April 18, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

🌧️ Gaining while it’s raining

The Austin skyline as seen from a hill at Zilker Botanical Garden

Soak in Austin skyline views at Zilker Botanical Garden. | Photo by @tanodddot

We’re in the thick of the rainy season, Austin.

If you thought April was off to a wet start, prepare yourselves — on average, May and June are even wetter.

There’s a way to make use of some of that extra rain, promote sustainable water practices, and save money on your next water bill. Let’s break it down.

Rainwater harvesting explained

Building a rainwater harvesting system is an easy way to provide non-potable water for your plants. The best part: after some small start-up costs, it’s free, and we love free.

The system collects water off non-permeable surfaces like your roof and funnels it into a storage chamber, like a rain barrel or cistern, to be used when rain isn’t in the forecast — i.e. this summer.

A general rule of thumb: one inch of rainfall produces about a half gallon for every square foot of roof.

FTW-rainwater-collection — Rainwater harvesting supplies non-potable water for happy plants + gardens.
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Photo courtesy of Canva

What’s wrong with using my sprinkler?

Nothing, as long as your sprinkler is functioning properly and you’re following local regulations.

Austinites are currently under Stage 2 drought restrictions, meaning residential properties can water their lawns with hose-end sprinklers or automatic one day per week, within certain hours of the day.

Meanwhile, the Texas Tax Code allows property tax exemptions for conservation initiatives like rainwater harvesting systems, and Texas Property Code protects them in residential zones.

How do I get started?

Find rainwater harvesting resources, tips, and best practices from:

Asked

Do you have a rainwater harvesting system?

A. Yes
B. No
C. No, but now I want one

Let your thoughts reign

Events

Thursday, April 18

Pup Crawl | Now-Sunday, April 28 | 9 a.m. | MUTTS Canine Cantina, 825 N. Lake Creek Pkwy., Austin | $25 | Grab a “pawsport” and your pup to drink your way through town and raise money for the Austin Humane Society.
Indie Meme Film Festival | Now-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Austin Film Society, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin | $70-$200 | South Asian cinema and Q+As take the spotlight at events and screenings.
SFC 15th Annual Farm to Plate | Thursday, April 18 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Springdale Station, 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. #160, Austin | $425+ | Enjoy a delicious meal made by prominent local chefs in support of the Sustainable Food Center.

Friday, April 19

Main Course: Stand Up Comedy | Friday, April 19 | 10-11:45 p.m. | Vulcan Gas Company, 418 E. 6th St., Austin | $25-$30 | Laugh along to a secret lineup of Netflix, HBO, Comedy Central, and Showtime-featured comedians.

Saturday, April 20

Preservation Austin: Homes Tour 2024 | Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Multiple locations | $50-$125 | Tour 10 charming homes that span a century of architecture, history, and culture in Bat City.
“A Year With Frog and Toad” | Now-Sunday, May 12 | 2-3 p.m. | ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $22-$38 | Kiddos will love this performance based on the beloved Arnold Lobel book.

Sunday, April 21

Harp Yoga Sundays | Sunday, April 21 | 8:45 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd., Austin | $10 | Find your zen with gentle yoga set to live harp melodies.
Barre in the Park with Barre3 Austin & Meanwhile Brewing | Sunday, April 21 | 9 a.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Enjoy a guided barre class, followed by a craft brew.

Events calendar here

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Wellness

Snag a Texas medical cannabis prescription in 3 simple steps

three members of the Texas Original team stand in a grow house surrounded by plants

Unlike hemp-derived products you can find at the corner store, Texas Original’s medical-grade cannabis products are specially formulated based on results from clinical trials and must pass through rigorous testing requirements to ensure quality, purity, and consistency batch after batch. | Photo courtesy of Texas Original

Did you know Austinites can receive medical marijuana for 150+ qualifying conditions?

Texas Original, the state’s leading medical cannabis dispensary, makes the process easy. Here’s how:

Fill out this form to connect to a doctor.
Meet with the doctor.
Fill your prescription at Texas Original.

Texas Original has two Austin locations to make getting your prescription easy. Peep the state’s first RSO medical cannabis line featuring an RSO tincture, chocolates, and gummies.^†

Get started

†Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Texas Original advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by ATXtoday.

News Notes

Weather

Everyone is buzzing about the heat + humidity, especially mosquitoes. The Central Texas forecast shows dewpoints in the 60s and 70s through Saturday — coupled with temps in the 80s and 90s — a perfect storm for mosquitoes to breed. Now is a good time to drain any standing water around your home. (KVUE)

Development

Taylor Economic Development Corporation has granted $325,000 to mixed-use developments revitalizing Taylor’s downtown area. Those include Talbot Commons, an 11-room boutique hotel in a former church, and The Pharmacy, a 124-year-old building where a coffee shop will debut next month. (Austin American-Statesman)

Community

Travis County Parks and the Colorado River Alliance need volunteers for the first-ever Spring Cleanup this Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteers will remove litter across seven county parks — including Webberville and Barkley Meadows — and help keep critical waterways clean for downstream communities.

Coming Soon

The Zilker Eagle miniature train is chugging full steam ahead. Workers recently tested the train, checking its bells and whistles. The attraction replaces Zilker Park’s Zilker Zephyr, which stopped service five years ago. The opening date has not yet been announced but when it is, we’ve got choo. (Austin American-Statesman)

Plan Ahead

Hit the links — Golf ATX will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Hancock Golf Course on Saturday, May 11, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., with the unveiling of a historical sign and a tournament. Founded in 1899 by former Austin Mayor Lewis Hancock, it’s the oldest continuously operated golf course in Texas.

Festival

Mohawk will host its second annual Big Dumb Fest on Saturday, June 1 with a sizzlin’ lineup. We spy live music by Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, Die Spitz, Mugger + Bosh, plus food vendors like Bad Larry Burger Club and Chilly’s Philly’s. Get tickets; the fest is all-ages.

Arts

There will be a new exhibition at The Gallery at Austin Central Library Thursday, May 2-Tuesday, July 16. “Gnortsmra” by UT-Austin alum Yamin Li features colorful paintings filled with playful shapes representing the artist’s life and perspective as an immigrant from Suzhou, China.

Try This

Know a budding filmmaker? The Austin Film Society (AFS) is now accepting applications for its annual 2024 AFS Grant for Feature Films. Applications will be accepted through June 6 for narrative and feature-length projects longer than 40 minutes.

Sports

Jack Leiter will make his MLB debut today for the Texas Rangers against the Detroit Tigers, but what can the team expect from the top prospect? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

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Finance

The minimum investment for a financial advisor

Man wearing blue shirt and green jacket sits on bench, facing camera

Considering hiring a financial advisor? Here’s what you need to know beforehand. | Photo provided by SmartAsset

A financial advisor could help you best determine if you’re on track to meet your long-term financial goals. This expert could help you establish a plan that factors your assets and taxes into your overall retirement and estate-planning goals.

How much money should you have before hiring a financial advisor? Find out the level of liquid assets at which an advisor’s benefits potentially outweigh the costs.

Learn more

The Buy

Four neutral throw pillow covers, all for $24.99. We love: The price point + how you can choose which neutral tones best suit your living space — gold-neutral, cream-neutral, or navy-neutral.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

Good morning, Austin. My name is Monica, I’m a senior national content editor with 6AM City, happily working with my friends Figi + London for a few days this week.

Although there are many local events happening this weekend, Preservation Austin’s 2024 Homes Tour for sure caught my eye. The tour will feature 10 homes spanning a century of local architecture, culture, and history, and proceeds will benefit the organization’s ongoing mission to preserve important local spaces. What’s not to love?

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