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Community Corner

🌱 Low Day 1 Early Voting Turnout + Trail Of Lights Is BACK ✨

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

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Good morning, neighbors! Happy Sunday. I hope you're all having a beautiful weekend! I'm back in your inbox bright & early this morning with your fresh copy of the Austin Daily.

Settle in while we cover:

  • Less than 1% of eligible voters participated on the first day of early voting.
  • The Texas volleyball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16!
  • The Trail of Lights is BACK – and better than ever.
  • You can expect to see cars wrapped in sweaters on the streets of Austin today (and we've got the scoop on why below ⬇️)
  • Catch a screening of Miracle on 34th Street this afternoon – there are still tix!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 60 Low: 58.

Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Feel good news: Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe, who grew up in Central Texas and lives in Austin during the off-season, is matching donations made to Austin Pets Alive! through TONIGHT. FOX 7 Austin also reports: "In addition to matching donations, Smythe will wear custom cleats featuring the APA! logo during a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 4. The cleats will be auctioned off after the game and the proceeds will be donated to APA!" Truly incredible. It's no secret that our local animal shelters have been over capacity for most of the year – let's step up and show them our support! Head over to FOX 7 Austin to learn more.

2) Data from the Travis County Clerk's office shows that less than 1% of eligible voters made it to the polls on the first day of early voting. YIKES!! Neighbors, this is your reminder that this election includes four key races: Austin mayor and Austin City Council Districts 3, 5 and 9. Some helpful links with more information on each candidate's platform:

KVUE has more on voter turnout here.

3) The City of Austin's initiative to turn a former hotel into a facility for experiencing homelessness is expected to kick off this month. The space is a former Candlewood Suites and is located in a part of Austin that technically lies within Williamson County. Austin City Council unanimously approved this project back in June, but it immediately was brought to a halt after Williamson County filed a lawsuit against Travis County alleging that this initiative was not discussed with them. The project, called Pecan Gardens, is still on track and expected to be complete roughly six months after renovations begin. Head over to KVUE to learn more about this initiative.

4) The battle over Austin–Bergstrom International Airport's South Terminal continues to heat up. KUT reports: "Officials who run the city-owned airport want to bulldoze the South Terminal to make room for a new concourse with space for up to 40 gates, connected to the main terminal by an underground walkway." But LoneStar, the company with a 40-year lease to run and operate the South Terminal, isn't going down without a fight and sued in federal court in an attempt to stop the city from forcing it out through the use of eminent domain. Now, the cost of Austin's legal war to oust the operator of ABIA's South Terminal has "just doubled to more than $3 million. That's 58% more than what the city offered in its attempt to seize the lease through eminent domain." KUT has more on this developing story here.

5) The Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park is officially BACK next week! The event is back in its original format (walking, as opposed to driving) and will run from Dec. 8 - Dec. 23 and will be closed on Mondays. The Statesman has photos of what to expect from the 58th annual event – check them out!

Today in Austin:

  • Sunday Morning Meditations at Kadampa Meditation Center Austin. (10 a.m.)
  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • The 6th Annual Lone Star Zine Fest at The Far Out Lounge. (12 p.m.)
  • Miracle on 34th Street at The Paramount Theatre. (1:30 p.m.)
  • Ballet Austin Presents: The Nutcracker at The Long Center. (2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
  • A Christmas Carol at The Topfer at ZACH Theatre. (2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
  • A Sherlock Holmes Christmas at Pioneer Farms. (5 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • Little Feat at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
  • Jimi Hendrix 80th Birthday Celebration at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🎄 Hallmark Channel is coming to town! "[Today], the Hallmark Channel will deploy cars wrapped in custom crochet sweaters to the streets of Austin from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to celebrate the Countdown to Christmas." (KXAN via Facebook)
  • 🍰 On the hunt for holiday treats? Pies, cookies tins, and buches de noel, Eater Austin has compiled a list of where to find the best Christmas desserts. Yum!! (Eater Austin)
  • 🤘 Texas volleyball sweeps Georgia to reach NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16! "17th straight Sweet Sixteen #HookEm" (Texas Volleyball via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— 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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