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Community Corner

🌱 ColdSnap + Missing Person + Adopt A Pet + Hiking Trails

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
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Gabriela Couvillion, your host of the Austin Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cool with sunshine. High: 54 Low: 32.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

  1. "The SXSW Innovation Awards recognize and celebrate the most exciting tech developments in the connected world" and this year, "ColdSnap™ rapid freezing appliance" which "produces single-servings of frozen confections and frozen beverages in approximately 90 seconds" was a finalist. ColdSnap was one of 65 finalists "selected across 13 categories" and one of 5 finalists in the "Speculative Design" category, "which honors the best new work using design to re-think products and systems — and addresses the challenges, opportunities and possibilities of the future." Matthew Fonte, founder and president of ColdSnap, said, "What began as a fun idea one night with my daughters while doodling in their invention journals has now grown into what we believe will be a game-changing, platform technology in the food and beverage space. Why keep ice cream frozen 24/7, requiring expensive electricity and creating unnecessary carbon emissions?" For more information about the awards and for a list of finalists, visit www.sxsw.com/awards/innovation-awards/ and read: (Yahoo Finance)
  2. The Austin Police Department (APD) Missing Persons Unit is asking the community to please help find 14-year-old Hillary Salcedo, "who was reported missing from Rolling Hills Drive in Buda on Jan. 20 at approximately 7:30 p.m." Her last known location was in Austin on Thursday, Jan. 20, and an AMBER Alert was issued that same night. "She is believed to be accompanied by 28-year-old Hector Avila." Hillary Salcedo is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 105 lbs, and has brown eyes and red hair. Hector Avila is 4 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs 130 lbs, and has brown eyes and black hair and tattoos on his shoulder. If you see either of them, please call 911 immediately. For photos of the two, please visit: (AustinTexas.gov)
  3. If you're looking for a furry buddy to cuddle up with during these cold winter months, why not "adopt a dog, cat or other kind of pet from a local shelter or organization?" There are many animals in the Austin area that are looking for "fur-ever" homes. "According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, over 6 million companion animals are given to adoption facilities each year nationwide. However, only around half of all shelter pets are adopted each year." Patch and Petfinder can help you find your four-legged friend. See a list of pets and start the adoption process by visiting: (Austin Patch)
  4. If you're ready for some hiking, there are lots of hiking trails that you can take either "with your dog, your friends, yourself, your family or even an enemy if you want," or maybe not. Whatever you decide, there's a lot of trails to choose from but there are so many of them, that it would take several Austin Patch newsletters to name them all! For that reason, here is a list with details of some favorite hiking spots in Austin and the surrounding areas for you to decide: (austin360)

Today in Austin:

  • Donate Blood and Get a Free Small Sub from Thundercloud at We Are Blood. (9 a.m.)
  • Virtual Zumba Free Online Class by Stronger Austin. (10 a.m.)
  • Buy a Bowl, Feed 100 People at Inspired Minds Art Center. (11 a.m.)
  • Lost Austin Band at the Saxon Pub, Austin. (6 p.m.)
  • Strange, But Perfect at Hyde Park Theatre. (8 p.m.)
  • Gimme Gimme Disco — A Dance Party Inspired by Abba at the Empire Control Room and Garage. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "Open Thursday Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9. Lunch Friday 11 to 1. Still serving the hottest and tastiest wings on the planet. To order go to: toasttab.com." (Nextdoor)
  • "Alert! Temperatures are approaching freezing. Time to cover or drip faucets, both indoor and outdoor; if you have a pool, set to continuous flow. Open all sink cabinets to let in warm air to keep pipes from freezing." (Nextdoor)
  • "Reminder! Bring pets inside tonight. A doghouse with a blanket will not keep them warm." (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. 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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