05.03.2024

Today’s Forecast

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🐐 They’re baaack

The goats are baaack on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

a white goat with brown spots in the sunshine eating leaves off a tree

The Rent-a-Ruminant goats have also made appearances in Houston and San Antonio. | Gif by ATXtoday

The goats are back on the trail. We repeat — the goats are back on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

In partnership with vegetation management company Rent-a-Ruminant, The Trail Conservancy released a herd of 150 goats this week to alleviate poison ivy and invasive plant overgrowth.

Why goats?

A sign reading "Poison ivy alert. Avoid contact." — When in doubt, remember the saying “leaves of three, let it be.”
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Photo by ATXtoday

In short, goats love to eat. Not only are they hungry, they are also surefooted enough to get to hard-to-reach areas and provide an eco-friendly way to clear dense, unwanted brush. Don’t worry — workers monitor and clean up after them.

According to The Trail Conservancy’s Park Operations Director, Grady Reed, the organization manages 110 unmowed acres. The goats not only make it safer by clearing poison ivy, they also help contractors target and control regrowth of invasive plants.

This is not the first time the goats have hit the trail — the Rent-a-Ruminant goats made their ATX debut last July to kick off the pilot program and worked 15 acres.

How can I see the goats?

Goats behind a sign reading "Goats Working." — The goats will have people tidying up after them, so the Trail will stay clean.
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Photo by ATXtoday

The herd will work along the area between I-35 and the Longhorn Dam through Thursday, May 9. After that, Reed said the goats will be back this summer, around August.

It’s important to note that the goats are covered in poison ivy, which doesn’t impact their skin, but it could give you a rash. Coupled with the fact that you’re a stranger to the goats, The Trail Conservancy asks that you don’t touch the goats and watch them from a safe distance.

How can I help The Trail conservancy?

If you like seeing the goats and want to see them come back, you can contribute to funding their visits through the “Adopt a Goat” program for $20-$250 per month. Otherwise, The Trail Conservancy offers 80+ volunteer opportunities.

Events

Friday, May 3

“The Comedy of Errors” | Now-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd., Austin | $15-$25 | Follow the misadventures of two sets of identical twins in this beloved Shakespeare tale.

Saturday, May 4

Family Yoga with ATX Yoga Girl | Saturday, May 4 | 10-10:45 a.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $15 | Grab the kids and your yoga mats for a morning of stretching and connection.
18th Annual Pioneer Day | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Old Settlers Association of Williamson County, 3300 E. Palm Valley Rd., Round Rock | Free | Step back to a simpler time, where you learn how to dip candles, churn butter, make corn husk dolls, and play pioneer games.
“Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” | Saturday, May 4 | Times vary | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - Mueller, 1911 Aldrich St., Ste. #120 , Austin | $20 | See this installment of the iconic franchise re-released on the big screen like it’s the first time.

Sunday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo Rooftop Party | Sunday, May 5 | 12-5 p.m. | Otopia Rooftop, 1901 San Antonio St., Austin | $10 | Enjoy four specialty cocktails from the rooftop pool in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Plan Ahead

21st Maudie’s Moonlight Margarita Run | Wednesday, June 5 | 8-10 p.m. | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $55 | The annual fun run ends with a Tex-Mex-style party and, of course, margaritas.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Active

⛳ Fore — here’s your sign to hit the links this weekend

Following your golf day, stop by stop by Crenshaw’s Bar & Eatery for a post-round drink, relax by the pool, or make an appointment at the spa for a sauna session. | Photo provided by Omni Barton Creek Resort

Feeling inspired after watching The Masters last month? Discover the ultimate golf experience at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, located in the picturesque Austin Hill Country (read: only ~11 miles from downtown Austin).

As one of the top golf resorts in Texas, the resort offers four extraordinary courses that have been recognized by renowned publications such as GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golfweek.

Book a weekend staycation and enjoy exclusive access to the best golf experience in Texas.

Plan your stay

News Notes

Opening

Skyline Park in southeast Austin will host a grand opening party from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, May 4. The new park, 7800 Apogee Blvd., is the biggest green space to open in Austin in 10+ years, featuring 21 acres of trails, a splash pad, playground, and public art. Click here to RSVP.

Development

Yesterday, Austin City Council approved a $9 million contract with an engineering firm to begin planning a three-phase replacement of the Barton Springs Bridge. The bridge no longer fits modern design standards and will cost $37-$43 million to build. (KVUE)

Closed

Madrone Coffee Co., 6266 US 290 W., closed down in mid-April after three years in business. Owners of the building — which has stood since 1898 — are currently looking for a new tenant. (Austin American-Statesman)

Try This

There’s a new bakery pop-up in town. Austin baker Sarah Foremski’s Custard Prison peddles Polish pierogi and paczki, fluffy donuts filled with custard or jam. Custard Prison frequently pops up at Fleet Coffee — follow its Instagram to stay up-to-date on the next one.

Seasonal

Swim season is just around the corner in Austin. Seasonal city pools will begin opening in mid-May to early June (although some are already open) and many are looking to hire lifeguards — learn more.

Biz

Tesla Inc. dissolved its Supercharger team, a move that resulted in the layoffs of 500+ people. It is still unclear how many Austin workers were impacted or if these are part of the 2,700 local layoffs that were recently announced. (Austin Business Journal + KVUE)

Watch

Are you keeping up with Austin chefs Amanda Turner of Olamaie and Kévin D’Andrea of Foliepops on “Top Chef”? You can watch season 21 (available on Peacock) to see them judged by yet another local chef — Kristen Kish of Arlo Grey.

Drink Up

Drink Up Week — our annual celebration of Austin’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming July 22-July 26. If you’re a local business, you’re going to want to get in on the buzz. Be our exclusive presenting sponsor and advertise your brand with us during Drink Up Week.

Sports

Should Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers be an All-Star? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Plan Ahead

The Austin Gamblers recently announced an exclusive ticket deal for the 2024 Gambler Days, presented by Tecovas, happening August 23-25. For one day only on Sunday, May 12, fans can use code 512 to grab 51.2% off regular tickets for the Friday or Sunday performance.*

Culture

Remembering the Frank Erwin Center

Readers’ memories of the Frank Erwin Center

A basketball hoop on the ground in front of a metallic shell of the Frank Erwin Center.

It’s time to say goodbye — the Frank Erwin Center will be gone by the fall. | Photo by ATXtoday

As Austinites get ready to bid the Frank Erwin Center farewell, we were surprised to learn only 3% of readers said they had never visited the Frank Erwin Center in our poll.

We asked you — our readers — to share some of the memories you made while the venue stood. Here’s what you said.

Aside from thousands of graduation events and basketball games, the center was home to a lot of first concerts. Meredith said she saw Hannah Montana there, while Leslie said she saw The Backstreet Boys in fifth grade.

Larry’s first event there was the Harlem Globe Trotters in 1977 — the year the Frank Erwin Center opened. Casey said he saw Ozzy Osbourne play with Metallica, White Snake, and ZZ Top.

Tristen said she met Taylor Swift at the Frank Erwin Center, and Isaac saw Rush for his first concert.

Suffice to say, the Frank Erwin Center will not be forgotten.

The Buy

Ingredients for a perfect margarita. Try the Simple Times Mizers Margarita Bundle to get a taste of something new, like the Strawberry Safe mix.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

Do we have any mahjong players in the audience? I don’t mean to invite myself, but I’d love to sit in on a game sometime. I don’t know the rules but I’m a fast learner, and I’m a big fan of strategy games. Shoot me an invitation if you feel so inclined.

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