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Hoping to celebrate Thanksgiving? Then Austin health officials recommend skipping Halloween
21 October
ATXN.tv
Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County health authority, updates reporters about COVID-19 conditions in Austin during a Wednesday press conference.
Halloween isn't canceled, but COVID-19 health risks should keep the holiday celebration at a minimum this year in Austin.
<p>At least that is what Austin public health officials are asking as COVID-19 cases likely increase, based on <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-covid-october" target="_blank">recent modeling predictions</a>. The city is averaging about 100 cases per day, down significantly from the summer spike, but the rolling 14-day averages show an overall increase in COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions and ventilator usage, according to Dr. Mark Escott, interim Austin-Travis County health authority.</p>
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<p>"Cases are on the rise, and Halloween is just around the corner," Escott said. "If we do not want to have Thanksgiving in a period of crisis, we've got to really tamp down our activity for Halloween."<br/></p><p>This comes after several weeks of being "in a plateau," he said, potentially giving fatigued Austin residents false hope that it is now safe to resume normal activities. On the contrary, Escott warns that actions taken in the coming days and weeks will influence health conditions by late November during the holiday season. </p><p>"That's just the new way of life for us, at least at this stage," he said.</p><p>Austin health officials, including Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden, acknowledged that months of quarantine measures have exhausted Austinites, but the same safety measures still apply: social distance, wear masks, wash your hands, stay home if you're not feeling well and quarantine and get tested if you've been exposed to COVID-19.</p><p>Concerns are exacerbated as the influenza season kicks off. Austin already has documented flu cases, APH Chief Epidemiologist Janet Pichette said, making it all the more important that residents get their flu vaccination. Seasonal flu patients took up most of the hospital ICU capacity last year, according to health officials.</p><p>Hayden recommended that residents visit <a href="http://vaccinefinder.org" target="_blank">vaccinefinder.org</a> to find a flu shot provider that is covered by their insurance. Anyone without insurance can also get a <a href="http://www.austintexas.gov/department/flu-austin-influenza" target="_blank">free flu shot</a> at two upcoming events:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><strong>Oct. 24</strong>: Southeast Library, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road (8 a.m. to noon)<ul class="ee-ul"><li>Walk-up flu shots on a first-come, first-served basis</li></ul></li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"><li><strong>Nov. 7</strong>: Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)<ul class="ee-ul"><li>Drive-thru flu shots, with appointments recommended</li><li>Call APH Immunizations at 512-972-5520 to schedule an appointment</li></ul></li></ul><p>Despite concerns about rising COVID-19 and flu cases, Escott and the rest of the public health team insisted that in-person voting is still safe. In fact, Escott voted earlier in the day and considered the experience safe at every step.</p><p>"The risk of transmission is extremely low for in-person voting," Escott said. "(Voters) should feel confident in those safety procedures at their polling place."</p><p>Similarly, normal school activities also pose a low health risk. Most cases recorded in school settings have been isolated to social events outside of school or during extracurricular activities.</p><p>"Football programs, in particular, is where we have seen that situation develop over the past couple of weeks," Escott said. </p><p>It's important that anyone exposed or sick stay home the entirety of their 14-day quarantine period, health officials urged, or risk more dire circumstances by November. New hospital admissions are <a href="https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/0ad7fa50ba504e73be9945ec2a7841cb" target="_blank">just below 20 per day currently</a>, about halfway to stricter Stage 4 restrictions, which haven't been in place since late July.</p><p>"My hope is that in November on Thanksgiving that I was wrong about what I said today," Escott said. "I hope we don't see the rise that's predicted. But the only way that's going to happen is if we change our behavior."</p>
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(Shutterstock)
Researchers at the COVID-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin predict there is a 96% chance the COVID-19 pandemic is growing in Austin.
<p>Their model uses local COVID hospitalization data as well as cell phone mobility data to estimate the local state of the pandemic. Last week, it predicted there was only a 66% chance the pandemic was growing locally. </p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a1c5c7edbd0101a32c6fa7ca9800b192" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="32800" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU0MTY5NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzMxOTgzNH0.vVPhFZ-FzNopH8mdY4wR_dwoU7-BoRmbLw9w9Xod608/img.png?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(COVID-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin)</small></p><p>Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said these projections, coupled with local caseload data, should sound an alarm for residents. <br/></p><p><span></span>"I can't stress enough," he said on Tuesday, "we are in a very precarious time right now."</p><p>The moving average number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Travis County and related hospitalizations in the Austin metro are both in the midst of a two-week sustained upward trend. </p><p><span></span>The average number of daily new confirmed COVID cases is 93, as of Monday evening, according to Austin Public Health data. This represents a nearly 20% increase since Sept. 1, when the average was 78.</p><p>The average number of daily new COVID hospital admissions is 18, the highest it has been since Sept. 8. </p><p>In addition to an increasing number of new cases and hospitalizations, the number of total patients hospitalized with COVID, in the ICU and on ventilators have also increased in the Austin metro over the last few weeks.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3099f6d8afb6a853e18e13ffb9bc7d19" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="37fa1" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU0MTcyNy9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MjgxODc1MX0.X0G9C-kuXUv3xBlaXW25oEGxaoFMmE6XMIgPNY9XWSk/img.png?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit..."><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/RationalAnarchy/" target="_blank">(Rational Anarchy/Reddit)</a></small></p><p>At this rate, the UT researchers project that the metro could approach its ICU capacity by mid-November. <br/></p><p>Escott attributed these shifts—which arrive after six weeks of a more-or-less flattened curve and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/20/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html" target="_blank">are mirrored across the country</a>—to pandemic fatigue.</p><p>"This disease hasn't changed," he said. "What's changed is us."</p><p>In addition to recommitting to masking, social distancing and other protective behaviors, Austinites should get their flu shots, per Escott's advice</p><p>Last year, hospitals in the Austin metro nearly hit their ICU capacity with flu patients alone. Although the flu test positivity rate is currently just over 1%—which Escott said is excellent—there is still concern about the prospect of a twindemic.</p><p>"We have the potential of effectively lowering the surge capacity that we have for COVID-19 if we have flu hospitalizations as well," Escott said. "So now is the time to be extra cautious." </p><p>Austin area primary and secondary schools are not posting significant increases in new cases, but clusters continue to emerge from extracurricular and social activities, such as parent-sanctioned parties.</p><p>Children and young adults are at very low risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19, but they can transmit the disease to those in other age groups, such as their teachers and grandparents.</p><p>As a result, Escott said he hopes Austinites take note of these concerning trends.</p><p>"We can change this forecast," he said. "Thanksgiving is going to be ugly if we don't change our actions now."</p>
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COVID scare forces cancellation of Joe Rogan podcast episodes, including Kanye West interview
20 October
Popular podcaster—and new Austin resident—Joe Rogan canceled all podcast episodes for this week just days after the controversial music artist Kanye West teased that he would be on the show.
<p>The cancellation of this week's podcast episodes comes after Rogan's producer Jamie Vernon tested positive for COVID-19. On Instagram, Rogan said he and the rest of his team had tested negative. Rogan also said he had not seen Vernon in nine days, and his staff would be tested every day to make sure they did not contract the virus.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7c202cbb4acc79657709a6dd0f8b9b94" id="84d39"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGidLAbA1vQ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>While Rogan did not mention the guests of the upcoming episodes that were canceled, West tweeted screenshots of a FaceTime call with Rogan, which referred to West being a guest on the podcast this Friday. </p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7f8f25e768b362c9f67e4db0cfdb03cd" id="4c70b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1317550429895622657"><div style="margin:1em 0">Joe Rogan said it’s cool for me to design the set for our podcast this Friday ⛷ https://t.co/9FOPjU36K3</div> — ye (@ye)<a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/statuses/1317550429895622657">1602963476.0</a></blockquote></div><p>West has not publicly responded to the cancellation. </p><p>The rapper icon first mentioned he wanted to be on the podcast on <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1315680854555848705?s=20" target="_blank">Twitter Oct. 12</a>. This would mean West would fly from his Calabasas home to Rogan's <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-businesses-behind-the-joe-rogan-studio-2647571718/timeline-of-joe-rogan-moving-to-texas" target="_blank">new Austin podcast studio</a>, as many guests on the podcast have done already.</p><p>West made news in July for <a href="https://austonia.com/politics/elon-musk-kanye-west" target="_blank">launching his candidacy for U.S. president</a>. While his name will not appear on most ballots, he is still encouraging fans to write his name in. </p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="19a18f982b6c1115bb96e4146247aae8" id="a8fbc"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1314407219434196993"><div style="margin:1em 0">Friends writing me in 🕊 https://t.co/bC4NvFBWB5</div> — ye (@ye)<a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/statuses/1314407219434196993">1602214076.0</a></blockquote></div><p><strong>More on Joe Rogan:</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/iconoclast-joe-rogan" target="_self">Austin's newest superstar resident, podcaster Joe Rogan, is a complicated, pot smoking, elk hunting, fight fan who wants everyone to just 'calm down'</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQ1MzI4My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwNDczNzU4NX0.7iTW7OLxrUqt24g-Zxe2TKriAjAIWIaNeeBjNHT0KLU/img.jpg?width=980" id="90c7a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3f1c8b335784ceacbf24509cb282d8d5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Austin's newest superstar resident, podcaster Joe Rogan, is a complicated, pot smoking, elk hunting, fight fan who wants everyone to just 'calm down'
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50,000 Austin users are getting in on a new app that tracks crime, COVID updates and protests
20 October
(Pexels)
About 50,000 Austin-area users have already downloaded Citizen, a smartphone app that reports real-time police and emergency medical threats. Austin is already one of Citizen's most popular cities since the company soft-launched here late last year.
<p>"It's one of our top markets after cities like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago," Citizen spokesperson Lily Gordon told Austonia via email.<br/></p><p>The app relies on hired analysts and user-generated content to track every 911 call and public safety dispatch in the city. Users receive alerts about nearby incidents directly on their cell phone lock screen, and reports are updated live with additional details as well as audio and video recordings as they become available.</p><p>While there are numerous services similar to Citizen, including the city-built <a href="https://austintexas.gov/department/austin-pd-smartphone-app" target="_blank">Austin PD smartphone app</a>, Citizen claims to be the most popular since its launch in 2017. In total, the app has been downloaded by 5 million people across 20-plus metropolitan areas. </p><p>Citizen has already live reported several notable events in Austin. In addition to daily local COVID-19 updates, the app served as an information resource during downtown social unrest in late May and June.</p><p>More recently, Citizen dominated coverage during two September news events: when <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-trump-boat-parade" target="_self">five boats sank</a> during a pro-Donald Trump boat parade rally on Lake Travis (Sept. 4) and again when <a href="https://austonia.com/construction-crane-collision-austin" target="_self">two construction cranes collided</a>, injuring 22 workers in the Mueller neighborhood (Sept. 16). During both news events, the smartphone app scooped some local news outlets with live breaking news updates from analysts and Citizen users.</p><p>"We were proud that we were able to provide real-time updates on this major story to more than 30,000 Austinites and be a resource for local news outlets," Gordon said via email. "As a real-time safety app, this example points to how we are in a unique position to provide up-to-the-minute updates about developing public safety incidents."</p><p>As part of its "official" Austin debut in April, the company hired freelance help to increase activity on the platform. Austin native Brian Smith, who runs <a href="https://twitter.com/txmobilenews?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@txmobilenews</a> on Twitter as a freelance videographer, helped Citizen cover breaking news events in Austin as part of its "Street Team Program." He posted videos of public safety threats directly to the app, getting paid for each scene he documented. </p><p>The street team disbanded after the first month because of COVID-19 health concerns. Smith did similar stringer work while living in New York City. But Austin doesn't have as many breaking news stringers—think Jake Gyllenhaal's character in "Nightcrawler"—as the larger news markets. </p><p>"I'm kind of the only one who does the videos for the television networks," said Smith, who works as head of sales for a technology startup during the day. "This market just doesn't support it."</p><p>Even though Smith is no longer paid by Citizen for his side hustle, he still uses the app to find breaking news events to cover for the highest bidder. He even posts the occasional video clip from a news event as long as it doesn't compete with his freelance work.</p><p>From his experience, the app has proven reliable and accurate, and it's only improving.</p><p>"I do believe the people behind Citizen are committed to doing the best they can to put the best information out there to inform the public," Smith said.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="614b6e2361ab68210306ae3383fc7f09" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="356b6" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUzNTU2Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDY2OTcwMH0.JPAjqSqiMj3SUbE6RPsTteEqibfZQFp_xWrTaRAoBLs/img.jpg?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Public safety alerts are blasted to Citizen users each time a 911 call is documented. Users can customize the extent they receive alerts.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Citizen app</small></p><p>Many users on Citizen promote news from the app on other social platforms, including Westlake resident Dennis Lastor, who posts the occasional breaking alert to Twitter. The city has become less safe since he moved here 21 years ago, he said, and Citizen helps document the extent of the issue.<br/></p><p>"I wanted to see what kind of crime was going on and what kind of increase might be going on, and Citizen app was the only direct source showing the reality of what kind of crime was going on," said Lastor, who downloaded the app about three months ago.</p><p>Lastor, an engineer, says Citizen provides data that shows a rising crime trend as well as bizarre anecdotes about public safety risks in Austin. For example, there have been reports of multiple people chased by a machete-wielding man in one neighborhood, he said, and more than a dozen 7-Eleven convenience stores have recently been robbed. </p><p>According to the <a href="http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/101520_CMR_September_%20EXTERNAL.pdf" target="_blank">latest crime report</a> from the Austin police chief, crimes against persons and property crime are down so far this year. Lastor acknowledges the app has the potential to confirm his own bias, so he also relies on other news sources to balance out Citizen.</p><p>Lastor and Smith also both reject any comparison to Nextdoor—another hyperlocal reporting service—which is sometimes ridiculed for its unsubstantiated "suspicious person" posts. In fact, Lastor just deleted his Nextdoor account. </p><p>"(Citizen) can be hypervigilant, so you may think it's World War III when it's just an average day, but the upside beats the downside," Lastor said.</p>
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(Andreas Glöckner/Pixabay)
The Austin Film Society launched a new at-home streaming service, AFS@home.
<p>AFS@home members will receive discounted tickets for new films streaming on the platform as well as the ability to rent independent films not available elsewhere for around $10 to $12 apiece. </p><p>Current titles include the documentaries "This is Not a Movie: Robert Fisk" and "The Politics of Truth" and "Saul & Runy's Holocaust Survivor Band," adaptations of the Jack London novel "Martin Eden" and Richard Wright novel "Native Son," and the 2006 Chinese film "Still Life."</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="de2404a5fe6eead334e2cc8a325ba595" id="79e46"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>As with in-person screenings, AFS staff will provide virtual introductions to many of the films available through AFS@home.<br/></p><p>Proceeds from the new service will support the reopening of AFS' physical cinema, at the Linc development near I-35 and Airport Boulevard.</p><p>"The AFS Cinema will return! It's not a matter of 'if,' but when," according to a press release issued on Friday. "But we know that it isn't time yet, and we will not reopen until Austin is ready to return to the movies." </p><p>AFS was founded in 1985 by filmmaker Richard Linklater, of the films "Boyhood" and "Before Sunrise."</p><p>The local cinema is one of 11 arthouses across the country involved in the @homeArts program, which was developed by the Salt Lake City Film Society to help cinemas adapt during the pandemic.</p><p>Texas Gov. Greg Abbott <a href="https://austonia.com/texas-bars-covid" target="_self">announced earlier this month</a> that movie theaters and other businesses limited to 50% capacity could expand to 75% capacity. </p><p>But many cinemas remain closed, such as AFS, or otherwise impacted by the pandemic. </p><p>Regal Cinemas, which reopened in August, <a href="https://austonia.com/regal-cinemas-shuts-down" target="_self">recently announced</a> that it would suspend operations at all of its U.S. locations, including four in Austin. </p><p><strong>More on theaters: </strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/mueller-alamo-drafthouse" target="_self">Alamo Drafthouse caught in lawsuit over unpaid rent at Mueller location</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUxMjI1NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNzEyMjY5MX0.92B8k5ZQ160KRB-gT5yjc2gz6yDUIzjxGDfbD1jjfLE/img.jpg?width=980" id="c26e3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5f63eebc01a4f84dc6c9a9e1513a5c9a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Alamo Drafthouse caught in lawsuit over unpaid rent at Mueller location(Alamo Drafthouse/Facebook)
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(Holy Roller)
It's no secret that COVID-19 has put businesses' longevity to the test this year, sending bars, restaurants and local businesses like Buffalo Billiards, Threadgill's, The Bazaar and Capitol City Comedy packing. With no end in sight, these businesses have either announced their closure or are asking for help.
Baretto
<div id="7a630" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="79cb99dc4c5265b4e707ebf5bda6c78b"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdgrqLFzcf/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Baretto, a wine bar located on 10710 Research Blvd, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/barettoatx/" target="_blank">will also close its doors</a> due to an H-E-B expansion causing the bar to lose its lease. With short notice and nowhere else to go, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/380994936389131?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A5%2C%22action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22main_list%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22%5C%22[]%5C%22%22%7D]%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D" target="_blank">Baretto said on Facebook</a> that it was being "forced out" of its home shopping center and that it is "not a casualty of the shutdown." Baretto said they are looking to relocate but until then, the bar will close its doors on Nov. 30.</p>Brick Oven Austin
<div id="4c05e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6715166173769fa4a90b6df35181a794"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYLbXpFbEw/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>After 38 years of business, pizza restaurant Brick Oven Austin, located on 10710 Research Blvd. in the same center as Baretto, announced in a blog titled "2020 is the worst," it would <a href="https://brickovenaustin.com/2020-is-the-worst/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">close its doors permanently</a>, citing the same H-E-B expansion as Baretto that would cause the business to lose it's lease. The restaurant has had a rough year; Brick Oven Austin also <a href="https://brickovenaustin.com/regarding-red-river/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">closed its downtown location in March</a> due to nearby businesses expanding, making it infeasible for the chain to stay. The Arboretum location will remain open until Nov. 30 for dine-in and takeout, noting also to stay on the lookout for discounts and that it is on the "hunt for viable alternatives."</p>Holy Roller
<div id="3f86d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="edbfe045ac22ccb39df10563878ec366"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGf1stGlq5j/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Three years after its opening, punk rock-inspired brunch restaurant and cocktail bar Holy Roller, located on 509 Rio Grande St., will bid Austin farewell this weekend. The restaurant was famous for its creative cocktails and biscuits, serving up comfort food in a charming atmosphere. Holy Roller will host a <a href="https://holyrolleraustin.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">final brunch</a> this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.</p>Mother’s Cafe
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUzMTY4Ni9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMTc2MTc4MX0.3yXTc2Xf48tiYcasTzwgJlq8uIcMaNJBHucv7vZ_CqI/img.png?width=980" id="4e3d0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9d9b9a8505fd6583e766b8fe3d05b819" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />(Facebook)
<p>Austin's longest-standing vegetarian restaurant, Mother's Cafe, located on 4215 Duval St. and E. 43rd St., announced it would join the ranks of many other restaurants this year, closing its doors after 40 years with a final service this Saturday. After the onset of COVID-19, Mother's Cafe was forced to continue operations on just takeout orders and watch sales drop about 75%, <a href="https://www.austin360.com/entertainment/20201015/iconic-vegetarian-restaurant-motherrsquos-cafe-closing-after-40-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to Austin 360</a>. It isn't all bad news—Mother's Cafe plans to sell some of its more popular items, like <a href="https://motherscafeaustin.com/cashew-tamari-dressing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the cashew-tamari salad dressing</a>, in stores. The restaurant's owners said they have not yet ruled out the possibility of moving locations or even selling the restaurant.</p>Valhalla Esports Lounge
<div id="b49b1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="caf0787a6dc0d2415e68604620ef4315"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDpzNbHlxbD/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Valhalla Esports Lounge, located on 710 B W 6th St., announced Aug. 8 it wasn't sure it could make it through COVID-19. The <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2020/10/16/valhalla-esports-lounge-files-ch-11-bankruptcy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Austin Business Journal reported</a> Oct. 16 that the bar would file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in hopes of being able to restructure its business model and hopefully reopen. The bar, which opened just over a year ago, started a <a href="https://wefunder.com/valhalla.esports.lounge/ask" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WeFunder campaign</a> to raise money to survive the pandemic but did not meet its goal and returned the money it had raised. </p>Wheatsville Co-op
<div id="b052f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1226ceb71252111ef415bb5f74d763ad"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYQ3zVlQlD/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>While Wheatsville Co-op, located on 3101 Guadalupe St. and 4001 S. Lamar Blvd., doesn't have plans to shut down anytime soon, the grocery store mentioned <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/jdsqh5/wheatsville_is_struggling_and_asking_for_help/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in a letter for help</a> that since COVID-19 started, sales had dropped about 15% despite many larger grocery stores seeing a surge in profit. Among others, Wheatsville cited one-stop shop grocery stores being popular during this time; people avoiding city centers—where both of its locations are; and UT's low in-person rate as reasons why the business is struggling.</p>From Your Site Articles
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(Bob Daemmrich/Austonia)
Travis County residents stand in line to vote on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Nearly 200,000 Travis County residents have voted early in person since the polls opened on Oct. 13. With 12 days left before the early voting period ends on Oct. 30, and photos circulating on social media of long lines, Austonia has ranked the 37 local polling places by popularity.
<p><br/></p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe frameborder="0" height="680" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQhzGsHb9NoAcb6jAqfrHF8ZgpkJ8J0s47wqw-uY6FXWogeaRCclucK7fBGyrE3lAM5hKZoBHkRMolb/pubchart?oid=66413591&format=interactive" width="387"></iframe></div><p>The first four days of early voting saw successively higher turnout—growing from 35,873 on Tuesday to 41,265 on Friday—with a dropoff over the weekend, according to the Travis County Clerk's Office.<br/></p><p>As of lunchtime Monday, more than 13,000 people had voted early.</p><p>Six days into the early voting period for the 2016 general election, 180,433 Travis County residents had voted early in person.<br/></p><p>Voter turnout this election is already breaking local records. </p><p>The Travis County Clerk's Office reported 41,265 people voted early in person on Friday, a new local record.</p><p>Additionally, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said last week that her office had already received more than 78,000 mail-in ballot applications and expects that number to grow to around 100,000 by the Oct. 29 deadline. In comparison, her office sent out only 27,000 mail-in ballots ahead of the 2016 general election.</p><p>As of Sunday, DeBeauvoir's office had received 35,696 mail-in ballots for tallying.</p><p>In other record-setting news, more than 850,000 Travis County residents—of 97% of eligible voters—registered by the state's Oct. 5 deadline, according to the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant. </p><p>Around 78% of voting age Texans were registered to vote during the 2016 general election, <a href="https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/historical/70-92.shtml" target="_blank">according to the Texas Secretary of State's office</a>. Of those, nearly 60% of registered voters turned out.</p><p>Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. </p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=17x85RnH1fkaaaH7GW091vVUYKsYOwKsq" width="640"></iframe></div><p>The following six sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28; Thursday, Oct. 29; and Friday, Oct. 30:<br/></p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Ben Hur Shrine Center</li><li>Millennium Youth Complex</li><li>PfISD Rock Gym</li><li>South Park Meadows, Suite 400</li><li>South Park Meadows, Suite 500</li><li>Austin Central Library</li></ul><p>Residents can find wait time estimates for each location <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/wait-time-map.html" target="_blank">here</a>, whether they are registered to vote <a href="https://www.votetravis.com/vexpress/display.do" target="_blank">here</a>, voter identification requirements in Texas <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/new-voter-id-requirements-for-texas-voters.html" target="_blank">here</a>, their personal ballot <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/current-election/what-s-on-the-ballot.html" target="_blank">here</a> and some races to watch <a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-early-voting-2020" target="_self">here</a>.</p><p>Many local businesses are also encouraging voting by offering specials—<a href="https://austonia.com/early-voting-rewards/paprika-atx-one-free-carnitas-taco" target="_self">from a free slice of pizza to a discounted pint</a>—to those who bring in their "I voted" or "Yo voté" sticker. </p>
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(Laura Figi/Austonia)
People line up outside 6th Street bars on Sept. 12.
More than 200 Austin bars have recently reclassified as restaurants, bypassing Travis County health rules that keep bars closed amid COVID-19 concerns.
<p>Some bars in Texas, shut down <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/26/texas-bars-restaurants-coronavirus-greg-abbott/" target="_blank">since late June</a>, reopened last week at 50% capacity <a href="https://austonia.com/texas-bars-covid" target="_blank">where local officials deemed it safe</a>. Travis County ultimately <a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-bars" target="_blank">kept bars closed</a> because "the risk to our public health is too great," Judge Sam Biscoe said.</p><p>But at least 203 Austin bars are eligible to reopen anyway, based on mid-October permit records from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. These bars submitted paperwork proving they have on-site food service facilities where customers can order at least two entrees at the same time alcohol is served.</p><p>There has been a significant surge in converted bars locally since <a href="https://www.tabc.texas.gov/static/sites/default/files/2020-08/industry-notice-qualifying-as-a-restaurant-under-ga-28.pdf" target="_blank">state-issued guidance in August</a> told bars how to reopen as restaurants. Here is a map showing every Austin establishment that successfully applied to reopen.</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=131hMua8aRgzZ9hifWe2gdeRd4Ex_SSYR" width="640"></iframe></div><p>Keep in mind that permit changes don't necessarily mean every business on the map reopened just yet.<br/></p><p class="media-headline">Bars that were unable to reclassify as restaurants remain closed in Travis County. Since the pandemic started in March, Austin bars have only been allowed to <a href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/as-covid-19-surges-gov-abbott-orders-bars-re-closed-restaurants-to-scale-back-capacity" target="_blank">open for about five weeks</a>, from mid-May until late June when shutdown orders were reissued statewide.<br/></p><p>Texas restaurants—including converted bars—can operate at 75% capacity as long as tables remain distanced and there are no more than 10 people per party. </p><p>In Austin, the city has established the "<a href="http://austintexas.gov/page/shop-the-block" target="_blank">Shop the Block</a>" pilot program to encourage businesses to expand outdoor operations during the pandemic. However, only 17 restaurants and converted bars have active permits to expand into private parking lots as well as public sidewalks, parking spaces and streets.</p><p>Many of the existing participants, mostly converted bars, have renewed their permit. The outdoor expansion into private parking lots and public rights of way is free as long as the expanded area doesn't include a tent or seat of more than 49 people. If so, then it's $306 per month.</p><p>Additional application, usage and inspection fees apply for public space closures. Most applicants have expanded into their private parking lots, avoiding those fees in the process.</p><p>See more details of each successful applicant in the map above. The city is encouraging more applicants for the sparsely used pilot program, which runs through at least Dec. 15. </p><p><br/></p><p><strong>More on bars:</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-bars" target="_self">Travis County judge says bars must remain closed after governor granted authority to reopen</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUxODM3My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzQwOTk2OX0.-VZkqRMYxrTe51FxoDbIfBVFZdNFkhbjmiwSjAXf7bE/img.png?width=980" id="93449" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8cfbb97d60fef89f2c67787113690a58" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Travis County judge says bars must remain closed after governor granted authority to reopen(Laura Figi/Austonia)
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