South Central Austin Edition | February 2026

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South Central Austin Edition VOLUME 18, ISSUE 11 MARCH 330, 2026

2026 Camp Guide

'All Together Now': SXSW reimagines festival for 40th season

Actors Chloe Fineman, Sam Morelos and Matt Cornett attended the premiere of “Summer of 69.”

Nigerian singer and rapper Rema performed at the Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase on March 14, 2025.

The opening session in 2025 featured a conversation between authors Kasley Killam (pictured) and Amy Gallo.

PHOTOS COURTESY SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE & FESTIVALS

the runtime of the festival and relocating, as the Austin Convention Center closed for redevelopment until 2029. For its 40th iteration, the festival's theme is "All Together Now." One of the aspects this theme represents is the fact that Music, Film & TV, and Innovation will take place during the same sev- en-day period for the rst time. From March 12-18, Austin will still host thousands of musicians, lmmakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and art lovers amid the changes.

BY SIENNA WIGHT

Also in this issue

As Austin celebrates the 40th year of South by Southwest Conference & Festivals, the event that began with just 150 anticipated attendees in March of 1987 has grown into one of the festival industry’s most inuential events. The festival has undergone many changes over the years, with 1994 marking the rst year lm and media were added to the festival and 2025 marking the rst SXSW London, according to the SXSW website. Last year, SXSW made headlines for decreasing

Government Austin ocials pass surveillance guidelines (Page 8)

Education Learn why Austin ISD was released from a state oversight order (Page 12) Business Read how Abby’s Learning Center supports neurodiverse children (Page 19)

CONTINUED ON 10

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Get Moving This Heart Health Month Getting outside and moving your body can support heart health and overall well-being. Our network of Shared Use Paths makes it easy for our commuters to stay active, no matter how you choose to move. Learn more at www.MobilityAuthority.com/Shared-Use-Paths

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Community Roots: Founded in 2005 by John and Jennifer Garrett, we remain a locally owned business today. Texas-Wide Reach: We deliver trusted news to 75+ communities across the Austin, Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metros.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Katlynn Fox Dacia Garcia Manuel Holguin Jr. Haley McLeod Michael Milliorn Hannah Norton Daniel Schwalm Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Joel Valley Gracie Warhurst Sienna Wight Chloe Young Graphic Designers Abbey Eckhardt Alissa Foss Abigail Jones Sabrina Musachia

Krista Box General Manager kbox@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Product Manager Gloria Amareth Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara Austin Market President Travis Baker

Elle Bent Editor ebent@ communityimpact.com

Gail Watson Account Executive gwatson@ communityimpact.com

16225 Impact Way, Pugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases scanews@communityimpact.com Advertising scaads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

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Impacts

• Opening in March • 51 Rainey St., Ste. 140A, Austin • Instagram: kinshoaustin

MOPAC

MUELLER BLVD.

W. 6TH ST.

4 Jo’s Coffee The local coffee shop will open its newest location in the Procure Tower in downtown Austin. Jo’s was founded in 1999 and offers a its own blend of La Colombe Coffee. • Opening in March • 221 W. Sixth St., Austin • www.joscoffee.com 5 Laura Rathe Fine Art Gallery The contemporary art gallery, with locations in Houston and Dallas, will open in downtown Austin. The gallery is owned by Laura Rathe, while Nicole Donaldson will serve as the director and Dawn Ohmer as associate director. • Opening March 28

NECHES ST.

E. 11TH ST.

ROSEWOOD AVE.

BARTON SPRINGS RD.

183

MOPAC

E. RIVERSIDE DR.

• 907 W. Fifth St., Austin • www.laurarathe.com

6 Honest Mary’s Honest Mary’s, an Austin-based build-your-own-bowl- style restaurant, will open a location in the Seaholm District. A spokesperson for the restaurant said a firm

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date is not yet ready. • Opening spring 2026 • 222 West Ave., Ste. 120, Austin • www.honestmarys.com

MAP NOT TO SCALE

South Central Austin

Mueller. The business serves coffee and cold brew alongside hot and iced espresso and tea beverages like lattes, cappuccinos and matcha lattes. Current specialty drinks include the bourbon cream cold foam, strawberry cheesecake cold foam and cereal milk cold brew. • Opened Feb. 14 • 1900 Aldrich St., Ste. 100, Austin • www.meritcoffee.com

7 Tiny Grocer The local specialty grocery store from Steph Steele will open its third location in East Austin, replacing what was once Longhorn Meat Market. To honor the previous business, this new location will focus on meats, offer barbecue and bake bread in-house. • Opening in 2026 • 2411 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin • www.tinygrocer.com

Now open

1 Two Goose The family-owned and operated barbecue restaurant offers Texas barbecue. The name is a nod to founder Aaron Aday’s two daughters, who are affectionately

Coming soon

called “gooses.” • Opened Dec. 3

• 706 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.twogoosemarket.com

3 Kinsho Nick Ford and Wade McElroy of Rocco’s Italian will open a neighborhood sushi bar off Rainey Street, the first-ever dedicated sushi restaurant on the street. Kinsho will offer an a la carte menu, as well as an omakase option.

Relocations

8 Half Price Books The bookstore is closing its South Lamar location which

2 Merit Coffee Merit Coffee opened its fourth Austin coffee shop at

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Now open

Expansions

9 Kendra Scott Individuals flying out and into Austin now have an additional store to browse while they await their flight with Austin-based lifestyle brand Kendra Scott is now selling products out of its first airport location. • Opened Jan. 9 • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, 3600

11 Oria Oria, a new Mediterranean restaurant, is slated to open to diners off Barton Springs Road in late February. The restaurant specializes in charcoal- and wood-fired cooking inspired by flavors from the Eastern Mediterranean and Southern Europe, including bright acidity, bold spices and fire- forward cooking techniques. • Opening Feb. 27 • 1530 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.oriarestaurants.com

13 Noble Joe Coffee Co. The coffee shop is moving into a 1970s-style trolley that is about double the size of its current tiny home. The new 30-foot coffee trolley will support a second espresso machine. • Expanding in early March • 1620 E. Riverside Drive, Austin • www.noblejoe.co

Presidential Blvd., Austin • www.kendrascott.com

14 Pho Please The local Vietnamese eatery celebrated 10 years of serving vermicelli, banh mis, pho and bao buns in late January. • 1920 E. Riverside Drive, Ste. D140, Austin • www.phopleaseaustin.com 15 St. David’s Emergency Center St. David’s HealthCare acquired ownership of six Austin Emergency Center locations Feb. 1, including a center off South Lamar. The new centers are staffed with nurses trained in emergency care and board-certified,

can be found at 2929 S. Lamar Blvd., and is relocating all of its inventory to a new location opening on South First Street. • Relocation in spring • 2607 S. First St., Austin • www.hpb.com

• 2324 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • www.almostrealthings.com

12 Blackshear Elementary The Blackshear Elementary School community celebrated the school’s 135th anniversary on Feb. 13. The historic campus is Austin ISD’s first fine arts elementary school in which students participate in dance, theatre and music programming twice a week. The area once served as a freedom colony settled by formerly enslaved people amid the Jim Crow and Reconstruction eras following emancipation in Texas. • 1712 E. 11th St., Austin • www.austinisd.org

In the news

10 Almost Real Things East Austin-based arts organization Almost Real Things, or ART, celebrated its 10th anniversary in January. The studio and gallery aims to help artists access community, elevate their work and contribute to Austin’s culture, said Natalie Earhart, ART founder and editor-in-chief, in an email.

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

Austin surveillance guidelines passed Austin leaders adopted new policies for the city’s use of surveillance technologies in response to concerns about such systems, including a proposed parks security contract that was once again put on hold. The setup A $2 million contract for security trailers to be placed around parkland was up for City Council authorization both last summer and on Feb. 5, but was withdrawn from consider- ation both times after pushback. In response to public concerns—and previ- ous debates over privacy and data collection related to police license plate readers— council also passed a new civic surveillance technology use policy from Mayor Pro Tem Chito Vela Feb. 5.

Austin’s social service ‘reset’ continues Funding for Austin’s social service programs is in line for further cuts, and the city is now evaluating how to both reduce portions of its tens of millions of dollars in annual spending. The setup Increased investments in social services like homelessness response, public health program- ming, violence interruption and resident assis- tance were proposed last year in the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Most added funding was stripped away in a budget rewrite after voters rejected a tax increase under Proposition Q. Further cuts are now on the horizon as Austin works toward what several officials have called a social services “reset.” The approach Dozens of social service contracts totaling

Social service funding More than $74 million is currently budgeted for social service programs in fiscal year 2025-26.

Violence prevention: $2.4M Workforce development: $2.7M Health equity, HIV services, community planning: $4.4M Basic needs: $5.8M Children and youth support: $9.2M Crisis response and behavioral health: $14.8M Homelessness: $34.9M

NOTE: TOTALS ARE ROUNDED SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

tens of millions of dollars are being reviewed to streamline or remove some programming with limited disruption. The multipart assessment already invento- ried nearly 170 past contracts worth more than $200 million. In FY 2025-26 alone, more than $74 million is reserved for social services. Staff will share possible next steps in the spring ahead of final budget adoption in the summer.

$700M bond outlined; council weighs 2026 vote A November $700 million bond package to fund mobility, watershed protection, parks and public facility projects has been recommended by city staff. The details Austin City Council voted to develop a new

2026 bond recommendation City staff proposed an initial $700 million projects list for a 2026 bond.

The initial outline released Jan. 21 doesn’t represent Austin’s final 2026 bond—if an election is even called this year. The task force will also weigh in with its own project proposals this spring before City Council makes a final decision in the summer. The new list cuts down last year’s $3.87 billion needs assessment from city departments. Given Austin’s current debt capacity, staff said a potential 2026 bond should be capped at $700 million.

Fire/EMS: $29M Community facilities*: $58M Police: $62M Parks and Recreation: $140M Watershed Protection: $160M Transportation: $251M

bond with climate-centered elements in 2024. City departments and the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force have handled that work since then.

*ANIMAL SERVICES CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS, LIBRARY RENOVATION, FLEET PROPERTY ACQUISITION, NEW HOMELESS SHELTER SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Transportation

BY SIENNA WIGHT

South by Southwest leads to road closures downtown in March

March 9-20

1 Congress Avenue from West Seventh Street to West Tenth Street

2 Ninth Street from Colorado Street to Brazos Street

800 CONGRESS: FILM & TV CLUBHOUSE

DOWNRIGHT: MUSIC CLUBHOUSE

3 West Fourth Street from Colorado to Congress 4 East Fourth from Brazos to San Jacinto Boulevard March 9-22

BRAZOS HALL: INNOVATION CLUBHOUSE

5 Red River Street from East Fifth to East Tenth

6 East Tenth from Red River to South I-35 frontage road 7 East Ninth Street from Red River to South I-35 frontage road

MEDINA ST.

8 Sabine Street from East Fifth to East Seventh

SABINE ST.

ATTAYAC ST.

10 Attayac Street from East Sixth to Seventh 11 Onion Street from East Sixth to East Seventh 9 Medina Street from East Sixth Street to East Seventh

LADY BIRD LAKE

ONION ST.

SOURCE: AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

'All Together Now': SXSW reimagines festival for 40th season From the cover

SXSW Clubhouses

The Austin Convention Center will be undergoing construction, so organizers of the South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals selected three central clubhouses in downtown Austin to host different parts of the event.

At a glance

The Austin Convention Center has served as the central hub for SXSW since 1993. Due to construction at the convention center, this year’s festival will operate around three central hubs, or clubhouses, for Music, Film & TV, and Innovation. Most events will be held near their respective clubhouses for easier navigation. Chief Commercial Officer at SXSW Peter Lewis said festival staff expect foot traffic in the area to increase visibility for local businesses and immerse festivalgoers in the heart of Austin. “We want to make it very walkable, very approachable, very friendly,” Lewis said. “[We want] to make sure that we’re building a sense of community and trying to create, truly, a village.” The convention center is undergoing redevelopment to increase capacity and revitalize the southeast area of downtown. The expansion is expected to increase the center’s annual economic impact to $750 million. The convention center is on track to reopen in the spring of 2029, according to a city official.

1 Downright • Music clubhouse • 701 E. 11th St., Austin

TEXAS CAPITOL

2 800 Congress • Film & TV clubhouse • 800 Congress Ave., Austin

3 Brazos Hall • Innovation clubhouse • 204 E. Fourth St., Austin

LADY BIRD LAKE

SOURCE: SXSW/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s new

Bureau, in charge of marketing Austin as a premier international destination, according to the bureau’s website. Tiffany Kerr, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, said she is encouraged by the clubhouse setup. “What I love about SXSW is how the city becomes a canvas and how a visitor can really see the true character of all of our different diverse neighborhoods,” Kerr said.

no matter when you’re here in Austin,” Lewis said. While the festival timeline is condensed, Lewis said they anticipate a similar number of sessions, foot traffic and economic impact as in previous years. “[It’s] going to add a lot of vibrancy and activ- ity,” he said. “So we’re expecting a very active environment for SXSW for 2026.” Visit Austin, the city’s Convention and Visitor’s

For the first time, all three segments of the festival will take place during the same seven-day period. This year’s theme, “All Together Now,” not only reflects the timeline but also captures the essence of what organizers want to cultivate: bringing people together, Lewis said. “We wanted to create the opportunity for all registrants to have the best South-by ever, in the sense that you can truly experience everything …

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BY SIENNA WIGHT

2024 SXSW economic impact The economic impact report shows South by Southwest’s greater impact on Austin.

By the numbers

40 years of history

Roland Swenson, Louis Jay Meyers, Louis Black and Nick Barbaro started SXSW in 1987. Just four years before Austin was named the Live Music Capital of the World, 177 artists, and 700 attendees and organizers gathered to witness the first of many iterations. Since 1987, SXSW has highlighted local artists, including Austin-based singer, song- writer and rapper SaulPaul. He has played SXSW as a showcasing artist several times.

In 2024, the festival generated over $370 million toward the city’s economy. SXSW officials break this down into three components: atten- dance impact, operational impact and partner impact in an economic impact report. SXSW works with local hotels to offer lower rates to those who book their stay directly through their website. In 2024, these bookings resulted in $2.3 million in hotel occupancy tax revenue. HOT revenue helps to promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry in Austin, according to city documents. When comparing the period of March 6-15 of 2024 and 2025, visitor spending was up 1.3%, and restaurant spending was up 14%, according to Kerr. “It’s really encouraging,” she said. “It shows the steadiness of SXSW and makes me look forward to 2026.”

Attendance impact: represents the contributions that

Total impact: $377.3M

attendees, performers and business leaders make to local businesses during their time in Austin Operational impact: organizers spend money year-round on things such as equipment rental and employee salaries, making up the operational impact Partner impact: represents the events, marketing and brand presence of SXSW partners

$217.8M

“Being able to perform for a global audience right here in my hometown, that’s such a great opportunity,” SAULPAUL, LOCAL MUSICIAN

$98.5M

NOTE: SXSW HAS NOT RELEASED THE ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT FOR 2025 AS OF PRESS TIME. SOURCE: SXSW/COMMUNITY IMPACT

$61M

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Education

BY ELLE BENT & CHLOE YOUNG

Austin ISD released from state oversight order Austin ISD has completed all requirements under an agreement with the Texas Education Agency after three years of work on improving special education services, meaning the district has been released from state oversight. What happened In September 2023, AISD ocials accepted a pro- posal from the TEA for a state-appointed monitor. This followed the TEA notifying AISD in March 2023 that it would seek to implement a conservatorship due to the ndings of an investigation of the district’s special education evaluations. District ocials highlighted the following accomplishments over the past three years on Feb. 17: • Completed over 10,000 evaluations and meetings • Grown the special education team by more

AISD prepares for potential rezoning

Brooke Elementary School site sold At a Jan. 29 meeting, the AISD board approved selling of the former Brooke Elementary site, which closed in 2020, to Trammell Crow Company and High Street. The details The development is slated to serve as a multifamily apartment complex with market-rate and aordable units above ground-oor retail, an AISD spokesperson told Community Impact.

TEA approves 22 of 24 turnaround plans The Texas Education Agency has approved turnaround plans for 22 out of 24 low-performing Austin ISD campuses. The update The agency has requested additional details for the two remaining campuses— Widén Elementary and Winn Montessori. AISD anticipates receiving approval for these campuses. Next steps Next school year, the district plans to close seven of these campuses, restart ve campuses and implement school improve- ment plans at the remaining 12 schools. The district is aiming to have less than 15 F-rated campuses in 2026 and eliminate all F ratings by 2029.

Enrollment in Austin ISD Austin ISD has been working to eliminate thousands of vacant seats as its enrollment declines.

100K

-13%

The AISD board could vote to close more schools and rezone thousands of students this fall. What happened In early November, the district walked back on an initial proposal to close Palm, Bryker Woods and Maplewood elementaries. AISD changed course after community members shared concerns about some district leaders in charge of applying community feedback to the school consolidation plan. In late January, Superintendent Matias Segura said the district had concluded an internal inves- tigation, which determined “that the integrity of the process was maintained throughout the entire process.” Current situation The district now plans to resume work and

80K

60K

Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura holds up a letter from the Texas Education Agency on Feb. 17.

40K

ELLE BENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

20K

than 250 specialized providers and evaluators, and provided 120,000 hours of professional learning • Launched a new digital management platform to organize reporting of each child’s service • Hosted over 100 family engagement sessions Current situation District ocials said during the news con- ference that “sustainability” and “maintaining momentum” is the goal as they move ahead.

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Brooke Elementary School site

community engagement around potential bound- ary changes this spring before deciding in October whether to rezone or close additional campuses in the 2027-28 school year, according to AISD information.

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Community

Camp Guide

2026

ATX Kids Club Type: day Ages: 4-13 Dates: May 26-Aug. 14 Cost: $500 per session; financial aid available • Various pickup/drop-off locations: 5201 Berkman Drive, Austin; 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin; 6710 Arroyo Seco, Austin; 6001 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.atxkidsclub.org Austin Film Festival’s Summer Film Camp & Teen Workshops Type: arts (film) Ages: 9-18

Idea Lab Kids Type: STEM Ages: 5-13 Dates: all summer Costs: $445 per week • 8620 Burnet Road, Austin • https://idealabkids.com/location/austin

five day sessions) Cost: $325-$650 per week; an additional charge of $12 will be added to your camp registration fee for camp T-shirts (billed separately) • Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin • www.austinyouthfitness.com/summercamps Badgerdog Creative Writing Camp Type: arts Ages: 7-18 Dates: June 1-July 29; two and three week sessions Cost: $250-$595 per session • Multiple locations across Austin & Round Rock • https://austinlibrary.org/badgerdog

Jump! Gymnastics Type: sports Ages: 3-10 (must be potty-trained) Dates: June 1-Aug. 14 Costs: $355-$545 per session • 2117 W. Anderson Lane, Austin; 10910 Domain Drive, Austin • www.jumpgymnastics.com/campjump

Dates: June 1-July 24; weekly sessions Cost: $275 per half day, $495 per full day • First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity St., Austin • www.austinfilmfestival.com/SFC

Camp Latinitas Type: education Ages: 9-14 Dates: June 8-July 17; weekly sessions

KidsActing Studio Type: arts, theater Ages: 5-16

Cost: not provided • Southeast Austin • www.latinitasonline.org

Austin Parks and Recreation summer camps Type: arts, day, sports Ages: 5-15 Dates: June 8-Aug. 12 Costs: Varied • Various locations citywide • www.austintexas.gov/department/summer-camps-0

Dates: May 25-Aug. 14 Cost: $425 per session • Balance Dance Studios, 4544 S. Lamar, Austin • www.kidsactingstudio.com

Club SciKidz Type: education Ages: 4-15 Dates: June-July Cost: $425 per week • 4700 Grover Ave., Austin; 11819 S. I-35 Frontage Road South, Austin • http://austin.clubscikidz.com

Mad Science Camps Type: academic Ages: 5-12 Dates: May 26-Aug. 14 Cost: $240-$390 per session • 1314 Exposition Blvd, Austin • www.austin.madscience.org

Austin Playhouse Theatre Camps Type: arts Ages: 6-12 Dates: June 8-July 24 Costs: $305-$315 per week • 405 W. 22nd St., Austin • www.austinplayhouse.com/camps

Crux Climbing Center Spring and Summer Camps Type: enrichment, sports

CONTINUED ON 16

Austin Youth Fitness Type: sports Ages: 4-11 years old, option for middle schoolers to join as junior coaches Dates: June 1-Aug. 14 (sessions are separated into 10

Ages: 6-9 years old; 9-12 years old; varies by session Dates: Spring, March 16-20; Summer: June 2-Aug. 1; weekly sessions; varies by age group Cost: $325-$425 per week • 6015 Dillard Circle, Unit B, Austin • www.cruxclimbingcenter.com/central-austin/crux- crushers-camp

Summer Camp Join us for an unforgettable summer where friendships bloom, laughter echoes, and memories are made doing gymnastics and going on Field trips. Join Now Star Center

Minds that think • Hearts that love Hands that help Now enrolling for 2026-2027 school year and summer program Ages 2 - Transitional Kindergarten Located in Central Austin 209 W. 27th St

Scan to learn more

www.austinstarcenter.com 512-280-8532 3100 W. Slaughter Ln. Suite B

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

All Saints’ Episcopal Day School Type: education Ages: 3-6 Dates: May 26-July 17; two-week-long sessions Cost: $700-$770 per session

• 209 W. 27th St., Austin • www.allsaintseds.org

Girlstart Summer Camp Type: academic, day, STEM Grades: fourth through eighth Dates: June 1-July 31, weekly sessions Costs: $450 per session

• 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.girlstart.org

l m

l i

WEEK-LONG SESSIONS JUNE 1 - JULY 24, 2026

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER: VISIT AUSTINFILMFESTIVAL.COM/SFC OR CALL 512-478-4795

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Community

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Sportball Type: sports Ages: 3-9

CONTINUED FROM 15

Mariposas Spanish Immersion Summer Camp Type: language, Spanish camp Ages: 3-8 (9-plus can apply as assistants)

Dates: May 26-Aug. 14; varies by session Cost: $240-$300 per week, varies by camp • Address varies by camp • www.sportball.com

Dates: May 26-29, June 1-5 Cost: $345-$375 per week • 300 Huntland Drive, Austin • www.mariposasspanish.com

St. Austin Summer Camp Type: academic, arts, day, sports Ages: 5-12 Dates: June 1-July 31 Cost: $225-$450 per week • 2026 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.staustinschool.org

H-E-B FREE FIRST SUNDAY AT THE BULLOCK Enjoy FREE exhibit admission and family-friendly activities on the first Sunday of every month. See what’s coming up! THE STORY OF TEXAS .COM/CALENDAR School of Design and Creative Technologies at UT Type: video game development, product design, animation, printmaking, immersive media, art, technology Grades: eighth through 12th Dates: varies by camp Cost: $700-$800, varies by camp • Address varies by camp, locations on UT Austin campus • www.designcreativetech.utexas.edu Snapology Type: education, STEM Ages: 5-14 Dates: May 26-Aug. 21 Cost: $475 per week; $150 per week for extended care until 5:30 p.m. • 1910 Fort View Road, Austin; 7817 La Crosse Ave., Austin • https://tinyurl.com/SnapAUS Neuron Garage Type: academics, day, STEAM Ages: 5-12 Dates: vary by location: Central Austin, June 1-July 31; South Austin, June 1-July 17 Cost: $425-$455 weekly, $95 extra per week for extended hours until 5:30 p.m. • Central Austin: 300 E. Huntland Drive, Austin; South Austin: 6215 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.neurongarage.com NextGen Law TX Type: academics (law, public speaking, debate) Grades: rising ninth through 12th Dates: June 15-July 24; weekly sessions Cost: $695 per session • St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.nextgenlawtx.com

UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum Type: arts, day, indoor, nature, outdoor Ages: 5-10 Dates: June 8–26 and July 6–24; weekly sessions Cost: $425 per session • 605 Azie Morton Road, Austin • www.umlaufsculpture.org/summercamp UTeach Outreach at UT Austin Type: day, education Grades: third through 12th Dates: June 1-July 31 Cost: $649-$2,700 per week • 103 W. 24th St., Austin • https://outreach.uteach.utexas.edu/camps Thinkery Camps Type: education, STEAM Grades: rising grades K-1 through rising grades 2-3 Dates: June 1- Aug. 14 Cost: $385 (weekly member price), $425 (weekly standard price) • Thinkery Meredith Learning Lab, 1830 Simond Ave., Austin • www.thinkeryaustin.org/camp Waterloo Swim School Type: half-day, sports Ages: 5-11 (Swim Safety Camp), 9-14 (Water Polo Camp, Sharks and Mermaids Camp)

UT Radio-Television-Film Media Camps Type: arts, education Ages: varies by camp Dates: June 1-Aug. 7 Cost: $315-$1,250 per session; varies by camp

• 2504-A Whitis Ave., Austin • www.rtf.utexas.edu/camps

• 3200 W. Anderson Lane, Austin • www.waterlooswimming.com/swim-school-programs/ summer-camp

Zach Theater Type: arts Ages: 3.5-17 Dates: June 1-Aug. 14

Cost: $290-$485 per session; scholarships available • 1510 Toomey Road, Austin; 14010 U.S.-183, Ste. 540, Cedar Park • www.zachtheater.org/education/camps-classes

This list is not comprehensive.

Dates: June 1-July 31 Costs: $220 per week

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

State

BY HANNAH NORTON

Texas families can apply to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling from Feb. 4-March 17 under the state’s new education savings account program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Ahead of the 2026-27 school year, most families accepted into the $1 billion program will receive $10,474 per student to spend on private education and related expenses. Students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually, while homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year. Over 1,000 private schools and pre-K providers, many of which are located in and around Texas’ largest cities, will participate in the program, according to the state comptroller’s office. ESA applications open in February

Approved Texas private schools As of Jan. 14, 1,014 private schools had been approved to accept education savings accounts. Texas has over 1,300 accredited private schools.

What to expect

If demand for the education savings account program exceeds the $1 billion available, the comptroller’s office will use a lottery system to determine acceptance, with priority for students with disabilities and low-income families. To be eligible for the program, a student must: • Reside in Texas • Be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident • Be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program Students must be enrolled in a pre-K program or private school to receive the $10,474 in private education funding, according to the program website. This means that some families may need to apply to private schools before they are accepted into the ESA program.

1 Houston area: 297 2 Dallas-Fort Worth area: 262 3 San Antonio area: 134

7 Rio Grande Valley: 46 8 Central Texas: 30

9 West Texas: 27 10 El Paso area: 12 11 North Texas: 11 12 Panhandle: 9

4 Austin area: 89 5 East Texas: 49 6 South Texas: 48

Community Impact coverage areas

THE COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE PERIODICALLY UPDATES ITS DATABASE AS ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM.

SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE AND TEXAS PRIVATE SCHOOL ACCREDITATION COMMISSION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Events

BY DACIA GARCIA

South by Southwest Conference and Festivals The Austin staple is returning in March with a variety of music performances and lm and TV showcases.

March

It’s My Park Day Austin Parks Foundation will host its biannual event where volunteers can do work such as tree mulching, planting, invasive plant removal and more. • March 7 • Free • Locations vary • www.austinparks.org Texas Wildlife Day Attendees will participate in hands-on activities led by local nature groups and the museum’s education team. • March 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free, with purchase of $10 museum admission • 2400 Trinity St., Austin • www.sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/events/texas-wildlife- day SXSW EDU: Wikicurious Community members can learn how to edit Wikipedia and Wikimedia platforms. • March 9, 1-5 p.m. • Free, registration encouraged • Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • https://library.austintexas.gov

• March 12-18 • $745-$1,865 • Venues vary based on speciic festival event • www.sxsw.com

'Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends' The Paramount Theatre will present the musical which features Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck and Ada Twist. The show highlights a STEM curriculum and is best for children ages ve and up. • March 29, 1 p.m. (doors open) and 4:30 p.m. (doors open) • $20-$37 • The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin • www.austintheatre.org Sensory Morning: Trains at the Bullock Families can explore all three oors of galleries in a low- sensory experience. Attendees can also take a look at a life-size Texas model train. • March 14, 9-11 a.m. • $10 per household, free for museum members • Bullock Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin • www.thestoryoftexas.com

Rodeo Austin Community members can plan to attend the event’s ProRodeo or live music performances featuring bull riding, barrel racing, mutton bustin’, team roping and more. Performers include Eli Young Band, Midland and William Clark Green.

• March 13-28 • $30 and up • 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin • www.rodeoaustin.com

MOPAC SOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY PUBLIC HEARING

IN-PERSON: Bowie High School Cafeteria 4103 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78749 Tues., Mar. 24, 2026, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. VIRTUAL: ph.mopacsouth.com Monday, Mar. 9, 2026 at 5 p.m. through Sun., May 3, 2026 We need your input Official comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted via:  In Writing at the In-Person Public Hearing  By Mail: CTRMA, c/o MoPac South 3300 N. IH-35, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78705  By Email: mopacsouth@ctrma.org  Online: ph.mopacsouth.com  Voicemail (3 minutes): 512-387-5811

Join us for a Public Hearing

The Mopac South Project proposes the addition of express lanes along MoPac Expressway from Cesar Chavez St. to Slaughter Ln. Information about the draft Environmental Assessment will be available for public review and comment, as well as project history, status, and next steps. The draft Environmental Assessment is available now for early review at www.mopacsouth.com. In compliance with Section 4(f) of the Highway Act of 1966 and Chapter 26 Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, the public hearing will present information regarding the temporary construction easements need to build the project and review potential temporary impacts to park and recreational properties adjacent to MoPac South. The Hearing will be held in an open house format. Participants will be able to watch a pre- recorded presentation, view exhibits, review the schematic, and submit written comments. Verbal comments will not be recorded or submitted for the official record at the in-person Hearing.

Comments must be received or postmarked by Sunday, May 3, 2026 to be included in the official record of this Public Hearing.

The virtual and in-person Public Hearing will be conducted in English. Interpreters or document translators may be provided upon request. Special accommodations can also be requested by persons with disabilities. For interpretation or translation services or for other special accommodations, the public may contact the project team at (512) 342-3299 no later than 4 p.m. on Mar. 13, 2026 for the in-person meeting and no later than 4 p.m. on Apr. 24, 2026 for the virtual meeting. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated July 17, 2025, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT

CSJ:3136-01-176

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Business

BY DACIA GARCIA

Abby’s Learning Center promotes individualized learning approach Abby’s Learning Center promotes an open- minded learning environment, welcoming children with neurodiversity. Founder Tehila Spigel ran into diculties search- ing for a productive learning center that embraced her daughter’s dierences as a result of her neuro- diversity. She took matters into her own hands and crafted a space for her daughter and like-minded children. What to expect The inclusive therapy center launched its space in downtown Austin in January 2025. Inside the center, families can nd an art room, a music therapy room, a library with a sh tank, a calming room, a lunch

room and a gym. The atmosphere

Abby’s Schoolhouse has several classrooms designated for particular subjects.

PHOTOS COURTESY ABBY’S LEARNING CENTER

Academic director Wendy Cody is the teacher at Abby’s Schoolhouse—the latest addition to the learning center. The school program features a Montessori-inspired approach where each student receives an individualized learning experience. Looking forward While the center currently oers its services to children up to the fth grade, Spigel said the team hosts frequent events where older children and adults with neurodiversity can nd community. “I want to give that support and to be able to neu- tralize our dierences ... to support our kids to be even more,” Spigel said. “Autism is not a disability, but the ability to change the minds of the ordinary."

510 W. 15th St., Austin www.abbyscenter.com

Founder Tehila Spigel launched the center in January 2025 after struggling to nd resources for her daughter.

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

More homes in Central Austin sold in January 2026 compared to January 2025, according to Unlock MLS data. Residential market data

Homes sold

January 2025

January 2026

-50.00%

+27.27%

+25%

+30.77%

+0.5

+66.67%

78701

78702

78703

78704

78705

78722

+20.00%

+16.67%

+40%

-50.00%

+120%

+60%

78705 78751 78752 78756

78757

78731

290

360

78723

78703

78723

78731

78751

78752

78756

78757

78701

78722

78702

78704

290

Median home sales price January

183

MOPAC

2025

2026

$670,000 $615,000 $1,333,555 $770,000 $363,250 $550,000 $704,275 $1,160,000 $613,880 $418,000 $995,000 $722,500

$893,500 $557,000 $1,500,000 $790,000 $245,000 $499,900 $607,500 $924,500 $880,000 $262,500 $975,000 $672,500

78701 78702 78703 78704 78705 78722 78723 78731 78751 78752 78756 78757

Central Austin

January

2025

2026

468 392

New listings

133 141

Closed sales

Homes under contract

189 193

Homes sold by price point

Average days on market

January 2026

$900,000+

-42.3%

-1.23%

-17.98%

-8.57%

-60.10%

-25.00%

$700,000-$899,999

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

78701

78702

78703

78704

78705

78722

<$299,999

+62.34%

+28.57%

-21.26%

+28.26%

+42.86%

+20%

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 5124547636 WWW.ABOR.COM

78723

78731

78751

78752

78756

78757

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

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Shoal Creek Nursery has all your springtime planting and landscape needs from colorful annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees to elegant pottery, soil amendments, gardening tools, bulbs and seeds Joy of Spring

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

YOU SET GOALS We set standards

Whether you need joint replacement or reconstructive surgery, Ascension Texas Orthopedics is here to help you go further. To set new goals, then exceed them. With robotic-assisted technologies, fellowship-trained surgeons and comprehensive care teams, we take care of your bones and joints so you can focus on what’s next. Orthopedic care that keeps you moving

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