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Community Corner

🌱 New Children's Hospitals In North Austin + Lunar New Year Events

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, neighbors! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily — back in your inbox bright and early with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days.

In today's issue, you'll get updates on:

  • Two new children's hospitals are headed to North Austin.
  • A host of incredible events today: 2023 Tribeza Home Interiors Tour, Le Garage Sale and two Lunar New Year Festival events — I've got the scoop below.
  • Inspiring murals, great food and Skee-ball ... all on the same block in Austin? Keep scrolling to learn more!

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 60 Low: 37.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Austin, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Austin Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) officers say Austin-Bergstrom International Airport set a new record in 2022 for the number of guns confiscated at security checkpoints. Security officials at the airport reportedly found 150 firearms in travelers' carry-on luggage. KUT reports that if a firearm is found in a person's carry-on luggage, the police are called and the individual could be fined up to $15,000. Learn more about this story and proper firearm guidelines here at KUT.

2) Travis Heights residents fight for the preservation of a multi-family property. In March 2022, a developer bought a fourplex on Monroe East Street that was built in 1911 and has historically housed numerous couples, individuals and small families. The developer plans to demolish the property and replace it with a single-family home, but surrounding neighbors are pushing back. A local neighbor, Joel Rasmussen, tells KVUE: "I think the shear [sic] number of permits for demolition and actual demolitions that we're seeing in this neighborhood is what made everyone stand up and take notice that if we don't take action, we're going to lose the character of the neighborhood that attracted everyone here in the first place." KVUE has more on this story here.

3) Dell Children's Medical Center is bringing two new hospitals to Northwest Austin. Dell Children's North Medical Center sits at the intersection of Avery Ranch Boulevard and 183A Toll. This development has two parts: a 187,000-square-foot, four-story hospital and a 60,000-square-foot medical office building for outpatient subspecialty services. The hospital is set to open in April 2023, with the medical office building opening earlier. A second pediatric hospital will be built near RM 620 and Lake Creek Parkway. This facility is expected to open in late 2023. Community Impact has more on this development here.

4) Three fires were reported this week at a vacant building in North Austin. The Austin Fire Department says the fires were all reported at the same vacant strip center in North Austin, at 2013 W. Anderson Lane, near Burnet Road. Investigators are currently looking into the cause of the fires. CBS Austin has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

  • Le Garage Sale at Palmer Events Center. (11 a.m.)
  • Tribeza Home Interiors Tour 2023 at various locations. (11 a.m.)
  • Courtyard Yoga with Danika Ervin at Hotel San Jose. (11 a.m.)
  • Lunar New Year Festival and Vendor Market at The Paper + Craft Pantry. (11 a.m.)
  • Big Gay Drag Brunch at Fourth & Co. (12:30 p.m.)
  • Pretty Woman: The Musical at Bass Concert Hall. (1 p.m.)
  • Lunar New Year Celebration with Dust Bunny, Louisianna Purchase, Miss Petty Cakes, Yvonna F Mei, Celia Light and DJ Ruby Knight at Cheer Up Charlies. (3 p.m.)
  • Hi How Are You Day 2023: UMI & DannyLux (A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Daniel Johnston) at Emo's. (5 p.m.)
  • Dita Von Teese: Glamonatrix Tour at The Paramount Theater. (7 p.m.)
  • Soul Sundays with Soul Man Sam & The SMS Band at The Skylark Lounge. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🍀 Irish hospitality in Austin: An award-winning New York pub is headed to Sixth Street. "The Dead Rabbit will be settling into the city's Downtown Historic District taking over a space formerly occupied by another Irish pub, the original B.D. Riley's, the concept will open this spring at 204 E. 6th St." (CultureMap Austin)
  • 🍛 What to do on East 12th Street: "Chow down on Cajun fare, strike up a Skee-Ball competition, and dance under a disco ball on this diverse East Austin thoroughfare." East 12th Street is home to some of my favorite watering holes, food and murals. Check out the Austin Monthly's deep dive into the happenings of this historic street. (Austin Monthly)
  • 🚨 Mobile vendors needed: "We're accepting applications through the end of January for Temporary Concessions at City of Austin parks. Get info and apply: AustinTexas.gov/ParkEvents" (Austin Parks & Rec)

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

— 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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