South Central Austin Edition | January 2026

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South Central Austin Edition VOLUME 18, ISSUE 10 FEB. 3MARCH 3, 2026

2026 Voter Guide

Brought to you by our gold sponsors: 2026 Health & Wellness Edition

Austin faces diminished parks growth

By Ben Thompson

Auditorium Shores

Also in this issue

Austin’s dedication system that’s added new parks and amenities, like improvements at Auditorium Shores, has been reduced. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)

Elections Page 9 Check out your local ballot for the March election

Health & wellness

Page 15

Learn about a dental hygienist shortage

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About Community Impact

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.

roll call.

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

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Gail Watson Account Executive gwatson@ communityimpact.com

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Impacts South Central Austin T

4 Life Time The athletic club offers a variety of amenities including fitness areas, classes, a full bar, social lounge, restaurant and a wet suite. This is Life Time’s fifth location in Austin. • Opened Dec. 31 • 1301 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 100, Austin • www.lifetime.life/locations/tx/south-lamar 5 Present Practice The yoga and pilates studio offers a variety of non- heated and warmed classes, including Hot Power Vinyasa, Hot Sculpt, and Hot Mat Pilates. Present Practice founder Morgan O’Hare co-founded Yoga hOM. The studio will offer international retreats and teacher trainings. The business is expected to open a cafe this spring serving beverages from Desnudo Coffee. • Opened Jan. 1 • 206 E. Fourth St., Austin • www.presentpracticeyoga.com 6 Togetherwork Software company Togetherwork celebrated the opening of a 20,000-square foot headquarters in South Austin in early January. The company’s new innovation hub, located off South Congress Avenue, is expected to employ more than 100 people over the next year. • Opened Jan. 7 • 1221 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 300, Austin • www.togetherwork.com 7 Black Sheep Coffee The international coffee brand has launched its first Central Texas location in downtown Austin and is now serving 100% specialty-grade Robusta coffee, matcha, smoothies, pastries, waffles and curated food offerings. • Opened Jan. 15 • W. Sixth St. & Guadalupe St., Austin • www.blacksheepcoffee.us

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spot has partnered with Oseyo and Idlewild. During the day, community members can enjoy a coffee bar with espresso and light bites. At night, the space will turn into a bar featuring signature cocktails, beer, natural wines and non-alcoholic options. • Opened Dec. 19 • 1628 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • www.parleyatx.com 3 Tomo Mags The shop, founded by Vico Puentes, offers a curated collection of independent magazines, art books, journals, design goods and stationery. • Opened Dec. 20 • 411 Brazos St., Ste. 101, Austin • www.tomomags.com

Now open

1 Sydney’s Cat Lounge Launched by Quin Whiddon and Alex Whiddon, the space is part of the duo’s nonprofit, Sydney’s Sanctuary. The nonprofit was founded in 2024 with the mission to save cats in need. While at the cat lounge, community members can book time slots to visit the lounge and play or co-work with the adoptable cats while enjoying one of the lounge’s drinks. • Opened Nov. 4

Coming soon

• 3407 E. Seventh St., Austin • www.sydneyscatlounge.com

8 Quimera Gallery ATX Co-owned by Pooja and Praful Parmar, the latest art gallery and event space will feature local artists’ work and can be used for music events, open mics, book

2 Parley Founded by Bar Hacienda, Bar Fino and Here Nor There alums, Terance Robson and Jack “Slim” Hogan, the new

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

readings, fundraisers and more. • Opening in January • 1815 Rosewood Ave., Austin • www.quimeragalleryatx.com

Now open

Coming soon

9 Very Cherry Vintage The vintage shop, curated by Ashley Martin, its opening its own storefront next to Devil’s Details Boutique. The business previously operated out of Effie Vintage off South Congress Avenue before the shop closed in December 2023. Very Cherry Vintage can be found online and offers nationwide shipping. • Opening in March • 1628 S. First St., Austin • www.verycherryvintage.com

13 High Road DelicaTexan The new all-day cafe, deli, market and cocktail bar is helmed by chef Russell Dougherty, Salumist Ryan Wilson and beverage director Chadwick Leger—the team behind The Cavalier. • Opened Dec. 12

15 De Nada De Nada Cantina is planning to open a second location at the former El Mercado restaurant in South Austin in January. The East Austin Tex-Mex staple is known for its tacos and margaritas served in pink cups, including happy hour specials and a late night menu. The restaurant opened off East Cesar Chavez Street in 2021, according to previous Community Impact reporting. • Opening in February

Relocations

10 Poeta The Michelin Guide-recognized Italian restaurant helmed by chefs Krystal Craig and Ian Thurwachter, relocated to inside of East Austin Hotel. This move will marks the third reopening of Poeta. • Relocated Jan. 8 • 1108 E. Sixth St., Austin • www.poetarestaurant.com

• 915 W. Mary St., Austin • www.highroaddeli.com

• 1302 S. First St., Austin • www.denadacantina.com

In the news

16 Vespaio Restaurant Founded in 1998, the restaurant announced its closure in a Facebook post, thanking its guests and team. The restaurant serves meals made from scratch including spaghetti, ravioli and scampi. • Closing Feb. 28

• 500 W. Second St., Ste. 1900, Austin • www.motoza.com

11 Prototype Vintage The vintage shop off South Congress Avenue celebrated its 20th anniversary in December. The shop celebrated by opening a new storefront in the North Loop neighborhood. The business is co-owned by local best friends Audrie San Miguel and Emily Larson.

Closings

14 Vince Young Steakhouse The steakhouse will close its doors after 15 years of serving the Austin community. Phil Brown ran the restaurant alongside his wife, Laura Brown. He said in a news release the “decision was not made lightly” and that he is “incredibly proud of what this restaurant has

• 1610 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.vespaioristorante.com

• 1700 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.prototype-vintage.com

17 Chapulín Cantina The sister restaurant to Vespaio Restaurant is closing its doors. Its menu features botanas, tostadas, tacos, seafood options, tortas, moles and more. • Closing Feb. 28

12 Motoza Owned by Andrew Cao and Carlos Crespo, the marketing agency has offered services such as SEO, Google Ads management, and Meta Ads management to Austin community members and businesses since its launch in 2011. The company celebrated its 15th anniversary in January.

meant to Austin.” • Closing Jan. 24 • 301 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin • www.vinceyoungsteakhouse.com

• 1610 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.chapulincantina.com

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Voter Guide

2026

Dates to know

Where to vote

Feb. 17: First day of early voting Feb. 20: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Feb. 27: Last day of early voting March 3: Election day and the last day for counties to receive completed mail-in ballots (or 5 p.m. March 4 if the carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. on election day)

Registered voters may cast ballots in either Texas’ Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Third-party candidates will appear on the ballot in November. Travis County residents can vote at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.votetravis.gov for polling locations. Due to print limitations, this sample ballot is limited. For coverage on more positions, including statewide positions, see www. communityimpact.com.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY: R Republican D Democrat *Incumbent

D Amanda Marzullo D Brigid Shea* Travis County commissioner, Precinct 4

D Ofelia Maldonado Zapata Justice of the peace, Precinct 2 D Mariel Kelley D Randall Slagle*

Sample ballot

Travis County Travis County commissioner, Precinct 2

D Gavino Fernandez Jr D George Morales III D Susanna Ledesma Woody

D Reese Ricci Armstrong D Rick Astray-Caneda III

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Election

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2, Democratic party KEY : *Incumbent

Reese Ricci Armstrong Occupation & experience: Student, student

Rick Astray- Caneda III Occupation & experience: Consultant and

Amanda Marzullo Occupation & experience: Candidate did not respond to Community Impact’s questionnaire.

Brigid Shea* Occupation & experience: Travis County Commissioner Precinct 2, County Commissioner

organizer, nonprot unionist, local young democratic-socialist organization chair, treasurer Jewish Voice for Peace Austin www.reesefortraviscounty.org

Researcher, 12 years government social service program design consulting, 5

since 2015, Austin City Council, Texas Clean Water Action, led Save Our Spring www.brigidshea.com

years leading Travis County www.rickforprogress.com

What will be your top priorities if you are elected?

My top priority is to build a county that allows everyone an aordable, dignied life. This looks like building social housing to lower rents, expanding Central Health to move towards universal healthcare, and making ambulances free to ensure nobody fears calling 911.

Health: Ensuring everyone gets inexpensive vaccines, especially COVID. Focusing on equity and prevention. Aordability: Building aordable housing by leveraging a new state law allowing us to turn unused commercial buildings into housing. Disaster Mitigation: Building a disaster prevention strategy with our community that ensures we have no more ood deaths.

Candidate did not respond to Community Impact’s questionnaire.

Aordability and climate resilience. I will accelerate the county’s electric eet transition, expand reclaimed water systems that save millions of gallons annually, strengthen wildre preparedness and evacuation planning, and continue delivering deeply aordable housing. These priorities protect natural resources, reduce long-term costs and strengthen Travis County’s long-term resilience.

What uniquely qualies you for this position?

As a relentless ghter and change maker, we’re organizing a movement for a county that ensures dignity for all. While our county plays corrupt insider politics, we need a reformer with the vision and experience to build a county for the working class instead of billionaires and corporations.

I spent 12 years working with the frontlines of government sta around the country, building programs that work for people—from a social service call center serving 1 million to a $19 million COVID recovery grant. I know how to lead communities to build government programs that work for all.

Candidate did not respond to Community Impact’s questionnaire.

I bring three decades of experience translating community priorities into eective local policy. I helped launch Texas Clean Water Action, led the Save Our Springs campaign, and have served on the Commissioners Court since 2015. My focus is on responsible stewardship, collaboration across perspectives and delivering practical solutions that improve residents’ daily lives.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 4, Democratic party KEY : *Incumbent

Gavino Fernandez Jr Occupation & experience: Retired, former chief of sta

George Morales III Occupation &

Susanna Ledesma Woody Occupation & experience: Project manager; community advocate; Del Valle ISD Trustee, public school trustee (15 years; policy and ... www.VoteSusanna.net

Ofelia Maldona- do Zapata Occupation &

experience: Former elected Constable Precinct 4, current Constable Deputy, 20 years experience with Travis County ... www.georgeforcommissioner.com

experience: Social Justice Ministry, a 35-year organizer with a track record of victories on multiple issues with residents. Facebook: voteofeliazapatafortcp4

from 1991-1994 for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4 Marcos De Leon 512-477-7512

What will be your top priorities if you are elected?

NO MORE TAX INCREASES. No ICE, keep Precinct 4 aordable. Support climate change policies. Empower Precinct 4 constituents with resources to address ooding and transportation. Create a cabinet of business to advise me on policies. Realtors, small businesses, women issues, LGBT members, senior citizens, veterans and young people. ...

Ensuring families stay housed and connected through aordable, workforce and senior housing options. Community health and safety: expanding Central Health partnerships, completing the mental health diversion center and improving emergency response. Infrastructure that serves people: ood mitigation, safe roads and sidewalks, and improved transit access across Southeast and South Austin.

My top priorities are equitable infrastructure investment, aordable housing, economic growth and development, disaster preparedness, and scal accountability. I will focus on directing resources to underserved areas while ensuring county dollars are spent transparently, responsibly, and with measurable outcomes for residents.

I will meet with communities in Precinct 4 to hear what their priorities for me are.

What uniquely qualies you for this position?

Served as former chief of sta from 1991-1994 for Travis County commissioner Pct. 4 Marcos de Leon. Former chief of sta for Cristo Rey Catholic Church father Jessie Eurieste. Served as LULAC District 12 director, over 50 years of community service in east Austin. Bi-lingual in Spanish. ...

I bring over 20 years of experience with Travis County government, including 16 years as an administrator on the Commissioner’s Court, focusing on budgeting, housing and community access for marginalized groups. During that time, I have championed fair pay, mental health services and workplace safety for Travis County employees.

I bring over a decade of private-sector project management experience in long- range planning, budgeting, and process eciency, along with public service experience in policymaking, governance, and tax rate review and approval. I have also led a nonprot delivering accountable, results-driven solutions rooted in community needs.

As a seasoned community organizer I won’t hesitate to lead and persevere on any issue and will be the Commissioner who listens, works with and is held accountable to serving the people in Precinct 4.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Events

Transportation

BY DACIA GARCIA

BY HALEY MCLEOD

ATX Open The event will feature a singles draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 teams. • Feb. 21-March 1 • $10 and up • Westwood Country Club, 3808 W. 35th St., Austin • www.atxopen.com 100 Year Black History Month Community Cookout Austin Public Library will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a cookout. • Feb. 22, noon-3 p.m. • Free • 1161 Angelina St., Austin • https://library.austintexas.gov

February

183

Upcoming projects

Ongoing projects

290

Marathon Finish Line Experience Austin Marathon runners can receive recovery tools and on-site wellness support. • Feb. 15, 6 a.m.-1 p.m. • $75-$400 • The Fox Den, 920 Congress Ave., Austin • www.swiftfitevents.com Spurs I-35 Series The basketball team will face off against the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings as part of its I-35 series. • Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 21, 7 p.m. • $84 and up • Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin • www.moodycenteratx.com

W. KOENIG LN.

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NASCAR at COTA The NASCAR Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will compete on the 17-turn, 2.4-mile National Course. The event will also feature a fan zone with entertainment acts, NASCAR driver appearances and activities. • Feb. 27-March 1 • $16 and up • Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle • www.circuitoftheamericas.com

1 Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative Project: Redesign Congress Avenue to be more pedestrian friendly. The first phase focuses on Cesar Chavez Street to Seventh Street. Update: Construction expected to begin early 2026. • Timeline: Phase 1: 2026–2027; Full project: 2026–2030 • Cost: Phase 1: $13 million; Full project: $29 million • Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bonds

2 I-35 Capital Express Central project Project: The multibillion I-35 overhaul. Update: Northbound I-35 frontage road right lane closed. Northbound I-35 Cesar Chavez entrance ramp closed. East side Levander Loop pedestrian trail closed. Southbound I-35 frontage road at River Street closed. • Timeline: 2025-2029 • Cost: $4.5 billion • Funding source: TxDOT and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

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March

Black History Month Concert Vocal artist Jazzie Renea Baker will perform. • Feb. 21, 2-2:45 p.m. • Free

Sips & Sounds Music Festival The festival will feature 16 artists including Christina Aguilera, Calvin Harris and Foster the People. • March 13-14 • $65 and up (general admission, GA+ and specific day passes vary) • Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin • www.sipssoundsfest.com

MOPAC

• 2500 Exposition Blvd., Austin • https://library.austintexas.gov

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

BRODIE LANE 4970 W Hwy 290 (512) 366-8260

NORTH LAMAR 914 North Lamar (512) 214-6665

35TH STREET 1500 West 35th St (512) 277-2518

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CHLOE YOUNG Health & wellness Health & Wellness Edition 2026

Readers, welcome to Community Impact ’s annual health and wellness edition! Every new year, I make resolutions and set goals for myself. I love seeing what progress I’ve been able to make by the end of the year. I hope this guide provides you with the information you need to set goals this year to keep yourself and your family well. Check out even more wellness content on www.communityimpact.com.

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What's inside

Learn how Austin addresses slow parks growth (Page 16)

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ACC expands dental hygiene program to address shortage in Central Texas

The approach

The $8 million expanded dental hygiene clinic was funded by ACC’s $770 million bond election in 2022. Austin-area dental leaders with the Capital Area Dental Society met with ACC board of trustees and advocated for the college to expand the dental hygiene program through its 2022 bond package, said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society. The clinic has enabled students and faculty to provide low-cost dental and gum care to 67% more community members from 2020 to 2025, said Michelle Landrum, ACC Dental Hygiene department chair. ACC is planning to launch a dental hygiene program with a new health sciences building at its Hays Campus in Kyle by 2028, Landrum said.

Central Texas dentists have been feeling the eects of a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists, facing diculties lling vacant positions to serve a growing number of patients. A 2019 study by the Texas Department of State Health Services projected that the demand for dental hygienists would outpace supply from 2018 to 2030. In Central Texas, the shortage of dental hygienists was projected to increase by 116.4% from 2018 to 2030, according to the report. To help counteract this shortage, Austin Community College opened an expanded dental hygiene clinic at its Eastview Campus this fall, nearly doubling the program’s annual cohort of students from 18 to 34.

Texas vs. Central Texas The number of dental hygienists statewide peaked in 2024 after a drop in 2022. In Central Texas, the total remained lower in 2024 than before. Texas Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

2.5K 0 5K 10K 12.5K 15K 17.5K 7.5K

16,010

14,310

13,230

13,030

11,510

11,180

1,630 1,320

1,250 1,420

1,050 1,090

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Austin faces diminished parks growth From the cover

How we got here

The context

The overview

Annual parkland payments State law hampered Austin’s ability to maintain past levels of parkland dedication.

Much of Austin lacks the parks access that’s a stated desire of residents and city planners. Less than 18.5 acres of parkland were available per 1,000 residents as of late 2025, 77% of the city’s per-resident goal. That gap equates to a need of roughly 5,700 acres, or almost 9 square miles. The parks department estimated about 70% of residents remain out of walking distance from public green spaces. However, city mapping shows many neighborhoods remain “parks decient” based on that metric, most notably in North Central and East Austin, and around the city’s fringes. Grantham said recent strides have still been made. More than 1,100 park acres have been acquired since 2020, with a focus on decient areas, resulting in almost 200,000 people city- wide seeing their parkland access increase. “We make our best eort, and we try to hit every council district,” he said. “We are actively trying to acquire land in areas that are not well- served by parks—areas where people currently, today, cannot walk to a park.”

Austin’s supply of parks and open spaces is often referenced as one of its most cherished amenities. But after years of population growth, it’s become more challenging to meet rising recreational needs. The city prioritizes all residents living within 10-minute walks from a park and oering at least 24 acres of parkland per 1,000 people. Portions of city bond packages have been used to expand parkland, and Austin’s also relied on a parkland dedication system requiring developers to either pay fees or contribute land. But future acquisition funding is uncertain, especially under a new state law that slashed dedication requirements. “Parks create community; parks are spaces for recreation, for physical health for mental health, for relief from urban life,” said Scott Grantham, Austin Parks & Recreation principal planner. “It’s going to be vital that we nd a way to continue to bring parks to the people.”

Annual appropriations

Projected

FY 2022-23

$26.1M

FY 2023-24

$17.4M

FY 2024-25

$23.4M

FY 2025-26

$7.5M

FY 2026-27 $1.1M

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

City requirements on developers rose through the 2010s and early 2020s, when developers had to donate land or pay fees equivalent to 9.4 park acres per 1,000 residents. Limitations under House Bill 1526 went into eect in 2023. The bill targeted cities of 800,000 people or more, and lawmakers ref- erenced Austin in their statement of intent, citing rising dedication fees and housing costs as a threat to economic growth. This forced local ocials to approve new rules at a fraction of pre-2023 levels based on location—most signicantly downtown, where dedication values are more than 100 times smaller than under past policy. At the time, former council member Alison Alter said HB 1526 “gutted” the city’s system. “Its been huge. We were originally appropriating in the neighborhood of $20 million in fees through parkland dedication [annually], and now it has been reduced to about $2 million,” Grantham said.

Producing parkland Austin’s dedication system has added new parks and recreational improvements citywide.

Parks access Austin’s level of per-resident park service has slipped.

1 George Washington Carver Museum 2 Tillery Neighborhood Park

City goal of parkland acres per 1K residents Actual parkland acres per 1K residents

0 15 20 25 30

ANGELINA ST.

TILLERY ST.

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BEN THOMPSON

Parks bond breakdowns Austin’s parks bonds have traditionally funded open space acquisitions.

Going forward

The approach

City sta and a resident commission are still working to develop a nal list of funding priorities for a 2026 bond. However, Austin’s tight nances also led some ocials to recently question whether the time is right for the city to take on more debt, or if a comprehensive bond package should be delayed. For now, Grantham said he’d like to be optimistic about more support in the future. “We are still acquiring parkland, we are still building new parks, and we are still making connections. We are doing so with fewer tools, and we’re doing so with less funding,” he said. “I’m hopeful that we can get more tools and explore creative options and, let’s be honest, receive more funding.”

The parks department is using available dollars to build out Austin’s network of open spaces. Most recently, that included $45 million of the nearly $150 million 2018 parks bond. The commu- nity is now looking ahead to another bond, poten- tially for voter consideration this year, that could include a fresh round of green space funding. An initial $3.9 billion project list for a bond was released last year with $100 million for park acqui- sitions. On Jan. 21, a reduced proposal was released for a $700 million bond, with $40 million for acquisitions out of $140 million in total for parks. Approving more land acquisition dollars today is critical and cost-eective for growing Austin’s parkland, according to the parks department. It estimates $100 million of current investments would save $150 million over the coming decade due to property appreciation. That money can be stretched with dedication fees, Grantham said, but payments now come at lower levels.

Not land acquisition Share for land acquisition

$149M

Total bond amount

$104M

$84.7M

$77.7M

$75.9M

$64.2M

$72.1M

$41.1M

$20M

$45M

$34.9M

$20.5M

$20M

$5.6M

2012

2018

1992*

1998 2006

* 100% OF 1992 BOND WENT TO LAND ACQUISITION NOTE: 2026 BOND TO BE DETERMINED

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health & wellness

BY DACIA GARCIA

Students are taken to nearby memory care facilities to apply what they’ve learned with community members.

The nonprot has taught an estimated 30 students per year.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEMORY CAREGIVER ACADEMY OF AUSTIN

Memory Caregiver Academy of Austin shapes future caregivers Memory Caregiver Academy of Austin has spent four years training local high school students how to care for people with dementia. How we got here In 2001, founder and active director Debbie Wilder launched a respite program for community members with dementia. The program operated

Students are shown videos created by Wilder and her team that show how to be empathetic to those experiencing memory loss, including simplifying daily routines. After students watch the video series, an instructor visits the class to work with the students before they take trips to nearby memory care facilities. “We have placed a number of students in mem- ory care facilities after they nish the course and a number of them just have family members that they’re still caring for at home,” Wilder said.

for about 20 years before shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I started getting phone calls from all the caregiv- ers needing some extra help at home because they couldn’t take their family members anywhere,” Wilder said. “I kept thinking, ‘Gosh, we need to do something to get some more caregivers out there.’” The impact Marketing and outreach support specialist Rose Berg said the nonprot typically works in under- served communities with larger Spanish-speaking populations. This January, the organization is part- nering with Northeast Early College High School, Manor Senior High School and Summit Christian Academy in Cedar Park.

Facebook: Memory Caregiver Academy of Austin www.mcaaustin.org

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Real estate

More Central Austin homes sold in December 2025 compared to December 2024, according to Unlock MLS data. Residential market data

Homes sold

December 2024

December 2025

+38.46%

+80%

-17.39

-4.08%

-0.23%

+20%

78701

78702

78703

78704

78705

78722

78705 78751 78752 78756

+32.14%

-12.12%

-10%

+300%

+16.67%

-29.63%

78757

78731

290

360

78723

78703

78701

78722

78702

78704

290

183

MOPAC

78723

78731

78751

78752

78756

78757

Median home sales price

Central Austin

December

2024

2025

December

2024

2025

$665,000

$867,500 $710,000

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

$577,711

143 170

New listings

$990,000 $905,000 $321,750 $805,500 $535,000 $1,090,000 $568,000 $659,500 $1,198,000 $655,000

$1,500,000 $875,000 $398,000 $665,100

220 246

Closed sales

Homes under contract

134 161

$510,000

$1,090,000 $627,333 $352,250 $689,900 $715,000

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

2026 BOND

Come to an open house to share your priorities for a bond package:

Austin continues to face significant infrastructure challenges, including aging facilities, growing service demands, and affordability pressures. The 2026 bond program is being developed to address Austin’s most pressing infrastructure needs with investments that maximize public dollars and deliver the greatest benefit to the community.

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The best Mardi Gras party in town, Tuesday, February 17th! MARDI GRAS!

• Live Cajun Music with Jean-Pierre and the Zydeco Angels 6:30-close. • Delicious Hurricanes and Abita Beer. • Authentic Gambino’s King Cake by the slice. • Lots of Mardi Gras beads. • Hot Boiled Crawfish (as long as the weather provides) Fat Tuesday celebration is February 17th and runs all day, from 11am until 10pm

GAMBINO’S KING CAKES Direct from New Orleans. Cream Cheese 42.99 Classic Cinnamon 31.99 Walk in to pick up yours today or call us to reserve one for pick-up later. But hurry - we only get a set allotment from Gambino’s each year and we always sell out!

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