06.05.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

Western Australia 🤝 Austin

Western Australia will open a new investment and trade hub in Austin in 2024

Simone Spencer speaks onstage in front of a crowd of people at Two Hands on South Congress Avenue.

Simone Spencer speaks about Western Australia’s ties to Austin at an event on South Congress last week. | Photo by Kelly Serfoss

Austin has a new trade partner, and they come from a land down under.

The state of Western Australia — which occupies one third of the continent and is home to major destinations like Perth and Ningaloo Reef — will open its sixth international investment and trade hub in Austin next year. The new, $10 million office will be the state’s only hub in the Americas.

“You can already see lots of connections between what’s important in Austin and what’s important to Western Australia,” said Simone Spencer, deputy director general of Strategy and International Engagement, at an event on South Congress last week. “We’re really keen to be Austin’s gateway to the Indo-Pacific.”

Trade goals

The Austin trade office is part of Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan’s effort to diversify the state’s economy. The connection may prove fruitful for Austin’s tech industry, as well.

Western Australia is currently one of the largest exporters of lithium in the world, accounting for ~52% of global supply in 2021. The metal is essential for producing the batteries that run electric vehicles — and Texas just so happens to be one of the top markets in the US for EVs.

Natasha Monks speaks at a podium, aside four other Western Australia representatives onstage. — Natasha Monks, speaking, will lead the new Western Australia investment and trade hub in Austin.
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Photo by Kelly Serfoss

Why Austin?

The Austin office will join five of Western Australia’s other international hubs, which serve southeast Asia, China, the India-Gulf region, and northeast Asia, as well as the UK and Europe.

The office will open in early 2024, although a location has not yet been announced. Former Australian trade commissioner Natasha Monks will lead the department.

So, why Austin? McGowan’s government cited the city’s connection to several industries, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and health sciences.

“It’s been thrilling to watch the way that Austin has evolved over the last two decades,” Monks said in Austin last week. “It’s going to be exciting for me personally to be embedded here, to be part of that collaboration.”

Events

Monday, June 5

Lazy Bird | Monday, June 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Tune in for a free show from this jazz combo band.
Pride in the Park | Monday, June 5-Saturday, June 10 | Waterloo Greenway, 1111 Red River St., Austin | Free | Celebrate Pride Month with a series of free events for all.

Tuesday, June 6

“The Office” Trivia Night | Tuesday, June 6 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Anchor Bar, 2702 Parker Dr., Ste. B, Round Rock | Free | Brush up on Scranton 101 and mark your calendar for this “The Office"-themed trivia.

Wednesday, June 7

¡CUÉNTAME! | Wednesday, June 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Austin Motel, 1220 S. Congress Ave., Austin | Free | Swing by for a showcase of songs and stories from Latin musicians, alongside a night swim.
Cine Las Amercias International Film Festival | Wednesday, June 7-Sunday, June 11 | 7-11 p.m. | AFS Cinema, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin | $12 | Celebrate the 25th annual Cine Las Americas fest with indie movies.

Thursday, June 8

“The Importance of Being Earnest” | Thursday, June 8-Sunday, June 18 | Times vary | Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd., Austin | $15-$25 | Strap in for this Oscar Wilde classic, which follows a pair of Englishmen leading a double life in order to impress the women whose hearts they hope to win.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Holiday

Hit the bullseye with this Father’s Day gift idea

Your dad does not need another set of wrenches or tire shine. | Photo by Swell Spark

The only thing your parents really want is to spend more time with you. So this Father’s Day, we challenge you to axe the boring and give them what they really want: quality time with you.

Blade & Timber, Austin’s premier axe-throwing bar, just happens to be in the middle of its semi-annual gift card sale. Read: The more you buy, the more you save, which means you can focus on the important stuff — throwing axes, hanging out, and enjoying Blade & Timber’s great food, beer + cocktails.*

Shop e-gift cards for Dad

News Notes

Weather

Grab your umbrellas Austinites. After some weekend thunderstorms and Hill Country hail, rain is in the forecast until at least this Wednesday, June 7. (KXAN)

Civic

The Austin City Council entered into a mutual aid agreement that will allow the city to tap resources from CenterPoint Energy, New Braunfels Utilities, and CPS Energy in case of an emergency like this February’s ice storm. The $1.75 million agreement was ratified last week. (Austin American-Statesman)

Edu

UT alumnus Marshall Eubank announced a $1 million donation to the McCombs School of Business’ Center for Leadership and Ethics, marking the largest gift in the center’s history. Eubank, the owner and manager of investment firm SEG Interests, also serves on the center’s advisory board.

Environment

Lady Bird Lake will undergo a third year of treatment with lanthanum-modified clay as part of an ongoing effort to reduce toxic algae. The clay may slow the algae’s growth by binding to one of the plant’s key nutrients. (KXAN)

Traffic

The second segment of Williamson County’s Samsung Highway is officially under construction. The four-lane road, which will connect CR 404 to FM 973 near the Samsung semiconductor campus, is expected to be completed by 2024. (KXAN)

Sports

After a two-hour weather delay, Austin FC lost to Real Salt Lake 1-2 at Q2 Stadium on Saturday night. The team next heads to Kansas to play Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, June 10. (Austin Chronicle)

Try This

Fierce Whiskers distillery will serve drinks from a floating bar on Lady Bird Lake this summer to promote its new straight rye whiskey. The Stubborn Bar pop-up will run until Sunday, June 25 — book your spot by joining the bar’s email list.

Fun Fact

Did you know Austin Public Access Television’s Channel 10 is the longest continually operating public access channel in the country? The channel celebrates 50 years this month.

Drink

Summer is here, which means so too is aperol spritz season. Enjoy as many as you’d like (without regretting it the next day) when you make yours with Ritual Zero Proof’s aperitif alternative — an alcohol-free take on the Italian classic. Bonus: Use it to make the summery aperitif sour.*

Shop

It’s Pet Appreciation Week, and it’s a great time to celebrate your furry friends. From stylish collars and leashes by Major Darling to healthy treats by Botanical Bones, our online shop (Six & Main) features the perfect products for your pets.

Shop

👕 This shop Feels So Good

Get custom screen printing and embroidery at Feels So Good

A close-up of a t-shirt reading "Libra" on a table at Feels So Good.

Get artist-designed or custom T-shirts at Feels So Good in South Austin. | Photo by ATXtoday

Hi ATX, City Editor London here.

Last week, City Editor Figi and I got the chance to peek behind the scenes at Feels So Good, a T-shirt, vintage, and record store in South Austin.

Not only does this shop have some pretty cool shirts designed by 100+ different artists (I’ll be back for my next round of gift shopping), but it also offers custom screen printing and embroidery.

The shop has a team of in-house designers to produce specialty art. They also offer mobile live printing services for events, where attendees can take home pieces made right in front of them.

In keeping with the Austin spirit, Feels So Good contains a stage for regular live concerts, many in connection with its record label of the same name. Next time you shop, you may just be able to take in some local tunes.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

I took a little trip south of Austin to float the San Marcos River this weekend, and it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday. I had such a nice time, I think I’m going to have to come back soon and try out glow kayaking, because doesn’t that just sound magical?

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