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Community Corner

🌱 'The Blue Trees' At Pease Park + 'White Sands' Metaverse Getaway

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.

Gabriela Cantu Couvillion's profile picture
Gabriela Cantu Couvillion, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Hey, Austin! Let's get this Monday started off right. Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

First, today's weather:

A passing shower or two. High: 84 Low: 64.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

  1. On Sunday, April 3, Austin Mayor Steve Adler announced that he "tested positive for COVID-19," but fortunately his symptoms are mild. He said, "Thanks to the vaccine and booster, I have very mild, if any, symptoms. Diane is still negative. I'll work and isolate at home until negative and okayed by doctors." His last public appearance before he found out was on Saturday, April 2, "at the Trans Day of Visibility at the State Capitol," but now he will self-isolate, and information will be updated as "more details become available." For now please visit: (KVUE.com)
  2. The blue trees at Pease Park, located at 1100 Kingsbury St., are "part of an art installation with the goal to start conversations about climate change and deforestation." The art installation called "The Blue Trees" was created by Konstantin Dimopoulos "to help visitors visualize what the community could lose through deforestation." Dimopoulos said his creation "grew out from this insanity that is deforestation and became really a, what I call, 'visual scream.' A call for some sort of sanity to come into place." He added, "It attempts to give these ecosystems and trees visibility and a voice that they do not have. It brings their visibility to cities, communities and schools throughout the world by using color. It brings the trees to the forefront of our communities, streets and parks." According to the Pease Park Conservancy website, "the coloring doesn't hurt the trees or the environment," as "it's made from water and chalk." It will "wash off over the next several months," at the same time reflecting "environmental changes that happen over time." For more on this story visit: (KVUE.com)
  3. Austin entrepreneur Adam Hollander recently launched "White Sands, a tropical island getaway in the metaverse that people can call home." Hollander, who spent $1.2 million out of pocket on the "technology infrastructure," said, "A metaverse is a virtual landscape, a virtual world where you can play and learn and work and interact and conduct commerce and do a variety of things that you might otherwise do in the real physical world. We're moving really as a society towards this concept of having this digital landscape where you can do these things very much how we moved into using social media." For more details on this project, including video and pictures, please visit: (KVUE.com)

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Today in Austin:

  • Receive a Free Car Wash When You Donate Blood at We Are Blood. (9 a.m.)
  • Network with International Association of Business Communicators and enjoy free pizza at Roppolo's Pizza, located at West 26th and Guadalupe Street across from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) campus. Please RSVP today to attend this event. (6 p.m.)
  • BMI Songwriters Series Free Event at The Saxon Pub. (6 p.m.)
  • Multilingual Education Advisory Committee Meeting via Zoom. For more information call 512-414-4734 or email aisdmultilingual@austinisd.org. (6 p.m.)
  • Manic Monday Austin Sunrise (Ages 10+) at the Painting with a Twist location at 8820 Burnet Rd. Reservations required and must be prepaid online. (7 p.m.)
  • Virtual Full Body Workout Online Class by Stronger Austin. More information at https://strongeraustin.org/. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "If you're in a mood for a great fresh and juicy burger, a neighbor in the Kingdom area recommends Jimmy's Burgers located at 5604 South Congress. The menu features a variety of burgers, including Blue Cheeseburgers and deliciously seasoned French fries made from real potatoes. Visit Jimmy's burgers on South Congress, located in a small trailer just before Twin Liquors & Stassney, and enjoy!" (Nextdoor)
  • "A neighbor in Austin's Colony recommends Krazy Eagles delicious wings and things for game night or any night! The venue is located in the Eastside Pet Ranch parking lot at the corner of 969 and Gilbert Rd. To order for pick up or delivery, visit toasttab.com/krazyeagles or call 737-219-9956. Please note that there is a $3 fee for delivery orders." (Nextdoor)
  • "A neighbor in Pearson Place found a dog, believed to be a lab/golden retriever, at Calaveras Drive near Davis Springs. If it is your dog, please pick him up at 15200 Calaveras Drive." (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll see you soon!

— Gabriela Couvillion

About me: I'm an active mom of two grown sons and lifelong San Antonio resident. I received a BA in Spanish from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and in my free time I immerse myself in creative writing. Thanks for reading Patch, and feel free to reach out if you have any news and happenings you think may appeal to our readers!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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