communities and provide new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, digital equity, workforce and economic development, and race and social equity.

Give Your Holiday Tree Another Life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Dec. 22, 2020   Contacts: Ashley Pace, Direct: (512) 974-1855 Austin Resource Recovery Media Line: (512) 974-1800   Give Your Holiday Tree Another Life Recycle Your Tree Curbside or at Zilker Park AUSTIN, TEXAS – Once our natural holiday trees have been taken down and stripped of their decorations, they have a new purpose! City of Austin residents can give their real trees a second life by recycling them into mulch or compost. Annually, holiday tree recycling keeps nearly 20,000 trees out of area landfills, which contributes to the City's goal of reaching zero waste by 2040. For City of Austin curbside customers, recycling holiday trees is as easy as setting it on the curb. Beginning Dec. 26, 2020, Austin Resource Recovery will pick up all natural trees, along with yard trimmings, on regularly scheduled collection days. All trees for curbside collection that are six feet or taller must be cut in half.  Please set your tree at the curb by 6:30 a.m. All residents, including those without City of Austin curbside service, can do a contactless drop-off of their trees at the Zilker Park Polo Fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following days: Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021   Residents should use the following guidelines when recycling their tree: Trees sprayed with flocking, or artificial snow, are not accepted Remove all ornaments, tinsel, decorations, lights and the tree stand Do not place trees in plastic bags Only natural trees may be recycled   For a list of alternative drop-off locations provided by Travis County or businesses that take natural trees, visit austintexas.gov/treerecycling. Trees collected at Zilker Park will be turned into mulch, and will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis beginning January 14 at 9 a.m. (date and time subject to change).   Media is invited to record b-roll at the Zilker drop-off, however, we request that interviews be scheduled virtually for staff safety. See below for staff availability for interviews.   MEDIA CONTACT:                     Ashley Pace, Austin Resource Recovery, 512-974-1855   WHEN AND WHERE:               Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Zilker Park Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Zilker Park         INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES/VISUALS:    City of Austin staff video interview. City of Austin staff directing traffic or monitoring tree drop off. Residents dropping off their trees for recycling. Provided photos of the tree lifecycle and mulching process.   For more information about Holiday Tree Recycling and the availability of mulch visit: Austintexas.gov/treerecycling.   About Austin Resource Recovery Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City's recycling ordinance. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City's road map to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.