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🪡 Point in the right direction
Senior Product Editor Morgan is currently working on canvases inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” | Photo by 865today
Needlepoint is having a major comeback moment, as more Americans embrace “analog activities” to replace screen time.
These offline hobbies range from puzzles to scrapbooking, but needlepoint has quickly become one of the biggest standouts. Etsy reports searches for “beginner needlepoint items” are up 208% year-over-year, and social media trends like #WIPWednesday (“Work in Progress Wednesday”) encourage needlepointers to share their latest projects and cheer each other on.
If you’re curious about trying it for yourself in Austin, here are a few easy ways to join the needlepoint resurgence.
Take a beginner-friendly class
The Needle Works in North Austin hosts regular intro classes that include materials and hands-on instruction for $25 per class.
Not ready to commit to a class? Stop by the shop and pick out some beginner-friendly supplies with the help of its staff.
UT Austin will open a School of Computing for the 2026 fall semester. The new school will create 50 new faculty positions and focus on computing and artificial intelligence. (KXAN)
Number
119. That’s how many dogs have been adopted through Austin FC and Austin Pets Alive!'s partnership over the last five years. The honorary Austin FC mascots will continue appearing for the next five seasons, as the two organizations announced that they would extend their partnership.
Seasonal
There are 13 days until the clocks go forward for daylight saving time. That means a few things: spring is on its way, the sun is setting later, and summer will be here before we know it. A picnic awaits — plan out which local park you’d like to frequent for the occasion.
Outdoors
Got a green thumb? This one’s for you. The Old Farmer’s Almanac released its 2026 Last Frost Date Map, and it suggests Austin gardeners can plant right on schedule this year. Pro tip: Pick up some native plants at Shoal Creek Nursery.
A taste of “Wuthering Heights” awaits at a rain-swept private island for sale in the UK. Once owned by the royal family, Ynys Gifftan has no electricity. That won’t be a problem at this recently listed lakefront estate, fit with all the modern amenities one could ever need. (The Times)
Announced
Apple is expected to unveil the newest iPhone + MacBook on Wednesday, March 4. If you’re saving up for the shiny new releases, here’s a tip: Take advantage of Austin’s top free activities to stretch your budget. (Bloomberg)
Travel
The world’s smallest country is making upgrades for visitors. The Vatican is enhancing the experience at St. Peter’s Basilica by expanding terrace access to negate long wait times, and increasing translation offerings. ABIA is the place to start your adventure. (AP News)
Learn
Whether you want to learn a skill from scratch, build a creative habit, or level up in your career — Skillshare has something for everyone. The online learning platform offers classes taught by experts on topics ranging from podcasting, productivity, interior design, and calligraphy. Get started with a one month free trial.*
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Job
Manifesting a new job for 2026? Let us help. Our Job Board has 240,000 active listings across industries like healthcare, education, manufacturing, and information technology. Search open jobs now.
Event Spotlight
This one goes out to runners with a sweet tooth.
Photo by Chase Fleming Photography
There’s a new way to get your steps in and carbo-load at the same time with the inaugural Austin Bakery Run.
A non-competitive 10K spearheaded by GOOD GRiEF Run Club, the event will lead Austinites through local purveyors of baked goods on Sunday, March 22.
Admission costs $35 through a lottery, which you can sign up for until Wednesday, Feb. 25, and benefits nonprofit All For Lunch. Tickets for the winning participants will include the run bib, sweets at participating bakeries, and a gift bag.
The Buy
Chef-curated tasting menus, skyline tours, spa days, and more thanks to unbeatable deals on Groupon. New deals drop daily, so there’s always something new to try. You can even stack deals: book date night now, schedule a deep tissue massage, and still have room in the budget for a weekend brewery tour.
My mother-in-law taught me how to crochet several years ago, and I haven’t looked back since. You can frequently find me in the yarn section at Austin Creative Reuse to stock up on fibers for my WIPs.
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