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Community Corner

🌱 New Autozone At Southridge Plaza + Austin Helps The Homeless

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)

Happy Friday, people of Austin! Let's get this day started off right. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Austin.

First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 74 Low: 49.

Here are the top stories in Austin today:

  1. "Weitzman, a Texas-based real estate firm that works with retailers, said it helped close a deal with car parts store AutoZone for 33,000-square feet of the 46,000-square foot building in Southridge Plaza." An old H-E-B grocery store was previously located there, on William Cannon Drive and First Street in South Austin, but soon a portion of that area will be occupied by an AutoZone "mega hub" store. The H-E-B store announced in 2019 they would be closing in April 2020, but they "prolonged the store's closure until after the pandemic subsided." For more details visit: (KXAN.com)
  2. The City of Austin continues to make progress in getting homelessness people off the streets and into a place to live. On Wednesday, Feb. 9, Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey said, "the city relocated 182 individuals from six encampments in the first year of their initiative, and their goal for this fiscal year will be 200." There is also an organization that hopes "to work with small groups to help build new housing, if the city can help them with certain development fees." Melissa Nicewarner Daly, executive director of Home Aid Austin said, "A lot of times we are working with a team that is as big as ours, three people, 10 people. So being able to waive these fees so we can actually get to the construction piece of what we're doing is crucial in order to create safe and stable housing." For more details visit: (KEYE TV CBS Austin)
  3. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, a 2-month-old basset hound named Copper became "the 100,000th pet rescued by Austin Pets Alive! (APA!)." As soon as he arrived from the shelter, APA! immediately treated him "in their Parvo Puppy ICU" where he made a full recovery and was adopted within minutes. Dr. Ellen Jefferson, president and CEO of APA! said, "We are more energized than ever to grow with and support our community's people and pets and want to work with everyone to achieve our next 100,000 pets saved." To adopt, foster, volunteer or become a constant companion, go to austinpetsalive.org, and for more details visit: (Austin Monthly)

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Today in Austin:

  • Receive a free box of Girl Scout Cookies when you donate blood at We Are Blood. (9 a.m.)
  • Radiant Heart: Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Workshop at 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge and Elixir Bar. (11 a.m.)
  • Pre-Valentine's Day Speed Dating for Eligible Austin Singles (20s/30s) at The Brass Tap. (7:30 p.m.)
  • R&B n Paint — Fun and Creative Art Class at Victory Grill. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Deadeye at The Parish. (8 p.m.)
  • Agent Orange at Empire Control Room and Garage. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "Austin Water has lifted the boil water notice for all customers. Customers no longer need to boil water used for drinking, cooking and making ice. Water quality testing submitted to the TCEQ, who has confirmed that tap water meets all regulations." (Subscription: Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update.

— 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!

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