03.19.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🚲 Warmth on wheels

Austin Bicycle Meals rallies cyclists to deliver meals to Austinites experiencing homelessness

Kelly Wourms pulls a cardboard box out of a bike with a container on the front of it, ready to hand it to people living in an encampment behind him.

Kelly Wourms launched Austin Bicycle Meals after participating in a similar group in Koreatown, Los Angeles. | Photo provided by Kelly Wourms

Just under three years ago, Kelly Wourms and his girlfriend were making 50 sack lunches per week in his kitchen to distribute to people experiencing homelessness in Austin. Now, he works with fellow Austinites to distribute ~450 meals per month — via group bike rides.

Wourms, the founder of Austin Bicycle Meals, learned the concept from a group of cyclists in Koreatown, Los Angeles. When he moved to Austin in 2021 (for that same girlfriend who helped him make sack lunches), he decided to launch the same concept in the Capital City.

“I thought that this idea could work really well in Austin,” he said.

Since those early days, the community has rallied around Wourms’ efforts, with local nonprofits like Our Shared Kitchen and Austin Food Not Bombs providing dozens of meals.

Wourms has also expanded the effort to more than food: Austin Bicycle Meals also distributes feminine hygiene kits, emergency blankets, dog food, and socks, among other items.

“I thought, ‘There’s just so many more things we could be doing, and services that we could offer to people besides just food,’” Wourms said.

A group of people stands in front of a mural next to Flat Track Coffee, with bikes filled with food stationed in front of them, — Wourms said some Austin Bicycle Meals rides are just one to two people, but others can be groups of more than a dozen.
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Photo provided by Kelly Wourms

How to get involved

Donate to Austin Bicycle Meals online or join one of the regular rides on:

Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. | Flat Track Coffee
Every other Wednesday (with the next on March 27) at 5:30 p.m. | Eastside Pedal Pushers

Rides can span from a few miles to more than a dozen miles, depending on when the food runs out. By the way, you don’t need a bike. Wourms has seen participants show up by car, scooter, skateboard, and on foot — all you need is something to carry meals in.

Regardless of group size, Wourms said someone from Austin Bicycle Meals makes the run every time.

“I want to continue to serve our neighbors and just let them know that we’re going to be out there,” Wourms said. “Sunshine, rain, snow, whatever. We’re going to be out there because they’re out there.”

Asked

Do you volunteer with a local nonprofit?

A. Yes
B. I used to
C. No, but I’d like to
D. No, never

Let us know

Events

Tuesday, March 19

Amy Tintera in Conversation with Chandler Baker | Tuesday, March 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar, 1101 E. 11th St., Austin | $10-$29 | The author of “Listen for the Lie” will sign copies after the discussion at this bookstore and wine bar.

Wednesday, March 20

Brian Culbertson | Wednesday, March 20 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $40-$60 | See the multi-talented artist on his “The Trilogy” tour.
Thai Rivera And Friends | Wednesday, March 20-Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 10-11:30 p.m. | The Creek and The Cave, 611 E. 7th St., Austin | $15-$20 | Laugh along with comedians from Austin and beyond at this standup show hosted by Thai Rivera.

Thursday, March 21

Mexico City Capitanes vs. Austin Spurs | Thursday, March 21 | 7 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $10-$175 | It’s Pride Night at this home game for the Austin G-League team.

Friday, March 22

“Two Hot Takes” | Friday, March 22 | 7 p.m. | The State Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $35 | The popular podcasters take the stage live to analyze real-life dramatic situations.

Plan Ahead

Easter Egg Hunt with Thinkery | Sunday, March 31 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | The “Epic Easter Egg Hunt” for kids 6 and under begins at 10 a.m., but stay afterward for several more themed activities hosted by Thinkery.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Tech

💻 Add to cal: Discover business software trends at Zoholics

Presentations and networking at the Zoholics event in Austin.

Dive deep into the Zoho ecosystem with a jam-packed agenda led by local experts. | Photo courtesy of Zoho Corporation

This spring, business professionals from across the US will gather at the Austin Convention Center for Zoholics — a software-focused event brimming with opportunities for learning, inspiration, and growth.

Zoholics, happening June 5-6 + hosted by leading cloud business software company Zoho, will feature:

The latest trends in business software
Innovative tools to help businesses thrive
Cutting-edge sessions
Hands-on workshops
Thought-provoking keynotes
Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals

Psst... breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided.

Learn more + register

News Notes

Stat

We’re handing over the crown. For the first time in a decade, the Austin metro fell to the No. 2 spot for the country’s fastest-growing large metro areas, falling behind the Jacksonville, Florida metro for rate of population growth. (KXAN)

Development

Developers plan to turn 115 acres in far east Austin into a mixed-use development with 2,200+ units and a 385-room hotel. The project, from San Antonio’s Karoi Residential, sits along the Colorado River and could also contain a 127,000-sqft shopping plaza. (Austin Business Journal)

Real Estate

The 700 River apartment complex under construction in the Rainey Street district is now topped out at 43 stories, or ~500 ft. Upon completion this fall, the tower will contain 377 units and 30,000 sqft of private amenities. (Austin American-Statesman)

Number

$312,000. That’s how much the average Austin CEO earns, making it the highest-paying job title in the metro. Other high-paying roles in Central Texas include financial managers, petroleum engineers, and economics teachers — see the full list. (Austin Business Journal)

Civic

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for improvements at Duncan Neighborhood Park on Saturday, April 13. Officials will commemorate the park’s new accessible path, picnic tables, and other beautification projects.

Today Is

The first day of astronomical spring, measured by the Earth’s relative position to the sun. Looking for ways to celebrate the season? We suggest you enjoy the outdoors with a meal al fresco or a trip to one of Austin’s most beautiful parks.

Sports

It’s going to be a major month for Texas basketball teams. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas A&M Aggies with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Job

Passionate about storytelling + news, and have some serious Dallas pride? DALtoday (a new daily newsletter celebrating Dallas) is hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about our city. See details + apply.

Sports

🏀 Let the madness begin

How to cheer on Longhorn women’s and men’s basketball during the NCAA tournament

A crowd of people watching a Texas Longhorns game

Cheer on the Texas women’s basketball team on their own turf. | Photo by @jessicaputonti

Horns up, Austin — both the Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams made it into the NCAA tournament. Here’s what to know before the Longhorns hit the courts.

Women’s

Fresh off of winning the Big 12 tournament, Texas’ women’s basketball team is a No. 1 seed and will play against Drexel, a No. 16 seed, to kick off the tournament.

When: Friday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
Where: Moody Center in Austin (get tickets)
- Psst — You can also catch other first- and second-round games at the Moody Center this week.
Watch: ESPNU or stream online

Men’s

Texas Men’s Basketball heads into the tournament as a No. 7 seed, ready to face down either Colorado State or Virginia, two No. 10 seeds that will compete to enter the tournament tonight at 8:10 p.m.

When: Thursday, March 21, at 5:50 p.m.
Where: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina (get tickets)
Watch: TNT or stream online

The Buy

The Buy 3.19.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These men’s memory foam slippers, perfect for increasing comfort + easing foot pressure around the house. We love how they’re 95% cotton with a rubber outsole and machine washable.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

While I missed the amazing overtime win from the San Antonio Spurs versus the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, I did get to catch the Spurs play the Denver Nuggets at the Moody Center on Friday.

Speaking of the NBA and Texas, I used to see former Longhorn Myles Turner play for the Pacers all the time when I lived in Indianapolis. Which Texas basketball players do you follow in the NBA?

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