North - Northwest Austin Edition | February 2024

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North Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 18, ISSUE 1 MARCH 126, 2024

New farmers markets sprout across North Austin

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

With the addition of four farmers markets to the area in less than a year, North Austin is quickly becoming a hub for local farmers and artisans to share their produce, artisanal goods and more with the community. “[Vendors] had an opportunity, to a certain extent, to hit the reset button [during COVID-19], and when they did, they realized, '... Why not work for myself and control my destiny a little bit more?’" said Richie Romero, man- ager of Lone Star Farmers Market, now located in the parking lot of Garbo’s Lobster in North Austin. “I think COVID[-19], in a positive way, has introduced a lot more people to develop their product, and the farmers market has been a great opportunity for them to test it out.” As farmers markets continue to pop up around North Austin, residents are no longer having to drive to other parts of the metro to keep their dollars local.

Texas Farmers’ Market at Lakeline oers over 90 vendors, and will now be one of ve local farmers market options for North and Northwest Austin residents.

CONTINUED ON 22

COURTESY TEXAS FARMERS’ MARKET AT LAKELINE

Also in this issue

Impacts: Hobby Lobby coming soon to Braker Village (Page 6)

Government: New re, EMS station under construction (Page 11)

Community: 46 summer camp options to explore (Page 27)

Dining: Phoebe’s Diner serving up breakfast, lunch (Page 32)

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Kameryn Griesser Sarah Hernandez April Kelley Sierra Martin Katy McAfee Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Rachal Elliott Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia

Taylor Caranfa Stover General Manager tstover@ communityimpact.com

Grace Dickens Editor gdickens@ communityimpact.com

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Jill Futch Account Executive jfutch@ communityimpact.com

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Impacts

2 Swatch The shop offers a variety of watches for men, women and children featuring classic designs alongside themed options. • Opened Jan. 20 • 3211 Palm Way, Ste. 154, Austin • www.swatch.com 3 SkinSpirit The West Coast-based medical spa offers aesthetic services such as Botox, dermal fillers, hair restoration treatments and more. • Opened Jan. 31 • 9607 Research Blvd., Ste. 110, Austin • www.skinspirit.com/locations/north-austin 4 Mala Chili The restaurant’s menu features Szechuan-style Chinese food such as meat, seafood and vegetable dishes. • Opened in November • 11301 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 300, Austin • www.malachili.com 5 Eye Level Lakeline Tutoring Center Students at the center undergo individual assessments to identify their strengths and areas of improvement, which instructors use to tailor student curriculum. • Opened Jan. 28 • 12129 N. RM 620, Ste. 410, Austin • www.myeyelevel.com 6 Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin The hospital offers an emergency room and urgent care center, neonatal and pediatric intensive care services, gynecological services, a sleep center and more. • Opened Feb. 5 (outpatient), Feb. 20 (inpatient) 7 Versace The international Italian fashion storefront sells luxury attire, home accessories and more. • Opened Jan. 27 • 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, Ste. 113, Austin • www.simon.com/mall/the-domain • 9835 N. Lake Creek Parkway, Austin • www.texaschildrens.org/north-austin

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buy their tickets on the CapMetro App or at most H-E-B stores. • Opened Feb. 24 • 10401 McKalla Place, Austin • www.capmetro.org

Now open

1 McKalla station Part of CapMetro’s Red Line, the new commuter rail stop opened near the Q2 Stadium parking lot. Riders can

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON, KATY MCAFEE & AMANDA CUTSHALL

8 Lazeez Mediterranean Food Owned by Bilal AlJalam, the restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes such as falafel, dolma and kibbeh. • Opened Jan. 19 • 9215 W. Parmer Lane, Austin • www.lazeezaustin.com 9 Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers The center offers a range of physical and vestibular balance therapies, such as orthopedic rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation and wellness programs. • Opened Jan. 22 • 8516 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 102, Austin • www.fyzical.com 10 Beyond Cabinet & Stone The business provides a variety of cabinetry and countertop remodeling services. • Opened mid-February • 13048 Research Blvd., Ste. C, Austin • www.beyondkitchencabinet.com 11 Advantage Storage The self-storage facility features climate-controlled units with security and access controls. • Opened late 2023 • 6500 RM 2222, Austin • www.advantagestorage.net/austin

Now open

14 Volvo Cars Hill Country The luxury car dealership sells new and preowned Volvo cars and SUVs, plus offers a variety of maintenance and repair services. • Opened Jan. 19

17 Si Jie Special Noodle The Asian fusion restaurant from northern California features noodle dishes cooked in pots over hot cobblestones. Other menu items include dumplings, meat kebabs, seafood barbecue, sake, beer and wine. • Opened early January • 13729 Research Blvd., Ste. 695, Austin • https://specialnoodle-austin.com

• 10600 N. RM 620, Austin • www.volvohillcountry.com

• Opening in the summer • 13343 N. US 183, Ste. 290, Austin

next door, adding an activity room, a training center and two classrooms for its new elementary program.

Coming soon

• Expanding in the summer • 12308 N. RM 620, Austin • www.austinchildrensacademy.org

12 Hobby Lobby Arts and crafts retail store Hobby Lobby will open in the 58,000-square-foot space formerly home to Randalls in Braker Village. • Opening in 2025 • 10900 Research Blvd., Austin • www.hobbylobby.com 13 Happy Lamb Hot Pot The hot pot restaurant will serve seafood and meat cooked in a soup base, with the option of adding vegetables and noodles.

15 Zadok Jewelers The brand will feature four watch brand boutiques, multiple luxury brand spaces, sitting areas and a lounge. • Opening mid-2024 • 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin • www.zadok.com

Closings

18 Bent Oak Winery The winery’s tasting room closed following the retirement of its owners Debbie Bruce, Audrey Catalano, Marilee Catalano and CEO John Catalano. • Closed Feb. 5 • 2000 Windy Terrace, Bldg. 2-B, Cedar Park • www.bentoakwinery.com

Expansions

16 Austin Children’s Academy The Montessori school is expanding into the building

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183A

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

Council pushes for climate investment plan City Council voted to prioritize new sustain- ability and environmental investments to address slow progress on Austin’s Climate Equity Plan and resilience eorts. A closer look A resolution passed Feb. 15 directed city man- agement to seek community input and outline the investments needed to fulll several adopted city plans related to the environment. The Climate Equity Plan outlines 74 strategies such as greenhouse gas reduction and support for community-led initiatives. Austin’s $5.47 billion scal year 2023-24 budget includes $385,000 in one-time funding for climate plan recommendations. Council member Ryan Alter said a goal of the eort is to look at how city ocials can budget for specic investments toward climate.

Police issue apology to assault victims Austin ocials on Jan. 23 formally apol- ogized to sexual assault victims who had their cases mishandled by the Austin Police Department and committed to reforms related to the city’s response to sex crimes. The public apology was one term of a $875,000 settlement with survivors who had sued the city over allegations of systemic failures in the APD’s work and mistreatment of victims over the course of many years. “Hear me when I say: I and all members of the Austin Police Department are com- mitted to making sure no other survivors go through something like this or some- thing similar in the future,” interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said.

"We as a city have made a lot of plans with a lot of great environmental goals

for reducing our impact on the climate but in too many instances have failed to make the investments needed to meet those goals or just, quite frankly, [have been] falling short" RYAN ALTER, COUNCIL MEMBER

Funding could come through increased utility rates, general fund spending or new bonds. Despite city sta recommending council pause on bond elections until 2026, Alter said the matter is too pressing to wait another two years. What’s next A public hearing will take place May 30 regard- ing the city’s climate investments. A location and time are to be determined.

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“There’s as many atoms in a single molecule of your DNA as there are stars in the typical galaxy. We are, each of us, a little universe.” Neil DeGrasse Tyson Astrophysicist and Writer

Celebrating Black History Month and the diversity of our community

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Government

BY BRENDA HERNANDEZ

Work begins on new re, EMS station

What’s next

Construction is anticipated to impact trac due to large dump-truck hauling during the beginning of construction, said Keyheira Keys, a public information specialist for Capital Delivery Services. The project is expected to be completed by late January to early February 2025.

Ocials broke ground on the Canyon Creek joint re and emergency medical services station on Jan. 30. The station is the last of ve high-priority stations being built to keep up with the city’s population growth, as stated in an Austin Capital Delivery Services news release. Capital Delivery Services Director James Snow estimated construction on the $20 million station at 9804 N. RM 620, Austin, will wrap up early next year. Funding for the project comes from city- approved bonds. Plans for the two-story station include: • A large garage with four lanes • One ire engine • One wildire brush truck • One ambulance • Solar cells to generate solar power

The Canyon Creek Fire and EMS Station is expected to open in Oct. 2024.

CANYON CREEK FIRE & EMS STATION

RENDERING COURTESY AUSTIN CAPITAL DELIVERY SERVICES

• A rain garden to assist with runoff and rainwater collection Communities of the surrounding Canyon Creek and Northwest Austin neighborhoods are expected to have quicker response times as a result of the new station, according to the news release.

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

Properties ee Austin regulations

Sorting out details

SB 2038 was opposed by Austin ocials given concerns about the impact of looser standards in the ETJ on water quality, environmental features such as Barton Springs and the Colorado River, and other city issues related to development. “Large-scale developments can impact trac, park use, future water planning. ... If the city is not involved in the development process, the city can- not be prepared for the impacts these developments might have on city services,” a spokesperson said. Development consultant Michael Linehan said he believes the new option can make properties more developable and valuable as it bypasses certain environmental regulations and Austin’s “notorious” permitting process. Generally, leaving Austin’s ETJ also won’t mean a loss of city utility service.

From the law’s eective date on Sept. 1 through the month of January, city records show Austin received more than 250 petitions for properties’ releases from the city ETJ and into unincorporated Travis County. Most requests have been approved. Records show applications for ETJ release have included individual homes, undeveloped lands, larger subdivisions and developments, and facilities like the Austin Executive Airport and Tesla’s riverfront Gigafactory.

Owners of thousands of acres of land around the edges of Austin are removing their properties from city oversight under a new state law that went into eect last year. Senate Bill 2038 allows any properties in a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ— unincorporated land near city limits in which some city regulations apply—to petition for removal from that boundary. Under SB 2038, cities cannot deny a request for release.

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Through early 2024, Austin continued to receive ETJ release applications on a near-daily basis. Nikelle Meade, a partner at Husch Blackwell law rm specializing in land-use issues, said it’s likely the city’s ETJ will continue to see many exits. “The end result could be that development around Austin becomes less expensive to complete, thus making the developments more aordable for the end-users,” Meade said.

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SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Education

BY ELLE BENT & BROOKE SJOBERG

Matias Segura appointed as AISD superintendent The Austin ISD board of trustees ocially appointed Matias Segura as the district’s new superintendent at a board meeting Jan. 25. State law requires districts to wait at least 21 days after naming a lone nalist to sign an employ- ment contract. Segura was named lone nalist for the position Dec. 14. The board room erupted in applause Jan. 25 after the contract was signed. The district had been without a superintendent for over a year. The background Segura was named interim superintendent in December 2022 following a November announce- ment that former interim Superintendent Anthony Mays would leave for a position in Houston. Prior to Mays’ departure, former Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde left the district in June 2022 for a position at Dallas ISD, as previously reported by

Former school to house training facility A former Austin ISD school will temporar- ily open to local law enforcement agencies, including the Austin Police Department and Travis County constables, to be used for training. The district is allowing the campus to be used for this purpose as safety in schools is top of mind, AISD ocials said. The background The site was the former Rosedale School, located in North Central Austin, a campus exclusively for students with special needs. What’s next District ocials will continue to discuss how to permanently repurpose the facility in 2024.

“I am honored to be serving as the Superintendent in the district that I

know and love with all my heart. We’re going to do great things for students and families in our city.” MATIAS SEGURA, AISD SUPERINTENDENT IN A DISTRICTWIDE MESSAGE

Community Impact . Trustees also approved a waiver request for Segura, who does not currently hold a state certication for superintendent, to ll the position as he works to gain certication. Quote of note “One thing that I constantly hear from the community is that you understand, you take the time to hear the challenges because you are a product of AISD,” board member Ofelia Zapata said to Segura on Jan 25.

McNeil High now International Baccalaureate campus Round Rock ISD now has three International Baccalaureate high schools after McNeil High School received its ocial designation in December. What happened Point High Schools in the program. About the program

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Encourages cross-disciplinary, internationally-minded students with critical thinking skills

McNeil High School was chosen for the pro- gram as a large number of students zoned for that campus were having to go to Westwood and Stony Point to participate in the IB program, said Michelle Swain, RRISD’s gifted and advanced academic services director.

Awards IB diploma

Allows students to claim a minimum of 24 hours of college credit at a public college or university

RRISD sta shared in a Jan. 18 board meeting that McNeil High School ocially received IB authorization Dec. 15. It joins Westwood and Stony

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Real estate

While median home sales were down for some ZIP codes year over year, other areas saw at least a 100% increase, according to January data from the Austin Board of Realtors. Residential market data

Homes sold

January 2023

January 2024

+100%

-25%

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$460,000 $441,500 $505,750 $500,000 $583,000

$500,000 $623,000 $565,000 $395,600 $505,600

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MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS 512-454-7636 • WWW.ABOR.COM

78759

Average days on market

Market

January 2023

January 2024

-44.6%

-51.09%

-11.59%

+2.3%

+68.63%

January

2023

2024

116

119

New listings

Closed sales

78727

78729

78750

78758

78759

Homes under contract

106 106

Homes sold by price point in January

Months of inventory

1.5

2.1

78727

78729

78750

78758

78759

1 1

0 0 4 7

3 2 3 7

$900,000+

Days on market

$700,000-$899,999

5 5

3 6 2

2 9 5

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

Active listings

200 226

<$299,999

Austin Light Rail is Moving Forward

Austin is growing, and so is the need for more transit options. Implementation of Austin Light Rail has begun, including the effort to secure federal funds. ATP is advancing environmental studies to support the federal process. Thanks to all that attended our February feedback events! If you missed it, you can still give input on station location and other design options in our online survey through March 4.

TAKE THE SURVEY: publicinput.com/ AustinLightRailOpenHouse

For translation in other languages, contact us by email at input@atptx.org or phone at 512-389-7590.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY KATY MCAFEE

New commuter rail stop McKalla Station opened directly across from the Q2 Stadium parking lot in February. Construction of the $58.8 million project started in July 2022. The station marks one of the rst programs completed by Project Connect, a multibillion-dollar plan passed by voters in November 2020 to rethink and expand Austin’s transportation infrastructure. McKalla Station is on CapMetro’s Red Line, which runs from downtown Austin through the central and northwest portion of the city and to the city of Leander. The project aims to increase connectivity in the area and increase the rail’s capacity to handle more riders. McKalla Station opened Feb. 24

Looking ahead

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The station on McKalla Place opened Feb. 24, after press time. The rail was scheduled to open in time for Austin FC’s home opening game against Minnesota United. The line’s existing Kramer Station will be decommissioned sometime after McKalla station opens. Riders can purchase rail fare through the CapMetro App, online, or at select H-E-B locations. Additionally, riders can use CapMetro’s trip planner tool to view routes and wait times. CapMetro also has a program that gives half-price fare to seniors, riders with disabilities, and active and reserve duty military. Residents can learn more and apply for the program at www.capmetro.org/rd.

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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

Development

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

BY KATY MCAFEE

IBM signs lease at Parmer Impact Labs

County launches $23.7M diversion pilot possible state funds over three years. City Council approved Austin’s $2 million share of the program Feb. 15, the rst in a series of annual payments. Annual funds from the other entities involved were approved previously.

Looking ahead

Updated services Integral Care will oer an array services through its Psychiatric Emergency Services program and Therapeutic Diversion Program, including:

A timeline for IBM to begin operations in the space was not established by Karlin Real Estate as of press time. Future plans for the business park include attracting startup and established companies alike, said Matt Schwab, Karlin Real Estate co-founder. Other Parmer tenants include Apple, 3M, The Home Depot, Qualcomm and others.

Technology and consulting company IBM is set to join the Parmer Impact Labs tenant lineup, per a January news release from developer Karlin Real Estate. IBM’s newly leased 50,000-square-foot lab is still being built out, according to Karlin representatives. Once completed, the new technical space “will allow [IBM] to upgrade its Austin lab facilities to meet future development needs,” said Dexter Henderson, Austin senior location executive with IBM, in the release. IBM has oce space near The Domain where its team works with hybrid cloud and AI software, infrastructure, services, design and marketing. The Parmer Austin business park spans over 2 million square feet and features a mix of laboratory and oce space for businesses, research institutions, incubators and accelerators.

The IBM lease is the latest in a variety of technology and life science businesses pursuing the Austin area, such as Discover to Impact. The inventor, investor and entrepreneurial startup program at The University of Texas announced in September it would open a in 10,000-square- foot wet lab space within the development.

Travis County, Integral Care, Central Health and city of Austin ocials are putting their heads and budgets together to launch the $23.7 million Crisis Care Diversion program aimed at keeping people with mental illness out of jail. The why The diversion program follows a March 2023 report that revealed Travis County has a signicant number of individuals with mental illness being arrested for nonviolent oenses and repeatedly cycling through the jail system. About 40% of all incarcerated people in Travis County Jail suer from mental illness, County o- cials said at a Jan. 23 Commissioners Court meeting. That number jumps to 70%-80% when accounting for people with substance abuse disorders. The framework Funding for the project is split among split among the city, county, Central Health, Integral Care and

Harm reduction surrounding drug use

Housing navigation

The county will connect individuals with peer support services at Via Hope and Communities for Recovery, and housing services through the Finding Home ATX initiative. Integral Care—the county’s mental health provider—will expand its Psychiatric Emergency Services program to be open 24 hours. The walk-in clinic will be available to any adult having a mental health crisis regardless of their ability to pay. The program is open to adults who need behav- ioral health services, including those who are already in the Travis County Jail system. What’s next? County ocials said they anticipate the program to launch sometime in 2024.

Nutrition counseling

Medical and psychiatric care

Funding breakdown

“The addition of IBM is proving our vision for Parmer as an innovation hub for groundbreaking research and development.” MATT SCHWAB, COFOUNDER OF KARLIN REAL ESTATE

PARMER AUSTIN BUSINESS PARK

CENTER LAKE DR.

Travis County: $6M City of Austin: $6M Central Health: $5.5M State grant*: $4M Integral Care: $2.2M

IBM

PARMER RIDGE DR.

$23.7M

*IF AWARDED

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401

NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316

ARBORETUM 10515 North Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893

New farmers markets sprout across North Austin From the cover

The big picture

1 Arboretum Food and Artisan Market • Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Year-round • Rain or shine • 10000 Research Blvd., Bldg. C, Austin Local farmers markets

45 TOLL

AMY DONOVAN PLAZA

When Texas Farmers’ Market rst opened in Cedar Park in 2010, one of the only other farmers markets was located in downtown Austin, said Liz Shafer, TFM at Lakeline’s director of operations. “There was nothing north of Austin,” Shafer said. “ ... We had about 20 vendors who started with us at that farmers market, but it quickly became apparent that we had outgrown that space.” TFM moved from its Cedar Park location to Lakeline Mall in the summer of 2010, providing Northwest Austin residents with a closer option. Now, four other markets have since moved to or opened in the Northwest Austin area in under a year: Lone Star Farmers Market; The Domain Farmers Market; Gateway Market Days; and Arboretum Food and Artisan Market. “At the time, there weren’t any other markets around [MoPac and Parmer Lane],” Romero said of relocating from Bee Cave in 2023. “I felt like we were lling a void that existed in that area.”

620

2 Gateway Market Days • Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Twice a month June-Aug. • Weather permitting

LAKELINE MALL DR.

183

620

• 9503 Research Blvd., Austin 3 Lone Star Farmers Market • Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Year-round • Rain or shine • 12709 N Mopac Expy, Austin 4 Texas Farmers’ Market at Lakeline • Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Year-round • Rain or shine • 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Austin 5 The Domain Farmers Market • Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Year-round • Rain or shine • 3213 1/2 Amy Donovan Plaza, Austin

MOPAC

RESEARCH BLVD.

360

February 2024: Gateway Market Days and Arboretum Food and Artisan Market open

July 2023: Lone Star Farmers Market relocates to Garbo’s Lobster from Bee Cave

March 2010: TFM opens at 1890 Ranch, relocates in summer to Lakeline Mall

November 2023: The Domain Farmers Market opens

SOURCES: JENNIFER KLOSS, SELIMA HARBISON, RICHIE ROMERO, LIZ SHAFER, EMYLEE BOONECOMMUNITY IMPACT

A closer look

a North Austin native who has been a farmer for 10 years, the decision was a personal one. “You’re not going to have farms in Austin. You’re going to have to get farms around the outskirts of Austin, like Georgetown, Marble Falls. … You have to make it worth [farmers’] while to drive in, and treat them right,” Harbison said. “I do this so I can keep Texas farming and ranching alive because we almost lost it a couple years ago.”

new business owners,” Boone said. Along with community interest, the residential and development growth in North Austin was a major influence for market managers such as Romero with Lone Star Farmers Market. “It’s been a huge positive not only for people that live in that area, but also as a destination market for people that are coming to visit,” Romero said. For Gateway Market Days owner Selima Harbison,

Emylee Boone, CEO of The Domain Farmers Mar- ket, said her team identified a desire for a farmers market through research with local North Austin residents and businesses, adding that the challenges some vendors face when attempting to enter an existing market was a motivation. “Many reputable markets have waiting lists extending over two years, which showed a need for a new opportunity for both established farmers and

Artisan/ apothecary vendors

Prepared food/ baked good vendors

Other vendors (drinks, honey, jam, nuts, salsa, etc.)

Number of vendors*

Meat/dairy/egg vendors

Market

Produce vendors

Texas Farmers' Market at Lakeline

90+

9.3%

16.9%

11.9%

26.3%

35.6%

The Domain Farmers Market

45+

6.5%

15.2%

8.7%

23.9%

45.7%

Scan the QR code for more information on North Austin farmers markets.

Lone Star Farmers Market

40+

16.3%

10.2%

8.2%

24.5%

40.8%

Gateway Market Days

35+

Rotating

*BASED ON FEBRUARY MARKETS, VENDOR NUMBERS AND TYPES VARY

SOURCES: JENNIFER KLOSS, SELIMA HARBISON, RICHIE ROMERO, LIZ SHAFER, EMYLEE BOONE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Dig deeper

Looking ahead

Gateway Market Days, which opened Feb. 4, and Arboretum Food and Artisan Market, which opened after press time on Feb. 24, are the region’s two newest markets. As the spring and summer seasons approach and these markets find their footing, market owners such as Harbison are expecting to expand their offerings. “It’s kind of a different intention and a different foundation that our market is built on,” Harbison said. “Our market is built on Texas farming and ranching; that’s the roots of it.” Others in the farmers market scene are pushing for more regular markets. “I hope to see a shift towards the seven-day market model ... year- round, everyday markets that support both the farmer and the community,” Scherzer said.

Assistance Program benefits, which Shafer said gives more residents access to what these markets have to offer. “The pandemic [and] the storm in February 2021 taught us that the supply chain can easily be broken, so we need to figure out a way to kind of keep ourselves self-sufficient,” Shafer said. “Not to say that we as a farmers market are the solution to this unsatisfactory food system, but we’re at least a step in the right direction.”

“It’s easy to walk into a store; it’s stationary; it has everything you need. But when you come and shop local, you’re actually impacting your neighbors’ lives, and that’s important to all of us, because we do work hard providing these products.” TANYA RAMIREZ, OWNER OF TIPSY DIPSY DYES, GATEWAY MARKET DAYS The demand for local and sustainable food is growing, said Stephanie Scherzer, owner of Austin-based online farmers market Farmhouse Delivery, which sources and delivers local pro- duce, meat and more. “People are interested in what’s growing in Central Texas and are opting for more seasonally focused eating,” Scherzer said. Several markets around Austin, including TFM at Lakeline, also accept Supplemental Nutrition

“You’re supporting a local, blue collar worker that’s doing this to support their family, whether they own the business or they’re working for the farmer. … The labor of love, the blood and sweat that comes into making all this stuff—that all holds value.”

WILLIAM PARSONS, OWNER OF CLINGY PEACH, VENDOR AT MULTIPLE MARKETS

Thursday, March 21 11 am – 2 pm Settle in for old-fashioned country fun, featuring: Boots, Beer & BBQ

� A country-western band � BBQ pork sliders & sides � Community tours

� Desserts donated by Magnolia Hospice � Door prizes*

*No purchase necessary to win.

Continue Your Life Story With Us ANTHOLOGY OF THE ARBORETUM 10001 Stonelake Blvd. / Austin, TX Supportive Independent & Assisted Living Memory Care AnthologyArboretum.com RSVP NOW: 512-879-1687

License Pending

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512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu highschool.utexas.edu

New! A Community Impact Print + Digital Advertising Package

Enroll anytime in UT’s online high school courses to catch up or get ahead. Full-time diploma program and single courses available including Honors and Advanced Placement® subjects available Enroll in courses now! Scan the QR code

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

South by Southwest Conference & Festivals

Each year, professionals and fans from around the world converge in Austin to attend various musical performances, film and television screenings, art exhibitions and more for SXSW. • March 8-16, times vary • Prices vary • Downtown Austin • www.sxsw.com

‘Past Deposits from a Future Yet to Come’ Artists Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler will debut their video art installation, “Past Deposits from a Future Yet to Come,” which will be available nightly for the next five years. The installation uses artifacts found

near Waller Creek from the 1850s through the 1950s. • March 2 through 2029, 7 p.m. • Free • Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin • www.waterloogreenway.org

Women’s History Day: Fighting Through Fashion Activities and presentations focused on 19th-century women’s fashion and gender roles will happen at the 96-acre living history park and museum, Jourdan- Bachman Pioneer Farms. • March 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $12 • Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin • www.pioneerfarms.org NASCAR at COTA The NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman truck series will return to Circuit of

The Americas, with qualifying rounds March 22 and the races happening March 23-24. • March 22-24, times vary • $25-$79 (adults), free-$10 (12 and younger) • Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd., Austin • www.nascaratcota.com Poe: A Tale of Madness Ballet Austin will offer an Edgar Allan Poe-themed set of performances based on a combination of Poe’s stories and life, accompanied by Austin Symphony Orchestra. • March 22-23, 7:30 p.m.; March 24, 3 p.m. • $15-$99 • The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin • www.balletaustin.org/performances/poe

March

Sip and Savor Serving as the annual spring fundraiser for The Junior League of Austin, Sip and Savor showcases Austin’s female chefs, bartenders, winemakers, brewers and spirit purveyors. Tastings of food and drinks will be offered in addition to live music, silent auctions, photo opportunities and raffles. • March 7, 7 p.m. • $100 and up • Community Impact Center, 5330 Bluffstone Lane, Austin • www.austinentertains.org

NORTH - NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION

• Curating fun, family activity plans in the ATX-area! • Sharing parenting resources, inspo, & more! • Created by parents, for parents!

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community Camp Guide

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

2024

Parents looking for camps for their children have a number of options to choose from in the Austin area. This list is not comprehensive.

Art Amore Type: arts / day Ages: 4-18 Dates: June 3-Aug. 2 Cost: $350-$850 weekly • 6507 Jester Blvd., Ste. 107, Austin • www.artamoreaustin.com

Austin

Austin area

Aim & Focus Karate Type: day / sports Ages: kindergarten through fifth grade Dates: May 27-Aug. 9 Cost: $200-$220 weekly • 8516 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 100, Austin • www.aimandfocus.com All-Star Sports Camp at SoccerZone Lakeline Type: day / sports Ages: 5-12

ATX Ballers Fun Summer Basketball Camps Type: sports Ages: pre-K through ninth grade Dates: May 28-Aug. 8 Cost: $180-$340 weekly • 7050 Village Center Drive, Austin • www.atxballers.com

The Austin Parks and Recreation Summer Camps Type: arts / day / sports Ages: 5-15 Dates: various Cost: varies • Various locations throughout Austin • www.austintexas.gov/summercamp

Badgerdog Creative Writing Camp Type: academics / arts Ages: grades 3-12 Dates: June 3-21, June 10-26, July 8-26 Cost: $400-550 per session • Various locations throughout Austin • www.austinlibrary.org/ creative-writing-camps-2024

Dates: May 24-Aug. 19 Cost: $225-$375 weekly

• 920 Old Mill Road, Cedar Park • www.allstarsportscamp.org

Anderson Mill Limited District Type: day Ages: 5-11 Dates: June 10-Aug. 9 Cost: $215-$230 weekly • 11500 El Salido Parkway, Austin • www.amld.org Art + Academy Type: arts / day Ages: 5-17 Dates: June 3-Aug. 9 Cost: $330 weekly • 9308 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 200, Austin • www.artplusacademy.com

Austin School of Rock Type: arts / music Ages: 6-18 Dates: May 27-Aug. 9 Cost: $300-$625 weekly • 9600 S. I-35, Austin

Bluebonnet School Type: academics / day Ages: kindergarten through fourth grade Dates: May 28-Aug. 9 Cost: $325 weekly • 3420 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park • www.bluebonnetschool.com

• 2525 W. Anderson Lane, Ste., 138, Austin • www.schoolofrock.com/music-camps/austin

Austin Ninjas Type: day / sports Ages: 5-12 Dates: May 28-Aug. 9 weekly Cost: $250-$400 weekly • 200 Buttercup Creek, Ste. 107-A, Cedar Park • www.austinninjas.com

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