Civics 101

Thursday 30

RAINEY SHARED STREETS PILOT This Austin Transportation and Austin Police pilot program will test the temporary closure of Rainey Street to motor vehicle traffic Thursdays-Saturdays, 9pm-2:30am, in the model of the long-running Sixth Street shutdowns. The pilot period runs through March 8, 2020. Through Mar. 8, 2020. Thu.-Sat., 9pm-2:30am Rainey Street, [email protected]. www.austintexas.gov/raineystudy.

TRANSGENDER HEALTH: COMPLEX MEDICAL CASE STUDIES Central Texas providers share case studies on providing culturally competent medical care for trans and nonbinary patients. Medical providers are the target audience, but med students and novices are also welcome. Registration open! Event: Thu., Feb. 20, 6pm Dell Pediatric Research Institute, 1400 Barbara Jordan Blvd. www.txtranshealth.org.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON SAFETY & MOBILITY PROJECTS Review and provide feedback for the draft 2020 Mobility Annual Plan, which includes sidewalks, safe routes to school, bikeways, urban trails, intersection safety, Vision Zero improvements, and more. Funded by the 2016 Mobility Bond, the final 2020 MAP is expected to be released in early March. Provide feedback through Feb. 2, 2020 Online.

BIZAID BUSINESS ORIENTATION An overview of how to open a small business. 9am. Entrepreneur Center of Austin, 4029 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #110. Free. [email protected], www.austintexas.gov/smallbiz.

KEYHOLDER’20 Join the Women's Fund hosts for a night honoring the local middle and high school students making change in the community. Ziauddin Yousafzai of the Malala Fund will keynote. 5:30-9pm. Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside, 512/474-5664. $100-225. www.keyholderaustin.org.

REDBUD TRAIL BRIDGE OPEN HOUSE Stop by anytime to learn about the options for replacing the Redbud Trail Bridge over Lady Bird Lake as the project enters design phase. 5:30-7:30pm. O'Henry Middle School, 2610 W 10th St.. www.austintexas.gov/redbudtrailbridge.

NORTH UNIVERSITY-HERITAGE-ROSEDALE NEIGHBORHOOD BIKEWAYS OPEN HOUSE Drop in, see the preliminary designs, and share your thoughts with ATD regarding the proposed bikeways. 6:30-7:30pm. Bryker Woods Elementary School, 3309 Kerbey, 512/414-2054. www.austintexas.gov/NUHR-bikeways.

Friday 31

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE CENTER CLOSING EARLY Customer sign-in will stop at 1:45pm. Normal hours resume Monday, Feb. 3. 2pm. Development Assistance Center, 505 Barton Springs.

BASIC EMERGENCY PLAN PUBLIC MEETING The yearly meeting of the city's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Austin's basic emergency plan. Feedback welcome. See agenda for details. 4pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.austintexas.gov.

Saturday 1

BUILDING BRIDGES TOWN HALL Austin Police Department Region 3 District Representatives will discuss human trafficking and its impact. 1:30-3pm. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave, 512/472-6932. www.myec.net.

Sunday 2

VOLUNTEER ON WATER QUALITY PROTECTION LANDS Help rebuild strong, native grasslands in the Barton Springs recharge zone by harvesting seeds, removing invasive species, planting, and more. The event will take place near FM 1826 and Slaughter Lane. See website for directions and registration. 2-4:30pm. The Maxwell Management Unit on The Water Quality Protection Lands. www.austintexas.gov/wildlandevents.

Monday 3

TIMBUKTU Y.O.U An after-school program focused on STEAM and photography for sixth-eighth graders. Timbuktu Y.O.U. runs Feb. 3-May 15, for $645, which includes a $45 enrollment fee and monthly payments of $200. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. 3pm. George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina, 512/974-4926. www.austintexas.gov/pardfinaid.

FAR NORTHWEST PROGRESSIVES CLUB MEETING Hear from the four candidates running for County Attorney. 6:30pm. InterStellar BBQ, 12233 Ranch Road 620.

THE FUTURE OF REDISTRICTING IN TEXAS Liberal Austin Dems discuss redistricting and what's at stake in Texas. 7pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto, 512/474-1958. www.scholzgarten.com/.

Tuesday 4

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY CAR SEAT CHECK Learn how to properly install car seats and get other safety tips for little passengers. 11am. Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez, 512/974-3840. Free. www.austintexas.gov/ems.

TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION COMMUNITY WORKSHOP Help form Austin's Community Climate Plan by sharing your input regarding electric vehicle adoption in the city. 5:30-8pm. Austin Energy Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Spring. Free. www.austintexas.gov.

Wednesday 5

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Another day, another land use code conversation with the council members. 9am. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.austintexas.gov.

BIZOPEN: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS An overview of the city’s development process to help you identify what’s relevant to your business and how to efficiently navigate the steps.

Those who can't attend can watch the webinar at 10am for free.

9am. Entrepreneur Center of Austin, 4029 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #110, 512/974-7800. Free. [email protected], www.austintexas.gov/smallbiz.

GENDER AFFIRMATION: LAW & ADVOCACY / NAME & GENDER MARKER CHANGE RSVP for a free lunch and update on the legal name and gender marker change process with Kind Clinic. 11:45am. People's Community Clinic, 1101 Camino La Costa, 512/478-4939. www.kindclinic.org.

THE BYSTANDER MOMENT: TRANSFORMING RAPE CULTURE AT ITS ROOTS Doc on the gender violence prevention model called the bystander approach, which was developed by scholar and activist Jackson Katz in the Nineties. Post-screening discussion. 6pm. 1515 Grove Blvd.. Free (RSVP required).

FEBRUARY MEETING: ENDORSEMENTS PART 2 The West Austin Democrats second endorsement meeting with focus on candidates for U.S. Representatives for D10, D21, and D25, as well as District Judge for the 390th and 353rd courts. 6:45pm. Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition, 512/974-8800. https://library.austintexas.gov/howson-branch.

Thursday 6

COFFEE WITH A COP Grab a coffee and discuss safety concerns with the South Central District Reps. 7:30-8:30am. H-E-B Riverside, 2508 E. Riverside. www.austintexas.gov.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING See agenda for details. 10am. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.austintexas.gov.

AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MEETING See agenda for details. 11:30am-1pm. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave, 512/472-6932. www.austintexas.gov.

JUDICIAL CANDIDATE FORUM Hosted by the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin. 5:30-9:30pm. Jackson Walker 100 Congress Ave. www.hispanicbaraustin.com.

Ongoing

LEGALLINE Call 512/472-8303 for free legal advice concerning family law, criminal matters, traffic problems, consumer issues, landlord/tenant issues, and employment law. Attorneys who are bilingual (English/Spanish) are also available. First Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm 512/472-8303. Free. [email protected], austinlrs.org.

YWCA GREATER AUSTIN WARMLINE Call 512/548-9922 for support amidst the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mondays-Thursdays, 9am-8pm; Fridays, 9-5pm; Saturdays, noon-4pm Citywide. ywcaaustin.org.

DRIVE-THROUGH VACCINE CLINIC VOLUNTEERS If you're interested in volunteering at Travis County's drive-through vaccine clinic at COTA, sign up here. Clinic open: Fridays-Sundays Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker. centraltxvaccs.org.

AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY COMMITTEES APPLICATIONS Applications are now open to join the following committees: Engineering, Architecture, and Construction; Finance and Risk; and Planning, Sustainability, Equity, and DBE Advisory. The governing body of the agency created to build out Project Connect, ATP will oversee funding, designing, and implementing the $7.1 billion mass transit overhaul. Ongoing Online. atptx.org.

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION SUMMER CAMP LOTTERY REGISTRATION Applicants can register for a random lottery drawing for limited in-person camps. In-person camp costs $120 per week with $20 due upon acceptance of lottery spot. April 19-May 16 Online. www.austintexas.gov/parksonline.

WINTER STORM REVIEW TASK FORCE SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT Share your experiences and recommendations related to Winter Storm Uri, which will then be incorporated into a final report for City Council. Provide feedback online via the SpeakUp Austin website, or to speak remotely at the task force meetings, call (512/974-6339) or email no later than noon the day prior to the meetings on May 14 & 28 and June 11 & 23. Ongoing Remote. [email protected], www.speakupaustin.org/winter-storm-uri-community-feedback.

I-35 CAPITAL EXPRESS NORTH PUBLIC HEARING Review the draft environmental assessment and the recommended alternative for improvements to I-35 from SH 45 N. to Hwy. 290 E. Through June 10 Online. capexnorth.mobility35openhouse.com.

AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SURVEY Share your feedback on ARR reaching its zero waste goals to help guide departmental efforts to measure Austin’s zero waste progress. Deadline: June 1 Online. www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-resource-recovery.

PALM DISTRICT PLANNING SURVEY Austin’s Palm District is located on the eastern edge of Downtown between I-35 and Trinity St., running from Rainey St. to 15th St. The city's Housing and Planning Department seeks public input on the future of the area as it develops the final Palm District Small Area Plan. Explore the area, take a survey, and ask questions on the city’s project website. Ongoing Online. [email protected], www.speakupaustin.org/palmdistrict.

SHOAL CREEK AUDIO WALKING TOUR SURVEY The Shoal Creek Conservancy is seeking public input to determine which stories to include in its free, self-guided tour along Shoal Creek. Deadline: June 7 Online. [email protected], www.shoalcreekconservancy.org.

TCSO VICTIM SERVICES VOLUNTEERS The Travis County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit needs volunteers to offer immediate assistance to victims of various criminal and crisis circumstances. Those interested must complete a training program from July 31-Aug. 28 (Mondays, virtual, 6-9pm; Thursdays, virtual, 6-9pm; Saturdays, in-person, 9am-5pm). Ongoing Online. www.tcsheriff.org.

2021-22 BUDGET ENGAGEMENT The Budget Office’s website includes explanatory videos in English and Spanish about the city’s FY 2021-22 budgeting process, as well as a short survey for residents to share their thoughts on spending priorities. The mayor and City Council are scheduled to adopt Austin’s FY 2021-22 budget and tax rate between Aug. 11-13. Ongoing Online. [email protected], www.austintexas.gov/budget.

DRIVE-UP HIV/STI TESTING No appointment necessary for free and confidential tests for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Through July 23. Fridays, 9am-noon Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center, 2800 Webberville Rd.. Free. www.austintexas.gov/health.

APA! POURS FOR PETS Austin Pets Alive! puts the "fun" in "fundraiser" this month: For $40, you can purr-chase a passport to use participating locations throughout July, and at each stop, pick up a coffee, beer, glass of wine, or even a refreshing agua fresca. The nonprofit animal shelter is partnering with Austin favorites like Irene’s, Hank’s, Cosmic Coffee, Yard Bar, and more, and proceeds go to pets in need. July 1-31 Citywide. $40 donation. austinpetsalive.org.

SUMMER LUNCH FOR TEENS AND KIDS Central Health is providing children ages 18 and under with free weekly meal packs that include breakfast and lunch for the entire week. Through Aug. 12. Thursdays, noon-2pm Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center, 2901 Montopolis Dr.. Free. fb.com/southeasthealthandwellnesscenter.

ARC OF THE CAPITAL AREA WILDFLOWER PROGRAM In collaboration with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Arc offers classes for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities focusing on social-emotional growth, vocational studies, life skills, active recreation, and Texas nature. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-2pm Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse. $150-300 per month. arcaustin.org/wildflower.

ACA SPECIAL ENROLLMENT DEADLINE Sunday, Aug. 15, is the deadline to sign up for health insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Enroll online, via phone, or find local certified help in your area at localhelp.healthcare.gov. Deadline: Sun., Aug. 15 800/318-2596. healthcare.gov.

I-35 CAPITAL EXPRESS CENTRAL PROJECT FEEDBACK Review the Texas Department of Transportation’s $4.9 billion project by Sept. 24. TxDOT proposes to add two HOV lanes in each direction along I-35 from U.S. 290 E. to Hwy. 71/Ben White Blvd. Extended Deadline: Sept. 24 Online. my35capex.com.

CENTRAL HEALTH 2022 BUDGET ENGAGEMENT Submit your questions or comments on Central Health’s proposed FY 2022 budget and a member of Central Health’s staff will get in touch. Ongoing Online. participate.centralhealth.net/2022budget.

ZILKER PARK VISION PLAN COMMUNITY SURVEY As part of the engagement process for the first-ever Zilker Park Vision Plan – the guiding framework for the park’s restoration and future development – community members are invited to share their thoughts on the park’s programming. Deadline: Sept. 30 Online. austintexas.gov/zilkervision.

ACL ZILKER PARK ACCESS Beginning Sept. 20, the Parks and Recreation Department will close Zilker Park and select roads and street lanes in preparation for the Austin City Limits Music Festival (Oct. 1-3 & 8-10). View the city’s interactive map for more details and a schedule of park and road closures. Sept. 20-Oct. 17 Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd.. austintexas.gov/page/pard-facilities-closures.

SOUTH PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SURVEY The city is gathering comments from residents about how they currently use South Pleasant Valley Road between St. Elmo Road and Onion Creek Park and how they would like to use the road to help guide future changes to the corridor. Deadline: Oct. 10 Online. data.austintexas.gov/stories/s/South-Pleasant-Valley-Road/b375-n8jt/.

DRIVE SAFE 2 SAVE COMPETITION Safe 2 Save, in partnership with Austin Transportation’s Vision Zero program, is hosting a competition to find Austin’s “safest driver” to discourage distracted driving and phone use. The competition features weekly cash prizes of $500, with the top three winners receiving prizes at the end. Through Oct. 15 safe2save.org/greater-austin-safe-driving-competition/.

TRANSPORTATION CRITERIA MANUAL UPDATE The TCM defines the rules, requirements, and technical guidelines for building mobility infrastructure in Austin. The city’s Transportation Department has worked to update the manual over the past two years; the current draft of the revised TCM is available for public review now through Nov. 1. Deadline: Nov. 1 Online. austintexas.gov/street-design.

AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN SURVEY Austin Transportation Department seeks community members’ feedback on three new policy changes to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the city’s first comprehensive, multimodal transportation plan. Ongoing Online. austintexas.gov/asmp.

TPWD COMMUNITY OUTDOOR OUTREACH PROGRAM GRANT TPWD’s CO-OP grants provide funding to tax-exempt organizations for programming that engages under-served populations in TPWD mission-oriented outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental education activities. Deadline: Nov. 1 Online. tpwd.texas.gov.

FORD BUILD TO CONNECT This multiday outdoor event includes displays of Ford’s all-electric F-150 Lightning truck and Mustang Mach-E SUV models. Oct. 15-24. Mon.-Fri., noon-9pm; Sat.-Sun., 9am-8pm Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe, 512/381-1147. Free. fordautoshows.com/built-to-connect.

AUSTIN LGBT CHAMBER HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE Austin’s queer business chamber hosts its annual drive for new (and unwrapped) toys, clothing, and shoes for local children. Donations will go to children and families enrolled in LifeWorks programs and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County programs. See here for a list of drop-off locations and suggested donations. Through Dec. 10 Multiple locations. austinlgbtchamber.com/toydrive.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY WORKER Over 600 spots need to be filled at polling locations for the March 1 primaries; this is a paid position through Travis County. traviscountydemocrats.org.

WIC MOBILE UNIT Resources and info about Austin Public Health’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program for qualifying pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Check online for current schedule Various locations. Free. austintexas.gov/wic.

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