🌱 MLK Events + Israel for Mayor + 'Queer Eye' + Concert Updates

Gabriela Couvillion
Updated ·4 min read
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Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Turning sunny and milder. High: 62 Low: 43.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

  1. Martin Luther King (MLK) Day is on Monday, Jan. 17, and although the traditional MLK march has been canceled due to COVID-19; there are still several events planned in the Austin area "to commemorate the civil rights activist and his work." Check out some of those events happening this year at: (KVUE.com)

  2. State Rep. Celia Israel, elected to the Texas House in 2014, recently announced that she is going to run for mayor of Austin and "her campaign will focus on housing, affordability and transportation in the city." If elected, she will be the city's first openly gay and Latina mayor. Israel said, “The city that I've lived in since 1982 has become an exclusive city. It's ultra-unaffordable and in my view, we are becoming a city that is forgetting the women and men that are building this economy." She added, “I'm concerned that we are becoming a city that we don't really want to be, and I think urgent action is required.” For more information on the potential mayoral candidate, visit: (The Texas Tribune)

  3. If you are a "Queer Eye" show fan, you're likely to enjoy Season 6, which recently debuted on Netflix. In spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the stars of the show were able to go out and film around the city of Austin. In the show, the cast "visited lots of bakeries and cafes" and "enjoyed some Southern favorites, as well as 'other Austin eateries.'" For more details and for a list of some of the featured venues, visit: (Mashed)

  4. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Stage 5 safety guidelines in the city of Austin, several concerts "originally planned for the next few weeks" have either been canceled or postponed. For a list of some the events affected and for further details, visit: (austin360)

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Today in Austin:

  • Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You by HerScan, Inc. (9 a.m.)

  • Virtual Zumba Class by Stronger Austin. (6 a.m.)

  • Curbside Dinner for Two Raffle Event from Franklin BBQ for National Blood Donor Month at We Are Blood. (9 a.m.)

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Crockett Early College High School. (4 p.m.)

  • Virtual Dual Language Workshops at Austin ISD. (6 p.m.)

  • "Jurassic Park" at Doc's Drive in Theatre. (8:45 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "The KUT Austin program provides a one-time grant of $2,000 to qualified applicants — including musicians, sound engineers and technicians, promoters and other folks working within the industry." (Facebook)

  • "Austin ISD AVID Family Night is on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 6-7 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Join us via Zoom at https://bit.ly/30zZgei as we showcase the benefits of Advanced Placement and Advanced Courses, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Dual Language, Early College Programs, Gifted and Talented, UT OnRamps and Dual Credit." (Facebook)

  • "Get out of the cold and into the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum for half-priced Tuesdays! Plan your trip now at: https://bit.ly/HalfPriceLBJ. Tickets are available 21 days in advance and must be purchased online. Learn about our COVID-19 policies here: https://www.lbjlibrary.org/covid19." (Facebook)

  • "Need a New Year's Resolution? Set an intention to give back to your community more this year by setting up a monthly donation to Foster Angels of Central Texas, to improve the lives of a child in foster care. If you set up a $25 monthly donation, by the end of the year you will have provided new clothing for three children!
    Set up your donation at: http://ow.ly/Sq1L50HrnH." (Facebook)

  • "Welcome to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Valhalla Esports Lounge! DJ's, a dance floor, and happy hour; they have everything you need for a great time at 710 B W 6th St. Check out their website at: https://hubs.ly/Q011v_j20." (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Gabriela Couvillion

About me: I'm an active mom of two grown sons and lifelong San Antonio resident. I received a BA in Spanish from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and in my free time I immerse myself in creative writing. Thanks for reading Patch, and feel free to reach out if you have any news and happenings you think may appeal to our readers!

This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch