12.05.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

🥾 Hot on the trail

What you need to know about the 2023 State of the Trail

View of the Austin, Texas skyline from the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

It’s been 20 years since the Trail Conservancy began caring for the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Looking at the organization’s 2023 State of the Trail report, let’s peek into what the last year has held for the trail.

A look back on 2023

A goat standing in the brush of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. — The Trail Conservancy brings the goats back as-needed to clear the brush.
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Photo by ATXtoday

A 20-year anniversary and dozens of events later, it’s been a busy year for the Trail Conservancy. These are a few of the projects that changed the trail over the last year.

Cumulative investments into the trail and adjacent parkland reached $24 million since 2003.
A herd of 150 goats from Rent-a-Ruminant cleared 15.4 acres of poison ivy and other invasive plants on the trail.
The Butler Shores Exercise Enhancement was unveiled, including brand new equipment, a solar-powered drinking fountain, and a seating plaza.
Construction on the Rainey Street Trailhead began — crews planted 7,635 new plants and saplings, picked up 18,000+ pounds of trash, and spread 485 cubic yards of mulch.
The Trail Conservancy reported that 3,802 volunteers worked 72 events, equivalent to 8,000 hours of work or $225,000 in labor support.
The Arts + Culture Plan was introduced, ending a 10-year moratorium on arts on the Butler Trail.
The Virtual 360 Tour launched — take the tour here.

Looking ahead to 2024

The Trail Conservancy plans to transform the once abandoned Seaholm Waterfront building into a community space with a cafe, public space, and Wi-Fi.
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Photo by ATXtoday

That’s just the beginning — 2024 is already looking busy for the Trail Conservancy. Some items in the pipeline:

Continued implementation of the Arts + Culture Plan, which entails creating site-specific art installations along the trail including The Current Underneath and Fortlandia
- The plan also includes the TEMPO on the Trail program, which consists of eight temporary art installations made by local artists.
Completing the Rainey Street Trailhead project
Beginning the Holly Project shoreline and habitat restoration, which will include a fishing pier, native plant and urban forest restoration, and additional seating
The Seaholm Waterfront Project, the ongoing transformation of an orphaned building into a community space

What would you like to see at the Trail in 2024? Let us know.

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Black Pumas | Now-Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $60-$90 | Catch these iconic local rising stars live for multiple nights in a row.
“My Fair Lady” | Now-Sunday, Dec. 10 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $30-$135 | Follow Eliza Doolittle’s transformation into a “proper lady” in this classic tale.

Wednesday, Dec. 6

For the Love of Books Club | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 2-3 p.m. | Austin Public Library - Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr., Austin | Free | This “no homework” book club brings readers together to discuss their current, former, and future reads.
A New Spin on Pierogi | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Central Market Austin, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $75 | Make multiple variations of the tasty dumplings, including potato and cheddar, short rib, and blueberry flavors.

Thursday, Dec. 7

“Gals on the Go” Live | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 8 p.m. | The State Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $30 | Get ready to laugh at the live performance from podcasters and YouTubers Danielle Carolan and Brooke Miccio.
“Murder on the Links” | Thursday, Dec. 7-Saturday, Dec. 30 | Times vary | Austin Playhouse West Campus, 405 W. 22nd St., Austin | $21-$38 | Solve a mystery on a private golf course alongside Hercule Poirot at this play.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Seasonal

Add to cal: POP! at ZACH Theatre

a group of people wearing reindeer ears smiles and cheers

ZACH Theatre presents a new way to holiday — festive holiday attire is encouraged. | Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro

Turn up the festive vibes at ZACH’s new holiday sing-along party, POP!, featuring a wild mix of holiday classics + the hottest hits of Taylor Swift, NSYNC, Mariah Carey, and more. POP!'s musical hosts will guide you through an evening filled with unique, make-it-your-own fun.

Toast with date-night cocktails at a cabaret table for two, or reserve a whole row for your crew from Friday, Dec. 8 to Sunday, Dec. 31. Guests can buy seats, reserve tables, and order drinks from their phones throughout the night.

Grab tickets

News Notes

Weather

ERCOT began sending inspectors yesterday to check on 450 power plants statewide before cold weather hits. According to an ERCOT simulation, the Texas grid risks an outage one in every three years. (KVUE)

Community

Various City of Austin departments are giving away winter weather preparedness supplies to help locals brave the cold. Items like meter keys, hose bib covers, and hand-crank flashlights are up for grabs — find a distribution event near you.

Announced

Former Uchiko employees Charlie Wang, Nguyen Nguyen, and Tim Boyer teamed up to create a new sushi experience: Craft Omakase. The new restaurant, which will serve a signature 20-course meal, will open tomorrow at 4400 N. Lamar Blvd. (Eater Austin)

Open

Rainey Street’s Not a Damn Chance Burger opened a brick-and-mortar in East Austin, 1007 E. 6th St., yesterday. The spot — the brainchild of Sushi by Scratch chef Phillip Frankland Lee and pro skateboarder Neen Williams — specializes in wagyu smash burgers. (Eater Austin)

Sports

Austin’s own Q2 Stadium is one of 14 stadiums —and one of three soccer-specific stadiums — to host 2024 Copa America. Q2 will host two group stage matches on Sunday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 2.

Closing

Thunderbird Coffee, 2200 Manor Rd., is reminding Austinites to stop by one last time before owners close its doors on Sunday, Dec. 17. The store has been in business for the past 17 years, but never recovered from the effects of the pandemic.

Ranked

Austin ranked the No. 7 most fun city in the US and most fun city in Texas, according to a new WalletHub study. The Capital City scored No. 7 for access to nightlife, No. 20 for entertainment and recreation, and No. 87 for affordability. Can’t win ‘em all.

Shop

Have an active loved one on your shopping list? Upway delivers rigorously inspected, certified, and 99% pre-assembled e-bikes from top brands (think: Specialized, Aventon, and Super73) directly to your doorstep — with free express shipping when you use code TREE.*

Food

🌮 Put your taco where your mouth is

ONETACO. Taquería crowned ATXtoday’s readers’ choice taco

Only you can help decide which taquería is crowned ATXtoday reader’s choice. | Graphic by ATXtoday

It was a tough match, but we’re finally ready to reveal your reader-suggested taco bracket finalists. Here’s a peek into the highlights of the last round:

Readers love Veracruz All Natural, which took 73% of the vote against Cuantos Tacos.
It was anyone’s game between ONETACO. Taquería and Tacodeli, but in the end, ONETACO. won with 53%.

This last vote is for the gold — ONETACO. Taquería vs. Veracruz All Natural — which one would you crown ATXtoday’s reader’s choice taco in Austin?

Let’s taco ‘bout it one more time — vote by Friday, Dec. 8.

Asked

ONETACO. Taquería or Veracruz All Natural?

A. ONETACO. Taquería
B. Veracruz All Natural

It's taco time

31 Days of Local Shopping

No creepy crawlies here

ATX_CityAlchemist — This creepy, witchy store has perfect gifts for your more spiritual loved ones.
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Photo by ATXtoday

In search of a gift that will really enchant your relatives?

City Alchemist, 1105 E. 6th St. | Give the gift of the occult at this store, where the motto is “where the witches shop.” Peruse the shop’s collection of books — because a witch can never be too informed — browse the full apothecary, or stock up on candles.

More local shopping

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The Wrap

Figi

From the editor

I start thinking about sustainability most around the holidays, so I’ve started a few green traditions I really enjoy. My favorite is wrapping gifts with scrap fabric, reclaimed ribbons, or bags that I’ve kept — ahem, hoarded — through the years.

What’s your favorite sustainability hack? Let me know and I might include it in an upcoming newsletter.

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