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Community Corner

🌱 City Council Approves Federal Funds + ❄️ Cold Front En Route

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

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good morning and Happy Friday, everybody! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick review of the most important local news and community updates.

Settle in while we cover:

  • City Council approves federal funding for an I-35 project.
  • Brrr, a cold front is on the way for next week.
  • The Longhorn Volleyball squad is headed to the NCAA Regional Finals!
  • Tickets are still available for A Christmas Carol this evening.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 77 Low: 68.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Community members held a vigil for a 7-year-old boy who's currently on life support at Dell Children's Medical Center. The boy, Jude Calley, is in critical condition after a car crash on Sunday that ended with him being flown from the scene in an emergency helicopter for critical medical attention. "His mom, Mary Calley, posted on Facebook, saying her boy is braindead, but his body is being kept alive on life support." In spite of Jude's condition, his friends, family and community continue to rally around Jude and the Calley family to show unwavering support. KXAN has more on this heartbreaking story here.

2) Texas women's volleyball is advancing to the Elite Eight!! The Longhorn Volleyball squad will play Ohio State on Saturday for a slot in the Final Four. Longhorns, we are so proud of you!! Head over to The Statesman to read a full recap of yesterday's match and what to expect from Saturday's game.

3) Austin City Council authorized $1.5 million from the federal "Community Project Fund" for the Interstate 35 Cap and Stitch project. Federal funding for the highly controversial project was secured by Rep. Lloyd Doggett and approved yesterday by the city council on consent ("meaning no additional discussion was held prior to the vote"). As a refresher, "caps" are land bridges built over a highway that can be used in a number of different ways (parks, retail space, etc.), while "stitches" are widened bridges that will increase roadway and pedestrian access between East and West Austin. KXAN has more on what the Cap and Stitch project entails here.

4) Struggling to get into the holiday spirit with the warm and muggy temps? I know I am. Weather reports show we're in for a cold front next week. KXAN weather officials expect temperatures to drop into the 30s and 40s next Wednesday, with some areas of the Hill Country dancing close to the freezing mark, early Thursday morning. Check out the full weather forecast here at KXAN.

5) Central Texas Food Bank and Workforce Solutions Capital Area partnered for its first "Fed Today, Work Tomorrow" event yesterday. The event provided community members in East Austin with over 100 free meals, a resource fair for jobs, workforce training and SNAP application assistance. Learn more about the event and how you can get involved with both nonprofits here at CBS Austin.

Today in Austin:

  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
  • Holiday Market + Pictures with Santa at Jo's Coffee, South Congress. (4 p.m.)
  • Violette BakeHouse Pop-Up (French Cakes and Pastries) at The VORTEX. (5 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • Amethyst Jonquille (French Songs) at The VORTEX. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Ian Moore Family Christmas at Stateside at the Paramount. (7 p.m.)
  • Punch Brothers & Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
  • 2023 Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. (7 p.m.)
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Bass Concert Hall. (7:30 p.m.)
  • A Christmas Carol at The Topfer at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Open Mike Eagle at The Ballroom. (7:30 p.m.)
  • A Night of Comedy at Monks Jazz Club. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Austin Film Society's "Lates" Series Presents: Zoo Zero at Austin Film Society. (9:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🕊️ RIP to a legend: "Songwriter, playwright, performer and social worker Jo Carol Pierce, who brought her distinct brand of creative quirkiness from her hometown of Lubbock to her adopted home of Austin, died of cancer on Dec. 2 in Houston. She was 78. (The Statesman)
  • 💃 Looking to get out and about this weekend? CultureMap has curated a list of the top 5 local events this weekend. (CultureMap Austin)
  • 🛍️ This is the last weekend to catch the Future Front Market! The market includes DJ sets, drink specials, lots of local vendors, and rotating brunch menus. The final day of the market is on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ani's Day and Night. (Future Front Texas via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Daily? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

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

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