Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | January 2025

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Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 10 FEB. 228, 2025

2025 Health & Wellness Edition

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, to be held on Feb. 16, has seen signups surge in recent years.

PHOTO COURTESY HIGH FIVE EVENTS

Running scene inuence picks up the pace in Austin

the city’s culture while on the move. “In Austin, it’s very much you hang out, you get tacos, you go to Barton Springs. … It feels like a social hub in addition to serious running,” 5Run2 co-leader Jamie Pratt said.

city and continues to be a destination for runners, according to many involved in the community. A climate for year-round outdoor activity, a central trail around Lady Bird Lake and a long slate of annual races are some factors locals see as contrib- uting to a rising interest—as well as demonstrating

BY BEN THOMPSON

Just before sunrise once a week, members of the 5Run2 club meet to tackle a jog along the terrain of Barton Hills. The group is one of dozens of clubs now active in the broadening local running scene. Austin has long held a reputation as an active

CONTINUED ON 28

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As wild fires ravage large swaths of LA, Belmont Village Senior Living sends thoughts and prayers to everyone impacted by this tragedy. Our hearts go out to anyone who has endured the loss of a home, of treasured belongings, of a livelihood and, most of all, the loss of life. We are deeply inspired by local first responders whose courage and commitment exemplifies the best of humanity. Also by the countless men and women from other cities, states and even other countries who rushed into our City to join front lines. At Belmont Village Senior Living we continue to work tirelessly to keep our residents and our associates safe and to help protect the well-being of all seniors. We are especially grateful to community partners—hoteliers, transportation companies, and many more who have helped effectuate seamless evacuations when called upon. We cannot express enough gratitude to our own team members for their grit, intelligence and determination to keep our seniors safe. We will endure as a City, and emerge from this ordeal resilient and proud. In challenging times, community matters more than ever. Patricia Will LA STRONG A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE

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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.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Amanda Cutshall Dacia Garcia Sarah Hernandez Elisabeth Jimenez Anna Maness Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Gracie Warhurst Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia Karoline Pfeil Sam Schaer

Deeda Lovett General Manager dlovett@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Account Executive Weston Warner Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Product Manager Haley Grace Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara

Elle Bent Editor ebent@ communityimpact.com

Travis Baker Austin Market President tbaker@ communityimpact.com

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Impacts

183 4 Bluebonnet Tattoo Local tattoo artists Ty and Robyn Pallotta opened Bluebonnet Tattoo next to Lala’s South Pole. Ty Pallotta’s work features colorful and grayscale realism and geometric designs, while Robyn Pallotta specializes in black and white botanical designs. • Opened Jan. 7 • 3008 Davis Lane, Austin • www.bluebonnettattoo.com 2 Öli Saunas Öli Saunas was founded by Gerardo Larios, a former guitarist and keyboard player for the Austin-based band Spoon, and his wife, Chas. The business offers a variety of saunas, cold plunges and outdoor showers in addition to installation services. • Opened in November • 11190 Circle Drive, Ste. 101, Austin • www.olisaunas.com 3 BlueCrate Findings The curated global antique and home furnishings store has a collection of vintage items, reclaimed wood furniture, repurposed objects and more. • Opened Nov. 26 • 4324 Willow Springs Road, Austin • Instagram: bluecratefindings

CIRCLE DR.

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MOPAC

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EMERALD FOREST DR.

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Relocations

5 Vibe Optometry Operated by Dr. Sarah Blackwelder, the optometry office moved from 5601 Brodie Lane, Ste. 530, Austin, to a new space near Parakeet Coffee and Culture Club. • Relocated Dec. 5 • 12000 Menchaca Road, Ste. B, Austin • www.vibeoptometry.com 6 South Austin Homes South Austin Homes, from local broker Michael Jurkash, will move to a new office next to Austin Java and Quack’s this spring from 201 Cloudview Drive, Austin. • Relocating in March • 5312 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.mysouthaustinhomes.com

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

In the news

Now open

Relocations

7 Satellite ATX Co-owner Ben Hardaway said the business is open again after it temporarily closed for three days to repaint the walls, finish the floors, refresh the bar area and update the bathrooms. • 5900 Slaughter Lane, Ste. 400 Austin • www.satelliteatx.com 8 End of an Ear The local record store is celebrating its 20th anniversary of business. Owners Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle first opened its doors in 2005 off South First Street before moving to its current location in 2016. In-store performances have included artists such as Band of Horses, Voxtrot, Alex G and Mitski. • 4304 Clawson Road, Austin • www.endofanear.com

Lightspeed Restoration of Austin The family-owned business serves the Austin, Buda, Driftwood, Kyle and Manchaca areas with water damage restoration, fire restoration, disaster recovery and air duct cleaning. Owner Jonathan Friedman and his family decided to open Lightspeed Restoration of Austin after Texas’ winter storm in 2021. • Opened Jan. 1 • www.lightspeedrestoration.com/austin-tx

13 Walk! ATX Pet Care The dog walking and pet care business will move into a new location from 710 Cloudberry Circle, Austin with new kennels and a larger space, said

owner Britton Danton. • Relocating in 2026 • 6707 Emerald Forest Dr., Austin • www.walkatxpets.com

9 Krista Jordan, Ph.D. ABPP and Associates

The psychotherapy practice is now offering new services including evaluation and treatment of children ages 4 and up, evaluation for Autism Spectrum Disorder, and evaluation and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. • 2222 Western Trails, Ste. 103, Austin • www.kristajordan.com

11 Big Lots The discount store chain announced it would close all of its locations after a deal with a potential buyer for the company fell through. • Closing in late February • 801 E. William Cannon Drive, Ste. 135B, Austin • www.biglots.com 12 Party City The party supplier will close its Southpark Meadows location amidst a flood of nationwide closures. The news came in December after Party City CEO Barry Litwin announced the company would be winding down operations. However, the Brodie Lane location of Party City, at 5601 Brodie Lane, Ste. 200, Austin, will remain

open as it individually owned and operated, said Anisa Patel, whose family owns the Brodie Lane location and another at the Balcones Woods Shopping Center. • Closed in early 2025 • 9600 S. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 14, Austin • www.partycity.com 14 Huckleberry The Gulf Coast-inspired food truck has announced a temporary pause in its food trailer operations. Staff said on social media that this is not a permanent closure. In the meantime, catering services remain available. • Closed Nov. 16 • 440 E. St. Elmo Road, Ste. F, Austin • www.huckleberrytx.com

Closings

10 Couch Potatoes The Austin-based furniture store will close its south location at the end of January. According to its website, the closure is a “strategic decision to adapt to the evolving retail landscape in Austin.” Other stores in north and Central Austin will remain open. • Closing Jan. 31 • 500 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin • www.couchpotatoes.com

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Impacts

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

3 Smoothie King The juice bar will be joining the array of businesses in the Belterra Village Shopping Center, offering a variety of smoothies. • Opening Jan. 18 • 164 Belterra Village Way, Ste. Y300, Austin • www.smoothieking.com

FITZHUGH RD.

BELL SPRINGS RD.

OLD FITZHUGH RD.

185

290

BELTERRA VILLAGE WY.

Coming soon

MERCER ST.

290

1826

4 Southern Sweets Candy Company Locals Paige Powell and Marianne Gibson will be moving their online Southern Sweets Candy Company to a new location off Fitzhugh Road. • Opening early 2025 • 700 Old Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs • Facebook: Southern Sweets Candy Company

Dripping Springs

164

2 Lucky Lab Coffee Co. Courtney Hutton’s sixth location of her coffee shop is now open. Lucky Lab serves coffee from Austin- based roaster Third Coast Coffee with housemade syrups, creams and sauces. The business has replaced a Rolling in Thyme and Dough location, which closed in August. Other Lucky Lab locations can be found at The University of Texas at Austin and in the West Campus neighborhood. • Opened Dec. 5 • 31560 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs • www.luckylabcoffee.com

Now open

162

150

1 Thai To-Go Nat Casas opened the Thai food truck off US-290 in September. The restaurant offers entrees such as curry dishes, fried rice entrees, noodle dishes like Pad See Ew and Lo Mein, soups, salads and more. • Opened Sept. 1 • 301 US-290, Dripping Springs • www.dsthaifood.com

Closings

5 Dreamland Dripping Springs The outdoor entertainment venue closed its doors in December after almost four years in Dripping Springs. • Closed Dec. 31 • 2770 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs • www.dreamland.us

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Government

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ & BEN THOMPSON

Austin ocials sworn in; elect mayor pro tem Six Austin City Council members were inaugu- rated Jan. 6 to start o the new council term. Council’s rst regular meeting of 2025 is Jan. 30, after press time. The big picture Three incumbents were sworn in after their reelection in the fall, joining three newly elected ocials: Krista Laine from District 6 in Northwest Austin, Mike Siegel from North Central Austin’s District 7, and Marc Duchen from District 10 covering Central and West Austin. All six will now serve at City Hall for four years. After taking their oaths of oce, council members each spoke to their hopes and priorities for the coming term while pushing back against political divisions both locally and at higher levels of government. “If we come together, really setting aside personal and ideological agendas, it will make a big dierence today and a transformative one tomorrow,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. The action taken Following inauguration, the new-look council took its rst action by holding an election for mayor pro tem. That role’s responsibilities include running council meetings and serving as the city’s ceremonial head of government whenever the mayor is absent. Recent councils decided to split up mayor pro tem duties on an annual basis, a trend that will be continuing. District 2 council member Vanessa Fuentes was chosen for the role in 2025, and District 4’s Chito Vela is set to take over in 2026.

Thousands sheltered amid cold weather Austin sheltered nearly 4,000 people and responded to dozens of weather-related incidents through recent cold snaps. What happened As below-freezing temperatures rolled in through the past month, the city opened overnight shelter spaces serving hundreds of people nightly from Jan. 5-10 and 18-22. The service now operates under new policies made late last year to improve client registration and shelter activation processes. “Our decision to raise our cold weather shelter threshold from 32 to 35 degrees was done with the sole intention of saving lives, of preventing frostbite, of preventing hypothermia,” Homeless Strategy Ocer David Gray said in an interview. Out in the community, two deaths were reported Jan. 20-21 out of nearly three dozen cold-related illness incidents citywide. Countering the cold Austin responded to dozens of incidents and sheltered hundreds of people during cold weather in January. • 3,922 people served in overnight cold weather shelters • 700 lane miles of roadway were treated • 84 cold-related medical responses, including 2 deaths • 89 potentially weather-related vehicle collisions • 23 weather-related ire incidents (Jan. 5-10 only)

Three returning and three newly elected Austin City Council members were sworn in on Jan. 6.

BEN THOMPSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Austin City Council terms Six city ocials, including three newcomers, were sworn in for four-year terms in January. Five others are halfway through their current terms.

Mayor Kirk Watson

Vanessa Fuentes, District 2* Natasha Harper- Madison, District 1 José Velásquez, District 3

Chito Vela, District 4* Ryan Alter, District 5 Krista Laine, District 6 Mike Siegel, District 7 Zo Qadri, District 9 Paige Ellis, District 8 Marc Duchen, District 10

*SELECTED AS MAYOR PRO TEM

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Hays County pushes pre-trial mental health program amid long wait times for inmates Hays County ocials unanimously approved let- ters of support on Jan. 7 for a new program to tackle issues with pretrial wait times for inmates with mental health issues, and capacity in the county jail. The details A jail-based competency restoration program therapy to inmates, according to a news release, and prepare them to work with their attorney and defend their case. “What we’re dealing with are people who have

Hipolito, Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins and Commissioner Michelle G. Cohen. Defendants with mental health issues or who have developmental disabilities can be deemed incompetent to stand trial, and endure potentially long waits until classied as “competent” to do so. Wait times often extend for over a year, at a high cost to the county which is responsible for covering jail placement costs. The new program would oer treatment and

maybe committed an act as a symptom of mental ill- ness, yet because of the lack of statewide resources, we do need to be able to release people from jail to receive treatment,” Higgins said Jan. 7. “I want to dignify these defendant’s liberty interests.”

would be a partnership between Hays County and the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disability Centers. The proposal earned the backing of newly-elected Hays County Sheri Anthony

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State

BY HANNAH NORTON

Zooming in

Texas’ 140-day legislative session began Jan. 14 in Austin.

The speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor, who oversees the Senate, can each des- ignate priority bills for the 2025 session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Nov. 12 he would set 40 priorities, including: • Senate Bill 1, Texas’ 2025-26 budget • SB 2, the Senate’s school voucher plan • SB 3, which would ban sales of all forms of consumable Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in Texas House lawmakers will select a speaker with a majority vote Jan. 14. Speaker Dade Phelan, RBeaumont, announced Dec. 6 he would not seek a third term leading the chamber, although he will remain a state representative.

HANNAH NORTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Here’s what to expect as the Texas Legislature reconvenes in 2025

Also of note

include creating a dedicated funding source to prevent future water shortages—and increase funding for public schools. “My big concern is that we are not putting the money into public education that we need to,” Howard said. Lawmakers may also revive a private school voucher plan, Gov. Greg Abbott said Nov. 6, after several pro-voucher Republicans were elected to the Texas House. The proposal would give families public funds to pay for private education. As of Dec. 18, lawmakers had led about 2,300 bills they hoped to turn into law in 2025. The deadline to le most legislation is March 14.

On Jan. 14, Texas lawmakers returned to Austin for the 89th legislative session. The only bill they are constitutionally required to pass each session is the biennial state budget. Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, said lawmakers need to “be smart” when writing the next budget. “Part of that is stewarding taxpayer money,” Harris Davila said during a Dec. 12 panel hosted by the Austin Chamber. “When it comes in for us to spend on roads and infrastructure, are we being responsible with it?” Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said she believes the Legislature needs to prioritize the state’s water infrastructure—which could

Lawmakers will have about $20 billion in unspent money going into the legislative session, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “The Legislature will have a lot of tools in the toolbox next session to deal with issues, whether it’s road infrastructure, water infrastructure, electrical grid infrastructure, public education, higher education,” Hegar said Dec. 12. Texas lawmakers will have an estimated $194.6 billion available for spending as they write the 2026-27 state budget, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Jan. 13.

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Education

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ

AISD reports progress on special education order

New DSISD school principal chosen

Austin ISD is making “signicant strides” in fullling an agreed order between the district and Texas Education Agency that rst came about in 2023 due to shortfalls in the special education department. There is still “work to be done,” ocials said in a news release. The gist The district has completed 74 of 99 action items detailed in the agreement, ocials said. The action items are associated with four main priority categories, including data management, completing outstanding special education evalua- tions, operational practices and family outreach. There are also items associated with a Lone Star Governance agreement. Lone Star Governance is a TEA program providing coaching and support to district governing bodies focused on improving student outcomes. The district must complete all action items to avoid a TEA-appointed conservator.

25 improvements remain AISD has yet to complete 25 action items detailed in an agreed order with the TEA. Completed Complete corrective action plans (Priority I) 20 Incomplete

Current Rooster Springs Elementary Principal Steve Novickas has been named principal for Dripping Springs ISD’s sixth elementary school. The details

Steve Novickas

Improve SPED procedures (Priority II) 28 19

Novickas has served six years as principal of Rooster Springs. He previously held the assistant principal position at Sycamore Springs Middle School, the district’s second middle school, which he assisted in opening, DSISD ocials said in a news release. The new school is slated to open for the 2025-26 school year. Novickas will begin transitioning to his new role in February. The district has begun the hiring process for the next Rooster Springs principal.

Parent outreach (Priority IV) 15 Data management (Priority III) 2

Lone Star Governance 9 6

DATA AS OF DEC. 12, 2024

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

AISD calendars for next 2 school years approved The Austin ISD board of trustees approved the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic calendars during a board meeting on Dec. 19, 2024. The details The 2025-26 calendar has students starting classes Aug. 19 and ending May 28, 2026.

2026-27

School year

2025-26

First day of school

Aug. 19, 2025 Aug. 18, 2026

The approved calendars include days o for the usual seasonal vacation times, such as spring, fall and winter breaks. The calendars also include faith-based and cultural observances. The total number of student instructional days for each academic year is 169, district ocials said.

Nov. 24-28, 2025

Fall break

Nov. 23-27, 2026

Student winter break

Dec. 22, 2025- Jan. 5, 2026 March 16-20, 2026

Dec. 21, 2026- Jan. 4, 2027 March 15-19, 2027

Spring break

For the 2026-27 calendar, students begin school Aug. 18, 2026 and nish class on May 27, 2027.

Last day of school

May 28, 2026 May 27, 2027

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Transportation

BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Road work to begin on Slaughter Lane Slaughter Lane’s existing four lanes from MoPac to Brodie Lane will be expanded to six lanes this spring, per city documents. The overview This phase of work joins a larger corridor project aimed at increasing safety for pedes- trians and bicyclists as well as increasing mobility. Bike lanes and shared use paths along the roadway will also see safety improvements.

Austin Transit Partnership has proposed a greenway running parallel to the proposed rail line along Riverside Drive.

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Project Connect legal proceedings continue After a lawsuit from community opponents seeking to halt Austin’s tax collections for Project Connect was dismissed in December, the group is now seeking to revive the case. The suit alleges the city broke promises to taxpayers with a “drastically reduced” transit plan and unclear construction timeline.

What’s happening? Attorney General Ken Paxton is also seeking to reverse a separate decision that would allow a trial over the project’s nancing to proceed. After a state appeals court rejected his push to halt those proceedings in the fall, Paxton asked the Texas Supreme Court to consider the case; its review was pending as of press time. The big picture Voters backed the project in 2020 with the approval of an indenite tax increase, and the initial rail outline was since scaled down.

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Development

BY BEN THOMPSON

The redevelopment of a commercial lot o Hwy. 290 may be moving ahead in Southwest Austin pending a recommendation from a city environ- mental board and nal City Council vote. The details A four-story apartment complex with more than 300 units and thousands of square feet of retail space is proposed on a 6.5-acre site at 5725 W. Hwy. 290, Austin. The project would replace an existing commercial building and parking lot. The plans are subject to additional environ- mental review due to the property’s location within the Barton Springs Watershed and Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. City sta said the project Mixed-use redevelopment eyed o Hwy. 290

290

The commercial lot is currently home to a bank, located near Patton Elementary School.

ELLE BENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

outline, including onsite water treatment features, complies with local regulations for those more sensitive areas. Also of note Hundreds of new apartments and retail space proposed on the site would create roughly half the daily vehicle trac, just over 1,500 trips, than under its previous use, a city trac analysis found. The new complex would be accessible via neighboring streets only with no entrances along the highway.

Zoning updates for the project were approved by council last summer with additional requests about trac safety around the property, including possible trac calming upgrades and new pedes- trian beacons on Westcreek Drive. The project would also build under Austin’s DB90 program allowing for taller development if aordable hous- ing is included, making it one of dozens to use the program citywide since its creation early last year. At least three dozen units for lower-income tenants are planned.

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Real estate

The average days on market for most of the eight ZIP codes in the Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs market was up in December year over year, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

December 2023

December 2024

+45.45%

+20%

-12.50%

+35.71%

+7.14%

-4.35%

-9.09%

+14.29%

360

78620

78735

78736

78737

78739

78745

78748

78749

MOPAC

78735

78620

78736

Median home sales price

78745

December

2023

2024

290

753227

617500

78620 78735 78736 78737 78739 78745 78748 78749

78748

78737

$1,036,250 $512,500 $878,700 $769,000 $485,000 $464,999 $535,000

$886,000 $561,957 $799,990 $750,000 $459,250 $462,500 $597,500

78739

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

+20.3% -9.47% Average days on the market

Market

December 2023

December 2024

+66.20%

+15.25%

+33.33%

-1.45%

+10.91%

-37.10%

December

2023

2024

153

179

New listings

194 189

Closed sales

78620

78735

78736

78737

78739

78745

78748

78749

Homes under contract

179 154

Homes sold by price point in December

Months of inventory

78620 78735 78736 78737 78739 78745 78748 78749

3.9

3.8

0 2

$900,000+

Average days on the market

0 5

$700,000-$899,999

14 10 10

$500,000-$699,999

0 0 0 25

$300,000-$499,999

Active listings

724 752

0 0 0 0 0

<$299,999

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Health & wellness

BY HALEY MCLEOD & CLAIRE SHOOP

Health & Wellness Guide

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health & Wellness Edition! This brand new guide features the latest updates and resources on health and wellness in your community. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists. In this year’s edition, learn more about how local technology companies are incorporating Articial Intelligence into wellness, how salt can bring relief to Central Texas allergies and what IV drip therapy can do.

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County health data Travis County and Hays County performed similarly in overall rankings for both health outcomes and health factors. Both counties were above the state and national averages in most health rankings. However, each county diered on some of the individual metrics that went into the scores such as access to healthy food and exercise opportunities.

Snapshot

Health indicators

The data for all counties statewide is updated annually, but includes information from previous years.

These are some of the statistics that inuence the overall health and wellness of the county.

Health factor

Health outcome

Travis

Travis County

Hays County 79.8 years

Texas

Least healthy in U.S. Most healthy in U.S.

Hays

Life expectancy Food insecurity

80.6 years

77.2 years

12% 5% 11% 23% 92% 15%

12%

14% 8% 13% 18% 82% 20%

Limited access to healthy foods

Health outcomes

Adult smoking

14% 21% 81% 16%

Travis County

Excessive drinking

Hays County

Access to exercise opportunities

Uninsured (under age 65)

State average National average

Ratio of population to primary care physicians Ratio of population to mental health providers Sleep fewer than 7 hours on average Commute alone for longer than 30 minutes Spend 50% or more of income on housing

1,190:1

2,260:1

1,660:1

Health factors

270:1 30% 37% 16%

810:1 30% 50% 17%

640:1

Travis County

33% 39% 14%

Hays County

National average

State average

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN POPULATION HEALTH INSTITUTE 2024 COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Health & wellness

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Travis County health professionals face chal- lenges navigating “historic” disparities in life expec- tancy throughout the eastern part of the county, hampered by slow delivery of state and federal data to local providers, according to local ocials. Some parts of eastern Travis County see up to 15 years fewer of life expectancy than in western counterparts of the county, according to a report released in 2022 by nonprot research organization Episcopal Health Foundation. Though the data—collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—dates back nearly a decade, the numbers are expected to remain pretty consistent due to “historic dividing lines,” said Brian Sasser, chief communications ocer for the Episcopal Health Foundation. The analysis revealed that Travis County resi- dents in lower-income neighborhoods with higher poverty rates, lower education levels and signicant minority populations have signicantly shorter life expectancies than those in more auent areas. The foundation has plans to renew its research with more recent data, Sasser said, but added it could be years before receiving those gures from state and federal sources. Zooming in Dr. Nicholas Yagoda, the interim CEO of Com- mUnityCare Health Centers, called the slow data process a “stumbling block” for local providers tackling health discrepancies in their communities. Eastern TravCo sees 15 years less in life expectancy

Health divide in Travis County Many areas along the outskirts of Travis County see projections for reduced life expectancy. These areas also see higher poverty rates, lower education levels and higher minority populations.

Life expectancy in years at birth 65-70 70-75

75-80

80-85

85-90

No data

130 TOLL

620

290

MOPAC

183

SOURCE: U.S. SMALLAREA LIFE EXPECTANCY ESTIMATES PROJECT, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Yagoda explained that more auent communities are moving east, with some of the original vulner- able populations either being displaced or getting buried behind the larger income levels of their new neighbors. The community provider continues to evaluate areas for economic stability, environmental hazards, food deserts, safe housing, play space and other nonmedical health determinants. What else CommUnityCare also functions as a care provider for Central Health, which adopted its Healthcare Equity Plan in early 2022—a $700 million eort to increase direct care to patients. The hospital district opened its rst permanent specialty clinic at the Rosewood-Zaragosa center in East Austin in July and has plans for another east health and wellness center in Del Valle.

“Frankly, it makes it very hard for us as a commu- nity, as a state, as a nation, to be able to react in a timely fashion,” Yagoda said. Newer surveys conducted by CommUnityCare and other local health providers indicate that the dierences between life expectancy between east and west Travis County is shrinking, but Yagoda says the data is complex. CommUnityCare’s analysis of vulnerable popu- lation footprints examines education and income levels across the region, as these have proven to be an eective determinant of health outcomes, Yagoda said. “It appears, at face value, that that gap is closing, but that may not be for the right reasons,” Yagoda said. “... When you do the analysis, it has everything to do with the change in demography within the county. We see that the net isn’t disappearing, it’s just being diluted.”

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Types of gyms

Mixed martial arts gyms Mixed martial arts, or MMA, involves techniques from combat sports that include striking and grappling. People often train by sparring, using fighting styles such as boxing, Brazilian jiujitsu, muay Thai and kickboxing. • Good for: This sport helps improve endurance, functional strength, flexibility and reflexes, according to fitness company Ronin Training Center. • Examples: Black Widow MMA, Kings MMA Austin, Fit and Fearless Powerlifting gyms Powerlifting consists of three lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift, according to USA Powerlifting. Powerlifting gyms provide equipment and sometimes training needed to powerlift. • Good for: Powerlifting is good for building strength. • Examples: FeV Iron Vault Gym, Twisted Steel Barbell, Gameday Barbell, Los Campeones Gym Austin South Yoga studios Yoga studios often offer classes geared toward the practice of different yoga styles. • Good for: Yoga is good for flexibility, balance and strength in addition to its benefits for heart health, according to health system John Hopkins Medicine. • Examples: Black Swan Yoga, Flow Yoga, YTX Yoga

Boot camp gyms Boot camp gyms offer “boot camp” sessions of an intense workout in a short amount of time, focusing on cardio and strength training in one session. • Good for: This form of high-impact, full-body workout engages major muscle groups and focuses on strength training, which can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures by maintaining bone density, according to fitness company Peloton and health care center Mayo Clinic. • Examples: F45, HIT Athletic, Orangetheory Fitness Boxing gyms Boxing gyms can offer traditional boxing classes to teach sparring or fitness boxing—a form of high-intensity interval training, or HIIT. Fitness boxing can include drills such as footwork drills and punching rounds. • Good for: Boxing exercises can improve heart health, endurance, balance and coordination, as well as provide full-body strength training. • Examples: Archetype Boxing Club, Rumble Boxing, Austin Women’s Boxing Club, Crunch Fitness

Climbing gyms Climbing gyms often offer different climbing styles like bouldering, top roping and lead climbing in an indoor facility outfitted with textured walls designed to mimic rock surfaces. • Good for: Climbing is a full-body workout good for building strength, according to the CDC. • Examples: Austin Bouldering Project, Crux Climbing Center, Mesa Rim Climbing Center Cycling gyms Cycling gyms offer indoor cycling classes, often referred to as spinning, for a low-impact, high-intensity workout. • Good for: Cycling focuses on various muscle groups, such as quads, calves, glutes and core, according to cycling studio VERVE and Harvard Medical School. This form of exercise puts less stress on joints, which may be ideal for those with orthopedic injuries, according to Harvard Medical School. • Examples: CYCLEBAR, SoulCycle, RIDE Indoor Cycling, LOVE Cycling Studio

Here is a noncomprehensive guide of different types of gyms to join around the Austin area. This list is in alphabetical order. Aquatic gyms Aquatic gyms often feature swimming pools, diving and offer swimming classes. • Good for: Swimming can improve health for people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Examples: Jamail Texas Swimming Center, Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy, The Swim Studio Barre studios The studios offer barre classes, a low-impact exercise routine that combines elements of ballet, Pilates, yoga, and strength training. • Good for: Barre focuses on body strength and flexibility, according to gym franchise Pure Barre’s website. • Examples: barre3, Pure Barre, TruFusion South Austin

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) studios

Pilates studios Pilates studios offer classes focusing on strengthening core muscles, with an emphasis on proper technique. • Good for: This low-impact workout can improve core strength, balance and flexibility, as well as help with back pain, though research is limited, according to studies in the Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal and the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. • Examples: Reform You Pilates, Club Pilates, Fire & Flow Pilates, Soma Lux Pilates

These studios offer sessions that involve short, high-intensity reps with active recovery periods in between. • Good for: HIIT sessions are often below an hour but provide benefits such as improved heart health, burning calories and increased strength and endurance, according to the Cleveland Clinic and an article from Harvard School of Public Health. • Examples: F45 Training, Orangetheory Fitness, HIT Athletic, Pvolve Austin

This list is not comprehensive.

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Winter Weather PREPAREDNESS TIPS For updates and instructional videos visit: austinwater.org

Locate your water shutoff Make sure everyone in your residence knows where the water main shutoff valve is located and keep it clear of debris and obstacles at all times. In an emergency, Austin Water recommends you always try to shut off your water at your property owner’s cutoff valve first. For most homes in our service area, the property owner’s shutoff valve is on your side of the water meter at the meter box. If you are not sure where, check the property inspection report from when you purchased your residence. For renters, please consult with your property manager. If you cannot find your shutoff valve or if it is damaged, then you should be prepared to access the City shutoff valve in the meter box. You may need a water meter key to open the meter box, during an emergency, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Keep out cold air Tightly close doors and windows to the outside. Make repairs to broken or drafty windows, doors, and walls. Seal all leaks in crawl spaces and basements. Winterize unheated spaces and close garage doors for the duration of the freeze. Exposed pipes and water heaters Insulate pipes in unheated and drafty areas, such as an attic or garage. Also check Also check manufacturer recommendations for your tanked and tankless water heaters. Hardware and plumbing supply stores carry insulation to help keep pipes from freezing. Outside faucets Turn off outside faucets. Remove all connected hoses and wrap faucets with towels or a Styrofoam insulator. Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems. Prepare before leaving town If you plan to be away during a time when freezing temperatures are possible, turn off your water at the meter and set your thermostat to 65 degrees or higher.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES to have on hand

WATER METER KEY to access your meter box if necessary INSULATION for indoor and outdoor pipes HOSE BIB COVERS for outdoor faucets

Battery powered RADIO and FLASHLIGHT Have enough water for 1 GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY FOR 7 DAYS

In the event of an emergency and you can’t access your meter box, please call Austin Water’s Emergency Dispatch at 512-972-1000.

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