• Wildfire alert raised for Austin & Travis County. The city and county issued pre-emptive disaster orders this week in light of severe drought and wind gusts, aiming to activate emergency resources early and remind residents that even urban homes could be at risk. 

• Grocery staple shifts: Wheatsville Co‑op halts expansion and plans 2026 closure of Central Austin location. After a financial review, the co-op will stop pursuing two new stores and close its Guadalupe St. shop in late 2026, affecting both neighborhood retail access and co-op community dynamics. 

• City mobility updates ahead: Near-term safety improvements coming to Montopolis Drive. The City of Austin announced upgrades to this key east-side corridor, with changes to pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and signage coming soon.

Here’s what’s happening around town—mix of food, culture, music and family-friendly fun:

• Annual Fall Book Fair & Author Meet-Up | Wed, Oct 29 (4 p.m.–8 p.m.) | Austin Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St.
  A free event featuring local authors, food-truck bites outside, kids’ reading corner and a wine-and-cheese mixer upstairs for grown-ups.

• Spooky Pet Parade & Costume Contest | Sat, Nov 1 (10 a.m.) | Zilker Metropolitan Park – Great Lawn
  Bring your pup in costume, stroll the lawn, hit vendor booths, meet other pet-lovers and enjoy live music plus kids’ face-painting.

• Live Jazz & Cocktail Night: “Blue Note After Dark” | Fri, Oct 31 (7 p.m.) | The Evergreen, 1505 S. Congress Ave.
  Upscale yet cozy—live saxophone, autumn-inspired cocktail specials, an ideal date-night out in SoCo.

• Creekside Yoga & Coffee Social | Sun, Nov 2 (9 a.m.) | Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk (meet near the Big Pink Guitar)
  Free (just bring your mat) morning yoga overlooking the lake, followed by coffee & social catch-up—great for families or friends.

• Pop-Up Art Market: “Austin Makers Fall Fest” | Sat–Sun, Nov 1–2 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) | Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St.
  Show-cases dozens of Austin artisans (jewelry, prints, ceramics), live screen-printing demo, kids’ craft zone.

Feast your eyes (and your appetite) on these new or trending food-spots in town:

• Skipjack Oyster (Downtown/East 5th) – A fresh seafood spot opening at 310 E 5th St., channeling Carolina coast raw bar vibes with daily oyster selections, chilled shellfish towers and crisp white wine pours. 

• Roya (Shoal Creek Blvd, North Loop) – Chef Amir Hajimaleki’s long-awaited Persian restaurant (7858 Shoal Creek Blvd) serves saffron-kissed lamb, herb-bundled rice, bright pomegranate-mole sauces in a modern, warm space. 

• First Watch – East Austin (Brunch Alert!) – Open at 3500 E Parmer Ln in the 78754 zone, this large new brunch venue brings seasonal dishes (pumpkin-spiced waffles!), bright patio seating and communal brunch-buzz.

• Seasonal Pop-Up: Maple-Pecan Latte & Sweet-Potato Donuts at your fave café – Not tied to one specific name, but fall flavors are in full swing across Austin cafés—look for warm wood-tones, cozy seating and fall pastry specials.

🌟 Looking for a low key wise ole' guy for your companionship? 🌟

Cooper is chiseled, handsome, wise and sweetly soft. He enjoys a gentle, quiet, and easy approach that matches his outlook on life.

Cooper has been in a foster home where he has the benefit of his foster and a canine friend for companionship. He also lives with an older child.

His energy is on the lower side and of course he's a solid believer in beauty naps 🌜.

He'll gently put his paws in your lap to ask you for some affection. And with age comes wisdom, he's able to manage himself well when home alone and is very house trained. Now and then he may enjoy a toy or a chew 🧸.

He likes leisurely short walks with his people when that's in the cards. He's just as happy with a little time spent in a fenced yard space,

Learn More About Cooper HERE

Pet-Friendly Tip: With the dry conditions and fire risk high, keep your pup’s walks early (before heat builds) and bring water. At the off-leash area of Zilker Metropolitan Park, aim for before 10 a.m. when parking is easier at Barton Creek Dr. and the shade’s still good.

Now that the air’s crisp and the leaves are changing, here are top picks for fresh-air fun:

• Within Austin: Barton Creek Greenbelt – Twin Falls / Gus Fruh area
  Ideal for a morning hike or creek dip. Parking near Loop 360 trailhead is easiest early Saturday; moderate difficulty with some rock-hopping. Come early so you get the shade and fewer crowds.

• Nearby Day-Trip: McKinney Falls State Park
  Just ~20-minutes south of downtown, enjoy waterfall views, easy trails (e.g., Homestead Trail), picnic spots and the chance to unwind before Monday hits. Arrive before noon to snag good parking.

• Bonus: Sunset Paddle on Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk
  Rent a kayak or paddleboard around 4 p.m., glide under the skyline as light softens, and you’ll still be back in time for dinner out.

History Spotlight – The Payphone Revival Project

History Spotlight – The Payphone Revival Project

Back before smartphones ruled the streets, Austin artists brought abandoned payphones back to life — literally. Between 2010 and 2012, the Pay Phone Revival Project transformed old booths into quirky art pieces across East and Downtown Austin. Some played pre-recorded stories, others let you leave anonymous “secrets” for the next caller. The installations are long gone, but the memory lives on — proof that even a phone booth can be a love letter to weirdness.