Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | February 2024

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Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition VOLUME 16, ISSUE 11 FEB. 28MARCH 26, 2024

Spectators view the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14 at Veterans Memorial Park in Dripping Springs.

COURTESY CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS

Eclipse anticipated to quadruple tourism this April

200 years, said Adam Kraus, an associate profes- sor at The University of Texas. “We can expect three to four times our normal population here to watch and travel through, [so] planning is critical,” Dripping Springs Communi- cations Director Lisa Sullivan said.

the span of six months, following an annular solar eclipse in October. Locals witnessed the moon cover the center of the sun in the morning hours of Oct. 14, which left a partial “ring of re” of what remained. City and county ocials anticipate a much larger turn out for the rarer eclipse this spring, which only occurs in the same place about every

BY ELLE BENT

For about three minutes on April 8, Central Texans will experience a rare event—a total solar eclipse—and Dripping Springs has been preparing for the moment for the past year and the visitors it will draw. The total solar eclipse will be the second celestial event Central Texans will experience in

CONTINUED ON 20

Also in this issue

Impacts: Lala’s South Pole to spread Christmas cheer (Page 6)

Events: Rodeo Austin and more local events (Page 19)

Community: Explore the local Summer Camp Guide (Page 23)

Dining: Family restaurant cooks from-scratch cuisine (Page 29)

Your superpower? Knowing where to go in an emergency. 24/7 emergency care, right here for Westlake and Southwest Austin. Be a h ER o

5245 West US Highway 290 Service Road Austin, TX 78735 Just west of MoPac.

Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2024 Baylor Scott & White Health. 09-ATX-1006867 DT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

THE My ATX Water PROGRAM Austin Water launched a new smart water meter program called My ATX

Water across the city. This program involves upgrading traditional water meters to digital ones connected to a wireless network. Along with this, a new customer portal is being introduced, offering near real-time water use information, leak alerts, emergency

notifications, water conservation tips, and customizable features.

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Type your account number and zip code into this website: austintx.watersmart.com

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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

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

More Rebates, More Savings » Find instant savings on energy efficient products at local stores » Get up to $105 in smart thermostat rebates and incentives » Enjoy extra rebates averaging $2,600 on Home Energy Savings projects through April 30 » See if you qualify for free home energy improvements » Monitor your energy use and get savings tips at coautilities.com Learn more ways to save at austinenergy.com/tips

Customer Driven. Community Focused.

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

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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

Deeda Lovett General Manager dlovett@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace Publisher Travis Baker

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Impacts

183 3 Starting Strength Gyms A second Austin location of the gym opened at the end of 2023. The gym offers small group training sessions and personal training. Memberships with plans created by trained coaches include individualized workout programming and nutrition advice. • Opened Nov. 27 4 Drifter’s Social Coffee & Cocktail Owners Abizar Khambati and Jason Hart are aiming for this coffee bar to transition into an upscale cocktail bar in the evening and have an intimate feel that they think the area is lacking. Located along Menchaca Road, the bar features indoor and outdoor seating. • Opened Feb. 28 • 10630 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.drifterssocialatx.com • 4970 Hwy. 290, Ste. 410, Austin • www.startingstrengthgyms.com 2 Rebel Beauty Bar Ellie Dixon has opened a new gratuity-free spa in Austin, meaning tips are not accepted. Dixon offers services such as facials, which range from 30-75 minutes for different specializations. She also offers an “acne bootcamp” for those who struggle with acne; waxing; brow laminations and more. • Opened Feb. 1 • 2311 Riddle Road, Austin • www.rebelbeautyatx.com 5 Pickle Pub Founded by the same owners as Drifter’s Social Coffee & Cocktail, this separate bar features a more laid-back ambiance that will serve more as a sports bar. The bar is accompanied by two pickleball courts for casual play. • Opened in late February • 10630 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.picklepubatx.com 6 Aspire Allergy & Sinus A new location of the clinic opened off West Slaughter Lane near Southpark Meadows. Aspire Allergy offers allergy relief and testing. • Opened Jan. 29

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nearly two decades and opened her own salon at the end of 2023. She hopes to expand her business and have a space where artists can cultivate their skills and create a pathway for their careers, she said. Services offered include haircuts, custom hair color and more. • Opened in November • 2119 Frate Barker Road, Ste. 1104, Austin • www.austinonda.salon

Now open

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• 401 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin • www.aspireallergy.com

Now open

7 Toasty Badger The 1970s-themed neighborhood eatery from Lobos Hospitality serves classic American diner fare inspired by the team’s family recipes. Menu offerings include breakfast staples such as French toast, pancakes, omelets and eggs Benedict, as well as sandwiches, salads, sides and desserts. • Opened Jan. 26 • 2206 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.loboshospitality.com/toastybadger

Coming soon

11 Pig Pen BBQ Bill Warren and Michelle Matthews, owners of Pig Pen BBQ restaurant in Dripping Springs, have opened a second location in the form of a food truck in South Austin. The truck’s offerings include brisket and sausage breakfast tacos; pulled pork, sausage and other meats by the pound; and sides, such as charro beans and Southern-style coleslaw.

13 David Doughie’s Bagelry The food truck opened at the Lustre Pearl South. Co-owners Devin and Ashley Broder have operated the Austin bagel shop at Texas Farmers Market locations in Lakeline and Mueller. There will be a variety of house-cured and smoked fish, an expanded schmear selection and a variety of hot egg sandwiches. The truck also features a special menu focused on shareable foods like bagel chips. • Opened in late February • 10400 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.daviddoughies.com

8 Lala’s South Pole Year-round Christmas bar Lala’s Little Nugget will open a second location called Lala’s South Pole. The new spot will have a full-service kitchen, a large patio and the same jolly service and eclectic atmosphere as the original location, representatives said. • Opening this spring

• 3008 Davis Lane, Austin • www.lalasaustintexas.com

• Opened in December • 1311 S. First St., Austin • www.pigpenbbq.com

In the news

9 Blazer Tag The laser tag arena celebrated 25 years of business in Austin this February. Blazer Tag is owned by Sneha Govind and Joe Michael Ramirez, and offers a range of laser tag games at different levels as individuals and on teams, as well as special advanced games only offered on Thursdays. The facility also features an arcade, food and drinks. • 1701 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin • www.blazertag.com 10 Luna Montessori Little Hive Montessori changed its name to Luna Montessori in November. The preschool serves children ages 4-6, and focuses on outdoor play and social emotional learning. In partnership with Austin Parent Support, Luna Montessori is also expanding its program offerings with a parent-toddler group named

Luna Montessori Caterpillars. The parent-toddler group will be operated by licensed family and child psychotherapist Brandi Sharkey. Luna Montessori Caterpillars will serve kids 18 months to 3 years old. Enrollment will be limited to 12 families per group. • 10415 Old Manchaca Road, Austin • www.lunamontessoriatx.com 12 Galaxy Cafe The cafe celebrated 20 years at Brodie Lane in January. The cafe has two other locations in Austin, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The local chain is owned by Kelly Chappell, Chris Courtney and Jay Bunda. • 9911 Brodie Lane, Austin • www.galaxycafeaustin.com

Closings

14 Maya Star The women’s boutique on South Congress Avenue closed after nearly 30 years of business. The store, owned by Maya Krauss, offered clothing, jewelry, bags and shoes. • Closed in January • 1508 S. Congress Ave., Austin

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Impacts

BY ELLE BENT & ZARA FLORES

• Opened Jan. 6 • 600 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs • 254-230-3582

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4 Hearten Interiors Longtime local Dani Derner founded Hearten Interiors in July 2022 but will be opening its first brick-and-mortar location this coming spring. Derner will be offering 2D and 3D interior design services for commercial and residential projects. • Opening in mid-March • 27320 Ranch Road 12, Ste. D, Dripping Springs • Instagram: HeartenInteriors

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2 Dripping Classics The car shop offers routine maintenance, performance upgrades and other services to classic cars. The shop is owned by locals Chris Olivieri and John Teague. • Opened in January • 3994 E. Hwy. 290, Bldg. B, Unit F, Dripping Springs • www.drippingclassics.com 3 Drippin’ Cuts Barbershop The barbershop opened in January next to O’Reilly Auto Parts in downtown. The barbershop is owned by Alex Felan and offers haircuts for men and children.

Relocations

Now open

5 The Palm Social Collection A women’s boutique that opened in 2023 is relocating to Mercer Street near Revel Wilde from 400 Hwy. 290, Ste. B-104. The store, owned by local Jordyn Ketchum, offers clothing, shoes and accessories. • Moving Feb. 1 • 330 W. Mercer St., Ste. 1, Dripping Springs • www.thepalmsocialcollection.com

1 Shield Wall Kolby Swyhart opened the shooting range which offers firearms training, rentals, sales and accessories in addition to a 100-yard indoor shooting range.

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Government

Austin police contract remains in limbo A year after negotiations between Austin and the local police union fell apart, police officers continue working under temporary pay and benefits as city officials hope to restart talks for a deal. The context In February, City Council approved a stop- gap officer pay package valid through next March and voted to spend up to $250,000 on anticipated negotiations with the Austin Police Association. The outlook for a new city-APA meet and confer agreement remains tied to voter-ap- proved police oversight provisions enacted last year. A lawsuit filed against Austin leaders in late 2023 claimed those policies aren’t fully being carried out, while some police representatives oppose the changes.

Travis County launches $23.7M diversion pilot Travis County, Integral Care and Central Health officials are putting their heads and budgets together to launch the Crisis Care Diversion program aimed at keeping people with mental illness out of jail. The overview The Crisis Care Diversion program will depend on many of the county’s existing public health and housing services, such as Integral Care, which will expand its Psychiatric Emergency Services program to be open 24 hours and service individu- als regardless of their ability to pay. Costs are estimated to total $23.7 million over the next three years, split among the city, county, Central Health, Integral Care and possible state funds. City Council approved Austin’s $2 million share of the program Feb. 15. Ahead of their vote, officials said they still need more information

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

Harm reduction surrounding drug use

Housing navigation

Nutrition counseling

Medical and psychiatric care

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

about the program and shared reservations about the proposed funding split. The program is open to adults who need behavioral health services. People can be referred to the facility from the PES program, court judges, attorneys or Integral Care’s jail liaison. County officials said they anticipate the program to launch sometime in 2024.

Dripping Springs memorial skatepark breaks ground

FOUNDERS MEMORIAL PARK

High School student who died in February 2023. The total construction cost is about $800,000 funded by the city, community fundraising and the 2020 Hays County parks bond. The city also contributed an additional $75,000 for amenities such as trash cans, sidewalks and benches. The city also provided 1.5 acres of land for the park. Construction is expected to be completed this year.

Dripping Springs officials and residents cele- brated the groundbreaking of a skatepark Feb. 10. The park is located at the north end of Founders Memorial Park, 419B Founders Park Road, Drip- ping Springs. The details The skatepark will be named Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark in honor of a Dripping Springs

FOUNDERS PARK RD.

ROB SHELTON BLVD.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ELLE BENT, KATY MCAFEE & 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 efforts. A closer look A resolution passed Feb. 15 directed city man- agement to seek community input and outline the investments needed to fulfill several adopted city plans related to the environment. The Climate Equity Plan outlines 74 strategies like greenhouse gas reduction and support for community-led initiatives. Austin’s $5.47 billion fiscal year 2023-24 budget includes $385,000 in one-time funding for climate plan recommendations. Council member Ryan Alter said a goal of the effort is to look at how city officials can budget for specific investments toward climate.

Partners split on homeless strategy A review of Austin-area homeless services is moving forward, despite some skepticism about the plan. The background Austin, Travis County, Integral Care and Central Health began planning for a third-party evaluation of their responses to homelessness last fall. The plan would’ve cost up to $2 million. However, Travis County commissioners voted to exit the process in January citing concerns with the project and the involve- ment of consultant McKinsey & Co. While some city officials sought to revisit the plan’s framework, interim City Manager Jesús Garza has defended the need for the project and said it’s still moving forward for $1.35 million overall. Land development code changes moving forward this spring include: • Cutting minimum residential lot size in HOME Phase 2 • Limiting the reach of compatibility standards on building height and placement • Allowing electric vehicle charging on some properties • Promoting dense development around future Project Connect rail lines

"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 staff 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.

Public meetings for citywide land-use updates ahead Austinites will soon be invited to weigh in on several wide-ranging changes to local land-use policy, months after City Council’s passage of the controversial first phase of the “HOME” initiative intended to increase residential housing density. The details line for key revisions this year. Several City Council proposals are up for community review this spring beginning with a joint hearing before council and the Planning Commission April 11. That unique public feedback format was also

used for HOME Phase 1 last year when hundreds of Austinites turned out to speak for and against that policy’s approval.

Austin’s land development code, the extensive rules governing what can be built and where, is in

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY ELLE BENT

Texas opts out of new summer food program Texas is one of 15 states that will not implement the new Summer Electronic Benet Transfer Pro- gram, or Summer EBT, in which families receive $40 per eligible child monthly to supplement the cost of food during summer break. The gist Texas couldn’t successfully launch the program this year due to “current resource constraints at the state agencies, the level of eort needed to implement a new program and the need for new appropriations from the Legislature," said Thomas Vazquez, Texas Health and Human Services Commission spokesperson. This includes a current strain on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, causing many eligible Texans to wait up to six months to receive benets. Summer EBT would have supplemented the already existing Summer Benet Food Service

Former school serves as police training site A former Austin ISD school will tempo- rarily be used for school safety training for about 750 ocers from the AISD Police Department and Travis County Constables, ocials said. The background The site is the former Rosedale School, at 2117 W. 49th St., Austin which lacked ame- nities for Special Education students and closed in February 2022. What’s next District ocials will continue to discuss how to permanently repurpose the facility. One proposed idea includes a housing concept meant to prioritize AISD teachers, sta and families.

Put into perspective

20% of Texas children are food insecure

3.7% of Dripping Springs ISD students are eligible for free meals 37% of Austin ISD students are eligible for free meals

SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, FEEDING TEXASCOMMUNITY IMPACT

program; which serves food to children and teenag- ers at no cost in designated sites. CEO of Feeding Texas, Celia Cole, said that the current program is challenging for many families because of the distance to those designated sites. Stay tuned The HHSC will continue to work with other stakeholders in order to implement the program at some point in the future in Texas, Vazquez said. Feeding Texas will also continue advocating for the implementation next summer, in 2025.

Chaplains won’t serve as DSISD school counselors

“We are not planning to make changes to any of the ways in which people volunteer in our schools, which means

Under district policies, chaplains could already volunteer in DSISD schools. The resolution trustees voted on, according to district documents, stated DSISD would continue to accept volunteer chaplains in accordance with volunteer policies. Mental health services will remain helmed by sta and professionals, not volunteers.

Dripping Springs ISD ocials voted Jan. 29 not to allow chaplains to serve as counselors. Two-minute impact Texas school boards were required to vote on implementing Senate Bill 763, a new law permitting the employment of chaplains as school counselors. Chaplains typically provide religious services outside of a church.

chaplains are still welcome to be a volunteer in our district, they just may not be serving

in a chaplaincy role,” HOLLY MORRISKUENTZ, DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD SUPERINTENDENT

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Transportation

BY KATY MCAFEE

Dozens of South Austin and Dripping Springs residents gathered Jan. 30 to view the Texas Department of Transportation’s newly unveiled plans to revamp a 13-mile stretch of Hwy. 290 from Oak Hill to Dripping Springs. The meeting marked the rst major update on the project since 2019. The details The project will extend from RM 12 in Dripping Springs to RM 1826 in Southwest Austin, connect- ing to the Oak Hill Parkway construction project that is currently underway. TxDOT is proposing the following upgrades to the corridor: • Widen the corridor from four to six lanes • Add a divider between east- and westbound lanes • Eliminate stop lights • Add frontage roads, sidewalks and bike lanes The why TxDOT ocials said an uptick in trac congestion and severe crashes on Hwy. 290 spurred the need for road improvements. The 13-mile stretch of Hwy. 290 saw 1,501 crashes from 2019-2022, 4.8% of which were considered severe. The statewide average for similar roads is 2.8%, according to TxDOT. TxDOT also found that average peak hour trac volumes on the road are expected to jump 45% from 2019 to 2045 if no action is taken. TxDOT unveils 13- mile revamp plan for Hwy. 290

Austin and Dripping Springs residents gathered Jan. 30 to view the revamp of Hwy. 290 from Oak Hill to Dripping Springs.

KATY MCAFEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

FITZHUGH RD.

MOPAC

1826

290

among the 82 business owners that will have to relocate their workplaces. “I mean it’s not a bad thing intrinsically,” he said. “Everybody is [going to] have an ax to grind.” What’s next TxDOT will hold more public meetings this year. The nal design of the project, right-of-way acquisi- tions and construction date are to be determined.

“I think it’s very much needed,” Dripping Springs resident Mark Penton said. “I mean you can see the growth out here. I’ve been here 26 years; the growth is ridiculous, and it’s getting worse.” What else? If the project moves forward, TxDOT will displace 13 residences, 82 businesses and a church. Co-founder of Hard AF Seltzer Dan Hollaway is

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Real estate

In the Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs market, almost all ZIP codes saw a year over year drop in January in median home sale prices. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

January 2023

January 2024

+150%

-44.44%

-36.36%

+88%

-26.83%

+35.71%

-28.21%

360

78735

78736

78737

78739

78745

78748

78749

78620

78749

MOPAC

78735

78620

78736

Median home sales price

78745

January

2023

2024

290

$1,740,000 $809,500 $845,000 $668,000 $530,000 $466,000 $618,750 $570,000

$775,625 $412,550 $707,500 $860,000 $490,000 $428,500 $596,000 $618,750

78735 78736 78737 78739 78745 78748 78749 78620

78748

78737

78739

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

+44.9% +30.6% Average days on the market

Market

January 2023

January 2024

-7.81%

-28.95%

+46.81%

-3.77%

+82.35%

+43.94%

January

2023

2024

286 259

New listings

180 154

Closed sales

78735

78736

78737

78739

78745

78748

78749

78620

Homes under contract

252

250

Homes sold by price point in January

Months of inventory

78735 78736 78737 78739 78745 78748 78749 78620

2.7

$900,000+

Average days on the market

$700,000-$899,999

16 4 12

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

Active listings

606 650

<$299,999

Development

BY ELLE BENT

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, held a public meeting Jan. 29 regarding a wastewater permit led by California-based company Blizexas for the proposed Fitzhugh Concert Venue. Not a single resident spoke in favor of the project during public comment and most urged the TCEQ to not approve the permit. Those who spoke expressed concern over the venue’s proposed: • water usage and potential runoff that could pollute local waterways • safety on Fitzhugh Road, which has one lane running in either direction with no shoulders. Fight over music venue continues

The takeaway

If issued, the permit would provide the venue, which plans to serve up to 5,000 people, three times a week , with its own municipal wastewater service. The venue would use an average of 12,000 gallons of water per day , and would source the water from a well installed on-site, Blizexas engineer Erin Banks said. The TCEQ maintains that the permit will not allow for the applicant to discharge any pollutants into water and that the permit “includes provisions to protect local surface water and groundwater resources,” according to TCEQ documents. The TCEQ will prepare written responses to comments made at the Jan. 29 meeting. Prior to making a nal decision on the wastewater permit, the TCEQ will take these comments into consideration.

Residents spoke against the development during public comment Jan. 29.

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Events

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & ZARA FLORES

March

South by Southwest Conference & Festivals Each year, professionals and fans from around the world attend various musical performances, film and television screenings, art exhibitions, and more in Austin. • March 8-16, times vary • Prices vary Native Plant Gardening Series The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will host a gardening series, led by Director of Horticulture Andrea Delong-Amaya, about caring for and selecting the right flowers for one’s yard. • March 9 and 23, 1 p.m. • $45 (one class), $90 (both classes) • Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin • www.wildflower.org Sound Wine Fest The Far Out Lounge will host its second Sound Wine Music & Wine Festival featuring wine tasting, a lineup of local artists and food vendors. • March 10, 3 p.m. • $22-$65 • 8504 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.thefaroutaustin.com • Central Austin • www.sxsw.com Spring Break Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD students and teachers will be off for spring break and will return to school March 18. • March 11-15 • www.austinisd.org, www.dsisdtx.us St. Patrick’s Day Bash Wear green or prepare to be pinched at Moontower Saloon’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. There will be a live DJ set by DJ Danny Duke.

Rodeo Austin The nonprofit provides rodeo competitions, such as bull riding, mutton busting, barrel racing and more. Each night ends with live music by various artists.

• March 8-23; 7 p.m. (Mondays-Saturdays), 3 p.m. (Sundays) • $30 and up • Travis County Expo Center, 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin • www.rodeoaustin.com

Wildflower Spring Market Vendors from around the state will flock to the Dripping Springs Ranch Park & Events Center for the Wildflower Spring Market. The 12th annual market will have offerings like clothing, jewelry and home goods. • March 23-24; 10 a.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m. (Sunday) • $5 (with nonperishable donation), $6 (admission) • 1042 Event Center Drive., Dripping Springs • www.drippingspringsranchpark.com Mini Maker Mart Family-friendly hangout spot The Hive is hosting a slew of young entrepreneurs selling handmade goods. Vendors ages 7-17 will be selling items such as stuffed animals, jewelry and more.

• March 24, 2 p.m. • Free (admission) • 10542 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.hiveaustin.com

Eggstravaganza Celebrate Easter with an afternoon of activities for kids and families at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The day’s festivities include an egg hunt, hay rides and games. • March 30, 2 p.m. • Free • 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs • www.drippingspringsranchpark.com

• March 17, 5 p.m. • Free (admission)

• 10212 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.moontowersaloon.com

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From the cover

Eclipse anticipated to quadruple tourism this April

BY ELLE BENT

What residents should know

What’s next?

What’s happening?

See the solar eclipse

The upcoming eclipse’s path of totality will pass through parts of Central Texas including Austin and parts of Dallas.

As residents and tourists decide where to spend the afternoon in April, city ocials anticipate collecting on the 7% HOT rate funds for hotels and other rentals which will go towards tourism opportunities for the city such as the Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival. Businesses on Mercer Street and near the city’s event are preparing for an inux of customers, and ocials recommend preparing ahead of time as trac and lines for stores may be longer than usual. The community may feel the impact of the tourism brought by the eclipse from April 4 to April 9. The next chance for Texans to view a total solar eclipse will be in 2045 in the northern part of the state, while Brownsville residents will see one in 2052. Experts predict that Central Texans won’t see another total eclipse for at least 150 years, but partial eclipses will be seen every 5 to 10 years.

that the period of total coverage is the only time you can safely watch an eclipse without special glasses,” Kraus said. “Depending on how close you are to the center of the eclipse path, you’ll have up to four minutes where the sun’s surface is completely blocked.”

Spectators will begin to see the eclipse’s path at about 12:15 p.m., and during this time they should use eclipse glasses until totality at about 1:35 p.m. “The wonderful thing about a total eclipse, and one reason we’re so excited for this one, is

plan, was paid for by merchandise sales; hotel occupancy tax funds; and sponsorships, including from the Dripping Springs Community Library. City ocials anticipate collecting revenue from hotel occupancy taxes as short-term rentals and hotels book up, but it’s unclear what the total economic impact will be. Camp sites and hotels have reported their bookings are lling up, including the Courtyard by Marriott and Henly RV Park. Aside from the city-sponsored event, local businesses including Vista Brewing and Bell Springs Winery are hosting events. While Dripping Springs ISD will be closed, private schools, such as Sunrise Christian School House, have plans to make a day out of the rare event. Local resident Scott Pollard is one of many also taking advantage of the event by hosting a viewing party for friends and family. “I am looking forward to the eclipse and have already taken o work for the day,” Pollard said.

Dripping Springs ocials allotted more than $100,000 from the $44 million budget for an upcoming “sunblock party,” which will close Mercer Street for spectators to watch the solar eclipse. Residents and visitors will watch as the moon’s orbit carries it directly between Earth and the sun. During totality—when the moon covers the sun completely—the sky will darken for a few minutes, and the temperature may drop slightly. “The sky will stay a little blue because sunlight coming down outside the moon’s shadow will bounce through the atmosphere and some will reach us, but it’ll be pretty dark,” Kraus said. Eclipses happen somewhere on the planet every six months when one of two specic locations amid Earth’s orbit allows for the sun, moon and Earth to line up, Kraus said. However, only a specic region can see an eclipse in its totality and part of Texas will experience it this spring. The event, which has taken about a year to

Path of totality

TOTAL ECLIPSE MAP

DALLAS

WACO

DRIPPING SPRINGS

When to watch

Times for viewing and glasses are listed for Dripping Springs but vary.

BOERNE

Dripping Springs ocials are anticipating of 5,787 for the event 4X ITS POPULATION

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Partial eclipse begins: 12:16:33 P.M. (need glasses)

Full eclipse begins: 1:34:50 P.M. (no glasses)

Full eclipse ends:

Partial eclipse ends: 2:57:28 P.M. (need glasses)

Maximum eclipse: 1:36:20 P.M. (no glasses)

1:37:50P.M. (need glasses)

SOURCES: CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, U.S. CENSUS BUREAUCOMMUNITY IMPACT

BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260 BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981

SOUTHPARK MEADOWS 9900 IH-35 Service Road S (512) 280-7400 DRIPPING SPRINGS

166 Hargraves (512) 432-0186

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