ATX PULSE 8/29/24: New Details on Teen's Terrorist Threat to School // City Provides Project Connect Update // Watson Kicks off Re-election Campaign // Royal Blue Co-Owner: "Public Safety 'Crisis'" // Council Nearing Contracts for ~$2.5B Airport Expansion (2024)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Compiled byMatt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 92° / L: 73°. Slight chance of rain. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shieldshere.

TOP NEWS

“New details released in teen’s terrorist threat to attack AISD school,” Fox 7 Austin’s Angela Shen — “Court paperwork reveals more information about a teenager's plan to shoot up an elementary school.

Giana Castillo, 17, is charged with terroristic threat. She's accused of planning an attack on Graham Elementary, which she previously attended.

Yaremy Lopez, a Graham Elementary parent, shared her reaction.

"I grew up in this school and I would never expect it to happen in my childhood school," she said. "I'm very unhappy with it, I don't feel safe."

Authorities say a tipster saw Castillo's post on Instagram about planning an active shooter event and idolizing past shooters. Investigators traced the IP address.

The arrest affidavit shows posts of weapons she wanted to buy, plus images on her phone that say she "always had a sort of hatred for humanity."

The paperwork also showed conversations with another person planning how to get weapons and when to carry out the attack.

Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather, director of the Texas School Safety Center and Texas State University, emphasizes the importance of speaking up if you see or hear something suspicious.

"These violent events can be prevented because the acts are typically planned in advance. This isn't just one day someone wakes up and decides to do this. Individuals typically tell others beforehand about their plans," she said.

“Austin mayor and transit officials give update on Project Connect, address new lawsuit,” KVUE’s Adam Bennett — “Austin’s mayor and transportation leaders said Wednesday they’ll keep moving forward with Project Connect, the $7.1 billion transit plan voters approved in 2020, despite a new lawsuit challenging it.

“We should be moving forward the way that we are because the public said that’s what they want,” Mayor Kirk Watson said during Transit Forward’s annual update on Project Connect.

He added, “The best way to address [the lawsuit] is in the court system.”

On Monday, several Austinites filed a class-action lawsuit claiming the city is illegally collecting property tax for Project Connect because voters aren’t getting what they voted for.

“This is a bait-and-switch,” Cathy Cocco, who voted for Project Connect in 2020, said during a news conference on Tuesday at Dirty Martin’s, one of the businesses in jeopardy of closing along the proposed light rail path.

The plan was drastically scaled back in 2023 after inflation and rising costs pushed its price tag past $11 billion.

“Instead, they’re pursuing what I call a ‘miniature Project Connect,’” said Bill Aleshire, lead counsel on the lawsuit.

On Wednesday, the head of Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), the local government corporation responsible for implementing Project Connect, revealed ATP has started the process to secure around $4 billion to build out light rail.

“That’s about a two-year process to secure that federal money,” Greg Canally, the executive director of ATP, said. “We think now, because of the land use, our rating will be better.”

Leaders say two new MetroRapid bus lines included in the plan will open in Spring 2025: one from Mueller to Southeast Austin, the other from downtown to the Travis County Expo Center.

“We want to make sure we’re adding park-and-rides where they make sense,” said Commissioner Jeff Travillion (Precinct 1), who serves as the chair of CapMetro’s Board of Directors.” KVUE

“‘Former hotel in northwest Austin reopens as supportive housing,” KVUE’s Matt Fernandez — “An old hotel property in northwest Austin has been revamped three years after the city bought it.

Pecan Gardens is now helping give people exiting homelessness a place to live, after the city spent over $11 million to buy and renovate the old hotel property.

Currently, the property houses 46 people, but will eventually house up to 78.

Alesandra Dominguez is a crisis response director for ECHO, or the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition. The organization said on any given night, more than 6,300 people are un-housed in Austin.

ECHO and groups like Family Eldercare, which runs Pecan Gardens, work together to get people into shelter spaces.

"What we have always said [is] the way to end homelessness is through housing, so having another facility," Dominguez said." "They can get out of this crisis, they will have the support, [and it] makes a significant help on their life, on the value they feel in themselves."

According to Family Eldercare, to get into Pecan Gardens:

The shelter space didn't come without controversy.

People like nearby hotel owner Rupal Chaudhari agreed that Williamson County was justified in the lawsuit.

"I still believe this wasn't a good resolution for find solutions to homelessness,” Chaudhari said.

Chaudhari said there are better ways to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to help the unhoused.

"Hotels are the most expensive ways, these programs have not worked anywhere around the country," Chaudhari said, also stating his belief that Williamson County is too far from services that can help people.” KVUE

“Texas State University leaders give updates on Research-1 designation,” Community Impact Austin’s Amira Van Leeuwen — “Academic leaders at Texas State University gave updates on the university’s aspirations for becoming a designated Research-1, or R1, university during The State of Texas State 2024 event on Aug. 23.

Texas State is looking to receive R1 Carnegie classification by 2027. The R1 designation measures research investments made by the public and private sectors of a university to support research conducted by faculty and students.

To be considered, universities must have over $50 million in research expenditures and graduate an average of 70 doctoral degrees over three consecutive years, Chief Research Officer Shreek Mandayam told Community Impact.

Texas State has already surpassed the $50 million mark—as of 2024, the university has $160 million in research funding.

The 2024 reporting period is the first year Texas State awarded over 70 doctoral degrees—a path university officials will have to continue over the next two years.

“We [had] 71 this year, and if we keep the momentum going, we will get there,” Mandayam told Community Impact.

Mandayam said being an R1 university means Texas State will have a reputation for research excellence.

“It’s not about being better, it’s about being different,” he said.

Texas State is looking to focus on the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability and water research. Mandayam noted that they do not want to leave the humanities behind.

“We have a huge focus on digital humanities, and we want to recruit scholars for the humanities from across the nation,” he added.” Community Impact Austin

THE BLOTTER

Surveillance video captured a shirtless man assaulting the business owner outside the downtown store.

Earlier this month, surveillance video captured an apparent attack that erupted outside of the Royal Blue Grocery on Congress Avenue.

It shows Scariano approaching a man after he had pulled up a chair. Scariano said he had asked the man if he was a customer, and that's when Scariano said he blew up on him.

"He tried to spit on me, challenged me physically," Scariano said.

The situation escalated when Scariano said he tried to get him to leave, which led to a small crowd forming and several people attempting to pull the man off of Scariano.

"He turned around, assaulted me, he headbutted me, and I tackled him and we held him down," Scariano said.

Austin police responded and said George Martin Jr. was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault with injury and criminal trespass. Martin Jr. remains at the Travis County Jail.

Scariano said the alleged assault left him with injuries, but unfortunately, it's another crime added to a laundry list of troubles the store has faced.

Scariano and Craig Staley run seven of the Royal Blue Groceries scattered across Downtown Austin. In July, KVUE interviewed Staleyafter a series of burglaries were committed by a repeat offender. Scariano said he and Staley have been trying to put a spotlight on the issue and gain help from the city.

"The solution needs to be all of us working together towards a shared goal. [We've] been working exhaustively on this for years and it's demoralizing," Scariano said.

Scariano said he has reached out to Council Member Zo Qadri multiple times to address the issues. KVUE reached out to Qadri's office on Wednesday but did not receive a response.

Scariano said all of his stores are "under assault" and what they're looking for is more security. Scariano says Austin police help where they can, but they don't have the funds for a private security team.” KVUE

~ “Man charged with arson after allegedly setting fire at PNC bank on South Congress Ave,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra – “An arson suspect identified in a recent incident at PNC Bank has been linked to a prior case, according to authorities.

Luis A. Reyes, 34, is facing arson charges after allegedly setting a fire at the PNC Bank located at 2401 S. Congress Avenue on Wednesday, August 21, at around 1:01 p.m.

According to court documents, Reyes ignited a fire on the bank's drive-thru tube controller pedestal. The incident was reported by the bank manager, but since the fire had already been extinguished by bank employees, no immediate response was made by the Austin Police Department.” CBS Austin

~ “56-year-old man dies in crash on Hwy 290 in Manor Wednesday morning,” KXAN’s Abigail Jones – “A 56-year-old man died Wednesday morning in a crash in Manor on Highway 290 near Greenbury Drive.

The Manor Police Department said on its Facebook page its officers, Travis County Emergency Services District 12 and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a “major collision” at East U.S. Hwy 290 and Greenbury Drive.

Manor Police said in an update the crash involved two vehicles. One was driven by a 56-year-old man, who was pronounced dead on the scene. The other vehicle was driven by a 22-year-old man, who was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Manor Police Department is investigating the crash and said it doesn’t suspect it to be an alcohol-related incident. Police said the Victim Service Unit is in the process of contacting next of kin.

The crash closed Hwy 290 and Greenbury Drive for several hours Wednesday morning, but the scene cleared shortly before 6 a.m.” KXAN

~ “20 people rescued from stalled elevator in Austin, no injuries reported,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley – “Approximately 20 people were safely rescued from a stalled elevator in Austin on Wednesday night, fire officials said.

The Austin Fire Department responded to a call about multiple people trapped in an elevator. Upon arrival, crews found about 20 individuals inside the stalled lift.

All occupants were safely extracted from the elevator without injuries, according to a statement from the fire department.” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

~ “Council to see start of contracts for nearly $2.5B to fund airport expansion,” Austin Monitor’s Chad Swiatecki – “City Council will consider a handful of funding items today that collectively would approve almost a half-billion dollars in contracts for the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The five requests total $497.8 million and represent the next major decisions in a series of possible approvals that would total nearly $2.5 billion in the coming months.

A memo released Tuesday gives Council an accounting of the items on today’s agenda as well as others expected for the meetings on Sept. 12 and 26.

The largest single expenditure for the airport on the agenda is a pair of requests related to the design and construction support services for the improvement of the airfield at ABIA. Together, the two items total $346.7 million, which will include replacement of existing midfield taxiways to make room for the new concourse structure.

Other requests include $60 million to fund a rotation of engineering and architectural services, $72 million to design the new concourse and tunnel system, and $19.1 million to design and build a new baggage handling system.

At the Sept. 12 meeting, Council will likely see a request to allow the Airport Authority to accept grants from federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (part of the Department of Homeland Security) to help fund some of the expansion costs. The request would allow up to $500 million in grants with the possibility for more, with the midfield taxiway project seen as eligible for nearly $220 million in funding.

Two weeks later, Council will likely see three more requests totaling $1.89 billion.

The largest contract will be $1.03 billion for the construction of the new concourse and tunnel. Another $865 million will cover costs for the design and construction of a new arrivals and departures hall, with a final $1.1 million contract to cover the transportation of a stockpile of soil left over from previous construction work.

The expansion is seen as essential for the airport, which has fully recovered from the effects of the decline in travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 22 million people traveled into or out of the airport last year, an increase of almost 28 percent from just prior to the pandemic. Through earlier this summer, five of the 10 busiest days in the airport’s history had occurred this year.” Austin Monitor

~ “County to fully staff lawyers at bail hearings beginning Oct. 1,” Austin Monitor’s Lina Fisher – “Justice advocates have been calling for Travis County to instate Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) – an integral part of the justice system that ensures everyone access to a lawyer at their initial bail hearing – for years. In the summer of 2022, the county implemented a pilot program that lasted only nine days because of a lack of staff and space at the jail. After mounting calls highlighting the importance of the right to legal counsel and an ACLU lawsuit for the lack of it, the county finally implemented CAFA test shifts this spring. Now, they’re planning to ramp up the program permanently – to one shift a day, seven days a week – by Oct. 1.

In a county meeting Aug. 27, commissioners approved the 39 new staff positions needed to achieve that. Eventually, to keep the program going and provide a second shift per day, the county will need 72 full-time employees, but right now, those 39 should be enough to fully staff up by the Oct. 1 start date – if county departments begin hiring immediately. Because of the rushed process, staff will come back with an updated recommendation tying up any loose ends or corrections needed by Sept. 17, wherein they’ll recommend the court approve an earmark in the 2025 budget.

The new positions span the county’s entire slate of justice services, including the Criminal Courts, Public Defenders’ Office, Capital Area Private Defenders Service (a private legal service that contracts with the county), Community Legal Services, District Attorney’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, District Clerk’s Office and Pretrial Services.

The Public Defender’s Office will take 25 percent of CAFA shifts, CAPDS will take 25 percent and the other 50 percent will be handled by a new division within Community Legal Services. Geoff Burkhart, county executive for CLS, stressed that it will “serve as a hub for the defense function administratively, making sure that we have basic kind of left-hand, right-hand coordination – that nobody’s slipping through the cracks.”

One of the most important new positions in the PDO, CAPDS and CLS is the caseworker, which Chief Public Defender Adeola Ogunkeyede said “is the piece that is across all the defense functions, and is really about handling people who are in crisis. Many times, the courts and the state are interested in well, what is the plan?” before they decide to release someone. “That’s where a caseworker comes in. Caseworkers will be on the ground, able to identify resources to help that person out of their crisis moment and give the court and the state confidence that to release that person is the right decision for the process. It will inevitably save us days that people would otherwise spend in jail, when plans are trying to be put in place.”

CAPDS, which will take a quarter of the shifts, also received funding from the county to provide a stipend for Spanish speakers and mental health professionals, “to keep the motivation the same for compensation and to recognize the effort and the skills that they bring,” said Bradley Hargis, director of CAPDS. Those skills will be essential for providing equitable justice to everyone, as currently 14 percent of these hearings require a Spanish interpreter.” Austin Monitor

2024

~ “‘Affordability first,’ Austin Mayor Kirk Watson kicks off re-election campaign,” CBS Austin’s Abigail Velez – “Incumbent Austin Mayor Kirk Watson kicked off his re-election campaign with an event Wednesday night in downtown Austin.

"Isn't it a great night to be in Austin Texas?" said Watson during opening remarks.

Watson greeted constituents-- many of which remember his leadership from two decades ago.

Although the law caps Texas mayors from serving more than two terms, they don't have to be consecutive-- allowing Watson yet another chance at the top of the local leadership chain.

"I was elected in 1997, reelected in 2000, and then I ran in '22-- so those aren't consecutive terms," said Watson.

His top priority for this run: affordability.

"[My time at] City Hall over the past year and a half has included historic zoning reforms and streaming our development review process so that we're helping increase our housing supply in every part of Austin," Watson added.

During his time in public office, Watson has served alongside state lawmakers, but Capitol City has remained a point of contention for state officials-- with the state legally challenging the city on several occasions during Watson's tenure.

CBS Austin asked Watson, "How do you plan on bridging that gap with state lawmakers and local officials during the next legislative session?"

"That's nothing new, Austin has always been the focal point at the legislature," replied Watson, "I will always stand up for Austin's values, but by the same token, we can gain benefit through not creating unnecessary enemies."

Watson said he wouldn't do anything differently as mayor if re-elected, "It's a question of building on our successes."“ CBS Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

~ “Worker sues Samsung for $1M after allegedly being crushed on the job in Taylor,” KVUE’s John Diaz – “A new lawsuit claims a worker at the Samsung plant in Taylor was crushed during an incident earlier this month.

The worker, who lives in the San Antonio area, claims he was working at the plant as a sheet metal contractor when he was crushed by unsecured ductwork.

According to the lawsuit, a forklift operator hoisted heavy, unsecured ductwork in the air while the worker instructed where to place it. At some point, the ductwork shifted and fell onto the worker, leaving him with "catastrophic" crush injuries.

The lawsuit states the ductwork weighed more than 800 pounds, leaving the worker with a head injury, a crush injury to his abdomen, fractured ribs, a lacerated liver, structural damage to his knees, and fractures to his legs.

In the lawsuit, the worker claims Samsung is aware of the failures and extreme risks inside the facility. He also claims he wasn't properly trained for the equipment he was required to use, adding that Samsung failed to secure the ducts and that they don't supervise or train workers.

He's now suing for $1 million in damages including pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish and medical expenses.

Samsung says they're aware of the lawsuit despite not yet being served. Below is the full statement provided to KVUE:

Samsung Austin Semiconductor takes safety seriously. We just received a copy of the filing and have not been served. We are reviewing the details of the reported events. Our records indicate the individual at issue was a foreman working for a subcontractor at the Taylor site. We wish him a healthy recovery.” KVUE

~ “Mixed-use project The Bouldin taking shape on South Lamar,” Austin Business Journal’s Sahar Chmais – “Mixed-use development The Bouldin is nearing completion on bustling South Lamar Boulevard, and some notable tenants have been lined up.

Split into two buildings, The Bouldin will host a luxury gym from Life Time Group Holdings Inc., wine bar Postino WineCafe, and breakfast and lunch restaurant Paperboy. It's a 4-acre project across blocks 1300 and 1400 of South Lamar. The Bouldin will have 309 residential units and about 75,000 square feet of office space. There are two levels of underground parking.

Austin-based Seamless Capital is developing the mixed-use project and is well underway. Apartments are anticipated to open near the end of the year, and the shell for office space is slated to be completed in the next few weeks, with tenants determining opening dates, according to a Seamless Capital representative. Endeavor Real Estate Group is representing the leases for Seamless Capital.

The Bouldin's location previously housed Genie Car Wash, Austin’s Automotive Specialists and Jiffy Lube, and it sits across the street from Ramen Tatsu-Ya and Saxon Pub.

Initially, plans called for one of the project's four-story buildings to be fully dedicated to office space — but as market needs changed, two stories were leased to Life Time, said Jonathan Tate, an Endeavor principal handling the leasing of the office and retail building. The shift leaves 75,000 square feet of space for office use, with “promising conversations with prospects,” though potential tenants were not disclosed.

“The project fits perfectly into the fabric of the established South Lamar entertainment and culinary district,” Tate said in a statement. “In today’s market where projects are competing to attract tenants through amenities and quality, the addition of Life Time’s athletic country club makes it stand out above the rest of the marketplace.”

Construction of the Life Time gym will begin later this year and is expected to be complete in mid-2025, according to the company. South Lamar’s rapid growth and proximity to downtown enticed Life Time to the site, a company representative said. This will be Life Time’s fifth location in the Austin metro. Chris Skyles at Elevate Development Partners introduced Life Time to the developers. The company didn't disclose its lease terms.

Life Time’s first floor will be dedicated to training and cardio. Its second floor will house its restaurant, LifeCafe with outdoor dining, as well as its Kids Academy and studios for group classes. This Life Time will include a full bar and social lounge, co-working space and a co-ed bath house with hot tubs, cold plunges, sauna and steam rooms.

Paperboy, founded by Ryan Harms, will open its second location at The Bouldin in the first quarter of 2025. The restaurant is about 3,000 square feet, plus some patio space, and it can seat approximately 120 customers, Harms said. Paperboy landed a 10-year lease plus options to renew, a deal brokered by Pierce Jones of Endeavor Real Estate Group, according to Harms.

“We knew that the location … made a lot of sense,” Harms said. “I mean, there's plenty of great and sort of powerful long-lasting concepts up and down that strip. South Lamar is as much of a highway in town as you can get, and we knew there would be good visibility.”” ABJ ($)

OTHER NEWS

~ “Federal funds put peer support for drug addiction in Austin hospitals, courts,” Austin American-Statesman’s Nicole Villalpando – “Two Travis County pilot programs could help people with opioid addiction. With $932,000 in federal funding, Travis County will launch peer support programs at a hospital emergency department and in courthouses.

Peer support programs employ people with lived experience who have special training. The county will use the funds primarily to add six additional peer support specialists for a two year-period.

"These programs aim to reduce the ongoing and increasing opioid crisis impacting our community," said Courtney Lucas, the interim strategic advisor for Travis County Health & Human Services.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, helped secure the federal funding. “To address our community’s opioid crisis and ensure those struggling with addiction can be successful in completing preventative drug programs, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach from local, state and federal governments,” Doggett said.“ AAS ($)

~ “Austin Eagle Scout earns all 138 badges in her troop,” via Fox 7 Austin– “One teenager in West Austin made her scout troops proud as she rose through the ranks. While most girls her age were learning to drive, she earned much more than her license.

Sixteen-year-old Caroline Newby earned all 138 merit badges in Troop 72.

"It's really struck me that just under 600 people have done this throughout the entire history of scouting," said Newby. "It's definitely a big deal for me."

Newby has the badges to prove it, too.

David Howell is the assistant scoutmaster and one of the founders of Troop 72.

"Caroline has always been one of those scouts that you just sort of knew wasgoing to do it all and go all the way," said David Howell. "She has consistently upheld the highest traditions of scouts, and we're all very proud of her."

With humility, Newby said she would not have been able to complete these tasks on hard work alone.

"It was definitely an uphill battle for a lot of them, but without the people around me like my parents, my scoutmasters, myfellow scouts, I wouldn't have been able to get any of it done," stated Newby. "I mean, hard work on my part, but so much encouragement on theirs."

The teenager credits her support system for helping her rise through the ranks.

"Caroline put in a huge amountof work to do that," said Howell. "We acknowledge, too, that her parents put in a lot of work."

Former scoutmaster Paula Ables shared the excitement surrounding the rare accomplishment in scouting.

"Her very last one she completed two weeks ago was the backpacking merit badge, which is one of the hardest ones," said Ables. "We're super excited for her for finishing all of them." Fox 7 Austin

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas football predictions: Individual stats, game picks for 2024 season,” Austin American-Statesman’s Cedric Golden — “The Texas Longhorns will be for real in the SEC.

As I see it, these new kids on the block will have the right stuff with an 11-1 debut — plus an appearance in the conference championship game and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. Along the way, we'll witness the passing of the torch from a three-yearNFL bound starter at quarterback to a young rock star poised to continue the program’s ascent.

Texas will start a season 6-0 for the first time since 2009 but will lose to Georgia at home. The teams will meet again for the SEC title and the Bulldogs will win again. Both will qualify for the CFP, where Georgia will lose to Ohio State in the national championship game while No. 5 seed Texas will beat Boise State in the first round before losing to Alabama in the second.

As for Year 4 of Steve Sarkisian’s program build, this will be the next step in sending a clear message to the SEC and the rest of the college football world: Texas is back, and this time it’s actually true.

Here are some predictions for what promises to be a raucous season:

Quinn Ewers takes center stage

Quinn “Deputy” Ewers has the buzz cut that will play well for his new character in the Dr Pepper Fansville commercials and he'll have the game as well when it comes to his other vocation.

I’d love to say he'll throw for 4,444,444 yards — the guy has NIL deals coming out of his ears — but the Longhorns will happily take the 3,550 yards and 27 touchdowns. The interceptions will be slightly up —from six last year to 10 this season —but he will complete a career-best 69% of his attempts, meaning he will have improved in that area for three straight years.

Arch Manning will play in seven games, including one start for an injured Ewers, and will throw for 425 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He will also run for 90 yards and two scores.” Read the rest of the predictions here » AAS ($)

~ TEXAS VOLLEYBALL: “HEB makes first NIL deal with Texas Longhorns volleyball standout Madisen Skinner,” KXAN’s Billy Gates — “H-E-B has entered the Name, Image and Likeness marketing space with one of the Texas Longhorns’ most dominant athletes — volleyball player Madisen Skinner.

It’s the first NIL deal for the San Antonio-based grocery store chain, and it’s not only about Skinner’s incredible performance on the court for the Longhorns, but also her commitment to the community.

“Growing up in Texas, H-E-B has always been a big part of my family’s life,” she said. “It has always been more than just a grocery store to us and I have lots of fond childhood memories. To be their first NIL partner and to represent female college athletes is an absolute honor.”

Skinner will help H-E-B present a $10,000 check to Brighter Bites, a nonprofit that fights childhood hunger in Texas, at Popham Elementary School in the Del Valle Independent School District on Sept. 3. Skinner also appears in H-E-B commercials alongside Longhorns mascot Hook ‘Em.” AAS ($)

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ BRUNCH: ”Austin brunch-forever restaurant is expanding onto South Lamar” Austin Eater

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: William Beckmann with Julianna Rankin. Scoot Inn (East Austin). Doors 6pm, show 7pm. Tix $32 here. » GO SEE HIM. HE’S GOING TO BE A STAR.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Randy Rogers. Free in-store performance. Waterloo Records (6th and Lamar). 5pm. Info here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Senior Director, Principal Gifts: University of Texas at Austin. Salary: $130k+ salary depending on qualifications. Info / apply here.