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Community Corner

🌱 Super Bowl Watch Parties + $3M For Transitional Housing Units

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, everyone! I hope your day is starting off on the right note – if not, perhaps this newsletter will brighten your spirits! It's Jessica, back in your inbox to give you the most important local news and community updates. Grab your morning java while we dive into:

  • Can you believe the Super Bowl is this weekend?! We've got a list of the best watch parties and spots to order takeout from.
  • Major funding will build more transitional housing out in Southeast Austin.
  • The Austin Public Library is hosting a free, all-ages comic book-making workshop this evening!

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and warmer. High: 74 Low: 43.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Following Winter Storm Mara, local advocates report that the city still has a long way to go with its emergency shelter planning. Activists and volunteers familiar with our unhoused community said that while communication improved from the winter storm of February 2021, this year "shelters and warming centers were sometimes difficult to reach, lacked accommodations for families with children and weren't prepared for power outages themselves." The Texas Tribune has more on this story here.

2) The results of the 2022 Greater Austin Music Census reveal that the rising cost of living is pushing people in Austin's music scene out of the city. The census found that 84 percent of respondents who identified as performers, songwriters or producers plan on continuing their career in music over the next three years, but only 64 percent said they planned to remain in Austin. KUT has a deep dive into the census results and what it means for the Live Music Capital of the world.

3) Gov. Greg Abbott's office sent a memo to state agencies and public universities, saying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies are illegal and a violation of federal and state employment laws. Abbott's Chief of Staff Gardner Pate said: "DEI initiatives illegally discriminate against certain demographic groups." Learn more here at The Texas Tribune.

4) The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $3 million contract with The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) to support individuals struggling with housing insecurity in Central Texas. The funding will enable TOOF to build 200 transitional housing units, install hygiene facilities, and build a community center at an existing transitional shelter complex in Southeast Austin. Community Impact reports that the funding will also cover "on-site services, including harm reduction, medical and mental health, financial literacy, vocational opportunities, pet care, and transportation access." Community Impact has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

  • Free AARP Tax Assistance at Austin Public Library, University Hills Branch. (9 a.m.)
  • (All Ages) Making Comics Workshop at Austin Public Library, Terrazas Branch. (5 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Fairweather Cider Co. (7 p.m.)
  • Night Club Comedy at The North Door. (7 p.m.)
  • ZACH Theatre & Deaf Austin Theatre Present: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Death Cab For Cutie at ACL Live At The Moody Theater. (8 p.m.)
  • Filigree Theatre Presents: Fire In Dreamland at Factory On 5th (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🚨 Missing person report: "Have you seen him? The Austin Police Department is searching for a 30-year-old man who went missing over the weekend." (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 🏈 Super Bowl hangs: CultureMap Austin has a list of the best spots to watch the Super Bowl watch parties and where to order takeout for your viewing party. (CultureMap Austin)
  • ⛳️ For the local golfers: "Normal operations will resume at all GOLF ATX properties on Thursday, Feb 9th with the exception of Grey Rock. Grey Rock will only have the front 9 in operation until clean up can be completed on the back 9." (Golf ATX via Facebook)
  • 🎤 Musicians advocate for better pay: "Over 120 musicians have signed a letter demanding higher pay for playing South by Southwest." (Austin Chronicle)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you tomorrow for your next 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 Patch newsletter? 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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