🤣 Joke of the Week:

Why don't scientists trust atoms? 🤔

Because they make up everything! 😆

This gem is bound to tickle your funny bone and give you a boost of positivity as you go about your day! Don't forget to share it with a friend who loves a good laugh! 😂

Local News Snapshot

• Proposition Q fails — Austin voters say “no” to 20 % property-tax hike. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have raised about $100-+$110 million for homelessness, parks and services. The decision sends a clear signal about budget priorities and affordability concerns. 

• Austin Trail of Lights turns 60, unveils 2 million-plus lights for 2025. The annual holiday display in Zilker Metropolitan Park (south of downtown) celebrates its six-decade history with illuminated trees, festive displays and a preview night in early December. 

• Austin Energy launches support plan for utility customers amid shutdown-related benefit disruptions. In response to SNAP and federal-funding disruptions, the utility arm of the city is stepping up assistance programs, deferred payment options and outreach to affected residents.

• Barnes & Noble opens new store at Southpark Meadows in South Austin. A 20,000-square-foot bookstore café combo will open at 9600 S I-35 Frontage Rd around Nov 5. It brings books, coffee and community events to a retail hub in the 78747 zip-code.

This Week in Austin

• Austin Food & Wine Festival | Fri–Sun, Nov 7–9, 2025 | Auditorium Shores, 900 W Riverside Drive
  A gourmet weekend under the Austin skyline: top chefs, live-fire pit BBQ, wine & spirit tastings, and outdoor food demos. Ideal for serious food-lovers and anyone who just wants to eat, sip and relax.

• Austin Fusion Festival | Fri–Sun, Nov 7–9, 2025 | Flow Yoga Westgate, 4477 Lamar Blvd
  A sultry, creative weekend of dance workshops, socials, live music and after-parties. If you’re ready to move, groove, and meet other Austinites who love rhythm and connection, this is it. Eventbrite

• Ryan Bingham + The Texas Gentlemen Concert | Fri, Nov 7, 2025 • Doors 7 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, 1401 Trinity St
  Americana-roots at its finest, right downtown. Grab a spot early, enjoy the patio or lawn, and soak the live-show energy before the weekend kicks in. moodyamphitheater.com

• **Murder By Death (Farewell Tour) | Fri, Nov 7, 2025 • Doors 6 p.m. | Mohawk Outdoor, 912 Red River St
  Indie-rock fans, this is one to mark. The band says farewell (at least for now) and Austin gets a front-row moment at one of the city’s favorite venues. Expect a full crowd and the kind of vibe that stays with you.

Pet of the Week: Meet Teddy Bear

Are you ready for a dog that will be ACTIVE when you want him to be and EASY in the house when you need him to be? Meet Teddy Bear 🐶—the perfect companion for those seeking balance and tranquility. Teddy demonstrated excellent home skills while living in an apartment with a foster. He's fully housetrained 🚽 and enjoyed four daily walks at a nearby park 🌳. During his walks, he met numerous new people and cherished every bit of affection offered to him. As a bonus, Teddy is not much of a barker 🐾 at home, making him a splendid choice if you share walls with neighbors.

Teddy was an exemplary, quiet, and calm co-worker 👨‍💻. Whether you want to take him to the couch for a movie 🎥, go on a run, enjoy a hike 🏞️, visit a park or hang out in your yard, Teddy is ready to join you. He even entertains himself with his toys 🧸 and balls, and he absolutely loves water play and pools of any size 💧. With his irresistible smiles 😊, Teddy promises joy and companionship at every moment. He might just be your next social media star 🌟—don’t pass him over!

Teddy is advocated for by his friends at ClassicCaninesATX, who spotlight mature dogs 🐕 as the best of the best. A mature dog like Teddy, who knows the ropes, is an ideal choice for a variety of lifestyles and people of all ages. Let him show you the joy he brings. Have a resident doggo at home? Set up a doggie meet and greet to see the magic unfold 🐾!

Outdoor Adventures

• Within Austin: Barton Creek Greenbelt – Twin Falls Area
  Cool trails, boulder-hopping and a shallow creek make this one ideal for a sunny Saturday afternoon. Moderate difficulty; parking at Loop 360/Kramer Ln fills fast after 10 a.m.—go early.

• Nearby Day-Trip: McKinney Falls State Park (~20 mins from downtown)
  Hike the Homestead Trail, picnic by the waterfalls and dip your toes in Onion Creek. Easy access, family-friendly, and a perfect escape before the weekday grind returns.

• Bonus: Lady Bird Lake Sunset Paddle
  Rent a kayak or paddle board just before sunset on the boardwalk. It’s mellow, scenic, and you’ll likely catch the skyline glowing golden pink—no major equipment needed, just energy for 30–45 minutes.

New in Town (Businesses & Openings)

• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Domain Northside (North Austin): Opening Nov 5. Nashville-style heat meets Austin-friendly patio and full menu. Statesman

• Rocco’s – North Loop: Fresh Italian-American spot by chef Nicholas Ford. Cozy booths, house-made pastas and big flavor. Eater Austin

• Roya – Shoal Creek Blvd (coming soon): Chef Amir Hajimaleki’s fine-dining Persian restaurant opens this fall with elevated ambiance and seasonal plates. Eater Austin

• Velvet Taco – 6539 Burnet Rd, North Central Austin: Recently opened, offering a fusion taco menu (spicy tikka chicken, beer-battered cauliflower) worth the detour. Community Impact

• New restaurant list – North Austin & beyond: 9 new spots recently highlighted, including Sushi Warriors (all-you-can-eat Japanese) and B2J Tasty Pot (sichuan-style sauerkraut fish). Community Impact

Local Spotlight

Meet Jessica Nguyen, founder of Austin Backyard Harvest, a grassroots initiative in East Austin that turns under-utilized lawns into mini-community orchards. Jessica, a former emergency-services instructor turned urban-farmer, recruits neighbors, teaches grafting/planting workshops and partners with local schools to create edible-garden zones around the city.

Her story: Jessica once lived in a small rental near Manor Road and noticed fruit trees everywhere…unused, over-grown, forgotten. She started borrowing ladders, offering harvest-shares in exchange for maintenance, and the idea blossomed. She says: “This city grows fast—let’s make sure it grows food too.”
Today, Backyard Harvest has planted over 120 fruit trees in its first season, engaged elementary-school kids in orchard science and even hosted a “guava jam swap” on a front porch. It’s local, it’s actionable and it’s rooted in community.

Creative

Austin’s creative side never sleeps — and this week’s weirdness is pure peak ATX.

On the corner of East Sixth and Pedernales, local artist Sam Ramos just unveiled a new interactive art installation called “Wish You Were Weird.” It’s a bright pink vintage vending machine that doesn’t sell snacks — it sells tiny moments of joy. Drop in $1 and you’ll get a random surprise: a poem on recycled paper, a sticker designed by a local artist, or a mystery prompt that dares you to “dance in a crosswalk” or “compliment three strangers today.”

The project’s goal? To reconnect strangers through playful acts of kindness. Sam says, “Austin’s growing fast, but weird doesn’t have to disappear — it just needs new ways to show up.”

The installation will live at the Canopy Art Complex through December, then move around to different East Side coffee shops. So if you spot it — go ahead, take a chance on weird.

For a unique and budget-friendly experience in Austin, head to the Cathedral of Junk.

This hidden gem is a massive art installation made entirely of discarded materials.

The artist, Vince Hannemann, has been building it for over 30 years and welcomes visitors to explore the maze of sculptures and oddities.

It's a quirky and offbeat attraction that showcases Austin's creative spirit.

Entry is free, but donations are encouraged to support the upkeep of the site.

This is the perfect spot for anyone looking to escape the crowds and discover a one-of-a-kind piece of Austin's culture.

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